Squirrelflight was startled awake, and found Ashfur snoring softly beside her. Looking up, she saw dawn light filtering through the brambles that made up the warriors' den. Quietly, she slipped out of the den, careful not to wake anyone, and into the clearing. She spotted Brambleclaw sitting under the Highledge, and as their gazes met, he quickly turned away.

I wish we weren't arguing so much, she thought. It's terrible, but how can I trust him when he trusts Hawkfrost? I know that that mange-pelt is evil! I just know it! Squirrelflight was startled from her thoughts and back to reality when she heard paw steps behind her. She turned to see Ashfur padding up, and then stopping beside her. He's the right choice for me, Squirrelflight decided. I know he is.

"Brambleclaw," Firestar directed. "lead a hunting patrol with Squirrelflight, Ashfur, and Spiderleg."

Squirrelflight glanced at Ashfur happily, until she remembered what else Firestar had said. She sighed inwardly, knowing it would be a long time before she and Ashfur could hang out together, alone. Brambleclaw flicked his tail to assemble the group of cats, and then headed out of camp, leading the patrol towards the lake shore.

"Spiderleg, you go towards the Sky Oak and hunt there. There are usually a lot of mice among it's roots." Brambleclaw suggested. The black tom nodded, and raced off through the trees, towards the Sky Oak.

The rest of the patrol padded on in silence, until they reached the lake shore. 

"Brambleclaw, how about you go to the Sky Oak with Spiderleg, and me and Squirrelflight can hunt here," Ashfur suggested. Squirrelflight felt warm from the tip of her tail to her claws as the handsome gray tom made the suggestion, and she was about to agree when Brambleclaw let out a low growl.

"No," the dark tabby replied, his amber eyes flashing. "There's something more important to do." Squirrelflight swallowed. He seemed more menacing than just a moment before, where he had cheerfully suggested that Spiderleg had gone to hunt at the Sky Oak. Yes, this was definitely different then that. 

"Squirrelflight," Brambleclaw meowed, his voice changing from a menacing growl to a mew that was icily calm. "We both know we've been in an argument." Ashfur grunted in annoyance as Brambleclaw ignored him. "Well?" he asked. "Who do you choose?"

Squirrelflight was astonished. "I... I...."

Ashfur glanced at her hopefully, while Brambleclaw's gaze was confident.

Squirrelflight suddenly knew what she had to do. "Ashfur." she replied. "I want Ashfur to stand by my side, and be my mate." Brambleclaw seemed shocked.

"Very well," the dark tabby growled. His amber eyes burned with rage, and he muttered something that Squirrelflight couldn't catch. He stalked away and meowed, "I'm hunting on my own today," then he raced off into the trees, his ears flattened and tail lashing.

Squirrelflight looked back at Ashfur, and her heart practically melted with love for him at the way his gray pelt glimmered in the sunlight, and his blue eyes shimmered with relief. "If... If you want to be my mate, too," Squirrelflight murmured, feeling suddenly shy. 

Ashfur was suddenly right up next to her, nuzzling her and purring so loud he could barely meow, "Of course, I love you, Squirrelflight. I love you, and I never won't." Immediately Squirrelflight was nuzzling him back, and she forgot about the stress of the moment before when Brambleclaw had been there. For the rest of the hunt Squirrelflight was warm with happiness, and both she and Ashfur caught plenty of prey to bring back to their Clan. 

When the patrol returned to camp, Firestar praised them for their large catch, and Squirrelflight and Ashfur were able to share a large rabbit, with still some left over.

As she curled up into her nest, Squirrelflight meowed to Ashfur, "This has been the best day ever, and I mean it." As sleep overcame her, the last thing Squirrelflight saw was the warm, smiling face of Ashfur looking down at her.