Debates For Love!

Squirrelflight scratched her chair with claws nervously. Poor Brambleclaw! First she broke his heart, accepted him again, and mow Ashfur was challenging him to this stupid debate. Poppyleaf was sitting down by the table announcing the rules. Then Ashfur and Brambleclaw walked out. Brambleclaw stood on one end of the table, and Ashfur at the other. “First is Ashfur’s reason for thinking Brambleclaw stole Squirrelflight from him.” announced Poppyleaf.

I grunted. Brambleclaw did not steal her! She loved him, and she had realized she’d never loved Ashfur! He needed to get a life! “Well,” said Ashfur over Brambleclaw’s growling. “Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight were quarreling constantly, and she constantly told me how much of a mouse-brain he was! Forgive me for thinking they were over! Then Brambleclaw shot up in the clan and suddenly Squirrelflight liked him again. I love Squirrelflight, but I believe she just took him back because he was powerful in the clan!”

“Say that to my face!” I yowled from the balcony over Brambleclaw’s insults and hisses.

“Now,” said Poppyleaf trying to keep her voice steady, “It’s Brambleclaw’s turn to debate.”

Brambleclaw turned to Ashfur, “First of all, if anyone had reason to think Squirrelflight was stolen from them, it would be me! We loved each other before you even came into the picture, and we quarreled because of a relative of mine I’m sure YOU know VERY closely.” Squirrelflight giggled. Ashfur had turned out to be the traitor in Thunderclan, but instead of putting him into exile, they dug a hole under the Sky Oak, made him live in it, brought him one piece of Fresh-kill a day, and had him under guard twenty-four seven. They didn’t exile him for fear of something happening like Tigerstar. “and during the badger fight we learned what was really important, that we loved each other and shouldn’t doubt each other!”

Poppyleaf nodded. “That was a pretty convincing argument. Ashfur do you have any comments?”

“Yes, I do. First of all I would like to say something to Squirrelflight.” He turned to her, and she looked up and pretended to be interested of the designs on the ceiling. He ignored her and continued, “Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw is a wimp! He couldn’t even go with the plan! He could’ve killed Firestar, but he decided to kill Hawkfrost instead. He could’ve been ruler of the forest with Hawkfrost and I! But he decided to be loyal to that stupid kittypet Firestar!”

I jumped up. I didn’t care about all Brambleclaw hadn’t me. I just cared about what he had said to me. “That stupid kittypet is my FATHER! And my leader! And this plan was not for the good of the clan! Or any of the clans!”

“But Squirrelflight,” he said in a small sad voice, “I did it for YOU!” Squirrelflight’s heart melted a little at that. She didn’t love him, but she did feel bad for him.

“Squirrelflight don’t listen to him!” yowled Brambleclaw, “He’s lying! Remember is confession!” She remembered and it hardened again.

&

This is a quick flash-back

Ashfur was being pinned to the ground by Firestar and Brambleclaw. “Why’d you do it?” said Ferncloud, her voice pained.

“The power!” he said his voice greedy. “I could have been ruler of the forest, with the spirits of Tigerstar and Hawkfrost at my side! I could have anything I wanted! I’d never be lonely again! I could’ve killed you Firestar! And you Brambleclaw. Not to mention Jaypaw, for becoming a medicine cat.” He turned to Lionpaw, “I wouldn’t have killed you then, but if I still get my power, I will!” and he turned to four toms she loved most with such evil eyes, Squirrelflight had to turn away.

“Ashfur,” I had croaked, “Did you turn because of me?”

“No.” he hissed, “but I still love you Squirrelflight.”

“I’ll never love you.”

&

She was brought out of her flash-back by Poppyleaf’s voice. “So Brambleclaw wins the debate. Join us next week on Debates For Love!” Squirrelflight sighed, she had missed the end of the debate, and the Jury’s decision. But she knew Brambleclaw, her true love, had won!