ASHFUR X SQUIRRELFLIGHT

Part 2 of the of the most intense shipping rivalries (both canon and fandom) within the warriors series was seen (and abandoned) in The New Prophecy. It is very disputed whether this pairing or it's rival, SquirrelxBramble, is more popular. Despite not knowing that, AshxSquirrel is a very popular pairing.

Within The New Prophecy it is very obvious that Squirrelflight falls in love with Brambleclaw. However, she falls out with him and ends up spending a lot of time with Ashfur, to Ashfur's delight and Brambleclaw's jealousy are obvious. Between gaps of books, shippers were left wondering (in agony) the future of the love triangle. Fortunately, Sunset brought such conclusion. Squirrelflight made up with Brambleclaw, and left the heart-broken Ashfur.

It was disputed between fans whether Squirrelflight's affection towards Ashfur was merely using him to make Brambleclaw jealous - it seemed both in character and blatant. However, Erin Huner's extremely unpopular statement assured Squirrelflight lovers that she would never do something so cruel. This subject is still chased by fans.

Midnight, page 111    As quickly as it had blazed up, the fire began to die, and Leafpaw let out a sigh of relief. The flames sank into bright embers and began to wink out, the fonds of bracken disintegrating into flecks of ash.

A key point in the support of SquirrelxBramble is that they have been prophesied by StarClan to be together - but how interesting, a less noticed point of this prophecy happens when the fire (and tiger) dies, and becomes ash. Just as in the later books, when the relationship of Squirrelfight and Brambleclaw dissolves Squirrelflight turns to Ashfur for support.

Dawn, page 48    The sound of rapid pawsteps behind them made her spin around, startled. A pale gray warrior, Ashfur, skidded to a halt in front of her. She searched his eyes, afraid to find rage, but there was only surprise.    "You came back!" He held his tail high and reached out his muzzle to touch hers in greeting. Squirrelpaw felt a rush of relief. At least one cat seemed glad they had returned.

At this time Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw are still close, having just returned from the journey. Yet even before they spend a lot of time together Ashfur is still friendly with her, and is one of the very few who accepts her return without question.

Twilight, page 10    "Hi Squirrelflight!" Ashfur joined them before Squirrelflight could reply. The gray tomcat gestured to her with his tail. "Come sit by me."    Squirrelflight padded to his side, noticing that his dark blue eyes gleamed as she joined him.

In TWILIGHT, when Squirrelflight distances herself from Brambleclaw because of his allegiances to his half-brother, Ashfur takes advantage and sparks a friendship with her. The "gleam" of his blue eyes is an obvious hint that he's working on creating a bit more then just a friendship.

Twilight, page 19    Squirrelflight exchanged a glance with Ashfur and saw concern and gentleness in his blue eyes. After Brambleclaw's hostility, it was like cool water on a hot day.

Quote pretty much speaks for itself there. Squirrelflight finds a very good refuge in Ashfur when she argues with Brambleclaw -- and this entire page is a perfect example of how better Ashfur is for her then Brambleclaw. While Brambleclaw and her argue constantly and he tends to be protective of her independent spirit, while Ashfur is more gentle and supportive of her.

Twilight, page 24    Glancing up at Ashfur, she saw that his eyes were dark with concern. She knew he wanted to be closer to her, more then just fellow warriors. It was tempting to tell him that she felt the same way, but it was too soon for her to be sure her feelings were real. She needed to get over the quarrel with Brambleclaw first. And in the meantime we have a job to do, she reminded herself with a flash of impatience. You're a warrior, not a moonstruck rabbit!

This is the first direct quote where Squirrelflight first notices that Ashfur is interested in being her mate -- and the first notion of Squirrelflight's attitude that angers supporters of AshxSquirrel; that she isn't "sure" of her feelings.

Twilight, page 53    Casting a mischievous glance at Ashfur, who was gathering moss from another tree nearby, she hooked up her ball with the claws of one paw and hurled it at him. It landed accurately in the middle of his back and disintegrated, covering his pelt with scraps of moss.    Ashfur spun around to face her. "Hey!"    His eyes gleaming with laughter, the gray warrior scooped up his own moss and flung it at Squirrelflight. She dodged behind the tree to avoid it, and crashed straight into Brambleclaw.

Though Ashfur and Squirrelflight do not bicker as much as Brambleclaw and her, they are still a fun couple! Ashfur is sometimes described by opposition to this ship as too boring for Squirrelflight, but this obviously proves that they can have fun as well.

Twilight, page 53    Casting a mischievous glance at Ashfur, who was gathering moss from another tree nearby, she hooked up her ball with the claws of one paw and hurled it at him. It landed accurately in the middle of his back and disintegrated, covering his pelt with scraps of moss. Ashfur spun around to face her. "Hey!"    His eyes gleaming with laughter, the gray warrior scooped up his own moss and flung it at Squirrelflight. She dodged behind the tree to avoid it, and crashed straight into Brambleclaw.

Twilight, page 108    Squirrelflight blinked gratefully at Ashfur. She didn't need him or any cat to spring to her defense, but it was good of him to support her.    "She will be [more careful]." Ashfur sprang to Squirrelflight's defense again, unaware of the furious look she gave him this time. She was even angrier when she noticed a surprised glance from Sandstorm, as if her mother couldn't believe she was depending on Ashfur for protection. "Anyway Brambleclaw," the gray tomcat went on, "it's not your place to tell [Squirrelflight] what to do."

Soon after Squirrelflight also mentions that Ashfur is the only cat she could trust with her life.

Twilight, page 108    "The quarrel today, by the ShadowClan border. Brambleclaw and Ashfur were close to fighting, and that's not good for the Clan."    Squirrelflight's pelt prickled. "It wasn't my fault," she muttered mutinously. "Why tell me about it?"    The tip of Sandstorm's tail twitched back and forth. "Come on, Squirrelflight, you know better then that. Any cat can have problems, but you shouldn't let yours get in the way of your deputy to the Clan.

Sandstorm, Squirrelflight's mother, blatantly says here that she doesn't like the way that Squirrelflight's "tom troubles" are getting in the way of her Clan duties. From her behavior in the few pages before, while the two toms argue over Squirrelflight, it would appear as if Sandstorm is about as pleased as the fans with Squirrelflight's behavior towards the two cats.