Disclaimer: I don't own the Warrior series.

Title: Little Pawsteps and Lion Roars

Summary: Those Who Walk Strangely have destroyed the Tribe Of Rushing Water's home, sending them scrambling to ThunderClan for help. Lion, a loyal cave-guard to-be, is content with her life even after all that, but everything changes when she meets excitable apprentice Littlepaw.

Warnings: The usual with Warriors. Oh, and they're both she-cats.

...

The mud on her fur had long dried, leaving gritty patches that rubbed against her fur awkwardly as she moved. She longed for the chance to find a fresh mud puddle to sink into, but wouldn't dare try to halt their journey for something as small as her needs. The Tribe came first.

Tall sent her a look of blatant understanding and sympathy, but Lion kept her gaze straight ahead. They would rest soon, she was sure- the Olders were starting to lag behind, and Stoneteller would never make them push themselves so hard after so many seasons of service- and they could talk then. She could wait.

Quiet Steps On Dark Path, a prey-hunter, and a close friend of Lion's mother, Moss That Grows Under Flowers, boldly sped up to walk beside Stoneteller. The healer looked old and tired. It was no secret that he'd spent six of his nine lives in those caves, and had planned on spending his last three there as well. But now there was nothing left but the Tribe who'd lived there.

"The Olders are tiring. Will we take a break soon?"

Stoneteller nodded. "Soon. We need to find shelter."

Shelter? Lion glanced up. Trees covered them on all sides. The rain the healer had foretold would probably be caught by the leaves.

Lion's claws sank into the soft ground. She longed to turn back and bury herself in the mountains, waiting for Those Who Walk Strangely to take her like they'd taken their home, but she couldn't act so rashly. As a cave-guard to-be, it was her job to put the protection of her Tribe first. Nothing else mattered.

They found a small, enclosed circle of trees to rest under. Stoneteller immediately took the spot on the abandoned tree trunk in the center, watching his Tribe with gleaming eyes.

Tall flicked her shoulder with his tail. "Come lay with me."

Lion and Tall found a place to rest under the trees on the very edge and began cleaning each other of any clumps of dried mud they could get their tongues on.

Their kit-mother padded up to them, eyes glowing with worry. Lion focused on cleaning a stubborn patch on her paw, but Tall sat at attention as she neared.

"How far away is this ThunderClan, anyway?" He asked. "I'm not sure the Olders can go much farther."

"I don't know, little one. The forest cat's arrival was before my time. I have never been to their 'Clan.' Don't worry," She assured him. "The Olders will go as far as they need to for the Tribe."

"Just a little ways further, I promise." Stoneteller said, having overheard.

"How long will we be staying?" A cat called. Lion couldn't tell which one it was.

"For a while, I'm afraid. We need to wait until Those Who Walk Strangely have given up on finding us before we can return."

A fellow cave-guard, Cold Night That Shows Breath, raised his head to be heard. "Will we return to our cave?"

Stoneteller didn't speak for a moment. "No."

Cold dropped his head. The Tribe began to yowl.

"But the Tribe has always lived in the cave!"

"I knew we should've stayed." An Older with an injured leg spat.

"Where will we live?" A kit wailed.

Lion stood up and spoke. "What of the silver cat? Will she be lost to us?"

Stoneteller gave Lion a fierce look. "Feathertail will always be honored in the Tribe. Those Who Walk Strangely can't take that away from us."

Lion nodded her head, satisfied. Feathertail's story had always been one that was close to her heart. She honored the forest cat's courage and selflessness, and would hate for her memory to fade away.

Were the ThunderClan cats all like Feathertail? If they were, then Lion would be more than honored to fight beside them.

"We will find ourselves a new home, and a new Cave Of Pointed Stones." He promised grimly. "The Tribe Of Endless Hunting will show us the way. And, if not them, then the cats of StarClan; if only to get us out of their home. The Tribe Of Rushing Water will not disappear!"

Yowls of agreement rang out. Stoneteller patiently waited until they were silent. "Clan cats are very territorial," He continued. "So I will need to warn them first before we can all go to their camp. I need a patrol of cave-guards to come with me; in case something should go wrong."

Cold stepped forward. "I would be honored to go, if you would allow me."

"Of course, Cold. You're the captain of the cave-guards, after all. I could never ask for better protection. Claw, will you come?"

Claw That Swoops From Sky looked up, surprised at the recommendation. He dipped his head. "As you wish, Stoneteller."

"Good. Tall and Lion, will you follow me?"

"Anywhere." Tall answered immediately. Lion opened her mouth to echo the statement, but Moss intervened.

"But Lion is just a to-be!"

Stoneteller twitched his tail. "Lion is the bravest cave-guard I have ever met, even as a to-be. Have we all forgotten how she earned the name Place Where Lion Rests?"

A murmur of agreement swept through the Tribe. Lion felt embarrassed by the reminder, but it seemed to placate Moss.

"And should she fail, we all know Tall One Who Never Falls will be there to take care of her. She will be fine."

Moss's eyes shone with worry as she touched noses with her daughter, then her son. "May the Tribe Of Endless Hunting be with you."

"May the Tribe Of Endless Hunting be with you as well." Tall answered before going to join the patrol. He signaled for Lion to stand near him.

"Watch over the Tribe!" Stoneteller called to Quiet with a tone of voice that sent shivers down her spine. "Clan cats are the least of our worries here."

Author's Note: And here I go, entering yet another fandom when I've got a bunch of stories I need to finish.

Random fun Fact Of The Day: Lion is like that one apprentice/to-be whose trying their hardest to be a good apprentice/to-be but just comes off as a real dork. =)

No flames! Don't like don't read! Review!