A/N: Not much to say this time. Just wishing everyone a great day and stay safe during these hard times. But I do want to bring up the kits LongFlow would have in the future. Princess had a large litter in the books, but should this be changed for the AU?
Chapter 6
Shadow Healer
~.~.~
"Well what do we have here? An enemy warrior and recently fed too by the smell of you both."mewed Bluestar, lashing her tail.
Yellowfang tried to make a get away but her leg gave way, stiff from injury, age, and her health. Flowingpaw shrunk even more, trembling at Tigerclaw's scowl as his taunts raked her ears, "Once a kittypet, always a kittypet."
"Flowingpaw I'm very disappointed in you. Was your hungry so severe that you had to break our law and feed yourself first?"scolded the blue-grey leader.
"N-no...but she's sick and hungry and I-"she was quickly cut off. She was not fooled by the soft tone Bluestar used; her leader was very mad and disappointed.
"Enough, I will deal with you at camp."she then looked over at Yellowfang. "Well, well it seems you caught us a trespassor Flowingpaw...one I know very well too."
Flowingpaw looked over at the scruffy, battle scarred smokey grey persian mix she-cat at those words. Bluestar knew this cat she had just fought and fed? The young cinnamon tabby was surprised.
"You're ShadowClan's medicine cat, Yellowfang aren't you? What are you doing so far from home?"mewled Bluestar tentively, only to earn a look of defiance and remorse at the russian blue mix.
"Was, but now I choose to travel alone."corrected Yellowfang sharply.
Flowingpaw's eyes looked at Yellowfang with even more sympathy and guilt. Had she known she wouldn't have attacked the grizzled she-cat. Her condition must have masked her clan territorial scent. The young apprentice had a deep respect and fondness for medicine cats because of Spottedleaf. So the fact she had hurt Yellowfang horrified her.
"Yellowfang! You must have fallen on hard times to be defeated by a mere apprentice."sneered Tigerclaw mockingly.
It was Darkstripe's gruff, gravely voice that spoke up next. "We should just kill her now, she is no use to us. As for this kittypet, she has broken our laws by feeding an enemy warrior. She must be punished!" Flowingpaw stared in defiant horror and swiftly raced over to to stand between the dark tabby and the old she-cat.
"You brute, leave her alone! If she is a medicine cat like Bluestar says then she's not bound by the normal laws, she has every right to pass through unharmed! Doesn't your laws also state the value of a medicine cat and that they are not to be harmed!?"she snapped back, earning looks of surprise and disgust at her from those that hated her. But Yellowfang and Bluestar looked at her in amused surprise.
Yellowfang was suddenly interested in this kit; she had spirit. Reminding the scarred outsider of her youth. This ThunderClan apprentice spoke the truth and from the heart despite the fact she was clearly scared. Bluestar's shot Darkstripe a stern gaze of fiery blue with a calm purr, "Enough, Darkstripe and sheath your claws! Young Flowingpaw speaks the truth. There's much we could learn from her. All the clans speak volumes of Yellowfang's skill and wisdom. It would be valuable to learn and listen to her words."
Flowingpaw relaxed a little as she saw the patrol gain looks of understanding. But she could still feel the spine crawling glare of disgust directed at her from Darkstripe and now...Tigerclaw. The broad shouldered tabby's look spoke volumes as they escorted their new prisoner to camp. It said, "I'll be watching you." but Flowingpaw's returned it with defiance of a roaring river that crashed and erroded away the rocky shore. "I don't trust you either." was what her own clearly said.
"What am I gonna do? What am I going to do!?"
Greypaw watched his friend pacing frantically in a melodramatic panic in camp. The she-cat looked like somebody had gone and stuck thorns in her nest or dropped mud in her fur. And StarClan knew how much time his friend spent keeping her fur in good shape and silky. It was one of the things that was quickly promising to make her one of the clan's most beautiful she-cats in the future.
"Dude,"Greystripe was fast to smack her over the head with his tail. "Calm down Flowingpaw! You're doing yourself any good freaking out like you got ants in your pelt."
"But Greypaw they're always moaning and groaning about there never being enough prey to go around! I'm such a mousebrain! MRREEEOOWWW! Why oh why did I eat that rabbit!?"wailed Flowingpaw in dismay and frustration.
"Yeah, that was pretty dumb of you. You really broke the warrior code there, buddy."Greypaw cracked a reassuring grin at his friend. "But calm down, Bluestar's a reasonable and wise leader. I'm sure she won't be too harsh."
Flowingpaw simply rested her head on her paws, looking downcast like storm clouds were raining on her. Her wild imagination getting the better of her right now. What if she was kicked out? What if they did something even worse then that!? Swiftly she covered her eyes with a dainty white paw with a frazzle hiss. Greypaw was right she needed to calm down. Her stomach growled it's unhappy protect but she knew she wouldn't be allowed to eat. Part of her punishment she assumed as she looked up to watch Bluestar sleek off to her den with her prey after talking to Frostfur. She decided to go over anyways and grabbed one from the pile and glared at Tigerclaw as he was about to speak, "It's not for me."
"Hn."Tigerclaw simply watched her take it to the elders' den.
Calmly she dropped off the mouse for Smallear before going back to the apprentices' den and started grooming her long fur as she relaxed by her friend. "Has Bluestar mentioned your punishment yet?"he wondered.
"No, not yet. I wish she would already...I c-can't take this anxiety much longer."huffed Flowingpaw.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"Greypaw and Flowingpaw's ears perked at the call.
"Come on, let's go!"Flowingpaw nodded and dashed for the clearing with her friend. Unfortunately for her she just had to crash into a certain pale tabby with a long tail.
"Watch it!"he hissed.
"So-You again!"yelped Flowingpaw in annoyance at seeing it was Longtail.
"Hn, kittypet watch where you're going! Or are your eyes not working either?"he hissed.
"My eyes work just fine, but I could arrange to rip your other ear cause clearly you don't use them."Longtail practically had smoke coming out of his ears as Flowingpaw stuck out her tongue at him before hurrying to go sit with Greypaw and Ravenpaw further into the crowd. Leaving one fuming Longtail in her wake.
"I'm sure you've all heard of the prisioner we brought back with us today. But I have other matters to bring up today."Bluestar addressed her clanmates before glancing at Yellowfang at the base of the boulder. "Can you hear me alright from there, Yellowfang?"
"Hn, I'm old not deaf ThunderClanner."spat the persian mix, flicking her tail.
Flowingpaw felt some what amused with the old medicine cat. It reminded her so much of her littermate, Luna. Luna unlike her had black fur with piercing orange eyes and was as fiesty and spunky as one could get. Honestly she wanted to get to know this ornery outsider, even if she was their prisioner right now. Her watery green gaze turned up back to Bluestar's as the leader went on to explain WindClan was nowhere to be found in their territory and evidance of a struggle was all that had been found. Flowingpaw frowned as she pondered One-eye asking how an entire clan got chased out.
"Greypaw, Ravenpaw...what are WindClan like?"she whispered softly to her two friends.
Surprisingly it was the timid, lithe black apprentice that spoke first, "Th-they're the swiftest of all four clans. They're good runners and diggers. Mother would often jokingly call them rabbits."
"Yeah, their lithe and agile but also fiercely loyal. They never forget those that either wronged them or those that helped them. They're usually very peaceful, except towards ShadowClan-no shocker there."Greypaw whispered back.
Flowingpaw flicked her ear in understanding. She could see and somewhat feel the anxiety and fury that made the air thick and heavy like fog.
"I do not have the answers you all seek, unfortunately."Bluestar mewed calmly. "It is well known that ShadowClan recently appointed a new leader after the death of Raggedstar. Their new leader, Brokenstar gave us no reason to suspect any threat from his clan at the Gathering."
Flowingpaw's ears perked as she noticed a ghostly figure of a scruffy dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes. Yellowfang didn't seem to notice him or anybody for that matter as he look at Yellowfang with sad, regretful eyes before looking directly at her. The look seemed pleading, almost in a remorseful and desperate way. As asking, "Keep her safe...please." Flowingpaw only nodded subtly to the ghost watching it vanish in a wisp of shining mist.
"Perhaps Yellowfang has answers?"Darkstripe growled. "After all she is ShadowClan."
Yellowfang instantly bristled in fury, locking her burning gaze at the dark tom. "I am no traitor! I will never speak of my clan's secrets with a snake-heart like you!"
Flowingpaw could quickly see things starting to escalate and before she knew it her paws were moving on their own as she tackled an advancing Darkstripe. The dark tom yelped in surprise. "Coward! Only a brute would try and hurt a warrior that's unable to fight!"
"Why you little-"snarled Darkstripe, about to pounce on the apprentice. "Get out of my way!"
"ENOUGH!"snarled Bluestar. "The situation right now is far too serious to be fighting among ourselves!" Darkstripe and Flowingpaw instantly backed down, returning to their places in the crowd. Some of the clan though looked at their newest member, Flowingpaw seeing her in a bit of a new light while others glowered at her in further disgust. Among the ones that gained a new respect for her was Yellowfang, whom had been prepared to rip the arrogant youngster to shreds then and there. A purr of amusement in the old medicine cat's eyes.
Kittypet born? Yes this kit was but she had no soul of one. This shy apprentice had courage and something...unique about her. And StarClan's Light be damned...she was finding herself drawn to her like a moth to a radiant flame. From Yellowfang's gaze she could see others noticed this weird trait the little she-cat had. Some drawn to it, others she suspect feared and hated it. What was is she had that made this apprentice shine radiantly like a star? Yellowfang thirsted for the first time in seasons to find out.
Bluestar continued, "ThunderClan must prepare ourselves. From this moonrise onwards all warriors will travel in larger groups and other clan members will remain close to camp. Patrols will travel and inspect the boundaries more often and kits must remain in the safety of the nursery!"
Flowingpaw looked over at the anxious queens that sat just outside the nursery. She felt concern as lately she had grown close to the queens, in particularly Brindleface and Speckletail. "They must be worried sick. I know I would be..."she thought.
"Now with this threat, more then ever our need for warriors is our greatest obstacle. We shall get around this by speeding up the training of our apprentices. They need to be ready even sooner to fight for our clan."chirped Bluestar.
Flowingpaw purred in delight and could see Dustpaw and Sandpaw exchange looks of excitement with each other. While Greypaw looked like he could burst with joy and grow wings and fly out of here. But Ravenpaw had shrunk nervously and that worried her. Ravenpaw had always been skittish and quick to startle but she'd never seen her friend this bad.
"One young she-cat has been sharing mentors with Greypaw and Ravenpaw. By teaching her myself, I shall speed up the training of all three apprentices!"declared Bluestar. "I shall take Flowingpaw as my own apprentice."
Flowingpaw and Greypaw's jaws practically fell to the ground at this shocking news. All the clan locked eyes onto the cinnamon tabby, making her shrinking from all the staring eyes. It made her feel very, very self-consciencous of herself and bashful once more. But inside she screaming like some kit that just got their first kittypet kit that just got their first toy. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! OH MY STARCLAN!"she squealled in her head.
Beside her, still gaping from surprise Greypaw spoke up, "Oh my StarClan...Flowingpaw you lucky she-cat! Bluestar rarely ever takes on an apprentice, th-this is such a huge honor!"
Not everyone seemed thrilled by the leader's choice though as a familiar deep, gruff mew came from the crowd. It was Tigerclaw. "So Flowingpaw is to be rewarded, not punished, for breaking the warrior code by feeding an enemy warrior before the clan?"
"Flowingpaw is my apprentice now. I shall deal with her from now on."Bluestar mewed calmly, her tone leaving no room to challenge her authority. "Yellowfang shall stay here until she recovers. We are warriors, not savages and she is to be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy."
"But the clan can't support her!"Darkstripe protested. "We've got enough mouths to feed as it is!"
"Yeah and some of them are bigger to feed then others."whispered Greypaw, making Ravenpaw and Flowingpaw choke back a chuckle. Flowingpaw knew who her friend was talking about, which made it all the more amusing.
"I don't need anyone to care for me! I'll rip open anybody dares to try!"snarled Yellowfang, fangs bared.
"Wow, she's a real ray of sunshine ain't she?"muttered Greypaw.
"Sh-She's not that bad, Greypaw. Just sharp-tongued."mewled Flowingpaw softly as they watched.
Bluestar paid no heed to the mumurs of her clan as she spoke up with a flick of her tail tip. "We shall kill two prey with one blow, as it were Flowingpaw. Your punishment for breaking the warrior code shall be to care and tend to Yellowfang. You will hunt for her, tend to her wounds, bring her fresh bedding, and clear away her dirt."
Flowingpaw couldn't hide her disgust at the last one as her ears drooped and face scrunched up as she cringed. "Eeeewwwww! My poor fur..."she thought. Well punishment or not it gave her an excuse to try and get to know the old grizzled medicine cat.
Sandpaw and Dustpaw though just laughed in their usual mocking way, making her frown and look like a beaten hare. Yellowfang and Bluestar both noticed and clearly didn't approve the behavior as Dustpaw spoke, "Great idea! The kittypet better be good at crushing fleas!"
"And hunting, that sack of bones needs fattening up!"jeered Sandpaw.
"That is quite enough!"yowled Bluestar quickly. "I hope young Flowingpaw finds no shame in helping Yellowfang. She is her elder and a skilled healer. For those reasons alone she should respect her."
"I-I feel no shame...Bluestar. I've fought her and spoken with her, I h-hold only respect for her."piped up Flowingpaw shyly despite the hurt in her eyes.
Bluestar's piercing fiery blue ones softened as she nodded. Such a sweet kit Flowingpaw was and she knew from watching these past moons that the elders, Spottedleaf, and even some of the queens had taken a shine to her very quickly. The leader felt a sense of pride and resolve more then ever that she had made the right choice to take Flowingpaw under her wing as she purred her approval at her apprentice's words. Her gaze though hardened as she locked onto Dustpaw and Sandpaw whom shrunk under her gaze and the gazes of Whitestorm and Lionheart as well as those that showed supoort towards the kittypet born apprentice. "There is no shame is caring for those that aren't able to care for themselves. Dismissed."
Flowingpaw felt a bit dazed and disheartened as he dug her claws into the earth, clenching her fangs as Bluestar jumped down and gathered her deputy and senior warriors for a more private meeting. Whitestorm after scolding his own apprentice casually stopped to touch noses with the younger tabby, whispering soft encouraging words of wisdom in her ear. She gave a small grin as some congratulated her while others mockingly teased her.
It stung and made her soar all at once...quite confusing for her young mind. She hissed as she felt somebody push her over and saw the "v" shaped slash in the large ears of the pale tom she found herself always getting worked up into a sea of emotions since day one: Longtail.
"Dammit Longtail, what was that for!?"she hissed.
Longtail's lips rolled back into a menacing snarling sneer as he looked down on her. What was it about this damn kittypet that drove him up the wall so much? It aggrivated him to no ends ever since they first met. So why was it he felt so...so...ANGRY seeing her with Whitestorm or any tom for that matter? "Hn, I have no idea what you mean. All I saw was an annoying twig in my way so I moved it aside." Mentally the tom was surprised to see her bristle and bare her fangs at him just like on that day. Longtail began to leave, lashing his unusually long tail as his ears flattened to his skull as whiskers scrunched up in another snarl. "I hope this teaches you to think twice about bringing back strays into the camp! After all, you can't trust an outsider."
Flowingpaw just stared at the tom in defiant tears in her eyes as he left in laughter.
Flowingpaw made her way to where Yellowfang was resting and sighed as the elderly she-cat hissed a warning at her. "Growl all you want, you're stuck with me Yellowfang."chirped the apprentice in amusement.
"You're a kittypet aren't you though?"scoffed the scarred she-cat as the apprentice came over.
"My parents were kittypets, yes. But why does it matter?"Flowingpaw found herself growling back, trying to hide the pain in her eyes as she got to work.
"It matters a lot. Kittypet blood isn't-"
"I KNOW DAMMIT! So shut your trap, or so StarClan help me!"Yellowfang was surprised at the apprentice suddenly snapping and in such a fiery, ornery way too.
"Then why don't you leave? Go back to your twolegs. It's clear you're hurting."mewed Yellowfang with a lash of her fluffy tail.
"Because I was not happy there and I will show them, I'll prove them they were wrong about me!"she locked tearful, challenging eyes with orange ones.
Yellowfang was taken aback; such a powerful gaze full of emotion. It was like looking at the mighty waters of the river that cut through the gorge. They were so deep you could drown in them but shined with a warrior's spirit. Defiance, pain, deterimation, and many other things in their blueish green abyssal pools. It made her frown, bringing back memories of her youth when she tried so hard to deny the path StarClan deemed her for.
"Your clan's words...they've hit you this hard have they?"Yellowfang suddenly mewed, earning a look of surprise. Yes, this apprentice had soulful eyes that gave her away and it amused her. The old she-cat broke into a wheezing, rumbling laughter that for a moment had sent Flowingpaw into a panic. The old bag of bones was laughing her tail off!
"You have spirit, that will take you far. Don't let any flea-brain take that away from you!"purred the old medicine cat in amusement. "Now, my leg hurts and i'm tired. Go find that pretty lil' medicine cat of yours for some herbs for my wound. A goldenrod poultice should do the trick. Oh, and while you're at it get some poppy seeds too. The pain is killing me!"
Flowingpaw shook her head but her eyes twinkled in amusement. "I'll be back."
"Hmph, I'm not going anywhere, kit."huffed the scarred elder.
Flowingpaw quickly crept away and trotted towards Spottedleaf's den and poked her head inside. "Spottedleaf? You in right now?"
The pretty calico looked up from her sorting with warm amber eyes, purring in greeting. "Oh Lil' Flowingpaw. Are you doing alright? There anything I can help you with?"
"I'm not little!"pouted Flowingpaw as she entered.
Flowingpaw had a real fondness for Spottedleaf, the kind and gentle medicine cat of their clan. Since day one the older she-cat had been nothing but kind and welcoming to her. Always quick to lend her a paw if it was in her ability to do so. They had actually grown close and it showed in their often playful banter. Flowingpaw had swiftly grown to admire and looked up to Spottedleaf like an older sister, helping her get herbs some times in their free time.
"Actually I'm here for some herbs for Yellowfang. She wanted a goldenrod poultice and a few poppy seeds. Do you have any in stock right now? If not I'd be happy to go with you to get some."mewed Flowingpaw, wrapping her tail around her paws.
"I believe I do, let me get them. I'll toss in some marigold leaves while I'm at it. If she wraps her wound with that, it'll keep out infection. Let me get it."Flowingpaw nodded, waiting patiently.
Spottedleaf hummed softly as she got the bundle of herbs ready, wrapping them up in a leaf for quick and easy travel. Gently she set it down in front of the apprentice. "There you go. Be sure to let Yellowfang know to go easy on the poppy seeds. A little bit of pain can be good as it helps me judge how a patient is healing."
Flowingpaw purred as she nuzzled the medicine cat. "Thank you, I'll be sure to let her know." she mewed then grabbed the bundle and bounded off.
Flowingpaw sleeked into the den Yellowfang was in and set the herbs down in front of her. "Do you want help putting it on?"
"Hmph, no I'm not so injured that I can't apply it myself kit."mewed Yellowfang.
"Oh um, before I go, Spottedleaf said take it easy on the poppy seeds."Yellowfang just rolled her eyes as she got to work on her leg. "There anything else you need though before I go?"
"Find me something to eat, I'm starving."the elder huffed.
Flowingpaw chuckled and quickly went out to go hunt.
A couple dawns had passed since the arrival of Yellowfang. Flowingpaw had woken up bright and early as usual and was just leaving Yellowfang to breakfast before sleeking back inside the apprentice den. To her amusement Greypaw and Ravenpaw were still asleep, snoring away.
Typical toms.
Gently she prodded the two, "Wake up you pair of sleepy bears, you'll be late for training."
Greypaw grumbled groggily in reluctant agreement before stretching. Ravenpaw though didn't seem so easy to stirr so she prod again. "Ravenpaw, come on wake up."
The black tom squeaked and lept up in fright looking like a cornered rabbit., "Who? Wh-what's going on!?"
"Easy, Ravenpaw it's just me. You're gonna be late for training."chirped Flowingpaw.
She looked over and could see the two older apprentices begin to stirr as well. She was in no mood to deal with those arrogant fleabags so she left the den and sleeked out through the ferns. The morning sun cast a warm glow through the leafy canopy, making her cinnamon tabby pelt gleam shades of copper and golden hues. With a purr she flopped to the ground and began to casually roll around and stretch in the cool dusty earth before giving herself a quick face wash. She glanced over as Greypaw trotted out along with Dustpaw and Sandpaw and Ravenpaw not far behind.
"Another day looking after that flea bag, eh Flowingpaw?"meowed Dustpaw with a twitch of his tail. "I bet you would prefer training with the rest of us."
"Well, it is what it is. For the record, I don't mind helping Yellowfang. Maybe you'd do better to listen to your elders as well, hm?"mewed Flowingpaw in a teasing, playful tone. It seemed the old medicine cat's mannerisms were already starting to rub off on the cinnamon tabby.
Dustpaw seemed stunned his taunts weren't working like they used to on the she-cat. But Greypaw was grinning ear to ear at this. Seems Yellowfang was having a positive effect on his friend's confidence in herself. Good, very good that she wasn't letting the teasing get to her like it used to. To her surprise though she had caught amusement in Sandpaw's eyes of all cats. Was Sandpaw finally coming around towards Flowingpaw?
"I wouldn't worry, I'm sure Bluestar will have you back to training in no time Flowingpaw."reassured Greypaw.
"I know. It may be my punishment but...I actually don't mind Yellowfang. She's not a bad cat, you just need to know how to handle her, that's all."chirped Flowingpaw smoothly.
"Perhaps Bluestar thinks a kittypet would be better off tending to the sick."Ouch, or maybe she wasn't yet. Flowingpaw had to admit that stung a bit.
"Ok, smarty whiskers. What's Whitestorm teaching you today, Sandpaw?"she mewed, choosing instead to show playful tone to the arrogant she-cat.
"Whitestorm's taking me for battle training today with Dustpaw."Sandpaw puffed out her chest proudly.
"Lionheart's taking me to the Great Sycamore for climbing practice."now Flowingpaw couldn't help but laugh, earning confused looks but an embarressed one from Greypaw.
"Why she laughing, Greypaw?"wondered Dustpaw.
It was Ravenpaw that answered, "F-Flowingpaw the night they met pounced Greypaw from a tree."
"Ravenpaw, Flowingpaw it's not funny!"Greypaw looked very flustered.
"No way, she?"Sandpaw pointed at Flowingpaw." Caught you off guard from a top a tree!?"
"Yes!"hissed Greypaw.
"No way, th-that's just sad. You got your tail handed to you by a kittypet of all things!?"laughed Dustpaw before him and Sandpaw left.
Greypaw in turn stomped off, still embarressed at being reminded on how he met Flowingpaw moons ago. Flowingpaw though gave an apologetic smile at her grey furred friend before he left. She then looked over at Ravenpaw. "Bluestar said I could help out Spottedleaf today while she gathers herbs since I just looked after Yellowfang this morning. I'm sure Tigerclaw has things planned for you too, Ravenpaw so want me to join you up to at least the ravine?"she offered with a warm smile.
Ravenpaw gave a small, nervous but thankful grin up at his friend. "I-if it's not too much trouble for you?"
"Not at all. Now lets go."The duo went off on their way, though Flowingpaw couldn't help feel concern for her friend. Ravenpaw seemed to not share the same enthusiasm to train like the others. Question was...why?
Flowingpaw with a bounce in her step eagerly joined up with Spottedleaf, touching her nose to the pretty calico's. "Here I am, I hope I'm not late."
"No, no not all Flowingpaw. You haven't kept me waiting too long, dear."purred Spottedleaf, motioning for her to follow.
Eagerly the younger she-cat fell in beside the beautiful medicine cat with a delighted and eager smile. "So where do you need to go today?"
"Little Cinderkit's developed a bit of a stomach bug. So I need to get some juniper berries."mewed Spottedleaf as they went on their way.
"What do they look like?"Flowingpaw was curious, and it showed.
"They look a lot like the blueberries I showed you last time you helped me. But they grow on pine-like bush in drier areas of the forest."informed the calico politely.
Flowingpaw thought for a moment. She could have sworn the bush the older calico described sounded familiar. That it! IT was that prickly berry bush that grew in her mother's garden when she was a tiny kit. She and Rusty had nibbled on some berries once. "Oh I know what you're talking about! Mother's garden had them and I saw some where I met Yellowfang."
Spottedleaf purred as she followed after the energetic apprentice. Was this what it was like to have younger siblings or kits? Always having to stay a step ahead just to keep up. But it also made her a bit sad. Her brother, Redtail would have adored Flowingpaw so much. Her spirit, curiosity, and energy and kindness. Her enthusiasm was contagious like greencough in leafbare but in a good way. You could never stay upset with her. Everywhere this little one that bore not a speck of wild born blood in her veins went she drew others to her like a radiant sun. Greypaw, Bluestar, Lionheart, Whitestorm, herself, Ravenpaw, the clan's elders, the queens, and even ornery Yellowfang. It was amazing to watch.
Flowingpaw had something.
Something not many were born with that made her a like a flame that drew all to her. An energy that was as soothing as falling rain one minute and vicious like torrent the next. Unpredictable as water itself!
"Over here Spottedleaf, over here!"Flowingpaw was practically bouncing by some prickly bushes with blue berries.
"Easy there, lil' jumping cricket I'm coming."laughed Spottedleaf as she trotted over.
"Are these it?"mewed the apprentice, earning a nod of approval.
"Very good. Now lets get a few branches and take them back. Just be careful of the needles ok?"purred Spottedleaf, swiftly getting to work.
"I will~!"
Once done Spottedleaf took the berries back while Flowingpaw had to go off and hunt like she had promised her mentor, Bluestar. So the duo parted ways.
"Here you go."
Flowingpaw dropped a finch and a vole at yellowfang's paws. It had taken a little bit but between the two the darn finch had been the most annoying one to catch. But caught she did as she had to make sure her charge was fed. Yellowfang tentively sniffed at the freshkill before snatching up the finch and started plucking the feathers. "About time, kit."
Flowingpaw was pleased to see the old she-cat had gotten her appetite back as time passed. Her wound was healing nicely too by the look of things. While Yellowfang ate she saw the persian mix's tail twitching uncomfortably. "Tail bothering you Yellowfang? I can take a look."
"Hnph, if you think you can."she chirped.
Flowingpaw quickly got to work and started squishing the pesky fleas as well as any knots in the old she-cat's fur. The apprentice took pride in keeping a well groomed pelt and was just a thurough with her senior's own. Her ear twitched as she heard laughter of kittens not far away. Causing her to look over with a purr; It was Frostfur's little ones. But as she went back to grooming Yellowfang she felt the old cat stiffen as she kept one orange eye open and on the playing kits.
"Ha haha! Feel my fangs Brokenstar!"mewled a brown tabby tom kit as he pounced onto a grey and one kit.
The two kits wrestled and tumbled and rolled towards the Highrock in their mock fight. If she had to guess they were probably Cinderkit and maybe Thornkit? It seemed like it. The little grey she-kit had some strong legs on her for with a mighty heave how she had kicked her brother off of her and scent the startled kit right into Yellowfang's side. To Flowingpaw's disbelief Yellowfang jumped to her paws and spat at the little tom, "Stay away from me you scrap of fur!"
Flowingpaw got to her paws and soothed the frightened kit before ushering him and his sister back over to where she saw Brindleface with the other tom kit hiding behind her. The queen did not look pleased by the look on her face she shot at Yellowfang. But at Flowingpaw she simply shot a thankful glance before ushering the little ones inside.
"What was that for? their just kittens. I'm sure they're feeling stir crazy from being confined to camp."mewed Flowingpaw.
"I don't care how restless they are, just keep them far away from me!"hissed Yellowfang, lashing her tail. "Besides, don't you know medicine cats can't have kits?"
Flowingpaw was surprised; she had never heard that before. "But I heard from the elders you were a warrior before you became a medicine cat. I would have thought-"
"You thought wrong! I have no kits!"spat Yellowfang before starting to look rather solemn. "Besides...bad things seem to happen every time I'm around them..."
Flowingpaw's ears drooped sadly as she watched Yellowfang curl up in her nest, resting her head on her paws. What could have happened to make her avoid, no, not want anything to do with kits so much? She could have sworn she saw a glint of pain and sorrow cloud her eyes. Not wanting to press further as it seemed to be touchy subject Flowingpaw decided to talk about something else.
"I took care of the fleas but there are a few ticks. There something I can do to get them off?"mewed Flowingpaw thoughtfully.
"Hn, go fetch some mouse bile from Spottedleaf. That should take care of those annoying bastards."Flowingpaw nodded and hurried off.
Along the way Flowingpaw decided to stop by the nursery where they were busy wheving in sticks and twigs into the nursery to fortify it. In fact everywhere she looked in camp was buzzing with activity more then usual since the announcement of WindClan's exile. It didn't take her long to spot Brindleface and Speckletail.
"Hello!"she mewed.
"Well, if it isn't young Flowingpaw. Trust you're hanging in there alright?"chirped Speckletail.
"Yeah I'm doing ok. Are the little ones ok? I know Yellowfang gave them quite the fright earlier and I apologize for that."chirped Flowingpaw, passing a stick towards Goldenflower.
"Oh we don't blame you. Thornkit told me what you did for him, that you'll bring a feather next time you see them."purred Brindleface.
"Frostfur was not happy with what happened."chirped Goldenflower.
"I better get going. Let Frostfur know I'll happily play with her kits any time I'm not busy."purred the apprentice, bounding off.
Brindleface simply purred loud and deep as she got back to work, "Such a good she-cat. The kits love her too."
"Yes, she'd make a natural mother one day."purred Goldenflower, the others nodding in agreement. Well it was back to work for them.
"Good grief, quit squirming like a newborn kit Yellowfang!"
Getting rid of the ticks with this foul disasterous stuff the moss was soaked in wasn't exactly Flowingpaw's favorite thing. But thank whoever was watching from above that it didn't take long to get rid of those annoying blood suckers. The ticks were another reason Flowingpaw was so religious about keeping her fur well kept and groomed. Nasty little things they were! But now came the even worse part Yellowfang was now having her do: clean up after her business.
Bleh!
But once that was done she left the old cat to doze in the warmth of the sun and wasted no time making a v-line for the camp's tunnel. That was when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks, "Flowingpaw!"
"Hm? Oh hello Halftail."greeted Flowingpaw politely to the elder that hurried over.
"Where are you runnin' off to in such a hurry? Shouldn't you be helping with the preperations?"asked Halftail.
"I was just treating Yellowfang for ticks, actually."she chirped.
"Ah, so you're off to go clean yourself up then at the stream. Alright, be sure not to come back without some prey youn'in. We'll need as much as we can find."meowed Halftail with a twitch of his whiskers.
"Sure, I was actually planning on it."Flowingpaw grinned.
"Good girl, hurry off now."Flowingpaw nodded and bounded out of the camp. It didn't take the young agile she-cat to reach the stream. With a pleased sigh of relief she dunked her paws into the cool, crisp water and washed off the disgusting mess her paws had fallen victom to. It was cold as it came up to her long belly fur. But it was a small price to pay to get clean again so she would endure it. A rustle from the near by bushes caught her attention as out came her scruffy furred friend, Greypaw and behind was the black pelt of Ravenpaw that blended in well with the forest's shadows. She purred in amusement as she climbed out of the stream and shook her pelt.
"Hey watch where you spray that water!"laughed Greypaw.
"Oops~!"chuckled Flowingpaw in mock innocence."So what brings you guys here?"
"Hunting. Our mentors had to go on the sunhigh patrol. You?"meowed Greypaw, shaking his paw of water.
"Mouse bile. It's a long story, so don't ask."she chirped trotting over to her friends. "Halftail asked me to go hunting since I was going be out of camp for a bit. Everyone's so busy, they act like we'll be attacked any second."
"Who says w-we w-won't be?"stuttered Ravenpaw, looking around skittishly.
Had the Sunningrocks battle still left him shaken up? Maybe. She looking over at the other side of the bush to see a rather good pile of freshkill already. "Looks like you've been doing pretty good for yourselves today."
"Yeah, and we still have the rest of the afternoon to hunt."Greypaw meowed proudly. "Hey, wanna join us?"
"Does Tigerclaw have a stick up his butt?"she chuckled, earing a chortle from the black apprentice.
"Yep. Let's go, then!"laughed Greypaw.
With laughter among the trio they all bounded off to catch as much prey as they could.
To Be Continued...