Me: *going through the chapters* Holy cow, we're seriously we're already at the half way point for season 1 of this fanic!?

Rusty: Dang, she-cat you're on a roll. Does that mean we need a theme song for season two already?

Me: Yep! Season 2 will be "Fire and Ice" on the 1st arc of the books, obviously. Now Rusty and I want you readers to pick the season two opening song. Season one is "White Light" from Tales of Zesteria. For season two we're torn between "Make My Story" from MHA or "Guess Who Is Back" from Black Clover.

Rusty: *humming as he has his headphones on and jamming to the tunes*

Me: Hey, did you steal the ipod from Smudge's housefolk!?

Rusty: Uh...no? *dashes off*

Me: *checks* Wait...THAT'S MINE! GET BACK HERE! *chases after one klepto kitty Rusty*

Flowing: Um...ok then. Today's fact is a quick one. Didja know color pointed cats are born without their famous points? Yellowfang told me they're born white and they get their colors later as they grow older. Now on with the story. *hops back into ThunderClan territory*

Chapter 9
A Different Strength

~.~.~

Fear.

Fury.

Flowingpaw looked around in a panic in the darkness every which way. All around her chaos held her senses in an iron grip. The gleaming eyes and glistening of fangs and claws of fighting clan warriors all around her. They stormed toward her like a tidal wave of shadows. Bringing with them the stench of blood and death. Flowingpaw tried desperately to get away, only to feel like she had bumped into some unforseen wall or being as maniacal laughter of that sickeningly grating voice echoing like a swarm of hornets as cold orange eyes burned like embers in the darkness. Followed by a caterwaul of horror and grief that made her blood run cold.

That voice had been Greypaw's!

She shivered as she felt somebody's pelt brush against her, the whisper in her ear soft like the velvet that once lined her old basket. "Beware, the shadows that come to swallow the light."...

Flowingpaw awoke late that night, gasping for breath. Frantically she looked around her sleeping den mates. Her skin under her thick fur clammy with sweat. She sighed as she looked out of the den from her nest. Everything was quiet and tranquil with the exception of some warriors standing guard. She sighed and gave her chest a few licks to calm her nerves. "Just a nightmare."she thought as she curled back up. It took some time but the young cinnamon tabby soon once more drifted back to sleep.

Dawn arrived, ushering in a cold and crisp breeze with it as the golden light dappled through the leafy canopy. Flowingpaw yawned as she went over to join her friends, Ravenpaw and Greypaw at the camp's tunnel after eating her herbs. The bitter after taste still fresh in her mouth and clearly Greypaw's as well by the way he was crinkling his muzzle.

"Morning, Flowingpaw."greeted Greypaw.

"M-Moreowwwing..."yawned Flowingpaw as she started grooming her fur.

"I take it you d-didn't sleep well?"asked Ravenpaw, a look of concern clear on his face.

"Honestly? No. Nightmares. Guess the anxiety about ShadowClan's getting to me."she chirped.

"Ready you three?"mewed Bluestar as she came over. With her was Tigerclaw.

"Yes Bluestar!"all three apprentices eagerly mewed.

Bluestar flicked her tail in satification and motion for the group to follow. Flowingpaw quickly trotted over to walk beside her mentor, her misgivings of her fitful sleep now long forgotten. "Did Spottedleaf give you herbs too, Bluestar?"she mewed. Bluestar looked at the younger she-cat with a twinkle of amusement as they entered the tunnel. "I am not permitted to eat anything before sharing dreams with StarClan."

Flowingpaw's eyes turned wide in astonishment as they left the camp. Bluestar wasn't allowed to eat before sharing tongues with the ancestors? Such an odd tradition but it was probably for a good reason. It was around this time that the five cats ran into Lionheart as he was returning from a patrol. With him were Longtail and Whitestorm.

"Safe journey, Bluestar."chirped Lionheart.

Bluestar nodded, "I know the clan is safe with my deputy to protect it in my absence."

Longtail simply gave a sneer as he walked over to Flowingpaw with his long tail lashing. "Don't go screwing this up pipsqueak."

Flowingpaw gawked at the pale tabby who had for once not called her kittypet. What in LionClan's mane was going here!? This tom was infuriating and she felt her face under her fur grow hot.

"Hn, I think I can manage. Or need I remind you this pipsqueak as you so plainly put it is the reason you have that ripped ear...Rippedear."She mewed with a teasing glint earning a stunned and deliciously speachless Longtail.

"Oi, Flowingpaw come on!"called Greypaw.

"Coming~!"Flowingpaw meowed in a sing song tone. Quickly she bounded off but not before smacking Longtail with her fluffy tail, the tom still too stunned to react in time. "Bye bye~!"

Longtail just stood there unsure how to react as Bluestar's group vanished into the brush. Just what in silverpelt was wrong with him!? Why did this...this kittypet push his buttons so easily, dammit!? He was noticing things he shouldn't if he truly dislike her like Darkstripe and some others did. Stuff that was confusing him even more now as Whitestorm and Lionheart vanished into the tunnel. Leaving him to just stand there staring into the horizon with his jumbled thoughts.

The graceful way she moved, not a single step wasted was like watching the stream. Her voice smooth and her laughter like songbirds. And just now her scent, which had by now long lost the stench of twolegs had become quite prominant as these moons passed. Especially today when she had smacked him with her tail in a such a playful and teasing manner. IT wasn't unpleasent, actually her scent smelled strongly of red campion flowers.

"Longtail...what is wrong with you?"he hissed under his breath, slashing up a cloud of dust in his frustrations.

To Flowingpaw's surprise she found Bluestar was taking them across the edges of the marshy wetlands of ShadowClan's territory. It both confused her and had her on edge as her nightmare once more briefly surfaced in her mind. But this was the quickest route to WindClan. Highstones lay just beyond the rolling hills of the meadow. Flowingpaw quickly bounded after them towards the Great Rock, the scents from the Gathering last night still lingered but were growing stale.

Wind rustled the trees and tall marshy grasses as rocks were scattered and dotted about the marshly landscape. "Isn't this ShadowClan territory?"she quickly mewed.

"Yeah, but we have to pass through here to get there."hissed Greypaw softly.

"All clans are granted safe passage on their journey towards the moonstone. But we must not hunt outside our territory. ShadowClan may not have respect for the warrior code, but we will follow it."meowed Bluestar as she picked up the pace.

"I'm starving, I didn't eat much last night..."whimpered Ravenpaw softly.

"Didn't Flowingpaw give you the herbs from Spottedleaf?"chirped Greypaw curiously.

"I did leave them by your nest last night."meowed Flowingpaw, confirming she had left them.

"Y-yeah...but they smelled funny so I didn't eat them. I didn't know they were to help with the trip..."mewled Ravenpaw, clearly embarressed.

Bluestar stopped at over hearing this and quickly looked over her shoulder. Herbs were never something any cat enjoyed taking. The blue-grey mollie understood and sympathized with the black tom for it. She was hungry as well but wouldn't be permitted to eat until after she spoke with StarClan. "I'm sorry you're hungry Ravenpaw, but we can't stop to hunt right now."

Tigerclaw opened his maw as he sniffed the air, his tail beginning to lash. "I smell a ShadowClan patrol."

Bluestar sniffed as well, "They're upwind. If we hurry they won't notice us."

Flowingpaw quickly scent the air before hurrying after her mentor and clan mates. Bluestar and Tigerclaw were right. But it shouldn't be a problem since they were by now reaching the edge of the territory. Swiftly they bounded into the windy moors where yet again the scent of a patrol reached them, but thankfully they were able to avoid that one as well. "Is that the thunderpath?"hissed Flowingpaw in fright.

"Yep, we're going have to cross it to reach highstones."chirped Greypaw, seemingly almost cheerful about it.

"Come on, hurry up now! We can make it there by night fall if we keep up the pace."meowed Bluestar swiftly as they kept close to the hedges.

Flowingpawpractically jumped out of her pelt at the deep, booming bellow of barking dogs. Not tiny, high pitched ones of those little flea bitten annoyances but the barks of huge ones! "D-d-dogs!?"she squeaked.

"Tsk, you're fine. They're tied up as they always are when we past them."snorted Tigerclaw as he walked past her. "They are no threat to us."

Flowingpaw was not gonna take the chance though as she hurried after them, practically almost tripping over her own paws in her haste. Something she normally didn't do, but to be fair she was scared out of her skin. It didn't take them long to reach another thunderpath. This one cutting right through WindClan to ShadowClan beyond.

"Oh great...another thunderpath."she gulped.

"Yep. Can you see mouthmouth just on the other side of it?"Greypaw pointed towards what seemed to be an old, abandoned cave of sorts made by twolegs. Flowingpaw simply nodded, trying hard to steady her nerves.

"We'll cross one at a time. Ravenpaw, you'll go first."Tigerclaw meowed.

Ravenpaw practically looked like he was about to pass out as he began to open his mouth to protest before Bluestar spoke up. "No Tigerclaw, I will go first. Remember this is their first time crossing for these apprentices. Let them see how it's done."

Bluestar walked cautiously up to the edge of the hard black surface, ears errect as she peered in both directions as monsters roared by. Then once none seem to be coming she checked once more before running across like all of ShadowClan was on her tail safely to the other side.

"There, you've seen how it's done. Now off you go Ravenpaw!"hissed Tigerclaw.

"Uh..."gulped Ravenpaw, looking like a cornered mouse.

"Go!"spat Tigerclaw.

Ravenpaw swiftly checked both ways before racing across, the fur on his tail bristling. Flowingpaw let out a sigh of relief when she saw her skittish friend made across alright. Tossing up some furballs by the looks of things in some bushes but otherwise ok. "Ok, you two next."chipred Tigerclaw.

"Oh boy...it was knowing you Flowingpaw."gulped Greypaw before racing across.

Now it was her turn and frankly she was scared shitless as she stalked over with careful steps. It didn't help matters that Tigerclaw was watching her like a hawk either. Carefully she watched the thunderpath and looked up and down it multiple times. "Ugh, just go kittypet!"

With a yelp Flowingpaw hurried across but to her misfortune a monster was coming straight at her. She froze, looking like a doe in headlights. She closed her eyes, the dismayed and frantic screams from the others drowned out by her own horror and the screech of the monster. Waiting for the coming agony...but it never came. She opened her eyes to find the metal beast's paws had just missed her. Quickly she hurried across, shaking and trembling by the time she made it to the other side.

"Dude, I thought you were crowfood!"squeaked Greypaw.

"I think I saw my life flash before my eyes..."shivered Flowingpaw, feeling a little green like Ravenpaw before.

"Hn, reckless twolegs."huffed Tigerclaw as he joined them.

Bluestar, looking like a concerned mother went over and sniffed her apprentice in worry. Making sure she truly hadn't come to harm. "Do you need a moment, Flowingpaw?"she mewed.

Flowingpaw could only nod, "L-let me...catch my breath..."

Bluestar nodded as she kept her eye on her apprentice but also memories of her youth wandering back to her of that fateful, tragic day. To be honest she thought she had lost young Flowingpaw like she had her sister. However it seemed StarClan was watching, protecting this kittypet born she-cat. Or was it the Guiding Warrior favored her or was she just damn lucky? She wasn't sure. Flowingpaw though bounced back and they made it to the entrance of the cave by the time dusk was upon them.

"Look, there's Mothermouth."mewed Bluestar as she point with her nose.

Flowingpaw's eyes turned wide with wonder as Greypaw and Ravenpaw went off to hunt. Flowingpaw though took this chance to relax and clean up her poor fur that now stunk of monster and thunderpath. That had been a dreadful and frightening experience. She was berating herself for rushing so when she had not felt safe to cross yet.

Damn Tigerclaw.

The air was thick with tension as none spoke as they awaited the moon to begin to rise. But rise it did, casting it's etheral glow to the earth below. Bluestar rose to her paws and began to make her way for the cave. "Come, it's time."

Tigerclaw matched his leader stride for stride as Flowingpaw followed after with Ravenpaw and Greypaw following after. It took but only a moment's breath to reach the dark abyss of the cave's entrance. It was so dark, even with their keen eyes that could see in the darkness that it was crazy.

"How're we suppose to find our way in the darkness?"chirped Tigerclaw.

"Just follow my scent and use your whiskers, I know the way."instructed Bluestar calmly before turning her gaze to the younger toms. "Ravenpaw and Greypaw, you'll remain on guard duty outside. Tigerclaw and Flowingpaw you'll accompany me to the moonstone."

"Yes Bluestar."

"Alright."chirped Flowingpaw as she hurried in after her leader.

As expected it was dark and there was a bit of a musky, damp smell to the place. Water dripped to the rocky floor from the ceiling above them. The tunnels growing steadily too narrow for even a twoleg kit as they followed Bluestar. She could hear Tigerclaw's hushed complaints thanks to her keen ears. But to her surprise she felt oddly...serene unlike the tabby in front of her. To her surprise she swore she could smell...fear? Was that seriously fear coming off the stoic brown tabby tom!? To her surprise even further she felt the huge tom hurry out in a panic. "How odd."she thought.

[Transformation - Phil Collins and Bulgarian Women's Choir]

Flowingpaw though kept up the pace through the damp and cold darkness with nothing but her sense of touch and keen nose to guide her. Until finally the darkness opened up into a vast chamber that shimmered and glowed. At the heart of it was a giant crystal the glistened like the moon that shined through a hole in the rocky cieling above. Casting it's cold glow onto it. Instead of fear her eyes turned wide with whimsy and wonder as her fur prickled as she took slow step after step into the chamber.

"Flowingpaw?"came Bluestar's mew as she sat in front of the stone.

"I'm here."she breathed softly, still entranced by the sight and the very faint whispers that filled the chamber. Her heart racing when Bluestar didn't answer.

"Do not be afraid, young warrior."soothed Bluestar calmly. "I think Tigerclaw was frightened by the power the moonstone holds."

"I-I'm not frightened."chirped Flowingpaw breathlessly as she sat down, tail curling over her paws.

Bluestar was surprised once more by her apprentice, whom above was often very emotional and some times jumpy. But down here...as her blue gaze glanced over she saw only wonder and serenity. A quiet fire burning in those blueish green depths that seemed to shimmer from the moonstone. This she-cat...she truly was like water and clearly held a strength a warrior like Tigerclaw did not. She gave a content grin as she looked up at the stars and moon that shined into the cavern. "Tigerclaw is a powerful and fearless warrior, but down here, it takes an entirely different kind of strength. What do feel, Flowingpaw?"

"I-It's hard to explain but...I feel oddly entranced and yet I feel safe. Like I'm a kit snuggled up with my brothers and sister again."mewed Flowingpaw, making her mentor's ears swerve back at her words.

Bluestar once more felt oddly surprised but she purred as she tucked her paws under her chest. "Good. StarClan are nothing to fear."

Flowingpaw watched as her leader-her mentor-laid her head down with her nose touching the glistering crystal and her breathing steadied into slumber. She felt enchanted as all around her ghostly, misty figures with glowing eyes and stars in their fur and fire in their paws appeared in the chamber. Racing down like falling stars only to vanish like mist. All of them whispering in a haunting chorus that was etheral and other worldly. But there was one that stood out that stood on top of the moonstone. A slender, beautiful she-cat that shined the brightest out of all the phantoms. Her built was delicate with long legs and huge ears like a bat's. Her fur was pure white and fluffy like a cloud as it moved like wisps of fire. Almond shaped eyes that glowed with an etheral fire like stars that seemed to see everything.

It left her in an odd sort of fearful awe at the she-cat. As quickly as she appeared though she vanished as the moonlight left the cavern. Leaving apprentice and leader in the darkness once more. Just what was it she saw!?

[end ost]

Bluestar though jolted awake, "Flowingpaw are you still here?"

"I-I am Bluestar."

"Quickly, we must hurry back home to camp."the russian blue mix said in haste as she dashed back the way they came. Flowingpaw quickly followed after her and they both bolted out of the cave like foxes on their tails.

"What did you learn?"meowed Tigerclaw as Bluestar hurried over.

"We have to hurry back immediately. I just prey we aren't too late!"hissed Bluestar.

The group nodded and hurried off after their leader. Flowingpaw had seen the desperation in her normally calm eyes. It brought back the horrors of her nightmare last night and it her pale and pick up the pace as the echoes of battle and blood and wails of grief plagued her head. Oh please, oh please let them not be too late!

"Keep up, Ravenpaw you're holding us back!"

"S-sorry Tigerclaw, I'm coming!"squeaked the petite black apprentice as he picked up the pace until he caught up with his two friends.

"You ok Ravenpaw?"mewed Flowingpaw in concern.

"Yeah, just a bit tired."huffed Ravenpaw.

Quickly they hurried across a deep ditch to the other side before Flowingpaw decided to speak. "Did Tigerclaw say anything weird when he came out?"

"Not really, just that he was checking to see if we were still guarding the cave."replied Greypaw with a curious flick of his tail. "Why?"

"He bolted out of there like a swarm of bees were after him."she whispered, earning gaping looks of surprise from her friends.

"Now you mention it, he did seem on edge."ventured Ravenpaw.

"Ha! He wasn't the only one, Ravenpaw."chirped Greypaw.

"Wh-what you mean!?"

Greypaw and Flowingpaw both glanced at each other then back at their friend.

"Ravenpaw, for as long as I've known you since I joined...you get very jumpy aroun' him."mewed Flowingpaw.

"Yeah, your fur tends to stand up every time you see him these days. You practically jumped out of your pelt when he dashed out of there!"pointed out Greypaw in agreement.

"H-He just surprised, ok!"Greypaw and Flowingpaw didn't look so convinced.

They decided for now not to press further as they continued with haste in their strides. Talking about the experience she had at seeing the moonstone instead as they entered a corn field. The tall hardy green stalks gleamed silver under the light of the moon as they followed the ditch that ran across it's edges. Just as swiftly up ahead Bluestar and Tigerclaw had jumped right through the fence. The trio followed, squeezing under it out to the familiar path that lead along where the chained up dogs were kept tied up. She could see Tigerclaw and her mentor side by side, silloutted by reddish gold light.

Dawn would be here soon.

"Look, over there!"she called to Greypaw and Ravenpaw. Up ahead a slender black tuxedo tom cat with yellow eyes had jump right in front of the group.

"It's a loner!"hissed Greypaw. Quickly they hurried over.

Flowingpaw though instantly noticed Bluestar casually touch noses with the stranger. Sensing no danger she skid to a halt in front of the older cats. "Bluestar who's this?"

"This is Barley, an old friend. He lives here near this twoleg nest."purred Bluestar.

"Hi!"greeted Barley. "I haven't seen your clan in awhile, I trust that you're well Bluestar?"

"I'm doing very well, thank you. How's the prey running since last we passed through?"meowed Bluestar.

"Not bad. One good thing about twolegs there's always plenty of rats and mice around."The tuxedo tom went on. "You're in an aweful hurry, more then usual. Is everything alright?"

"I just don't like to be away from my clan too long."she chirped smoothly.

Flowingpaw though could see the displeasure in the tabby warrior as his tail lashed about in a threatening way. But why? This was Barley's territory, not clan territory clearly.

Barley had an amused look on his face as he purred, "As always Bluestar, you're tied to your clan like a mother is to her kits."

"What do you want Barley?"hissed Tigerclaw.

"I just came to warn you there are two dogs that live here now. You'd be safer going through the corn field then along the fence."Barley quickly pointed out.

"Tsk, we know about the damn dogs already-"Tigerclaw began impatiently only to be cut off by Bluestar.

"We appreciate the warning, Barley. UNtil next time."Bluestar mewed before leading the group away.

Flowingpaw waved her tail in fair well at Barley as she passed him. He seemed like a very nice tom. Not bad looking, but not her type. "Bye~!"

"Goodbye, safe journey now!"called Barley before they vanished from sight.

Flowingpaw couldn't quite make out but she could tell Tigerclaw was not pleased by Bluestar's choice to heed the loner's advice as they entered the ditch at the edge of the corn field. However a new scent had hit her nose very hard. "It smells like prey."she thought. But it had a more acidic, musky smell to which she could put her mind to at the moment. She had smelled it plenty of times back as a kittypet so why was it alluding her now? Oh strange.

[Octopath Traveler OST - Tension]

Her thoughts were answered by a pained and furious shriek from Ravenpaw. Swiftly she looked over and saw the petite apprentice struggling with small brown, furry bodies with beady eyes and long skinny tails.

"Rats!?"she yelped.

"That loner lead us into a trap!"snarled Tigerclaw.

The vermin raced in like a fury wave as they pounced and attacked the group. Flowingpaw snarled in fury at the burning pain and was fast to retaliate against the rodents that dare piss her off this morning. She was in no mood nor the time to deal with this as the odds kept getting worse. Ravenpaw jumping in to help a struggling Greypaw and then Flowingpaw jumping in to rid her friends of the rats as well. She heard Bluestar's orders to run for it. Believe her, they did not waste a second making a break for it. But her shoulder stung horribly as she flung off another rat from her back. Flowingpaw though quickly spotted a streak of black and white.

"Barley! Hurry, Bluestar's in trouble!"Flowingpaw wailed in dismay.

"Don't worry, kit I'll get her!"growled the loner as Tigerclaw jumped into the fray as well.

The apprentices watched in fright as the two tom went in to the female leader's rescue. Tigerclaw chasing off the rats and Barley had Bluestar by the scruff and was dragging her to safety. Barley before long reached them and set the ThunderClan leader down.

"Bluestar, you ok? Bluestar!"wailed Flowingpaw desperately as she shook the limp body of her mentor.

A furious yowl made a frantic Flowingpaw look up to see Tigerclaw had pinned Barley to the ground.

"You sent us into a trap!"snarled Tigerclaw.

"I-I honestly didn't know the rats were here!"protested Barley, squirming to break free.

Flowingpaw though ended up moving before she realized what she was doing and tackled Tigerclaw off of the loner. "Get off him!"

"You dare defend him Flowingpaw!?"snarled Tigerclaw in fury as the she-cat helped Barley to his paws.

"He did nothing wrong! Ever considered the twolegs might have let those dogs loose at night? Remember I was born in twolegplae Tigerclaw! This something all queens warn their kits that call that place home."she snapped.

They all looked stunned at this young she-cat standing up to this huge, scarred warrior. But inside she was screaming, "What the fuck am I doing!?" in her head.

[Ost - Tsuioku Mezameru Tamashii]

"She speaks the truth. The twolegs here let the dogs off their chains at night."huffed Barley. "Besides, shouldn't you worry about Bluestar?"

At those words they all remembered the current situation. Flowingpaw hurried back to her mentor's side. "Isn't there anything we can do?"

"Hn, no. She's in StarClan's paws now."hissed Tigerclaw.

Flowingpaw felt like she could cry. D-did that mean Bluestar was...dead? She refused to believe it! But she was so...so still and cold. Eternity seemed to pass before Bluestar's tail flicked and gasp for breath followed. Flowingpaw couldn't believe her eyes as she watched her very much dead leader get life back into her. Tears by this time wouldn't stop falling as she nuzzled Bluestar, crying her her relief and torrent of emotions. Bluestar was dazed but returned the gesture upon remembering her apprentice didn't realize leaders had nine lives.

"Shh...I'm here, it's not my time yet."she soothed.

[end ost]

At the same time Tigerclaw sent the younger toms off to fetch some herbs and cobwebs for their leader's wounds. While Barley apologized before leaving the group be.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you loose a life Bluestar. How many is it now?"mewed Tigerclaw.

"That was my fifth."she mewed softly as she stumbled to her paws.

Flowingpaw dared not to protest to continuing on the trek home as much as her heart begged her to. Instead she took it upon herself to stick to her mentor like glue. They had to hurry home.

She just prayed they weren't too late.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Quick tidbit, Longtail smelled red campion flowers on our MC actually has some symbolisms to it. One of them is "gentleness" but can you guess the others?