Me: *pokes head out from a christmas tree* Jingle bells, jingle bells jingle all the way~!

Rusty: Dude get own from there, we got a show to do Aria!

Me: Aw, but they put yummy food and shiny things in this tree!

Rusty: *sighs* Looks our writer's got a bad case of christmas-cough. So I'll be the host today. Did you know tinsel can actually be very dangerous for cats like me? That's why when decorating your tree and den be sure to use things that won't land us at the vet or worse.

Me: Make sure your holiday season is safe and fun for both you and kittypets. Keep them away from any toxic plants, chocolate, bones, and anything that could seriously hurt them like tinsel or wrapping paper. *sniffs* Ooo~! Cookies~! *dashes off*

Rusty: *makes the jingle bells around his collar ring as he laughs* Happy holidays! Stay safe, be merry, and lets make it through another leafbare! On with the story.

Chapter 10
Not Him

~.~.~

[Ost - Epic Music Of All Times: Drift]

Run.

Faster, they had to move faster!

Her lungs burned an protested as her dainty snow white paws barely touched the earth as the group raced for ThunderClan's camp. Not stopping for a second of moment's reprieve. They had long sense left the rolling hills of WindClan's hunting grounds behind them and had just entered ThunderClan through ShadowClan territory. Flowingpaw along the way had done her best to ignore her own injuries from the rat fight as had Greypaw and Ravenpaw. But she cold see with how her scruffy grey furred friend was favoring one leg in particular. "Must be the rat that bit it."she thought. Her fur bristled as the sound of furious shrieks and yowls reach their ears as they neared the ravine.

"It is as StarClan warned me, our clan's under atack!"snarled Bluestar, swiftly leaping forward only to stumble before getting up. Were her injuries still bothering their leader?

Side by side Flowingpaw pelt forward with her mentor and dashed into the camp. It was utter chaos as all around them cats were clawing, biting, and tussling with each other. Sending blood and fur flying in the process. The cinnamon tabby was frightened but desperation and fury some how with the adrenaline still in her veins override her fight or flight. In one corner she could see Frostfur and Goldenflower fending off a large grey tom. Even her friend, Brindleface was fighting despite how heavy the torbie queen was with kits. On another side of camp three of the elders were fending off a tortioseshell warrior while Darkstripe was rolling around with a black warrior.

Flowingpaw instantly dodged a tabby she-cat only to leap with the same swift graceful movements that earned her name. The tabby was having a hard time keeping up with the slippery apprentice. "Stay still you damn ThunderClan brat!"she growled, her claws just missing the apprentice as she ducked the blow. Flowingpaw bared her fangs in defiance before landing below after blow. To the older ShadowClan cat it was like dealing with a raging river. The fierce fight was shockingly very one sided as Flowingpaw before long sent the older she-cat running with her tail between her legs.

"And stay out!"spat Flowingpaw, spitting blood out from her mouth as she panted.

[ost - Aggressive Battle Music: Flash Point by Robert Slump]

Flowingpaw swiftly looked around and spotted Bluestar. Despite her leader and mentor's injuries the russian blue mix fought like a raging fire-fierce and deadly. Not a single movement in the leader was wasted as she fiercely fought foe after foe. It was a sight to behold for the young kittypet born she-cat. She had never seen Bluestar fight before, even wounded, she was a deadly adversary. No way her foe clutched in her talon sharp claws would get away without wounds that would leave him scarred for life.

However a distinct screech sent her blood running cold. Her aqua green eyes turned into wide moons at spotting the black footed tom grabbing kits from the nursery and one of the elders slain at his paws! Maternal instincts kicked up a raging furious fire in her at that moment. She was about to race over when she was plowed over and pinned by a tortie she-cat . "The kits! The kits are in danger!"yowled Flowingpaw as she struggled.

Flowingpaw strained desperately to see what Blackfoot was doing and to her relief out of all the cats it was Yellowfang that had heard her warning. The scruffy persian mix was easily beating back the enemy deputy and defending the kits at the same time.

[ost - World's Greatest Battle Music Ever: FRIP (Human Design)]

"Get off her!"

Flowingpaw looked on in surprise as a pale streak had pulled off her attacker as she hurried to her paws. Her surprise only grew to see who was standing in front of her...Longtail. She felt very confused and couldn't understand why. She thought the tom hated her guts so why had the pale warrior saved her just now!?

"L-Longtail?"she squeaked.

"Pull yourself together, Flow."he hissed. "If you get beaten now, I'll look bad!"

Flowingpaw laughed as she flanked him, "Less talking more fighting."

Longtail smirked at the younger she-cat. He honestly wasn't sure why he had jumped in the way he had either. But seeing her pinned by an enemy warrior had made something snap in the tom. What was even weirder she easily matched him move for move. She struck back a foe, so did he as they covered each other's backs. It was almost like they had been raised in the same clan together.

So odd.

Here was this she-cat that bore no feral blood in her veins, yet, she had the heart and soul of a seasoned warrior. She had entered the clan shy and easily spooked but now here she was fighting to defend the clan that adopted her. Longtail was no fool either, he had noticed how ever so slowly his clan mates were accepting and respecting this hard working, stubborn, fiesty, playful, emotional, and passionate apprentice. It didn't take long for the clan to chase out the remainder of the attackers.

[end ost]

"Longtail, you surprised me today."mewed Flowingpaw.

"Hm, yeah well don't get used to it."he chirped.

Flowingpaw purred as she gently licked his cheek in gratitude before hurrying to the nursery. Leaving Longtail staring after her in a frazzled, blushing mess as his ears pressed to his skull, hot with embarressment. His heart wouldn't stop racing from the simple gesture. Even Flowingpaw wasn't sure why she had done it as she blushed at her actions just moments ago. She'd have to wonder about it later, so she pushed it to the back for now.

"Yellowfang, are the kits ok?"squeaked Flowingpaw.

"They're fine."chirped the scarred she-cat, hushing the frightened kittens.

Yellowfang though had that odd twinkle of concern she was not used to in her eyes as she sniffed a wound on the apprentice's shoulder. "Hm, seems Rowanberry got you good, kit."

"Rowanberry?"she echoed, wincing as she laid down, panting from the ordeal. The tortie she-cat had been smaller then Flowingpaw but damn did her claws hurt.

"My kin."was all Yellowfang simply answered as Bluestar called the clan to gather.

Flowingpaw simply blinked, stunned at this information. Now that she was processing what happened she could see the resemblance Yellowfang had with the brown tortioseshell she had fought. Small ears, long shaggy fur, and short muzzles. Defiantly they were kin, possibly littermates? She didn't feel like pressing for answers as her body ached EVERYWHERE! But now that she had the chance she could see the disaster the camp had been left in.

Blood and fur and disturbed forest debre all over the place. Cats all wounded in some shape and form. Some limping as they gathered around Bluestar. It was a horrible sight...she didn't like it. But even she understood it had been a fight for protecting their home, nothing more as she listened as Greypaw came to join her and Ravenpaw as Yellowfang moved away.

"My kittens!"

Flowingpaw looked up to see Goldenflower rushing to and right into the nursery with Frostfur and Brindleface on her tail. She could hear the mews from little Swiftkit and the others.

"Bluestar,"It was Frostfur that hurried out, weaving through the crowd. "Thanks to Yellowfang and the warning from Flowingpaw the kits are safe."

"And Rosetail?"Bluestar inquired with concern. Frostfur shook her head.

Oh no!

Flowingpaw paled as she frantically looked around for the elder...she was not among the crowd. The solemn expressions on her clan mates spoke volumes. Rosetail had been killed in the strife. Rosetail was known for her storytelling and the kittens just adored her...Flowingpaw in her moons here also had grown to like the gentle elder dearly. But now she was gone.

"Rosetail was very brave but was struck down by a ShadowClan warrior in order to try and get at the kits."chirped Frostfur, earning yowls of fury from the clan.

At hearing this the cinnamon tabby's ears perked and she instantly sat up stiffly, keeping weight off her leg with the injured shoulder. "It was Blackfoot, I saw everything with my own eyes!"she called out over the crowd.

"T-The ShadowClan deputy!?"squeaked Brindleface in astonished horror, whom had fought so hard to keep her unborn kits from harm. I nodded towards Brindleface, making the torbie lash her tail in fury.

[ost - Sad Tragic Music: "Burial" by Yasuharu Takanashi]

Bluestar despite the pain of her injuries limped over towards her apprentice and her two friends. She bent down, touching noses with the younger she-cat in silent praise. She then had a look of solemn sorrow on her usually calm exterior. "Lionheart's with Spottedleaf...h-he's been gravely injured." Her blue gaze turned towards the shadows where a large bundle of golden fur red with blood lay with Spottedleaf tending to him.

"No!"wailed Greypaw as he raced away.

Flowingpaw's blood ran cold at this as she followed after Greypaw. "Not Lionheart!"she thought with fear sending her heart racing. Lionheart had been there since day one for her. He had been with Bluestar the night she first set paw in the woods, he had been there to escort her to the clan, he had been her teacher when she had none at the time, and he been very much been the closest thing to having a father was like.

Why!?

WHY HIM!?

Flowingpaw soon broke int oa run, her body screaming at her to stop but she couldn't listen. The world felt like it had turned black and white and was in slow motion as she reached Lionheart. Greypaw already curled up to him in tears and Spottedleaf's look of defeat and grief said it all...Lionheart's fate was out of her paws. Her grey furred friend's howl of sorrow from her dream only making her world shatter as she trembled, her legs about to give out from the shock. Spottedleaf though had been fast to act and caught her whispering softly into her ear, "Come with me."

Flowingpaw said nothing as she allowed herself to be taken away by Spottedleaf into her den and laid to rest. The medicine cat did everything she could to treat her, even giving her something for the shock before mewing she'd be right back. No sooner did the medicine cat leave she began to wail in her own grief. Unaware of a certain smokey grey persian mix that had entered and laid down beside her, wrapping her tail around her.

[end ost]

Bluestar sighed sadly after saying her farewells to Lionheart and Rosetail, sitting just outside her den. So much blood shed tonight and so much loss. Lynxkit had died during her time away and then this battle had stolen Rosetail and her deputy. Her mind then drifted to her apprentice and young Greypaw. Lionheart had been so important to those two young cats' lives. But then her mind flew to Frostfur...poor Frostfur. Lionheart had been her mate and the father to little Cinderkit, Thornkit, Brackenkit. Now the little ones were without a father.

"Bluestar? Everyone else has been tended to already."Bluestar looked up to spot the calico and gave small, sad smile.

"Of course. H-how are Flowingpaw, Greypaw and Frostfur?"she chirped, whincing as Spottedleaf got to work.

"Flowingpaw's pretty shaken up, and while grief stricken, Frostfur handling it better then she and Greypaw. I'd like your apprentice to stay with me tonight."meowed Spottedleaf smoothly.

"This is one lesson I had hoped they didn't have to experience so soon...breaks my heart."Bluestar looked sadly at her paws. "Oh what am I going to do without him? First Redtail, and now Lionheart..."

"We'll do what our ancestors have done before us. We move forward."Spottedleaf then got to her paws and left her leader in peace.

The medicine cat then sleeked back to her den and was surprised to see Yellowfang of all cats snuggled up with the apprentice. Cleaning the lightly sleeping, sobbing apprentice's fur in a manner of a queen comforting her kit. It was rather amusing sight as she walked in.

"You were always sensitive to these things, Yellowfang even when I was still an apprentice."she purred softly.

"Yeah what of it, kit? You mention this to anybody I'll claw your pretty lil' ears off."huffed with a flick of her torn ear. It only earned a small grin from the younger healer at her senior.

"I wouldn't dream of it. You know, "Spottedleaf began digging out some lavender from her storage. "Flowingpaw thinks the world of you too, I'm glad you're here right now. I can heal many ailments and injuries...but it takes a loved one to heal a blow to the heart."

"Hn, well said. Featherwhisker taught you well."the old healer chirped in agreement.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting."Both medicine cats ears perked at the familiar summons.

Yellowfang nudged Flowingpaw awake and urged her to follow Spottedleaf, which she relucantly did. Flowingpaw went over to join Ravenpaw, taking a spot beside her black furred friend. On the other side Greypaw was nestled up to Lionheart in mourning. All the while she could feel a distinct stare looking their way. She looked over to see it belonged to the distinct amber eyes of Tigerclaw. She glared right back as she moved to block his veiw of her nervous friend. "How rude."she thought.

"It is nearly moonhigh...and once more, all too soon it is my duty to name a deputy."meowed Bluestar, her voice cracking subtlely from her own grief.

[ost - Demon Slayer OST - Demon Smell (HQ)]

Everyone seemed to turning their gazes expectantly towards Tigerclaw she noticed. But for some reason she felt very, very uncomfortable. Even Whitestorm was looking at the scarred broad shouldered tabby. From the way he held himself and his quivering whiskers...he agreed. But something in her gut seemed to be sharing in Ravenpaw's anxieties as her black pelted friend looked around.

Bluestar took a deep breath to steady herself before continuing, "I say these words before the body of Lionheart, that his spirit may hear and approve of my choice."she paused for a moment. "I have not forgotten how one cat had avenged the death of Redtail and brought his body back to us. ThunderClan needs these fearless loyal warriors more then ever now...Tigerclaw will be the new deputy."

Ravenpaw's ears drooped as he practically looked liek he'd seen a shade from the Dark Forest come before him. His fur bristled as he trembled, frozen to his place as his eyes turned into wide as moons. "N-no...she shouldn't have done that."she heard him whisper beside her as Tigerclaw accepted his new potision, earning praise from the clan.

"Ravenpaw?"Flowingpaw she whispered softly.

"She never should have choosen him, Flowingpaw!"he muttered in terror.

"What? Why?"she mewed as before her eyes in the leafy canopy she saw the misty, and shimmering body of a calico tom cat his fangs bared and the white she-cat with him. Where they spirits like back at the moonstone?

"H-He's wanted to be deputy ever since he took care of Redtail-"Ravenpaw stopped abruptly mid sentence, clearly too horrified to continue at the moment.

[end ost]

But being the clever girl she was it didn't take her long to realize the truth in his words and why the tom made her feel so uncomfortable since day one. Tigerclaw had murdered Redtail! The meeting ended with Tigerclaw appointing two guards for Bluestar in Longtail and Darkstripe-no shocker there. But Bluestar reassured the clan she was still here for them, that anybody could approach her with their concerns.

Then to Flowingpaw's delight and the clan's shock Bluestar invited Yellowfang into the clan the next morning, which she accepted. But during that meeting Tigerclaw seemed to be dropping hints of a so called traitor. To her dismay he was dropping them towards Ravenpaw! Swiftly she looked over as Greypaw joined her.

"Greypaw, stay with Ravenpaw. Get him to the den."she squeaked hastily.

"Sure, what about you? You ok?"meowed Greypaw in worry.

"I'll be fine, I'm going go check on Yellowfang quickly."Greypaw nodded and ushered their frightened friend out of the way of prying eyes.

Flowingpaw hurried to where Yellowfang was resting and hobbled over before nuzzling her, purring up a storm and earing one in return from the old healer.

"Ah, Flowingpaw I'm glad you came."purred Yellowfang.

"Me too. U-um...you stayed with me to comfort me before...thank you."she mewed.

"Don't mention it. How's the wounds?"she mewed.

"Honestly? Sore, particularly the rat bites. What about your leg?"Meowed Flowingpaw as she gave her paw a few licks.

Yellowfang let out a thunderous laugh, "Old habits die harder then old scents eh?" Yellowfang had that fiery spark in her eyes once more before stretching her stiff limbs. "The old injury's bothering me a little again, but I'll be alright."

"How'd you fight off Blackfoot by the way?"Flowingpaw asked, suddenly curious as she sat down.

"Blackfoot's strong, kit, but he's not exactly bright when it comes to combat. Fighting you was more of a challenge."chuckled Yellowfang, earning a giggle from the younger she-cat in turn. Good the apprentice was laughing, that was a plus in the old she-cat's mind. She didn't like seeing this normally cheerful, cheeky she-cat in such low spirits. "I've known him since he was a kitten. He hasn't changed one bit-a bully but no brains."

"I'm happy you're a part of ThunderClan now, I'd miss you if you'd had chosen to leave."purred Flowingpaw, earning a stunned look that quickly softened into fondness.

"That means a lot coming from you. But perhaps a truly loyal cat would have sided with their clan of their birth."chirped yellowfang, flicking her tail.

Now it was Flowingpaw's turn to break out in laughter, "But then I would have been fighting for my twolegs!"

"Mrewoeoeoww!"Yellowfang bellowed in laughter. "Well said youngster. But again you've always been a clever girl."

"Do you miss your old clan?"the apprentice brought up curiously.

Yellowfang sighed as she looked up at the sky above them, memories of her youth flowing through her mind. "I miss the way ShadowClan used to be...before Brokenstar."

"He changed it? How?"Now she was even more curious.

"Hn, Brokenstar always did have a silvertongue. He could make you believe a mouse was a rabbit if he tried."Yellowfang gave a wheezing laugh. "Perhaps that's why I was blind to his faults."

Seeing how disheartened her paternal figure was she decided a change of topic might help. "You won't believe who the new ShadowClan medicine cat is."

"Not Runningnose!?"gaped Yellowfang.

"Yep."giggled Flowingpaw.

"But he can't even cure his own cold!"meowed shaking her head in disapproval.

"Greypaw said that too!"

The two laughed, purring in amusement before Flowingpaw stiffly got up and began to leave. "Oh, Flowingpaw!"

"Hm, yes Yellowfang?"she glanced over at the elder.

"Before I forget, you mentioned rat bites. Be sure to go roll in a patch of wild garlic. Some times marigold's not enough."advised Yellowfang. "There should be some not far from camp. Although, your den mates might not thank me for it."

Flowingpaw smiled and limped over to touch her nose with Yellowfang. "They may not, but I'm very grateful for it. So thank you."

"Go safely now, Flowingpaw."yawned Yellowfang.

Flowingpaw soon left Yellowfang in peace, leaving her den and made way for the gorse tunnel. She stole a glance up and was surprised at the fact it was already dusk. Had the clan meeting and her talk with Yellowfang really taken the entire day? Dang. No matter, she needed to go find some garlic. As she passed by she could hear the queens settling in their kits for the night. Making her smile sadly. She was just about to head into the bramble tunnel when she was cut off by Darkstripe.

Great...

It was big ugly boy again.

"What do you want Darkstripe?"she hissed, standing her ground.

"Watch your tongue, kittypet. Where do you think you're going?"he hissed.

Thank StarClan whoever was watching that it was Spottedleaf that came passing by and walked over. It took her once glance to realize what was going on. "Ah so you're off to go find what I told you about for your rat bites for you and the others right?"

Instantly Flowingpaw caught on to the fact Spottedleaf was trying to help and swiftly nodded. "Yes, I'm off to go get the garlic you wanted me to use."

Darkstripe simply stared coldly between us before stepping aside, "Hnmph, fine go." before leaving.

Flowingpaw mouthed a thank you to her friend, earning a wink in return before hurrying off. It did not take her long to find the garlic patch. She wasted no time as she started rolling in it like crazy. Then made hasted to dig some up to take to Spottedleaf. Yellowfang had been right about the garlic; it was soothing the stinging from the bites. As she did her ears perked at hearing some familiar voices. Thankfully she was down wind from them, so, sneaking up was easy as she scrambled into near by bushes to hide.

It was Tigerclaw with Darkstripe and Longtail.

Quietly she listened in on their conversation and didn't like what she was hearing. Tigerclaw defiantly seemed to be turning Ravenpaw into some kind of scape goat. Having heard enough she slinked away and grabbed the garlic and made her way back to camp. Tigerclaw was not a cat to be trusted. But...how would she convince Bluestar?

To Be Continued...