Me: Hello! So like over ten Fire Emblem fanfic writting spree later we're back haahahaha~! *notices* Longtail you look worried you ok dude?

Longtail: Worried? *looks over at Flow/Princess who went to see Yellowfang* Why would I be worried kittypet!?

Me: hey, be nice or next time I write a spoof where you get paint dumped on your fur.

Longtail: *gulp* Please no! Don't make my fur green, mmmrrreeeeoooowwww!

Me: I would and I will if you don't behave while your waifu's busy.

Longtail: =T_T= O-okay fine...

Me: Good boi~! Now today's fact is a fun one. Did you know cats has the learning level of a two or three year old twoleg kitten? This makes cats quite smart and they need to be as cats are also prey as well as predators.

Longtail: *glares at bunny burrow* Hear that evil rabbit? I'll get you yet! FLOW SHALL HAVE HER RABBIT!

Me: *watches the scene with sweat drop* Um, on with the chapter while I make sure Lnogtail doesn't go get his eyes scratched. As usual I don't own Warriors and this is an AU so do enjoy.

Chapter 4
Lesson Number One

~.~.~

A freezing cold breeze rustled what little leaves remained on the trees. A shimmering coat of frost caking the trees and ground in a shining silver hue as the dim light of dawn trickled through some juniper berry bushes. Under the shelter of their prickly green needles curled up tight were a short haired pale tabby tom and a fluffy cinnamon and white tabby she-cat. Contently curled up, snuggled into each other's warmth. An annoyed, intangible mew escaped the pretty mollie as her eyes blinked groggily as she lay there feeling truly happy, glowing even. It took her second but Flowingstream purred as she nuzzled into her sleeping mate's welcomed warmth as he snored away softly. "Had we really been out all night?"she thought before in a panic bolting up.

Oh no.

"Longtail, wake up we gotta hurry back to camp!"urged Flowingstream as she gently nudged Longtail.

"Hnhhm...Flow why are you —?"began Longtail before he too bolted to his paws and shimmied out from their makeshift den. "Shit! Shit! SHIT! Our apprentices!"

Not wasting a moment, their soreness forgotten they hurried back to camp in haste. They soon arrived, both racing into the camp together. Only to be greeted by the shaggy black tabby tom.

"Hmph. Why were you out all night with a kittypet?"growled Darkstripe.

"That's none of your business, Darkstripe."spat Longtail, his tail resting on the cinnamon tabby's scarred shoulder.

Darkstripe glared, tail lashing as he clearly looked not so convinced. But Flowingstream simply stuck out her tongue in defiance at the dark tabby as Longtail whispered in her ear, "I'll see you later, Flow." She gave a purr to her mate as he left to fetch Swiftpaw.

"I'm watching you, kittypet."hissed Darkstripe before he left to go hunt.

"Watch all you want, I'm not fond of you either Mr. Prickles."she thought lashing her tail as she went over to Greystripe as he emerged from the den. She gave her fur another shake to try and fluff it out and ward off the cold as she sat by him.

"Hey Greystripe."she greeted.

"Somebody's in a much better mood."Greystripe noted as he grinned with a small twinkle of mischief. Greystripe had a pretty good idea while his friend had been out all night with Longtail. It wasn't his business to pry though. Frankly he still felt sour about what happened at the gorge.

"Yeah but it's flipping freezing this morning."she chirped as a shiver sent her pelt bristling.

"Yeah it sure is cold out this morning. Leafbare's not far now, probably by the looks of all the frost."sighed Greystripe still looking rather melancholy.

"Greystripe, that fight still isn't bothering you is it? What happened was an accident. Even Bluestar sees that so how long do you plan to mope about it?"Flowingstream truly felt worry as she looked at her shaggy grey furred friend.

"But it was my fault!"he snapped. "I was right there, I had him but he he slipped right from my claws!"

"Grey..."Flowingstream trilled sadly as her ears drooped. Maybe if she changed the subject it would take her friend's mind off what happened? It was worth a shot. "So what do you plan to do with Cinderpaw today?"

"Um, I don't know...m-maybe show her around the territory I guess?"Greystripe mumble, looking at his paws.

"Maybe if you want I can go get Brackenpaw and we can show them the territory together!"offered the cinnamon tabby she-cat happily. Only for that excitement to turn to disappointment when her friend shook his head "no" at her.

"I-I really just need to be alone right now."he chirped as he walked away his head low and tail dragging behind him.

"Oh...um, alright."she sighed as she watched him go. Shame she had so been looking forward to taking their apprentices out together. Oh well, there was nothing that could be done about it now. Flowingstream headed over to the apprentice den delighted but surprised to see Brackenpaw sitting outside.

"Good morning Flowingstream."greeted the golden brown tabby tom with a wave of his tail.

"Morning Brackenpaw, ready for today?"she purred in greeting.

"Whenever you are. So what are we going to do today?"Brackenpaw's golden amber eyes bright with interest and held a calm air like his late father's. It was very brief but Flowingstream saw the phantom of the late deputy a look of pride on his face as he walked by her before vanishing. Sending a slight chill through her body. "You'll train my son well, young one."rang in her ears only. It was still so odd how she could see these spirits, hear them, scent them, feel them even but nobody but the clan's leader and medicine cat seemed to notice. Nobody but Spottedleaf knew of this strange sensitivity to the ancestors. "I won't let you down Lionheart."she thought determinedly as she motioned for Brackenpaw to follow.

"I'll be taking you to see the territory. It is important you know where you can go and where our borders are. A warrior must always know their surroundings after all."mewed Flowingstream as they left camp.

"Of course."Brackenpaw mewed thoughtfully as he trotted to catch up and slowed to his mentor's pace once beside her. "Will we get to see Four Trees?" Flowingstream purred in amusement at the exited pitch to the young tom's voice.

"Patience, Brackenpaw. We'll see it soon but stay close and do not wander far from me."she mewed firmly.

"I promise! I'll stick close like a pesky burr in your fur."he laughed. "My sister though is probably driving Greystripe crazy. She was always the energetic one and doesn't think things through."

"She is the little spitfire ain't she?"laughed Flowingstream. "Come along then, we're burning daylight."

Brackenpaw eagerly and rather easily kept up with the brown tabby and white she-cat as her fluffy tail swayed high in a curve. Brackenpaw tried copying his mentor and raised his tail high and proud too. More then anything he wanted to be strong and brave and wise like how his father had been said to be. So when he heard Bluestar name Flowingstream as he mentor the young tom had been thrilled, nervous yes, but thrilled. The young warrior was a hard worker and clever and the way she fought held an elegance to it. It didn't take them long to reach the stream. He could see the wonder in his own mentor's face that mirrored his as they looked at the hoar frost that covered the forest. Making the trees shine and glitter like the crystals in the sacred cave of Mouthermouth.

"This is amazing, Flowingstream. Every is shining like the moonstone with all this frost."Brackenpaw mewed in aw as they walked past a stream.

"It is beautiful, isn't it? But it pales in comparison to the real thing."she chirped, making the apprentice's eyes grow wide.

"You saw the moonstone!? What was it like? Does it really glow? Does it—"Brackenpaw began was silenced fast by Flowingstream's tail being put to his mouth.

"Woah there! So many questions so fast already."grinned Flowingstream at the now embarrassed tom. "We have many moons ahead of us and you'll find those answers soon enough."

"Ok..."huffed Brackenpaw in defeat. However there was understanding there too as he perked his ears. Eagerly sticking close to Flowingstream as she showed him the training hollow where they would be doing most of their lessons. He was also shown much of the key landmarks including the border with twolegplace. Now though they were nearing the river and sunningrocks.

"Is this where I think we are?"Brackenpaw asked.

"Yes, we're at the border with RiverClan."she informed.

"The same border Redtail died at and where mom said you and Greystripe and WindClan got into a fight with RiverClan?"Brackenpaw asked.

"Hm, yes and no. The recent skirmish took place further down stream. The battle Redtail was in is just over there."Flowingstream explained as she pointed each direction the fights had been.

"Oi!"

Brackenpaw and Flowingstream looked over to spot the familiar dark grey pelt of a RiverClan she-cat on the RiverClan side of the river. Brackenpaw's fur instantly began to puff out and bristle as his ears pressed to his skull, letting out a small hiss. Flowingstream though rested her tail on his shoulder reassuringly smiling down at him before looking at the grey warrior.

"Hello Minnowsplash. How's the hunting?"she called.

"Well enough, despite the frost. Who's the kit with you?"called Minnowsplash, pointing at Brackenpaw with her tal as said apprentice took to hiding between his mentor's legs.

"Brackenpaw come out, she isn't going to trespass and it's rude not to greet a she-cat."soothed flowingstream as she removed herself as his hiding spot, giving his ear a reassuring lick.

Brackenpaw nervously stuck close to his mentor as he looked over at the RiverClan warrior. She was quite pretty with her smokey grey fur and blue eyes. But she was a rival and he'd grown up hearing stories of RiverClan and ShadowClan's strength. "U-Um hello...I'm Brackenpaw, I'm Flowingstream's apprentice."

"Oh my, an apprentice already Flowingstream?"giggled Minnowsplash. "Wait until Mistyfoot and Stonefur hear about this."

"We'd love to chat but Brackenpaw and I must continue on, Minnowsplash."chirped Flowingstream.

"Of course, of course~! May the fish jump into your claws and the water roll off your fur."chirped Minnowsplash before she vanished back into the reeds.

What an odd saying each clan had. However Flowingstream knew it was a wish for good fortune and luck. Simply the dark grey warrior had wished them well and Flowingstream would happily welcome it. So without a moment's hesitation they continued towards the border with with ShadowClan. Stopping at Four Trees along the way which had left Brackenpaw very excited. The Thunderpath though left Brackenpaw very nervous. No doubt in her mind he was probably remembering his recent kitnapping via Clawface's claws. The rip in his littermate's ear being proof of their first paw encounter with ShadowClan.

"Bleck! It stinks and this weird black rock feels weird on my paws."Brackenpaw mewed as he reached out a paw to touch the strange surface. As a monster passed by he let out a shriek and jumped back, looking very frightened as he scurried to hide behind his mentor. "W-What was THAT!?"

"That was a monster. Remember and heed my words Brackenpaw, monsters will and have killed many cats that get in their way while crossing. Do not come here unless you have no choice."Flowingstream said sternly her tone harsh and firm. From the look on Brackenpaw this warning and lesson held firm. A first lesson Brackenpaw would not forget any time soon as they returned for home, quietly lost in his thoughts.

It had been a few weeks now and training Brackenpaw was proving fun and she enjoyed it a great deal. She had taken to being a mentor like a duck to water and learning much alongside him. However this morning as she lay curled up with Longtail in the nest she now shared with him in the warriors' den she felt unwell. The last while she had grown increasingly fatigued and tired easy. Today though her stomach felt like a monster had hit her as Longtail began to stir with the dawn's light that broken through the bracken.

"Flow, you alright?"he asked groggily gently nuzzling her as she whimpered.

"No, I'm not let me sleep."she grumbled.

"But don't you have to take Brackenpaw out today?"Flowingstream instantly groaned in discomfort and annoyance. That's right she was supposed to working on his hunting today! However the way she was feeling it would probably be better to go see Yellowfang.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to, love."she sighed glancing over at her worried mate. "Can you see if Greystripe can take him today?"

"I guess? Just promise me you'll go see that old cranky bag of bones."mewed Longtail getting to his paws licking her between the ears. His reward was a small purr and hushed thank you.

Flowingstream listened as Longtail left stopping outside to speak with Greystripe. From the sounds of the conversation Flowingstream could tell Greystripe sounded worried at hearing she wasn't feeling well today. But their scents faded away as they left. So with a reluctant heave she pushed herself to her paws and took her time over to Yellowfang's den. "Yellowfang, You there?"croaked Flowingstream.

"Yeah, yeah I'm here. What you want?"Yellowfang's head poked out from the curtian of lichen. The old medicine cat had felt the pain and discomfort like it was her own and it only got stronger now that the suffering victim was at her den entrance. Her orange eyes holding worry for the younger she-cat at seeing Flowingstream was the cause. It was so rare for the kittypet born to be at her den for her own welfare. So if Flowingstream had come to her it was possibly serious and not some chat over prey.

"I take it you're not feeling too well?"Flowingstream did look a bit green.

"...N-No..."she mewed.

Yellowfang sighed and swiftly ushered inside and got her to lie down in one of the empty nests. The old medicine cat defiantly knew something was off if the sassy she-cat had lost her fire and playful bite to her words. However she soon started to smile after finding nothing wrong. Yellowfang had seen this plenty of times before and she knew what to do. "Better get used to visiting me more often, kit."she chirped as she started getting some herbs from her storage.

"What do you mean?"chirped Flowingstream looking at the back of the persian mix she-cat's head in confusion. It only grew when she saw the herbs Yellowfang had set at her snowy white petite paws. Watery green eyes grew wide as she looked to the herbs to Yellowfang and back. Before her was peppermint, burdock leaves, and a few juniper berries. Having helped out Spottedleaf and Yellowfang often Flowingstream had picked up some things.

"T-These...These herbs. You don't mean that I'm?"she stuttered as Yellowfang broke into laughter before smirking.

"Clever girl. Take those and they'll help. Rest here for awhile, kit you'll need your strength for the moons to come. Leafbare is not a kind time."chirped Yellowfang with a smirk. Flowingstream wasted no time and slowly devoured the herbs she had been given before gagging.

"Bleh! I never get used to that. But better then feeling like wasps are buzzing in my stomach."grumbled Flowingstream before curling up tight and wrapping her tail around herself as Yellowfang took her leave. While she lay there so many emotions and thoughts went through her mind. She would need to talk with Longtail and Brackenpaw but this news. However she found herself purring a look of fondness in her eyes as she started to imagine the sound of tiny mews and the patter of tiny paws.

To Be Continued...