Graystripe's New Beginning-Chapter 1
Hello! I just found this while reading through some of my old stuff, and thought, "hey! MAybe I cn post this!" so here it is xP lol. Warriors does not belong to me!
The sky was darkening as Graystripe followed Mistyfoot through RiverClan's territory, the smaller of his two kits in his jaws. It didn't take long for them to reach the RiverClan camp, and once they arrived, Mistyfoot lead the gray warrior straight to their nursery where Mosspelt was waiting.
"They're beautiful…" The tortoiseshell murmured, her eyes softening at the two scraps the warriors placed in front of her.
Graystripe felt a pang in his heart. Just like their mother… Oh, Silverstream…
"I'm glad that you've decided to see things our way, Graystripe." Leopardfur had approached, her eyes falling to rest on Graystripe. "I assume you'll be returning to your camp now?"
Graystipre blinked. "No, Leopardfur…" He meowed quietly. "I can't leave them. Silverstream asked me to take care of them… I… I would like to talk to Crookedstar about joining RiverClan."
There was a determined gleam in the tom's amber eyes, and Leopardfur narrowed her own emerald green gaze. "Oh really? Just like that? You're leaving behind everything you've ever known to be with these kits?"
Mistyfoot's gaze softened.
"Yes." There was no uncertainty in Graystripe's voice.
Leopardfur was quiet for a moment. "Very well, then. We'll see what Crookedstar has to say about this."
The two cats headed to where Crookedstar was already waiting, a curious gleam in his eyes. "Why have you not returned to ThunderClan?"
Graystripe bowed his head respectfully to his former mate's father.
"No… Crookedstar, after what happened… After what happened, I'm no longer welcomed in ThunderClan. There's nothing left for me there, and you are right. The kits do belong with their mother's clan, with their kin. But… They're my kits, too. The only kin I have left… If… If I lost them, I don't know what I would do… Crookedstar, please let me join RiverClan…" Graystripe finished his speech by crouching in front of the RiverClan leader, head down, eyes lowered, ears down. Humble and pleading.
"You have mentioned how your birth-clan no longer accepts you. What makes you thing that we will accept you any more than they will? You betrayed ThunderClan when you decided to mate with my daughter. How am I to know that you will not betray me in much the same way?"
Graystripe looked up at the large tabby, but much to his surprise, there was none of the anger he was expecting in his wise eyes- only sincere curiosity.
Do I really have a chance of joining RiverClan? Graystripe felt his heart thud in excitement. He would be able to fulfill his promise to Silverstream!
"Well?" Leopardfur growled, bristling slightly. "He's right. What business do we have taking in another Clan's crow-food?"
Graystripe ignored her. "Silverstream's last wish… Was for me to take care of our kits. I can't let her down, Crookedstar. I will swear my warrior oaths to you a hundred times over if that's what it takes!"
Crookedstar's gaze softened. "Very well, young Graystripe. I will give you a moon to adjust, and then, we shall hold your warrior ceremony."
"Thank-you, Crookedstar!" Graystripe purred. "But… Does that mean… Am I an apprentice again?" His amber eyes widened slightly in horror. How embarrassing is that?
To his surprise, this new leader let out an amused purr. "Not quite, Graystripe. You are still a warrior. A warrior in training, yes, but a warrior none the less. There are many things for you to learn about RiverClan, and our territory, and when you are ready, you will re-swear your warrior oaths to RiverClan."
"Yes, Crookedstar." Graystripe meowed, ducking his head. "Thank-you, again… This means a lot to me."
Crookedstar dipped his head. "Now, both of you go to the warriors den and get some rest."
Leopardfur looked as if she were about to object, but Crookedstar cut her off. "Go, Leopardfur. I'll announce this to the clan tomorrow morning."
The golden tabby growled quietly, but turned away none the less. "Come on, then. The warrior's den is this way."
Graystripe sighed at her hostility, but followed none the less. Leopardfur pushed her way through with a toss of her head, and Graystripe followed, though hesitantly. He cautiously maneuvered the den, scraping together a small nest of reeds and moss as far away from the hostile deputy as possible.
As he settled down, he couldn't help but to think about Silverstream. Are you happy, Silverstream? I'm in your home now, and I can raise our kits by your river… He felt his heart stutter as he thought he could faintly detect her scent as he drifted into sleep.
"Graystripe… Oh, Graystripe…"
The gray tom lifted his head, blinking in confusion as he realized that he was at the Sunning Rocks, and Silverstream was standing in front of him.
"Silverstream!" He rushed forward and shoved his nose into her silver pelt, inhaling as much of her scent as he could. She purred, rubbing her head against his chest and neck. "I've missed you so much, Silverstream…" He murmured.
"I know… I've missed you, too, Graystripe…" She purred. "And I'm so glad that you've decided to raise our kits in RiverClan… It means so much to me, Graystripe… But try not to dwell in the past to much, dearest…" She stretched up to lick his ear, and the tom tilted his head.
"What do you mean, Silverstream?"
She sighed. "You have to move on, Graystripe… It's the only way you'll ever be happy."
"But I don't want to forget you!" Graystripe yowled in objection.
The silver tabby queen only purred in amusement though. "You'd better not forget me." She licked his shoulder. "I will always love you, Graystripe, but you still have a long path ahead of you. A path that you may not want to travel alone."
"But Silverstream! I could never-"
She drew her tail across his muzzle, effectively silencing him. "It is possible to love again, Graystripe…" Her voice was gentle, and Graystripe sighed.
"What if I don't want to…?"
She purred in amusement again, but her gaze was understanding. "I know it's hard, Graystripe, but you can. And will. You must remember- I know these things now. And I came here to tell you, that I approve of your decision. Who ever the lucky she-cat is, she had better make you happy."
"Oh Silverstream…" Graystripe rubbed his face against hers, then licked her ears gently. "I'll never forget you, Silverstream… I promise to take care of the kits…"
"I love you, Graystripe…"
Thank-you for reading! I love reviews, and am open to contructive (but not hateful) critisism~