In a word of what-ifs, Graystripe stays in RiverClan forever after the death of his beloved Silverstream.

Graystripe stared at the limp, lifeless body of Silverstream. Her pelt, though matted and dirty, still shined in his eyes. He could picture the day they met. It was when he carelessly fell into the stream and couldn't get out. She had told him, "Stand up," and that's when it all began.

He turned away, pushing her body aside.

And that's where it all ended.

"Are you alright?" Fireheart asked as he rushed to the side of his grieving friend.

"No," he growled.

"It's alright," Fireheart gently coaxed. "Everything's going to be fine." Graystripe nodded as if that where the truth. He kicked at the soft ground beneath his paws and watched the dust rise and settle in his dull gray fur.

"I wish you would change your decision. You're a more of a ThunderClan cat then I am! You have to stay! Remember how we used to make fun of them and called them fish-faces? Remember all the battles we've had with them? Remember all the awful things they've done to us? You don't want to be one of them, do you? ThunderClan needs you."

"It's what Silverstream would want. I have to raise our kits. I've thought about this long and hard, Fireheart. I will not change my mind." Fireheart nodded like a true warrior.

"Very well. But this is not over, Graystripe. I believe you will regret your decision, in time."

"So you wish to join our clan." Crookedstar looked down on Graystripe with digust.

"Fo-for the sake of…. Silverstream. Please."

"Alright. . ." Crookedstar said, as if he were actually considering the idea, "Alright. If only for Silverstream. But you must prove your loyalty."

"I know." Graystripe dipped his head and slowly padded away.

"Wait! You're den. I must show you there. Also…. Uh… Your mentor." He shrugged apologetically.

"What?"

"You mentor. In ThunderClan, you are a warrior. In RiverClan, you are nothing. You will be known as Graypaw and we will guide you in the RiverClan ways."

Stonefur encircled Graystripe, looking him over. He sighed heavily.

"Doesn't look like much. I don't like all this new blood entering the clan." Graypool smirked.

"I trust you'll train him well?"

"I'll do what I can. Should we introduce him to the clan now?" Stonefur asked.

"I suppose we should. They won't like you, though." Crookedstar turned to Graystripe. "Many people have been talking about how you murdered Silverstream."

"I didn't murder her!"

"Well if it weren't for you she would still be alive, wouldn't she?" Crookedstar's voice was raising and anger clouded his sharp green eyes.

"I loved her!"

"Well if you loved her so much you wouldn't have let her die! You killed her, Graystripe! At least have the decency to admit it!"

"I'm not going to admit anything!"

"Then maybe you should just stop bothering us! We're already grieving; you don't have to come here and remind us of what you did." His voice had dropped to a harsh, low grumble.

"Stop!" Stonefur growled. "I don't like this situation any more then you do. But there's nothing we can do about it now. Just…. Try not to kill each other, would you?" Crookedstar glared, but said nothing.

"Alright. Call the clans together."