Hi! This is a new fanfic I decided to put up. I've had this idea for a while, but… I haven't exactly done any research, because I don't own the right books. It takes place in the Tribe of Rushing Water, but before you turn your nose up at it, they don't put mud all over their pelts, and they don't have funny accents. There's no way to tell what types of herbs they use either, so if you have suggestions or information for me, anything at all, do tell! I also have create-a-cats open for anyone wants to submit a tribe cat. Please do! I haven't figured out most of my kitties, and I'm going to use the ones I remember, but in this chapter I have pretty much everything checked out. Updating might be slow, because I have another fanfic I need to update (Graywhisper's Journey :3) so it won't be as fast as that. Btw, for those who have read my other story, I shove myself into every story, so I'm important to the main character. See if you can guess who! It's REALLY easy though. Well I think I've done enough explaining so here you go! Prologue and Chapter 1!

Bloom in the Storm

Prologue

A small white figure stood out weakly in the dim light. Rain poured down, seeming like it wanted to stop the cat from leaping slowly up the cliff face. Long white fur clung to her body. Her sides heaved from the effort of jumping time and time again. It seemed like she would never make it to the top. Once or twice, her paws would slip on the slick rocks, or she would lose her balance and nearly tumble over the side. She would always regain her grip on the rock with her paws. She knew that if she slipped, she would plummet down, down, down, where she had no chance of surviving the crushing blow the ground would deal. Slipping was death itself, no second chances. So she struggled up to the top, onwards, onwards, of the seemingly endless cliff. She knew it must have am end. It had to. It was her only chance. It was her only hope of living in peace.

Chapter 1

-Storm brewing on the horizon-

I was staring out into the night from behind the waterfall, which I did mostly every night, when it happened. When she happened.

A white she-cat suddenly burst in the tunnel into our cave, looking exhausted and bedraggled. Her long white fur clung to her sides from the rain and the waterfall, heaving with effort to breathe. Her eyes were closed, as she had already passed out by the time I got there. She was unconscious.

I yowl a late exclamation of surprise, which brings Talon, the only cave-guard this time of night, running over.

Talon spots the she-cat unconscious on the floor, and his hackles begin to rise. I don't have time for this. She needs healing, now!

"Go get Stoneteller!" My voice is frantic. Stoneteller says I need to work on being calm under pressure, if I ever want to be the next Teller of the Pointed Stones.

For a moment I forget the situation and scuff a paw on the stone floor. I never wanted to be the next Stoneteller! I wanted to be a prey-hunter the whole time! My sister, Gray whisper that brings news of gladness, was with me on that.

Our mother, Brook where small fish swim, supported us the whole way. I remember the day Gray and I were to start our training. It was just moments before the ceremony would begin.

Stormfur, our Dad, and Brook had lined us up in the hollow that had served as our den the whole time we were kits. Then they retreated to the side to look at us.

"Why are you so nervous?" Stormfur asked Brook.

"Well, what if Stoneteller crushes my kits dreams?" Brook had said.

A look of understanding came into my father's eyes. He said no more about the matter, draping his tail over his mate's shoulder.

Stoneteller walked into our den, running a practiced eye over each of us. Brook watched anxiously. Stormfur ran a calming tail down her spine.

I wasn't worried about what he chose us to be. Both Gray and I had inherited the small, lithe, shapes of our parents, Gray more so than me. She looked like Brook exactly in shape, but Stormfur's stone-gray pelt. Yet her paws and chest matched Brook's light gray. Her eyes were as deep blue as the waterfall.

I was a stormy gray, perfect for my name. I had slightly shaggy fur, combined with the gray was a perfect for blending in with the boulders of the mountains.

Stoneteller had been pacing about us, for a long time, scrutinizing every detail. We stood erect and still as a stone, muscles locked, neither of us daring to move.

"Gray whisper that brings news of gladness," Stoneteller finally says. "You will be a prey-hunter."

Gray's eyes sparkle with magical light, wonderfully happy. She nods quickly and runs up to Brook, purring softly.

Stoneteller locks eyes. His are gray; the same color as the stones her reads.

"Storm brewing on the horizon, I have decided you will train under me, to learn the ways of The Tribe of Endless hunting, and to heal and lead your tribe!" He finishes with an important air, as if it was a privilege for me to be the next Stoneteller.

It's all I can do to keep my expression in control. However, I can't control my eyes as they dilate bigger than they ever have before.

I hope he takes it as excitement and not surprise, as I fight the sorrow in my heart. All I wanted my whole life was to be a prey-hunter! That's all.

I feel a whimper welling up, but thankfully I am interrupted by the return of Talon with my mentor, Stoneteller. I dip my head respectfully and wait for him to speak first, as was custom.

"Why have you called for me, Storm brewing on the horizon?" Stoneteller asks ice in his voice.

"Well this she-cat here appeared just came here and passed out so I told Talon of swooping eagle to go fetch you." I say, in one scared breath.

Stoneteller shakes his head. Uh-oh. "So you sent the only cave-guard away, leaving yourself alone with a potentially dangerous cat?"

I don't meet his gaze. "I panicked." I mutter.

If it's even possible, Stoneteller's voice sharpened.

"Why did you let him do that, Talon of Swooping Eagle?"

Talon responded without pause.

"He is your apprentice, therefore the next Teller of the Pointed Stones."

Stoneteller nods, satisfied with the answer.

"You must be punished, Storm Brewing on the Horizon."

I wince and sigh inwardly. What could it be this time?

"As punishment for your mistake, this she-cat is your responsibility." He mews with finality. "I will not lift a paw to help her."

Crap.

It's one thing for Stoneteller to do something awful to me, but it's completely different for him to risk the she-cats life. Because of my incompetence, this cat might die.

I feel the sadness welling up again. Stoneteller sees and seems satisfied. He turns around and stalks back to the Cave of Pointed Stones.

It's not until he's out of sight that I crumple to the ground, wishing I was as dead to the world as the she-cat.

Someone nudges my shoulder, and I remember Talon's still there.

"Stoneteller said he wouldn't help, but that doesn't mean I won't."

"Really?" I look up at him hopefully. Talon looks embarrassed and awkward for offering, but he nods. "Than do you think you can take her to a nest in the herb hollow?"

In answer Talon picks up the drenched she-cat and takes her in the direction of where Stoneteller was. I didn't want to go back there, but it was where the herbs were. I didn't have much of a choice.

Wearily, I get off the stone floor, and walk slowly to the cave. Only because she was there. She won't die on my watch.

So what do you think? It's only my second fanfiction, and I thought it was pretty good. I hope you think so too! Review!

-Graywhisper