This chapter is dedicated to all of my readers who asked 'Why didn't Graystripe just run away?' This chapter will answer your question.

Chapter 4-Another message

Graystripe looked at Autumn and said, "I'm leaving."

"What?"

"I'm leaving. I'm going home."

"But you said that the Palepelts destroyed your home."

"I don't care. I will find their scent and follow it, even if I have to travel across the mountains."

"The mountains are dangerous and you could get hurt!"

"I don't care. Stormfur needs me."

"Your son?"

"Yeah. Good-bye Autumn."

"Graystripe, wait!"

"What?"

"This place has too many dangers. Not everyone you see will give you food or shelter. There are horrible dogs out there as well. Not to mention evil cats."

"I've handled dogs and evil cats before. I can handle myself Autumn. Thanks for caring, but I don't need it." Graystripe broke into a sprint and flung himself out the kitty-flap in the door. He ran across the yard and over the fence. He pelted down the streets and finally stopped to catch his breath. "Man," he said to himself, "I haven't run this fast since the time where I was being chased by those dogs as part of Firestar's plan." Graystripe chuckled a little and then started to walk a little.

Graystripe was walking by a house when suddenly; two dogs burst out and started chasing him. Graystripe ran for his life. He hopped up on a high fence where the dogs couldn't reach him. Graystripe sighed in relief. When the dogs were forced away by their Twolegs, Graystripe hopped down.

He spotted a rat run by and started to give chase. Graystripe didn't know where he was running too but his hunger for prey got the best of him. Graystripe wasn't looking at what was around him, just at the rat.

Before long, he scented a really foul stench. He was in a carrion place, like the one in Shadowclan territory, but larger. He also scented cats, and lots of them. He knew he had smelled this stench before but the rat ran behind a mound of carrion so Graystripe ran after it. When he rounded the turn, there were too many cats for Graystripe to count.

"How dare you trespass on our land, kittypet!" cried a dark gray she-cat.

"I' m not kittypet, you load of fox dung!" Graystripe spat back.

"Then why do you reek of Twolegs!"

"I was captured, mousebrain!"

"Under that stench, you reek of the forest."

"Duh! I live...well used to live there."

"Yes, I remember it well. We tried to take the forest from those forest fools."

Graystripe now knew who these cats were, "BLOODCLAN!" he hissed.

"Yes. We are Bloodclan, at least a branch of it. The rest of Bloodclan is at our original home, the other Twolegplace. I am the leader of Bloodclan, Eclipse. During that battle, I was just a kit, but after my father, Solar, took over after Scourge and Bone were killed, I became almost like royalty. I took over Bloodclan after my father died and we have never been stronger. We actually were planning to take over the forest, like Scourge imagined."

"Too late. The Twolegs have already torn it down."

"How would you know?"

"I told you I live there."

"I remember you!" cried a voice from the ranks. A golden tom stepped out.

"Cutter, this isn't your place."

"But I know this fool! I fought him in the battle. His name is Graystripe, and he is the deputy of the cat who killed Scourge!"

"You know the cat that killed Scourge?" questions Eclipse.

"Of course I do. He is the most famous cat in the whole forest."

"Then you...shall...die!" cried Eclipse. The ranks of Bloodclan peeled at Graystripe.

"Stop!" cried a tabby tom.

"Storm?" asked Solar, "Why you?"

"Scourge...was...my...brother." Storm leapt at Graystripe with claws backed up with dog teeth just like in the battle. "Your friend killed my brother! Since I can't find that forest fool, I will take it out on you!"

The Bloodclan warrior named Storm and Graystripe tussled around the carrion place, clawing and biting each other. After many minuets had past, they both had multiple wounds but neither of them wanted to give up. Graystripe knew he had to defeat Storm, if he was to see Stormfur again; he would have to kill Storm. He used all his strength to push Storm off and under himself. In half a heartbeat Graystripe bit down at Storm's neck. He tasted the rush of blood come out. He took his teeth out of Storm's neck and back off. He watched as Storm's body had many spasms but then went limp.

Graystripe turned around and faced Bloodclan, "Anyone else want to go at it?"

Eclipse stepped forward, "Graystripe, you have proven yourself a formidable fighter. To keep my clan stronger we shall let you leave unharmed from the rest of us."

"Thank you."

"But cross our path again, and I won't be so generous."

"I understand." Graystripe trotted out the carrion place. He saw it almost sun high. He started to head towards the way the sun was going to set. Graystripe traveled until the sun was about to set beyond the horizon. He then came upon a sandy place. He looked up and saw water. He decided to have a drink but when he lapped at the water, he discovered that it was salty and didn't taste good. "Great, I headed the exact opposite direction I wanted to go."

"Is gray cat having hard time finding home?" asked a voice.

Graystripe turned around to see a badger, "Back off badger!"

"Be still, dear warrior. I know where your family has gone. The clans have traveled to new homes, but they have not gotten there yet. First, let me introduce myself. I am Midnight. I met with six cats on their way to find me. I have traveled far since then, in search of new home. I have found one that suits me. Will you join Midnight?"

"Uh...sure." Midnight led Graystripe to a cave on the beach.

"Eat." Midnight pushed a fish towards Graystripe. He bit down and it tasted better then the ones Riverclan eats. "Now, I know you want to go home. You want to find scent and follow. No good. Scent washed away by Twolegs and monsters. Not find family."

"Could you tell me where to find my clan?"

"I could, but I am not allowed. Starclan forbids me."

"You share tongues with Starclan."

"I speak with many ancestors. As silver cat told you last night, your personal destiny has not been fulfilled. When it has, you may leave."

"Silverstream told me 'Two seasons will clash and a new era shall be created.' What does it mean?"

"I am not to say."

"Does it have something to do with a magical phenomenon? Two season happening at the same time?"

"You shall not get answer from me."

"Where do I get it from?"

"Your heart."

"My heart."

"Yes, now go home."

"My home was destroyed."

"Other home. Go to the one you love."

"The one I love is in Starclan."

"She is not. Do not dwell on the past."

"That what Silverstream sai..." Graystripe gasped then took off. He pelted down streets and around corners until he was home. It was moon rise when he came inside. "Autumn!" he cried. The tabby she-cat came running around the corner, "Graystripe, you're back. What happened to you?"

"Bloodclan. I'll tell you later, but there is something I really want to tell you now."

"Well, I'm listening. What is it?"

"Autumn. When I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful cat I had ever seen, besides Silverstream."

"I understand that, but?"

"Today, I met a badger who told me what I needed to here. I need to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"I love you Autumn."

"I love you too Graystripe."

I hope this answers your questions. Please Review.