Chapter 6-The Messenger

It had been six moons since Autumn and Graystripe's kits were born. Hannah and Kyle kept all six and they each had a Twoleg name. Cheetahkit was Sunny. Stonekit was Stormy. Yellowkit was Marigold. Snowkit was Clouds. Mosskit was Silver and Flowerkit was Apple.

One day Graystripe was talking to Autumn, "Autumn...in Thunderclan, kits over six moons become apprentices. If you don't mind, I want to teach them how to hunt. You can help since you know."

"Only because you taught me so well."

"Thanks. I could teach them to fight too. One day, when I return to Thunderclan, Firestar will be amazed that I have taught my kits the way of the clan."

"Graystripe."

"Yeah?"

"If you ever find your clan, I want to come with you. Your life sounds far more exciting then mine. Sure I have all the necessities here but I want adventure. I want to sleep with other cats and hunt and fight. If we do find Thunderclan...won't you take me and the kits with you?"

"Of course. I would rather be a kittypet with you then be a Thunderclan cat alone."

"Oh Graystripe."

"Autumn..."Graystripe's voice got very stern but had a little laughter in it, "...if we are to impress the clan, we might as well start training them. I'll take the three toms and you can take the three she-cats."

"Sounds good to me. Let's tell them. Kits!"

"Coming!" they all said. The six kits bounded towards there parents.

"Kits," said Graystripe, "Your mother and I are going to teach you the ways of Thunderclan."

"You mean the clan from your stories daddy?" asked Yellowkit.

"The ones with Firestar?" chimed Mosskit.

"And Bloodclan?" said Stonekit.

"And the pack of dogs?" questioned Cheetahkit.

"And hunting your own food?" asked Snowkit.

"And having medicine cats and warriors and apprentices?" asked Flowerkit.

"Yes. Those very ones," answered Graystripe

"Yeah!" they all squealed.

"Remember..." interrupted Autumn, "...it's not all fun and games. Clan life is very serious. Sometimes you are put into a life threatening position and don't know it you will ever see you family and friends again. Are you still up for it?"

There was silence for a moment and then there was a big, "Yeah!"

"Alright," said Graystripe with a flick of his tail for silence, "Now I am not a leader and this isn't the right words but...do you all promise to learn the ways of the warrior code and behave yourselves?"

"We promise," chanted the kits in unison.

"Then from this point forward, you shall all have the end name 'paw' instead of 'kit'." He turned to Autumn, "Autumn...I give you Cheetahpaw, Stonepaw, Yellowpaw, Snowpaw, Mosspaw, and Flowerpaw." Autumn smiled.

"Now, Cheetahpaw, Yellowpaw, and Flowerpaw, go with your mother. She will be your mentor. Stonepaw, Snowpaw, and Mosspaw, I will be your mentor." The groups broke up and went to two different parts of the yard.

Graystripe caught a whiff of a scent. He recognized it immediately, "A good warrior always knows when another animal is around. Can you smell anything?"

Stonekit was first to answer, "I smell something. It doesn't smell like a cat. It's a she though."

"Very good," said a voice. Midnight stepped out of the bushes.

"Sons, this is a friend of mine. Midnight. She is a badger. Although she is a friend...never trust another badger or fox, or another clan for that matter. Excuse me," Graystripe left his sons play fighting, "Midnight...what is it?"

"Time is right."

"Huh?"

"Time is right. Gray cat allowed to go home."

"I am home. My family is here."

"No other home. One with fire cat."

"The clan?"

"Yes. Time is right."

"I'm allowed to go home?"

"Yes. Take family across mountains. Meet another family there. Do not be afraid by other cats. Other cats friends. Other cat help you go home."

"Oh thank you Midnight!" Graystripe ran off and beckoned for his sons to follow, "Autumn!"

"What?" Autumn got up from her hunting crouch she was showing their daughters.

"I'm allowed to go home."

"What do you mean?"

Graystripe explained to her and their kits about Midnight, "She told me that we are allowed to go back to Thunderclan!"

"That's wonderful! When are we leaving?"

"As soon as possible. That is if our kits are up to the journey."

"Yeah! Let's go!" They all shouted.

"Right. Then we leave tonight. Everyone eat as much as you can at dinner tonight."

That night the family of eight stayed outside when Hannah called them in. Autumn leapt onto the fence and Graystripe handed her the kits, one at a time. When they were all over Graystripe went over himself. They went towards the way the sun would rise. All night they walked and the kits didn't complain at all. Mostly they stayed on the fences to keep away from dogs. Two days later, they approached the mountains. They had survived that time on rabbits and birds and none of them seemed skinnier then when they left. Flowerpaw had treated little cuts and scraps.

"You have the makings of a medicine cat Flowerpaw," complimented Graystripe.

"Thanks daddy," she replied.

The family started climbing the mountains and their journey had really begun.