Chapter 7-Another Family
For days Graystripe, Autumn, Cheetahpaw, Stonepaw, Yellowpaw, Snowpaw, Mosspaw, and Flowerpaw traveled over through the mountains. They survived on catching mice and hawks although they didn't always catch one. As they quickly found out, hunting in the mountains isn't the same as hunting in the back yard.
One day they family of eight was near a stream taking a drink when Graystripe heard the snow rustle. He perked his ears up and listened very carefully. He parted his jaws to get a good scent. He smells cats! There were about six cats in the patrol. He caught a familiar scent but it was so consumed by the other cats' scent that he couldn't tell whose it was.
"Be still strangers!" The family froze, "What is your business here?"
Graystripe and his family turned around to see six gray-blue-black cats ready to attack, "We come in peace. We just want to travel across the mountains. I want to see my family again."
"Are you a clan cat?"
"I was...until I was captured by Palepelts." Graystripe had been with Autumn so long that he called Twolegs, Palepelts now.
"Which clan?"
"Thunderclan."
"There was a Thunderclan that passed through here. Also Wind, River and Shadow."
"That sounds like my clans."
"What is your name?"
"Graystripe."
"My name is Cloud that Floats in Sky," pointing to each cat he said, "This is Hawk that Feeds on Mice, Water that Flows in River, Snow that Covers Earth, Claw that Catches Prey, and Storm that Brings Life."
Graystripe studied the cat named Storm that Brings Life. He could have sworn that he had seen that cat somewhere before.
"You may call us Cloud, Hawk, Water, Snow, Claw and Storm."
"Thank you," pointing to his family he said, "This is Autumn, Cheetahpaw, Stonepaw, Yellowpaw, Snowpaw, Mosspaw, and Flowerpaw."
Storm and Graystripe met each others' gaze.
"Storm."
"Yes Cloud?"
"Do you realize that Graystripe looks almost exactly like you?"
"I have noticed." Storm's eyes were full of confusion and thought but then be cried, "FATHER!" Storm ran over to Graystripe, "Father it's me, Stormfur."
"Stormfur?"
"Yeah, but know I am just Storm, Storm that Brings Life."
"What? How?"
"Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw told you that Feathertail died right?"
"Yeah," he said sadly.
"Well, her grave is here. I decided to stay with the Tribe of Rushing Water. I'm in love father."
"With whom?"
"Her name is Brook. Come on I'll introduce you." They patrol took Graystripe back to their cave.
"Brook!"
"I'm right here Storm," called a gray she-cat.
Storm went over to her and touched muzzles, "Brook, this is my father, Graystripe. Father, this is the love of my life, Brook."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Brook," said Graystripe.
"Same," she replied.
Autumn made a fake cough noise, "Yes," Graystripe said, "Sorry Autumn."
"Quite alright."
"Storm," Graystripe started, "I would like you to meet your stepmother and half brothers and sisters."
"Everyone?"
"Yes," stated Autumn, "Storm, my name is Autumn. I was once a kittypet but Graystripe is taking me and out family to live with Thunderclan. Let me introduce you to your brothers and sisters. Alright kits line up." The kits lined up in order of their birth like they always do, "Storm. This is Cheetahpaw, Stonepaw..."
"Stonepaw?"
"Yes," answered Graystripe, "I named him after your mentor, Stonefur. Remember?"
"How could I forget? He saved my life."
"That's why I named him after Stonefur."
"Yes," interrupted Autumn, "This is Yellowpaw, Snowpaw, Mosspaw, and Flowerpaw."
"Wonderful!" cried Storm, "I've always wanted a big family. I am going to have my own as well."
"What do you mean?" questioned Flowerpaw?"
"Brook is going to have kits."
"Really?" asked Yellowkit.
"Really," replied Storm, "Father. How did you make them apprentices?"
"They aren't really apprentices but in their heads they are. I needed them to follow the clan ways so they would be accepted. I will have Firestar make them real apprentices when we get to our new home."
"Oh. Hey father?"
"Yeah."
"Some other cats came through here earlier this season. They were headed for the clans."
"Who?"
"One was named Ravenpaw."
"Ravenpaw!"
"You know him?"
"Know him? I was apprentices with him. They must have torn down the barn. Who were the other cats?"
"Cat. There was only one other. Her name is Princess."
"Princess?" asked Autumn.
"Yeah."
"Princess is my mother."
"That would make Cloudtail her brother. You remember Cloudtail, annoying, doesn't believe in Starclan."
"How could I forget?"
"Storm, where's your medicine cat?"
"Stoneteller. He's over there. Why?"
"I believe that Flowerpaw is destined to be a medicine cat. I don't know much about herbs so I want her to have knowledge."
"I'll ask him. Come on."
"Flowerpaw, come here." Flowerpaw bounded towards her father.
"Yes daddy."
"Would you like to become a medicine cat?"
"Could I?''
"If you work hard enough. When we get to Thunderclan, we'll see what we can do but for now we shall see if Stoneteller could teach you a little."
"Thank you daddy."
"Your welcome. Now let's go see Stoneteller."