Chapter 11-Home Sweet Home

The family rushed down the cliff as carefully as possible. They didn't want to have an accident after all this. When they got to the bottom, they saw a barn with weird animals fenced in.

"Those are horses," announced Autumn,"Lisa and Hannah like to ride them. They won't hurt us as long as we stay out of their way."

"No, maybe they can help us," suggested Graystripe. He led his family over to one of the horses, "Excuse me! Have you seen any cats around?" The horse whinnied his answer but Graystripe and his family couldn't understand. The horse saw this and pointed his tail towards some moorland, "Thanks!" The family left the Horseplace and went towards to moors, "Wait, Windclan lives on mores."

"But dad," said Snowpaw, "Aren't we looking for Thunderclan?"

"Yes, but this is all new territory. Maybe we can meet up with a Windclan patrol and they can help us."

"Sounds good to me," said Autumn.

The family traveled to the moorlands and but the time they reached it, it was already sun-high. "Let's go. We need to find a Windclan patrol," stated Graystripe.

It didn't take long to find one. A group of five cats ambushed them rear some rocks. Graystripe got hold of a brown tabby tom and Autumn bite down on the leg of a gray-black tom. The six apprentices tried to ward of the three other ambushers, two to a warrior. Graystripe received a gash on his shoulder but recalled with a scratch down the tabby tom's flank.

The fight didn't stop until the tom fighting Graystripe cried, "Graystripe!" The fighting ceased and the cats went back to their respectful sides, "Graystripe is it really you?"

"Onewhisker?"

"It's Onestar actually," interrupted the tom, Autumn was fighting.

"Silence Crowfeather," said Onestar, "Graystripe. Everyone thinks you're dead."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Firestar even appointed a new deputy. He lost hope that you were alive."

"That's not like him."

"Graystripe, you have been gone for at least four seasons."

"It didn't feel that long."

"But it was (My math may not be right. Less time may have actually gone by)."

"Well, who's the new deputy?"

"Brackenfur."

"Really? I thought it would be Brambleclaw."

"So did everyone else."

"So Onestar, who did you become leader?"

"Well, Tallstar was dying and he demoted Mudclaw as our deputy and appointed me, in sight of Starclan."

"Wow, congratulations."

"Thanks anyway, you'd better get to your camp."

"Yeah." Onestar and his patrol began to walk away, "Uh Onestar?"

"Yes?"

"Which way is my camp?"

"Oh I forgot. Crowfeather, please take Graystripe and..."

"My family."

"Yes, please Take Graystripe and his family to the border."

"Yes Onestar," said Crowfeather.

"Thank you Onestar," said Graystripe.

"You're welcome, and now we know what you have been doing all that time." Graystripe and Onestar chuckled as Crowfeather led them away.

They were traveling through the moors for a little while when Graystripe said, "Crowfeather, I heard your were one of the journey cats."

"Yeah."

"Did you make any friends in the other clans?"

"One."

"Who?"

Crowfeather hesitated as the horrible memory came back to him and he said, "Feathertail."

"Oh. Well I won't press on with this then."

Autumn decided to change the subject, "Crowfeather, who did Onestar make his deputy?"

"Ashfoot."

"Your mother?" asked Graystripe.

"Yeah, but she died...of old age."

"Oh," said Autumn sadly, "Well who's the new deputy?"

"Me."

"Really?" asked Ivypaw.

"Really. Well here we are the Thunderclan/Windclan border. This is where we part. I hope you enjoy your new life Graystripe. Morningflower has told me stories of you and Firestar. Good luck," Crowfeather scampered away and was lost in the mist of the moors.

"Well," said Graystripe, "Here we go." The family of eight walked past the scent markings. Immediatly Graystripe felt more at home then he ever had, "Let's go, I smell a Thunderclan patrol." The family crouched down and slithered across the forest floor. Graystripe studied the scent long and hard when he realized who is was. He stood up and cried, "Dustpelt!"

The patrol got up from their hiding spot and sure enough, in the lead was Dustpelt, "State your name and business stranger."

"Dustpelt, it's me...Graystripe."

"Graystripe?"

"Yeah. This is my family. We came back. We technically forward but you know what I mean."

"I can't believe my eyes. Firestar will have to come out of his den now."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since he appointed Brackenfur as his deputy he wouldn't come out of his den. Not even Sandstorm, Leafpool, or Squirrleflight could get him out."

"Wait, Squirrleflight became a warrior?"

"Yeah. I'm right here," said the ginger she-cat, who was sitting on a rock.

"Oh. And Leafpool..."

"Became a full medicine cat," Dustpelt finished, "Come on. We'll take you back to camp."

"Come on," Graystripe told his family.

"Graystripe..."said Dustpelt as they were walking, "Do you want to introduce us to your family?"

"Sure, this is the love of my life, besides Silverstream, Autumn and these are out kits. Cheetahpaw, Stonepaw, Yellowpaw, Snowpaw, and Mosspaw. And this is Ivypaw. She's not really ours but we found her without a familty so we gave her a name and family. I hope that Firestar will make them real apprentices. Autumn, this is Dustpelt. We were apprentices together."

"When he sees you're back I certain he will. Come on." The patrol broke into a run and were at the Thunderclan camp in no time, "Brackenfur!" cried Dustpelt.

"What?"

"Look who we found."

"Great Starclan. I must be looking as a ghost."

"Nope," said Graystripe. It's really me."

"We must tell Firestar," said the overjoyed Brackenfur. One the way to the den almost everyone recognized Graystripe, excepte for the newest apprentices, Waterpaw and Gorgepaw, who were Sorreltail and Brackenfur's second litter, Berrypaw, who was Cloudtail and Brightheart's second litter and Justicepaw, and Freedompaw, who were Firestar's and Sandstorm's second litter. On the way to the den, they introduced themselves to Graystripe. The finally reached the den.

"Firestar?"

"Go away Brackenfur."

"But there's someone who wants to see you."

"I don't care. It can't be that important."

"But it is."

"I said leave!"

"Graystripe, "said Brackenfur, "You should go and tell him."

Graystripe nodded and walked in the den, "Firestar?"

"I said go awa..." Firestar stopped and turned around, "G..G..Graystripe?" he asked slowly. '

"Yes Firestar it's me."

"I can't believe it."

"We believe because the whole clan knows."

"I'm such a mousebrian. How could I have thought you were dead?"

"It did seem hopeless but I have something to cheer you up. I brought my family."

"Your family?"

"Yeah, I met a kittypet named Autumn and she had kits. Firestar, they are ready to be made apprentices. More then ready actually, they are seven moons old."

"Well we should give them mentors."

"Yes and make Autumn a warrior please. I have taught her how to hunt and fight."

"Of course. Let's go." Firestar stepped out of his den and his fiery pelt that gave him his name shone brighter then ever, "Let all cats old enough to cat their prey come before High Ledge for a clan meeting." The clan assembled below where Firestar was standing, "As you all know, Graystripe had returned and coming with him is a gift. His family. Graystripe tells me that these cats are worthy of membership is Thunderclan. So without further adieu let's begin the ceremony. Will Graystripe's kits please step forward." The five kits and one foreign kit rushed forward. "Please tell me your names."

Lined up in the order they were born they said, "Cheetahpaw."

"Stonepaw."

"Yellowpaw."

"Snowpaw."

"Mosspaw."

"Ivypaw."

"Good," said Firestar, "I know this isn't the proper way but, I now pronounce you apprentices of Thunderclan. We need to find mentors for you." Behind his back he muttered, "Ashfur has Justicepaw, Dustpelt has Waterpaw, Sorreltail has Gorgepaw, Spiderleg has Berrypaw, Rainwhisker has Birchpaw and Cloudtail has Freedompaw," He turned back to the clan, "Brambleclaw, you shall mentor Stonepaw. Whiteheart (Whitepaw), you shall mentor Cheetahpaw. Thornclaw, you shall mentor Snowpaw. Rainwhisker, you shall mentor Yellowpaw. Sandstorm, you shall mentor Ivypaw. And Brightheart, you shall mentor Mosspaw. Graystripe I want you and Autumn to rest and get to know this territory before you mentor anyone. Oh yes! Autumn please step forward." Autumn stepped forward towards High ledge, "Autumn, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Autumn recited proudly.

"Then I give you your warrior name. From this point forward you are free of your kittypet status and thus known as Dawnheart. Thunderclan honors your bravery and determination."

"Thank you Firestar," the newly named Dawnheart said.

"Now," continued Firestar, "Dawnheart must sit vigil tonight as custom. But first we shall spend the afternoon getting acquainted with our new warrior and apprentices."