In hindsight, starting a journey at night was not the best idea. Graystripe and Millie didn't care, though. There was nothing left for them in ThunderClan. Graystripe's friends were dead, or not following his path. For all Graystripe felt, he had one living kit. Briarlight had been killed when defiantly defending her fellow warriors, despite knowing it wouldn't end well. Bumblestripe and Blossomfall were technically living, but they have become so far removed from everything Graystripe tried to raise them to be, and how he had thought they were.
How could they do such a thing? Betray their Clan? KILL
their sister? What have I done to create such monsters? Millie felt the exact same way, but also kept on saying her regrets. "I know Blossomfall had troubles after Briarlight's accident, I didn't know is was this bad! Did I neglect my daughter?" She would ask.
Graystripe, trying to comfort his mate, would reply, "No, Millie. Our daughter was injured, she got sick, she could have died. Blossomfall needed to learn that the world didn't revolve around her. Obviously, she did not learn her lesson." Millie, despite all of the comfort and reassurance, refused to listen to Graystripe. He understood. She was in too much shock and grief to have reason.
As it got even darker than what Graystripe thought was possible, he decided it was time to set up camp. He could see the mountains getting close--it was less than half a day's journey to go after they would wake up. He and Millie decided to split duties. Millie would find a shelter, and Graystripe would catch a piece of prey.
After scenting the area, Graystripe found a magpie. It was strutting near the base of an oak tree, looking for food as well. Graystripe crouched near it, wary of any dried leaves from the oak. He saw a clear path of exposed grass which he was going to agilely walk on to avoid a crunch. Graystripe started slowly stalking the magpie, using the exposed grass, but then--
CRUNCH!!The magpie let out a startled caw, then started to run away, getting momentum for a flight. At that moment, Graystripe leapt towards the corvid, slamming an unsheathed claw on its back, and the bird ruffled its feathers, clumsily making it into the air, unknowingly right over Graystripe. The gray warrior managed to run and catch the bird, and brought it back to Millie, who was watching the whole ordeal, whiskers twitching in amusement.
"Outsmarted by a pesky bird?" she teased. "Perhaps you're getting old!" Graystripe only replied with a playful scoff. The two cats then snared their prey, with Millie having to stop to let out
mrrows of laughter once in a while. Graystripe purred. His antics took Millie's mind off of her pain. At least that side of him was useful for something!
*****
The next day, the two mates continued their journey to, and up, the mountains. Graystripe had gotten directions from Dovewing, one of the last Clan cats to visit the Tribe. She did use her senses to warn them that the mountains were going to be cold, as she saw and heard some rogues complaining. Dovewing was right! It was freezing, even for a thickset, fluffy cat like Graystripe!
Graystripe thought he was lost. Everything looked the same, and there were no sign of any cats. Was he going around in circles? After what felt like ages, Graystripe smelled a border.
This must be the Tribe! Moons ago, when Stormfur and Brook had left ThunderClan, the Tribe was having problems with outsiders catching prey. The Clan cats who were visiting the Tribe suggested borders and marking them. The Tribe reluctantly used their suggestion, and Graystripe figured that since it worked, they kept up the new tradition.
The fluffy tom stopped as he heard cats coming towards them. He saw as the shape got larger until there were four cats coming.
"What are you doing in our borders?" A dark brown tom hissed. "Are you with the rogues?"
Graystripe tried not to bristle his neck in diplomacy. "No, we are no-"
"Tell us your name and why you are here!" A younger she-cat growled.
"Rain, Sheer, these cats are
clearly not with the rogues! They don't have their scent!" A lean brown tabby she-cat told them.
She must be a prey-hunter."Thank you so much for showing off your great scenting, Splash! But the cave-guards are right: we must know their intentions!" said a young black tom, another prey-hunter.
"So what
do you want here? Are you lost? Do you need shelter? Or are you here to spy on us?" Rain continued being hostile. She reminded Graystripe of young ShadowClan warriors who would always act tough due to their newfound status in the Clans. Graystripe knew exactly what to do.
"Listen, I know you are protective of your territory, any cat would be. But I am a Clan cat--
was a Clan cat... something happened and my mate and I need shelter."
"Clan cats?" Rain perked up. "I haven't seen you since I was a to-be! Do you know Foxleap?"
Millie gave a sad meow, drooping her tail. "Foxleap was killed in a battle recently..."
Rain and the black tom stared with sad, widened eyes. They must have been friends with Foxleap when he had come.
Sheer puffed up his chest. "I am bringing you to the Cave of Rushing Water and introduce you to Stoneteller."
Graystripe and Millie dipped their heads and followed the patrol of cats to a waterfall. They flicked their tails to signal to the visitors that they must go through it. Graystripe and Millie hesitantly went through the tunnel, getting wet. Millie licked herself warm, while Graystripe did what he always did--shake himself dry.
"That cat looks like a dandelion!" A light brown kit, no less than 3 moons old, looking at the commotion squeaked.
Another kit, this one a pale gray she-kit, mewed. "What is Dandelion Cat doing here?"
"Thorn! Moon! Get back here now!" A black queen yowled. The kits ran back to their nests, tails between their legs.
Rain had disappeared, and had returned with a dark gray tom, whose pelt was the same colour as Graystripe's own. Cats started to gather around, some gasping Graystripe and Millie's names in recognition. Graystripe recognised these cats as Night of No Stars, Talon of Swooping Eagle, Brook where Small Fish Swim... and Stormfur.
Crag nodded. "Graystripe, Millie. I've heard a lot about you, it's truly a blessing that you have come to visit."
This must be the new Stoneteller, Graystripe thought. When Clan cats last visited the Tribe, a new Stoneteller had been chosen. Graystripe had never met the old one, but knew that he was quite reluctant to outsiders. This one seemed more tolerant.
Millie spoke up to the Healer. "Graystripe and I come in peace with one request. Our Clan is broken. We had a Great Bettle, in which many cats died, and after it ended, traitors came and tore our Clan apart. Traitors including two of my kits... cats are fleeing. Some to other Clans, some to become loners. We would like to take shelter and possibly join your Tribe."
An uproar of chat erupted amongst the Tribe cats.
"More Clan cats bossing us around is exactly what we don't need!"
"We have enough mouths to feed with the new kits!"
"These cats are no longer Clan cats, I don't see a problem."
"Think of all that the Clans have done for us!" Talon spoke up. "They saved us from Sharptooth, helped us defend our territory, and helped Stoneteller make peace in his final moments! Even though they never were taught our ways, we have proof it is possible--look at how respected Stormfur is!"
Stoneteller nodded. "We will shelter Graystripe and Millie for a moon, during which they can join patrols and learn how to hunt or guard the territory. If they prove themselves able to work with Tribe cats and survive the harsh mountains, especially with the Time of Frozen Water coming, then they can stay."
The meeting adjourned. Stoneteller went back to his cave. Cats scattered about, continuing the goings-on of the day, and Graystripe and Millie went to catch up with old friends.
"I see you have new kits, Night," Millie meowed. "They are beautiful!"
"Thank you, they just turned three moons old!" Night purred proudly. "The light brown kit is Thorn That Grows in Cleft, and the light gray she-kit is Moon Shining on Water."
"We have kits too," Stormfur mewed proudly. Graystripe blinked, eyes filled with emotion.
I have grandkits now. "They are seven moons old, and are becoming to-bes soon! This is Pine That Clings to Rock," Stormfur pointed to a light brown tom, "and this is Lark That Sings at Dawn," he pointed to a pale tabby she-kit.
"They're absolutely gorgeous!" Graystripe purred. "I'm happy to see you all. I've missed you so much, son."
As it got darker once more, Graystripe and Stormfur caught up and bonded. They talked about all that had happened in the past seasons, losses, new beginnings, and the tragedy that made Graystripe give up being a ThunderClan warrior. They even snuck out to see Feathertail's grave, where they crouched, watching the stars and talking about the silver cat they missed so dearly.
"I'm sure that you'll be welcomed here," Stormfur said while the Tribe's ancestors, including Graystripe's lost daughter, watched over the two cats. "If not, I'll make sure of it."