A warrior cats story: A Stone in the River of Life

Chapter 5

Stonepaw laid down underneath a bramble bush.  No way was he going to make the journey down to the lake in one day when him and Tiger traveled the way to the mountains in about a few weeks.  Stonepaw's heart ached at the thought of the beautiful she-cat.  He closed his eyes slowly and fell into sleep.  Stonepaw woke up in a starry place.  He was surprised that it wasn't the Dark Forest, but also a teensy bit disappointed.  Stonepaw heard soft humming and followed the tune.  On the other side of the hill, a tortoiseshell and white she-cat was collecting herbs.  That was the she-cat in the dream he had when he was drowning.  With nimble paws, Stonepaw crept up on the beautiful cat.  Her gash had healed almost completely and her fur was cleaner and shinier than last time he saw her.  "Hello," Stonepaw popped out in front of her.  The she-cat almost screeched.  She quickly ran off.  Stonepaw followed her with speed filling his limbs.  "Please wait!" Stonepaw called.  "My name is Stonepaw, I am returning to ThunderClan!" he told.  The cat stopped.  "Wait, you are Firestar's grandson?" she asked.  "Is Firestar the father of Bramblestar or Squirrelflight?"  "Yes."  "Then, yes I am."  The she-cat took a deep breath.  "My name is Spottedleaf," she meowed.  "Hello, Spottedleaf.  Why are you always running away from me?" Stonepaw asked bluntly.  Spottedleaf hesitated.  "Because...I'm supposed to be dead, that was my destiny," she shook her head sadly.  "But, aren't you dead?" Stonepaw questioned, bewildered.  Only dead cats stayed in StarClan, right?  "Yes I am.  But getting killed twice makes you disappear forever, and I hid from it.  I traveled to StarClan before I died the second time and took care of myself.  It was my destiny to die, but I hid from it.  I am in love with your grandfather, and I couldn't bare to lose him," Spottedleaf led him into a rabbit hole and down into a small cave.  There was a nest and many assortments of herbs lined up in a crack in the wall.  "This is where I live," Spottedleaf told him.  The air was sweetened by the scent of herbs and remedies.  "So you loved my grandfather?" Stonepaw slowly turned around and took in the sight.  "Yes, and I still do.  You act like you don't know Firestar, do you?" Spottedleaf asked.  "Well I heard elders' tales about him, but I never knew I was kin to him.  My parents kind of ignored me and my siblings, that's why I ran off to the mountains," Stonepaw left out the part about the visit with the Dark Forest.  "Oh, I see," Spottedleaf narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.  "Please do not tell anyone about me," she meowed, "I must stay hidden."  Stonepaw nodded as the body of the beautiful tortoiseshell faded, "I promise."