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

Page 19

Okay, that is the most adorable kitten you will ever see so stare at it for a long while. It's adorableness should overwhelm you.
Stonepaw ripped through the thin squirrel savagely. He was so hungry. The dream and his promise still hung thick on the front of his mind. Stonepaw buried the remains of the squirrel and slowly made his way into WindClan territory. The smell on the border was fresh so Stonepaw hid. He recognized the scent of only one cat and that was Breezepelt. Stonepaw crept up to the patrol. There was Breezepelt, another warrior, and three apprentices. The patrol padded down a hill and out of view point. Stonepaw sped across the open moor until he reached a stream. He leaped across it and into the barely familiar territory on the other side. "Stonepaw!" a shriek sounded. Stonepaw turned in shock to see Briarlight staring wide-eyed at him. "How did you recognize me?" he offered a smile. "I'd never forget that familiar face. Where did you go? How did you get so strong? Why did you come back?" Briarlight started suffocating him with questions. "I'll tell you later," Stonepaw promised. Briarlight led him back to camp at an incredibly slow speed. Her hind legs dragged uselessly behind her. Stonepaw said nothing and followed close behind her.  When they got there, everyone looked so much older.  Everybody yowled questions and greetings as Briarlight told them who he was. "Stonepaw? Is that you?" Stonepaw saw Bramblestar pad up to him. "Yes." "You've grown so strong," he nodded in approval. "Yeah, I've grown," Stonepaw shrugged. Three familiar cats pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Stonepaw prepared for a session of teasing as he recognized the grown up versions of Scratchpaw, Scalepaw, and Firepaw. Bu they seemed to tell that he was stronger than them now. "Welcome back, Stonedwarf-I mean paw," Firepaw meowed. "Um..okay. How has it been, Fire-" "fly," Firefly finished for him. "Oh, you got your warrior names," Stonepaw meowed with a twinge of jealousy. "I'm Scratchfoot," Scratchfoot mewed, "and Scalepaw is Scalescreech." Stonepaw almost laughed at the similarity between Scalescreech and his name.  "Wow, cool guys," Stonepaw wasn't used to that much attention.  "Let all cats gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Bramblestar called the Clan together.  "Today, Stonepaw has come back to us.  I assume that Stonepaw returned because he wants to rejoin the Clan.  For now he will stay in the apprentice's den until we settle all the details," Bramblestar leaped off the Highledge and padded over to him.  "Brackenfur, can you take out a border/hunting patrol?" he asked.  The golden brown tabby tom nodded and starting gathering cats around him.  "Stonepaw!  My baby!" Squirrelflight ran up to him and started licking him frantically.  He had never gotten this much attention from any cat.  "Where have you been?  You've gotten so big," Squirrelflight nuzzled Bramblestar and stared at Stonepaw with loving eyes.  "I've been to the mountains and lived with the Tribe of Rushing Water," he told them truthfully.  "Oh, did you meet Stormfur and Brook?  How are they?" Squirrelflight mewed.  "Yes I met them, and their kits.  They are all...fine," Stonepaw almost extended his claws at the thought of Pine and Lark. "Oh, how wonderful!" Squirrelflight purred. "Well, I need to have a talk with Stonepaw in my den," Bramblestar led Stonepaw up the rocky trail and into the cave by the Highledge. "Do you want to rejoin the Clan?" Bramblestar meowed knowingly. "If you would accept me," Stonepaw responded. "Well, I would never let down a cat as strong as you to join our Clan. Also, I do feel a strange sense of trust with you, like I can tell you anything," Bramblestar admitted. Stonepaw nodded, if only he was that way with Tiger. Maybe he could still be with her, then... "Anyway, I will let you join the Clan. You will keep your apprentice name, but will not take on a mentor," Bramblestar decided. "Thank you," Stonepaw dipped his head respectively and Bramblestar nodded in approval. Stonepaw left the cave and went down the trail onto the grassy floor of the clearing. "Hey, Stonepaw," a kit came up to him, "I was told that Jayfeather wants to check over you." The kit hopped off, and Stonepaw started padding towards the medicine cat's den.