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

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       Stonerise stood still, his breath caught in his throat.  He had a lovely mate that he would be more than honored to raise her kits with, but at the same time he had his Clan whom he'd move mountains for.  "The Clans are no different from the Tribes," Stonerise insisted.  He knew that it was no hope; Tiger had the clouds and mountains in her eyes, and snow and stone in her pelt.  "Please, Stoneup.  I really want to live in one of your..Clans.. but that is not the life for me," Tiger shook out her pelt and frowned.  "I can't travel all the way back there by my own," she mewed.  "I want to help you-I really do, it's just..my Clan needs me.  ThunderClan is precious to me.  I'm deputy!!" Stonerise tried to sound enthusiastic.  Tiger shook her head.  "I thought you said your Clan never loved you," she meowed coldly.  "Th-they do now!" Stonerise smiled from ear to ear.  Please make her stay! Stonerise willed StarClan.  "I-I'm sorry, Stonerise.  I can't do it.  I am now truly loyal to the Tribe of Rushing Water," Tiger bowed her head.  "Says the cat that left her family," Stonerise hissed.  Tiger's head darted up.  "That's exactly what you did, too!" she growled.  "But mine never loved me!"  Tiger snorted at Stonerise's retort. "The Clan is just like the Tribe!" he insisted, making another attempt to make the she-cat stay. "No, Stonerise," Tiger turned away, "I-I can't..." Stonerise picked his head up and padded toward the direction Tiger turned. "You will stay in the Clan until you have the kits. Then...we'll figure out what to do," he ordered. Tiger's eyes flashed. "Fine," she growled, "For the kits. Not because you and your little 'deputy paws' ordered me to do so." Stonerise felt a bit offended by what she said, but he brushed it off. "I will take you to ThunderClan," he meowed. "What-the kittypet-Clan?" Tiger sniffed. Stonerise bristled. "I can tell that bothered you Stoneup. This tough-tom act doesn't fool me," she hissed. "Don't!" Stonerise took a deep breath. "My name is Stonerise now. I would appreciate it if you would so kindly accept my wishes to call me that," he meowed calmly.  Tiger didn't respond and instead turned her head toward the mountains that looked so tiny, and so far away.  Stonerise led her closer to camp. Brackenfur and Icecloud were guarding the entrance. "Who is this?!?!!?!" Icecloud's puffy white pelt spiked up.  Brackenfur smoothed it down with his paw.  Stonerise let out a snort of laughter.  "She's a queen without a home.  I need to have a word with Bramblestar about this matter," he puffed out his chest, trying to act important. Brackenfur rolled his eyes. "Okay, Mr. 'I'm so important, I'm deputy' cat," Icecloud drew a paw over her ear. She sniffed Tiger. The golden tabby froze at her touch. "Oh, they're bound to be here in a moon or two," Icecloud nodded to herself. "What?" Tiger backed up awkwardly. "The kits," Icecloud went back to her grooming, "They do smell like..." Her eyes trailed to Stonerise, then she shrugged. "How did you know that?" Brackenfur questioned as Stonerise and Tiger passed. Icecloud shrugged once more. All eyes turned to Tiger. All eyes turned to Stonerise. He gulped. He just had to see Bramblestar so cats wouldn't start making rumors about anything. I'm mostly worried about Dovewing and my old mentor, Rosepetal. They gossip as easy as it is to swallow a thrush, he shook his head of his thoughts and helped Tiger up the trail to Bramblestar's den. It was so awkward helping her after such a heated argument. He flicked his ear and beheld the entrance to the leader's den. His "father's" den. Maybe it could be his some day... Just maybe..