Graystripe's Vow/Chapter 20

==Chapter description==
:Graystripe and Cinderpelt worry that meeting Smudge and Gremlin could be another trap. Graystripe pushes away his fears, and the two cats dart across the clearing and enter Smudge's garden. Smudge welcomes the two ThunderClan cats, and Gremlin makes her appearance from the top of a fence. She asks their decision regarding her offer, and Graystripe admits that he has not decided yet. The tom asks about what she could offer to the Clan, and she admits that she will not fight. Cinderpelt offers to check up on her pregnancy and informs the queen that her kits will come out paws first. The medicine cat instructs her to sleep on her back and to eat chervil root to help with her unborn kits. She offers sanctuary in ThunderClan during her kitting process, and Graystripe remembers the agony his former mates, Silverstream, went through with their kits. The three cats plot what BloodClan's plans could look like until Cinderpelt finds their scent in the air. Graystripe and Cinderpelt hide in a flower bush and carefully watch as Gremlin and Barley stay still.
:Gremlin asks Barley if he wishes to join BloodClan's ranks as Fury enters the garden. She angrily asks Gremlin what she is doing with Barley, and Gremlin nonchalantly answers that Smudge is considering joining BloodClan. Smudge agrees but hesitates on his decision/ Fury notices ThunderClan scent nearby, and the kittypet admits ThunderClan cats visit all the time, adding that Firestar is his friend. Fury looks around the garden and retreats back over the fence. She reminds Gremlin of their Clan meeting and leaves the garden. Graystripe and Cinderpelt stay within the flower bushes as Fury peeks her head into the garden to inspect the area, and she goes again.
:Eventually, Graystripe and Cinderpelt return to Gremlin and Barley, and they discuss Fury's scary demeanor. Cinderpelt applauds the two cat's calmness to her threatening behavior, and Smudge heads back to his housefolk for comfort. Graystripe reminds Gremlin that as an acting leader, his Clanmates has the final say if she can join the Clan, to which she seems annoyed. She warns them by saying BloodClan will rip them to shreds. 
:Graystripe sits on top of Highrock and informs his Clanmates of the situation. Thornclaw, amongst the Clanmates, is the first to disagree with Graystripe's decision. More dissatisfied reactions come from the rest of his Clanmates. As he tries to explain the importance of his deal with the Gremlin, he is interrupted by more complaints from Brackenfur and Brightheart. They mock the acting leader by reminding him of his situation with Silverstream. Graystripe, once again, tries to clear the air and admits that Gremlin's kits are in danger, which sways the public opinion. Thornclaw and Mousefur offer to ask the other Clans for help to handle the rising threat of BloodClan. Graystripe questions the warrior's plan, and Ashfur retorts that they have cats skilled enough to become messengers. The gray warrior points out the flaws in the plans, admitting that letting the other Clans know that Firestar is gone is a problem they can not face. Reluctant voices shine from the crowd of cats, and Ashfur teases that he might have returned to become a kittypet. Others agree until Graystripe ends the rumors by stating that the leader's mission was given to him by StarClan.
: He offers the Clan two choices: to either accept Gremlin and her kits or fight BloodClan alone. Multiple cats agree that allowing Gremlin to join might be in their best interests despite a few disagreements. He informs ThunderClan of Gremlin's potential to offer BloodClan secrets but will not fight to protect her kits. Cinderpelt suggests that she could stay with Twolegs during her kitting, to the defiance of many of her Clanmates. Graystripe notices that ThunderClan is considering the prospect of Gremlin joining them. Dustpelt offers a counter-agreement that Gremlin could live in ThunderClan until Firestar returns and decides himself. Ashfur continues to defy the new plan, and Graystripe offers Gremlin's brother to be his apprentice, much to his disappointment. ThunderClan finds themselves agreeing with the plan, and Graystripe concludes the meeting. Cinderpelt tells Graystripe to visit Gremlin immediately to inform her of the plan, and he leaves instantly. 
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Graystripe's Vow
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Super Edition arc