A young cornish rex feline padded through the forest, tears threatening to spill from her amber eyes. She'd been out hunting with her twin when a fox jumped out of no where and attacked. Blazingvalley had ran, scared for her life. She found herself at the meeting point of all four territories and she would have turned around if it hadn't been for the sound of mewling. She approached the area with caution- glancing around before finding four little bundles of fur. She could take them all, but she could at least save one. "Shush little ones- Starclan watches over you now." She gently picked up the first kitten and realized she could take two. She picked up the smallest ones and turned around, leaving the other two behind.
Four kits sleep beneath the roots of a tree. Their mother had left a few days ago and The oldest of them knew they wouldn't last much longer and began a desperate cry for help. Soon the other kits joined their voices to her plaintive cry.
Marshmumble stepped forward next to Stormstar and Honeypaw, the three making quite the pair. Honeypaw looked with dismay at Dieseltooth, not understanding why the she-cat would refuse help. Her yellow eyes were watering with the injustice. Her mother leaned down, pushing gently on her shoulder to turn her away. Honeypaw resisted, and then her mother's gentle voice spoke.
"You did well, love. Now we've got to go home," she spoke, and Honeypaw turned, the blood on her paws making pink tracks in the snow. She sniffled, feeling safe under her mother's watchful eyes, next to her father's strong shoulder. That was, until Stormstar broke off from her, and Marshmumble watched after him before putting on her bravest face.
"EarthClan! Follow me home," she said, whispering in her beloved's ear, "You stay as long as you need to." Her and her daughter began the trek home. (EaC territory)
Fencestar curled into Dieseltooth's chest, lulled to a pained solace by the ragged breathing. (EcC-Sc border)
Dieseltooth bent down to help up Fencestar, putting the swirling thoughts about Stormstar and Blossomstar out of mind as she gathered up the leader's scruff as if she was little more than a kit and started carrying her carefully down the gorge, trusting her clanmates to see to Fencestar's kits or go back to the camp.
Before leaving, Stormstar caught the voice of the large MoonClan leader. He picked up his head and padded over, respectfully dipping his head. He looked over his shoulder one last time at the scene before putting his full attention on the conversation with Blossomstar. "Yes of course." he nodded as they padded off.
A growl rose in Dieseltooth's throat, but she let them go without further protest.
She called over to her clan, "Three of you, stay back. The rest, get back to the camp. I want a patrol sent to each border before I return and the freshkill pile better not be empty either."
The small dilute tortoiseshell she-cat sat next to Fencestar as the cats bickered back and forth, carefully keeping an eye on the kits. All her instincts as a medicine cat screamed at her to ignore them and care for the injured queen, but there was no stepping in between the EclipseClanners. Feelings of frustration crept their way through her paws but she quickly washed them away wish a lick of her tongue.
"Fine, have it your way. The Gathering is no place for a fight." she reminded them as she placed herself between the large MoonClan leader and the EclipseClan deputy. Endlessdream stared into the deputy's soul with her own deep turquoise colored eyes. "If your leader loses another life because of your pride, pray to StarClan for their forgiveness." she added coldly. The disregard and lack of appreciation for her work saving the kits was no surprise coming from EclipseClan and the she-cat turned to her own leader. "We should go, before anyone breaks the truce."
Stormstar caught the growl of the deputy and shook his head, standing and signaling to the remaining EarthClan cats to follow him back to camp. He pressed his pelt against his daughter's protectively. It was his first gathering ever, and as a leader no less. It was quite the event and he wondered if every gathering would be this intense.
Darkpaw stumbled backward, righting herself before she fell over. Her gaze shifted to Dieseltooth, confusion evident on her face by the action. Instead of arguing like she usually would, the smoky grey feline curled up next to fencestar and her kittens in order to keep them warm. She'd wait for her deputies orders.
----
The large Maine Coon placed his tail in front of the young Earthclanner. "We're not saying that you can't handle this yourself. I'm simply offering my services." He growled out, rising to his full height. "But if you're so sure you don't need our assistance than I'll let you freeze. Like you said, we're not invited." He turned, catching Stormstar's gaze. He motioned for the Earthclanner to follow him. "I would like to speak with you, if that's alright." His words were meant for Stormstar's ears only.
"Do you think we're just abandoning her to the cold?" Dieseltooth spat, tail lashing. "No. EclipseClan's warriors will bring them to safety. We don't need your help and the longer you linger here, the worse position you're putting her in, if that really is a concern of yours."
Fencestar heard the argument break out around her, and a soft and gentle voice speaking into her ear that was ripped away by Dieseltooth's aggression. Her olive eyes spotted bundles of fur being pushed to her stained belly and she instinctively curled around them, a strange sort of contentment making its way across her face. Her paws twitched from shock- her mind had not caught up to the present, and wouldn't for a while. The world around her stretched on forever in a fever dream of pelts.
Honeypaw stepped up to Blossomstar's defense, the she-cat bravely leaving her father's side. She cast her yellow gaze at Dieseltooth. "Please, let us help, ma'am- she's ill, she's still bleeding, and she and her babies won't live to see morning in this cold. If you would just let us-" she stammered, an unnatural pause in her speech that broke her soft-spoken character to pieces, "- please, let us help-" the small pale bengal said, bravely standing up to the EclipseClan warrior. She was too young to know the war and political turmoil that surrounded her.
"What, do MoonClanners not know their own way home? Our cats will see to themselves, they aren't your concern." Dieseltooth answered, eyeing Blossomstar with suspicion. As Darkpaw approached and began to mouth off, Dieseltooth simply stepped forward and shoved her back, as though she were a kit approaching some dangerous situation she didn't even understand, and trusted that the gesture was enough to make her own stance toward the cat clear to both Darkpaw and Blossomstar: EclipseClan was strong. They didn't allow for impertinence among their ranks and they certainly didn't need the charity of their enemies to deal with something as trifling as a queen with poor timing.
Blossomstar stepped forward with tiny calico kitten in his mouth. He'd noticed the small one was having trouble breathing and placed the small bundle of fur beside her mother's belly. "If you are to stay, who's going to lead the rest of your patrol home. I do not want to impose, but I can assist in protecting her until she is well enough to be moved." He sat back on his haunches and observed the scene as calmly as he could. There was still tension between Eclipseclan and Moonclan and he knew it wouldn't dissipate any time soon, but he'd do his best to help out where he could. "We can find her den close by."
----
Darkpaw sat and listened to the adults bicker back and forth. It was starting to bug her how much the Moonclan leader was trying to take control of the situation. His clan-mates have left him already. "You should learn to mind your own business. Not everything revolves around you. All Moonclan cats are the same, trying to be apart of things they weren't invited to. We're perfectly capable of taking care of our own leader. Why don't you scurry back to your clan-mates who don't seem to really care for your leadership." She snapped, stepping forward to stand between Blossomstar and Fencestar. Eclipseclan isn't weak and we don't need Moonclan's help. She was half the size of Moonclan's leader, but her fire and determination to protect her clan was what drove her to stand her ground.
"We'll see to her," Dieseltooth growled toward Stormstar, standing over Fencestar with an undeniable protective air that seemed, momentarily, to have beat back the outright hostility she felt toward the MoonClanners. She looked fierce, standing over her mate with bloodied paws and flecks of red across her muzzle where she'd helped to lick one of the kits to life. "Thank you for your aid, but we can see to her from here."
Stormstar sat on the sidelines, hoping the MoonClan medicine cat would have StarClan's blessing to save the queen. In that moment, he was grateful there were no complications with his mate and their kits. Marshmumble hadn't let him in the den with her, and he felt useless then just as he did now. A sweet voice startled him and he looked down to see his golden colored daughter and he let out a smile. "Now we wait to see if Fencestar will be ok." he decided. It would be a bad omen for a leader to die at a Gathering. He leaned down to lick the top of her head. "I'm so proud of you for helping." he purred.
Just as fast as the leader had died, Endlessdream stood up as she came back to life and proceeded to get sick. She rushed forward to the queen, urging her to rest. "Take a deep breath." she said softly. "All your kits are alive. A little cold, but nothing some warm milk won't fix." she said sweetly, turning and flicking her tail for the cats to bring the kits forward. Now that she was alive again, she would need herbs if she would survive the rest of the night. "Are there any warriors willing to stay and help? She cannot be moved yet, and she needs a den to protect her." she looked around at the many strange faces surrounding her.
Blacknose backed off from the crowd, taking note his presence wasn't welcomed or needed anymore. He was no medicine cat and the last time he'd seen a birth, he'd nearly fainted. His yellow eyes shifted toward cottontail, a slight frown marring his features at the sight of her with Midnightstorm. The black and white tom knew that the moonclan deputy was the cause of her troubles, but refrained from approaching the pair. Separate clans, Blacknose, remember last time? He failed to say goodbye and turned his attention toward the earthclan patrol.
----
Darkpaw released her leader's shoulders, sitting back in order to give the queen some space. Her gaze drifted to the four bundles of fur mewling for their mother's warmth. What an eventful gathering. She mused.
----
Blossomstar turned to grab a kitten, licking the little grey, ginger and white calico kit to life. They were all so tiny, so vulnerable out in the open clearing. The moonclan leader was surprised Fencestar's screams hadn't attracted any unwanted attention.
Five. Fencestar died five times, from blood loss, shock, and pain. She had but one life left- a fact that she ruminated on as her olive eyes glassed over, still in shock. A vague thought of safety settled over her, feeling warmth despite the cold snow, not knowing the moistness was her own fluid. She could hear cats shouting, yelling, confusion- but it was far-away, like an underwater thought, and she could not decode their meanings. She wished to sit up and let them know it was okay, but a sixth life threatened to take what it wanted from Fencestar.
In a second, like a dam removed, it all came back, and Fencestar took in a sharp and surprised breath of freezing air, tinted with iron and salt. She was freezing, lethargic, and immediately and feebly vomited her dinner next to her before curling inward, pain beginning to emanate from her diaphragm.
There were so many cats- around her, milling about. Miidnightstorm and Stormstar and Cranestar and Blossomstar and Dieseltooth and Cottontail and Blacknose and so many others. And two cats nearest her were helping- they pressed on her belly, working in tandem, Endlessdream and Honeypaw. One's paws crushed her collarbone, holding her, keeping her from running. Yet another was taking . . . something, from her tail, and another, and another, and another, and-
A dry cry, just another, and Fencestar's tears began. She felt, in her heart, that her kits were dead. An incorrect assumption. Her lives lost had not healed her wounds; she could not stand, and consciousness crept at the edges of her mind. She was in agony, bones broken, emotionally ruined.
"D-Diesel-" she softly cried for her deputy.
Honeypaw backed off once Endlessdream began her work, watching in fascination and rapt attention. She wondered briefly how the cat could be so calm. She stepped back, covered in fluids, and looked to Stormstar. "What now, dad?"
At the sound of Midnightstorm's voice, Cottontail looked up from the kit. Her eyes didn't hold any defiance now, and only sadness for this kit. What if the mother was gone? Her own motherly instincts had kicked in and she didn't want to leave the kit, even though she knew it would be ok in the paws of the medicine cat. "But- but-" she muttered as she reluctantly turned to pad away with him. Her heart raced at the whole situation and she almost didn't realize the tom had come forward to lick her cheek. She pulled back, her eyes wide. Why was he doing this? She turned her head, searching. Now she remembered, Fadewhisker wasn't here. A flood of confusing emotions filled her mind as he talked, and she leaned forward to touch his nose. She stuck herself to his side, black and white fur mingling together in the night.
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Oct 22, 2018
Midnightstorm's anger and jealousy immediately dissipated with the screech of Fencestar's fall and the scene that followed, and he turned away to give the kitting queen some respectful privacy. At his leader's call, he nodded, turning to the MoonClan warriors frozen in front of him and rising to his full height to gain their attention. "MoonClan! Let's go!" He called above the commotion, making sure he waited until Cottontail had taken care of the kit before he rounded together his warriors to leave. He waited for them to gather together, turning to her, a look of admiration for the way she handled the kit hidden in his icy eyes.
"I'm proud of you for what you did. You did well with that kit, but now it's time to leave it with it's mother and Clan and head home." He meowed gently, stretching his muzzle forward to lick her cheek gently before bounding to the head of the MoonClan party, his heart pounding with nervousness and anxiety at what he'd just done. He was glad clouds were starting to cover the moon, he wouldn't want his embarrassment and flush to been seen.
The tense atmosphere quickly dissipated as most of the cats began to turn and head home. Stormstar bid his farewells and turned to leave, hopping down easily to touch noses with his mate. As he started to pad off, a wailing cry erupted from behind him and he swiveled on his paws to a disturbing scene. As if in slow motion, he witnessed in horror as the heavily pregnant leader fell. He immediately rushed to her side, only to watch as she drew her last breath. Wide-eyed, the black tom stumbled back, helpless.
The tiny medicine cat Endlessdream had also started to head back to the camp, unsatisfied with how the whole gathering had played out. Her multi-colored pelt StarClan would not be happy. In leaf-bare, they should be worried about surviving. Her head snapped around to the sound of her voice being called by her leader. She bounded toward him without question. Quickly assessing the situation, she shouted at the crowd gathering.
"Please, stay back!" The queen had already passed and she must get the rest of the kits out now, or they would suffocate. At this point, no herbs would be needed just a miracle from StarClan. She began pushing on the leader's stomach gently, coaxing the kits herself through the birth canal. Blood had pooled around the queen and soaked her own white paws. With a hard push, a second kit emerged and she grabbed it up, feeling its faint heartbeat.
"Here, take this and start licking." she demanded of a white she-cat with no tail that was standing nearby. She turned and went back to work silenty, pushing out another 2 kits and handing them off to a black and white tom, and a pretty, dilute calico she-cat. Endlessdream bent over the leader, prodding her body for more kits. With a sigh of relief, it seemed she got them all out. She wasn't sure if the leader had been on her last life or not, and she looked around for any sign on who the deputy was. For the kits sake, she hoped it was not the last life.
"Who is the deputy? I need to speak with them immediately."
Cottontail shot Blacknose and Midnightstorm a look as she was handed a bloody kit. Without question she began licking at it. It let out a squeak and the white she-cat continued until the kit was dry and clean.
(Thanx for the Info) The two remaining kits continued to mewl even louder
A young cornish rex feline padded through the forest, tears threatening to spill from her amber eyes. She'd been out hunting with her twin when a fox jumped out of no where and attacked. Blazingvalley had ran, scared for her life. She found herself at the meeting point of all four territories and she would have turned around if it hadn't been for the sound of mewling. She approached the area with caution- glancing around before finding four little bundles of fur. She could take them all, but she could at least save one. "Shush little ones- Starclan watches over you now." She gently picked up the first kitten and realized she could take two. She picked up the smallest ones and turned around, leaving the other two behind.
(Eac and MC are currently sharing a camp rn)
Four kits sleep beneath the roots of a tree. Their mother had left a few days ago and The oldest of them knew they wouldn't last much longer and began a desperate cry for help. Soon the other kits joined their voices to her plaintive cry.
Marshmumble stepped forward next to Stormstar and Honeypaw, the three making quite the pair. Honeypaw looked with dismay at Dieseltooth, not understanding why the she-cat would refuse help. Her yellow eyes were watering with the injustice. Her mother leaned down, pushing gently on her shoulder to turn her away. Honeypaw resisted, and then her mother's gentle voice spoke.
"You did well, love. Now we've got to go home," she spoke, and Honeypaw turned, the blood on her paws making pink tracks in the snow. She sniffled, feeling safe under her mother's watchful eyes, next to her father's strong shoulder. That was, until Stormstar broke off from her, and Marshmumble watched after him before putting on her bravest face.
"EarthClan! Follow me home," she said, whispering in her beloved's ear, "You stay as long as you need to." Her and her daughter began the trek home. (EaC territory)
Fencestar curled into Dieseltooth's chest, lulled to a pained solace by the ragged breathing. (EcC-Sc border)
Dieseltooth bent down to help up Fencestar, putting the swirling thoughts about Stormstar and Blossomstar out of mind as she gathered up the leader's scruff as if she was little more than a kit and started carrying her carefully down the gorge, trusting her clanmates to see to Fencestar's kits or go back to the camp.
[EcC-SC Border]
Before leaving, Stormstar caught the voice of the large MoonClan leader. He picked up his head and padded over, respectfully dipping his head. He looked over his shoulder one last time at the scene before putting his full attention on the conversation with Blossomstar. "Yes of course." he nodded as they padded off.
A growl rose in Dieseltooth's throat, but she let them go without further protest.
She called over to her clan, "Three of you, stay back. The rest, get back to the camp. I want a patrol sent to each border before I return and the freshkill pile better not be empty either."
The small dilute tortoiseshell she-cat sat next to Fencestar as the cats bickered back and forth, carefully keeping an eye on the kits. All her instincts as a medicine cat screamed at her to ignore them and care for the injured queen, but there was no stepping in between the EclipseClanners. Feelings of frustration crept their way through her paws but she quickly washed them away wish a lick of her tongue.
"Fine, have it your way. The Gathering is no place for a fight." she reminded them as she placed herself between the large MoonClan leader and the EclipseClan deputy. Endlessdream stared into the deputy's soul with her own deep turquoise colored eyes. "If your leader loses another life because of your pride, pray to StarClan for their forgiveness." she added coldly. The disregard and lack of appreciation for her work saving the kits was no surprise coming from EclipseClan and the she-cat turned to her own leader. "We should go, before anyone breaks the truce."
Stormstar caught the growl of the deputy and shook his head, standing and signaling to the remaining EarthClan cats to follow him back to camp. He pressed his pelt against his daughter's protectively. It was his first gathering ever, and as a leader no less. It was quite the event and he wondered if every gathering would be this intense.
Darkpaw stumbled backward, righting herself before she fell over. Her gaze shifted to Dieseltooth, confusion evident on her face by the action. Instead of arguing like she usually would, the smoky grey feline curled up next to fencestar and her kittens in order to keep them warm. She'd wait for her deputies orders.
----
The large Maine Coon placed his tail in front of the young Earthclanner. "We're not saying that you can't handle this yourself. I'm simply offering my services." He growled out, rising to his full height. "But if you're so sure you don't need our assistance than I'll let you freeze. Like you said, we're not invited." He turned, catching Stormstar's gaze. He motioned for the Earthclanner to follow him. "I would like to speak with you, if that's alright." His words were meant for Stormstar's ears only.
"Do you think we're just abandoning her to the cold?" Dieseltooth spat, tail lashing. "No. EclipseClan's warriors will bring them to safety. We don't need your help and the longer you linger here, the worse position you're putting her in, if that really is a concern of yours."
Fencestar heard the argument break out around her, and a soft and gentle voice speaking into her ear that was ripped away by Dieseltooth's aggression. Her olive eyes spotted bundles of fur being pushed to her stained belly and she instinctively curled around them, a strange sort of contentment making its way across her face. Her paws twitched from shock- her mind had not caught up to the present, and wouldn't for a while. The world around her stretched on forever in a fever dream of pelts.
Honeypaw stepped up to Blossomstar's defense, the she-cat bravely leaving her father's side. She cast her yellow gaze at Dieseltooth. "Please, let us help, ma'am- she's ill, she's still bleeding, and she and her babies won't live to see morning in this cold. If you would just let us-" she stammered, an unnatural pause in her speech that broke her soft-spoken character to pieces, "- please, let us help-" the small pale bengal said, bravely standing up to the EclipseClan warrior. She was too young to know the war and political turmoil that surrounded her.
"What, do MoonClanners not know their own way home? Our cats will see to themselves, they aren't your concern." Dieseltooth answered, eyeing Blossomstar with suspicion. As Darkpaw approached and began to mouth off, Dieseltooth simply stepped forward and shoved her back, as though she were a kit approaching some dangerous situation she didn't even understand, and trusted that the gesture was enough to make her own stance toward the cat clear to both Darkpaw and Blossomstar: EclipseClan was strong. They didn't allow for impertinence among their ranks and they certainly didn't need the charity of their enemies to deal with something as trifling as a queen with poor timing.
Blossomstar stepped forward with tiny calico kitten in his mouth. He'd noticed the small one was having trouble breathing and placed the small bundle of fur beside her mother's belly. "If you are to stay, who's going to lead the rest of your patrol home. I do not want to impose, but I can assist in protecting her until she is well enough to be moved." He sat back on his haunches and observed the scene as calmly as he could. There was still tension between Eclipseclan and Moonclan and he knew it wouldn't dissipate any time soon, but he'd do his best to help out where he could. "We can find her den close by."
----
Darkpaw sat and listened to the adults bicker back and forth. It was starting to bug her how much the Moonclan leader was trying to take control of the situation. His clan-mates have left him already. "You should learn to mind your own business. Not everything revolves around you. All Moonclan cats are the same, trying to be apart of things they weren't invited to. We're perfectly capable of taking care of our own leader. Why don't you scurry back to your clan-mates who don't seem to really care for your leadership." She snapped, stepping forward to stand between Blossomstar and Fencestar. Eclipseclan isn't weak and we don't need Moonclan's help. She was half the size of Moonclan's leader, but her fire and determination to protect her clan was what drove her to stand her ground.
"We'll see to her," Dieseltooth growled toward Stormstar, standing over Fencestar with an undeniable protective air that seemed, momentarily, to have beat back the outright hostility she felt toward the MoonClanners. She looked fierce, standing over her mate with bloodied paws and flecks of red across her muzzle where she'd helped to lick one of the kits to life. "Thank you for your aid, but we can see to her from here."
Stormstar sat on the sidelines, hoping the MoonClan medicine cat would have StarClan's blessing to save the queen. In that moment, he was grateful there were no complications with his mate and their kits. Marshmumble hadn't let him in the den with her, and he felt useless then just as he did now. A sweet voice startled him and he looked down to see his golden colored daughter and he let out a smile. "Now we wait to see if Fencestar will be ok." he decided. It would be a bad omen for a leader to die at a Gathering. He leaned down to lick the top of her head. "I'm so proud of you for helping." he purred.
Just as fast as the leader had died, Endlessdream stood up as she came back to life and proceeded to get sick. She rushed forward to the queen, urging her to rest. "Take a deep breath." she said softly. "All your kits are alive. A little cold, but nothing some warm milk won't fix." she said sweetly, turning and flicking her tail for the cats to bring the kits forward. Now that she was alive again, she would need herbs if she would survive the rest of the night. "Are there any warriors willing to stay and help? She cannot be moved yet, and she needs a den to protect her." she looked around at the many strange faces surrounding her.
Blacknose backed off from the crowd, taking note his presence wasn't welcomed or needed anymore. He was no medicine cat and the last time he'd seen a birth, he'd nearly fainted. His yellow eyes shifted toward cottontail, a slight frown marring his features at the sight of her with Midnightstorm. The black and white tom knew that the moonclan deputy was the cause of her troubles, but refrained from approaching the pair. Separate clans, Blacknose, remember last time? He failed to say goodbye and turned his attention toward the earthclan patrol.
----
Darkpaw released her leader's shoulders, sitting back in order to give the queen some space. Her gaze drifted to the four bundles of fur mewling for their mother's warmth. What an eventful gathering. She mused.
----
Blossomstar turned to grab a kitten, licking the little grey, ginger and white calico kit to life. They were all so tiny, so vulnerable out in the open clearing. The moonclan leader was surprised Fencestar's screams hadn't attracted any unwanted attention.
Five. Fencestar died five times, from blood loss, shock, and pain. She had but one life left- a fact that she ruminated on as her olive eyes glassed over, still in shock. A vague thought of safety settled over her, feeling warmth despite the cold snow, not knowing the moistness was her own fluid. She could hear cats shouting, yelling, confusion- but it was far-away, like an underwater thought, and she could not decode their meanings. She wished to sit up and let them know it was okay, but a sixth life threatened to take what it wanted from Fencestar.
In a second, like a dam removed, it all came back, and Fencestar took in a sharp and surprised breath of freezing air, tinted with iron and salt. She was freezing, lethargic, and immediately and feebly vomited her dinner next to her before curling inward, pain beginning to emanate from her diaphragm.
There were so many cats- around her, milling about. Miidnightstorm and Stormstar and Cranestar and Blossomstar and Dieseltooth and Cottontail and Blacknose and so many others. And two cats nearest her were helping- they pressed on her belly, working in tandem, Endlessdream and Honeypaw. One's paws crushed her collarbone, holding her, keeping her from running. Yet another was taking . . . something, from her tail, and another, and another, and another, and-
A dry cry, just another, and Fencestar's tears began. She felt, in her heart, that her kits were dead. An incorrect assumption. Her lives lost had not healed her wounds; she could not stand, and consciousness crept at the edges of her mind. She was in agony, bones broken, emotionally ruined.
"D-Diesel-" she softly cried for her deputy.
Honeypaw backed off once Endlessdream began her work, watching in fascination and rapt attention. She wondered briefly how the cat could be so calm. She stepped back, covered in fluids, and looked to Stormstar. "What now, dad?"
At the sound of Midnightstorm's voice, Cottontail looked up from the kit. Her eyes didn't hold any defiance now, and only sadness for this kit. What if the mother was gone? Her own motherly instincts had kicked in and she didn't want to leave the kit, even though she knew it would be ok in the paws of the medicine cat. "But- but-" she muttered as she reluctantly turned to pad away with him. Her heart raced at the whole situation and she almost didn't realize the tom had come forward to lick her cheek. She pulled back, her eyes wide. Why was he doing this? She turned her head, searching. Now she remembered, Fadewhisker wasn't here. A flood of confusing emotions filled her mind as he talked, and she leaned forward to touch his nose. She stuck herself to his side, black and white fur mingling together in the night.
Midnightstorm's anger and jealousy immediately dissipated with the screech of Fencestar's fall and the scene that followed, and he turned away to give the kitting queen some respectful privacy. At his leader's call, he nodded, turning to the MoonClan warriors frozen in front of him and rising to his full height to gain their attention. "MoonClan! Let's go!" He called above the commotion, making sure he waited until Cottontail had taken care of the kit before he rounded together his warriors to leave. He waited for them to gather together, turning to her, a look of admiration for the way she handled the kit hidden in his icy eyes.
"I'm proud of you for what you did. You did well with that kit, but now it's time to leave it with it's mother and Clan and head home." He meowed gently, stretching his muzzle forward to lick her cheek gently before bounding to the head of the MoonClan party, his heart pounding with nervousness and anxiety at what he'd just done. He was glad clouds were starting to cover the moon, he wouldn't want his embarrassment and flush to been seen.
The tense atmosphere quickly dissipated as most of the cats began to turn and head home. Stormstar bid his farewells and turned to leave, hopping down easily to touch noses with his mate. As he started to pad off, a wailing cry erupted from behind him and he swiveled on his paws to a disturbing scene. As if in slow motion, he witnessed in horror as the heavily pregnant leader fell. He immediately rushed to her side, only to watch as she drew her last breath. Wide-eyed, the black tom stumbled back, helpless.
The tiny medicine cat Endlessdream had also started to head back to the camp, unsatisfied with how the whole gathering had played out. Her multi-colored pelt StarClan would not be happy. In leaf-bare, they should be worried about surviving. Her head snapped around to the sound of her voice being called by her leader. She bounded toward him without question. Quickly assessing the situation, she shouted at the crowd gathering.
"Please, stay back!" The queen had already passed and she must get the rest of the kits out now, or they would suffocate. At this point, no herbs would be needed just a miracle from StarClan. She began pushing on the leader's stomach gently, coaxing the kits herself through the birth canal. Blood had pooled around the queen and soaked her own white paws. With a hard push, a second kit emerged and she grabbed it up, feeling its faint heartbeat.
"Here, take this and start licking." she demanded of a white she-cat with no tail that was standing nearby. She turned and went back to work silenty, pushing out another 2 kits and handing them off to a black and white tom, and a pretty, dilute calico she-cat. Endlessdream bent over the leader, prodding her body for more kits. With a sigh of relief, it seemed she got them all out. She wasn't sure if the leader had been on her last life or not, and she looked around for any sign on who the deputy was. For the kits sake, she hoped it was not the last life.
"Who is the deputy? I need to speak with them immediately."
Cottontail shot Blacknose and Midnightstorm a look as she was handed a bloody kit. Without question she began licking at it. It let out a squeak and the white she-cat continued until the kit was dry and clean.