The Fall Down Below
At moonhigh, wildstar gathered all the cats going to the gathering. Mumblepaw padded up to her father "Father? is there still time for me to check on ravenpaw?" Wildstar looked at the moon and nodded "But be quick" Mumblepaw flicked her tail and bounded over to the medicine cat den. When she entered, ravenpaw was lying down in a feather nest.
His wounds were still bleeding but they had little bits of cobweb covering them. Softheart was in the back of the den sorting through the leaves. Her ear twitched when she heard mumblepaw pad in. "Is there something you need mumblepaw?" Mumblepaw shook her head, peering at ravenpaw. "No, i just wanted to know how ravenpaws doing. " Softheart sighed and walked over to ravenpaws sleeping figure. "To be honest, hes not doing too well.
The wounds have become infected and we dont have the herbs needed to stop the infection from spreading. " Her fur bristled angrily "If those stupid shadowclan cats hadnt stolen all the medicine we wouldnt be in this mess! " She lay down touching her nose to the black apprentices fur,
"Hes was in a lot of pain earlier so i gave him some poppy seeds. But i cant continue putting him to sleep. Sooner or later hes going to have to deal with the pain" Mumblepaws heart leapt in her throat
"Will he die?" Softheart turned her grey head toward her, whispering softly "He might" Mumblepaws eyes became blurry with tears. She looked at her paws. Softheart stood up and sat down next to her. Their pelts brushing. mumblepaw couldnt hold it in any longer so she turned and buried her face into softhearts shoulder, tears streaming down her face.
Softheart licked her between her ears and rubbed her back with her tail "Shhhh mumblepaw. Its ok. Please dont cry. Ill try my best to save him. You wont be able to help him by crying." Mumblepaw sniffled "I-i know it w-wont help. But h-hes my best friend. YOu cant let him die softheart!"
picking her head up she peered into the medicine cats pale green eyes. Softhearts eyes hardened. Drawing herself away from mumblepaw she looked at ravenpaw. "I will. Even if it costs me my life mumblepaw. I will not let this apprentice die. " Mumblepaw smiled and sniffled again "Really?"
softheart smiled. "I wont let a little draw back of herbs stop me. Ill take care of him, i promise. Skypaw will take my place at the go. Ill take care of him." Mumblepaw nodded and walked out of the den, joining her clanmates. Wildstar called "Is everyone ready?" Mews of yes answered him.
He nodded, flicked his tail to brightfern and exited the bramble bush. Warriors streamed behind him. Mumblepaw went out last and followed behind echopaw. She stared at him, his white pelt standing out in the dark forest. Her thoughts returned to ravenpaw and his dilemma. Sighing she daydreamed, barley watching where she was going.
She accidently bumped into echopaw. "Sorry" she whirled around, anger coming off him in waves "Watch where your going clumsypaw!" He growled. Her pelt bristled "I said i was sorry, mangepelt!" He snarled "Fleabrain!"
And leapt on her. She yowled in surprise and was bowled over. They were both thrown off a cliff. Echopaw yowled in fear.
The other warriors saw and heard none of this, for they were talking to each other excitedly. They never heard their yowls as they flew off the cliff. They continued on their merry way to the gathering and did not notice mumblepaw and echopaw gone.