*peeks in* All clear. Wheew. *screaming and havoc is heard about late chapter update*

I'M SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY. I haven't updated since Dece,ber 14th! 14th! I don't even have a good excuse anymore. So I'll just get on with it.

Onto the story!

"No..." Cloudpaw whimpered, pawing at her mother's face. "Nonononono... Wake up, come on. This isn't funny, mom. Wak- Oomph!"

The black and white apprentice skid to the side as something was hurled into her, knocking her off her feet. She stood and bristled, looking for her attacker, instead seeing Duststorm on the ground, curled in a fatal position, blood oozing from a deep gash in his flank. Cloudpaw's eye widened, and her decision was instant. Duststorm was going to die if she didn't take him to the medicine cat den.

Cloudpaw sighed, and looked at her mother's limp body once more, and tears started to blur her vision. She gritted her teeth though, and fought back the tears. This was a battle. This was her battle. And she wasn't going to cry in the middle of it. She was going to save her clanmate.

She bit down the lightest she could on Duststorm's neck fur, and began hauling him towards the medicine cat den.

"Hey! Darksong, that little cat is getting away with a warrior!" she heard a voice cackle, and recognized it as Graysun, whom she'd met at the previous Gathering.

Cloudpaw hoped that the tom named Darksong would not attack her while she attempted to move Duststorm. Oh, but luck was evidently not on her side. She moved her head and caught a glimpse of Darksong pouncing and beginning to leap before a voice yelled, "Watch out!"

Cloudpaw ducked and a golden she-cat leaped over her head. Cloudpaw nearly sobbed in relief. "Thanks, Dawnpaw." she said, as Dawnpaw pinned the ashen faced warrior to the ground.

"No problem, short stuff." she replied nonchalantly, "Just remember you owe me."

Cloudpaw groaned in reply, and continued dragging Duststorm.

By the time she had reached the mdicine cat den, she had been attacked twice more, both being intercepted by Dawnpaw, who worked as her basic bodyguard while she tried to get Duststorm to safety.

Icestream was in her den, rushing about. The den smelled strongly of marygold, and Cloud paw spotted was was probably most of the remaining marygold in a small neat stack. Cherrystem, too, had a hurried look on her face as she got out other herbs - some Cloudpaw knew the names of, other still unknown.

"Cherrystem!" Cloudpaw called her friend, "Cherrystem, help me!"

The golden-red she-cat whirled around to face Cloudpaw, and her eyes seemed to shrink slightly. "Get him into a nest, now." she ordered, going back to paw through some marygold. Cloudpaw obeyed, dragging Duststorm into one of the mossy beds. He coughed, spluttering out blood, his breath coming in strangled wheezes.

Cherrystem looked at Cloudpaw, "It's okay, we'll do everything we can. You need to get back out there. The Clan needs every cat they can spare fighting."

Cloudpaw, reluctant to leave, glanced at Duststorm and said, "But- but- but I can watch him, and help out! What if the cobwebs aren't enough and- and you or Icestream are busy? What if... if-"

"Cloudpaw," Cherrystem said, "Go."

Cloudpaw grimaced. She didn't watch to go back out. But not for the reason you'd think. She wasn't scared of the battle, not at all.

She was scared of seeing her mother's dead body and accepting that she was actually gone.

THERE. FINALLY. I -yet again- am soooo sorry I haven't updated. But here you go. I'm sorry it's also pretty short, but hey, it's an update!

Until next time,

xoxo

~Sunny