[Dust]

[ @pumpkinbubble. | @poppy. | @spooky sleek. ]

As Cherryswirl had made it a few good minutes away from where herself and Sleekfur had left Bluefang, the molly had begun to slink around, nosing her way through underbrush. Certainly there would be some prey around here somewhere! Her main focus had been the river, where she could catch some delicious juicy fish. The thought made her drool slightly in anticipation. Though, as a gut-wrenching screech echoed through the nearly silent, aside from the babbling of the river, territory Cherry cast a worried glance towards Sleekfur. It seemed he heard it too, and quickly attributing the unworldly screeching to Bluefang, the ginger warrior immediately took off after him. She had been a few moments behind Sleekfur. And... Stars... Did she wish she had stayed behind and pretended like nothing happened. 'No Cherry, that's horrible, don't say that...' She would never leave a clanmate in need behind. Though, as golden eyes locked onto the absolute viscera - having caught every moment of Sleekfur's attack and ultimate killing blow - Cherry felt her stomach drop into one of the deepest pits she had ever felt in her life. Was this... some ill-omen from StarClan? A sign? A threat... her survival instincts kicking in? No cat... should have ever been able to do that. It... It wasn't possible, right? Bile rose from her throat as she stared at the blood-laden Sleekfur, his frame appearing almost sinister with the light of the forest radiating behind him. Blood dripping from his maw... from his pelt, pooled around his paws and Bluefang's limp body. She wanted to hide.

"Sle..e-" Though her immediate dread was cut short as the overwhelming scent of putrid fox blood, mixed with Bluefang's recognizable scent hit her smack in the senses. All at once, her golden eyes seemed to lock with equally horrified golden ones. Another fox. Looking skinny to the bone, smelling putrid and dirty. The creature had seemed just as disturbed by the sheer act of vicious strength, looking like it was ready to flee. Though, as the creature turned a sudden gaze away, licking its chops, Cherry followed its gaze to the now present Birdpaw. The warrior hadn't even realized the small felines presence, and it was then that she realized all she could hear was the blood pumping in her veins, ear drums pounding with each second. Without a second thought, and as soon as it looked like the fox would make a move towards Birdpaw, or to run away, Cherry propelled herself forward with a raging war-cry of a yowl. Paws beat the ground as she raced forward, soil flinging behind her as she barreled head-first straight into the scrawny creature.

 

The attack sent both herself and the fox tumbling a few paws-lengths into the undergrowth, just barely having enough time to recover before the snarling thing whipped back to try and bite down near her face. Cherry managed to duck out of the way, but not without the creatures teeth snagging onto one of her cheeks and ripping a small bundle of fur from her pelt. It stung initially, but her heart was beating almost out her chest and the adrenaline pumping through her veins quelled the stinging pain. Every attack, every movement felt in slow motion. The fox and her locked in a tumbling fight, rolling over top of each other, claws and teeth ripping at each other's fur and flesh. Blood trickling between both creatures, droplets sprayed wildly in each direction as the spun together. A beautiful dance of death. Cherry couldn't hear herself. She knew she was caterwauling in pain, screaming with rage. Only the blood pumping in her ears kept her grounded in this fight. Bite. Snap. Dodge. Claw. Dodge. Aim. Sharp claws dug into the pelt of the smelly creature as Cherry managed to climb upon its back. She could feel it's energy giving out slightly - if not for the life threatening fight to propel it forward. On its back, she leaned forward to scratch back paws at its face and muzzle. The fox turned on her, grabbing a painful mouthful of her paw and biting hard. Cherry retaliated, her teeth clenching down on the back of its head. This time, she heard the foxes scream of pain, but she didn't let go. Teeth willed themselves to chomp harder, bitter blood welling up along her maw, dripping onto her tongue. It was almost intoxicating. The beast released her paw with a screech, as it rolled forward to try and throw her off. Cherry hit the ground with a thud as the fox landed partially on top of her and though the air rendered itself from her lungs she kept her firm grip on its skull flesh. Her paws kicked and thrashed wildly against it's coat, ripping and tearing its skin.

ITS STOMACH. RIP IT UP.

She was unsure whether she had screamed it aloud or in her brain, but her limbs were starting to slow with fatigue as she willed herself to stay on.