[Dust]

Originally Posted by Constellation

With Nightfallkit still on his back, Honeythistle scanned the crowd for anymore of his mates and kits. They were all scattered around, desperate to get away. And, their scents mingled together in the air, destroyed by the downpour. The large tom felt his small son breathing softly while on top his back. He was mainly looking for his mother, and he swore he could had heard her call. The tom turned back to his mate, Mothflower, and he looked at his kits. Sunrisedapple held Twilightkit with a fierce hold, but gentle enough not to disturb the small kit. Eveningkit was safe, near her mother, and Nightfallkit was heavily drenched in rain, exhausted. Honeythistle would had cursed at Starclan for bringing this, but he stayed calm. He pushed his muzzle to the side of Mothflower's cheek, feeling the cold rain against his maw. ''I'll be back, I need to get my mother.'' He whispered in her ear, then turned to look at Sunrisedapple. ''You think you can take Nightfallkit, or is your paws too filled?'' He asked her. Sunrisedapple seemed to look like she was nodding, but instead she was throwing her head slightly towards Royalflash--the troublemaker who looked to be having a time of his life than to be thinking it was tragedy.

''Royalflash!'' Honeythistle yelled, his voice booming through the rain. It made Royalflash ears flattened to his head as he was scared that he done something wrong. Sure, he wasn't panicking as everyone else was. His fur was definitely completely drenched, yet that still didn't phase him. The tom, with a dejected look padded towards his father. Honeythistle turned his head and gently picked up Nightfallkit, flinching inwardly as he noticed his son slight shivering. He shoved the kit towards Royalflash, and Royalflash gently handled Nightfallkit by the scruff. ''Take him, I'll be back.'' His voice was deep and he turned to head back because he knew he heard Cedartuft's voice...he just didn't see her. With all the rain pouring down, it was hard to see anything.

As he continued to half-pad, half-swim through the water, his eyes caught sight of Pearlstream and their kit, Daturakit. They were safe. With his sister, Echoskip...and some other she cat that he really didn't know, but they were safe. His heart--only for a second, started beating again-- but then it stopped. He worried about his other kits. His other mates. Rosenose was expecting! She would give birth any moment! Strawberrythorn was nursery a recently born litter. The little scraps of fur was helpless! He had hoped someone had saved them. He didn't see them in the nursery, so they were out. Hopefully on higher ground, as his mate and other kits should be, but he trekked through the water. Looking for his mother. She was too old to be going through this. And, if anyone was going to help her, it was Honeythistle. She was the only she cat he would listen to, unknown to his siblings and father.

''Mother!'' He yelled, upon seeing her odd form. So skinny and frail. Her fur soaked against her, showing her bones. The tom half-swam his way towards her, and upon reaching her, he sniffed her around like a parent would do to their young. ''You alright, momma? Not hurting or anything?'' He pressed himself against her, trying to get a hint of her scent, but it was hard when the rain was pouring. ''We need to get you to higher ground. It'll be safe, come on. Mothflower and half of my kits are waiting for us up there.'' He told her, his voice low. The one thing he knew was that she was going to make it. His entire family was going to be fine.

@Duststorm
@Doe Naps
@CandyFlossCat

@Doe Naps
@CandyFlossCat

Another sob wracked her body as the other approached her, quickly checking her over. Covered in mud, shaking from the cold and pelting rain; It was no secret that Cedartuft was miserable. Although, the reassurance of having her son near-by did help to improve her mood, the adrenaline was still coursing through her paws, alerting her to get out, to escape, but she knew she had to make sure the rest of her family was safe. "I'm alright, I'm alright." Her voice was wavering as she pressed herself against Honeythistle, the rain continuing to pour down around them. Her head was swiveling rapidly around as she tried to catch glimpse of any more family. Jumping slightly as a large crack of lightning lit up the sky, the molly slipped closer towards Honeythistle. It was difficult to hear him, due to the pounding of the rain and screeches filling the clearing, but Cedartuft was able to process what he told her. High ground, Mothflower and her kits. Thank Starclan. Although it seemed petty to have such a thought during such a devastating catastrophe, the senior queen couldn't help but be relieved to hear Mothflower's name. Out of all her sons mates, Mothflower was definitely her favorite and the presence of the other queen would help calm her. Not to mention, having her grandchildren around would also help her feel much better. Taking care of them would take the focus off of herself. She knew her son had seen her frail frame, something she desperately tried to hide from even her mate, but again, all that mattered now was survival.

"Have you seen anyone else? Your father? Brothers? Sisters?" Clinging to the other and entwining her tail with her kit's, Cedartuft slowly lead the other forward, more confident in her steps. They were basically swimming across the rest of the clearing, the water rising around their ankles. The queen cast her gaze downwards as an assault of stinging rain pelted them. It was unrelenting and painful, but only lasted for a second. What had they done to make Starclan so mad? She winced quietly, lifting her head back up to continue their trudge towards the small group. It seemed so far away. So much energy to exert for such a little distance.

"I don't think I'll make it!" She cried out, slowing down significantly than her original pace. It was an empty threat and the maine-coon did continue to climb, but damn was it a struggle. She was caked with mud by the time they made, her breath coming heavy and strained. Her lungs were bursting, they felt as if the were on fire, but at least she had some inkling of safety as mother and son made it. Taking a deep long breath, Cedartuft stumbled away from Honeythistle and over next to Mothflower, crumpling to the ground like a wet piece of paper. Spitting a mouthful of mud, she lifted her face up to the sky, letting the liquid slowly begin to wash away the gooey substance.