RiverClan Nursery

[spade]

The walk back to camp had almost been too much for Kestrelwing as his vision kept going in and out. Whispers of his mother's voice drifted from ear to ear, ringing loudly one moment then fading out like whispers in the night. He was vaguely aware of Junipersong and Stonefoot behind him, with Tinytiger grasped between both of them.

Until the warrior wasn't.

Had they not been paying attention? The gray tabby couldn't even muster his voice to call the injured molly back. They were only a few feet from camp, and as soon as they passed through the entrance a familiar scent hit his nostrils. No...

"Junipersong [ @Dizerel ], make sure Tinytiger makes it to the medicine den alright." It was like a second wind lifted under him, providing him strength that he wasn't aware he had.

Without waiting to see if she would follow his order, the gray tabby sprinted towards where Lotusheart [ @Shadeleaf ], Deerwing [ @Fiery ], and Gingerfrost [ @Estelle ]were fighting the coyote, ignoring the piercing pain that erupted in his body. No, no, no. The stench of the beast grew stronger, and the scene in front of him almost stopped him dead. Firehawk... He'd heard stories of the elder, and grief struck deep into his heart. And... there were kits! He saw Softkit and Violetkit sobbing next to each other, while Sorrelkit was wandering up to the beast.

These mutts were tearing his home apart, and Kestrelwing narrowed his eyes. As if he had the force of lions and tigers, he sprang at the coyote, easily reaching its back and latching on with his claws. "Stonefoot!" [ [ @QueenCocaHead ] he screeched as the mutt staggered back. "Grab Sorrelkit and make sure no kits leave the nursery." With a snarl he ripped his claws down the coyotes back, his teeth simultaneously going to the neck. Flesh and muscle met his bite, and just as quick as he'd leapt on Kestrelwing was off, spinning around and darting forward to strike at the mutts legs.

A yelping cry of pain could be heard from the coyote, ringing through camp. But Kestrelwing wasn't done. Adrenaline pumped through his body as he watched the coyote stumble and fall - and that was all he needed. "Leave. My. Home. Alone," he growled, his tone low and dark and like nothing anyone had ever heard from him. He jumped forward again, using his claws to slash again at the injured beasts neck.

Time slowed around the tom. Four warriors had to be enough to get the beast to die, right? Kestrelwing stood there, panting, sides heaving with each breath. The coyote locked eyes with him, its black beady eyes digging into his own yellow gaze.

It wasn't until he watched the mutt stop struggling and go limp that he felt his own limbs shake a bit.

Knowing that it was dead, Kestrelwing turned and limped over to where Firehawk's limp body lay, not even noticing Snakeheart around him, or the kits or blood or anything else. He thought his patrol had driven them all out. He thought he had saved his home.

Shutting his eyes, the gray tabby dropped his head in grief, an emotion he hadn't felt this clearly since his mother had passed.

[Rani]

Oh thank the stars it was finally over.
"Right Softkit and Violetkit I need you two to see to Deerwing. Heres some marigold and cobwebs one of you can deal with a herb each. Remember what I taught you. Her injuries arent that bad and Ill be coming over and checking/correcting once Im done too so take care of her and then get her settled. Deerwing you dont seem to need too much medical attention so I think we dont need to clutter up the medicine cats den anymore but Ill be over there to check later anyway.
Lotusheart dont move."

The warrior needed the medical attention badly and before he even closed in he was pretty certain the eye could not be saved. Still he tried to guide the warrior to lay down now that the beast was dead and passed over two poppyseeds to knock her out and deal with the shock that must be setting in. Guess Lotusheart was going to be in his den yet again but he didnt mind as much as he might thought. She'd been strangely helpful and hadnt hessitated to throw herself into the danger on his command, she was an idiot that couldnt be trusted with patrol lead but she was alright as a warrior went in his mind.
Firehawks body and Kestrelwing remained left alone for now. Snakeheart had the living to focus on and though he'd force the warrior into his den once this was all settled to treat that sluggishly bleeding gash and would organise a vigil for the fallen elder for now he'd at least leave that alone for now. He couldnt control other cats approaching though and quite frankly wouldnt.

@Firey @Fawnhearted @Moon Kit @Shadeleaf @spade @BILL. (the lion boy comith?)

[Shade.]

Originally Posted by Rani

Oh thank the stars it was finally over.
"Right Softkit and Violetkit I need you two to see to Deerwing. Heres some marigold and cobwebs one of you can deal with a herb each. Remember what I taught you. Her injuries arent that bad and Ill be coming over and checking/correcting once Im done too so take care of her and then get her settled. Deerwing you dont seem to need too much medical attention so I think we dont need to clutter up the medicine cats den anymore but Ill be over there to check later anyway.
Lotusheart dont move."

The warrior needed the medical attention badly and before he even closed in he was pretty certain the eye could not be saved. Still he tried to guide the warrior to lay down now that the beast was dead and passed over two poppyseeds to knock her out and deal with the shock that must be setting in. Guess Lotusheart was going to be in his den yet again but he didnt mind as much as he might thought. She'd been strangely helpful and hadnt hessitated to throw herself into the danger on his command, she was an idiot that couldnt be trusted with patrol lead but she was alright as a warrior went in his mind.
Firehawks body and Kestrelwing remained left alone for now. Snakeheart had the living to focus on and though he'd force the warrior into his den once this was all settled to treat that sluggishly bleeding gash and would organise a vigil for the fallen elder for now he'd at least leave that alone for now. He couldnt control other cats approaching though and quite frankly wouldnt.

@Firey @Fawnhearted @Moon Kit @Shadeleaf @spade @BILL. (the lion boy comith?)

Lotusheart wanted to help more but she understood. She took the poppy seeds and soon fell into a deep slumber. She hoped it was mostly over now. The blood streamed down her face, covering up a glazed, faintly yellow eye and some long scars.

[Estelle]

With Deerwing and Lotusheart both at it's legs, the coyote clearly started to panic. He struggled against the three coming from all sides, and although his struggling forced Gingerfrost to slip down to the ground (mainly because of the earlier scar to his back) he didn't hesitated to opportunity of it's distraction and so jumped back up within a heartbeat. He latched his paws around the coyotes neck, biting down as hard as he could right in the middle of his neck, offering a yelp. At that moment though, misery struck as Deerwing seemed to fall out of it and a wanna-play-hero kit ran for the creature. Honestly, what were some of these cats thinking? Probably the same as him. Luckily Krestlewing and his patrol had arrived, however and with the other warrior's help the mutt wasn't alive anymore for much longer. Granted, Gingerfrost felt a sting as it made him feel like they had needed the other's help when he was certain they could've dealt with it themselves, but he shook the thought off as he let go of the coyote and stared at it for a few heartbeats. His energy drained from his face and a cold glare was cast upon it's body. That creature wouldn't be making any kits loose their mother or siblings anytime soon - not on his watch.

With a scoff Gingerfrost turned to take a glance at the nursery and kits. They seemed to mostly been intact, if not traumatized but all this. Not everyone as lucky though, his eyes fell upon Firehawk's body surrounded by kits and Krestlewing and right away he dipped his head slightly as if giving a nod of respect. It seemed like Deerwing would be taken good care off, maybe he'd have to thank the molly later or so, but for now he'd go to see his friend. Gingerfrost got up and started to make his way over but paused when she already took the poppy seeds - he figured it's probably be better to go see her later anyway. Only now did he actually start to feel the increasing prickles of pain on his back - that coyote. He huffed a bit as he turned to give the scar a few licks in order to soothe it. Best case scenario he wouldn't have to go see Snakeheart for it, and he did hope that would be the case. He still felt... Uncomfortable, when it came to that specific role, and needing treatment from it.

[ @/Anyone Ig? ]

[Fawnhearted]

Violetkit with herbs in her mouth approached Deerwing and mumbled "I need to put on marigold", but around the herbs it sounded like " I neeh toh putst on sthe marigld". She chewed it into a pulp and layered it onto Deerwings various scratches trying not to wince at the smell of blood. @Firey

[Feathercreek]

Originally Posted by Fawnhearted

Violetkit gathered the kits and queens not fighting in the back of the Nursery.
(Mentioning those I've seen typing)
"Is anyone injured or in shock", she murmured hurriedly to the shivering kits. She tried to remember what Snakeheart had taught her and she hoped it would be enough until the coyote left. She blocked the smallest kits from the sight of the coyote and scanned them for scrapes or signs of shock.

Mentions:
@Feathercreek @Peril @PEPPERMINT~ @FeatherLily @WinterRabbit5350

Silentkit was afraid. Reading Violetkit's lips, he nodded. He was very shocked, but not the "I got a present on my birthday" kind of shock. "Siwentkith shoked." he said, trembling.

[FireyZack]

@Fawnhearted
If she could, she would have thanked the kit and ushered her back into the nursery. But it seemed all she could do was lay there. And no matter how brightly the streak of defiance inside of her burned, it couldn't break the overwhelming vines of exhaustion tieing her down.

[Fawnhearted]

Originally Posted by Firey

@Fawnhearted
If she could, she would have thanked the kit and ushered her back into the nursery. But it seemed all she could do was lay there. And no matter how brightly the streak of defiance inside of her burned, it couldn't break the overwhelming vines of exhaustion tieing her down.

Violetkit added more marigold to the wounds, making sure a light layer covered each. The deepest of cuts was still bleeding so she looked for some cobwebs to put on the wound. She stepped back momentarily proud of herself and called for Snakeheart. She then turned to the She-Cats face and gave her a lick between her ears. "Can you say anything?", she then paused realizing that probably wasn't a very good idea. "Don't try to speak or move, when Snakeheart gets over here he can help me more".

@Rani

[Fawnhearted]

Originally Posted by PEPPERMINT~

Shadowkit squeaked in response, quivering with fear and soaking wet from his tears.

Originally Posted by Feathercreek

Silentkit was afraid. Reading Violetkit's lips, he nodded. He was very shocked, but not the "I got a present on my birthday" kind of shock. "Siwentkith shoked." he said, trembling.

Violetkit hugged both kits, her tail curled around them protectivly. She gave them both a lick before looking at them both, making sure Silentkit could read her lips. "Are either of you injured?", she said as her eyes glazed over both of them looking for scratches.

[~|Snow Leopard|~]

Originally Posted by Rani

Snakeheart had seen death before in a horrible situation like this before but somehow it was even worse the second time. The kits were screaming and the elder went limp warmth quickly leaching out of his pelt into the air for good. He was gone. He was gone and yet this wasnt over, there were always more injured and the monster wasnt gone.

He allowed himself a single moment of despair before rallying.
"Someone take care of Firehawks body, one of you queens get it out of the way and dont allow the coyote to maul it!"
Swooping down he muttered a soft "He's gone we need to focus on the injured that are alive now. You can morn when its over." Before going to pick up the kit and carry them with him as he went to deal with another injured, Snakeheart knew better then most that sometimes the best thing to do with grief was suppress it and focus on your duty. It wasnt the healthiest process sure but it'd kept him sane through Dogflame and would keep him sane here. Maybe Softkit would keep sane with that too.

Right Firehawk was gone but there were still injured cats, most maily caught up with fighting the coyote, foxdung. They needed to end this now Lotushearts eye was seriously concerning and Deerwing could lose her kits with a wayward kick from the animal.
"The coyote is weak! Drive it out or kill it now and Deerwing keep at a distance you cant risk getting hit too badly!"
He'd mob Lotusheart after and though he'd need to check the queen after her wounds for now werent to bad that Softkit couldnt keep her stable for a bit.
But then "Sorrelkit NO! Get away from it stop! SOMEONE STOP HIM!"

@Firey @Estelle @Shadeleaf @Moon Kit @leopardstrike4 (Any queen or warrior that wants to defend the body until this is over and he can be buried feel free)

Sorrelkit hissed as she jumped onto the coyote's face, it yelped. Sorrelkit bit the coyote's eye.