Dance to the F. a . l . l [ of Angels ]

[Goldenblaze]

<sub>Dutifully, Rustshade lurched to his feet and placed the sweetsmelling herbs in the area that Umberpaw had directed.

He arrived at her side within seconds, looking down at her (frankly, he was relatively tall, and Umberpaw was relatively small), ready for the next instructions. "Yes. I don't make a great Medicine Cat, but i'll certainly do my best!" He laughed splendidly, as if his entire world had burst into laughter.</sub>

[.::Umberwings]

“That’s what counts the most, silly.”

Umberpaw purred with amusement, a laugh echoing her dear companion’s. When Shadowstreak returned, Umberpaw nodded slightly.

“Thank you Shadowstreak.”

A friendly, thankful smile, and Umberpaw picked up the poppy seed pod to shake out two in front of Timescar. Before she could even tell the older she-cat what to do, she bent down to lick the seeds up.

A veteran warrior; Umberpaw could only guess.

“See how her leg’s held? Watch.”

Umberpaw moved, lightly pressing on the wounded leg. When she pressed directly on the bone, there was no flinch; but the muscle brought a low hiss of pain.

“Her leg’s been banged up pretty good. If there was a fracture; there’d be much much more swelling; and she’d hardly be able to move at all.”

Umberpaw pressed lightly on the she-cat’s stomach, a kindly gesture, but then she froze.

“Shadowstreak? Could you go get Lillystar for me, please?”

[Shadow Spirit]

Shadowstreak had wanted to speak to Rustshade, but hearing the urgency in Umberpaw's voice brought her to attention. Worrying that something serious was wrong, she rushed to find their leader.

Seeing her walking away after a talk with Battledream, she ran over and skidded to a stop in front of the mottle leader.

"Umberpaw needs you to come to the medicine cat's den!" Shadowstreak exclaimed, probably a little more frantic than needby.

Lillystar reeled, her ears lying flat against her skull in shock when Shadowstreak nearly collided with her. Hearing the urgency with which she spoke, the leader knew it was important. ["All right, calm down, I'll follow you,"

[/b] Lillystar replied. The two cats ran together to the medicine cat's den, Shadowstreak standing off to the side, while Lillystar came right up to Umberpaw.

"What's the trouble Umberpaw?" Lillystar asked, concern clouding her eyes.[/center][/color]

[.::Umberwings]

Briefly, yellow hues met those of Lillystar and, without breaking the gaze, Umberpaw chose to speak to Shadowstreak.

“I’m sorry I must ask you this, but could you take the newcomer to the warrior’s den?”

An odd request – but she didn’t want for Timescar to hear these words.

[This way someone else can find Odd's demise; and the fainted Various.]

[Shadow Spirit]

Shadowstreak looked puzzled, but nevertheless, she accepted. Flicking her tail at the weary she-cat, she traipsed off to the warrior's den with Timescar in tow.

Lillystar watched Shadowstreak lead Timescar away, troubled by the forlorn look the she-warrior seemed to be carrying nowadays. Turning back to her medicine cat, she spoke in a low voice.

"Just what is going on that the newcomer could not hear?" Lillystar asked Umberpaw, getting a little flustered with the supposed secrecy.

Shadowstreak reached the warrior's den with Timescar slowly, her tail nearly dragging. Why did it seem that everyone was always so ready to turn her in the opposite direction of everything that was happening? Ah well, she would have to put it beside her for now. Lifting her head to speak to Timescar, Shadowstreak lost her words. Lying in front of the warrior's den was Oddeye, the kindly she-cat that had come to them so ill. The tabby femme didn't need to examine her to see that she was dead, flies were already gathering. Unable to utter a word, she stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. If she had been able to comprehend what she was seeing, perhaps she would have noticed the small form of Various, lying fainted near the fallen queen.

OOC: I am gonna allow Umberpaw to reply to Lillystar and then post Shadowstreak's eventual response to the scene she has just come upon. I didn't want to immediately interrupt...^^:

[.::Umberwings]

“The newcomer’s pregnant Lillystar. Very much so.”

Umberpaw seemed bothered; but wasn’t that happy news?
No the words that came out of the young she-cat’s mouth next.

“I think they’re dead.”

The signs were clear that she was pregnant; and at this stage the kits would be moving around, making themselves known even to the queen. But there had been nothing.

[Shadow Spirit]

Lillystar's eyes widened in shock and sympathy. What a sad fate to befall a cat who was already injured! She looked back at Umberpaw, worrying and not sure what to do.

"Well...what do we do for her...?" she asked, desperately. "If they are dead...no contractions will come and she will not be able to push them out, and I fear that leaving dead kits in her belly will make her ill...I've seen queens die with their little ones still unborn..." The idea was horrible and depressing, but a very real possibility.

Shadowstreak finally found her voice again.

"Umberpaw, Lillystar!" "Oddeye is dead!" she exclaimed, not realizing, in her frantic state, how tragic this news would sound.

OOC: Once again, I"ll let Umberpaw or Timescar or whoever...reply first.

[Timescar / Strifekit]

Death.

Timescar stared down at the dead white she-cat; emerald eyes unblinking. It was a sad sight, truly, but she didn’t utter a sound. This may be her new clan, but she didn’t know this cat personally.

But….

The wounded she-cat limped forward, entranced by the look of serenity that adorned the she-cat’s face. Wolf….Wolfspirit had much the same look on his own face when he had….left her.

[.::Umberwings]

Umberpaw had opened her maw, preparing to agree with her leader and head for the den to gather the proper herbs. After all, those poor little one…if there was nothing she could do to help them she was going to save the mother! Resolve burned in those piercing yellow hues; however before she could start what she was going to say Shadowstreak’s frantic call captured her attention.

“Did she say…”

[Goldenblaze]

<sub>Rustshade continued his duty as he was told. Such the little good worker... His ears swiveled as Umberpaw called Lillystar in and requested Timescar leave. He kept his back turned, and continued his work, but his ears were directed towards the two she-cats.

Timescars kits... Dead?? He could never imagine losing kits of his own. But then again, he was only newly appointed Warrior, and only barely an adult. The thought would traumatize him. Hopefully at least one would survive.. Just one.. It could seem life would go on for a mother, if just one would live past it's sickness.. But what was he going on about??

However, there came a caterwaul so loud he jumped and rounded to face Shadowstreak, eyes wide. Oddeye.. Dead?? His heart sank.. How many did Mistclan have to lose?</sub>

[.::Umberwings]

Troubled, Umberpaw looked to Rustshade. Seeing that her own expression was mirrored on her dear friend’s face; she padded forward a step, lightly nuzzling his shoulder.

“It’ll…..be okay. We must go see.”

Her gaze lifted, yellow hues meeting his for perhaps a heartbeat too long, before she turned to head grimly for the warrior’s den.

They had known that Oddeye wasn’t going to live for very much longer, but the suddenness of her death was a blow to the young she-cat. What could she have done to help? She could have prolonged her life, but she…she failed. She was a terrible medicine cat apprentice to allow a cat of her clan to die.

Depressed, Umberpaw’s tail hung low. Who was going to tell her mate and son of this?

[Goldenblaze]

<sub>Rustshade turned around as Umberpaw's nose brushed against his shoulderblades, watching her with the same golden-green eyes. She turned and set off. He could see the guilt radiating off her umber hide. He gave a reassuring mew as he bounded forward and grew level with her flanks, giving her a sad but reassuring flick of his tail along her side. He turned to make sure Shadowstreak and Lillystar were coming. He'd need them in this hard time of war, blood, and battle just as much as he'd need Umberpaw there with him in the thick of it.

"It's not your fault.." He said carefully. But it was honest and truthful. It wasn't her fault. Rustshade knew that 10 times over. He looked her in the eye and nodded, just to double the sincerity of his comment.</sub>

[.::Umberwings]

“But I could have done something Rustshade. I could have researched, looked for a cure for her illness. If not, then I could have given her more time.”

It was painful for the self-reliant she-cat to admit to such mistakes, but her words were true. True to her, at least. Her yellow gaze met his once again, the pain the doubt all could be see. But then she swallowed, her eyes closing for a moment.

When they opened there was only strength.

She had made a mistake; and a cat had died because of it. It would not happen again. This Umberpaw felt with every fiber of her being.

“Does anyone know where Dodgepaw and Hawkeye are? They do need to be informed of the news…”

[Shadow Spirit]

Lillystar's head shot up and she looked in the direction of the warrior's den. Shadowstreak was turned to face them, her dark blue eyes wide with horror and her tail sticking straight up like a flag. Feeling her heart sink, Lillystar rushed to Oddeye's side.

"She is gone..." she confirmed, solemnly, her ears drawn back. She sat down and nuzzled Oddeye's shoulder softly, grieving for the ill-fated queen. "Rustshade...please go retrieve Hawkeye and Dodgepaw...they should be back from training now..." she said, though it was an order, the authority was not in her voice. "Umberpaw...I will allow her family to grieve for her first, then we will let the others have their time before she is buried..." "Also, when you get a moment, take Various to your den until he awakes..."

Shadowstreak had to sit down. Her breathing was coming in gasps and her fur was streaked with sweat. She'd been feeling down before, but coming upon the dead she-cat so suddenly had really thrown her for a loop. Sadness overwhelmed her at the thought of the gentle queen's abrupt death and she couldn't bring herself to understand why StarClan would do something so awful. Feeling on the verge of a breakdown, she laid her head on her paws and closed her eyes, as if trying to block out the scene before her...

[.::Umberwings]

Umberpaw bowed her head slightly, yellow eyes on the fallen she-cat, before she glanced over to Shadowstreak. A few pawsteps drew her to the warrior’s side, a tail flicking her shoulder in an attempt to comfort.

“Would your like a poppy seed to help you rest?”

Her tone was kindly, concern shining in those bright eyes. What else could Umberpaw do? What plagued the warrior wasn’t something that’s she could just heal with herbs after all…only time could bring a cat back around from depression.

Time and friends.

[Shadow Spirit]

Shadowstreak lifted her head, her eyes stinging with grief. Looking into Umberpaw's bright yellow eyes, she felt lost, like her mind was falling away from her. Eventually she rested her head on her paws again and turned her gaze to the ground.

"No...I'm not ailing...please take care of those who need it most..." she muttered.

[Goldenblaze]

<sub>Rustshade turned to look at his fallen friend. He grimaced. He hated to see either of his two friends so sad, and it tore him to watch his leader mourn. They all had been through a lot. They didn't deserve this.. He looked up as Lillystar gave him a command. Find Hawkeye and Dodgepaw.. Right. He gave his friend a sorrowful rub with his forehead on Shadowstreaks shoulder and nudged Umberpaw solemnly before departing from his friends. He hated to leave them, but he had a direct order.

... Besides, they had eachother.</sub>

To go find Hawkeye and Dodgepaw. ;

[ringtail]

Ringkit came stumbling into the Medicine cat den,behind her was Brokenwing.She had given up on helping Murderkit,he must of fallen asleep in october's mouth."Umberpaw?Brokenwing here needs something for her cough.Or her voice."Brokenwing had her teeth gripped in Ringkit's oddly striped tail,but it wasn't bothering her.

"Yes,please*cough*"Even the two words made her cough,she let go of Ringkit's tail and bent down,coughing into her paws.

Ringkit was worried.This cat had asked to mentor her,but what if she couldn't?She patted Brokenwings back,hoping to hep clear them.

[Dodgestrike]

Esacping his father, Dodgepaw was the first to race into the area…and the first to catch sight on what had been so urgent.

No…

“Momma…?”

There was a blankness in the young tom’s eyes as he slowly padded up to the limp white form. Then, confusion. He moved, nudging his mother, trying to get her up, trying to get her to purr like she always had, trying to hear her voice again…

…and there was nothing.

Hawkeye trotted up behind his son, but when the younger cat rushed to his mother’s side the large tom merely sat down. Empty grief burned fierily within his taciturn gaze, but….he had known that this day was going to come soon and had been prepared.

But it did nothing to soften the blow any.

Rising to his paws he padded over, purring quietly as he licked Oddeye’s head.

“Enough Dodgepaw. It’s over…her suffering’s over.”

[The Various]

The young kit came back

Suffering. It came out as a hiss, soft and low. The kit knew it well for one so young. The Various had danced on the edge of Death, desperate to bring back the she-cat that had dragged him with her. But he was far too unskilled to do so yet, to bring back the souls that were lost. Besides, the fae's body could no longer hold her. Entering in a strange place of in-between, gray mist suffocating him at all sides, he searched vainly, until he started the long trek back. now his eyes were fully open, and he struggled to his feet, gasping. He took one look at the warriors gathered around him and sat with a thump, casting his eyes to the ground. His little pink tongue hung out, out of place in his hues of cobalt and silver and sable.

The young kit came back