[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:f3e471]Fallenleaf [/smear:f8c56a] ~~~~~~~~~ Everything had become chaos. Sorrelpaw had leapt in. Smokestorm had forced the fox to release Fallenleaf's shoulder with a painful tug. The elder had collapsed to the ground, her shoulder burning in several pinpricks all along where teeth had pierced skin. With a sharp inhale, Fallenleaf held back a hiss of alarm as Sorrelpaw pressed moss to her bleeding shoulder. Tired eyes blinked appreciatively at the younger she-cat moments before the apprentice threw herself back into the fray with Smokestorm. Sorrelpaw was so near warriorhood. Smokestorm was strong and competent. Fallenleaf would just get in the way, especially now. Pain still seared through her, pale yellow eyes searching out Sootpaw and Beetlekit. Dragging herself to her paws despite the agony, letting the piece of moss drop to the ground, Fallenleaf hobbled on three paws one step closer to the injured youths. Ears pinned back, intent on keeping track of the fox, Fallenleaf's trajectory didn't change until more voices joined the screeching. Valiantstride tore into camp, headed straight for Beetlekit. Petalrain wasn't far behind, making a beeline to Sootpaw. They're... They're safe. She told herself, cream tail drooping to the ground below. Her heart still hammered frantically against her ribcage, but there was little more she could do. Beetlekit and Sootpaw were on their way to the medicine cat's den. There would be rampant panic in there, trying to help the two youths. Young lives are most important. She told herself with certainty, pale yellow eyes drifting to the elder's den. She was tired... So very tired. All she wanted was to lie down, to close her eyes and hope the agony lancing through her body would subside. With that goal in mind, she began her journey. Her paw dragged awkwardly on the ground, the elder struggling to maneuver it at all without pain. Deep crimson seeped into her pale coat, and she could feel it dripping along her upper foreleg but she didn't care. She just wanted to get to her nest. The journey seemed to take an eternity, and idly the elder wondered how she'd managed to cross the distance so quickly only minutes before. Any reasoning evaporated the moment she stumbled through the entrance to her den. Muscles trembled with effort as she collapsed onto the nearest pile of moss, breath wheezing from open jaws as dull yellow eyes slipped closed. Shivering beneath a sudden wave of cold despite her burning shoulder, the elder groan softly to herself. So very tired...

Notes: 96 moons

Subthread to run kitten, run kitten, run, run, run

[Deleted]

Hawkstar had called for any available cat to check out the rest of the dens to ensure that the fox in the nursery was acting alone. That suited Waspwing. From the sheer volume of cats that had streamed in there, he was certain that he'd only get in the way of Smokestorm and Sorrelpaw, the only two he had not seen come out.

Not that he wanted to mess with a fox anyway.  It would only be angry from the wounds it had taken. 

He'd seen Fallenleaf's agonising trek back to the Elder's den, and made a beeline for both it and for her. Walking in there, his tone was placid, though inside was anything but; his emotions were raging in concern for the old cat. She'd done her service to the clan and deserved a good season or two of rest and relaxation before she eventually went and joined StarClan. 

"You know, you really should see Dawnblossom and Sandblaze about that shoulder. They're not too busy that they won't have time for you. In the meantime, would you like any fresh-kill?"

He saw the blood that was pooling underneath her, dripping from the wound on her already injured shoulder. He disappeared for a few moments, returning with a pile of dripping moss. 

"I'm no medicine cat, but logic dictates that the longer a wound stays open, the more likely it is to get infected. So i'm gonna try and clean it a bit, alright? It may hurt."

248 / BlooRey DVD / aww wasp is taking care of his favourite elder