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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 12:28:12 GMT -6
Raincloud didn't know what it was that was ailing her but she knew that she didn't have long left, she could feel herself slipping away day by day. Forcing herself to hold on, she opened her eyes to look at the kits at her belly, her precious daughters who would not know her love first hand, who would have to grow up without her. She wanted to to find someone to look after her kits for her, she knew that her death could possibly drive Lynxheart to solitude, pulling him away from his family and the two kits who would remind him of his mate.
She prayed that she could speak to someone before she passed, she knew that Arcticpool had been by many times since her sisters had been born but Raincloud had managed to finally get her daughter to go rest.
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Post by gingerluna on Jun 20, 2019 13:17:34 GMT -6
Acorndrop’s heart ached. He’d been by to meet Raincloud’s kits, and the queen’s weakened state was obvious to see. Worry buzzed about the Clan. Who would feed the kittens? How would her children cope? A deep hollowness gnawed at him, and he found himself spending a great deal of time with Arcticpool. He couldn’t imagine what it was like to watch a family member wither away.
“It’s going to be alright,” he said to her, after Raincloud had kicked her out to get some food. “It doesn’t feel like it, but it will. You’ve been so strong through this. And you’re not alone. We’re all going to help you, and your sisters.”
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 13:46:37 GMT -6
Arcticpool could never express the gratitude she felt towards Acorndrop, he had been her mentor and was now her rock during this time. She blinked at him, "I just wish it wouldn't happen like this, I can feel her slipping" she mewed softly, her gaze drifting to the medicine den where her mother was residing, her pelt itching for her to go and be with her mother. She couldn't help the feeling, she wished she could feel anger towards her father for not visiting his mate but he had been banned from the medicine den due to his cold, with newborn kits residing there it was a wise yet hard decision.
"I can't stay out here, she needs someone with her, if Lynxheart can't be there, I am going to be" she mewed after a few moments, pushing the mouse she hadn't even touched away and pushing herself to her feet. She looked over at Acorndrop "I can never thank you enough for being here for me" she mewed with a small smile, brushing her tail against the toms shoulder in thanks. "I'm sure Raincloud is happy that she trusted you with my safety all those moons ago" she mewed with a small smile of fondness.
She made her way to the medicine den, forcing her steps to be steady and confident despite the wish to turn tail and bolt. When her gaze landed on her mother, she barely held in a whimper at the obvious weakened state of the queen, her breaths were ragged and her body seemed to be in a constant state of slow reaction.
~
Raincloud barely registered the sound of someone entering the den, her gaze shifting from her kits to spot the brilliant white fur of her oldest daughter. She had a vague thought that she had sent her daughter away but couldn't find it in her to figure out why that was, instead she gave a feeble smile, trying to raise her head but giving up after a few moments. "my darling daughter" she purred weakly. She could only watch as Arcticpool gave a small smile back before the white she-cat moved until she was laying beside her, her fur brushing up against her mothers back.
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Post by gingerluna on Jun 20, 2019 14:32:20 GMT -6
"I know. It's not fair," Acorndrop agreed, watching Arcticpool speak with a pained expression. As she continued, he brightened a bit, remembering carrying her in the fire like it was yesterday. Acorndrop felt a rush of compassion for the she-cat, brushing his cheek against her shoulder before she turned away. He picked up the uneaten mouse and followed after her, setting it down inside the den as Arcticpool approached Raincloud. "I'll make sure she eats," he said to the queen, dipping his head in respect. "Don't worry. I'm keeping an eye out for her. And I'll look after them, too." He nodded down at the kits. "So you've got nothing to worry about. Everyone's going to be just fine."
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 14:51:20 GMT -6
Raincloud met Acorndrop's gaze, her mind bringing forth teh memory of when she had given him Arcticpool during the fire, she had been so reluctant to part with any of her kits but knew she had no choice. She was so thankful that she had done so. "I'm glad you'll be there" she purred weakly, her eyes soft "I entrusted you once before with my daughters safety and I haven't found cause to regret it. I know I thanked you before but I will always be grateful for how you protected her." she mewed, drawing in a breath "Knowing that you are here to look after my daughters is something that will always ease my passing" she finished, her voice cracking on the end. She felt Arcticpool bury her face in her fur, her daughter's body shaking.
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Post by gingerluna on Jun 20, 2019 15:21:47 GMT -6
Acorndrop looked her in the eyes, despair matched only by raw determination. "I cannot thank you enough for entrusting her to me. Carrying her from the flames was my duty, and training her was a great honor. I will continue to guide her, and protect her, and I swear to you that I will lay down my life in defense of your children." There was no trace of doubt on Acorndrop's face as he spoke. He hung his head again, a crawling horror itching inside him as he fully realized what was happening. "Thank you, Raincloud. For your courage, and grace." He wasn't sure if he should stay, but he was reluctant to leave Arcticpool alone. He brushed his muzzle against her pelt softly, letting her know he was there if she needed him.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 15:37:06 GMT -6
Raincloud gave a rusty purr once more, her gaze turning towards her two kits that were sleeping at her belly, she managed to move her tail enough to brush it against the less bulky of the two kits "Meet Everkit" she rasped out, her gaze soft before switching to the other kit, "and Hailkit" she managed, her voice getting quieter at the last word. She managed manuever her head so that it was resting beside the two kits for the first and last time. "please don't let them forget me" she mewed brokenly, her eyes flickering once before they slipped close and her flank fell still.
~
Arcticpool listened to the conversation between her mother and her mentor, her head squeezing at the words spoken, tears gathering in her eyes. She buried her face in her mothers fur, lifting it only when she felt her mother move, and could only give a watery smile as her mother revealed the names of the two kits who slept soundly at her belly. Her smile dropped quickly though as she realized that her mother was slipping away, "Raincloud?" she mewed softly, her paws shaking as she watched her mothers eyes close. The sudden stillness of her mothers body had her whimpering "Raincloud!" she repeated louder, her voice cracking "no! Raincloud! Please don't! Raincloud!" She wailed, gently nudging her mothers shoulder with her muzzle, not daring to do so any harder lest she disturb the sleeping kits.
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Post by gingerluna on Jun 20, 2019 16:37:48 GMT -6
Acorndrop watched as Raincloud named her kits, the horror swelling as her voice grew quiet, and breath stilled. He let Arcticpool break down, not moving and staring at his paws. Someone would need to fetch Dartwing. They'd have to find a queen for the kits. But all of that seemed so...distant. Raincloud was dead before him, and Arcticpool's desperate cries split his heart to the core. He stepped beside her. "She is not gone," he murmured, voice thick with emotion. "She is here. And she always will be, Arcticpool." He knew it was cold comfort, but he didn't know what else to say. "We will take care of Hailkit and Everkit, and she'll watch us from the stars." It was wonderful, if he really thought about it.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 20, 2019 16:49:18 GMT -6
Arcticpool heard the words Acorndrop spoke to her, but she couldn't help but feel like it wasn't that much of a comfort. His reminder about the two kits, had her gaze shifting from her mother to her sisters, studying the two kits who had taken after Raincloud in coloring. "I-I just can't believe...." she trailed off, her paws shaking slightly. She felt like she might collapse against her mentor but she held it together. She gently stepped around Raincloud's body, settling down there and gently moving both Everkit and Hailkit until they rested next to her. "I'm-I'm sure we can ask Whitefur to nurse the kits." she mewed quietly, her gaze slightly distant as she pushed her grief aside for the moment to focus on her siblings.
(just made up a basic name of an npc xD)
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Post by gingerluna on Jun 20, 2019 18:07:34 GMT -6
Acorndrop crouched down so he was at her level as she laid with her little sisters, watching the kits sleep with a bitter sort of anger in his chest. "I'm sure she'll take good care of them," he murmured, nuzzling her and letting out a low, ragged purr in an attempt to soothe. "Hailkit and Everkit," he murmured, more to himself than to Arcticpool. "They'll be strong warriors. The best."
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Post by Warrioress on Jul 17, 2019 12:48:59 GMT -6
~ fin ~
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