'As The Last Light' [Dies]

[FIREH!!]

<sub>ooc;; Reserved for Ribbontail and Cloakedclaw

bic;; The young tom padded into the clearing, a bloody mess. He staggered to the Nursery, not pain, but grief making him weak. He stopped at the entrance. Ribbontail? He called into the nursery. Briefly, he wondered if he should have cleaned himself. No time for that now. He muttered to himself silently. He shook his head and little blood droplets flew off in every direction. He called again. Ribbontail? His voice more urgent. He needed to talk to her, and he needed to now.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Warmth wreathed Ribbontail's silver-spangled body. The she-cat was awake, but her eyes were closed. The young queen could feel her kits wriggling at her stomach, sleeping in the afternoon sunlight. The she-cat twitched her ears, cracking open her beautiful sapphire eyes. The slender she-cat smiled proudly down at three daughters, all of whom were six moons old. She gave Snowkit, her foster kit, a little lick on her tortoiseshell-splotched back. Snowkit was a moon or so younger, but no less loved. Ribbontail let her eyes score Dapplekit, Frostkit and Tansykit, and she breathed out happily. Life was good.

Ribbontail lifted her head as the scent of blood spiked the air. The silver bengal queen rose carefully, being sure not to wake the four kits. Had the battle ended? Was Cloakedclaw home? The she-cat heard her name whispered hoarsely, and her ears pricked in alarm. Beneath the stench of blood, she could smell her mate - and only her mate. Ribbontail hurried from the nursery, the brambles catching in her bright silver fur. She cried out as she spotted Cloakedclaw, his ginger-striped coat torn and clotted with blood. The young she-cat drew her tongue over the scratches, blue eyes brimming with tears. "You poor thing!" She suddenly drew back, blinking in alarm. She could taste his misery. What had happened?

"Something terrible has happened, hasn't it?"

[FIREH!!]

_{Cloakedclaw nodded his head, tears streaming down his face. I wouldn't let anyone else tell you... It's Sunjinx... She died.. He meowed hoarsely. He knew she'd be devastated. Quick as lightning, he shot to her side and pressed against her to comfort her. He knew she'd be sad. They were trying to figure out how to tell you... But I told them I should be the one.. He meowed. Ribbontail... I can bring her body here if you want.... He told her.}

[SHADE. :D]

Ribbontail trembled as her worst fears were confirmed. The silver bengal swallowed, trying to brace herself. But she wasn't ready for the news Cloakedclaw bestowed upon her. The young she-cat shook her head in numb disbelief. She backed away from her mate, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No!" she burst out, grief making her chest tighten. She glared at her mate for a moment, rage burning in her sapphire eyes, before collapsing against him, sobbing in grief. "It can't be true, not Sunjinx..." Ribbontail felt her heart crack in two as she thought of her mother, lying dead. "I want to see her, I have to-"

Tiny paws pattered the nursery entrance as Tansykit exited, her ginger and white fur spiked with sleep. The little she-cat had looked weary only a moment before, but now her blind green eyes were wide and alert. She could smell blood and her father. She could smell her mother's grief, and the salty tears on her cheeks. She heard stumbling footsteps as Ribbontail collapsed against Cloakedclaw. The young kitten frowned seriously, her expression worried. "What's the matter? What's happened?" she asked urgently, soft voice strained. "Mother? Why are you crying so?"

[FIREH!!]

<sub>Cloakedclaw pressed against Ribbontail to hold her up. I can take you there. He murmured to her. He turned to Tansykit. Tansykit, your mother is upset because something terrible has happened. I promise I will tell you later, but right now, I need to have Gramma watch over you. He made sure Ribbontail was okay, before slipping away to the elders' den. Icelily? He called. His mother popped her head up. What is it son? She asked him. Sunjinx has just died. I want to take Ribbontail to see her. Can you watch the kits? He asked her. Icelily nodded. The two cats exited the elders' den and appeared over to Tansykit and Ribbontail. Cloakedclaw, take her. And get your wounds looked at. They'ren ot deep, but you'll be infected soon if you don't get them taken care of. Icelily's eyes softened once again as her eyes fell upon Ribbontail. She pressed up against the she-cat quickly, and licked her ear comfortingly. Then she ushered Tansykit away. Us four are going to have lots of fun while your parents are away! She meowed to Tansykit. She would grieve later about her dead friend. Right now, she needed to care for kits.

Cloakedclaw helped Ribbontail to her feet. I'll take you to her. He promised. Are you okay to walk? He asked her.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Ribbontail stretched forward to lick Tansykit shakily between the ears, trying to comfort her daughter. But she knew it would not work - she was too sharp for that. Ribbontail drooped against her mate, then nodded. "Okay," she whispered, ears flat. The silver bengal queen felt utterly alone without her mate, despite the presence of her kit, staring at her exoectantly. Ribbontail stared helplessly at Icelily as the white elder pressed against her. The she-cat then stumbled after her mate, leaning against him. She looked as fragile as a dead, winter leaf, as though a breeze could blow her away.

Tansykit's eyes were fixed on her parents' retreating forms, almost as though she could see them. The ginger and white she-cat looked up at Icelily, her ears twitching. "Icelily," she mewed, recognizing the she-cat by her familiar scent. "What's happened? Has somebody died?" Tansykit felt an icy feeling pass over her heart. Who was it? Indigopaw? Hailpaw? The kitten stared defiantly at Icelily, confident as a sighted cat.

[FIREH!!]

<sub>xx.You know it's going to be, alright. You know it's gonna be, alright.

Cloakedclaw stepped back and supported Ribbontail, as if sheltering her from all bad things. We'll be there soon, I promise. He meowed, licking her ear. He continued on, staying beside her the whole time.

ooc;; Onto Brightclan!

bic;; Icelily shook her head. She couldn't lie to the sharp kit. Sunjinx has just died. She whispered to Tansykit, afriad of waking Frostkit and Dapplekit. But don't say anything to these two. I don't think they'd be able to cope like you. She licked the kit's head. Don't worry, they'll be back. She promised.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Tansykit stared at Icelily a moment longer as the news sunk in. She dipped her head, accepting it, before sitting down. She ducked her head in grief, neat and quiet even in deep mourning. The she-cat licked her lips, trying to hold back a wail of grief. She wondered whether Icelily would even be able to tell she was upset. Her green eyes always remained expressionless and glassy, according to the nosy cats who had asked her why. Tansykit swallowed and lifted her head. "I won't," she vowed. "But you'll have to tell them sooner or later, or mother or father. It's not fair to keep them in the dark. They have to know about grandma, too." Tansykit's paws tingled with sorrow as she remembered Sunjinx's gentle touch and kind, but firm mew. She sighed, wondering why life was so cruel.

[FIREH!!]

_{Icelily licked the kit comfortingly on the head. When they wake up, I promise you I will. She told her gently. Sunjinx was my best friend. We were nursery queens together. Ribbontail and Cloakedclaw grew up together with Shoalpaw and Haloheart. Now that she's dead.... She coudn't continue on for the fact that her voice was choked with sadness.}

[SHADE. :D]

Tansykit stretched forward and pressed her nose against the elder's warm side. With her expressionless eyes hidden, the young she-cat looked just like her grandmother. Tansykit drew back, her expression still strangely solemn for one so young. "She'll watch over us," she mewed. "When the Tribe's finished messing." The kitten turned her head upward, wondering what Silverpelt actually looked like. She had been told often enough, but how was she supposed to know what blues and silvers looked like, having never clapped eyes on them before? Tansykit sighed. "StarClan is restless, Icelily," she mewed softly. "I hope they'll recieve grandma soon."

[FIREH!!]

_{Icelily pressed her nose into her granddaughter's pelt. You look just like her, you know. She nodded. She will watch over all of you, and Ribbontail. She nodded her head. They will recieve her. I know that. Sunjinx is a fighter. If she gets sent to the Tribe, she'll find a way of getting to Starclan. She told her comfortingly.}

[SHADE. :D]

Tansykit dipped her head in acceptance, before lying down. Her hind limbs were folded beneath her, her forelegs stretched out in front of her. The ginger and white kitten rested her soft chin on her front paws, shutting her green eyes. It made no difference to her sight. Tansykit sighed, her back lifting and falling gently with the inhaling of air. Tansykit sent a prayer to StarClan, a line creasing the flesh between her eyes. Let her be with you, StarClan, please. Tansykit then straightened up, stretching each limb at length. The kit blinked slowly, waving her slim tail. "If the battle is over, the clan will be home soon," she commented quietly.

[FIREH!!]

_{Icelily nodded. As long as they are strong enough to walk, I think they'll be here after dawn. She meowed. The old she-cat reached out and licked the kit on the head. It'll be okay.. She murmured.}