Death Never Loomed So Close [ Blade&&Rosco ]

[LittlexRosco]

In a world about to plunder…

A hefty paw raised in the air, claws sliding out threateningly and without any remorse, swung down across the side of her head; leaving five fresh claw marks down her cheek. Mosspelt tried to maintain a brave and unwavering outlook but couldn't control it; a yelp of pain unwillingly escaped her mouth. The BloodClan cat looked pleased at her submit of pain, “Sadly though, BloodClan has no need for you or your kind - You must all die.”

So is this the end? The thought crossed her mind, and her heart swelled with unbearable pain and wonder. Are the Clans no more? The queen had wished her kits could have at least been able to live, see, and experience all the benefits and wonders of following a Warriors path - now was that dream lost forever? And what about Blackclaw? Is he still alive? Did he escape? ... Or has StarClan welcomed him amongst their ranks already? The oppressive thought provoked tears to her eyes, glazing over her blue orbs, blurring her vision.

Mosspelt felt anger, fear, loneliness, confusion and many other emotions flow through her body like a raging river: Swift, strong, uncontrollable. The queen turned, blinking away the tears to glare defiantly at the brown tom, "Some of us may be gone, but never shall our spirits die. You think you have killed the Clans, but we will never die because we are united through StarClan and we will live on as long as there is one to keep our ways alive. You can never kill us." The tortoiseshell watched his expression change from dominance to shock, his claws sinking deeper into her shoulders, and yet she continued on, "But I can't say the same for you cowardous, cold-hearted, empty, BloodClan cats. You don't even deserve to be called a Clan." The queen spat, eyes blazing like a cold, blue fire - the hottest and most dangerous type of fire.

"You ungrateful, worthless cat! It seems to me that you don`t deserve to live!" His eyes blazed with fury and his paw lifted off her shoulder and pressed into her throat, pushing down hard - blocking off her air. She could feel her head getting light as she struggled to breathe and her willpower to live begin to fade. Mosspelt could still see the BloodClan cats other paw raise in the air, claws unsheathing, ready for a death blow.

It looks like this is the end.
Please, Blackclaw, wait for me.

...Am I prepared to die?

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[Blade]

We drive on and don't look back
It doesn't mean we can't learn from our past
All the things that we mighta done wrong
We could've been doing this all along

Terror. Real undying terror pumped threw his veins. Grass and dirt ripped across his face, caking in the drying blood scrunched up on his face. Blackclaw tore forward, claws ripping painfully into the heather under foot. Mosspelt wasn't in camp. Mosspelt wasn't there. Was she dead? Where there kits dead? Of course the kits would be dead, that is if Mosspelt was dead. Blackclaw refused to believe that. No. No.NO. The black warrior shot forward, sniffing furiously for his mate's scent. He could smell her. She was still alive, she had to be. But if she wasn't... would he be able to handle finding her body at the end of this hopeless trek?

His speeding building to a near hysterical pace, blackclaw shot into windclan territory. Hatred gaged him, hatred of the marauders at his throat, hatred for scourge, hatred for tigerstar and firestar for leading them into this mess. It was only his nature to blame, and his amber orbs where full of it. If he found Mosspelt dead, he would drag tigerstar out of starclan and rip his useless pelt to shreds. The fear triggered by that thought almost made him run faster. Almost. Blackclaw was weak with blood loss, and delirious with pain. He could barley see out of his left eye, and his muzzle stung something furious. He saw all of this and ignored it. Mosspelt mattered more than his stupid eye.

Then he saw her. Then he saw his beloved crushed under a bloodclan warrior, his claws raised to strike. The rage beaten back by shock and agony came forward in a roar. Blackclaw managed to move faster this time,a furious caterwaul screaming threw his throat. The back tom flew forward, as if his paws had sprouted wings. May Brokenstar have your soul! The riverclan launched himself at the huge tom, claws outstretched. So many emotions cracked threw Blackclaw's emotional shield as he battled the gray bloodclanner. Fear was a big one. The fear of death. Shame. If he died now, Mosspelt would have to watch him die. Utter euphoria. Mosspelt was alive. Injured but alive. Black paws flying, the tom took that into his heart. Dealing out as many blows as he was taking, Blackclaw was quickly tiring.

Was this it? No. He would not leave Mosspelt to raise there kits alone. He would not leave Mosspelt alone period. With renewed vigor, Blackclaw swiped a claw across the bloodclanners face. With a shriek of shock, the tom stumbled backward. "Whats wrong!?" Blackclaw gasped, his teeth clenching against the yowl of agony trying to force its way threw his fangs. "Cant take nearly as much as you dish out, can you" he hissed. Finally, as his muscles screamed Blackclaw flung a long strike, so long the bloodclanner managed to slice a hole in his shoulder. That long blow sliced the back of the bloodclanner's neck open. Diving at the opening, Blackcalw's jaws snapped the cats spine between his teeth.

Stumbling about face, the riverclan tom limped over to mosspelt, his head drooping. Blackclaw keeled forward, slamming into the dirt before his absolute. Mosspelt. She was alive. But was he? He didn't feel like it, the pain was numbing. Blood flowed fresh from his gorged eye. More trickled between his jaws, and down his chest. "mosspelt" he whispered, the name sliding threw his teeth in a ragged gasp. Blackclaw stared up at her, grimacing as his pain came back, lancing threw his body like lightning. "You... are you OK?" he huffed, squerming forward until his muzzle touched her belly. "Are our kits OK?" he asked in a much smaller voice.

We live our lives on the front lines
We're not afraid of the fast times
These days have opened up my eyes
And now, I see where the threat lies

[LittlexRosco]

I was ready to let go...

Stars glittered before dazzling blue orbs, as the life and energy slowly drained from their confines. Mosspelt could feel spirits materialize around her, cats with star-dappled coats and achingly familiar faces. Her heart swelled as she recognized her mother and father, both greeting her with affectionate purrs. Leopardstar was there too, her unusually spotted fur easily recognizable, but her facial expression was unreadable. Many cats of her Clan were calling her name – welcoming her to their ranks.

Welcome, Mosspelt.
Your safe, now, Mosspelt.
StarClan welcomes you.

Their words were slow, calm, drawing her into the endless sky. No…This isn’t right. They should be sad to see me among their ranks; attempting to push her back to life-right? The thought screamed in her head, loud and persistent, but her better judgment was pushed aside. The comfort of their pelts around her eased her; erasing the pain of the real world and melting it into nothingness. They guided her nearer the eternal sanctuary, empty of stars, but so calm and peaceful – seeming more like an inescapable prison to the queen. But Mosspelt couldn’t restrain that invisible force pulling her forward; her paws moved without her will.

Blackclaw… Mosspelt suddenly thought, He would be here welcome me if he were here, wouldn’t he? But as the queen glanced around, the face of the one who had become so familiar; so painfully familiar, was absent. In that moment she would have been lost to StarClan if not for this sudden realization. And in that same instant, it seemed like a large weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and with it the StarClan cats slowly began to fade into the background, replaced by another voice that called out to her - strong, loving, persuading:

Come back to me Mosspelt - it was his voice - StarClan do not need you amongst them. The Clans need you, our kits need you, I need you! The tortoiseshell queen knew these words were her own, originating from deep within her heart – insisting that her love was not dead. Subconsciously, Mosspelt heard sounds around her, so comforting despite the reality that the sounds were harsh and painful. The queen willed her eyes open, and what she saw nearly crushed her heart.

Blackclaw.
It was true. He was alive.

Alive, but driven by such furiosity, that it was apparent even in his eyes. Emotions blazed like a forest fire in his orbs; ready to consume anything in its path. It couldn’t have soothed her heart more to see such life radiating from his body – even if it was that of such a fierce emotion. Mosspelt struggled to her paws, light-headed but in better condition than her mate. Blackclaw looked exhausted to a point where he might faint. But he still fought, long and hard, bitter determination palpable in his actions.

So much strength, so much will-power when his body craved otherwise…And was it all for her?

All at once her mind, her body, her heart, quit - Tears sprang to her blue eyes; heart crashing from all the days events and fears. He was alive – even as impossible as it seemed, it was true. How she wished to help him – but endangering their kits like that would not be an option Blackclaw would want her to make. So she watched nearby, tensing at ever move, praying that Blackclaw would come out victorious.

She missed most of the battle while she was half-conscious, but when able to think straight again, her eyes were glued on the RiverClan Warrior. He was fighting tooth and claw against the BloodClanner, snapping out furious remarks as he did so. Mosspelt turned her head away, snapping her eyes shut, as he prepared to deal his final attack. She did not wish to see her mate kill with such raw power – no matter what cats said about the large, prideful black tom; she could never seem him in such cold light.

Finally, it was over, and she ran as quick to Blackclaw as she could, meeting him halfway before he collapsed to the ground. She instantly covered him with licks, cleaning away as much of the blood as possible. The queen saw his mangled and torn eye, but in no way was repulsed; only a swift hatred for the enemy that dealt him such a wound. Instead, she drew long, gentle strokes across his face, clearing a lot of the blood. ”I’m okay.” Mosspelt meowed, voice catching in her throat, ”Just a little battered. The kits are fine too – Thanks to you.” The tortoiseshell she-cat looked lovingly down at the way he affectionately and selflessly worried about the lives of others; when his was in need of immediate attention. Tears threatened at her eyes once again, ”Oh, Blackclaw, I thought you were dead!” Mosspelt cried, soft as the whispering wind matching her throbbing heart at the still-possible ending. ”Please don’t leave me. I love you, please…Don’t leave me.” Mosspelt begged, pressing her paw to his shoulder wound, trying to slow the bleeding. She wished to run and get help, but she wasn’t about to leave Blackclaw’s side. Not now after they were reunited against all odds.

...But you pulled me back.

[Blade]

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest

Exhaustion raged against an iron will. Emotions so very raw in his heart came forward, blotting out any of the pain he felt. Blackclaw twitched under Mosspelt's tongue. Amber eyes slitted open. No, one orb slitted open, the other was unresponsive. Again that fear. Would he be blind? That itching dilemma evaporated as fast as dew when his good eye captured the image before him. Mosspelt. The name, the word, it echoed in his mind. Never to fade. Never to die. She would always be in his head, in his heart. BLackclaw gaged, blood catching in his throat.

Falling into a coughing fit, he managed to drag himself up onto his haunches. Sputtering, he nodded to indicate he heard her over his fit. Finally when he was able to talk again Blackclaw locked his eyes on hers. That beautiful blue gaze kept him mesmerized, kept the pain at bay. "I would never leave you, Mosspelt" he whispered, forcing himself to stay sitting. " would fight starclan if it meant I could stay by your side" and it looks like I might have to. he added silently.

Blackclaw let out a wheezy laugh. Thanks to me? He wondered, picking out one of Mosspelt's words. What did I do other then abandon her at camp? Was I here to save her before those terrible wounds arose on her flanks and shoulders? Self hatred rose like bile in his throat. "I should never have left you in the first place" he sighed, staring dejectedly down at his paws. "Leopardstar asked for someone to guard he camp and I should have stayed behind." His claws, bloody and aching drew slashes in the dirt. "If I had you wouldn't have gotten hurt, and you wouldn't have had to watch me k-" his voice broke. As brave and proud as he was, Blackclaw was in a well of self hatred. Not only had he abandoned Mosspelt.... He had killed today. He had killed ore today then he ever wanted to, and it weighed down his heart like stones.

Slumping, blackclaw rested his shoulder against hers, careful to avoid her wounds. He has so tired, so very tired. They weren't done yet though. They still had to find any other survivors, and not any where near clan territory. Going back there would be suicide. He had never been a good strategist, so he turned his head slightly to he right, staring down at Mosspelt. "What do you think we should do?" he huffed. "Do you know where Loudbelly and the others are?" Secretly Blackclaw didn't want to find them.

He didn't want to find them dead. The fear rose back in his heart, he had to fight to keep it out of is eyes. He fought weekly and lost. There was to much emotional strain, to much physical pain. He didn't think he could fight his own tail right now. Wondering, Blackclaw let his yes graze over Mosspelt's frame. She was heavy with their kits, and she was wounded. Could she run very far? Probably not. But she would most likely run farther then him. And she would, he would make sure of it. If he had to tell her nasty lies and chase her off, he would d it. If it meant she would find the clans, what was left of them, then he would do it.

His single open amber eye narrowed, his body trying to close it for a nap. His body was mouse brained. Do you think you can sleep ow. he spat at himself. You have to save Mosspelt. We're not out of the woods yet. Amber eye widening again, Blackcalw scrambled to his feet. For one long moment he was positive his face would meet the ground, but he righted himself. Turning he stared long and hard at mosspelt. Drawing in every single little detail. If he died, she would live. He would make sure of it. But if he died, he didn't know if he could leave her even then. Her molted pelt glowed in the rising sun, her blue eyes where wide, and it made him want to stare deeper not them. It made him wish he knew exactly what she was thinking. "Listen to me" he mewed, his voice weak and low. "We have to get out of here. I don't know how far either of us will make it, but listen. If I fail, you must not" turning about face, he touched his muzzle to hers. "If I die, or if I fall you have to keep running. Please, Mosspelt. You have to keep running" It scared him, how confident his voice was. He knew deep down that he didn't think he would make it.

In fact he was positive he wouldn't make it. "I don't think I can make it any farther then high stones" he huffed, nuzzling her neck, breathing in every bit of her scent as he possibly could. Why was he telling her this? He shouldn't he should have just run by her side and hope. Blackclaw couldn't find it in himself to lie to her. He was warning her now, because if he failed he was sure Mosspelt would break down. As she had done just now, but he couldn't let that happen. If he died, he had to be sure she would keep going. He was pretty sure she would go any way, because of the kits, but he had to be positive.

Leave out all the rest, don't be afraid
I've taken my beating, I've shared what I made
I'm strong on the surface, not all the way through
I've never been perfect, but neither have you

[LittlexRosco]

When a ravenous fire engulfs all we’ve ever known…

Mosspelt drew away slightly, uncertainty coursing through her as she felt her gaze travel back to her mates ravenged eye; anger replacing former tears. BloodClan were unsympathetic and dangerous; quite clearly indifferent and unswayed by the damage they caused others. The queen only hoped that Blackclaw had dealt out an even worse counter-attack to such a ravenous blow.

But that was the only emotion - other than remorse - she felt for the black tom before her. No thoughts of repulsion or feelings of disgust. No. Nothing like those kinds of emotions because, one, to feel that way after he had so fiercely fought to protect and be by her side...She would feel nothing less than bitterness and shame if that was her reaction.

But she couldn't have brought herself to even portray such emotions because, even if she had wanted to. For the second and most important reason, the tom that stood before her would always be the handsome, strong-willed RiverClan Warrior she had fallen in love with. And those feelings would not change if his injured eye remained unfixable. Blackclaw would always be Blackclaw – the tom she loved.

”It's not your fault, Blackclaw, that you were following our Leaders orders.” Mosspelt purred, trying to sound forceful – but failing. ”Never would I blame you for my inability to protect myself,” The queen brought her nose down to Blackclaws bowed head – she could feel the disappointment radiating from his pelt. She pressed her nose to his, bringing his eyes to meet hers, ”And what you…Did back there was by the orders of Leopardstar and StarClan themselves. You were following the Warrior Code.” Mosspelt reasoned, as she coaxed him to his paws; they would need to start heading out. The tortoiseshell felt her paws protest, but she ignored the meaningless resistance to continue on. They needed to move out of WindCl – or would the moors belong to BloodClan now? She didn’t want to think about it.

”The others were heading to HighStones, I heard, so that’s where we should head first.” The she-cat meowed, taking the first pawsteps of a long journey. But the moors were the closest territory to Mouthermouth, so hopefully the journey wouldn’t be to exhausting for her and Blackclaw. She so strongly wished he could make it. ”I sent Loudbelly and Shadepelt ahead with some of our Clanmates…I’m not sure if they made it though…” Mosspelt trailed off, not to keen to continue the topic and its almost emanate possibilities. If they were not at Highstones, they could assume BloodClan had…Gotten to them first.

May StarClan guide them. The she-cat prayed silently, pressing into Blackclaw, reassuring herself – and still so very thankful that he was alive. He seemed deep in thought for a long time and she was about to ask him what he was thinking about when he turned, staring long and hard into her confused expression. Blue eyes met amber orbs for a long moment until he finally spoke. The first three words “Listen to me” already had her heart racing – something was wrong in his tone but even she couldn’t have predicted his next words.

He continued to speak, slow and solemn, until he touched his muzzle to hers – and she breathed in his warm, comforting scent, and she closed her eyes. ”How could you ask me to do something like that?” She could feel the proposal battling in her mind: Listen to the words he so strongly believed she should follow or take guidance from her heart and to remain by his side no matter what happened? If she was faced with the situation; she didn’t know what she would choose.

After all they’ve been through, after all the death that they faced and the impossibility that they both had lived…Was he telling her that he wasn’t going to make it? She looked down at her bulging stomach, her expression changing to a gentle gaze – but only momentarily. Mosspelt felt fear well up inside her. If he…Couldn’t make it to a safe place, what might she have to choose? The love of her life that has always been by her side; or the unborn kits that she had longed for for so long – but still have yet to experience life?

The queen shook the thought away, deciding that if the time came, she would make her decision then. ”You can’t tell me you’ll die…Not after so much loss and death that’s already plagued our lives…You won’t die! You can’t…” She trailed off, unwilling to admit out loud that the possibility was very likely by the way he looked, but Mosspelt just shook her head stubbornly. You’ll make it…We’ll make it together.” Mosspelt replied; hoping that he wouldn’t press her further on the subject.

Blue eyes gazed at Blackclaw’s form once more; taking in all the features that were already quite distinct in her mind. His gleaming black pelt; but now tattered and bloody from the recent onslaught. The way his amber orbs always retained a prideful expression; though now one eye was closed and the other was weary and cautious. The way he held his body with dignity and determination, but now rested, exhausted, beside her. And every other quality and attribute that defined Blackclaw, her Blackclaw, was once so brilliant and unique; had been reduced to a state of fatigue…

Was she about to lose the one cat who would always mean more to her than life itself?
She had already lost so much…
But she wasn’t prepared to lose Blackclaw.

...Can we immerge from the ashes of our demise?

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