The tom's thoughts were a blur at the moment - 'caught in the heat of the battle, it was quite a bit different from attacking another cat or such. When he'd be in another battle with another clan, he could think clearly - be determined, but level headed; able to plan each move carefully. This was based on something else. He didn't know how to fight this thing off, or even if they could - was it even possible? He still fought fiercely, but his thoughts were clouded by something. Fear, perhaps? Not only for himself, but even more-so for Gingerheart - and what if this thing reached the rest of the clan?
It was because of the adrenaline that it took him a few seconds to realize exactly what had happened. He had felt the dog on his throat and had attempted to struggle his way out, but it wasn't until the mutt had stopped and got a real good bite at him that he felt it and his green eyes widen in alarm and pain. It seemed like he'd been hanging there for a while before he was flung aside, landing wrong and knocking the wind out of him. The wound on his throat started to burn - he couldn't breathe! The tabby started to panic, twisting around and gasping for breath, but it was pointless. He felt the stinging on his neck and a heavy weight pressing down from all around his chest, before falling limp. He say everything black out and his body went still, leaving Gingerheart and the dog to fight alone.
He awoke back up in a somewhat familiar place. It was ShadowClan territory, for certain, but there was no cold breezes of Leaf-bare. The entire place felt warm and eerie, but completely alive. He looked around. It was the dark of night, but no stars were in sight; the moon was a sliver, and yet, everything could be seen clearly.
"Greetings, Sagestar." The tom twitched his ear and spun around, seeing a familiar she-cat, one very dear to him - one of the ones who had given him his lives, in fact. He saw other familiar faces crowding in behind her. Normally, he might be very happy to see them once again, but not this time. He suddenly realized where he was, and what exactly was going on - Gingerheart, and the dog!
"Take me back!" The leader hissed, "I need to go and help her!"
The she-cat in front of him twitched her fluffy tail and blinked her ice-blue eyes slowly, "Your wound was a very grave one." Her words were low and careful. "It will take some time to heal. What we can do might not even be enough." A solemn look covered her face, knowing that unless he received treatment afterwords, the wound could easily open up again - another life could be lost.
Sagestar stared at her hard for a few moments, digging his claws impatiently into the ground before letting out a frustrated yowl. None of the StarClan cats seemed unwavered, watching on instead. "And so she'll be gone by the time I come back! I can't leave her! What about my clan?!"
"Keep your fur on." The tabby muttered and pointed with a paw to a small puddle near him, "Go, look and see."
The gray cat flicked his ear before sniffing and walking over to the puddle. Though he still appeared rather fierce and angry, ready to jump back into the fight at any moment, his green eyes glinted with concern and curiosity. In the puddle, strangely from above, he saw the dog toss Gingerheart aside - and for a moment, he felt his heart skip in a panic. Thankfully, though, the creature seemed to have had enough with them and made a run for SkyClan territory. "Stupid, fox-hearted -" He muttered curses under his breath before watching as Gingerheart had padded over his own dead body. Honestly, it was rather strange to watch. And that's all he could do at the moment, really. Sit and watch.
[[ Did NAWT get carried away. ]]
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