Hey Guys! Thrush is Dying! [open to exiled cats]

It had been a couple of days since the cats were forced out of their homes. Thrushstar had silently wandered around Twolegplace with the others without so much as two words to any one cat. He was still having a hard time comprehending what had happened and how he was supposed to deal with it. There was so much to think over and work out that his mind couldn't handle it. Every time he tried to think it over, his brain would forcibly prevent him from focusing or his emotions would get too much for him to handle. It was infuriating. To make things worse, the Shadowclan leader felt physically awful. He already knew his mental stability was in question, but he had good reason for it. His whole clan betrayed him and forced him out after all that he had done for them. Now he sat at the edge of the alley, staring into the forest beyond as his wounds burned and ached terribly. He was sure they were infected, but no one had bothered to try to speak to him and he wasn't going to reach out for help. Not now.

After standing there for what felt like hours, Thrushstar got to the point to where he couldn't stand. His legs wobbled weakly below him as his vision began to blur. Lying down, he continued to stare in front of him but whether it was from a daze that was beginning to set in or his actual thoughts, he couldn't tell. Everything inside of his head began to melt together. His thoughts became less coherent. He could barely tell that he wasn't in good shape. However, he piqued again for just a second as he finally heard someone approaching him, even if he didn't physically acknowledge their presence.

Cloverpool saw Thrushstar and he didn't look to good. So she padded over to see if he needed anything. "Thrushstar are you alright? Do you need anything? Food? Water? Herbs?" The senior Thunderclan warrior meowed looking at the leader.

Leopardfang was walking with a limp. A nasty cut in his shoulder made putting too much weight on his foreleg far too unbearable. His wounds were starting the healing process, but they were still tender and left ugly clawmarks scattered around his prominently spotted pelt. The shoulder cut was not from the former disaster of a Gathering, though. He'd just acquired it and it was still freshly bleeding. There was a new nick in one of his ears, too, and even though it was not as severe as the rest of his injuries, it stung painfully and contact with anything was enough to make him flinch. The once-proud deputy padded unsteadily through the alleyways that the exiles now inhabited, searching for Thrushstar and ignoring inquisitive looks from the rest of the refugees. It was one of the few times he'd left his leader's side. Or former leader. Leopardfang didn't know how it all worked now that a bunch of different clan cats were stuffed together in such a small and unfamiliar place with Ashwing and Frozenflame taking the lead. He didn't dispute their rule. They had nothing of interest to him. None of the other clan cats did. He was primarily concerned with his former mentor, who was always curled up and hiding from whatever he thought was still out to get him. Upon looking down another alley and seeing Thrushstar at the end and another cat with him, he changed his path.

A rat dangled by the tail in Leopardfang's jaws. It swayed back and forth as he rocked with his steps, eventually stopping next to the other two cats. He looked at Cloverpool with tired eyes, decided she wasn't a threat, and dipped his head to set the rat before the older tom. "It's clean of disease. I fought off a loner for it." Blood from his shoulder wound was starting to drip onto the unnaturally hard ground. His voice was monotone and rough. There was not a lot of fresh water around the place, and he was also rather hungry himself. But superiors came first. That was a lesson that Leopardfang had learned long ago and never forgotten. The rat was visually unappealing, and smelled of course like the crowfood that it had been scavenging for, but food was food; especially in these difficult times. The spotted tom noticed that Thrushstar had been looking into the forest beyond them. He looked, too, and found that he was spacing out and thinking about the family that he had left at behind in the name of loyalty.

Dreamleaf padded down the hard, concreted, path of the alley way. She wondered how the rouges were able to live here. Her paw pads were so use to the soft soil and lush grass. Dreamleaf turned her head when she saw Thrushstar, Leopardfang and Cloverpool.
Dreamleaf trotted over to Thrushstar behind Leopardfang. The Thunderclan Medicine cat frowned.The Shadowclan leader looked awful. She would have to treat him as soon as possible.
"Thrushstar... where does it hurt the most?" she asked.

Ferretshine knew her place. She wasn't stupid, in fact, she was far from it. She understood that Thrushstar needed to handle the situation in his own way, so she didn't bother him. Leopardfang was the only one who was getting near him. The brown tabby wouldn't approach her former leader until he reached out to one of them himself. The ShadowClan warrior was well aware of her leader's might, and she'd rather not cross him. Still, he was growing weaker, and she picked up on it from the start. She padded up behind Leopardfang. "How is he doing?" she said quietly, speaking only to the former deputy, "I mean, physically. Mentally, I could already tell. He just needs time, probably, or someone to vent to, but it seems like you're doing fine. It's just... He hasn't been looking too hot." In fact, he looks near death. The poor guy's ancient already, he doesn't need illness.

Mudfoot stood behind the medicine cat and Leopardfang, sorrow filling the air around him. He assumed that know one knew if the leader would lose a life, but from the looks of it, the old tom didn't seem to be doing too well. He sat down, looking through the small crowd of cats. He never really knew Thrushstar personally, for the leader wasn't a very personal type of cat, but the thought of losing him made his heart turn. All his life, Mudfoot had looked up to the ShadowClan leader, respecting him, in hopes of growing up to be a strong cat as he was. He knew Leopardfang, and Magpiewing were also good friends of Thrushstar's, and he'd always strived to be like everyone of them. All brave and courageous warriors, ready to defend their clan at any cost.

Now, they were exiled to the twolegged place, a place not worthy of a leader dying. If Thrush, or any leader was going to possibly lose a life, they deserved a far better place than his make-shift home that stunk of crowfood. Honestly, Mudfoot hated being sad, and maybe this wasn't the best time to worry about all their problems. Sitting up a bit more straight and shifting his weight, he would make sure that if anyone needed his help, he would be ready for anything they asked him to do.

Glancing behind him, Thrushstar first saw Cloverpool asking him about food or other things. At first, he ignored the she-cat, not wanting to deal with conversation right now. It changed, though, when Leopardfang, his own deputy, padded up behind her with a rat in his jaws asking him if he wanted it. At first, he wasn't going to accept it simply because he was sure that the deputy needed it more, but when the Shadowclan leader stared at it, his stomach churned. He knew he had to eat, but didn't feel like he could keep it down. Shifting his eyes from the rat to his deputy, he turned away from it, his tail twitching weakly behind him. "You have it, Leopardfang. You need... the energy," he muttered before turning back to look at the trees so close to them but they felt so far. It didn't even seem welcoming anymore. Sure, being stuck in Twolegplace was an embarrassment, but he felt that he was better off here. For now, at least. Or maybe that was the dizziness talking.

However, Thrushstar turned back around again, finding it hard to focus on the next voice that spoke. It was an unfamiliar voice and it took him a bit to finally see Dreamleaf padding towards him asking him about what hurt. That was what she said, right? How was he supposed to answer that? At this point, the thing that hurt the most was the fact that he had just been driven out of his home by cats he should have known would turn on him. He knew he kept thinking back on that when he shouldn't, but what else was he supposed to do? With a low, soft growl, he narrowed his eyes at the medicine cat. "I don't need your... help," he glowered. How did they expect him to trust them when he couldn't even trust his own clan right now? These were cats from other clans. It was foolish to think that all of them could work together. As soon as this whole thing was over, he knew it would go right back to how it was in the forest. That was, if they got the chance to go back. In the midst of his snapping at the cats that were quickly gathering around him, he let out a sickening cough. Just the movement ached as his wounds protested angrily. "I just need some sleep and... I'll be back to myself soon."

Frozenflame padded over to the growing group of cats, wondering what was going on. Is that Thrushstar? What is he doing? Why does he look so....awful? Frozenflame silently watched as the old hag let out a terrifying cough that made his own throat dry just hearing it. "Thrushstar....I think Dreamleaf needs to help you. You don't look very.....like yourself right now." Frozenflame didn't know how to say what he wanted to say to Thrushstar, but still be respectful while doing so.

Leopardfang peeled his gaze off of the trees when he heard the voice of his granddaughter, Ferretshine. At least one good thing came of Webtail. It took him a moment to realize that she was talking directly to him, and he blinked a few times before fully understanding what she was saying. "He is... exhausted." Leopardfang responded, barely above a whisper so as to not draw Thrushstar's attention. "I know we all are, but leaders are not like warriors. He has served for longer than I have been alive and has seen much hardship. What he needs more than anything else is... peace..." All of the cats, exiled or not, could use some peace, but the former deputy meant something else entirely. He recognized his leader's age and illness and understood what it was that had been on his mind recently. The others here had beliefs about StarClan and leaders, about how they had multiple lives, but Leopardfang didn't see any of that. He just hoped that he would be ready to resume Thrushstar's work when the time finally came. He glanced at Mudfoot, glad that his friend was near. He was reminded of the brown tom's father and felt a slight stab of grief that Magpiewing was not with them.

Thrushstar's voice demanded all of his attention. He sighed inwardly at his refusal of the rat, not wanting to argue or make a scene, but knowing that he needed to get him to eat somehow. If that weren't enough, the old tom wouldn't even let the ThunderClan medicine cat come near him. Leopardfang wasn't fond of a growing crowd, but maybe their words could help convince him. Even if he couldn't possibly trust any of them by now. He hesitated for a few heartbeats before responding. "I could always find more. I have the strength I need for now. But ShadowClan needs their leader to be strong, too, so that they can have hope. The rest of the clan cats here, even. Ashwing and Frozenflame are doing all they can, but we need someone who truly knows how to lead. Even deputies need someone to look to. Yes... especially deputies. We can be so helpless sometimes. Please eat. Please accept their help. I am watching, and I will protect you." He said, pausing between sentences because of the hoarseness caused by his dry throat. Leopardfang was entirely genuine in what he said. He could only hope that Thrushstar would listen to him.

(All aboard the feels train! Destination: Sadnesstown)

After his coughing fit was over, Thrushstar glanced up to the ever growing crowd of cats. The amount that surrounded him and stared at him like he was a piece of prey was getting uncomfortable, but it was nothing compared to how his own body was giving him fits. At this point, he could tell it was too late. His wounds had become too infected. He was holding off the inevitable by willing himself to stay awake and listen to his deputy. What did he mean Shadowclan needed him? If they needed him so bad, he wouldn't have been stuck here in Twolegplace with Leopardfang, Mudfoot and Ferretshine. At least they were sensible enough to walk away from those fox-hearts who "promised" strength. With a quiet look, the Shadowclan leader glanced at the other cats watching him. Cloverpool, Dreamleaf, and Frozenflame-- all warriors of Thunderclan. That threw him off, but he couldn't focus on it long. Any kind of thought hurt his head too much.

The silence felt like it stretched on forever. Thrushstar sat there trying to form his words as his eyes seemed almost glazed over as he looked at his deputy. "It's... too late," he finally said. "If that's how you really... feel, save it for me." He didn't bother speaking much after that and instead tried to stand up. He could feel that his life was beginning to slip away, but he wasn't going to let all of these cats watch it happen. His legs weak underneath him, noticeably shaking, he turned from the group and padded as far as he could. He had planned to make it around the corner of the twoleg nest they had found shelter next to, but he only managed to get halfway there before he finally collapsed, his body showing no signs of movement or breathing for that matter.

OOC: #4DaFeels

IC: Night walked over towards the ally hearing voices. His eyes widened unto tiny slits seeing Thrushstar. He watched him limp and pad towards the ally. "Thrushstar?" he said. Tears started to form in his eyes seeing him collapse. "Thrushstar!" he said more loudly. He ran over to him. Tears rolled down as he discovered him not breathing. "Please, don't leave! We need you now more than ever! he yowled, tears streaming down.

He looked up. 'StarClan, where ever you are, let him still have some lives, please, I beg you, if you can hear me.' he thought.

In shock and a wave of mixed emotions, Mudfoot watched in horror as his leader slowly lost a life. Thrushstar... just lost a life like that? A simple health issue could kill a cat, just like that. It honestly left the tom astounded, and he sat down, not knowing what to say. His leader was getting near the end of his years, but that still didn't mean that he deserved to die like this, in a horrible place, without his clan or loved ones. The leader wasn't on his last life, but it this was still a big deal, especially for cats whom were close to him. Well, that is, if he had any loved ones. Mudfoot looked over to a rouge tom, anger burning inside of him. How dare that cat act like he knew Thrushstar! He was a rouge for crying out loud, so why was he even here? Yeah, other clan cats were exceptionable, but Mudfoot felt as if everyone thought the leader's death was a show to attend, when really, only trusted ShadowClan cats should be mourning for their dying clan mate.

Letting out a sigh, he sat next to the leader and Leopardfang. Mudfoot always admired the deputy, and the words that he spoke sparked a bit of faith, somewhere deep down. He knew the older tom didn't excactly believe in StarClan, and even he was having his doubts, but the fact that Leopardfang still believed in Thrushstar gave him hope. Looking around at the diversity of cats, he took a deep breath, making sure to stay, or at least sound calm. "Thrushstar, I have faith in you. I don't care if you make it to StarClan or not, but I know for a fact that you are a strong willed cat, and strong cats don't give up." He knew that the leader would most likely not be able to hear him, for any signs of life left the old cat's body, although maybe, just maybe, Thrushstar could hear him from where ever he was. Besides, if he acted and spoke calmly, he knew that it would help the other's around him not freak out as much. Looking up to the sky, the tom closed his eyes. The words I speak are true, and where ever you are, I wish you the best of luck. Please come home safely.

No matter rain, sleet, hail, or snow, Mudfoot would always be Thrushstar's biggest fanboy, forever cheering the leader on, even in the darkest of hours.

Ferretshine's ears twitched as Thrushstar's life left him. That wasn't his last, Mudfoot would've expressed more distress. Still, she shuddered at his lifeless form, the haunting image of Eaglefeather with her pelt torn apart invading her mind. She sighed, letting her head droop. It was clear that the leader was slowly losing whatever was holding his mind together. She couldn't blame the old coot. There was a lot going on for someone of his age to handle, especially with what he'd gone through. "Will his spirit even go to StarClan?" she asked, looking at Dreamleaf. She'd know... right? "They're... gone. There's nothing near us. Could he even find them if he tried?" She looked up at the sky. It didn't make sense. How could StarClan just vanish?

"Will he be okay?" Oakpaw said
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Fernkit jumped up and down to look at the dying leader "What is happening?! Let me see!" she said trying to push through the warriors

OOC: Berryheart, all kits should have been left at the camps for safety.

Leopardfang was alarmed and confused by Thrushstar's response, but hid it as best as he could. He held back his desire to support his leader as he walked away, instead watching his legs shake from where he was sitting. The tom's ears flattened against his head at the sight of his once-great leader, struggling to move. He didn't want to watch but found it too hard to look way. Thrushstar's collapse brought him to his paws, leaving the rat where it was on the ground. Leopardfang padded over to the body and shoved Night to the side with a warning growl. "Who are you, rogue, that you should be intruding on us? All who are not ShadowClan must leave this area. We would mourn in private." He said to all the gathered cats, frustrated that they were so weak and exposed.

He listened quietly to Mudfoot and Ferretshine as they spoke, his head bowed over the body and eyes shut. All of this talk of StarClan, as if their precious ancestors hadn't already abandoned them. Leopardfang didn't care about all of that anymore. He wondered vaguely if he would now have to step up, now that Thrushstar was dead and the exiles needed guidance. He had the advantage of being deputy the longest among all the current deputies, and many of the exiles from the other clans had left to other places. The other exiled leaders were nowhere to be seen. Opening his eyes, Leopardfang saw his clanmates' heads pointed to the sky. Silent prayers, perhaps. He slowly lifted his muzzle to join them. Trying wouldn't hurt. His green eyes reflected the clouds rolling above them. If you are there, hear me. Help me. Help us all. Don't leave us stranded alone.