Together at Last [Closed]

It was hard to see anything through the tears and dirt that stung Barleytuft's dark eyes; it was hard to hear through the blood pounding in his ears, the sound of his own sobs; it was hard to feel through the trembling of his own body. He stared at Finchstar for what seemed an eternity, heart aching to hear another breath - just one more, like he swore he had seen and heard and felt when his leader had been half unburied. The taste of death still lingered on Barleytuft's tongue, filling him with doubt and fear. Had death only found Brookclover, or was Finchstar lost to them as well, nine lives all crushed in the earth? Grousepaw and Ravenpaw both were yowling, the former shaking Brookclover and then Finchstar while the latter crawled to mourn at Brookclover's side. Barleytuft barely noticed, just staring.

The leader stirred and rolled, making Barleytuft freeze with shock. A moment later it was clear: the ginger and white tom was breathing again. His lips moved and a small bit of sound fell dead in the air, but Barleytuft didn't know what he'd said. "Finchstar...?" Barleytuft asked softly, eyes fogging with more tears despite how desperately he tried to blink them away. Finchstar had truly breathed, tried to speak, but the warrior could scarcely believe it was real.

Finchstar turned his face to Barleytuft's and their eyes met. Barleytuft couldn't picture the state of himself, cream tabby fur caked with mud and dust, face streaked with tears. As he stood he was beginning to feel the throbbing in his paws and the growing ache in his muscles from their desperate effort, realizing for the first time that he was trembling, whiskers quivering like a helpless kitten. He probably looked like he'd been the one fighting for his life, for Finchstar's soft voice now murmured in the air, "Please, there's no need to cry."

Barleytuft felt another sob escape his chest, making the lean warrior shudder. A new wave of tears flowed down his cheeks as he whimpered with leaden relief, "Oh, Finchstar, you're alive..."

Finchstar did not seem to understand what happened. He rolled to his paws, and as he began to move Barleytuft felt his gut twist to see the grime fall from his leader's pelt and reveal grisly gashes and scratches on every part of his frame. Finchstar did not seem to know he had received the wounds, yet his gait was sluggish and tired and faltering as he began to make his way towards Brookclover's body, beside which Ravenpaw was crouched with wide, stricken eyes. The WindClan leader slowed as he walked past the sinkhole as if processing what had happened. He stared at Brookclover. Then, he said no. And again.

Suddenly Finchstar was wailing and lunged forward. Barleytuft scrambled after him, calling with a croaking voice, "Finch, I-I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

The leader did not respond to him, instead snarling at Ravenpaw and swatting the small tom away. Barleytuft gasped with horror, dashing to the small black tom's side and pressing against him reassuringly while also placing himself between Finchstar and the apprentice. Finchstar didn't notice, though, yowling, "Barleytuft, get Briarpaw! Go! Now!" His amber eyes flashed to Grousepaw and Barleytuft noted with fear the hostility in them, so unlike the patient and compassionate tom they had all come to know and adore. "Go with him! We need a medicine cat!"

Barleytuft's mouth opened, almost wanting to protest. How could he possibly leave his friend - his leader - like this? But Finchstar's wounds were becoming more apparent, and the warrior hesitated only another moment before dipping his head, realizing the truth of the statement whether Finchstar did or not. The pale cream tabby warrior was still shaking as he turned to Ravenpaw, murmuring with a sympathetic tone, "I-I'm sorry, please watch him." Then Barleytuft sped off, expecting Grousepaw to be ahead - efficient as he was, if he wasn't horror-struck.

Finchstar's harrowing yowls of grief followed the pair to camp, and their arrival was immediately met with frightened and worried Clanmates. They went for help that could never have arrive in time to save Brookclover, hoping it would save Finchstar. WindClan felt at that moment like it was breaking apart in a storm. Another constant was removed from the world; another star was added to a sky covered in clouds. All peace was tainted  before it had truly begun.