preparing for the fallout

Rainpaw didn't know how long she lay there, half-conscious, on the damp forest floor. After their fight, Mudfrost had left her, battered and bleeding, to her own devices, but as she limped towards the camp, mud plastered to her pale, limp coat, Rainpaw realized she was grateful, at least, for that. She'd rather be able to make her own way home, to try and mitigate the damage and be seen by as few cats as possible, than be dragged home by some RiverClan prey-stealer. So she clenched her jaw and pushed through it, one paw after the other, until the thorn tunnel appeared before her.

The sun was rising, throwing rays of pink into the sky, by the time she shouldered her way through it. No one was around, but she expected the dawn patrol would be up and about soon, so she hurried best as she could, hobbling her way through the camp and into Mossbloom's den. Once she was safely sheltered from the sight of any cat who hadn't seen her already, she fell to her haunches, wincing pitifully, and called out, "Mossbloom, are you awake?" in a low voice.

Mistwalker lay in camp, too tired to go on a walk quite yet- the sun was beginning to light the world, but he hadn't slept well and quite frankly figured he could just as well rest here, eyes half open, till it was time to really get up. The death of Pricklebush had caused many cats to lose sleep. No one had expected it, and everyone was shaken by it. Of course, Mistwalker was in the shadows, eyes hidden from the glare of the sun and pelt hidden from those around. Apparently including...........a bleeding, limping Rainpaw. She was limping in the direction of Mossbloom's den- so he stood up too  fast and hit his head. Mistwalker shook it off and started towards Mossbloom's den as well. "Rainpaw,," He greeted, concern showing faintly in both tone and face. "Mossbloom, do you need help? I can... find some moss or cobwebs or something." He wanted to help. He had to help.

The sun was just starting to rise when a low voice pulled the medicine cat from her slumber. Quietly shuffling in her nest, her nose picked up the scent of long-dried blood and her eyes shot open, paws scrambling to bring herself upright as she tried to locate the source. As they landed on the young apprentice Rainpaw, they widened in shock while taking in the various wounds, a quiet gasp escaping her before she moved to jump into action. Another voice sounded as she approached, and she recognized the mew of the apprentice's father, Mistwalker. Green eyes found the tom's as she nodded, appreciating his willingness to help. "Go find some more cobwebs, please. Most of the bleeding has stopped, but once we get the wounds cleaned up it might start again. We'll want to be prepared. You should be able to find some in the bushes at the top of the ravine, so you shouldn't have to go far. Some water-soaked moss would be good too."


As the tom took his leave, she gently guided the apprentice to a nearby nest and began looking over her wounds. A low hum sounded in her chest as she looked at the various gouges and scratches lacing the young she-cat's pelt before starting at the worst wounds. The smaller ones were less likely to get infected quickly, so they could wait a bit longer. Most of them had started to heal a bit on their own anyway, so her efforts were more likely to help with the bigger wounds. She began to gently lick away the dried blood and dirt and muck from around a large gash focused heavily on the cat before her. Curiosity peaked as she scented stale RiverClan on her pelt, but those questions would have to wait. First and foremost, Rainpaw needed to be treated. Explanations could come later.

Rainpaw slumped down into the nest that the medicine cat guided her to, her head hanging in shame. Of all the cats she hadn't wanted to see, her parents were at the top of that list, and Mistwalker had been the first to show. Her ears flattened to the sides, and she refused to meet anyone's gaze, but she did as instructed by Mossbloom, for the first time in her life following orders without even an internal snarky remark.

Mistwalker nodded, not even noticing Rainpaw'sears folded down in shame. Instead, he focused on not looking, because then he'd be able to see just how bad it was, just how much blood there was. And, well, worry wouldn't do anyone good. He scavenged up some cobwebs and moss, returning as quickly as he could. He hoped that was enough. "Rainpaw. Who did this?" His ear twitched, voice giving away a half-hidden anger.

The apprentice flinched at the anger in her father's voice, even though she was (reasonably) sure it wasn't directed at her. She sat still, waiting for instructions from Mossbloom and dreading the stinging herbs that she knew were coming, but refusing to show fear.

Mistwalker's question hung in the air for a long while before Rainpaw dared to meet his eyes. "It was some fox-hearted RiverClan prey-stealer!" she accused, subtly trying to ensure that the attention there was shifted away from herself and on to the trespasser.

Mistwalker left hurriedly, and returned quickly. While Mossbloom had hoped for a bit more time with the apprentice alone (after all, what young cat wanted to admit anything with their parents nearby) but she understood his concern and questions. As she accepted the cobwebs and moss from the warrior, she worked gently and quietly as Rainpaw responded, speaking of a RiverClan cat she claimed was a prey stealer.

Blinking while holding her tongue, the medicine cat wondered briefly how much of it was a misinterpretation and how much of it was true, but Rainpaw had never seemed to be one to lie, especially about something as serious as that. Stepping away to grab some poppy seeds and goldenrod, mind spinning with the possibilities. The scent on the pelt of the apprentice seemed strangely familiar, as though she knew it... But she couldn't put her paw on it. As she returned, she placed her tail gently on Mistwalker's shoulder.

"I know that you're worried and concerned, but Rainpaw should really rest right now. I need to get her wounds taken care of, and then we can speak about what happened and Oakstar can decide how to proceed. She may still be in shock from her injuries." Her green eyes pleaded for the warrior to understand before she added. "In the meantime, why don't you go grab Rainpaw something to eat, and let Beartooth and Oakstar know that something's happened?"

Mistwalker's ears flicked in anger. Riverclan. Just as he thought. And a trespassing preystealer too? Ugh. Oh, when he got his claws on tha- Rainpaw should really rest right now. Mistwalker stepped away and nodded curtly. As he went to fetch some prey, he was fuming, but no, not at Mossbloom or Rainpaw- At Riverclan.