BV : Heartless

Stonewatcher ||

It was after training Spiderpaw when Stonewatcher had decided to visit Frostpaw, Petalfall, and Iceflower's graves. A bundle of roses had been in his maw, and he placed one on each grave. He had sat there for awhile, just staring at the roses, until he caught sight of something - or someone - out of the corner of his eye. He snaps his head over to the direction of the movement, only to see that Bramblekit was a little ways away, padding through the fields. When he saw this, he quietly bid his deceased family goodbye, lifting himself to his paws. Tail twitching, he stared at the graves until he began to move. 

Quietly, the tom began to follow Bramblekit through the fields, keeping himself hidden in the grass. As he reached the river, he paused, lifting a brow. Stonewatcher lifts a paw to fix his hair, tucking a few strands behind his ear. He then steps out further, sitting just a little ways behind Bramblekit. The small tom settles down, curling his tail neatly over his paws as he finally comments, "Looking for trouble, Ratkit?"

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

He hadn't long sent Stumppaw back to camp and nodded a farewell to Dovespring. The orange glow that settled in the sky had announced the end of their training session for the day, and so the dusty tom padded off into the fields on a solo hunting trip. The wind rushed through Bramblekit's long fur, his eyes trailing over to the spot where the graves of those he once (begrudgingly) called his family lay. He couldn't help but feel at least a light sense of relief now his punishment was a little more... lax... But it wasn't fully gone, so to put it shortly, it wasn't quite enough for his standards. He wanted it to be rid of entirely, but he had a chance at the very least, now, right?

Oh, great timing. Look who decided to show up oh so conveniently.

Bramblekit didn't tend to wander about the waters much, not after returning to camp half soaked by the water as an apprentice. Yet here he was, hoping that a decent-sized rabbit would show up by the pine forest. He tried his best to ignore the black tuxedo tom, a huff escaping his lips as the shaggy feline shook his head and kept walking... But Stonewatcher just had to raise that annoying little voice of his, now, didn't he? The sound irked him, prickling the fur along his spine. This cat was his half-brother by genetics, whether Bramblekit liked that fact or not, whether Bramblekit had since been disowned or not. He grew up with the smaller tom and knew very well by now that petty little Stonewatcher couldn't keep his thoughts to himself around him.

So of course, the two faced one another once again.

The tabby remained stood, staring back at the cat most knew by now that he loathed. "Yew'd think that, wouldn't yew?" He stepped closer. Now he was out of camp and the stars were soon to make their appearance, Bramblekit had little concern for his words. However, Stone was a cold-hearted snitch in his eyes. Surely rumours would spread with the slip of a lie or five if he was to hang around much longer. "Shift yer ass 'n' keep yer mouth shut. 'Course a useless prick like yew would come along 'n' scare the rabbits off," he murmured.

Stonewatcher ||

The tom's tail-tip begins to twitch impatiently as Bramblekit began to speak. He hadn't missed speaking to the tom he used to refer to as his brother - he never had. It may have been better if they both kept their mouths shut, but with what he had swarming in his head, there was no way he could. Exhaling through his nostrils, he grunts, "You've been in trouble with Bluestar and Appleshine more than once these past few moons. That's all." 

As Bramblekit comes closer, he remains in his spot, squinting his eyes with hate. "If I was useless, I wouldn't have an apprentice," he says simply, tail continuing to rise up and back down to the ground, over and over. Scare the rabbits off? You've got to be kidding me, he'd groan inwardly. There was no way this fool was hunting at this time. Or was he? Still, he couldn't really believe that. His half-brother hadn't been trustworthy since they could walk. 

The small tom finally rises, staring up to the large dusty tom's mop of hair. "I'm keeping quiet. Once you start spitting your foul words, I'm sure the rabbits will run then," Stonewatcher replies firmly. He lets his brows furrow, curling his lip back slightly as he finishes what he had to say.

Stonewatcher opens his maw once more, then closes it. The small tom lifts a paw and steps forward. After a few moments, he moves his hair from his other eye to look at him fully and snarls in a quiet voice, "You make me almost glad that Mom left the clan. It would hurt her to see how much of a failure her kit has become. Just like your old pops - I wouldn't doubt it if you ended up killing that kit that follows you around next time you lay a paw on her," the small tom spits. It was rather obvious that he had that comment brewing for quite some moons, though he never had the chance to speak his thoughts until now. Just thinking of how Duststorm had killed his aunt-mentor made him shudder. Bramblekit was turning out just like his father, and he was honestly afraid to see what he would achieve in the moons he had left. 

"You make me sick."

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

He cocked his head, and perhaps even the blood rush to his face fuelled by his frustration and even embarrassment may have been apparent to Stonewatcher. With a grunt and a roll of his eyes (not that the other could even see them), Bramblekit took yet another step forward. "Yew know just as well as I do that they're outta mentors. Yew ain't special." He had waited for the tuxedo tom to finish his little ramble until the rabbits were mentioned. The two seemed to both wish to say a couple of words, but Bramblekit managed to keep his maw tightly shut as he halted in his tracks, fur lightly bristled upon his neck, but not to the extent which the less observant cats would notice. Nothing was here to calm him, but he managed to hold his silence for the first time since...

"...Mom left the clan."

"Don't yew fuckin' bring 'er up ta' lecture me," he slurred out a murmured remark, lip twitching. All this progress he had made, his efforts to be kind, all crumbled down by this piece of shit's words. His lectures and tangents that nobody in this damn forsaken valley had ever asked for. Pops... Claws would grip to the damp dirt beneath them as if they'd aid him in finding an ounce of stability. His body must have been trembling as the hatred and rage built up within him. The two had tussled and bickered and chunnered and fought many times before, and he was mistaken when he believed that their last little spat would have called for the end of their scuffles...

Bramblekit resisted the urge up until now. He had kept his paws to himself, his words just about kept within him despite how much pain they caused him as they tried to break free. His chest hurt with the pounding, breaths heavy now. He wasn't a murderer, he didn't mean to hurt that kit, just teach her what was wrong. He was a good kid... He-

"You make me sick."

The dusty tabby's fur prickled up more and more, ears pinned back as the long tufts upon his tail spiked out. "Oh, wise fuckin' words from the same son've a bitch who was so keen 'bout protectin' some she-cat who's fuckin' dead," Bramblekit hissed and spat, words tumbling out of his mouth like some kind of avalanche. It took a lot of effort to keep his paws on the ground and not pressed against Stonewatcher's throat.

Stonewatcher ||

The tom-cat's lip twitches as he retains the urge to lunge toward the larger tom-kit.  Words confident, he takes a step back as the dusty tom grows closer and growls in return, "And you know just as well as I do that they only chose you to mentor one of the newer apprentices so you can earn your name back. You aren't special." As he glares up at his half-brother, his eyes begin to squint out of hatred, fur prickling with annoyance.

As Bramblekit told him not to mention their mother, he flattens his ears and lets out a hiss, "I can talk about my Mom all I want. You aren't superior to me." His tail was lashing now - there was no way to hide Stonewatcher's boiling anger at this point as he seethed, "I can't believe you chose to follow Duststorm. He tried to kill us - kill you. You were a fool to continue to believe in his ways. Look at where it's gotten you now: in trouble." 

It wasn't hard to keep calm around his clanmates. Though, when he had no restrictions from the dusty tom, he would let his thoughts seep from his maw. Nobody could stop him here, and nobody would be out of camp at this time - it was getting rather dark, and predators would be creeping about for their nightly hunts. Just like Bramblekit, apparently. 

As Frostpaw was mentioned, he curls his lip back with a snarl, a fresh bout of pain stabbing into his heart. There that reminder was again. The reminder that he couldn't save his sisters, the reminder that he was helpless.... the reminder that he broke a promise he had made as a kit. Without thinking, he lifts a paw, and claws sheathed he swiped at the larger tom's cheek, aiming a hard slap. "You keep Frostpaw out of this, Ratkit!" he hisses loudly, taking steps forward as he began to speak once again. "A cat can only do so much to keep their dearest alive! It was during a famine, for StarClan's sake! You can't do much when there's a food shortage!" he snarls, fresh tears welling in his eyes. There it was again. Always emotional when it came to fights like this.. always emotional when it came to mentioning his sister. "You don't know anything about promises, you don't know anything about love! You don't know how to love!" Stonewatcher takes a final step forward, so close to the tom that their muzzles would likely touch if they remained at the same height when growing. "You can't love! You're heartless!"

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

"You aren't special."

As his own venom was spat back at him, Bramblekit could only stumble over words he kept to his own thoughts. Did he ever want to be? He preferred a sheltered life where he wasn't gawped at and sniggered at by the masses. He didn't want any of this - the punshments, humiliation, none of it. What had he ever done wrong? All he had done was defend himself... Was that so wrong of him? Was he meant to be beaten down into the dirt his whole life like Frostpaw? Look where she had ended up as a result of it all.

That wasn't him, nor would it ever be.

His tail lashed and long fur dragged along the ground as it swiftly swept up dirt and dry leaves from the dampened ground. He could feel the rage bubbling over inside of him. Usually he was the only one he found to be able to tame himself, but no amount of fidgeting with his paws, rolls of his eyes to signify his dismissal or pushing thoughts to the very back of his mind could calm the demoted warrior now. The words wouldn't stop ringing in his ears, they wouldn't stop coming.

He tried to remain silent, he really did. But as that paw met his face, Bramblekit grunted. Paws that were once steady on the ground beneath them shuffled back; he hadn't expected Stonewatcher's retaliation. Perhaps the blow hit harder than he had ever anticipated from the smaller tom, his teeth catching his lip, the taste of blood present albeit light in his mouth. He went to spit it out, but only in half effort as the tabby edged backwards with each fury-filled stride towards him the black and white tom took. If anything, the saliva dribbled down his face. He shook his head and followed up with a snarl, his mind not seeming to formulate a response to the other's words. And there came Stone's waterworks. This happened every time, so at least Bramblekit felt a little less pathetic than he had just a moment ago.

"You're heartless!"

He choked back something - probably saliva - before going to retort. His harsh, raspiness only slipped out of his lips briefly, "yew fuckin' bast-" followed by a yelp and the sound of pebbles and earth crumbling into the rushing waters below. His paws slipped behind him, and if only his eyes were visible would Stonewatcher have witnessed the utter look of shock the larger tom displayed as he lost his grip on the soil in front of him as he was dragged back.

The violent sound of crashing filled his ears.

Then nothing but silence.

It didn't take long for him to realise where he had ended up. But he sure hoped he was wrong. All that he could see were murky greys and greens and browns and leaves and debris rushing on past his eyes. All he could feel was the cold hitting his skin sending him into some kind of state of shock, the heavy weight of his fur now knotted and damp, the feeling of a hard impact to his spine that could have caused him to vomit. He tried to move, to thrash around but the current was strong. Gasping for a couple of breaths as his panic only blessed him with but a fraction of a second above the merciless water's surface, perhaps this was the first time another had heard Bramblekit's desperate cries?

Stonewatcher ||

As Bramblekit began to speak once again, the tom curls his lip back and grits his teeth; however, before the large tom could finish his sentence, a surprising sound came from his half-brother, and he fell. Right into the river. He'd heard stories of the river - he'd heard that his mother saved Hawksun and Creeksplash from the river - but he had never imagined himself in, most likely, the same position as his mother. The problem was, nobody else was out - nobody. It was almost dark, and they'd be lucky if someone came around.

Claws digging into the dirt, he watches Bramblekit struggle against the current, paws churning and panic setting in. The tom grimaces as he looks down at the river, then back at the larger tom. His own panic began to settle in his mind, tail continuing to lash as the fur along his spine begins to rise. He could die from this. And, although Stonewatcher despised the dusty tabby tom, whether they liked it or not, they were still connected by blood, even if he had been disowned by their mother. All Stonewatcher could think of was his parents, and what they would have wanted him to do.... what his sisters would have wanted him to do... and without wasting anymore time, he breaks into a gallop along the side of the river, loose pebbles flying behind him as his white paws pounded against the hard surface below. 

It was clear that getting Bramblekit out of the river would be a challenge. He himself was rather small, and with the other tom's size it'd take at least two other cats to pull him out. There was no time to fetch help, however, as the river's current was tugging at the dusty tom faster than he could run. 

As the current seemed to slow even by the slightest bit, the small tom crouches down by the side of the water and digs his claws in, sheathing his claws within the paw that he reaches out toward his half-brother. "Come on, big guy, don't you know how to swim?" he hisses with frustration, the slightest hint of panic seeping into his tone as the fur along his back continued to spike. He shakes his paw after a few moments, almost frantically. He didn't want to be the one to report the death of Bramblekit. With how often they argued as they grew together, the clan would without doubt blame him for the death of his half-brother and he'd be exiled just like Duststorm. "Paddle over here and I'll pull you out."

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

His attention was as far from focused on Stonewatcher as it ever could have been. His priority now was nothing but survival.

Bramblekit's mind raced and head spun. Throbbing echoes of his heartbeat filled his senses as he kicked in a panic. Air was no longer an option, water and mud choking him as he tried oh so hard to catch a breath, just a small one before he would become fully submerged by the water for another few seconds. But those seconds felt like minutes - the whole experience like hours. He wondered if he'd make it out safely, but his back and sides were throbbing from the impact. He tried to find something to grab onto but when one finds themselves in a state of shock, a clear mind is near impossible to obtain.

Stonewatcher's words went unheard as the tabby gasped, head above the surface once more. But as he  found his eyes finally trailing up to see the other tom's figure standing above him, he could only think one thing.

Bastard.

It went on and off - black and white as the light was blocked from his eyes before he was forced to resurface once more. He was far from a diligent swimmer, his fur would only weigh him down whenever he had tried. Even if he was capable, the flow of the river never always offered its mercy to everybody.

But the tuxedo feline's call had managed to reach his ears, and Bramblekit was fortunate enough to cling onto a rock that found itself protruding from the rushing waters. "I'll pull you out."

Was Stonewatcher insane? Would he manage to pull Bramblekit out? Surely their height difference offered one complication in the offer, but the river's current only added to the difficulty of the task. Nevertheless, Bramblekit used his claws to keep a hold of the rock as best he could. Even he couldn't quite believe that he was trusting the other tom, but what other choice did he really have now? And so, a dusty coloured arm reached out to the Warrior's. He could almost reach, grunting as he tried and tried despite how far up the other was in comparison. Leaf-fall had only brought rain along with it - not an overwhelming amount, but enough to encourage the waters to flow a little more violently.

He grasped on, finally. Claws unsheathed, the tabby latched onto Stonewatcher with one arm held out, staring back at the smaller feline, then back at the water where his back legs were still kicking against the current. The shock in Bramblekit’s eyes was inevitable, his expression perhaps the most worried and frightened another had ever seen him, as if he were about to plead for the other to hoist him out there and then, please, please, please. But the words never came from his mouth… And claws can only offer so much grip to a slippery stone.

It happened as quick as a flash, Bramblekit's arm slipping and hitting the rock on the way, his claws digging into Stonewatcher's arm more amore as he lost his balance, but he didn't want to let go of his chance to escape the merciless grasp of the water... He wasn’t ready to succumb to it. He wouldn’t allow himself to. But it was a futile effort. 

He felt himself being dragged back in, his back hitting the river floor yet again, but only this time would he feel the pain worse as the current dragged him along. He could see another figure in here with him. He believed his eyes may have been playing tricks on him, or perhaps it was a leaf or some other form of debris.

No. It wasn’t. And his eyes weren’t deceiving him.

Stonewatcher ||

The tom almost couldn't believe it as Bramblekit managed to grasp onto a rock and reach back out for him. Then, again, it was the only choice he really had if he wanted to continue to live. As the dusty tom's claws grip onto his arm he grimaces, then holding a firm grip on his arm as he tries to haul him out. Alas, his strength didn't seem to be enough to pull him out. Worriedly, the tom shakes his hair from his eye and continues to pull back, back, back. 

Then, something the small spotted tom thought would have never happened took place. As Bramblekit began to slip and grasp onto his arm tighter, the tom began to slide in himself. Panic setting in, he digs his claws deeper into the dirt below, continuing to try and pull his half-brother from the strong current. Though, he began to slip further and further down, and as he tried to move back up once again he could see the large dusty tom break away from the rock.

And, as quick as a bird diving for fish in the lake, he found himself dragged into the river alongside Bramblekit.

With a yelp of surprise, he crashed into the flowing river, paws working quickly to keep his head above water. He found himself going under at times, gasping for air as soon as he could manage to bring his head above the surface. "YOU SON OF A-" Stonewatcher shrieks, his last words being drowned out as he was taken under the strong force of the river once again, paws desperately moving about as he tried to grab ahold of something - anything - to keep him afloat.

As he was tossed and turned by the current, he continued to flail his paws about. Stonewatcher found his paws being punctured and swiped over by the rocks that were near the bottom of the river. A pain near the paw of his back leg especially stood out to him, the pain sending a shooting sensation up his leg - such a pain that it almost brought tears to his icy gaze as he managed to resurface. Kicking his legs, he began to swim along with the current. He still went under at times, but was beginning to manage to keep everything above his chin surfaced. "You moron! Now we're both going to die!" the small tom cries out, lifting his head up toward the sky. It was getting late... and now they didn't have the option to fetch help at all. Nobody was out of camp, and they were doomed. As the tom reaches Bramblekit, he manages to grab a hold of the long fur on the back of the tom's neck and try to pull him up.

As he hauls Bramblekit upward, or at least tries to, the gray warrior notices a few stars beginning to show. In a muffled, desperate cry, Stonewatcher hollers, "StarClan, help us!"

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

Long strands of fur waved before his eyes as the water consumed him once more. He couldn't see - not like before. Everything was fading. Was it the shock? Was he gulping down too much water? He couldn't even think straight. His mind was spinning, thoughts hardly in line if at all, notions and images flashing on and off.

And finally, he released the tom with a loud cough.

Was he above water or below now? Bramblekit felt like he had been thrashed about for ages now. Moons could have passed for all he knew, but the same orange glow still lingered over the mountaintops. His legs were weakening and his kicking died down. What else could he have done? There was nothing to cling onto, nobody to help him out now. He was stuck. They were stuck. The last thing he had heard was the smaller feline's cursing before it all faded again, canceled by the sound of nothing but the gentle movements of his paws. He couldn't move - he just couldn't anymore. He wanted to, he really did, but what was the damned point? Nothing could help him now, and Stonewatcher evidently was useless when it came to hoisting the two of them out of there.

He knew he was doomed, the echoes of Stonewatcher's voice hardly apparent to him as he felt himself fall - no - sink. The stars would shimmer above him as their appearance become more evident. He watched them, the fur moving from his eyes to allow him a clearer view. Talonthorn and Dovespring had always watched the stars - he never understood it. Other cats' infatuation when them.

He felt a tug to his scruff. It hurt, no doubt. His body was too large to be carried by the back of his neck, but the pull would hardly affect the large tom. Nothing really could as he felt consciousness slip away from him. It went blurry, only the outline of Stonewatcher's kicking legs were visible to him. His jaw went limp, allowing water to rush into his mouth and down his throat. His head was throbbing from the pressure, lungs were in agony.

 And with one final gut-wrenching, painful choke, it all faded to black.

Sourpaw ||

As the sun's rays bid them farewell, the chestnut tom, accompanied by his "second mentor", felt some kind of warmth travelling along the river's edge. The water level was plentiful, and the sound felt almost relaxing. They'd come out on a late night hunting trip to get the apprentice used to the territory in the darker conditions. He didn't exactly mind an outing of the sort, for it kept his mind occupied from other matters - like wondering who put the flowers by his nest only days ago. He had an idea, but he didn't want to get ahead of himself -

No, no. Training! That's what he was doing.

Turning to Riftheart, Sourpaw's small ears perked as he sniffed at the air. "You smell anything? Getting nothing," he whispered. Padding forwards, he kept himself on high alert. This was the kind of time he'd expect a predator to jump out at him and bite his head off or something. He didn't want that to happen, no way, but he couldn't help but allow the thoughts to consume his mind, the pessimist he was.

He sniffed again, deeper this time. "Nothing but clanmates, I guess," he shrugged. He wasn't certain how fresh the scent was, but it was entirely possible that they weren't alone out here. Other cats came hunting at night too, with some prey being nocturnal and all. He didn't think much of it as he looked down at the pointed tom, brows raised.

Riftheart ||

It was a peaceful afternoon - a nice one, even. It had been awhile  since he could get away from the bustle of camp and do something he  enjoyed. Sure, the small tom had fun with training Lilypaw.... when his  apprentice wasn't walking all over him. The small tom wasn't too sure  how to scold Lilypaw when she retaliated when he tried to do so. He  wasn't going to tell Appleshine - no.. he wasn't going to get himself  disliked even more by his apprentice. Plus, Appleshine would likely  believe he was being untruthful about the situation - Lilypaw claimed to  be her favorite, after all.

He just wanted to get away from it all. Get away from the stress of camp and relieve his worries. Relieve his mind from it all. As he looks up to Sourpaw, he manages a frown. "Not any prey, no.." he'd murmur in reply, ears swerving and twitching at any sound to be heard, tail held low. The tom looks into the river, careful not to let his shadow loom over the water.

"..Yeah. Smells like someone was here not to long ago. Someone else must be on a late hunt," Riftheart gives the air a quick whiff. "Just a few minutes ago, actually. I don't think we'll be alone," the small sealpoint tom tilts his head curiously, squinting his eyes as he cranes his neck to peer alongside the river. "..Nobody's here though," the small tom could feel his fur begin to spike. He could only begin to think of the worse. What if they were wrong? What if it wasn't a clan cat at all? Or, what if something terrible had happened?

But, not to worry - oh, well, plenty to worry - his mental questions of curiosity were answered with a loud cry for help. Panic beginning to settle in, he turns to Sourpaw and quickly gasps, "Sourpaw-- Sourpaw, we've gotta go in - they're gonna drown!" The tom begins to slide down toward the edge of the river, sinking his claws into the dirt as he glances uneasily into the rushing water, then back to the apprentice. It was obvious that the small tom wasn't exactly thinking straight - all he wanted to do was help whoever those poor cats were that were being swept away.

Stonewatcher ||

Breaths heavy, the tom continues to try and haul Bramblekit near the surface as he choked and heaved.... until the tom ceased moving. "No, no, no, come on," he hisses, tugging at the tom's fur even more. He was going to die - they were both going to die - it was no doubt that they would. If the big tough guy couldn't make it, surely he wouldn't. That's just how everything worked. How life worked. The weaker would fall. The bigger would rise. And if the biggest didn't rise, the weakest would fall anyways. Simple, yet harsh.

As he heard voices further down the river, he could only feel his hope return. "HELP US!" Stonewatcher yells out, letting Bramblekit go only for a moment before catching back up to his limp form and grasping onto him again, hauling him upward once more.

Sourpaw ||

Sourpaw nodded to Riftheart. It was very likely there was another group hunting, or perhaps even another cat who was out solo. And only minutes ago? Yea, yea he knew that…

He too stared into the river’s water and then up at the sky. The stars seemed to be making their appearance in the sky, and he could only hope that the night wouldn’t become too chilly for the two of them. He could only hope that this hunting trip would run smoothly - there had been so much unnecessary drama as of late… But it gave him something to talk to Poppypaw about at least. Though it did pain him to see Daffodilpaw in such low spirits because of it.

Not thinking much of it, Sourpaw digressed and padded onwards past his secondary mentor figure. He would have kept on walking if it wasn’t for the cries coming from a little ways down the river.

He wondered who it was, how they got in there? Curiosity filled his mind, but also the caution of how much danger it would be to simply jump in and “rescue” the water’s victim? Wait… Did they say ”us…?” Oh StarClan, were there multiple of them in there? If they dived right in, Riftheart and himself could get themselves in just as much of a horrible situation as the ones already struggling, but they couldn’t just leave them there to drown or get swept away by the current… Oh dear, oh goodness, what should they-

”Riftheart NO-”

Well, what other choice did he have now?

Cautiously, Sourpaw slid down the bank to whatever dirt and rocks surrounded the river as a groan left his lips. There was a drop between the earth and the water, but there were lower points a fair way downstream. Perhaps they could hoist them out there? Them… yes, alright. Think straight, Sour! There were one - no - two of them in there… Oh gosh was that…? Yes, it was the same dusty tabby who he was thinking of, but he appeared limp. Had they arrived too late? Wait, was that blood?

Methods and plans flew into his head then right out as he dismissed them, labelling the ideas a failure. He had to take some kind of control before anybody did some kind of reckless act, but he must have been too stuck in his thoughts as he watched Stonewatcher drag Bramblekit to the surface as best he could. For all he knew, the large tom could be dead. No, no. They’d save him, they’d get him out. It was times like this Sourpaw knew and understood that he had to dismiss who was friend and who was foe.

He looked to Riftheart before speaking, a worried expression on his face as he glanced around looking to see if there was something - anything - for the toms to grab a hold of. ”We need to think this through… Come on come on!!” He may as well have been bashing his head on a rock as he thought and thought, but little came to mind as there was a lack of items protruding the waters than what would have served beneficial. He didn’t want to jump in just yet - cold shock, sharp rocks, the strong current - did fish bite??? But the other seemed to have other plans.

Riftheart ||

The small tom jumps slightly upon Sourpaw's command, cautiously bringing himself back up to stable ground. He begins to pace, tail-tip twitching nervously as he padded back and forth, back and forth. "That's Bramblesn-... Bramblekit and Stonewatcher in there from the looks of it.. Bramblekit's too large to be dragged out from the side of the river. And, besides, he looks like he isn't moving. He's likely unconscious. We've got to work fast," he points out, unsheathing his claws and digging at the dirt below him, tearing up very few strands of grass anxiously. After a few moments, the small tom looks back out toward the warriors in the water. Burntflight - his past mentor - would've been heartbroken if she saw this. Burntflight would've been heartbroken if they died. And she would have been upset if he hadn't done anything about it. 

As Sourpaw continues to think aloud, he slides back down to where he was before and keeps his eyes on the river. Bramblekit was unconscious - he couldn't move if he wanted to, and Stonewatcher would have pulled the dusty tom out of the flowing water already if he was able to. As he suggested before, they would have to go in. 

Pushing back any fear he had of the large dusty tom, Riftheart bunches his muscles and, kicking back a few pebbles, he leaps into the water.

Maybe the small tom should have eased his way in, because as soon as he jumped into the river, he felt a rock knock against his skull, dragging down his face in a quick flash. Riftheart opens his mouth to yell out in surprise and agony as his face begins to throb and sting, though all that came from his maw was a stream of bubbles as he was taken under the strong current of the river, paws working quickly as pain coursed through his face. Dark paws paddling, legs working swiftly, the tom manages to resurface himself, his open eye steadily blinking away the water as he coughs.

He couldn't help but notice the strong metallic smell surrounding him, and as he looks down, he realizes that there was blood. Not from Bramblekit or Stonewatcher this time - no - but from him. This sends a jolt of panic through the small tom as he glances back upward, keeping himself afloat as he turns his head to Sourpaw, who still remained on land. His breaths came in heavy as he bit his lip against the soaring pain that was blooming from his eye, setting his gaze on Stonewatcher and Bramblekit as he continued to work his way toward them.

Stonewatcher ||

As Stonewatcher kept his icy eyes glued to the cats on the shore, he quickly came to the realization that the cats were Riftheart... and..... was that Sweetpaw..? Panicked, he continued to keep a firm grasp on Bramblekit. Well, this was embarrassing. He knew that the she-cat followed him, but he didn't think she'd come out this far to find him. As he watches the two near the side of the river, he shouts through his half-brother's fur, "I can't hold onto him much longer! And if he stays in here for any longer, I don't know if he'll make it!" 

Why was he even trying to save the tom? He didn't really know. The fact that they were family still seemed to burn through any harsh feelings he had for the larger tom. Everything he had done.. all of the comments, the hatred Bramblekit had made toward him and his family... yet he still tried to save him. 

As Riftheart managed to jump into the river and resurface, the small tom could only grimace. Oh, boy. That eye sure didn't look good. Though, despite this, hope settled further into his mind. Maybe they would make it out... maybe they'd all come out of this okay..

Sourpaw ||

Sourpaw could figure out most of the information on his own, but Riftheart's words only confirmed his fears. Yet the fact that the demoted warrior could possibly be unconscious soothed his mind a little, as horrible as that sounded. Truth be told, he felt a little fearful in the large tom's presence - just a little! No, no, who was he kidding? Sourpaw was no big brave tom, he was a coward at heart, but at least he knew that he always had good intentions.

Once again, he found himself in a panic as he saw the other dart past and into the river. "You idiot!" Sourpaw would speak as his voice cracked into a high pitch, but he didn't think about it. Oh StarClan what was he going to do? Why did nobody freaking listen to him!? He may have been the youngest but he knew damn well that Riftheart's move was absolutely a horrendous mistake! And that would only be proved as more blood than before found itself reaching its way down the water's surface. "Oh gosh, oh gosh." His claws seeped into the ground.

"Fuck it! Damn you agh."

He hardly realised himself leaping in after the pointed tom. It was cold... So cold... Was he going to have to get all three of them out? He thought himself at least semi-capable but he wasn't strong enough for that! Sure he was taller than two of them, but that was two small pieces of dead weight plus the one they were meant to be getting out of there!

The frustration boiled inside of him, spitting at his chest and stomach with small sizzling scolds. He wanted to lash out, tell them all how dumb this whole thing was but he knew better. He knew he had to help. So he grabbed Riftheart by the scruff when he found himself able to paddle on over to him, yanking him over to the duo of half-brothers.

"DAMN IT, LISTEN TO ME."

His commands had to be heard! He cried as loud as he could over the splashing of his paws against the water, the authority almost shocking coming from such a usually soft yet squeaky voice. "You!" He yelped at Stonewatcher. "Keep a hold of his fur; Riftheart and I will make sure he doesn't fall under again!" He called almost desperately. Sure, the two smaller warriors were both injured, but Bramblekit was just about knocking on death's door. He was the priority so long as the others could move. He didn't want to have to run back to Starlingdawn and Appleshine with the report of a dead body. And who else could he blame but himself for not taking charge?

Riftheart ||

The tom found his paws kicking desperately as he tried to keep afloat. His head was held high to keep any water from entering his ears once again, though this proved to be unhelpful as he went under once again.

Just as the small tom tried to bring himself back up, he felt a tug at his scruff, bringing him upward and to his destination. With a gasp, the small tom coughs, turning his head to Sourpaw and quickly back to Stonewatcher and Bramblekit as the river continued to swarm around them. Shock quickly took over any thoughts he had as the apprentice began to shout out commands, and his brows furrowed slightly with frustration as he struggled to keep his open eye on the half-brothers. 

With a quick breath, Riftheart sinks his teeth into Bramblekit's fur, grasping firmly as he kicks at the running tides below and around his paws, fighting against the current and tugging at the large dusty tom's form. 

As they eventually reached solid ground, the small warrior gasps through the younger tom's fur, "We're close enough to land to drag him out! I think?" With a few sputters in between muffled words, he tries to peer over Bramblekit's large form. Settling his eyes onto the land and then back onto Sourpaw, he gives him a nod, then glances back to the riverside frantically.

Sourpaw ||

His legs would battle against the current as he also took to his instincts. After calling commands, Sourpaw helped out in dragging the larger tom out of the water. His fur must've been weighing him down, his larger form less bouyant that Sour's lighter one, or Riftheart and Stonewatcher's smaller bodies.

But then he heard Riftheart's spluttering. "Flat land? Great, let's get him over a-" He swallowed a mouthful of water. Starting to cough and splutter himself, his legs kicked a little more frantically now. It seemed to be working, thankfully. Finally. His paws could feel dirt and rocks as they got closer and closer to the riverbank, relief flooding his heart but his head only pounded and ears rung.

It took great effort, but the trio hoisted the tabby onto land, dragging his pelt across the ground as the scent of blood ever grew stronger as they all emerged. Sourpaw grimaced but eyes widened as he looked around. Riftheart's eye was closed, he wasn't sure why, Stonewatcher seemed to have a smaller injury, but an injury nonetheless... And Bramblekit? Trust it to be Sourpaw, a lowly apprentice, surrounded by a group of casualties... The wound made him feel sick. Flesh torn from the tom's back, a jagged line no doubt but it was hardly distinguishable when surrounded by matted damp fur and blood... Lots of blood...

His silver gaze observed the three. It took him a moment to even collect himself and process it all... 

He shook his pelt, and he felt no pain besides the aching in his joints and the feeling that his skull would split open from this pounding sensation.

"Is he breathing?" Yes.

The chestnut tom seemed breathless. "You all please stay here. I'll run back and get help! Starlingdawn should still be around!" Sourpaw yelped back, his legs already carrying him back to camp despite everything. Despite the shock and cold and his joints dragging him down. He just didn't want to have to report a dead clanmate. Not today. Not ever. He just wanted to go home...

Bramblekit (-snap) ||

His skin burned... That was for sure.

Was he breathing? Shouldn't he br breathing? But no, he was hacking up lungfulls of water, dirty water but why? Oh... Fuck, that was why...

It slowly came back to him. He wanted to run, run to the other side of the valley to show that he was still alive. But he couldn't. It all kept fading in and out as Bramblekit's claws gripped the soil beneath him in hopes that it would prevent his life slipping away from him. He could feel the water dribbling down his chin, and even such a thing provided relief. It showed that he was still alive...

Soil? Was he out?

His eyes finally opened fully, chest pounding as his lungs ached, his spine twitched. He couldn't even mutter a word as the pain took over. He could only let out a few grunts and groans, but it was enough to prove that he was still here as tears trailed down his face.