[Dylan/Open!] My World's Been Tipped Upside Down

[♦ stormeh ♦]

<sup>Runningleap bounded through the woods, his spotted fur glistening underneath the moonlight and his muscles rippling underneath his thin pelt. His jaws were parted so he could breathe in any prey-scent, and his tall ears were perked in a determined expression. Although it was somewhat late to be hunting, but he often did so to relieve stress. Besides, the prey wasn't going to leap into the Clan's mouths.

He suddenly felt something cold and solid fall into his nose, then vanish, leaving the cold feeling in his fur. He glanced upwards and saw that the night sky was darkening even more, and gray clouds slowly covered the moon. That's strange, he thought to himself. Why would it be raining in green-leaf? Runningleap figured that it must've been because new-leaf had just ended, and temperatures were still warming up.

So he shrugged it off, and continued through the trees, keeping low to the ground and sticking close to the undergrowth. After a short period of time, the rain began to fall harder, and the breeze suddenly grew stronger. Runningleap frowned, a puzzled expression on his face, and he soon felt his body shiver. He knew in the back of his mind that he should've started back toward camp, but he was too stubborn to just give up his hunt.

By the time Runningleap was nearly at Sunningrocks, the rainfall was so heavy that the grass underneath his paws became muddy and marshy, creating puddles of dirty water everywhere. Bewildered, he went on, startled by how strong the winds were, and why he even heard thunder rumble in the sky. He stepped out of the undergrowth and suddenly felt the ground give way from underneath him. "Aaaah!" he yowled, his voice being drowned out as he crashed into freezing cold, rushing water. His body was roughly pushed around underneath the powerful rapids, and his head bobbed up above the surface for only a heartbeat.

***

Nettlepaw gasped in horror when he suddenly heard Runningleap's yowl. He had been followed his mentor from camp when he noticed that he was leaving, and he figured that he would test out his stalking skills since his warrior assessment would be coming up soon. He shot forwards, eyes wide with shock and terror. He almost ignored the storm that was raging, (which of course, he had noticed the rain moments earlier) and burst out of the undergrowth, almost falling face-first into the rushing waters.

Nettlepaw's paws were frozen to the ground, as he watched, as Runningleap was tossed through the river as he traveled with great speed, in the opposite direction of the gorge. Without thinking, he leapt into the icey water, almost crying out in pain as the freezing water barely froze his limbs in less than a heartbeat. For a brief moment, he was dazed, but he soon regain his focus.

His legs churned in the water, violently being tossed around by the powerful rapids. He forced himself to swim to the surface, and he gasped for breath as he emerged from the water. He suddenly saw the shape of Runningleap farther down the river. Though before Nettlepaw went under the waves one more time, he saw that his mentor had stopped and was clinging onto one of the large stones of Sunningrocks, which was now almost completely submerged under water.

((short time-skip))

Nettlepaw gasped when he felt his body crash into something solid, and when he looked, it was Runningleap's. StarClan, help me! he prayed in his mind as he struggled to grasp his mentor's scruff in his jaws. His muscles were screaming in exhaustion, but he knew that he had to keep going.

The apprentice almost sank to the bottom once he pushed themselves away from the stone, and he realized with a jolt of horrow that Runningleap was limp, and was acting like a dead weight. Was he dead? The thought almost made Nettlepaw drop Runningleap completely. No, he promised himself, he couldn't be.

Suddenly, after what seemed like an extremely exhausting season of forcing himself and Runningleap through the rapids, he felt solid ground underneath his paws. Nettlepaw almost collapsed in relief, but he had to check on Runningleap first. He dropped him on the ground and took a few moments to take a few deep breaths and cough the water out of his throat. "Runningleap, are you alright?! Runningleap?!" he yowled so his mentor could hear him over the deafening rain.

There was no response. Had he heard him? Only then did Nettlepaw realize the small puddle of dark liquid forming underneath Runningleap's head. He froze. He couldn't tell what it was, from the darkness and from the winds, but when he touched it with his paw, the warm, sticky feeling told him exactly what it was. "No... no! Runningleap, wake up!" he shrieked, prodding his mentor's body with his paw rather roughly, trying to stir him from what seemed like his unconsciousness. He didn't move.

Horror siezed Nettlepaw's body. Runningleap was dead. His mentor was dead. His friend was dead. His father was dead. It was like a part of Nettlepaw died with Runningleap. He could see the warrior's eyes glaze, and his flanks lay still as the rain poured down on them. "Runningleap!" he howled, dizzy from shock and exhaustion. He was on the verge of passing out. But he didn't. Still, there was no answer from Runningleap, and for a long time, Nettlepaw sat in the rain, nose buried into his mentor's fur, lying still.

***

"Runningleap is dead!" The yowl woke everyone from their slumber, even the elders, as cats began to rush out of their dens and into the clearing where they found a disturbing sight. Nettlepaw stood in the midst of the muddy clearing, staring down at the lifeless body of his old mentor. His face was shadowed, and thunder boomed threateningly a far way away, as if comfirimg the news. Hawkstar rushed out of his den, spotting Nettlepaw almost immediately and running toward him. "Nettlepaw, are you alright? What happened?" the ThunderClan leader asked, eyes wide with shock.

Nettlepaw said nothing. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but he didn't sob once. He only kept his gaze fixed on Runningleap's body, refusing to sit down when Hawkstar gestured for him to rest. How could he? The one cat who made such a difference in his life, had just died. And the worst part was, was that he wasn't able to save him. After everything Runningleap had taught him, he still wasn't able to save him. Nettlepaw was a disgrace to his Clan, to himself, and most of all, to Runningleap. It was as if no one was there except for Runningleap and himself. His legs were wobbly, and were about to give out, but he continued to stand, silently crying grief, while everyone stared in silence.</sup>

Words;; 1128!

[raindapple]

Darkstripe was sleeping in the warriors den, his dark gray tabby pelt rising evenly before Nettlepaw's sudden yowl jolted him awake from his sleep. "What the name of StarClan?" the warrior shot his head up, blinking his green eyes. Pushing to his paws, he rushed outside-only to see Runningleap's body in the center of the clearing. His eyes widen in shock when he saw the dark red, sticky blood sweeping from a wound on Runningleap's head. "Oh my god..." the warrio said shocked, his paws glued to the ground.
Dapplecreek poked her head outside of the Nuscry, wondering what was going on. She gasped slightly when she saw Runningleap's body. "Momma, what's going out there?" Falconkit asked, standing behind his mother with Rainkit by his side. Dapplecreek glanced over at them, struggling to keep her voice calm, "N-Nothing's wrong my dears. Just go back to bed, alright?" the queen said, nosing her kits back into the nest. "But mooomm, I want to know what's going on out there!" Falconkit protested, but it was quickly covered up a large yawn.

[dylan]

Applepaw was sleeping in her nest, her back paw twitching as she slept. Even in sleep the young apprentice could not stay still. It was always amusing to watch her sleep, never knowing which body part would twitch. Sometimes it would be hear tail, sometimes her whiskers, and once three of her paws were twitching at the same time. Her ginger pelted body was curled into a tight ball, the only way she could sleep. The warmth of her brother’s pelt had soothed her to sleep, like it had when they were kits. She could always rely on her brother for that…for being there for her.

Both siblings had fallen asleep quite early. Applepaw had been told she would be on a dawn patrol, and her brother was on an early morning hunting patrol. So the two had settled down early, not wanting to be dead on their paws in the morning. Applepaw had wanted to wait for Nettlepaw, but that hadn’t happened obviously. The she-cat had fallen asleep quickly after curling up.

She continued to twitch and her foot soon dug into her brother’s side. He let out a grunt and flipped over, causing Applepaw’s head to fall off his pelt and hit the ground. This woke her up and she hissed angrily. Her brother had not heard her, he had fallen back to sleep. Putting her head back on his body, she curled back up and was almost asleep when she heard someone yowling in camp. Looking at her brother, he was knocked out completely. How could he have slept through that? Rolling her emerald eyes at him, she got up and padded to look outside the den. It was then the she-cat saw a sight she wished had not happened.

In the clearing was the one cat she had started to trust that wasn’t related to her, and the lifeless body of another cat she was learning to trust. In the past few days, Applepaw had been on every patrol the two toms had been, and was warming up to them. She had learned a lot, and trust was starting to come a little easier than she expected. Normally she would not allow this, but she was going to tell him later today that she would make an exception. But as she looked at Nettlepaw and saw his face, and her heart started to break for him.

Applepaw couldn’t take it and seeing him hurt like that was bothering her, probably more than it should. But no one deserved to hurt that bad. If only she could take the pain away. Deciding at that moment to do something without thinking, she ran quickly to her friend’s side. Instead of saying anything, she leaned into him slightly, to let him know she was there. Applepaw didn’t know what to say, so opted out of saying anything. If Nettlepaw wanted to speak, he would, and he didn’t need her asking him numerous questions. ”I’m here if you need me.”

[/color] she whispered to him quietly. And she meant it. Whatever he needed, even if it was just for her to sit with him, she would do it.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

<sup>Nettlepaw didn't even notice when Applepaw appeared beside him, leaning into his soaking-wet pelt. For a long time, he said nothing, only training his clouded gaze on his mentor's still body. He wanted Runningleap to move; to twitch his whiskers, to blink his glazed eyes, to do anything to show that he was alive. But there was no response. There would never be any response from him ever again. The thought of never again being able to hear his laugh, to see the amusement sparkle in his eyes, to feel the excitement of hunting with a close friend, would've made his heart catch in his throat.

But what was even left of his heart? It was a question that didn't matter anymore - in fact - just as his own heart didn't matter anymore. Why should it? It had shattered into more pieces than there were stars in Silverpelt. And what made Nettlepaw cringe, was the fact that this was his fault. All of it. Nettlepaw couldn't have caught Runningleap before he first fell with the ground into the water, he wasn't strong enough to swim with greater speed. He wasn't fast enough to save his life.

So many emotions collided with each other inside of him, making it feel like he was recieving blows from a thousand warriors. Suddenly, Nettlepaw looked up and flashed his wide-eyed gaze around camp, fixing it onto each and every cat that was gathered around him. He slowly took a few steps backwards, then quickening his pace until he stumbled to the ground. His wet fur was plastered against his body, making him look frail and vulnurable. "T-this... I d-did this..." he began to stammer, his voice barely more than a whisper.

As if realization had only just then hit him, Nettlepaw's voice grew louder and more shrill. "This is all m-my fault!" Hawkstar's eyes were wide with concern and grief, and he stepped in front of the terrorfied apprentice. "Nettlepaw, please, calm down -" the leader began, but he was cut off by Nettlepaw's high-pitced shriek. "No! Stay away from me!" His silver-gray eyes were clouded with grief and shock. I'll just kill you, too, he thought grimly in his mind.

Suddenly, Nettlepaw turned and shot off toward the camp entrance, tears streaking down his face and he vanished through the gorse tunnel. Hawkstar blinked at Applepaw, before turning his gaze toward his Clan. "We may sit vigil for Runningleap," her murmured, the other cats beginning to form a circle around their deceased Clan mate. Nettlepaw sat just outside the entrance of camp, his head hunched below his shoulders and his claws were dug into the wet, muddy ground. He grit his teeth and tried not to let the wails escape from his throat. Why should he cry anyway? He didn't deserve to cry over someone he killed. How could he face his Clan anymore, after taking the life of one of their Clan mates?</sup>

[dylan]

Applepaw did not care that there was no acknowledgement from her friend. She knew he had to be hurting and upset. He had to be completely lost in his own world and not wanting or knowing how to speak. She had been in that exact place before. She didn’t look at him or speak, just sat by him. Maybe her presence would help his misery just a little bit. If only she could ease the pain she knew he was feeling. But how could she? The one friend she had come to actually trust was hurting beyond her control. Why was life so cruel?

And then the look of guilt in his face nearly broke her heart all over again. He thought all of this was his fault. No, he was far too kind of a tom for this to be his fault. When he broke away from her, Applepaw looked a little crestfallen, but knew he was scared right now. Not even Hawkstar’s words could soothe Nettlepaw. What chance would she have if the leader of the clan couldn’t help him? But she had to try, Runningleap would want her to. She noticed Hawkstar’s gaze on her and she suddenly felt smaller. Was everything up to her now? As he made the announcement for everyone to sit vigil she stared at Runningleap’s body for a few moments. She felt a tear escape and she knew it really was up to her.

Looking to Hawkstar and having a slight apology in her eyes for doing what she was about to do, she got onto her paws. Instead of mourning her dead clanmate she was going to go find Nettlepaw. He wanted to be alone, but she wasn’t going to allow that. Racing after his scent, Applepaw found him quicker than she thought. He hadn’t gone far, barely out of camp. ”Nettlepaw?”

[/color] she questioned softly, trying not to startle him. Making her way closer she sat beside him and sighed. His pelt was so wet, how was he not cold? Then again, he was probably numb with everything. ”You may can make everyone else stay away from you, but I am not going anywhere. Run from me all you want, I’m staying.”[/color] she mewed, glancing at Nettlepaw. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

<sup>Nettlepaw didn't move a whisker when Applepaw appeared beside him again, but it was the first time he actually noticed her since he had dragged Runningleap into camp. The rain was still pouring down, but it had lightened by a sliver. Water droplets hung at his fur and his body was shivering from the cold, but it didn't matter to him. Nothing mattered anymore.

Nettlepaw only half-heard Applepaw's words through the rain, but he showed no signs of running away from her. Instead, he slowly looked up from his paws, and trained his clouded gaze on Applepaw. His eyes were dull with grief, and a blank expression flitted across his darkened face. "And what next?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice almost inaudible. "He's gone... and it's my fault..." His voice grew louder, and trembled more with each word.

His head began to spin again, and he felt like the ground would give out beneath his paws at any moment. Thunder boomed overhead, but he didn't flinch. "I couldn't save him! he shouted, eyes wide with terror as he stared straight through Applepaw, as if she wasn't there. The fierceness in his gaze quickly faded into a hollow sadness once more, and it fell to the ground as he sobbed.

Why was Applepaw even with him? She should've been sitting vigil for Runningleap back at camp, without Nettlepaw. Why? The answer was obviously clear. He didn't deserve to sit vigil with his mentor. Nettlepaw kept telling himself that he wouldn't, but in the back of his mind, he knew that he would eventually return to camp and share tongues with Runningleap one last time.


ooc;; Bad post. ;u;</sup>

[dylan]

Applepaw was relieved when she saw Nettlepaw actually look at her. At least he isn’t completely gone, I can still help him, I just have to be here for him. the she-cat thought. She let out a deep sigh and tried to look back at him, but he looked so broken inside. He looked just like she had not too long ago. When her best friend had broken her trust, she had looked just like that. But at least she had her brother, Nettlepaw had no one. But that wouldn’t be any longer. She would be here for him, she was starting to have this feeling deep down that made her not want to be parted from him. Another good sign is that he was no longer running, he was staying.

She had to listen close to his words, they were so low and soft. He truly was broken. ”No! It is not your fault! Stop saying that!”

[/color] the she-cat’s fur would have been fluffing out at this point, if not for the rain. Applepaw was actually angry, a side she didn’t show much. Normally she was pretty quiet, but she couldn’t sit here and let him do this to himself. She knew this road far too well. ”It’s not anyone’s fault. These things just happen. You may not have been able to save him, but that isn’t your fault. StarClan decided it was his time to join them. There was nothing you could have done, nothing anyone could have done.”[/color] she mewed, shaking her head.

Applepaw sighed again, and was at a loss. How could she help him? One last try, is what she would do. ”You may not have been able to save Runningleap, but you saved me. Whether you want to believe that or not. Before I met you I didn’t trust any tom, much less like being around anyone. But I trust YOU. I don’t want to see you hurt, because it makes me hurt. So please, stop blaming yourself. I don’t want to lose you. I like you.”[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

<sup>Nettlepaw was inwardly surprised by the fierceness in Applepaw's tone, but he didn't show it. He was still at shock by his mentor's loss. How could it not be his fault? If only he was faster... just a bit faster, then maybe... He tried to shake the thoughts away. It was no use giving in to his negative thoughts. Even if he didn't want to admit it, Nettlepaw knew in the back of his mind that she was right.

Nettlepaw let out a hollow sigh, that was instantly drowned out by the rain. His fur was soaking wet and his pelt was ice-cold, sending shivers down his spine every now and then. "But why kill him like that?" he spat angrily, eyes blazing with rage for his deceased friend. "They could've at least let him die peacefully," he sobbed, lips drawn back in a scornful expression. But the anger soon died away, and he was back to his grief-shooken state.

Nettlepaw was beginning to feel annoyed by Applepaw's words, even though they comforted him. She didn't have to keep repeating that he wasn't able to save Runningleap; it was no huge news. But how could that not be huge news? He was about to reply, but strangely, Applepaw went on. He opened his eyes after have been squeezing them shut so tightly, and he slowly looked up from his paws. She trusts me?

Nettlepaw had never thought that Applepaw could ever trust anyone; especially someone like himself. He knew that she was comfortable keeping to herself, and he respected that. But to have her trust him was an honor, to him. When she finished, a sparkle of hope lit in his dull eyes. "I..." he trailed off, lost for words. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak again. "Thanks, Applepaw. I'm glad I met you."

Though while feeling so broken inside, he was able to muster a tiny smile, almost looking as if he were normal again. Nettlepaw leaned down and pressed his nose into Applepaw's shoulder, not minding the cold feeling that greeted it from her wet fur. He truly was glad that he had a friend like her. Runningleap wouldn't have wanted him to grieve over him forever. Runningleap can't be part of my life anymore... but Applepaw can.</sup>

[dylan]

Applepaw had no answers for Nettlepaw’s question. She was wondering the same thing herself. Why did Runningleap have such a horrible death? He surely didn’t deserve such a cruel fate. ”Only StarClan knows the answer to that. Maybe you will learn one day.”

[/color] came her response, this time much quieter. He had made a good point. Then again, why did StarClan allow her best friend to betray her? Who knew the reasoning behind what they did. It probably was best they didn’t know the reason, sometimes things were meant to stay silent.

What was that look in his eyes? Was that hope? So maybe something in her speech had affected him after all. But what exactly had she said, she had nearly forgotten. Something about trust? Was that it? She had left him speechless, and that made a small grin sneak on her face. This was actually funny in a twisted way. Nodding, she felt the same way. ”I’m glad you came up to me on that day and weren’t like everyone else. You didn’t try to force me to talk to you, or force me to do anything. You were kind and it took me by surprise that cats like you existed.”[/color] she felt her body temperature go up from embarrassment, but that was okay, she meant every word. ”If you wouldn’t have spoken to me that day, I would still be moping around camp and not speak to anyone. You make me braver, and thank you for that.”[/color] she added.

Applepaw let a deep breath out, one she did not know she was holding the moment she felt Nettlepaw’s nose on her shoulder. She began to purr slightly and looked at him with soft eyes. She would help him through this, she would help him through anything. ”Don’t worry, you don’t have to go through anything alone. I’ll be here whenever you need me. You can even sleep in my nest if you don’t want to be alone.”[/color] she mewed, her voice soft and her words serious. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Why was Applepaw thanking him? All Nettlepaw did was befriend her, and even more surprisingly, he managed to gain her trust. He should be the one thanking her, for accepting him as a friend. But he wasn't going to just keep thanking her when he could barely think straight. Most of his mind was still in shock from Runningleap's death, which followed by a pang of grief.

Though somehow, Applepaw helped to wash some of the pain away. Her purr startled him, and he looked down at her with a surprised look on his face, and the dullness even lightened a bit. To anyone else, Nettlepaw normally would've snorted in defiance and told them that he can look after himself. Not for Applepaw, though. Her words were more than he could've asked for, and her presence alone seemed to push some of the negative thoughts out of his mind. Even through the rain, he could hear the softness in her voice, and his heart would've skipped a beat if he wasn't still grieving.

"Applepaw... thanks for being my friend," he whispered, feeling less tense then he was before. His silver-gray eyes were soft and full of emotion, and he began to lean forward to nuzzle her cheek, but then he stopped adrubtly half-way and looked away, embarrassed and relieved that he hadn't actually done it. He didn't know how Applepaw would've reacted.

"Er, I mean, we should go... go sit vigil for Runningleap," he added, his voice cracking at the bitter-sweet reminder. Nettlepaw didn't have a mentor anymore, and Runningleap was practically his only friend. He never really talked to anyone else, until he started to talk to Applepaw. She was different. I won't be alone, he told himself. Applepaw meant just as much to him as Runningleap did. Only, Nettlepaw was beginning to think that she was more than a friend.

[dylan]

Wait did she detect something in his eyes. Did they just brighten a little? Was she really able to stop him from running and keep him here with her? Was she really strong enough? She grinned as he spoke again and just shrugged, acting as if it were nothing. And it truly was nothing.

Applepaw had not had friends lately, she had kept to herself, pushed everyone away, like Nettlepaw had been trying to do. But Applepaw had been down that road and didn’t wish it upon anyone else. It was a miserable road that was hard to come back from. Nettlepaw had wormed his way in. ”Don’t thank me, just don’t ever make me regret this. I can’t take you, of all cats, to hurt me like he did.”

[/color] she mewed softly. If Nettlepaw were to ever leave her brokenhearted, there would be no telling what would become of Applepaw, but she knew he would never do that to her.

Looking back up and him she was making sure he was alright. It wasn’t about her, it was about him. She nodded and sighed. ”Only if you want to, I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready for. I’ll stay here with you as long as you would like me to.”[/color] she said. The she-cat was silently hoping that he would go and sit by his mentor’s body and mourn with the rest of the clan. But if he wanted to stay out here, she was fine with that also. Applepaw’s gaze was soft as she watched Nettlepaw, he didn’t look nearly as broken as he did when she had followed after him, or when she had seen him just moments ago in camp. He looked better, but only time would heal the wounds he had suffered.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

<sup>Nettlepaw turned and looked at Applepaw for a long time, his eyes slightly narrowed in a serious expression. Did Applepaw really think that he would do that to her? He was more than that. "I promise," he told her honestly. He wouldn't want to lose the last cat he truly cared about, and he would try his best to make sure it didn't happen.

"No," his words were dry and dull once more. "I... I need to say goodbye." Nettlepaw drew in a sharp breath, and held it for a moment, wondering what would greet him on the other side of the gorse tunnel. Most likely his Clanmates. What would they say? What do they already think of him? It made the dark thoughts flood back into his mind, making him shudder inwardly.

Without waiting for Applepaw, he slowly pushed his way through the gorse, paying no attention to the thorns that scraped at his pelt. He almost hesitated when he neared the opening, but he forced himself to go on. The clearing was wet and muddy, rain still pattering down - though it had definetely lightened from the earlier storm. One cat saw him and instantly nudged the cat beside him, and they began to murmur softly while others noticed Nettlepaw. Most of them fell silent as he slowly stalked up to Runningleap's body. His eyes clouded with grief as he stood by his side for a moment. He lay down by his side and buried his nose into his flank, dismayed by the coldness in his fur.

Nettlepaw began to sob again, sniffling and trying to keep his emotions together. "Why did you have to leave?" he whispered softly, his voice almost inaudible. His tongue rasped across his mentor's wet fur, half of him expecting him to move. But he didn't. He never would. Runningleap's days of hunting and patroling were over. Nettlepaw curled up in a tight ball and rested his head on his flank, shutting his eyes tightly to keep the tears from streaming out.</sup>

[dylan]

Applepaw let out a breath of air she didn't know she was holding. He had promised, and she believed him. Trust worked both ways, so she had to start trusting him fully. And promises aren't meant to be broken, so she would have to trust him to not break this promise. This would be a big step for the apprentice, but it was one she was willing to make, but only with Nettlepaw. "Thank you.

[/color] she sighed in relief.

When Nettlepaw mentioned he was ready to do this, he was ready to go, she looked at him, making sure he really was. Nodding, she forced a small smile on her face. "I'll stay right by your side, until you don't need me anymore. Just remember, you have me and I'm not going anywhere."[/color] she added.

Taking in a deep breath and releasing it, she followed after Nettlepaw. She really was worried about him, and would not stand anyone looking at him oddly. She would protect him, he was her family now, and she protected her family. As she walked into camp and saw the cats nudging eachother she just glared. Ignoring them, she padded straight for her friend, and settled down beside Nettlepaw. Hearing his words, she licked his shoulder in reassurance. She was here for him.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Nettlepaw felt comforted with Applepaw by his side, but the pain of everything felt much too raw. As he groomed his old mentor's fur, he could see a black figure from the corner of his eye. Shadeclaw? The broad-shouldered warrior was glaring at him, snorting in contempt after a few moments and stalking off toward the warriors' den, lashing his tail in irritation. Nettlepaw payed no attention to the quick-tempered warrior, however. His mind was clouded with dark thoughts.

As time passed, more cats began to retreat to their nests, tired from sitting vigil for Runningleap. But when every cat in the clearing had vanished, Nettlepaw was still sitting by Runningleap's side. He didn't even bother to look over and see if Applepaw was still there. Drowsiness began to wash over his mind, urging him to close his eyes, but he refused to fall asleep. He would be with Runningleap until he was forced to be parted from him.

//dawn//

Nettlepaw grunted, limbs aching as he gingerly dropped Runningleap into the hole he had dug. When dawn brok, he insisted on burying him himself, and the Clan agreed. After all, it's just one less chore for them. he thought scornfully. He didn't mean to think that his Clanmates didn't care about Runningleap, but he couldn't help being in a bad mood.

After kicking the last of the dirt into the hole, he patted it a few times with his paws. He stood there for a moment, feeling regret as if he wanted to dig up Runningleap right away, just to see his face again - which he did. But he knew he couldn't. He had to leave his mentor to join the glimmering ranks of StarClan.

Suddenly, his visions blurred and his legs buckled from underneath his body. Nettlepaw collapsed onto the ground, feeling exhaustion cover his mind like a blanket in an instant. He had endured the most the the night before, and this morning. He had swam as strongly as he could, dragged Runningleap out of the water, carried him back to camp, sat by his side without closing his eyes once, and now burying his body. Just before the apprentice passed out, he suddenly remembered Applepaw. Where is she? That was his last thought before his vision went black and his mind went blank.

[dylan]

She wasn't going to break her word, she had told Nettlepaw she would stay by his side and that wasn't going to change. Applepaw would keep her word and stick by him, no matter what. The she-cat had noticed the rest of the clan as they eventually left, but Applepaw remained. Nettlepaw still needed her, and she was going to stay. She knew to be quiet, let her friend think, and so she did. Her friend was refusing to go to sleep, so Applepaw would keep him company, not even knowing if he knew she was still here. She didn't care, he didn't need to be alone.

Applepaw blinked as she waited in camp. Nettlepaw had wanted to bury his mentor all by himself, and she wasn't going to stop him. He needed that time alone, but she would be right with him when he came back. Her gaze shifted to her brother who was sending her a worried glance. But she just shook her head, she was fine, and would be fine now. She just needed Nettlepaw back here.

Finally beginning to worry about her friend, Applepaw began to head out of camp to see where the tom had gone off to. Maybe he had gone somewhere to think? Following the scent of the tom, she ran quickly. She was hoping nothing was wrong, surely he wasn't being a mousebrain somehow. Catching onto it, she picked up her speed, and looked around. Well his scent was right about..."Nettlepaw!"

[/color] she exclaimed seeing her friend passed out. Running to him and pressing her nose in his fur, she was very worried. "Please don't leave me, you gotta wake up!"[/color] Applepaw's voice was cracking with fear as she saw her friend like this. She had no idea what was going on, and the worst was occuring in her mind.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]