[Poprock]

@Ziera @Willowfern @Zero
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It had been a relatively boring day. Well... as boring as Riverclan could get these days. Bumblestep hadn't left his nest this morning for some early hunting. Instead, he chose to sleep in. Catch up on some Z's, think about Stormtalon, enjoy every bit of peace he could.

He wasn't sure what caught his attention first. Was it the pungent smell of blood wafting through the clearing? Its thick, metallic scent flooded his nose, bringing nothing but fear and dread with it. Maybe it was the screams of Hawthornmist, panicked and filled with grief. He was calling for-

He shot to his paws, stumbling over them as he raced out into the clearing.

No. No nonoononono He felt far away, like his spirit had left his body and was watching this scene play out from Starclan. This... couldn't be real right? A disgustingly familiar sight greeted the tom as he entered the clearing. The stench of blood was overwhelming now, practically spilling from the body that lay there. Stars no. His golden eyes teared up instantly at the lifeless body of Brightpaw. The sweet young apprentice Bumblestep had grown so fond of. His once bright and curious blue eyes were now frozen, looking forward at some unknown fear. His clean black pelt was soaked with red, limbs sprawled out at an unnatural angle around him.

Why?! He wanted to wail, paws frozen as he stared at the scene before him. Why would you do this again? How could you take another innocent life again!? Why would you let Iriskit see him this way?!

His soul slammed back into his body at the thought of the young kit seeing this. She was too young, too innocent. She shouldn't have to know of the horrors of life this early. Especially not when her brother was the one lying there. Finally his paws began to move again, slow and shaky, but it was better than nothing. Once he reached the kit, a large paw scooped her into his side, sheltering her from the intrusive sights and scents.

What could he possibly say to comfort her? Its going to be ok? It wasn't. This would haunt her dreams for the rest of her life, the smell of blood would forever make her sick. There was no "fixing" this. All he could do now was get her out of here.

"Hawthornmist." He called, voice shaking. "I..." He sucked in a breath. Stars this wouldn't even be the worst part... "I need you to take her to the nursery. I-I have to go find S-Stormtalon." Gently he picked the crying kit up by her scruff and passed her off to the warrior.

Mind on complete autopilot, he let his paws guide him towards Stormtalon. Even now, a period of tension and silence, Bumblestep's heart seemed to know exactly where to look.

With wide, watery eyes and a broken heart, he looked into those sad green eyes he had come to know so well. What could he say? What could anyone possibly say in this situation? He looked like a fish standing there with his mouth hung open, unable to speak. Nothing but a whimper came from him. [B]"Storm." He finally sniffled. "Something happened."