Hawkstar's Story

Part 3

     I took a few steps and paused to take in the scents. Mostly, I just noticed the lack of marmot scent. Scrunching up my nose, I took the biggest smell I possibly could. Still nothing. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes- hoping it would enhance my smelling- and carefully took a few steps forward, feeling my way forward before putting my paw all the was down on the ground. I was distracted with taking careful steps that I almost didn't realize it was there at first.

     At first, it was nothing, but then the scent grew stronger and stronger. Could it be- another cat? Pausing, I opened my eyes. At first glance, I saw nothing. Everything looked normal. But I was sure something was there.

     Well, I thought, If my sight and scent can't find whatever is out there, then I'll use my hearing. Closing her eyes once more, Hawklegs focused on only what I could hear. Again, the first thing I noticed was the lack of prey. I pushed harder, and suddenly I could hear it- the very faint sound of someone breathing. Focusing entirely on that, I was able to pinpoint the source- A clump of grass a few tail lengths to my left. I ran over to the grass clump and, by pushing them aside with my tail, I found the source of the breathing, and most likely the cause of the prey being so silent.

     A cat. He looked about my age, too, with red-orange tabby fur. I couldn't help it- I leaped backwards and cried out in shock. There was a cat, just sleeping in the middle of our territory. I guess I caught the attention of some of my clanmates, because I could see Nightsnow look look up from his investigating and looking at me worriedly.

     "Hawklegs? Are you OK?" He called out, and I pulled my gaze away from the cat before me and looked at him.

     "Umm..." I thought for a minute, then answered, "I think I found... the... thing..." Turning my head back to the cat, I couldn't help but poke him. He was barely moving, and the breaths I had heard earlier were more ragged and faint. Something's wrong with him. I thought worriedly, and carefully turned him a bit so I could see his back. I couldn't help but jump back in shock. (A/N Apparently I am very easily shocked)

     He was covered in slashes, up and down his back, and was bleeding like crazy. At this point, Nightsnow had made it moved to me and was just as shocked about this newcomer's  cuts that he yelped out, too. (A/N guess I'm not the only one!)

     "I'll go get Hiddenpounce. Hopefully Sunpath is back with the clan, soon. He won't last much longer without help. You... Um... Stay here and guard him?" Nightsnow asked more then stated. He didn't like bossing people around. I decided not to make this hard for him and simply nodded. Nightsnow took one more glance at this odd cat and turned to leave.

     Although the sight of so much blood made me feel slightly nauseous, I forced my self to stay focused and think clearly. What did Shaderoar say to do when someone is bleeding? I asked myself. As part of warrior training, we had to learn basic medical cures in case something were to happen and we couldn't get help. At the time, I had found this to be ridiculous, but now I was glad I had been forced to memorize all the basic herbs. Suddenly I remembered- cobwebs would help, but is their are none make sure to keep the wound clean and apply pressure. Smiling inwardly, I carefully padded over to the injured cat and belt over to inspect his wounds. The wounds he had were not as numerous as I had thought at first glance, but the ones he did have were deep. Taking a deep breath, I licked his wounds to makes sure they were as clean as possible. If only we had moss, like the other clans... I thought bitterly. Our clan was too cold of a climate for moss to grow, so we made due with the few plants that did grow, sometimes relying on other clans for help.

     When the wounds were as clean as I could possibly made them, I tried to apply pressure by pressing my paws on his flank. I felt like I was going to gag on all the blood, but I forced myself to press harder. Was it just me, or was the bleeding slowing down?

     Next ting I know, Hiddenpounce is here and I am helping the stranger up onto his back. His only hope now is Shaderoar, so first we must carry his up to our camp.

~~~~~~~~~~Magical Time Woosh So I Don't Have To Go Into Detail Of How They Carried Him Up The Mountain~~~~~~~~~~

I padded back and forth in front of Shaderoar's den. Hiddenpounce had successfully carried the stranger up to camp, and now Shaderoar was using his medical know-how to heal  him. It had felt like moons since Hiddenpounce had dropped him off, and I was extremely worried about the stranger. Wait, I thought, stopping in my pacing, why am I so worried about this stranger? I would have questioned myself more, but suddenly Shaderoar left his den.

     I bombarded him with questions,"Will he live? Is he awake?"

     Shaderoar sighed, in a tired sort of way that made him seem so many moons older, and nodded, "He should live. His wounds are deep, but not many, so he should be fine. He's not awake, though." I sighed and nodded my head.

     Snakestar, who had called all the senior warriors to her den when the stranger arrived, padded over to talk to Shaderoar. They talked in silence for a few heartbeats, and then they both went back to her den, where the senior warriors were still waiting. He glanced over to me before he entered and called out.

     "Hawklegs? Can you watch him? And call out if he wakes up!" I nodded and he smiled as he entered Snakestar's den.

     I turned and padded over to Shaderoar's den. The patients sat in the back room while Shaderoar slept in the front, along with his stockpile of herbs. Curiosity made me want to poke around, but I knew better then that and went directly to the back room and sat across from the stranger, whose breathing seemed much smoother. He didn't look like he would ever wake up. I sighed and got comfortable. This is gonna be awhile...

(A/N Sorry I had to cut it off there. I have to go someplace and I promise the next chapter is gonna have him waking up! Also, just a side note, did this chapter seem longer than the others to anyone else? I mean, I did most of this just now, so it might be that. Anyone? Alright, that's all for now, please keep reading, new updates usually every Thursday, and check out some of my other books (if you feel like it). So yeah! If you want me to put your character in one of the other clans, please comment below along with all the info about your cat(s), and have fuuuuuuun! Bai to my FURRY FOLLOWERS!)