i want you to leave me alone - o,

[RHINESTONE.]

The panic in the air was palpable as Featherear scrambled below, and Rhine struggled not to be overwhelmed by it himself. Although he had obviously not been as close to Haystripe as the tom's own kin had been, Rhine could still remember him as a kind and great warrior. To see his body in such a state, and to think about what had happened... it made the leader's chest grow tight, and his paws unsteady. He clenched his jaw, briefly focusing on nothing but the feeling of the sand beneath his toes, and the scent of the waves on the air. It was grounding, and when the medicine cat's voice reached him, Rhine was ready. He nodded, calling down to Featherear as he stood at the lip of the hole, "Alright, I can do that! Please... please be careful!" There was no way he'd be able to handle it if Feather herself got hurt, especially so close to the site of her brother's death.

The leader's entire body was tensed as Featherear leaped, and it was only a split second before his head went shooting forward, his teeth digging into the shecat's scruff to grab her. He dug his claws into the earth below him, a shaky sigh leaving his muzzle as he fought valiantly against the gravity trying to drag him down. With a great deal of effort, the tom swung his head around, pulling Feather over to solid ground once again. As he put her back down on all four paws, Rhine let out a relieved breath, trying his hardest not to immediately collapse on his belly. Once he felt a little less unstable, Rhinestone was finally able to grit out, looking over Featherear in concern, "Are... are you alright? I mean... aside from the obvious... I was trying not to grab you too roughly." His teeth had dug in just enough to make sure he had a firm hold on the medic, but what if he had bitten down too hard? His pale gaze flicked to Feather's scruff, looking for any sign of injury, or blood.

RHINESTONESTAR - PALMCLAN - PENNED BY STILLY

[sup]template made by tikki[/sup]