How Much Can You Withstand? -- O; Death

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Quiet was a luxury not often afforded to Rhinestonestar, at least not ever since he had stepped up as leader. He had grown used to the hustle and bustle of running the clan, constantly having something or someone to worry about. That day, he still had all of that upon his back, but at least things had been silent. It had been a kind of peaceful silence, with only the sound of the wind whisking the sick leader off into the pleasant land of sleep. Unfortunately, fate had always been a cruel mistress, and would continue to be well after Rhinestone was gone. She always had a way of luring one into a false sense of security, just before she dug the dagger into their back, and left them to die. Truly, the screech that tore through the air should've been the first strike of the dagger, but Rhine's exhausted mind had written it off, prompting him only to roll over. After all, the shriek could've just been the particularly loud call of an irritated bird, trying to wake everyone up. In this case, however, that "bird" would've been a boon, as perhaps the tom would've been able to prevent the events that took place. Perhaps he would've been able to give a middle finger to fate, and completely change things so that he wouldn't lose one that he loved as family. Of course, that hadn't happened. He hadn't left bed.

The frantic scream of Drifting was what finally prompted Rhinestone to wake up, his eyes opening immediately as soon as he heard her frantic tone. He was groggy as he stumbled to his paws, scrubbing at his eyes and leaving his den. The words that were leaving the dinosaur seemed baffling, almost as if they were some kind of practical joke. Medusa? Gone? That was impossible. Yes, Medusa had left camp in order to feel more safe within the forest, but she was still a part of Palmclan. She still cared for them all, a fact that she demonstrated over and over again with both her words and actions. Ever since the day that she had shown up, catching Rhine off guard and introducing him to the world of hybridization – or simply a more drastic hybridization than Lovekit had been – the tom had come to know her. He knew that she wouldn't just leave them, so what could Drifting be talking about? He felt so confused, and so tired, and there was a sinking feeling of dread that simply wouldn't leave his heart, threatening to work its way up and strangle him. He only managed to mumbled weakly, voice rough, "Drifting, what...? What do you mean, Medusa's gone?" The words still sounded foreign in his ears. Fabricated. Wrong.

The ruddy feline's exhaustion was forcibly dragged from him as Foamkit went charging forward, causing Rhine to let out a string of curses as he shook himself out. He had intended to stay with Drifting, and just figure things out, but the boy who was like a son to him had other plans. Rhinestone couldn't just allow him to charge into the woods alone, so he went racing after Foam, long strides carrying him out of camp and into the forest, sand giving way to more firm dirt. As he rushed along, the leader found that the feeling of his dread in his heart was only growing more, and more. Claws were sinking into him from the inside, pushing him to run faster and farther as the scent of Medusa reached his nose. He could smell fear and blood on the air, and the dread in his heart had grown, encapsulating his entire body. There was a roar of static through his mind, and his vision was only focused on a small location in front of him, his breath coming out in gasps. He didn't even know why he was running, when some part of him already knew that it was too late. Medusa was gone. He had failed her. He had not only failed to protect one of his own senior warriors, but he had failed to protect his friend. His family. How was he supposed to go on...?

Despite the fact that he had already known it to be true, Rhine felt a small and involuntary sob rip from his throat as soon as he reached Medusa's home, the scene in front of him stunning him. Blood and scorch marks marred the ground, and while the scent of Medusa was everywhere, there was no sign of the actual hybrid. He didn't even know what to do, or how to handle what had happened. Was she dead? Was she really gone? There was no body, but there was so much blood, and she had to be... gone. He squeezed his eyes shut briefly, a shuddering and gravelly sigh of defeat leaving him as he stood there, feeling both sick and devastated. He was only broken from his stunned state by the sound of Foamkit, clawing at the ground and pouring his entire young heart out. Rhinestone felt deep sorrow in his heart, and part of him wanted to just fall to pieces alongside the boy, but he knew that he couldn't. There would be time for his own screaming, sobbing, and hating the world, later. He would get it all out, whether he wanted to or not. For now, he just pressed forward pushing through the scent of Medusa, and the stench of fire and blood, continuing until he eventually reached where Foam had collapsed. He reached a paw out for the smaller and younger feline, pulling the kit into his chest and curling his entire body around him, holding Foamkit close. He could do nothing more than comfort the child, even as tears began to slip silently down his own cheeks.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan