ＭｉｎｔＣｌａｎ -- тнe ѕтroɴɢ αɴd reѕιlιeɴт {{ being remade! }}

"The Clan needs it more than I do," Pinestar snarled back, not even noticing the two cats coming up behind him. Shock lit up Raventail's yellow eyes, and he replied, "But what is the Clan supposed to do without its leader?" He glanced at the two siblings, hoping they might be able to talk some sense into the older tom.

(( Hey guys c:

Darkheart looked at the leader in shock. Blackdawn growled and grabbed a very scrawny Raven from the pile. She dropped it at Pinestar's feet.
"Eat" She houses, not caring if she looked disrespectful. Their leader didn't need to act this way, he needed to live.

(Sure, I'd be down for some kit-bonding time!

Would you like to start, or shall I? )

_{{{ could you start?
& hey go figure, no medicine cat online cx }}}

"I'm fine," Pinestar hissed. "Just need to be out of this sun."

Thinking fast, Raventail motioned toward the raven. "Can you grab that?" he asked Blackdawn, trying painfully hard to remain calm. "We need to get him to his den." Without needing to be told, Pinestar leaned against the younger warrior and started wobbling towards the leader's den.

Vervainkit was sitting outside the nursery, batting at a ball of moss with an outstretched paw. He gripped it lightly with an unsheathed claw, tossing it in the air before swatting it down again. He was having an unusual moment of peace, for once not plagued by anxieties that he battled with daily. Part of this confidence was because he knew his family was somewhere near by, and he could call them if he needed help. He relied on them quite a bit, especially Blossomkit, who he looked up to and tried to imitate.

"Hey, someone come play catch with me!" he boldly meowed, not usually one to initiate games.

Darkheart ran out of the den and into the heat, running to the closest water source. The warm was muddy and warm, but he tried to soak as much moss as possible. Blackdawn played down the Raven and sat close the leader. This was not good. Pinestar was getting worse and just when they needed a strong leader.

"Quit looking so horrified, you two," Pinestar chuckled. The laugh quickly turned into a cough, and he had to compose himself before continuing. "I've been in this world since long before you were both born, and I'll be up in StarClan watching over long after you're gone." He coughed again, and Raventail tensed up with each heave. Pinestar just shook his head. "It's about time I get some real rest anyway," he continued. "There's nothing I can do that Cedarstripe can't. If anything, I may be more helpful among our ancestors... Perhaps I'll learn something that can be passed on to Badgerstripe."

Raventail's frown deepened. "If there was something that StarClan could do, why wouldn't they have done it yet?"

Vervainkit did not notice his sister approaching, as he was transfixed by his ball of moss. He was just about to swat it out of the air again, when he heard a yowl. He turned, only to have his sister fly into his chest. He was sent sprawling, his pelt covered in dust and his moss ball lost to wherever it had flown.

He wasn't mad though, he could never be mad at Blossomkit. He scrambled to his feet rather clumsily, shaking dust off his pelt.

"I-I didn't even see you coming, you're practically an apprentice already, with your sneaking skills," he complimented, swiping a paw over his muzzle to get rid of any sort. He wanted to impress her with his resilience, though he was quite shaken from the pounce.

(I have to go to work soon, so I may not reply for a little bit. I'll try to on my break, though!)

Blackdawn watched the leaders movement and almost jumped when Darkheart ran in with the water soaked moss. The warrior was heaving from being out of breath. Blackdawn nudged him.
"Go rest, you're going to get sick running in all this heat." She told him. Darkheart didn't protest and padded out of the leaders den, head hanging. Blackdawn turned her attention back to their leader, there wasn't much else they could do for him now. She looked at the other two warriors.
"We need to let him rest."

Blackdawn bowed her head glad to see that the leader had at least accepted some water. She padded out of the den, her tail twitched with uncertainty. Darkehart lay under a tree, relaxing but looking fir the warriors to come out of the leaders den. He saddened when he saw Blackdawn's despairing look. If the clan was going to make it through the drought they needed a strong leader, but Pinestar looked like he was on the edge of death.

Raventail followed them out, and nodded to Lakeshadow. They should probably have someone outside Pinestar's den full time in case the leader needed anything. He hoped Badgerstripe or Cedarstripe would return soon. The helpless feeling permeating his thoughts was terrifying.

Raventail nodded slowly. "Yes... yes. You're probably right. Everyone is already scared enough as it is. But Cedarstripe needs to prepare to start taking over Pinestar's duties and thinking about choosing his own second-in-command." He sighed. Pinestar had been deputy back when Raventail was a mere kit, and he couldn't imagine the Clan without the old tom.

(Grwagrkfhwjdjr!!!! Sorry. I've been trying to finish some summer homework)

Russetheart smiled even more. "Sure! I need something to do anyway."