ridgeclan ... open

He woke few times during the night, the fever and pain keeping him awake. Each time he looked for Mudfeather. A few times he’d wake up to a new dressing of herbs on his leg, or cold moss draped on him trying to cool his fever.
Early morning light fluttered through the medicine den entrance. His green eyes opened with a sad expression. He sighed softly and slowly got to his paws with all his strength. Slowly he lipped out from the den and looked around the camp, his green eyes sad. Blackpelt felt a chill take over his body although the fever that heated his body.

A familiar smell made its way to his nose. Turning, he could see a shimming image of his mother, Duskmask. Heart starting to pick up its pace, he looked at her as she looked back at him, her yellow eyes full of sadness. “Blackpelt,” she breathed softly. “Mother,” he croaked softly, his eyes mirroring hers now. Blackpelt gave a soft sigh, “Its time … Isn’t it?” he asked looking toward the camp who was slowly waking from their night dreams.

The molted grey she-cat nodded slowly to his question. “It is my son. But do not worry. She is brave and strong. She will have a piece of you soon enough,” she spoke softly looking him dead in the eyes. Blackpelt felt his heart shatter at her words which hid a secret message. Taking a shaky breath, his head bent in sadness. “I only ask is that StarClan do not punish her. She is an amazing medicine cat and she doesn’t waver from her duties,” he whispered.
Duskmask looked over at her son in grief, “I can promise StarClan will not punish her. But I can’t promise what your Clan will do.” Blackpelt nodded softly at her words. His mind was sweeping with thoughts about all that his mother had told him.

 
Getting to all three paws, his back legs hitched high so that he could lips back inside to Mudfeather’s side. Looking back at his mother disappearing figure, “Not just yet. Let me go to her…” Without waiting for an answer, he limped back into the medicine cats den. It was dark inside considering the sun had not risen fully yet. Looking at Mudfeather sleeping in her nest, oh so beautiful. She was probably tired from being up and down with him all night. “Oh my Sweet Mudfeather,” He whispered. He almost choked with he looked at her. Looking toward her belly, his heart shattered all over again.

Carefully climbing inside her nest with her, he laid his head on her shoulder. His bad leg stuck out awkwardly so that he wouldn’t bump it. His tail curled around her. Her warmth seeped into him in a very pleasant way. Slowly, his green eyes closed, never to open again.

Very slowly, Blackpelt drifted into a peaceful sleep. Slowly, his heart stopped beating and he drew his last breath giving the sigh of death. The deputy died at the side of his lover in a peaceful sleep.