Don't Resent Me(p, with Jester)

Earthquake regained her paws shakily, panting as she tried to breath. She stumbled clumsily over to Jester worried for the baronet as she spotted all the blood. Collapsing next to the bleeding tiger, she couldn't seem to get enough air into her lungs and she could see black spots swimming in her vision. The red tabby fought off unconsciousness. She couldn't pass out now! Jester needed help!

"J-Jester. How-How bad are y-you hurt?" the large she-cat choked out. She knew he was bleeding but she didn't know how bad with her cloudy vision.

Hearing his fear, Earthquake staggered back to her feat. She was still fighting through the intense pain in her ribcage but obviously Jester's must be worse. Forcing herself to focus, the red tabby nearly froze in shock when she saw the amount of blood.

Oooooh Nooo! That was not good. He needed a Doctor NOW!

"Alright, well, I think its time to head back to the castle" meowed Earthquake as steadily as she could, "We'll go slow and steady, Ok?"

The large she-cat knew she wouldn't be able to carry her friend if he past out. Especially since she was pretty sure she had some broken ribs. But she would get him back to camp, and he would be alive when they got there.

This...This was exactly why Earthquake hated snow. The little flakes of death always started coming down at the worst time. Alright, it wasn't so bad, they could get through this.

Then the wind started. Now it wasn't just snow it was a White Tornado for crying out loud. They did not have time for this. Jester was already acting woozy with blood lose. After all, the cub had just called HER pretty.

"Come on Jester! You can't go to sleep right now. Ok? Come on, On your paws! We have to get to some shelter before this thing really starts blowing!" yowled the large she-cat over the wind. Leaning down, the red tabby tried to softly nudge her friend onto his paws.

What? A crush on her? Wasn't Jester dating Phoenix? Definitely the blood loss talking decided Earthquake grimly. She needed to get them back to the castle but this snow wasn't going to let that happen. Hopefully they would find a cave to take cover in soon. Then, the red tabby thought worriedly, then she would have to work to stop the bleeding and keep the cub conscious.

"Sure, Jester. I'm sure you have. Now just keep walking. That's right! Like that, Straight ahead." purred the large she-cat in encouragement to Jester. She was also repeating the phrase, Just Keep Walking, over and over in her mind as she forced herself to support her friend and walk with shooting pain in her ribs. Earthquake was also still trying to suck in more air than she seemed to get to her lungs, and the she-cat was beginning to worry that one of her broken ribs was pushing on her lungs.

Ooc: She's going to keep excusing it for his injuries but I'm thinking maybe she could develop her own crush on him while she's still thinking that he only likes Phoenix? Or would you rather we stick to the plan of having her not return his feelings? Up to you :)

Earthquake had actually spent the night beside Jester because she had been afraid that if she went to her cabin and came back in the morning, he would be gone. She couldn't picture a StormTribe without the tiger. Not to mention that it was her fault the cub was hurt, she had asked for someone to come with her on her run. She should have just gone alone. Then the only one hurt would have been her.

Padding silently back into the doctor's room, the red tabby carried a rabbit for her friend. She had not grabbed anything for herself, she was too worried about him to eat. Rushing over when she saw him stirring, Earthquake didn't know what to say, so she just placed the rabbit in front of him and carefully lowered herself into a laying position. She did indeed have three broken ribs and one was pushing on her right lung. Supposedly she wasn't supposed to be up and about, but that wasn't going to stop the large she-cat from taking care of Jester.

Bump?

"I think you probably need it more and I didn't catch it" purred Earthquake to Jester softly. The red tabby wouldn't be able to calm down until the cub had eaten. Even then she felt extremely protective of the little tiger. What was up with the possessive feelings that were making themselves known to the large she-cat?

"How are you feeling?" she murmured softly.

Having been lost in her own thoughts, Earthquake startled into listening as Jester admitted to being in pain. Should she fetch a doctor? No, the cub was eating now and he seemed well enough. The red tabby was angry at herself for almost over reacting. What was going on with her?

"N-Nothings wrong" meowed the large she-cat unconvincingly as she suddenly couldn't meet the tom's eyes. Hearing him break off, she glanced up and caught his thoughtful expression.

"Huh? Jester?" she meowed in confusion.

"No! I-I mean, I know you like Phoenix" meowed Earthquake quickly. Her heart seemed to be screaming at her not to mention the other feline and her jealousy flared slightly. This was Wrong! Jester was her friend...Nothing else, Right?

"You wouldn't be hurt if it weren't for me" hissed Earthquake in self loathing. She always ended up hurting those closest to her. Never mind that the red tabby had no way of predicting the wolf's attack, she simply blamed herself.

"What if you had died?" whispered the large she-cat. To live with the guilt would have been impossible for her and especially if these feelings had made themselves known afterward. Jester was definitely more than a friend in Earthquake's heart.

"What about Phoenix?" murmured Earthquake as she licked Jester's cheek in response. The red tabby felt guilty but at the same time she couldn't help what she felt for the young Host. Moving closer to him, the large she-cat savored his warmth as their fur brushed, sides nearly touching.