'I should have told him.'
That was the thought that plagued her mind on the eve of her demise. Turtle that Hides in Shell, formally known as Turtle to friends, gave a faint sigh as she watched her children bumbling about. All four of them were perfect. Even just watching them, with no idea what kind of trouble they were plotting, she couldn't help but smile fondly. As much as she wanted to tell them the truth about their father, part of her wondered if he would even have been a good father. After all, Cave Where Brown Bear Sleeps wasn't particularly known for his warmth. The lilac tortoiseshell gazed after them, wondering how they would turn out.
Budding Flower in Snow had a kindred spirit. He was so gentle and wonderful with his younger sisters, but Turtle feared he would never learn to trust males, especially if he knew his father. Bear's reputation as a ladies man wouldn't do much to ease Bud's mind. After all, he was so sensitive to the idea of his biological dad. She was aware he thought it was Stag, though she always assured him it was not - for that was the truth. How would he feel knowing that Stag was, in fact, his uncle?
Her darling troublemaker Wild Wolf Who Roams the Woods was someone she always left a careful eye open for. Every time the lilac tabby went missing, the mother's heart stopped for what disaster could have taken place. Without anyone else to keep an eye out for her, she was constantly fretting that Wolf had found a hawk or been taken by up-walkers. Any horrendous situation, she'd pictured it. But despite that, when Wolf wasn't testing Turtle, the child simply gave her life. Nothing made her smile and laugh more than hearing all about the adventures she participated in.
Now, Dusk that Brings the Night on the other paw... Oh, if the tribe knew who the father was they wouldn't be surprised. It amazed Turtle how similar she was to Bear. Dusk and Bear, frankly, could be the same cat! With the confidence of someone much older, Dusk was going to be a brilliant cave-guard like her mother. For a time she wondered why the girl wasn't choosing prey-hunting, for it seemed more up her alley. However, in time it became clear that she was taking after Turtle more, which made her heart flutter.
The youngest of the litter, Light of Sky at Dawn, had the gentlest personality. Where her older siblings were daring and boastful, she was curious and excitable. While still as adventurous as Wolf and confident as Dusk, Light had something warm in her soul. It gave Turtle that Hides in Shell hope for the future, and she genuinely had wishes to see the rest of her litter develop some humility from the youngest.
The muted tortoiseshell gave the softest of chuckles as she gazed fondly upon them, wondering how they would turn out. Before long, the sun was fading behind the mountainous wall and stars began to speckle the indigo sky. Turtle called in her children to the makeshift nursery. Their new home still under construction, she had to make do. She'd picked out a corner that had yet to be converted into anything and made it nice and cozy for her family. For now, they were sleeping there, but in the day she would aid other kit-mothers with developing what would soon be the nursery. Unfortunately, her babies would never see it, for they would be pronounced to-bes before getting the chance to move in. When that happened, she, too, would be moving from the nursery back to the cave guard's den. While she would feel nostalgic about it, part of Turtle was relieved to be rejoining her friends. It had been a long while and she was ready to return to her duties. Those were the happy thoughts that brought her to sleep.
When she rose the next morning, Flower Where Bee Gathers Honey offered to watch her litter while she had some much-needed time off. It had taken some convincing, but eventually Turtle conceded and joined a patrol. She was guarding Cave Where Brown Bear Sleeps and Breeze that Carries Bird as they went about their dawn hunt. Not wanting to be alone and figuring it would be easier to guard one cat each, the cave guard invited her close friend Roar of Mighty Lion to join her. As the four departed out into their unexplored new land, Turtle that Hides in Shell inhaled the cool autumn air. It'd been a considerable amount of time since she had last had a chance to enjoy herself out in the open like this. Bear and Breeze veered towards the more mountainous parts of their land, given that was where the tribe members were most accustomed to hunting. Lion and Turtle walked on each side of them, sharing amused glances as Breeze was subject to Bear's boasting.
It wasn't long before the prey hunters quieted down to begin their hunt, so the cave guards remained close by to keep an eye out. That was when it happened.
"Look out!"
The shriek came from Lion, whose gaze was locked on a fierce eagle circling overhead. It gave a hearty caw, rising in the air before swiftly swooping down, straight towards Breeze. Turtle didn't think; she just reacted. Launching herself in a desperate attempt to save Breeze that Carries Bird, she barreled the she-cat out of the way. As a result, she ended up just shy of the eagle's grip. Unfortunately, it didn't spare her the agony of its claws. Instead of fastening around her body, massive talons drove straight through Turtle's abdomen, and when the eagle pulled back to retreat, ripped it wide open. Breeze and Lion gasped, the former declaring she would run back to camp and get Stag. The Stoneteller would hopefully be able to do something - anything to help. But it would be too late. As Lion rushed off to get something to stop the bleeding, Turtle was left alone with the father of her children. And he still didn't know.
Fidgeting before her, Cave Where Brown Bear Sleeps for once had no witty comments. Glancing about to make sure the predator was gone, he leaned down to comfort her. "Turtle... oh, my stars... it's going to be okay. Stag will know what to do." Fear lighted his deep amber gaze, staring deep into pools of green.
She laughed, in shock due to the extent of her injuries. "N-No... it's not," gasped the lilac tortoiseshell shakily, quivering as she tried to get up to her paws. When Bear told her simply to lay down and rest, she nodded, having little fight left in her. But as he tried to tell her what to do, she cut him off. "Bear, I'm dying. There's nothing... Nothing you can do." A cough racked her lungs, blood splattering from her jaws. Turtle stared briefly, and knowing her time was limited decided to do something daring.
"No, you're not dying. You have kits. They need you. Come on, Turtle," pleaded the prey hunter. They might only have had a one night stand, but she was a tribemate. He cared for her like he cared for every other member of the tribe.
Shaking her head, she finally told him. "They don't need me anymore. They'll have you." When Bear stared at her, confusion in his expression, she clarified, "You are their father. I know I should have told you when I first found out I was pregnant, but I didn't want you to have to worry. I see now that they'll be better with a parent. They'll need you to get through this. Please, do it for me."
Turtle that Hides in Shell was met with a gaze that relayed all the final understanding and panic she expected. But it was too late. Cave Where Brown Bear Sleeps begged her to hold on, anything, but it was no use. He held her, sobbing into her soft coat as she took her final breath and left to join the Tribe of Endless Hunting.
words: 1364
ooc: so basically when you guys come in, bear will be returning with turtle's body. they're free to ask questions/be shocked, and he'll get to telling them in a few posts. the whole thing was told in turtle's point of view so you can better understand what kind of mother she was c: