The sun had started to fall since Rahman, Neerah, and Bai came back empty-pawed. Dingo's tracks had led them in circles, making the trio weary and stiff from the cold. No one knew where he could've possibly gone.

Atira, Nora, and Rac were still huddled around their uncle for warmth. The setting sun made the chilly day ever colder, causing a very thin layer of ice to form over parts of the snowy ground.

"We need to get him to shelter, he won't last a night outside like this," murmured Neerah with a worried look at Ravi. She licked his muzzle and over the top of his head.

Bai turned toward her youngest daughter. "You're right. Even though moving him could reopen his shoulder, the elements will kill him faster."

She's very bright for her age, thought Rac with a soft purr. The littermates were nearly an hour apart from one another, but that didn't stop the youngest she-cat from behaving older than she was.

"How about over there? It's small, but we can manage to fit every cat in," suggested Atira with the gesture of a spotted forepaw. She padded over to a little dent in the side of an outcrop of fallen rocks.

"Careful," called Bai in a worried tone. The place was known to be home to aggressive reptiles, who could be hibernating until spring.

Sniffing around, Atira found a stale scent of the scaly creatures. Old droppings littered the ground, and skins twisted in and out of hidden passages between the rocks. "It's clear," she called from its small entrance.

Every cat purred in delight; they would be able to save Ravi with more ease. Looking down at the male saber, they noticed a great change after his treatment. He was going to live.

The going was slow getting Ravi to the cave. Still unconscious from pain and blood loss, he was a deadweight to lift on Rahman and Rac's backs. The saber hissed in pain in his sleep as his injured shoulder was rubbed against their bodies.

"Almost there, Ravi," murmured Rac as she and Rahman struggled with carrying their uncle. They made it moments later and the rest of the sabers climbed in around them.

"Get your tail out of my eye!" grumbled Nora as she settled near her sister, Atira. A quiet apology came from in front of the she-cat and Neerah scooted away.

Ravi was settled amongst the settled bodies, nice and warm away from the piercing cold.

A/N
Well that was short :/ I'll make the next chapter long to make up for it lol.