The next day the whole clan was rather subdued. Not only because of Snowypaw's mishap the day before, at dinner that night, the females were rather shocked - some even to tears - to discover that Sunfire was missing. No one could find him anywhere, even though the whole island was thoroughly searched several times. At last, they were forced to conclude that Sunfire had left the island. 

Meanwhile, in the healer's cave, Snowy was resting on a moss bed. She still had not awaken from the day before. The healer, an old female called Windfur and her trainee, a young male named Smokeclaw, had reported that she had at least four broken ribs, and that she would have to stay in bed for at least the next fortnight, preferably longer. Coralheart and Icytail had rushed, stricken, to the healer's cave the moment they heard.

"Oh, Snowy," Icetail said in shock, while Coralheart was to horrified to say anything. "You poor thing..."

And Coralheart was still seated there the next morning, determined to watch her hurt daughter. At around lunchtime, Icytail came in, and the two wolves sat and watched their poor daughter.

In fact, they were so busy over Snowypaw, they didn't notice the disappearance of Starpaw, who was at the moment having a very different adventure.

The minute Snowypaw was carried into the healer's cave, Starpaw bolted off into the direction from which they had come. She ran and ran and ran until she could run no more, but was still filled with the fiery anger. She stopped finally, panting, on a cliff over the ocean. She howled, for poor Snowypaw, for her anger at the arrogant deer, and her shame of not being able to help her sister. She stood on the same rock and howled for much of the night. 

Then next morning, she woke up with her mind more clear, but one thing still on her mind; revenge. She would track down the deer, and make them pay for what they had done. 

When she stood, and began to walk, she sensed another wolf behind her. She spun around, but it was only Shadowpaw. 

"What do you want?" She snarled. 

"I suppose you're angry about Sunfire leaving, like the rest of the females?" Shadow asked quietly. It took Star a moment to figure out what he meant.

"No... Shadowpaw... I didn't mean it like that," she murmured. He looked at her with his dark brown eyes full of emotion. "I... Snowypaw..."

"Revenge won't make it any better," Shadowpaw said quietly. He walked over to her and rubbed against her fur. She  leaned against him, breathing deeply. "Let's go see Snowy, Star."

Snowy was still asleep in the healer's den. Coralheart, resting by her daughter, woke abruptly as they came in. "Oh, Star..." Coralheart yawned. 

Starpaw felt pity for her mother, who had been by her daughter all night. "Do you want me to watch Star, mother, so you can get some rest?"

Coralheart's eyes showed relief. "I'd love that, Star. Thanks." 

So Star took a seat by her sister, who slept soundly. Suddenly she shifted in her sleep and winced. Poor Snowy, Star thought.