Sunscar blinked after Tigertooth spoke. Thoughts popped into her head for an explaination. Did he think she died? Did he expect Goldensky to leave her to die? Was Tigertooth not her father?
Sunscar's paranoia had been answered after Goldensky finally said something.
"..Yes..." The she-cat answered. Tigertooth eyed her and Sunscar watched in silence. Yes? That was all she had to say? It seemed like her father was more confused then she was.
"You did not have kits." Tigertooth said. Goldensky grew a look of distress.
"I-I didn't tell you about it. I had a litter and Sunki-scar was the only one that survived! I thought-!" Tigertooth cut her off.
"Why didn't you tell me? You gave birth?! On your own?" He roared, the betrayal obvious in his voice. Goldensky was lost for a response. Firestar spoke up.
"I'm sorry to have admitted it before anyone else, but we need to get back to Thunderclan. The clans are in danger." The tom said, letting an intense gaze befall Tigertooth. Tigertooth glared at him and nodded gruffly.
"Then lets return..." He growled. He followed Firestar as the tom started to walk away. Goldensky stood alone with Sunscar nearby. The medicine cat apprentice watched her mother with worry.
Goldensky wanted to fall and dwell in her burst of distraught but she knew now was not the time, especially in front of her daughter. She pulled herself together as best she could and started to walk forward.
Sunscar caught up to Firestar and Tigertooth, now looking back occassionally upon her mother to insure she was still there as Firestar had done with her.
They walked for the rest of the night and decided to rest. After dawn broke they had begun moving again to get to camp as fast as possible.
*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*
Runningwish's ears perked as she heard commotion in camp. She and Seapaw were returning from hunting and tried to get into camp but a crowd was gathered.
She spotted Sunpaw with Goldensky, Tigertooth, and Firestar. She was going to say a greeting but Cheetahstep cried out from the other side of the crowd. Runningwish smelled the familiar scent of blood. Her eyes widened as horrific images popped into her mind. She circled around the crowd to the edge and gasped at the partially mangled body of an apprentice.
Patchpaw.. no!
Cheetahstep's cry of horror seemed to echo in camp. She broke down in front of Patchpaw's body, bringing it close to her.
"Its all my fault! I should have been there!" She wailed. Lionblaze and Jayfeather watched on with concern. Lionblaze tried to approach her but she rose and ran.
Runningwish moved to stand in her way. They both paused and looked at each other. Runningwish could see in her eyes that her heart had shattered, the devestation and guilt of losing her apprentice was starting to build up.
The brown tabby froze up and Cheetahstep ran past her. Runningwish gained control of her limbs again and turned to chase after her but a tom ran in front of her.
"Let me help her." He said. She caught a glimpse of him before he disappeared beyond the ferns. It was Swiftrise from the Shadowclan rebels. She was so confused and then realized who was missing.