Chapter 3
Please let Dustkit be alive. Please...
Owlkit jumped when the cats sent out to find returned, paws hitting against the leaves and twigs.
"Anything?" demanded Pinestar.
Peareye bowed his head. "We chased the hawk as far as we could, but..." His voice trailed off.
Amberstripe broke down and started sobbing.
"The hawk was too high," murmured Brackenclaw.
"And it was too far ahead," agreed Mistwing.
Owlkit stared at them, numb with shock.
Dustkit's...dead?! B-but it can't be!
"Dustkit's not coming back?" whispered Amberkit.
"No."
Owlkit ran to the nursery. Snowkit, Rosekit, Hawkkit, and Rockkit were inside.
"Owlkit, what's wrong?" asked Rosekit.
"You seem really down," added Hawkkit.
Owlkit ignored them and crawled to the nest that he, Amberstripe, Dustkit, and Amberkit slept in.
It smelled like Dustkit.
Owlkit buried himself in the sweet, familiar scent of his sister. Sweet, gentle Dustkit, loving and kind.
I'll never see her again.
Snowkit padded up to Owlkit. "Owlkit? Did something happen?"
"Dustkit's gone," Owlkit replied numbly.
"B-but how?!"
"The hawk," Owlkit spat out. Someday he would find that hawk and track it down. And then, that hawk would regret that it ever took Dustkit away from him.
"Oh, Owlkit, I'm so sorry." Snowkit touched his shoulder with her tail.
"Go away," growled Owlkit.
"Owlkit..."
Owlkit streaked out of the nursery, the pain of losing Dustkit hitting him hard in the shape of his mother's ears, his father's gentle amber eyes, and in Amberkit's sleek, shiny pelt.
Why did you have to take Dustkit? Starclan, I hate you!
Owlkit walked up to Grayfeather. "Isn't there some herb to bring her back?" he begged her.
Grayfeather sighed. "I cannot do the impossible."
Owlkit glared at her. "You're supposed to protect your clanmates!"
He turned and ran, bumping into Amberkit. "I'll protect you forever," promised Amberkit. "After all, I'm still going to be a warrior."
How can he still think about being a warrior?
Owlkit growled and stalked away. He finally managed to get away from the sympathetic mews and get some privacy.
"I hate you, Starclan," he snarled. "Why did you do that? It was...heartbreaking. Don't take anyone else away!" Owlkit found himself begging to empty air. "Please."
The stars were like chips of ice in the sky. Cold, unforgiving ice.