Bluetail staggered, but her old Apprentice came forward to help her.
"Thank you Flamestreak..." she croaked, leaning on the she-cat for support.
Despite the situation, she managed to crack a grim smile at Darkpelt's attempt to lighten the mood.
She walked behind Darkpelt carrying Rainclaw, and she couldn't stop staring at the limp body of her deceased best friend. He was gone. Gone, forever. She would never see his shining green eyes, or hear his laughter, or lick away his tears, or lose herself in his bushy fur when they rough-housed.
She hobbled into camp, and headed straight for the medicine den. Her blood loss made her weak, and her broken rib was bothering her.
"Darkpelt..." she whimpered and collapsed into a nest, "he died protecting me...He was going to tell me something but...Now I'll never know..."
Choking sobs rose in her throat once more, and she looked at him.
"I hesitated, and Rainclaw died. He died because of me..." she cried.