Snakefang sat in the middle of the camp, looking up at the stars, and wondering which was Seawing. He heard pawsteps beside him, and he turned his head to see Mintpool sitting beside him. To his disgrace, Mintpool's eyes were glazed over with grief, and she turned her head and looked straight into his eyes. As she started to speak, he noticed that her voice was choked with grief even more, adding to the worried feeling that overtook Snakefang.
Snakefang...I need to talk to you about something,
Mintpool murmured, looking away. Snakefang suddenly had a bad feeling. As the awkward silence lengthened, Snakefang put the pieces of the puzzle together. Mintpool had just come out of the nursery, Vinepaw had just gone in, and Dovepaw was near her birthing time. Vinepaw was still in the nursery, and a cat had gone in looking happy, and left looking as if the whole world was dead.
It's Dovepaw, isn't it?
Snakefang found it hard not speaking without choking on the grief that he knew was to come.
I can't find an easier way to say this, Snakefang, but-
Something happened....and it's going to tear my heart apart like the death of Seawing did.
You don't deserve this grief, Snakefang,
Mintpool mewed, her voice shaking slightly. She looked at him again, but looked away, struggling to meet his gaze.
I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Snakefang...Your daughter died.
No!
I'm so sorry, Snakefang.
Snakefang rose to his paws, and headed for the camp entrance, a sorrowful-looking Mintpool staring after him. His tail dragged on the ground and his head was lowered in silent grief for his daughter.