It is a horrible, horrible thing to have your child die before you. Absolutely /horrible/. ... The body that was found cold in his nest was not Marigoldcherish. It couldn't be. Mari was bright, full of life. He was clever, kind-- kinder than she ever was-- and brave. Oh, so very brave. Squirrelstar loved him very, very much. More than she admitted, at times. ... But she knew, deep down. Marigoldcherish was gone, even if she refused to believe even the mere thought of it. So instead she liked to believe that tomorrow she would wake up, and this nightmare would be over, and Marigoldcherish will be there, with Craftysolace. And she would wait for the time when their little kits were to run around, and smile as their father watched them with love in his gaze, just as she used to watch him. Yes, she would wait for that day. ... But that day will not come. Not now, not soon. Not ever. But that was fine. Squirrelstar could wait forever.
