Is It Too Late To Say Sorry?[C]

Tawnyshadow paused outside the medicine cat den, the frog in her jaw suddenly too heavy. Swiftheart was behind her, as per Sablestrike's requirement for her punishment, and the white she-cat must be confused as to why she had stopped. Skunkpaw was behind the screen of ivy, probably curled up in a nest. She hadn't seen her son in ages, something that the longer it dragged on the easier it was to ignore breaking. Now she found that she couldn't bring her paws forward to step past the entrance. No, she had already failed, as a mother and as a warrior. She had to fix her mistake.

Tawnyshadow padded into the medicine cat den, her paws moving as if she was trodding through mud. Skunkpaw was-- oh Starclan. His eyes-- two thin pale lines ran from one side of his face to the other, jagged and crooked like a branch. Misty eyes starred off blankly into space, never seeing and never moving. What had she done? It was as if everything was crashing back onto her. She had done this to her son. To the only kit she still had left. Moonpaw had died in the medicine cat den without her mother beside her, Creekpaw and Dawnbright was no where to be found, Sagelight had passed just a few sunrises ago, and Sloekit had died before she even took a step out of the nursery. Tawnyshadow padded forward slowly until she was beside Skunkpaw, yellow eyes flickering across the apprentice's face as if she did not believe her own eyes.

"Skunkpaw?" Her voice cracked on that one word, and refused to continue further. Tawnyshadow ignored Swiftheart and the frog she had brought in, too busy starring at her son. "I- Are- are you okay?" The words were coming, slowly and painfully. What should she say? What could she say? What did she deserve to say this cat who's life she had ruined without even a thought?

Skunkpaw's voice sent shivers down her spine, and she wanted to cry all over again. Was it just her, or had his voice changed? It was softer, as if from lack of use. Tawnyshadow faltered, opening her mouth in an attempt to talk but having nothing come out. What could she say to that? He was adapting... should she ask him how? Should she give tips? No, what if she caused more harm than good? She had already tried to help him improve, and look what happened.

"I'm sure you will," she murmured at last. Her voice was impossibly soft, even softer than when she had named her first litter. Tawnyshadow moved closer to Skunkpaw, and slowly, she rested her tail on his flank. "I'm sorry," She added, her voice so soft Skunkpaw might not have heard it at all. She didn't know if she wanted him to hear it. Her tail moved, slowly and steadily stroking his fur in the same way she would comfort him as a kit. Was she comforting him or herself?