Chapter 32: Confronting Goldwing

Ash perked his ears. Diamond was right - where was Tiggerkat? She'd probably be sticking around here, it wouldn't be like her to wander off like that.
Suddenly, Ash heard Twig  whisper, "Someone's in trouble..."
Ash looked at Rusty and Dust. Both held guilty looks, but Dust looked guiltiest. He stuttered. "Uh... Um... Well, you see..."
Diamond turned her attention to Rusty. "Rusty, why are you even here? You're in another group!"
"Yeah, well... Miguel was getting on my nerves," Rusty said.
"Go back to your own group," Diamond ordered. Rusty nodded and ran off into the distance. Diamond turned back to Dust. "Well? Do you know anything about Tiggerkat being gone?"
"She... Ran away," Dust said.
"She did?" Ash asked.
Dust nodded. "East."
"Why?" Diamond demanded.
"I... I told her there were reese cups that direction," Dust replied.
Diamond glared at her son. "Dust! You shouldn't have done that, Tiggerkat could be killed by Firebenders."
"That's because she's not smart enough..." Dust mumbled, and only Ash seemed to hear him.
"Well we're going back to Goldwing, Dust. We have to find Tiggerkat," Diamond ordered.
"But mom...! I don't want to get in trouble with the leader!" Dust whimpered.
"You need to tell Goldwing where Tiggerkat ran off to so we can find her," Diamond snapped.
"Rusty helped me."
Diamond nodded, "He's coming with us."
Ash stepped up. "I'll come with you, if that's okay."
"That's okay," Diamond said. She turned to Twig and Nyx. "Are you two staying here?"
"Obviously..." Twig snorted, "I don't want to see Goldwing yelling at some worthless apprentice."
"You're not a full Bender so stop acting like one," Dust growled.
Diamond looked at Dust and Ash. "Let's go." She began walking through the forest. Ash followed by Dust.
"I don't want to get in trouble with Goldwing. He'll punish me for sure!" Dust squeaked.
"Don't worry. At least Goldwing isn't Leafclaw, or you'd be being exiled," Ash nodded, trying to comfort his friend. But Ash did know that Dust would probably be in a lot of trouble, Rusty too, maybe. But Goldwing wouldn't be too harsh, he was a noble leader.
They then passed Rusty, Miguel, and the others. Rusty was sitting, listening to River, who was talking to them about Bending. He looked at his mate. "Yes, Diamond?"
"I need to have Rusty with me," Diamond nodded.
Rusty looked, confused, at Dust. Dust made a circular motion with his paw. Rusty was now wide-eyed, and nodded. He came over to them.
"Okay, hurry back," River said. "Now, who'd like to demonstrate Waterbending?"
"Me!" Akumu was exclaiming, and she got to her paws.
Finally, they approached The Bending Tower. They entered the yard, where Goldwing and Airwing were in conversation, whispering, despite they had been alone.
Goldwing turned to them. "Diamond? Do you need something?"
Diamond nodded, then looked at Dust. "Dust? Is there something you'd like to tell Goldwing?"

Author's Note:
Don't you just hate getting in trouble?