Cold air swept across the clearing. The black tom shivered, wishing briefly that his pelt was a bit thicker.

If we had gotten that tree cover I wouldn't be so cold, he thought bitterly. But everyone had to stop fighting, because of me, because I'm a horrible cat-

"Flyfang!" a voice called from behind him. The cat turned to see a gray tom looking up at him. "It's my turn to guard camp. Go and get some sleep."

"Thanks, Bluedust," the tom mewed, standing and shaking out his fur. "The ice is practically freezing in my pelt."

The other tom's whiskers twitched in amusement. "Well, go on," he meowed. "Warm up if you can."

"Thanks." He bounded down into the camp and looked around. Most of his fellow Clanmates had settled down in tightly-knit clusters, blocking out the freezing wind with each others' warmth. Flyfang knew better than to attempt to join them. Ever since his mistake in the last battle, few looked at him as trustworthy.

He felt guilty for what he had done. How couldn't he? Maybe not instantly, but now that he had a few sunrises to think about the look of horror on the apprentice's face, the feeling of the tom's blood rushing out and spilling onto him, the knowledge that what he did could not be undone- StarClan, did he wish they hadn't asked him to do what he did.

But did his Clanmates know this?

"Flyfang!" a high voice called. "Would you come here for a heartbeat?"

He turned to look towards the voice and saw a young white she-cat standing beside a crevice in a rock. He trotted towards her, surprised that this Clanmate especially would be willing to talk to him after… certain events.

"What is it, Flowersong?" the tom asked.

The she-cat twitched her tail, looking nervous. "I'd prefer if you came into the den, actually."

Flyfang dipped his head and slipped into the cramped space. He felt quite uncomfortable being so closed in, but he had been taught since a kit to follow orders from the medicine cat.

"What was is that you wanted?"

"Keep your voice low!" Flowersong hissed. "I'm asking you to do something horrible, but it needs to be done. For the sake of the Clan."

Flyfang's pelt pricked. "I've been asked to do bad things before, with cats that hold more power than you. I assure you, I can do it."

"By StarClan?" the white she-cat asked. "I know. They told me of why you did what you did, so that I could forgive you for it. I suppose they knew that I would need someone to do this for me."

"What did they tell you?" Flyfang asked. "Were they specific?"

"They told me that you killed Featherleg because they spoke to you," she mewed. "They said it wasn't exactly what they wished, but that you acted on orders from them."

Flyfang nodded. "That's true." Relief flooded him, but conern was close behind. The medicine cat was about to ask something of him.

"I'm about to ask you to do something horrible," Flowersong mewed. "Perhaps worse than you have already done. You'll be betraying the Warrior Code- but you already have, I suppose. Which is why I'm asking you to do it. I don't want to dirty another cat's paws."

"Not even your own?" the black tom asked. "It's not exactly fair for you to ask something of me that you wouldn't do yourself."

Flowersong's paws kneaded the ground. "Please, Flyfang. I'm asking this as your medicine cat. I can't do it; I took an oath!"

Flyfang sighed. "What do you wish for me to do?"

Flowersong pushed some herbs forward with her paw. A leaf, atop of which sat yellow flowers and three deep, blood red berries.

Flyfang's green eyes widened. "You're asking me to-"

"Yes," the she-cat meowed. "And I know it's crossing a line, but-"

"Do you really want me to give this to who I think you want me to?" He felt his hackles rising against his will. "How could you expect me to do this to them, of all cats?"

Flyfang thought of the guilt he felt deep in his chest after he killed Featherleg. Could he handle any more of that feeling?

"Think of all the cats you'll be helping!" Flowersong insisted. "Please, Flyfang, you're the only cat I can request this from."

Flyfang stared down at his paws for a long moment. Maybe it would all just feel like that same guilt, he thought. Maybe it won't combine, and just be guilt, the same guilt that I've learned to carry... Maybe my Clanmates can forgive me for this one... Since I'll be doing it for them...

"What's one more murder?" he grumbled. "Fine, Flowersong. I'll do as you ask. But how will we explain this to the Clan?"

"Have you not heard talk of driving her out in the first place?" Flowersong asked. "Most will support this."

"And those unlucky few who don't?" Flyfang asked. "What will we do about them?"

Flowersong shook her head. "I don't know, but… They'll be outnumbered. She was outside of the code anyway. It is the will of StarClan that we do what we must for the Clan to survive. This will just go forward without the bloodshed."

Flyfang sighed. "When shall I do it?"

Flowersong's amber eyes glinted, and Flyfang suddenly felt a bit afraid of the pretty, young medicine cat. "Tonight."