Every cat's eyes widened so much that they threatened to pop out of their heads. At that time, Fireheart walked out of the leader's den.

He looked awful, Graystripe thought. He was splotched with what looked like blood from head to paws; his eyes were dull and blank, the usual fire extinguished; and he seemed to have gone into shock, not looking as though he even noticed all the eyes on him.

A sudden outburst of questions and accusations rang out from the cats below.

"Fireheart! It's not true?!"

"Traitor! Murderer!"

"No! There's just no way!"

"Silence!"

At Tigerclaw's yowl, a hush fell over the camp.

"How do you defend yourself, kitty pet?" Darkstripe called.

Everyone looked to Fireheart, who was still staring at the ground like he hadn't heard them.

Tigerclaw spoke up, "As I am not yet leader, I will let the clan decide the next course of action… What will be his punishment?"

"Exile him!" called Darkstripe, sneering at Fireheart. Half the Clan yowled in agreement, while the other half shook their heads, refusing to believe that Fireheart would do such a thing.

Tigerclaw got the merest hint of a smug look on his face before he set his features to a blank expression.

"Very well. Fireheart, for murder and your traitorous actions, you are hereby banished from the forest. If, by dawn, you are not gone, any patrol that finds you have my full permission to execute you."

Fireheart finally lifted his head and gave Tigerclaw such a look of hatred, Graystripe was surprised the dark tom didn't burst into flames where he stood - though Graystripe wouldn't complain if he did.

Fireheart stood up and hopped down from Highrock, and Graystripe and Sandstorm stood up, determined to follow; but Fireheart shook his head at them firmly. Graystripe hesitated before tapping Sandstorm on the shoulder and sitting down, shoulders hunched. Sandstorm reluctantly followed suit.

Graystripe felt his heart sink as he watched his best friend pad slowly out of the camp, holding his head high and acting as though he couldn't hear the insults following him. However, when he got to the entrance, Fireheart turned back and shot him a quick look before disappearing into the forest.

For a long moment, Graystripe and Sandstorm sat staring at the entrance, while the rest of the Clan slowly dispersed, some laughing and making rude remarks, some tapping them on the shoulder and murmuring their respects in undertones; it didn't seem to be safe to say them any louder than that anymore.

Soon, they were the only two still in the clearing. When the last patrol went out, Graystripe nudged Sandstorm and motioned to a secluded spot just outside of camp. She nodded and they snuck out, making sure they weren't being followed.

Graystripe didn't say anything along the way; he was thinking about that last look Fireheart had given him. He knew what that look meant; "I need to talk to you as soon as possible." Fireheart wanted him to sneak out tonight, and Sandstorm was coming with him.