Flareheart and Stormpelt looked away and into the forest quickly. Oh no, Flareheart thought. Out from the underbrush Raindrop appeared. "I said, what do you mean your kits?" He hissed again. Stormpelt looked at Flareheart nervously. He didn't say anything. How could he, Flareheart didn't expect him to think of an excuse.
"Raindrop…these aren't your kits." Flareheart said gravely. She hated hurting anyone, especially Raindrop who had taken such good care of her while being pregnant. Raindrop looked at her, his eyes full of confusion. "Stormpelt is the father of my kits. We wanted kits so badly." Flareheart added. Raindrop looked from Flareheart to Stormpelt, his gaze was more hurt than angry now. "I see." He said sadly. Flareheart looked at Stormpelt sorrowfully. She had not intended for this to happen.
"Well, I guess I should get you back to camp. Firestar isn't going to like this though." Raindrop continued. Flareheart was surprised to hear that Raindrop would tell Firestar, but at the same time she didn't blame him.
The next morning Raindrop led Flareheart and Stormpelt into camp. Each of them carried a kit in their mouth. Raindrop dropped the white kit in the center of camp and walked towards Firestar's den. Flareheart looked at Stormpelt sadly. What would Firestar do to her? The two sat their kits down beside the pretty white kit that resembled his father so much. Flareheart laid down and Stormpelt stood beside her, watching the kits nervously.
A minute later Firestar was walking towards them, looking very serious and hurt. He stopped beside them and looked at the squirmy kits. "So…Stormpelt of Wind Clan is the father?" He looked at Flareheart hoping he had heard wrong. Flareheart nodded despite the look. Firestar sighed. He gave Stormpelt a challenging look. "I don't know why she picked you, but you are definitely not worthy of her. She is the deputy of Thunder Clan." Firestar sounded so distant. He normally treated all cats with respect, but not Stormpelt. He leapt onto High Rock. "All cats of Thunder Clan, I have a sad announcement to make!" He sounded as rough as the jagged rocks in the River Clan's river. The worst part was that it hurt so much.
"Flareheart has had kits last night. Unfortunately Raindrop has discovered that he is not the real father." Firestar continued. Gasps of shock were heard and Flareheart cringed. "The real father is Stormpelt of Wind Clan." The cats of Thunder Clan looked at the two and their kits hurt and angry. Even Raindrop's gaze stung. Shimmertail who was normally fond of Flareheart looked a her like a traitor. "Flareheart, I am sorry, but you are banished from Thunder Clan for high treason." Firestar said with a louder hiss. The cats agreed with him and snarled furiously. "Go now, both of you, and never return." Firestar said to them. "Raindrop, help them carry the third kit." Raindrop nodded and picked up the scruffy brown kit. Flareheart was shocked. She knew her punishment would be hard, but she never dreamed of being banished from the clan she loved. Where would she go? She picked up the flame colored kit and Stormpelt picked up the white one.
Raindrop led them to Fourtrees quickly. Despite her swelled stomach, Flareheart kept up easily. "I will take you no further." Raindrop dropped the brown kit and ran back through the forest, towards camp.