Nightkill: Or not getting back to it for two months. –sheepish–

Moonglacier: That was my reaction when I found out that John Green was signing all pre-ordered copies of The Fault With Our Stars, but with the addition of "John didn't forget to be awesome." XD (I hope there are fellow nerdfighters reading this, because if there are, they will get it. And I will also love them forever.)

cookiesncream51: I kind of don't like fact that you spelled "don't" without an apostrophe. :) I also really don't like your review. I don't care if you don't like the story; I want to know why you don't like the story. Is my grammar terrible? Is my writing itself insufficient in some way? Is my plot as flimsy as a paper screen and as easy to read as a Dick and Jane book? Or do you just not like the fact that I killed Bluestar? (If so, that's kind of pathetic. In A Fine Balance, I didn't like it when one of the characters was castrated, another's legs amputated, another evicted from her apartment, and a fourth committed suicide. It was still a very good book that I love to bits.) I invite you or anyone else to review or PM me and explain what you don't like about my story, and what I can do to improve my writing, since as a writer, that is always my number one priority. :)

So writing fan fiction kind of fell off the radar for me in the past couple of months. I know that's no excuse, but there was a lot of things going on that I don't want to talk about here. And then I checked my story stats and discovered that this story has over 400 hits, eleven reviews, three alerts, six faves, and is in one C2 Community. Just based on two chapters.

And I was like: O_O

So I wrote this chapter in the space of about one hour (I type fast), figuring that I owed you guys for being awesome.

Unfortunately, it was not a good chapter. It's mostly just a filler, a way to get from Point A to Point B. The next few chapters are going to get better, because there will be lots of Tigerstar, and lots of doubting on Fireheart's part, and then Spottedleaf will make an appearance (I hate Spottedleaf, for the record, but I'm going to try to make her more badass while also staying true to her character, so wish me luck), and then we'll find out about these cats who will be so eager to help Fireheart take out Tigerstar. :D

For the time being though, let's move on to chapter three!

CHAPTER 3

ThunderClan broke out into an uproar at Tigerstar's accusation. He was not concerned with their protests and questions, however. His eyes were fixed on Fireheart, who had visibly stiffened. He felt a little thrill of satisfaction.

"Quiet!" Tigerstar ordered, once he had judged the uproar to have gone on for long enough. The Clan slowly quieted. "StarClan themselves have revealed to me the identities of Bluestar's killers, and I assure you that these two are the culprits."

"He's wrong."

Fireheart's voice was quiet and full of certainty as he spoke up, interrupting Tigerstar.

"Quiet, traitor!" Darkstripe hissed, always quick to follow Tigerstar's lead.

The kittypet ignored Darkstripe. "Tigerstar killed Bluestar," Fireheart said, taking a step forward and gazing at ThunderClan imploringly. "I saw him with my own two eyes! He's been scheming and plotting his way into the leader's den, and killing Bluestar was all he needed to do to make that happen!"

"Lies!" Longtail piped up from near the back of the Clan as the cats began to talk amongst themselves.

Tigerstar hung his head, assuming an air of disappointment and hurt. "StarClan warned me this would happen," he said. "They told me that Fireheart would try to pin Bluestar's murder on myself. It is true, as deputy, that I would have the most to gain from killing Bluestar." Tigerstar knew he was walking a dangerous line now, but he had confidence that he could pull off his coup successfully. "Doesn't that make me the perfect cat to pin the murder on, however? Fireheart and Graystripe killed Bluestar, planned to accuse me of being the true murderer, and Fireheart, being Bluestar's apprentice, would make the case to become ThunderClan's new leader. After that, he would appoint Graystripe as his deputy and together, would destroy the ThunderClan we all know and love. Before long, we would be awash in kittypets and half-Clans. Is that what you want?"

"No!" a few warriors cried out enthusiastically. Others nodded in agreement. Still others gazed up at Tigerclaw, clearly unable to decide whom to trust.

"I propose that we kill these traitors, here and now," Tigerstar continued, stamping his paw against the Highrock. "Do you agree, ThunderClan?"

This time, only Darkstripe, Longtail, and a couple of other cats spoke up in agreement. The rest remained deadly silent. Then, from near the back of the crowd, Whitestorm stood up.

"I agree that Fireheart and Graystripe have committed a grave crime," the old warrior said, disappointment filling his yellow eyes. "However, I also feel that we should treat them with compassion, as that would have been what Bluestar would have wanted. I think a sentence of exile would be a more fitting sentence."

"Here, here!" cried out most of the warriors.

Tigerstar paced up and down Highrock for a moment, considering the situation. He wanted to kill Fireheart straight away (Graystripe was not that big of a problem, besides being Fireheart's crony), to prevent the prophecy that Bluestar had uttered before dying from occurring. However, he also didn't want to jeopardize his leadership by making an unpopular decision.

But there could be a compromise. . .

Tigerstar stopped pacing and, turning back to the Clan, announced, "I have come to a decision. We will exile the traitors."

"What?" Darkstripe exclaimed. "Tigerstar–"

"However," Tigerstar said, ignoring Darkstripe, "should the traitors be seen on ThunderClan territory, you are under orders to kill them immediately." Here, he addressed Fireheart and Graystripe, "You have until tomorrow, at sunrise, to remove yourselves from ThunderClan territory."

Without another word, Tigerstar leapt down from Highrock. Fireheart and Graystripe stood rooted to the spot, apparently stunned. Then, realizing what had just happened, both of them streaked toward the gorse tunnel, vanishing into the forest.

Tigerstar beckoned to Darkstripe and led him a bit away from the Clan, who began to break into small groups to discuss the newest development. Neither of them noticed Cinderpaw standing within earshot of them, apparently too stunned to realize that the meeting was over.

"I want you to take Longtail and Dustpelt on a little hunting expedition," Tigerstar whispered to Darkstripe.

Darkstripe gave his leader a look that clearly said that he thought Tigerstar was cracked.

"A hunting expedition?" asked Darkstripe.

"Yes," Tigerstar replied with a nod. "A hunting expedition."

Darkstripe stared at him blankly. Then, realizing what Tigerstar meant, understanding dawned in his eyes. "You want me to track down the traitors and kill them, don't you?" Darkstripe whispered.

Tigerstar gave an inconspicuous nod. Neither of them noticed Cinderpaw get up and limp away.

"It's the kittypet that concerns me most," Tigerstar said. "His little cross-Clan friend is only a secondary problem. It is imperative that you kill the kittypet first. Do you understand me, Darkstripe?"

"Yes, Tigerstar, and I won't let you down," Darkstripe assured him.

"Go get your companions and track them down," Tigerstar told Darkstripe. "Be back by sunrise."

Darkstripe ran off to find Longtail and Dustpelt for their little hunting expedition. Tigerstar, satisfied with his day's work, decided to return to his den for a good night's sleep. As he made his way to his new den, he saw the ginger she-cat Sandstorm exit the camp. Thinking nothing of it, he entered his den and curled up in his nest, drifting off to sleep with no remorse for the two lives that were about to be taken under his orders.

-X-X-X-

Fireheart and Graystripe didn't speak until they had put quite a bit of distance between themselves and the camp. When they had, Graystripe stopped and sat down. Fireheart followed his friend's lead.

"I'm so sorry, Graystripe," he said, nudging his friend's shoulder. "I know that this is all my fault."

Graystripe shook his head. "You couldn't have done anything, Fireheart," he whispered quietly. "It's Tigerstar's fault, not yours."

That didn't stop Fireheart from feeling prickles of guilt.

Graystripe looked up at Fireheart, his eyes full of grief and determination. "Where shall we go?" he asked.

Fireheart got up and began to pace, thinking it over. "We can't go to ShadowClan, obviously," he said. "They hate us. RiverClan..."

"Will have nothing to do with me," Graystripe replied quietly.

"And I'm not going to leave you," Fireheart said determinedly.

Graystripe's whiskers turned up in a small smile at the loyalty of his best friend. It was all they had to share between them anyway, now that they were exiles.

"WindClan?" Graystripe suggested. "They like us."

Fireheart hesitated. "They like us, but Tigerstar would give them a hard time if we joined their Clan," he pointed out. "In fact, if any of the Clans take us in, they'll be given a hard time. Tigerstar wants me dead, Graystripe."

"I know," Graystripe replied. "I'm somewhat surprised that he just didn't ignore the Clan and kill us then. I expected to feel his claws ripping into me any heartbeat."

Fireheart nodded, shuddering. There had been a moment where he was terrified that he would die, and he sympathized with Graystripe's pain. "I don't think we can join any of the Clans, Graystripe," he meowed softly. "We'll have to give up Clan life forever now."

Both of them fell silent. Fireheart had been born a kittypet, and had only joined ThunderClan when he was six moons. Exile was not quite as devastating for him as it was for Graystripe, who had been born into ThunderClan and in whom the disgrace that came from exile had been ingrained since his birth.

"Twolegplace?" Fireheart suggested.

Graystripe gave him a disgusted look.

"I'm bouncing ideas around," Fireheart said defensively. "Um... We could go to Barley's barn."

"What about the medicine cats?" asked Graystripe. "What if Tigerstar has to go to Mothermouth? Cats stop in at the barn when they go there, you know. They could see us and let something slip."

"Ravenpaw has been hiding at Barley's barn for moons now, and Tigerstar hasn't got a clue that he's there," Fireheart pointed out.

Graystripe's expression brightened at this. "Great StarClan, I've forgotten about Ravenpaw," he meowed. "It's not quite the same though. Tigerstar thinks that Ravenpaw is dead. He knows we're alive. I wouldn't be surprised if he sent his lackeys after us. In fact–"

Graystripe was interrupted by a crashing of undergrowth behind them. Both he and Fireheart turned to see the source of the noise, their hackles rising. Then Sandstorm burst out of the bushes, breathing heavily, smelling strongly of fox dung.

"Thank StarClan I've found you before Darkstripe!" Sandstorm exclaimed, catching sight of the two toms. She darted forward and licked Fireheart's ears. "Cinderpaw overheard Tigerstar. He's sending a small patrol after you to kill you, lead by Darkstripe."

Graystripe shot Fireheart an "I-told-you-so" look, but Fireheart was too busy panicking to notice or care.

"I lost time because I had to find fox dung to roll around in to disguise my scent," she explained. "You two have to get moving, now, before they catch up to us."

"Thank you for telling us, Sandstorm," Fireheart replied, giving her own ears a quick lick. "Thank Cinderpaw for me as well. We're going to Barley's barn, by Mothermouth. We'll be hiding there."

Sandstorm nodded. "Before you go," she said, speaking quickly, "I just have to ask; you didn't really kill Bluestar, did you? It really was Tigerstar?"

Fireheart nodded.

Sandstorm closed her eyes. "Okay," she said, sounding glad. "I didn't think you could kill her. . . You were her apprentice. Anyway, you should get going."

Fireheart got up, wishing that Sandstorm could come with him, but knowing she would want to stay behind with the Clan, where it was safer, and not follow him into a life of exile.

"Sandstorm, my kits. . ." Graystripe began.

"I'll look after them for you," Sandstorm promised.

Graystripe's eyes were full of gratitude. "Thank you so much," he said.

The two toms set off at a run, but they could still hear Sandstorm calling out to them, "May StarClan guide and protect you on your path!"

Graystripe and Fireheart ran like they had never run before, not sure how much time they had until Darkstripe's patrol caught up with them and not wanting to find out. The forest past by in a blur, and even though the pace at which they were going was slowly killing Fireheart, he didn't dare to slow down. At last, they reached Fourtrees, but even here, they did not stop. They kept running, running on and on, reaching the wild moors of WindClan territory. It was only here that they began to slow down, mostly to prevent themselves from being discovered by an enemy patrol rather than because they felt themselves safe from Darkstripe. Although WindClan did like Fireheart and Graystripe, there was no knowing how they would react when they discovered their exile.

Unfortunately, secrecy was not meant to be for them. About halfway across WindClan territory, Fireheart scented a hunting patrol nearby. Fireheart whipped his head around, trying to figure out where the smell was coming from, but before he could see the patrol, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Fireheart? Graystripe?"

Fireheart and Graystripe whipped around to see their friend Onewhisker standing behind them. Next to him was Deadfoot, WindClan's deputy, carrying a dead rabbit in his mouth. Deadfoot set the rabbit down and, glaring at Fireheart and Graystripe, asked, "What are you doing on WindClan territory?"

Graystripe cast Fireheart a questioning look, clearly wondering how much of the truth they should reveal.

"ThunderClan camp... was attacked," Fireheart panted, almost ready to collapse from exhaustion. "Tigerclaw – no, he's Tigerstar now – led a group of rogues into our camp to distract the Clan while he killed Bluestar. And Tigerstar... Phew, sorry, we've been running since we left camp. Anyway, Tigerstar blamed Bluestar's murder on the two of us and had us exiled."

By the expression on Deadfoot's face, he clearly thought that Fireheart was delirious. Even Onewhisker looked doubtful.

"It's true," said Graystripe. "We're trying to get away from the Clans. We'll be off your territory before you know it."

Onewhisker and Deadfoot exchanged glances. "I think they're innocent," Onewhisker said to the deputy.

Deadfoot sighed and shook his head. "You are too trusting, Onewhisker," he mewed. To Fireheart, he said, "You are sure that Tigercl–Tigestar killed Bluestar?"

"I saw him," Fireheart insisted.

"And you would recommend that we do not trust Tigerstar?"

"Yes, I recommend it," Fireheart replied. "Strongly."

"Who is his deputy?"

"Darkstripe."

"And where are you going?"

"We can't tell you," Fireheart answered, which was, more or less, the truth. It was one thing to divulge their destination to Sandstorm, a friend and an ally; but to a warrior from a rival Clan was a completely different matter.

Deadfoot nodded thoughtfully. "I will tell Tallstar about this," he said. "I will give you the benefit of the doubt for now. I certainly trust you more than I would trust Tigerstar or Darkstripe. Thank you for this information, Fireheart."

"No problem, Deadfoot," Fireheart replied. "Thank you."

"StarClan guide you," Onewhisker said as he and Deadfoot set off across the moors again.

"StarClan guide you," Graystripe echoed. As they turned away and continued on toward the barn, Graystripe said, "I love WindClan."

Fireheart cast a glance over his shoulder. "I would rather it if they hadn't seen us," he said, "but they were downwind. I suppose it can't be helped."

"No, it really can't," Graystripe replied. "At least they don't know where we'll be going."

Eventually, they found themselves at Barley's barn, the smell of dog as strong as ever, but without any noises that indicated the infernal creatures were out and about. The sun hung low in the sky, painting it red as blood. Fireheart thought it seemed ominous.

"Great StarClan!"

Fireheart nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard another cat's voice coming from behind him. He whipped around and saw his friend Ravenpaw standing behind them, his mouth open in shock.

"Hi, Ravenpaw," Fireheart said wearily. "I know you're wondering what we're doing here, but Graystripe and I really need to sleep."

Ravenpaw nodded in understanding. "Okay," he said, although it was clear that he was bursting with questions. "Come on, let's go into the barn."

Ravenpaw led them into the barn, which was warm and smelled of mice, cows, and hay. Barley the loner was eating a mouse when they entered and, seeing the three toms together, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"We'll tell you after we have a nap," Graystripe said, yawning. "It's a long story, and we've been running since we left ThunderClan camp."

Barley looked as if he was about to order them to tell the story anyway, but Ravenpaw shook his head at Barley. "Let them sleep," he said. "They're tired, and they'll be no good until they take a nap. Just lie in the hay, the cows won't bother you."

"Thank you," Fireheart said gratefully, settling down into the soft, sweet-smelling hay. "We promise we'll tell you everything. When we wake up."

"If we wake up," Graystripe mumbled sleepily as he lay down.

The two toms drifted off to sleep almost as quickly and suddenly as they had arrived at the barn, into a black, dreamless, and peaceful sleep.

So like I said, basically a filler chapter. But hey, I'll make it up with a stellar one next time, okay? Okay.

Oh, and for the record, I didn't fail any of my exams. Well, I know for sure I didn't fail three of them. My history teacher wasn't there to give me mine back (and he didn't even show up for the actual exam!) so I might have failed that one. But basically, you guys are off the hook for that. XD