Fireheart, Willowpelt, Halftail, Mousefur, Graystripe, Speckletail, Whitestorm, Brackenpaw, Princess, Tigerclaw, Swiftpaw, Patchpelt, Yellowfang, Cinderpaw, Frostfur

characters mentioned

Runningnose, Silverstream, Bluestar, Brindleface, Spottedleaf, Ravenpaw

Graystripe apologizes for Fireheart's loss in the morning, but Fireheart is in no mood to speak with him. Instead he goes to visit Princess, and tries to explain to her what is going on in the Clan. He is depressed by the promise of death now that greencough has moved into the nursery, and guilt about Cinderpaw's accident. Princess offers him a place in her home as a kittypet, but he refuses. She then offers him another theory about Cinderpaw -- the ash tree were Tigerclaw had requested Bluestar was beside the narrowest verge of the thunderpath: had it been a trap for Bluestar, that Cinderpaw had fallen into instead?

He gets some more catnip to account for his absence and returns to camp, where Tigerclaw questions him on Graystripe's own absence. Fireheart says he does not know, but the deputy is obviously not convinced, and gives Fireheart a message to deliver to Graystripe: he is confined to the fallen oak with all the other sick cats as to stop the sickness from spreading. But Graystripe has recovered -- and Fireheart can't help feeling resentment -- he's breaking the warrior code by covering for his friend, but Graystripe just tells him to mind his own business.

Quotes coming soon.