The Clan, mad with grief at the kits’ abduction and Spottedleaf’s death, blames Yellowfang for both crimes. Tigerclaw wants to hunt for her then and there, but Bluestar stops him; a big storm is coming, which will impede any progress they make. Firepaw can barely think through his grief for his beloved Spottedleaf, but Bluestar shakes him out of his stupor when she surreptitiously tasks him with finding Yellowfang. Bluestar wants to hear the truth from Yellowfang, and she knows that if she allows Tigerclaw to hunt for her, he will kill her with no questions asked. As he prepares to leave on his errand, Firepaw hears his Clanmates gossiping about Ravenpaw’s potential involvement in the crimes; it seems Tigerclaw’s plot is already in motion, and Ravenpaw is in imminent danger.

Firepaw enlists Graypaw’s help after confiding in him about the mission from Bluestar and all of Tigerclaw’s treachery. As the two apprentices prepare to lead Ravenpaw away from camp, Tigerclaw stops them; luckily, Bluestar intervenes. In that moment, Firepaw realizes the trust Bluestar is placing in him by allowing him to employ his friends’ help despite his mission’s sensitive nature.