Haze stared and gave himself a moment. Not that she would hear him out in any circumstance, but for defending a friend? It wasn't like he wasn't there when the otter patrol came into the clearing. It wasn't like he stayed in the medicine cat den, feeding the cats water- day after day. What more loyalty did he need to show? Clearly what he did wasn't enough deserving enough to call ThunderClan his home.
Yes, Wolfpaw had been wrong, but don't these cats have any compassion? The whispers of the crowd slowly grew on him. They were talking. Of course they were. It's easier to be one of the crowd than stand for what you believe in. Scrutiny blurred as the gazes of his fellow...clanmates continued. His icy blue eye glanced around before settling on Bumblestar's.
"I don't defend what he did- just what's left." He wavered as he spoke, because afterall, what was he but a kit in front of the leader he'd known all his life. Maplehaze build up the courage to face his exile.
"If showing mercy to a friend is traitorous, then so be it. I won't have him know that I was one of these cowards whispering behind other's backs."
His words were firm, but still held the respectful tone. He didn't hate Bumblestar, not really, but he'd hate himself more if he stood behind the crowd and watched as the words tore at his friend. Perhaps, it was for the best- and as long as Wolfpaw was alive. That was the best he could've hoped for.
Maplehaze dipped his head low as a final farewell to Bumblestar- and his...clan, before giving his friend a final glance.
I guess this is...goodbye, but at least...you're safe. Or at least that's what he told himself as he fought back any surfacing feelings and the crushing weight of reality. Once those feeling welled up, Haze relunctantly tore his eye off of Wolfpaw before backing away. ThunderClan...was no longer home.
[ he exits !! ]
[ @
dino. @
Beaan ]