I stalk in back to the little group after that crazy meeting, bored and confused. I didn't really know what to do. There really was nothing to do here but talk, but who would want to with these cats, fight, knowing my fighting ability, no chance, or sleep. The only entertainment really was training the young cats, but even then, I either got torn to pieces or would be sopping wet. I sigh exasperatedly and collapsed on the ground defeated.

Well then, I might as well think about the situation I'm in, think of all the advantages and disadvantages. The thought didn't really last long. It was either be rotting here and risking death (again) during the great battle or getting a chance to join StarClan where I might live happily, and risk being killed (again) by the cats in this group. I grit my teeth angrily. They really didn't leave me up with much of a choice did they? I would probably die on both plans…so it seemed highly logical to me that he should just risk it with StarClan and move on from there. If I die, I die, if I live, I live. That was the way things were running down I guess. But then again…what if I was treated horribly in StarClan for the past choices and it wasn't much different from here? GRR!

Sighing, I decided I would just slowly doze off and fall to sleep…oomph! I felt a sharp jab and kick to my side snap me awake. I look up and saw Mapleshade's sneering face glaring up at me, her honey gold eyes filled with pure hatred and anger so strong, it made me shudder, "Darkstripe! Don't you be lazing around! You got someone who you need to train." Before I could object, she growled, "Tigerstar's orders." I froze on my reply, sigh dejectedly, and nod. I slowly get up and walk where her tail was directed.

I walk towards the shadowy figure hidden within the shadows grumbling and mumbling about who has the time to even take a nap and more. I then see Ivypool's figure within the shadows, quietly glaring at me. I'm confused as to why she would be angry at me, considering that the war was so close by, but then suddenly, she says, "Okay, train me."

I grimace, this was the she-cat that murdered Antpelt and almost murdered that small ShadowClan medicine cat, and now I was going to have face her. Man, my second death was just looming over the corner wasn't it? I get in a pouncing position and tried to leap up on her, but the small she-cat already hit me right in the stomach, knocking the breath right out of me. I felt myself hit the ground hard on my side, my rib instantly cracked painfully loud. I hissed in pain, but leapt up and tried to grab her.

I tried to bite her ear, maybe give her a good notch or something there, but my teeth met nothing but air as she skillfully dodged and landed a blow across his face. I started to get angry and bowled into her. I was a lot heavier than she was, so she toppled down easily. I tried to get her in a pin while biting her foreleg, but she used her free paw and scratched near my eye, where a scar would definitely be.

I yowled and double backed, where she took advantage of the situation available to her. Bowling me down, she easily got my legs before I could aim for her belly, and pinned me down. She set her delicate but deadly teeth near my throat and said, "Say your last words before I kill you."

"What?" I croaked, my heart was pounding ferociously against my chest, my mouth agape, eyes tiny slits. I had a mission! I couldn't already fail it! But then again…I hadn't accepted it.

Ivypool whispered coldly, "I hate to break it to you before you die again, but I've been working against you guys this whole entire time. You'll never get away with this war before I'm through with you guys."

My heart leaped when she said that and I quickly spoke, "You too?" She seemed taken aback by this and from her look of confusion I knew I had to speak fast and confess what I was doing. I guess almost being killed gets you deciding who's side your on pretty fast huh?

"What do you mean?" she asked, narrowing her pretty crystal blue eyes at me suspiciously, trying to figure out if what I said was a lie or not. Well it wasn't, I finally decided. After nearly being killed again by someone who was doing the same thing as me, I officially decided that I wanted to go to StarClan…and that this place would be left to rot without me.

I quickly give her the run down of what was happening to me quickly, and I knew she was trying to determine whether I was lying or not. Please to dear StarClan hope she trusts me. Ivypool narrows her eyes and said, "Why should I trust you?"

I gulp, hoping she wasn't about to slash my throat right now, but I hurriedly said, "Come with me tomorrow, after your Gathering…and I'll let you follow me towards the StarClan border." Ivypool's suspicious stare still didn't waver and I quietly huffed and said, "Do you really think I would be strong enough to take you down?"

She seemed fairly satisfied with that response and got off me, letting me clean my dirty fur up quietly. She said, "You better not being lying or else…" I gulped, but nodded. Oh dear StarClan, I hadn't even officially started, and I'm already failing at my job. Ivypool must have woken up because she completely disappeared from sight, and all I could think of was, what else was going to happen?

A/N: Hey guys! How did you like this chapter? I know Darkstripe's a little cowardly in this chapter, but doesn't that match his character development in the book series. Anyway, I kind of want him to start out cowardly at first, but grow more as a character as my fan fiction goes on. Well, if you spot anything, tell me, critique and opinions are always wanted.