Disclaimer alert: I own nothing. Now read and try to enjoy please, I know it's been painfully slow and boring, but have the good parts all planned out, just have to write them. Approximately one moon has gone past since entering, and tonight is that of the full-moon.

What an odd ritual. Going up every full moon to announce what's been happening in the Clan to the stars… Jeena lay in her nest, exhausted, yet sleep wouldn't come. Instead thoughts kept her awake. It's be interesting to see if their beliefs are real… she shuddered, knowing that to do so, she'd meet up with kitty ghosts. Those two things shouldn't go together! They're so different… one of them can be wild, like these cats, abiding by a code and taking care of each other, not slaying needlessly, taking care of each other, and ghosts just… are horrible. Really, souls of those who had passed but not gone to rest completely was a terrifying, and a dreadfully sad thought. But they make their ancestors sound more like 'friendly' ghosts. Again, two words that normally, I'd never put together. Eventually her thoughts strayed to Hawkfrost. I wonder why he's here? From what I hear, the journey from here to their forest is a long one. Why would he come here, then put off getting back as soon as possible just to help me?

The night after Hawkfrost had offered to help Jeena, she had returned to the fallen log after that day took quite a few bad turns for her. He showed little emotion at her returning, but refused to teach her any battle moves until she had worked up her stamina, which he gave her exercises to do daily. Not only had she done them daily, but more than once a day, whenever she was alone she'd work on it.

And it worked.

Within two weeks she was positive she could patrol the whole territory, at a slight jog, without stopping. At that night, she returned to the fallen log, and found Hawkfrost there, waiting. Though her suspicion of him grew, she found herself always going back there. She'd never be a strong fighter; she knew that. However, she worked on improving her speed and accuracy every night with Hawkfrost, than during the day whenever she was alone. That was the thing; she couldn't let any of the other cats see her improvement. If she did, she wouldn't get the time to work by herself, nor would she have the energy to train with Hawkfrost by the log. She was aware of these thoughts, but only dimly.

I think I'm doing no wrong, but why does something always flinch inside of me whenever I think of or see him?

Sleep finally claimed her after pondering about it a bit more. It felt only like heartbeats before a paw prodded her, accompanied by a voice, "Time to wake up."

Stifling a groan, she opened her eyes and peeked upwards. The first thing she saw were stars, but no moon. Leaping up, she whirled around, wondering what had woken her. No one? She scanned the den, but every apprentice was asleep judging by how their breathing was going. Wasn't a ghost cat. Just skittishness. Too scared to return to her nest, she slunk back downriver, purposely going through any obstacles. Once the trunk came into sight, she paused and tasted the air, searching for Hawkfrost's scent, and picked it up immediately, but almost drowned out by a different stench she couldn't place. Crow-f… no… I know what I mean!

She stuck to the cliff, using every shadow to her advantage, stopping often to taste the air. Once she had reached the forest-line without any troubles, she leapt onto the nearest tree, feeling a flash of pride as she scaled the tree and within seconds was well hidden, with a clear view of where the trunk spanned. She pricked her ears, but couldn't hear anything besides the rapid heartbeat of a vole. That wouldn't be here if Hawkfrost was here. It scuttled out from the bracken beneath her and dashed towards the log. Might as well. Gathering her muscles, she neatly sprang down from the branch and landed almost on top of the creature, easily allowing her to flash a paw out and hook a claw into its throat, giving it a quick death.

Hiding it in the maze of branches, she felt eyes upon her. Whirling around, she scooted away from the roots, just a heartbeat before the familiar form of Hawkfrost landed there. Once again she leapt, and landed square on his shoulders and raking paws across his pelt once before twisting around to get beneath him.

"Stop!"

Promptly she obeyed, wondering why he'd called out. Wriggling out of his reach, she sat in the clearing, a few tail-lengths away from him. Stalking out, he hissed, "Sheathed claws are for the weak. Attack me like a real warrior!"

She answered by growling; talking wasted too much breath, and not that she had time to. He darted towards her, feinted, and leapt from an angle, icy eyes fixated on her.

Heart in mouth, she jumped sideways, managing to only become unbalanced. He turned neatly on his hind paws and belabored her with his front paws. He'd managed to get in two blows before she backed away, this time fully ready for his leap, darting to the side and getting in a quick scratch. He snapped at her paw, snarling as he missed it, and once again came at her.

She knew that once he had her pinned, it'd be all over. Her physical strength wasn't good enough to defeat him; she had to rely on speed and tactics, knowing what he'd do next, where he'd be, anticipating every move, wearing the opponent out slowly, waiting for him to show weakness just for a second. She could anticipate the moves easily enough, having seen Rallen avoid krawl attacks often, as well as avoiding them herself. This battle would only go on for as long as one stayed on full alert; once one showed a seconds weakness the other would be able to exploit it.

Thus she avoided the attack once again, hoping she'd be able to last out this time. She'd gotten close last time, and was able to escape with only a sprained paw. One good blow would be it for her, and she was painfully aware of it.

Hissing, he backed off slightly, and began weaving back and forth, studying her. "Not bad, but could've been quicker."

He made as if to leap, then did so, but in a different direction. She noticed the slight hesitation it had taken him to whirl around and face her again. No! He's trying to confuse me. There's no way he's tired this early. Fully focused, she allowed him to come close, missing his well-aimed blows by mere millimeters. His jaws snapped suddenly, and she felt a bolt of pain run through her as she wrenched her ear out of his grasp. She didn't stop to inspect her wound, but they stood apart for six heartbeats, each panting and searching the other. Jeena could tell quickly he still had a while to go before he showed any openings. She hoped she could last out long enough.

Once again they sparred, with neither seeming to get anywhere. Jeena had been carefully maneuvering him during this time. Anytime now...

Judging by the trees' shadow it may not work, but it was too late to get him to back up. She'd have to try something else.

She made as if to dart forward, beneath his legs. Grunting in surprise, he reared up onto his hind legs, ready to come crashing down upon her. Hissing, he dropped back down clumsily.

Yes! The sun had done her work for her, momentarily blinding him. Scooping up a pawfull of dirt and sand, she flashed it into his eyes, adding to his sight problems before launching herself at him, energy tearing through her body as she realized she might win this time.

She landed neatly on top of him, one again scraping her now unsheathed claws along his pelt, closing her jaws in his scruff and tugged hard as she leapt off him. He was able to keep upright though, and, though blinded, swept at her general direction with a dangerous paw, which she ducked to avoid, taking the time to flash out a paw and graze it across his throat, cause a little scratch there. He tore backwards, back into the shadow, panting. He gave her a small nod, his voice somewhere between a hiss and a murmur, "Come back here tonight, you've got to go back before you're missed."

She nodded, and flicked her tail to the tree, "There's a vole in there if you want it." He gave no sign that he heard, his strong frame disappearing into the bushes at the forests edge. Just then a wave tiredness swept over her, as well as pain from her torn ear. Slowly walking to the river's edge she splashed in, relishing the cold waves sweep away her weariness, and washing her ear as well. Feeling much better, she climbed back onto the bank and jogged back to SkyClan, coming up with a story to hide what she had really been doing. Turned out she'd needed it sooner then she'd have liked; for as soon as she bounded past the apprentices' den she was hailed.

"Azure! Come here, behind the den."

She climbed over the rock, acting as if it was hard, though she could've easily jumped over most of it. Coolly she padded down and sat across from Rallen, who was staring at her accusingly.

"Where were you? I woke up a while before dawn and you weren't there!" She was about to respond when he sniffed suspiciously at her, and continued in a shocked whisper, "Why- you're bleeding! How'd that happen?"

"Well, if you'll let me speak I'll tell you. Something spooked me during the night and I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep after that, so I went out."

His eyes widened as she went on, "I was just out for a stroll, when I slipped into the river, but I was able to get out by the fallen log. It was there that my ear got caught on a twig and, it kind of tore."

Was he looking hurt or was she imagining it? "Jeena, you know you could've woken me up instead of going out. There are dangerous animals out there at night, badgers and foxes, and it's not like you to be clumsy and slip into a stream… I've noticed you've been awfully tired lately, and a few days ago you were kinda limping." He lashed his tail, dropping his gaze, and seemed to want to go on but didn't.

I'm fully capable of taking care of myself, I don't need you watching me all the time! She almost hissed it to him when she stopped with a start. Instead she mewed, "Thanks, but it won't happen again, I'll be fine." She quickly moved off before he could say any more, confused. I wish he'd stop acting so nosy. I hate lying. And he goes and makes it worse by acting hurt! He never acted like that. He was always more headstrong, direct… he seemed a lot different. Or was she imagining these feelings for him? That had to be it. They were friends.

Real friends would tell the truth.

She sat down where she was and gazed helplessly skyward.

I will tell you. Just not now. I promise!

She transferred her gaze to the stirring Clan. Worry ate at her, and it was all she could do from wailing, whatever you are, please take us back! We don't belong here! I just want everything to go back to normal!

Bit more exciting, I hope? Yea, I know I kinda suck at fight scenes, but lemme know how to improve it please! As always, reviews are appreciated, welcomed, and loved, as well as constructive criticism. But no flames, I implore thee.