Several sunrises passed since Hyacinth's arrival. Fortunately, the she-cat had not strayed too close to them, but both Tigerstripe and Jetfur were still frightened by Hyacinth's arrival. Despite her ongoing explanation that she had never heard of Krait, Tigerstripe couldn't help but see Krait within her. Perhaps Korosu had tainted with her mind.

As the days passed, Tigerstripe knew the battle was growing closer. Training was becoming more intense, the rogues were more present around the camp, and Hazelstar seemed to be more stressed and grouchy now more than ever.

Tigerstripe was not sure what would even happen the day of the battle. He and Jetfur already decided they would not fight for MoonClan, but how would the others respond? He did not want to be killed by Hazelstar. All he wanted was to go off with Jetfur and live in peace.

"Up, you cats!" screeched one of the guards from outside the den.

Tigerstripe slowly opened his eyes and nudged the sleeping Jetfur to the side of him. They slowly rose to their feet with the other captives. Tigerstripe groaned as he did so, his muscles sore from all the training they'd done. It wasn't so much that Tigerstripe couldn't handle the training. It was his refusal to train at times that put him in so much pain.

As they walked out into the busy MoonClan camp, Tigerstripe could already spot Bone standing nearby, smiling maliciously.

"And are my apprentices ready to train today?" he asked.

Tigerstripe let out a low growl. "Of course."

Together they padded into the woods. Tigerstripe expected nothing less than another day of pain and anger.

"I'd like to see some more effort from both of you," Bone explained as he stopped in the clearing that they normally trained in. "We are getting very close to battle day, and I worry your skills will not be enough to make MoonClan proud."

"Why does it matter? We're just captives anyway? So what if we fight poorly?" Tigerstripe asked, annoyed.

"Because if you don't represent this clan well, you will very well lose your life once we return to camp to celebrate," Bone threatened.

"If, you mean," Tigerstripe replied.

"Pardon?"

"If you win the battle. As I recall, a mere apprentice killed Moonstar last time," Tigerstripe reminded him.

Bone got up right in front of Tigerstripe's face and growled.

"It is different this time. Hazelstar has many lives, our cats are stronger, and there is a larger number of them. It would take a miracle for the other clans to win," Bone growled, sinking his claws into Tigerstripe's paws. Tigerstripe let out a yowl in surprise and watched Bone grin as he sheathed them.

"How about we train?" Jetfur suggested.

Bone turned away from Tigerstripe. "Excellent idea," he said.

He first practiced on each of them, fighting as his usual tough and vicious self. Tigerstripe could handle him better than Jetfur as he had been used to Bone's harsh teachings when he was an apprentice himself. Still, Jetfur's inability to fight well worried him. What if he lost her for good this time?

"I decided to put a little twist on our training today," Bone explained, "I would like you two to fight each other."

"Each other?" Jetfur asked. "But why?"

"It will be a good exercise. I am sure that when you are in battle you will encounter cats who will remind you of friends and loved ones. Now fight each other, and show no mercy!" Bone instructed.

Tigerstripe glanced at Jetfur with worried eyes and shrugged. Jetfur stood with the same worried look and awkwardly approached him.

"What are you doing?! Lunge!" Bone hissed.

Jetfur lunged at Tigerstripe. He, of course, let her pin him, not sure what the point of this exercise was.

"Come on, Tigerstripe! I know you're stronger than her!" Bone shouted.

Tigerstripe pushed Jetfur off of him and clashed with her. Still, both kept their claws sheathed. He pinned her this time and felt Jetfur struggle under his grip.

"Why have none of you unsheathed your claws?! Do so!" Bone yowled.

"Sorry," Tigerstripe whispered as he unsheathed his claws. They only lightly pressed into Jetfur, but it still drew blood. Jetfur raked her claws lightly on Tigerstripe's underbelly, prompting him to get off.

"Come on! I want to see some blood!" Bone hissed.

"Why are you doing this?" Jetfur asked desperately.

Not sure what Bone would do to Jetfur, Tigerstripe knocked Jetfur on the side, throwing her to the ground.

"What? Tigerstripe!" she gasped in surprise as he pinned her once more.

"Ah, betrayal! I love it!" Bone purred.

"Just trust me," Tigerstripe whispered. "I don't want to see him hurt you."

Jetfur was quiet for a moment, then nodded. Tigerstripe raised his claw, as if he were about to strike her neck, when Bone laughed and called for him to halt.

"That will be all for today. Very good, Tigerstripe. I have no doubt you will do well in battle. We'll have to work on your training a bit more, Jetfur," Bone explained.

Relieved the training session was over, the two returned back to camp and were escorted back into the captive den where the others were mostly gathered too.

"I'm sorry that I drew some blood," Tigerstripe told Jetfur. "I was worried that if we didn't cooperate, he might injure you."

"It's fine, Tigerstripe. I understand why you did it," Jetfur assured him.

"Tough training day?" Chestnuttail asked.

"A bit. Bone made us fight each other," Tigerstripe explained.

Chesnuttail winced. "Ooh, I'm sorry about that. Can't be any worse than normal though, right?"

"I suppose so," Jetfur sighed.

There was a pause, and then Tigerstripe's brother spoke again.

"So why did you change? You were one of the fiercest MoonClan cats I knew, so loyal, so fierce. I never expected to see you in this den," Chesnuttail admitted.

"Well, I went off with Jetfur, and...it felt nice to not have any rules, to be free to lead my own life. And then I lost her and went on this great adventure and...perhaps I finally experienced love for the first time," Tigerstripe said, now staring into Jetfur's eyes.

She purred and rubbed against him.

Chesnuttail chuckled. "I guess we all change. I hadn't expected Hazelnose to ever turn into the power-hungry Hazelstar."

"I suppose," Tigerstripe replied.

"Better enjoy the small talk while you can," Treestep budded in. "I heard some MoonClan cats saying the battle is supposed to occur within the next few sunrises."

Jetfur gulped beside him.

Tigerstripe wrapped his tail around her in a protective manner.

"We'll be ready," he said.

Actions

Actions