Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. I realize that the story may be a little confusing now, but hopefully in the end it'll make a little more sense.

Soda's POV

The next night, I was playing poker with Steve while Ponyboy got ready for the rumble. Well, he really wasn't getting ready, he was staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Something he's been doing a lot lately.

"Hey Soda, when did you start shaving?" Pony asked glancing at me through his reflection.

"When I was fifteen." I replied.

"When did Darry?" Pony studied his face some more.

"When he was thirteen." I told him. "Why, are you planning on growing a beard for the rumble?"

Pony walked out of the bathroom and swatted my head. "Oh, you're funny."

He went on to say that my remarks should be sent to Reader's Digest. I just laughed and cotinued to play poker with Steve.

Darry's POV

I had been watching Pony and he did not look well at all. I knew he had lost weight. But he looked sick. And, I didn't like the idea of him fighting in the rumble if he was sick.

"Pony, maybe you ought to stay out of this rumble." I told him, tucking in my black shirt

"Why?" Pony asked. "I always came through before, haven't I?"

I grinned and ruffled his hair. "Yeah. You're a tough kid. But you don't look so well. You seem tense."

I didn't mention that he looked like he was sick.

Soda joined us and put an arm around Ponyboy's shoulders. "Come on Darry, everyone is tense before a rumble. Let him fight. A little skin won't hurt him, will it?"

Pony gave Soda a grateful grin before turning back to me. "Come on Darry, if it were knives or chains it would be different. I'll grab hold of a little one."

I sighed. I really didn't like the idea of him fighting in the rumble. But we needed every person we could get. And since Soda was sticking up for him, I knew I was in a losing battle. So, against my better judgement, I agreed to let him fight in the rumble.

With that, we all left for the vacant lot. Two-Bit had arrived by then. On the way there, I gave Soda and Pony instructions to leave if the fuzz showed up. I also told Pony to stay close to me.

Soda's POV

I knew Darry wasn't happy about Ponyboy being in the rumble. I mean the kid did look sick, but I didn't think anything of it. Besides, if something were to happen, Darry or I would help him. No big deal.

Soon, the rumble had started and everyone was fighting with all they had. I love rumbles, there's an unbelievable rush of energy that comes when you're in a rumble. I jumped on a soc and started slugging him in the chest. When I finished with him, I quickly looked for another soc to fight. And it didn't take long.

As soon as I got up to my feet after pounding on the one soc, I saw another soc kick Pony in the head. Pony fell to the ground and I ran and lept on the soc. I was furious. No one kicks my younger brother in the head and gets away with it. I was unaware of my surroundings as I slugged the soc who had kicked Ponyboy. But, soon I heard Two-Bit whooping like an Indian and I glanced up to see the other socs running towards their cars. I gave the soc I had been fighting a good kick in the shin before I let him go. I watched as he slowly limped away.

I turned to check on Ponyboy, but ended up sitting with Steve instead who had cracked a few ribs. When I went to check on Pony, he was gone. Two-Bit said something about Pony going to the hospital with Dally to see Johnny. So, I just helped Steve up and those of us who were there all went to my house. Steve and I had talked earlier about having a party after the rumble, but now we didn't feel like partying. We just wanted to sit down and relax.