The night was lit up by the full moon floating in the sky.

Tensions were high, as the snarling Greasers took position on one side of the lot, and the jeering Soc's stood at the other.

Darry among the latter.

His old Greaser friends among the former.

Darry sighed, but then his attention was pulled away.

It was time for the starting fight. One Soc against one Greaser, once the fight was over the rumble would begin.

Darry wasn't about to volunteer. He didn't want to see the look that the opposing Greaser would give him, face full of thoughts of his traitorous deeds.

Or maybe he just didn't want to hurt one of his old friends.

Paul volunteered eventually.

Predictably, Steve volunteered as the Greaser, throwing a hateful glare at Darry as he came forward.

Steve launched himself at Paul, knocking him to the ground.

Paul rolled them around and punched Steve on the face, who retaliated by elbowing the Soc in the stomach.

Paul collapsed to the ground.

The rumble began.

Soc's and Greasers raced towards each other, every man picking someone to target. Darry purposefully avoided the Gang and set out to fight those Greasers who he knew less well.

The battle was bloody, and when rain began to fall, the grass became stained with red.

After defeating Tim Shepherd, knocking him out with a hard punch, he stood back up again, shooting a regretful glance towards Tim's crumpled body.

Darry scanned around for open Greasers.

There was one, turned away from Darry with a hood covering his head.

Darry ran towards him.

The Greaser must have heard him coming, despite all the loud yells of the fights around him, because he turned around to face Darry, moonlight shining on his face.

Darry skidded to a stop.

Auburn hair.

Bright, lively eyes.

Wild grin, though it darkened to a fierce scowl after seeing Darry.

Tall stature.

Darry found himself staring at the unmistakable face of Sodapop Curtis.

Dimly wondering if Ponyboy was there too, he stepped forward, legs trembling.

"Soda?" He asked with wonder in his voice. Soda... had grown up. His previously handsome features had only improved, and he remained as fit and athletic as the last time Darry had seen him, years ago.

Darry couldn't believe he was here.

He took another step closer, and Soda tensed, a wild look of fear and anger in his eyes.

Darry stared at him. "Soda, what are... where... when did you get home?"

Darry dared to take one more step.

This proved to be a mistake.

Darry was met with Soda's fist to his face, and the last thing he thought before blacking out was

His punches have improved.