"Why don't you then?" I was testing him. Thank god my body was small, I transformed into a cat and ran under the sabre and transformed back into myself. Instinct took over; I stood in a battle stance and bared my sharp teeth and fangs at him. Then I growled at him to show I'm not to be messed with.

The sabre laughed. It was low and weird, like a deep gurgle. "You think you're stronger than me, don't you? Do you know who I am?"

"I don't give a damn about who you are. I know you're a Sabre and you need to get lost. You need to learn some manners because jumping out at someone like that while they're sleeping is not cool." I said.

"Manners are for weaklings and that was the point. That's what our kind does when they find their prey."

"Oh, I see. This is just a game to you. You just want to show who's boss right?"

"You're a smart little girl, aren't you?" He mocked.

We circled around each other and I waited for him to make his move. I was still in human form, and when he jumped at me, I quickly transformed into a tiger and dodged. He growled and paced slowly, all the while we maintained eye contact. I tricked him into going to the right and then quickly turned left, then jumped at him from the back. He dodged and pounced on me. I jumped back; I took out my claws and scratched him in the face. He roared from the pain - a slash visible across his cheek. He roared straight at me and pounced on me again, pinning me down. He opened his large mouth with large tusks, about to bite my neck. I kicked him with my hind legs and he fell backwards away from me. 'Wow! I'm much stronger in this form.' I thought to myself, surprised. 'Not enough though since he managed to pin me down just now.'

We circled each other again, 'He wants a piece of me, and I'll give him some alright. He's a retarded sabre.' I thought. Then an idea occurred to me. 'What if I transformed into him? Maybe I would be stronger.' So, while we circled each other, I memorized his form, the details and his body parts. When I thought I was sure I got the details right, I began to transform. I felt the magic and my body changing, and when I finished the transformation, I felt the difference: my body was slightly heavier, but with stronger muscles and something large on my mouth. 'Oh, it's the tusks. Well I guess I'll see what this form can do.'

"What! How dare you! This is an absolute insult!" The sabre roared in anger.

I laughed, "Oh is it? That's unfortunate for you. I'm not sorry."

He attacked me again while I dodged and dodged. We were both panting by now; and for the last time I pounced on him, but he punched me with his powerful paws in the stomach. I was thrown backwards while he jumped on me and went for my neck again. This time I couldn't think straight as I used a lot of my magic in keeping the transformation. My reaction was too slow, and I could see his sharp tusks getting closer, waiting for the piercing pain. Suddenly, I felt his weight was lifted off of me and I heard another roar and growl. I sat up to see the tiger and sabre growling and snarling at each other. My magic was at its limit, so my transformation went off. I was back to my human form and watched the sabre attacked the tiger while the tiger dodged and clawed at his face. I stood up, a bit wobbly. 'The tiger saved me. Great, now I owe him.' I thought. I tried to transform again but couldn't and was frustrated. 'Never mind, I'll have to make do with what I've got left: my claws and teeth and my kicking prowess.'

I walked over to them slowly and tiger shouted, "Stay out of it little girl, you're injured!"

"I am not injured, I can still fight and why did you butt in?" I asked. I admit, I had too much pride.

The tiger snarled, "He was going for your neck, do you know what that means?! You expect me to just watch?!"

"Oh, you were watching." I stated.

The tiger shook its head as he got punched by the Sabre. He lost his footing and the sabre continued to pounce him and clawed him until he was down. I saw that the sabre was going for the neck, just like what he did to me. I used all my strength and charge towards the sabre. I came into contact with it and knocked it down. We fell rolling sideways and I quickly got up and pinned the sabre down with my bare hands, claws out. The sabre was lying on its sides with me sitting right on top of him, and with my claws out: right hand on his throat and left hand was on his stomach. "One move and you're dead." I threatened him.

The sabre scoffed. "You can't kill me. You don't have the guts to do it. Plus, I can just as easily kick you off of me."

"I know that, but you have to admit if you move, my claws will pierce your throat and stomach. So, I win." I replied.

"Fine, kill me why don't you?"

"I'm too young to be a killer. I don't want blood on my hands at such a young age. I have already made some enemies unintentionally and that's enough on my plate already. Plus, I have a conscience and a heart, unlike you." I put on a bit of pressure on his throat. "So, I'm going to let you go now and never ever come back to me or to tiger. If you do, I won't hold myself back and let my claws pierce that stinky heart of yours without a second thought, you hear me?"

I didn't wait for the answer because I knew the sabre has too much pride to give an answer anyway. All the sabre did was growl at us and the tiger snapped at him and he disappeared into the bushes. I collapsed on my knees, my energy drained. The tiger approached me slowly. I looked up at him and said, 'thank you for saving me', only it came out as a whisper. He heard it though.

"We're even now. I saved you and you saved me. Even." The tiger said.

I nodded. Then I held out a hand and offered a peaceful truce. He shook mine and commented on my fighting skills. "Not bad for a young girl. What the sabre said was right. Aim for the neck, it's the best way to kill your enemy. If not, the fight will just keep going on and drain your strength."

"I don't want to kill anyone. If it has to go on then so be it and may the best win."

The tiger nodded, "Dumb but courageous and brave little girl."

"Is that your way of complimenting but indirectly?" I asked him, with a smile at the corner of my lips.

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, whatever."

I reached over and threw him the remaining fishes I had earlier on. He looked at me and said, "Don't go thinking that I'm your pet." Then he ate one fish and passed me back the last fish. "Eat. You need to regain your strength."

"Thank you." I pet him and ate the fish. When I was able to stand up and walk without falling over, I decided to head home before I get into any more trouble. I looked at the tiger and asked him cheekily, "So are you my pet or not?"

He rolled his eyes and said, "No, I'm a solo guy."

We said our good-byes and parted ways. I found my way back with the help of the markings I made on the trees. Finally, I reached the shed and collapsed on my back. I closed my eyes and sleep claimed me straight away.