For several days Tigerstripe and Jetfur were forced at their own will to march with the MoonClan cats toward MoonClan's new camp. Tigerstripe had fought slightly at first, but the strong cats were too much for him, and he knew it was no use.
Jetfur had been very compliant with the cats despite Tigerstripe's wishes. He knew it wasn't her fault. She had been in situations before, and apparently following instructions seemed to work best, but this was the first time Tigerstripe had encountered a situation like this. He didn't want to comply. He wanted freedom.
By the ninth or tenth sunrise, Tigerstripe's feet hurt from all the walking. Bruises and healing scratches covered his pelt. Jetfur had fewer bruises and scratches, but Tigerstripe could tell she was in pain with each passing step.
As the sun began to sink below the hills, one of the cats leading the others stopped at a hillside, glancing down at the horizon below.
"Stop," he ordered the cats.
Tigerstripe sighed in relief, glad his legs could have a rest.
"We'll camp here for the night," the ginger tom leading the cats explained. "Tomorrow, we should reach MoonClan."
Tigerstripe let out a sigh of relief. Never was he so glad to actually reach MoonClan. His feet hurt, and he longed for an actual den and nest. He wasn't sure he'd be treated like royalty upon his return though judging on how he had been treated by these cats.
Several cats sat up to stand guard while others began finding spots to sleep. Tigerstripe began to pad over to Jetfur when a gray she-cat stopped him.
"Not so fast. You'll sleep over there," she hissed, pointing to a nearby rock.
Tigerstripe unsheathed his claws in anger. "You've taken me hostage and driven me toward exhaustion. The least you can do is let me sleep by my mate!"
The she-cat bared her teeth and unsheathed her claws in response. "Is that a challenge?"
Tigerstripe let out a growl.
"Enough!" the ginger tom shouted. "Let him sleep next to the she-cat if he wants. We have plenty of cats on guard."
"But--" the she-cat began to argue.
"Go," he said.
The she-cat padded away, and Tigerstripe, thrilled with himself, padded over to where Jetfur was beginning to lay down. He curled up beside her and sat in silence for a few moments, watching the sun sink behind the hills.
Cats began to quiet down, and soon, many were asleep.
Tigerstripe could feel Jetfur's rapid breaths next to him, and he placed his tail on her to calm her.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, knowing the other cats were watching them intensely.
"I'm scared," she replied.
"Why don't you fight?" he asked quietly.
"It won't work. You know it won't."
"But you haven't tried," he argued.
"Tigerstripe, fighting doesn't always--"
"Hey, go to sleep over there!" a black tom hissed. "How do we know you aren't planning to escape?"
Tigerstripe rolled his eyes and turned back to Jetfur, but her head was already resting on her paws, and her eyes were shut. He let out a sigh and rested his head down beside hers, letting out a deep sigh. He could only hope Jetfur would build up courage later on.
"UP!" came a loud shout from beside Tigerstripe. He glanced up, noticing the ginger tom was waking all the cats. He turned and watched Jetfur stir beside him. He helped her up to her feet until he was immediately pulled away by some cats and isolated from her again.
Tigerstripe glanced at her longingly, but Jetfur only sighed. There was nothing they could do. They were forced to travel separately for fear that they would plan to escape. But Tigerstripe longed to be near her after being away so long.
As some cats pulled her away, he unsheathed his claws, but upon seeing her widened eyes and shaking head, he sheathed them and unwillingly went off with the cats.
Despite Tigerstripe's guess they were heading down the hill, they actually began to head higher up. Tigerstripe let out a groan. He had been given a little mouse to eat, and now he was forced to tread up this high hill.
His legs burned with each advancing step, and when he glanced over at Jetfur, he noticed she appeared to be in pain too. Nonetheless, they continued to climb.
"Where exactly is this camp?" Tigerstripe asked after what felt like an eternity of climbing.
"You'll see soon enough," a white she-cat said beside him.
Tigerstripe groaned and continued on his way. Once the sun was positioned in the middle of the sky, Tigerstripe noticed the other cats slowing down, as if they were preparing for something.
We must be here, he thought excitedly, glad to stop climbing the hill.
"Bring the prisoners forward!" the ginger tom ordered.
Tigerstripe let out gasps of surprise as cats pushed him forward, a few using their claws to speed him up. He let out a growl and fell to the floor beside Jetfur as cats pushed them.
"Get up!" the tom ordered.
Tigerstripe slowly rose to his feet and yowled as more cats pushed him from behind. There were tall bushes ahead of him, and he guessed the camp must be inside.
Two cats grabbed ahold of him and pushed him forward. Tigerstripe suddenly feared everything being held inside the camp, and he let out cries of anguish, squirming in their grip.
"You can't escape! There's nothing you can do!" the cats growled at him.
Tigerstripe turned, noticing Jetfur squirming too. It appeared they'd both lost it. They didn't want to go through with this anymore. He wanted to escape now.
Despite his intentions though, the cats dragged him forward and flung him onto dirt. When Tigerstripe opened his eyes, he noticed cats padding around, all their eyes focused on him.
And sitting directly in front of him was a brown tabby she-cat, snacking on a squirrel. As soon as the she-cat's eyes fell on Tigerstripe, she let out a pleasant smile.
"BROTHER!" she exclaimed.
Tigerstripe's eyes narrowed on his sister, Hazelstar. She appeared to be stronger than when he had last seen her. Her eyes shined with energy, and her whole appearance seemed to be a bit more malicious than the last battle he'd seen her at.
"Sister," he growled. He squirmed more within the grip of the cats, wanting to escape now more than ever. Hazelstar wasn't here for small talk. He could see that she would kill if needed.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" he suddenly shouted, unsure why she had decided to continue Moonstar's plan. He had been more devoted than her, and even he had changed for good. But her case was so odd. Why would a cat who had fled MoonClan's walls as a kit long to return and take on an evil nature?
"I had thought you were a true MoonClan cat," Hazelstar whimpered. "But I was wrong. You're nothing but a softy now."
Tigerstripe's muscles tensed, and he let out a growl.
"She's messing with you, Tigerstripe," Jetfur told him. Tigerstripe turned, nearly forgetting Jetfur was there.
"Oh, who's this?" Hazelstar asked. "Is it not the kit-like she-cat who left MoonClan running with my little brother."
"I'm not little!" Tigerstripe argued. And it was true. He was far larger than Hazelstar. In fact, he was the largest out of all his siblings. His muscles were much more defined, his chest was more broad, and his claws were even more sharp.
Suddenly, Hazelstar began to touch Jetfur's small face with her tail.
"Leave her alone!" Tigerstripe shouted.
"Oh, I didn't know she was special to you," Hazelstar admitted.
"Don't egg her on, Tigerstripe," Jetfur argued. Suddenly, Jetfur let out a yowl as Hazelstar brought a claw down her cheek.
Tigerstripe gasped, his worst fears coming true. He couldn't let Hazelstar hurt his only happiness left in the world.
"STOP IT!" Tigerstripe hissed.
"Throw them into the captive den with the others. And to you, my brother," Hazelstar purred.
Tigerstripe looked up at Hazelstar, his eyes widened with fear. Hazelstar was even more vicious than he had imagined.
"I trust you will fight for MoonClan."
Tigerstripe glanced at his sister right in the eyes.
"Never," he spat.
"Wrong answer," she growled. Suddenly, her paw came over his head, and upon feeling a hard collision, the world faded into darkness. The last thing Tigerstripe heard was Jetfur wailing in alarm.