Under a swift pace, the patrol heads back home. They are interrupted by a friendly loner Barley, who warns them about the farmer's dogs. They heed his words, despite Tigerclaw's suspicions, and instinct ran into a ditch filled with rats. A fierce battle breaks down against the rats, and the arrival of Barley saves the day. Bluestar is gravely injured and loses a life. Tigerclaw sends Barley away, and as Bluestar wakes up she indulges Tigerclaw's curiosity, she has lost her fifth life.

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