the old topic!

Iceheart called a thanks to Takara, then replied to Snowest and Jack. "My leg hurts a lot because it's broken, and Kyota has been using it, so it hurts more. Then, when I sat down again, It hit the ground. That hurts a lot. Jack, get off of her face! No, your not fine! you could get Snowest killed!" She sighed. She was getting grumpy because of the pain. Kyota had better hurry.

Kyota changed into a robin, and flew up to Kuna's head. It seemed miles away. But he got there, just the same. He carefully shifted into a ferret, and curled up on Kuna's head. He kept his head facing forward, as to watch. "Thanks" He dug in a bit with his front claws, so he wouldn't be sent flying.

Keovi's ears perked as he veered around Nightwalker and halted, scenting the air carefully. He recognized it's blood scent and guess they were right. you attack up front. I'll circle behind. It's a few steps ahead, I can see it's shadow through the snow." He whispered, already stalking around the trees to it's side. His muscles tensed, and each step had to be precise to be sure no sound was made. This was easier anyway because of the muffling effect of the snow, which Keovi silently thanked for in his head. Ok just stay right there... He was saying in his head as his eyes gleamed, focused on the form of the deer which seemed to be standing still now, with it's head lowered. As he continued moving, the fluffy fresh snow hid his pawsteps as he reached the back of the deer. It looked up suddenly, flicking its ears as it looked around. Keovi halted, froze in mid-step, waiting for the deer to pull his attention away again. It's gaze was directed to Nightwalker, whos darker pelt stood out on the white snow. It's head moved to the side slightly, judging on what the figure could be, and Keovi's heartbeat raced, desperatly hoping it wouldn't do anything rash.

Now the deer froze too, realizing it was actually a wolf, and a split second later was on full alert and leaping away from both wolves. Keovi felt a suge of energy pulse through him, pushing him off his feet and after the fleeing deer. " Now, Nightwalker!" He snarled, his voice cut short by the mute effect of the snow. As he gave chase, it was almost silent except for the irregular thudding of the deer's hooves, and the panting from the plains wolf. He wasn't giving it his all just yet, as he could tell as the deer weaved around a snow-spotted tree that it was still injured enough to give it problems running. He could smell the fresh scent of blood, meaning it's wound opened up again. The warm smell made his mouth water and push his paws on towards his prey.

" Snowest, you really need to eat this," Mudpelt said a little impatienly. She really wanted to get back to her pups. And she was also anxious about seeing her mate. He had never been gone this long. Maybe Kuna had seen him.
' Kuna,' She tried calling him with her mind.

Kuna stood still as Kyota jumped up on his head. He let out a slight growl when Kyota grippped him with his claws. " Easy with the claws," he said.
' Yes i've seen him Mudpelt," Kuna replied knowing what she was thinkng.
Mudpelt sighed in releif.

"Your legs broken?" Snowest asked as Jack slid off her face. Snowest turned to Mudpekt, "Swallow what?" As Jack landed on the ground he coughed then grumbled somthing about feeling fine. Then Jack crawled over to Snowest's tail. He crawled under it and changed into a fox. Snowest coughed for a few seconds and thought to Jack, "Why are you being so grumpy? Lighten up!"

"Yes" Iceheart sighed. "I thought you could see it." she was really getting annoyed. "anyways, I hope Kyota gets back soon with the cobwebs."

"Sorry" Kyota mumbled "I don't want to be a bird, just a cat."
He cracked a grin at his joke, and released his claws a bit. "Lets hurry" he urged "The sooner we get back, the better." The snow showed no signs of letting up, and would be hard to move in.

( lets go shadow, i want this day/night to be over already xD )

Takara slid out of the clearing, seing that they were fairly busy there, and didn't want to be an annoyance. She sat down just by the lake, as a fluffy brown tabby. Her tail curled around her and her paws were pulled in tightly to her body as she started to shiver. The temperature was going down as it did at night, and the snow was only making it worse. The lake's shining surface could only been seen in a few spots now , the rest being frozen and covered with fresh snow. The tall grasses beside Takara were being blown almost to the ground with the wind, and almost buried in snow. Her gaze traveled around her surrounding, taking in all the sights and sounds, or lack thereof. Only wind was to be heard through the bare branches behind her, and even the growls of the wolves were muffled greatly by it. And in the dark, only the bright ground a few feet ahead of her was clearly visible. Yet, she could see the darker spot of shadow where Kuna and Kyota were making their way back to the clearing. She waited for them where she sat, trying to bear the cold.

She could tell by her feeling from Keovi that they had found their deer. Her own heartbeat was racing, and a feeling of exhilaration pulsed through her suddenly, almost knocking her off her paws. She shook it away, happy though that Keovi was on his prey's trail, but wanting to conserve energy for heat.

Nightwalker nodded his head and waited for Keovi to give him the signal to start the hunt.while he waited for Keovi he focused his senses on to the deer trying to stau aware of ever move that it made. Delila kept her eyes on the shadowy figure and glanced over at Keovi ever now and then. then suddely Nightwalker heard the deer begin to run off and Keovi giving him the signal. the deer must have spotted them before he could get into position, Nightwalker darted after the deer digging his claws into the snow for traction and speed he was not going to lose this deer twice.

A thud was followed by flailing hooves and flying snow. Keovi had reached the deer's flank and was snarling threateningly, about to clamp his jaws around it's leg, but a thick vine draped across the ground tripped the deer. It's eyes, wild with fear, were on the wolf now, as it desperately tried to regain it's footing and not fall, but having fresh wounds on it's flanks weren't helping. Keovi's amber eyes gleamed. Common, just trip! He was shouting in his head. The deer, however caught itself, determined not to die without a fight. keovi growled and pelted after it, sending swift glances behind him, where
Nightwalker and Delilah raced right behind the deer. " Conserve your energy." He growled, " but get around to it's side." He instructed to them both. As both deer and wolf slowed, exhausted and cold, Keovi thought fast. As soon as they both were in position, it would only be a matter or tiring out the deer before themselves. The deer's thudding on the ground had reached an irregular pattern again, its wounds becoming sore with each new jump and step over white snow and hidden limbs. The golden-brown and black wolf was still staying directly at it's side, gaze never wavering from it's prey's eyes.

Nightwalker was ready for this hunt to be over he started to wonder how far they tracked this thing from the dens the two of them would end up having to drag it back. he moved to the side of the deer as Keovi instructed, of course using Delila's hello to get him into the right spot. he listened to sound of its hooves running through the snow, its injuries were affecting it and it was beginning to slow down. Delila could see this also and told Nightwalker to slow down towards its hind leg were the wound was. Nightwalker wasn't sure what she was going to do be he trusted her judgment. when he slowed enough that the injured leg was right beside him Delila jumped off of Nightwalker's head and changed into her fox form in mid air she sunk her fangs into the deer's open wound

As soon as Delilah's fangs hit the deer's already sore wounds, it cringed, almost tripping again, with the same wild, fearful glare in it's eyes. Keovi too this moment of confusion for the the deer to lunge at it's neck, where his teeth caught hold of it's skin and tore through, bring the deer down with Keovi as he fell back to the ground. It came to a stop when it lost it's footing in the snow and fell almost on top of Keovi. He ducked out of the way, side stepping to the front of the deer, so it couldn't escape.

The deer flailed on the ground for what seemed like forever, though only a second or two, until it was back on its feet. However it didn't move. Blood trickled from it's mouth and wounds, and the pure white snow was now dappled with fresh blood, coming from the holes in the deer's neck. They all stood still for a moment, catching their breath until Keovi found himself taunting the deer with quick lunges at it's feet. He learned it from his old pack, watching his parents take down large prey. Once it got tired enough to stop moving, keep pushing it until you get your chance to go for it's throat. He stood for a moment lost in memories of his own parents when a blow to the face crashed him back into reality.
He snarled aloud, lunging at the deer again in fury, his vision obscured with red. The deer reared up onto it's hind legs and kicked out at him with its front. Keovi ducked and staggered backward a bit. His muzzle was dripping blood from a nasty gash in it from the deer's sharp hoof. The deer stood, huffing and letting out foul-smelling puffs of frosty breath into the air. It was still bleeding from the mouth, most likely form it's hard fall. Keovi crouched, still growling at it while he kept his eyes on it's own, careful to not let it try to escape.

Delila hopped off othe deers leg onto Nightwalker's bavk as it begain to fall from Keoiv's attack. Nightwalker heard the soft thud it on the snow as he hit the ground. he was getting to lung at the deer but Delila warned him that it was flailing its hooves. he stod right Behind the deer as it stood back off hopefully cutting of any way for it to escape. suddenly he heard a snarl from Keovi, but it was different. it sounded full of anger then the scent of blood that didn't belong to the deer entred his nose. it belonged to Keovi, he gussed the deer must have done it, he growled and lunged at the deer's hind leg. he clamed down his jaws putting as much presser as he could down into his bite

Keovi watched as the deer tried to kick out at the sharp pain once Nightwalker lunged, but it tried to run, failing immediately. The deer collapsed to the ground again, kicking out at anything it could. Keovi pulled his lips back to show his sharp, bloodied fangs. He paced in front of it, waiting for a moment when it's hooves were out of the way. The deer struggled to get to it's feet but could lift the weight of a wolf any longer. It laid on the ground, huffing and still kicking a few times when it could. Keovi took the moment of exhaustion in the deer to jump toward it and latch onto it's throat. It didn't give much protest anymore as Keovi felt his teeth sink further into it's neck and finally snap something inside. Keovi held tight though, and after what seemed like forever, the deer stopped struggling completely. Keovi let it's head fall and he stood panting above it. in the dark, it was hard to see how bad his nose looked, but he didn't care. All that mattered was that deer was dead. In the little light that was illuminating the ground and trees, the deer's blood could be seen shining, as well as what was on the snow, and the wolves. Keovi bent down to lick his paws.

" Well done. If you hadn't caught it by the hind leg, it could've went on much longer than it needed to."He paused, licking off more blood that trickled from his nose. " I hate when we have to torture them into submitting... but its the way of wood. " He said, sighing and looking down at the deer's glazed eyes, and face twisted in pain. He lowered his head as he sat down. " I'm not sure what we'll do with this. It was a err.. spur of the moment sort of thing to chase it. But the pack is hungry." He buried his muzzle into the snow as he laid down next to their kill, his heavy breathing slowing as he rested.

Nightwalker continued to hold on to the deer's leg as it feel over. he pulled on it's leg trying his best to keep it on the ground. they had already chased it far from the camp they didn't need it to go any farther. for a while the deer continued to flail its legs but soon its movment stop all togather. he released his grip on the deer's leg. Deilila jumped of of Nightwalker's head and changed into her fox form, "we finaily brought it down, this one put up quite the fight." Nightwalker silently agreed with her, he looked over towards Keovi. he could still smell his blood, "are you alright, i would hate to go back to Mudplet and hear her worry over you. not sure my ears would be able to take it" he said joking somewhat," how are we going to get this back to the others?"

Keovi lifted his muzzle from the snow and gave his head a shake. Blood spattered the gound again as he winced. So I'm still bleeding... He tried to lick away any more blood around his mouth and sat up. " I think I'm fine, it's just a cut or something." He guessed, not sure because of the darkness. " Well I don't want to drag this back to camp, we're halfway around the lake now. Let's just take the pack here. " He said, getting to his paws. when he stood, he felt a sudden dizzyness that threw him off balance and he almost keeled over, but caught himself as he shook his head again. He sighed inwardly, and decided on ignoring it, he would heal soon enough. " Ok, let's go." He sighed, nosing some snow over the body of the deer. When he looked up again he could only feel with his paws what way the slop of the hill went to the lake, and from the glow of the snow and gray sky this night, it seemed the snow would be falling all the way.

"AH" Takara yelped out and clapped her paws on her nose, where a searing pain suddenly impaired her vision and balance. She laid in the snow, breathing heavily as the feeling slowly died away. She opened her eyes and struggled to her feet, looking puzzled when she saw no wound on herself at all. 'Keovi, what happened?' she immediately tried to ask the wolf. 'I'm fine, sorry. I just got hit on my muzzle, a little blood, no big deal.' He said back. He sounded calm enough for Takara and she settled herself in the snow again, rubbing her nose with a forepaw.

Kuna, having Kyota secure on top, set out on a fast pace. " I'll back for you, Takara," kuna called as he left. They soon came in sight of the camp entrance. Kuna slowed down to a trot, and head over to Icehearts den. He gently laid Kyota down by Iceheart. Then he looked to Mudpelt. She nodded and went back to trying to persuade Snowest to eat the herbs.
" I have to go back to Takara. I'll come back once I get her," Kuna said as he started out again. Kuna soon saw the shape of the tiny pine marten in the snow. As he walked up he heard her exclamation. He rushed to her. " Takara, is it you or Keovi," he asked anxiously.

Nightwalker nodded his head, alright thats probably for the best i couldn't see the two of us draging this thing back anyway." Delila was wacthing Keovi closely he said he was alright but she wasn't so sure. she could still see blood dripping from his noise, her suspension of his health increased when she saw that he staggered, "Are you sure your alright Keovi? Nightwalker maybe you should walk beside him, to help support him a little." Nightwalker wasn't sure how bad his injury, he could still scent fresh blood from Keovi. but it must have been bad enough for Delila to worry. he sighed and quicken his pace to get beside him, "so many pack members have been getting hurt recently, hope this doesn't become a habit

Kyota suddenly felt Kuna begin to run. He turned and saw Takara. "Are you okay?" he called, but the wind carried it away. He had to turn and hold on with his claws to stay on. When they approached camp, he remembered that they did have cobwebs in her stores- enough to last for her injury, plus more. He tumbled off at camp into the snow and called a hasty thanks. He limped along with the supplies as a lynx, and dropped the supplies in the den. "Iceheart!" he cried "We'll be okay, we have everything!"

Iceheart smiled as Kyota limped in. She began to bind her own leg, and was done quickly. She ate the herbs she had prepared, except for the poppy seeds. She sniffed the air and recoiled with a look of disgust "I think I'll sleep in Mudpelt's en tonight. I'll be able to tell the pups stories." Her tail thumped against the ground, for she was now not in much pain.

Takara shook her head free of snow and looked up to Kuna, a smile on her face again. " Oh, no I'm fine. It's Keovi.. I think he got a gash on his muzzle. I can almost feel the pulsing pain." She winced." He must'a got hit hard. But he's ok now. Though, I don't want him walking all the way back here now.. Yet we all can't leave the pups by themselves.." She started planning out loud. " Well, I guess we'll just do what the old pack did, time for pupsitters it looks like." She got to her feet, shaking her pelt loose and free of snow yet again. As she went over her idea with Keovi, she quietly made her way through the snow towards the clearing. " Common, Kuna, we can leave with Mudpelt." She said no more, and started bounding back to the circle of dens.

An echoless howl suddenly pierced the still night air. In the snow, it dies away fast, but was loud enough to catch the ear of Takara and the others in their clearing, just across the lake. Keovi sang out once more before lowering his head and turning to face Nightwalker. " No, I'm fine. But I've spoken with Takara, she thinks I should stay here.." He looked towards the deer carcass now, his tail drooping. " She says I should call the pack here instead, Iceheart can stay with the pups since shes already injured. Anyone who wishes can stay there, but the rest of us will be here." With his last word, he sat himself down and sighed. The blood from his muzzle dripped only rarely now, so he suspected the wound would stop bleeding altogether soon. " I really hope injuries don't become habit. None of us can afford it in winter like this. We're lucky to have caught two large carcasses in only a few moonrises. " He stopped now, and raised his muzzle to the heavens again, breathing in deep for another long howl to call his pack. When he lowered it again, however, another wave of dizzyness made his sway, but with a slight shake to the head it went away.

He prodded Nightwalker in the side with his nose. " Relax now, its dark, were tired, and hungry. Eat some for yourself before the pack comes so you can sleep easier. You deserve it, you did help to bring it down." He got to his own paws and padded over to the deer, a dappled pelt of white now covering it's flank. He tugged uneasily at it a few times before tearing away to get to the best parts.

Nightwalker winced when Keovi howled without any type of warning. he would have been able to hear his howl like a wolf without ears like his own standing next to him. but now actually standing right next to him, his howl mad his head ring. he stepped back away from Keovi shaking his head nearly knocking Delila off, "would it kill you to give me some sort of warning." he said raising his voice a bit. he swiped a paw over his still ringing ear, sometimes he regretted have such sensitive ears. Delila chuckled at him, Nightwalker growled at her, "whats so funny." Delila continued to laugh, "sorry Nightwalker it was just kind of funny." Nightwalker shook his head in an attemp to knock her off, but before he could do so Delila jumped off of his head and changed into a fox, "nice try Nightwalker."

Nightwalker was just about to say something "smart" when he heard Keovi speak, "she wants you to stay her? as in sleep in the cold?" he was hoping that wasn't what he meant, "Wait if everyone is going to come here to eat who will be waiting the pups?" Delila lightly bit his paw, "don't be dumb, Mudpelt would just leave the pups on their own now go get something to eat like he told you to." Nightwalker stared at Delila with his sightless eyes, "you act too much like a mother sometimes Delila."

Snowest stood and faced Iceheart, "Should I go?" she asked unceartainly. Snowest sat, suddenly fealing tired. She wondered when she would go to sleep as she waited for Iceheart's answer to her question.

Kuna looked troubled as Takara explained. He then nodded and followed along close beside her.

Mudpelt started at the howl. And then the releif washed over her. It was Keovi. She almost started sprinting right there and then, when she checked herself. She had to wait and lead the rest of the pack, being one of the alphas.
" Snowest, you need to stay here. Your not well enough to travel that far. Right now you need to eat this," Mudpelt said pointing to the pulp on the leaf before her," And if your well enough we'll bring you, the pups, and Kia back some meat," Mudpelt said. She looked at the nursery. Kia would stay with the pups and Snowests Anima would watch over her. She was axcious to see her mate. She felt something was wrong. Suddenly Kuna and Takara came into view.
" Takara, Kuna, we're going to go to the prey that Nightwalker and Keovi caught," Mudpelt stated. She turned to Iceheart.
" You need to stay here with Snowest, too. I doubt your legs strong enought to make the journey. We'll be fast, so you guys won't be alone for long. We'll bring plenty of meat back," Mudpelt reassured.
Mudpelt, not waiting for a response, rushed to the nursery.

Anaya woke with a start. She felt like she had had a long sleep. She looked to her side and saw her brother and sister slumbering next to her. She then looked in front. The wolf, Kia she remembered, was sitting near them. Suddenly her mother came rushing in. Anaya stayed still.

" Kia, are you okay to watch the pups until we get back from the prey. We'll bring you back a good size of meat," Mudpelt asked.

Kia's ear twitched, jerking her head awake to a new voice. She'd falled asleep and Mudpelt's voice awoke her. "Yes, I'll be fine here. They're all asleep now so it shouldn't be too hard," she said. Zio had stumbled in some time ago and curled into her warm fur. He grunted but didn't wake. "Thanks," Kia quickly added.

(Sorry, I'm ot in the mood to post really huge... >.< I'll make it up later.)

Takara nodded, and sat down next to Kuna as she watched mudpelt busilly let the other pack members know. She started scratching out a picture of a tiny deer in the packed down snow in front of her. Her tounge stuck out at the side of her mouth while she concentrated, using her claw to give the little deer spots on it's back, and a overly-fluffy tail. "hm.." She pulled her paw back for a second before giving it a small smile and smiling back at it. " Well, It's supposed to be you.. " She looked up at Kuna, "but I don't think it does you justice."

Keovi laughed inwardly at Nightwalker and Delila as he waited. " Sorry." He apologized quickly. " Forgot about those ears of yours. " He licked off some blood from his own muzzle. " sleeping here won't be so bad, but I doubt we'll have to anyway. With as many wolves in Goldenleaf now, this carcass will be gone before the sun rises. " He said, taking off another bit of meat from the body of the deer. He carried over in a clean patch of snow and sat down to eat it there. It was still warm and tasted wonderful to him compared to his usual meals of fish, which took his mind off any injuries while he ate

Iceheart nodded at Mudpelt, then turned back to Snowest.

"Yes you may go, as long as you eat these herbs, then go to sleep. And if you feel bad, you can come get me. She winced. She was still in pain becuse she hadn't taken any poppy seed so she wouldn't fall asleep. "I'll go see to the pups, and tell Kia she can go eat."

She picked up the leaf bundle of poppy seed, and slowly limped over to the den, Kyota as a mouse sitting on her head. she stooped when she entered the den so she wouldn't hit her head. She crawled slowly, but still in lots of pain, down to the chamber where the pups were.

She turned her head to Kia. "I can take care of the pups. You can go eat." She sat a bit to the side so that Kia could ge out. She thought a moment. Then, she smiled and turned to the pups, sweetly saying "Who do you want to watch you? Me or Kia?" The pups should start learning how to make desicions as soon as possible, to prepare them for adulthood.

Snowest stood and threw a glance at the herbs she was soposed to eat. Leaning down she ate them and grimaced as they slid down her sore throut. Walking out of the den Snowest headed for her hole. Sliding into it Snowest decided to fix it up later. Jack snuggled closer to her and fell asleep. Snowest laid awake for awhile sleepily wondering what she would do tommorow.