Hunting

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

I prowled through the grasses, the blades tickling my stomach. I carried Keltan in my mouth, waiting for something to enter my nares, a scent that would indicate food. A few minutes later, I came across the scent of a rabbit. My orbs scanned the area andfound a protective place to leave Keltan. I spotted some brush that he could hide in until I had some food. I placed him in the brush. Stay hidden. I warned him even though he knew the drill. I turned and crouched, following the scent of the rabbit.

I soon spotted it and froze. I got down lower and watched, it and waited for the perfect moment. It turned its head away from where I was and I leaped into the air, lunging at the rabbit. It ran, and I chased it. It was quick, but I was smart. I soon caught and ended its life. I picked up the limp body and carried it in my maw, walking back to the brush unhurridly. It will be easier to hunt when Keltan didn't drink milk and had to eat meat. A few more months.

[~{Sincerity}~]

What could I do? My stomach was growling tirelessly and my matted, dirty coat was riddled with fleas which bit endlessly into my skin. I had collapsed on the ground, sides heaving with what little energy I had left. Pain, all different sorts flowed through me, thirst, hunger, physical, mental, so many that soon I became numb with the varities combining together.

A sound gathered in my ears, running. A hunt by the pace of it. Then a smell to follow the noise. Blood, flesh. Such a familiar scent reminded me of my mother and how after she ate, we suckled. Such a memory lifted my spirits slightly and I sat up, wishing to follow the scent.

It was fading slightly and this made me panic. I didn't want to lose my memories, my mind, my life. I sat down and howled out, longing for help, needing it. I knew how close I was to death and I dearly needed someone to help me. Even if that wolf was to kill me, I would not care. My pains, after being shocked with my movement, set in again, one by one. Excruciating pain after excruciating pain then nothing. I was in long grass but I was standing out of the green mass with my dirty,silver fur. I did not want to hide, I wanted someone to notice me. I wanted help.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

I froze as I heard the cry. I knew it was a pup, it wasn't full and strong like a full grown wolf was. I wondered why a pup was wandering around here, especially howling like that. It sounded full of pain. I sniffed the air but smelled no trace of another wolf, but I could smell the pup, and it was close..and dirty.

I turned and looked around and began to advance, searching for the pup. My maternal instincts would not allow me to leave a pup behind, but I was cautious, not knowing what I would find. I spotted the pup, who looked not much older then Keltan. She looked to be in the poorest state that I have ever seen a wolf to be. My heart ached to see the pup. I approached carefully, not wanting to scare the pup. Hello young one. Why are you out here all alone in such a poor state? I asked her softly, my voice full of care.

[~{Sincerity}~]

The wolf managed to find me, which was probably not hard in my case with my contrast to the surroundings. They were a female as when she spoke, she reminded me slightly of my own mother. Surely that meant that she would help me? Hello young one. Why are you out here all alone in such a poor state? What a question to ask.. Did she not think that I would purposely leave myself alone out here?

I looked up at her, eyes misted over with emotion and exhaustion. My mother.... she was killed... and my sister.. I looked back as if expecting her to follow but when no one came I sighed. I think she is too. I-I had to run from them, to survive... But look what a mess I've made so far. My thoughts ran back to when the bachelor group of wolves killed my mother, although they had no idea we were nearby.

My sister.. how could she have left herself to die with mother? It wasn't even mother anymore... just what remained. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to get rid of my memories. I had only few of them so far, but now they were becoming worse and worse.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

Anger flooded me as she told me her story. My own memories rage through my thoughts, though they were not quite like the pups. I had survived. I blinked to clear the ugly memories and my eyes focused back on the pup, watching her with her eyelids squeezed shut. I am Kai. What is your name? I asked the youngling as I approached, shortening the distance between them. As I got closer my orbs saw in detail how bad she really looked. I alredy decided in my head that I was taking her with me, there was no way I could just leave her there. But I should at least know her name. Also I did not want to scare her anymore than she already was.

[~{Sincerity}~]

I looked up at the wolf calling herself Kai, and suddenly realised that she was shortening the distance between her and I. Although I knew, or at least hoped, that she was going to help me. I took a step back, unsure whether I should trust Kai.

I-I'm... Serena.. I looked away, unsure whether that should be my final answer. My name.. it had not been used in such a long time... Why was I holding onto it? Ailes and I had always played games where we were strong, fast, intelligent wolves with flashy names like Diamond Star, or Ruby Flower. Serena though was my identity, my being. The quiet, shy wolf pup that everyone walked over.. Should it change?

I took a few steps forward, facing my fears of this fae. The pains weren't numb anymore but I had pushed them to the back of my mind, determined to focus my remaining energy into moving forward. Literally, figuratively, mentally. Any other way there can be.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

I stopped when she stepped back and sat on my haunches. My auds took in her name. Serena. Pretty name. My auds flicked forward as she aproached me. Well, Serena, you should come with me. I have a pup about the same age as you and I need to get back to him. But I can't just leave you here. I didn't think that the young femme would refuse the offer but I didn't know what to do if she did.

[~{Sincerity}~]

Another home? This is what I wanted, more expected, but things seemed to me more intricate than I imagined. If I went with her now, I was turning my back on my former life, of my mother and sister yet, if I stayed, I would surely die. Oh, please, I beg forgiveness from the heavens for what I am about to do.

I bit my lower lip and pushed my feet forward with what little energy I had left after this emotional storm I was battling. Could I come back with you? Please? My please sounded very pleading and desperate but I suppose I was.

I was looking up at her with my ears flicked forward, eyes as pleading as my words. She was my only chance to stay alive, unless miraculously mother hadn't died and was coming after me. Though somehow that doesn't seem likely... I gave a small wag of my matted, sooty-silver, tail. Please.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--
I smiled softly at Serena. Come with me. I said and turned to face where I had come from. I remained at a walk for the tired pup and soon located the rabbit I had caught and then the brush where Keltan was hidden. When I could see it clearly I spoke. Keltan you can come out, I want you to meet someone. I said, continuing to trek across the clearly.

--Keltan--
When I heard my mother's voice and smelled her, I began to climb out of the brush quickly, not liking being left alone. I smelled another with her and heard his mom say that she wanted me to meet someone. New wolves all around me. As I cleared the brush, I shook out my fur and then looked for the other. It was another wolf but around my size. My brow furrowed as I saw the pup following my mom. Another pup? I began trotting towards her wanting to be with her but unsure about how I felt about the new one. At least I looked much better.

[~{Sincerity}~]

I wandered forward, almost staggering. I really needed to sleep, and eat, and drink and take a bath. Also I was becoming very nervous of meeting her pup. What if he didn't like me? What if he hated me so much that she had to kick me out? I shuddered slightly yet still followed after the fae. So here I was, new life about to start, hopefully. My light eyes searched the undergrowth rapidly, trying to spot a small shadow that could be her pup.

Then the small one appeared, just a little smaller than me. He seemed uncertain of me and I couldn't say that I wasn't the same. I stopped whilst his mother went ahead, the other pup was having a much better life than me. He at least had a mother that was still alive, yet he didn't have the sibling that I had had. I sat down but kept my gaze on both wolves, I still didn't trust them. The feeling to run was beginning to seem very attractive.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--
I noted the pup stopped as I approached Keltan. When I got to him I dropped the rabbit in my maw and nuzzled him affectionately. Hello, my sweetheart. Come meet Serena. I told him and then turned back and went closer to Serena.

--Keltan--

I nuzzled her back and then watched as she moved near the other pup who I guessed was named Serena. I walked after her, eyeing the other one. I stopped next to my mother and heard her introduce me. Serena, this is Keltan.. I walked forwards towards the dirty pup and stopped about two feet away and sat, mirroring her. Her scent invaded my nose and she smelled like grass and her own scent. I decided she was okay. Hi. I said with a small grin.

[~{Sincerity}~]

Well it's a good thing I'm accepted, otherwise how will I cope? Either way he sat opposite me and gave a polite little introduction which I had to admit was quite charming. I smiled shyly, bashfully, all the embarrasing ways to smile and opened my mouth to speak, or alternatively, just forcing myself to make a sound.

Hi It came out high pitched and squeaky but hey I was in a conversation! I flicked my ears back and forth, unsure whether to take my run option. The mother wolf seemed to be watching us, guarding over her recent kill. The smell of it was already wafting in the air, the smell was instinctively delicious. I closed my eyes and took in the scent, yet only for a minute. I was not yet old enough to still know the full values of flesh, yet I also was too young to be taking care of myself, yet I was, even it was badly.

I stared at the other pup, eyes quickly scanning him over. I was bigger than him and could easily take him down, come the day that I was in better health, but for now we were of equal power. This made me all the more wary, never let yourself cornered is one of the warnings you were taught from the beginning but I had allowed myself to. Although they may seem friendly, I still had only met them today.

[x.believe.x]

--Keltan--

My head tilted to one side as the pup seemed nervous. Are you going to live with us? I asked her in a curious tone. That would be different. Having someone to play with and not having to be by myself. The more I thought about, the more I liked it.

--Kai--
I smiled as it seemed they were getting along fairly well. I decided to eat my meal now so that the pups could feed once we got back to the cave. I went a few steps away and began eating the hare. It wasn't completely filling, but it was good enough for now.

[~{Sincerity}~]

Well, now that he seemed comfortable with me hopefully staying with them, I was still a little knocked back by his question. I think so... right? I looked up at Kai, hoping she would know the answer. I didn't like to presume I was staying, that could make them think I was arrogant, ungrateful or something else bad like that. I stood up and stretched, although I hadn't sat down long, I was still pretty tired.

I then lay down and yawned, my eyes were drooping wearily and I liked to think that if I were to sleep now that Kai would protect me. I lay my head upon my paws yet fought my hardest to keep my eyes open. Some guest I was, falling asleep so soon. My gaze drifted from Kai to the pup, his name I presumed to be Keltan, until my lids closed and I slept soundly amidst the wooden background.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

As Serena asked for conformation, Keltan looked at me for an answer as well. I smiled softly and nodded. Yes, Serena will live with us. I replied. My eyes rested on the tired pup as she fell asleep. Well I'm glad I fed already.. I thought. I would have difficulty carrying a pup and a rabbit back to the cave we were staying at. I would obviously abandon the carcass but I needed food. I looked towards my own pup. I'm going to carry her, travel close by my side. I told him, licking him on the cheek. I gave him smile then approached the sleeping fae. I lowered my maw to her auds and said softly, Sleep little one. before picking her up by her scruff and started back towards the cave.