.where the yellow brick road took a different turn. [Main Bo

~Jaded~

"Then everything is settled then." Jaded had caught Petra's look to Eris and relized what the problem was. Petra looked at Eris the same way that Petra looked at herself. Petra was jealous. She cocked her head and then shook the thought away. She would have to talk to Blade about it, make him aware so he wouldn't make a misstep, Petra was so sensitive. "Crow you shall go with Petra and Blade, Eris, and I shall go together. Rawbones you may choose your party. I am sure we could use your skills for taking down something big if you want to come with us." Jaded knew she should have insisted the old wolf come with them. She would set the pace so he wouldn't have to struggle too much but not be obiously slow to compensate for him. Vain creatures, the elderly.

As she waited for the grizzled wolf's reply she again looked in the direction Damean had gone. Her heart felt tight but then she shook her pelt to rid herself of the feeling. Was she as jealous as Petra or was her feelings of being set aside once again real? She shifted her paws, now anxious to go. Doing something would help get her mind of the feelings overwhelming her heart.

Rawbones watched as the groups got themselves together, and Jaded gave the final orders. He assumed no further arguements would ensue - after all, she was Damean's mate, which made her an alphaess by relation. He swelled slightly as she invited him to choose whichever group he wished, for his skills would be needed. With a big wolfish grin he padded over to she and Eris, expecting to head out soon. "I assure you while I may be old and sore, I have no intention of allowing it to slow me down," he murmured to her. His paws ached and he felt stiff without rest for so long, but he would not let that stop him. He'd always kept in good shape, and he was sure that it would show now, it just had to. Readying himself, he watched as the young and boisterous Petra rushed off, and he smirked, remembering a time when she'd been nothing more than a scrap of fluff with no hope. She had certainly grown since her days with Macwise and Zeek. Must have been due to that brute, Blade, whom she so obviously doted upon.


Petra looked back as Jaded finally settled things, and their groups were decided. So it seemed that she and Blade would hunt together anyways. While they were still with another pack member that neither of them knew too well; this would be a good chance to cooperate with others of the pack. There would be more time in the future to learn of other packmates, and she knew it was for the best. Besides a hunter of the pack, Petra was also the Lead Healer, and she needed to know each of the wolves well if she were to care for them properly, should anything happen. It also wouldn't hurt to know each of their personalities to a degree so she might notice when another wasn't feeling well - some wolves were just too stubborn for their own good, and despite her shyness, she was sure to tell them what was best for them and refuse to allow anything otherwise.

Now more than ready for the hunt to begin, she bounded off a bit, tail wagging instinctively, drawing in more scents as she moved away from the others. If she detected something in the distance, she would alert the others - prey were too stupid to recognize any difference between a howl of meeting, or a howl representing the hunt. Her expert nose instantly caught on to the scent of moose deeper in the woods, where, despite the fire, the undergrowth had grown thick in the presence of much water. The moose would no doubt be indulging on the lushious greens that grew there. Her light voice soon filled the air, calling to her hunting party, and with excitement pulsing through her limbs, she began to make her way through the woods like wind, swift and unstoppable.

When Jaded told them the final groups, Blade looked happier, despite what he said earlier about wanting to meet others. He looked at Crow, who was in their group and saw the familiar black crow was still around. Then he noticed Petra move ahead and soon heard her calling to them, clearly catching the scent of something. He glanced at Crow with a smirk, as they'd soon be chasing down prey. Hunting always provided some good fun, especially when things quieted down. Blade ran after Petra, but didn't pass her. He knew she was a good hunter and didn't mind her leading. He still wasn't that used to group hunting, and some of his old, spontaneous hunting habits were bound to kick in if there wasn't order.

Blade knew Crow was behind him, since he obviously wasn't in front. He slowed down just slightly before continuing his pace, not really liking to talk loudly over his shoulder. He spoke just loud enough for Petra to listen in, "I guess we hadn't made much of an impression on each other since you were last here, but I don't really know what to say." With a grim smirk, he said, "Most of the time, I'm not really much of a talker." He glanced towards Petra, who was the only execption unless he was giving a report. In truth, Blade didn't really know how he should go about to get to know the others. Most of the time, things happen that causes the need for communication to arise and from there become friends, or the wolves just come up to him and small talk occurs from then. Times like this made him wish he was still who knows where within the pack lands with Petra. It was nice, not having anything else on his mind, for once...

His auds twitched as he heard Akiko follow after him. The rest he could hear speaking amongst each other, in a way, it tweaked him out. They were on a mission to hunt, not re-order what he had said and do with themselves how they pleased. His mind went blank knowing Jaded would have suggested Blade and Petra hunt together. There was a reason he separated them in the hunt. Too much of a caution, too much worry between themselves of getting hurt. Too much love. Damean casted a side glance at Akiko and he snorted shoing his slight distaste.

"We'll speed up the group." He took quicker steps and lead the way faster. If the pack didn't keep up that was their fault and their own as..s.es they'd have to cover when he got through with them. There was a reason as to why he wanted a two elder kill hunt this time. It was the season to start storing away meat, he had a gut feeling this was going to be a cold winter. His eyes were scanning far ahead when his voice broke into a soft whisper for Akiko. "Lead the left north, I'll take the right north. Cut off two and let the others sink their fangs into the eldest." His head came up as the wind caught his nares. They were close. It was time to make this interesting.

His black maw rose to the sky and he let out a low song. It was a warning to the pack. No waiting for higher ranks to take a kill. Take two down, no stopping. His body flexed and Damean was off. He sprinted up over the hill and crested the top. He spotted the lead buck first, his head was up, alert, probably aware of Damean's call. A more dangerous thing this buck had chosen was to keep the herd there in the field.

Again the alpha males muscles flexed and he sprinted down the hill. He crossed over and began to cut off an elder cow from the right. He nipped at her hind end and she lagged in running out of fear. His eyes didn't look for Akiko. They didn't look for the rest of the pack which would be here. He wanted someone to take this one down, and another. Now.

He was in pain. Every movement was a loud yelp from his maw. He was home none the less but he was in so much pain. That brute...Link, he had enough gall to break his leg! The brute growled in his head but he was too upset and in pain to think more on it. Green eyes scanned the lands and he suddenly felt alone. The pack was gone. Had they gone on a hunt. Obviously they had, there was some kind of feeling in the air. Excitment...joy...a rush of energy... Legend sighed and kept himself still.

There was alot of blood pumping through his body and it felt thick and painful. It pounded in his head, and in his paws, and in every wound. His head came down and rested on his front paws. His broken leg extended outwards to the side. He wanted to cry and let the tears break out from his eyes but he had to be stronger. He had to think of a lie... He had to think of something to tell everyone here. A sadistic smile crossed his maw and he let it stay there for a moment. He had a perfect idea... The smile vanished and he closed his eyes. He would just wait for the pack, and look as pathetic as possible...

Blade saw the most of the pack speed up at Damean's call. Crow went ahead and mingled with Jaded's group, so he turned his attention to the other elk that were still headed towards them. Quickly, he spotted one that appeared to be stumbling, and he barked, an alert to Petra that he was moving in. He pushed any thoughts that would have been in his mind and he shot forward, yet came in from an angle, pushing most of the elk towards where the rest of the pack were coming from. With that out of the way, he noticed the one he targeted was slow to turn, just as he predicted.

With his attention solely on the hunt, he snapped his jaws at the legs of the elk, causing it to stumble once more, but it kicked out, so he had to veer a little before heading the elk off. His goal was to make it turn so it'd be easier for Petra to take down. He was pleased when the elk noticed him coming and behaved as he wanted. He noticed it looked ready to lash out again, so he tried to trip it again by biting down.

Petra turned on a dime as Damean's call went out and Blade alerted her of the hunt that had already commenced. Pushing forward, she raced toward the scene to see the elk herd being separated and picked off with little effort. It looked more like the pack was sporting them rather than hunting for need, but it did not bother her - what the pack ditched, she would store for later consumption. After all, it was her duty to the pack as a Hunter. She could see the one elk that most of the pack had targeted, and covered ground like lightning to help them. The elk was downed by the time she got there, and Akiko was commanding Eris to make the kill.

The hybrid would not interfere on her kill, but she needed to make sure that her packmates were not going to be harmed by the flailing beast. She bounded over the elk's body, claws digging into its hide and causing it to bellow. She leapt from its ribcage to come down near its face, where she clamped her jaws onto the front of its nose. Much as it thrashed now, she would not let go of its snout, and it would not stand nor make a kick with its forelegs. Eris was free to make the kill at any time she could get in there.



Rawbones heard Jaded address him, asking him to take the lead for now. He was about to push forward when alerts for prey went off from several different wolves. Petra first, and she rushed off, then Damean from another direction. Every wolf heeded his call, and Rawbones watched as they took off. With a smirk he saw their tails disappear under the cloak of undergrowth, and he turned the other way. The scent that Petra had caught onto only moments before was caught within his nares, and he would show the others what he was capable of - if he survived, that was.

He slunk off, his padfalls light and silent. Marsh began to surround him as he came to the lands the moose grazed greedily upon. He was soon up to his knees in the thick, green waters, wading through as calmly as possible. He did not want to disturb his prey. He needed to get his share of blood and glory, and he would do so on his own. He found higher ground near the base of a tall pine, and settled there to regain his bearings. The moose were near. Waiting patiently, his bleary eyes at last saw the tall antlers of an older male appear over the brush. His tines rose high in the air, but Rawbones would not be intimdated by its sheer size, for speed and wit were with him.

Cautiously, with the stealth and slyness of a Nile crocodile, he slipped back into the bog, soaking his pelt so he smelled of water, mud and algae. He kept to the largest growths of bush, allowing his neutral-hued coat to meld with his surroundings, making him undetectable. He circled near his query, watching its movements, waiting until it turned its back. He crept ever closer, keeping his muzzle level with the water. At last Rawbones drew close enough that the bull's rear end towered over him, and he let a wide, devious grin spread across his maw.

He lunged without warning, and he took a well-aimed bite to the bull's groin area. Canines severed soft flesh, and blood began to rush past his teeth, overflowing his mouth and spilling past his lips. The bull reared in agony and surprise, bleeting his alarm to the wilds. But it would do him no good - Rawbones had put himself in a position where he could not be dislodged, and he would only do so at his discretion. Forelegs braced against the moose's thigh, and hinds gripped the tangled plants and algae below. He pulled and tugged, his neck muscles bulging as he twisted back and forth, At last his jaws had rended skin from muscle, slashing vital arteries, and he released his grip, leaping back to let blood spill onto the water's surface and spread beneath.

The moose made a dash for it, but Rawbones already knew it would begin to weaken from blood-loss; all he needed to do was keep his prey in sight. He followed, no longer bothering to hide himself, keeping up a moderate pace as he chased the beast tirelessly through the woods. Blood dripped from his maw, and a crazed glint shone in his eyes. He leapt over fallen timbers with extra vigour, seeming to move without effort. It was a peculiar thing, but it was something he had always used to his advantage in situations requiring his full attention, strength and agility. Control was not always his in these times, but it was a small sacrifice for his abnormal energy and accuracy.

Finally the bull stumbled, and Rawbones rushed to flank it, tearing at its haunches to increase the flow of blood rushing from the bull's body. Then he bit at its flank, pulling it downward. Its utter strength held it on its hooves, but loss of blood was soon the victor, and the moose kneeled with exhaustion. It was only a matter of time before it was felled entirely, and its life would fade. Rawbones stood back, watching its attempts to get back up and run, but it was no use. The thing collapsed on its side, and soon it convulsed involuntarily, the life escaping its body quickly. Then it went still, and the wolf took its place atop the corpse, raising his head to the sky to let loose a howl of triumph. The pack had likely already caught their fair share, perhaps eating already, but he felt he had accomplished something many could not, and he did not intend to be ignored for it. His voice grew louder, commanding attention.

Then his body's realization of his own starvation hit, and he plunged toward the belly, jaws ripping open the warm flesh, spilling nourishing innards upon the ground. He feasted ravenously, indulging in his own kill and allowing the greatest of nutrients to himself, taking it all in greedily. He'd not eaten well on his travels, and it was about time he put some weight back onto his bones.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed what some of the others were doing and their locations. Akiko helped with one before chasing after another. Most of the pack were congregating towards a single elk, but it still looked like a good number of elk were falling, which was a good sign of coordination. He looked up at the elk he was chasing, which finally seemed to be tiring. He took a breath, and dashed under it, swerving to the side, running just enough to be just barely slower than the elk, causing it to trip without much damage if any. Smirking, he didn't even pause when he suddenly heard a howl in the distance, alerting them of a new wolf. He lept over the tangle of legs and latched himself onto the neck, one of his forelegs coming down harshly on the elk's leg, as he'd seen a muscle spasm. When he was done, he paused to rest a bit, watching to see if there were any more within his range to take down. While he did that, he glanced at his side briefly, noticing that he'd probably bruise just slightly. He was lucky this time. While he was lucky enough to never have been trampled with that maneuver, sometimes he's get some cuts or deep bruising. But he considered that all part of the fun in hunting, especially since he needed to release some energy that had been stored up from some inactivity.

~Jaded~

Ivories pierced the elk's flesh deeply and the fleeting white form gave them the edge. As the cow fell Jaded pulled and was careful to stay out of harms way when she toppled. She held fast as she heard Akiko's order to go for the throat she hoped Eris would oblige as she didn't want to give up her position. Jaded was helping hold the elk down as she wouldn't be able to use the momentum of her neck to help herself rise. Petra did have ahold of the animals nose and Jade was debating whether or not just to finish the kill herself. It would take a heart beat for her to move her grasp. Rawbones' howl came to her auds. The old male must have made a kill and wanted everyone to know it by the sound. Then not shortly after another howl...a stranger in the lands. Everything always seem to happen at once.

Tired of waiting Jaded relased her hold and sprang over the elk, quickly inserting her daggers into the life giving vein. Rich life giving blood spilled into her mouth and her belly rumbled in greeting. Every heartbeat that the beast had spurted more of the fluid into her mouth. She grasped harder. The flailing legs began to move less and less and the beats were further and further apart. Then the dark eyes of the victim started to glaze over with that opaque film that signaled death and she breathed no more. Jaded relased her grasp and licked the crimson from her lips. She hoped she hadn't upset Eris. She didn't mean to ursurp Akiko's order to the fem, her opening was just too easy. She turned and looked at the fem. "Sorry Eris. I had an opening." she said as she looked like something from a nightmare her maw and chest covered with blood. Stepping back from the body she looked at her companions and wagged her tawny plume. Her emerald eyes searched for Damean and wondered if they would have time to talk soon. Maybe after they ate...but maybe not since a newcomer beckoned. She sighed softly but one would have mistaken it for catching a breath.

OOC: Sorry Silent...I wasn't trying to bully Eris out of her kill... I was at a loss for something to post so I took over the killing part...can you ever forgive meh?

Ooc- Um...Akiko's command wasn't really towards Eris...but whatev's xD

Stepping over when Akiko landed she raised a quizzical brow to the femmes. What a curious move to take down the elk but before a comment could be made the small ivory harlot was off and running again. Damn she was fast. Throwing her attention back into their prey she put her body weight on the creature and the neck still laid open and she knew that she was supposed to get it but Jaded was closer and faster so she let the fem in and merely tried to surpress the flailing hooves.

Damean spoke now and he seemed quite happy. Eris watched him with a bemused expression. He turned to her and pronounced that he would like her to be a scout. "As you wish, I have no qualms." Scouting was particulary easy for her because of her bird, who alerted her whenever another wolf was in 50 strides near her

Once it was finished she released her grasp and at Jaded's apology she shrugged. "You were closer." With that short statement she grabbed onto a leg and began to drag with Damean. Soon ending back up at the mainlands she once again faded into the background glancing at Altair who perched ever silent in the trees.

The strongest was gone... She watched with patience until he was left and then she sprang. She ran outwards into the clearing, there were still wolves, but not enough, she was fast, alot faster then them. She ran right into him, it knocked the wind out of herself but she pushed her whole body into Crow and they went flying, she could hear his teeth rip the leg open from where he was dragging the dead beast and she knew she knocked him off... She had to get something. Anything! She stood as fast as she could and ran over to their kill, her teeth sunk into the dead does leg and started to rip. Snarls and growls were issued from her maw and she tore as fast as she could. When she got a nice chuck cut she tried to rip it off. She had to hurry!...
(Alright! Do as you may, don't kill her, just bring the hide back towards the main lands for Damean. Leo wont mind cause she'll never know. XD...)

Damean pulled with Eris and they soon had the kill to the lands. He took a deep breath as they dropped it and he let out a sigh. "Good job, the both of you, thank you Eris" he smiled and nodded, but as he looked towards Akiko his face vanished from all emotion. She spoke his sons name, and he stepped up to her. "What do you mean Leg--" His eyes followed hers and he felt his heart began to pound rather quickly. His ears pulled forward, and he wanted his body to move forward too but he was in too much shock to move.

"Legend...What the **** happened to you!" his black pillars brought him forward and he stood infront of his son watching him. The words that came from his son's throat were dry and it stabbed Damean in the heart rather roughly. "Father, Akiko. They attacked me. Midnight. I went with Cinder to aid her in walking back. And Exodus, she said that I was a liar, that I would hurt Cinder. But why would I go against your word father, and yours too Akiko. I did once, and paid the price for harming my sister. I would never do such a thing again..." his head dropped in shame and he felt his father's eyes boring down into him, as if seeing his soul.

"They attacked. Cinder is a liar, she knew what she was doing. And then...then there was another wolf. And he took advantage of her. I got her out of the way. I think I hurt her trying to defend myself. And Exodus...she...she waged a death on me. And Cinder's lover, Link, he broke my leg, but, there was a bigger male. Rodion, and he did the most damage... He did this to me, most of it. And Exodus. I tried to get away but they kept pinning me down. I was gonig to come back here and warn you all when they turned. It was... I hate to say scary, but a pack against one..." he again dropped his head in shame.

Damean felt a nasty growl lift from his throat. He turned his eyes to Akiko, trying to judge if she believed it or not. His body shook with mass anger and he wanted to go slaughter them all. Damean's blue orbs formed as hard as a stone. His blood seemed to stop cold in his veins. His maw lifted and he howled as loud as he could, he called Petra, a healer in the pack, she would know instantly why he called her, she better not even ask. He wanted her here now, right now. And Jaded, now. There better be no reason as to why they didn't come. He then turned to Akiko. "Council." It was a single word and he walked off a bit. "Say something" He was too angry to be civil right now. He didn't know what was going on...

"What do you think?" he wanted to know her feelings. All of them. When Jaded got here, he'd tell her instantly, he wanted her feed too. And since she was Alphaness, she'd have to stay in the pack, he had to go make a small visit...

~Jaded~

Damean's call came forth to Jaded's ears a victory song. She tipped her maw and let her lyrics intertwine with his, knowing that the whole pack would soon join. A stash for the winter was won and full bellies would be had by all. Her chorus stopped when Damean's turned to a different duty and she looked at him when he spoke to her. Her eyes blazed with fierce love and joy at his words. Praise for her ability and a confession of his love. Her tawny plume fanned the air and she reached over and nuzzled his neck quickly before he went on with his praises. It was a good day. No one was hurt too seriously that Jaded could tell and they had a good start on a winter horde. Emerald jems met Damean's melted ice and she wanted to run to him. She wished they could run away together, away from it all, but that was just childish dreams. Damean was a king and a king had his court. It was his duty and his strength. Damean began dragging and Eris was aiding him so Jaded figured she would help Rawbones with his prize. She trotted over happily. "Well done Rawbones. Not too shabby for someone a little long in the tooth, eh?" she teased the elder knowing he should take it kindly. She set her teeth into the moose's flesh and began to drag. She knew Rawbone's would let a paw and they would be shortly behind everyone else. (HOpe you don't mind but I am going to speed up the dragging)

It wasn't long and they were there. Jaded relased her hold and licked her lips. She was quite the sight right now. Maw and chest covered in crimson. She looked at the others and saw Legend. Her heart stopped when she saw his condition, his leg broken and his head held in shame. She froze and looked to Damean and Akiko who seemed to be in conference. She quickly trotted over to them, denying the emotion that pulled her to check over Legend. "What happened?" she asked eyes wide with concern.

Blade noticed some of the wolves starting to drag their kills off. It appeared as if Crow and himself had no help at the moment, but his kill wasn't too far away, so if he dragged his just the short distance to Crow... Either they can drag them one at a time, leaving the other elk unprotected, or they can just drag one a short distance, then return for the other and rotate between dragging the two...

Now there was another howl from Damean, but it wasn't calling him, so he decided to bring this elk back. He bit down on two of his kill's legs and dragged it over to Crow... but then he saw a wolf collide with Crow, sending them away some distance. Then she went to the kill, clerly trying to steal one. He sighed. Silly fluffball... she'd pay for attacking Crow and ignoring himself. Making sure Crow was getting up, he send a silent message, telling him to make sure she doesn't escape, since he figured he'd need the others assistance. Blade noticed she was struggling to tear some meat off, so he lunged, aiming at her side, closer to her legs, to stun her. He didn't want to injure her badly until he had an explaination, but they had a right to protect their food, especially one one who stole.

Blade nodded as Crow said he wanted to deal with her. He wasn't about to stop one of his pack mates from getting revenge. Although, he didn't remember seeing him ever snap at his bird friend like that. Turning back, he decided to take both elk to where the other kill was taken. He looked around for more wolves, just in case, then back at the elk. It probably would be smarter to drag one a short distance then drag the other and back to the first again, as he had been thinking just moments ago. It would take just about the same amount of time, and he still had energy to spare, so it was no big issue.

Although, he'd miss what would happen, which could have potentially have been interesting to watch... Still, he had to wonder, after that attack to her throat, would this thief be able to talk comfortably any time soon? Normally, he wouldn't really like to see such things happen, but... she had no right to just waltz in to pilfer some meat. Putting that thought aside, he started to drag one of the two remaining elk away, keeping a careful watch on the other while paying attention to where he was going.