One cub gave a hearty hiss at seeing Bandit, and backed into the far side of the den. Another cub, the largest of the litter, crept over to the wolf. A timid paw stretched out with claws unleashed. The kitten dug the little needle-like claws into Bandit and pulled back quickly. This was not to injure the pup, although the claws would leave stinging marks where they dug through Bandit's pelt. The kitten was just curious at how the pup would react.

Two other kittens peered at Bandit with much curiosity. They inched closer and closer to him while the whispered back and forth.

"What is it?" "I don't know... It's funny looking though." "Snowden, don't! Don't, you'll wake it up!" "Shhh, I'm just gonna touch it..."

Lucky for Bandit, the mother was out hunting at the moment

Bandit

He awoke when he felt the claws. He jumped and backed away. "Hi I am Bandit. A wolf. What are you Any Names?" He asked nervously as he took a step back deeper into the den.

*Snow Leopards*

The kitten in the back took a swipe at Bandit as he backed up. The kitten's claws brushed past the fur only, and he leapt backwards with a hiss.

The kitten that had clawed Bandit spoke first, "I'm Snowden, a Snow Leopard. And that's Auna. Mom hasn't named the other two yet." Snowden relayed, and stuck a mocking tongue out at the two without names. They wrinkled their noses in responds, "Well mom's just gonna find a much better name for us."

"Speaking of mom," Snowden said again, looking to Bandit, "I wonder what she's gonna say about you. I've heard her say something 'bout a wolfs..." the kitten shrugs. "So, where are you from? I've never seen your kind before."

Kana

sniffing around for him.. she then caught the sent of snow leopard and bandit, it was all mixed together.. with worry she howled out hoping to here a replying how from Bandit..

Dark Star

lopes up behind her. stop." he says. "just. stop. he doesn't want to be found. that is why he came here. i find it barbaric, to be up here with snow leopards, but don't worry. he is smart, and will hate us if we don't trust him." he winces, hating the word he says. "trust me, if anything bad happens, well be up here. we will check in okay?" he wondered if she would understand, for he was really messed up. the bull, bandit tri-tundra, everything! he hoped shed understand what she missed him say. he then loped down to Orca bay

Bandit

He barks back to Kana's howl and sighed but then looked back at the Snow leopard cubs. "Cool names!" He barked. "Hey wanna play?" He asked as he briskly hoped down from the rock seeing that some of them were friendly.

*Snow Leopards*

An eerie, ear-piercing scream fills the air that would send a chill of fear down the spines of most. The mother snow leopard had returned from hunting with a kid goat, and had heard Kana's howl. Kana was close to her den. Not only that, but the leopard could smell Bandit. Knowing wolves sometimes killed kittens for food, the mother became quite alarmed.

After giving that dreadful scream, the mother launches her 82-pound body from a nearby rock and aims to tackle Kana and slash at the wolf with her claws.

Kana

she herd the snow leopard and was to late, it tackled her to the ground, she yelped as the anima's paws dug into her skin. Kicking at the snow leopard's belly with her on back feet. she didn't mean the leopard's cubs any harm, in a way she was trying to get her on "cub" back...although Bandit wasn't her pup she would protect him like he was...

*Snow Leopards*

The mother snarled shrilly and bit down on Kana's neck. Only, the wolf's thick winter ruff saved her from being hurt. The snow leopard gashed Kana's side and stomach with her wicked claws before springing back with a wild hiss. "You are a most unwelcome visitor!" her eyes were narrow and her ears back flat. She prepared for another spring...

Back at the den, the kittens all heard their mother's scream and Kana's howl. But none of them had heard such noises before. They all knew it must be something bad, but they wouldn't worry about if for now. Snowden crouched then leapt at Bandit to tackle the pup. It seemed a savage attack... except Snowden's claws weren't out. He meant only play. Auna crept in a semi-circle around her brother and the pup while swishing her long tail lightly. She would pounce on one of them soon.

The other two sat and watched this play.

Kana

she yelped in pain as her side was torn, you could see the claw gashes on her side which was now pouring blood, "please, I don't mean you and your cubs any harm, I am looking for a young wolf, I don't want to hurt your pups or yourself, please, don't hurt me or the pup..." blood from her side was on the earth's floor now and still bleeding..

Bandit

He didn't realize that Kana and the cubs mother was in a fight or he probably would have tried to do something so Kana wouldn't get hurt. He giggled as he was tackled and he pushed the cub off. He bolted over to one of the unnamed cubs and tapped them lightly and bolted towards the others barking. "Tag your it!"

*Snow Leopards

The mother glared at Kana and spat out her words, "That is a lie, surely! You've come here to kill my cubs! And if I were to let you just take your pup and leave, you'd be back later to kill my cubs! I know your type; devious!" She was a highly protective mother. She circled around so that she was in between Kana and the way to the den. "Leave or I'll tear you to pieces." her eyes narrowed and her voice became drastically threatening.

The little kitten who was tagged leapt back in surprise. But with a sudden grin, she bounded after Bandit. In a few bounds, she nearly reached him. She would have, if Auna hadn't suddenly sprung over and tackled her sister. The nameless cub shrieked in surprise, "Auna!!! That's not how you play tag!" the kitten batted at Auna's head and squirmed away, "You're suppose to run away from who evers it! Duhhh."

The nameless kitten did her best to shield her head from Auna's paws. "Fine! I'm it then!" the kitten bolted from Auna and made a sudden turn and tried to pounce on Bandit.

Bandit

He grinned and suddenly turned to escape being it and ran towards where Snowden was as he ran from Auna.

Kana

She knew how protective a motherleopard was very protective and would probably kill Bandit when she found out he was with her cubs. She wasn't leaving without the pup. "I am not leaving until I find Bandit and take him home, how would you feel if one of your cubss were missing? And someone wouldn't let you find him or her and take it back? You would do anything to take you cub home wouldn't you! So I am not leaving until I take Bandit home!"

Dark Star

The Large brute Wolf leaps upon the leopard from the side, knocking her off kana. he pushed his jaws hard against her throat. he growls "you shouldn't of done that! we are only here to get a pup that is with your cubs, and you try to kill us, we will kill you. all we want is the pup." he does not let the force of his jaw stop, but he has not pierced flesh. he didn't want to hurt the leopard, with her having cubs and all, but he wouldn't let her kill Kana or Bandit.

Kana

she stood up slowly and snarled at the Leopard, "listen to me! all we want is the pup! we don't want to hurt your cubs!" she speaks, her side was covered with blood from were the mother leopard hit her...

*Snow Leopards*

The mother screeched fiercely and twisted her neck from Dark Star's grasp since his fangs hadn't pierced her skin yet. At the same moment, she kicked her powerful hind legs up at the wolf's stomach. Her curved claws would tear straight through his stomach if he didn't move away. Her front claws lashed out at his shoulders and tore down them. "You'll leave or you'll die!" Her vicious fangs were bared, and she tucked her head down so that he couldn't reach for her neck again.

Snowden turned once more when he heard the fighting. The kitten saw Bandit heading for him out of the side of his eye, and leapt straight up in the air in surprise. At the same moment, the nameless kitten launched herself up and tackled Snowden in mid-air. Both crashed to the ground and the nameless kitten sprung away and dashed up a tree.

Snowden frowned, but then headed for Bandit. When he was close enough, the kitten swung out a front paw and tried to trip the pup.

Kana

she snarled loudly and tried to grab the leopard buy the scruff and pull her away from Dark Star, she didn't want him to get hurt...

Bandit

He laughs but then trips realizing he was it. He turns and makes a mad dash towards Auna trying to catch her and make her it. He laughs on the way.

Dark Star

he was stunned and the blow hit him, but didn't dig in totally because he backed out a bit. he felt pain surge through his stomach and shoulders. he fell over, stunned for a few seconds then got up and snarled. he made a movement to kana to back up, so they were out of attack distance. see? he panted we don't want to hurt you. how do we know that you will not kill our pup? he heaved gasping for breath. i know trust wont come easy, but, we love him. tell me, have you ever seen me up here killing cubs? i don't kill the innocent. he would try to reason, if he had time before e passed out. the pain was strong, but he held it back. all we want is our innocence returned to us. but if you kill us, my friend shall seek revenge. please, just let me come back near your den. i will wait far enough away so i cant attack, and you bring out my pup. ill leave, your youth we be saved, and we wont.............*grunt* wont come back. listen, now, this is the only chance, that we have to all live happily.
if he lived he thought please, please. the leopard looks in his eyes, and tells that she can trust him. please he thought.

Kana

Kana backed off and stood beside Dark Star, she could tell he was in pain and nuzzled him, trying to comfort him..."Please, just let us have our pup back." her side was bleeding badly and she was just before passing out...

Dark Star

He nuzzled her Back. he sighed, then looked to the leopards eyes. it was almost like the key to a lock. "give us our pup," he said in a light feathery tone "and you'll never see us again. fail to give us our innocent, and we could be your worst nightmare." his eyes were cold, enough to frighten a weakened animal. "i wouldn't eat if i had the chance like this". he gestured to his stomach, bleeding very badly now. his chance of survival is now at 50-50. but he wouldn't stop fighting, not till he had gotten what he came here for. Bandit, and a living version of Kana.

Kana

She new that Dark Star needed help and couldn't wait much longer, "please, let us have our pup."

*Snow Leopards*

The mother snow leopard was not one to be negotiated with by two wolves. Her fierce eyes narrowed, and her long tail thrashed swiftly from side to side, "If you go near my den, I will kill you. You could easily rush in and murder my cubs!" She looked ready to pounce again, but held back. She wouldn't take on two wolves at once unless necessary. "Leave and maybe I'll let your pup return alive! But stay and I'll go kill him; after killing you two."

Auna made a swift, if not a bit clumsy, race across the ground. Just before Bandit could reach her, she sprung up and her front claws dug into the low branch of a cedar tree. Unable to pull the rest of her body up with such a poor hold on the tree, Auna curled her tail up, hoping the pup couldn't jump up and reach her; although he probably could.

Snowden giggled and raced towards the tree, although he made a wide circle around the pup. With a mighty leap, he reached a branch on the other side of the tree.

Dark Star

"YOU KNOW, YOUR KIND IS SO.......... UNUNDERSTANDING! YOU DON’T GIVE ANY HOWL IF THERE ARE OTHER PARENTS THAT LOVE THEIR KIDS AS MUCH AS YOU! ALL WE WANT IS OUR FRIEND!" he screams bloodcurdling, and Bandit could hear every word. "YOU KNOW WHAT, FINE! WE'LL LEAVE. JUST TO SHOW YOU THAT KIND WILL TRUST AND RESPECT YOU KIND WITHOUT NEEDING BELIEF." He lopes, limping, but make is to the boarder. "SEE? LEAVING!!!" he then passes out and falls the rest of the way Down the hill, luckily no more damage was done.

Kana

she rushes after Dark Star standing by his side...she whimpers and lays down next to him. she new he needed help, NOW. standing, even though she was dreadfully tired she tried lifting him up onto her back. she would carry him back to the woodland farm if she had to....

Dark Star

His eyes blear open. he looks around, hazily, then rolls off her back. he stands up, he feels a bit more clear. the reason he passed out was not just from pain, but from anger too. he was calm. he new what he must do. "Come." he says quickly. "i can carry myself. are you okay?" he says." hurry, we both must get to Woodland Farm. We'll deal with other matters later." begins to lope.

Kana

she nods, although she was feeling a little dizzy she fallowed him...

Bandit

He heard some yelling but wasn't sure who so he shook it off and leapt up at Auna tapping her right hind leg with his mug. He the landed and turned to run He smiled.

*Snow Leopards*

Auna gave a funny-sounding cry in surprise of being tagged. Unable to hold her weight from two paws any longer, the kitten dropped down, eyes searching swiftly for her victim. It was her nameless brother she targeted. Slinking stealthily, the smallest of the kittens made it to the den and sprung in, pouncing upon her brother and biting the back of his neck. Giving a horrid hiss, the nameless brother kicked Auna off and dashed from the den. "I'm not playing this blasted game! Let me be!"

Auna came springing out of the den, "Oh c'mon! You're no fun, brother." she exclaimed, rolling her light eyes. "I guess I'll be it again..." the kitten mumbled almost in a whisper as she padded past Snowden. Quite suddenly, she sprung up and caught her brother's tail with a swiping paw. Gleefully, Auna bounced away.

Snowden made a mock hiss and turned towards Bandit. Leaping from the tree, the snow leopard dashed across the ground, and tried to pounce and tackle the fleeing pup.

That's when their mother arrived. With a terrific rumble of a noise, she leapt and landed by the entrance of the den. "What is going on here!"

Bandit

He laughed as Snowden tackled him and he stood about to try and tag someone. The game came to a halt at least for him for a moment when he heard the mother. He backed up next to Auna. "Hi um... I'm Bandit. We were just playing tag..." He says in a frightened voice. "What's your name?" He asked.

*Snow Leopards*

The mother's eyes narrow to a dangerous glare at the wolf pup. Ignoring his question, she spoke again, "And since when do wolves play with kittens? I've never heard of such a thing! No doubt this was a plan to lure my precious little ones away to kill them!" The feline stalked forward, but Auna stepped in front of Bandit then, "Momma, please! We were just playing tag, honest! Bandit means no harm."

Snowden and the other nameless cub sprint over to Bandit, "Yeah, trust us!" they add in. The nameless male cub didn't say anything about Bandit, but padded up to his mother and stood beside her. Swishing her tail in an irritated way, the snow leopard mother spoke once more, "Why have you come here, Bandit? And where is your pack?"

Bandit

Bandit nodded agreeing with Auna and Snowden. "I'm here because I wanted to sorta be by myself and then I met your cubs. I don't have a pack only some friends and my mother and siblings are at the wolf center by those cursed humans. I was lucky to get out. So I am basically on my own except for the few friends I have made.

*Snow Leopards*

The mother leopard nodded slowly, taking in what Bandit had said. "So, you have no pack... at least not one that could come here? Good. And as for your friends; I don't think they'll be coming back here." The mother moved forward swiftly with deadly intentions played on her face.

Auna saw the look her mother carried, and knew she meant to kill Bandit. Almost cringingly, the cub stepped in front of the pup, "Momma, please! Don't hurt him... he means no harm!" Snowden aided to his sister's plea, "Yeah, and if you kill him, then other wolves will come here to kill us!"

The mother halted then, just as she was lifting a powerful paw up. Slowly, she set the large paw down and studied Bandit. "But if the pup leaves, other wolves would come here too." The mother found herself in a dilemma, created by herself. "You will stay with us, Bandit. Try to escape and you'll regret it." The leopard looked up as snow began to fall heavily. Swishing her long tail, she turned and sprinted away. Auna looked to Bandit with a hesitant expression, "Sorry 'bout that... she's pretty protective of us. By the way, her name is Sivinith."

It wasn't long before Sivinith returned, dragging the carcass of a young goat. She laid it down before her cubs, who began to eat hungrily.

Bandit

He crouched down when the mother tried to strike at him but glad Auna and Snowden helped him. Bandit nodded to Sivinith. He didn't think he'd leave right away anyway because of the snow and he knew it was a long trip to the exit of Breve Ridged. He nodded to Auna. "Its ok." He says. He leaps on a flat rock and lays down. He watches them eat wishing he had something to eat. He knew his mother wouldn't be happy if she found out where he was but then again she was at the wolf center and didn't know. And what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Or at least he thought.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden & Cubs

Sivinith glared at Bandit before leaping up to a rock outcropping above him. There she laid down and watched her cubs and the pup. Her long tail flicked now and then.

The cubs rumbled as they fought over the carcass. Snowden was by far the largest of them, and he tore a hind leg and a good piece more of the goat off. After eating a bit himself, he dragged the meat to Bandit. "Here, you can have the rest."

The rest of the kittens continued to fight until there was little left but some larger bones and bits of the hide.

Auna took up a large piece of the hide and ran by her nameless sister, waiving the prize at her. The nameless sister pounced on Auna, and the two began to play-fight with the hide.

Bandit

"Thanks Snowden." he said whole heartedly as he leaped off the rock and ate his fill. Their was little meat left but he knew someone would eat the rest. He sighed and looked at the entrance of the cave. He watched the snow fall to the ground rather violently. He sat down watching everyone.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Auna finished eating and stretched lightly. She, as well as the rest of her siblings, were suddenly aware of how cold it had gotten. It was getting dark out now. The two nameless kittens crawled into the back of the den to sleep. Snowden soon followed after, but he and Auna stopped and looked up to Bandit, "Come inside; it will be very cold tonight."

Sivinith narrowed her eyes and stood up, "The wolf stays outside." "But momma!" Auna protested, "He will freeze outside! Let him come inside!" Sivinith turned her light eyes to Bandit. For the first time, a twinge of sympathy was for the pup, "Alright, get in the den." the mother said.

Bandit

He was a bit surprised that Sivinith allowed him to enter her den. He walked in behind Auna glad that Auna and Snowden were his friends. He wasn't sure about the other two cubs for they really didn't acknowledge him to much. He laid down next to Auna and Snowden and put his head on his paws drifting off into a slumber.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, & Cubs

Sivinith kept guard at the front of the den throughout the night. An hour before the sun's light would brighten the land, the mother leopard stood and shook the snow from her thick pelt. With a lengthy stretch and a yawn, she peered into the den. "Time to wake up. We will begin hunting lessons today."

Snowden woke up quickly and pranced outside to greet his mom. Auna was sluggish at waking up, but finally crawled to her feet and nudged Bandit, "Time to get up, we're going hunting!"

Bandit

He yipped happily as he awoke and stretched. He looked to Snowden. "This sounds cool!" He said smiling.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, Cubs

Snowden nodded and replied excitedly to Bandit, "Yeah! I wonder what we'll catch!"

Sivinith looked back at her cubs and the pup. "The first lesson is when to hunt. In the early dawn and twilight." The snow leopard began to pad through the snow, with the tip of her long tail brushing against the hardened white crystals as she moved. After a while of traveling, Sivinith paused and looked back. "Do you smell that? Bharal are nearby." Auna sniffed at the wind, and picked up the scent of some sheep or goat-like animal. "I smell it, momma!" she exclaimed, and her mother nodded silently.

"The next lesson is to stalk your prey. Get as close as you can and then rush in. Kill your prey with a bite to the throat, or neck and don't let go until they are dead." The snow leopard climbed agilely up a steep rocky slope and crouched down. From there, she could see two young Bharal and several adults. The bharal looked like goats, and were skillful climbers on the mountains. "Now, go and see what you can catch." the mother said to the five young ones.

Bandit

He nodded and began to slink sleekly and silently towards one of the young ones. He takes in the scent and his eyes are focused on his target. When he was ready and close enough he sprung out and leapt up and grabbed the throat. He bit as hard as he could.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Like four furry catapults, the cubs streaked out across the snowy ground, kicking up snow with their splayed hind paws. Auna struck the same bharal that Bandit did. But the agile creature sensed the predators coming, and bounded away just in time. Not about to give up, Auna chased after the bharal.

Snowden and the nameless cubs went for the second young bharal. It too heard them coming and dashed away. The nameless she-cub was a bit faster than her brothers, and sprinted in head of them, after the goat.

Suddenly, a much larger figure tore over the ground, racing past Bandit and the cubs. It was Sivinith. With a strike of her front paw, the bharal that Bandit and Auna was chasing crashed to the ground with a cry. Then she raced up the slope after the second goat, but was too late to catch it. Calmly, she sat and watched to see if the five young ones could bring the one Bharal down.

Snowden and the nameless she-kitten continued to chase the second bharal though. The nameless male turned and came after the first goat, along with Auna.

Bandit

After Sivinith knocked it down he was right there next to it. At first he ripped out as much of the soft stomach as he could and then he lunged for the throat digging his teeth into the goat.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, & Cubs

Using her long tail, Auna turned swiftly and kept her balance. She was second to reach the goat, and again latched her jaws to the throat, just above Bandit's hold. Before Snowden or the other two kittens could reach the bharal, it was killed. Sivinith smiled lightly, pleased with Bandit and Auna. Perhaps a wolf pup wasn't such a bother for her to keep alive after all. "Now for the next lesson..." the mother said lightly and watched.

Auna turned her light eyes to Bandit with an almost fierce look. It wasn't a mean look, but definitely a serious one. Holding the throat firmly, she tugged backwards suddenly, trying to wrench the dead goat from Bandit's grip. Snowden came tearing across the snow, ready to try and steal the food. The other two kittens weren't far behind.

With a yawn, Sivinith began to pad towards the five youngsters. She paused once to hear a wolf howling, and her fur bristled lightly. She would need to keep on guard.

Bandit

He released for he usually had never fought with his own siblings over food and didn’t feel like starting to fight over food now. He waited till he saw a leg loosen from the fighting and he ripped it off and ate the large piece of meat on it and licked his maw.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Snowden rumbled fiercely, and managed to come away with the largest piece of meat. After all the squabbling and bickering was over, all of the cubs had their share in the small kill. Sivinith looked down at them all approvingly, "Good work. And it is just now daybreak." Saying that, the snow leopard looked to the sky. The skyline had grown pale with light, and the stars had vanished. Within an hour, the sun would be up completely.

"Now that you've past your first test, I suppose you can all relax and play." Sivinith turned her sharp eyes to Bandit a moment, "But don't go sneaking off anywhere out of my sight or hearing."

Bandit

He nods to Sivinith. He wasn't planning to any way for he had no where to go at the moment. He tackles Snowden playfully.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Snowden gives one of the wildcat screams that sends chills down the spines of most. But it was only play, and he swung his large paws to bat at Bandit's head, while he kicked at him with his hind paws.

Auna crouched low to the ground, with her tail twitching from side to side. Her ears went back and her eyes grew wide and focused unblinkingly at the nameless male cub. From all indications, it looked as though she was about to pounce and tear her brother to pieces. Her hapless brother didn't see it coming. Without a sound, Auna launched herself through the air and landed on the nameless male so forcefully that it knocked the breath out of him. Her jaws clamped around his throat, and her front paws wrapped around him. The cub caught his breath and gave a startled cry. Auna bit hard and refused to release her sibling as he squirmed and tried to get away. The nameless female stepped in then, but not to her brother’s aide. She bit down on one of his hind legs.

Sivinith watched the five of them calmly. She would think of names for her two nameless cubs before the day was over. Casually, she turned her gaze to the nameless male. He was always the target of pestering for Auna and her sister. "Auna, don't be too rough now." Auna flicked her eyes to her mother a moment, and then back to her brother. Still, she held her relentless grip at his neck as he struggled and swatted at her head.

Bandit

He laughs and grabs Snowden's ear and tugs at it rough yet playfully.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Snowden shakes his head, trying to free his ear. Then he catches one of Bandit's front paws between his jaws and rumbles as though he was truly angry; but it was still play.

The nameless male finally gave way to a pitiful cry when Auna and the nameless she-cub got to biting him too hard. Sivinith stood up and batted Auna hard enough to send her tumbling across the ground with a startled hiss. A second later, the same paw sent the nameless she-cub skittering over the snow. The male-cub scrambled up, purring happily at being saved. He rubbed his head against his mother's leg happily. Suddenly, Auna and the other she-cub sprung at their mother. Auna latched her jaws around Sivinith's tail while the nameless cub got a hold on her ear.

Bandit

Bandit still tugged at Snowden's ear and tried to pull his paw away but it way no use. Since they were both tugging on each other Bandit felt him and Snowden rolling around but didn't think much of it but they came to a hill and tumbled down it. Bandit reeled as he reached the center and then he tumbled the rest of the way and tumbled into a tree. he yelped but stood up and whimpered slightly for the impact on the tree hurt his right side and right back paw. He stood shakily but soon regain his balance and ran over to Snowden. "Are you ok!" He barked worriedly even though he had his own aches and pains at the moment he seemed more concerned for Snowden then himself.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Snowden's tail thrashed wildly to retain balance as he tumbled head over heels down the hill. As he swung out blindly with his paws, his claws caught onto a scrub of dead vines, and slowed his fall. He stood up and blinked the dizziness from his head and looked around. Spotting Bandit by the tree, the young snow leopard bounded over to him, "I'm alright, what about you?"

By that time, Sivinith had untangled herself from the kittens and reached Bandit and Snowden in a few bounds. With great agility, she made it down the steep hill without a problem. She looked from Snowden to Bandit, "Are you two alright? Did you get hurt?" Snowden shook his head, "I'm alright, momma." But he turned his worried gaze to Bandit, not knowing if he was alright yet.

Auna and the nameless kittens bounded over to the hill and peered down. To avoid the fall that Bandit and Snowden had taken, they didn't go down the hill.

Bandit

"I'm alright. My leg just hurts a little from hitting the tree." He says looking towards his back right leg. His side felt better now. He looked towards Snowden and Sivinith.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Sivinith frowns a bit, looking at the hind leg. "We'll go back to the den now, where it is safer to play." Before Bandit could do anything, the snow leopard had picked him up by his scruff and climbed back up the hill. Snowden scrambled up after his mother, and the rest of the kittens followed. She didn't set the pup down again until she was at the den. Although she didn't admit it yet, she cared for this pup now, almost like she cared for her own kittens. Woe to the wolf who came to reclaim Bandit.

Sivinith jumped up on high rock ledge just above the den and laid down to watch over her cubs.

Auna and the rest of the kittens, except the nameless male, surrounded Bandit, "Are you alright?" the nameless she-kitten asked. "I didn't see you fall down the hill, but it musta hurt!"

Bandit

He was glad Sivinith carried him up the hill because he knew it would have hurt his leg more from the climb. He looked to her as a second mother though he missed his own. He licked his leg and looked to the nameless female as she spoke and her replied with. "Yeh I am alright. My leg will probably be better tomorrow. And it did hurt. I cant extract my claws like you guys to stop rolling." He says as he lays down.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Sivinith suddenly stood up and sniffed the wind intently. The tip of her tail flipped from side to side rapidly while the rest of her body stood tense and motionless. She stood for a minute more before giving a high-pitched cry of warning and leaping down from her perch. She took Bandit by his scruff again and bounded for the den. The rest of the kittens followed without a sound.

Sivinith crawled to the back chamber of the den and set Bandit down. She nudged her kittens to the back of the den as well, and crouched in front of them. Worried, Snowden nudged his mother, "What's wrong, momma?" Sivinith glanced back at him before turning her keen eyes to the den entrance, "Humans." was her hushed reply. "Be quite, don't move. They are the most dangerous animals you'll ever meet even though they aren't very large."

Bandit

He snarls slightly and lays his ears back. "She's right they are evil creatures. They trap you and lock you up or kill you and sometimes they take away your senses and it happened to me with smell but I got my smell back by only one human that helps animals but the rest you cant trust." He says in a whisper. Little did he know of his tracking chip if was the humans that put it on him. "I don't wanna go back and get locked up." He said nervously. Bandit huddled next to the cubs and stayed quiet and perfectly still.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Sivinith tensed and the end of her tail thrashed from side to side quicker. The humans were getting closer.

Auna's eyes widened as she heard Bandit's explanation of humans. "They do all of that? What in the word do they look like?"

Soon, a dull beeping sound reach the ears of those in the den. The beeping grew faster and louder, and the scent of humans grew stronger. It wasn't long before the sound of them walking could now be heard. Sivinith made an eerie sound that started off as a rumbling growl and grew louder and more irate in sound. If they came any closer, the humans would hear her, and she knew that. She wanted to scare them off, if at all possible.

Bandit

"They walk on two legs and have no fur! They have long things on their paws I think that's called fingers. There nails aren't sharp and they aren't as dangerous if they don't have there guns and thorns and other weird torture devices." He says. Even though he was frightened he stood by Sivinith's side and growled trying to help her scared off the humans.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, & Cubs

From the den, the human were now visible as they walked closer. One held an odd device in one hand from which the beeping sound came. It was a tracking radar! They were after Bandit.

Now, the voices of the humans could be heard from the den, "...must have killed 'em. A cougar, probably. Wait... did you hear that?"

Sivinith's rumble turned into chilling, high-pitched screech that stopped the humans in their tracks. It was their last warning to back off. Unlike other big cats, Sivinith couldn't roar, so she relied on the spine-chilling cries that her kind makes. But the humans didn't heed this warning.

Foolishly, the two humans walked forward, and neither carried a weapon; just the bulky tracking radar. A few yards from the den was too close for the mother leopard. Without further delay, she rushed from her den and launched her eight-pound body forward to collide with the first human. Such force from her leap sent the hapless man crashing to the ground and skidding quite a distance over the snow with the furious snow leopard reaching for his throat.

The other man dropped the beeping radar and hurried over to the other man.

Bandit

He snarled and ran out to watch not realizing he put himself in sight but when he realized it he backed into the den still snarling at the humans. He hoped Sivinith would be alright.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Cubs, & Humans

The first man kicked and punched frantically, but was no match for the wild cat. Although his heavy boot and flailing fists scored some painful hits to Sivinith, the man was killed quickly.

The other man had stopped suddenly when he spotted Bandit. But catching the pup would do him no good at the moment, not with a furious mother leopard after him. Fumbling for his walky-talky, he switched it on and spoke quickly to the people on the other end. When he saw that Sivinith had looked up at him, the man panicked and dropped his walky-talky. He raised his hands above his head and shouted at the wild cat; something he had learned might scare them away.

Sivinith was no fool though. This man had invaded her territory and now it seemed as though he was threatening her! With her ears still pressed back tightly, she lifted her lips and gave that fearsome cry again. The man turned and suddenly dove down to the ground. As Sivinith sprung at him, he picked the radar back up and swung it with all his might. It caught the wild cat along the side of her head, causing her to tumble across the ground. The man took his time and scrambled over to a rock crevice next to the den. It was a tight squeeze, but he fit into the crevice and stayed there.

Sivinith picked herself up and rushed towards the man's hiding spot. But the man had cleverly placed the tracking radar in front of him, so that the large metal device shielded him from the cat. There was no way for Sivinith to get at him now; she couldn't fit into the crevice, and she could reach past the radar with her paws.

Bandit

He was very nervous now. "What will we do?" He ran out over to Sivinith. "What if that human makes more come?" He asks Sivinith worriedly.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Cubs, & Man

With her ears still back, she hissed maliciously at the human hiding in the crevice, but stopped her hissing to speak to Bandit, "I'm not sure. I can't get to him, but he will die eventually if we keep him there. As for other humans... I'll have to keep a watch out. Is everyone alright?" she asked out loud then, and turns her gaze to the den.

The timid kittens left their den, "We're all alright, momma." Auna assured as she padded over to the dead humans. Snowden checked out the walky-talky that the man had dropped. As he walked over to it, a human voice sounded from it. "....what happened? Are you still there?" Snowden held sprung high in the air with a startled hiss. His fur was on end and his eyes were wide when he landed on the ground again. "Momma! A human!"

Sivinith rushed over to the little black box and gave it a powerful smack with her paw. It skittered over the snow and lay still again, but the human voice came back, "...we're sending up a team. Hang in there." Sivinith narrowed her eyes. She was utterly confused by this funny little box. How would a human fit into that thing?

Bandit

He runs over to the box and sniffs it. "Hey I've seen one of these before. There's no human inside. The humans talk to each other with these but if the other one that's dead doesn't answer... more might come!" He yips panicked. "What shall we do?" he asks worriedly. Panic showed in his eyes.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, & Cubs

Sivinith looked from the box to Bandit in wonder. The wolf pup knew more about humans than she did. "We should kill that thing, first." Sivinith said, looking at the box. Even though she now knew no human was in it, to her, it must be alive because of the noises that came from it. "Bandit, is that thing dangerous? Perhaps you and the others can kill it, for practice. But if it's dangerous... don't touch it." The large cat gave the black box an intent glare, then padded over to the trapped human. "I don't want to leave my den site, but if worse comes to worse..." she paused a moment, "Just don't worry about humans, I won't let them hurt any of you."

The cubs crowded around the black box, but were too frightened to get too near it.

Bandit

He only knew allot about humans for he had once been at the wolf center and Peregrine and his mother both told him about humans. He pads over to the box and picks it up. He bites down as hard as he can. He knew it wasn't dangerous to touch.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

The walky-talky was made mostly of plastic on the outside, instead of the older metal types. It held out at first, but then gave and cracked between Bandit's jaws.

Sivinith watched at first, then turned her eyes back to the man in the crevice. "We will all have to listen very carefully and keep our senses alert. Listen for any roaring or rumbling noise, because humans often travel inside things that make loud noises." The mother warned, speaking of vehicles. "We will stay here though, as long as no humans come."

Snowden watched the walky-talky being crushed in Bandit's jaws, "Woah, that thing is odd! It's filled with shiny things." the cub said, seeing some batteries as well as other broken pieces fall from the box.

Bandit

He nodded and dropped it. "I broke it!" He says joyfully and then pads over the other cubs and nods to the warning. He watches the human in the crevice curiously but doesn't go near at all.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, & Cubs

A few hours of relative peace passed without any further human disturbances. The man in the crevice had began to shiver by now, and his teeth clattered together now and then. Sivinith would cast a wary eye to him when ever he made a noise, and sometimes she would make a low rumbling noise to warn him. At one point, Snowden came too close to the man, and Sivinith sprung over and swatted the cub away.

The cubs mostly milled around and played with each other.

A distance roar sounded in the distance, but the many trees around the den made it hard to see what made the noise. Soon, the roar grew louder; it came from the sky. Sivinith grew tense, and then turned to her cubs, "Get to the den, hurry!" she told them, then turned her eyes to the sky, although the tree branches obscured her vision. The roaring grew louder.

Bandit

He heard the noise and ran into the den with the others. "What if its one of those large birds that the humans control!" He whimpers slightly as he huddles with the others. He wondered what would happen and was very nervous. He didn't want to go back behind bars at the wolf center. That was the last place he wanted to be. He was happy being with Sivinith and her cubs. He looks to Auna and Snowden. "What are you thinking?" He asks.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, & Cubs

Sivinith stood stone-still as she listened to the thunderous roar come closer.

Auna was very frightened, like the other cubs. But Snowden shook his thoughts from the roaring noise for a moment to speak with Bandit, "I'm scared." He finally admitted in a whispering voice, then turned his wide eyes to the pup, "You say they control huge birds? I didn't think any bird could make such a loud noise!"

The nameless male cub spoke up, "No, it can't be a bird. It's an... an... ava... avan.." the cubs stumbled over the word, trying to remember what his mom had told him, "Ava... avalanche! That's it. Mom says they sound like a thousand cougars roaring, but it's really a bunch of snow coming down the mountain."

Snowden glanced back at his brother, "No it isn't! Bandit knows more about humans, and he says it's a big bird!" The nameless cub rolled his eyes, but didn't argue further with his brother. Snowden was larger than him.

Sivinith knew this was no avalanche. She listened to the noise grow louder and louder until a dark shadow suddenly flew across the ground over her. She hissed and crouched down more. The shadow passed on without stopping. But by the sound of the roaring, she could tell where this plane was going. It circled around not far away... the noise told her the plane was going slower and getting closer to earth; landing. Still, she had only seen planes far up in the sky; never this close. She thought perhaps that it had 'died', or was going away.

Bandit

He sighed. "Im scared as well." He said. He heard it get louder as it landed. He slowly padded to the edge of the den and stuck his head out. He heard the noise to and jumped sprinting back into the den. "I think the bird went to the ground!" He says nervously. He thought it was a bird for what else could it be. He didn't know it wasn't living. He huddles as far back as he can into the den. "Isn't Sivinith going to come inside with us?" He says stepping forward once more.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Cubs, & *Humans*

Snowden peeked his head from the den, "Momma, come inside!" She glanced back at him, "Shhhh, stay in there." her voice was quick and whispered; urgent sounding. The large feline stood and paced a few steps away, then turned and padded closer to the den. The wind brought her the scent of humans suddenly, as well as the oily scent of their plane. A few tense moments passed where she stood almost motionless. Then she gave a hiss. The sound of human foot-steps came. Sivinith tensed her body and hissed louder. A human voice called out, coming from humans that were traveling closer to the den. The man in the crevice called back. Sivinith whirled around and made a rush at the trapped human, who quickly became silent.

It wasn't long before three humans came into view, each holding up a gun. Sivinith hissed louder as she turned around and saw them.

Snowden crept over to the den entrance again and spotted the humans. He gave a hiss of his own. Auna also backed up her brother by giving a hiss. The other two kittens huddled at the back of the den still.

Bandit

He growls from where he is very tense now. He pads to the entrance of the den snarling nervously. He hoped Sivinith would be alright.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Cubs, & *Humans*

Lucky for Sivinith and her young ones, these humans only had dart guns; they didn't have time to get their guns before they got the word to rescue the man stuck in the crevice. But others would come, if trouble arises. Sivinith lashed her tail violently from side to side and hissed louder now. Her claws were unsheathed and dug into the snow she crouched on. One man raised his gun, aimed at the mother feline. Another took a foolish step to the den. Capable of leaping twenty feet, Sivinith easily reached the man closest to the den in one bound. His life was saved for the moment when he put his gun up and shield his throat from her fangs. But her claws struck out and dug deep into his sides. The other two men shot her with their powerful tranquilizers, but it would take a few minutes before it took effect.

Snowden hissed at the men, then noticed the on in the crevice had crawled out of hiding. He picked up the bulky radar, and was heading for Sivinith; and he was carrying the radar like a club to swing at the leopard. Although he was scared, Snowden rushed from the den and flung himself at the man. His little teeth and claws were soon embedded in the man's leg. Auna watched, the acted as well. She calculated her jump better, and landed on his arm which carried the radar. Like her brother, her sharp teeth and claws dug into the man.

Bandit

He sighed and when he saw Sivinith's condition he ran to her and picked out the tranqs with his teeth to hopefully stall the sleepiness. He knew what those darts were for they were used on his mother and Peregrine when he was at the wolf center. Bandit then snarled at the humans and ran and leaped up clenching his jaws on one of the men's guns and yanks at it and tries to run and throw it down the narrow hill he fell down and then he notices another human raising its guns so he lunges and rams trying to knock the human off the narrow and steep slope as well. Humans were much bigger and would have a rougher fall then he and Snowden had that one time.

Sivinith & Young, & *Humans*

Sivinith was startled by the darts, but didn't give them a second thought as she continued her attack on the man. She tried to get at his neck, but he guarded himself with his gun. She settled for clamping down on one of his arms and sinking her teeth to the bone. Her claws also dug deeper into the man.

One human lost his gun was Bandit grabbed and tossed it down the cliff. But before Bandit could reach the other human, the third one ran over and swung his gun, smashing it against the pup's side and nearly sending him down the steep hill. The man then rushed at Bandit and tried to catch him by the scruff.

The man with the radar dropped the bulky device and grasped Auna's scruff and squeezed hard enough to make her cry out and release her hold of him. He then flung the kitten through the air and turned his attention to Snowden. But before he could get the cub, the nameless she-cub had bounded from the den and leapt onto the man's back. Instinctively, she shut her blunt jaws on the back of the man's neck. With a painful yell, the man stumbled forward and tripped. He, along with the two kittens, tumbled down the cliff.

Bandit

He yelped and then noticed the human come. It took him a moment to stand since his side now hurt but he quickly bounded away from the man. He ran back towards the man and rammed his body at the fullest force he could get hoping to knock the man down. He then leapt up at the other one with the gun and tried to rip it from the mans hands and throw it down the hill.

Sivinith & Young, & *Humans*

The man stumbled back, trying to catch his balance after Bandit ran into him. He wavered for a moment, but lost his balance anyway and fell down the steep hill. Bandit got a hold on the other man's gun, but the man gripped it tightly before the pup could pull it from him grasp. He then swung it hard, trying to fling Bandit off.

Sivinith suddenly became lightheaded. She clenched her jaws tight until she felt them break through the bones in the man's arm. Her claws drove as deep as the could into the man's side, but she still couldn't reach his throat while the gun was blocking her way. Quite quickly now, her strength began to wane.

Snowden was pinned under the man's leg. With a furious cry, he scratched and bit at the leg, trying to make it move, but he wasn't strong enough to move it himself. The man was just too big. The nameless she-cub was also pinned under the man. Only her head and one paw were visible from beneath the man. As for the human, he was knocked unconscious by the fall.

Bandit

He held until he had to release and flung to the ground. He stood and saw Snowden and the nameless cub he snarled and rammed himself into both humans hoping to help the two cubs who were trapped.

Sivinith, Cubs, & *Humans*

The man was prepared when Bandit rushed at him. As the young wolf tried to ram him, the human reached and grabbed him harshly by the scruff and hoisted him off the ground, holding him at arm's length. He dropped his gun and used his other hand to try and clamp the pup's jaws shut.

The man who lost his gun was rushing over to help the man that Sivinith was attacking. He knew she would fall asleep very soon, so he ran and rammed his shoulder into her. With a startled cry, she was thrown off the man. Her large paws flung out, and with luck on her side, her claws struck the man across his throat and torn through one jugular vein. The snow leopard struggled to get up, but collapsed suddenly. Her strength was fleeting, and she was very dizzy.

As the man with the wounded neck staggered to his feet, the one who had been attacked first also got up. Both made their way to the fallen she-cat. Auna had been stunned when she was tossed to the ground, and now she was up again. She ran easily over the top of the snow and sprung up at the man who still had his dart gun. Her aim was still good, and she landed on his back with her fangs set into the back of his neck. Although her fangs couldn't reach anything vital there and her jaws weren't nearly strong enough to break his neck, her front paws wrapped around his throat. The sharp claws were unsheathed and buried into his throat.

Bandit

He yelped when the man grabbed and then when the man tried to clamp his maw shut he acted helpless and suddenly bit the mans hand digging his fangs as deep as possible to make the man release him.

Sivinith, Cubs, & *Humans*

The man gave a startled cry and dropped the pup. He clutched his bitten arm with one hand, then glared down at Bandit with hating eyes. He swung one foot at Bandit, trying to kick the wolf.

The man reached back and finally got a hold of Auna's tail. But before he could even pull on it, one of her hind legs flung back and claws him across the hand. The sharp claws raked across the gloved-hand and tore deeply into it. But the man held her tail and yanked on it until she was forced to let go. Giving that spine-chilling screech that her mother had, Auna swung her claws around like a wild thing while the man held her by her long tail. It certainly hurt to be hung by her tail, but at least she was still small enough so that her tail wouldn't be broken so easily.

Bandit

He snarled and rammed the man then ran to the man who had Auna and leapt on his back trying to tackle him and make him release her.

Auna & *Humans*

The man lurched forward when Bandit rammed him. His arms flung out to catch his balance, but to no avail. Tottering for an instant, the man fell face-first into the hardened snow. As he did, the man released his hold on Auna's tail. She sprung out of the way in time to avoid being crushed. No sooner had she sprung away when she launched herself at the man again. Like before, her needle-sharp teeth were buried into the back of the man's neck. And again, her front paws wrapped around his throat. But this time, the claws dug in at a vital area and punctured one jugular vein. It wasn't a fatal wound by itself, but would make him loose allot of blood.

The other man who had tried to kick Bandit was now running fast across the ground. By mere chance, his boot caught on a rock and sent the man tumbling across the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Flustered and raging with anger, the man reached out and tried to grab Bandit's tail.

Bandit

He pulled his tail close and jumped upon the man and pushed his tiny paws and claws which weren't as sharp as cats but sharp enough too hurt into the mans neck and he bit down.

Auna & *Humans*

Auna hissed and lashed her tail angrily as she clung to the man. Her claws flexed and dug deeper into his neck. Desperately, the man reached about and tried to get her, but his bulky snow-coat made it too hard to reach his arms back. Finally, he spun around and fell backwards, ready to smash the kitten under him. Auna hissed again and sprung away just in time to save herself from being flattened. Like lightning, she was at his now unprotected throat and set her jaws there. With a surprised cry, the man tried to fling her away, but it was too late. Even for her young age, her teeth still penetrated the man's windpipe and tore through his life veins. His hands came down on her scruff and he yanked hard enough to toss her a good distance through the air. But in a few moments, the man was dead. Auna landed hard, but her flexible feline body could handle it. Now she raced across the ground to where Bandit was.

The last man grabbed at Bandit's ruff and yanked back, but that was a bad idea. Bandit had also gotten a good hold on the man's neck. Although his teeth missed the windpipe, they did catch the great veins in the neck. And when the man pulled Bandit back, he caused the teeth to tear through those vital veins. Not realizing his own doom, the man staggered up, holding Bandit harshly by the ruff. He swung his arm then, to through the pup against a large rock on the ground. That's when the furious she-kitten came tearing over the ground. Auna sprung at the man's raised arm and embedded her teeth and claws into it. The sudden weight was enough to slow the man's throw, but Bandit was still tossed through the air towards the rocks. Now the man grabbed a hold of Auna and tugged at her, trying to pry her loose from his arm. After a few moments of struggling, the man suddenly crumpled to the ground. It wasn't long after that he was dead.

Auna's fur was bristled and she snarled like a wild thing as she clung to his arm. After realizing she was dead, the kitten released her hold and looked around. Everything was now ghostly silent and still. Worried, she sprinted over the ground to where Bandit was, "Are you alright?" she asked, then scanned the area to see where everyone else was. Snowden and the she-kitten were out of sight, down the hill. Her nameless brother was still in the den, and her mother was asleep. She was now very worried about everyone.

Bandit

He yelped and lay on the ground stunned but when Auna came over he shook and stood shakily and then soon regained his balance. "Yeh I guess." He says ignoring the small pains he got. "Snowden and um... went down that hill!" He said unsure of what to say for a name. "We should go check since all the humans here are taken care of. Your mom will awaken but it will take awhile. Those thorns make you sleep for a long time sometimes and she got three." He says. "Lets go down the hill to help Snowden and you know." He says.

Auna, Snowden, & She-Kitten

Auna nodded. She took a glance at her mom before heading down the hill where her two siblings and the man were. The man was still unconscious, and would probably die of the cold if he didn't wake soon. The bad this was, he was too heavy for the kittens and Bandit to move his entire body. Holding her rounded ears back slightly, Auna padded over to Snowden and her nameless sister. "Are you two alright? I don't know how we're gonna get you free until mom wakes up..." She tried tugging at the man, but he was far too heavy.

Snowden squirmed under the large leg the pinned him down. "I'm fine." he huffed out, fining it hard to breath with the weight pressing down on him.

The nameless she-kitten spoke in a shaky voice, "I'm fine..." her eyes were half-closed, as if she was very tired. Since her head and one paw was the only thing not crushed beneath the man, it was impossible to see if she really was hurt.

Bandit

He had an idea. "I don't think your mom would like this but I think we an get them free. I have some friends that are wolves and they could help free them but I would have to go find them." Bandit says. "What do you think?" He says asking Auna and Snowden and the nameless she cub. He knew Sivinith wouldn't wake soon enough and knew that the mans weight could hurt Snowden and the nameless she cub if he wasn't moved soon.

Auna, Snowden, & She-Kitten

Auna hesitated, knowing that her mom would be very upset by it. But again, there wasn't much else they could do. Auna looked from Snowden to Bandit, "Let's find your friends. Where do you think they'd be?"

Snowden looked from Bandit to Auna. He didn't like being to helpless. Both he and the nameless kitten agreed with Bandit about getting help from his wolf friends.

Bandit

He sniffed the air. "Well I know that Dark Star is friends with whales so lets try Orca bay." He says. He looks to Auna waiting for her. He suddenly lunges at the human which was the last alive yet unconscious and he bites the humans neck to cause more blood loss and perhaps to puncture a vital part. "I don't want the humans to wake while were gone." He says. He looks to Auna. "Lets go." He says and pads out to Orca Bay.

Auna, Snowden, & She-Kitten

Unable to defend himself from the fatal wound, the human would be dead before Bandit and the kittens returned.

Auna followed after Bandit, after a satisfied glance back at the human. She felt uneasy about leaving everyone alone and helpless, but she knew they'd probably be alright until they got back.