Stormrunner & Darling

The heavy thump of paws woke Darling from her most recent nap. The ashen-gray wolf rose to her paws, stretching and parting her jaws in a lazy yawn. By the time she was fully up on her feet, Stormrunner was bursting forward through the snow-dusted branches of a barberry patch and bouncing excitedly in her direction. Darling chuckled at her younger brother's pup-like enthusasim and gave him a lick on the muzzle, "Someone's excited. What has you running in here like this?"

Stormrunner twisted his head away from his sister's affections, wrinkling his nose and side-stepping her, but unable to keep his tail from whipping back and forth, "I found a cat. A big one, and it's sick. Or hurt, I'm not really sure which." He could see an immediate frown take his elder sister's features, and to that he smirked proudly and continued, "But I'm going to bring her food and herbs, and make a friend out of her. Just like Namir and grandma."

Darling's expression dropped further, with worry creeping into her voice and drawing her auds back a smidgen, "I don't know if that's such a wise idea, Storm. Namir was unique, most cats aren't fond of our kind. Besides, father... won't approve." It was well known that Starscream was not exactly welcoming to other species in the pack, and she couldn't imagine he'd be happy to hear of Stormrunner's plan.

The younger wolf merely shrugged, "Dad's getting old, we need a big cat around to help keep him and mom safe." Clearly not concerned for his sire's wrath, Storm tilted his muzzle back and howled, calling for his siblings and cousins.

Hawk

Hawk came bounding towards the pair several minutes after the call, golden eyes bright and slate tail sashaying. The young wolf slowed his jog to a trot as he moved up to the pair, head tilted a little to the side like a curious pup, "Sounds like you have some news to share, Storm. What's up?" He'd looked to Darling briefly, noting her less than stellar expression. His head cocked the other way now, and his gaze shot back to his cousin.

Starscreanm, Stormrunner, & Darling

Darling's less than excitable response had gotten Stormrunner thinking, and realizing that perhaps it was better not to let his father know about the cat yet. At least, not until he'd made friends with it and brought it back to the territory. That resolution was further cemented when he saw the elderly canine padding towards them, his movements a little slower and a little more shuffling than he'd last remembered. Storm's wagging tail slowed and his ears briefly laced back as he met the distance between he and Starscream to greet his father, "Hey, dad."

"Hey yourself." Starscream responded, giving his son a rough nudge on the head, "What's all this howling about, then?" He proceeded forward, trudging past Stormrunner to sit down beside Darling, planting his grayed haunches firmly in the snow.

Storm had taken this moment to glance at his cousin, giving him a quick wink to let him know he had something in mind. To his sire though, Stormrunner replied, "Oh, I just found a deer a few miles out that's pretty sick looking. I wanted to grab a few of us to go hunt it down - Hawk and I can handle it though, and we'll bring you back some." His gaze danced to Hawk, and there was far more excitement - and mischief - in them than their should be for a simple deer hunt. "What do you say, Hawk?"

After giving her father a warm nuzzle, Darling let her shoulders slouch a little. She wouldn't rat out her younger half-brother - he was going to do what he wanted anyway - but she knew Starscream would not be thrilled when he found out. "Just be safe, please."

Hawk

Hawk glanced about while Storm spoke with his father, waiting to see if his sister or other cousin was around. He wasn't sure what Stormrunner had planned, but that wink told him it was more than just a simple deer hunt, and Darling's behavior again backed up that notion. Finding himself too excited to wait for the others, Hawk spoke to Darling, "If you see Eagle or Blackout, can you tell them where we've gone?" He almost thought about including his elder cousin Megatron in the offer, or even uncle Kurok, but didn't want to spoil whatever plans Storm had.

Starscreanm, Stormrunner, & Darling

"I will let them know." Darling assured, reluctantly holding her brother's secret. The beige and gray wolfess settled down onto her belly, folding her forepaws across one another, "Please do give a howl if you need any help though." This warning was delivered to Stormrunner, with as forceful of a look as the timid old fae could muster, knowing it was no 'weak deer' they were going to be mingling with.

Starscream remained blissfully out of the loop, "A weak deer? I can help with that-"

"Nah, don't worry about it dad. You stay here and rest, Hawk and I can handle it." Stormrunner was quick to cut his sire off, already beginning to step back from him and move away from the little clearing.

The alpha frowned, "Stay here and rest? I may be older, but I can still hunt."

Darling could see her sibling begin to panic a little. Going against her own reservations, she came to the rescue with a gentle nuzzle to Star's flank, "It'll be good practice letting the boys get a small hunt in together. And-" Her black and tan tail thumped invitingly against the ground, "In about half an hour, the sun will crest high enough to make this little spot perfect basking spot for an afternoon nap."

The frown remained for a moment longer, while Storm looked anxiously between the pair. Then it melted away with a huff from the elder wolf and he relented, "A light nap doesn't sound to bad. You two be careful though."

Stormrunner's banner swung merrily behind him, "We will, don't worry! C'mon, Hawk." With a yip, the wolf bounded off into the forest, heading out of the territory.

Blackout

He had heard the call and was moving just as they were heading out.Huh? You can't go anywhere without me he said running to catch up.