Dark Star Nyscee, Tri-Tundra and pups

Nyscee had finally made her way on the long path to the den. She still spoke to Sivinith. "The only reason he be-friended the ravens in the first place was to warn the animals of the terra to stay away from the den, and so he could have a warning when a bear approaches ahead of time. They might be scavengers, but they are good alarms." Seeing Sivinith smile like that was quite odd, but it was good to see that Sivinith finally began to be accustomed to her. Once she reached the den, she gently place Tolacca down and let out a loud howl.

Inside the den there was a faint noise. It was somewhat of a squeak to Nyscee, but to Sivinith, it would be easy to tell it was the first puppy howls! A shaky little pup had shoved his nose outside of the den, and tried to push himself through. He let out another little howl and suddenly dissapeared. As quick as the little pup disappeared Dark Star emerged from the den. It was not long ago that Sivinith and the others had seen him, but he appeared to be different, almost intimidating. He had not grown, but his winter coat had already come in fully, and could easily shadow Nyscee. The large amount of activity and fighting had put him in better shape as well. He seemed calmer than usually, maybe smarter, but nothing intellectual had changed, he was just hiding his exaustion.

He came out as soon as he heard the howl, and in seeing the large group approached he grinned slightly, and nodded to Sivinith. He let out a clear, loud greeting "Hello to you all! I am so glad you decided to come, it is not safe in the Ridges this time of year. Were there any humans up lately?" He approached the group and gave out some quick 'orders'. He looked to the Asplen and Tolacca. "I see we have an injury, why don't we let these two rest in the den with the pups? Sivinith, Kana wishes to speak with you so you may accompany them. I am glad to see you have accepted this invitation." With that said he turned to the other cubs, as well as Star and Bandit. "You all need to stay nearby. If you want, you may roam around the den site and the central packlands, but do not stray farther than the stream, for I am sure Sivinith would not appreciate four lost young ones." He smiled at Sivinith and then spoke to Tri-Tundra and Jais quietly, away from the youngsters. "Would you mind taking those four on the hunt with you when you go? It would give them a chance to look around the lands if you hunt on the game trails while Sivinith and I search for a den."

Tri-Tundra thought about it for a moment and slowly nodded, the cubs would be having a lot of fun, and Jais and her could spend time together. "I do not mind, as long as Sivinith approves." She replied with an airy, hushed tone. She was obviously zoned out, most likely thinking about her past with the other leopards.

Nyscee had ventured over to Untouchable. "Hello! I am sorry I left without telling you, but it was urgent." She smiled brightly, the day had been quite eventful.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, Tolacca, & Asplen

Sivinith entered with her eyes slightly wider than normal and her tail flicking a bit faster. It was a sign of her great anxiety around so many others, but she did her best to hide it. It wasn't that she felt fear around them... just... well, she couldn't even explain it to herself. She scanned over all she didn't know and perked her short ears forward at the squeak of a howl. Her eyes softened slightly at hearing this. The pleasant noise of a young creature was like music to the ears of many mothers. "She won't mind?" questined Sivinith when Dark Star told her she could enter the den to speak with the alpha-fae. She listened to everything said, a bit overwhelmed by it all. Sorting things in her mind, she tried to respond to them all, "...Yes, humans are troublesome now. They came in a big group today; more and more keep coming." she added with a deep sigh, then turned to study Tri-Tundra and Jais as they were spoken too. The mother eyed them warily at first, hating that her young ones would be left with two wolves she didn't know; it went against her nature so much! But if Dark Star and Kana were allowing her into the den with new pups, then why couldn't she let her young ones go off with Dark Star's friends? Giving no objection to them, she headed for the den.

Although Sivinith was larger than any wolf, she was, like most felines, very agile and could easily navigate the confines of the den. And even though her bulk blocked out most of the light that might filter through the tunnel, her keen senses could easily guide her. "Kana?" she questioned, almost hesitantly. "Dark Star sent me here; you wish to speak with me?" She sniffed lightly at the strong odor of the pups but didn't dare get too close to them. She didn't want to worry Kana.

Snowden and Auna bounced about joyously, "Another hunt! Awsome!" Auna sang out merrily. She was becoming quite the outgoing one of the litter, although she had a more fierce side than Snowden did when it came to that. She padded over to Tri-Tundra and Jais and rubbed up against them while purring. Apart from showing affection, it was also a sly way for cats of saying 'you're biggerand stronger than me... but lets be friends'. Snowden wasn't so touchy-feely, and was just content to purr loudly. Instead of rubbing against anyone, he would flick his tail against them to show his trust and acceptance.

Asplen had been set down near the den entrance to await his mother. Since she took up so much space going down the tunnel, it would be easier for him to go in after she came out. Tolacca waited as well. Sensing the good feeling of those around her, she purred as well. But unlike the others, she simply lied down on her side and watched.

Kana, Aris, Roselin, Viggo

Kana smiled when she heard her son's first howls. She nudged him lovingly when Dark Star set him down, "no wondering off love, not until you older" she said softly to Azeros. She smiled at her pups, they where all playing, all except for Azeros; Roselin was playing with Aris, and Lost Star was playing with Viggo. She then stood up slowly, stretching and looked at her pups, they seemed to get bigger everyday, she thought.

Roselin tugged at Aris's tail, growling playfully. Aris wheeled around and glared at her sister, bighting her on the ear. Roselin yelped and let go of her sister's tail, giving her a sour look. Aris stared back at her sister before she jumped on her, growling plafully as well.

Viggo tugged his head, trying to get his ear away form his brother. He pawed at him with his front paw and barked at his brother.

Kana, Aris, Roselin, Viggo

Kana smiled kindly at Sivinith, "hello Sivinith, it's good to see you again. I just wanted to let you know that you are always welcome here, but I'm sure Dark Star has already made that clear." She said with another smile. "And I also want you to know that you can come here whenever you like" she said, speaking about the den. She smiled down at Azeros and decided to introduce the pups to there new friend. "I think some introductions on in order" she said with a smile, "This is Azeros" she said, motioning towards her son, "and those two over there are Lost Star and Viggo" she said. "And they are Roselin and Aris" she said with another smile; she couldn't stop smiling these days.

Roselin-who looked a lot like her mother- quit playing with her sister and walked over wably to her mother, looking at Sivinith she smiled at her. Supriseing her mother she said spoke, "helwo" she said slowly.

Kana smiled at her, "you spoke" she said in astonishment. She bent her head down and licked her daughter on top of her head.

Viggoe glanced over at Sivinith and rushed over to his mother, staying close by her. Kana smiled at him, "oh hun, don't be scared, she want hurt you" she said with a soft laugh.

Viggo looked up at his mother and then at Sivinith, he didn't go any closer though.

Aris watched Sivinith come into the den, she had never scene a leopard before! Her eyes widened and she steped back on step. But when she saw that her mother didn't mind having Sivinith in the den she walked over and looked up at her with her one blue eye and one green, just like her father's.

Dark Star, Tri-Tundra and pups

Dark Star waited outside the den for Sivinith, so they may begin going den hunting. He felt that Sivinith was extremely on edge, so he felt he needed to introduce everybody to her later. She already knew Tri-Tundra, but she had changed since their last meeting. She also knew Nyscee, much better since today, but she didn't know Jais or Untouchable. He waited.

Tri-Tundra smiled and came back to reality as Auna rubbed against her. "I hope you aren't this nice to your prey" She added jokingly. "I think we need to eat, not prance around with deer in the meadows". She smiled happily, glancing at Jais. She turned to Snowden and the 'Wolf Cubs', as well as Auna. "You all must SWEAR that you WILL stay right near us. I do not dare think what could happen if we stumbled across a bear's path and you had all dissapeared." She then sat and waited for D.S's signal to go.

Lost Star got a paw shoved in his face by Viggo, and surprised he let go of his brother's ear and ran towards the exit of the den, looking back. All of the sudden he rammed into Sivinith and jump a foot into the air. His ears flattened on his head and he let out squeaky barks. Then all of the sudden he ran towards Kana, swiveled around in a sprint, and he ran back up to Sivinith and tried to chew on her paw. Unsucsessful, he let out an exasparated sigh and began to sniff the paw he had slobered on. Then he sat and stared at her with his tenacious cloudy blue eyes. He was quite the true wolf pup.

Azeros stayed in the shadow behind Sivinith, then all of the sudden he came out growling. He sat down and barked, and barked, and barked, until he finally got distracted by some dust floating and followed it to the corner. It turned and went towards Viggo, and he lost interest and pounced on Viggo instead. Then he looked back to Sivinith. He just stood there, until he started to strain. He was trying to deside if he wanted to jump on her or bark. Straining, he finally barked.

Jais

He was very interested in these new creatures. He knew about them, but had never seen one close up before because he had mainly stayed to the lowere areas of the valley. He could see Sivinith's anxious state, so he didn't try to speak to her just yet. Instead, he turned his attention to the younger felines and the pups. "You're quite the friendly one." he pointed out with a laugh, never seeing a cat rub against someone before. "What are you're names?" he questions, trying to pick up somewhat of a conversation before they got the go-ahead from Dark Star.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

Sivinith glinted fiercly with the little light their was, possibly making her seem more hostile. But that couldn't be farther from what she really felt. "Thank you, Kana. I..." she struggled to find the words she wanted, for it wasn't often that she ever appologized or showed her feelings. But speaking to a mother like herself made it easier, "I'm sorry that I didn't trust you at first. When we first... met." She was speaking of the incident when she nearly killed Kana and Dark Star. It haunted the back of her thoughts with the more that this wolf pack did for her. Her words may not sound all too sincere, but she meant for them to be. "Hello little one." she responded in a light voice to Roselin's first word, then looked down at Arlis. When Lost Star chewed on her paws she grinned a very small grin, and in the dark, she hoped no one could see it. She was use to being mauled by her own kittens, and her paws were so thickly padded by fur that his teeth could do no harm. But when Azeros barked; that was something else! The sound of the sharp noise resounded in the chamber and made her ears go back at once and her body tense. Her kittens didn't make such noises! "I'm no threat..." she said uncertainly, glancing quickly from the barking pup to Kana.

Auna purred louder and reared up on her hind legs to nuzzle Tri-Tundra under her chin. Then she grinned widly, showing her long fangs, "I'll be the deer's worst enemies! Bandit and I are really good at hunting."

Snowden puffed out his chest, "No, Bandit and I are good at hunting!"

Tolacca finally piped up in a whispery voice, "I think Star is the best hunter." Snowden laughed, "Like you would know! You never go hunting anymore." he stuck his tounge out at her. She frowned at him, but didn't reply.

Dark Star, Tri-Tundra and pups

Tri-Tundra gave Snowden a dissapointed glance and inquired. "Are you always so mean to others that have no means to enjoy what you can? Please, be nice. It is not her fault she isn't joining us." She eyed him for a while, then turned to all of them and said "You all are good hunters, but, of course, the prey can find that out for themselves."

Dark Star tried to whistle, but it sounded more like he was hyperventilating. Why can the humans do such things and we can't? He continued to sit and wait patiently, trying to decide which direction to go first. The north...that is just above us, but that would make avalanche threats. Ah, well, we will have to see when she comes out.

When Sivinith got tense, Azeros retreated behind his mother and ceased 'fire.' He slowly and cautiously approached her, and when he was about two feet away, he pranced up and laid his head down beside her paw and laid on his back looking up at her, tail wagging.

Lost Star decided it wasn't worth wasting his teeth for a mouthfull of fur, so he looked up at her and stood on shaky hind legs to try and put his paw on her face.

When azeros saw this, the largest pup jumped on Lost Star, and Lost Star and him rolled around, Lost Star having the disadvantage. All of the sudden they halted, Azeros on top, Lost Star's one ear flopping down, and they stared at Sivinith.Azeros jumped of of Lost Star and went up and sat. "HE....HEEE.....HEEEEE......HH....III" He faintly sounded out his first word.

Lost Star pranced up again and sat down too, but he neither spoke nor stared, simply glanced up and smiled, then went and laid down in the nest.

Untoucable

Helay down nerte de,wndering what a leopard was doing here.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, Asplen

Snowden pasted his blunt little ears back at the chastisment, thinking he could get away with it while his mother was out of site. "I know, I know..." he trailed off, looking much more morose than he really was.

Asplen suddenly spoke up, "Ahem; you're names? Weren't you asked those?" Snowden looked over and his eyes brightened, "Oh, yeah! I'm Snowden." he responded, telling all those he didn't know.

"And I'm Auna." the feline said and turned her eyes tauntingly to Snowden, smirking now that he had gotten in trouble.

"Tolacca." the weak kitten piped up, then glanced at her injured brother, "He's Asplen."

She visibly relaxed now with the barking session over. She reminded herself that wolf pups were different than kittens and made more noises. When the youngster reached up for her face, she had a tinge of desire to play with him. But to play, in the terms of a mother cat, was to gather up a young one and bite at their neck in simulated ferocity. She thought better of that; Kana might get the wrong idea if she saw Azeros dissapear under her thickly-furred fore-arms while her blunt jaws took in all of his throat or perhapse his shoulders; no, that wouldn't do! Instead she bared her gleaming fangs just slightly in a mock 'snarl', then watched as the other youngster came over. "Thank you again, Kana. I'd better leave them be now." she didn't want to get the pups so rambunctious that they disturbed Kana more. And heaven forbid they all start knawing on her and barking! She carefully and agily backed out of the tunnel and nudged Asplen, "Go in there. And don't be rough if you play." she whispered to her son, "They are still young and have soft fur. And they don't have claws like yours." Asplen, followed slowly by Tolacca, headed down into the chamber.

Nyscee, Tri-Tundra and Dark Star

Dark Star saw Sivinith emerge, and was slightly chuckling under his breath. "I don't think he wants you to leave." He gestured towards the entrance of the den, where the little grey pup named Lost Star had began to vigorously pull at Sivinith's tail. Of course, it would do her no harm, for he was still weak and only getting his land legs. Dark Star walked over and scooped up the squirming, determined pup, and placed him down inside the den; smiling at Kana as he quickly told her: "I will have them go and get something for you and us to eat. The pups may be able to chew on the softer skin or what not, to help them get a firmer grasp and work in their teeth."

With that he exited the den again, and padded up to Sivinith. "I am not sure if you remember Tri-Tundra?" He motioned to the rose-grey wolf Auna had been rubbing non-stop but a moment ago. "She has lived with leopards before?" He asked her, trying to refresh her memory. "And that wolf beside her, that is Jais. I consider him as trustworthy as I consider you." He grinned jokingly. "And if you could EVER trust me, then you can certainly trust him."

He smiled and then turned to the cubs and wolves. "Get movin'! We all want to eat before winter, eh? Go for the biggest prey you can find. Not a bear, of course." His grin broadened. He loved to make orders, but only when he could have fun and tease jokingly.

He sighed and hung his head down for a second, trying to retaliate. He lifted his head, and sighed again. "Okay, you ready to go Sivinith? We can look for your den now, before night, or we could go tomorrow. I'd rather go tonight, for we have a good 4 or 5 hours till the moon is fully out. It is certainly your choice, of course." He looked to her with weary eyes, shaking his head a bit. "I think I shall need to dunk my head in the creek before we go." He added under his breath.

Tri-Tundra smiled and spoke to the cubs. "It is nice to meet you all." She wagged her tail a bit in greeting.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

She glanced back at Lost Star, surprised to see him at the end of her tail. She held back a grin again and watched as the pup's father removed him. Now her fierce, bluish orbs sized up Tri-Tundra and Jais. At length, she replied while still eyeing the two wolves, "Yes, I believe I do remember you." She had been rather worked up, to say the least, back then. Memory wasn't terribly clear about those events, but a flicker of familiarity was there. She gave a single, slight nod to Jais when he was introduced. "Remember what I taught you. Go for the throats." she reminded, unable to help but give out orders to her youngs ones for the hunt. Then she spoke with Dark Star, "Yes, night time is always best. Much less stressful than the day." Sivinith caught the statement he made and gave a slight smirk, "Water is your friend too?" It was the first joke she had made to the wolves, and perhapse one of the first jokes ever said in her life.

Tolacca made it into the chamber and rested limply against the far wall, gazing lightly over at the pups and Kana. She didn't seem afraid or anything. Really, she didn't show much of an emotion at all.

Asplen, on the other hand, was another story. With a broken front limb, he was in no spirit to mingle with the pups. He edged warily around the chamber and sat stiffly next to his sister, watching the young ones with hesitant eyes. The end of his tail lashed from side to side in an aggitated way, although it may be more entising than detering.

Auna's expression radiated a sense of such excitement and anxiousness that it seemed she could hardly contain herself. "We'll catch the biggest bharal around!"

Snowden scoffed, "Bharal! Those are tiny, Auna! Remember that one creature we tried to hunt? The one in the open land? Now that was big!" he exclaimed, speaking of an elk. In the highlands they lived in, they didn't see much large prey.

Jais

Jais listened with much interest of what they spoke. What were bharal?. He had never heard of such creature, but it didn't seem to matter anyhow. As Snowden described, those creature's didn't seem large enough to count as 'big prey'. "Are you speaking of buffalo? Or deer of some sort?" Jais questioned, hoping to jog the young one's memory.

Kana, Aris, Roselin, Viggo

Kana had smiled at Sivinith when she apologized about there first meeting. "That is fine, all is forgiven" she had told Sivinith. She smiled at Azeros, "I am very proud of you love" she whispered, nuzzling her son. When Tolocca and Asplen came into the den she smiled kindly at them, "hello" she said with another smile. She then noticed Asplen's hurt leg, "Oh goodness, what happened?" She asked in a worried tone.

Roselin looked over at the two felines and walked over slowly, nudgeing Asplen on his good leg, looking up at him with her blue eyes.

Aris walked over confidantly to Tolocca, smiling up at her with a wag of her tail.

Viggo still stayed close to his mother, still unsure about the felines.

Nyscee, Tri-Tundra and Dark Star & Pups

Dark Star laughed at Sivinith's joke, and he nodded as he replied, still smiling. "Only when I am tired." He continued to laugh, very surprised at Sivinith. He had never heard her joke in his life. Of course, this move was a big change, and it would be very different from now on. He smiled at the rest. "Alright, go get that Bharal and a deer, perhaps someting even bigger!" He nodded to the two wolves. "Tri-Tundra, Jais, you are in charge." He looked to the cubs. "No wandering off, and heed your mother's advice. The throat is an instant kill zone, and the hardest spot to defend from a group."

With that said, he turned to Sivinith and asked her. "Which way would you like to check first?" He nodded to the West and South. "There and there are going to be the steeper areas, and they would have more rock formations and steeper ledges." He then turned and nodded straight out. "Right in front of us the forest gets somewhat dense until you reach the river. Past that the forest is spaced, but there isn't much shelter on that side of the river. There is a lake over there as well as over here though." He waited for her input.

Tri-Tundra nodded to Dark Star and Sivinith, and she turned to the cubs and Jais. "Ready to go get ourselves a moose?" She said, grinning broadly.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, Tolacca, & Asplen

Asplen hunched down, "Wolverine bit me." he replied quickly, then pinned his little ears back when Roselin came over. He began to rumble in a very low tone at her, but was checked by his sister.

"Asplen, stop that! Mom said be nice." She then smiled to Aris. "Hello little one." she said in a cheery, although still obviously weak voice.

Snowden's eyes lit up, "Alright, a moose! Lets go!" he piped up, bouncing about.

Auna laughed, "You don't even know what a moose is!" she then looked up at Tri-Tundra, "But we'll catch the biggest one around, right? Where do you find moose? I'm ready to catch one!"

Sivinith held a very faint grin, which may look more like an aggressive show of fangs to most. Her eyes turned steadily to the West and South areas and she hardly gave a bother to look in the other directions Dark Star pointed out. "The higher areas. That feels more like home." Sivinith was very glad this territory had mountainous areas, or she would really feel out of place.

Jais

He listened to them with a grinning smile. This would be interesting hunting with two little snow leopards. "Should we check the Marshes, or Pike's Lake?" Jais questioned. He had no idea whether moose lived around this area, but he knew they did like water.

Bandit, Star

Bandit and Star darted in sorry for being alittle late. Bandit immidiatly ran over to where Snowden and Auna were after yipping a greeting to everyone, even those he did not know.

Star padded by Sivinith now listening to some of the conversations and she glanced around wondering where Night was if he was around this terrain anymore.

Kana, Roselin, Aris, Viggo

Kana watched Asplen as he growled, watching him, just incase he hurt her pups. She new that he wouldn't but it had been a while sense she had last scene them and she wasn't sure.

Roselin walked back, her little ears layed back on her head and she whimpered, as if she had ne scolded badly. Walking over to her mother she plopped herself down and sighed.

Aris smiled and wagged her tail up at Tolocca, barking playfully.

Dark Star, Tri-Tundra and pups

Dark Star scanned the higher regions of his terra, for this was the area designated by Sivinith as 'more like home.' He observed the steep, treacherous zone to his right, looking at it with negative pose. "I do not like the look of that area, Sivinith. It is bound to be avalanche prone. Of course, we would need to observe it close up. However, to the west, it appears very nice. There are some very steep ridges, but you can simply avoid those when you travel with the injured." He said, still looking it over thoroughly. "I also see a lot of crevaces, perhaps the makings of a den or two? I am no expert, but it appears the west has the stable makings for you and your cubs." He looked to her, finished with his approval. Although he had looked it over thoroughly, he knew a close up would be needed from both sides of the terra, just to make sure.

Tri-Tundra thought for a moment, and then asked. "Well, like I said before, Galar's marsh would be a good place to go, because Galar could keep an eye out for trouble and I would be able to catch up after we hunt. However, I think we should hunt in the game trails here AND at Galar's Marsh. Of course, we would need wonderful hunters." She eyed the cubs slyly, a smile coming over her face again.

Azeros saw Aslen growl at his sister and certainly did not approve. He went up and growled back viciously repeating 'HIIIIIiiiiIII" Over and over again. When he felt he made his point how Asplen was wrong in doing, he turned and went over to lay beside Roselin and licked her once sympathetically.

Lost Star approached tolacca, for she appeared no threat. He went up and sat down beside her, putting his paw in the air for a second and then gently touching her paw with his wet little nose.

Tri-Tundra

The pale wolfess had done enough waiting, and had recieved some-what of a cue from Dark Star, and began to pad down the trail towards the Game trails. Of course, these trails nearly all led to a main trail into the lands, so if the descision was made to hunt in Galar's marsh only, there would be no conflicts. Diligent and yet slightly hesitant, she made her way down, looking behind and barking a "If you are all ready we can go!" To the young ones and a quickly hidden smile to Jais.

She had many things on her mind....but that dream...it consumed her thoughts quite often. She remembered the key parts; Jais.....and her sister, Spirit. she felt she needed to at least warn her to stay away......she wouldn't let her ruin her life again...not again. She hated her now...and yet didn't know why..how had her feelings turned so wretched towards spirit so quickly? Only the last month she had been simply looking down upon her with solemn unspoken forgivingness...but now...she wished the worst. Why? Perhaps it was the fact that she wanted Jais to be with her forever.

Either way she shook it from her mind. She loved her life now, and she knew how wonderful it was. She had strong feelings for Jais, but didn't quite know how to express it. She smiled as her head went forward again. She would have to cope with the constant odd memories that flodded back from the time she had spent with the other leopards, but all was well. She loved being around them all;, even the troublemakers...

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

Sivinith looked from the steeper area first, then more towards the west as Dark Star explained the differences in terrain. She knew much about avalanches and didn't want a den in an area prone to them. "The western portion sounds fine, then. I would like to check out these crevises you speak of." she looked to her friend then, ready to take a closer inspection for her potential new den site.

Auna beamed happily from Jais to Tri-Tundra, "You can count on me! I'm very fast." the young feline bragged.

Snowden sniffed, "But not as strong as me." He lifted his head and looked at her through eyes that were arrogantly narrowed. But it was all just in jest, he wasn't boasting or showing off to make her upset.

Asplen rumbled much louder, eyeing Azeros with a nasty look. He flicked his long tail up around his side and slowly laid down. But his eyes remained on Azeros.

Tolacca had since ignored her brother's noises and turned full attention upon Lost Star. Laying fully oustretched on her side, she lifted a large, furry paw and batted the pup on the head. Her claws were contracted of course. She hadn't played with anyone for a long while because she was not strong enough.

D.S.

Lost Star fell backwards and shook his head, one ear flopping, then he went back up to her and batted her on the nose gently. Right after he darted off, racing around the den, but staying away from Asplen. He growled playfully as he ran.

Dark Star nodded, and seeing she only spoke of one area, he nodded and said "We certainly shall. Let us go and get to that now. From here I can see..." He counted the large rock groupings that could be inhabitable and then said. "About three or four large ones, but perhaps we could find something less seable." He made he way up the large slope, and suddenly it hit him: If Sivinith could live here, why not others? He spelled it out slowly. "Eh, Sivinith, there may be a problem. If it is as hospitable as we hoped, there could be other leopards that reside in the western section of the terra. If this is so, we will have to work out something. I wouldn't allow you to live in a threatening area, but I couldn't possibly have you return to the Breve's with the humans being such a threat." His last statement may have seemed like an order, but he meant it as a protective cue sort of like 'I don't want anything to hurt you' or something like that. He looked to her hesitantly, unsure how she would react.

She smiled and looked back "Well, as long as you are all having fun, I don't care how awesome you may be." She looked to Snowden in a way that said. 'That's right, you are as tough as you say.' And turned around and halted.

Jais

He almost laughed listening to the young ones bicker with each other in good nature. It reminded him of his youner days with his brother; although Jais now regretted that he wasn't quite as gentle with the sickly wolf as he should have been at times. But they had had fun, and were the closest of friends until just before the end. He shook his head of these thoughts and looked to Tri-Tundra.

A bright smile was flashed her way as he sauntered over to her, ready to follow to the Game Trails. It would be quite interesting hunting with these young. But, he was mostly anticipating this outting because Tri-Tundra was going with. Never before had he felt so happy and at home. Still, as Tri-Tundra had to worry of Spirit, he must keep vigil for Cavan and Nachi. As long as the pack was around, Tri-Tundra and himself were safe from the two.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

Sivinith stood ridedgly still for a moment, thinking about the possibility of other leopards. Apart from having young, she was not a soscial creature. Other leopards would be a threat to 'her' food supply, territory, and possibly to her kits. But, what choice did she have if humans were thick in the Breve Ridges? No, it was too dangerous to go back there right now. "I will have to deal with that when the time comes." she said at length, still thinking. There weren't many animals that she feared; but her own kind was an equal match against her.

Tolacca swatted her paw to Lost Star, trying to bat him again before he ran. She didn't feel like getting up at first, but playing sounded so enticing! Finally, she scrambled to her feet and watched closely as he ran. When he was close enough, she sprang and tried to tackle him.

Asplen still rumbled ominously and hunched himself as much as he could against the wall and the floor.

Snowden sprung after Tri-Tundra, ready to follow her. "This is gonna be so fun!" Auna padded daintily to the wolfess's other side, though she had a tendency to pause and investigate things along the way.

Bandit, Star

Star saw Asplen rumbling and pranced over and nudged him with her mug. "Calm down Asplen. Its ok." She said and lifted her head. She turned and padded after Tri- Tundra as well ready to follow.

Bandit watched the pups for a moment more and ran over to where the others were. Though when he arrived he fake snaped at Auna's tail in a playfull manner as he waited.

Kana, Roselin, Aris, Viggo

Kana looked over at Asplen, she didn't like him having a bad attidude around her pups, but he hadn't hurt won yet, and he wasn't going to. "If you do not wish to stay in here with the pups, you may go back out with the others" she said with a smile. She didn't understand why he didn't like the pups, but if he wanted to leave he could. Turning to Roselin and Azeros she nuzzled both of them comfortingly.

Roselin shook frightened by Asplen, she hadn't ever met someone who was mean to her, she hadn't even ever been outside! When her brother licked her cheek she smiled at him, moving closer.

Aris ran over to Tolocca, yipping playfully and nipping at her tail.

Viggo watched Asplen closely, moving over to Roselin and Azeros, he never took his eyes away from the cat.

D.S.

Dark Star nodded. "Yes, even if it is a risk, we don't know till we see it for ourselves. We will scan the area around and check throuroghly. If we want to be back in time to eat, we need to pick up the pace." He did not move faster until he had heard Sivinith's say in the matter. He slowly continued up the steep rocky path.

Tri-Tundra could no longer hide her smile as Jais came up. She slowed down to set pace beside him, loping at a medium pace, not too slow, but not too fast so that the cubs could easily keep up and stay in seeing range. She explained to the cubs and Jais as she went. "Now, you are too far away if you can no longer see us. If is going to be dark most likely by the time we find the prey, so stay close. You leopards have keener eyesight, so it is up to you to make sure no one accidently wanders off. Okay?" She asked with a responsible look on her face, looking to Snowden with a smile. She then turned her head forward and smiled, glancing at Jais, and asked him. "This is sure to be a new experience, I can hardly wait." She had a bright gleam in her eyes.

Azeros snuggled up to his mom and Roselin.

Lost Star was tackled by Tolacca, and grasped onto some fur on her front arm. It was a good thing that Tolacca was a smaller, weaker leopard, for had she been any bigger, like snowden, she would have crushed him.

Sivinith, Snowden, Auna, Tolacca, & Asplen

She nodded slightly, sensing more urgency in Dark Star. She too was eager to get back from this den hunt, for she never liked leaving her young ones alone. At least they were with the friends of Dark Star, so her worry wasn't so great. The feline searched around diligently and passed by a few large outcroppings of rocks that could have made a good den site. Then she found it; one that seemed perfect. "Here it is, I like this one." she pronounced, entering a small cave and sniffing about. She stepped out of it and looked to Dark Star to see what he thought.

Asplen stood uncertainly, not saying a word. He was terribly unnerved and irked to have so many suspiscious eyes upon him! Turning sharply, he limped out of the den and laid down at the entrance.

Tolacca winced slightly just after tackling Lost Star, finding that the sudden ouburst of energy hurt something within. Ignoring it, for the pain wasn't great, she emediatly set to playing. She grappled with the tackled pup, trying to wrap her large fore arms around his body and bite playfully at his neck as he bit at her arm. She kicked out at Aris, but was careful to hold back enough strength so that she wouldn't send him tumbling head over heals across the chamber.

Auna piped up right away, "We'll be the best hunters! And don't worry, we'll stay near." So saying, a flutter of dead leaves caught her attention and she sprung upon them playfully.

Snowden thrashed his tail from Bandit's reach and looked back with a smirking grin. He pretended as though he were going to turn around, but suddenly swung a paw out to whack his friend on the head.

Jais

He nodded, his face lighting up even more. Jais was greatly encouraged that Tri-Tundra choose to walk beside him; not only did he feel much more secure about his new life, but also that she perhaps felt the same way to him as he felt about her. "I've never seen a cat hunt or attack." he pointed out thoughtfully. Once when he was little, his brother Railu and him encountered two cougars. Luckily, the cougars had been just as interested in the two wolf pups as Jais had been in them. He headed for the Game Trails, but of course let Tri-Tundra guide, for he didn't know the land well yet.

D.S.

Tri-Tundra smiled. "They truely are vicious predators, I have seen it before. However, the way most of them attack is very strategic and clever. That is where I get my strategy from." She smiled as she too pointed out a thought of hers. She now realized that she was not the only one who felt the way she did. She had surely hoped so! Since the day they had met, Jais had been a charming, yet lonely and troubled wolf. It appeared he had lacked something to her back then, but now, now he was more than she had ever dreamed of! He seemed almost perfect, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Her eyes gleamed fervently in the sparkling sunset. The horizon had nothing left but a strip of yellow and blood red sky. The perfect time for a hunt.

Dark Star inspected the den thouroghly as well, for he would have nothing harming them. It was a little small, but certainly well insulated from the cold and wind. All of Sivinith's cubs as well perhaps some wolves would fit in here at one time. He had a good feeling about the small crevace. "Very nice, I too like it. Of course, it is not me who will be living there." He kept a solemn yet brisk face. He was trying hard to hide it, but exaustion was getting the best of him. He could hardly think any more. He added with a somewhat more weary tone. "If you would like to check the nearby area for any problems, I shall go and look farther out." With out a retort he padded off behind the den, and made his way, nose to the ground, in a large cicle, weaving all over the place, checking for other scents. Other than the occasional rabbit trail, there was no scent of other leopards. For this he was relieved.

He returned in about a half-hour, praying Sivinith was done. He scanned the area. "Well, it does not seem like a spot that would be the target of the avalanches. Of course, I have not yet spent a winter here. Who knows." He continued to observe. "It seems like the rock formations and boulders here are stable too. He jumped on a few rocks, than returned to her side. "If you would like to try it out tonight after we hopefully eat," He added the hopefully as if he doubted it, which wasn't true, "We can see if you want to go out looking for another one tomorrow." He looked at her, but with heavy eyelids.

Sivinith, Auna, & Snowden

She had continued her scrutiny of the area and searched keenly over all the vantage points as well as any nearby water sources. She entered the den again and sniffed about, going back as far as she would fit to be sure nothing was in the cave. Mountain rattlesnakes were a slight concern, for they hibernated in mass in caves like this. But she could scent no snake, and figured they were a bit too high up for the cold-blooded creatures. Again she was out of the den and clawed once at a tree before rubbing her cheeks against it and leave her scent. As Dark Star came back, she stood and waited for his report before giving her own, "Yes, it seems safe from avalanches, though it will be hard to tell until deep winter sets in. I would like to stay here tonight, as you suggest. Perhaps Asplen and Tolacca can remain in your den?" she ventured, almost forcing the words with reluctancy from her mouth. She wanted all her cubs near her, but knew it would be much less hassle on the two if they were toted from place to place. And of course, if it was no hassle for Dark Star. As she studied her friend, she noted his tired state. Sivinith was good at spotting such things, for she targeted prey in such a state. "I think I'll make a survey of the land in a larger cuircut around the den. You should go to your pups, and then supper may be here shortly after." This was her way of showing concern without going outright and asking, 'Why don't you lie down, you look tired.'

Auna grinned at hearing Tri-Tundra talk. She was very eager to impress these wolves, if she could. She was indeed a better hunter than her brother and wasn't so flaunting of her abilities as he tended to be. When it was time to make the kill, she would be dead serious.

Snowden lifted his head and again puffed out his chest to hold himself in a smug way. "Where are these Trails at, anyway? I hope there's a bunch of mooses there!" he said in an almost purring voice, misspronounced the plural of 'moose'.

Kana, Roselin, Aris, Viggo

Kana smiled as she watched Tolocca play with her pups, she enjoyed watching them play.

Aris was startled when Tolocca's paw pushed her away. But she stood up and with even more determination she grabed Tolocca's tail and grawled playfully.

Roselin finally got the nerve to go and play, wagging her tail she yipped at Tolocca, looking up at her with her blue eyes.

Viggo watched them with a smile, giggleing under his breath when Aris grabbed Tolocca's tail

Dark Star, Tri-Tundra

Dark Star looked up at Sivinith, and replied to her first question. "If you wouldn't mind them staying down there, neither will we." He looked down off the cliff and noticed that the den was slightly visible. "It is nearly in seeing distance for I," He said. "There for you or Bandit and Star should be able to call and easily be heard." He nodded at her last statement, and replied. "If you think you can take care of it up here, I would like to go see my pups, and I have to get some rest so I can get to the Wolf Center tomorrow, and make sure Night and Peregrine are okay." His eyes show a slight amount of worry, but he pushed that aside for the time being. "When I get down there I will howl up, and if you can here me try to call back, just so we can be sure right away." He did not smile, but he had question in his voice so as not to be to over-rulling on his friend. After that, he began to padd down the rocky slope.

Tri-Tundra looked at the cubs. "I don't know how many moose there will be, if any, but I am sure we will catch something if you can run faster!" With that she continued to look back, but then turned forward and picked up her pace for the last couple of yards, racing them to a place they had no idea about. This was odd, but she smiled at Jais once before taking off a few feet ahead, still in seeing distance, but not as close as before until they picked up their pace.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

Tolacca couldn't help but giggle as she was the center of the puppies' attention. She kicked out gently at Aris, then extended a paw to bat at Roselin.

Sivinith glanced in the direction of Dark Star's den as he spoke. Her feline eyes could make out nothing but a blur of colors and a faint dark patch that she was sure must be the den. Detail was badly lacking in the vision of her species, but if ever anyone moved around the den, she could see it very easily. What she lacked in detail vision, she made up for in motion detection. "I will be listening for you then." Sivinith responded while turning her fierce, light eyes upon her friend again.

Auna dashed forward quickly, sprinting once inhead of Tri-Tundra and stopped right in front of her, looking up appeasingly. "I'm fast, see?" she exclaimed merrily. She had a bad habbit of running right in front of other and nearly tripping them.

Snowden quickened his pace, staying just behind and to the side of the two wolves. "Yeah, what ever there will be, we'll catch them!"

Tri-Tundra

"You all are pretty fast," She said smiling. "Now lets get to the trails!" She barked, looking to Jais.

Dark Star got down to the den and howled as loudly as he could.

Azeros heard and stood up, howling in a little puppy voice.

Jais

With a smile still stuck to his mug, Jais followed after his much admired Tri-Tundra. But as they neared the Game Trails, he took up a position behind them all, where he could keep an eye on the younger ones and make sure they didn't stray.

Sivinith, Auna, Snowden, Tolacca, & Asplen

Sivinith stood and waited patiently, watching his retreating form. Upon hearing the howl, she paused. Her type couldn't roar like most big cats, but they did have that ability to give the ever-creepy big-cat-cry. Sucking in a quick breath, she gave such a bone-chilling scream that it startled her two kits in Dark Star's den.

Tolacca paused a moment in her play with the pups. Yes, that was her mother calling. Having no feelings of mistrust with the wolves, she continued her play despite feeling that her energy was begining to wane.

Asplen spotted Dark Star returning and quickly shuffled to the other side of a rock an hunched down. Once again his tail was rested around the side of his body, covering up the gruesome wound to his front leg. At hearing Azeros howl, Asplen perked his head up over the rock and watched the youngster curiously. As much as he didn't want to mingle with these wolves, he found the voice very interesting.

Kana, Aris, Viggo, Roselin

Kana heard her mate's howl and stood, walking to the entrance. She hadn't heard anything that they had been saying so she need to know what was going on. Looking over at her mate questioningly she spoke, "what is it?"

Aris stopped playing and padded after her mother.

Roselin fallowed, nipping at her mom's tail playfully.

Viggo stayed close to his mom, looking around warely.