Yang

Now this could be a problem. Yang moved towards the Oak Prarie, not even paying attention to warning signs of deer or any other life form for that matter. He wasn't out to claim it, but hunger, sheer exaustion, and fear kept him going. His sister was out gaining allies, and with those allies came enemies. He was one of them. His brother wasn't so bad, not realyl taking up allies but staying pretty much to himself. Ying however, wanted friends. Any friends. Kind hearted and good natured, he didn't fit in with his much darker family. He wanted people to understand him, to want to be with him. As he came into the lands, the white wolf lay down underneath a large tree, his body unable to go any farther. Little did he know, he had picked one of the worst places to be.

Guadalupe

With two hinds in his harem this year, and it being the first year he actually got a harem, the young white-tail buck could not be happier. He had won over the gorgeous Orchid and young Sage, and vowed to protect them.

With his jet-black fur in contrast to the wintery land, Guadalupe had learned to be very cautious. Like Huyen, he had an defect that made all of his fur, except the rings of white around his eyes black. At the same time, he felt proud to be different than most of the others. And so he held his antlered head up as he picked his way along the terrain in search for food. The scent of wolf hit him like a bullet, and the buck whipped his head upward as his eyes blazed in the direction of the scent. For a long few minutes he stood there, tense and ready to flee or attack.

At last, he caught sight of Yang in the distance. Snorting, he lowered his head and pawed at the ground. It was mostly just a show of power as he tried to convince himself that he was strong enough to chase off a wolf. But he had his two hinds to look after, as well as his new sons or daughters that would be born in a few months. With another loud deer snort, Gaud tried to catch the attention of the wolf. If Yang didn't react quick enough, the curious buck would just have to come in for a closer look.

Yang

He lay still for a moment, to exausted to even get up when suddenly he heard the snort and the pawing. With a groan, the male shifted so that he was laying upright to stare at the deer. For a moment sea green eyes stared hard at the buck and with a sigh he lay back down. In a voice loud enough to carry to the deer he said I may be hungry, but I'm not in the mood to chase you. Hell, I don't think I could even stand. Weak, pitiful. His sisters words vibrated through his mind but he ignored them. So he wasn't like his brother Ying. So he wasn't like her, but he was himself. Still laying on the ground he said Names Yang.

Guadalupe

The buck stood warily for a moment, eyes narrowed as he tried to see if this wolf were lieing or telling the truth about being weak. When the wolf gave his name, Gaud didn't know how to respond. Why would a predator give his name to his prey?

Dark eyes narrowed as he took a risk and moved in closer to Yang, "Well then, Yang, I will wait here and be sure that you never stand again." He replied, lowering his antlers even more as he got closer to the wolf, ready to impale him if he made the wrong move. Being on the younger side, and more optimisitc than many of the older stags, Gaudalupe was soon compelled to speak again, "What happened to you, anyway?" His voice was absurdly gruff and harsh, not like it usually was.

Yang

I've been traveling for sometime, trying to be free of my brother and sister. He sat up now, into a sitting position but he made no move towards the buck. A smile lit up his face, and it reached his warm green eyes So, whats your name? He seemed like a puppy, even though in truth he was three years old and fully grown. His tail wagged merrily and he looked around himself. This place is very beautiful, are there any others like you here? I've never spoken to a deer before. I've always wanted to, but every time I try my sister would chew me up one side then down the other. And why would you wanna make sure I could never stand again? Then doesn't seem very fair, or nice for that matter. You don't see me telling you you won't ever stand again. He scowled then a grin broke it. But, its okay. So what do deer do all day? Do you guys play? Do you like tag? I like tag, its my favorite game. Yings better at it then me though, he has long legs and can run faster then all of us but thats okay cause I can always find him. Hes not very good at hiding, are you good at hiding? Does a deer even hide? Am I talking to much? His list of questions seemed never ending as he spoke to the deer, a smile on his face and laughter in his eyes.

Guadalupe

Where Nhosh or some of the others might have just skewered the wolf while he talked, Guadalupe was drawn into listening to the speech. Slowly, his guard was being broken down. While he wasn't about to smile quite yet, he lightened up enough so that he was no longer pointing his tines right at the wolf, "Erm, my name...? It's Guadalupe." He said after a moment, figuring it hurt nothing to tell a predator that much. And as Yang asked about his species, Guadalupe lightened up even more. "There's uh... 100 or so, I guess. A lot of us. Sure, we like tag and all that. Mostly a fawn's game. Hide? I can't hide too well with my black coat... but you should see the fawns! They hide better than anything." He tilted his head to the side a bit, going back to one of Yang's previous questions, "If you could stand, then you could attack me. Or worse, attack our hinds and yearlings." Guadalupe pointed out, an edge returning to his voice. It was a good thing none of the other scout stags had spotted him talking to a wolf, or he'd be in for one heck of a punishment. "But I tell you what, we do hunt little animals now and then, mainly rabbits and mice. In a way, I guess we are both predators."

Yang

You hunt?! He exclaimed. Then he did stand his entire body shaking with excitement. You...You hunt rabbits?! Thats...Thats great! Then he realized what the buck had said about him hunting one of the deer. Sitting back down he said But...but I wouldn't. Cause...I don't like eating the species of animals I make friends with. Will you be my friend? He asked. HE didn't want to eat Guadalupe, and still his tail wagged. So, where is everyone? He asked. HE turned his head around and then back, looking for someone else to talk with as well. Maybe we could all play tag. Or...Do you wanna play tag? I'll play with you. He said, his tail wagging furiously. I won't bite you that hard, just hard enough so you know your it cause its kinda hard if I try and body slam you to the ground, that doesn't sound like much fun to me. His weakness and exaustion was forgotten at the thought of a game, of someone who might want to play with him.

Penny

Penny flew from her previous location and landed on a boulder near the wolf and deer. She had been watching the wolf for suspicious behavior. The wolf seemed to be fine, but nobody could actually be sure. She stayed on top of the boulder and spoke to the beast, "Hello, wolf." She tried not to be rude, even though it was an odd sight for her to see a carnivore in deer territory when it wasn't looking for a meal. Though she watched its every move carefully with her sensitive eyes.

Guadalupe & Northcrest

"Yeah, we hunt them now and then. Plants give us a lot of nutrients, but we need extra for our antlers, and the hinds need extra for when they are pregnant." He explained, happy to find something in common with a wolf... well, sort of. The next question threw Gaud for a loop, and he wasn't sure how to respond at first. After a long pause, he spoke carefully, "Nhosh does have an alliance with a few wolves... you promise you won't hunt me? I guess... sure, we could be friends." He didn't sound so 'sure' about it though, but was willing to try something new. "The rest of the herd? Erm, I don't think it's a good idea for you to meet them. At least... at least not yet."

So saying, a yearling axis deer happened across the scene. Northcrest, son of Hark and Ravenhoof. The smaller deer moved in curiously towards Gaudalupe, his eyes wide as he saw the wolf laying there. "W-what's going on...?"

Gaudalupe turned in surprise and fumbled to reply, "I-I... don't tell Nhosh! Or your dad! We're just talking, that's all..." He looked from Northcrest to Penny, then back to Yang. "How about this, just us four can be friends for now, ok? Until I can talk things over with Nhosh?" In reality, he wanted to make sure this wolf wasn't playing him the fool. "Tag? Eh... I don't know..." To him, playing 'tag' with a wolf meant getting hunting by them.

Northcrest, young and inexperienced, was all too happy to play the game, "I'd love to play! I'm Northcrest, by the way." With deer and birds being invited into the herd, Northcrest saw no real problem with a wolf joining.

Penny

Penny cocked her crested head and flew down from the boulder. "If you don't mind, I'd like to play too. The name's Penny." She stretched her wings, then scratched the ground with her talons. She knew that if the wolf wanted to make a meal of her, her wings could carry her to safety. But she was confident that this wolf was different.

Yang

I won't eat you, I promise! HE said, trying to reassure the deer. When Northcrest and Penny showed up, he thought he was going to die of happiness. More friends! We can keep it to just us four, I don't mind. Who wants to be it? He asked. He would have to be careful of the deers antlers, and their hooves this he knew. Panting slightly the males entire back end was wagging, just happy for the company of happier animals then his two siblings. I'm Yang! He said to the two new comers. He stood up now, ready to give chased, or be chased. Either way, he was perfectly content.

Penny

Penny cocked her head. She thought being it would give her practice at defending her friends. "I'll be it!" She blurted out. "That is, if nobody else wants to."

Guadalupe & Northcrest

A sinking feeling hit Gaudalupe's stomach, but he didn't want to ruin anyone's fun. As long as he could keep Nhosh from finding out...

Northcrest reared up and slammed his slender hooves to the ground in delight. "Penny's it! RUN!!!" Barked the young deer, before turning and fleeing from everyone, laughing as he went.

Guadalupe took a few steps back, uncertain of Yang. Then he began to sprint away, willing to play, if only very guardedly.

Yang

Laughter exploded from him and he took off, opposite of the other two. If they split up, it would be harder for Penny to gather them then pick them off and get one. He moved fast in his weaker state, flying through the bushes and over fallen logs laughter in his eyes as he ran. As he entered a clearing, the wolf stopped and stood, panting as he waited to hear the deer or Penny.