*Scent*

The scent of sheep's blood is coming from a scattered pile of leaves near a large log. Another strange scent is mingled with it...

Kivo

The pup began to explore around the area, making sure to stay within the territory. He was growing bigger now, but was still a pup. After a while the scent of sheep's blood came to him and made his stomach rumble. "Gee, I'm awfully hungry." he said aloud and began to follow the scent. Fining the pile of leaves, he began to nose around in it with his blunt muzzle, trying to find the sheep he knew must be there.

Lily

Lily fallowed him, "What are you doing?" She asked. She lifted her nose and smelled the air, she could smell the sheeps blood, but there was something else. "Kivo, you smell that?" She asked, still scenting the air...

*Trap*

Hidden under the leaves was a leg-hold trap. And now, it sprung to life and snapped shut around Kivo's blunt muzzle. Lucky for him, this was one of the kinds that had rubber edges.

Lily

She jumped back when the trap went off, "KIVO!" She barked worriedly running over...

Vivek

Vivek had come just in time to see what had happened. "Oh no, Kivo!" he barked and rushed over. "Can you get it off?!!?" he asked in panic, then looked frantically at his sister, "What should we do?!?"

Lily

She shook her head franticly, "I...I don't know!! Maybe we should get NightCrawler!"

Nighrcrawler

The wolf came in shortly after Kivo had been caught. It didn't take him long to realize that the pups had taken off, and it was simple to follow their trail, esepcially since they hadn't left the territory. "Kivo!" Nightcrawler barked out with alarm and hurried towards the pup, "What in the world is this?" he questioned, but mainly to himself. "Can you get your muzzle out?" he asked and then began to knaw on the chain of the trap, but to no avail.

Tahirah, Warrior, Neva, & Kivo

Kivo yelped and tugged back as hard as he could, but his muzzle was stuck fast. Whimpering, he pawed at the trap, but couldn't get it off.

Tahirah raced over and began to chew at the trap. Warrior and Neva tried to dig around the base of it where it went into the ground.

Mark

The rumble of a vehicle sounded in the distance, then went silent. A few minutes later, a man could be seen walking down a deer trail, heading for the group. He had a riffle in one hand and a rope in the other. As he came near, Mark spotted just what he had caught in the trap, and who was around it. He wasn't about to kill the pup, but then again, he didn't want to approach the trap with an adult wolf standing guard by it. Lifting his gun, he fired a warning shot into the ground near the canines, hoping to scare them off so he could safely get closer.

Vivek

Vivek gave a startled yelp when the blast went off. He had never seen a human, let alone a gun. Terrifide, he turned and fled into a nearby tangle of vines and undergrowth. There, he cowered down and watched the human. "Lily! Hide over here!" he whispered urgently. He wasn't going to run off and leave Kivo to what ever fate the human might have for him, but the pup figured he would be no match against the strange two-legger and his booming stick.

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler's ears came back at the offensive and deafening boom. He was quite startled and rightfully terrifide of the gun as well, though he too had never encountered one. "Hide!" he barked sharply to the pups. But he wouldn't leave Kivo either. Dipping his head and pinning his ears back, Nightcrawler bared his teeth; a posture showing he didn't want to fight, but was perfectly capable of it, and would if he must. To make this statement more clear, although he didn't know if Mark understood it as such, the wolf flicked his tounge out over his teeth once. He didn't yet growl.

Lily

She almost ran after her brother but stopped, she wouldn't leave Kivo. "NO!" She said, crouching down next to her friend. She bristled her fur and showed her small teeth at the human, wishing he would leave..

Tahirah, Warrior, Neva, & Kivo

Tahirah and Neva, always obedient, scampered away and hid with Vivek.

Warrior, like Lily, wouldn't budge. The fur along his spine rose and his teeth were revealed. Unlike Nightcrawler, he his floppy ears were pressed forward stating his had no hesitation about fighting. He was only about 3/4 the size of an adult pit bull, but he could still do some damage in a fight.

Kivo tugged against the trap, whimpering fearfully. Although the trap didn't cut until his skin, his muzzle was a sensative thing and it hurt to be clamped so tightly between the metal.

Mark

Mark was undecided for a moment. He aimed his gun at Nightcrawler now, since he was the most direct threat, Mark began to walk boldly towards the trap. He waited to see whether they would back off yet or not.

Lily

Lily didn't move, she wouldn't leave. The pup snarled bravely at the human, wishing he would leave...

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler gave a deep rumble, fixing his eyes on Mark. He never saw a gun before, and didn't know what it did. But, he remembered a wolf pup had told him about sticks that shot fire; or something like that. Maybe this is what she warned me about...? he thought uneasily. The wolf stepped infront of Lily and the other pups. "Stupid human!" he gave a snarl at Mark, but refused to back off an inch.

Tahirah, Neva, Warrior, & Kivo

He snarled deeply as his eyes narrowed. He wouldn't let this human near his brother or the others.

Tahirah looked back at Vivek and Neva, "Maybe we should go out and help him? The human looks a bit hesitant, maybe we can intimidate him."

Neva hesitated, "I dunno... Nightcrawler told us to hide..."

Twister

Twister's placid mood changed drastically when he sauntered in over their trail and saw what was going on. He knew what a gun was, and just what it could do. "Watch out!" he barked sharply and sprang forward. He made a charge at Mark and leapt up, trying to tackle the man.

Aliyyah and Lily

The alpha femme ran in, her happy mood changing instantly the moment she saw what was going on. She didn't know what a gun was but the way Twister spoke she figured it was dangerous. "Lily, Worrior, hide!" She barked. She then leapt forward, trying to help Twister tackle the human..

Lily was about to listen to her mother but stopped, "know mom! I'm not hiding!" she barked back...

Mark

Mark had no choice but to pull the trigger now as Twister first leapt at him. The bullet would tear into and lodge itself somewhere in his chest, since he had lunged straight forward. The shock of the blast would also knock him down. He hardly had time to defend himself from Aliyyah, much less aim at her right. But he did his best to swing his gun at her and pull the trigger. She would either be hit by a bullet or be struck by the gun and knocked down. Knowing he would be in serious trouble if any more wolves showed up, Mark began to back up as fast as he could while keeping his eyes on the wolves, ready to shoot again. He knew better than to turn around and run, but he had to make it back to his truck.

Nightcrawler

He was taken aback by the explosive sound of the gun and it threw Twister back. Before, he wasn't sure if this human was a good one or not, like the lady at the Woodland Farm. But now it was painfully clear that he wasn't a good human. Nightcrawler pressed his ears forward in an aggressive way as he moved swiftly forward on three good legs. Being very wary of the gun now, he tried his best to zig-zag as he moved closer to Mark. If he got close enough, he would try to seize the gun from him.

Aliyyah and Lily

Aliyyah had been shot in the side, thankfully though it didn't hit any major organs or veins. The bullet had went clean through the wolfess, sending her to the ground. She layed their and whimpered, blood circleing around her..

Lily saw her mother and Twister get shot, "MAMA!" She barked, running to her mother she layed down beside her and glared at the human. She still bristled her fur and snarled at him, she wouldn't let him near her mother...

Winters Night

She darted in in time to see the seen. "Kivo!" She barked. Shed try to help him after makeing sure the human wouldent come back. She knew if she tried to free him at the moment she might get shot so she darted threw the shadows. "Tahira, Warrior, Neva obey and stay hidden." She said and tryed to get behind Mark and bite his leg. He wasnt escapeing so easily without any injuries or death. She hoped Aliyah and Twister were ok.

Tornado & Vivek

Vivek was stunned by fear. The noise from the gun was so loud, and it somehow hurt his mother and uncle. Why was all this happening? he fretted and stood as if he were going to dash out to his mom. But he had been warned to stay hidden, so he didn't disobey.

Tornado came running in hard, with his ears forward and his eyes narrowed. He had heard the blasts of the gun and now could smell blood. Seeing his mate on the ground, he was at first overcome by fear and he stopped beside her, "Aliyyah!" he spoke out in an earnest, shaky voice. Then his eyes turned upon Mark with a icy cold glare, filled with animosity. "Keep still." he whispered to his mate before charging towards Mark. He tried to zigzag as he made his way to the human, then lunge up and take him by the arm.

Mark

He had originally had the idea to free Kivo, whom he figured might be someones pet. Even after it was clear that the young pit bull was a member to this wolf pack, he felt obliged to help. But now it was clear that helping the pup wasn't going to be a real option; he had to worry about his own safety now.

Mark saw Winters Night slip into the shadows, but he still had two wolves coming at him from the front. He shot out at Nightcrawler at first, since he was closest and the bullet hit his shoulder. He swung his gun towards Tornado next and shot out, but that's when Winters Night struck. Since he was backing up at the time, he nearly tripped over her, but managed to keep his balance. After firing a wide-shot at Tornado, he swung his gun down hard to strike

Winters Night

She snarled and side stepped but the gun still hit her shoulder which made her yelp. She snarls and leaps at his leg. Her jaws close tight.

Shimmer

Shimmer had a strange feeling something was wrong and mark was in trouble so she darts in following his trucks tire tracks. She stops for a moment out of breath. She perks up her ears still catching her breath for it had been a long long run. She heared the fighting and once she caught her breath alittloe more she darted up to see the see. She had benn rught. Her ears lye back and she rams Winters Night befor she gets Marks leg. She then stands by his side her fur ruffled. She saw Kivo and she knew Mark probably tried to help until this pack got in the way. "He was only trying to help the pup but now youve made foolish mistakes by attacking." She snarled. She stood by Mark and let a yip to let him know she was there. She snarled at the pack threatingly and warningly. Shed make sure Mark returned home alive and with as less injuries as possible.

Winters Night

She had been a bit larger then the pet. She snarled at the wolf hybrid. "How dare you! He hurt Alliyyah and Twister and shall pay dearly." She snarls about to lunge for the pet.

Becca

*she had followed shimmer and came in snarling she ran in front of mark to protect him. her metal slpint glinted in the sun. she knew how to use that metal as a weapon to.*

Nightcrawler

He gave a snarl as the bullet hit his shoulder, but it was nothing to be concerned with for the moment. The bullet had only slowed his pace a moment before he charged on again. Unable to reach Mark with Becca in the way, the wolf snarls defiantly at her and lunges to slash at her muzzle. "I doubt he would help! We are only protecting out young!"

Mark

He was both surprised and glad to see the arrival of Shimmer and Becca, yet a bit concerned for their well being. Unable to shoot at the wolves near him because he may hit his pets, he resorts to swinging the gun. With Winters Night the closest, he swings his gun down at her head, trying to prevent her from reaching Shimmer.

Aliyyah and Lily

Aliyyah looked up at her daughter with worried eyes, "Lily, listen to me, go hide with your brother and the others, now" she said with a whisper.

Lily was about to protess but didn't, "ok mama" she said with a nuzzle. She then turned and ran over to her Vivek and the others and hid.

From where she was laying, Aliyyah could see the fight before her. She could not stay their and let them fight without her, even if she was weak. With all her strength she stood up and headed towards the slowly; once she was near them so they could here she spoke, "LEAVE! We did not cause this fight, your human did! We where just trying to protect out young ones!" She took a deep breath and lost her balance but kept herself up...

Shimmer

She snarled. "Back off and mabey we will leave." She threatened. She turned and lunged for Nightcrawler

Becca

*being attacked at her maw by night crawler she brought up her paw in the metal slint so he would hit had metal and not her face. then she fought back lunging herself at nightcrawler tucking her head to protect her neck* "may be if you stopped attacking we wouldn't be attacking you back." *she snarled under her breath.*

Aliyyah and Lily

Her side was coverd with blood and she was growing weaker by the minute. She heard what Becca said and spoke slowly, "if we back off, will you give me your word that you will as well?" She questioned. She shot a pleading glance to Tornado, hoping that he understood that she wanted the fighting to stop. She stumbled again and almost fell but she didn't, she took in a shallow breath and winced...

Shimmer

Shimmer nodded and released backing up by Marks side. "Becca and I will if you do." She snarls. She wasnt sure if Mark would try and shoot them or not so she couldent say anything about him but she knew hed probably stop if the enemy did.

Winters Night

She hesitates but backs up knowing Aliyyah wanted the fighting to stop. Besides Aliyyah and Twister edded help. She runs by Aliyyah an Twister to protect them.

Aliyyah and Lily

Aliyyah nodded and looked at Tornado and Nightcrawler, hoping they would stop to...

Becca

*she nodded to the pup in the trap and padded over to her. she studied the trap. she put one paw on a one and pulled with her teeth to release the trap.*

Aliyyah and Lily

Aliyyah was about to step infront of Becca when she saw her go near Kivo, but when she saw that she was only helping him she nodded slowly..

Becca

*they were lucky this trap had been padded with rubber and wasn't eant to kill the animal while holding it. getting it open she keeps it open for kivo to get his paw out.*

Shimmer

She quickly ran over as well knowing Becca couldent get it open without someone pulling on the other side. She clenches the oppisite side of the trap in her maw and pulls back hopeing Kivo could get his maw out.

Winters Night

She was very tense with the pets so close to Kivo but she didnt stop them. For it seemed they had an idea of how the trap opened. She keeps her orbs on Mark and the pets. She sent a light snarl but just as a warning that if they hurt Kivo theyd be sorry.

Mark

Mark raised his riffle, undecided on whether to shoot Tornado, Nightcrawler, or Winters Night. He was about to shoot one when the fighting suddenly ceased. He watched with alarm as well as interest as the two approached the trapped pup without harassment from the pack. Still, his gun was trained on the closest wolves incase they should attack.

The trap was a a fairly new one but it was easy enough to open, if one knew how to open it. Although it was very difficult for the two canines to do, they managed to open the trap enough so Kivo could pull his muzzle out.

Tornado

He swiftly turned away from Mark with a snarl, giving up his initial attack. He returned to his mate and paced anxiously infront of her, very worried for her well-being. He wasn't going to let Mark get near her, and he didn't really want Mark or his pets to get near Kivo. But he respected his mate's wishes, and trusted her and Winters Night.

Kivo & Warrior

Kivo jumped back, pulling his muzzle out of the trap once they had opened it. Instantly, he streaked over to Winters Night and cowered to the ground, fearful. Warrior growled lightly with his fur bristled up. He was very tempted to attacke Shimmer and Becca, but he didn't.

Aliyyah

Aliyyah wabled and lost her balance, this time she was not able to keep herself up. She fell to the ground and whimpered a bit, her side covered in blood. She tried to stand but fell back down, to weak to hold her body up...

Twister

Twister had been thrown to the ground by the blast, and laid there, stunned. After a few moments, he lifted his head and struggled up. Breathing came as a labor since he had been shot in the chest, but Twister did his best to growl at the two pets and the human. Even if they had helped Kivo out of the trap, it was their master's trap that had caught him in the first place and then shot the pack.

Nightcrawler

He retreated a short distance from Mark and returned to Warrior's side. He snarled lightly, unphased by the sting in his shoulder. He just wanted these pets and this human to go away. He was worried about Aliyyah, Twister, and Kivo, but Nightcrawler was focused on getting the intruders out first.

Mark

Mark was very surprised indeed that the pack had just suddenly ceased from attacking, and even more that his pets knew how to open the trap. While he was grateful that the pack wasn't attacking, he was a bit unsure on what to do next. While he wasn't about to take any of these wolves to a vet, he felt it was a bit wrong to leave them wounded like that when they were just defending their young. Still, he had had no choice but to shoot them.

Mark called for Shimmer and Becca to return to his side while he held his riffle up and ready. He began to take a few steps back, heading for his truck that was parked a ways away.

Aliyyah

Aliyyah watched him walk away, wishing he'd hurry. She wanted him to leave. Her breathing was labored and she was growing so weak that she could hardly keep her eyes open..

Becca

*she walked over but looked at the helpless pups that were going to be shot. she limped on her broken lpaw in front of the gun and didn't move.*

Tornado

The alpha glared vemonously at Mark and the pets. He was glad that the pets had helped, but he wanted them out, and now. He expressed this with his ears pressed forward and his fangs bared, "You've been here long enough!" he snapped out before turning back to his mate. He gave a small whine and nuzzled his mate anxiously, then licked the wound from the bullet. His eyes flickered from her to the human often though, making sure they didn't try anything harmful.

Aliyyah

She looked at Mark worriedly, hoping he didn't shoot her or Twister...

Mark

He gave a sharp whistle for Shimmer to come to him as he was slowly backing up. His gun was still held up, but with no wolves trying to attack him, he didn't have the need to shoot. He still felt a bit bad for just leaving the two wolves so injured as they were. But if he were to try and kill them to end their suffering, he knew the pack would be at him again. Mark finally made it to his truck.

Nightcrawler

Seeing the human leave, Nightcrawler dropped his guard and aggressive looks. Once as before, he was the meek and shy wolf. Pinning his ears back, Nightcrawler limped towards Aliyyah and Twister. "I know it probably doesn't sound like a wise thing, but there is this one human..." he paused a moment with hesitation before continuing, "She helps wolves that are injured. I met her and her pets before without any harm." He felt terribly bad for not watching Kivo close enough, and he was determined to do all he could to make up for that.

Twister

His attention faded from the human and his pets. Feeling weak, he slumped to the ground and ceased his snarls. But Nightcrawler's words sparked a memory in him, "I know that place." he said, in a voice that was labored and hard to understand. "My master... he took me there before."

Tahirah, Kivo, Warrior, & Neva

Kivo rubbed his paw over his muzzle again, finding it sore from all his struggles to get out of the trap. But otherwise, he was perfectly fine.

Warrior growled at Mark as he retreated, the turned his attention to Shimmer and Becca. He growled louder now, warning them away. He was very tempted to attack them, even though they did help get Kivo free. He saw them initially attack some of his pack members, so they would forever be viewed as an enemy in his mind.

Tahirah and Neva slowly and cautiously crept out from hiding when Mark reached his truck. Practical Tahirah padded over to her brother and mother. She nuzzled Winters Night, happy that she at least was ok. She gave a slight smile to Kivo as well, seeing he too excaped the odd human trap unharmed.

Neva, the most sweet-tempered and caring of her siblings, hurried over to Aliyyah. She whimpered when she saw the blood. "We need to do something... is it really safe to go to that place?" she questioned Nightcrawler, then looked to Twister. He didn't look so good either.

Shimmer

She snarls slightly and darts after Mark jumping in the back of the truck.

Aliyyah and Lily

Once the human was gone Lily came out, she ran over to her mother and whimpered, "mama" she whispered..

Aliyyah listend to the others, she wasn't sure about the 'healing human' they spoke of but she trusted her pack. She lifted her head slowly, it was all she could do to keep it up. She gently nuzzled Neva and Lily, "I'm fine, don't worry" she whispered..

Winters Night

She nuzzles Kivo relived but just because the pets had helped him that wouldent be a good enough deed to vanquish what their master did. She sighed and looked to Twister and Aliyyah hopeing theyd be ok. She looked to Nightcrawler sensing he felt a bit guilty. "Dont feel that its your fault. I was the one who left you with my pups and well... you know Kivo. He has a tendency to wander off." She says. She then nods in agreement. "Yes we should go there. Ive heared about that lady that helps wildlife." She says in aggreement with Nightcrawler.

Tornado & Vivek

The last thing Tornado wanted to do was go see some human and put the lives of his mate and brother in their hands. But... he wasn't going to just stand by and watch helplessly if they died. Besides, if three of his pack members had heard of this helpful human, it may be worth taking the chance. "Alright, lets take Aliyyah and Twister there." he very carefully nudged his muzzle under his mate's side and then eased her onto his back so he could carry her. Slowly but steadily, he carried her to the Barn at the Woodland Farm.

Vivek had come out from hiding as well and stood anxiously behind his sister. He didn't like it at all to see his mother and uncle hurt, and he worried terribly for them. He followed after his parents.

Aliyyah and Lily

Aliyyah cringed a bit when he picked her up, she closed her eyes when he carried her, to tired to keep them open.

Lily fallowed close behind them, she was worried about her mother and uncle and prayed that they would be ok...

Winters Night

She nods and gently slides Twister onto her back. "COme." She tells her pups. She knew Nightcrawler would come as well. She carrys Twister to the Woodland Farm.

Tahirah, Warrior, Neva, & Kivo

The four trots obediently after their mom. They traveled single file this time and didn't start bickering or playing like they normally would have done.

Nightcrawler

He was still sullen, but at least glad that Winters Night and the others weren't really mad at him. The wolf trailed after the pups, this time making sure none of the wondered off or that nothing harmed them.

Mark

He watched the pack leave as he turned on the motor and the truck roared to life. He didn't see Becca, which worried him. But he assumed that she must have run home already. With Shimmer in the back, Mark drove the truck back to the Ranch.

Shimmer

She watches the scenery as the truck carrys her off to the ranch.