Zhener

It wasn't long before Zhener returned, lugging a large piece of cow meat with him. The weight was so great that his wings flapped labouriously and his body was not too far from the ground. But it wasn't only this chunk of food that burdened him; he had eatten his fill on the cow's carcass which also did a good deal to weigh his body down.

Making more or less a crash-landing by the den, Zhener struggled awkwardly to hop towards the den while dragging the meat with him, using his beak and one foot. Finally reaching the den after much tripping and muttering, Zhener perked up and spoke out to the darkness of the chamber. He could not see within it and didn't know the pain and frustration that Karai was going through, "I 'ave food! Good meat, from cow. 'nuff for two mozhers! Karai, Moonshadow! Maybe some for pups?" he didn't quite know how pups developed, and again based this own how eagle babies were raised.

Karai

Knowing her place, and really unable to stand as it was, Karai waited for Moon Spirit to help herself.

Moon Spirit

She smiled softly and tore off a large hunk taking half and leaving the other half for Karai. She turned to her mate and put it in front of him intending to share

Karai

The silver female now had a debate in her head. She could rise and attempt to go to the meat, revealing how weak she was, or she could sit and let its aroma drive her mad. Her strength was all of so many ashes, and she knew she could not make it across to the meat on steady paws. Still, the scent of it decided for her. She was HUNGRY. She rose painfully and quavered a few seconds before attempting to take a step. Left paw down... and then down went the rest, her left paw screaming in pain. She waited for her vision to return, and rose again, determined to get to the meat. Again she fell. She did this several times before lying still.

Zhener

His eyes shown with a smile as he watched Moon Spirit take some meat. He relished helping others and any attention it brought him. "Karai! Zhere iz food!" he called out once more, seeing how she didn't come up for the meat. "Karai?" Zhener waddled closer to the mouth of the den and poked his head inside. He could see nothing in the extreme darkness. "Karai....?" he whispered so quietly he made hardly a sound. The closed in space and lack of light made him very uncomfortable and his feathers quickly flattedned against his body in fear. He knew there was nothing in the den that would hurt him, but instinct was very strong.

The eagle was determined to see his friend eat though, for he felt bad about being gone during the time that her pups were in danger. Zhener grabbed the meat and yanked it into the den. Very slowly, he inched his way down the tunnel, shoving the meat infront of him as he went. Completely blind in the tunnel, Zhener knew not where Karai was at, so he just continued down the tunnel with the meat until he met Karai. As he went along, he whispered a chanting song in a foreign tongue, trying to keep his mind off the fear.

Karai

She watched her friend drag the meat into her, though he was obviously terrified. When he bumped into her she couldn't help but be amused, maw opening in a wolven laugh. She smiled at the bird and made another mental note to do something kind in the future. She thanked him kindly, with great feeling for saving her dignity, and dug into the meat, knowing that this was what he wanted to see. she wanted him to know that she held him no grudge. And also, she knew that the sooner she ate, the sooner he would feel free to go back out into the air and light where he was comfortable.

Ghost Walker

Large tawny cougar made his way silently towards Karai. Seeing how tired she was he stalked closer and said in his dangerous voice "Go lay down at least. I dont care if your awake just lay down or go to the Lady and get some medical attention. I can watch your pups, or I can have a female come and watch her if you want." not bothering to wait for her answer he said "Miglisi!" a large female lynx appeared beside him and smiled at Karai. "Hi whats your name?" she was hyper....she saw a leaf and stalked it before Ghost Walker shouted "Miglisi!" she slunk back to him and she said softly "hi Im Miglisi. It means Eagle. I can watch your pups while you get rest if you want." she was calm now....

Ghost Walker shook his head and turned back to Karai "Is Moon Spirit in? I need to talk to her real fast. Aaka did something cruel even by her standards." he shook his head disgustedly. Aaka had a way about her that got on his nerves

Karai

Though the cougar's prescence still startled her, she had learned to accept him. Like Zhener, he had become another kind of "wolf" to her, especially as he had been prepared to defend her pups. This Miglisi must be yet another kind of "wolf".

She smiled at Miglisi. "I am Karai. It means the one of color." She smiled again sardonically, eyeing her bloodstained silver coat. She turned to face both cougar and lynx. "If you will agree to watch my pups, you have my word that I will rest. I'm not really enjoying standing as it is."

To emphasize the point, she moved away from the pups and lay down near the mouth of the cave, where Zhener could speak with her if he wanted. She left her pups to the lynx's guard, believing her promise to defend them. She turned about to clean the blood from her coat, and though it was painful at least her vision did not go black. She settled down to wait out her weakness.

Zhener

Zhener had been hunched down, wide-eyed in the tunnel listening to Karai eat. He was very relieved to hear his friend at close distance, and that she was eating. When the big cats came though... his fear got the best of him. The eagle wheeled around, flapping his wings and rushing for the exit of the den at first in defense, but a six-foot wing span could not possible open up in the narrow confines of a tunnel. Zhener had gotten a few feet up the tunnel, losing bits of feathers here and there, before he realized these two felines were friends. His deadly beak, all poised for crude insults and threats as well as attacking, hung open now in embarrassment.

Settling his tattered, dirt-speckled wings over his body, he wadled humbly from the tunnel, watching the faces of the two cat's to see if they had seen his little moment of terror. Now he hunched down near Karai, rousing his feathers to show he was content again and craning his neck this way and that to straighten the messed up ones.

Now his sharp eyes saw Karai's wounds close up and he made a fuss of it, "Vhat horrible vounds! You steel 'ungry? I geet more food?"

Karai

She tossed a little smile his way. "No my friend, my thanks, but I am well content. The wounds really aren't that bad, but I suppose they'll be sore for a while. Everybody's making such a fuss over me... like I shouldn't have been fighting. Well I know I shouldn't have.. but I just HAD to." She shook her head. "I HAD to."

Azul

Azul moved forward after dragging the dead body from the cave he moved nuzzling his love gently beaming over the pups. Lifting his cranium again flinch raced through his strong chassis. Blood coated his nape and shoulder. Wounds where deep thuogh nothing life threatening although painful. Duo hued voids landed upon the courage that wished to see his love. Moving to him the alpha spook gently.

|BOth females are tired. I shall be of some service if I can. What has her sister done now?|

Ghost Walker

Ghost Walker turned and said just as softly

Theres a fight over a pup....

but apparently Moon Spirit had left silently past him while he had been talking to Karai. She came back exausted carrying a small pup with her. Walking past Ghost Walker she set the pup down.

Azul this is Enola....Shes Storms pup and well Aaka and Legosa want her. All Im doing is remaing neutral in the fight and watching and hiding the pup for now. If anyone comes...Azul are you ok?

She had just gotten a look at his wounds. Nudging Enola deeper into the den she turned to her mate and began to lick his wounds. Muttering all the while

You stupid fool....Your lucky love and so am I. I get my own little fool

she said it lovingly showing him she meant nothing by it. Licking the wounds gently so as not to cause much pain

Karai

Karai perked her ears at what she heard. Aaka? Making trouble? This was unknown to her. She hadn't known the Silver Glade's alpha very long, but had never believed her to be a problem. But the way Moon Spirit was talking frightened her. She got up and came forward to stand between the pup and the entrance, settling herself so that the pup was carefully defended between her legs. A look to the cougar sent the message that she had NO intention of disobeying his orders to rest, but she also had no intentions of letting the pup come to harm. She nuzzled the pup to comfort it. "Hello young one. I am Karai. It sounds like you've had some travels." She smiled, trying to put the small one at ease.

Azul

The hunter smiled as the pups was place carefully in the den both mothers could take care of the pup whom seemed shy as he skittered back away from them. Then he felt the gentle cleaning of his love gritting his dentals cause the pain was evident though it mattered little to him he had been taught to deal with pain in his long travels. Duo hued gems dance to his love as she spook to him and all he could do was smile.

|Yes, dear. I am lucky|

Moon Spirit

She smiled warmly at him and said softly

I love you....Now go on I'll watch the pups

She turned to Karai and said just as softly

How are your pups doing?

Enola looked up at Karai and normally would have growled but she was to tired. Looking from Moon Spirit to Karai she said brightly

You look just like Aaka.

She didnt really know Moon Spirit but she knew Aaka really well....She missed her mother but wanted to go to Aaka....Aaka had said that if she went with her she would would become powerful and great

Karai

She let her ears go back in submission before answering. "They are well, Moon Spirit. It is kind of you to be concerned." She was still a little uncertain, because old memories take a long time to fade. Her eyes flashed to her pups, guarded by Miglisi. They were content she could tell. her instincts told her to be careful, but she was beginning to trust Moon Spirit. "And how are yours? Beautiful, I can see them from here."

Moon Spirit

She smiled softly and said "Thank you yours are beautiful to." She glanced down at Enola and said "Your brother and sister are doing well I asume?" the pup nodded "My brother got bit by a snake.....My sister got stuck in the pit. Im the only one who hasnt done anything stupid." she smirked. She was good at getting in trouble but was excellent of hiding it.

Karai

The fae looked down at the pup, seeing mischeif glint in her eye. She couldn't help but smile a little, for she recognized a little of her younger self in the pup. Her mind led her back to the past, to so many times she had gotten her siblings in trouble for things she had done. How carefree then... She smiled, lost in her memories.

Azul

the hunter rose as hislove finished what she was doing the blood had long stopped flowing as he moved tothe mouth of the cave stoping to nuzzled each of his childern gently beaming over them prouldy.

|I shall see to the pack, love. I will bring some food later. Get some rest both of you.|

Moon Spirit

She smiled as her mate walked over to each pup. She felt sorry for Karai and not having a mate....maybe she would introduce her to Hunted later....She smiled down at Enola and said softly "theres a big fight over you did you know that?" the little pup beamed "Yeah....I find it kinda funny. Why would someone want a pup like me?" Moon didnt answer...there were millions of answers but she wouldt tell the youngster. Crawling next to her pups she kept them warm and said softly "Be back soon Azul"

Karai

Her own pups were being watched, so she lay down again near the entrance of the cave near Zhener, leaving room for the pup if she wanted to join her but openly suggesting nothing. Still a little worn from all the action, she fell promptly asleep.