Post by Kvatch on Aug 13, 2012 0:58:30 GMT -5
In order of appearance:
| Bone, a male dog (NPC) |
| Chua, a male dog (NPC) |
| Kurux, a juvenile wolfdog (Ute) |
| Ikuna, a male wolf (Ute Alpha) |
| Minya, a female cougar |
| Brutal, a male wolf |
| Itou, a female dog |
| Sally, a female dog (NPC) |
| Rayna, a female dog |
| Kachina, a female cougar |
| Rockfall, a male wolf |
| Wachiwa, a female wolf (Ute) -spoofed- |
| Grim, a male wolf |
Waterfall Pool
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When Grim revealed their prey, he asked the dogs to wait. In truth, they could hardly have set out immediately regardless of his wishes. There were others to be brought together, the war council to be had. Plans to be made. Then the journey itself, and the pack splits up into smaller ones, the dogs confident in their strength and the weaker ones tailing them. The moon is near full; the last full moon of summer, and so the dogs have traveled through the night. They head to the waterfall - mostly. Who can say where all the squads have gone, among the trees and the tangled paths of the swamp?As the roar of the waterfall begins to fill their ears, one group is at the forefront. Bone is first, for the red and white mastiff is never one to lead from behind. A bare half-step behind him is Chua, who has his own motivations for this battle that have kept a sneer across his muzzle for the whole trip. The vanguard of death is coming, the red of blood and the white of bone, and as the edge of the sun's disk touches the horizon, they arrive. Others are visible dimly through the mist and rocks. Looming shapes, their fur red or multicolored or brown. They are coming.
Kurux is resting himself by the opening of the cave. It hasn't been a particularly exciting day. As a matter of fact it has been downright boring. Still that can change in the blink of an eye and it appears that is just the case. His ears perk up as he hears the paws steps nearby and also the new smells that enter his nose. This is strange. They don't smell like anything that he has smelled before. This causes him a small amount of anxiety and equal parts curiosity. He offers something between a bark and a wuff to alert whoever is nearby that something is going on.
Even alphas have to sleep. Ikuna was restless much of the night, the decisions he will soon have to make haunting his dreams. Finally, as the moon set, he managed to fall asleep, and so as the dogs make their final approach, Ikuna dozes against a boulder. The bark of a pup awakens him, and he blinks as he lifts his head, glancing briefly to Kurux and then sniffing the breeze to find... dog. Not just dog; Ikuna knows that particular scent. A growl rises in his throat even as he rises to his feet and stalks stiff-legged forward. His eyes flit over the trees, and he finds dog - dog - and more dogs besides. The anger of his growl gains a tinge of fear, and Ikuna lifts up his head to howl an alarm, the young alpha's voice echoing off the rocks of the waterfall and growing distorted with distance, but unmistakable in tenor. Something is assuredly wrong here, and Ikuna seeks to draw his pack - whatever is left of it - together, along with anyone else who might be favorably inclined to them... and isn't otherwise occupied already...
Minya has arrived.
Not too far behind the dogs, a young cougaress is following. They either haven't seen her yet, or they ignored her. When Minya hears the howl, she tries to get closer to the dogs, trying to remain unseen.
Cougars are skilled in stealth; besides, the dogs have their goal in mind. They have no need to seek further enemies. Bone's muzzle curls up in a smirk at Ikuna's howl, the warrior seeing the fear he strikes. As his gaze continues around the area, the mastiff's smirk turns to a frown. Where is the glorious battle? This is hardly enough to satisfy his approaching pack.
Chua's also got a smirk for, "Hey, stupid!" he calls to Ikuna. His other glances around find something else to interest him. "Hah. Looks like she was good for something after all," he says as his gaze settles on Kurux - the red fur and curled tail is unmistakable, and Chua's voice is intentionally loud enough to carry.
Kurux can certainly sense the tension in the air. He isn't really sure what is going on and has no point of reference for a sitaution like this. Its enough to bring him to his paws though and a frown settles on his face. He will wait a bit to see what all this means but for the present moment he does nothing but stand at the entrance to the cave behind the falls.
Already, Ikuna is outnumbered, and he can see glimpses of other dogs besides. The cougar remains invisible to him, and with these odds, Ikuna's thoughts turn once more to flight instead of fight - but where? The boulders around the waterfall make a sort of funnel, difficult to escape from. He could scramble up the rocks to either side - but Kurux couldn't. Nor could little Nonkene, and he has no intention of leaving the half-wolves to the mercy of dogs. Not after what they did to still-lame Wachiwa, who might also have trouble climbing. Ute's refuge may have become a killing ground... again. Ikuna growls, and he takes a step forward. "Go away."
He had left Ikuna to his patrol, but after moving away in his own direction, Brutal looked back to stand and watch the silhouette of Ute's future fade from sight beneath yesterdays sunset and could not help but feel that tomorrows sunrise would bring something better. The night was passed beneath the bright lunar glow of a summer moon sitting high and full in the sky. The drop in temperature made the later hours of the night pleasant and the illumination of a typically densely shadowed forest provided any predator with the opportunity for a easy hunt. Brutal, feeling in particularly high spirits, decided to do just this. However even after feeding himself, his thoughts turned to feast upon something that the young alpha has spoken on, bringing the massive wolf to spend the later hours of the dawn chasing down a brace of rabbits. So happily distracted is Brutal with his eagerness to prove that he can take advise from another and make use of it, that he doesn't notice the silence of the forest. He doesn't notice that the distant glow of daylight breaking upon the mountain peaks comes without the song of birds or the thudding of the woodpecker. It isn't until the sound of that howl shatters that silence that the massive black wolf halts, throwing his head up alertly while yellow eyes widen. This time, it is not anger he feels, but horror. Before the rabbit corpses can come to a flopping tumble upon the ground, Brutal is racing off toward the falls and the direction of that rallying call, crashing through the forest with no attempt for stealth, stumbling over brambles so great is his terror.
Minya tries to get as close them as she thinks she can without being noticed by the dogs. She watches them for a while and looks around to find other wolves, but she can't see any yet. This doesn't look good.
Bone is not satisfied, and that expression is still clear as he takes a step of his own. "Or what?" he asks the young wolf, and takes another step. The sound of crashing branches catches his attention, and the mastiff's head tilts to the side. Perhaps there is something to this - or else his own dogs need a talking-to about stealth. Either way.
At least some of those other dogs have taken an interest; multicolored Itou emerges from the forest then turns back to it, the hound followed by the smaller hound that is Sally, and the two of them listening to the crashing, trotting toward where it seems likely to emerge.
Chua smirks, his gaze lingering on Kurux. If the pup is there, that means the she-wolf is likely inside the cave. He starts forward, stepping to the side as if to walk around Ikuna entirely. "Beat it, crook-tail. That she-wolf and I've got some unfinished business," he says, and continues on regardless of the sounds from the forest.
Rayna has arrived.
As is her nature and has thus been her fate to this point: Rayna is following. Not with her hackles raised and her bloodlust pounding, but with the equal, measured steps and alert ears of someone whose body has been nervous and tense for a good amount of time. She stops dead when she catches the distant crackle of a panicked flight. The borzoi lifts her elegant head warily - a larger brute, no doubt attracted by the howling. Oh dear. Things could only get messy from here. Her long legs carry her forward and to the side, loping towards the edge of their little brigade - hoping to detect and apprehend anything - be it the through-the-forest-crasher or someone sneaking through. The sighthound, however hard she strains her gaze through the foliage, sees nothing for now.
Ikuna's attention flits from Bone to Chua and back again. Or what, indeed? The sound of crashing in the brush makes his ears flick as well, going back briefly, but... it's not like things can get worse for him, can they? Either it's an ally or - with Itou and Sally added in - he's dead. The young alpha
puts on a brave face, tilting his head toward the sound. "You'll see." A bluff? Oh goodness yes. It's that or admit defeat. Ikuna turns his head to Chua as the dog approaches, taking a diagonal step toward him and growling.
Kurux continues to do nothing. Chua draws his attention though. He looks familiar and the pup knows it. Whats up with that? And why is he saying he has unfinished business with someone? Who can possibly say. The pup settles for a small growl growing in his throat. He doesn't think he likes these visitors.
Bone takes a step to the opposite side as Chua did, beginning to flank Ikuna. His attention's not wholly on it, though; the crashing from the brush still has somewhat of his attention, though he nods slightly as he sees Itou, her young protege, and Rayna taking an interest. They should suffice, for now.
Chua has no such hesitation. The she-dogs will fight, or else their deaths will give him time to react. He doesn't care. Kurux's growl makes him laugh. "Oh, don't worry, pup," he tells the wolfdog. "Next time, you'll watch." The words are directed to Kurux, but really, they're meant for Ikuna - a taunt for the adult wolf, an attempt to draw him off-balance. Perhaps he'll attack, and give Bone a chance; perhaps he'll simply fight more recklessly. Chua doesn't care.
Kachina has arrived.
Bluff?.. Not fully.. The howl did get someone's attention, a certain feline that wasn't all that far off actually. Kachina is there, form resting in a half crouch and ears pinned back as she watches the scene. She managed to stay downwind, well she is a stalker and stalking is something she is very good at! As she watches Ikuna stand his ground and her gaze snap towards the movement of Chua, but her attention is soon on Bone whom seems like the leader of this group of canines that she's never seen before. She takes in a slow breath, and this is the dog she pays attention too now. Her steps are slow and careful, muscles tensing as she is about to spring forward... An then as Ikuna is facing off against Chua she leaps forward, right towards Bone. No growl escapes her, no snarl.. A flash of fangs, and razor sharp claws is seen as she moves to try and get a hit in upon the dog before he can move away.. She's here to help her friend and the pack that saved her and she means to kill if needs be.
So intent on keeping the danger from the fringes of the forest, Rayna did not think to expect an aerial - and apparently feline - attack. She catches the movement in the corner of her eye and snaps around just to see its assault. A loud, singular bark - meant more as a warning to Bone than a threat to the cougar - explodes from her throat. She crouches, eyes flitting back and forth but does not advance - partly in not wanting to take on a cougar for such a detestable creature as Bone and partly because cats like that fall into a whole 'nother league. She wouldn't stand a chance, but contents to growl menacingly and THREATEN a whole lot to charge.
Ikuna knows he's being flanked. He's far from happy about it, but he knows. His gaze goes back and forth from Chua to Bone, trying to keep them both in his sight. He takes a step back, then another one - retreating, though he knows there's only so far he can go. At least the other dogs he can see are still distracted by the sounds from the forest. Chua's taunts strike their mark, though he tries to hold his anger in check - but it's hard, when he's already drawn so taut by fear. Not Wachiwa. Not the pups! He growls more loudly, and lunges for Chua - exposing his side to Bone, except the mastiff suddenly has problems of his own. Of all those here, Ikuna is likely the only one whose instinctual fear of cougars has been tempered by positive experience, and his attack on Chua continues undaunted despite the tawny creature leaping down.
When Chua starts to walk away from Bone, Minya waits for a few moments, trying to pick one of the two dogs. She tries to get closer to Chua. When she is close enough, she hears some noise nearby, she leaps at Chua. It's too late to stop when Ikuna attacks, but she can slow down a bit and lands behind the dog, and tries to bite his hindleg.
Bone knew he was distracted - a bad thing, in a fight. What he'd thought was that he was distracted from Ikuna by the battle in the forest. Not so terrible; Ikuna's one wolf, not all that experienced. What Bone didn't realize is that he was also distracted from the sneaking cougar, and as the fury of fangs and claws assaults him, the mastiff yelps as a creature far more massive hits him solidly, her claws raking and her fangs tearing at his flesh - not fatally, at least, for he still struggles and tries to snap back at her. This is a new experience for Bone. He doesn't like it.
Kurux wonders exactly what that means...watch what? This whole situation is very strange indeed. Moreso because of the arrival of the big cats. He has never seen a creature like this and with what they are doing to these other creatures he isn't really sure that he wants to know more about them. He stays put where he is.
Kachina pays no attention to any of the other dogs at the moment, her attention and gaze is only on Bone. She moves to try and bite down hard and twist her head on some part of the mastiff. A thick snarl escaping her in the process.. As for his snapping teeth they are able to pull some fur but she manages to twist and turn to make it hard for him to get a good hold on her.
Chua smirks as Ikuna takes the bait, and he darts back from the assault - and closer to the cave, trying to circle the wolf and force him to turn his back on Bone - or else to give up the defense of the pups. Chua is a schemer. What Chua hasn't reckoned with is a cougar. Nobody ever reckons with cougars. The mutt's steps stumble a little, though he still manages to evade Ikuna's jaws, just in time to find another cougar - ANOTHER ONE? - attacking him. He does a twisting sidestep to evade her jaws, and takes another step back toward the cave. Now he's the one retreating. "What?" There's a tiny tinge of fear now in his taunting voice. Where did these cougars come from? Why are they only attacking the dogs, not the wolves? "You... cat-lovers."
Rockfall has arrived.
Rockfall lumbers in from the north, making no attempt to mask his approach. Energetic pawsteps, definitely lupine for keen, experienced ears. Just in case there was too much distraction to notice a new wolf in the fight, Rockfall unfurls a hearty, unpleasant growl.
Panic and terror prevents the concept and possible advantage of practicing stealth far from his mind and even further from his actions. This isn't about dispatching a few flea bitten mongrels and giving a small pack a fighting chance, this is about keeping what is left of that small pack alive. But, as each leap brings him closer, Brutal manages to shake some of that initial shock and the horrificly, brain numbing stupor that came of it from his mind. He doesn't know what he's about to come upon, but he has a good idea it's probably ugly, smells like filth, and drools a lot. ACK! THAT..however, is NOT them! That crashing grows closer and and closer, moving in the direction of Itou and Sally, though it is Rayna would might catch a glimpse of movement first. A flash of tawny brown and white, just before a very startled and very irritated buck blast his way out of the misty morning haze and thick growth, snorting his surprise at the two dogs in front of him before charging through in bounding leaps to rapidly disappear as quickly as he just appeared. Having nearly tripped over the slumbering creature, Brutal dodged away to let the large deer flee, he himself choosing a path that abruptly brings his hulking figure barging into the area must closer to Ikuna. In seconds the massive shadow of a wolf is moving toward active defense, though his yellow eyes are still quick to sweep the area, both in search and scrutiny. Where is Althaea? The fact she is gone is both a relief, but equally troubling. For now though, his options are few and Brutal must deal with the moment, bringing him to Ikuna's aid. Bone would have been his target, but before he can close, the flash of another figure collides with the mastiff. Surprise is his reaction, but it is brief, occurring with a pause, a blink, then leaving the cougress to her own, a snarl comes with Brutal's reanimation and he lunges forward to continue past Ikuna and strait toward Chua's flank as the dog retreats from one danger right into another.
Another cougar, and Brutal besides! Ikuna begins to hope, for he recognizes this fury of fur and claws, this crashing wolf, as well. His expression, as he looks to Chua, is something of a grin. "Yes. Ute is forgiveness. Ute is trying. Ute is welcoming." Even to cats, apparently. The young alpha of this pack snaps at Chua again and again, taking advantage of his confusion to try and land a telling blow - hopefully before the red mutt can make it all the way back to the cave and makes this a hostage situation.
WHY ARE THERE TWO?! Rayna and her snarls go unnoticed - and she is more than glad for this. Her mind swims desperately - join the fray in a suicide leap, turn and run or...what? She cannot bear the brunt of retaliation later if, say, the cats DON'T kill the dogs and there was her - running away. She would be as good as dead. She also wasn't counting on the wolves and cougars having some sort of...alliance. But her troubles spark anew as a wolf - Rockfall - snaps into existence somewhere behind her. The Borzoi turns just in time to see Brutal flash past her. She crouches low and decides to deal with Rockfall first. In a flash of teeth and with a high bark - almost a whine - she leaps at the wolf, aiming to catch him in the shoulders with her forepaws and aims to bowl him over, disorient him in order to swing back around and catch him with her jaws. At least in attacking she can save face with the dogs if they live through it.
Rockfall sees the leap and lowers onto his haunches in time, lowering his center of gravity from the attack and preventing him from getting bowled over, but it also reduces his mobility. He thrashes and flails after the attack lands, trying to throw the attacking bitch off. He growls and yowls, making as much noise as he can in the fight in the hopes more Ute, Cerulean or others might get attracted to the fray and deal with the threat they all knew was coming.
Minya's eyes are on Chua and everything else is ignored. After a few moments, she suddenly attacks the dog again and tries to bite any body part she can reach.
Kurux is content to just watch this fight. He has several emotions flowing through him right now. There is a fair amount of anxiety, after all there are sounds of fighting and obvious bloodshed. There is also a certain other feeling building as well...one of excitement. This is the most exciting thing that has happened in like...ever. Its like a show being put on for his benefit. Perhaps the little pup just likes a good bloodbath? Who knows?
Bone struggles, but he's badly outmatched and he knows it. The stink of his fear is strong - an unaccustomed sensation for the dog. He's always been the big strong one. He's always been the one who invokes terror in others. Now, Bone yelps like a runty pup as Kachina's jaws find a place against his neck, twisting him like a very bad puppy until the crunch of bone marks the end of Bone.
Itou has hunted wolves before, even ones as large as Brutal. She's hunted deer. She's hunted cougars. Of the three, her preference is for the deer. Between everything, Sally is terrified. Itou isn't, but as she takes in the view, she makes a decision. Bone is dead. Chua... might as well be. "Rayna! Sally!" the catahoula hound calls. "We be goin'!" With that, she turns, and flees back the way they came. So much for this pack. At least she's still got herself a three of hunters - least, if Rayna follows, like Sally's already doing, whimpering as she goes.
Chua snarls again, but there's a desperate tinge to the sound. Two wolves and a cougar. And the cowardly bitches are fleeing instead of helping him! He twists and dodges, taking small injuries but managing to avoid anything serious, as he retreats another step, then another... then turns and outright flees, lunging for the cave and trying to snatch up young Kurux, to fling him against the wall out of the way and dive past to hide. Perhaps the others will stop to help him, and even if not - surely that traitorous she-wolf is inside. It's all her fault; if he can't do anything else, he'll make sure he kills her before he dies. It's what she deserves.
Rayna rotates on her front paws, twisting about. She was bred and trained to hunt wolves - but this isn't hunting. It's more than that...it's warfare, and this senseless violence has never been something she's suited for. But, again, she leaps - stopping short of Rockfall only to twist and lower herself before lunging upwards, jaws open in the hopes of being greeted by the feel of his throat. More to shut him up than anything. She hears her name as Sally flees and every ounce of her being longs to chase after her - but she can't run yet, not without the retriever. And he's not well enough yet. So she stays - for the time being - and fights this losing battle.
Kachina does not let go once she has hold of Bone's neck, thick muffled snarls escape her, and her head snaps to the side hard and that is when the crunch of bones is heard. The dead weight of the dog is picked up on the feline hunter and she drops the dead wolf with a deep snarl escaping her. Jaws bloody and eyes narrowing... Already she has picked up on a new target and that is Chua. The feline is quick, her paws carry forward and a large clawed forepaw is sent flying towards the right haunch of Chua.. Oh no, not to fast! Though she won't move in for the kill just yet, after all Ikuna is here and she would hate to take away a kill from him it seems.. Instead she plays the keeping put game, seemingly working on matching Chua's steps so he can't get that far away..
Kurux blinks as the dog makes a run for him. He is even more surprised when the dog picks him up. Ok this is not part of the plan and it makes him angry...very angry. He has been biting everyone since he was born and the fight that has unfolded has certain awoken a fair amount of blood lust inside of him. He finds himself wanting to hurt this dog. He senses that the dog has ill intentions toward his mother. He may not love anyone else, but he /loves/ his mother. As the dog tosses him into the air he growls and makes a desperate bite trying to latch onto the dogs ear. He isn't going down without a fight. This dog will not hurt his mother!
Rockfall rises from his haunches but lowers his head when he realizes the bitch has aborted her attack, locks his ears onto her, judges the distance to her, then charges at her with his head pointed downward, using his muzzle to protect his throat. He doesn't even aim to get in a bite of his own, attempting instead to slam his weight into her to daze her.
Minya walks towards Chua as he retreats, and when he turns and starts running, she leaps at him, trying to land on his back and bite his neck, back or at least to stop him and dig her claws into his sides.
Rayna is too flight of paw to be overtaken by a charge such as that. The borzoi kicks hard against the ground and leaps clean over Rockfall - just in time to see the cougar drop a body. And that is her cue to leave. Without a second glance at her opponent - for, as of that deciding instant, he was no longer her opponent - the dog took flight after Sally. With Bone dead, no one could blame her for such a speedy abort. Her full speed is realized as she tears away, long legs stretching far in front of her, the ground seeming to melt away under her paws as she flees.
Chua would take pleasure, if their situations were reversed. Here is Ikuna's enemy, surrounded; marked by tooth and claw. He dodges Minya's attack with nothing worse than a scrape of claws along his side, but Kurux's teeth find a mark on his ear, and they tear rough lines across it, leaving it tattered and in shreds.
Chua has worse problems. When the dog attacks Kurux, Ikuna makes a sound half growl, half whine, and he lunges in uncautiously to the attack. Hard and fast and pushing against Chua, his jaws pushing in heedless and clenching down on the dog's throat as his body shoves against the mutt's, clenching down and shaking, tugging, not letting himself be pushed away until at last Chua's red-furred body crumples to the ground.
From inside the cave, Nonkene whimpers as three-legged Wachiwa stumbles forward, coming for the pup she's been trying to call back through the battle, still struggling against her fear of Chua but managing it as her tormentor is finally slain.
Kurux is carried by the force of the throw in an arc over the dog as the ear rips and lands safely on the opposite side. He has no idea that this dog is his father, but he is very interested in watching him die. As he plops on the ground he quickly gets to his paws and turns to face him. A strange grin crossing his face, "You are not going to hurt my mom..." This just feels right to him. Its crunchy crunch time now.
Kachina hangs back once Ikuna is there to deal with Chua. A deep rumble escaping the slender cougar as her gaze snaps around to take in the area, and any other dog that needs her attention. Her jaws are still bloody from the one dog she killed, which she for once doesn't seem to have a problem with killing something, and thus the outcome if it becomes a ghost. Perhaps..just perhaps she is getting past her fears on the matter.. Or perhaps she knew it would be a way for her to give back to the Ute with everything the pack did for her.
Rockfall gives chase, ensuring the bitch does not rethink her retreat with snarling panting and heavy pawsteps, but after a few hundred yards, the wolf aborts, circling back to the scene of the battle to help deal with any straggling invaders.
Ikuna whines with what he hopes is comfort to Wachiwa, to Nonkene and Kurux, before he makes his way out of the cave again to blink in the light. The dogs are gone now - or else dead, and he steps over Bone's corpse as he heads out to look around. He young alpha breathes a sigh of relief, but it's short-lived. "...where's Skahla? Where's Hadir? Where's Althaea?" he asks, looking around to see no sign of them. He manages to hold back a whine, and looks quickly to Rockfall, to the cougars, to Brutal. "Will -" He swallows, and starts again. "Thank you, friends. Please - will you help us find the rest of Ute? There might be more dogs..." What if his packmates have been ambushed?
Kurux is pretty much fascinated by the whole thing. This is like the best night ever! Why couldn't anything like this happen before? These grownups have been holding out on him big time. He just sort of stares at the dead body before him and snorts loudly before being dragged away by his mother to the back part of the cave with his sister. He can be heard to mention to his mother, "Nahh mom...I want to watch...." but it seems that Wachiwa is having none of that and his mother wins out.
Rockfall bows, sniffs at the dead dogs, then goes very quiet, perking and slowly swivelling his ears about for any signs of anything -- more dogs, Ute, anything breathing nearby.
When Chua dies, Minya looks around to find other dogs, but it seems that they are gone. Only now she notices the other cougar and takes a few steps towards her. "Kachina?" she asks.
Brutal was always just a step behind Ikuna, at least until it became clear that Ute's Alpha could fight his own battle. And as the dying gasps of the last to fall are heard, the large wolf is quick to turn his attention out to the greater expanse, both surprised and pleased to see the figures of stragglers, Rayna as it were, quickly departing. It is then with a snort of good riddance and something of a wry grin that Brutal turns his attention to look upon their unexpected allies, to which a more contained smile of impression is given in Ikuna direction. "Ute is full of surprises." he says, before the younger wolf's rise of concern reminds Brutal that indeed, not all of Ute is present. Some of that alarm from early bubbles up and Brutal's yellow eyes abruptly turn out toward the forest. Where to even begin to search?
Kachina looks to Ikuna and after getting the blood off of her maw a slight bow of her head is seen. "Of course Ikuna.. You know I'm always there for this pack." This said with a soft tone at the idea. Her gaze flicks over to Brutal whom she watches with an unsure look and a faint snort esacpes her. "Yes.. The Ute have been kind to many over the moons." Saved her life they did. "Yes, let us start to search for the rest of your pack."
Now that the heat of battle is over, Ikuna feels... more sick than anything. The taste of Chua's lifeblood in his jaws, the worry for the rest of his pack... he swallows, and it's by an effort of will that he keeps himself upright. He has no smile to give in return to Brutal's, just a slight nod as his gaze goes over the pair of cougars. As for Brutal's concern... it's noted, as is his uncertainty - which, if anything, makes it worse. He'd have thought Brutal'd have a guess where to find at least one of Ute's missing wolves. At least Wachiwa and the pups are safe, for now. He glances back to the cave, as if to make sure of that, then nods to Kachina. "There's... two adolescents, a male and a female, and..." he describes the rest of the missing members, one by one. No time for him to chew grass now... though as the others go to search, Ikuna will stay behind. To guard the den, he'll claim. The truth might be less noble; to let the shivers of emotion from the fight work through his body when there's nobody there to watch.
Rockfall is concerned for his own pack, of course, but he stepped in, and it seems clear Ute was the direct target of the dogs. "Where were they last seen?" he asks. He can't help but tremble slightly as he sizes up the cougress ... thank goodness she's on their side!
Kachina leans over to nose friendly like at Ikuna. "I will start searching now.. I will report back to you in a little while." Hopfully she can find the rest of Ikuna's family.. An if any other dogs try to stop her it should be interesting.. She turns then and slips off, a lash of her tail seen while she
goes and soon enough she is gone..
Minya listens to Ikuna. She turns her head to face Kachina and says, "If you want to help them... I will help too."
For all the chaos and mayhem, there was one figure that lurked through the trees, encroaching upon the sound of battle with a pace less than hurried, at least for a time. Golden eyes had leered out from the foggy haze, blood scented breath billowing out through his panting jaws. Around him, the stagnant and humid air permeated with the thick metallic stench of fresh blood. Brightly does it color his chest and paws, his muzzle dappled with droplets with lips drawn back into a delightful sneer. That is, until those golden eyes began to make sense of the battle, his ears capturing those shrill cries of dogs, not wolves. What the hell was this? Capturing sight of the cougars brought Grim to growl a note of frustration, that expression of disappointment contorting into uncertainty. This wasn't suppose to happen. This wasn't part of his plan! A quick search found the various shapes of dogs fleeing in retreat. Where was Bone? Where was that block-headed hog dog, Jethro? Or the sharp muzzled doberman, she seemed useful? But this? This is a disaster for the wrong side! Grim snarled, stalking forth through the undergrowth to better take in the failure of a whole damn pack of useless mutts! With the large limp corpse of the mastiff being unmistakable, the sight is enough to give Grim pause. Impossible. But no, for there he lies. Franticly, Grim searches his mind for options, a plan B, as it were. He can still make this work. Don't they always say, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself? Golden eyes fall upon Ikuna, lingering a moment before shifting to his brother. Well, he's already done some of it. Working himself into a panting breath, he turns and lopes through the forest, breaking the tree line at the edge of the falls. He even takes care to feign surprise at the sight of the cougars as they depart, just before looking directly to Brutal, "Brother! Its Althaea! More dogs!" he pants, letting his blood covered body slump to the ground in a show of exhaustion, "I tried to stall them..."
Rockfall's ears lock onto Grim. He looks between Grim and Brutal, knowing they are brothers but little else. "Where?!" he says, hackles raised, looking to the others.
Ikuna considers on Rockfall's question, then shakes his head. "I don't know, I haven't.... not since yesterday." He nods to Kachina, nosing her gently and murmuring a, "Thank you," to her and Minya, then starts to pace forward, only to find... Grim. He blinks in surprise at the wolf. So he's not gone. That's not the issue at hand here, and Ikuna takes a breath to try and bring himself back from the exhaustion of the after-battle, to force adrenaline through his veins again.
Minya turns, but before she can leave Grim appears. She tries to find the dogs, but can't see any anywhere. "Where?" she asks while looking at Grim.
Brutal can't help but endure the momentary and less than warm regard of the female cougar, not that he exactly expects any different, or for that matter, demonstrates anything of the such on his part. This is not to say that he isn't thankful the assistance of the large cats, but gratitude doesn't make him any less comfortable when faced with their presence. So for the moment, he happily leaves Ikuna to the task of delegating orders in response to the feline's further offer to help in finding the missing. Prepared to do the same and eager to set out, Brutal is already moving toward the edge of the forest when the arrival of Grim comes to his attention. Brutal might have even smiled at the sight of his brother, if not for the fact that the sight includes seeing the wolf covered in blood. Fear is quick to cross the massive wolf's visage, though others beat him to the act of asking for direction. Which is helpful, because it is doubtful he could have mustered a sound past the knot of disbelief that has lodged itself in his throat.
Grim remains sprawled there upon the pine-needle littered earth, keeping up his award winning act as he pants and heaves and struggles to catch his breath, rather enjoying the urgency of the others and making them wait for the command. Now just /where/ were those dogs? They ran north, right? Wait, maybe it was east? Northeast? He gets so confused sometimes! Casting the leer of those twin yellow orbs up to look upon the face of his brother, for but a second does Grim allow himself guilt and to pity the wolf's loss who has yet to learn of it. A second later and Grim's regard darts toward Rockfall, the strange wolf getting more acknowledgment than he likely deserves, ensuring that he should feel that Grim is placing all his hope into his success, "North.." he pants, "up to the river merge. Used water to hide scent." Of course they did! Returning a grievous face to Brutal, he shakes his head in painful defeat, "I'm sorry I couldn't last...I told her to run." Eye contact with Ikuna, is actively avoided, if only because Grim is fairly certain he could not keep the sneer off his face.
Rockfall looks to the others, then tilts his head. "That's where Cerulean is!" he exclaims, bewildered. He glances to the cougress and the other wolves, then bolts northward.
How could this have happened? He left her side, that is how. Guilt is quick to set in, burning through his mind as he struggles to keep his head about him. There is hope, isn't there? Surely Althaea could outrun a pack of dogs? But what if they caught her? What if they pulled her down, pulled her to...shreds. Terrible, horrific images flood Brutal's memories, first with the faces of a family lost long ago, but then all soon become the face of just one. The young adolescent. No, he will not believe her to be dead, for surely life has so much more planned for one so full of promise! Despite his urgency to race off, it is Rockfall who quickly bolts ahead, though Brutal will not be far behind, though not exactly for that same destination. "Stay here with Ikuna, in case the dogs return." Drawing in a breath of resolve, the massive wolf takes a step in to touch his muzzle to the blood stained maw of Grim. "Its good to see you, brother." Turning away, Brutal races into the forest in the hope to find Althaea, knowing not that the blood that stains his brother's fur is her blood.
Well, so far so good, things are working to his advantage. And look at that! There goes Rockfall! The strange wolf's anxious departure would bring Grim to grin in self-congratulations, but well, he has to keep a frowny face, least he give up the game. Though that expression becomes a lot more easier to continue as Brutal steps in to give that brief gesture of affection, even in such a moment of dangerous urgency and strife. But what is done is done and Grim swallows his regret, letting it be replaced with the perversion of his own hope. The hope of having Brutal return to him and together return to their vagrancy. But in order for that to be a possibility, Grim still must ensure a few things. Things that the dogs failed to accomplish. In response to Brutal's command, the tall grey male surely will not argue. Now, if only those flea-ridden waste of fur /would/ come back, this day might turn out to be a bit more of a success.
| Bone, a male dog (NPC) |
| Chua, a male dog (NPC) |
| Kurux, a juvenile wolfdog (Ute) |
| Ikuna, a male wolf (Ute Alpha) |
| Minya, a female cougar |
| Brutal, a male wolf |
| Itou, a female dog |
| Sally, a female dog (NPC) |
| Rayna, a female dog |
| Kachina, a female cougar |
| Rockfall, a male wolf |
| Wachiwa, a female wolf (Ute) -spoofed- |
| Grim, a male wolf |
Waterfall Pool
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When Grim revealed their prey, he asked the dogs to wait. In truth, they could hardly have set out immediately regardless of his wishes. There were others to be brought together, the war council to be had. Plans to be made. Then the journey itself, and the pack splits up into smaller ones, the dogs confident in their strength and the weaker ones tailing them. The moon is near full; the last full moon of summer, and so the dogs have traveled through the night. They head to the waterfall - mostly. Who can say where all the squads have gone, among the trees and the tangled paths of the swamp?As the roar of the waterfall begins to fill their ears, one group is at the forefront. Bone is first, for the red and white mastiff is never one to lead from behind. A bare half-step behind him is Chua, who has his own motivations for this battle that have kept a sneer across his muzzle for the whole trip. The vanguard of death is coming, the red of blood and the white of bone, and as the edge of the sun's disk touches the horizon, they arrive. Others are visible dimly through the mist and rocks. Looming shapes, their fur red or multicolored or brown. They are coming.
Kurux is resting himself by the opening of the cave. It hasn't been a particularly exciting day. As a matter of fact it has been downright boring. Still that can change in the blink of an eye and it appears that is just the case. His ears perk up as he hears the paws steps nearby and also the new smells that enter his nose. This is strange. They don't smell like anything that he has smelled before. This causes him a small amount of anxiety and equal parts curiosity. He offers something between a bark and a wuff to alert whoever is nearby that something is going on.
Even alphas have to sleep. Ikuna was restless much of the night, the decisions he will soon have to make haunting his dreams. Finally, as the moon set, he managed to fall asleep, and so as the dogs make their final approach, Ikuna dozes against a boulder. The bark of a pup awakens him, and he blinks as he lifts his head, glancing briefly to Kurux and then sniffing the breeze to find... dog. Not just dog; Ikuna knows that particular scent. A growl rises in his throat even as he rises to his feet and stalks stiff-legged forward. His eyes flit over the trees, and he finds dog - dog - and more dogs besides. The anger of his growl gains a tinge of fear, and Ikuna lifts up his head to howl an alarm, the young alpha's voice echoing off the rocks of the waterfall and growing distorted with distance, but unmistakable in tenor. Something is assuredly wrong here, and Ikuna seeks to draw his pack - whatever is left of it - together, along with anyone else who might be favorably inclined to them... and isn't otherwise occupied already...
Minya has arrived.
Not too far behind the dogs, a young cougaress is following. They either haven't seen her yet, or they ignored her. When Minya hears the howl, she tries to get closer to the dogs, trying to remain unseen.
Cougars are skilled in stealth; besides, the dogs have their goal in mind. They have no need to seek further enemies. Bone's muzzle curls up in a smirk at Ikuna's howl, the warrior seeing the fear he strikes. As his gaze continues around the area, the mastiff's smirk turns to a frown. Where is the glorious battle? This is hardly enough to satisfy his approaching pack.
Chua's also got a smirk for, "Hey, stupid!" he calls to Ikuna. His other glances around find something else to interest him. "Hah. Looks like she was good for something after all," he says as his gaze settles on Kurux - the red fur and curled tail is unmistakable, and Chua's voice is intentionally loud enough to carry.
Kurux can certainly sense the tension in the air. He isn't really sure what is going on and has no point of reference for a sitaution like this. Its enough to bring him to his paws though and a frown settles on his face. He will wait a bit to see what all this means but for the present moment he does nothing but stand at the entrance to the cave behind the falls.
Already, Ikuna is outnumbered, and he can see glimpses of other dogs besides. The cougar remains invisible to him, and with these odds, Ikuna's thoughts turn once more to flight instead of fight - but where? The boulders around the waterfall make a sort of funnel, difficult to escape from. He could scramble up the rocks to either side - but Kurux couldn't. Nor could little Nonkene, and he has no intention of leaving the half-wolves to the mercy of dogs. Not after what they did to still-lame Wachiwa, who might also have trouble climbing. Ute's refuge may have become a killing ground... again. Ikuna growls, and he takes a step forward. "Go away."
He had left Ikuna to his patrol, but after moving away in his own direction, Brutal looked back to stand and watch the silhouette of Ute's future fade from sight beneath yesterdays sunset and could not help but feel that tomorrows sunrise would bring something better. The night was passed beneath the bright lunar glow of a summer moon sitting high and full in the sky. The drop in temperature made the later hours of the night pleasant and the illumination of a typically densely shadowed forest provided any predator with the opportunity for a easy hunt. Brutal, feeling in particularly high spirits, decided to do just this. However even after feeding himself, his thoughts turned to feast upon something that the young alpha has spoken on, bringing the massive wolf to spend the later hours of the dawn chasing down a brace of rabbits. So happily distracted is Brutal with his eagerness to prove that he can take advise from another and make use of it, that he doesn't notice the silence of the forest. He doesn't notice that the distant glow of daylight breaking upon the mountain peaks comes without the song of birds or the thudding of the woodpecker. It isn't until the sound of that howl shatters that silence that the massive black wolf halts, throwing his head up alertly while yellow eyes widen. This time, it is not anger he feels, but horror. Before the rabbit corpses can come to a flopping tumble upon the ground, Brutal is racing off toward the falls and the direction of that rallying call, crashing through the forest with no attempt for stealth, stumbling over brambles so great is his terror.
Minya tries to get as close them as she thinks she can without being noticed by the dogs. She watches them for a while and looks around to find other wolves, but she can't see any yet. This doesn't look good.
Bone is not satisfied, and that expression is still clear as he takes a step of his own. "Or what?" he asks the young wolf, and takes another step. The sound of crashing branches catches his attention, and the mastiff's head tilts to the side. Perhaps there is something to this - or else his own dogs need a talking-to about stealth. Either way.
At least some of those other dogs have taken an interest; multicolored Itou emerges from the forest then turns back to it, the hound followed by the smaller hound that is Sally, and the two of them listening to the crashing, trotting toward where it seems likely to emerge.
Chua smirks, his gaze lingering on Kurux. If the pup is there, that means the she-wolf is likely inside the cave. He starts forward, stepping to the side as if to walk around Ikuna entirely. "Beat it, crook-tail. That she-wolf and I've got some unfinished business," he says, and continues on regardless of the sounds from the forest.
Rayna has arrived.
As is her nature and has thus been her fate to this point: Rayna is following. Not with her hackles raised and her bloodlust pounding, but with the equal, measured steps and alert ears of someone whose body has been nervous and tense for a good amount of time. She stops dead when she catches the distant crackle of a panicked flight. The borzoi lifts her elegant head warily - a larger brute, no doubt attracted by the howling. Oh dear. Things could only get messy from here. Her long legs carry her forward and to the side, loping towards the edge of their little brigade - hoping to detect and apprehend anything - be it the through-the-forest-crasher or someone sneaking through. The sighthound, however hard she strains her gaze through the foliage, sees nothing for now.
Ikuna's attention flits from Bone to Chua and back again. Or what, indeed? The sound of crashing in the brush makes his ears flick as well, going back briefly, but... it's not like things can get worse for him, can they? Either it's an ally or - with Itou and Sally added in - he's dead. The young alpha
puts on a brave face, tilting his head toward the sound. "You'll see." A bluff? Oh goodness yes. It's that or admit defeat. Ikuna turns his head to Chua as the dog approaches, taking a diagonal step toward him and growling.
Kurux continues to do nothing. Chua draws his attention though. He looks familiar and the pup knows it. Whats up with that? And why is he saying he has unfinished business with someone? Who can possibly say. The pup settles for a small growl growing in his throat. He doesn't think he likes these visitors.
Bone takes a step to the opposite side as Chua did, beginning to flank Ikuna. His attention's not wholly on it, though; the crashing from the brush still has somewhat of his attention, though he nods slightly as he sees Itou, her young protege, and Rayna taking an interest. They should suffice, for now.
Chua has no such hesitation. The she-dogs will fight, or else their deaths will give him time to react. He doesn't care. Kurux's growl makes him laugh. "Oh, don't worry, pup," he tells the wolfdog. "Next time, you'll watch." The words are directed to Kurux, but really, they're meant for Ikuna - a taunt for the adult wolf, an attempt to draw him off-balance. Perhaps he'll attack, and give Bone a chance; perhaps he'll simply fight more recklessly. Chua doesn't care.
Kachina has arrived.
Bluff?.. Not fully.. The howl did get someone's attention, a certain feline that wasn't all that far off actually. Kachina is there, form resting in a half crouch and ears pinned back as she watches the scene. She managed to stay downwind, well she is a stalker and stalking is something she is very good at! As she watches Ikuna stand his ground and her gaze snap towards the movement of Chua, but her attention is soon on Bone whom seems like the leader of this group of canines that she's never seen before. She takes in a slow breath, and this is the dog she pays attention too now. Her steps are slow and careful, muscles tensing as she is about to spring forward... An then as Ikuna is facing off against Chua she leaps forward, right towards Bone. No growl escapes her, no snarl.. A flash of fangs, and razor sharp claws is seen as she moves to try and get a hit in upon the dog before he can move away.. She's here to help her friend and the pack that saved her and she means to kill if needs be.
So intent on keeping the danger from the fringes of the forest, Rayna did not think to expect an aerial - and apparently feline - attack. She catches the movement in the corner of her eye and snaps around just to see its assault. A loud, singular bark - meant more as a warning to Bone than a threat to the cougar - explodes from her throat. She crouches, eyes flitting back and forth but does not advance - partly in not wanting to take on a cougar for such a detestable creature as Bone and partly because cats like that fall into a whole 'nother league. She wouldn't stand a chance, but contents to growl menacingly and THREATEN a whole lot to charge.
Ikuna knows he's being flanked. He's far from happy about it, but he knows. His gaze goes back and forth from Chua to Bone, trying to keep them both in his sight. He takes a step back, then another one - retreating, though he knows there's only so far he can go. At least the other dogs he can see are still distracted by the sounds from the forest. Chua's taunts strike their mark, though he tries to hold his anger in check - but it's hard, when he's already drawn so taut by fear. Not Wachiwa. Not the pups! He growls more loudly, and lunges for Chua - exposing his side to Bone, except the mastiff suddenly has problems of his own. Of all those here, Ikuna is likely the only one whose instinctual fear of cougars has been tempered by positive experience, and his attack on Chua continues undaunted despite the tawny creature leaping down.
When Chua starts to walk away from Bone, Minya waits for a few moments, trying to pick one of the two dogs. She tries to get closer to Chua. When she is close enough, she hears some noise nearby, she leaps at Chua. It's too late to stop when Ikuna attacks, but she can slow down a bit and lands behind the dog, and tries to bite his hindleg.
Bone knew he was distracted - a bad thing, in a fight. What he'd thought was that he was distracted from Ikuna by the battle in the forest. Not so terrible; Ikuna's one wolf, not all that experienced. What Bone didn't realize is that he was also distracted from the sneaking cougar, and as the fury of fangs and claws assaults him, the mastiff yelps as a creature far more massive hits him solidly, her claws raking and her fangs tearing at his flesh - not fatally, at least, for he still struggles and tries to snap back at her. This is a new experience for Bone. He doesn't like it.
Kurux wonders exactly what that means...watch what? This whole situation is very strange indeed. Moreso because of the arrival of the big cats. He has never seen a creature like this and with what they are doing to these other creatures he isn't really sure that he wants to know more about them. He stays put where he is.
Kachina pays no attention to any of the other dogs at the moment, her attention and gaze is only on Bone. She moves to try and bite down hard and twist her head on some part of the mastiff. A thick snarl escaping her in the process.. As for his snapping teeth they are able to pull some fur but she manages to twist and turn to make it hard for him to get a good hold on her.
Chua smirks as Ikuna takes the bait, and he darts back from the assault - and closer to the cave, trying to circle the wolf and force him to turn his back on Bone - or else to give up the defense of the pups. Chua is a schemer. What Chua hasn't reckoned with is a cougar. Nobody ever reckons with cougars. The mutt's steps stumble a little, though he still manages to evade Ikuna's jaws, just in time to find another cougar - ANOTHER ONE? - attacking him. He does a twisting sidestep to evade her jaws, and takes another step back toward the cave. Now he's the one retreating. "What?" There's a tiny tinge of fear now in his taunting voice. Where did these cougars come from? Why are they only attacking the dogs, not the wolves? "You... cat-lovers."
Rockfall has arrived.
Rockfall lumbers in from the north, making no attempt to mask his approach. Energetic pawsteps, definitely lupine for keen, experienced ears. Just in case there was too much distraction to notice a new wolf in the fight, Rockfall unfurls a hearty, unpleasant growl.
Panic and terror prevents the concept and possible advantage of practicing stealth far from his mind and even further from his actions. This isn't about dispatching a few flea bitten mongrels and giving a small pack a fighting chance, this is about keeping what is left of that small pack alive. But, as each leap brings him closer, Brutal manages to shake some of that initial shock and the horrificly, brain numbing stupor that came of it from his mind. He doesn't know what he's about to come upon, but he has a good idea it's probably ugly, smells like filth, and drools a lot. ACK! THAT..however, is NOT them! That crashing grows closer and and closer, moving in the direction of Itou and Sally, though it is Rayna would might catch a glimpse of movement first. A flash of tawny brown and white, just before a very startled and very irritated buck blast his way out of the misty morning haze and thick growth, snorting his surprise at the two dogs in front of him before charging through in bounding leaps to rapidly disappear as quickly as he just appeared. Having nearly tripped over the slumbering creature, Brutal dodged away to let the large deer flee, he himself choosing a path that abruptly brings his hulking figure barging into the area must closer to Ikuna. In seconds the massive shadow of a wolf is moving toward active defense, though his yellow eyes are still quick to sweep the area, both in search and scrutiny. Where is Althaea? The fact she is gone is both a relief, but equally troubling. For now though, his options are few and Brutal must deal with the moment, bringing him to Ikuna's aid. Bone would have been his target, but before he can close, the flash of another figure collides with the mastiff. Surprise is his reaction, but it is brief, occurring with a pause, a blink, then leaving the cougress to her own, a snarl comes with Brutal's reanimation and he lunges forward to continue past Ikuna and strait toward Chua's flank as the dog retreats from one danger right into another.
Another cougar, and Brutal besides! Ikuna begins to hope, for he recognizes this fury of fur and claws, this crashing wolf, as well. His expression, as he looks to Chua, is something of a grin. "Yes. Ute is forgiveness. Ute is trying. Ute is welcoming." Even to cats, apparently. The young alpha of this pack snaps at Chua again and again, taking advantage of his confusion to try and land a telling blow - hopefully before the red mutt can make it all the way back to the cave and makes this a hostage situation.
WHY ARE THERE TWO?! Rayna and her snarls go unnoticed - and she is more than glad for this. Her mind swims desperately - join the fray in a suicide leap, turn and run or...what? She cannot bear the brunt of retaliation later if, say, the cats DON'T kill the dogs and there was her - running away. She would be as good as dead. She also wasn't counting on the wolves and cougars having some sort of...alliance. But her troubles spark anew as a wolf - Rockfall - snaps into existence somewhere behind her. The Borzoi turns just in time to see Brutal flash past her. She crouches low and decides to deal with Rockfall first. In a flash of teeth and with a high bark - almost a whine - she leaps at the wolf, aiming to catch him in the shoulders with her forepaws and aims to bowl him over, disorient him in order to swing back around and catch him with her jaws. At least in attacking she can save face with the dogs if they live through it.
Rockfall sees the leap and lowers onto his haunches in time, lowering his center of gravity from the attack and preventing him from getting bowled over, but it also reduces his mobility. He thrashes and flails after the attack lands, trying to throw the attacking bitch off. He growls and yowls, making as much noise as he can in the fight in the hopes more Ute, Cerulean or others might get attracted to the fray and deal with the threat they all knew was coming.
Minya's eyes are on Chua and everything else is ignored. After a few moments, she suddenly attacks the dog again and tries to bite any body part she can reach.
Kurux is content to just watch this fight. He has several emotions flowing through him right now. There is a fair amount of anxiety, after all there are sounds of fighting and obvious bloodshed. There is also a certain other feeling building as well...one of excitement. This is the most exciting thing that has happened in like...ever. Its like a show being put on for his benefit. Perhaps the little pup just likes a good bloodbath? Who knows?
Bone struggles, but he's badly outmatched and he knows it. The stink of his fear is strong - an unaccustomed sensation for the dog. He's always been the big strong one. He's always been the one who invokes terror in others. Now, Bone yelps like a runty pup as Kachina's jaws find a place against his neck, twisting him like a very bad puppy until the crunch of bone marks the end of Bone.
Itou has hunted wolves before, even ones as large as Brutal. She's hunted deer. She's hunted cougars. Of the three, her preference is for the deer. Between everything, Sally is terrified. Itou isn't, but as she takes in the view, she makes a decision. Bone is dead. Chua... might as well be. "Rayna! Sally!" the catahoula hound calls. "We be goin'!" With that, she turns, and flees back the way they came. So much for this pack. At least she's still got herself a three of hunters - least, if Rayna follows, like Sally's already doing, whimpering as she goes.
Chua snarls again, but there's a desperate tinge to the sound. Two wolves and a cougar. And the cowardly bitches are fleeing instead of helping him! He twists and dodges, taking small injuries but managing to avoid anything serious, as he retreats another step, then another... then turns and outright flees, lunging for the cave and trying to snatch up young Kurux, to fling him against the wall out of the way and dive past to hide. Perhaps the others will stop to help him, and even if not - surely that traitorous she-wolf is inside. It's all her fault; if he can't do anything else, he'll make sure he kills her before he dies. It's what she deserves.
Rayna rotates on her front paws, twisting about. She was bred and trained to hunt wolves - but this isn't hunting. It's more than that...it's warfare, and this senseless violence has never been something she's suited for. But, again, she leaps - stopping short of Rockfall only to twist and lower herself before lunging upwards, jaws open in the hopes of being greeted by the feel of his throat. More to shut him up than anything. She hears her name as Sally flees and every ounce of her being longs to chase after her - but she can't run yet, not without the retriever. And he's not well enough yet. So she stays - for the time being - and fights this losing battle.
Kachina does not let go once she has hold of Bone's neck, thick muffled snarls escape her, and her head snaps to the side hard and that is when the crunch of bones is heard. The dead weight of the dog is picked up on the feline hunter and she drops the dead wolf with a deep snarl escaping her. Jaws bloody and eyes narrowing... Already she has picked up on a new target and that is Chua. The feline is quick, her paws carry forward and a large clawed forepaw is sent flying towards the right haunch of Chua.. Oh no, not to fast! Though she won't move in for the kill just yet, after all Ikuna is here and she would hate to take away a kill from him it seems.. Instead she plays the keeping put game, seemingly working on matching Chua's steps so he can't get that far away..
Kurux blinks as the dog makes a run for him. He is even more surprised when the dog picks him up. Ok this is not part of the plan and it makes him angry...very angry. He has been biting everyone since he was born and the fight that has unfolded has certain awoken a fair amount of blood lust inside of him. He finds himself wanting to hurt this dog. He senses that the dog has ill intentions toward his mother. He may not love anyone else, but he /loves/ his mother. As the dog tosses him into the air he growls and makes a desperate bite trying to latch onto the dogs ear. He isn't going down without a fight. This dog will not hurt his mother!
Rockfall rises from his haunches but lowers his head when he realizes the bitch has aborted her attack, locks his ears onto her, judges the distance to her, then charges at her with his head pointed downward, using his muzzle to protect his throat. He doesn't even aim to get in a bite of his own, attempting instead to slam his weight into her to daze her.
Minya walks towards Chua as he retreats, and when he turns and starts running, she leaps at him, trying to land on his back and bite his neck, back or at least to stop him and dig her claws into his sides.
Rayna is too flight of paw to be overtaken by a charge such as that. The borzoi kicks hard against the ground and leaps clean over Rockfall - just in time to see the cougar drop a body. And that is her cue to leave. Without a second glance at her opponent - for, as of that deciding instant, he was no longer her opponent - the dog took flight after Sally. With Bone dead, no one could blame her for such a speedy abort. Her full speed is realized as she tears away, long legs stretching far in front of her, the ground seeming to melt away under her paws as she flees.
Chua would take pleasure, if their situations were reversed. Here is Ikuna's enemy, surrounded; marked by tooth and claw. He dodges Minya's attack with nothing worse than a scrape of claws along his side, but Kurux's teeth find a mark on his ear, and they tear rough lines across it, leaving it tattered and in shreds.
Chua has worse problems. When the dog attacks Kurux, Ikuna makes a sound half growl, half whine, and he lunges in uncautiously to the attack. Hard and fast and pushing against Chua, his jaws pushing in heedless and clenching down on the dog's throat as his body shoves against the mutt's, clenching down and shaking, tugging, not letting himself be pushed away until at last Chua's red-furred body crumples to the ground.
From inside the cave, Nonkene whimpers as three-legged Wachiwa stumbles forward, coming for the pup she's been trying to call back through the battle, still struggling against her fear of Chua but managing it as her tormentor is finally slain.
Kurux is carried by the force of the throw in an arc over the dog as the ear rips and lands safely on the opposite side. He has no idea that this dog is his father, but he is very interested in watching him die. As he plops on the ground he quickly gets to his paws and turns to face him. A strange grin crossing his face, "You are not going to hurt my mom..." This just feels right to him. Its crunchy crunch time now.
Kachina hangs back once Ikuna is there to deal with Chua. A deep rumble escaping the slender cougar as her gaze snaps around to take in the area, and any other dog that needs her attention. Her jaws are still bloody from the one dog she killed, which she for once doesn't seem to have a problem with killing something, and thus the outcome if it becomes a ghost. Perhaps..just perhaps she is getting past her fears on the matter.. Or perhaps she knew it would be a way for her to give back to the Ute with everything the pack did for her.
Rockfall gives chase, ensuring the bitch does not rethink her retreat with snarling panting and heavy pawsteps, but after a few hundred yards, the wolf aborts, circling back to the scene of the battle to help deal with any straggling invaders.
Ikuna whines with what he hopes is comfort to Wachiwa, to Nonkene and Kurux, before he makes his way out of the cave again to blink in the light. The dogs are gone now - or else dead, and he steps over Bone's corpse as he heads out to look around. He young alpha breathes a sigh of relief, but it's short-lived. "...where's Skahla? Where's Hadir? Where's Althaea?" he asks, looking around to see no sign of them. He manages to hold back a whine, and looks quickly to Rockfall, to the cougars, to Brutal. "Will -" He swallows, and starts again. "Thank you, friends. Please - will you help us find the rest of Ute? There might be more dogs..." What if his packmates have been ambushed?
Kurux is pretty much fascinated by the whole thing. This is like the best night ever! Why couldn't anything like this happen before? These grownups have been holding out on him big time. He just sort of stares at the dead body before him and snorts loudly before being dragged away by his mother to the back part of the cave with his sister. He can be heard to mention to his mother, "Nahh mom...I want to watch...." but it seems that Wachiwa is having none of that and his mother wins out.
Rockfall bows, sniffs at the dead dogs, then goes very quiet, perking and slowly swivelling his ears about for any signs of anything -- more dogs, Ute, anything breathing nearby.
When Chua dies, Minya looks around to find other dogs, but it seems that they are gone. Only now she notices the other cougar and takes a few steps towards her. "Kachina?" she asks.
Brutal was always just a step behind Ikuna, at least until it became clear that Ute's Alpha could fight his own battle. And as the dying gasps of the last to fall are heard, the large wolf is quick to turn his attention out to the greater expanse, both surprised and pleased to see the figures of stragglers, Rayna as it were, quickly departing. It is then with a snort of good riddance and something of a wry grin that Brutal turns his attention to look upon their unexpected allies, to which a more contained smile of impression is given in Ikuna direction. "Ute is full of surprises." he says, before the younger wolf's rise of concern reminds Brutal that indeed, not all of Ute is present. Some of that alarm from early bubbles up and Brutal's yellow eyes abruptly turn out toward the forest. Where to even begin to search?
Kachina looks to Ikuna and after getting the blood off of her maw a slight bow of her head is seen. "Of course Ikuna.. You know I'm always there for this pack." This said with a soft tone at the idea. Her gaze flicks over to Brutal whom she watches with an unsure look and a faint snort esacpes her. "Yes.. The Ute have been kind to many over the moons." Saved her life they did. "Yes, let us start to search for the rest of your pack."
Now that the heat of battle is over, Ikuna feels... more sick than anything. The taste of Chua's lifeblood in his jaws, the worry for the rest of his pack... he swallows, and it's by an effort of will that he keeps himself upright. He has no smile to give in return to Brutal's, just a slight nod as his gaze goes over the pair of cougars. As for Brutal's concern... it's noted, as is his uncertainty - which, if anything, makes it worse. He'd have thought Brutal'd have a guess where to find at least one of Ute's missing wolves. At least Wachiwa and the pups are safe, for now. He glances back to the cave, as if to make sure of that, then nods to Kachina. "There's... two adolescents, a male and a female, and..." he describes the rest of the missing members, one by one. No time for him to chew grass now... though as the others go to search, Ikuna will stay behind. To guard the den, he'll claim. The truth might be less noble; to let the shivers of emotion from the fight work through his body when there's nobody there to watch.
Rockfall is concerned for his own pack, of course, but he stepped in, and it seems clear Ute was the direct target of the dogs. "Where were they last seen?" he asks. He can't help but tremble slightly as he sizes up the cougress ... thank goodness she's on their side!
Kachina leans over to nose friendly like at Ikuna. "I will start searching now.. I will report back to you in a little while." Hopfully she can find the rest of Ikuna's family.. An if any other dogs try to stop her it should be interesting.. She turns then and slips off, a lash of her tail seen while she
goes and soon enough she is gone..
Minya listens to Ikuna. She turns her head to face Kachina and says, "If you want to help them... I will help too."
For all the chaos and mayhem, there was one figure that lurked through the trees, encroaching upon the sound of battle with a pace less than hurried, at least for a time. Golden eyes had leered out from the foggy haze, blood scented breath billowing out through his panting jaws. Around him, the stagnant and humid air permeated with the thick metallic stench of fresh blood. Brightly does it color his chest and paws, his muzzle dappled with droplets with lips drawn back into a delightful sneer. That is, until those golden eyes began to make sense of the battle, his ears capturing those shrill cries of dogs, not wolves. What the hell was this? Capturing sight of the cougars brought Grim to growl a note of frustration, that expression of disappointment contorting into uncertainty. This wasn't suppose to happen. This wasn't part of his plan! A quick search found the various shapes of dogs fleeing in retreat. Where was Bone? Where was that block-headed hog dog, Jethro? Or the sharp muzzled doberman, she seemed useful? But this? This is a disaster for the wrong side! Grim snarled, stalking forth through the undergrowth to better take in the failure of a whole damn pack of useless mutts! With the large limp corpse of the mastiff being unmistakable, the sight is enough to give Grim pause. Impossible. But no, for there he lies. Franticly, Grim searches his mind for options, a plan B, as it were. He can still make this work. Don't they always say, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself? Golden eyes fall upon Ikuna, lingering a moment before shifting to his brother. Well, he's already done some of it. Working himself into a panting breath, he turns and lopes through the forest, breaking the tree line at the edge of the falls. He even takes care to feign surprise at the sight of the cougars as they depart, just before looking directly to Brutal, "Brother! Its Althaea! More dogs!" he pants, letting his blood covered body slump to the ground in a show of exhaustion, "I tried to stall them..."
Rockfall's ears lock onto Grim. He looks between Grim and Brutal, knowing they are brothers but little else. "Where?!" he says, hackles raised, looking to the others.
Ikuna considers on Rockfall's question, then shakes his head. "I don't know, I haven't.... not since yesterday." He nods to Kachina, nosing her gently and murmuring a, "Thank you," to her and Minya, then starts to pace forward, only to find... Grim. He blinks in surprise at the wolf. So he's not gone. That's not the issue at hand here, and Ikuna takes a breath to try and bring himself back from the exhaustion of the after-battle, to force adrenaline through his veins again.
Minya turns, but before she can leave Grim appears. She tries to find the dogs, but can't see any anywhere. "Where?" she asks while looking at Grim.
Brutal can't help but endure the momentary and less than warm regard of the female cougar, not that he exactly expects any different, or for that matter, demonstrates anything of the such on his part. This is not to say that he isn't thankful the assistance of the large cats, but gratitude doesn't make him any less comfortable when faced with their presence. So for the moment, he happily leaves Ikuna to the task of delegating orders in response to the feline's further offer to help in finding the missing. Prepared to do the same and eager to set out, Brutal is already moving toward the edge of the forest when the arrival of Grim comes to his attention. Brutal might have even smiled at the sight of his brother, if not for the fact that the sight includes seeing the wolf covered in blood. Fear is quick to cross the massive wolf's visage, though others beat him to the act of asking for direction. Which is helpful, because it is doubtful he could have mustered a sound past the knot of disbelief that has lodged itself in his throat.
Grim remains sprawled there upon the pine-needle littered earth, keeping up his award winning act as he pants and heaves and struggles to catch his breath, rather enjoying the urgency of the others and making them wait for the command. Now just /where/ were those dogs? They ran north, right? Wait, maybe it was east? Northeast? He gets so confused sometimes! Casting the leer of those twin yellow orbs up to look upon the face of his brother, for but a second does Grim allow himself guilt and to pity the wolf's loss who has yet to learn of it. A second later and Grim's regard darts toward Rockfall, the strange wolf getting more acknowledgment than he likely deserves, ensuring that he should feel that Grim is placing all his hope into his success, "North.." he pants, "up to the river merge. Used water to hide scent." Of course they did! Returning a grievous face to Brutal, he shakes his head in painful defeat, "I'm sorry I couldn't last...I told her to run." Eye contact with Ikuna, is actively avoided, if only because Grim is fairly certain he could not keep the sneer off his face.
Rockfall looks to the others, then tilts his head. "That's where Cerulean is!" he exclaims, bewildered. He glances to the cougress and the other wolves, then bolts northward.
How could this have happened? He left her side, that is how. Guilt is quick to set in, burning through his mind as he struggles to keep his head about him. There is hope, isn't there? Surely Althaea could outrun a pack of dogs? But what if they caught her? What if they pulled her down, pulled her to...shreds. Terrible, horrific images flood Brutal's memories, first with the faces of a family lost long ago, but then all soon become the face of just one. The young adolescent. No, he will not believe her to be dead, for surely life has so much more planned for one so full of promise! Despite his urgency to race off, it is Rockfall who quickly bolts ahead, though Brutal will not be far behind, though not exactly for that same destination. "Stay here with Ikuna, in case the dogs return." Drawing in a breath of resolve, the massive wolf takes a step in to touch his muzzle to the blood stained maw of Grim. "Its good to see you, brother." Turning away, Brutal races into the forest in the hope to find Althaea, knowing not that the blood that stains his brother's fur is her blood.
Well, so far so good, things are working to his advantage. And look at that! There goes Rockfall! The strange wolf's anxious departure would bring Grim to grin in self-congratulations, but well, he has to keep a frowny face, least he give up the game. Though that expression becomes a lot more easier to continue as Brutal steps in to give that brief gesture of affection, even in such a moment of dangerous urgency and strife. But what is done is done and Grim swallows his regret, letting it be replaced with the perversion of his own hope. The hope of having Brutal return to him and together return to their vagrancy. But in order for that to be a possibility, Grim still must ensure a few things. Things that the dogs failed to accomplish. In response to Brutal's command, the tall grey male surely will not argue. Now, if only those flea-ridden waste of fur /would/ come back, this day might turn out to be a bit more of a success.