The cougar took his time walking up the mountainside. He hadn't been this high in some time. He had spent most of his life in the desert with his sister, Dakota. Now that they were up north, he had to get used to the colder weather.

He had been told that a large group inhabited the mountains and that there were some big cats here. "Hello?..." He called out, a bit unsure.

Sure, Carita was small, but she most certainly wasn't weak. The mostly-black wolf scaled the mountainside very well for her tiny size. She was living evidence that looks can be deceiving. She stopped a good distance from Hokee, having heard the call from below with her superior hearing, and waited. No need to call out. The cougar already did.

"Jus' slow down... a little bit... please!" Huffed an exhausted Aflaim as her two cousins chided and pressed for her to continue. "This is the last time... I let you two drag me... on one of your stupid... missions!"

Sundown giggled at her exasperation and battered the younger kitten on the head with one of his paws. "Shush it, Flame! You begged to come with us." Larger than his younger cousin, Sun was a yellowish-tan in color, with stunning deep, bright yellow eyes. He was half African lion, and a quarter each of cougar and snow leopard. Though just a cub now, he would eventually grow a sparse mane and devolpe a lion-like body. What made him stand out was his thick, silky-soft fur and a set of striking spots and rosettes that were sprinkled across his cheeks and forehead.

"Yeah, so don't start complaining now!" Edged in Sideskill, giggling as well, "We're almost there, anyway." After buffetting the smaller kit with his shoulder, Sides sprinted forward. He was a bit larger than his twin, and a dark ruddy-red in color. His eyes were an equally dark color, being a orangish-red. Like Sun, he had an identical set of spots and rosettes on his head, and would develope the same minimal mane when he was older.

"Woah, hey, did you hear that?" Sundown said, stopping suddenly as his brother and cousin looked to him. They had heard it too. "Follow me!" Casting worry to the wind, Sundown bolted forward when he heard Hokee's howl. Sides and Aflaim were hot on his trail.

Before long, the three feline cubs came sprawling down through some dwarf junipers and found themselves in front of the larger cat. Sideskill eyed the stranger warily while Aflaim stood uncertainly behind the older cub. It was Sun who took the initiative to speak, "Who are you?"

Hokee raised his head up when he heard the voices of fellow felines. His golden-green eyes widened as he searched for them. Soon enough, he caught sight of the three cubs. Looking down at them, he spoke. "I am Hokee. You?" He replied plainly.

Sundown lifted himself up as high as he could, chest puffed out and muzzle lifted slightly. "Sundown. What's it to ya?"

Not really noticing that Aflaim was using him as protection, or rather, not caring, Sideskill stepped up beside his brother more. Not harboring half the ego of Sun, Sides held his head at shoulder level as he stared at the stranger.

Aflaim, finding herself suddenly standing alone, scrambled back behind her older cousins.

Arriving just in time to catch the cub's less than polite response, Kraai glided down and alighted between Hokee and the three youngsters, "Please pardon his words." The raven said, dipping his head respectfully to the stranger. "I am Kraai, of the Ancient Guardians. Do you wish to speak with our leader?"

Sundown scoffed, "Oh, I was just having' a bit of fun!" Sideskill nodded in agreement, but the two refrained from causing any more trouble - for the moment anyway.

Hokee chuckled when Sundown spoke. He batted playfully at the cub before looking at the raven and bowing his head respectfully. "It's no problem. Cubs are like that." He could remember when he and his sister were young. Dakota was always so aloof. "Sure. I'll speak to your leader."

"Hey!" Sundown gaped, when the stranger batted for his head. "Leave him alone!" Growled a very defensive Sideskill, looking like he was about to pounce at the larger cat to defend his brother from the offending paw.

"You two, stop the nonsense!" Kraai scolded, sending the twins a furious glare that they ignored. Clearing his throat hastily, the raven turned back to Hokee, "He is not far away. Follow me. And you three, back to the Temple!" With another pointed look at the brothers, Kraai took the air and began to fly towards the Temple. He kept a sharp eye on the three youngsters, just in case Hokee proved to be dangerous. If worse came to worse, he already had backup on the way.

Backup wasn't needed though. Seeing that their little adventure was put to an end, the twins quickly devised a new game. "Betcha I'm faster!" Sundown piped up, suddenly pouncing on his brother and tackling him. With a wild hiss, Sideskill snapped at his brother and batted him with unsheathed claws. Yowling and giggling at the same time, Sundown scrambled away and began to run for the Temple. A growl Sides was right behind him, after first plowing over an unsuspecting Alfaim.

The Cougar smiled at the cubs. They seemed very defensive, and that could be good if they ever had to defend each other for real. He looked back at Kraai and followed him into the Temple.