*Deer*

A fairly large and impressive white-tailed deer buck staggered through the marshes. His rack consisted of dozens of points and would be a great asset to him when competing for a mate. If a hunter's bullet hadn't struck him such a grevious wound to his gut, he would have passed on his strong genes to another generation. But here was a mortally wounded buck in his prime; a buck that could easily out distance any wolf and who any sensible wolf wouldn't even consider going after. He was the kind of deer needed to strengthen his kind's blood and thus help ensure many deer for years to come. But the humans targted him over the smaller, weaker deer who's genes weren't desired.

.alayna.

.the feline had been silently padding through the forest when she heard the crashing of the great stag, and she froze. she watched the massive deer as he stood, alone, wounded, and her green eyes narrowed greedily. he could feed her for a long time...now the tricky part would be waiting, and watching for hunters. should she end the deer's life, then hide? or what? she sat back on her tawny haunches and contemplated it for a moment, then began to stealthily move forward, listening, watching...

*Deer & Humans*

The stag continued on then fell to his knees. He almost teetered onto his side, but managed to pull himself up again. His tongue flicked over his nose as he looked back for the hunters. Without waiting he continued forward again until he made it into a dense patch of reeds and small shrubs. There he collapsed, exhausted and in pain.

Two humans emerged shortly after, coming out from the nearby woods. They were both young hunters, accounting for the poor shot to the stag's side. A previous second shot from the other hunter had even failed to strike the deer at all. Not being very experienced, they had a very hard time trailing the wounded deer. The marshy land sucked up the foot prints and blood, only leaving hairs to follow. And these were hard to find as well.

.alayna.

.the feline watched in disgust as the stag staggered into the woods. she knew she could find him easily enough, but she was lazy. she sat back and twitched her tail, trying to decide...suddenly she heard the unmistakable sound of human footsteps, and she got up and retreated into the brush...she would follow them, silent, until they reached the buck.

*Deer & Humans*

The humans walked around, going off the trail now. It had completely vanished from their sights. One human began to head toward the brush the stag was taking refuge in. The other was headed a ways up into another stand of vegetation.

.alayna.

.the feline narrowed her eyes slightly as the one human headed off, following him with her eyes. she knew that was the way the stag had headed, and she wanted him for herself. lifting her upper lip in a silent snarl, she stealthily slunk along, watching, waiting, biding her time...were the men armed? she stopped for a second, twitched her black-capped tail, and once again moved on, following...

*Humans*

The human had no clue there was a large cat trailing him. He had been searching keenly for the buck's trail. He nearly passed by the dyeing buck once but turned back, luckily missing sight of Alayna, and discovered the blood drops. He gave a loud yell for his companion and began to follow the blood spatters... the other human was now on his way over. One had a shotgun, and the one you are tracking his a riffle.

Flurry, Eclipse, Silver Moon, Frozen

Eclipse and Silver Moon darted in ahread of their mother excited about visiting Galar. Eclipse ran straight for the water but was careful knowing other alligators lurked. He began barking for Galar. Silver Moon caught scent of the humans though. She was about to investigate when Flurry ran over and scooped her up. Flurry carryed her near Eclipse and Frozen followed. Flurry smirked. "Eclipse quiet. Hide in the brush. I didnt expect this kind of danger." Flurry said . She waited for Starlit and Spark befor deciding to take any action.

.alayna.

.at the shout from the human, the feline froze, fearing she had been spotted, for she noticed a gun held by the man she trailed. she had noticed the pattering of blood, and wondered how she could do this...kill the human? risky, but it could work. she hunkered down, and watched, waiting...

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Flurry caught the felines scent soon. She became a bit more alert as she waited for Starlit and Spark. The pups hid in the brush though Eclipse and Frozen watched the water to see if they saw Glar, Akili, or Dima. Silver Moon saw that her mother had been destracted by the scent and her siblings were to worried about finding Galar, Akili, and Dima. She padded away quietly for se was very curious and didnt think it was all that dangerous. She slunk after the humans scent but then caught the bucks scent. She followed that insted and saw the buck and yipped excitedly forgetting that she was supposed to be quiet. "Wow look what I found!" The pup padded closer to the buck carefully. She knew her mother had a deer for a freind and was very curious to get a closer look at this one.

*Humans & Buck*

The buck lay panting heavy with glazed eyes. He heard the pup and tried to stand, but fell heavily to his side. His legs kicked out for a moment while many of his hairs were shed into the air and on the ground. Then he lay more still, breathing more shallow. The man finally reached the buck and spotted Silver Moon. At first his features showed surprise, but then a interest came about them. "Hurry over, look what I found!" he piped up, calling again for the other man. Setting his gun down, he walked a few paces towards the pup and knelt down. He clicked his fingers and called to her, hoping she'd come over.

The other man was still making his way to the site.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Flurry still aparently didnt realise her daughters absence and neither did Eclipse or Frozen who were still looking at the water waiting.

Silver Moon watched the buck very interested. Then she heared the man and whirled around startled and began snarling but quickly stopped at seeing he had put his gun down and she didnt really see any harm. She became curious. "I suppose it wont hurt to get a closer look." She whispered to herself and began walking over very slowly as she stopped a few inches from the man. She knew her mother had said be wary of all humans except the lady but she aparently wasnt thinking of it at the time and pushed it aside. She glances up at the man with curious eyes.

*Humans, Galar, & Akili*

It took a awhile before Galar finally appeared. Again the waters were begining to chill and slow him down. The alligator swam towards his friends and lifted his big, blunt head about the water and gave his grinning smile to them. "Good to see you!" he beamed.

Akili glided beside him and climbed a shore. She was growing larger now, but still she was young. "Long time no see!"

The young man reached out his hand to pat the curious pup on the head, "Phil, come check this out!" he called loudly over his shoulder before looking back to Silver Moon. "Where did you come from? You sure seem tame, but you look like you have wild blood in you!" he remarked out loud, speaking of her wolfish traits. Then he attempted to scratch her behind the ears.

The man named 'Phil' was still making his way over, and would be there soon enough.

.alayna.

.the cougar noticed that the man called phil was alone, lagging behind a bit. hah. she silently moved behind him, remaining hidden in the thick brush. she lowered herself to the ground, muscles tense, ready for the leap...silent, she leapt, paws outstretched, sharp nails ready to shred his soft flesh. fangs bared, her upper lip pulled back into a malicious snarl. aiming for his fleshy throat, she flew throught the air, agile, hoping to catch him off his guard, and knock him to the ground...

*Phil & Buck*

Phil was totally unaware of the feline's presence. Before he knew it, a large, powerful form hurtled threw the air at him and struck him heavily to the ground. Burning hot pain seared his flesh as powerful fangs closed over his throat. Phil would have screamed, but a recent cold left his throat hoarse and uncapable of processing any noise close to a scream or yell. The gun had fallen from his hands and he tried to kick the cougar and punch it before it was too late. "Ryan!" he croaked out, trying to get his friends attention.

Ryan paused and turned his head back, hearing some muffled noises. "Phil? Did you fall? You alright?" he questioned in a shouting voice. He hadn't heard his friend call his name, but he had heard the impact of Alayana and Phil crashing into each other and then the ground.

The buck kicked out suddenly, still on its side. His eyes were glazed and unseeing. Shortly again he gave another violent kick before his muscles relaxed slowly in death. The man named Ryan looked over startled, having not seen the buck when he stopped to check out this pup before him. He mumbled something under his breath and gazed over at the lifeless buck. Then he let out a long, deep sigh, seeing the deer was dead. While he was out for the thrill of the hunt as well as for the trophy and meat, he never intended to inflict unneeded suffering to the deer.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Eclipse yipped happyily when he saw galar and Akili. "Hello you two how have you been? Im so glad to see you!" He wagged his tail happily as he spoke.

Frozen nodded and wagged his tail as well. "Hi." He said as he looked towards the two alligators.

Flurry would have greeted Galar and Akili but suddenly she had caught scent of the humans mingled with her daughters scent. She ran over to where Eclipse and Frozen were not seeig her dauhgter. "Hello..." She said in a rushed voiceto Galar and Akili then looked to her two pups. "Stay... your sister might be in danger." She the turned and ran off. she watched from the brush. Shed only attack if her daughter was hurt but it didnt seem this human meant much harm and he wasnt makeing any threatining moves towards her daughter. She could also smell the felines scent and had a guess where the other human was.

Silver wagged her tail seeing this human was being nice and she had alowed him to pet her behind her ears. She turned noticing the buck had died and she valso heared the human calling to the other. She hadent sensed her mother near by for she had been to busy focusing on the other things around her. She began barking in the direction the feline and other human were in. But she stopped . She knew something wasnt right.

.alayna.

.the feline heard the hoarse words spoken by the human, and she quickly bit down harder upon the man's fleshy throat, knowing she would silence him soon. she felt his punches, and his kicks, and they angered her. she snarled as best she could with him in her jaws. suddenly she heard the barking, and her eyes glanced upwards. she didn't loosen her grip, but her eyes searched the tree line, not wanting to be caught unsuspecting.

suddenly she heard the man yelling as well, and she knew she had to finish this one off soon. she lifted her head, jaws still clamped around phil's neck...

Galar, Akili, & *Ryan*

"Phil?" Ryan called out again, becoming a bit alarmed, especially when Silver Moon began barking. "What in the world is taking him so long?" he asked aloud before looking down at the young hybrid, "What's got you, anway?" he wondered why she had barked and looked so intently in one direction.

Phil had no chance at winning this battle with a cougar. Alyana easily killed him with a crushing bite to the throat.

Ryan shrugged, thinking up reasons in his head why Phil was taking long. Ryan stooped down to Silver Moon and patted her on the head once more, smiling broadly again. He fished about in his pocket with one hand and brought out a half of a sandwhich that had been wrapped up. He held it out for her.

"We've been doing pretty well; not much prey though, but we certainly aren't starving!" Galar replied, taking a big breath to puff out his already large sides. "How have you been?" He then stopped when Flurry spoke quickly. He remembered last time when Silver Moon had nearly gotten killed by another alligator; she sure seemed to have a great curiousity about her.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Silver Moon sniffed at the sandwhich then took it as the man held it out. She ate the sandwhich quite fast and waged her tail.

"Weve been fine." Frozen said with a smile."Have any other alligators bothered you latley?" Frozen asked curiously though he wagged his tail.

Eclipse had wanted to follow his mother to see where she was headed but decided against the idea not wanting to get introuble. He heared frozens question and looked to Galar and Akili curiously then wondered where Dima was. "Wheres Dima?"

Flurry watched as Silver Moon ate the sandwhich. She was still wary though. Finnaly she slowly exited the brush but sat a distance away from the man and SIlverMoon but showed no threat of attacking. She layed down watching.

Silver Moon spotted her mother. She hoped her mother wasnt mad she wandered off though she yipped a greeting anyway. She then looked back to the man.

.alayna.

.the feline finally felt the man go limp, and she dropped him, looking at his limp body with disdain. she wasn't one to eat humans...she wanted the buck. she quickly stepped away from the corpse, and into the woods, for she knew he would be discovered. she then noticed the gun, and her tail twitched. she finally padded towards it, sniffed it, touched it, then nosed it into the swamp, felling satisfaction as it sank from sight. silent, she moved back into the brush, and she set her cold gaze on the second man, waiting...

Flurry, Silver Moon

Flurry suddenly had scented the felines scent close and it made her wary. She knew how some cats stalked silently then made there move. She smirked slightly. "Dont attack." She barked once at the brush in warning. She wanted nothing to harm her pups and this man seemed nice enough not to get attacked.

*Ryan*, Galar, & Akili

Ryan was startled to see Flurry, but not too fearful. The first thing that came to his mind was that she must be this pup's mother. Since she didn't approach him, he didn't make any moves to approach her, thinking she might be partly wild. He didn't recongize her as a wanted wolf, for he only knew the top few. The idea of taking this pup as a pet had crossed his mind, but he wouldn't dare do that now with Flurry present. With his curiosity fully enthrolled on Silver Moon and Flurry for the moment, he decided to see just how tamed they were. Picking up a stick, Ryan tossed it a short distance away and shouted the command 'fetch'.

Galar shook his head, "Nope, no problems. In fact," once again he took up his broad grin before going on, "I've got a few she-gators who are residing in my territory. There will be many little Galars next summer!" He exclaimed happily. "So long as I can keep them from being stolen, and guard them and my territory."

Akili was the one who first responded to the next question, "He's around here somewhere. Darn him, he nearly got eaten again! He tried to find out if the other gator's might be his mother, but none were. He's not going to have any limbs left if he doesn't cut it out." Akili chided with a frown of her eyes.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Flurry continued to watch the brush occasionally looking at the man or her daughter.

Silver Moon saw the stick be thrown. "Momma! He wants to play!" She said and darted over grabbing the stick she carried it back to him.

Eclipse and Frozen smiled and spoke a word in Unison. "Cool!" Eclipse smiled. "Yup and then you'll have to look after all of them like Akili and Dima right?" He asked.

Frozen smiled but heared about Dima. "Wow thats a harsh break. He might get eaten doing that!" Frozen said in a pretty loud bark.

.alayna.

.silent, the feline watched the human toss the stick, ignoring the call of the canine. stupid mutt...she lowered herself to the ground, when suddenly she accidentally snapped a small twig, breaking the silence she was worked so hard to maintain. she lifted her head, stiffened, still, waiting to see what would happen...

*Ryan*, Galar, & Akili

The man smiled again and laughed at seeing Silver Moon's enthusiastic nature. "What a pleasant dog!" he chimed and took hold of the stick once more. That's when he heard the bark by Silver Moon's sibling and then the snap of a twig. "Just how many of you are there? Phil, is that you?" Ryan looked back at Silver Moon with a look of confusion. "Lets check that out." he said, speaking as if he had had Silver Moon as a long-time pet. The man began to walk in the direction of Alayana.

Galar brought his head down a bit, "Naw... I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all those little ones... I mean, I don't know what their mothers would do if I stuck around." He admitted sheepishly. "Of course, I won't eat them or anything. And I suppose if they want to hang around me I'll let them... but if their mothers show up...."

Akili laughed, "Oh, you know you'll want to be around them! You're just making excuses."

Galar snorted, "Excuses! I think an angry she-gator is good enough 'excuse' to stay away from her young!" he shook his head in pretend anger, but knew she was right. He was the only alligator in the swamp who wouldn't attack little alligators or wolves. Quickly, he changed the subject, "Dima's going to be tough when he gets older. If he lives that long. He's too bold and curious for his age." Akili nodded in agreement. "We could call for him if you want. I'm sure he'd love to see you again."

Ice

Brute had been drinking the cool water, looking for food kinda. He had begun walking around, sctrtching himself on the trees a few times lazily. He was a few yards from where the dead buck laid when he caught then scent of Alayana and the hybrids, a low growl was emitted. Virile padded forth more, when he was a yard away he stopped and looked forward, he could smell the blood of both human and buck, he knew both were dead, then the scent of another human, one that was alive, and the dogs caught him. Then he lept up into a tree, climbing it, he came to a high strong branch that reached almost to the sight of the dead buck. Then he lept to another tree, almost falling he pulled himself up, now he laid on the branch seeing all that was happening. The only creature he could not see was Alayana, but he could tell where she was, from above he could see the grass move when she did. He was suddenly alarmed when the human made his was over to her, his long tail swished for a moment then it froze, he could take the meat. The mammoth cougar jumped down as soon as he saw that the human was gone from it. Nares sniffed it then he looked up his cool gaze came to the she-dog she emitted a deep growl to her. "If you try to take this from me I'll kill your pup." He warned her, then dug his fangs into the buck and began to pull it away.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Flurry snarled at Ice when she saew him jump down. "Take it. I dont want it but if you touch my pup your in trouble." She warned.

Silver Moon flicked her ears and darted infront of the man to block him. She knew Alyana was there especially after she heared the twig break.

Flurry hoped Eclipse and Frozen were staying where they were. It seemed to be getting to dangerous. She walked infront of the man and Silver Moon. She knew better the that. Perhapes she should lead him back to the ladys house but wasnt exactly sure. He didnt seem evil like other humans she had encountered. She barked for Eclipse ad Frozen then barked at the man seing if hed follow as she walked. She knew shed have to pass by his companion to leave and she could smell the death in the air. "Silver Moon, go get your silbings." One of the reasons Flurry had decided to help the mad was because he was nice to her daughter, and the other he didnt seem to be hunting any alligators or wolves just a prey animal which she knew humans and wolves hunted. She did have a freind that was a deer but she knew the doe was probably ok.

Silver Moon nodded and darted to where her siblings and the alligators were. "Its time to go. Mom thinks its getting to dangerous for there are two felines in the area... also there is this human that seems to be good and shes leading him back to the lady house to see." She stated.

Eclipse and Frozen nod. "Sorry Galar, Akili we have to go but we look foward to seeing you two again." Frozen said. "And hopefully Dima." Eclipse added. "By." Silver Moon said and her siblings followd her to her mother.

.alayna.

.the feline had frozen, even as the man took a few steps towards her, when suddenly she saw the second cougar come, a male nonetheless, trying to take the buck she was working so hard for! a snarl left her vocals before she could stop it, and she turned and moved into the brush, between the man and the other feline. leave it! she hissed at him. it's mine! she took a few silent steps forward, partially revealing herself, for a moment...

*Ryan*, Galar, & Akili

Ryan stopped abruptly after nearly tripping over Silver Moon, "Woah, what's up with you?" He questioned, then was startled by Flurry's actions. "What's gotten into you now?" at first he got the wrong impression, thinking that he may be tresspassing somewhere the two didn't want him to go. For a moment he was afraid he did something to upset them into aggression. Soon though, he realized Flurry was trying to tell him something. He had had a dog once and knew that Flurry's behavior showed she wanted him to follow. Curiously, he began to follow after her. Just as he spotted his friend's inert form laying sprawled on the ground, Ryan heard Alayana. He also saw the other cougar. Ryan froze a moment, squeezing tight to his gun but was too afraid to move it and threaten the cougar into attacking him. Ryan glanced down at Phil again and saw his friend was dead. He shuddered and turned pale, then turned his head away and cursed under his breath. Very slowly now, he began to back away as he followed Flurry, hoping she was heading for some house or people. He needed to get the cops... he could do nothing more fro Phil, but he certainly could avenge him; after he saved himself, of course.

Galar rumbled deeply, "Two felines? Cougars?" he knew what they were, though they didn't come around the swamp all too often. "Are they threatening you?" he pulled himself from the water and looked around suspisciously, "I'll teach them about endangering my friends!"

Akili stayed put, knowing she was no match for wolf, much less a cougar. "Keep safe. And come back soon to talk some more! Maybe I can catch a fish for you sometime, or a newt or something." she chimed hopefully, trying to hide the worry in her voice.

Flurry, Silver Moon, Eclipse, Frozen

Flurry glanced back every once in awhile to make sure her pups were safe then she padded to the house at the woodland farm glad she had gotten the man to follow.

Silver Moon walked beside her mother and Eclipse and Frozen ran behind. "Bye Galar, Akili!" Eclipse howled on his ay out. None of them had heared what Galar had said befor they left.

Ice*Ridged Edge

Brute stopped as he pulled the buck away. "You think I'm takeing this to eat just for me? I'm not, at first I was here hunting for my pack, but know I'm helping you." He hissed back at her, then dug his fangs in and began to pull the buck away again, he was almost out of the marsh. "If you want you can jon my pack in Pyrola and help eat this great feast." Then he pulled some more and was all but gone.

Edge came in after him as he ran into Ice tripping he bent down and bit into the buck, helping him pull it home.

*Ryan*, Galar, & Akili

Ryan followed after Flurry and her young, eager to get away from the cougars and the gruesome sight of his murdered friend. Galar slid quickly into the water and watched his friends and the human go by. Akili gave a loud 'chirp' in alarm and dove headlong into the water. The man glanced over in start at the strange cry, but didn't give the little alligator a second thought.

Galar swam as far as he could along the edge of the marsh until his friends were out of sight. He was worried, but at least could tell the human didn't seem too threatening. Now he watched out for the cougars, making sure they didn't follow Flurry.

.alayna.

.the tawny feline quickly disappeared into the brush, not wanting to give the second human a shot at her. as she watched him move away, she narrowed her smoky green eyes adn turned to the second cougar. cougars don't live in packs, she hissed. she pulled back her upper lip in a snarl. and I want that buck! she stepped forward, knocking edge out of the way. tawny hide bristling, she watched him carefully. this was why she hated the males of her species...such arrogant pig-headed things!

Ice*Ridged Edge

Brute emitted a loud roar back at her as she did it to him. Then as she darted into the bushes he pulled the buck out. Edge snarled at her as she tried to hit him away. "Its a grouopo of us living in a pack lands so we call ourselfs a pack so get over it." He growled at her. Edge was only slightly small in size of the feline, being half and half himself, he could take her on, but now wasn't the time. Then they both dragged it out.