Kichi moved along the path headed south with Torch, no real great plan to speak of.  His mom and Lurid were haunting him and nagging him to death.  Who knew dead guardians could throw such a fuss over who got to claim him as theirs?  Maybe he should feel loved but honestly, he felt chained and wanted to get both of them to leave him be.

The little deer would stop here and there, kick up a small layer of snow before munching on the grass underneath.  As they neared the water Kichi stopped, nose up scenting the air before heading to drink, nodding for Torch to do the same.  As a pup he’d made a hell of a choice choosing a deer as his companion.  Kichi could have just as easily called out ‘fight me’ for all the times it meant having to defend his friend.  

Many scars marked the young wolf's body, several on his face, a spot on his chest where the fur was less dense suggested it as another spot of damage.  He was almost two now and in prime shape despite his hard-won battle scars.  While Torch drank the wolf sat down keeping an eye out.  Once he felt the area was safe for the time being he might as well do some hunting himself.  

He could scent other deer, a small smile coming to his face.  Thankfully Torch understood he was different than them and never seemed to mind Kichi eating the meat of his own kind.  “C’mon Torch, we need to find you a place to hide so I c-“ Kichi paused, hackles rising up, lips pulling back to show all his teeth.

The tiger had been behind the rock but now it moved directly towards them, or more accurately it was looking at Torch.  Perhaps the cat couldn’t imagine that the wolf nearby would have an issue with that.  Perhaps it just didn’t care.   Kichi stepped between them, slowly moving towards the bit cat his snarl picking up intensity.

The giant cat rushed towards him and Kichi jumped aside but twisted his head to grab at the cat, a clawed paw slashed back.  Neither his teeth nor the cat’s claws found their mark but Kichi had won the first round, his only interest had been given Torch enough time to not be a target.

Talk

Fern’s eyes roamed over the picturesque valley. Even with a blanket of snow covering it, the gray girl is still awestruck by the beauty. Deer roam the white grassland, kicking up snow to get the grass underneath. A rumble of hunger loudly protests its need to her. Fine. Hunting would be a good way to take her mind off her trek anyway. Spying some rocks protruding from the snow, Fern quickly takes up residence alongside one. The grays of her coat acting as a natural camouflage against the rock.

Making sure to stay downwind of the prey, Fern tracks a small deer away from the rest of the pack. Paws carry her swiftly and silently toward her target, trying to blend in with snow and rocks. A new scent hits her nostrils and she realizes there is another wolf here. Hunkering down into the snow on top of a small hill of stone, Fern waits and watches. Head is laid on the rocks as her aqua gaze finds the tiger resting behind a rock some distance away. Luck seems to be with her as it does not appear to notice her.

Fern quietly thanks the wind for being in her favor and watches as a wolf and deer comes into view. The wolf seems to care for deer, his stance and countenance that of its protector instead of killer. Interesting. Of course, Fern knew some wolves have companions, her mother had had an owl named Rigel. It is curious that this wolf would chose a deer. That is a story for another and she decides to let the wolf know it might be a good idea to keep his friend away from places like this if he wants it to stay alive.

Eyes return to the tiger and movement catches her eye.  It shifts, smelling the deer on the wind. Powerful body stalks around the rock it had been hiding behind and launches toward the deer. Without another thought, Fern pushes off from her hiding spot in the snow and runs at the tiger. Silent paws cover the distance and she watches the wolf and tiger swipe at each other and miss.

For some strange reason she feels the need to protect this deer, perhaps it is because her mother loved deer or maybe it is because she sees how innocent they were. For whatever reason, Fern needs to get the tiger’s attention off the deer and wolf. When she within range, Fern launches herself at the tiger, aiming for its neck that is exposed as it turns toward the other wolf. Teeth meet flesh and hot blood pools in her mouth. The cat lets out a furious roar and rears back onto its hind legs. In the moment of confusion, Fern releases her hold and falls to ground.

Landing and rolling, Fern comes up in a defensive stance, teeth bared, ears pinned, tail tucked, eyes narrowed, and scruff scrunched. Realizing she is standing close to the deer and wolf, Fern casting a quick glance toward the wolf.  With a dip her head, she acknowledges their presence and the need to protect the deer. The tiger is recovering and Fern’s attention returns to the wounded and mad cat. She will follow the other’s wolf lead as they start to dance with death and this cat.

Kichi was certainly surprised when a wolf suddenly joined in.  The silver wolf couldn’t imagine why anyone would help him and assumed they had their own reasons.  It was a thing that deserved more thought but there was no time at the moment.  Want the wolf's help or not he certainly wouldn’t let the chance pass him up.

She bit into the tiger which fully took its interest away from Kichi.  His eyes flicked back for a moment to see Torch had indeed fled.  Good.  The tiny deer knew how to hide and with two wolves and a tiger here it was unlikely any other predator was going to want to slink and steal his friend.

The tiger’s focus was less certain as it worried between the two.  Kichi had no experience fighting with someone else. He snarled at the cat and charged in again, leaping away from its front end to instead bite the back leg and dart away as it would quickly cause the tiger to spin and strike out at him again.  Kichi had never faced a tiger before but it was just one more of many predators he had played with.  It had teeth, it had claws, it was fast and, it was strong.  Snarling the boy showed off all his teeth as well as a challenging glare that should burn a hole in the cat's heart.

Talk

A smile ticks up the corners of her mouth as Fern watches her new fighting companion charge at the tiger and duck under its claws. Fern dances away as the tiger starts to turn toward the other wolf. To some, this wolf might appear to be reckless, some might even call it foolish, but to the smaller wolf, he is brave and selfless. That deer must be really special to him. In that moment, Fern vowed to herself that she would let no harm come to the wolf or his deer.

There is a moment when the tiger’s attention completely leaves the gray girl as he faces off with the other wolf. Fern seizes the opportunity. Darting in, Fern grabs the first thing she can sink into… and pulls. A very mad yowl rips from the tiger’s throat as Fern plants her paws in the snow and jerks hard on the cat’s tail. A smile curls her lips up as she grinds the sensitive tail in her jaws. As the tiger yowls and turns to swipe at her, Fern releases the wounded appendage and rolls under the clawed paw.

Springing back up onto all fours, Fern gleefully shouts at the mad cat, “Catch a tiger by the tail!” The words do their job, putting the tiger’s full attention on her and her alone. Fern watches as the cat turns toward her and she puts her paws to work, running around the tiger until his broad back is square in front of the other wolf.

She was useful.  Cold-hearted and distrusting as Kichi was he had to acknowledge she was helping.  Was she insane?  The other wolf bit the tiger’s tail.  Kichi wasn’t a team player so the notion of her doing that expecting him to attack really wouldn’t come to mind.  That was stupidly dangerous.  Actually, Kichi imagined he could leave her with the tiger and he could leave with Torch.

The thought had merit but if the tiger killed this wolf too fast it might still come after them. With the tiger’s full attention on the stranger, Kichi ran in, leaping up to bite into the tiger’s upper neck, squeezing down and trying to push his weight into it.  It was quickly observed the tiger was not going to be unbalanced by a wolf.  The cat swung around with claws and teeth aimed for Kichi.

Kichi hopped backward out of range of the teeth for at least a second, and his teeth connected to the paw, sinking his fangs into it, he felt the claws get the fur around his throat but they couldn’t get any purchase for the entire second he held it.  The moment the paw was out of his mouth the wolf leaped away of the other claws and teeth coming at him.  The tiger still had a tail problem to limit how far it could lunge after him.

Now the cat had a bite on a back leg and the sensitive front paw as well.  Would that be enough for the other wolf to escape from its perilous spot?  Either way, Kichi was sure he and Torch could outrun the tiger now if needed.  His gaze looked to Fern and the tiger.  If she was smart he felt she’d also let the tiger flee, if it wanted to.  

Talk

The cat is mad. It’s wounded tail twitches in annoyance as the tiger growls and hisses at her. Fern stares the beast down, growling deeply at the angry cat. Eyes catch movement as her fighting companion runs in and bites the tiger’s upper neck. A very undignified yowl escapes the creature and Fern sucks in a breath as the cat swings its deadly claws and teeth toward the other wolf. He hops back and out of the range of the strikes and Fern releases the breath she had been holding.

As the other wolf bites the paw, Fern takes advantage of the distraction and drops back, preparing to attack again. The wounded paws seem to be hampering the cat’s speed and, when the other wolf looks at her, Fern understands the message. His wary gaze seems to question her and she offers a wide smile. With any luck, one last attack and the tiger will hopefully run. Fern wasn’t a complete idiot. If the cat ran, she would let it.

The tiger’s eyes try to track both of the wolves and decided which one is the bigger threat. Fern kicks off and starts trotting around the tiger’s side. Its eyes track her but its attention is still split between the wolves. It hisses its displeasure at them and drops back, putting distance between it and the wolves. It lifts its injured front paw to swat at the first thing that comes within range. Eyes search for an opening in the cat’s stance to exploit.

Fern angles her paws towards the beast and trots closer to the outraged cat. Then, the opening she has been waiting for, happens. Her fighting companion does something to anger the cat and, as the tiger turns to look at the other wolf, Fern picks up speed and darts under the cat’s chest. Jaws open wide and Fern latches onto the injured front paws joint. Sinking her teeth deep into the elbow joint, the gray girl uses her momentum to throw herself sideways and to the ground. Teeth shred flesh and Fern hears and feels a sickening crunch in her mouth.

The tiger roars in pain and outrage as the gray girl releases her hold on the joint and rolls back up onto her paws to quickly escape her place from under the cat. Claws and teeth try to find purchase on her skin but she dodges and weaves her way out. It turns to try and follow her but its movements are slow and pained. Paws carry her out of harm’s way and Fern moves to cross behind the tiger and rejoin her companion in front of it.

Maybe it thinks that she is going for its tail again or maybe it has just had enough of her. Either way, Fern is completely caught off guard when the tiger lashes out at her with its hind leg. Paws connect with her side and send Fern spinning away into the snow. The sudden change in position leaves her slightly dazed and all she can think is, ‘Did that fucker just donkey kick me?’. Body finally comes to a stop and she lays in the snow for a moment, stunned and breathless. Hopefully her fighting companion can finish the job and drive the tiger away.

Kichi wasn’t going close to initiate with the tiger again but as Fern looked for an opening he did indeed help in a safe fashion.  He had found a decent-sized rock buried in the snow and kicked it towards the cat.  It hadn’t even managed to hit but it did cause the tiger to turn his head to look at a potential threat.  Kichi had glared at it and snarled and that had been enough for Fern apparently.

Kichi stepped back some as Fern got near him.  Sure, get the tiger to remember him again.  The angry tiger was looking at both of them.  It was injured, they weren’t.  At least Kichi wasn’t, he didn’t think the other wolf was but certainly wasn’t taking time to look her over better.  The boy showed his teeth to the tiger again, his defiant hate of life staring into the angry cat’s eyes.  Kichi had earned his scars facing things stronger than himself and right now the tiger needed to know he’d fight it till death.  Not really but, the tiger didn’t need to know that.

The large animal hesitated but its injuries gave the wolves the upper hand and it was aware.  The prey it had wanted was gone.  The tiger gave them another snarl before warily turning to leave, first slowly then picking up speed.  Kichi smirked as even moving faster it was a strong limp.  With a slow exhale and lowering some of his tense muscles he looked to Fern lying in the snow.

“Well, what is it you want of us?”  Helping someone for no gain wasn’t a thing.  Everyone had a reason whether or not they consciously thought of it, whether or not they admitted to it, they always wanted something.  He didn’t ask if she was fine, if she wanted him to know she would tell him and if she didn’t want him to know he didn’t care.  Instead he glanced up, “C’mon Torch, its gone.”  

From around a hill and bolder the tiny fanged deer lept up from its hiding spot and bounding back closer to the wolves.

Talk

From her resting spot in the snow several feet away from the cat and wolf, Fern watches the final moments of the battle. The other wolf shows his teeth and stares the tiger down. A question lazily meanders through her mind as she continues to watch the exchange from her side, ‘How do you breathe again?’. The kick from the cat had caught the smaller wolf in the side had drove the air from her lungs. Since coming to a complete stop, her diaphragm has refused to start working again. The muscles that control the contraction and relaxation are frozen in place.

Black spots swim into her vision as she wills the muscles to relax and allow her to breathe regularly. Her chest shudders as it pushes whatever air that was left in her lungs, out. Vaguely, Fern is aware that the tiger flees and the two wolves are left alone. Just as the gray girl begs the universe to let her breathe again, the muscles fully relax and she greedily sucks in air.

Vision snaps back into focus as her chest heaves to reclaim the oxygen she had been lacking. With her body settling quickly back into the normal rhythm of breathing, Fern cautiously sits up in the snow. She can feel the wary eyes of the other wolf on her and offers him a joyful smile. They had just fought off a tiger! And no one got hurt! Then his gruff voice asks what she wants from them. Brows knit together in confusion and she notes his tense muscles and look of distrust.

Calling out a name and saying it is gone, Fern hears the sound of small hooves bounding through the snow and sees the deer from earlier reappear in her field of vision. With a twinge of uncertainty in her voice, Fern answers the distrusting youth, “N-nothing. I just saw a wolf helping their friend and thought… you could use some help.” A lazy shrug of her shoulders and Fern slowly raises, gathering her paws under her. A shake of her body sends the snow that clings to her coat flying. Next, she rolls her shoulders and tests the muscles in the rest of body. With a nod to herself, Fern is pleased to find that there is no permeant damage.

After her self-analysis, Fern turns her attention back the boy and his deer. “My name is Fern and I was just trying to help.” As she dips her head, trying to show humility, Fern’s muscles tense on the own accord. For a moment she is unsure if he will attack her now that the predator is gone.

She just attacked the tiger because it looked like he needed help to protect Torch?  Either she was a liar or naïve in the ways of the world.  Kichi imagined there was a time he might do something that stupid but now he saw no reason to help another unless there was something in it for him.  No one deserved anything from him, in fact, the world owed him a great deal and it could never repay him.  That being said did he owe her now? Kichi’s lips twitched in frustration at the thought before letting out a sigh. “I see,” he added neutrally.

“I’m Kichi.” A moment's pause before adding, “thanks.”  He wasn’t going to give more than that.  He wasn’t admitting that there was any chance he might have lost a fight or a friend.  Kichi would win or escape any fight because that’s what was necessary.   “Imagine I owe you now.  I can’t say I care to owe anyone.  Tell me what you want for me to pay you back.” He might as well get that over with.  It seemed Fern had no intent to demand from him but the offer would be placed out there lest it haunt him later.

Talk

Lifting her back up to look at the wolf, Fern forces her muscles to relax as she loosens her stance. So far, he has not attacked her and the gray girl takes that as a good sign. His neutral answer does not phase her as she knows some wolves are less trusting then others. With a smile and dip of her head, Fern acknowledges Kichi’s name. Usually, the gray girl is distant, shrinking away from others wolves and the prospect of getting to know them. Yet, there is something about Kichi that has Fern letting down the walls she has carefully built.

His thanks is unnecessary and she hurriedly brushes it off with a wave off her paw. The insinuation of her wanting something for the help stings but Fern understands distrust. Looking to the deer and then Kichi, Fern says, “It is pleasure to meet you Torch and Kichi. You do not owe me a thing and I will accept nothing for me help. Let’s just say… I was doing it for my own reasons.” A slight shrug of her shoulders and Fern adds, “There was no evil intent behind it and I hope you and Torch can understand that.”

The sky opens and fresh snow starts to drift lazily down. Fern takes that as her cue to leave. With a bow of her head, the gray girl says, “Goodbye Kichi. Perhaps we will meet again. I would fight alongside you any day.” With that her body turns to go back the way she came and her paws carry her forward her to some unknown future. Casting one last glance over her shoulder, Fern says, “Be safe you two.” With that her form disappears into the drifting snow and blowing winds.

-exit Fern-