What's the word?

He leaped forward to pin her down but instead, she sidestepped and he felt a new sensation blaze subtly over his chest. He landed with a thud, suddenly feeling weak and his arms crumpled into the snow. He made to get up but slowly a choking pain had him cough as he struggled against the ground.

He harshly laughed at this strange weakness, a sensation he was used to, and took a steady breath. Slowly the pain grew more and more intense over his chest as the snow started to darken and grow red.

He flinched as he looked down and finally saw the bloom of blood growing through his fur. He gave in then with a loud and heartfelt laugh! It was not maniacal, it was a boy's triumphant sound. He gave the sky his choking hissing laugh for just a moment. He glanced at Absinth, panting, "Ha, ya got me! That's what-what that was!" He was breathless.

Now that he knew what it was he found he found he could shakily get to his feet. Stricken by a sudden flinching motion of his limbs, and slight dizziness. He was shaking his head and wincing as he moved.

He got free of the snow bank, thoroughly defeated he slumped into a hunched sit before her, his head low.
"I didn't even...see-see you grab it back up! Good fight!" He exclaimed, still a delightful teasing smile over his maw. He was still the runt of the litter, stricken by weakness when he was over-exerted. Though he had thought he had been over these struggles by now.

He drew in a sharp breath, a small sound escaped him as he gathered the strength to walk back to the Market. He wanted to keep his head high and display his new fresh scar.