Stjarna eyed the sapling, eyes narrowing sharply at the scratches and shredded bark of the tree. Star had been hunting long enough to know that it was evidence of a deer rub and there were several worn areas throughout the forest that looked to be deer trails as well as areas that may have been used for bedding. There were definitely deer here, now all Star had to do was find them. The black and white wolf set nose to tracking and started scouring the land for any scent of prey. Soon they found fresh deer droppings and followed the deer trail to the edge of a small clearing where a group of four deer were grazing. One of them appeared injured, a young buck. Oh! That's right, it was basically autumn. This was the time of the rut for deer. They were more likely to be distracted as the season wore on making for good hunting.

Yet again, birds of a feather flocked together. Whilst they'd not yet made a move to officially claim it as theirs, Hattori had learned that the wolves of the Armada favoured the willows. He could see why they felt that way, the forest was thick and dense, teeming with game if you knew where to look. He wasn't sure why they hadn't made a move yet but till then everyone and anyone was free to come and go as they pleased, loners and pack wolves alike. Figuring that Venom would enjoy a nice cut of venison, Hattori stalked through the woods, following a trail of hoof prints that weaved through the churned mud. The wind was starting to take a cold edge, a sure sign that autumn would soon shove summer aside, and Hattori stood tall and breathed deep, rolling the scents around in the back of his nose. The deer had to be close but not enough that he could yet see it, though the same couldn't be said for the silvery wolf that laid ahead. Stjarna.

Hattori was quiet as he approached, not wanting to make enough noise to disturb the relative silence of the forest. It was only once he stood by the starlight's wolf side that he saw the deer, several of them now. The one he'd been tracking had found some company, it seemed.

"You choose." He rumbled, it was a given since Star had been observing them for longer.

Stjarna continued to examine the deer herd, searching for weakness that would make it easier to pick a target for hunting. A cough caught their attention. One of the does was ill. It had a deep, barking cough that seemed to indicate some sort of lower respiratory infection. That one would be a decent target.

Star's ears flicked back as they heard someone approaching. Star turned to see Hattori and they grinned at the presence of the skilled hunter. Star gestured toward their left. "That doe is ill. The one on the far left." He kept his voice low so as not to alert the creatures. "I'll sneak around to get in front of them. Try to run the target toward me though if you have a chance to drag her down do it, I'll join you when I can."

With the plan laid out, Star started slinking around toward the far end of the clearing. They moved slowly and carefully. Every so often one of the deer would look up, ears fanned out listening. Star would freeze til they went back to grazing. In time Star was in position. Now it was up to Hattori.

Hattori followed their line of sight, brows furrowing a touch as he noticed the scratchy cough that rumbled in one of the doe's chests. Whilst it didn't seem to hinder her too much for now he doubted the same could be said for when winter came. It was better to cut her life short now before it got to that, surely. The shinobi nodded in agreement, both to the target and the plan that was unfolding before him. He waited for Stjarna to start slinking into place, watching as his greyish form blended into the long shadows cast by the willow trees. Even the most colourful of wolves would have an easier time hiding here, it was just that shady. Once content with his hunting partners positioning Hattori kicked off into a dash, chunks of earth went flying as his talons ripped them up. He stormed over, loud and brash and that was more than enough to send the herd skittering in all directions.

The doe attempted to dart away and follow the others but he cut her off, side stepping on the spot so he stood in her path. She let out an alarmed snort and, predictably, turned tail to run in the opposite direction with Hattori hot in pursuit. Right towards were Stjarna was now laying in wait.

Stjarna waited patiently as Hattori dashed forward toward the doe, driving her from the herd and toward the starlight man. Star's legs coiled underneath them, tense and ready to unfurl the moment an opening was made. As the doe started to race past, Star leapt up and bit onto the left front leg of the doe. The sudden weight caused her to stumble, falling down onto the earth. The doe flailed and kicked, her hind hooves grazing Star's left thigh. Flinching, Star held on as best they could, not letting the pain throw them off. The doe would go down, one way or another and with her on the ground Star felt confident that the horned man could finish this hunt and leave a nice meal for them. Hunger gnawed at the wolf's stomach, appetite growing at the taste of blood.

Hattori heard the pair collide before he saw it. He slowed and watched the tangle of limbs, the doe kicked and writhed, struggling with all of her might to break free. For a moment Hattori wasn't sure whether he ought to intervene or not. He would have left the starlight wolf to their own devices but he could tell that she'd break free at any moment, that she was quickly gaining the upper hoof in their entanglement. Hattori strode over quickly and bent down, the doe's eyes widened at the sight of him and she wriggled even harder, no doubt having realised what he was going to do next. Hattori's bite was swift and certain as he clamped down on her throat and held on, gripping her airways as her movements became sluggish and slow. It was just like falling asleep, or so he'd been told. Blood pooled on his tongue and the doe went limp.