Turbulence

She had been back no more than a couple of days now. Her mission to save her home had ended in failure, and suffice to say she was having a hard time coming to terms with that. She wasn't in a very good mood, that much was for certain. She hadn't spoken much to anyone when she got back, wanting to be left alone for a while. Though perhaps it'd be best to not seclude herself anymore. She had been gone long enough...she didn't want to raise any concerns or draw attention to herself. Then again, would keeping to herself even draw much attention? After all, half of the pack often kept to themselves as well. She opted to patrol the furthest territory, keeping under the protection of the ancient oaks as a storm raged. Wind howled among the branches and the rain desperately sought to penetrate to the ground, but struggled. The sky flashed whenever lightning struck in the distance, and she counted the rumbles in between. So far, the lightning wasn't striking close enough to warrant any worrying, so she continued her path around the trees.

Patrolling the edge and occasionally slipping out into heavier rain, her coat became slick and heavy. Her legs muddy, and her vision obscured as it fell heavier. Despite all that, she didn't miss the tracks that crept into the territory. Pausing as soon as she spotted them, she leaned down to study them better, hackles raising when she realized a jaguar had trespassed. Though she hadn't been back for long, she was aware of the newest brood of pups. She was sure they were within the confines of the bamboo, but even then, she knew that wayward pups didn't always do as they were told. Hackles bristling now, she followed the tracks further into the oaks, every sense of hers alert for any sign of the beast.

Little did she know that it sat within the trees above her, and as she crept along, so too, did the jaguar. It wasn't until she barely glanced up that it leapt down onto her back, the woman unable to get out of the way in time. Claws dragged at her back as she managed to avoid the full weight of the beast, causing the cat to fall to the ground. Without waiting, Sakura charged the beast, her own jaws open and claws at the ready as she tackled it, her fangs seeking the side of the cats neck as her forelegs sought to wrap around its shoulders in an attempt to restrict its movement.

The jaguar fought back, of course. It too, wrapped its claws into the wolf's thick fur as it also sought purchase with its own teeth. The pair wrestled back and forth, slick mud making it hard to keep their footing, but Sakura was bigger. Heavier. She managed to overpower the jaguar, throwing it on the ground and ready to deal the killing blow. As lightning suddenly flashed above and struck a nearby tree, she flinched and her fur stood on end from the sudden surprise. And it only took that moment for the jaguar to disappear. Its tracks racing back toward the border. No doubt it learned its lesson. Bruised, bleeding, and sore, she opted to finish her patrol here to head back to her den and tend to her wounds.

WC: 561 (1/2 prompt pass)
"Sakura Haruno"