Come down, come down sweet reverence

Tojo had an interesting set up. Jynn was used to coming across packs with connected lands, often wander through different terrain until getting around the obstacle a pack presented to her wandering. Tojo however had a gap between the Maze and the Ancient Oaks. Between their territory rested the Dragon's Blood Grove. A grove of strange and frightening trees that bled like living things. It unnerved her a little but not enough to keep her away.

Jynn was working through her patrol, manning the northern borders of the maze when something out in the inbetween land caught her eye. A wild ass… no several of them! There was a small herd and she couldn't help but notice that one of them was limping. Oh well that was too good to pass up! Jynn crouched down to watch for awhile, working out a plan and debating calling for help. How skittish were wild ass? Would they run if she called?

Jiro had been planning to head up to the oaks to go collect some flora for his mother's stores. The balmy heat of spring that would soon make way for summer tended to make it difficult to grow certain plants within the bamboo. Within the shadowed and wet confines of the old oak forest, plants had an easier time staying alive. Relying on his mother's knowledge now that Sedna had moved on, Jiro was happy to oblige to her requests.

As he goes to leave the bamboo, he spots Tojo's newest member, Jynn, eyeing some mule out in the grove. With no sense of shyness about him, Jiro makes his way over to the maned wolf with a wag of his tail and an inquisitive glint to his eye. Coming to a stop beside her, he looks out to the herd and watches them for a moment. It doesn't take long to notice the limping one hanging toward the back. "If you're gonna hunt it, can I help?" Jiro asks in hushed tones as he moves to crouch down as well.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

While Jynn pondered how best to gather aid for the hunt her large ears caught the sound of approach. It was Jiro! Jynn smiled at the pup. The boy was proving to be a capable hunter and his larger, more muscular frame was just what they needed for this hunt. She nodded. "Of course, there's a small herd of wild ass amongst a grove of those strange trees. One of them is injured, see?" She gestured gently with her paw toward the wounded prey animal. "I haven't hunted these before but I have heard they kick really hard. We'll need to be careful. I figure let's just try to get them running and swarm the injured one when it falls behind."

Not a master hunter, Jynn wasn't the best at strategies but the good old run and chase usually worked well against most medium prey species. She slipped into the autumn grasses, snaking her way around so she was facing at the rear of the injured one that lingered at the edge of the herd. As soon as she was close as she dared she sprang forward. Jynn growled, jaws snapping. Almost immediately the nearest ass kicked both back legs out toward her head. A timely duck avoided injury and the herd was soon running.

Jiro was just beginning to get old enough to start hunting larger prey. In bigger groups, it was easier to take them down because he usually only had one thing to focus on. But here with Jynn, it was just the two of them versus a small herd of mules. His eyes watch them as Jynn talks, noticing how their hooves definitely looked like nothing to be messed with. He nods at her plan, silently agreeing that it was as good a plan as any with what knowledge he had so far.

Letting her take the lead, Jiro follows. Hunkering down as much as he can in the grass, hoping he was being stealthy enough to go unnoticed. Moving around the outskirts of the herd until they were closer toward the injured ass, he waits patiently. His breaths lengthen, ears twitching, listening for the right moment. Just as they appear relaxed and unobservant, Jynn bursts forward with Jiro following suit.

He lets out a sharp bark, alerting the herd to get a move on! Jaws snapping intently at the heels, his paws slowing abruptly to fall back and away from flying hooves that aim toward his head. Though the ass is injured, it still puts up a chase. Lagging a few paces behind the herd, Jiro takes up the side opposite of Jynn so they can wear the injured animal down.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Claws digging into the dirt as she ran, Jynn launched herself after the herd, eyes fixed on their wounded quarry. Seconds fly by and the wounded ass soon falls behind the others. It struggles to keep up, its wounded leg starting to shake with the effort of supporting its weight. Jynn pulled up nearby but out of kicking range before twisting her head to the side suddenly, fangs snagging the equine's right rear leg. The muscular animal pulled the leg out of her jaws but the sudden trip left it unable to regain balance as it fell forward into the dust. Braying the ass struggled to stand. This was their chance!

The ass was determined to live, but unfortunately for it, he and Jynn would be more determined! He continues to pressure the ass to drive on, snapping and barking at its heels just when Jynn angles suddenly toward it and bites at its leg. Jiro watches the ass pull away, forcing him to jump out of the way from being fallen on.

As the animal stumbles into the dirt, falling down, Jiro takes his chance. Leaping forward toward the shoulder, he grabs on and bites down on the equine’s jugular. Blood sprays out from his mouth as it fills around his tongue, warm and sticky. He hears the ass scream out, the sound becoming more gurgled as it chokes on its own blood.

Once the equine lay lifeless, Jiro peels himself away and smiles at Jynn with bloodied mouth. “That was fun,” he comments, tail wagging happily behind him. “Think we can drag it back to the bamboo?” Jiro asks, gaze turning to look back toward home.