Chade led his brother on the hunt for deer.  Not only a deer but he had to find one not sick, and not only did it have to be one not sick it needed to be they could catch.  An easy task for an adult but Chade was well aware of how much harder it would be for them.  Still, they had a chance!

“So Ry,” he explained to his brother as they walked, “hardest part in catching the deer so far has been how easy they can twist and turn and leap away in any direction before I can keep up.” He had a scent of deer he was following, flicking his eyes to look back at his brother before focusing ahead, “Biting prey on the legs to get them down has been what's worked best for killing them, but have to be able to keep with it for that.  So, I figure we’ll make sure you run on one side of it and I’ll be on the other side.  We close it in between us so it can only go straight.  As long as I can keep up it’ll be ok.”

The plan sounded reasonable at least but there was a reason Chade had never brought home this particular prize before.  Hopefully adding Ricin to it, and hey if the moon wanted to help he wouldn’t complain on that either! Ahead! Chade paused as he spotted farther ahead a doe, and farther back another two were with her.  At least one of them had a fawn.  Hope sprung up at the sight of young.  

With all the growth in this forest, it would be easy enough to sneak up close, at least for Chade it would be.  Chade whispered quietly, “take your time but we need to get closer, quietly.” They weren’t even in the forest very deep! “We got real lucky!”

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Ricin follows closely behind Chade, nodding as his brother explains the pros and cons to trying to catch a deer. There is so much more to hunting than Ricin had ever realized and a newfound respect is given to his brother. The lighter blue pup does not want to mess up this opportunity to hunt with Chade so he works to remember each and every lesson Chade has given him. When the darker pup pauses, Ricin mirrors him, looking to where his brother’s gaze lingers and spies a little family of deer. A smile appears as he looks back to Chade and nods his understanding, crouching low and heading to the right side where dense foliage will hide his bright coat better.

Taking his time, paws picking each step carefully, aware of branches and leaves that could give away his location, Ricin slowly treks to the fawn’s right side. His nose keeps testing the air, making sure the wind is bringing the deers scent to him and not his scent to the deer. It takes time but, with careful steps and silent movement, Ricin is able to get close to fawn. Hidden in the dense green of the dark forest, his crimson eyes search the foliage on the opppsite side for his brother. Seeing a slight hint of dark blue, Ricin gives a short nod to let his brother know he is ready as he crouches low. Tensing his muscles, the light pup coils himself up like a spring so that, when Chade kicks off the chase, he will be ready to keep up.

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Chade waited semi-patiently for his brother.  As mature as Chade acted at points he was still a puppy and whether or not he showed it patience was hard!  He had told Ricin to take his time and that was for the best but Chade just imagined the deer leaving before they were ready.  

Eventually, Ricin was set and Chade nodded to his brother once before he took off running towards the fawn.  The deer all saw him and started running.  Chade forced himself to only watch mom and Fawn and how they’d need to get on either side of that fawn.

Ricin said this fawn was necessary for the moon and Chade didn’t want to let him down.  The doe wanted to run faster but then realized her fawn couldn’t keep up.  She turned around ready to fight the wolves and Kotori gave his best intimidating snarl.  The doe turned to flee and before the fawn could go with her Chade would bite onto its leg.  It wouldn’t be enough alone but if Ricin could get the other side they would make it work.

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For once Ricin is trying to be patient, to go slowly so he doesn’t mess things up. When he reaches his hiding spot, he finds Chade’s darker form and smirks. His brother looks eager, bored, and ready to run. Without a word, Chade rushes toward the fawn, snarling intimidatingly. Well, as intimidating as a seven-month-old, large pawed, low voiced pup can be. Ricin is moving, darting swiftly from his cover to run toward the fawn. While he might not be a fighter or hunter, the lighter pup loves to run. His agility makes up for his lack of hunting knowledge as Ricin deftly moves in to grab the leg opposite of the one Chade is biting.

The fawn grunts, trying to call for its mother as Ricin throws his meager body weight backwards, hoping to pull the leg he is attached too out from under the fawn. Maybe they can cause the fawn to collapse and then Chade can finish it off before its mother even knows what is happening. Darting a glance to his brother, Ricin hopes he is doing the right thing.


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Chade left the doe’s side and run to help Ricin with the fawn.  Pride was felt in his chest when Ricin managed to get hold of a leg.  Chade urged his body onward at that level of speed that still takes awareness.  He caught up to them and grabbed the front leg on the same side as Ricin had.  He had been tempted to go for the neck but wasn’t sure either how much damage Ricin had been able to do or how long he’d hold on.  

Between the weight of the two pups, the fawn only got a few more strides before stumbling.  Chade let go right away and got his teeth around the young fawn's neck.  It pulled away from him but the flesh had been torn out for doing so.  Chade followed a few more strides and grabbed the neck again.  This time the fawn fell the rest of the way to the ground and Chade worked to rip the neck open more so the blood flowed out faster.

The doe was still in the area but she wasn’t coming towards them. She knew it was too late and could only stand there and call for her doomed child.  This was food for Chade and Ricin, a good meal that would feed them well.  It was also to be used for this ceremony, Ricin said they should so he’d follow his brother on this area.

“We did it!” Chade looked behind them, “I see the moon, its not too far!”  That was a relief.


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Ricin may not be a hunter but instinct serves him well. When he gets ahold of the fawn’s leg, the lighter pup strengthens his grip and holds on for the ride. Chade is quick to appear, grabbing the opposite front leg from where Ricin holds the back. Grunting, he throws all of his weight into his butt and Ricin pulls backward as Chade pulls at the front. The fawn stumbles crying out in fear as Chade lets go of his leg to go for the throat. The fawn pulls away, wide eyes rolling wildly in fear as it tries to stumble away. Ricin has not let go of the fawn’s leg and it stumbles again after a few strides. Chade follows the weakening fawn, biting and tearing the throat open wider with each attack. Finally, with the mother giving one last forlorn call, the fawn’s body stills. The doe lingers, perhaps needing time to grieve her dead child but she does not approach them. Ricin releases the dead fawn’s leg and wags his tail in happiness at Chade’s triumph. The darker pup sees a pool of moonlight and points Ricin toward with.

Working together, the pups maneuver the fawn’s body into the silver light and, once they have laid it out, Ricin looks to Chade and says, “With the blood of this deer and the blood in our veins, we pledge to by each other’s sides forever. By the light of the moon and in the eyes of the goddess, we ask you to witness this bond and give it strength.” Words said, Ricin dips his paw into the fawn’s blood and smears it across Chade’s face. Dipping the paw once more, Ricin smears the blood across his own face. Then he tilts his head back, the lighter pup releases a soft howl, thanking the moon for watching over them.  When he is done, Ricin lowers his head and smiles at his brother. Quickly, moving to the fawn’s belly, Ricin says, “Well… you going to help me eat this Chade?” A smile dances on his lips as the brothers begin their mighty feast.


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