All around me (Kodi)

[<3Kodi]

Soul glanced over his shoulder, glad to see Mirage had done as he had bidden. The whole nipping thing however, they'd have to talk about that later. Turning his full attention back to the buck, Soul bunched his muscles under his thick white pelt. His wolven mind was shifting into hunt mode, taking in the scents and sounds, judging distances and possible escape routes the deer might take. For several heartbeats he remained still, frozen and watching the weary animal. The wind shifted blowing Soul's scent toward the buck. In response to the threat-scent the buck sprang up from its hiding place and Soul sprang forward letting out a hunting growl-bark sound that made the deer bleat in fright.

Launching himself forward, Soul took off in a flat out run after the fleet-footed animal. He was a blur of white trailing the buck, swerving left and right and nipping at the deer, snapping his jaws to herd the animal toward the lake. Branches whipped at Soul's muzzle and legs but he paid it no heed, his stormy gaze fixed fully on the fleeing beast. His lips curled back to reveal his fangs as his powerful bodice rocketed after it, slowly gaining more ground and closing the gap. The buck broke out of the trees with Soul hot on its heels. Reaching open ground, Soul coiled the muscles in his haunches and sprang forward with a loud snarl. His front claws raked the deer's haunches, fangs snapping at its back. One of the deer's hind legs struck his belly.

Soul tumbled backward off the deer, hitting the ground and rolling to his paws. Panting the big male took off running again, his gaze determinedly fixed on the animal which was now bleeding from gashes on its back. It would take more then that to down a deer however. Putting on a spurt of speed Soul swerved to the right, running even with the deer's haunch. Throwing himself sideways, Soul slammed his shoulder into its hip using his weight to knock it off balance and sinking his fangs into the flesh. The buck bleated and swung its antlered head, trying to knock Soul off but succeeding only in going down. Soul released the downed deer and sprang at the neck, breaking it before the deer could rise.

As the animal went limp, Soul stood beside it panting heavily. His tongue lulled from his parted jaws, sides heaving and he felt a colorful bruise blooming under his fur on his stomach where the deer had clipped him. For such light animals, deer hooves packed a punch. Turning his muzzle skyward Soul let out a short victorious howl before letting it die. He didn't particularly want too many loners coming around to be dinner guests so he kept it short before sitting back on his haunches and waiting for Mirage to join him.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Mirage was readily quiet however when she heard the flapping noise up ahead. She knew it was a hawk and the little pup hid not being able to watch the chase however they did head in her direction and she got to see the take down of it and it was excited makinf her own burst of adrenaline to assist in the take down however she had seen the deadly kick which had been aimed for his head but it got his soft belly which was bad in some case hopefully nothing in his inerds was damaged didnt want to have internal bleeding now did we. Mirage remember a wolf who had got kicked in the head and went blind in one eye and Mirage grinned well that was Papi old senile wolf but he was crazy and carried alot of scars and she loved him. Papi was her mothers father and he was very much old and was the former alpha but since him going blind he gave up his position as Alpha and gave it to his daughter and in turn her mother Amaterasu picked her father Zues. She shook the thoughts from her head and looked around seeing nothing she ran foreward and sat upon her hauches looking at him "um are you ok he gave you a nasty kick and you eat first I get whats left" she said carefully eyeing him.

[<3Kodi]

Soul perked his ears and looked up as Mirage came scampering out of the trees toward him. He smiled a little, remembering when he and his brother would tackle their father when he came home with food. Pushing the memories away, Soul's lips twitched in a wince as she mentioned him getting kicked in the gut. Well, she'd seen that. He'd hoped she hadn't, then he could at least keep a little dignity. Howl would have been laughing and laughing at the thought he could have been defeated by a deer. Soul shook his head and smiled for the pup. "I'll be alright, all this fur is good for something and where I come from the pups always eat first. Besides, there's more then enough on this thing."

Standing up, Soul put his front paw on the deer's side and sank his fangs into the fur. The fur tickled the roof of his mouth making him want to either gag or sneeze. Resisting the urge, the wolf pulled backward. Fur and hide ripped. Tossing aside the hide, Soul used his claws to scrape away the thicker hide. Besides, who liked to eat deer fur? It was the meat they were both after so the fur was really no good unless you were lining a den. The birds would enjoy it for their nests but whatever.

Letting the pup take her pick of what she'd want, Soul sank his fangs into the haunch and pulled fur away before beginning his own meal. His stomach rumbled making an almost contented sound. It had been what, two, three days since his last decent meal? Giving the rabbit to Mirage definatly hadn't helped, at least not helped his stomach but it had helped his heart so he was ok. Besides adult wolves could go a while without food and with all his fluffy arctic-wolf fur he didn't look anywhere near starving. Still, his belly was much happier and quieter when he finally pulled his bloodied muzzle away from the buck.

Stepping away about three feet the white wolf carefully laid down on his side, wincing slightly. There was blood on his belly where the deer had kicked him but not a lot, just a shallow cut from the edge of its hoof. Twisting slightly Soul sniffed the wound and sighed. Yep, he'd have a decent bruise there for a while. Laying his head on his paws and waiting for Mirage to finish her meal, the male stared at the tall grass waving not far away from him, lost in thought which could be dangerous when there was an energetic pup around but....Soul was new to the foster father thing....he didn't know how energetic Mirage was....or that pups brewed trouble like the clouds brewed rain.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Little Mirage nodded to him and smiled softly going to the buck grabbing the skin with her smalls muzzle shaking and tearing it. It was good for their muscles in pups jaws to build up the strength. She growled softly and began chewing the very tough meat. Soon she had a nice pop belly and she was fat again Mirage was looking very healthy and if you looked at her just right you could see that she would be a very fine she wolf someday. Little Mirage looked around to Soul who was seeming dazed off into the distance. Mirage shrugged her s houlders and began to bounce around more than likely attracting more than enough wanted attention and more than likely the blood from the kill would draw other predators.

She stalked foreward her intent to pounce on Soul however a strange scent caught her nostrisl and she froze her body was shaking already. However when the birds quieted around her the littlr brown orbs grew frightened and searched frantically around for the source of this predator quiet. She was about 100 yard away from Soul could she make it to the safety of his bosom before whatever was watching her got to her. She heard it then a scream and she froze hearing the growl which followed it...cougar. The cat would definatly be faster than little Mirage surely and most likely Soul. Cats tended to be faster and meaner. She began to creep slowly towards slowly when she saw the golden eyes of the cat and then it take off at a run towards her. Mirage took off like a bat out of hell her tail tucked her rump hitting the ground as the cat caught up with her taking her hinds out behind her making the pups yelp. Mirage whimpered as she turned making the cat slide and Mirage doubled back heading for Soul barking and squeaking the big cat behind her.

[<3Kodi]

Soul's eyes were half closed and slightly glazed as he rested after the glorious meal and let his body start to heal his slight wound that had been the price of their dinner. He could hear Mirage snuffling around through the grasses and was content so long as she was within hearing range. Soul should have known better, he really should have. Pups drew in trouble not to mention the smell of a fresh kill. If he was one his own, Soul had no problem leaving a kill half eaten and let the ravens or other wolves come and eat their fill from his kill. It didn't bother him because he'd fed off of old kills before when he'd been newly on his own. It was like something he'd heard humans would do, leaving firewood in caves in the mountains for other humans.

Quiet reigned over the clearing. Soul's eyes drooped further. Wait a second...quiet. His ivory head snapped up, stormy eyes open. Quiet. Not good. The summer air seemed thick and stillness had fallen. The birds weren't singing anymore. A hawk that had been swooping around overhead was gone now, the sky empty. There was no breeze. The whole forest seemed to be waiting for something. Soul listened intently and realized what else was missing. The sounds of Mirage playing. Soul looked around searching for his new ward. Slowly the male began to ease himself to his paws, sniffing curiously but he was unable to find the cause of the sudden stillness.

Suddenly...yelps and howls came from the little pup nearly a hundred yards away. Soul sprang to his paws and caught sight of the disturbance. A cougar. Fear flashed through Soul but not for himself. A pup was easy pray for a cougar. Without thinking Soul began to run toward Mirage and the big cat. "Run Mirage!" The order was unnecessary but he felt some need to say something, let her know he was coming. Soul sprang at the cat with a feral snarl. Long hooked claws lashed out at him, a hissing snarl rising from the cat as Soul ducked quickly away from the big cat. Soul snapped his jaws and snarled, hackles risen and weaving in front of the willowy cat to hold its attention while Mirage fled. He hoped she would find somewhere safe to hide. Soul lunged, the cat swiped. Blood spattered his maw as hooked claws raked across his muzzle. Soul let out an involentary yelp and recoiled. The cat sprang with a snarl. Soul tumbled backward with the animal, kicking at its belly and snapping his jaws.

Fangs met cat fur and Soul held on to the cat's leg, kicking its belly with his powerful hind legs. The cat yowled and tried to swipe at him, missing his ears by a hair's width. Soul released the cat's leg and shoved its belly hard with both hind legs, loosing it just enough for him to escape. Dashing a few feet Soul put distance between himself and the cat, blood leaking from three gashes across his ivory muzzle. Soul let out a short agressive howl. The cat snarled and growled, crouched against the ground watching Soul with burning amber eyes. Soul's eyes flicked behind the cat. The forest. A ravine was nearby. If he was careful....

"Stay hidden Mirage!" Soul barked loudly to make sure she heard him.

Springing forward the big wolf ran toward the trees. With a snarl the cat followed. Soul crashed through the undergrowth, making sure the cat followed. There was a steep ravine he had sheltered in a few days ago. If he could trick the cat, it would fall and either die or at least be stunned. Catching sight of the ravine's edge, Soul whipped around to face the cat only to find fangs and fur a foot from his face. Soul let out a startled bark and backpedaled. The ground was gone from under his paws and as the cat lunged, Soul dropped into the ravine followed by the feline. With a thud he landed at the bottom, his fur littered with leaves and twigs. Not a heartbeat later and the cat landed on top of him.

When he came around a few minutes later Soul writhed under the animal but it didn't move. Soul pushed it away and scrambled away jerkily, barely making it a few inches. Looking over at the cat, Soul let his body go limp. The cat was unconcious, blood trickling from between its jaws. Heaving himself to his paws, Soul cautiously approached the wild cat. It was alive, flanks heaving but still limp. Standing at the bottom of the ravine, Soul stared at it, not quite sure what to do, kill it or leave it. After a moment he decided to leave it and began a slow climb up the ravine. At the top he stopped and took inventory. He had all his limbs, both ears and his tail. Cuts littered his legs but mostly his fur had protected him from serious injury. He was sore all over, his muzzle stung sharply and still bled along with a few cuts from the cat's claws on his chest and upper belly. Not bad for a cat fight...

Looking around, Soul saw the sun sinking and his heart sank as well. Mirage. Without thinking Soul let out a howl, searching for the pup.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Mirage figured she was going to die that is until she heard Souls voice telling her to run. She resisted the urge to say she was and that they damn feline was on her ass again. She saw the place where Soul was but he wasnt there anymore fear struck her very being was he dead? had the cat eaten him to? the sounds behind her made her stopped no Soul was saving her from certain death. He was telling her to run well she was heading straigh into a hollow trunk where she hid with all the spiders and centipedes which made her shudder at their creepy crawlyness. She waited until everything quieted she didnt heard anyt fighting anymore her heart fell was he dead as well it made her body weep for her loss or perhaps he had lured the feline away and that made her feel better as she had heard him say stay hidden.

Hours went by and finally she decided to poke her head out of her hiding spot. She began to call out to Soul which was majorly stupid on her part but what she recieved in return was his call searching for him. She was cut up and bruised herself but nothing major they cat had been playing with her nothing big however she didnt want to become mince meat for the kitty cat so she had ran and Soul had saved her. When his call reached her harks she grinned and ran toward his call seeing his white form she tackled him him a puppy play tackle feeling her muscles scream out in pain. She licked his maw over and over with happiness. "Mister Soul your okay" she said whimpering and then licking him scratches apologetically. She hadnt meant to hurt him it was all her fault she was just a trouble maker.

[<3Kodi]

Faster then Soul could blink he heard a reply to his howl. Happiness surged through him at finding the little whelp was ok. Bushes rattled and in a flash the pup was there. A grunt pulled itself from Soul's wounded muzzle as Mirage sprang on him. Her weight made him unbalance and topple onto his side with a yelp of pain as the motion aggravated various cuts and the bruise on his belly but really he didn't mind, he actually smiled. Mirage was an energetic little whelp, that was for sure and he'd have to keep on his paws if he was going to keep an eye on her. Sitting up a little, Soul rasped his tongue over her head to quiet her apologies. He looked like a mess, his fur shoved in all directions with twigs and leaves and drying blood clinging to the once white surface but Soul didn't particularly care.

"Mirage didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with cats?" Soul asked a bit sarcastically, rasping his tongue over her ears.

The big male looked back at the ravine and his tail twitched. That cat would probably wake up sometime and Soul sure as heck didn't want to be around when it did. He was tired but his wounds weren't serious. They could probably put some distance between themselves and the cougar but...Mirage was young and small with a short stride. She'd never be able to keep up. Adult wolves could travel thirty miles in a day on little rest and Soul was no exception but Mirage was still just a whelp and from her earlier display she didn't like being carried. That and it was getting dark, Mirage would go to sleep. Soul could carry her while she slept but...if she was squirming all night she'd be a problem to him and her and they'd never get anywhere.

Looking down at the pup, Soul let out a soft sigh. "We need to put some distance between us and the cat. That means I have to carry you. Are you going to squirm or be good and let me carry you?"

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Mirage saw that he was happy to see that she was alive however what came out of his mouth made her sad no her mother handnt told her to not play with cats as her mother was dead. She plastered her harks to her head and tucked her tail like a wounded dog. She looked up at him and whimpered "no mister Soul she did not however the cat came out of no where when I was just gonna play with you" she said stiffly a sniffle coming from her nose as tears threatened. When he licked her however a smile came back to her little face least she knew he hadnt been totally mean about bringing up her mother but she didnt mind it however it still hurt inside. She looked up at him she would be good for now and she answered him honestly she knew they had to set some distance and knew her little legs would not keep up and s he knew he would be awefully sore however it would help his limbs so he wouldnt have a build up of lactic acids.

"Im not promising anything i may squirm I may not I dont know" she said "but i do know I wont be very happy with it" she said with a loud huff. She waited for him however and turned her back to him baring her scruff waiting for them to get the hell out of this place it was dangerous even though the cat would probably find their trail by blood and scent alone. She was bleeding he was bleeding the cat was bleeding hell they were all bleeding. She rolled her eyes and seemed to brood where she sat hovering in her own little world.

[<3Kodi]

Soul rolled his eyes and stood up. His joints protested and his muscles groaned but Soul knew he had to get moving. If he laid down and stayed down he would fall asleep and lord knew what would happen to Mirage if he dared sleep a wink until he knew she was knocked out cold. Dearly hoping not every night or day would be like this with the whelp, Soul bowed his head and grasped Mirage firmly by her scruff. He pondered as he picked her up if it would just be easier for her to rest on his back. She was small and could probably nestle up between his shoulder blades since he was a big wolf and had a rather broad back but decided not to put the idea in her head. Besides, running would make the motion jerky and she would fall or complain too much.

Instead, Soul set off at a brisk lope. His long legs carried him easily despite the complaining muscles and cuts occasionally shooting little pains. Soul tried his best to ignore it as he skirted the moonlit lake, occasionally drifting into the shallows to was the blood and scent off his paws but careful to make sure Mirage was well clear of the water. At least she hadn't squirmed too much yet.

Really Soul wasn't intending on going too far, just to a den on the other side of the hill on the far side of the Glass Diamond Lake. Still, it would be far enough to discourage the cougar from following and also if he walked in the shallows Soul would mask the scent of both himself and Mirage. Something told him that when the cougar woke up it would think twice before going wolf hunting again and by then both he and Mirage would be rested with their scents stale and too old to follow. Hopefully that was the case but Soul wasn't known for being overly hopeful. It seemed that with Mirage anything could happen and usually did.

As he left the lake behind, Soul headed into the trees again, picking his way up a rather steep hill at a slower pace to avoid bracken thickets and rain-slicked leaves that could cause him to slip and drop Mirage. In the darkness his stormy eyes seemed to glow dimly as he wove between trees and crested the hill. At the top, Soul paused and took a deep breath. The den was in a large old oak at the bottom of the hill, dug out in the roots under the trunk and many loners used it but from the scents it had been unused for a while. Glad for it, Soul picked his way down the slope until he reached the shelter of the tree's wide branches. Once at the den entrance, Soul put down his charge and sat back on his haunches for a moment to rest, glancing up at the moon and stars.

"In the den Mirage, we'll rest here tonight."

Rising again, Soul slipped down into the shadowy den and curled up with his back pressed against the back wall. He tucked his legs up against his soft underbelly, weary of the bruises and cuts and laid his head on the earth, already feeling droopy but unwilling to sleep until Mirage was well within her own dreamland to ensure she stayed in the den.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

She let him pick her up and she curled her tail up and pulled up her feet like a pup should so she wouldnt be such a burden it was almost like instinct or maybe it was. As the walked and walked and walked Mirage grew bored and began to play i spy with herself and congratulating herself for figuring it out. She grey bored and soon began to doze off and on. She groaned and finally they made it to the area of the location of the den site. When her little rump hit the ground she wanted to lay there and go to sleep she was exhausted and her little limbs were so stiff she wondered if she could stretch them out farther. However she got up half asleep and followed Soul into the den area and when he laid down she did as well curling up into the warmth of his soft belly and wrapping her little tail about her snuggling into his pelt. She sighed loudly and finally surrendered to a soundless sleep which was deep and tired she would be so sore in the morning and soon her dreams were filled with butterflies of like the one she had seen earlier.

[<3Kodi]

Soul shifted his legs so Mirage could burrow herself into his belly though he winced a little when she pressed against the bruise but she moved and the pain left. His front paws and back paws created a little nest for the pup, his thick tail curling up around her to offer warmth. Soul couldn't help but give a tired smile. Troublesome though she proved to be, Mirage was a sweet pup. He was new to the whole foster father thing but already he could see the reward in it. Mirage's smiles, shy little apologies and silly little habits. They were worth it. Letting out his own contented sigh the blue-marked brute let his eyes droop closed and darkness engulf him. He would find Howl. Mirage hadn't changed that. She was simply...a little company along the way.

Slowly the aches and pains of the day drifted away leaving Soul's mind content though he seldom appriciated or liked his dreams. Tonight they were all about him and Howl romping around as pups, chasing rabbits, playing in streams. Content and happy, when times had been less foreboding and life hadn't been so hard. Back when his laughter and smiles had been so common. Before he'd had to give that up, bury his family and wander alone. In his sleep, Soul's maw curled in a small smile as his mind's eye played through happier times offering him true rest for the first time in a long time.

-thread ended-