:: Shadows of Lupuei ::

The morning sun has not yet risen. The world is cool and silent and dark. This night is not as cold as they have been. Perhaps the mildest yet. This word, that was so blanketed in cold, in death, is repairing. As if waking from a frozen and endless slumber, it has bathed itself of the weak, the wasteful and the undeserving. Dormant under a blanket of ice and snow until all that could not stand to appreciate it's wonder were no more. Now, though, it lived. You can feel it breathing and beating under your paws. You can witness it's children, the trees and flowers, the animals including you yourself grow as strong as was meant to be. This would drag forth relief but not for long. New challenges are beginning to appear.
The night lookouts stand quietly, vigilantly. Nothing will come here unnoticed. The only sound that can be heard is the soft continuous breathing of your pack mates. They sleep, but are always wary. The deaths seem to be cornering of as of late, becoming fewer and farther in between with each passing week. But new threats are always rearing their heads. Recently other species have begun to emerge and since what seemed a huge bear - woken from the finally dimming winter - took the life of a pack member, wolves have been edgy. For good reason too. Food is scarce, threats loom around every corner. Death has become more a part of life than ever, and we have learned how powerless we really are when facing our mother earth. This life is hard, and these wolves surrounding you expect nothing more than a fight to keep alive. Some of them will die, and this is certain. Some of them will rise, perhaps you, and lead the others to a desperately needed salvation.

Somewhere in the distance a bird of prey screeches, and the first strangled bits of light begin to peek in between the trees, golden and promising. A new day, a new hunt, a new struggle for survival has begun.

Cammii silent under a tree that was naked with no leaves.Curled up she stayed silent her eyes slowly open to see the stillness of her surrounding .Pack members awake or still in there sleep ,Her ears flickered and pointed up to hear anything or something.Her head slowly a rising from underneath her paws where head once layed.She stayed calm and steady . She arose from her spot siting upon her back legs she shook the snow and what ever else on her fur off.Her eyes scanned around to her fellow pack and up to the sky,The sun peeking through the shadowed sky soon the sun will be up , and the day will start.

Hunting would soon begin ,the day before was slow and lagging not much feeding took upon them . Hoping for a better day so they could sleep tonight with a full stumich . There wasn't much food around here it was scaris and it would stay like that for a while.Maybe there hunting ground has grown dead of life , Maybe going on a different path would bring them luck in food.

Cammii ponder in her thoughts , about the dream she has just dreament . Of how life as one was hard, and finding a pack , a family was something that had changed her life. How hunting with a hurt leg was hard, where nights without food and the cold did a number on her.Thinning her out, but now since she was taken in by this pack has made her stronger.She has filled out and increased a lot of her skills.Being small she has shown her strength in many ways , How she is growing much stronger by the day now with her pack.

Micah's body spasmed lightly and her head flew upward from the cold stoned ground of the den she lay in. Her breath hit her at once in a tight, short gasp. It left her mouth in a trembling cloud of mist, warm against the cold dawn. She squinted, letting her eyes adjust to the thin bit of light that seeped into the cave. A sigh escaped her throat. The dream was fading quickly from her memory, hazy scenes being stripped away from her mind, still innocent with sleep. Only the final, bitter moments stayed clear. She grunted. For those she would welcome a failed memory. She stood then, careful not to wake the pups clustered around her. They made soft whimpering sounds and twitched as they slept. Their simply 'being'; living, breathing and the sleepy noises they made...it brought her much comfort. Such contrast to the hardships they faced. Though, she knew, the pups certainly felt the hard times as well. She leaned down, then, and licked one softly, hopefully not enough to rouse it. She gazed down at her mate, who lay just at her opposite side. The large wolf was breathing heavily in his sleep, his great grey chest rising and falling with each breath he took. She bent and licked he, too in a similar fashion, if not quite as gently. He'd be pleased to know he looked so strong, even in sleep. Micah took a steady step forward then. With a wide mouthed yawn and a long, bowing stretch the large wolf padded slowly outside to greet the morning. The air was fresh, and the pines that surrounded she and her pack perfumed the morning. She rose her nose to the sky and took in each smell, melding them together and sorting them in mere seconds. Something was discomforting something was...new. Far off, but new none the less. She would have to keep an even keener eye out today.

She let out a low growl then. It was answered by another soft, deep rumbling and, but another. She had relieved the night watch - including her daughter, Aspen, from duty. The smaller, leaner wolf the color of cobalt and sprinkled silver trotted quietly toward her mother. Her eyes appeared heavy. Micah nosed her shoulder and then nudged her toward the den.

" Get some rest before we move today. "

The younger wolf nodded in thanks and moved near silently past her toward the den. The other wolf bowed it's head respectfully and moved on as well. Micah took over, waiting, watching until the pack should wake.

Turning then she noticed Cammii. The small white delta. She was a fierce young thing, for sure. An new but able bodied hunter and a valuable asset to the pack. Micah grinned. An early riser too. She greeted her with a low, gentle noise that vibrated across the dawn.

Lucas begins to stir under a tree feeling the warm sun welcoming him. He yawns a bit and stands up stretching. He than admires the view around him, and suddenly his stomach growls. He had eaten nothing since last night. Last night the hunt was hard but they finally found a small amount of food. And they had to split it up and the youngest don't get as much food. Lucas decides he should take a little prowl but before he leaves, he admires the pack around him. And does a little bark to wake them up. There are dangers for Wolves that sleep to long, Hypothermia, Bears, And things that are much worse. Lucas is not dumb at all. He is still young but not dumb. He knows not to take a prowl alone, seeing as he is young other predators would take there first chance to get him. He would need a older wolf to help him, grab some water and food. And also protect him from the dangers that lie ahead. He howls a lot louder this time. "Come on wake up! I'm starving."

Tindra sat on the top of the den and looked at the sky dawn. It wasnt warm out, but warmer than yesterday and she had faith that times shifted to the better. She didnt know what to think about the pack but she also didnt care about what to think. She was something of a loner even when in the pack. She pulled her own weight and she helped where help was needed. She was no overachiever. She tried to just enjoy the few bright sides of life, like spectating the dawning of a better day.

Micah's head shot up as the youngling cried out. In half a moment she was on top of him, her jaws clasped gently around his neck, she pinned the pup to the ground. Young Lucas had only very recently been allowed to join the pack on hunts. His status was rising quite well really. For a youngster he was strong...but then, one had to be to survive in this land. She stepped away from him then, a stern look in her weathered eyes. She was fairly gentle with him, and had taken care not to hurt him, simply to subdue him. Even so, it was hard to disguise a soft chuckle at the pup
s eagerness.

Now now. That much noise, and with the pack asleep...you're calling someone to make a breakfast out of you. Patience and we will hunt.

Micah gazed around steadily. More were rousing. Tindra, an attractive wolf in her prime sat atop the rocky cave welcoming the day. Micah nodded at her, bidding her a silent good morning.

Kiyoshi slept under a tree sleeping soundly and dreaming about his past
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Kiyoshi a rare breed of light wolves that existed a decade ago until a weird breed of wolves destroyed they had pitch-black fur and red eyes he watched in a corner the mawling of his breed in his the blood of his clan was all over the place he then found himself discovered by three of the wolves they leered at him he then ran to mountain range he then found another place to take a rest he then was ambushed by five other wolves one bit his waist he was bleeding alot and was getting dizzy then one wolf pushed him off the cliff into the river he then was swept into riverbanks he then awoke in an area filled with other breeds of wolves a voice came to his ear and asked him "are you ok whats your name?" He replied "im Kiyoshi of the light wolves breed" "im sorry to tell you this um its been a week but they reported that breed extinct and destroyed you must be a survivor" "what destroyed extinct no why?" "Please rest it'll be fine you can stay with us just be yourself"
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Kiyoshi woke up to see the pact hunt for breakfast "oh-no im going to be late i better get ready".

Cammii was also hungry but sat still waiting for the pack to get ready and go for a hunt.Her tail waved side to side, she moved forward taking small steps with her head high.She sat down closer to everyone,showing she is ready to go when ever.Her eyes shined with thrill ready to catch something.Her inner child being pulled from within her.She always acted young for it gave her high enjoyment of hunting.

Cammii looked around, Some where still sleeping, they will be left behind if they soon don't awaken soon. She lifted her head up take a couple sniffs of the air.It would be a good day, warmer allowing more animals to come out to also look for food.A slight wind picked up, pushing over her,the morning air always felt good upon her back.It always wakened her to make her more on gaurd.

Lucas laughed as he stood back up on all fours. "Your lucky ya caught me off guard!" He barked and looked over Micah noticing Tindra. "But i'm hungry now. We can't just sit around all day. Half these wolves are too lazy man if i was leader of this pack..." He stopped his sentence short and sat down staring at Micah. He sighed and waited for the pack to wake up.

Scout had been awake and alert for some time now. Well, as alert as it was wolfishly possible with his baby brother crawling all over him like a giant furry tick. Scrap had spent the better part of the night sleeping, but he always roused himself when Scout did. Like all pups Scrap had the impression that it was play-time 24/7, so when he was awake he immediately leaped onto Scout and tried fruitlessly to bring the larger wolf to the ground.

Scout shrugged the pup off him with ease and stood up straighter. The puppy gave out a small yelp when he landed, but was upright immediately, playfully growling at his older sibling while trying in vain to swing at Scouts nose with his tiny paws. This only lasted around twenty seconds however, as exhaustion forced Scrap to lie down and let sleep take him once again.

Scout looked around. No-one had been woken by the pup, but even if they had it mattered little, as the pack was now slowly starting to wake up. It was Scouts habit to wake up earlier than the rest of his clan. It calmed him somehow to see the other wolves resting, and to watch the peaceful sunrise bring life, light and heat to the world.

But something was different this morning, Scout could sense it. Among the usual sights, sound and smells, something unusual filled the air. Though the mysterious 'something' was some distance away, Scout somehow knew it would not remain distant for long. He had long learned to trust such instincts. He knew today would be different, for the entire pack.

Kiyoshi was set to hunt he then noticed who was up and greeted them he then layed out a yawn and lied down "where's everyone else because im ready to hunt" He then looked directly at the plains

You either become the prey or the predator...The unworthy became the prey to those that dominate the rest. Survival was very crucial as so was food...There was no more smaller animals to feed on as there was years ago, back when times were very fulfilling for the natural predators. Now, the only meat left was the one that survived the human apocalypse. This new world was the beginning of a brutal era for the legged creatures, as being a lone animals was the toughest path to follow. Each sect of animals would do anything to eat the young of other packs/groups...Especially Hunter...A wolf who is more than determined to encounter the fulfillment of making history and dominating the world himself along with the entire Lupuei wolf pack.

The very complicated terrain that Hunter limped through was located in a forbidden zone to any animal that was not a Hyena...But luckily, Hunter was at wrong place at the right time...only to find a Hyena and it's young. But this mother was none to back down against any predator in defense to its young. She knew what Hunter wanted and they were both going to fight each other for their lives....Hunter noticed such a huge litter of hyenas this mother delivered and felt that messing up now would make him remembered as a disgrace to his parents and every wolf in history. Hunter knew Hyenas had stronger bites and were the most powerful hunters today...He had to fight smarter...

It was an epic battle, with lives on the line, along with the generation of each animal. Both with different paths and goals...both fighting for food...Hunter's stakes were high as the mother hynea could care less about Hunter becoming her prey. She battled and fought Hunter with all her might, keeping him as far away from victory as possible for the sake of the lives of her young. The baby hyenas starred from a distance, hoping their mother will come out of this fight in one piece. However, Hunter came into this battle much more hungrier and blood thirsty. He was a different wolf than ever.

Not only did Hunter end up defeating the mother hyena...He ended up slaughtering it in front of the young hyenas, with no guidance now that its guide has been put down by their predator. Hunter ripped away at its flesh, with no remorse to his actions. He took out his own pains, frustrations, and anger on the Hyena. As he left the torn body laying on the fresh, yet vintage soil, Hunter began to stalk the younger hyenas, unable to defend for themselves, feeling less of a hope, based on the fact that their mother could not even defend them.

Nature is such a cruel invention by the universal deity that many tend to overlook it with a more beautiful concept rather than a realistic perspective that is life's cruel intention.

Hunter feasted on the flesh of the mother and buried the dying baby hyenas for his pack to find on a terrain they would be headed to next. He was wounded around his body but the gaps would heal quicker than the regular wolf that existed along with the incompetence of humans. He expected the pack to notice it and knew the consequences for not only leaving the pack, but also risking his own life without a hunting party. But shouldn't that create more of a positive impression?

Hunter's jaw, covered with the blood of a mother Hyena and it's children..."Wait until Scout hears about this...", Hunter said to himself, with no emotion to the sentence. Hunter shook the snow burning his wounds, and continued walking to the direction of his pack...He could sniff them from miles away. The morning has brightened as the battle must of have gone by all night.

As he continued limping a growling under it's breath through the snowy terrain, he began to see the entire pack, huddled in a huge zone. He felt accomplished, and knew that his pack was in for a treat. He has never buried prey for anyone but the over confidence has played an important role in his instinct. He wasn't doing this for the alphas...he was doing this to send a message that he has done something no other wolf would dare do in both moral and physical aspects.

"Scrap!" Yelped Lobo. He hopped several inches to Scrap's back and began biting it's ear and hoped away. Lobo tried to do it again at its nose but misses. (The bites were very quick and painless) Lobo finally adjusted himself appropriately and sits on his hind legs. "What should we do while we wait? I'm starved too!" Lobo sneezed quickly and shook his head a bit as he then looked around the area they have stayed overnight, sensing something unusual, but as a naive pup that he is, he ignores the approach of Hunter on his way from a quarter mile away.

Lobo felt better than ever now that he is beginning to gain access out of the den and roam around the outside with the other pups. He even made new friends. Hunting was something he wasn't very good at, but Lobo was more than clueless that hunting now days is extremely crucial....In a world where even his own species can be hunted by the wildlife itself.

Mal'chick opened his ancient eyes, still sleeping at his long dead ancestor's master's bed. A low, deep growl emitted from his throat and he looked at another wolf that had entered the ancient building. He darted up and raced after the other wolf, not to kill it, but to scare it. After a chase that seemed like hours to the old wolf, he eventually lost the more agile, young wolf. "Damn.." His nose caught the faint scent of a wolf pack. Knowing that they could easily be friend, or foe, he let out a very loud, very distinct howl, his entire body arched into it.

Originally posted by JacopeX
[i]"Scrap!" Yelped Lobo. He hopped several inches to Scrap's back and began biting it's ear and hoped away. Lobo tried to do it again at its nose but misses. (The bites were very quick and painless) Lobo finally adjusted himself appropriately and sits on his hind legs. "What should we do while we wait? I'm starved too!" Lobo sneezed quickly and shook his head a bit as he then looked around the area they have stayed overnight, sensing something unusual, but as a naive pup that he is, he ignores the approach of Hunter on his way from a quarter mile away.

Lobo felt better than ever now that he is beginning to gain access out of the den and roam around the outside with the other pups. He even made new friends. Hunting was something he wasn't very good at, but Lobo was more than clueless that hunting now days is extremely crucial....In a world where even his own species can be hunted by the wildlife itself.

Scrap was suddenly woken from his sleep by his pup-friend lobo. "Hey, no fair, get-off" the pup rolled around until he realized lobo was no longer on top of him. He got to his feet and shook himself while Scout chuckled appreciatively. Growling playfully, Scrap wagged his tail and suddenly pounced on lobo, causing them both to roll around on the ground. He landed on top of lobo and tugged harmlessly at his fur. He placed his jaws around lobo's neck, but didnt bite. "I win I win!"

Marrok yawned and stretched. The faintly moist patch of fur he had was rapidly identified as the trail of his loving mate. He stretched long and grasped with his front paws, scratching the den floor as he did so. He slowly got up on his legs properly and looked around at the pups that surrounded the alpha section of the den and then turned his head, tracking the scent of his mate until he placed her outside their den. He then began walking through the den and observed the rest of the pack as he walked, moving slowly as he studied two wrestling pups. While most would find joy, pleasure in watching the pups having fun during these harsh times, Marrok was indifferent. Too much of his mind was focused on the future of the pack to enjoy the moment.

Exiting the den, he had a look around. Some seemed to be up and running, enjoying the new day and preparing for events to come. It was a beautiful morning in comparison to many before it. He shuddered inside at the mere thought of the harsh weather that the pack had endured, but he was confident that no wolf could've safeguarded the pack better than he had. And to his aid was his fine mate, who he had just locked on with his gaze. He remained still though, letting her do her morning procedures and take his side once she was good and ready.

Aspen bowed her head to various pack members as she meandered into the den. Her head was low and her eyes did not deviate from the ground. She wished not to challenge anyone, or give any signal that could be interpreted just so. Many members of the pack were her own age. The elderly hadn't survived the big freeze, nor had the very young. It was refreshing to see pups clambering around again, even if they did incessantly nip or tug at one's ears or tail. They were all good hearted young things.

A sigh escaped the wolf's throat then as she entered the cave. Her nails clicked softly on the hard ground. She made her way to a place with the broadest stream of light percussing it and circled once, twice and plopped down. Her thick tail shined like sterling in the soft morning light and it didn't take long for her eyes, deeps pools of cool silver to flutter closed. With fewer wolves the night watch meant all nighters.A last breath escaped her throat and she drifted off into a light, wary sleep.

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Micah peered around confidently. Her pack rose ardently with the sun. They were eager; a good sign. Though plagued by hunger the wolves were not broken, but inspired to perform. The cry she heard this morning was empowering, but another good sign. The bird had been triumphant in it's endevours.
As will we.
With a nod she turned, beaming at her mate. Their eyes met, and she trotted over. She licked the corner of his mouth and pressed her head under his for just a moment to gaze up towards the sky. They would leave to hunt shortly. She met Marrok's cold eye's again.

"This morning energizes them."

She nodded her head toward the rest of the pack, who waited impatiently to start the day.

Scout's ears pricked. His nose twitched. 'Somethings wrong' his instincts told him. His senses picked up another wolf, prowling outside the territory. The scent different, but somehow very familiar. This conundrum confused the wolf and he whined, having only the two wrestling pups to hear him.

Hoping the pups would stay put, Scout moved towards the source of his troubles. He didn't get very far, however, as an unfamiliar howl ripped through the silence. Mysterious smell temporarily forgotten, Scout changed his direction and raced towards the sound, acquiring a pace few wolves could match. He found the ancient lone wolf and skidded to a stop, watching warily.

Kiyoshi saw scout leaving a few paces "this kids going to get in trouble if he strays from the pact" Kiyoshi rolled in the dirt to cover his scent and started to follow scout "Kiyoshi then smelled a weird stench "maybe this scent a wolf?!" he then stopped scout "be careful little one i smell it too the scent of another wolf allow me to accompany you to make sure nothing happens ok"

Ears pricked, eyes narrowed, body rigid. Micah stiffened herself, alert. Her head shot up and a low growl rumbled in her throat. Her tail stood, flagged. This was the scent she had caught earlier. The long howl was strong, meaning full and thankfully neutral. Not a threat nor a cry of submission. It was still an oddity though. Wolves were few in these parts, and this could mean a few things. It was good to know others were emerging from the long winter. Perhaps others who could aid the pack. It could also lead to bloodshed though. The hunt could wait, this possible threat took precedence. She nodded to her mate then, and the wolves around her.

" Hunters, join me. Those of you who don't stand ready, stand guard. "

A few wolves who lay sleepily scrambled to their feet sheepishly. A sharp glare sent their tails between their legs and they slunk back to the mouth of the cave. She turned, then, and took a few steps forward, waiting for her mate, her alpha, her guidance to give the ready for she and the pack members that would assess this stranger.

Mal'chick focused on the pup, glad to at least see friendly wolves in the area. He didn't speak, knowing that even the slightest hint of threat could set the young wolf off. Instead, he let out another deep howl, letting it cut through the stiff air. His hopes were that the youngling would join in, signifying that he is safe.