Wakening

[Kota]

Orbs fluttered open slowly and reluctently as the wolf began to wake. Her tail twitched once, twice, and a yawn came to her maw fairly fast. Her head rose, snout flaring as the scents of the Bramble den rose into the air with a pungent tease; the scent of rabbit was strong, and now that she had rested, Kota was hungry.
Her gaze shifted from object to object, but it was difficult to see as her eyes had yet to adjust. She didn't even remember falling asleep. Maw laying back onto the ground, her eyes remained to shift across the small den, trying to pinpoint the location of Snow. If she was even still in the den, so to say. Another yawn breaking the silence of the cave, she waited for several moments before rising to her paws.
How long had she been asleep..? It was fairly dark outside, from what she could tell. Taking two deliberately slow steps forward, she burrowed her snout through the brambles covering the entrance to the den.

[Snow™]

Snow's eyes were open, for she'd waken a while ago. She had been watching Kota sleep, head cocked lightly, ears perked. She got up as Kota did, her movements smooth, quiet. She trotted behind her, waiting patiently for her to go out. Hungry? Snow asked quietly, her voice a peacefull hum.

[Kota]

Her maw turned from the brambles, eyes brightening as her gaze fell on Snow. She hadn't realised she had even wakened, never mind gotten up. As the shock wore, her gaze turned back to the world outside, eyes watchful within the distant shadows between the trees.
Now that she had rested properly, she felt more like her normal self- and so long as she remained solely around Snow or Saidin, she'd continue to be in this good mood. Despite this, there was just that one problem- hunger. Without needing any more provocation by Snow she shrugged herself through the brambles, completely clearing herself of them. With a quick strech and shake of her body, she responded Snow's question with a quick leap. "I could eat a whole elk to myself."

[bruno]

As if he appeared from a breeze Bruno arrived back at the den with the others. "What's been going on?" He lurched forward then abruptly sat, slid into the relaxed laying position, and crossed his paws. "I'm so bored out there by myself. Kwa isn't really much of a speaker." His eyes fluttered with the moonlight practically dancing on his coat. Bruno's maw had dropped and his pant was just loud enough to where you could hear it, like a soft low sensation. His slight green orbs scanned the inner portion of the den and an relieved sigh escaped as he saw Snow then a smile cracked on his dark lips. He was hoping the scene on this side of the Meadow was a much rather interesting portion than his side; he thought it was quite bland where he resided, almost too quiet. "Where has Saidin gone to? I didn't manage to catch a glimpse of him while on my way here." The tone was convinced and alarmed. He didn't want anyone to be missing from their group, and he figured Kwa would be safe with him not too far off. Plus he was keeping a good ear and nose out for any strange sounds or smells in the area.

[Saidin]

Jaws parted ever so slightly to allow him to pant unhindered, the large, dark-pelted wolf trotted quickly across the terrain. Ever-jaunty flag of a tail was upright and curling just slightly over his back– it seemed to have no other position. The posture was hardly a show of dominance, merely confidence. Confidence, now that was amusing considering he'd just spent the last... well, quite a while attempting to catch something. Anything. Today, it seemed, wasn't going to be such a lucky hunting time for him, at least not on his own. Oh well, at least he'd gotten a pretty good look at the surrounding area. Not to mention finding and tracing a new scent to a second, smaller, den some little distance away with fairly recent signs of a pair of wolves having been there. A mated couple, perhaps.
"Bruno? What're you doing here?" Saidin asked curiously, slowing to a halt to join the other wolves outside the bramble den.

[bruno]

"Oh wait, there he is." He turned his head slowly and his eyes gathered the sharpening image of Saidin coming from the distance. "Sorry to intrude sir, I just wanted to see what you all where up to. I'm practically alone out there now. Kwa isn't much of a speaker." Bruno pants lightly and looks curiously at Saidin, "Where have you been? Haven't seen you in quite some time."

[Snow™]

Snow sniffed lightly, pressing herself against Kota as Bruno neared, auds flicking at his words. He was bored. He sounded a tad bit less arogant, and she turned to Kota to see her reaction to this, and heard her stomach growling lightly. We should ask Bruno and Saidin to help us hunt. Snow said slowly, as if she were chewing each word before speaking it. It was low enough for only Kota to hear, and then she turned to Saidin and Bruno. Good morning. Her voice was sing song, as if since the night before, a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was surprised at her own tone, and fixed it. I didn't see you come into the den last night. Sweetsnow said to Saidin. She'd only slept an hour- Nightmares had plauged that 60 minutes anyway, causing her to wake up panting heavily, eyes wide. If Saidin had come in, he was unnoticed by the fea.
Cue Sweeper;;
I was waiting in the distance, out of their rage of sight or smell, hidden amongst the brush. Blind wasn't with me- He was at the lands, in his little pathetic cave. I almost laughed, giving away my posistion. Surely they had heard my howl from Suicide Plunge? They should know by now I'd be near. I waited. Waiting. WAITING.

[Kota]

Her gaze shifted between the pair, a bemused grin planting across her muzzle. Though it didn't last long. Bruno's questions mimiced her own, and she soon sat back on her hind with a tilted head. Her gaze continuously shifted between the two- curiousity silencing her voice- before returning back to Snow's figure which had pressed against her.
There was nothing she could say until he responded, in which she would nag for him leaving without another wolf for company... Sweeper WAS still lose. And with that thought, the howl struck her ears with immediate effect, her words to Snow remaining unspoken as she rose back onto all four paws. Without even thinking, the pressure of her pelt against Snow's own increased, fear striking the fae with good need. A shudder passed through her muscles, the wound on her shoulder- which had began to heal effectively in her sleep- thudding with the dullest of pains.

Why had he come back...?

Auds falling flat to the back of her head, she broke away from Snow. Her tail slowly curved, tucking it between that of her two hind paws. Then she lay, the night floor cool on her body- almost relaxing, if it weren't for the return of Sweeper. Her optics glanced about herself quickly, falling on each wolf in turn before scanning the area again. Searching.

He should know he was unwanted here..

[bruno]

He stood as if the howl had creeped up behind him, which it practically did. His hair rose on his backline and a howl was returned. His eyes leaked with slight panic as he thought of the multitudes of disaster... he... could bring. Pupils grew large as a sign of a much needed hope to keep everyone safe in the packlands. His head turned viciously in both directions searching for the direction of the howl; where could he be? Bruno's ears lay flat against his head and his body equally level to the soil beneath him. Growls seeped from his maw which sent vibrations of protectiveness through his body like a vein; as if it was pulsating. "We have to stay together. Is this everyone?" His eyes still peeled for the direction of the somewhat oddly firmiliar call. The air was still and Bruno couldn't smell the intruder.

[Saidin]

Any gratitude Saidin might have felt for being interrupted before he had to explain how he'd spent so many hours out exploring the territory and hunting, without a scrap of meat to show for it, vanished as he recognized the wolf- if Sweeper could be called such- behind the howl. His fur prickled and rose stiffly, uneasily. Saidin shook himself, but the motion only flattened his black fur for a moment. "Don't worry, we're fine. Safe," he assured the others in a tone more lighthearted than he actually felt. "He wouldn't dare try anything here, on our land, with Dusk and Kaia as an unknown number of backup just waiting to ambush him for all he knows. He wouldn't dare." Saidin repeated in a threatening growl.

[Snow™]

Saidin, Sweeper puts what he wants before what is safe. Snow said gently, lowering her head to push her nose against Kota's shoulder, watching the sidelines, unable to spot him. Stay here. She snarled, as she stepped a couple steps, though, not knowing where he was, she was going towards him, slightly to the left. She padded towards him, stopping a couple yards away, still not seeing him. The howl was far away. Maybe he isn't here. She muttered.

I almost laughed, holding back the sound and myself, as Sweetsnow neared me. I shifted silently, planning on pouncing on the fea as she neared, but not being able to, since she stopped. They were worried. Good. I held back another cold chuckle. [/size][/center]

[bruno]

He listened to Saidin speak about the packs safety. "Safe? It's not like we stopped him before. He'll be back, don't worry, he'll be back." Bruno felt like he knew what was coming in the near future, safety was his prime concern. His hair relaxed as Snow moved toward the howl, he trotted after her and stood next to her when she stopped. "He will be back, right?" he whispered and questioned her since she had previous encounters with the beast. Standing slightly ahead of Snow, his tail was stiff with worry. The smells were calm as was the wind and his ears erect to listen for any rustling brush.

[Snow™]

Of course he'll be back. I'm here. Kota's here. I can defend myself. Kota's pretty weak right now. She needs to hunt. Saidin and you should take her. I can stay here, and wait. She whispered, the sound a dull hum to anyone too far away to hear the clarity of her words. Her audits twitched as she looked, straight towards where Sweeper was, and looked back to Bruno, the expression on her facade no different than before.

I chuckled inwardly as I listened to them talk, to Sweetsnow valiantly offering to stay behind. She wasn't my direct target- I'd decided on Kota. Saidin would be furious.[/size][/center]

[bruno]

"Hunt? Right now? What happens if he appears out of nowhere?" He shook his head in disagreement. Bruno felt unsure about Snow's decision for the boys to go get food. "I mean, we will, of course, but..." his voice trailed off as he turned to look at the hungered fae, "alright alright, I'll go. Saidin?" His head turned swiftly to now view the brute. "I should atleast go by myself. It would most likely be safer for one to go down and not both." He moved towards Snow, "I'm assuming you're hungry as well. If not, you should eat anyways. I will try my hardest to get something large in size." His head dove to the ground with his nose dragging in the soil. "Are you guys going to be okay?" He needed the words to be said so he could feel slightly relieved of his worry before he left for the ladies meal.

[Kota]

"It would be safer for us all to go." Her words were sharp with panic, auds pointed inwardly towards the pair. She had heard nothing save for what Bruno had mentioned, her mind set on the topic consisting of nothing but Sweeper. Hunger, quite blantently, was the last thing she was thinking about. Her gaze now shifted between the trio, her eyes as desperate as her voice.
"Remember- Sweeper travels with that... That thing!" She took several steps forward- before remembering that the chances of the demon being close were unfairly high- and stopped abruptly. A shudder passed through her muscles, pelt rippling with the effect. She had a feeling she'd never agree with the idea that the brute.. No, Bruno would have. And for all she knew... Bruno could be plotting with the demon for the grounds on which they stood! A snort of her snout followed this thought, quickly dismissing it as her auds now swivled back into their previous position against her head. She needed to trust these wolves if any of them were to survive.