Between the deer's panicked bleating and the turbulent slosh of frigid water, it was hard to tell where Koda was. She had a job to do and simply left to trust that the large male was there. The deer weighed much more than she did. When it moved she was carried along with it, snarling and jerking her head side to side. But they were winning, every step was more frantic than the last and the beast was falling more than it was getting away. In brief flashes, Iopah could see that the blood that had stained the creek pink. The whole lower half of her was already tinted a most decidedly delicate shade of death.

It jerked toward the shore, while Iopah tore and hung after it like an anchor. Finally, it buckled. Iopah heard the slam as it's knees made sudden contact with the solid-frozen ground. It was still moving though, legs jerking about in the air. She watched the sharp hooves on the ends of those slowly twitching feet. Now she could hear the rustle of Koda's pelt as he moved to finish the hunt. Hurriedly she latched onto deer hide just above the sharp-edged limb that swung closest to him and pulled it away hard. She missed the final bite that ended the deer's life, instead feeling Koda's gaze on her.

Iopah dropped her grip on the deer's shoulder and glanced down at it's still body. Her gaze swung back up to Koda and a wide grin split her face. Now matter how many times she did this, it was still a rush. She leaned over to bump her bloodied chest against him, knowing he was as smeared as she was and not caring. Their rapport was more than just superficial; they worked well together. She licked his muzzle briefly and settled down to eat herself. They still had to bring a portion back to the cache, but certainly she had earned the right to take a few mouthfuls before calling in their pack mates.

It was a grizzly scene. The ground was torn up, splattered with blood and tufts of hair. The air was heavy with blood and the overpowering scent of the deceased deer's fear. The wolves opened the carcass and the scene only worsened. Evidence of the death was everywhere. Over it all Iopah's eyes were bright and lively.

She watched him, a contented croon in her throat at Koda's perusal of her. It had gone very well. Despite the success, she couldn't forgot how dangerous hunts could go. To have the deer dead at their feet, no wounds on either of them, and him checking her for injury was a powerful feeling. It was his job to look out for her, and it was her's to look out for him in turn. This is how it should be. The rules were wrong if they said they shouldn't be this close.

It was a game. He stepped closer, as the huntress expected him to. Playful smile grew and legs tensed under her, ready to dance away at any indication of playful retaliation. The pale banner of her tail swayed relaxed behind her, gradually stilling as his steps brought him closer yet. It a test of wills. How close could he get before she frisked away? Her eyes were fixed on him, clearly anticipating his next move. She wasn't expecting the gentle kiss. The same eyes intensely watched only seconds ago closed and she sighed breathy. Just like that the game was over.

She felt no disappointment; it wasn't that kind of game. He turned attention to the carcass and she pressed her muzzle pressed into the thick fur of his side, not noticing or intending to smear blood any further. They were so very close when he turned back. "Of course not," She murmured up to him, "you are just the only one that belongs at my side." Her eyes widened at his admission before softening with adoration . Anything was an awful lot to offer someone. It was a huge amount of himself to give her. The weight of the statement was something she let settle slowly over herself. She studied him as if contemplating her first request, single ear flicking in apparent consideration. Finally she made a decision and leaned forward to press her skull rest just under his chin. "Good thing I don't need anything else right now." It felt so good to be content. Iopah held her muzzle there a moment, reveling in his warmth, before drawing back. "But... maybe you could help me bring this back?"

It took another hour of teamwork to disjoint the deer enough to move it. Piece by piece it moved into the cache, and finally the pair took a much needed rest.