Flicking his nose slightl,y Indru snorted in pretend annoyance at her cocky words, ones which she saved herself from by showing appropriate submission, and looked down at her fondly. As though he remained her Leader, he was also the younger wolf's brother, too. This black she wolf that we were trailing was awfully slow, he offered in response when she had realised Ruiko's presence, a teasing grin playing along his muzzle. His brother had decided to come too, after all, if Junai truly planned to try to become a prominent hunter in the pack it was their duty to train her. The pack's hierarchy had started to settle now — as much as it ever would — and the lowered tension had allowed the brothers to travel almost level, Indru making sure that he led slightly, instead of the almost single file travelling that was needed before. It was better for the pack, more harmonious, for the ranks to be clearer instead of as solid as gas, constantly shifting and changing like the wind.

At the question Indru laughed lightly, watching Junai with a maturity he did not have before Swift River. Ah, I am sure they can cope, little sister. After all Niija is there, and that, he knew, would reassure everyone. Indru rose his nose into the air, allowing the wind that blew in their direction to carry the scents of the Field across to him. It was a good night for hunting — clear, undisturbed and with a wind strong enough to shroud their scents from anything upwind. Her next question was more important, and he nodded, turning to Ruiko for his opinion. It depends on how hungry Ruiko is, he laughed, though he was debating the question seriously. Junai was not that experienced — being only a yearling herself — and though he was confident in both his and his brother's abilities, carelessness could lose them another family member. Perhaps if we find a frail and old deer, Ruiko? After all, a deer was not so fearsome as an Elk.

Normalcy – or what could be considered as such – was beginning to fall upon the lives of the Swift River pack once more. It would still take some getting used to – being a new pack, new formations.. a new home, but Ruiko was slowly adjusting, just as he did to everything that came his way. The brothers had challenged one another after the fall of their parents, and Indru had won. The other brother had graciously accepted this just as the natural way of their life, and if anything, had become more ferociously protective of his quick-minded brother. Ruiko, as large and hefty as he was, was certainly a force to be reckoned with, yet it was his small fuse that had turned on him in the end, and the cleverer of the two had come to lead their new pack. Ruiko had accepted it well, and the bond between the two had never been closer than it was now, as it was now the elder siblings time to teach the younger since the passing of their parents.


Junai’s comment caused his sharp golden eyes to stir upon her, irked that at her ignorant words. Yet his ‘ruffled feathers’ were instantly smoothed as she greeted her leader and other brother properly, and the dark tawny male bumped his nose affectionately top her cheek very briefly before drawing his muzzle back up. He was never one to show much affection. A small smirk lifted the corners of his inked lips at Indru’s query, and Ruiko lifted his hefty shoulders in a gentle shrug. “I’m always hungry,” he rumbled dryly, a fact that was very true. Junai’s question did not gain a reaction from the second brother, but his eyes did lead to Indru for direction. He gave a nod to his brother at the suggestion, but his amber eyes flickered between the two as he made his own. “Of course, Indru,” he agreed, not wishing to go against rank. “If anything comes along during our tracking we can always change our minds. Do you think Junai should track for us?” After all, the idea of this outing was to help hone the girl’s senses and hunting abilities.

Nodding his affirmative the boy agreed with Ruiko's suggestion, it was important all the pack's yearlings learnt how to track, if not for the pack's benefit but for their own if they ever found themselves without company. Indru laughed at Junai's surprise, yes, you. How do you expect to catch your prey if you don't know how to find it? It was a key skill and one each wolf needed to know. With another experimental scent of the blowing wind the 3 year old picked up the faint scent of a herd they sought.

Smell first. There's no point looking for something if you don't know it's there, if possible always go for the prey nearby and don't waste energy seeking a particular kind. Prey was prey after all, unless you were limited by your experience or size of hunting party. Indru took a confident step forward, pulling away from his siblings and turning back to face them both, keeping the majority of the Blackberry Fields behind him. He analysed Junai, her form no longer gangly and puppy-like, she had long legs, good for running and he knew her dark fur would come to her aid in night hunts. What do you smell, Junai? When she replied he nodded to confirm it. Yes, he began, now follow it! He pulled back from standing infront, allowing her to take point and lead them to the herd, though not before he approached her with a slightly stiffened posture, making it clear it was only as he allowed her too that she would lead. Casting a quick glance at his brother, making sure that he too understood, Indru followed silently behind her.

At his younger sister’s surprise at his suggestion, Ruiko glanced down to her with a stoical golden gaze. Did she think she was above tracking? Junai’s impressions of what her needs and tasks for the pack were a bit distorted than what he had imagined, but he remained silent as Indru laughed it off with a joke. She was young. She would learn. The dark girl readily agreed; an action that stirred a nod of approval from the second regal male.


The dark brown male remained silent as the two exchanged a few words, and Indru took the lead as teacher; something he was far better suited than Ruiko himself. Her answer revealed she was not completely incompetent, and the older brother gave her a small smirk of encouragement. As they began to move forward, Indru lifted himself in dominance, clarifying he was not in any way thrown aside during this lesson. Bowing his muzzle lightly in respect to his brother, the second brother shot a glance to Junai, his own tail lifting slightly to curl against his haunch; an exact replica of Indru’s behavior, spare he held himself slightly lower than the leader. These actions only took seconds, and the three wolves were off, following Junai’s careful and learning nose.

Her protests generated a narrowing of his own eyes, and low grumble under his breath that could not quite be called a growl. Her obedience and respected would come he decided, she was still young, still learning. He followed behind her, not only to let her practice in tracking, but to also watch how she moved. Hold yourself a little lower, he corrected, his tone taking on a scholary tone and managing to avoid being patronising. The trick is too keep low, glide along like a shadow. He explained, knowing that her streamlined body would be ideal once the technique had been practised. She lead them there swiftly, unwavering and confident, and he gave her a sharp nod of approval when they stopped.

Scenting the air with a finesse that showed his experience Indru stepped closer to the herd who began to shift nervously, but remain steady all the same. They will not run yet, they are not certain we are hunting nor do they know which one we plan to focus on. Keeping his voice hushed and calm, so not to disturb them further, he glanced over his shoulder at her, to make sure she was watching. Watch. Turning back to them he took a confident step forward, getting closer and closer until he was among the herd. Being light on his toes Indru began to pace between them, when he felt he saw a weak one he would run quickly, darting at it, to see how it reacted. Prey with strength are less quick to run, and the strongest may turn to face you instead, it was a way to test them and find which ones would run and then analyse their weakness.

Suddenly bounding out from between the deer Indru turned to Junai, the hunt already having an effect, making his adrenaline sore and making him smile. Here, your turn. Be careful, don't run to often or they will get tired and the herd will flee, assess them, then, if you think they are weak, test them. With a nod of confirmation he turned then to Ruiko. It was luck that Junai had found a weakened deer, one with blood coated enough to give it away, but in normal circumstances it would be important that she could identify weak ones from no wound on their flesh. When they run, we hunt. We will wait for you here, when you think you have found your deer, return.

Ruiko remained the protective yet silent ghost by his siblings. This had become more or less Indru’s lesson for their younger sister, and the other tawny sibling was proving to be the needed muscle to execute a successful hunt. This was a role he was much more interested to play; playing the role a role of minim kept his own sarcasm in check at Junai’s silly questions. Indru was much more suited to this role. His own dominating stance had been soothed by his little sister’s acceptance of it, and with this, the male soon fell behind the two as he allowed their Leader to better teach the yearling.


She lead them to the herd of deer, and on cue as the scent hit his black, quivering nose, the male’s stomach gave a gentle tug of annoyance. Ruiko hadn’t been lying when he said he was always hungry, and his amber eyes peered through the thick brush to better regard the beasts they were opposing. His gaze lifted from the wounded deer, falling upon Junai as she sought her brother’s for their approval. His wolfish brows quirked lightly, but he gave her no answer. Instead, as Indru moved forward to test the beasts for the weakest one, Ruiko skirted away from his siblings slightly, positioning himself for when the time came.


As the regal wolf returned, Ruiko gave a nod to the male’s words, keeping his own large figure still as their sister went out to test how the deer reacted to her presence.