He had been looking for a good meal to satisfy his nieces distrust of him. Narime did not trust Tokino enough to let him see the new generation of his family. She refused to let him even see the birthing den itself. Frustrated Tokino left announcing that he would try to get a good meal for the pack and her pups. Maybe then she would let him see them after he'd brought her some fresh meat. It's her first litter though so of course she's going to be a little overprotective of them. He told himself while padding along a game trail taking in large wafts of scent.

The silver male had his head low to the ground tracking the scent of elk he'd caught a faint whiff of nearly two days ago. Now the scent was very strong announcing the fact that an elk herd was not too far away grazing through the undergrowth. Keeping his ears set forward Tokino pursued his prey listening for hoof beats on the cleared earth. His eyes watched for any movements indicating that an elk was nearby. The waving of bushes, the stretch of a long neck as a cow elk reached for a succulent piece of the leafy branches, or the flashing of a tan hide through the undergrowth after it was alerted to his presence. Tokino watched for any of those signs.

After a day and a half of tracking the Lagina stopped dead in his tracks watching as an elk stepped out into his view. Kino paused waiting for the animal to put its head down again to graze before he started sneaking around the cow to get a look at her companions behind her. The wolf could just make out the movement of other animals behind the first cow in his vision. He'd come upon a whole herd and now the wolf would have to somehow separate one animal from the rest. But first I have to find the weakest... He began sneaking to the right into the underbrush once the cow lowered her head to graze once more.

His attention was so concentrated on the elk that Tokino didn't notice another presence behind him.

It had happened so quickly. He had realized at one moment that there seemed to be no bull elk in the herd and then a sound behind him startled the gray wolf to his paws. An unearthly warning call erupted from right behind the elder male as he turned to see a mass of fawn and rusty gray pelts. At first the male thought it was some strange creature attacking him and backed away a few paces still staring at the scene. It wasn't until he heard Minka's growls that he realized something. That's the bull! She needs help! Quickly Tokino sped forward. With the stranger distracting the bull from the front Kino went after the cloved footed creature's flank.

With a fierce snarl the gray wolf leaped at the massive form clawing and anchoring his jaws upon the male elk. By now all of the herd had seen the danger and were escaping from the wolves leaving their protector the bull to fend for himself. At least that meant only one dangerous creature to get away from.

The Lagina's claws scored but only barely scratched the massive beast. His teeth did more damage, opening up a wound on the elks hind end. The elk bucked and swung it's massive rack. Luckily Tokino was far enough away from the sharp points that dove after him. Instead however he was shoved away by the bull's hind end and flung a few feet away sprawled onto the dusty earth. The male knew he would bruise but as he checked his legs and body quickly Kino was glad not to feel any broken bones. Quickly he jumped forward at the elks side snapping and snarling trying to scare the creature away instead of fight it. The bull was just too strong to have to fight it and Tokino knew this. He glanced at the other wolf wondering how she had fared in the attack.

He heard the womans yelp, and even though Tokino could barely grasp the situation he knew that the stranger was in deep shit. He didn't know her. At least not yet, but his lawful nature told him to protect the weak, and right now Minka was the damsel in distress.

Renewing his effort to attack the bull Kino turned savagely around and began snapping at the bulls face instead of going after the safer rear end of the animal. His body was fully tense energized by testosterone that pumped through his cells. Dodging the bulls antlers with a youthful vigor Tokino continuously snarled and snapped at the bull. At one point he'd even managed to grab the elks nose hanging on to it and successfully distracting the animal from Minka. The gray man was flung to the left a few feet after letting go of the elks angry muzzle. The taste of sweat and blood fueled the wolfs attacks.

The bull was chasing Tokino now, head down trying to swipe at the lean swift wolf. Kino drew away the elk glancing to where Minka lay wheezing in pain. Now all he had to do was escape the elk, and this time he'd have to do it by himself.

Glittering water to his left caught the mans eye. If anything he could flee into the water and hope that its deep enough that the elk won't follow. As for swimming speed both wolf and elk were strong swimmers. Kino would have to be lucky and hope that the bull elk would give up before heading into the water after the wolf.

Seeing no other option Kino dodged another swipe of the elks antlers ducking his head under the lethal points and jumping back as the elk tried to trample him. With a quick movement he turned and leaped forward sprinting towards the water with the bull hot on his heels. A whine came out of the gray mans throat as the elk caught up to him just before reaching the water and tried to kick out with its front hoof. It scored a large slash across his back as he wiggled away from being completely trampled by the elks weight. Then the gray wolf jumped pushing with his back legs fueled by anger, freight, and hormones. It must have been the farthest jump he'd ever done launching himself at about four and a half feet out into the water.

He began swimming as fast as he could in the small pool away from the crazy monster behind him. He barely felt his wound at the moment instead glancing back to see the elk trot into the water up to its belly and then pause. It eyed him for a few moments judging whether it had frightened the wolf enough, hurt it enough that the meat eater would not come close to its herd again.

Apparently the gray males fleeing into deeper water assured the elk that it had done well. Tossing its crowned head into the air the bull began trotting back out onto the bank. It shook its short fur bellowing into the air and pacing the bank for a few moments. Then without any given cue, the tawny animal turned and began trotting high-legged showing his health off to any hunters back towards the trees. Tokino tread water watching the elks direction making sure that it wasn't headed back to the other female wolfs direction. He sighed as the bull disappeared into the trees heading towards the hills.

Swimming "doggy style" back towards the bank Kino stepped onto the shore glancing warily back to where the bull had disappeared and shook himself. The gray man finally felt the bitter sting of his wound that lay upon his hindquarters. His flesh lay red and raw open to the world at least 5 inches long down his back and right hind leg. I definitely need someone to look at that. He winced when he tried to walk. Instead the male lifted his hind back leg and limped towards the female who was now pretty far away from him. At least it seemed far to the hurting male. He gave a little pained howl to tell her of his location and that he was coming then continued forward retracing his steps to the woman.

Now what?

Those were the words going through Tokino's head as he limped towards the woman who was now only a few yards away. She looked to be in much worse shape than he was with her shivering crumpled body laying upon the cold earth. Kino wasn't sure how badly she was hurt. Just that she was. So how was he supposed to help?

Firstly the man approached her limping with his head low and his tail held stiffly behind him due to the pain he also felt. Upon closer inspection his damsel in distress yielded the same pack scent that now cloaked his silver coated body. The scent of the meadow and of his niece. So this is another woman of the Caverns. Problem is how are we going to get back? He wondered quietly while settling himself next to the pained woman. Even sitting down hurt the gray male a bunch. He settled for sliding onto his uninjured side next to the still unknown lady to share his warmth with her.

So lookit the mess we are in now. All because I was too blind and deaf to notice that damn elk behind me. He growled at himself though glanced at the woman. You don't look so good, and neither do I. What horrid luck. The gray man relaxed himself a little further enduring the pain and trying to think of a way to fix things. Maybe he could hobble over to the meadow and alert Nari? No that's too far away. I can't leave her alone with bears and foxes and coyotes. He thought about simply howling for them. For anyone who might be able to help. It was iffy whether they would find someone out here that would be willing to help bring them back to the pack. Although that might put a loner in good stead for joining. That's too much of a chance... A risk... Maybe just with some rest? Maybe then we could move a little bit at a time and get back. Kino's brow wrinkled in concern and worry for the woman at his side.

What's your name anyway? I'm Tokino Lagina, well.. from the same pack as you. He wanted to know the name of the woman who he would have to help bring back to the pack.

The gray man shifted ever so closer to the injured woman allowing his mix of platinum, black, and gray fur to mingle with Minka's rust, cream, and orange hues. His eyes were kept carefully away from the woman meaning no ill offense to her as they laid so close. Kino yawned once flicking his gray ears as a fly bothered them until he heard her answer. Then those oval ears flicked sideways to listen quietly.

She gave him her name, a good start on learning about the woman. Plus it seemed that she had somewhat of a sense of humor which allowed Kino to chuckle after her first words. Yeah it would have been nicer to meet over some fresh kill. Kino understood that the woman would likely not want to talk much. He knew she was baring the pain of her wounds and did not press her to speak further.
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It was some time before the male caught her gaze sweeping over his form. His blue orbs watched the concern spout from her golden eyes as she looked over his own wounds. Really now how is she worried about me when she's the one who looks like road kill. Kino huffed quietly to himself then closed his icy gaze. It was when her strained voice echoed in his ear that the man flinched his eyes open to look at her again.

A pack only a few miles away? He echoed then thought quietly. It would pain him but he could probably run to them quickly enough to get help. If what Minka said was true then they would get help faster than heading all the way to the Caverns. And they're allies huh? Kino lowered his head watching the pain flash across Minka's face. It would be faster going there than to Nari I suppose. As long as they have a healer that'll see you. He was surprised to hear of an allying pack. The older wolf did not think Narimé would know about gathering allies to align her pack with. Or perhaps that was the alpha males doing? Tokino still didn't think that Nari knew everything she was supposed to go and do. He thought it was much more likely that her mate was the one keeping ties with other packs.

I suppose we should head out now then.. B'fore a bear gets here. The silver Lagina wolf stiffly stood up and stretched his chilled limbs. His tail flicked the womans side as Kino offered her his shoulder to lean upon. If all else fails Kino would test his strength out by carrying the woman if he had to.