http://cubeupload.com/im/IsNm4f.jpg <-- because of the thread title

Tokino was doing his daily rounds along the border scenting important areas and landmarks that lined the border. He had yet to have any problem with wolves crossing the border. Bears, coyotes, and foxes had also been smart enough to keep away from Black Thorn Downs wolf territory despite the delicious fruits that had not yet ripened on numerous blackberry bushes just over the border. Only birds, bugs, and other smaller creatures that wolves mostly ignored crisscrossed the borders as if they weren't there.

He had yet to come across the strangers scent as Tokino checked a lone snag which was one of the constantly marked landmarks that gave away part of their border. As Tokino sidled up next to the tall dead tree he scratched at it then passed his scent onto the already well perfumed tree. As the wind picked up the scent of the stranger hit the man. He stopped what he was doing to pick out the smells attached to the strangers scent. He was hoping that it was a loner checking his border, but her scent spoke differently. She smells of the thickets; of other wolves. This is a pack wolf at my border. The gray man picked up his paws and bounded forward towards the scent.

Quickly approaching the scene Tokino narrowed his icy blue eyes on the female stranger who was pacing on the opposite side of his border. Glad that the woman had the brains not to step over the invisible line, Kino slowed his stride as he came closer. What is a pack wolf like yourself doing at my border? It was an authoritative question that left his lips as the male slowed to a stop opposite of the woman along the border. The platinum males stance was raised to that of an alpha's rank. His tail flipping up to crest his darker gray back while the mans head arched upward. Even his ears pressed forward as the Lagina male stared down at the stranger.

With a snort Tokino shook his head offended by the boldness that this she wolf was showing. He shifted his weight to his other leg while keeping up the dominance display. He wanted to retort back with something smart or just chase the girl away. However his mothers words crossed his mind. "Always be respectful of women because they brought you into this world, and can take you right back out."

He somewhat believed in that quote, but on the other paw Tokino understood that males were almost always physically stronger than females. Still, he would be the gentleman here. He wouldn't stoop so low as to be rude to a stranger. Even if she was near his border.

I apologize. I did not know that there was another pack nearby. If I may ask, whereabouts is your pack? He adjusted himself into a more calm stance quite confident in his ability to defend himself should the woman attack. However, Tokino was banking on the assumption that she had enough pride in her to not be the first one to punch.

Carefully he regarded her healthy form noting any nicks in her coat and her musculature. He was assessing the damage she could do just in case his assumptions of the woman were wrong. The older wolf knew to never underestimate an opponent. He had a family to keep safe beyond the invisible line just behind him.

Tokino nodded slowly in understanding. He and his pack had not traveled any further west when they fled Whisper Caverns. Instead, after they had left Cut Rock River, The group had followed the mountains and headed straight north. They hadn't deviated from their path until just before reaching the springs where the little pack then turned towards the fields to the left. Tokino at least had no prior knowledge of the Woodland wolves or their location just west of Black Thorn Downs. So the man simply shrugged at Iopah's comment. I have never traveled any further west than these fields, so I did not know of another pack close by. I'm not sure if any of the others would have known about you either since we hunt mostly in the orchards as well as around here. He offered the woman this bit of information to try and settle her fears about sparse hunting grounds during the winter.

As she looked at him expectantly Tokino drew his brow up at the threat. She was threatening him? While standing near his border? Kino felt amusement creep up at her boldness. Threaten all you want lady, it is the fastest wolf who gets the meal on neutral grounds during the cold season. He thought quietly knowing that his pack had some very efficient hunters. He would not be swayed from his position just because of offending words.

Well we are here now and I certainly have no plan on moving. So let's hope our packs don't meet during the winter months. We'll stay to the east as long as you stay to the west. Tokino had half a smile on his maw as he watched Iopah carefully for any signs of attack.

His icy eyes narrowed on the female as her body reacts in irritation. Then Tokino watches as the Iopah she wolf sighs in defeat and turns her burning gaze away from his own. His raised hackles flatten once more at this subtle submission before he flicks his own ears forward in an aggressive manner. A flicker of amusement crossed his face as she answered promptly and looked back to him. He found her words funny because he was expecting the fiery blooded she wolf to react and answer in the way she did. However Tokino simply nods in acceptance of her words and keeps his expression a calm one. He was not going to back down or walk away from this woman despite the tiny ounce of concern that had begun to spring to life in his gut.

Tokino didn't want enemies to the west AND to the south of his own pack. That was just asking to be attacked and destroyed by them. Especially since he could recall Nari saying that her pack was allied with a pack in the far north. He guessed that it was Secret Woodlands, and that meant trouble for them. He would have to voice the idea of moving their pack at some point to Minka. At least to get the idea out there. Though he had no thoughts of moving until after the winter was over.

Turning his icy blue eyes back to Iopah after a moment of looking towards the forest, Tokino let a slow silent snarl spread across his muzzle. A silent warning for Iopah to move away or leave. He didn't want her near the border any more. Especially if she was going to waste precious time that could be spent hunting or marking the borders. If you are done talking then may I ask you to leave... Now. It wasn't so much a question than a statement as he stared in Iopah's direction. His ears were flattened forward now as well as his tail ever so slowly rising behind him once more.

Tokino let his silent snarl turn to a deep loud one as the she wolf spoke up once more. His fur puffed out making him look larger as Tokino finally released the tension in his legs and sprang at the retreating female. He had had enough of her grating voice on his ears. He would make sure she left his territory and stayed out of it.

(fade?)