[Run - Don't Walk] - [Open]

[syeira]

Yeah, she'd made her decision. Atzi had decided to seek the protection of the snow-white bear who lived in Mount Miyuuki, the cold and snowy mountain that was blanketed with a thick layer of forestry. Luckily for the she-wolf -- and her pups -- Sasha Blacknose lived in the lower reaches of the place, where temperatures were warm enough -- for a wolf or bear, that is --, provided good food, had clear running streams that weren't frozen over, and were well protected by the dense trees. The large cave that Sasha lived in also had a small spring fed pool, so they always had enough water anyways.

The bad part? Atzi had to look over Sasha's two sons, Moro and Maaro. It might not sound hard; after all, they were only small cubs. But, being a mother of five of her own sons and daughters along with the cubs was a living hell. Don't get me wrong; Atzi loved children, was very patient, and was a gentle and careful babysitter/mother, but she was at her wit's end. She needed some alone time. Leaving her whining pups in the den with the massive white bear, she headed toward the nearby brook, where she would take a much-needed bath and get some fresh air. Since her birthing had been a couple weeks ago, the pups had started growing more independent and could go longer without her milk. And she was restless.

The hunt wasn't even planned, but the large buck was so temptingly close under her nose... Instincts took over, and she slunk into a hunter's crouch, her belly low to the ground, but not quite brushing it, her tail low as well but again; not touching. Paws stepping on the ground as daintily as if they were on clouds, the rogue mother crept forward. The deer's head shot up, and it froze, scanning its surroundings, and spotting the large, lithe white form of the she-wolf. Before it could bolt, Atzi did. She leapt, black lips curled back in a snarl as she landed neatly on the back of the beast, sinking her fangs into her prey's throat. It died quickly.

Resisting to tear the carcass apart, Atzi began dragging it back to the cave. Tugging it with animal ferocity, she managed to get back to the entrance, before catching a familiar scent. Mixcoatl,

The name came automatically, and she dropped the corpse as if it were fire. Hackles raised, her snarl deepened and she went into total maternal mode, her fierce blue eyes dangerous and completely lost to her wildness. She didn't have to wait long before the large brown-and-grey dappled brute stepped into her vision. If her fur could stand more on end, it did. The hellion gave a toothy grin. "Miss me, princess?"

He growled. In response, Atzi gave a low mix between a snarl and a howl. He chuckled. "I see you're a bit... lighter. They're in there, aren't they? How many?"

"None of your fucking business, you foolish whelp,"
"Heh, I though we'd come to an agreement that I'd help defend the little bastards, doll."
"That contract is broken as of now, and I will not hesitate to rip your throat out if you try to get another step closer,"
"Now, now. Let's calm down, sweetie."

His voice was so sarcastic and mocking, it make her bristle with fury. How dare he try to get between her and her pups? It was stupid and he knew it, but didn't want to admit it. He smiled large, and attempted to begin circling the furious parent. She did not let him go a step closer to the den, and eventually snapped at his ankles. Glaring, he stepped back a little, rushed her, then darted to the side and attacked from there. She yelped as she felt a sting on her flank, but she retaliated by pouncing onto his exposed side. Tackling him to the ground, she lunged for his jugular, ripping off a piece of fur as he tore away. Growling, the two canines circled each other, alert and ready. Mixcoatl made the first move - wrong decision. Dodging aside as quickly as a bolt of lightning, the wolfess shoved him - hard - with her shoulder, knocking him off balance.

He quickly recovered, and leapt at her, but she nimbly ducked down, scrambling nimbly underneath him and swiping his paws out from under him, then jumping up and shoving him off, then whirling and putting a clawed foot on his neck. This time, he was pinned.

"You should know better than to underestimate a mother protecting her young," She said, eyes flashing. And with a last snarl, she clamped down on his throat latch. Within the minute, his heart stopped beating. His brain stopped functioning. His eyes clouded, blank with death.

Until her adrenaline rush ended, she didn't realize her pearly pelt was matted with blood. And she sure as hell didn't notice the gaping wound on her shoulder. My pups... Sasha...

She thought frantically, stumbling into the cave, limping heavily. Sasha was there, watching emotionlessly with her large brown eyes. Her cubs were terrified, hiding behind their mother's legs, and her pups, well... they'd slept through the whole ordeal, like pups seem to do. She looked fondly at them. Aria, her gold and black pelted daughter; Robina, her other daughter, silver furred; her twin sons Lamia and Imp, both dark brown; and last but not least... Xolotl, her black haired son with emerald green eyes, who looked just like his namesake and father.

And then Atzi blacked out from blood loss.

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