The mid-morning sun streamed down through the trees warming the forest floor below. In a glen with trees forming a barrier around it and a stream running through it, a deer stopped for a bite to eat unaware of the predatory eyes watching from the shadows. As the deer fattened herself on the knee-high grass a shadow could be seen, slowly and skillfully stalking closer to their prey. Hearing the grass swish the deer froze and bunched her muscles preparing to run away; but it was already too late. From the grassy shadows an orange blur lept at the deer and latched onto her with sharp claws and teeth. Panicking the deer used strong legs to try and throw the predator off but his grip was too strong. WIth a viscous roar he sunk his claws deep into the deer's neck tearing through skin and muscle, while simultaneously squeezing the throat and crushing the deer's windpipe. Falling to her knees, the deer took a couple more gurgling, labored breaths before her heart gave out and she slumped to the ground, dead.
Standing up from his kill a beautiful tiger hybrid came into view. His soft orange hair fell to his shoulders in the back, while in the front they fell over enticing bright warm chocolate brown eyes that were soft and caring. Sun-kissed skin was stretched over a lithe 5'7'' figure that was more feminine than muscle, of course being a submissive that was only to be expected. On his head was a pair of tiger ears the same shade as his hair and on his back a tail swished lazily. He was wearing a simple pair of tan cotton pants that hung low on his hips.
"ICHIGOOOO." Turning his head, the hybrid, now know as Ichigo, smiled as two smaller tiger hybrids came into view. "Hey Yuzu, Karin, what are you guys doing here?" The first of the twin hybrids smiled up at her brother,, "Were here to help you bring back your kill Ichi." Yuzu stated as she went over to inspect the deer. "And to make sure you don't mess up" Karin sated with a smirk on her face.
Yuzu and Karin where Ichigo's younger twin sisters. While Yuzu had brown hair and a smile on her face, Karin had black and was always teasing her brother and sister whenever she had the chance.
"Karin, don't tease Ichi it's not nice." Yuzu stated while putting her hands on her hips. "Yeah, yeah let's just get this back before goat-face starts on another of his crazy rants." "Karin! Don't call daddy that and he's not crazy!"
"Oh, yes he is remember that one time when he..."
Tuning out the girls Ichigo turned and walked to stream where he knelt down to wash the blood off of his hands. Hearing a twig snap his ears perked up, straining to hear any more sounds. Narrowing his eyes in the direction of the sound, Ichigo watched for any movement. Seeing no movement had him relaxing, till he saw a shine. Squinting he realized it was a gun at the same time he could hear it being cocked. Spinning around Ichigo began to sprint in a low crouch towards the girls, hoping to protect them from harm. A shot rang out through the glen before a sharp prick was felt against the hybrids back. Yowling in pain he fell to his knees as a quick acting paralyzing drug entered his system. Looking up Ichigo saw his two sister running towards him.
"STAY AWAY!" Ichigo yelled at them causing them to stop, "Run away, go back home..." he gasped out trying to get his sister to safety before the hunters came.
"But Ichi..." Yuzu cried out as tears streamed down her face.
"NOW!" Yelling at them he hoped they got the message, thankfully Karin did, for she grabbed Yuzu by the hand before dragging her away, all the while screaming that he better come home soon.
Smiling he let himself fall to the ground, knowing that he would probably never see them again, but seeing his sister with such confidence reassured him that they would be okay and Karin would be sure to get them home safely.
Hearing footsteps nearing him, the hybrid turned weary eyes on the hunters who had shot him.
"We got ourselves a looker this time boys" The leader of the group said while receiving snickers from his comrades looking to where Karin and Yuzu had disappeared among the trees, "Too bad those other's rang off, could've made some good money for them."
Hearing this Ichigo hissed and swiped his claws at the man's feet. Stepping out of range the man laughed as Ichigo attempted another swipe with his claws. "So you're a fighter huh? Well that's good, that means you'll be worth twice as much. Restrain him then bring him to the truck." The man ordered turning on his heel and walking away.
Weakly struggling against the men's hold, Ichigo was forced to fold his hands behind his back where they were strapped together, leather restraints went around his torso to keep his arms immobilized. A collar was put around his neck and connected to a chain which was held by one of the bigger men. As if that wasn't bad enough they also put a muzzle on him after he attempted to bite one of his guards. With this accomplished they begin dragging Ichigo back to the truck. With the drug still in his system Ichigo continued to weakly fight them, hoping that he might be able to escape. No such luck.
When the truck came into view Ichigo renewed his struggles, for he knew that if he allowed them to put him in their his chances of escaping disappeared.
"Stop struggling and just get in!" The men behind him yelled when he continued fighting and refusing to get in the truck. Sighing the biggest of the bunch came and picked up the hybrid throwing him over his shoulder. Muffled yells were heard behind the muzzle as they carried him to the back of the trailer where they attached his chain to a ring hooked to the floor at the back of the trailer.
Jumping out the men quickly closed the door and locked it, walking around to the front the leader banged on the side yelling out, "Take one good look sweetie because you're never coming back." Laughing he got into the front of the truck and starting it up drove away and out of the forest.
Feeling the trailor shake beneath his feet Ichigo got to his feet unsteadily and went to a window shaped opening in the side of the trailer, watching the forest disappear behind them he sank to the ground and let his tears flow out as his situation sank in. Curling into a ball he wrapped his tail around him protectively and allowed himself to fall into unconsciousness.