Hunting
San smiled at Blackmoon as he went out of his trance. Reiko had fallen asleep outside the rock cliff that they called home. She stood up dusting off her blue dress it had been two years ago when it happened. She was now twelve. She touched the willow armband that was the gift of the Night Walker, she did not know what it did yet she knew it did something special and it felt as if brought shadowed darkness to the bearer. Then again it was the Night Walker that had given this prized accolade to her. The tribe leaders respect her more because of this insignia. She really liked Locus and Serifs and their tribes. Locus allowed her to come into her territory and she made fast friends with the rest of the Fox Tribe. Serifs, his tribe was the closest to their home, only a hour away from the Wolf Tribe's rocky dwelling. He was kind enough to give San rides on his head. It was fun yet she enjoyed the rides with Blackmoon more. Blackmoon had become more sinuous and lithe over the years. She had mastered the art of the dagger and the spear with the constant fights with Blackmoon for training. All of Blackmoon's techniques and skills she knew to her heart. She was as good as him. Though her stamina and power came short to the others she match it with her grim determination and spirit. San was truly one with the Wolf Tribe. San walked back into the cave, tomorrow Blackmoon had promise her to teach her how to hunt.
Morning, San woke up full of energy and vitality it was time. Blackmoon was waiting for her at the bottom of the cliff. She smiled and ran the whole way down. Holding her ebony base of her spear gripping until her knuckles were ghost white. Leaping onto the masculine's back, almost breaking it in her anticipation. Blackmoon staggered a little, looking at her strangely though San was still grinning ear to ear nearly laughing. Adrenaline filled her blood she couldn't wait any longer. She even thought of kicking him to start going, but then again it was Blackmoon who she thought of kicking and the consequences were not pretty.
Blackmoon felt her glowing with energy he nearly smirked. But he started to run into the forest remembering the first hunt of his life. The first kill, Mother thought that was when his bloodthirstiness started. For the boar he had gotten bleed to death. He didn't tell San for afraid that she would do the same. He liked her but didn't want her to become like him. He liked her the way she was. Beside the family only need one murderous being. In the air he smell an old deer. Knowing it that it would be a hard killed for the deer was old and experienced judging by the scars that littered his body. He turned his head to speak with San remembering her senses were not as adorned as his. When he turned to her he nearly stopped. Her radiance nearly blasted him with its supremacy. San was in a trance, it was as if fire was in her veins, it didn't hurt, but it was more of a gentle sentiment. What she wanted she wanted to know the feeling of the wolves. To know their sense of smell, their lightning reflexes, their speed, she wanted to just be a wolf. The power that was in her veins exploded. Suddenly the world around her changed the smell, the sight, th-
"San? Are you alright? " questioned Blackmoon.
" Yes, and never been better. It is just that everything around me, everything is clearer, brighter, somewhat different. There is an old deer about a mile away. Why don't we go get it? "
"San?" Blackmoon asked yet stopped. The radiance. It was as if nothing had happened it went back as it was before the blast. Her senses. Shock ran down his spine. She controlled the radiance and turned it into more in tuned with the world. She manifested it. If she could do this it was just the beginning, what if she. no.
"Accept it. You must accept. Make as if nothing had happened." he told himself.
" Alright let us be off, " he said out loud.
San grinned and patted his back. In a few minutes they were where they deer was. Blackmoon hided under a leafy foliage, while San got off of his back as silently as she could. Her first kill, she would make it a worthwhile remembrance.
San made her back hunched like how Blackmoon always did before attacking while pulling out her dagger from the slit in her cloak she made to hold it. She closed her eyes holding the dagger close to her heart praying for Yuumei's spirit to be with her and jumped out of the bushes and aimed for the deer's neck, holding the dagger close to her then attack in a smooth graceful slash downwards diagonally. Good she smiled to herself nice and deep. Letting go of the dagger she went and grabbed her spear. The deer outraged went and charged at her antler cranium down ready to tackle her down. San using the spear as a pole sprang onto the deer's back pulling out the dagger and using it to thrust deep, into the jugular vein. She hurried and jumped off she waited for the deer to come close, closer and closer it came. She summoned all her strength into a single thrust of her spear into the first wound she made. The spear went right through the deer, snapping it bone that supported the head. Without the bone supporting the head, the head fell limply to the ground the rest of the body following with it.
San sighed deeply and went to the deer putting it out of his misery with another thrust of her spear. Pulling out the dagger she wiped both the dagger and the spear with the carcass of the deer. She sheathed the dagger and went to Blackmoon. San grinned in triumph to Blackmoon but found Blackmoon staring into the forest. With her new heightened sense of smell she saw smell something in the darkness three large creatures that smelled of water yet somewhat salty.
"Come on out there is no use hiding, we smell you. " She said pulling out her dagger again.
The three shapes emerged from the places they were at. San gasped. The two older male and female were larger than Yuumei by at least one foot. While the younger one looked around the age of Blackmoon was a head taller them him. They all had golden orbs silted like the Snake Tribes were but had fur unlike what San had ever seen. They were reddish-orange with black stripes with a whitish under fur. Their tails were long like an ape's but did not curl, with the tip of it black. Their ears were pointed like a wolf and they were in one word beautiful yet dangerous like a wolf. Pretty and dangerous guess that made them pretty dangerous. Their face was like a.
" We are the Tiger Clan. We have come from land to the west from the ocean far away. I am Hwoagenn and this is my mate Hwoahua and my child Saber. We seek to reside here. There is no way for us to return to our home. "
San looked at Blackmoon unable to say anything. Blackmoon smelled of awe and fear? Blackmoon never smelled of fear but these creatures could probably over power him and her. It was best if Moro dealt with them, Mother would know what to do.
" We can't give you an answer to what you seek. I am sorry that you cannot return to your home. If you would come with us we will take us to our mother. She will call the leaders of the tribes and they will give you the answer you seek " San said hesitating for Blackmoon said nothing.
The tigers seem only half listening; they were looking at the deer eying it hungrily. San sighed. " Well you can have it Blackmoon and I aren't that hungry. The rest fell lost into deafness for the tigers were already eating.
"Brother what do we do? Mother could deal with them. I don't like this, what should we do. " San whispered into Blackmoon's ear.
" We do nothing, we could not overpower them there is too many. I think we should do what you said take them to Mother. I wonder how they got here. From what I heard from Mother the ocean is far away and it takes months to past it to reach the lands that is connected to it. Oh an ocean is a huge body of water San. " Blackmoon added as an afterthought seeing San's puzzled look.
" Your friend is right our home is far away. We mean no harm and will not attack unless we are provoked. I find this amusing that a human is in this forest and calling a wolf "brother". How is that human? You fight really well for one of your tribe and could smell us from that distance, who is this "Mother" I wish to see. " Hwoagenn said stopping from his break of fast.
" My sister San is of the Wolf Tribe. Our mother is Moro of the Wolf Tribe. There is no human here unless it is you. How dare you call her a human I should rip you apart limb to lib you ignorant bas-"
" Blackmoon stop it. But he is right I am of the Wolf Tribe and I always was if you are done eating we will take you to Mother. " San said quickly cutting off Blackmoon. Jumping of him smoothly she notion for the others to follow her. Looking at Blackmoon she mouthed, "just let me do the talking".
The tigers seem to have no choice but to follow the disappearing shapes of San and Blackmoon. As they followed them they watch the topography around them. San look behind her and watch the large shadows walking with sinuous grace. She asked Blackmoon to speed up she didn't enjoy their presence for it felt dissimilar. She wanted for Moro to be there for her presence comforted her so and to quell the feeling of being unwanted. In a few minutes they arrived at the home of the Wolf Tribe. By then many of the clan leaders were there, they looked at the tigers with eyes of mistrust. San for off of Blackmoon and they both went to her side. San whispered into Moro's ear about how they found them. Moro walked forward nearer to the tigers and all of the other clans.
" My daughter has informed me of your fate O' Tiger Clan. She tells me that you have come across the ocean to her." She paused for a moment as the other tribe leaders murmured to each other, " And I wish to know how you did such a task. Even for the size and might of each of you that is impossible for you to accomplish such a task. "
The reply of Hwoagenn was unheard of for Nago and the other boars had come into the topography with ear-splitting screeches and squeals.
" What is this? Moro first the human child now this, I am the Guardian of the Forest did you forget that? Now you and the others plot behind my back? If you want my title Moro you will have to kill me."
" If you'll believe such a dense threat had scare me you have to be repartee, oh Guardian of the Forest. This is the Tiger Clan and they wish to reside here. San and Blackmoon found them and they came to me for guidance. The others saw them and came here to question I for I am their mother. Am I not? Oh Guardian of the Forest? "
Nago snarled at Moro yet said naught for she was right.
" If you don't mind if I can get started? It is a long story," Hwoagenn asked.
" Yes you might as well do so while I'm here " Nago spoke.
" Very well, as you know that we are from the ocean far away. Our family was capture by Sho Genn armies while we were off hunting. There are many Tigers Clans scatter around our land, never really meeting another unless any danger in our forests. The armies wanted our forest for the wood. And so they need us removed and the other animal clans would come down easily for we are the brains and the brawn of our small forest. They captured us and sent us here to the Emperor as gifts but during the boat ride here we broke free of our cages and slaughtered the men inside when we were close enough to swim to shore. There is no way for us to go back to our forest. One of the Raven Clan had told us about the Forest of Shishi-Gami only miles away. We decided to reside here for it was the closest. The Tiger Clan could be a valuable asset to you. "
" I think the Tiger Clan should stay they could help us, beside if any of us were stranded we would probably also be helped by them or any other clans. That is the unspoken law of the Clans of Forest, protectors of Shishi-Gami."
"Yes"
"We should"
One by one the clans leaders answered each other's cries to uphold the Tiger Clan.
And so the Tiger Clan was forth one of the Protectors of Shishi-Gami inside its own forest.
The spirit of the heart upheld in time, swirling into distant promises that remain unbroken and pure. Yet for how long? Such questions held the human psyche for such sagacious questions. Though the wind blows in your favor the games have begun and so what would happen if the winds shifted in somewhat a different way. Thou has spoken true... disaster.
San smiled at Blackmoon as he went out of his trance. Reiko had fallen asleep outside the rock cliff that they called home. She stood up dusting off her blue dress it had been two years ago when it happened. She was now twelve. She touched the willow armband that was the gift of the Night Walker, she did not know what it did yet she knew it did something special and it felt as if brought shadowed darkness to the bearer. Then again it was the Night Walker that had given this prized accolade to her. The tribe leaders respect her more because of this insignia. She really liked Locus and Serifs and their tribes. Locus allowed her to come into her territory and she made fast friends with the rest of the Fox Tribe. Serifs, his tribe was the closest to their home, only a hour away from the Wolf Tribe's rocky dwelling. He was kind enough to give San rides on his head. It was fun yet she enjoyed the rides with Blackmoon more. Blackmoon had become more sinuous and lithe over the years. She had mastered the art of the dagger and the spear with the constant fights with Blackmoon for training. All of Blackmoon's techniques and skills she knew to her heart. She was as good as him. Though her stamina and power came short to the others she match it with her grim determination and spirit. San was truly one with the Wolf Tribe. San walked back into the cave, tomorrow Blackmoon had promise her to teach her how to hunt.
Morning, San woke up full of energy and vitality it was time. Blackmoon was waiting for her at the bottom of the cliff. She smiled and ran the whole way down. Holding her ebony base of her spear gripping until her knuckles were ghost white. Leaping onto the masculine's back, almost breaking it in her anticipation. Blackmoon staggered a little, looking at her strangely though San was still grinning ear to ear nearly laughing. Adrenaline filled her blood she couldn't wait any longer. She even thought of kicking him to start going, but then again it was Blackmoon who she thought of kicking and the consequences were not pretty.
Blackmoon felt her glowing with energy he nearly smirked. But he started to run into the forest remembering the first hunt of his life. The first kill, Mother thought that was when his bloodthirstiness started. For the boar he had gotten bleed to death. He didn't tell San for afraid that she would do the same. He liked her but didn't want her to become like him. He liked her the way she was. Beside the family only need one murderous being. In the air he smell an old deer. Knowing it that it would be a hard killed for the deer was old and experienced judging by the scars that littered his body. He turned his head to speak with San remembering her senses were not as adorned as his. When he turned to her he nearly stopped. Her radiance nearly blasted him with its supremacy. San was in a trance, it was as if fire was in her veins, it didn't hurt, but it was more of a gentle sentiment. What she wanted she wanted to know the feeling of the wolves. To know their sense of smell, their lightning reflexes, their speed, she wanted to just be a wolf. The power that was in her veins exploded. Suddenly the world around her changed the smell, the sight, th-
"San? Are you alright? " questioned Blackmoon.
" Yes, and never been better. It is just that everything around me, everything is clearer, brighter, somewhat different. There is an old deer about a mile away. Why don't we go get it? "
"San?" Blackmoon asked yet stopped. The radiance. It was as if nothing had happened it went back as it was before the blast. Her senses. Shock ran down his spine. She controlled the radiance and turned it into more in tuned with the world. She manifested it. If she could do this it was just the beginning, what if she. no.
"Accept it. You must accept. Make as if nothing had happened." he told himself.
" Alright let us be off, " he said out loud.
San grinned and patted his back. In a few minutes they were where they deer was. Blackmoon hided under a leafy foliage, while San got off of his back as silently as she could. Her first kill, she would make it a worthwhile remembrance.
San made her back hunched like how Blackmoon always did before attacking while pulling out her dagger from the slit in her cloak she made to hold it. She closed her eyes holding the dagger close to her heart praying for Yuumei's spirit to be with her and jumped out of the bushes and aimed for the deer's neck, holding the dagger close to her then attack in a smooth graceful slash downwards diagonally. Good she smiled to herself nice and deep. Letting go of the dagger she went and grabbed her spear. The deer outraged went and charged at her antler cranium down ready to tackle her down. San using the spear as a pole sprang onto the deer's back pulling out the dagger and using it to thrust deep, into the jugular vein. She hurried and jumped off she waited for the deer to come close, closer and closer it came. She summoned all her strength into a single thrust of her spear into the first wound she made. The spear went right through the deer, snapping it bone that supported the head. Without the bone supporting the head, the head fell limply to the ground the rest of the body following with it.
San sighed deeply and went to the deer putting it out of his misery with another thrust of her spear. Pulling out the dagger she wiped both the dagger and the spear with the carcass of the deer. She sheathed the dagger and went to Blackmoon. San grinned in triumph to Blackmoon but found Blackmoon staring into the forest. With her new heightened sense of smell she saw smell something in the darkness three large creatures that smelled of water yet somewhat salty.
"Come on out there is no use hiding, we smell you. " She said pulling out her dagger again.
The three shapes emerged from the places they were at. San gasped. The two older male and female were larger than Yuumei by at least one foot. While the younger one looked around the age of Blackmoon was a head taller them him. They all had golden orbs silted like the Snake Tribes were but had fur unlike what San had ever seen. They were reddish-orange with black stripes with a whitish under fur. Their tails were long like an ape's but did not curl, with the tip of it black. Their ears were pointed like a wolf and they were in one word beautiful yet dangerous like a wolf. Pretty and dangerous guess that made them pretty dangerous. Their face was like a.
" We are the Tiger Clan. We have come from land to the west from the ocean far away. I am Hwoagenn and this is my mate Hwoahua and my child Saber. We seek to reside here. There is no way for us to return to our home. "
San looked at Blackmoon unable to say anything. Blackmoon smelled of awe and fear? Blackmoon never smelled of fear but these creatures could probably over power him and her. It was best if Moro dealt with them, Mother would know what to do.
" We can't give you an answer to what you seek. I am sorry that you cannot return to your home. If you would come with us we will take us to our mother. She will call the leaders of the tribes and they will give you the answer you seek " San said hesitating for Blackmoon said nothing.
The tigers seem only half listening; they were looking at the deer eying it hungrily. San sighed. " Well you can have it Blackmoon and I aren't that hungry. The rest fell lost into deafness for the tigers were already eating.
"Brother what do we do? Mother could deal with them. I don't like this, what should we do. " San whispered into Blackmoon's ear.
" We do nothing, we could not overpower them there is too many. I think we should do what you said take them to Mother. I wonder how they got here. From what I heard from Mother the ocean is far away and it takes months to past it to reach the lands that is connected to it. Oh an ocean is a huge body of water San. " Blackmoon added as an afterthought seeing San's puzzled look.
" Your friend is right our home is far away. We mean no harm and will not attack unless we are provoked. I find this amusing that a human is in this forest and calling a wolf "brother". How is that human? You fight really well for one of your tribe and could smell us from that distance, who is this "Mother" I wish to see. " Hwoagenn said stopping from his break of fast.
" My sister San is of the Wolf Tribe. Our mother is Moro of the Wolf Tribe. There is no human here unless it is you. How dare you call her a human I should rip you apart limb to lib you ignorant bas-"
" Blackmoon stop it. But he is right I am of the Wolf Tribe and I always was if you are done eating we will take you to Mother. " San said quickly cutting off Blackmoon. Jumping of him smoothly she notion for the others to follow her. Looking at Blackmoon she mouthed, "just let me do the talking".
The tigers seem to have no choice but to follow the disappearing shapes of San and Blackmoon. As they followed them they watch the topography around them. San look behind her and watch the large shadows walking with sinuous grace. She asked Blackmoon to speed up she didn't enjoy their presence for it felt dissimilar. She wanted for Moro to be there for her presence comforted her so and to quell the feeling of being unwanted. In a few minutes they arrived at the home of the Wolf Tribe. By then many of the clan leaders were there, they looked at the tigers with eyes of mistrust. San for off of Blackmoon and they both went to her side. San whispered into Moro's ear about how they found them. Moro walked forward nearer to the tigers and all of the other clans.
" My daughter has informed me of your fate O' Tiger Clan. She tells me that you have come across the ocean to her." She paused for a moment as the other tribe leaders murmured to each other, " And I wish to know how you did such a task. Even for the size and might of each of you that is impossible for you to accomplish such a task. "
The reply of Hwoagenn was unheard of for Nago and the other boars had come into the topography with ear-splitting screeches and squeals.
" What is this? Moro first the human child now this, I am the Guardian of the Forest did you forget that? Now you and the others plot behind my back? If you want my title Moro you will have to kill me."
" If you'll believe such a dense threat had scare me you have to be repartee, oh Guardian of the Forest. This is the Tiger Clan and they wish to reside here. San and Blackmoon found them and they came to me for guidance. The others saw them and came here to question I for I am their mother. Am I not? Oh Guardian of the Forest? "
Nago snarled at Moro yet said naught for she was right.
" If you don't mind if I can get started? It is a long story," Hwoagenn asked.
" Yes you might as well do so while I'm here " Nago spoke.
" Very well, as you know that we are from the ocean far away. Our family was capture by Sho Genn armies while we were off hunting. There are many Tigers Clans scatter around our land, never really meeting another unless any danger in our forests. The armies wanted our forest for the wood. And so they need us removed and the other animal clans would come down easily for we are the brains and the brawn of our small forest. They captured us and sent us here to the Emperor as gifts but during the boat ride here we broke free of our cages and slaughtered the men inside when we were close enough to swim to shore. There is no way for us to go back to our forest. One of the Raven Clan had told us about the Forest of Shishi-Gami only miles away. We decided to reside here for it was the closest. The Tiger Clan could be a valuable asset to you. "
" I think the Tiger Clan should stay they could help us, beside if any of us were stranded we would probably also be helped by them or any other clans. That is the unspoken law of the Clans of Forest, protectors of Shishi-Gami."
"Yes"
"We should"
One by one the clans leaders answered each other's cries to uphold the Tiger Clan.
And so the Tiger Clan was forth one of the Protectors of Shishi-Gami inside its own forest.
The spirit of the heart upheld in time, swirling into distant promises that remain unbroken and pure. Yet for how long? Such questions held the human psyche for such sagacious questions. Though the wind blows in your favor the games have begun and so what would happen if the winds shifted in somewhat a different way. Thou has spoken true... disaster.