An Author's note: No, I'm not dead. Sorry this took so long.

I don't own South Park.

Chapter 9

Hunting

Kyle crouched in the snow, his teeth bared and his claws digging into the ground. He wrinkled his nose from the stench of Rothide, who was crouched beside him.

It had been a few weeks since Kyle had joined the pack. Sam had finally decided it was time for him to do some real hunting, and had sent him off on several hunting missions. Most of these hunting missions had been for small creatures like mice and squirrels, then slightly larger prey like rabbits (all Kyle had to do was think 'Woodland Critter Christmas' and all thoughts of mercy had left him).

But tonight Sam had sent Kyle with Tweek and the twin werewolves to hunt and kill a deer. Kyle was not looking forward to this particular activity at all, but it had to be done. It was true that hunting helped curb the werewolf rage, and Kyle also comforted himself with the fact that he used natural claws and teeth…unlike some people in South Park. Hunting turned out to be rather fun, and he found himself enjoying it.

Kyle heard the sounds of something crashing thorough the bushes. He tensed.

A huge stag was tearing through the trees, Tweek and Boneroll hot on his heels. Kyle snarled and sprang as the creature zoomed past him. His claws dug into the stag's shoulder. Rothide lunged as well, but missed.

The stag staggered the side and reared on his hooves. One of said hooves nearly caved in Rothide's head. The smelly werewolf reared as well and batted at the stag's nose. The stag lowered his antlers, scooped up Rothide and flung him into a tree.

Kyle hung on for dear life as the stag swung him around like a toy. His muscles were aching, but he was not going to let go.

Tweek and Boneroll ran up and tried to help Kyle, but the stag was off and running again with Kyle attached like a hairy red cowboy.

Oh terrific. Kyle thought sarcastically.

Branches tore at his fur as the poor deer went streaking through the forest. Kyle could feel his claws losing their grip on his prey. A branch seemed to appear right in front of him and whacked him off the deer.

Kyle picked himself off the snow, growling in frustration and anger. He watched as the deer ran off into the darkness. He could have sworn the thing was laughing at him.

Kyle muttered a choice four letter word and tried to wrench his back into shape (it had twisted a bit from the fall).

"Lost it?" Tweek asked as he padded up. "Jesus." He shook his blond head.

"Don't worry 'bought it." Boneroll yawned. "You lose deer all the time. It happens."

"Yeah…but if you had gone after the one with the limp, like I TOLD you too!" Tweek twitched around and glared at Boneroll.

"It happens." Boneroll shrugged.

Kyle sighed. It was easily for Boneroll to act like he did not care…he did not have to constantly prove himself to the pack.

Tweek looked at the moon. "We better get back." He said.

That was another thing, while the twins, Sharptongue and Moonlight could stay up all night training, Kyle and Tweek had to maintain a double life. The needed to get to back home at a reasonable hour, so that they were not to tired and worn down. And they could only come during the weekend. That meant that the pair of them were behind their fellows considerably.

A certain smell assaulted Kyle's nostrils. He growled at Sharptongue himself skulked out of the bushes with a rabbit in his mouth. He set the thing down and grinned.

"Can't even finish a simple hunt I see." The werewolf grinned nastily.

Kyle sat down and yawned in Sharptongue's face. He had learned quickly that the older werewolf loved seeing Kyle angry, so Kyle did his best to act like his words meant nothing to him. It was not as hard as it was with Cartman, Cartman knew Kyle better and he knew how to push Kyle's buttons more effectively.

Sharptongue sneered at Kyle "Maybe you should stick to little bitty rodents."

Kyle flicked his ears and turned away from Sharptongue with a snort. He was not in the mood for him.

He was a few paces away from Sharptongue when another rabbit literally leaped in front of him. Instinct took over and Kyle pounced on the prey.

"It's you!" a female voice said in a surprised manner. Kyle looked up, the rabbit clutched in his jaws to stare at Moonlight. The silvery werewolf was giving him a look she never had before. Usually she ignored Kyle, but now she seemed a bit impressed.

"Nice catch." She said.

"M'thanks." Kyle said around the rabbit.

"You're progressing pretty far. I mean for someone who has to deal with…human things all the time." Moonlight said.

Kyle felt his fur lift a bit. This was the first time that Moonlight had actually talked to him. He placed the rabbit on the ground to take advantage of this change in mood.

"Yeah, it's kinda strange." Kyle said.

"I'll bet. Living with humans, I mean." Moonlight commented.

"Actually, it's living with werewolves that feels a bit odd. I've been human all my life but now."

"I guess you're right." Moonlight said. "Look, I'm sorry I was a bit cold to you at first. I just don't like-"

"Manborn?" Kyle asked with a growl.

"Lawbreakers." Moonlight said. Then she grinned at him. "Thanks for the rabbit." She leaned down, took the rabbit and ran off with a friendly flick of her tail.

"Your welcome…" Kyle muttered.

Needless to say Sam was a bit disappointed when his student came back empty pawed, but he also did not seem too surprised.

"Deer are big prey, even for a werewolf." He noted. "You'll just have to try again next time. And Boneroll should have known better than to attack a healthy stag like that. Remember there is a reason we attack the weak ones of the herd."

"I'd better get back home." Kyle said.

"Aright. We'll try the deer next time."

Kyle trotted home, but as soon as he started seeing roofs in the distance he noticed large familiar paw prints on the ground. He gave them an experiential sniff.

The Outlaw.

Kyle growled. The trail was not that old…

Cautiously he followed the trail. They led him to someone's backyard. It was a pretty unfamiliar backyard. He sniffed the windowsill. He knew the scent; it was not one of his friends. He sniffed again and it hit him.

Pip.

Kyle's ears flattened back on his head. What was the Outlaw doing sniffing around Limy Boy's backyard?

A light turned on in the British boy's window and Kyle swiftly dived into a bush.

Kyle observed Pip as he poked his head out the window and looked around. Kyle watched as the other stared at the paw prints in the snow. The boy shivered and then slammed and locked the window.

Kyle crept alongside the house and slinked back to his own home, disturbed by what he had smelled…

Was the Outlaw trying to recruit more and more young South Park children?