Xander let out a sigh. He probably could have taken that bear on his own. He panicked a bit and it was Ellen that defused the situation. And then she lectured him about it. Uhg.

He pushed on to the clearing he had stumbled across yesterday while exploring the area. It wasn't huge but it was big enough he had caught sight of a few deer grazing in it in the twilight hours. He thought he would give hunting a try. Something that would be an interesting venture without any sort of weapon. He could try using his tentacles, but it probably wouldn't be easy.

He stood at the edge of the clearing taking in the light breeze dancing across the grass. It was a really nice place to just sit and relax, the spot calm and serene.

He turned to the tree beside him looking at the marks he had left yesterday when he first wandered through. He could still see a few patches of velvette stuck to the rough bark as well as a few scrapes and grooves in the bark. For some reason that brought a smile to his face. He may not fully understand this rut thing, but it wasn't too bad. Minor irritation of his antlers and he ran a bit warmer than normal. The delicate sense of smell wasn't bad when out in the wild, he could see how it would be a nuisance in the city, or in crowded places though.

He had a few nights where his mind had drifted to more…risqué themes, but wasn't that normal for teenagers? Maybe it was the rut. He shook the thought, either way it wasn't nearly as bad as Alastor had it and he really hoped he never got to that state. It looked terrible.

He took a large breath in taking in the faint smell of grass and an old hint of wildlife. Nothing had traversed the area today. Perfect for getting some training in.

He summoned a tentacle and focused on trying to use it to pick up a large branch that was laying a few feet away. It was weird trying to get it to do simple things, the movements stuttering like he wasn't fully focused, even though he was. Was it possible to over focus?

He squinted hard trying to get the tentacle to move smoothly. He knew trying to do precise movements would be difficult, he needed to master the basics first before trying anything too technical. The only problem, he wasn't really sure what was basic or more advanced.

The black appendage slipped back into shadows as soft chitters pulled his attention. Stretching across the forest floor as a long shadow that he recognized as Alastor's. Why was Alastor looking for him?

He knew Alastor had been avoiding both him and Ellen, something he was kind of grateful for. Once he had shown up he couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about his presence. Ellen had mentioned it was likely part of the rut, seeing him as another buck, older and more experienced. She mentioned something about territory as well but he guessed he didn't share that feeling. Maybe it was because he was only half demon that a lot of the instincts didn't carry over.

The shadow gave him a look up and down a frown etched on its face.

He crossed his arms in front of him, scowling at the shadow. "What?"

It tilted its head for a moment, thinking before it shifted its shape to look like Ellen.

"Mom sent you?"

The shadow nodded.

He didn't know she could use Alastor's powers. Could she use his too? It would probably be beneficial for her seeing as she had to rely on Alastor to protect her in certain situations. Maybe she was in trouble? No, he knew when he had left her last Alastor was nearby, he could smell him in the area. Maybe she was looking for him for dinner? But it was too early, barely late afternoon. Maybe she needed him?

If Ellen could send Alastor's shadow, wouldn't it have been easier if she just slipped into the shadows to find him? Maybe she was busy with something? Why would she need to tell him that if she was still at the site?

"Is she back at the site?"

The shadow reformed to the shape of Alastor shaking its head.

Okay so maybe she was lost? He remembered Julie mentioning not to trust her even with a GPS saying she'd still find a way to get lost. But if she was lost she could just shadow port to the site. Hmm.

"Does she need something?"

Another head shake.

Why would she send it to find him if she didn't need anything? She obviously sent this thing for a reason.

"So why are you here then? Why didn't she just come herself?"

Maybe she couldn't come herself because she was busy?

The shadow responded with soft chirpy noises that were unintelligible. This thing didn't speak? How was he supposed to figure out what it wanted?

"She sent you because she's busy with something?"

It nodded enthusiastically.

Well, a game of 'twenty questions' it was he guessed. Did Ellen have to do that too? Did Alastor? Why have this thing if you couldn't talk to it?

"Do I need to know what she's doing?"

Head shake.

Okay so she was busy and wanted him to know because…?

"She won't be at the site for a while?"

Another nod.

Ah, okay he was pretty sure he got it now.

"She'll be busy for a while so she's letting me know so I don't worry about her."

Another head nod, this time with excited noises.

"Okay I'll see her after dinner I guess…no? Before bed?"

He looked at the shadow with a confused look. She was going to be busy all night? Doing what? Oh. Oh no, eww, gross. He shook his head.

"Yup, sure, got it." He shuddered, not wanting to look at the stupid smug look on the shadows face. It knew exactly what he had pieced together.

The shadow hesitated for a few seconds before darting off, sounding far too happy for Xander's liking. He grunted in displeasure watching the shade slip through the trees until he could no longer see it.

God he hoped they were far enough away he wouldn't catch wind of them. He didn't want to see it, hear it, smell it, nothing. He shuddered again at the thought.

At least he knew they weren't going to be at the site. It also meant he was on his own for dinner. Maybe he will try his hand at hunting. He hadn't had venison in awhile and seeing as he knew there were deer in the area it should be a fairly easy task. For now, he would spend some time practicing with powers. He could worry about hunting closer to dusk. And to insure the clearing was safe he would have to move further into the forest. Wouldn't want to scare the deer away.

…

The sun was much lower in the sky when he felt confident with one tendril. It wasn't as slimy as the first ones he had ever summoned and he felt in better control of it. Some things were still a bit off, he wasn't able to pick up branches for very long without snapping them. He still hadn't figured out the grip strength yet, but it was still progress! He had also worked on his aim, launching a tentacle at a target, spearing it. Again, not perfect, but definitely better than this morning.

With a light smile, feeling good about what he had accomplished for the day he made his way back to the clearing in hopes of finding a deer for dinner.

He made sure to keep his steps light and his ears attuned to anything in the area. As luck would have it, there were three deer in the small clearing, grazing. He watched as their ears flicked, listening for any sign of danger. It seemed a bit odd knowing his did the same.

He flexed his fingers, eyes glued to his target, like he had practiced all afternoon. The deer were a bit farther than he'd tried, but the theory should be the same. He also didn't want to risk getting closer in fear of starting them. At least in the tree line he could hide, out in the open he would be easily seen.

He closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath. All he had to do was send a tendril out, spearing it, then wait for it to succumb to the injury. Easy-peasy. Just as easy as shooting a gun. Except, he hadn't really been able to do that either. He pushed the thought down not wanting any self doubt to cloud his focus. He could do this.

With one more slow exhale he opened his eyes and watched the tendril dart out, striking one of the does. The belk that followed startled the surrounding wildlife. He could hear and see birds bolting into the sky in droves. He could hear the rustling of leaves, smaller creatures scurrying away, likely squirrels and chipmunks.

He watched the other two deer dart away, back into the safety of the woods, leaving the one he had struck stumbling after them.

Xander let out a relieved sigh. He had actually hit it, he wasn't certain he could, even with all the practice. All he had to do now was follow it and wait for it to succumb to its wound. He didn't know what he had hit but based on the slowed movement, he was pretty confident he had struck something important. He made his way through the clearing, watching as the doe continued to stumble away at a slow pace. By the time it reached the edge of the clearing it collapsed.

Finally closing the distance he realized one minor flaw. He had struck it near its left haunch. The hole wasn't even that big, barely enough to be deemed a wound. All he had done was mildly injure it. It wasn't going to die from this.

"Fuck!"

It wasn't dead, he had speared it with one of his tendrils, and he didn't even kill it. What was he supposed to do now? Break its neck? Wait for it to bleed out? He had never killed anything before, why did he think he could do this? Movies and tv shows made it seem like such an easy thing. This wasn't easy, and now it was squeaking in pain.

His hands gripped his head as he paced back and forth in front of it, unsure what he was supposed to do now. His chest ached wanting to put it out of its misery quickly and humanely but didn't know how. If he used a tendril to strangle it he would probably rip its head off, he hadn't worked much on grip strength. He shuddered at the thought, no he was definitely not going to do that. What would be the most humane way of doing this? God he wished he had a knife or something. Was he supposed to kill it with his bare hands? You couldn't do that could you?

"Well? Are you going to finish what you started?"

He wheeled around surprised he hadn't heard or smelt Alastor approach. How long had he been standing there? He would know how to kill it right? He unsuccessfully tried to swallow his panic.

"I-I didn't mean…I was trying to…I thought…"

He turned back to the deer, his ears flattening to his head as it let out another pained cry. He was trying to kill it but now that he was here staring at it, the scared and panicked look in its eyes was making his stomach sick. If it had just died it would have been fine. The fact it was still alive gave him a chance to second guess himself, question his thought process. Maybe he wouldn't have been able to handle that bear after all.

For a moment he let his mind spiral into the possible outcomes of that scenario had his mother not come to his aid. Would he have been mauled to death? Sure he could shift into the shadows, but if had been pinned he wasn't sure he could have shifted fast enough. He was nowhere near the level or speed his dad was at.

He watched as Alastor knelt down beside the deer with an annoyed huff. He watched as Alastor ran a calming hand along the side of the deer, appearing to try soothing it. He knew Alastor had a softer side when with his mom, but he never imagined it would carry over to wildlife as well. Maybe he was too quick to judge the demon. He always assumed the worst and it seemed like Alastor liked it that way, but the scene unfolding in front of him seemed to beg to differ.

He was about to ask him what he would suggest to do when he watched to his horror, Alastor drove his claws into the chest of the deer. There was an audible crack, like the breaking of bone and the thing twitching and kicking, screeching in pain, before going still suddenly. It all happened so quick.

He…killed it. Just stabbed it with his hand and killed it. At least it died quickly, but still, he had not been expecting that at all. He was sure his mouth was hanging open agape at what he had just witnessed. Alastor literally killed it with his bare hands. There goes all the happy thoughts he had before. Nope it was obvious his father was only nice with Ellen. Shocker. He was sent to hell for a reason, why did he think there was anything nice about the guy?

"If you weren't certain you could kill it you shouldn't've tried," Alastor chided.

"I've been practicing all morning I thought…it seemed so easy to just…it should have just…died but it didn't and I was just trying to figure out…"

His words stopped as he watched Alastor curiously take a claw and carve a small piece of meat off of the deer's flank. He didn't get a chance to even wonder what he was possibly doing before it was dropped into his open and waiting mouth.

Xander gagged. He didn't just… It was raw! He voiced his concern, (more so disgust) but Alastor didn't seem phased by it at all. He swallowed the bile that tried rising in the back of his throat as he watched Alastor cut another, larger piece and eat it. What the fuck?

Alastor stood finally turning to face him and no doubt seeing his look of disgust. He rolled his eyes.

"You enjoy it too, it was one of the only things your mother could keep down while carrying you. Quite insistent you were."

He had made his mom eat raw deer? Wouldn't that be dangerous because she was human? He wanted it? Surely not, there was no way he would eat that thing raw. Was Alastor joking with him, trying to get him to try it raw?

He was about to ask when a sharp snap had them bother turning to the far side of the clearing. It appeared someone was standing, frozen watching them. He wasn't able to fully see who it was, but if he had to guess it was his mother. Though it appeared she had changed since he had last seen her, not longer in her bright hat and jacket. Could it have been a random hiker?

"Is that…?"

Alastor chuckled beside him as the figure quickly turned and darted away. That was more than enough to answer his question, he had no doubt it was his mom. He tilted his head to the side as he watched her disappear from sight.

"Don't let any of that go to waste. Whatever you and your mother won't eat I will enjoy."

He opened his mouth to ask about all the innards, certain he would not eat those, but Alastor darted off across the clearing leaving him to watch. His nose wrinkled at an odd sharp musk that seemed to linger after Alastor bolted. Yup he wasn't going to think about that.

He turned back to the deer with a deep sigh. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what was going on between those two. It was probably best if he just left them alone.

His eyes wandered back to the spot Alastor had cut from. He ate it raw. He shook his head bending down to try throwing the corpse over his shoulder when he paused, eyes back to the wound. He looked over his shoulder wondering if Alastor may have turned back to see if curiosity got to him. It had and he hated himself for it. He leaned down, getting a small smell of the meat. It didn't smell bad, nor great, just neutral? Why did he expect it to smell off? It was fresh meat, dead only a few minutes.

He had always liked his venison steaks rare, but raw was crazy. He wasn't actually thinking about trying it was he? He was horrified watching Alastor eat it, but if even his mom had maybe…it wasn't bad? Although Alastor never said that Ellen liked it, only that she had tried it. So the least he could do was also give it a try right? He took a claw, hesitant in his movements and cut into the flesh shuddering at the squish and a bit surprised it still felt warm.

It took him a few attempts to cut through the pelt, but eventually he had a small, raw, warm and squishy piece of meat. He looked at it with a grimace, his face already souring at the thought of putting it in his mouth.

He was definitely going to chicken out, there was no way he would actually put it in his mouth let alone swallow, there was no way. Nope he couldn't … before he could think he shoved it into his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut.

The texture was as bad as he thought it would be, slimy, warm and a bit tough, he hadn't properly removed all of the hide. He had to mentally tell himself to chew, fighting the urge to swallow it without even tasting it.

It was gamey, not too different from the normal steaks he preferred, though it was a lot more juicy with a stronger taste of iron. He elected to ignore the fact it was because of blood, one traumatic experience at a time. After the fourth chew, his face relaxed, the ick factor slowly disappearing. It wasn't bad, something about it made him feel… different? He couldn't quite place it.

With less hesitancy he cut himself another small piece, this time trying it with a more open mind. It was still good, not as good as his rare steaks but still enough that he wouldn't mind having it again. And the weird feeling returned, a lit buzz swimming through his veins.

He looked back at the deer and hummed in thought. He wasn't sure how he felt about that revelation. He liked raw deer. Gross.

AN: So how do we feel about that? I may take (up to) a week off to just catch up, I'm burning out a bit and I don't want to feel rushed as I work on finishing this up. I promise I wont be gone for long! And as I'm sure you are all aware, the next one is going to be heated and spicy so it'll take a bit to write. I'm not happy about any of the smut I've written so I want this one to be good, seeing as it'll be the last in this story. Anyway, enough rambling hope you all enjoyed this three chapter dump and I'll see you all soon!

Cheers!

Cheers!