"Azu," Ayn'jièlah whispers while trying to sound serious towards her sister, but it's hard for her to hide the amusement in her tone. "What are you doing? We're supposed to be practicing!"
While waiting for the hunt to begin, Cry'stel takes the opportunity to entertain herself since it's been nothing but bird chatter for the past few wind cycles. And she has grown already board of chasing birds. First, it was the large grasshopper that leaped over her tail that both startled and intrigued her. Its vibrant wings lifted the bizarre insect into the air only to disappear amongst the treetops where the cub could not fallow. Then another strange bug with white fluffy fur floated across her snout. It tickled her nose triggering her to sneeze and the floating bug launched across the brush. The action made Ayn'jièlah laugh so hard she tumbled over. And then there was the snapping turtle… If it weren't for Ayn'jièlah, her sister wouldn't have much of a nose left, and now, as Ayn'jièlah glances back over to Cry'stel for the fourth time, she can't help but snort. For some odd reason, Cry'stel had managed to fit three broad sticks in her maw and is still trying to pick up another one. When that fails, the azure cub turns to her sister and makes the goofiest expression Ayn'jièlah has ever seen her make. In doing so she nearly chokes.
"Azu!" Angel laughs and paw swipes at the stick end, forcefully smacking them out of her mouth. "Stop that. You are going to end up impaling yourself!"
"Blah! Sticks taste awful…" is her only response making Ayn'jièlah laugh even harder.
"Then why did you put sticks in your mouth if they taste so bad?"
Cry'stel tilts her head, letting her body follow until she rolls onto the ground in a fit of laughter, "I wanted to see how many sticks I can carry in my mouth without dropping them. I nearly had five!"
"Oh," She snickers and rumbles jokingly, "and I bet I can carry more than six sticks in my mouth."
Cry'stel huffs and picks herself up quickly. Puffing out her chest she barks out, "Impossible! I hold the greatest number of sticks one could ever fit into their jaws!"
Stepping away from her, Ayn'jièlah returns momentarily with a mouth full of sticks. The look on her sister's face is priceless. Ayn'jièlah drops all nine sticks from her maw before sitting down with a grin so wide it could very well engulf the sun.
"You were saying, sweet little Azu?" Cry'stel squints and stubbornly marches away to grab a much thicker stick from the base of a nearby fallen tree. With her jaws fastened over it, she gives a few strong tugs trying to break the branch from its base. To her surprise, as her teeth sick into the rotten wood, the branch cracks from the strain and breaks off. Satisfied with her accomplishment, Cry'stel drags back her trophy back to show her sister, setting it down on the ground between them. The taste of rotten wood still lingering in her mouth makes the cub shudder and spit.
"Blah!" she exclaims and shakes. Straightening her posture, Cry'stel looks to her sister and says, "You may have won the biggest mouth contest-"
Ayn'jièlah corrects, "I thought it was one who could hold the greatest number of sticks in their maw?"
"Same thing!" She snarls and puffs out her chest again. "Now I have another game that is impossible for you to win!" Crystal grabs ahold of the rotten branch, despite its foul taste, and spins herself around with it in three full circles before letting go.
Without any warning, Ayn'jièlah is struck in the shoulder with the end of the branch and stumbles from the sudden contact, "Gah-hey!"
She spits out the woody bits and roars proudly, "I call that one dodge stick! You lose!"
Ayn'jièlah lets out a low yet playful growl as she arches herself closer to the ground, "Oh I'll show you dodge stick." Her back legs spring in an instant, and suddenly a heap of auburn and blackened striped fur collides against a tiny azure frame as Ayn'jièlah casts herself towards her prey. The azure cub is easily tackled, with Ayn'jièlah pinning Cry'stel beneath her weight. Cry'stel screeches out of panic of being crushed and frantically squirms around, kicking, clawing, and even biting at her sister trying to get free. All her efforts seem strong but to no avail as Ayn'jièlah is a far larger and heavier opponent.
"Release me! You're too fat, I can't breathe!" Cry'stel gasps.
Ayn'jièlah only chuckles and questions humorously, "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, dear Azu. It's rather hard to hear you. Can you repeat that?"
"MY BODY!" She shrieks so loudly that it creates an echo to which both cubs immediately freeze. Small but noticeable vibrations rumble beneath the ground moments later. Without further hesitation, Ayn'jièlah moves away from her sister. There is a sound just as faint as the vibrations, but both grew within seconds.
"What is that?" Cry'stel asks in a soft voice, and in response, Ayn'jièlah slowly grins.
"They've begun!"
The sound of hooves and loud panicked bleats arise as a stampede of Grey Hides came rushing through the trees from the meadow. Both cubs spring into the bushes with their eyes glued to the scene before them. A flash of fear crosses Cry'stel's face seeing so many large and scary-looking creatures run so closely past them at terrifying speeds. Ayn'jièlah, on the other hand, can barely hold in her excitement with her tail flickering wildly from the thrill. Her claws sink into the earth with anticipation, desperately wanting to join in.
At the very end of the herd, Ayn'jièlah catches the first glimpse of her brother who is trying to push a few strays back into place as he dashes between the trees. Despite nearing the age of ten months, Dæv'yièl's bulk had doubled over his sister's, making him look more of a threat to the herd.
"There he goes!" Ayn'jièlah exclaims while Cry'stel holds in a gasp as the herd along with their brother all too quickly passes them by.
"Wait they're moving too far away for us to see anything!" Cry'stel wails, not wanting to miss the rest of the hunt.
"Then let's catch up!" Suddenly Ayn'jièlah is in full sprint down the hill in the wake of the herd with her excitement leading the way. Cry'stel bounds after her, not wanting to be left behind. She's trying her best not to lose sight of her sister since the herd is already out of view. She can only hear their calls farther out into the meadow.
"Ayn, wait for me! Stop running so fast!" She calls out while struggling to keep at her pace.
"Use your legs, little Azu! Use those little stubby legs and stop running so slow!" Ayn'jièlah yells back just barely loud enough for her sister to hear it. Ayn'jièlah is now at a full-speed sprint down the hill. Cry'stel's stubby legs are useless when it comes to keeping up with her sister's slimmer built, but she doesn't stop running even though her chest is throbbing painfully. With each dash and turn and jump, the azure cub meets the end of the tree line their mother had instructed to stay close to. With her sister zooming across the field of tall golden grass towards the herd running from peril across the open field, her mother's words are deafening as the fear of being left behind pushes her further, until her paws reach out for the earth beneath once more only to sink into emptiness. With a hard tumble, the azure cub plummets into the earth before landing upside down in a bed of strangely colored petaled flowers. The world feels as if it is spinning as she tries to make sense of what happened.
"Hunting is a lot like dancing, however, it is vital for the hunter to be patient and move when the moment is right. Mistakes will happen more often than you would like, and prey will get away. Do not be too timid in your actions and expand through your discomfort because what makes you feel comfortable won't always remain. Believe in your abilities, as confidence will lead you on. But be wise not to confuse confidence with foolishness. Hence it is unwise to hunt the lead bull of any herd for he does not show mercy of any kind," the tigress's voice echoes memorably in the young hunter's head.
The herd branches off into three groups heading in different directions over the curving shallow river. The lead bull carries most of the herd southwest into thicker foliage for better protection, leaving the remaining to fend for themselves out in the open. The young tiger locks onto a single target, a spike running alongside four cows heading for the trees at the far end of the meadow.
"Be patient or you'll give yourself away too quickly and lose the element of surprise. Hunters who lack patience won't survive very long on their own."
The cows break off from the spike as if knowingly they are not a worthy target. The spike shows a weakness in his front leg, an old wound that's taking a toll on the young buck. The hunter closes the distance with exhilarating speed, letting his choice carry him closer while taking heavier breaths.
"Learn to relax your body. Your energy is vital for not just the hunt, but to flee when you are no longer the hunter, so do not waste it."
The rapid rhythm of his heartbeat whirls throughout his body like waves of vibrations rattling deep into his bones. It is a feeling that makes him feel powerful in every stride, every paw step, every breath.
"The chase is just as important as waiting to pounce, for you'll have to think quick on your paws. Prey on the weak or slow but always be wary of the sick and infected. Desperation can become fatal to those who cannot control their urges as it can fog your judgment. But sometimes you will go for anything that is available, something of an opportunity. Never waste an opportunity."
The spike is moments away from the tree line with Dæv'yièl losing speed all too suddenly while the spike remains ahead. His long leaps are what separates the yearling bull from being devoured by the jaws of his hunter, and when he reaches the tree line, the danger becomes less of a concern.
"Lastly there is the advantage of hunting in pares or in groups which leads to a more successful hunt. The most rewarding strategy is an ambush."
The cries of the yearling bull echo across the meadow, throughout the nearby trees, and the hills farther down. The remaining members of the herd who managed to escape successfully pay no attention to the spike's painful cries. Ayn'jièlah immediately slows to a stop near the end of the meadow with her ears facing the direction of the cry. The grass is taller here, preventing her from seeing what lies in the tree line ahead. A soft wind carries the scent of freshly spilled blood after the cries muffle to silence. Ayn'jièlah follows the scent quickly to its source and is greeted by the sight of her mother and brother standing over the fallen spike. Blood saturates along the bottom of the mother's neck and maw, but her brother's maw is absent of blood unlike his front paws and left shoulder where a gash is noticeable. She doesn't stare at them too long as the spike grabs hold of her attention completely.
"Whoa," she gasps softly. Then a large grin covers her face as she runs over to take a closer look at the spike's fallen body. His jugular is severed cleanly through, and the blood is still freshly spewing from the deep wounds inflicted by the tigress's dagger-like canines. Ayn'jièlah stands before her mother in pure astonishment. "That was amazing! I didn't get to see the end of it, but that was so thrilling!"
Her mother smiles but it quickly fades when she notices her youngest cub is not by her daughter's side. " Ayn'jièlah, where is your sister?"
Ayn'jièlah's enjoyment plummets at the sudden realization, and the mother tigress can see it in her eyes right away.
"Where did you leave her? You were supposed to be keeping an eye on her, Ayn'jièlah."
Her ears folded back tightly against her skull by her mother's stern words. The memory of running down the meadow after the herd holds nothing to her but regret now. "I-I-she was just behind me and…I don't know, I thought she was still behind me. We were trying to keep up with the hunt to see it all…I'm sorry so mama."
When her daughter's eyes fill with tears the tigress sighs. Dæv'yièl just rolls his eyes as if he expected this to happen. "Irresponsible." He mutters under his breath.
"Let us not start this again. We've all made mistakes and what's important is that we learn from them." She steps over the spike's body and beside her daughters, speaking to her directly. "I understand you wanted to watch the hunt till the very end, but next time you must focus on your responsibilities as a sister. She's still a cub Ayn'jièlah, and she should never be left on her own."
"I didn't mean to leave her behind mama," Ayn'jièlah admits softly.
The mother brushes her muzzle against her daughter's cheek in a kind gesture. "I know you never mean it. Let us just hope she didn't wander too far. Come now and show me where you two came running from."
Ayn'jièlah nods and turns with her mother following. The mother briefly turns to look at her son, "Dæv'yièl, I want you to stay with the spike. We won't be long."
"Sure, sounds fun," She ignores his sarcastic tone knowing she'll deal with his attitude later. Finding her daughter is currently her top priority. With Ayn'jièlah leading the way, they head back up into the meadow as her daughter retraces her steps carefully. Not too long after they left do they hear distant yelling.
"Cry'stel?" The tigress calls back and in moments hears a familiar reply.
"Mama? Is that you?"
"Yes, little one, it's me. Where are you?" Following the tree line, Ayn'jièlah sniffs out her sister's scent while the tigress uses her eyes and ears.
"I fell in a hole! There are flowers everywhere down here!" Cry'stel exclaims.
The tigress stiffens, "What color are the flowers, child?"
"I don't know. They have a weird smell."
Dipping her head down over the hole she spots her familiar little azure cub surrounded by a beautiful bed of flowers; flowers she has never seen before, but only heard about in stories. "Are you alright?"
"Yea, I just can't get out." The sight of her mother brings both relief yet a disturbing feeling at the sight of blood smeared all over her maw and throat. But her words snap the cub out of her thoughts.
"Well at your size I'd say climbing these walls would be a challenge," She forces out a smile while wearily peering down at the flowers engulfing the pit. "Are there thorns under the petals? Did the flowers make you bleed, child?"
"No. I don't think so. Falling in the hole did hurt though."
The mother sighs before climbing down to retrieve her cub. "Luckily you have a mother who's an expert at climbing treacherous terrain."
Cry'stel giggles softly while hunching her body close to the ground. Strong jaws lightly wrap themselves around the azure cub's body before becoming weightless. Her mother's long and powerful legs scale the walls of the hole with ease as they are nothing like the sheer cliffs and gaps she's had to cross over hundreds of times before in the mountains back home. Setting her cub back down on the ground, she inspects her thoroughly.
"My paw hurts a little," Cry'stel admits, to which the tigress examines her paw more closely. With no wound present, the mother finally relaxes.
"It's nothing a little rest can't fix. Try not to put all your weight on your paw for a night or two." With that said, the tigress picks her cub up again before crossing the meadow.
Ayn'jièlah silently walks beside her mother at a matching pace as they return back to their dinner, but Dæv'yièl has already started eating without them. Still being carried in the jaws of her mother, Cry'stel's eyes widen at the sight of so much blood spill. She notices that her siblings aren't at all bothered at the sight as they dig into the carcass of the spike without complaint or any signs of disgust. Not even her mother looked repulsed by it after letting her go to feast upon the carcass. It's not like she hasn't seen blood before, just not so much of it all in one place along with a whole carcass that is gigantic compared to her size. Cry'stel had only recently tried meat as her mother brought her chunks of it back from her hunting trips. Now she knows where those chunks of mystery meats came from, and she doesn't know how to feel about it.
"It's time to eat little one." Cry'stel finds her mother's calm words strange and wonders if this all is normal. Is it normal to eat another animal? Cry'stel's heart pounds sickly at the thought as more questions cloud her already crowded mind.
The tigress notices her youngest daughter's uneasy behavior towards the carcass and rips off a chunk of meat for her to try first. "The first sight of a hunt is always hard to process for those who are still young and sometimes leaves us in a state of caution. It's alright to feel this way, Cry'stel. Just know we hunt to feed our stomachs, not for the pleasure of taking a life. This is the way the world works my child and I know it is scary to see. But it is in our nature to kill as we are predators that consume meat. We cannot sustain ourselves simply on what the ground has to offer. That is why herbivores exist to eat the grass that grows and why we exist to eat those who eat the grass. It is the balance of nature. It has always been that way. Now come over here. I promise there is nothing to be afraid of. You've eaten this before. It is no different from what I've brought back to the den."
Her racing heart finally settles to its normal rhythmic beat after letting her mother's words take root inside her head. The mother tigress is the center of peace and safety in her mind, and she always has an answer for everything. To Cry'stel, she might as well be a goddess in her eyes, the one who knows best. Taking a deep breath, she chooses to believe her mother's words over her fear and takes a bite from the chunk of flesh placed on the ground in front of her. The taste is no doubt familiar to her and suddenly all of her previous fears vanish from her mind completely. She finishes the chuck her mother had given her before joining her family in their feast.