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Calyn kept going until she was at least half a mile from where the pride was gathered, finally stopping in the middle of the plains to catch her breath. Then the wind switched directions, bringing the scent of hyena blood to her. The panther was immediatly on her feet again, crouching low to the ground and cautiously slinking through the grass, away from where she'd stop. She had laid down, perhaps they wouldn't realize she was moving, especially with the wind blowing the grass every which way. She searched for the two, wishing for once that they didn't blend in as well as the two cats did. She didn't know how many there were, and the wind refused to return towards her to bring their scents to her. And she was no where near another cat who might help.

Calyn tensed, their scents almost overpowered by that of the blood. Her ears angled towards them as she tried to hear. "Too late to back out... Or do I tell... you're a traiter... other side you little dung beetle..." she kept herself from growling in frustration, she'd missed the one thing she needed.

She waited until she knew one was within her range, still creeping through the grass as though she didn't know where they were. Then she leapt at the leopard, hoping surprise would give her enough of an advantage. She'd have to run, she couldn't fight both of them at once. There was a reason she was a huntress, not an outrider.

His small form and silent paws made him seem like nothing but a spot in the grass. Silky ears were pricked forward, golden eyes gazing around. His tail was silent behind him, his claws making small indentations in the tender ground below. He crouched yet lower, his white stomach brushing against the ground quietly. The smell of a tiger and two panthers replaced the usual smell of wild grass. But that was not this small big cat's [kind of ironic, right?] was looking for. His goal was a different cat.

Azure tracked right, pulling himself away from the prowl. Soon, he could no longer smell Calyn and her followers. Instead, a new, but familiar smell replaced them. Soon, Azure found himself staring at the backside of a Liger, and a big one. But he had long since gotten over intimidation, and he felt nothing but a slight sense of achievement.

"You do not make yourself easy to find, Raiden. But it seems you have already started your hunt," spoke the ocelot, his voice low, and more of a growl.

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"I'm not intruding, am I?"

The voice was soft, and barely audible. A sleek cheetah appeared beside Brindle, his approach almost as soft as his voice. His black eyes gazed into the den before he looked at Brindle.

"You worry too much. She's not a child," he stated, hoping he wasn't insulting her.

He sat down on his haunches, surprisingly tall for his young age. His fluffy tail curled up around him as he watched Brindle with empty eyes.

Sahari listened carefully to Bianca's words, her head tilted to the left. She still stood beside Bianca and Brindle, who had yet to leave. The small she-cat shuffled her paws in the sandy floor, almost anxiously, the small movement sending clouds of dust rising through the air.

SHe knew Bianca to be right, but she had no control over the huntresses. Before she could say or do anything more, a lithe cheetah slipped into the den; with so many bodies in the den, it seemed overly crowded that usual. Two Huntresses and the Healer, along with his apprentice, was fine, but an Outrider? This was too much! Though she remembered when Mahora had been just a young cub in the den, Sahari still didn't like it.

She opened her mouth, about to suggest to them to get a move on, when she closed it again. Her eyes glinted, as she opened her maw again, before thinking better of it and snapping it shut for the second time.

Calyn's unsheathed claws moved to hold him down, biting at his neck. She flipped over, so the leopard was between herself and the tiger. Hopefully she'd at least get rid of the leopard before she ran.

[OMG! Those are like killer drawings Griffen!! I am so jealous! Oh, and I think I'm going to create a cub, so.]

"I think it is still fresh in all our minds. I would know. But it is no reason to treat her like a child. Although I do respect your intentions," stated Mahora, his voice smooth and unfaltering.

Suddenly, his ears pricked forward. Mahora was lacking in sight [he wasn't blind, but his vision was not as good as it should be], and made up in hearing. And in the distance, he heard rustling. A fight, he thought, gazing out in the general direction.

"Ah, but it seems your instincts were right, my friend. I shall see you out there, I suspect," he purred before sprinting off, his slim body becoming nothing but a blur.

The scent of Calyn grew stronger as Mahora ran. And the scent of blood. His hind muscles tightened, and he leapt. Soon, him and the tiger were tumbling out of the way. Mahora unsheathed his claws, letting out a long low and hiss. He hated violence, and fighting in general, but that didn't stop him from being a skilled one. He struggled to dig his fangs into the tiger's neck, but being young, he still lacked the full strength of a cheetah.

((Daw! Thanks you guys. Waveh, I'm sure you're drawings are better than you're letting on. xd Question answering time! I should probably put this in the intro (makes note);
There are multiple dens, one main den, a few other, smaller dens and two birthing dens, the birthing dens are for mothers about to have cubs. The mothers can stay with the cubs as long as they feel they need to and suckle them themselves or leave all duties to the den-watchers and go back to work straight away. As for choosing a job, the den-watchers look for specific interests or skills in the cub and develop them a little while the cub is denned, after that the cubs are encouraged to go into the faction they are best suited to but in the end they are old enough to make their own choice.
Cubs are denned from birth until about 5-6 months, depending on how strong they are, how fast the species matures and how comfortable they are with the outside world. A few trips to Wikipedia about the breed you've chosen is helpful.*takes deep breath* Does that help?))

The tiger did not change his attack. He leapt nimbly over the leopard and was just about to get to Calyn when something rammed into his side. It wasn't strong, but caught off guard it sent him tumbling. He immediately saw it was a cheetah, an adolescent by the size and build...and by the fact that it was foolish enough to take on a cat twice his size. Snarling he drew a paw back and sent is straight for the youth's head. He needed to deal with this quickly or their chance would be lost.
The leopard was frightened, but his training had been thorough. As soon as his partner fell he twisted round to face Calyn, feinted to the right, then came under and up, trying to get his teeth into the soft spot just under the huntress' chin.

((Forgot to reply with Raiden ><))

Raiden recognized the cool and quiet voice immediately, but gave no sign that he heard it.
"You've risked a lot in coming back so soon Azure," he said softly. "I trust you have a good reason for it. Aid perhaps?" Raiden knew he would need help if his plan was going to succeed, the exiles would have a lot to gain if he was put into power. Being without a pride meant a life of hardship and hunger.

Brindle gave a snarl of frustration. "I've been a fool!" Was all she said as she raced off into the darkness.
Zephre looked up startled, the cubs at his feet reflected his surprise and some went to hide.
"Tami," his voice was calm but urgent. "I need you to go back to the healing den and fetch the herbs that stem blood and prevent infection. Come straight back here do you understand? And make sure you keep hidden." Zephre was torn, he wanted to go with her in case something happened but knew his white coat would only put her in more danger.
He rose slowly and came out of the den. There he stayed, ears pricked and straining to hear what was going on.