[SRP] Hostile behaviour (Merah x Ryu)

[Tanakako]

Merah scowled as she looked about. There were signs of lions everywhere, though they were old, as if a small pride had lived here but had moved on. She had no idea who they had been and didn’t care, the only reason she was even in the area was because she had been following prey, and the herd had run here after being spooked by a gust of wind. It hadn’t been her, they had run kind of parallel, and there hadn’t been another predator big enough in the area to have scared them that badly. Though why they had run from the wind, she had no idea. It was something she simply put down to preys inherent stupidity.

So now she was out here, away from her territory, stalking down a herd of flighty springbok. Blasted things…. Scowling darker she narrowed moonlight coloured eyes at the herd, singling out the older female she had spotted earlier. It had a slight limp, and while it was still fast, she knew it wouldn’t be as fast as the other spring bok, giving her the best chance of a fresh kill.

Crouched low as she was in the straw-coloured grass, her white and grey pelt as hidden as she could make it. (She was made for the snowy mountains not this heat-torched tundra… but life had a way of throwing you in at the deep end apparently.)
Not amused at nature’s sense of humour, the pale female shifted slightly, her hovering front paw drifting down like snow and just as silent, her lean body swaying forwards, inching closer to her prey.  

[Tanakako]

Ryu hadn’t intended to hunt that day, for he had eaten a small zebra the day before, but there was never such a thing as an unwelcome opportunity and when the herd of spring bok had trotted into view, practically running him over before stopping to graze around his tree, he decided not to ignore the gift and instantly went into hunt mode. Now, he was crouched just within a thicket a short distance from his tree, having crept across earlier, fuchsia-hued eyes on a lame female. She was the easiest pick in the herd, the youngsters were too old now to be slow though still gangly they made up for it in wariness. Getting close to one of those was nearly impossible as a solo-hunter. The bucks were at full strength, any injured ones from the rut season already dispersed or killed by other predators. No, she was the best target and he really wasn’t in the mood to work too hard for his meal.

Since the herd had run towards him he barely needed to get closer, but simply stayed still as they slowly grazed their way nearer. It wouldn’t be long until they were within striking distance.  

[Tanakako]

Slowly, slowly, she crept closer, using every one of her hard learned skills and instincts to keep completely invisible as she got every closer, inch by painful inch. Every so often the herd would flinch and startle, but thankfully they didn’t take flight for a second time.

Finally she was within range. Long, lean body held tight and tense, she remained fixed on the wounded female. She was twitchy and reluctant to graze, but finally, finally her head went down and Merah sprang forwards. Instantly the spring bok spooked, hooves flying, long legs making a forest of blurry movement as Merah dodged and twisted. One stride, two, she was so close, another second and the doe was hers.  

[Tanakako]

Gradually the herd drifted around him, or rather his bush, totally unaware of the predator lurking within. The doe was watchful, and kept glancing his way but he was confident that he was completely hidden by the leaves. Finally she seemed to settle and he grinned. She would follow the general movement of the other animals and soon she would be within range.

Suddenly the herd bolted, their calls of fear and panic vibrated through him, triggering the bloodlust of all hunters when their prey took flight. Bursting from his hiding place he raced straight at the spooked female, not bothering to predict her as she ran blind, wildly rolling her eyes as she fled something behind her. Jumping high he struck her in the throat, fangs sinking deep in her musty fur. Locking his front legs round her neck he curled his body up, claws sinking into her shoulders as he tried to keep form getting slashed by those deadly sharp hooves.  

[Tanakako]

Rage flooded her as something orange and stripy latched onto her prey. With an enraged scream she flung herself at the doe, landing easily atop the panicked creature and burying her fangs into its spine at the base of its neck. With the combined weight of the two cats the doe collapsed, and the three went tumbling head over heels through the dust.

When they finally slithered to a stop both cats still had their respective body parts clamped between sharp teeth, though Merah’s constant hiss-growl trickled from her throat, an infuriated warning for the other cat to let go and scarper.

Once the doe quit thrashing under her she locked eyes with the male who had usurped her kill. Releasing her mouthful of spring bok she bared her fangs, releasing a ragged scream as her only warning before she flung herself on the male, determined to get him away from her kill. She knew as a male he had the advantage of size, but she was furious and a skilled hunter. She refused to let him take what was hers.  

[Tanakako]

Having not considered the reason behind the herd’s sudden flight he didn’t expect to see a second cat jump onto the back of his prey. He didn’t let go however as the doe collapsed, simply closing his eyes and tucking his limbs up against the impact and to avoid the flying hooves.

It was the female cat’s scream that warned him, his only hint that she was about to attack as solitary creatures leopards rarely came into contact with each other and certainly she was the most hostile he had ever come across. Releasing the doe just in time to spring away and avoid the snow-coloured female’s fangs. Jumping to the side he growled in answer, hackles standing on end as they slowly circled each other.  

[Tanakako]

The fight was short and vicious, mainly because she wouldn’t let him back away. Couldn’t. The minute he got any distance he would use his size and strength to his own advantage so she simply didn’t let him. She slashed and bit, darting back and forth, screaming in fury at his sheer audacity.

It was survival of the fittest and she needed that kill.

Finally she stood panting, blood streaking her paws and chest. Weirdly he had only fought just hard enough to keep form getting too badly hurt, he hadn’t really gone for her. Now, stood staring at him from several paces away, she narrowed her pale eyes at him. Suspicious.  

[Tanakako]

Blood dripped from gashes across his shoulder and flank. His own claws were stuck with tufts of pale fur but were mostly unbloodied. Eyeing her warily as she had finally allowed him to back up, he shifted his weight, favouring one paw, having snagged his claw in the brief but violent skirmish and it was now throbbing.

Concluding that she was no longer going to attack like a mad thing, he slumped to the ground, though kept a wary eye on her just in case. He had only wanted a meal if it was easy and required minimum effort. Battling it out with another leopard was not easy. For though she was female she was tough and clearly knew how to fight.

Lowering his head he made a show of grooming his aching toe, now totally ignoring her. His pride wouldn’t let him leave, but he wasn’t going to fight.  

[Tanakako]

For a long time Merah didn’t move, simply stared at the male now grooming himself nonchalantly. But finally hunger won over her suspicion and she padded back to the dead doe, though kept him within her sighs at all times. Ears back and still making a low rumbling sound of warning, she settled down to feed.

Eventually, after the carcass was half gone, she finally lifted her head, regarding the male who had remained in his spot near the tree the whole time. She had settled at last, as he had not made a move towards her and her meal, nor did he even seem interested. He was a strange one, with his striped pelt and vibrant yet aloof gaze. Not that she had much use for males, but he seemed fit and healthy, clearly he hunted successfully and since he seemed fairly scar-free, he must win most of his battles. Which made her wonder why he hadn’t engaged her.

Clearly he wasn’t hungry, since he was ignoring even the bits of carcass that had ended up close to him. Yet he wasn’t cowed, having settled down easily within attack distance and was now acting like she wasn’t even there.

Grudgingly she had to admit that she respected him, just a little. A good hunter and fighter, confident, muscular and tall. He would make a good mate for a litter of cubs. Filing that thought away she finally stood and padded away from the kill, settling down several yards away to groom the blood from her white fur.  

[Tanakako]

Out of the corner of his eye he watched her, knowing she was watching him and both curious as to why and wary in case she decided to try and fight again. Not that he had any intention either of fighting, or of leaving his territory. All the time she was feeding he stayed where he was, resting and almost dozing, having finished his grooming.

Only her sudden movement disturbed him and he looked over, watching as she stood and left the carcass. For a long time he watched as she groomed herself, making sure it was no trick and she really was done with the meal. Finally he stood and padded over, eyes on her and not the meat. When she didn’t turn or hiss or otherwise react, he finally settled down to feed.  

[Tanakako]

A weird atmosphere of uneasy acceptance fell over the two. Him feeding from her kill, and the female intent on grooming already clean fur. For two who had met in the worst way, the peace was both novel and strained. But gradually, as he crunched bones lazily, they settled. And Merah eventually dozed off, resting flat on her side, confident that he would cause her no trouble.