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A twig snapped under his weight as he shifted, making him jump. His skin felt like it was trying to crawl off his body and escape as goose bumps marched down his bare back.

No.. no.. He could do this. He Would do this...

Opening his eyes he peeked out through the bush he was crouched in. Good, it was still there. Silently he released the breath he had been holding, fingers tightening on the short spear he held almost nervously at his side. All he had to do was kill it. His brothers did that all the time, it couldn't be too difficult could it?

A noise from the clearing infront of him startled him back to attention and he peered out, unusual amber eyes blinking as a beam of shifting light hit them. Nothing had changed, the deer and her fawn were still relaxed, though some distance away from his bush. Shifting again he winced as cramp shot through his thigh. He had to move soon.. sitting here like an idiot was not going to get him his kill.

Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes. Come on.. just do it!. Gripping the wooden handle of his spear he looked forwards, body shifting ready to make the run.. when he felt the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stand to attention.

With a startled cry he threw himself sideways as the massive shadow that had reared up behind him crashed down. Splayed claws almost hidden under dark brown fur. Thick muzzle wide and bareing a full set of evil looking teath.

Oh no oh no oh no... Fear made his body go cold as he stared into the small beedy eye of the massive bear from less than two feet away.

Help?

The bear roared, though the youth's prey had already fled so it really didn't matter any more about being silent. "AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The petrified screamed in reply, frozen for a second as the massive body reared back again.

His sences returned as he rolled over and scrambled to his feet, the spear still clasped in his hand but forgotten as panic drove his legs into flight. Air swept over his shoulder as a clawed paw missed by inches.

That was it. He could do nothing but run and prey he didn't trip, that the mother wouldn't go far from her cub, and that he could out-race her until she stopped. Slender body ducked under low branchs leaves so close they caught his in his shock of blond hair, bare feet made a soft thud-thud as he raced through the undergrowth, hurdling bush and fallen log.

The bear followed, roaring her fury at the intruder into her territory. Pure panic filled the young indian, leaving him with out even a voice to cry for help as he put everything he had into running.

His heart pounded in his ears, deafening him to everything but the heavy thundering form behind as the bear raced to catch him. I don't want to be luuuunch! Lungs burning he struggled to go faster, completely missing the new sound that was headed his way. He only had time to register that there was another with him before a strong arm swept him off his feet and bundled him over one muscled shoulder, knocking the wind right out of him.

Possibly a good thing as he realised slowly that they were headed towards the enraged mother bear, not away from her. "What the.." He never got to finish his panicked question as suddenly they were air-born. A startled cry escaped the helpless youth as his somewhat apparently-suicidal rescuer tossed them over a cliff.

Clinging to the insane male he caught a flash of water from the corner of his eye and instantly squeezed them shut tight, taking a deep breath only moments before they hit. The shock of the chilled lake and the force of their drop stunned him, and he lost his grip on the weird stranger. Recovering he kicked out, intending to head for the surface but was again caught up and pulled against the other, carried upwards by the male's strength.

Gasping as they broke the surface he ignored the crazy yelling as he just focused on re-learning how to breath again. Once his lungs stopped screaming he dragged his soaked mop of golden hair from his face, startled to find the stranger so close. Yelping he jerked back before catching himself. Feeling the blush of embarrassment creeping up his neck he sank a little lower in the water. Only then realising the other had spoken. Blinking water from his eyes he nodded. "Uh.. yes. Thank you. For saving me I mean..." The blush crept higher as he sank lower in the water, amber-eyed gaze flicking from his rescuer to the bear and back.

Cub frowned slightly, watching the older brave float-swim towards the shore. Mentally kicking himself in the behind he struck out and followed, body moving smoothly through the water. Upon reaching the shoreline he stood and shook himself down, blond hair clinging to his cheek and shoulders before he dragged a hand through the loose mass.

"I was hunting." He replied, looking sideways at the other as the brave set about drying himself. At the smirk he quickly turned his head and worked on wringing out the cloth tied round his hips. Refusing to look back at the smirking male he replied. "Fighting Cub... and yes I do. Four, though two live across the other side of the village."

Looking back up Dancing Otter he frowned. "Hunting, like I said. But that.. mother bear turned up." He turned and looked up at the cliffs they had dived from, however reluctantly. Sighing softly he flopped down on the sand, legs crossed in front of him as he settled his elbows on his damp thighs and hung his head, blond hair dripping slowly. "Damnit.. I was sure I'd get it today!"

The youth looked up after a moment, amber eyes distracted as he thought back on how badly the hunt had gone. "Mm.. seventeen cycles of the seasons...” He replied, before blinking and looking up at the older male. “Mmmm….” Frowning slightly he bit his lower lip. “I know you.” He finally added, a sudden smile lighting his features and making him almost look the age Dancing Otter had first guessed at. “You are always where ever there is lots of noise.” His tone wasn’t angry or judgmental, purely observatory.

Standing he dusted ineffectively at the damp sand now colouring his legs before looking up at the brave again. “What were you doing up there?” He asked, curious. This was the first time he had gotten close to the village troublemaker, and he wanted to make the most of it. Since his entire family swore off Otter as a bad influence.

The laugh startled him, amber eyes peering up at the taller male. The grin was answered with a raised brow, the youth rather puzzled by the guy's antics. Well.. he certainly lives up to the 'loud' thing.... The youth thought. Frowning slightly at the question he dropped his gaze to follow Otter as the tall braze sat down, putting him waist-level to the now standing youth.

Rubbing the sand from his breach cloth he blinked down at the other, frowning. "Why? What if I am?" He replied a touch defensively. He followed the spear-tip and studied the forest in that direction. "You don't live in the village then?" he asked, curious.

Frowning again at the name of his brother he wrinkled his nose. "Yeah, he is the eldest in the family. He’s not all that bad.. he’s just a bit.. of a pain in the a**." He finally agreed, rolling his amber eyes. Turning that richly-coloured gaze on Dancing Otter the youth tilted his head, puzzled by the expression on the other's face. "I like to do stuff, sure." He looked puzzled. "I want to learn to hunt, and to track properly... my brothers refuse to take me along any more." He sighed and flopped down again, sitting in front of the other with his arms crossed over his chest.

Fighting Cub leaned back, frowning slightly at the look on Dancing Otter's face. The guy was strange! That much he was sure of. Yet suddenly the words that followed were music to his ears. He would teach Cub to hunt? To be a real man and show his family he wasn't the lost cause his brothers thought he was?

Launching himself at Otter, arms flying round the guy's neck, the youth shrieked with excitement. "Really? You will really teach me all that? Yes! Please yes!" Laughing happily he sat back and beamed up at the other, amber eyes sparkling. "I have to be the best! Better even than Soaring Eagle!" He cried, naming his second eldest, who was the jewel of the family. Easily one of the best trackers in the village and a very good hunter.

The youth giggled. "Better not let Eagle hear that.. he wouldn't be too impressed." With the prospect of a real teacher to show him how to hunt and track, Fighting Cub was almost totally different from before, bubbling with excitement and eager to get started. Sitting back, though not moving off of the guy's lap, Cub looked up at him curiously. "So what do you do to get in so much trouble? Everyone always told me to stay away from you, but I think you're nice, if a little strange." He replied innocently.

Frowning at the question he rubbed at his breach cloth where the damp leather was drying onto the skin of his thigh. "Mm.. I should go tell them I’m camping out for a few weeks. Today was supposed to be only a few hours.. and I'm already late."

Listening quietly he studied the older brave, head tilted slightly. He really wasn't as bad as they said.. He seemed a lot more fun than his brothers at least. Blinking he glanced at the finger before returning his gaze to the guy, expression solemn. At least until that last comment. Blinking his jaw dropped momentarily before he laughed. "Yeah right. Whatever. But sure, I wont tell them.. don't want to either." He frowned slightly. "None of them have bothered to teach me, so I’m going to do it my way."

He shifted off Otter's lap as the guy stood, letting himself be helped to his feet before dusting himself down. Looking up he matched Dancing Otter's grin with one of his own. "You're on." Stepping back he waved. "See you later then!" Turning he dashed off, headed back to the village, excitement making him jump high with a holler before he vanished into the woods.