The Mighty Hunter [Oryx + Opal Fruits]

The noon sun was high above, shining directly into the clearing that marked the center of camp. The adult wolves had busied themselves with various tasks, leaving young Rowan to his own devices. Today, the pup had honed in on a large beetle that was picking its way through the well-trodden grass. Rowan lowered his body toward the ground, eyes and ears locked onto his target. Step by careful step, he inched forward. With a mighty roar (or, rather, a high pitched yap), the pup charged forward, raising a paw to deliver a lethal blow. Instead, the beetle took flight, flapping its wings loudly in Rowan's face before soaring up into the safety of the treetops.

Rowan sat down with a huff, only to find he'd planted himself on a pebble. Jumping back to his paws, Rowan turned around to bat at the little stone. Now here was prey that couldn't escape him! Focusing solely on his new target, the pup walked quickly backward to the appropriate pouncing distance. With another threatening yap, he threw himself at the pebble, crashing into it and rolling onto his side. Rowan proudly gnawed on his prize then bounced it between his paws for good measure, feeling confident that the next beetle he found would not be so lucky as the first.

OOC - This is set a few weeks after Rowan arrived in the pack. He'd be about 6 months old here. It's up to you whether this is the first time Mika's met him. ^^ If you want, Mika could even be the scout who brought Rowan back to camp.

Times were changing rapidly and Mika had been out scouting much more than he use to he made sure to do a quick round as soon as the sun kissed the sky for good measure. He didn't want anything going unnoticed which is how; just a few weeks ago he had found a pup. Mika remembered that day as clear as yesterday. Little Rowan had looked so scared under that rock and Mika tried to find the scent of any wolves similar to his but there was nothing. A young pup like him on his own out there had no chance of survival. It was lucky he had stumbled into the pack's territory. Mika had grown within the pack and his parents raised him, they taught him how to be a wolf, without that he couldn't imagine how he would feel. With that in mind he felt for the pup strongly and wanted to help him in anyway possible. He was so glad that the alpha allowed him, he didn't know what he would do if he had to leave a pup out there, with no one to fend for him. 

Mika huffed and shook his head, pushing the disconcerning thoughts away. This wasn't the time for worrying about that. Rowan was in the pack and safe. He will grow to be a great wolf. That, Mika was sure of. The lambda stretched himself out, looking around his surroundings to establish where he was. He was usually so well focused on his tasks at hand but it seemed he had passed a spark for memory. The log that he had found the pup under was still there. Through his thoughts he had wondered absent mindly back to camp; his eyes falling on Rowan once he had. 

He was amusing to watch. Just playing with a pebble as if it were a little mouse he had caught. As much as Mika wished the boy had his parents he was thrilled to see him grow up. Mika crouched behind a bush, his tail swishing from side to side. He at times wished he was a pup again. He loved feeling so care free and playing and relived those moments now with Rowan. He had been ademant on watching him and enjoyed to sneak up on the pup. He wanted Rowan to feel welcome, to feel like he was at home with a family. Not all alone. Mika didn't waste much time before stalking him from behind. He snuck around the bush; brumbles and leaves getting stuck in his thick coat. It was only when he got out from the bush that he lept. He let out a loud bark as he jumped over Rowan, rolling him over and gently pinning him to the dirt. The last thing he wanted was an injured pup, one that was injured by him, himself. His tail wagged and his ears perked up right as he looked down at him innocently. 

OOC - Perfect, I think I will have it that Mika found him and has a sense of need to look after Rowan from that. So he looks over him as well but not in his face looking after him, just observing his safety from a distance if you get me? Of course if thats okay anyway!

With a satisfying smack, the pebble skittered beyond the range of Rowan's flailing paws. Just as the pup began readying himself to chase after it once more, a bark broke his focus. Before he could spin around to see who was approaching, a force slammed into him from the side. His paws knocked from under him, Rowan tumbled across the grass until a much larger paw, pressed against his chest, slowed his momentum. "Mika?!" Rowan's tail wagged, relaying happiness at seeing the face of the wolf who'd taken him in.

Rowan had no other family to compare it to, but he felt safe under the watch of Mika and the rest of his new pack. He couldn't remember a time before this home. He brought only his name with him. But whatever had happened before was of no consequence now, surely. He was here, with a pack. They'd been kind to him, and he had every intention of returning that favor. He may be little now, but someday, he'd be big and strong like Mika. 

Remembering his game, the pup's demeanor changed from gleeful to stern. "I mean - What are you doing here, trespasser? This is my camp!" Rowan bared his teeth and snarled, squirming in an attempt to escape from beneath the older wolf's paw. His struggles were in vain though, and he was too weak to shrug off his attacker. Adopting a new strategy, Rowan craned his neck around, attempting to clamp his teeth onto Mika's toes. 

OOC ;; Mika is so sweet :,)

A little pang of guilt rushed him at invading the pups little game with the pebble but that quickly disapated. Surely he wouldn't mind and if he did, well, there were many pebbles that he could play with whenever he pleased. Right now, Mika had just got back from a boring old patrol and the giant pup wanted to spend some quality time with his favourite little guy. The happiness he saw in Rowan made his heart swell, he had really come out of his shell since he found him and Mika grew more and more attatched. The first few days were the hardest for probably them both. Rowan wanted to cling to him but Mika had work that needed to be done. Mika had grown increasingly attatched and would love to have the pup stick to him like glue but he also needed to learn how to be independant. Rowan wasn't his biological son but Mika grew to understand why females were so protective over their young. 

Mika's eyes had a playful glint in them as the pups demeanor changed. He was going to follow on, how could he not? Games were the next best thing. he descreatly glanced around for the alpha; not wanting to seem like a pup when he was in fact a full grown wolf. When he was clear it was safe he sent a playful threatening snarl Rowan's way. He watched as his paw became the pup's attention and began snapping his large jaws at Rowan's maw but not once biting him. He kept his teeth a few inches away in order to not hurt him. 

To let Rowan have a sense of defeat Mika moved his head away and let Rowan's teeth clamp onto his paw. It didn't hurt too much of course, afterall they were just baby teeth and couldn't do too much damage. Mika let out a dramatic whine, lifting his paw off of the little ones chest and falling onto his side with a loud huff, his fur getting coated in a thick layer of dirt and more leaves. He whined and wiggled about in the dirt as he pretended to be in pain. "No no, I am sorry!" he cried out. "I won't tresspass again, don't kill me," 

Who knew Mika was such a great actor?

Rowan's teeth found their target, and with a quick nip, he was free! The weight on Rowan's chest lifted, and he sprang to his paws. For a moment, he worried he may have actually hurt Mika. But as the older wolf rolled in the dirt, huffing and whining, it was clear this was all still part of the game. Rowan crouched down, preparing himself for takeoff. With a threatening bark, he leapt at Mika. He landed squarely on Mika's chest, as intended, but his momentum carried him farther, tipping him off Mika's far side until he, too, was rolling in the dirt. 

Rowan stood and shook the dust out of his pelt. "Okay, trespasser. Just this once, I'll let you go..." Rowan turned as if to walk away, then whipped back around and charged toward Mika. He darted in to nip at ruff of Mika's neck and got only a mouthful of fur. Giggling, the pup changed tactics again. He licked Mika's cheek before curling up on the ground next to him, panting lightly from the exercise. "I'm so glad you're back, Mika. You were out on patrol foreverrrr. When do I get to go explore the forest with you?" 

As much as Rowan enjoyed the safety of camp, he felt excited at the idea of leaving it. To explore, to hunt, but to always come back to a safe place to rest at night. Just like Mika did. And all the other pack wolves. Even though the cats were only an abstract worry to him at this point, Rowan could sense the urgency about camp. He knew they'd need him to step up and join their fight, as soon as he was ready. He wasn't sure what would be waiting for him out there, but surely with Mika and the others at his side, he could handle it.

Mika loved acting so dramatic and messing around. He was a completely different wolf around pups than he was with other adults. He acted like a grown up and a wolf who was to be trusted but with pups, he let himself relax and acted as though he was a pup all over again. Especially with Rowan, he felt most at ease with him and it gave him a moment to forget all his jobs when they were playing. Yet, it also gave him more responsability, he felt the need to be the parental figure for the boy but he would never complain. It was so rewarding and exhilerating, it for sure kept him on his toes. 

He rolled from his back to his side, his tongue lolling out his maw as he panted lightly. "Oh thank you, thank you kind warrior," Mika breathed out as he played along with the little game. He adjusted himself in preperation to stand but was quickly caught off guard as he was charged at. He let out a quiet yelp and barked softly before rolling his eyes at Rowan. It reminded him of himself when he was a pup, always annoying the adults and practicing hunting techniques on his dad. He wanted to watch Rowan grow but then again he wanted him to stay a pup forever. That way he could protect him and they could play like this forever. 

Mika closed his eyes and smiled as Rowan licked his cheek and got comfortable next to him. He gently nuzzled him and cleaned behind his ears for a few moments while listening to the smaller wolf talk. He stretched himself out and gently nudged Rowan. "I know, I know. I hate being out for so long but the pack needs to be safe. How about today we do some practicing in camp and I will ask the alpha if I can take you out on patrol in the morning? I want to make sure you are safe." Once he finished talking he gently began cleaning Rowan again, making sure to be extra sloppy to add a bit of amusement to it all.