Nootau grinned as Jagger rounded him to face off with the wild cat. He was expecting the confrontation to be short, and rather harmless. After all, two wolves against one cat were bad odds for the lynx. However, he was beyond surprise when the cat continued its pursuit of him, stalking around them. To maybe help discourage the cat Nootau stood and snarled at it, adding his voice to Jaggers to make them seem more intimidating. But the cat wouldn’t be persuaded. What he’d done… hadn’t been that bad, right? Nootau gasped when a the lynx pounced, beginning the savage assault. Nootau stood straight and danced on his paws, looked for an opening to help Jagger. Unfortunately, he couldn’t follow the ferocious match well enough because he hadn’t really fought before, so he was unable to step in.

And before he realized what had happened, Jagger had the cat’s throat in her mouth and was shaking the life from it. Nootau sharply breathed out and shook his head, but the lynx was already dead. Nootau stared at the body of the lynx. And then he looked at Jagger. Blood glistened from her muzzle and ran down his black coat. Her legs were badly torn. Nootau’s first reaction at her was anger. Why had she just killed the lynx?! But… he had come to her asking for help. He had gotten that. He was safe from harm.

Nootau shook his head. It still seemed wrong! Killing it was too much – he had only instigated it. Nootau’s eyes glazed over in realization. He was at fault. The cat’s death was because of him. Nootau swayed and whined. His games had really resulted in this? Nootau slunk forwards, to the lynx. Jagger’s anger bounced off him, but he responded to her question, “I just… scared it.” Nootau hiccupped, trying to hold back tears. His shoulders rounded and his head lowered. “I’m sorry,” He told the lynxs through straggled breaths as he stood over it, “I’m so sorry.”

Nootau lifted a paw and wiped it over his eye and muzzle that were becoming wet from his tears. If only he had been able to take care of himself, he might have been able to thwart the lynx’s attack by himself. He could have controlled the fate of the encounter if he had been stronger. Nootau shivered in shame. He mourned for a moment more, before he turned to Jagger. He lifted his head and asked her, “Can you teach me to fight?” If he could defend himself… then he’d be stronger. And if he was stronger, he’d be sure to protect the fates of others. Especially those lured into a bad situation by his games.