Nootau cantered up the steep slope, eager to be out on the rocky edges of the crags. He had so missed the high altitudes and uneven terrain! He was meant for these. He had spent the entirety of his first and half of his second year on in the mountains and foothills with his old pack and had many fond memories of them. Lots of not-so great ones too, but Nootau didn’t much focus on those. Plus, being a temporary member of a pack had Nootau in a phenomenal mood. Today, he felt extra capable, which meant there was nothing he couldn’t do. Today, he was immortal and had boundless stored of energy from a good night’s sleep.

Nootau leaped from one sharp boulder to the next, up one of the many small cliffs that made up the terrain. He was panting heavily by this point because it had been quite the trek from Diveen to this place, but the exercise felt awesome! For some reason, he was just really enjoying the fatigue. Well, it was strange. It was like… he was tired, but his muscles could just keep on going and going and going. Nootau’s tail wagged at the thought. Maybe he was in better shape than everyone had thought when they first looked at him.

Having been a loner up until the last month of winter, he was dangerously thin (though the real severity of it was hidden behind his thick, cream, brown, and black fur), and being a two year old, he was narrow in the chest and lanky. Over all the effect was a gangly, not-so-healthy teenager. Thus, who would have though him able to motor along this terrain without looking in the least bit exhausted? The miracles of spring and sleep, one would suppose?

Nootau grinned as he slid to a halt next to the multitude of waterfalls that dripped into small ponds. He lowered his head to lap up the ice cold water. It sent a shiver through the entirety of Nootau. Ah! The recent snowmelt made this water all the more refreshing! When he had had sated his thirst, Nootau stood on his front tip-toes and lifted his nose into the air to scent for prey. Ooh, was that rabbit? Nootau’s favorite.

He trotted over the jagged ground and finally laid in wait next to a fresh rabbit path. It wasn’t long before the massive hare came hopping along. So filled with spring fever, the long eared prey didn’t even seem to think twice about looking for a predator, and his bounced right infront of Nootau! Nootau snatched it and it was dead before it realized what had happened. Nootau was completely please. A good run, and now a snack! Nootau trotted to a flatter area before he set down the meal. Now to eat!