Swift legs pushed and as muscles heaved. The dark form of a young cat launched from the bush, startling a nearby rabbit into running. The thick amber-striped coat flashed after the prey as paws raced across the forest floor. "Dark!" Hawk called, his amber eyes watching the retreating meal. Where was his sister? She should have been waiting nearby for the rabbit to spoke and run! The kits had found hunting in such a tag=team efforts to be easier, and far more successful than both alone. '[i]Not like we can hunt in anything other than a pair to keep Owl and Dust fed.[/i]' The contempt in the young cats thoughts was palpable. His brother, Owl, could little hunt since he was blinded by a roaring monster of metal and death. Though he didn't really feel like begrudging the elderly Dust. Her bones ached and made it hard for her to walk such distances, let alone hunt. Ahead there was a vicious snap and the rabbit's quick steps halted. Easing into a walk he pushed his way though the bush. "Took your time." Hawk snapped in annoyance of the sleek female that was currently trying to pick up the carcass. Above the branches swayed from where she had jumped, nailing the rabbit. It had been a risky tactic.

Dark looked up from the prey at her brother. "Oh, enough Hawk. It was fine, we got the kill." Her tail waved in amusement, as her brother joined her and they both dragged and carried the rabbit back to the other two. Dark was far sleeker than her brothers, the short coat black as night saver her own set of amber eyes. While both Hawk and Owl sported large fluffy coats, something she envied when the nights were chilly, both sharing the tabby markings. That was all they would ever share and that not even in full, thought Dark sadly. She knew full well that Hawk blamed Owl for their mother's death and that Owl was taking that blame as proof that it was his fault. No matter that their mother had been able to run, but with a injured leg would not have made it most likely. Never mind that she had flung Owl to safety before she- Dark stopped that train of thought. Mourning would not help, not now. Her mother was dead, her brothers at war. It was a fact of life and one she accepted and dealt with daily. "So now he's picking leaves? What, turning into a rabbit are they?" Hawk's disgusted voice broke Dark from her concentration. Looking ahead she noticed OWl nudging a pile of sweet smelling leaves together. For once she shared her brother's confusion.

Owl looked over, his ears flickering all about as he heard the hunters return. "Rabbit?" He guessed, from the tangy smell of blood and a promising meal. Hearing his brother's snide remark, the blind cat refused to note it. "Chamomile. Dust says we need it, we don't know how long we have to go yet." Dark walked over to him, her foot steps treading a on the ground as she butted her head against his shoulder in a loving gesture. Trying to overcome the dark feeling of hatred about Hawk. It was only reasonable, Owl reasoned. I murdered our mother. He sniffed, smelling the large portion of rabbit that Dark had brought him. Crouching over the meal he ate greedily. "Dust went out for more, and maybe some moss by those stones in the river. She says we should join back with the Thunder path if we stay on this side, but-" Owl shook his head. "We shouldn't be resting for much longer."

Hawk hissed darkly. They had guided Owl across the stones, only to have him want to keep going. To not stop and hunt the bountiful forest? Under his directive, they had left the Thunderpath. They had needed rest and food. How could he want to keep going?! Into the something unknown for unknown reason. "You lost more than your sight when that car struck you! You've lost your wits! I'm not going a rabbit's length towards where ever these crazed feelings are leading you." He yowled loudly, pacing with all his fur bristled in agitation. "And that Dust only encourages you idiot ideas!"

"Hawk please-!" Dark tried to get between the two young male. Only for Hawk to shove her aside with his shoulder, leaping to attack Owl who had scuttled backwards and now tried to evade their enraged brother. She knew his temper had been growing threatening to snap and that is had over a needed herb. Did his hatred run deeper than she guessed?

Dust padded through the forest elsewhere, walking along the river's edge. The Thunderpath curved high above her in the mountainous reaches. It would be a hard trek, she realized. Easier to cross the river again, but yet Owl's driven senses has told them to remain on this side. To remain on the hard path, despite his sight. For all she had learned across the years, this sight was to be trusted. Still, she yearned to join the Thunderpath again. They had stopped fully in the forest to hunt and gather the needed herbs for their mountain crossing. Turning back, she trotted through the thick forest. They would hunt, and grow fat for a time, then cross. Dust decided, mountains were not easy and the last trek had been dangerous even following the Thunderpath. Without, she shuddered. Her old bones were going to ache.