Chapter 44: Hunting Patrol

"For Lifebreeze's sake, what's with the winds today?!" growled Rusty, fighting against the strong wind pushing his fur back.
Ash was very cold, but it was a hunting patrol, so he had to focus on the prey, much less the weather. He didn't like it either, but he had been ordered to go hunting. "I know," Ash grunted, walking over one of the fallen trees.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes against the wind, looking up at the sky. Dark clouds were forming. "My, look at how dark the clouds are! I'm surprised it's not raining."
Ash nodded agreement. While the apprentices were training, Kabu had sent him, Rusty, Charlotte, Crash and Firefly to go hunting. It had been a moon since Ash was made a full Bender, so he was getting used to his responsibilities.
Firefly sniffed the air. "I can detect a shrew. Hard to believe the prey is out in this cold weather."
"Must be looking for shelter. White-earth approaches," Crash nodded. "I don't like this time. Each time it comes back, it's always harsher than the last time, it seems."
"What happens in 'white-earth'?" Ash asked.
"The place gets covered in snow and it's very cold," Rusty grumbled.
"Well, if you live at the Water Tribe, it's not the cold that shocks you but the heat," Firefly smiled.
"Then you must really enjoy this weather," grunted Rusty, jumping over another fallen tree.
Firefly shook his head, "I don't like the cold, but I manage to live." He got into a stalking position, and walked slowly through the grass, then pounced. Ash saw him jump onto a shrew, striking it and killing it.
"One's better than nothing," Crash shrugged. "Now we need to find some more prey."
"Do you think there'll be any deer around?" Rusty wondered, "We could make a nice meal out of that."
"I dunno what deer do around this time," Charlotte shrugged.
Ash shivered, not just from the cold, as he remembered his encounter with a deer: on their way to the Water Tribe a deer had charged at them, giving Ash a side injury. It wasn't a normal deer, though; it was huge. Its antlers were mighty, very sharp, many on his head.
"We could try finding some deer," Crash suggested, "And on the way, look out for prey."
Ash sniffed the air, and could just make out the scent of rabbit. "Aha," he murmured, and began walking through the undergrowth. He followed the scent, and could tell the patrol had stopped to wait for him to come back. He looked around, and saw the bushes rustle. Ash jumped into the bushes, and pinned something to the ground, and it yowled.
"Ash!" it exclaimed, "Is it really you?"
Ash got off it. He realized it was no ordinary rabbit. "Masang?" he said, a smile coming onto his face. Masang had been the rabbit who helped them get to the Water Tribe. He recognized Masang, seeing his makeshift "earmuffs" over his ears.
"Gotcha!" yowled a voice, and Masang was pinned to the ground by Firefly. He looked at Ash, "Why haven't you killed him yet?"
"That's not prey!" Ash exclaimed, "That's Masang!"
"Who?"
Masang got to his paws. "The name is Masang. And thank you for not killing me. Look, I'm prey, but I can talk. And you know the rule."
"The rule?" Ash echoed.
Masang turned to Ash, "Yeah, one of the laws--"
"Don't kill prey that talks," interrupted a voice, and Rusty stepped through, the wind blowing on his fur. "The Peacebenders don't allow us to kill talking prey because it means they're 'special' and they have a soul."
"So prey that doesn't talk..." Ash began.
"Are stupid and are meant to be eaten," Rusty confirmed.
Charlotte came. "Masang! It's you!" she exclaimed.
"Hello, Charlotte!" Masang smiled. "Good to see you. Long time no talk."
"You can say that again," Charlotte nodded.
Crash jumped through the bushes. "May I interrupt this social conversation?"
"Oh, sorry Crash," said Rusty. "This is Masang, our old friend from when we went to the Water Tribe."
"Ah, Masang, yes... The patrol told me about you," Crash nodded. "Can we help you?"
"Yes, you can," Masang nodded. "I have information."
"Okay," Crash nodded.
"Oh, and I also have some... Er, animals with me," Masang said, and, as if on queue, out from the bushes came Tiggerpaka.
"Tiggerpaka?!" Rusty and Ash exclaimed.
"Yes, it is I, the mighty Tiggerpaka!" Tiggerpaka confirmed, holding his head up high. "I helped your little bunny friend get here."
"Who?" Firefly asked.
"Your bunny friend, Masang!" Tiggerpaka exclaimed.
"No, you," Firefly said.
"Me? Why, I'm Tiggerpaka, explorer of the land! Because of white-earth approaching I decided to stay at your 'Tower' and help you out with survival," Tiggerpaka smirked.
"More like relax in the comfort of the travelers' room," murmured Rusty.
"Oh, there's another one," Masang nodded. "Cinder! C'mon out!"
A gray she-cat poked her head out of the bushes. "Oh... Hi." She stepped out and came in front of the patrol.
"How did this turn from a hunting patrol to a friend reunion?" Crash muttered. He then looked at Cinder "Um... Hello there."
"Oh, glad I'm not the only cat," Cinder smiled. "You're hunting?"
"Um, yes, we are," Crash nodded.
"Sorry we interrupted," Cinder sighed. "I was in a tree and Masang and this squirrel came along and found me."
"I'm sorry, dear, but I am not a squirrel, I am a meerkat. The name is Tiggerpaka," said Tiggerpaka, holding his head high.
"Yes, Tiggerpaka," Cinder nodded. "I need shelter... I've been cold."
"We can get you that," Crash said.
"Thank you..." Cinder smiled. "Where do you live?"
"In a place we call The Bending Tower," Ash responded, trying to be helpful. "Are you a Bender?"
"Bender? Well... I came across a place called the 'Earth Kingdom' and they taught me a bit of what they referred to as... Earthbending," Cinder said.
She's a kind animal, Ash thought, At least she won't be causing any trouble. "We can show you to The Bending Tower."
"But we need prey!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"You need prey?" Cinder echoed. "Oh, I can get you some!" she darted off.
"Weird cat, she is," Rusty murmured. He turned to Crash. "You're seriously letting her come to The Bending Tower?"
"We can't turn down a loner in need," Crash shook his head. Right then, Cinder came back, carrying three magpies.
"Sorry it's not a lot!" Cinder apologized, "I'm just a cat, y'know, we're not very strong." She ran away, then came back with three rabbits.
"This is good," Ash examined the prey. "Did you get these all by yourself?"
"Over the seasons," Cinder smiled sweetly. "Lot of work but I did it. Besides, you're giving me shelter, you deserve this."
"Thank you," Crash nodded. "We should--"
Suddenly, white flecks began falling from the sky. Ash looked at them, confused. What is this?
"Snow," breathed Masang, "We need to get to The Bending Tower."

Author's Note:
Yay, Masang's back! :3 Thanks to Cinder for Cinder. ;) Ash's first time seeing snow, eh?