On the Prowl



Aiguo crouched beside the water, his tounge sending ripples across its smooth surface. He felt the cool water coursing through his veins, giving him strength again. He lapped up one last mouthful, then stepped back to let his brother drink. "Xihao," he said, dipping his head towards the tiger. Xihao didn't reply. He was staring into the distance, his tail flicking irritably. "Aiguo..." he murmered, sounding distressed. Aiguo followed his amber gaze towards a feline shape further down the path. It weaved its way between the bushes and rocks, heading determinedly towards the two brothers. "She's no match for us! We'll tear her up in no time." Aiguo growled, bearing his teeth. But inside, he wasn't so sure. They were barely more than cubs, and had only ever caught small prey before. "Yeah. We're stronger than we look, fur-brain!" he called out to the tigress steadily approaching. Aiguo was terrified that she would turn on them and attack, but luckily she didn't hear. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief. At least we have time to prepare ourselves. He bunched his muscles, ready to attack when the moment came. By now, the tigress had spotted them, and was approaching more cautiously than before. "Do you think she's scared of us?" Xihao whispered into his brother's ear. "She'd better be." he hissed back, not taking his eyes off the enemy. "We should get a head start. You go round behind her, and try not to be seen. There are two of us- let's make the most of it." Xihao told Aiguo in barely more than a whisper. He dipped his head and began to pad softly towards a clump of bushes just to the left of the tigress. He crept as quietly as he could, placing each paw carefully in front of the other. There was a sudden crack. He felt something break beneath his pads, a small twig but enough to make the tiger notice. She turned towards him, her fiery gaze burning into his soul. She sprang forward, snarling, and cuffed the side of Aiguo's face with one massive paw. He staggered sideways, almost collapsing with exaustion. "Aiguo!" came a voice from behind the tigress. Aiguo lashed out with renewed determination, claws unsheathed, swiping blindly at her face. Most times he missed, but then he felt his claws in her fur, blood gushing over them. He heard an anguished growl, and opened his eyes to see those flaming orange eyes staring down at him, full of hatred, half her face torn by claw marks and covered in red. She leaned down and opened her jaws, about to take the final death blow to the neck... the weight was lifted off him, and he saw her scrabbling with Xihao, her tail waving angrily. He leapt on her back and clung on as tight as he could, raking his claws through her fur. He was thrown off and landed heavily on the floor, his head throbbing painfully. He opened his eyes and saw

the tigress backing away, snarling.

"This isn't the end," she hissed. And

with that, she turned and ran, her

paws pounding the hard earth.