The bonfire was set but not lit. Incense and herbs were sprinkled throughout and all brush was cleared away. The moon peeked over the trees and he began to move. Power and grace merged and became one, thought and movement flowed together. They say that cats can't sing, but they can dance the story of creation in a ten foot circle.

He was telling a story, but it was not creation.

This was Destruction.

From the first motion of his tail, to the flash of fang and claw, to the strident hissing and snarling, death was the message and Shadowed-Hunter the ultimate messenger.

The movements flow and build like a tidal wave of fur and rage. Wisps of smoke seep from his jaws and and with a roar, a fireball leaps from his mouth the waiting wood.

The wood catches, burning bright and hot for a minute and then settling down to a steady flame about 8 feet high.

And the dance continues. Claws slice and fangs rip, each step a foe, each step a death. Minutes and then hours pass and still he dances. His mouth is flecked with foam and his mane is matted by sweat, and still he dances.

There is a change in the rhythm, and now his claws open points on himself. Soon his arms and torso are covered with cuts and slashes all flowing, Blood flies with his motions and soon the surrounding trees are all splattered. With one last clawing that leaves ten gouges forming an inverted "V" on his chest and stomach he falls to his knees facing the fire.

His hands cup under the wounds to catch the blood, he holds them up and with a roar to shake the clouds from the sky, another fireball erupts and crashes into the smoldering bonfire.

"I call, I Call, I CALL!!!"

He holds that position, arms up, on his knees, blood flowing and pooling on the ground until there is the sound of a twig snapping. In a flash, he is up and facing the sound. A small bird hops into the fading light. It's bald head and raucous squawk announce it's breed: vulture.

"What do you want this time?" It's breath was rotten and there were bits of things stuck to its chest. "Damned Cats", it said and shit on it's own feet, "Always looking for handouts."

Shadowed-Hunter's mouth hung open and his breathing was like a ragged bellows. "Where is BonyScrap? And who are you to speak this way?" He said it mildly but the tension in his arms and legs fairly set the air to humming.

"The Boss sends his regards, but he doesn't jump to every call in the great wide world." Once again it shit on it's feet, the stench somehow reaching throughout the clearing. "If I can't handle it, then I'll pass it on. Just call me Squat."

"Well Squat, what exactly do you think you can do for me? Do you know why I called BonyScrap?" Once again the air was humming with tension. "I gave my word to him. Why should i give that to you?"

The vulture cocked his head and met Shad's stare. "Look here big kitty, you got what you are gonna get, and yeah, we know what you want and we know what you promised. You just have to deal with me, you don't have to like it but I am it." Once again he shit on his feet and this time he paced back and forth, waddle-hopping and leaving bits of feces with each step.

Shad just stared, and if looks could kill, we would be wishing for stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Squat gave one last look, a kind of avian shrug and started to walk away.

"WAIT!!"

The word burst from Shad's lips and Squat stopped but did not turn around. "I cry your pardon spirit, I have need of your aid and knowledge." I had never heard him speak this way.

Turning, Squat shit again and nodded once, "Good, now we can begin."

"You want to know about Lasher. Perhaps a clue as to how to destroy him? Maybe even where he came from? Plus you need answers about you-know-who, and about what happened before you got her out. Well, rules are rules and you only get so much."

"Where he came from is lost to your wisemen. It is even hazy to the those of us that watch and wait. What I can tell you is he is powerful, stronger than any other this millenia, and he has a definite problem with you and your friends across the river. Someone he wants, BADLY."

At this Shad spoke up. "He wants Cassey and Mouse. We don't know why, but it was obvious when we went to the Deep Umbra and met up with him again. He wanted Cassey and since she was...hidden, he went after Mouse."

"We saw, and I gotta say, trying that 'Love' thing was a stretch. It barely worked two years from now. And jumping him was just plain stupid. His power is greater in the Umbra and greater still in the Deep Umbra."

"You should ask a better witness to his powers than me." Another squirt of liquid shit and he hopped over to Shad. With a wave of a noxious wing something glittered and fell to the ground. He spread his wings, craned his neck and began to circle the Zippo.

"He teaches you, shows you the secret of fire, gives you a beacon to find the way out of the Deep Umbra and what do you do?

Is there a word or gesture of thanks? No.

Was there a chance to explore your world? No.

Did you even show your Den to him? NO!"

At that a small flame appeared on the Zippo, even though it was closed and untouched. Shadowed-Hunter slowly sank to his knees.

"I cry your pardon Fiero, your assistance in my travels and travales were greatly appreciated. Fiero, my home shall always be open to you and I beg you accept my gift to you." The air seemed to pulse and flow from Shad to the little flame. There were four pulses and with each one the flame seemed to get bigger and more defined. I heard/smelled/tasted the words "He might have some hope yet."

Shad stood once again, "Ok, I intend to put an end to a certain doctor and clinic. What must I do to handle Lasher? What must the pack do?"

That damned bird shit again, and this time it was massive. He looked right at me and the next thing I know it's morning. Sitting up I see the fire is out, the Zippo is gone and Shad is sitting there, staring at his hand. He was flexing his fingers one at a time and grinning.

"I guess I fell asleep, still need more rest it seems. Did you get the answers you needed? Where did those two get to?"

Shad's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water and then he cleared his throat, "I got some, but I have more questions. That is the way with spirits. Let's go back to the cave, I think .....Rosie? Yeah, Rosie should have breakfast ready soon."

We kicked dirt over the ashes and started off. Phew, I hope Shad doesn't call on that one again.