Catherine
*Juna wasn't sure if Kyuu's words were meant to be a joke or a threat, but given the strange way she was acting, the Canifor didn't want to take any chances. She hauled herself up onto one of the higher branches. At least up here she could try block out some of the crying, but Kyuu was right, the animals were probably long gone by now. Juna gave a sigh.

The Canifor felt safer here at least and soon enough she'd find herself sitting back on the crook of the tree, staring at the arrow in hand. Her hold was weak, loose even. Juna was tired, tired of a lack of sleep the night before, tired of the long walk to nothing, tired of repeatedly climbing trees and falling from them. Well maybe the last one only happened once recently, but it still ached both physically and mentally. 

The back of her head leaned against the trunk of the tree, the branch of it gently swaying at the breeze. It was almost peaceful enough to fall asleep in. Almost. However, none can break the sound of crying from far below, leaving Juna to keep a steady eye out between the forest floor and the rest of the sky.

She missed Jace, his companionship would at least fill her with some confidence. Especially in his capabilities of succeeding in hunting where she may fail. Juna could imagine him now, trying to chase off the woman only to get dragged away in response. The Jackal's clear cut distrust of any who went near her only to be calmed by treats. Juna let out a tired laugh, rubbing at the side of her face until she found her head buried into the palm of her hand, the laughter breaking away until there nothing less of tears flowing. It wasn't much, just enough to be wiped away by her hand and supported by the worsened sniffs of cold air.

Trees, so many more trees and a woman that would most likely kill her for leading them astray. It was a wonder how she could even entrust the Canifor to hunt, Juna couldn't even trust herself now. No animals around, it felt impossible.*
Amber
*Mizu would watch the canifor climb the tree even further, akin to a squirrel, without any response to her question. Mizu wasn't sure if the canifor was trying to get a better view of the area for hunting, or if she was trying to put some distance between the two of them. To make sure, Mizu would yell up once more*

"See any prey up there?! Or perhaps another 'settlement'~"

*Mizu would once more wait for a response, growing more irritated for every second passing by, and Yuzu's crying certainly wasn't helping. A sudden thought suddenly occurred to Mizu, recalling how the canifor had said she was lost in the middle of the woods with the closest settlement being more than a day away.*

"Say, you don't happen to have any rations on you, do you? Or are you like me and didn't have the chance to pack any food before setting off for the woods?" 

*Unlike vampires who could more easily survive off the land from the blood of animals and travelers, non-vampire travelers would usually bring some food with them, or at least that is what Mizu thought. She wouldn't really know since she had been a vampire her whole life*

"Have you perhaps heard the phrase 'Sins must be paid in blood'~ I would say you certainly sinned, but your life won't feed me or my child. But perhaps some of your blood will~" *She would say with a slight grin while licking her lips*

"Have you heard of blood dishes such as bloodsoup or bloodpudding from where you're from? It might not be much, but a pint should be enough to provide enough sustenance for us to reach the next settlement. I'll even lead you there with my map. Doesn't sound like a bad deal, right?~"

*As she was saying this, Mizu would slowly take off her shoes and start gently pressing them against the tree while wrapping her tail with Yuzu in it close to her body. She hoped the canifor would accept her deal, but if it turns out she would have to chase the 'squirrel' up the tree, then she shall*
Catherine
*At Kyuu's question about having any rations, Juna would dip her head slightly.*"No... I..."*She paused, remembering her earlier refusal to take the food Addy had offered. Her hand lowered to her waist, feeling a small pouch hanging loosely from there and carefully she would draw it up to stare at it. It felt half full now, however, the scent of dried meat reaching her nose was hard to ignore. She opened the pouch, coming to see the bits or jerky lying within it. Of course, the jerky she was originally gifted to help with training Jace now half gone in the process of teaching him.

Her stomach aroused with hunger at the sight of it. It was an almost saddening thought that she could see herself resulting to eating what last bit of treats that were left for her Jackal, but still, it was food and, surely enough, she owed it to the duo down below.*"I... Have some jerky... It's not much but... It could help you guys for a few hou-"*She went cut off, gazing down at Kyuu as she spoke to her in question of having blood dishes. Blood dishes? It was a random topic and surely an uncanny one too. Frankly, Juna had no idea what blood dishes were, but the image of it felt grotesque in her eyes. She remembered a previous lady she met in the forest speaking of blood so casually, even laughing of her jokes around it.

She said she was a vampire at the time. It made Juna wonder. The Canifor didn't have much time to speak, seeing Kyuu taking off her shoes as if she were planning to climb up the tree too, with a child nonetheless.*"Wait... Please don't climb up-"*She said, quickly getting up to her feet so that she could allow her claws to give extra support on the tree. She knew what betrayal the trees of the forest brought and she doubted now would be any different.*"It... It won't support all of us-"

*Juna could see the predatory look in the woman's eyes. Maybe she underestimated how long the lady went without food, driven to hunger, ironically enough that being blood, but if the Canifor kept being casted down from trees, she was bound to not have any left. Juna searched the area seeing too large of gaps for jumping. Someone was going to end up hurt if they all tried to fit up here and seeing the ravenous look in Kyuu's eyes, she could see it being herself.*
Amber
*Mizu would halt her climb upon hearing the panic in the canifor's voice and smirk*

"So you could hear me after all~"

*Mizu would then place her feet back on the ground and put back her shoes. Seemed like Mizu's assumption was correct. Jerky wasn't something she was particularly fond of, but she could tolerate it. Yuzu on the other hand would be incapable of eating such dry food, so one way or another she would need the canifor's blood.*

"No need to be so scared, I told you I was a cartographer, didn't I?~ I've climbed my share of trees before, unless you're calling me fat~" *She would say with a taunting pout while putting her hands against her hips.*

"Well, what are you waiting for? My arms aren't so long that I can grab the jerky from down here~ That said, haven't heard your thoughts about the blood recipes. Blood soup would be best since Ketsu can't eat solid food yet."

*To garner some more sympathy, Mizu would fold her ears downward and hold the crying Yuzu close to her face*

"He's really, really, hungry. Won't you spare some blood"
Catherine
*In all reality Juna could have meant both by the statement she made, especially considering that the branch could barely hold her own weight. Of course she's never said her thoughts aloud, but still she thinks of it. She kept her hold of the trunk, looking down at Kyuu as she watched her ears lower, asking if she could spare any blood.

The thought alone sickened her, imagining the child eating away at her flesh as if she were some sort of dead animal. Part of her considered that an infant that young wouldn't stop for just blood. Surely they'll eat their fill so long as they allowed them. However, the lowering ears caused Juna to tilt her head a bit. If not for the crying child she could almost imagine Jace doing the same thing when he wanted something from her. Of course it would be wrong to compare the two, but she could see the woman was desperate to the point of needing help in any way. Ways that would hopefully do something more than giving false hope.

Juna sucked in a deep breath of cold air, her claws releasing their hold on the bark before she would finally speak to Kyuu again.*"No."*She said simply. Her tone was soft, yet she made sure it carried down through the wails of the crying child.*"I don't have any blood soup on me... I don't know where to find any blood soup... And I don't have any blood to spare..."*The feeling of being honest was partially relieving to her, more relieving than actually having to deny a starving duo. That simply hurt, but a huntress cannot simply give themselves up as tribute when their group mates starved. She simply had to keep trying and, if she failed, well they'll have their meal either way.*

*The mother cared more of her child than the Canifor anyways and Juna had already made the terrible impression for lying to her, so now, all she could do was pay them back in the one way she knew. Hunting.*"I'll keep searching for animals until nightfall... Try to softening the Jerky for Ketsu until I get back miss..."*She'd say before eventually loosening her hold on the pouch and tossing it down to the Vampire. There it was. The slight bit of confidence she needed, even if it felt forced, but it was either her mind or her body at this point. Her dad would have hunted for her and her mom when it came down to it. He'd bring home a whole feast for them, well in her fading memories anyways. Now it was her turn.*
Amber
*Mizu would look up in surprise at the canifor's response. She would just stand there, staring, for a good number of seconds. So that's her response, how unfortunate thought Mizu.*

*Mizu's eyes eyes would then shine an even brighter red and she would grin, fully revealing her 2 fangs*

"How nice of you to be honest now~ Unfortunately, it is a bit too late for that. I don't know you that well, and you've broke my trust once. How can I trust that you will not leave the two of us here while you run off on your supposed 'hunt'."


*Mizu would then take a step onto the tree again, all the while still staring right into the canifor's eyes*

"You seem like a good person, a fun person infact. I don't often meet fellow travelers, and thought maybe we could even be friends. Alas, my responsibility as mother outweighs my desire for friendship..."

*Mizu would unwrap the cloth tied around her back and pull a long bright red spear and point it up at the canifor while taking another step up the tree*

"...So let me rephrase my question. Will you voluntarily offer your blood for my child, or will I need to forcefully take it from you?" 

*At that moment Mizu would let all her bloodlust loose and seep into the air, having no desire to hide her intentions or her nature any longer. She had played long enough, and even though she had promised Ellaine to be better person, her child's wellbeing mattered more to her right now*

"Choose the former, and all you will lose is a pint of blood. Otherwise... Well, let's not go there if we can~"
Catherine
*Her eyes fell on the spear, unmoving as she stared down at the weapon in silence. She could picture her own death from it, impaled by the tip of it, leading to an ungraceful fall from the tree tops. There was no way she was surviving that. The Canifor fell silent, allowing the quiet to ensue as if testing the amount of time she had before the Vampire would inevitably lose her patience.*

"I know you'll choose your child over me... I'd have done the same if I had bore one, but unlike you... I wouldn't have threatened the one person who had tried to help."*Her tail swung gently in the breeze, lowering itself until it was just tucked beneath her.*"You've already robbed me of my last morsel..."*She'd say. Juna couldn't help but picture a time when she had last tried to help someone. A man being robbed by a person in armor. She tried to drive the person away, even threatening to shoot an arrow at them.

However, her hesitation had failed her and the man was robbed and left without transport at the will of the armored person. She had tried to help an Elf once before only to have them turn around and threaten her with a blade had she not called away her Jackal. She remembered offering her assistance at helping to collect food for a supper only to be turned away the next instance, forewarned of getting hunted down if she treaded the area.*

*It was threat after threat and yet she still tried to help. Why? Maybe those kind hearted enough to see her attempts at paying back more than what she took was enough, but here she was reminded once more that all people ever do is take.*"You have no reason to trust me nor I to trust you... But I will promise to find something and as a huntress I will fulfill that promise... You can throw the spear but it will miss... I will vanish within the forests and you will never see me again..."*She'd say, having to bite her lip to prevent what cowardice told her to keep quiet.*

"I am but a voice you follow..."*She said.*"An image you brought for your own security. You throw the weapon I will be gone like the wind... But you best believe that you will find a morsel by your side the coming day... My scent will not be there nor my tracks, but you will know... You will know Lady was there..."*The only thing Kyuu failed at was given her opportunity, she knew now to be ready for it to be thrown. She would flee and by the time Kyuu came to search for her, she would be gone.*
Amber
*Mizu's grin would grow wider, amused by the false bravado in the canifor's voice. Logically, the canifor's words would make sense, the canifor had tried to help them thus far and had even given up her last bits of food. Mizu was clearly being the unreasonable one asking for more. However, a mother's move is irrational, and Mizu would've been fine starving if it meant her child's belly could be filled. The words of deterrence from the canifor would instead be taken as challenges by the bloodthirsty Mizu*

"Ah, I feel like I'm being looked down upon in more than one way~" *She would say with a chuckle*

"Trust? Me missing? Those are amusing words. You're right I don't trust you, and you don't trust me, but that only means the only one I can trust is myself no? And I have plenty of trust in my aim~"

*Mizu would then take another step off the ground, with now both her feet on the tree still looking up with hungerful eyes. However, she didn't go up much further. Perhaps a sense of guilt from breaking her promise to Ellaine, or not wanting to kill anyone infront of her child, Mizu would hesitate on her charge.*

"...I suppose you've been helpful thus far, and had gifted me the last bit of food you have. Why do you have to make this so difficult? Is losing some blood that bad for you? I really don't want to kill you, but I need more than just words and some jerky to put my faith in you..."

*This time as Mizu looked up, her eyes would display a genuine pained expression unlike her acts thus far. Perhaps she was just greedy, but she had been alone for so long, she really wanted another friend, but she also needed to feed her child. If only she could have the best of both worlds...*
Catherine
*Juna's heart plummeted to the point where she'd thought she would have faint with partial relief. Kyuu may have had faith in her own aim, but Juna hardly had faith in her ability to avoid incoming projectiles. She was nimble but she wasn't a bird that could simply fly away out of reach. Juna gazed down at Kyuu, aware of what frustrations she must feel in deciding between keeping her alive or feeding her child or both, but only the former seemed to be possible in the vampire's eyes. Desperate.

Juna gazed out towards the forest, getting a good look at the empty area around them.*"I'm only difficult because that's simply nature..."*Of course from saying that she could have either meant her own nature or nature in general, but she found no need to.*"And nature can be cruel. It can be cruel to those who are good and even crueler to those who disrespect it... I never take more than what I need... And I can't give more than what I have... You have what food I have... By taking my blood you'd be taking my survivability as well and... It's not at its best right now..."

*It felt like she was considering herself a weakling and maybe to a certain degree she was, but she needed every bit of her to get out of this forest. Everyday she was losing something of hers. She was glad the shawl still remained, even if it lost its mint condition.*"I think you are a good mother..."*She said.*"You care for your young... More than Mother Nature would..."*Juna would say in a more thoughtful tone.*"Mother Nature doesn't always allow weaklings to survive..."*She said.*"That's why people help each other... And that's why I'm trying to help you..."

*Kyuu had once admitted to being an orphan, Juna was too. However, unlike Kyuu she was not raised within the confines of an orphanage, but instead by a loving family who had sought pity on her left for dead in the forest. Nature wouldn't have let her survived, but the Macens did. Juna could see how much Kyuu cared for her child. Juna would hope she could live long enough to do the same for Eggbert. Oh Eggbert, how the time has passed since she's last see them. 

As much as she'd like to think to them, she knew that she'd have to give more before she could get what it is she wish to have, to see once more.*"I have nothing more than words to give... You leave me stuck upon a tree, forcing me to rely on the luck of a mere bird or squirrel... I cannot give more than I have..."*She repeated.*