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"Dust... Dust, wake up. It's morning."

The dire weasel grumbled, rolling onto her belly trying to ignore the voice.

"Don't ignore me, you wanted me to teach you how to hunt. That means getting up early. Don't make me kick you awake."

" Grrrmmmm... fine I'm up. I'm up." The giant weasel grumbled and growled as she opened her eyes slowly, "Rex, I thought we were going to start tomorrow?"

"Why waste a perfectly good day for hunting?" Rex asked.

"Fair enough I guess." Dust huffed and yawned, "I did ask for this after all."

"Exactly." Rex nodded and smirked smugly, "You did ask."

'No need to be so smug _ about it though._' Dust thought to herself as she glared at the human, getting her paws under her.

"That's more like it. Now come on, we're wasting time." Rex said as he headed back to the wagon.

Dust just sighed as she stretched and yawned again. The sun wasn't even up yet! She was still drowsy, now wishing she could have coffee. But they didn't have any! There was no telling how her body would react to a rush of caffeine like that either. She didn't even know if coffee was a thing in this world. In fact, she didn't even know how to brew it properly without a damned coffee maker!

Was she really that sad and pathetic to be so dependent on modern (to her) technology? Even now? She had it so easy in her prior life, taking smartphones, cars, air conditioning, hell even television and radio for granted. She hadn't realized how good she actually had it until now.

The formerly human male, now female mustelid frowned a bit. She hadn't actually thought much about her old life. Too much was going on in the present for her to really dwell on it. Coping with her sudden new life, gender, and especially species. Though as far as gender was concerned that was pretty easy to get over. She'd already preferred male company to begin with. So, she expected it to be a lot less awkward than if she had been reborn a male. Although the ' incident' a few days back in the last town had shot that down pretty hard. It was significantly more awkward! But she'd get over it eventually.

"Are you coming or just staring blankly into the air?" Rex asked.

"Coming, coming! Still waking up." Dust said as she rubbed her face with a paw.

"We need to hurry up so we can actually catch something." Rex said with a sigh.

"I'm coming, already!" Dust growled as she walked up to Rex, "No need to be so mean about it. Let's go."

Rex stayed quiet and started walking, nodding his head to Dust to follow him.

"Not wearing your armor?" Dust asked.

"Too much noise, and I'm still not fully recovered. The weight would only make this harder for me." Rex said as they walked in the dark.

"Ah, right..." Dust trailed off, "Good point now that I think about it."

Dust stayed quiet after that and just followed Rex into the woods. Better than pestering him with questions. He seemed to be in a mood, was he mad at her? He seemed all smug at first, but now he seemed impatient and annoyed. Perhaps he just was taking this too seriously?

Compared to the other two in their group, Dust found Rex the most difficult to figure out. Nirra was practically an open book, she was fairly open about herself when asked. Of course, she kept some things private, as anyone would. The Elf, Qildor was rather infuriating though. He was easy and difficult to read, what with his endless boasts and overall superiority complex. Yet he kept a lot of things quite close to the chest. Not once had he made mention of family of any kind, though he did touch on where he had come from now and then. Nirra was always happy to share stories of her familial history, and where she came from.

Rex on the other hand didn't make mention of either. If he had family he never said, even ignoring such questions entirely. And he was very vague about where he came from. Overall, he didn't seem keen on talking about his personal history, at least anything prior to meeting Nirra and Qildor.

It made Dust wonder what happened to him, to make him keep so much private. It also made her wonder if she should be fully honest about herself as well? But would they believe her? It was a pretty wild and far-fetched story after all. Did that sort of thing happen here? Was reincarnation a fact of this world? Was she a special case for some reason? It was a lot to mull over, she wanted more facts before she actually explained anything of her past life. Hopefully they wouldn't think less of her for it. Or be upset over the omission. It was still far too early in their dynamic to risk it. She'd keep it to herself for now.

"Do you have any knowledge of hunting?" Rex asked.

"Umm not much? Mask your scent, have lots of patience, lie in wait." Dust said, "Be on the lookout for game trails, that sort of thing."

"Some then. Better than nothing." Rex said he stopped by some trees, "This looks like a good spot. Can you see the game trail?"

Dust stopped next to him and looked around, she didn't see anything aside from trees and brush at first. But then she started picking up on trails, almost invisible in the foliage. Would she have noticed them back when she was human? Was it the natural instincts of her bestial form?

"Yeah, I see them. A lot of traffic I think?" Dust said, 'How do I know that?'

"Smart, that's exactly why I chose this spot. Odds are good we'll catch a deer or two." Rex nodded, "Masking scent is a different issue. Chances are you just blend in naturally. I'll have to hang back. I don't have anything for that on me."

"Makes some sense yeah." Dust nodded, "So, then we wait yeah?"

"At a better spot than here." Rex said, "Can't be too close or they might notice us."

"Ah right. Up a tree maybe?" Dust offered.

"I'm in no shape for that. But you can easily." Rex said, "All I need you to do is lie in wait. And if one gets within reach, strike hard and fast. Go for the neck, make it quick."

"Make it a quick merciful kill? I think I can do that." Dust nodded, "So, how many are we catching?"

"I think two is enough. One for you, and one for the rest of us." Rex said.

"Sounds good. I take it me supplementing our rations was a really good idea then huh?" The giant weasel asked.

"Yes, a very wise move. So, thank you for the idea and effort." Rex nodded, "I'll be just out of sight. Good luck."

"Sure. I'll be needing it." Dust nodded as she turned to a thick tree that wasn't too far away and used her claws to carefully climb up into the branches, hiding from view.

'And now we wait... well I wait.' Dust sighed inwardly as she lay in wait.

She chose her tree well; it had a perfect view of the game trails. But she was still hidden enough, the branch she was perched on was at least sturdy enough to handle her weight.

'I hope this works out. I am getting rather hungry now.' Dust thought to herself as she prepared for a long wait.

Two hours later...

'This is beyond _ boring..._' Dust groaned internally.

She was bored, immensely bored. It had to have been a few hours at least since she climbed up into the tree. She hadn't seen or heard anything, nor anything from Rex either. Was he even still nearby, or had he left her all alone? She didn't want to chance reaching out to him. Her telepathic skills were still not amazing, and she still needed to know where he was for it to work (far as she knew at least). So, she couldn't just reach out with her mind to find him. So, she had to remain quiet and try not to fall asleep.

'Sure, patience is important. But this seems excessive.' Dust ran a paw over her muzzle, 'I just hope something comes by soon.'

Three more hours later...

Dust must've nodded off for who knows how long. The sun seemed to have risen some time ago. Wunderbar, she probably missed any chances she had while asleep! The giant weasel grumbled quietly to herself greatly annoyed now.

That was when she spotted a deer approaching, a large buck with large branching antlers. A perfect first hunt! If she could land the blow at the right time. And avoid landing on the antlers, timing was going to be key. Dust got herself ready and waited. Watching the deer as he moved around, picking at the brush as he went along. Slowly getting closer to her tree.

She was starting to get excited; the anticipation got her blood pumping. She could feel an adrenaline rush going. Her first serious hunt (catching fish didn't count in her mind). This was the real deal. The deer was much closer now, just a bit more and she'd make her move. Her body tensed up, preparing to leap into action.

'Just a little bit more...almost...' Dust watched on, starting to get antsy, 'Now!'

RRAAAAAAAWWR!

Dust snarled out as she jumped down on the deer. Luck seemed to be on her side, the deer froze up as she came down on him. The giant weasel was quick to open her jaws wide, aiming right for the deer's neck.

CHOMP!

CRUNCH!

Her bite was dead on as she dropped on top of the buck. Her teeth sunk into hide and muscle. She bit down as hard as she could, feeling bone crack and give under her bite. Her momentum knocked her off the deer and onto her side, the buck getting dragged along for the ride. Dropping down against her belly, writhing for a few moments before going still. Success!

'I did it! I caught a deer!' Dust cheered as she got up on her paws.

She struck so swiftly that the deer didn't even have a chance to make a sound! Dust rumbled happily as she reveled in her success.

"Nicely done. A swift clean kill." Rex stepped out of the brush with a smile, "And a nice buck too."

"Thanks! This really was an exercise in patience! Now to try for a second one, right?" Dust asked.

"I'll take this one back to camp and get it prepared. Unless you'd prefer to eat it as is?" Rex asked.

"Oh no, no, no! I may be an animal , but I'm eating this thing cooked!" Dust shook her head, "I got standards. In fact, think you could show me how to clean a kill as well? With the second one of course."

"Sure, should be easy with your claws. Cooking would be another issue." Rex said as he got to stringing up the deer to carry.

"Yeah, not exactly the most dexterous, am I?" Dust agreed, "I'm sure with time and practice I'd get the hang of that. But it can wait for now. I'm off to get another deer!"

"Good luck, I'd recommend moving to a different spot." Rex suggested as he gathered branches and pulled out some string from a pouch on his belt, "Gonna make a makeshift sled. It'll be easier on me."

"You sure you can handle it alone?" Dust asked a bit concerned; she'd almost forgotten he was still recovering.

"I'll be alright. Get going." Rex nodded as he got to work.

"Alright, but don't hesitate to yell for me." Dust nodded and picked a game trail at random and started following it, 'Let's hope I can get another one!'

Five hours later...

Dust slowly returned to camp, a little scraped and cut around her muzzle, neck, and sides. But she was successful again! The giant weasel proudly shook the dead deer off her back with a sigh. It was a lot more difficult this time around though:

Earlier...

Dust was lucky in that she spotted several more deer as she lay in wait in some bushes. But very unlucky in that she tried to catch one of them only for it to escape with a startled noise. Dust didn't give up though. She wasn't going to return to camp empty handed (Or pawed in her case).

So, she had given chase, running through the brush and around trees at full speed. She was determined to get her catch. Even if it meant getting scratched up by brush as she ran through it. Her gaze was locked onto a deer, a doe this time. She gave it her all, slowly gaining on her prey. She didn't know how long she chased down the deer. But she finally got close enough to tackle the doe and went right for the neck with her jaws.

She had done it! She caught another deer! Dust grinned to herself as she made certain the deer was dead, and flipped it onto her back. The giant weasel took her time back tracking to camp, happy and proud of herself.

Now...

"I did it! I caught two deer!" Dust cheered as she sat down in camp.

"That's great Dusty!" Nirra said with a smile.

"Good for you." Qildor said with barely contained sarcasm.

"Didn't see you _ hunting._" Dust huffed.

"Not a bad job Dust. Bring it over, and I'll show you how to clean it." Rex said with an approving nod.

"So, what happened to you? You're all cut up." Nirra asked.

Dust dragged the deer over to the campfire so Rex could show her how to clean the meat, "Got scraped up chasing this one down."

"I'll patch you up then." Nirra offered.

"Nah, just need to get it cleaned up. I'll be fine, I'm not cut that deeply." Dust shook her head, "Let me get this clean first."

"Alright then." Nirra nodded.

"Alright so, how do we do this? Should I sharpen my claws or something?" Dust asked Rex.

"Probably wouldn't hurt to sharpen them." Rex nodded as he offered Dust a whet stone.

'Hopefully I have the dexterity for this.' The weasel thought to herself as she took the stone and did her best to use it.

It was a bit awkward, but she was able to adjust her grip enough to sharpen her claws. Rex watched her, and helped her out with a few tips. He was also sharpening a knife of his.

"That looks good, ready?" Rex asked the weasel.

"As ready as can be." Dust nodded.

Rex nodded and started showing her how it was done. And Dust watched and followed along with Rex's instructions. It was gristly work, cleaning the skin off, the organs, and so on. Dust thought she would've been grossed out, disgusted by the task. Instead, she was drooling , and her stomach growled in hunger. Once the meat was cleaned Rex showed her a simple means of cooking it over the fire. It was actually pretty easy for her to do, just stick the meat on some sticks and hold it over the fire.

And it smelled amazing! Dust drooled a whole lot more as she got to taste her first kill. She felt like she was in heaven, the meat tasted so sweet and tender she wanted to cry. Her first successful hunt, and it was worth the patience and effort. Dust swelled with a sense of pride and accomplishment over her success, devouring an entire deer's worth of meat as quickly as she could.

Dust sighed and flopped on her side, nice and full. She was happy and content now, an excellent way to end the afternoon. Rex and the others seemed to be taking the day easy as well, so there wouldn't be a rush to get moving again. With a quick heads-up Dust settled in for a nap.

They could get moving a while later; it had definitely been a nice day for a hunt after all.