Just Another Day

"Hey, what's that over there?" Shanku asked curiously.

"Sounds like a fight," Katari said worriedly.

"I'm gonna go check it out," Shanku said deeply. "It'd better not be Hilael."

"Be careful, Shanku," Katari warned. "It's always several cubs."

Shanku nodded and crept stealthily up toward the racket. She stepped on the root of a large tree to quieten her footfalls and peaked around the tree. Innugati slithered off of her shoulder and came around the tree.

...Hilael? Shanku suppressed a growl. Four cubs that were at least her age, if not older, had surrounded a cub with fur, feathers, and hair that was all a dull, dark chestnut. Within a few seasons, they would be full adults. But Hilael was younger than Shanku.

"Why don't you both just leave?" growled one of the cubs surrounding Hilael.

"And take the rest of your lowborn family with you?" jeered another.

Quiet Hilael just ducked his head and said nothing. His wings were drawn tight around him, his ears were laid back, and his tail was tucked.

"How about we just run him out of the Nyre and get it over with? Worked with the last one."

Just leave me alone, Hilael pleaded silently. He was vaguely aware of being struck again. He heard another strike, but was surprised he felt nothing. He looked up to see a pair of glossy black wings and a rather angry female Kurach standing over him.

"Leave my little brother alone!" Shanku hissed dangerously.

"Who do you think you are?" growled the one she had struck. "Do you know who I am?"

"Shanku Ravenwing," Shanku drew herself to her full height and glared at them. "I'm the one you're really mad at, aren't I? The one you actually hate? Then come on and let's settle this. As far as I'm concerned, you're just a bunch of cowards!"

"Coward?" Jagan chuckled evilly. "Have you taken a look at what's behind you?"

Shanku growled viciously and suddenly grabbed him by the throat. Jagan yipped and struggled as Shanku let the very tips of her claws dig into his neck. She pulled him barely a finger's breadth from her.

"I've killed bigger and tougher things than you without breaking a sweat. Lay another claw on him, and I'll rip your arms off. Understand?" Shanku threatened gutterally and she glared unblinkingly into his eyes. It felt good. She shoved him back into the other cubs who were tensely standing by. Jagan stood coughing and holding his bleeding neck. Shanku half wished they would make a move toward her so she could satisfy the tingling in her teeth.