Just Another Day

Marks on the ground let them know they were near the Weolcen border. The leaves and grass were disturbed, small limbs and branches were broken, and there was a faint smell of blood in the air from injuries.

Shanku became much more serious and alert as she crossed over into Imperial territory. Her ears were constantly flicking at the least noise and she was watching every shadow. She would not walk in any direction the wind carried her scent. Piram behaved in much the same manner. Katari and Hilael kept close behind them and kept quiet. Even little Innugati, usually fluttering her wings or chirping, sat quietly on Hilael's shoulder and did not stir.

"Where should we camp?" Shanku asked quietly as evening began to settle. "They are even more at home among the branches than I am."

"But at least in the branches we know they could not fall on us," Piram nodded. "We stay in the trees."

Hilael spotted a group of cedars and the group made their way to it.

"This'll be a prickly bed," Shanku shuddered.

"But the branches are thick and the scent is strong. They'd be hard pressed to find us if they didn't know where to look already," Hilael replied.

They paired off two to a tree. Katari with Piram, and Hilael with Shanku. They each chose a sturdy branch that allowed them to see the four sides around them and set their watches. Night came full on and the night life began to stir in its usual chorus of insects, birds, and frogs.

"Are you awake?" Shanku asked softly after some time.

"Yes," Hilael replied quietly. "Can you not sleep?"

"There're several pieces of bark poking me. I'd make too much noise evening it," Shanku chuckled lowly. "You?"

"The same," Hilael replied.

"At least I finally have some time alone with you," Shanku whispered. "We've all been glued at the hip night and day except when Katari and I split off to hunt for fresh meat."

"It's very exhausting. Much more stressful than I thought it would be," Hilael nodded. "But you probably wish to talk about something else."

"You know me so well," Shanku smiled.

"What's on your mind?" Hilael asked softly.

"This whole mess," Shanku shook her head. "I'm now officially through with my exile, but here I am out in unfamiliar territory once again."

"It's for a good cause," Hilael replied.

"I'm just not very easy with the cost," Shanku said glumly. "I should have been there for you."

"What's done is done," Hilael said gently.

"It still bothers me," Shanku said lowly. "It was my job to keep us safe and I messed up."

"I can handle myself better than most expect," Hilael said quietly.

"Why do you just stand there and take it?" Shanku asked. "How can you be so passive?"

"I'm not," Hilael said darkly. "But it is not worth their lives."

"Would you, if you ever...?" Shanku turned her head to glance back in his direction.

"Yes," Hilael said as casually as always. "So I do not. Better to implode than explode."

"And they have no clue," Shanku shook her head.

"They cannot ever know," Hilael said softly. "They scare too easily."

"I know how that goes," Shanku said with a quiet chuckle. "I still have to hide a lot of my thoughts and curiousities, even with Ma and Katari."

"They can handle it better than most," Hilael said thoughtfully.

"But not as well as you or me," Shanku said with a warm smile.

"No," Hilael agreed and looked wistfully through the bushy branches at the twinkling stars far beyond.

"So, surely not all the cubs have been mean to you since I left?" Shanku asked.

Hilael paused for a moment before he answered, "no".

"Why the pause?" Shanku asked curiously.

"There is one cub," Hilael trailed off. "She comes around often."

"Is she nice?" Shanku tilted her head to the side.

"Too nice," Hilael shuddered.

"Does she like you?" Shanku asked with a wry grin.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Hilael shook his head. "I feel hunted."

"That is what hunters do," Shanku giggled. "I'm glad to know not everybody has been cruel."

"It is a cruelty in its own way," Hilael whispered back. He was silent for a moment before he continued. "Katari, Muso, and Banhi have been fine. Each have had a few good friends."

"That's good to hear," Shanku sighed. "At least I didn't ruin it for everybody."

"Katari chose his path, for the most part," Hilael whispered. "He would not associate with any that took pleasure in your exile, or bothering us."

"He is a good friend," Shanku whispered thoughtfully. "Better than I deserve."

"At least your suitor doesn't stalk you like mine does," Hilael grumbled.

"He's not my suitor!" Shanku hissed.

"Sylvans court much differently than men or even other Kurach," Hilael said slyly. "He likes you."

"He told me to go away right after I came back!" Shanku blushed deeply and was grateful for the shadows cast by the cedar branches.

"Naturally. He was pretty hurt when you left," Hilael shrugged. "He had to come to terms with both your departure and return."

"Why did you tell me this now? In the middle of all this? This mission is going to be so much more awkward," she muttered quickly.

"Just continue to treat him like you always have," Hilael said quietly. "And he will continue to do the same."

"And now I worry just what all that will entail!" Shanku whispered back.

"What is there to worry about?" Hilael asked. "Would he be that bad?"

"No, just," Shanku paused and drew her knees to her chest. "I don't know. It's just kinda soon."

"I thought you had noticed," Hilael said quietly.

"I hadn't," Shanku shook her head. "He's just my best friend. I still see a tumbling cub that likes to explore like I do. Puppy love!"

"Puppy grew up," Hilael shrugged. "Don't worry. We'll be busy with this Imperial thing for quite a while. You'll have time to adjust to it."

"I guess I should thank you, then," Shanku whispered.

"You took me with you this time, it's the least I could do," Hilael smiled gently.

"If you think this is an adventure, let me drag you to the Wynfall market street some time," Shanku chuckled. "Just be sure and don't bite them, they can be kinda gross and nasty."

Hilael nodded and settled against the tree. The two became quiet and eventually fell into an uneasy sleep on the prickly bark.