Just Another Day

Shanku burst out laughing as she released and kneeled beside him, Hilael scowling all the while as he got up.

"Damn you, Shanku," he snarled as he got the dirt off. "You know I don't like that."

"You'll get over it," she stuck her tongue out at him and stood.

Still grumbling, Hilael rose. Shanku leaned against a tree, ears perked as she watched him curiously. He hated being watched and she knew it. His ears flattened and he walked by sulkily. She let him pass then followed after him, the tip of her tail twitching as she knew he was trying to pretend she wasn't there. Oh, but she was very much there. Hilael wouldn't be given the chance to forget. One small hike seemed longer than the winding river. Shanku loved to talk. Hilael preferred to keep silent. He was ready to pull his hair out by the time they returned to the clan.

Eyes dancing at the sight of a friend, Shanku bid her leave of the withdrawn Hilael by the way of an energetic hug before skipping away to go be with Katari as he came into view. Hilael watched her quietly as the pair left. He shuddered and climbed up into a leafy burrow in the limbs of a nearby tree. The thick foliage of trees made him feel safe. He never knew why he needed that feeling as much as he did. Despite the recent skirmishes of the clans, times were very peaceful. All were well fed and the weather didn't present a constant threat. He sighed and drew his knees to his chest. Perhaps such insecurities stemmed from his bullying elder classmates. Sure, there were no bruises anymore since his sister had come home and put a stop to it, but he could just sense it. The look in their eyes and the slight change of stance when he passed by. Yes, they regarded him differently than the other cubs.

He tugged at a stray strand of his hair. His hair wasn't dual toned like the others. It wasn't uncommon for wings to be of one color, but the ears, tail, and locks always had two. Hilael, poor pup, had just one. Tail, wings, and all were a deep brown. Come to think of it, Shanku and Katari were the only ones who bothered to be friends with him. Were they actually not as shallow and petty as the others he knew, or did they just accept him to spite the others? There was much they did out of spite and for the sake sheer aggravation.

Tired for now of worries and thoughts, Hilael turned his gaze and attention to the quieting evening life of their central Scissortail village. Young cubs were being called in as the twilight settled in, hunters and gatherers returning home with their prizes, and happy couples trying to sneak a few more precious moments alone outdoors. The past days were bustling and happy. This village loved holidays and festivals more than the other villages of the Scissortails. Few could beat the energy and life they gave for social events.

Hilael didn't belong here.