Rising Anew-Chapter 6, part 2-
#22 of Rising Anew
Rising Anew Chapter 6 continued
The wind was gusting rather strongly as the two figures moved through the hills. The grass rustled in the gusts, spreading a soothing, yet eery, sound through the landscape. The moon cast her light generously, causing shifting shadows in the grass. A seperate shadow moved quietly in the prints left by the duo, stealing after them without a sound.
Glancing back every now and then, Narcenac trudged along at a steady pace with Narina. He had sensed the eyes of something watching them. More a feeling than a certainty.
"Lets stop for the night Naree." he said.
"Ok love." Narina replied with a smile.
Slowing to a trot, the two young tigers looked around for a suitable campsite. Narcenac wanted a place with shelter from the wind, but open enough for them to make a dash if necessary.
They came across a small hallow in the side of a hill. It was out of the wind and the shadows would help shelter them from the eyes of any passing humans. Narcenac spread out their blanket while he kept an eye on the hills surrounding them.
Silently, a shadow moved through the grass, staying low to the ground and watching the two figures moving through the shadowy hallow. The creature moved slowly, eyeing the two curiously. Moving to the edge, it sat in the cover of the grass, simply watching and waiting.
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Narcenac sat far in the shadows, listening to Narina's calm steady breathing. He had seen the figure move to the edge of the grass and had been waiting for it to make a move. They had been here for about two hours and he was tired of waiting. Staying hidden in the shadows, he slowly made his way around the side of the hill and into the grass.
The quiet breathing told the shadowy figure that the two strangers were sleeping. Silently it stood, drawing a small knife, it stole forward. Just as its foot hit the sandy ground at the outside of the grass, a heavy paw fell on its shoulder. Its heart froze.
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"Narina! Wake up! I found a little sneak!" Narcenac said as the young creature shook in his paw, kicking its legs wildly as it dangled a foot in the air.
"Letta Go me big striped meanie!" It shouted in a shrill voice. "I wasna doin nuffin!"
Narina sat up with a start at the racket around her. Looking at Narcenac with a face full of bewilderment, she looked at the swinging little girl in his paw, wildly trying to jab at him with its sharp little claws.
"What is that?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"I dont really know, i thought we were the only type of Narcomanta." he replied. "Settle down you little scruff or i will shave your fluffy butt with that little knife of yours."
The young girl stopped wiggling and grabbed her bushy tail. "Tarsus be good! No shavin my rear!" she pouted as she petted her tail.
Narcenac looked the creature over carefully. As he stared, he realized what kind of creature she might be.
"Your a squirrel arent you?" he asked with a bit of sting in his voice.
Tarsus nodded and pointed to the ground. Narcenac set her down but kept a paw on her shoulder.
"What were you doing following us and trying to sneak into our camp like that with a dagger? I think you have a lot of explaining to do." He said flatly.
Narina looked the girl over and marveled at how shiny the fur on her tail was.
"You know, it isnt nice to sneak up on people like that, especially the two of us. You look kinda tasty." she said, trying to hide her smile at her own joke.
Tarsus grew wide eyed and the words spilled forwarth. "Please dont eaten Tarsus, was only wondering what you were, never seened a purple stripy one before, and Tarsus was thirsty a little, you has some waters that she wanted to barrows. too far to go to river under hill at nights." she chattered at an amazing speed.
Narina and Narcenac both laughed happily at the little girl asking not to be eaten. Narcenac sat down beside Narina and told the young squirrel girl to sit as well. He handed her a bottle of water from his pack and smiled.
Eagerly, Tarsus drank the water and sat looking at her two captors.
"Whata do with me? I go withen you stripy ones?" she asked.
"What!?! Oh no, dont you have a home to go back to?" Narcenac asked in suprise.
Tarsus shook her head sadly. "Tarsus just follow peoples coming throughen the hills here and learned to take caren herself."
Narina leaned back against Narcenac's shoulder and looked up at him with a smile.
"You know, we could always use a quick way through these hills, if she could stay hidden this long, she is bound to know a good way to get through here unnoticed." she said.
Narcenac shook his head and sighed. With a nod, he agreed and laid back. The wind and stars drew his attention away as he lost himself in thought. This was going to be new, he would have to get used to having a runt of a little girl to take care of, and he was almost certain, she didnt eat meat. Feeding her would be a chore, not to mention... he and Narina wouldnt be having any more romance for a while.
"Alright, she can go, but she finds her own food, i dont think she eats meat like us. Now lets get a little sleep tonight and start out in the morning." he said grudgingly.
Narina smiled and nuzzled him affectionately and then curled up beside him with her arm over his chest. Tarsus giggled a little and curled up at the back of the hallow with her bushy tail in her arms. With a sigh, Narcenac closed his eyes and went to sleep.
The nightwind howled on as the three slept. The moonlight hiding them from unwanted eyes by casting the shadows over the hills.