Waiting For Certainty

[Savage Sage]

Silence was like a curse, a most unbearable on in that. The only sound was the smooth waves kissing the sand shore. Requell walked in the night, the wind brushing through her pelt, yet no sound. She pointed her bi-colored muzzle in the air and took in a deep breath. Then exhaled. She turned her face around now her odd eyes staring and wishing for some fun.

Bordem was a burden on anyone. Requell sighed, and sat down, then layed down. Her claws dug into the ground, and she smiled. With her mind, she lifted a small pile of sand from the ground, and watched it float in the air. She smirked, and then stood up, with it chasing her in a game of tag. Then, she flung her nose up into the air, and seemed pleased with herself when it all fell on her.

The sun was bright, and made the weather rather warm, and perhaps good for a small water break. It wasn't as much as a break as a bath, but nevertheless it would feel good. Shaking her pelt, she chuckled, and made her way to the shallows of the water, and began to roll in it, getting the sand free and back where it belongs.

[smartboyathome]

Where was she? That was one question that was not on the mind of Aiko, the young pup who had a life of wandering thrust upon her. Her mother had died at what for her pup was an early age, before she had even been able to bring her on her first hunt, even. Thus, Aiko was reduced to scavenging to survive, a skill which she learned quickly and with a heavy heart so that she could survive. Never did she learn what became of her mother, for she was killed while her pup was still in the den, and even when Aiko tried to track her she couldn't find her. Forever would she live not knowing what happened to her, and this not knowing weighing down on her soul as she feared everything.

It wasn't all bad, however, since she had been told by her mother that the lights in the sky were beings looking down on one's self. She knew her mother was a good being, therefore she was definitely up there watching her at that moment, and this at least cleared away some of the guilt. She often thought she could see her mother in the shadows, or feel her warmth as she laid by her, but usually these ended up being nothing more than illusions. Still, this didn't get her down, since ghosts, her mother said, often were masked as illusions, though were still very much there. If it weren't for this, then she probably would have turned out much more paranoid than she actually was now.

Today was no different, she still wished she had her mother with her physically, but still knew she was there spiritually. She was cautious as always as she approached an interesting and increasing smell, which she didn't know was actually the salt from the sea being carried through the air. To her, it was like a mystery, something that needed to be explained or else she would go nuts, and exploring was the key to this explaining. Her tongue refused to stay in her mouth as she got closer, for the heat also continued to increase with the decreasing distance. This didn't even deter her, however, and she still continued on, her curiosity not settled until she was able to explore it all.

Soon enough she reached the edge, but as she peered out she saw something moving, and immediately pulled her head back into the bush itself. She couldn't defend herself, and she didn't know if this being was dangerous, therefore her instincts were telling her to stay away from it until it disappeared. She found herself inching back into the forest once more before stopping at another bush and waiting, hoping that it wouldn't come. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and her ears as her senses went on overdrive, her keen nose trying to pick out its scent from the rest of new ones. She'd probably not know which one it was until it walked up closer to her, or if it did at all, which she hoped it wouldn't.

[Savage Sage]

Requell sighed once more, really getting irritated with all the loneliness eating away at her. She stood up, and shook the water from her pelt, and snorted. Water in her nose, it kinda hurt. Requell looked down at her leg, admiring her snake like mark twisting up her leg. She smiled at it, remembering her short past. Then shook her head.

Someone had visited her! Well, Requell wouldn't call it that unless they would tell her face but however, she was glad, and ready to talk to someone! Even if it was a 'evil' animal, at least she would have something to do. Because, things become somewhat boring with a boring conversation. But, this wouldn't be! Because Requell took in the scent, and discovered a wolf! Wolves were larger than her, so she knew if it came to fighting, she would have to call the Earth for help.

She glanced around, a large smirk on her face, and noticed a moving bush. Requell trotted over to it, and then sat down right in front of it, looking into the green. She smiled, and barked out. Hey there! Why are you hiding? I'm not gonna eat 'ya! Requell laughed, looking into the bush, seeing a wolf pup. A pup, of all things!

[smartboyathome]

Aiko heard splashing as the being had apparently found some kind of water and was obviously doing something in it, though she couldn't see what. Part of her wanted to go investigate, but the other part, dominant in her mind right now, told her to stay where she was and to avoid it if at all possible. She felt like if she even breathed, then perhaps it would sense she was there and come growling up at her, or maybe just magically teleport beside her. Yet, she couldn't stop shaking and moving about, her puppy body pent up with energy that had to be released somehow, even if rather clumsily. Focusing on one part of her body staying still would only cause another part to move, and then the cycle would repeat once more.

Suddenly she heard footsteps which ended at the bush she was in, and she began to back up quietly as, finally, her body decided to stay still. She was scared beyond belief, what if this was one of the creatures that killed for pleasure, and she was next on its execution list? She shuddered at that thought, and hoped that it was just a coincidence, that it was going to pass by and go somewhere else, but it didn't. Instead, she heard it sit outside of her bush, its smell very different from what she had smelled since her mother had died, or even with her mother. Her heart was beating rather hard as she waited for that eventual strike that would kill her, and part of her wanted it so she could see her mother again.

Suddenly, she heard the rustling of leaves, making her jump, and for a moment she just stayed there, looking up at it as it looked at her. It wasn't too big, but it was so weird looking that it almost seemed like a demon to her, something that could not be trusted under any circumstances. She just waited as she heard it start speaking, and it seemed so friendly, but due to how scared she was what she heard was anything but. He seemed so sarcastic to her, so harmless, but for all she knew it could be what had killed her mother not too long ago, though a while for her since she was so young. If it was, she was most definitely next since one didn't just kill her mother, it would obviously, or at least so in her mind, want to kill her as well!

With this, she yelped and jumped out of the bush, running for another one even farther back than the first one, knowing she'd have no chance of escape. "Y-you c-c-can't be t-trusted! Y-you c-could be t-trying to t-trick me!" She stumbled as she tried to hurry back to the bush, still not that graceful due to her growth spurts making her rather lopsided. She just couldn't believe that it had found her, she had been certain she was well hidden inside the bush, but apparently not. She didn't know where else she could hide though as she looked around, and she knew she couldn't outrun it at all. Still, she would try, it was what her mother would have obviously done and what she would do until the very end.

[Savage Sage]

Requell sneezed, and then watched as a wolf shot out of the bush. He was saying she couldn't be trusted? Sure, she was a stranger, but still, she wasn't mean or anything. Requell took that kinda harsh, but she ignored it. after all, he was just a pup. Perhaps, a lost one at that. Requell watched as he ran into a bush way behind the first one, and she cocked her head. The hyena sneezed once more, and slowly stood up. Her legs ached a little, but she was to... Busy, to notice it.

She began to slowly walk to the area in which the small wolf had ran to. About 3 feet in front of it, she sat down, her long sheepish legs padding at the ground. She looked down, and then back up, into the bush, her muzzle pulled in a smile. It's okay, I won't hurt you, pup. My name is Requell, I'm a hyena. What's your name? Requell prompted. She was always good at this, making friends. Maybe because of her playful nature. Maybe, just because she didn't like enemies. she loved friends, and support, and returning that very thing.

Requell sat there, waiting for a reply, hoping not to scare the wolf off. Because she was bored, and wanted something to do. Requell only sighed, and then smiled, keeping it on her maw for awhile her banner swishing over the ground, dancing in impatience. Her orbs seemed to reflect her impatience, but also her needs, her wants of getting this wolf to speak and perhaps socialize.

[smartboyathome]

Aiko still didn't think she could trust this thing, which called itself a hyena, no matter what it actually said to her. Yet, it seemed so nice, and rather young like her, but again the thoughts of her mother being killed came into into her head. She had to keep going, and, as naive as she was, she knew that this wasn't possible for too much longer on what she'd been doing. Still, would her mother approve of her talking to this thing, and would it actually hurt her after it convinced her to go with him? It all seemed so complicated, and she really wished she had her mother by her side still, to tell her what the right thing was to do.

Well, she didn't think that it would hurt to tell it her name at least, since that was something he thought everyone knew about each other. Cautiously, she came forward a little, prepared to run at the slightest sign of anything, especially since she didn't know how it showed aggression. She was watching its body in full with her eyes wide, almost like a prey since, after all, that is what she felt like, though she didn't know too much about that. It may be rather strange given her age, but, again, she had never been taught to hunt, and so she had only a few pieces to actually put together. Well, here goes nothing, she thought, before saying, "I'm Aiko."

Immediately she backed up back into the bush as soon as the words left her maw, but she felt guilty at the same time for doing that. She didn't want to be killed, however, and so she was trying to take what she felt were good precautions to prevent that, though without her mother she wasn't sure. Looking up at it, confusion and fear still clear on her face, she wanted to say something, but it felt like there was something preventing her from doing so. Yet, it was mental, and she was able to push through it with another thought about how long she really had left living on her own like she had. "Y-you aren't going to kill me like my mother had been?" Naive, but she was still a pup and she often was, even if she didn't always know it at first, if at all.

[Savage Sage]

Requell drifted to her history at this time, for a few moments. She had once starved herself, but still survived. She hated the idea of killing, dreaded it. It made her sick, but soon, she would have to endure it. Because, she has something worth fighting for now. A family. However, it still made her light headed, and Requell shook the thoughts from her head. But, a image through itself into her small head. Her parent,s, sleeping peacefully, next to each other. Requell tried to wake them up. They were sick for a long time, and it scared Requell. They weren't sleeping!

She smiled at Aiko, loving the way the name sounded, rolling off her tongue. That's a beautiful name! Aiko... Aiko! Wow, it sounds so cool! Requell explored, laughing at herself. The wolf pup was unique, the way she didn't trust anyone. She kinda liked it, endured it. Requell didn't understand very much right now, but really liked the thoughts. She wanted to be friends, but this little wolf might make it hard, because obviously, Requell was something new, maybe a good monster to her. But, Requell knew what a wolf was, it's one of the predator inhabits of the lands.

Requell cocked her head, and her eyes became sympathetic. Her mother was killed... And, she asked if Requell would kill her! No, no, no! Requell could never do such a thing. No, of course not! I hate the idea of killing, it makes me sick. I'll let you in on a secret, okay? Requell giggled a bit, now preparing herself for any replies. When I was a pup, I starved myself once, because I didn't wanna kill any prey. But, I learned. Killing is a part of life, but not murder. Murder... That's something new. Requell was beginning to feel her wisdom come to explode.

Murder is low life's trying to seem better than they are... Murder, why, it's a crime for the heart, something that scars you forever. But, it won't be murder when you have something worth fighting for. I don't know what I mean by that, but I'm sure whoever killed you mother is rotting in their own guilt, regretting it. Requell assured, smiling sheepishly.

[smartboyathome]

Aiko smiled a bit as the... hyena thing told her that her name was sounded cool, that it was beautiful, something she hadn't heard anyone else say before. She had always been too scared to really talk to them, for reasons which she thought were good in her own mind though of course she was still naive. She just watched the large thing as it seemed to be thinking of something, though as to what she couldn't even fathom. She hoped it didn't have anything to do with what it was going to do with her after it caught her, that in itself would be devastating for her. Of course, it had done nothing to indicate that, but she didn't know the signals for either it or even a normal wolf.

She instantly felt ashamed when it said that it absolutely would not kill her, having been very careful since she was afraid of dying. She was glad that this creature didn't like the idea of murder, and she felt relief flow over her because of it, though she was still a bit afraid of it. She listened closely as it said it was letting her in on a secret, instantly becoming curious despite herself like how most pups would. She wanted to know what was so important for others not to know, and why it was important for not many to know since, after all, it was a secret. No matter, it'd be safe with her, at least that is how she thought now, though pups often did reveal secrets without meaning to.

Its story was interesting to her, it had actually starved itself because it didn't want to kill, something she didn't realize many beings felt. Again, she was still in the dark about hunting, and she didn't know what was involved in taking down prey, only that she could take the meat from dead ones if she was quick enough. She knew that they were killed, but still she didn't know how, though she had wanted to learn for a while, and just lacked a teacher. She didn't really know where to begin either, after all normally pups around the age she was when her mother died normally ate regurgitated meat out of their packmates' stomachs. She had to skip some of that after her mother died, and it certainly did take its toll on her stomach though she was starting to adapt to it as young wolves did.

Her smile widened as it said that her mother's killer was probably dying from guilt, making her feel safer than she had felt since her mother's death. She gathered the courage to take a few steps forward toward it as it ended its speech, herself feeling that she could trust it now. Confusion was still in her heart though, because he had said that she needed something worth fighting for, and she didn't know what that was or even if she had it. "What should I fight for, Requell? I have no pack." She didn't know the differences between hyenas and wolves, so she just treated Requell as one of her own kind, using the same terminology.

[Savage Sage]

Requell love Aiko's personality, how she could open up, but still let some suspicion be there, something to keep evil out. Something to protect her, and not let her innocence be wasted in such a short time. Because even pup's should understand life. But, Requell didn't take this for granted. she, however, sensed something in this pup, and whatever it was held much promise. Requell smiled, watching Aiko's smile grow. Her frailness was a wonder, to her, though, how small she was, yet how mature she was.

Requell knew how much she herself had to learn, and she accepted that much. Because, in heart, she was mature. she knew a lot, and she respected life's fate. It's turns, spins, everything that occurred. Life's biggest bumps and obstacles. She smiled at Aiko's grin, it was innocent indeed. So much potential, though.

Nothing to fight for. What to fight for. Requell put some thought into that, and then looked down for a moment, than back up, a smirk on her face. Well, Aiko, I ave an idea. If anything, right now! We could fight for each other. I don't have a pack either, but I want to make my own. Maybe, someday, you'll be a great Alpha! And then, we can fight with each other! Requell laughed, beginning to really think about her future. She was to become a leader, that she was sure of.

We are friends now, are we? Had Requell gained her first friend in Kypuio?

[smartboyathome]

Aiko got excited when she heard Requell say that he had an idea as to what she should be fighting for, she really wanted to know. Again, she listened closely, this time moving even closer than before, and giving yet more trust as she started to lose herself. As he started saying that they could fight for each other, she started to lift her front paws alternatively and wag her tail, excitement building more and more. She'd wanted a pack for a long time, her mother said that they would find one someday which would accept them and protect them, but it wasn't then. Now, perhaps she had found one though her mother hadn't since she hadn't lived long enough since she died protecting her pup.

Aiko didn't let that get her down, though, she wanted to do this, and she wanted to do it with Requell, very much her new found friend. "Yes, we are friends! That sounds great, Mr. Requell! Thanks!" She was so excited, now she'd finally be able to have a pack, perhaps even a father, though she didn't realize she was mistaking Requell's gender. She didn't know Hyenas, she was just excited at the thought of having someone with her again, though they'd never replace her mother. She couldn't wait to see what they would do with each other, and to learn how to fight since she was certain the hyena would teach her. She couldn't even remember being scared of it now, since her mind was distracted by other, more fun thoughts.

She ran around in circles, pent up happiness which she couldn't have since her mother died now suddenly pouring out of her. "What are we going to do now Requell? Can you teach me to fight, or to hunt, or maybe we can do something better?" She really wanted to know, and she could only think about how this creature did things since she didn't know at all. She couldn't get herself to calm down, she was physically unable to, and she didn't really understand why either since that is how she felt. She just ran around, panting and waiting for Requell's answer, as exciting as she knew that it would be.

[Savage Sage]

Requell giggled, and watched the pup jump up and down. Wagging it's tail. She felt joy, and it felt nice, it felt strength giving. Some thing she enjoyed. However, her smile dropped. Mr?! Not in a life time! Aiko, dear, I am a female... Requell looked down, embarrassed she could be mistaken as a male. She felt somehow... Less confident. But, she shook it off, trying to gain something. The pup at least thought she could fight, and hunt, and all those strong things. But, was it only because she thought Requell was male? Requell had tooken that offensive.

Aiko, I will not teach you to fight... For fighting is a burden no one should learn without experience. Maybe in time, but now, you're much to young. But, chase your dreams! Don't give up. Requell smiled sheepishly, a little upset at the point. But, as hard as she try to shake it off, she wondered if she could ever get a mate.

Oh stop, it's only a pup! Let alone, one who has never seen a Hyena! A voice whispered. The hyena smiled, and shook everything off. But, I'm all for hunting. Requell giggled, admiring her strength. Wanting Aiko to learn from it. She thought of many things she could teach Aiko. Many things, perhaps everything. No, not that much. Perhaps Requell would have the chance to learn something. Something soon, or something later. It all depends.

[smartboyathome]

Aiko stopped running around and became both embarrassed and confused as Requell said that she was female, stopping and looking at her. She didn't know hyenas, but they looked similar to wolves, and she at least knew what male wolves looked like, though living with her mother she had never seen one. She was positive that this was what what males looked like, which was what made what she was told all the more confusing to her. Perhaps she was confused, she pondered, and perhaps Requell could explain what she meant to her since she was all for learning new things. Hyenas were curious to her, so similar yet so different to what her own kind looked like and even acted like.

As she was told she'd not be taught to fight, however, a frown came on her face, since she was afraid that she had upset her new friend. She didn't want to have that happen, not so soon, but as Requell explained she understood, the hyena thought that she was too young. Aiko again was curious as to why her friend thought that she was too young, since her mother said that the games she played were to prepare her to fight and hunt. Maybe hyenas didn't get taught the same way, in which case she was going to have to learn even more, which was just as exciting to her. She didn't understand it all but she did know enough to know that in time she would learn about everyhting.

When Requell said they could hunt, Aiko became excited again, but not as much as before since she was still afraid of how she had offended her friend. She wanted to learn for sure, she wanted to know everything though of course this was the foolish thought that all pups had thought at one time or another. Looking up at Requell more patiently now, she said, "I'm sorry for calling you a male Requell, but you look like one to me. When can we hunt though? I'm starved!" She hoped that her friend would accept her apology and that they could hunt then and there, she really didn't want that hanging over them. She could tell that she had found someone trustworthy now more than ever, someone that she would probably be friends with forever.