“Uhh, Miss?” A timid voice called from the mouth of the darkened den. Inside, Nyata'mtu snorted, and contemplated feigning sleep – but knowing that owner of the voice, he'd probably just stay out there all night until she spoke to him.
“Yes, Ning?” She sighed, and raised herself up. Aynashi was buried further in the back of the den, sleeping sprawled out in a disorganised adolescent sprawl. L'amiie was...somewhere outside, Nyata presumed. She often lost track of that bird, but the brightly feathered female would always appear if she was needed, or if she wasn't needed – she seemed to have a knack of knowing exactly when someone wanted, or really didn't want her around.
Ning'tu peeked into the den, shifting awkwardly on his feet. “You told me to wake you when the moon hit the centre of the sky,” he said quietly, keeping his voice down so as to not wake the slumbering cheetah.
Nyata blinked, her sleepy brain catching up to his words and her eyes finally realising that it was significantly brighter than it had been earlier in the night. It was her turn to keep watch. “Ah, right. Thank you.” She pushed herself up slowly, her body protesting every move.
“You're welcome,” Ning hurried to assure, smiling at her as she passed him out of the den. He hesitated, knowing from both L'amiie and Aynashi that he was welcome within the den but feeling awkward about taking that step in. Nyata watched him as she settled herself beneath the tree they had designated as the 'watch' tree.
“Go in,” Nyata told him firmly.
Giving a slightly sheepish grin, Ning mumbled a 'thanks' and 'goodnight' before he ducked into the den. Nyata rolled her eyes.
He was such a strange male.
She settled into her watch, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck every once in a while to keep herself awake and coherent. It might have been overkill, having a guard duty while Aynashi was sleeping, but Hawa had always insisted that Aynashi's father had been someone special, and with specialness came danger. Not to mention, Hawa had always been so afraid of the other rogues, which was why she had clung to Nyata so much, even more when Aynashi was born.
Sighing softly, she rested her chin on her paws as she watched the surrounding areas for signs of movement.
Nyata missed Hawa. The cheetah had been absolutely crazy, but the females had taken care of each other, watched out for each other like they were sisters, despite their differing species. When Aynashi had come along, Nyata had been as proud as if Aynashi had been her own niece and she had been delighted to watch over her. She had watched over Hawa too, even if the elder female had never admitted it.
Hawa just...had never been made for a rogue life. She was the sort that wanted, or rather felt she needed, constant protection, coddling, and general adoration. Which was perhaps why she had fallen so hard for the male she had met. He had adored her, for the brief time they had been together. Nyata had never gotten the chance to meet him, but she had a feeling that if she did ever find the male, her paw would hit his head – or somewhere more personal – and hit him hard.
He'd broken Hawa by leaving, and taken a piece of Aynashi with him when he left, leaving the girl to grow up feeling as she wasn't whole. It was only for Aynashi that Nyata was even bothering to look for the selfish and stupid male.
Some time later into her watch, while fighting a gentle doze, Nyata's ears twitched as the sound of a twig snapping broke the silence of the night. Muscles tensing immediately, she prepared herself for battle, until a familiar figure appeared in the shadows, dragging what appeared to be a hollowed log with water in the hollow, protected from sloshing out on the ground by the wood. It wasn't very deep, but there was enough water in there for someone to lap at and quench a thirst.
“Ning,” Nyata hissed. “What are you doing?”
The male hyena froze, looking panicked for a moment. “Uh, getting you some water?”
Nyata wanted to groan. “Why?”
Ning shifted on his paws, looking extremely awkward which made Nyata feel awkward, and just left them staring at each other blankly for a while.
“I thought you might be thirsty,” Ning finally admitted. “When we ate last night, you ate last and then you gave all the water you'd collected to Aynashi. L'amiie had already drunk while we fetched it, but...you hadn't. I thought...”
Nyata scowled. Why was he so damn nice about everything? It was pissing her off.
But still...
She sighed. “Thank you Ning.” She got to her paws, moving over to lap at the water, glancing at the huge grin on his face with some suspicion.
“You're welcome, Nyata'mtu!”
He hadn't gotten to calling her 'Mtu' like her friends did, as he wasn't really a friend. More like a travel partner. Or an acquaintance. Or a nuisance. Eh, he was one of the above.
“Was that all?” Nyata demanded, after she had drunk the water and reclaimed her spot. Ning still stood there, beaming at her with a rather ridiculous expression on his face. As if she had just given him the best present ever by accepting the water.
“Oh! Yes. That was all,” Ning rushed to say, looking embarrassed that he had been caught grinning and staring at the female. He wasn't around his own kind much anymore, and to be honest, he really enjoyed Nyata's company, even if she was a bit of a sour-hyena at times.
Nyata stared at him when he made no move to go back into the den.
“Well?” She demanded, and he again looked embarrassed.
“Yes, well. Goodnight, Nyata'mtu!” Ning said, backing up and tripping over a rock. He stumbled, but didn't fall, making Nyata release a short bark of laughter.
He looked embarrassed – but somehow still pleased that he'd made her laugh.
“Goodnight, Ning,” she muttered, faintly amused. “Stay in the den.”
“Yes, I will,” Ning assured her, peering at her for a moment, before shooting her a bright smile. “Happy guarding,” he told her and ducked back inside.
Nyata stared at the den with a look of bemusement, before rolling her eyes skywards, addressing Mkodi. “If this is your idea of a joke, sending him to us, I'm not laughing.” She scowled. “You have a twisted sense of humour – and even worse matchmaker skills.”
She shook her head, casting another glance at the den before returning to her watch.
He was just too ridiculous.
