Hu wasn't sure how this happened. He was in a colony. Not only that, he was leading a colony. It was...mindblowing - but he loved the forest that housed the colony. It was twisted and jagged and there were so many places of solitude. Which was where he was hiding right that moment, except...
"Hu!"
He cringed from his position lazing in the tree. He didn't hate the owner of the voice who was calling him, but still, he wanted a few moments of silence. Was that truly too much to ask for?
"Yes, Arcus," Hu called back, his deep, husky voice shaking the branches nearest him, and he turned a lazy gaze to the leopard who had launched himself into the tree closest to his. His mood was significantly improved by the figure scampering up the tree after the male though. "Ua!" His voice warmed with delight.
Arcus, the first leopard to speak, looked surprised at the warmth that was apparent in their new leaders voice. He glanced at the female, who was beaming at the striped male and scrambling from branch to branch to reach closer to him.
Hu, in a rare fit of affection, covered the last of the distance between their branches, nuzzling at her pale cheek. "How did you find me?"

"I caught your scent when I was walking!" Ua said, delighted. "I smelt out leopards but I figured their scents must have just lingered. I didn't imagine there would be all of this here!" She glanced around them, though there was only the three of them currently at the tree they resided in. Hu had well and truly snuck off from the colony.

"Ah yes, it is surprising how many leopards one forest can harbor," Hu admitted calmly, flicking his gaze back to the silent pale figure. "How is it that Arcus found you?"

Ua glanced at him too, looking mildly embaressed. "I...ah...fell out of the tree I was in, and Arcus heard." She coughed sheepishly, drawing an exhasperated and mildly befuddled look from Hu.

"You fell."

"Yes," Ua confirmed reluctantly. "No one was there to see it!"

"But someone was there to hear it," Hu reminded tightly, before glancing at Arcus. "How did you know to bring her to me?"

"She claimed that she knew you," Arcus said coldly, keeping his gaze on the male before him and not at the female that was still trying to wiggle closer to Hu's branch, though looking rather unsuccesful at it. "And it seems now that she was telling the truth."

Hu snorted. "She does not lie, as is her fault." He shifted lightly on his branch, making room for the feline to finally board his branch. She looked victorious and flopped down on his back, resting her front paws over his back and her back paws resting on the branch.

"I missed you," Ua admitted quiety to Hu, so that Arcus could not hear, but she was barely quiet so Arcus heard clearly.

"I missed you too," Hu admitted, his voice quiet but he did not attempt to prevent Arcus hearing. The silent pale male would not share what he heard, unless it was to his benefit.

"I can't believe you're...like...leading!" She giggled. "You hate people. No offense," she added to Arcus.

"Hu does not hide his contempt of most," Arcus said calmly, with a shrug. Ua looked amused, and Hu simply unconcerned with the being the topic of conversation.

"It does not take much to lead this group," Hu said, with a noncomittal shrug. "A mere disagreeance or two is all that has occurred in the months that I have been here."

Arcus looked slightly surprised at the idea that that was all it was. It hadn't exactly been smoothe but he supposed in times of peace, it was easier to see it all as mild disagreeances, rather than something more serious. But it was not his place to correct the council - not at all. So he held his tongue and waited, wanting to see just how the pair would interact further.

"I'm glad, Hu," Ua said honestly, smiling softly. "After your last home...I'm glad you found something quieter."

Hu offered a tight, small smile at her. "Have you been shown to the dens?" There was no question that she would stay. Hu was clearly reluctant to let her go, and so why should he leave her on her own, in the forest? It was a ridiculous thought.

"Not yet," she said, rising to her paws, and removing herself from the childish sprawl. "Am I staying?"

"Yes."

"Ok," Ua responded, rather amused at the idea but not reluctant to stay. Arcus was again surprised, but kept his expression blank. These two were a strange pair. Were they a couple? They did not seem intimate enough to be a couple, but...he was not one to judge.

"Arcus," Hu said, rising to his paws, and shifting around Ua to leap to the nearest big branch. "Inform the other Sentries and Warriors that Ua is not to be harmed. She will stay here as long as she is comfortable." His gaze warned that any disagreeance would not be accepted.

Not that Arcus would have allowed any harm to be befall the petite white leopard watching him curiously from the other branch. She was very...cute...in a 'I cant take care of myself' kind of way. Arcus smirked to himself but inclined his head to Hu. "Of course, Council Hu." He stepped backwards on his branch, and went to turn.

"Wait? You're leaving?" Ua called out before Arcus could disappear into the trees.

"Only for now," Arcus said calmly, not turning back, for fear Hu would see something in his gaze towards the leioness that was not what the elder leopard wanted to see. "I will return to my post, amongst the Warriors and Sentries."

"Oh, well thank you for escorting me to Hu! I appreicate you taking time out," Ua said, sad that he only nodded and did not turn back to her. With a tensing of his muscles, he launched himself forward onto the nearest available branch. Within seconds, he had disappeared amongst the thing and twisted forest.

Ua pouted lightly and glanced back at Hu, who was watching her knowingly and a tad disapprovingly. He knew Arcus, and the leopard was far too cold for someone as sweet as Ua.

"No," he said quite simply, and bluntly. Ua looked startled and then pouted further.

"Hu!" She groaned. "I was just thanking him!"

"Still," Hu continued, jumping to the nearest branch and waiting for her to follow. "In case any strange thoughts do cross your mind. Just remember. No."

Ua rolled her eyes. "You're so over dramatic Hu. Can I see my new home now?"

Hu nodded, and within a few moments, they too had disappeared into the forest, towards the denning trees.



[RP Count: 1,146 ]