Anju had decided she was going to try her luck with hunting by herself today, however it seemed like it was a very futile point. She just wasn’t getting the hang of this solo hunt just yet and she had at least two failed attempts so far with some water bucks. Her ears flattened to her head as she finally sat down with a huff deciding enough was enough for the moment.
Hadeth had been watching the young leopard for a little bit now. She couldn’t help but laugh to herself as she made failed attempt after failed attempt to catch the spry beasts. She figured, as she watched the young female sit down; she would interject and help out. She had been sitting atop a small rock formation just watching and realized that the poor thing was probably hungry and she was starting to feel the pangs of hunger herself. She carefully leapt from rock to rock down to the savannah ground and she padded silently over towards the colorful leopard. She cleared her throat as she made her approach so as to not get a nasty response from suddenly surprising the poor dear. “Hello, do you mind if I try the hunt with you? I couldn’t help but notice your bad luck.” She said kindly trying to offer.
Anju turned her gaze to the female that was approaching her and noticed her odd lineage. She hadn’t seen any hybrids before so this was a first for her. She looked like a leopard, but at the same time she didn’t. She listened as the spotted female offered her help in hunting and she couldn’t exactly say no. She did desperately need the help. She stood up and faced the female and sighed. “I would very much like if you don’t mind.” She said regretfully. She wished she was better at this solo thing, but I guess it would take time.
Hadeth noted the other response and gave her a warm smile to reassure her. “It’ll take some time for you to get better. Don’t give up hope yet. Now let’s go get us some grub.” She said padding past the female towards a group of water bucks not too far away.
Anju had to agree, she was still new at this and shouldn’t been too hard on herself. It was just still so new to her. She missed what she used to have, but not what it had cost her. She snorted and followed quietly behind the white female. She would have to ask her what she was later. That lineage was still so new to her. It was pretty, but still odd. What was she? She came to a halt besides Hadeth as they gazed at the pack of water bucks waiting to see one that the two of them might be able to bring down together. There were a few young ones but the mothers were being extra cautious today and they didn’t want a horde of angry mothers after them.
Hadeth spotted the male first, he was limping; a perfect target. “There.” She said pointing him out and she started towards the west and hoped anju knew how to follow suite and get into position. Anyone who had hunted with another should know what to do at this point. If they missed she would just try again. She was sure the young female would learn soon enough.
Anju saw him moments after Hadeth did and she went northeast so she could cut him off as Hadeth chased him. She got into position in some of the taller brush and awaited for Hadeth to spook him this way so she could pounce on him.
Hadeth watched as he started to mosey away from the rest of the group and she took this as the opportune moment to strike. She took off after him and he noticed a tad too late and darted off towards Anjus direction. Luckily for hadith she was gifted enough to have the cheetah speed so wearing him out wasn’t going to be an issue for her. She hoped anju was ready for this. She was almost certain she could catch him herself, but she wanted the other to learn.
Anju felt her body tense up in anticipation and she watched as the “leopard” took off like lightning and she was definitely going to have to find out what she was. She knew she couldn’t run like that even if she tried. She waited until the animal was close enough and she darted out from her hiding spot in front of the frightened creature and it pivoted to the right and into hadeths path so it darted back the other way, which worked out well for the leopard. She pounced, landing on his shoulder/back, her claws digging into him as she drug his front end forward towards the ground. She felt another form hit the body and looked over to see Hadeth grabbing hold of his back end weighing him down. Anju dug into his throat, suffocating the beast that way. Within minutes it was over.
Hadeth was impressed and glad it had worked out so well. This would definitely feed the two for a little bit. But they needed to get it out of the area or at least into a nearby tree so they could eat it up there. “Let’s hall this up into that tree over there.” She said pointing to a sturdy looking tree. Last thing they needed was for some scavengers to come poking around. She remembered the last time that happened and she knew Jabari wasn’t anywhere near to help out this time.
Anju looked at the direction of the tree and nodded. She picked up the dead animal and started dragging it that way and finally got to the base of the tree and drug the carcass up to a reasonable height.
Hadeth followed close behind her and she climbed up to branch across from the one Anju had settled in. “You did very well that time.” She said with encouragement to the young female. “I’m Hadeth.” She figured they might as well introduce one another now.
Anju smiled at the others praise and she liked the way her name sounded. “I’m Anju! I really couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you again.” She said before considering how she was going to ask the other what she was. “What are you exactly? You look like a Leopard but you run like a cheetah.” She was confused as to how that was possible.
“I’m actually both. Parents were a Leopard and a Cheetah; I got lucky that way I guess.” She said with a small laugh. She was used to others asking her what she was now. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Anju. What do you say we eat while the kill is still warm?” She said, they could get to know each other better after they ate.
“I thought that might be it… I wasn’t sure.” She said softly looking down for a moment. “I am pretty hungry. It’s nice to meet you to Hadeth.” With that the two dug into the well-earned meal.
1200 words
