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 Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:50 pm
 As much as he hated to do it, the cheetah cub forced himself to stay put and stay quiet. His body wanted to move, it willed him to do so, but his mind willed it to stay still a little while longer.
So, even thoug he could no longer see Xigbar, and his body had once again started trembling, he stayed still and waited for the leopard's return.
He'd come back soon...
Yep........any minute now.....
Of course every second feels like an eternity when you're waiting for something.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:11 pm
The hidden leopard hesitated a brief moment, almost holding his breath, silently praying that the cub would stay where he was. When no sound came, the leopard whispered a silent thanks and launched into his attack.
Strong powerful limbs propelled the adolescent leopard forward. Still young himself, the hunter had learned well, his skills already hardened and refined. The instant the dark predator revealed himself, the herd scattered, but this time it was he who had the advatage and his target who ran out of time.
Talons seized the gazelle, sinking into its hide as his momentum propelled him onto the creature, jaws parting to deliver the fatal blow. It was quick and the creature fell still before realizing what had happened.
The leopard remained atop his prey for a moment, tail flicking behind him. It was not until he was certain that it had breathed its last before he stood and dragged the fallen beast back toward where Demyx was waiting...or at least where he was supposed to be.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:19 pm
Small claws dug at the ground before, the small movement the only thing the cub allowed himself. He HAD to move, it was driving him nuts not to! But he didn't want to screw up again and upset Xigbar...
So he continued to dig at the ground, eyes open and ears alert for any sign of Xigbar's return. Soon enough he could hear the leopard coming back. Hear the prey being drug across the ground...
And yet still he refused to move. He would stay in this spot until Xigbar came back and said he could move. That way he could prove he could listen and do well!
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:31 pm
It was only a few moments before the dark leopard reached his small friend, prey in tow. His expression was one of relief when he found the cub still waiting there for him. True Demyx hadn't interupted the hunt this time, but if he had wandered off at all he might have gotten lost...or worse. Then Xigbar would have had to go looking for him, he certainly didn't feel like eating alone.
He dropped the prey, licking some of the blood from his maw before flashing a smile at the cheetah.
"Dig in."
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:50 pm
As soon as Xigbar gave the word Demyx was up on his feet and bounding happily around the leopard.
"See? I can be good! I stayed put and everything!"
His eyes soon fell on the prey that Xigbar had brought back, and the young one fell rather still and quiet. He always hated this part of meal time... He was hungry, and he needed to eat...he knew that. But some part of him always felt bad when seeing the prey.
Slowly he stepped closer to the prey, poking at it a bit with his paw.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:12 pm
"Yeah, I noticed, good job."
The leopard's tail flicked behind him as he watched the cub. Oi...he needed to stop that. It was silly to feel sorry for their prey, how else did he think they'd survive? For that matter how else did he think the herds would survive. Sigh...whatever, he was hungry, time to eat.
"Hurry up and eat while we still have the chance."
Xigbar had no reservations, he lowered his head and took a large bite from the creature's neck.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 9:40 pm
Demyx poked at it a moment longer before giving into his hunger.
"Okay..."
Ears flattening, Demyx slowly dug into their meal. He was grateful for it...really! He just couldn't help the bit of sadness he felt for the poor creature they were eatting.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:12 pm
The leopard watched his young friend for a moment, well at least he was eating, he supposed that was what mattered.
His ears flicked, ever alert even as he took another bite of the prey, swallowed and took another bite. Unlike Demyx he ate quickly, out here it was a necessity or some other predator might try to capitalize on on another's hard work.
He stripped the neck, soulders, and back of the beast, leaving the softer parts for the young cub. When he had eaten his fill, Xigbar settled back on his haunches and began to clean off his paws.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:25 pm
As Xigbar settled back, Demyx continued working on the meal. Being smaller however, it didn't take him too long after the leopard had fiinished to be done himself.
As soon as he was done the young one turned away from the kill, choosing to clean his paws off with a nice view of the grass around them rather than the bloodied beast.
"Thanks papa..."
Green eyes glanced over at Xigbar, tongue working to clean the blood from his fur. The sooner it was gone, the sooner he could stop thinking about it.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:06 pm
Xigbar just shook his head, well that's the way the cub was he guessed. He was young, he'd come to understand in time, and if he didn't...well then he'd deal with that later, it wasn't important right now.
His paws and muzzle cleaned, the leopard stood and stepped foward toward the young cub. The carcass of the beast was mostly stripped, it was small afterall, but a resourceful cat could make another meal out of it. His insticts told him he should save it somewhere for later, but somehow he got the feeling that dragging it along would only end up hurting the cub. Well he could always hunt again later.
"I'm not papa, but you're welcome."
He smiled reassuringly at the cub.
"You're probably thirsty now, huh?"
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:19 am
Cleaning off the last bit of blood from his own muzzle and paws, the cheetah cub looked up at Xigbar.
"Uh huh...I am...."
Demyx quickly scrambled to his feet, wincing a bit as a fresh wave of pain radiated down his legs. But the momentary bit of discomfort was soon forgotten, and the cub was once again eagerly bounding around his larger friend.
It was probably a good thing Xigbar wasn't going to drag along the carcass. The bloodied, mostly eatten corpse accompanying them would have really upset the small cheetah. As it was they'd soon be away from it and he'd be fine again.
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:32 pm
"Alright then, come on."
The leopard stepped forward, his strides carrying him toward the distant river. He moved slower than he normally would have, yellow eye always watchful. He didn't want the cheetah to fall behind, especially not with the smell of blood in the air. If the cub were to become seperated or lost, he could be in danger from the other predators who surely must have picked up the scent of their prey by now.
The water wasn't too far away, but it was still a good walk. It was a peaceful spot, the water clear and littered with large rocks which made crossing the swift current easy. Because of the conditions here, there were also no crocodiles, the large reptiles preffering to lurk in large calm bodies of water where they could lurk in the murky depths.
Xigbar's ears flicked at the sound of the rushing water, one paw reaching out to touch the cool liquid as it washed the dust from his dark fur.
"Watch your step."
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 1:31 pm
Demyx bounced along behind his friend. While the leopard easily walked the distance, Demyx chose to bounce around excitedly. He was certainly full of energy...a hyperactive cheetah couldn't be a good thing.
Once reaching the water, the young cheetah dashed over to the water and eagerly took a drink. The cool clear water felt great on his throat, and it was quickly washing away the last reminders of the meal they had just eatten.
He minded Xigbar's words, watching his step so he didn't stray too far into the water. As much as he liked it, he knew that the current could easily wash his small form away. That'd change later when he was bigger, but for now he had to be careful.
As soon as he had taken his full, the youngster once again started bounding around Xigbar happily.
"So what are we gonna do now papa? Huh huh?"
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 8:59 pm
Xigbar watched the cub from the corner of his eye, shaking his head and sighing quietly to himself. Oi...didn't that kid ever run out of energy? Normally a big meal would make one sleepy, but not this cub. Even the walk to the river didn't seem to have affected him. Where all cubs like this? Well...maybe he could burn off some of that energy.
The leopard stood still for a moment, front paws in the water letting it carry the dust and blood from his fur. Without a word he sprang from where he stood, leaping to a nearby rock, landing lightly as a feather on the smooth surface. Several more short hops and rocks later, he turned back to look toward the cheetah, seeing if he would follow.
He'd have to be careful though, one wrong step and the current would be a danger even for the larger leopard.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 11:34 am
"Papa?"
The young cheetah was watching the leopard, head tilted slightly in confusion.
"Where are you going?..."
Green eyes watched curiously as the older creature jumped across the rocks. Was he supposed to follow? Hadn't Xiggy told him to watch his step? Inching forward a bit in the water Demyx examined the water and the nearby rocks. He stood there a moment, fully thinking over his choices. He could try to follow...but...what if he didn't make it?
Ears flattening a moment, Demyx came to a decision. He was going to try and follow...show Xigbar he could do it too. Nodding to himself the young one crouched down, and jumped to the first rock.
And there he stayed, nervously looking around at the water and further planning his course of action.
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