Barafu'moyo:
Barafu sat outside of the den, watching the sun go down. Pich and his female were inside, but his son and Shai weren't home yet. He wasn't surprised with his mate, he knew she could take care of herself and liked to go her own way, but Baridi was a creature of habit when it came to certain things. And one of those was coming back to the den before sundown.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich frowned as he saw his uncle outside of the den, he waited a while longer beside the sleeping Fu before slowly standing. He had to tell his uncle what had happened with Baridi, though in truth he wasn't quite sure of what had happened himself. He sighed and headed over sitting in the den entrance to make sure he kept Fu safe. "Uncle Barafu..."
Barafu'moyo:
Bafaru glanced at his nephew and his mouth twitched into a small smile. He returned his gaze to the horizon and flicked one ear at Pich.
"You haven't seen your cousin today, by any chance? I would have expected him home by now," he said softly, his tone mild. Pich seemed odd. Perhaps it was his worry for the girl, Fususi. She was hurt, after all, but by his thinking, she should be better in several days.
Pich'Nkosana:
"Baridi and I...had a fight." There was no mincing words with his uncle Pich just couldn't skirt things with Barafu. Besides he felt bad, guilty for the way his cousin had run off and with the sun slowly coming down and no sign of him...his ears fell back unhappily. "I thought he would be home by now..."
Barafu'moyo:
Barafu frowned. Baridi and Pich fought, but this sounded different.
"What kind of fight, son?" He had always called Pich that, or his nickname. It was what he was to Barafu.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich stood and paced slowly his tail lashing in anger, annoyance. He looked up at his uncle and sighed. "I went out for a bit...and then I heard her scream..." He glanced into the den for a moment. "Baridi was hurting her, he wanted to kill her, I thought he understood to leave her be."
He gave a soft growl before frowning and looking out as the sun dipped lower. "I didn't mean to fight with him, but he came at my back..." He closed his eyes for a moment pained by having fought with his cousin, and over a female of all things...a female...he loved.
Barafu'moyo:
Barafu frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing. He had known his son was violent and would exploit those weaker than him, just like he had a habit of doing. But Pich was his brother, who had never crossed him. Sure, Barafu hated his brother and sister, but his was born of jealousy and all things considered he didn't much care. He'd hurt Mafunde and beat Kweupe. He wouldn't spend any extra effort on them. Baridi had grown well as did Pich and Shaira. And Fu belonged to Pich. By accounts, that meant her part of the family and you didn't attack the family.
Baridi had attacked two members, one wounded and the other while his back was turned.
"Then my son truly is insane..." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't beat yourself over this. It was his choice, Pich."
Pich'Nkosana:
"No...no uncle it...maybe Baridi was jealous, worried that she..." She what? She was just a weak female she couldn't hurt him, except that oddly he wondered if she could. He had felt such a tight ache inside seeing her hurt, and her words uplifted him.
"I shouldn't have fought with him though Uncle, and now...he isn't back." He moved over beside his uncle to sit and lowered his head. "I wish I could take it back."
Barafu'moyo:
Barafu stood then and shook his head.
"Pich, if you care about the female, you were in the right. I would have done the same for your aunt. I need to go find her, tell her to keep an eye out. Your cousin is self-centered, I just didn't realize how much," he replied and looked at his nephew. Pich didn't share his ideals, but he didn't care. He was just as much a son of his as Baridi was, maybe more.
"Go along, back to your Fu. Stop worrying about your cousin." He turned away then, heading off into the growing night in search of his mate.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich sighed and gave a nod to his uncle giving his head a soft bump in farewell. He waited until his uncle was gone before turning back to look at Fu. Yes he did care for her as little as he was able to understand it. He slunk back inside and curled around her to nuzzle her cheek. "I love you Fu..." He sighed softly and closed his eyes.
