Ank threw her nose up in the air. Even if she was scared there was no way she would admit it to her sister. At least not out loud. There was no way that Nathy would let her live it down if she told her."I haven't, myself," she admitted. "Sorely wish I had, but I'm afraid not. I do wish I knew what mother was up to these days. You'll send word if you hear from her won't you?"
"Of course, you'll do the same?" she called over her shoulder as she clamoured up and over a fallen log instead of going around it. It was more fun that way."I wish I knew what Aunt Ana was and how she was doing! I miss her." She really did, a lot. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen her.
"Of course I would, Nanthy!" she said, hurrying up a bit to catch up with her sister. "I'll deliver it myself once you show me where you live." She was positively beaming as she followed her sister along the feint path.
"Oh, Aunty! I miss her too. And our little cousins! It's been far too long. Do you figure they're doing well? Aunty has always been such a determined lady."
"Oh I'm sure they are! Aunt Ana is the greatest. I'm sure she's doing wonderful." Over the log she waited for Ank to catch up, her tail swaying happily. This was such a good day! She had had a good breakfast, and now she had found Ank! It couldn't get any better.
"You know, once you know where I live you better come visit me! I've missed you, you know. Now that I've found you I want to see more of you!"
"I'm sure that's true. I havn't seen them since they were wee little things, you know? But they all took all their momma's best qualities so I imagine you're quite right."
The log was a bit of a challenge to get over but she kicked and squirmed and eventually got her rear over to the other side next to her sister.
"Now that I know where you'll be I'll surely be by!" she'd brave the snakes and everything. "I'll even bring you some of those little field mice you used to love so."
She knew her aunt and her cousins would be alright, but she had to admit that she was curious to see how they were doing too. It would be nice to even just visit with them.
She smirked a bit as Ank climbed her way over, but she didn't comment on it, letting her keep her dignity.
"Oh! Field mice. I would lovsome field mice. Where have you taken up shelter then, Ank? Where do you call home?" She imagined somewhere nice and cozy.
She flushed a little at the mention of a 'home', "Afraid I don't have one, little Niddy. I've been wandering about trying to find a good little plot of land to call my own with lots of game and not too many big cats keen on pushing me around. I've had no luck yet but it seems like you've found you yourself a pretty nice little place around these parts, would you say so?"
It wasn't entirely the truth. She didn't fancy living anywhere so close to the jungle, never mind possibly IN the jungle.
"Are we nearly there then?"
Nthanda thought the jungle was a good place for home! There was lots of shade, and always lots of game. Once you familiarized yourself with the area you could find food almost anywhere if you were clever and stealthy enough, She always had liked to think she was just that. There was also lots of places to cover if the big cats decided to venture in.
"We are," she nodded. "Just around this bend here..." And there it was indeed. A rather large upturned tree provided the shelter, it's large roots reaching out over to create a sort of cave, dark and warm and very inviting. Nthanda stopped outside of it, grinning.
"What do you think, Ank?"
It was very, very difficult to tell which nook or cranny Niddy might have been referring too when she said they'd arrived at her home, but Ank was pretty sure she wasn't having her leg pulled and for that very reason she said, "It's brilliant! One of the best I've ever seen, dear sister!"
She looked over a the orange and black jackal and smiled a big, honest, smile. "Whatever made you think it would be a good idea to hole up in the jungle? Would never have imagined doing it myself."
She smiled wide at what appeared to be her sister's approval and went inside. She had to crouch low to get under the root over crop, but there was much more room to stand and get comfortable. It had taken her a long time to burrow out the hollow and make it deeper and more even, but she was quite proud of the result.
Turning around she tilted her head at Ank. "It just seems more safe here than out there in the open!" she explained, shrugging. "There's lots of shade, and lots of places to hide."
"Well you've certainly managed to make a good home for yourself!" she couldn't see all too much within the burrow but from the feel of it, it was one of the best she'd ever been in. "Mama and Aunty Anasi would be so proud of you!"
She circled around the small area once, being careful not to bump into her sister on her way. "Say now, it's getting a bit late. Would you mind me staying here for the night?"
She beamed even wider, bumping up against her sister happily. She knew exactly where everything was in her little home, even despite the dark. "I certainly hope so," she said, bobbing her head. "I hope I get to show them sometime."
She turned to face Ank when her sister asked. "Oh, yes! Please do! I would love to have you stay over night. It'd be nice to snuggle up with you again. I'll even catch us some dinner. It'll be lovely."
end
