Dhili was a little down in the dumps, ever since leaving Elekea behind. It was always the most unfortunate part of wandering and living a constantly moving life: one could not really settle down and make friends that easily. Well, the making friends part was easy, really, especially for someone like Dhili, but the keeping friends part was what tripped her up. Inevitably, they would always have to part ways. Only Ataruka had ever stuck with her, which made her feel like she had really hit the jackpot in finding him and somehow convincing him to travel with her.

When she looked at him now, she had to wonder why he picked her. He was so aloof and serious all the time, and hardly seemed to like the kinds of things she made him suffer through. Adventure, traveling constantly, getting into a lot of trouble for no real reason: it was clear that he was more often annoyed by than happy with things like that. He was a relatively quiet lion, after all, and would probably be much more suited for a solitary life. Or, better yet, a life with a family and a pride, where he could live quietly and comfortably.

Ataruka tended to agree with that thought process, though neither really discussed it out loud. He was only out here because he felt like someone needed to take care of the flighty Dhili, and make sure she stayed safe. Anyway, if he left her, what would become of her? She could just as soon walk off a cliff the moment she was out of his sight, and he would never be able to rest comfortably without knowing exactly where she was at all times now that he had gotten so wrapped up in her. Of course, he knew full well the real reason why he stuck so close, and why he was so concerned about her. They both did.

It was just really hard for either of them to say it, for different reasons.

Dhili swung her tail behind her as she eyed up the cliff of rocks and vines that they had walked up to. They were down in a gorge, and it would likely take some climbing to get out of it and back up to where they could find some hunting plains. This area did not look any better or worse than any of the other potential escape points they had found so far, but she was running out of patience for this ‘wait and see if anything easier comes up down the gorge’ tactic of Ataruka’s.

“I think we can climb up right here.”

“If we just walk a little further down, we may find a slope, or the gorge will naturally end and take us up. Climbing may not be necessary at all.” Ataruka shook his head, his mane fluffing up a bit with the motion and to reflect his annoyance. It made him look silly, though, and Dhili found it particularly hard to take him serious. She smiled at him, and, despite his even stare back at her, laughed.

“Oh, you’re so stubborn. No, we’re going to climb up right here, you big chicken. Come on, give me a boost. You can jump higher than I can.”

“Dhili…”

“Oh, if you’re just going to complain, then I’ll find my own way up! I just have to get to that ledge there, then I think I see a way to climb up! Come on, you big fur ball!” Dhili moved to bump her head playfully against his shoulder, giving him a shove, before she bounced away from him and looked up at the cliff again. There were a lot of out croppings that would be good to climb on, it was just a matter of getting from one to the next without falling down between. She doubted she would want to get to the top and then bounce and crash all the way back down through the rocks.

Taking a breath, she crouched down and wiggled her backside behind her, tail swishing as she focused on her goal. She leaped once she felt her muscles were fully coiled, claws extended, and grabbed on to the rocks with all her might. She scrabbled, her back feet not finding purchase, but soon her flailing paws found a soft ledge to rest on. Which then started pushing up under her feet, allowing her to push up further and climb onto the ledge she had been trying to get on to. Looking down, she saw Ataruka standing on his back paws, front ones on the rocks, head serving as her platform.

“Thank you!” she purred happily, grinning down at the annoyed expression he sent up at her from between her paws. She bounced off his head, pushing down on it with a bit more force than she really needed to, and laughed as she turned around to look down at him on the rocks. He bounced up to join her on the ledge, this one big enough for the two of them, and frowned at her distastefully. The front poof of his mane was mussy from her climbing on him, and he regretted letting her use his head as a stepping stone.

She made him feel better, though, by leaning against him and rubbing her head against his mane, then giving him a gentle, encouraging lick on the cheek. He blinked in dumb wonder, not expecting that kind of an affectionate show, and watched her as she coyly looked back over her shoulder before bouncing lithely up the cliff, climbing from rock to rock as she had indicated she would be able to. He was stuck in place for a long moment, just trying to figure out what happened.

“Aren’t you coming, Ataruka?” her voice reached him from somewhere above, and he snapped out of his daze. “I think it’ll be worth the effort.”

“Yes, maybe you’re right.” Ataruka finally managed, clearing his throat and following after her, while trying not to look like he was hurrying.


Word Count: 1,010