Their progress deeper into the woods went unhindered and unchallenged. Not a solitary discordance could be heard amidst the typical chatter of the forest. Birds sat perched in their treetop abodes, whistling and chirping their songs to one another. Earth-dwelling critters scurried about in the bushes and undergrowth in search of any number of necessities or curiosities. These sounds were familiar to any whom dwelled in the forest lands or whom hunted their quarry within them. They were welcome utterances. Sounds which spoke to the relative lack of danger nearby. Of course, if one was the danger of which to be warned, then it soothed the nerves to know one’s presence remained undetected. Hollow could appreciate with great certainty the noises touching upon his ears. The flitting and buzzing of bugs, albeit annoying, signified that danger lurked nowhere near them. Every bird’s call, every rustling of leaf litter, it all worked to calm his hypervigilant mind. True, these could have easily been interpreted as signs of danger as well; however, it was the note in which these sounds occurred which leant to his slowly easing state of mind. A bird would not chirp at danger. No, it would let out a piercing scream or wail to warn its fellows. The animals scuttling below would draw silent for fear of being discovered. Such were the ways of the hunter and the hunted. Hollow felt obliged a little happiness that he was not perceived as a danger in that moment. At least some animals deigned not to automatically assume him evil. Granted, they would not be granted the opportunity to reconsider if he were in his predatory mode, aching for a meal.
But let’s not think of such things. He shook his head to clear away the unbidden images of a bloodied rabbit aloft in his paw. The time for hunting would be later- when needed. For now, he and Shinzui walked in quietly side by side, no more than travelers of the region.
“It is pleasant to hear the birds singing.” Shinzui noted with a glance to the treetops, always somehow capable of echoing the thoughts ringing in Hollow’s own head.
“Agreed. It is nice not to be pummeled with the screeches and wails we are usually given. A very rare chance at simply enjoying the forest.” His words were less snide than normal. The peaceful nature of the wooded road seemed to have settled somewhere inside his soul. An odd sensation to be certain, but a welcome one. Times of peace and relaxation were rarer for the duo than most might believe. Any opportunity for it must be cherished and relished for all that it could be.
“I wonder if there is a river nearby…? I fancy a nice dip in the cool mountain waters would be rather therapeutic for our weary muscles. Wouldn’t you say, Shin?” The large stallion cocked his head slightly to gaze down at his friend. The smaller wolf nodded approval.
“I would have to agree. The spring runoff might be powerful, yet quite—” He had meant to finish his sentence with “refreshing.” It was the snapping of twigs in the distance which brought him to a halt. Shinzui halted, narrowing his eyes upon Hollow in question. Hollow gave an affirming dip of his snout. Of course, he had heard the snapping of the twigs and swishing of branches. What’s more, he noticed the change in tune of the animals all around them. Not quite alarmed, yet not as pleasing as before. Whatever or whomever approached must be an uncertainty. To Hollow, an uncertainty was the same as a threat.
“Shin, behind me for now, if you please.” If a fight were to break out, then the wolf could bolt into the bushes to prepare for an ambush.
Assuming that a fight is started… Hollow reminded himself that not everyone desired a row with him, though his recent encounters would have suggested otherwise.
The feline-coated stallion stood rooted to the spot, muscles tightening in anticipation. His dark orbs shifted to and fro in the direction where the trundling emanated. Tilting his head up a hare, he drew in a deep breath to smell the air. Oh yes, someone definitely approached. The wind shifted and he caught a fainter secondary scent.
Make that two someones. Eventually, the source of the noise broke through the strand of trees blockading his view. Hollow’s pupils dilated in surprise before settling back to normal appearances. An enormous stallion appeared in the thicket of trees. His large body of white gleamed in the sun, glistening off the tiny objects…were those trees?!... on his back. The second individual did not appear.
Perhaps hidden for an ambush? A snort of mild bemusement escaped from him.
If that’s the case, then they will not find it so easily done. Choosing to keep his knowledge of the other hidden for now, Hollow addressed the massive stallion before him.
“Is there something I can help you with?” He kept his tone even so as not to present either threat or weakness.
Whoan
No worries! Real life has a way of eating people. <3
