The hunt for water (Shika x Hihidaruma)

[MiddyGlow]

Shika frowned she was nervous she didn't like being out in the daytime but it was getting hotter and she needed water badly she sighed heavily the search for water was a challenge and if she didn't make it to a water hole she would die. She lifted her head and scented the air, but she wasn't sure which way to go. She lay down in the monkey grass and panted out another breath she had to figure this out her life depended on it. She preferred to hide. She wasn't strong and brave like some other hyenas and she didn't have a pack to lean on.  

[Henry_kunz]

Hihidaruma was padding along with purpose in his stride, red eyes narrowed slightly to avoid the suns glare. He hated going out at this hour, the sun wasn’t a friend at this time and he was already panting softly. It was his own fault, he’d gone to sleep too far from a water source and now he was paying for it begrudgingly. Every once in a while he could be heard mumbling to himself, he doesn’t even notice others anywhere near him, couldn’t care less that a rabbit has to bound away lest it get stepped on. When he needs water he doesn’t like conversation. Eventually the very faint smell of water reached his nose, that steady pace sped up yet still easy to prevent getting himself into worse trouble, like heat exhaustion.  

[MiddyGlow]

Shika spotted a male hyena moving along with what appeared to be the same purpose as she had the need to survive. She snuck along behind him keeping to the monkey grass, hoping he wouldn't spot her and he would lead her to water. Clearly, they both needed water to survive. She really didn't want to die, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life, but dying would really mess up trying to figure anything out. So she had to survive and if following this strange red male lead her to the chance to live and find water so be it.  

[Henry_kunz]

The smell was faint for a bit before Hihi could really lock into the location, he’d been going in the general direction. “Aha-“ His tone came off as triumphant yet in a grumbly way as he gave a long sniff then shifted his path to the left. After a few minutes more he could hear what sounded to be water splashing, red ears swiveling. A little river, perfect. Now with the resource in sight he went more for a trot, only stopping once he reached the edge and could dip his head down to finally get a good long drink. It was a nice sized source, and it seemed to be nice and fresh, it was definitely cool and refreshing...he no longer felt half dead on his feet.  

[MiddyGlow]

Shika moved quietly by the edge of the river trying to keep to the tall grass so she didn't reveal herself to the other hyena since she didn't know if he would be friendly she didn't like taking risks. She was a shy gentle hyena which didn't make surviving in the rouge lands an easy task. She was also afraid of lions which made things even more difficult. Someday she would have to find her courage or just hide away for the rest of her life, to her either was an option. She peeked out of the grass carefully watching the red male.  

[Henry_kunz]

Hihi was far too busy with his own thirst to care about whether anyone else was around him, not that it was a safe mindset. Normally he was cautious, this time he'd been in dire straights. Once he took a break to breathe in deeply he caught a new scent of a possible other creature. Nobody was directly in his line of sight though, so after a final sip he sat a few feet off to the side to begin grooming at his fur, a particular spot tangled due to where he'd slept then ignoring it too long. Feeling much more hydrated improved his mood making him visibly less tense, posture relaxed as he groomed in leisure yet showed no sign of leaving.  

[MiddyGlow]

The male was taking forever to leave and her thirst was too much for her to handle she had to drink, so she came out of the grass quietly and went to river keeping her eyes up to watch him to make sure he wasn't going to attack her. She was worried but if she kept hiding till he left she was worried she would pass out and die of thirst. She looked around and her ears twitched keeping an ear out for any other creature that was desperate for water in this heat. Lion, leopard. Who knew what else could be out there?  

[Henry_kunz]

It takes a bit longer than it should to notice a female had approached, if she’d been after him he’d have fangs in his hide already. Hihi gives a soft grunt, watching her closely until she starts drinking then manages to relax. She probably got overheated as well, he couldn’t blame her for slinking to the water especially with the sun being so cruel. For once in his life he doesn’t get snarky or make comments, instead he goes back to grooming. At one point though he does get another drink, moving to give her more space and try to show he’s not a threat. At least, not as long as she remains peaceful as well. “Just keep to your side.” Is all he’d mutter to her, tone nearly monotone.  

[MiddyGlow]

Shika shrunk in on herself when the male noticed her and said she should stay to her side as if she would get that close to him and risk her life. She didn't trust this male hyena any further than she could throw him and since she didn't think she could throw him at all that must into perspective how much she didn't trust this male. They would drink and then go there sperate ways and it would be fine. They didn't have to become friends. She didn't need any friends she was fine on her own she had survived this long.  

[Henry_kunz]

Hihi was never one for comforting others, so when she didn’t respond he just ignored her. At least, he did for a while. Once the elusive snark had been tugged from his coat he looked at her again while still giving her space. It’d been a bit since he’d gotten so close to another of his kind, most were far off or hidden and lions came about more often. In a weird way it was pleasant to share the space, temporarily, with her even if they didn’t become friends. That’s ok, not everyone will be your friend out here and he just doesn’t feel social right now. Letting out a soft huff he got up then stretched, his back popping in just the right place to feel better.  

[Henry_kunz]

Fin