A little friendship is all you need (Hyper and Clary)

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby could help but smile coyly at Xoren's words. She cleared her throat and her fur warmed greatly from embarrassment. "Your father's right." She stammered. "We both just wanted to find our family." She continued, trying to regain her composure. She could feel Xoren's gaze on her but she didn't dare look at him and give away that she might very well feel something more than just friendship towards the male.

Ruby heard Iris giggle and looked up at her, "Ohhhhh sissy has a cruuush." She said in a singsong voice, causing Ruby to go even warmer. "Sola, Sola you're going to be another sissy to me soon!" She giggled.

"Shut up Iris." Ruby hushed, her voice quivering with embarrassment before she shot Xoren an apologetic look, "I'm sorry about Iris."

[Hypercube]

(OOC: Happy third page =D)

Xoren chuckled, partially from his own ensnarement and partially to dispel the situation. "It's fine," he managed to giggle out, "It's nice to have some childish fun after so long!" Knowing that Ruby had made a conscious attempt to not look to Xoren, he looked away, staring to the nearly set sun. "It's almost night, should we set up camp here?" Sola looked around from their spot insignificant spot in the huge savanna, seeing nothing but lonely blades of grass scattered all about. "There isn't much around here to settle into though. Maybe we should just keep moving for a bit longer," she commented, readjusting Iris atop her back.

Looking around, Xoren realized that she was correct, but he was still torn as to what he should do. It was an odd feeling for him, as he had never had to worry about others in his travel up until this point. "What do you think Ruby?" he asked, looking for an experienced mother for advice.

[Ruby_Fehu]

)OOC: Oh yeah! Haha :3)

Ruby looked around thoughtfully, her head tilted to one side. "I think we should continue a little more. It's not safe staying here. We're completely vulnerable. I think, the first copse of trees or rocks we get to we should shelter there but take it in turns to keep watch." She said after a moment of hesitation. She looked on Sola's back to see Iris asleep. "Do you want me to take her back?"

[Hypercube]

"No, it's alright," Sola whispered as to not wake the sleeping cub, "I can handle her." Sola continued to walk between the two adults, her eyes darting along with her father's to find some sort of cover from the impending shroud of night. As they reached the peak of a small knoll, Xoren spotted a small pool of water, glistening in the twilight. "Over there!" he said, "that looks like a good place to rest for tonight."

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby glanced ahead and nodded her agreement. "Let's go." She replied.

The young hybrid led the way up to the water and sure enough it seemed safe and sheltered enough. She took Iris from Sola's back carefully before lying down in a C shape in the shade of a tree, before placing Iris in the curve of her stomach and resting her head on her paws. She looked up at Xoren and Sola, waiting for them to lie down. "I'll take the first watch. You two rest." She said looking between the two; her gaze lingering on Xoren a little longer than it did Sola before she smiled at them both.

[Hypercube]

Sola, exhausted from the lack of sleep the prior night, quickly lied down on her side and nodded off. Xoren, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. His mind was still buzzing with the strange emotions he felt towards the hybrid that had helped him recover his daughter. While he craved the relief of revealing his feelings to her, he was aware that this was not the time to do so. As he tossed and turned, attempting to allow sleep to draw him to its embrace, he felt as if another pair of eyes was observing him from afar.

Xoren scanned their surroundings, standing tall on his legs, but the cover of darkness was too complete to discern anything further than a few yards away. "Ruby," he spoke in a hushed voice, "I don't know why, but I feel as if something is watching us..."

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby who had been staring up at the sky thoughtfully turned at the sound of Xoren's voice. "What do you mean?" She asked softly. She stood up carefully, uncurling herself from around her daughter before picking her up by the scruff and carefully placing her in the crook of Sola's paws. "I'll go and have a look." She said as she came to Xoren's side, "Stay here." She nudged the male in a reassuring manner before slinking off away from him, her paws quiet against the ground as she walked.

[Hypercube]

The exchange of voices had woken Sola from her slumber, "Dad," she called in a hushed voice, "Dad, what's going on?""Shhh..." Xoren warned Sola as he watched Ruby tread across the ground, searching for the stalker. He stood his ground, his keen senses still warning him to impending danger. "Do not let Iris out of your sight," he told his daughter, "protect her as you did before." Aware that something was about to occur, Sola stood up, hovering over the still sleeping cub. Both held their ground, their muscles tense, prepared for anything that might come.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby kept walking when she saw a pair of green eyes, glinting in the darkness; the eyes narrowed and were closely followed by a cackle as a pack of hyena's made their way towards the four cats, Ruby lowered her gaze and growled as she backed away carefully to join Xoren and Sola, "Looks like we do have company." She hissed, staring at the hyena's, her head lowered as she snarled at them. "Sola do you think you can put Iris in a tree; the hyena's won't be able to reach her if we do that."

[Hypercube]

Without a word, Sola immidiatly snatched Iris by the same excess skin she had carried her by before, creeping silently, yet intently to the tree that stood nearby. Xoren moved in the same fashion, taking position next to Ruby, facing in the opposite direction as to allow for full circular view of the area. Setting down on his now bent legs, preparing for a fight, he questioned Ruby "how many are there?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

"About six, that I know of." Ruby replied, her tail sweeping from side to side as she stared at the hyena's, a low growl passing her lips. "Do you think we can manage?" She asked carefully before swiping at a hyena when it lunged for her. Causing a fight to pursue. "I really hope we can." She said as she began to swerve and growl and swipe the dogs.

[Hypercube]

Sola, whom had just arrived at the base of the tree, began to find the best spot to place the cub. As her claws sunk into the trunk of the tree though, a hyena jumped on her from the nearby bushes. Loosing grip of Iris, Sola and her attacker rolled along the ground, disorienting them both. Aware that Iris may be in danger, Sola whimpered "Ruby! Dad!" His eyes snapping to the call of his daughter, Xoren saw has she continued to successfully fend off the attacker. More hallowing than this though, was the lone cub, being approached swiftly by another Hyena, his intentions clearly sinister in nature. Without a second thought, Xoren left Ruby and pounced on the Hyena that threatened the small cat.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby swung around when she sense Xoren leave her side and saw what he was going for. A hyena going for her daughter. "Never threaten a mother." She snarled to herself and with that she lashed out at the hyena's circling her, clawing and biting and snarling. One caught her underbelly and left a large gash. Ruby stumbled a little but didn't let the hyena overpower her as she took out two of them, one after the other; yet they continued coming.

[Hypercube]

Sola and the larger Hyena growled and gnashed at each other, both equally matched. The hyena, unaware of Sola's fighting ability, sloppily charged her, taking her for just another child attempting to hide in a tree rather than fight. Sola viciously and easily reversed the attack, catapulting the hyena far into the direction he initially ran. He landed on the ground with an audible thump that sent him away, whimpering in pain.

As Sola fought this battle, Xoren continued to stand just in front of Iris, blocking her from the pack member attempting to take advantage of her small stature. As he stared into the hyena's bright-green eyes, he watched as another pair slowly approached him from his right, unaware that he had noticed them. While still watching the initial aggressor, Xoren tackled at the now swiftly moving flanker, pushing him to the ground as he continued to remain within sighting angle of the being who attempted to take Iris beforehand.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby managed to chase off a few more hyenas as she fought before she saw more hyenas going towards Xoren and Iris. Instinctively she raced over to him and jumped past him so they were back to back as she bit another hyena on its neck, causing it to yelp and race off in the opposite direction. She glanced over at her shoulder at Xoren and shot him a small smile of thanks before turning back to the new hyena going for her.

[Hypercube]

As she rushed to grab Iris, Sola was intercepted by a new hyena who managed to land a blow on her side, knocking the air out of her. This hyena was not about to make the same mistake his comrade had moments earlier, for he had already taken a more defensive stance as he awaited Sola's recovery. As she stood, the enemy attempted to take advantage her weakened state and slid towards her feet. Realizing what he was attempting to do, Sola used what little energy she had remaining to jump straight up, landing on the hyena that had tried to knock her down. With the newly gained advantage, Sola scratched violently at the would-be attacker, leaving shallow lesions all across his body.

Once Xoren had dealt with the stalker, he saw that Ruby had joined him and that there was yet another hyena to deal with. Seeing that this new enemy was targeting Ruby, Xoren focused on the original soldier as they slowly circled each other. This hyena was different from the others; he had many scars, yet it seemed as if he held himself higher than the others. His train of thought was abruptly interrupted as the hyena bolted towards him, successfully leaving Xoren with a small gash across his left shoulder.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"He's got to be the alpha Xoren, if we deal with him. The rest may leave." Ruby called over her shoulder to the hybrid as she continued swerving to avoid the oncoming hyena's. A low snarl passed her lips and she leapt forward, knocking one hyena who the rolled and landed on top of her. She inhaled sharply and winced before kicking upwards and knocking the hyena. She rolled onto her side, panting heavily she stood up and lunged again. Ruby managed to sink her teeth in the hyena's neck causing it to yelp before she turned away and left a large cut along the enemy's neck.

[Hypercube]

Knowing that Ruby was right, Xoren cleared his mind and formulated a plan. As he dodged the bombarding attacks of the alpha, the golden idea came to fruition within his brain. Allowing the alpha to land many small attacks on him, Xoren made himself look weak and defenseless. Watching the tactics of his opponent, Xoren saw that the patterns were become more erotic, indicative of a careless fighting style. At the perfect moment, Xoren shouted, "Ruby, now!" The alpha looked to both sides, falling for Xoren's trick, as he was pinned to the ground. Xoren, now sitting atop his enemy, proceeded to slash at him, the hyena crying out in obvious pain.

After leaving multiple flesh-wounds, Xoren held his unsheathed claws to the attackers neck and spoke in resounding, vitriolic tones: "If you DARE come near my family again, I swear by the sun that I will end your life in the most pain-filled fashion I can fathom, and I PROMISE you I will enjoy doing so." Staring into the wide eyes of the alpha, Xoren slowly removed his body weight, allowing him to squirm out from under him. Once he was far enough from Xoren, he howled into the night, the other hyenas turned on their heels, and the group fled back into the cover of the night.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby spun around to face Xoren as he spoke; panting heavily, she growled and watched the hyena's slink away from them and she ceased the opportunity to run to her daughter and scoop her up in her paws, hugging her gently. "Are you hurt?" She asked Iris who shook her head. Ruby smiled weakly and turned to Xoren and Sola, she smiled once and padded to Xoren before nuzzling him gently and uttering a small, "Thank you." She then padded to Sola and nuzzled her as well, "And you."

Ruby padded away and slid onto her haunches wearily. "Looks like we really do work well as a team." She said with a grin, "Our own little family." She continued, referring to what she'd heard Xoren wondering.

"How are they family?" Iris asked.

"Because, Iris. Family doesn't end in blood." Ruby replied licking her on the head, "Now shall we sleep or leave it, personally I'm not tired any more. Too much adrenaline." She laughed.

[Hypercube]

"No kidding!" Sola giggled, "I don't think I would be able to sleep again if I tried!" Xoren looked to the moon, observing that it had only reached about half-way through the cloud-glazed sky. While he too did not feel like moving, his logic ruled his desires. "I think we should try to get some sleep." He said seriously, looking to the others. "It would be unwise to travel at night, especially knowing that there are hostile groups roaming the area."

[Ruby_Fehu]

"Why don't we try and sleep in the trees where we're out of reach of any potential dangers?" Ruby suggested, flicking her tail towards two trees side by side, each branch reaching out to touch the other. "I can try and sleep on the top branch with Iris and you two underneath us or something." Ruby continued, "I'll keep watch though." She continued, shrugging her shoulders dismissively. "Up to you two." She finished with a smile.

[Hypercube]

"That sounds like our best course of action." Xoren responded, looking to the trees that stood nearby. Xoren and Sola walked slowly to one of the trees and began climbing the soft trunk. Sola allowed herself to perch closer to the ground, but far enough away that an enemy would need to climb a bit to harm her. Xoren though, climbed to the top of the tree, planning to take watch over the camp as the others slept. From the peak of the tree, Xoren shouted back down to Ruby "I can take watch, you should get some rest."

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I'm not tired." Ruby replied, uncurling herself from Iris she leapt up to the branch across from Xoren, "I can keep you company for a bit, let the girls sleep." She said in a whisper as she settled on her haunches. She peered up at the moon, "It's been such an eventful night." She mused, before glancing down at Iris who was now fast asleep on her back. "What do you plan on doing now you're with Sola again?" She asked curiously, she didn't want to lose the two she'd found - not now that she was so fond of them both.

[Hypercube]

"I assume that life will go on as it was, just with us together now." Xoren looked up to the sky, the clouds clearing and the stars peeking out from behind. "I mean, I spent this entire time simply surviving while I searched for her, but now that I've found her again, I can finally live." A single tear rolled down his cheek as he spoke, his paw instantly reaching to wipe it away. He looked back down to the sleeping children, feeling as if a part of him had been lost and found again, filling in an empty void that no longer tore at him.

His gaze reached back up to the stars that were now shining brilliantly without the dampening clouds to interfere. He felt his emotions attempt to push through, pleeding for him to actually allow them to speak to Ruby. Glancing over to the hybrid, a few sentences escaped his grasp: "I feel as if we, the four of us, are more a family than I have had since I lost my parents. I don't think I could bare loosing any of you. Do you feel the same way?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby licked at his tear stained fur and followed his gaze to the two children below them, she looked ip in surprise when he said about her being like family to him and she allowed a small smile to cross along her lips. "I feel exactly the same way. Sola is already like a sister to Iris." Ruby said laughing a little. "And I can tell already she likes you."

[Hypercube]

"Sola is very fond of you too," Xoren replied, "She may not show it, but I can ensure you she thinks of you very highly." Xoren laid his head on his paws, staring into the open expanse that surrounded them. His emotions still pushed form the inside, but he forced them to stay put; he was not yet willing to let them free. "The sun is nearly up," he commented, looking to the thin orange strip that had just began to creep onto the horizon, "we might want to get ready to continue our journey." On the outside, Xoren made it seem as if he looked forward to moving forward, but inside he wished he had spoken to Ruby about what how truly felt for when he had the chance.

[Ruby_Fehu]

The young hybrid smiled sweetly at Xoren and looked down at the two younger cats sleeping contently; Iris had rolled onto her back at some point and her paws were thrust upward as she slept, causing Ruby to giggle a little before he mentioned the sunlight and she followed his gaze.
"We had a long night. We should let them rest a little longer before starting to travel. We won't get very far if they're both too tired to function properly."

[Hypercube]

"Alright," Xoren said to Ruby, looking down at the children. While Iris's position was humorous, Xoren could not remove his eyes from his daughter. It was almost surreal that they had finally found each other after all the years of searching and that he had the joy of them belonging to a family once again. Xoren paused at that thought, he had noticed that he was becoming attached to Ruby and Iris, the type of attachment that would make losing them unbearable but for once in his life, Xoren was completely okay with it.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I'll go on ahead and hunt." Ruby said after a moments silence, she stood up - balancing precariously on the branch - and stretched her slender figure; her jaws opening in a yawn. She stood upright and shook herself before leaping from the branch to the ground and landing agilely. The hybrid glanced up at Xoren and smiled, "Am I okay leaving Iris with you whilst I hunt?" She asked curiously.

[Hypercube]

"Of course you are-" he told Ruby as he leaped down a few branches to be with the two girls. He started to settle in, the rising sun beginning to bake his fur, next to the children. Looking down at the hybrid, he continued his statement; "Do you not trust me or something?" he asked playfully.