Through It All

by Outsiders Obsessor

Diego's had a never-ending adventure throughout his life. First, he joined Soto's pack and learned how to kill for pleasure. Then he met Manny and Sid on one of the longest trips he's ever been on. This caused him to betray his pack. Now, he's reached a new stage in his life with Shira: being her husband. Diego's been through it all. Or so he thinks. Rated T for character death.

1. A New Story Begins

Through It All

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters in Ice Age. They all belong to Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios, not to me. All lines in bold are either from any of the Ice Age movies, any of the Lion King movies, either Brother Bear movie, or from a song that will be specified at the beginning of the applying chapter.

Chapter 1

Diego's P.O.V.

I feel the sunlight creep through the branches of the cave and travel up my spine. That means one thing: it is time to hunt. My only problem with going out is the fact that I don't want to wake Shira. Her head is underneath my chin, and her paws beneath mine. I carefully slip her paws out, which leaves her head. I rise up and stretch my legs out.

"Diego?" Shira questions because she is confused as to why I am leaving.

"I'm just going hunting, Shira. Go back to sleep now," I comfort.

"Be careful, Diego."

"I always am," I say as I nuzzle her head.

I run through the woods, anxious to find the herd of deer. Deer is Shira's favorite food, and I do my best to please her. Sid was so annoying when we first got here two years ago.

"Diego and Shira sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" was one of Sid's favorite ways to torment us.

Fortunately, after Shira and I got married last year, Sid stopped. Bingo! The herd of deer is in my sight. I carefully creep through the bushes, pausing ever so slightly to adjust for the change in the wind. I feel the earth shift beneath my paws as I select my prey. A giant male was to be my prize because I made an oath that I would never harm females or fawns.

The herd is unaware of my presence as I stop inches away from my target's face. I stalk a few feet closer and spring my trap. I grab the deer with my claws and start to smother it with my mighty jaws. The rest of the herd begins to stampede, so I instinctively roll to the side. The deer in my jaws begins to struggle less, so I know I will have a successful kill. With one last bite to the throat, the deer is dead in my jaws.

"Well done Diego. Another successful hunt," I congratulate myself.

I flop down in the grass to rest for a minute before the long trek back to the cave. Saber-tooth tigers are one of the hunters that tire out and overheat quickly. I sit there for a minute, letting my body heat regulate. After a while, I push myself off the ground and grasp the carcass in my jaws.

I head back towards the cave, being ever so careful not to tear the carcass any more than it already is. Too much of the scent of blood brings other predators, and I do not have the patience to deal with any enemies right now. I crouch down as I reach the cave where I can fit both the dead deer and myself through the entrance. Shira lifts her head up as I approach and stands up to stretch out her muscles.

"Diego, you're a fantastic hunter," she breathes as she nuzzles my cheek.

"I know you appreciate a good deer now and then," I answer as I begin to split open the side of the carcass.

I watch as Shira slowly lowers herself down to the ground. Usually, she wastes no time joining me by the carcass.

"What's wrong, Shira?" I ask in a concerned tone.

"Nothing's wrong with me, Diego."

"Shira, I know something's wrong."

"Look, Diego, we need to talk," she warily says.

"Hey, Diego! Are you coming, or what?" Manny calls.

"I forgot. I have a guy's day today!"

"That's okay; we'll talk when you get back."

"I promise, as soon as I get back, I will listen to whatever you have to say," I answer.