A Shadow Tribe Story
by: Yuuki Miyaka
A gleaming missile flew toward Ebony, and she just barely leapt out of the way, rolling to one side. Immediately, she was on her feet again, launching a missile of her own. And her missile found its mark square in the chest of her rival.
"Give over!" Ebony taunted, her grin slightly malicious. But the other merely shook her head and the silver headband glittered in the sunlight. Ebony's opponent motioned to her companions, and they charged at Ebony.
For her own part, the dark huntress merely smiled down at her companion. The two alone were enough to stand up to this charge. And as she watched her cub, she Sent to her, ::They can't win. We'll take them and be back at the Holt by suppertime.:: Laughter's response was a bright smile.
Ebony looked back up at the charge just in time to catch Skeya leaping at her. The two tumbled over, laughing as the cublings continued the actual snowball fight. And as Ebony lay in the snow, her eyes softened.
::You're very good with them, of course.:: Skeya looked up at the dark huntress in surprise. Ebony had never before expressed her feelings to the older tribemate. But everyone had seen how Laughter's birth and living had changed the once-cold storyweaver. ::I can't think of anyone else I would rather leave her with when I hunt.::
The tips of her ears burning, Skeya looked down. She wasn't certain how to take this unexpected compliment from her chieftess. After a moment of thought, she grabbed up another handful of snow, shaping it quickly into a ball before throwing it the foot or so it took to reach Ebony. It landed on Ebony's face, and she spluttered and shook her head.
Laughter took after her namesake, giggling as she flew around. When her ride finally put her down, she impulsively threw her arms around Skeya's neck. "I like you!" she laughed, then turned to run to her mother. Ebony knelt down, catching the body hurtling toward her with an arch look over at Skeya. "I like her, Mother!"
Ebony grinned, nodding at her daughter. "I know. I like her, too. We all do." She turned to the beautiful older tribewoman. "Thank you for keeping her, Skeya. I got quite a bit of hunting done, thanks to you." Ebony never hesitated to ask Skeya to keep an eye on Laughter first. She knew how the normally shy woman loved cubs, and she was always happy to share hers. "In fact," she continued, smiling. "Windrunner and I would like you to eat with us tonight. You've earned the meat, and I know Laughter would enjoy your company."
Skeya grinned. She loved cubs, and everyone in the tribe knew it. When Laughter had been born, Skeya had been one of the loudest cheering. For that alone, Ebony liked the huntress. But when she had shown so much love for the tiny cub, Ebony had taken every opportunity to get Skeya to watch the cub. And Windrunner had done the same. "I'd like that, I think." Skeya's answer to Ebony's request made the dark huntress smile.
"Good. Come on. I don't know about you, but Laughter's energy always makes me hungry." She laughed and grabbed Skeya's hand, dragging her toward their cave. At the mouth, Windrunner stood, holding back the leather covering that served as the door. And when Skeya passed him, he clapped his hand softly on her shoulder.
"Glad you're here," he whispered. Ebony
nodded, and Laughter took Skeya's hand from her
mother. It was going to be a good dinner.