Two Paws

Chapter 13

A/N: I think I lost count on how many months it's been... ah well. I've never really been sure where this story is going or how long it's going to be. But that's the whole point. The theme of it. The purpose. It's sort of a mystery.

The following morning left his gaze staring to the skies. All though, at the bottom of the trench, his view of the sky was limited. Just a dash of orange shined through the early hours.

As he stared aimlessly, he thought about her. Those thoughts only deepened with his paw playfully padding across her pelt. The rise and fall of her chest in such comfortable rhythm that he found himself nearly dozing back to sleep.

The previous night proved to be troublesome. And not just because of what horrors took place, but for the horrors to come. It was nearly impossible for him to sleep that night because of the fear that she wouldn't wake up the next day.

The tiger lowered his eyes to her legs, still in disbelief with how severe the injuries were. So swollen purple.

As he tried to adjust himself, he gritted in pain, reminded of his own condition and the torn marks around his pelt. As such, he just collapsed back into her, leaning his face against hers. Emotions quietly leaked.

"You poor thing." Diego whispered, his forehead against hers as she slept. He did his best to be gentle with her.

The tiger gazed to either side of the trench. He wasn't sure how long either way went on for, but the last thing he wanted was to attempt climbing out. Especially with her on his back.

Just to fall again and end up with seven lives.

He didn't want to risk anymore. Risks always seemed to lead to regrets. From the night he decided to go for a run just before dark. To the day he let her go get food by herself in the storm. To just letting her go hunting with him.

Am I not allowed to do anything in this world?

It just seemed no matter what choice he made, it always led to the same place. Like he did everything right but it was still always wrong.

His thoughts swarmed on these philosophies until he heard her groan in her sleep so adorably, reminding him of what it was he had. How important she was.

Her eyes seemed to struggle open. He figured she was still really tired. Maybe he woke her.

The white tiger lifted her head and gazed at him, but only for a second before she lowered it back down.

"Shira? Hey, you alright?"

When he received no response, panic rose in him. He felt for her breathing. He felt her forehead. No burning. Breathing felt normal. He observed her carefully, desperate to know what's happening. And that's when he noticed her lips. How dry they were. The whiteness of her chapped mouth showed how dehydrated she was.

My god, she hasn't had water in days, has she?

Thankfully, just by knowing she needed water eased his worry. He could fix this. But where would he get water? How was he to get her to a river from here?

Only one way, I guess...

With that, the tiger jawed her by the scruff and began pulling her through the trench. Minutes went by before he realized how little he was accomplishing by dragging her beautiful pelt across the rugged and filthy ground.

What else can I do, though?

Gently, he set her down for a moment to think. His eyes lifted to the skies above. Even in the estimated hundred foot trench, the tiger could still make out the gloomy weather that hovered over the crevasse. It didn't take much longer before he felt the first drop hit his forehead. He flinched a bit, stumbling back to the white tigress. He spoke her name a few times, hoping she'd find the strength. But all he could see was the struggle to even open her eyes.

She's awake. But she's just...

As the rain drops got more frequent, Diego rolled Shira onto her back with her mouth barley open. The tiger then cupped his paws together to get some water, pouring it into her mouth.

Diego could see her throat swallow. Her lips smacked together to the refreshing taste. Minutes went by as she laid there, eyes finally open, but still weak to where Diego had to keep helping her drink. His paws continuously met her lips as she lapped her tongue to drink.

It only took minutes longer before he heard her speak his name. As he was about to cup his hands again, he turned to her. His heart raced at the sound of her voice, but he never would've turned around in time before she collapsed onto him, the two rolling into the wet puddles below them.

Cries bled out of her. Maybe from the injuries. Maybe from the feelings she had for the tiger. Maybe a little bit of both. Diego didn't know for sure. But the difference meant very little as he just returned the gestures, embracing her. Cuddling. Bodies in rhythm. The feeling of connection that he longed for.

She shivered from the cold and the rain, grasping him tighter for warmth.

"How are you feeling, Shira?" He choked up the courage to ask.

Her head shook, "I don't know. Just... a bit of everything." She sighed as she opened her mouth and held her tongue out for the rain above her, still a bit thirsty.

While she did that, Diego leaned to her neck and ran his tongue along it. The smirk on her face was all he expected. What he was really doing, however, was keeping her distracted from her legs. As the sun came up that morning, the tiger understood how bad her injuries were by the tears of flesh revealing the bone.

"We'll get out of here, Shira. Come on." The tiger insisted as he let her use him as support to stand up. She was only really able to use one leg as both her hind legs hurt too much to put pressure on, and one front leg needed to be over Diego's shoulder for balance.

It hurt Diego to see her have to be practically dragged across the ground as he carried her through the cold and quiet trench. Their foot steps and the occasional raindrops were all that could be heard.

And it was so relaxing to the tiger. Having her leaning into him as the rain fell and the thunder drummed.

Minutes later, unexpectedly, their hopes of plead were answered as the darkness crept light through like a slowly opened door.

"Shira... look!" Diego stuck out his paw at the light. In response, Shira could do nothing but smile and sigh as she gazed back to him. The expressions led to the tiger seeing the small details across her lips and in her eyes.

She's so adorable.

It felt like forever since the two of them had seen the light of day. The sudden burst of gleam had the two squint for a moment before adjusting to the change in brightness. In front of them was a shoreline that sat at the edge of the ocean.

Diego brought Shira closer to the water. As they were about to step in, Shira halted and released her grasp around the tiger.

"What's wrong?" The tiger asked, tilting his head.

"What are you doing?" She asked as Diego took steps into the cool temperature ocean.

"Your injuries need to be cleaned, don't you think?"

"Well... yeah, but..."

Diego stepped out and walked up to her. Face to face.

"But what?" He asked so genuine and affectionate. Just to show her that he was there to listen. He was there to understand.

"I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

For a moment she seemed to be processing a response, but ultimately gave in and sighed of exhaustion.

"I don't really know, anymore." She exclaimed as she laid down, gritting her teeth of the sudden pressure in her legs.

"Come on, the water will help." Diego insisted as he dug under her to lift her up and took her into the water.

At first, she gritted her teeth more so and exhaled in pain. Diego knew it would sting a bit due to the ocean's salty water, but he also knew it was effective in healing wounds and infections. And he figured the purple that pulsed across her legs was more than just a bruise.

"It's gonna hurt a bit. Salt water will help heal, though."

And just like that, Shira could see her leg under the water. The purple seemingly becoming less vivid by the minute. Diego smiled at the look of awe on her face.

"You're so smart, Diego." She admired as she looked back at him, "A lot smarter than me." She added.

"I think you're too hard on yourself." Diego argued.

She only shrugged, "It's tough."

"I know."

The tiger scooted into her, rubbing his head up her neck, having the slightest smile cross her lips.

"I used to be like that."

"When?"

"About three days ago."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"I think you know." He responded with his tongue running up her neck, knowing she inevitably purred each time.

"Oh... I think I've got it." She smirked as she leaned her head against his, the feeling of her warm pelt soothing his worries away, "You're going soft for me, right?"

"I don't need your sass, Shira." The tiger playfully spoke. Her teeth whitened with the grin on her teasing look.

There certainly was something that changed the night the tiger met her. It wasn't necessarily a responsibility, but more of an endeavor. It drove him to become something better. And he couldn't imagine it happening any other way.

I never would've figured my life out, otherwise.

The thought traced his mind to consider how much she truly did for him. And, to the tiger, getting food for her ever day and night felt like practically nothing compared to what she did for him. Just by being here with him.

"You good on food?"

She just nodded.

"I can get something if you want."

There you go showing off again.

The tiger rose up a bit, ready to take off at her command if the truth was she wanted food.

The exact opposite happened as he felt her paw grab his wrist and pull him back to her.

"I don't want you to leave, Diego." She seemed to beg, grasping tighter.

The tiger nodded in understanding. He also figured the water had done all it could at that point and helped her back up. All the while, the reminding hit him about how precious she was. How absolutely important she was.

If it weren't for her injuries, I'd probably jump her right now. Roll into the snow with her. Feeling the soft texture of her pelt. The warmth. Hearing her beautiful laugh. God, I want to hug every inch of her-

Before the lust in him furthered, he found himself dazing off with her looking at him in amusement. As such, he had to shake his head and exhale out the lustful emotions.

Now's not the time for this, you dimwit.

"Hey, Diego." She spoke up, a certain twinkle crossing her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"Thanks... for... you know." She stumbled, padding her paws around as she felt like a broken record. It always amused Diego how bashful she was in nature. How adorable she was. And seeing her in denial over it only added further to those traits.

There was so much loving warmth inside him. He wanted to share it with and give her the chance to experience what he wanted to feel for the last twenty years.

To do that, without warning, he turned to her. She was just able to eye up at him as he let loose his posture and had his mouth fall into hers. He pushed the length of their connection as far as he was willing to show her.

The tiger's lips spread a smirk as he felt the shock in her body's gestures. In the slight backing up of her neck to her head. But her initial tension vanished the moment he let out the words he had been holding in since before he even knew what she looked like.

"I love you so much, Shira."

Just uttering that phrase seemed to trigger her own lustful desires as she legged up in her mouthful love.

"You're such a sweetheart, Diego." She sighed of lust, pecking him on both sides of his face.

He felt the heat in his head. The burning red seeped through his golden color. He breathed deeply to help consume everything he was feeling for her. Recollecting the images every night where her beauty in the moonlight would overthrow him.

Once they finally did release from each other, they both figured it was best to find someplace to rest for the night considering the tiger had no idea where they were.

Doesn't matter where I am as long as it's with her.

The tiger still helped her walk as she struggled to keep her balance. Each step she took with her hind legs had her grit her teeth.

Diego couldn't be happier seeing her using her legs now. Before, he had to practically drag her. Now she was nearly able to walk on her own.

"You'll get better, Shira. I promise." He murmured with his head leaning onto hers as they walked.

"Thanks, Softie."

He only smirked at that response.

"Oh, and also..." she began, waiting for him to turn his head, "Sorry I didn't mention this before, but..." she continued as she gave him the slowest and most sensual lick up his neck.

"I love you, too."