Waking the very next morning I cringed, the smell of sweat strong in my cave. "I hope that isn't me I can smell." I mumbled, breathing in only to cough. "Okay it is. I seriously need a bath." I sighed, climbing to my feet. "Guess I need to find a lake or something." Before I left I made sure to grab my club, silently hoping I wouldn't have to use it.
As I walked out of my hut I saw Takkar and Sayla talking, pausing when I walked over.
"You want to bathe? There is a lake not far from here but there are Bitefish and Crocodiles." Takkar told me and I paled, swallowing. "Maybe the waterfall would be a better choice."
"And safer." I replied and Sayla laughed. Thanking them I hurried towards the base of the village, looking forward to taking a much needed shower until I saw someone sitting on the ground. As I walked closer I tensed, thinking it was an enemy until they turned their head slightly and I relaxed. "You scared me. Anyway what are you doing out here?" I told Roshani and he raised an eyebrow, giving me a tiny grin as I sat beside him.
"You have no idea how to sneak up on people." Roshani answered and I growled, a little curious as to why he was sitting so far from the tribe. "I'm bringing water back to my hut. What are you doing here?"
"Heading out to find a waterfall." I replied and he frowned, looking into the distance for a few seconds. "Okay what's with the grin? I can take care of myself."
"You can do whatever you want. Don't blame me if you get attacked by Udam." He responded and I snorted, rising to my feet before I whistled. "What are you doing?" He asked, falling on his rear with a yelp as Kion my Cave Lion appeared. Laughing, I gave Kion a head rub before we headed out leaving Roshani sitting on his butt with wide eyes.
Okay that was so funny, I thought giggling as we headed further and further away from the village. Even with the directions Sayla gave me, it took almost an hour before I found the waterfall. "Finally. I'll just take a quick dip then we can leave. Can you keep a lookout?" I asked Kion who growled, rushing towards the ledge above the waterfall. With a grin I hurried into the water and once I found a spot on the rocks that the waterfall blocked me from view I began to undress, pulling off my animal skin top and skirt. Now naked I quickly glanced around, making sure no one was around before I sat under the flowing water.
After the inital shock of the freezing water wore off I relaxed, letting the water wash the sweat and dirt from my skin. It was enjoying my shower so much, my head tilted back slightly that I didn't hear the first warning growls from Kion. It wasn't until I heard the snap of a tree branch that I froze, grabbing my club just as Kion roared and I heard a sudden scream. Abruptly it stopped and I grabbed my clothes, about to dress when footsteps approached my hiding place.
Oh hell, I thought raising my club just as an Udam stepped into view. His lips curled into a grin once he saw I was naked and I frowned as he moved closer. Without thinking I launched my club at his head and he stepped back, surprised but I missed and it bounced off his chest. Advancing he growled and I stumbled back only to see something leapt behind him and he screamed as Kion ripped into his back, blood flying everywhere. I grimaced, moving back as the Udam stopped screaming and Kion roared before he looked towards me.
"Thanks, you saved me." I whispered, reaching over to give his head a quick rub and he growled. "Can you keep a lookout again?" I asked and he purred, picking up the Udam in his jaws before he left the waterfall and I sighed. Once I calmed down I returned to the water, washing the fresh blood that had sprayed onto my bare skin.
After a while I heard footsteps again and I quickly retrieved my club, tensing until someone poked their head through the water and I growled. "You're easy to sneak up on." Roshani pointed out, grinning only to freeze once he caught sight of my naked body. I stared, eyes wide and cheeks burning as his eyes travelled the length of my body. Then I finally responded by grabbing my top to hide my naked chest.
"Stop staring! Pervert!" I yelled and he blinked as I quickly covered myself, turning my head so he couldn't see how badly I was blushing. "Where's Kion?" I asked and he turned as soft paws padded towards us. "Hey boy." I said as Kion nuzzled my legs and Roshani laughed when my hand came away red.
"Eating that dead Udam." Roshani replied as I hurriedly washed my hand, laughing at the disgusted expression on my face. "I came here to warn you about the Udam in this area." He explained, eventually turning around so I could dress in peace. Now covered I stepped from the waterfall, Kion falling into step beside me and Roshani hurried to my side.
"Now what are you doing?" I asked and he pointed back towards the village.
"Walking you back. Sayla warned me to bring you back safe or she might just add another ear to her necklace." Roshani told me and I giggled, earning a snort. "It's not something I wanted to do but I also want to keep my ears."
"Okay I'll let you walk me back." I told him and just for a moment he smiled then he faced the path back. Wonder if that's the only reason he came looking for me, I thought as we walked back to the Wenja village.
We had just reached the outskirts of the village when he started for his own hut on the nearby hill, making me hurry after him. "What are you doing?" He asked when I moved to his side.
"I didn't get to thank you for walking me back." I replied and he shrugged. "Thanks again." I added, turning to walk back to my own hut until he gave me a quick smile.
"Your body was my thank you." He grinned, disappearing before I had time to react.
The very next day I was on my way to Roshani's hut when I heard a commotion. Quickly I hurried towards his hut high on the hill and after I rushed inside, fearing the worst I giggled.
"Keep that crazy Wenja away!" Roshani yelled, quickly moving away towards the back of his hut. Giggling I watched as Tensay advanced on the former commander, poking him periodically with his staff.
"Don't look at me. He just doesn't like you or any Izila for that matter." I replied, arms crossed against my chest as Roshani glared at Tensay. Just inside the hut Takkar, official leader of the Wenja and Beast Master, stood silently.
"Let's go and let them work it out." Takkar muttered after watching the argument for a while, moving through the animal skin doorway. With a laugh I followed, leaving Roshani at Tensay's mercy who kept poking him.
"Sure it's wise to leave Roshani with Tensay? He's not the most...stable Wenja in the village." I said once we were out of earshot but Takkar just chuckled, heading towards his own hut. With a shrug I started to follow only to hear a whistle. Turning around I saw Sayla waving at me and I grinned, hurrying towards her.
"Where is Takkar?" She asked and I quickly filled her in. "Serves the Izila right." She growled and I sighed, glancing at Roshani's hut for a moment.
"Maybe but he hasn't actually hurt anyone." I replied and she frowned, studying me for so long I began to feel a little self conscious. "Did I say the wrong thing?"
"You are worried about the Izila? Why?" She asked and I fiddled with the shell necklace she'd made for me a few days ago, unable to think of a convincing answer. "It doesn't matter. Where is Takkar?"
"In his hut, last time I saw him." I replied, grateful she didn't pry. After she walked away I let out a breath, curious about why I couldn't answer her. Must be something wrong with me, I thought as I wandered towards the outskirts of the village.