Chapter 6

As Diego and Sierra approached the camp, everyone looked up at them.

"Hey!" Sid said. "Diego's got another tiger with him."

When they came into the camp with everyone watching them, some of Sierra's initial shyness with Diego returned. "Hi," she said, softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm Sierra. D…Diego was telling me about you guys…his herd…and since I've never seen a herd like this before, I thought it would be interesting to meet you."

The rest introduced themselves, and once the possums got over their initial terror of a saber-toothed tiger they didn't know, they saw Sierra as another Ellie, another playmate, and clicked immediately.

Sid, however, sat down by Diego, who was resting near a stream. "Wow," he said, watching Sierra run around with Ellie and the possums. "Manny got a mate, you got a mate…"

"Come on," Diego said, rolling his eyes. "She's not my mate. I just met her. You know me well enough, Sid. Do you really think I'm the mating type?"

"Nah, you're right," Sid said. "No one can mate you. I mean, there'd be no way for anyone to know if you're even interested in mating."

"What's that mean?"

"I mean, even if you did like a girl, like Sierra, you'd never tell her. How would she know you liked you? You barely even show your friends that you like them. If you ever liked anyone as more than just a friend, forget about it. The way you act around other animals, even your friends, it's like you're always trying to hide what you really mean. Like, showing your feelings for someone is your other fear."

Diego did not like the direction of this conversation, especially since it was true. "I don't like anyone," Diego said firmly. "My friends are my friends, and Sierra could be a friend if I get to know her, but I don't like her. Or anyone else."

"Yeah, I know," Sid sighed. "I'm just saying if you did. No one would be able to tell. I mean, it took my half a year just to discover your secret fear of—"

"Are you sure you want to finish that sentence?" Diego said tensely.

"Relax, Diego," Sid said, patting Diego's paw, which he immediately swept out of his reach. "I know you're over it. 'Cos I helped you."

"Yeah, whatever," Diego said, on edge again.

The rest of the herd that were out playing came close to the camp again, and sat around talking and eating fish for awhile. When the sun began to set, Sierra rose to her feet.

"Thanks for letting me meet your herd, Diego," she said earnestly. "They're all great. You're lucky to have them. I'd better be going back to my own herd now. They'll be worried if I'm not back by dark."

"You can come back any time," Ellie said, patting Sierra with her trunk. "It was great having another female to talk to."

"Thanks, Ellie," Sierra said, smiling. "I think I will come back and see you guys again. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day. Thanks so much." She smiled at Diego again, and took off.

"I really liked her, Diego," Ellie said after Sierra was out of earshot. "She's a really nice girl. She could be good for you, you know."

"Yeah," Manny said. "Who would've thought? Diego. She's a good match for you, you know. And it's about time you settled down and found a mate. And she's a good choice."

"Yeah, she's not my mate," Diego said, slightly annoyed by their assumptions. "I agree that she's a nice girl, but she's not the one for me. Sure, we could be friends. But mates? No way."

"Yeah," Sid said, shaking his head. "He was telling me the same thing. Poor Diego, never'll find a mate. I guess he'll be alone forever."

"I didn't say that," Diego muttered under his breath, watching as Sid started a fire to light the dark area.