Chapter 8

It was a nice day. The night before had been a chilly combination of rain and snow, putting out Sid's fire and causing the animals all to sleep beneath the tree, getting the best protection they could from the precipitation.

But all that had ended just before the rising of the sun, and the day was clear and bright. It felt fresh out, as though the air had been washed. Diego stretched and shook his head of the slight dampness that had gotten through the tree branches.

"Great morning," he said. "Who's up for a nice run?"

"Run, no, but walk, sure," Sid said, yawning. "And maybe we could get some food. I'm hungry."

"Yeah, food," Diego said, growling and snapping playfully at Sid, who screamed for a second and backed away, then caught Diego's satisfied smile and smiled back.

"You guys can head out, but we're going this way," Manny said, gently locking trunks with Ellie as the two of them went off for their own morning walk.

"Might be a while before they're back," Sid said, grinning. "Come on, Diego, I'm hungry. Let's get some food. Not me," he added quickly.

"Well, let's go then," Diego said, and raced quickly ahead.

"Wait up!" Sid said, trying unsuccessfully to hurry.

The possums, who had decided they didn't want to be alone at the camp, scampered ahead, laughing at Sid.

"Look, a river," Sid said when they allowed him to catch up. "Let's stop here. We can get fish. I'm starting to like fish, now."

"Yeah, Sid, let's see you catch one," Diego said, rolling his eyes.

Sid shuffled up to the edge of the water, tested it with his toe, and peered in. Diego couldn't resist. He snuck up behind Sid, and with a nod of his head, pushed him into the water.

Sid screamed in surprise while Diego and the possums laughed from the shore.

"Yeah, yeah," Sid said, annoyed at the joke at his expense as he climbed out of the water. "Bet you wouldn't find it so funny if I pushed you in the water, Diego."

"Ah, you don't scare me, Sid," Diego said, relaxing on the ground. "And neither does water. You think you're strong and smart enough to push me in, we'll just see what happens. Maybe we won't be having only fish to eat."

"Okay Mr. Great Hunter. Why don't you get some fish, then?"

"You probably scared them all off, Sid."

"Oh, sure, blame me."

Diego smiled at his friend. Sid looked so funny, dripping wet and indignant.

"Fine, I'll get you some fish, but only because you gave me a good laugh a couple of minutes ago."

They ate; the possums had run off somewhere, but Diego and Sid weren't concerned about them.

"All right," Diego said. "You've eaten now. How about a run? I know I'm in the mood for a good sprint."

"Speak for yourself," Sid said. "Running is boring and exhausting."

"You know what makes it more interesting?"

"What?"

"When you're chasing something."

Sid suddenly noticed that Diego was in a 'pounce' position.

"You can join my run whether you want to or not, but it starts in 3 2 1 go!"

Sid screamed again as Diego jumped at him, growling and swiping. They took off back to the camp. Diego was faster, of course, but he stayed just behind Sid, taking an occasional claws-retracted swipe at him or even a nip that missed.

As they drew nearer to the camp and Sid was out of breath, Diego pounced again, this time pinning him to the ground. Diego growled a deep, low, almost gentle growl as he looked down at his worn out prey. He lowered his head and gave Sid a tender nip on the shoulder. Hard enough to be felt, but not to hurt. Then he stepped back and let Sid get up.

Though it was starting to slow down now that the chase was over, Diego's heart was pumping fast with adrenalin. He hadn't had a chase like that since forever. It had been genuinely thrilling, despite the fact that it was playful and all in fun.

"Gee, Diego, give me a heart attack."

"Oh, come on. You can't tell me that wasn't fun. You know I wouldn't eat you. I told you, I don't eat junk food."

"Oh ha ha ha, Diego. That got old already."

"You…you didn't really think I was gonna hurt you, did you?"

"You bit me!" Sid said resentfully, rubbing his shoulder.

"That wasn't a bite," Diego scoffed. "It was…" he didn't know what to call it. It wasn't a bite meant to hurt. It was like…like Sierra rubbing her head against Diego the other day. Only less…obvious. Diego shook his head. "You wouldn't understand it."

"Okay, whatever," Sid said. "It didn't hurt."

"Good. It wasn't supposed to."

The two stood in silence for a minute. It was an awkward silence because neither one of them knew what to say. Diego was relieved to see Sierra a minute later. When she wasn't hanging out with the rest of Diego's herd, the two of them had taken to going on walks together.

"Look, it's Sierra," Diego said, his relief at the end of the silence obvious in his voice. "I think I'm gonna take off for awhile."

"Why do you always go out with her?" Sid asked. "You said you were only friends, not gonna be mates. What do you do on those walks that seem to take half the day?"

"We talk," Diego said simply. It was the truth. It was good to have another tiger to talk to, and he genuinely liked Sierra and enjoyed the time spent with her.

"About what?"

"Your inability to take any hints, especially when someone is trying to get you to stop asking dumb questions."

Sid was surprised. "I don't need hints. You usually just tell me to shut up."

"Fine. Shut up, Sid." But he said it with a smile before taking off, so Sid would know Diego wasn't trying to be mean.