I don't own any characters or anything but the story. Sorry it's been so long since an update but I'm sure you can understand why it's taken so long with everything going on. I'm just glad to have to have met my goal of getting this out by new years. So hope you all enjoy and I"ll see you all next year.

Har'ii took a deep breath from the top of his pa'li as he and the other hunters waited with an air of anticipation for the start of the hunt. Next to him on his own pa'li was Tsu'tey who was gazing intently in the direction the Talioang were to come from in just a few moments.

Har'ii ears perked up as he started to hear what sounded like hundreds of hooves pounding towards them, causing him to grip his bow just a little tighter. Soon after the herd burst in to sight and then Har'ii and the rest of hunting party started to race along side the trying to line a shot with either an arrow or a spear.

While keeping his pa'li at a steady pace alongside the herd he let his eyes scan over them trying to decide what the best target would be. Around him a few others were already throwing spears or shooting,with a couple hitting the mark causing the wounded Talioang to stumble and fall. Most missed glancing off the creatures hard skin.

Riding just ahead of him Har'ii could see Tsu'tey searching the herd looking for a good target. Har'ii eyes fell on a fairly good size female that appeared to be older than than some of those around it. He also noticed she had just the slightest limp to her gait.

Making a decision he reached for an arrow and pulled back his bow. It was fairly difficult trying to keep his pa'li steady while trying to aim at a creature that was also moving. Finally he let the arrow go hitting the vulnerable operculum hole causing it to stumble, the fall.

He let out a yell as of triumphant and turned forward to find Tsu'tey glancing back at him with a grin. Hard forced himself to ignore the warmth that spread though him at his friends smile and commanded his mount to speed up so he was now riding alongside Tsu'tey.

Tsu'tey turned back towards the herd with his heart beating a little bit faster as he went back to scanning the herd for a target. Tsu'tey had come to realize and accept the fact that he had developed more than friendly feelings for his best friend but he had no idea what to do about them. After all he had not really seen any conclusive signs that Har'ii felt the same way and he didn't want to do anything that might make their friendship awkward in any way.

He tried to force those types of thoughts away and refocus on the what he was supposed to be doing. He examined the herd again and his eyes fell on a rather large male. He knew he should probably go for an easier target like Har'ii had but he also kinda wanted a harder challenge. There was also a small part of him, that he was trying to ignore, whispering how he was just trying to impress Har'ii.

The Talioang that had caught his eyes was one of the largest of the herd with a bit thicker than normal skin and few scars here and there. Making a decision he urges his mount to faster so he would be running right beside his chosen target. He shot his first arrow but missing and hitting the tough skin around the operculum hole he was aiming at.

As he went to grab another arrow the Talioang suddenly veered toward him startling the pa'li he was riding and in it's efforts to move away Tsu'tey found himself being thrown off the saddle. When he hit the ground he barely had time to register it before he found himself having to roll to avoid being trampled on.

Suddenly a hand was thrust into his point of view and he quickly grabbed it. With a tug he was pulled up onto the pa'li behind someone, who he quickly realized was his best friend. "Are you okay?" Har'ii asked as he seemed to urge his mount to go faster and Tsu'tey realized he was trying to get back along the Talioang he'd been after.

"I'm fine." He started though he knew he might have a few bruise from the fall and there was a rather sharp pain coming from one of his ears. He knew he would eventually need to get that checked out but he was more worries about getting his Talioang at the moment.

If he didn't manage to take one down today then he couldn't move to the next step in warrior training and it would probably be quite a while before they passed though again. It was to important for him to worry about his injuries at the moment.

As Har'ii kept the pa'li riding next to the Talioang, just a little further away than Tsu'tey had earlier, he pulled an arrow back on his now aimed and fired. This time his aim was true hitting the vulnerable air hole. The creature stumbled but managing for a few seconds longer which was surprising since most usually went down immediately.

Finally the beast went down just Tsu'tey contemplated firing another arrow. As soon as it does both he and Har'ii let out a cheer. A little bit later Har'ii pulls the pa'li to a stop a little from the still stampeding Talioang and both of them jumped down.

Har'ii turned towards him with a wide grin on his face which he returned while trying to ignore the feelings that smile stirred in him. Suddenly Har'ii's smile dropped and his eyes widen. Before Tsu'tey could ask what was wrong Har'ii took a firm hold on his shoulder and pulled him closer with his gaze fixed on the side of Tsu'tey head.

"What is it?" Tsu'tey asked trying to understand his friends reaction. "You're missing part of your ear!" Har'ii told him alarm lacing his tone. "Oh" was all Tsu'tey could think to say. That explained why his ear was stinging so much.

Har'ii insisted they head back to see a healer, so they both got back on the pa'li head back to the campsite. Tsu'tey didn't protest because while he wasn't sure how bad the injury actually was he was well aware how bad a small injury could get if not properly taken care of.

Besides the concern from Har'ii warmed him and made the little part of hope for something more then friendship grow a little. He knew Har'ii fussing could be attributed to the fact they were friends so of course he cared, but he couldn't stop the part of him that wanted it to be more than that.

On the way back they passed several fallen Talioang and Tsu'tey felt pride as thought about his own kill. Once the hunt finished completely they would the Talioang using the pa,li to pull them back to camp where everyone would pitch in helping break down the animals into their usable parts, then they would bring it all back to the Hometree.

Tsu'tey knew that Talioang was desired because every part of them was highly useful. The meat would be preserved so it could be used for meals for quite sometime. The tough hide was great for making armor padding or saddle and the bone were great for making strong tools.

So it was important to get good number of them whenever they passed and Tsu'tey was pleased to have helped with and passed this milestone in his training. Soon they reached camp and Tsu'tey could see a few other warriors had also made their was back.

As a healer started examining and putting a thick paste on his ear. Har'ii and his father's showed up and made their way over to them. His own father was little concerned about his injury as well but settled after a little reassurance.

Soon the for of them were sharing how each of their hunts had gone and Tsu'tey found himself smiling enjoying the easy chatter between the four of the and way his best friends eyes lit up as he described something.