(I did put in the prophesy in this one because I wanted to stick to the story but I do not own the content)

Silence surrounded us, and frankly after the day we've been through, it was welcomed.

The cool jungle air blew through my air, soothing my nerves and tight muscles

After checking if Kelsey was alright, Ren kneeled beside me and rub my head "You still alive?" I answer him with a nip on his hand, "Good to hear."

"So that was fun. Are we done with the Cave of Kanheri? Because I don't know about you two but a warm sound and a long nap sounds like heaven to me right now."

I let out a low bark, agreeing with Kelsey, even though I would be stuck in my wolf form for a hot bath, it was better than nothing

Ren stood "Yes, let's head to the car. Stick close, the jungle comes alive at night."

With a groan I drug my heavy body off the dirt and slowly followed behind. It seemed that we were on the far end of the cave and it would be an hour or so before we made it back to the Jeep.

"Are we there yet?" Kelsey asked for the hundredth time, I let out a low growl in annoyance, but it halted in my throat when I caught the scent of a predator

I looked forward and saw that Ren noticed it too, "We're being hunted." He whispered, "Akira, stay with her. When I say, I want you two to run in that direction, make a break for the car. Don't look back, no matter what you hear…. Run!"

I nudged Kelsey and we took off at a dead sprint, well I had to slow to keep pace with her, but we weaved through the trees as fast as we could.

After a few minutes, Kelsey stopped to take a breath. I doubled back and paced around her, my ears listening to the loud growls and roars that surrounded us. I could pick out which was Ren's growls, and which were the unknown predators

I let out a low rumble, urging Kelsey that we must keep going

"Okay…" she panted "Let's go."

I took off at a trot with her doing a fast walk behind me but stopped when there was rustling ahead of us and a pair of bright eyes stared at us

"Ren? Is that you?" Kelsey called out

I took a stance in front of her, baring my teeth and let out a deep growl as a black panther emerged from the bushes. I stood as tall as I could, sizing the cat up.

It looked between us but after I snapped my teeth, it focused on me. We watched each other until the panther crouched, its tail flicking back and forth behind it, and then he pounced, claws and fangs extended.

I let out a loud snarl and lunged, meeting it midflight. Our bodies collided then fell to the jungle floor where wrestled, claws and fangs digging into each other.

I whimper when I feel its teeth dig into my back and toss me to the side, I slide into a tree and the air is knocked out of me

'Come on, get up...' I push myself up to charge back at it but then there is a flash of black and white, and it tackles the panther

It was Ren! Talk about timing.

The two big cats started circling each other until Ren let out a loud roar and batted his large claws at the panther. The panther growls but then runs back off into the jungle.

"You guys okay?" Kelsey asks

I look over at Ren, he looks worse off than I do; his back was bloody, and he was holding his paw up, it was most likely broken.

He changed into a man and reaches for Kelsey's hand "Are you hurt?"

She crouches next to him and hugs him tightly, I huff to myself, seeing the spark between them

"I'm fine but thank you, both of you. I'm just glad your safe."

I limp my way over to them, feeling a cut on my back-leg throbbing with each step

"Can you walk?" She asks, rubbing my chin gently

Me and Ren nod

"Alright, let's head out. I'm right behind you."

Before long we make it to the jeep, too exhausted to anything, Kelsey gives us some water then proceeds to put the seats down and we climb in, passing out quickly

The hot sun woke us too soon and I could feel the dirt caked on my wounds begin to throb again. Like the boys, I had quick healing qualities, but my wounds weren't completely closed.

I didn't realize that Kelsey started driving back to the house until I felt a warm hand rub my head. When I opened my eyes, I saw my father's worried eyes staring down at me

"Oh, my darling daughter… What happened?" he asked as he opened the passenger door so I could get out from where I was curled up on the floor.

I stumbled on my paws from the pain of my injuries

"Let me carry you." He leaned down and easily scooped me up into his arms, I was too exhausted to fight him instead I just leaned into him.

When we entered the house, I could smell Ren and Kelsey's scent, telling me that they had already made their way into the house, to pass out for the rest of the day no doubt.

My father laid me out on my bed, "Come find me when you are ready." He kisses my head before I let my tired body slip into a heavy sleep

Several hours I wake up and look at the clock on the wall, it had been 24 hours thankfully

I changed back to human and my first objective is a long hot shower.

The scolding water burned my skin but was soothing to my sore muscles. I wiped the steam off the mirror and started running my fingers through my long black hair

'Might want to get a haircut soon.'

I check my wounds and see pink scars in their place. Good. Now to find my father.

Dressing in a simple tank top and pants I make my way down to the kitchen where my father is cooking some food

"Akira, good to see you are well rested." He greets me

I smile and walk up behind me, hugging him "I missed you, you missed out on quite of an adventure." I tease

"Yes, Ren filled me in on the whole bug and chasm jumping adventure." He smirked before he pilled a plate high with food "Eat, then come find me in the peacock room okay? But finish it all first." He gave me a warning look

I raise my hands, "You know me, I never leave an empty plate."

He kissed my cheek then left me to my thoughts.

I was halfway through my meal when Ren walked in, "Hey Kira, feeling better?"

I nod "Yeah, you?"

"All healed up," he sat beside me and stole a piece of meat from my plate

"Hey" I slap his hand "Get your own."

He chuckled "Hey, I'm a tiger, I eat more than you."

I roll my eyes and start jabbing my food with my fork, "Listen… I want to thank you for, you know, the times where you saved my hide."

He sighed and rubbed my head, "Kira, it is not because you are not strong, there is nothing wrong with getting help when you need it. Don't forget you stood your ground against a wild panther. That took courage."

I smile to myself, "Yeah well, you scared it off in the end."

"Don't worry, I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to kick butt."

I roll my eyes and stand, putting my plate in the sink, "Come on, my father said he was working on cracking the prophesy." I say before morphing to my wolf and making my way to the peacock room, with a white tiger on my tail.

Kelsey was already in the room talking with my father when we walked in, I hopped up on a couch while Ren laid at her feet. My father pushed a piece of paper towards her and my ears perked up as she read it aloud:

For Protection, seek her temple

And take hold of Durga's blessing.

Travel west and search Kishkindha

Where simians rule the ground.

Gada strike in Hanuman's realm;

And hunt the branch that's bound.

Thorny dangers grasp above;

Dazzling dangers lie below,

Strangle, ensnare, the ones you love-

And trap in brackish undertow.

Lurid phantoms thwart your route

And guardians wait to bar your way.

Beware once they begin pursuit

Or embrace their moldering decay.

But all of this you can refute

If serpents find forbidden fruit

And India's hunger satisfy. . .

Lest all her people surely die.

From the time I've studying, I recognize the name Hanuman; the money god. Kishkindha, also known as the Monkey Kingdom, is said to be his realm.

My father's voice brings me from my thoughts, "The question is to where exactly is the location of Kishkindha, given the current thought is that the ruins of Hampi is likely to be on, or near ancient Kishkindha."

"That mean we must deal with a monkey god, to find what? A branch of some sort?" Kelsey asked

"I believe what you seek is the forbidden fruit."

Kelsey began doing research while my father went back to his translations.

I looked over and saw Ren make himself comfortable on her feet as she sat in a chair with a book in her lap. He catches me staring and I give him a knowing huff, with my tail wagging, he huffs back and closes his eyes.

Honestly don't blame him for growing feelings for her, it has been a very long time since I've seen someone, aside from family, make Ren family. I close my eyes and my heart flutters as I dream of a orange tiger with bright green eyes.