The sun created a honey glow that stretched across the forest floor in shafts, breaking into fractals and scattering in dapples as it danced across the greenery. It was cool that morning, the apes' breath coming in gentle clouds of condensation from their lips and nostrils. Pine stirred next to his twin, the two waiting intently for the proper moment. They were hunting from two different stand-points, some settled in the foliage, some in the trees. Pine and Slate's knuckles brushed, their spears hovering parallel to one another as they rested over the slope, watching the massive fuzzy shapes as they grazed peacefully. The scarred chimp had hunger pains in his gut, and the thought of venison made him feel the need to lick his chops. Slate's nose twitched and his hand stirred. 'You sure this will work?' asked his younger brother. Pine felt anger boil in his chest. Of course it would work! He gave Slate a hardened bicolored gaze, patchy irises flashing, although he kept his irritated grunts silent. His brother always had his doubts about him when a plan didn't seem completely foolproof. What did he know?

'It will,' he confirmed arrogantly.

'All you caught last time was a scrawny human,' Slate pointed out. 'And some fish.' His amber depths always had this air to them, as if he could see through him and pick out all the faults in the grand design of things; as if he knew more than he, as if he were superior. As if he would do a better job at hunting than he. Pine could strangle him. Rolling his two-toned peepers, he brought a hand to his tattered and nearly non-existent ear, and scratched. Gnats buzzed around their heads, which they ignored. It was normal when the weather was changing. Soon the leaves would change color and the some females would decorate their headdresses, and the little ones would make their leaf collections with Maurice.

This was how Caesar had done it, right? How Koba had? Pine knew he was doing his deceased elders a favor. If the battered bonobo were still around, he'd know exactly what to do in Cornelius' place. He didn't see prince Cornelius out here, leading the hunts. Maybe even Blue Eyes could have lead, if it hadn't been for the humans. Anybody would have been better than the soft prince of the Oasis, as he and his companions called him. 'Are you in charge of this hunt?' Pine accused. Curling his lip, 'I know what I'm doing. Now shut your mouth.'

Turning his attention back up toward the treeline, he gave the first signal. Tension built as they pressed forward up the hill, the ranks coming into place. The air quivered, a few of the herbivores becoming glued to the spot, their ears swiveling vigorously. Pine's group waited with anticipation, eyes darting from him to their prey. The rush that he felt as they all looked to him as their leader, all waiting for his call, his orders- it felt glorious. His fur began to bristle along his shoulders. They would wait until he began the hunt. The swelling in his chest became immense, a wicked grin curling at his lips as he now sat crouched on the slope. Suddenly, one of the massive beasts spooked. Immediately, a mighty roar bursting from the male's lips as they burst through the vegetation, Pine the closest to the herd as it fled. The ground shook with the thunder of hooves as the deer leapt over logs and jagged stones. Pine had lost sight of Slate at this point, his eyes now searching for a limping stag, an ill doe, or perhaps even a fawn- if he were lucky. As soon as Pine's group was in sight, the troop above soared to the ground, some landing upon their prey and some ducking among the bodies cutting through the air. A few hunters were kicked at or bowled over, the herd's numbers bleeding through and managing to escape like sand through one's fingers. Apes broke off in quadrants and pursued their own, Pine proudly falling in behind a doe as she dragged her back leg into the tall redwoods. He took to the closest tree, leaping from trunk to trunk and keeping an eye on her as she slowed, beginning to believe that she was indeed safe. Peering closely at the wounded doe, he noticed a familiar piece of artillery sticking out of her injured haunch, revealing the source of her pain. The arrow was mottled at the tail, feathers frayed from being dragged through coarse undergrowth. Perhaps this human had ended up useful after all.

Movement flickered in the tree parallel to him, revealing his dark-faced sibling. This brought yet another shiver of pride to his hammering heart; despite having been at each other's throats more often than not, he was finally able to assist Pine in a kill. This female was easily slaughtered with her wound, and being alone, they had even more of a chance at success. Easy pickings. Pine signed, 'Care for a competition?' A cocky sneer laced his lips, sharp teeth flashing and his marred nose wrinkling.

Slate's head bobbed in reply, his stone-faced facade remaining stagnant. He didn't seem as thrilled as he, but nonetheless, he joined in. Slate let out a pant-hoot, shriller than it usually would be, and alerted the doe to their presence. She bolted and they were off to the races. Jolly barks escaped Pine as he resorted to swinging, his body crashing through the redwoods, moss flying to the ground as his hands practically peeled it from the strong overhanging branches. It wasn't until Pine shot the neighboring tree across the clear was empty, and that Slate was way ahead, his spear clamped between his teeth. A desperate bubble of adrenaline burst within his belly and he threw himself earthward, landing inches behind the doe with a bellow. To the left he bounded, throwing a rock with a swift, quick hand and taking out her injured leg. The doe skidded, bleating in terror, and just as she fell to the forest floor, Slate landed directly in front of her. In her moment of fright, she slowly looked up at Pine's twin, watching as his body rise to full height upon sturdy hind legs, his teeth bared and carnal, and his spear raising with graceful poise. The warpaint that they typically used paled his dark features and fur, a line of royal scarlet smeared down between his brow and the bridge of his nose. All apes now bore this single drop of red in honor of Caesar.

This was his kill. His brother had earned it fair and square. Pine couldn't help but feel his gut sour. He wanted to be proud and impressed, but all he felt was… was ..

Before the kill could be made, the sound of triumphant calls alerted them to the fourth troop. They had caught something successfully, and in that lull, the doe staggered to all fours. Pine, furious, darted forward and took hold of the arrow, only for it to tear out when his twin's hand collided with his chest. The doe ran free, albeit in a rather unsteady fashion. Sage and Sharp's howls and brays of celebration only aggravated him more. His marred face crumpled and his cranium snapped around to face his brother. 'You let her get away,' he signed.

'They've caught one. It's enough for today,' Slate explained, passively moving his gaze away, moving forward.

Pine couldn't believe his brother! Letting a chance at additional meat? What was he so dead-set on? They needed it- to feed apes! "Caught.. enough?" he echoed, voice rasping and whistling in his throat. 'Winter is coming soon. Why let an opportunity go?' His brother blatantly ignored him. Anger welling, he huffed and gritted his teeth. Turning away from Slate, he glared at the arrow in his grip. If he was going to let the doe go, fine by him… it would be his catch.

His brother's pants alerted him and he glanced over his shoulder. Slate was perched atop a fallen timber, his hand extended. Dropping to his quads, he stalked away, picking up his spear.

Slate always felt too much.

The kill had been made by Gregory, an orangutan with bristling hair along his crown and a missing eye. He was a gruff elder, but nonetheless followed orders from younger apes peacefully, unlike others his age. He understood many things, and for a while Slate wondered why he hadn't taken up teaching like Maurice. It wasn't hard to figure out that Gregory was a hunter by nature and a fighter at heart. As they returned upon the few horses the tribe had managed to find after arriving at the oasis, Slate took in the surroundings around him, eyeing the buck that hung from it's stake. This was more than enough food. The gorillas allowed the elders off their steeds and then guided them toward the clear where they were typically tied up, and under constant supervision. They then began their climb up along the secret pathways. Above, the sentries called to the colony camp of their return, pant-hooting and shrieking. The birds had been drown out at this point, their sonorous voices completely muted by the thundering greeting they were given.

He knew there would be many curious eyes at their return, but as they came to the tunnel-like canopy of entwined redwoods, he felt his skin prickle. He would surely see Krissa's chartreuse set added to the number- that is, if she were on the other side of the dogwood as she had been before. Slate straightened up as they broke through, revealing themselves the elated crowd that gathered upon the ledges and the outcrops. Bonobos, chimps, gorillas and orangutans- apes alike hooped and hollered, praising their safe arrival and, most importantly, their catch. They slowly approached the center, Slate's amber eyes immediately being drawn to the smooth surface of the lumpy and twisted dogwood, expecting to see Krissa's dainty frame.

She was gone. Just… gone. There was only empty space where she had once was she? What had happened while he had been gone? Breaking from the dispersing hunting group, he excused himself to some of the elders and took to the outcrop of stone as quickly as he could. Slate then hastily ambled along the rocks to the royal hut. Pushing his way inside, he found a few pairs of curious eyes drifting toward him. Cornelius, Rocket, Maurice and Lake all sat around the crackling hearth, the flames dancing orange and yellow. Suddenly realizing that he had intruded, he knuckled forward and slowed as he neared, bowing his head. Offering his outstretched palm in apology, he remained crouched, motionless. Maurice burbled and he felt a set of gently fingers grace across his extremity. As soon as his eyes drifted upwards, he was nearly bowled over by how close Lake was to him. 'What brings you here?' she inquired.

The rest seemed content with where they sat as the young female addressed him. He felt as though he could still feel her hand, even as he came to sit upon his haunches and allowed it to fall limp as he rested his forearm down. Using his spear to support him, Slate glanced between the royal family. 'The human. Where is she?' He tried to ignore Maurice's insightful gaze. Lake glanced among the others to her right. 'Not tied up. Might be dangerous.'

'Maurice thinks otherwise,' Rocket pointed out, exchanging a look among themselves. The orangutan burbled and bobbed his head, agreeing with his fellow ape. Suddenly, Slate felt as if he were being examined under a microscope. The prince was silent as the grave, and Rocket now studied him with probing emerald eyes. The elder chimp sat up and leaned forward, knuckles pressing into the ground. 'Your brother. He is not as fond of her as you.'

Slate felt his heart in his throat and his gaze immediately darted to Maurice. The olive flecks in the graying borean's tones danced with the tangoing flames before him, yet never let up from the younger ape before him. 'I hate her just as much. She injured Quill. Put apes in danger,' he defended. 'Could do worse-' A hand fell upon the chimp's shoulder, nearly startling him out of his skin. Lake's graceful fingers pressed into his burly deltoid, a scowl upon her face.

"Do not.. lie.." The three words she spoke were honey sweet and light, her soprano tone rough and airy, but nonetheless one-hundred percent Lake. Eventually her green set softened, like it would with a child. 'Is it true?' Slate's eyes widened, whites pearly as ever. He understood now.. completely. Dread clutched his belly with an iron fist as he realized that they knew. That all knew. How could he have been so stupid? His guarded expression melted away and his lips parted, the tips of his canines visible. Turning his head, he looked upon Cornelius and Rocket, then finally Maurice. The teacher's head tilted downward, as if encouraging him to come clean. Slate didn't answer until all of them seemed to be peering expectantly at him. The flames popped and hissed.

'Did you know she was out there?' Rocket clarified, brow beginning to lower. He was not impressed by the hunter's silence.

The chimp wavered. If he admitted his mistakes, perhaps he could make up for it in the future. He didn't wish to disobey the tribe, nor did he know their intentions toward humans. What Slate did know, however, was that if there had been a threat, it had been his job to protect apes from danger. He should have reported it, and now thinking back he regretted not doing so from the beginning. Slate had thought about it time and time again, knowing that each day he went to see her wasn't too late. He had just never been able to work up the nerve, and that was saying something. Slate was proud of his grit. "Yes," Slate finally replied, casually moving himself away from Lake's touch. He hated being touched. The royal family shifted, looking among themselves. Perhaps he could still recover from this. 'Why has she been untied?'

'She has not caused trouble,' Maurice was the next to speak, clicking within his throat pouch. The firelight warmed his face-flaps. 'She is with Nova.'

"Does Pine.. know?" interjected Cornelius, scratching his ulna. "Wouldn't want him.. hurting her." Surprised by his prince's vague protective nature, he shook his head in response. Hadn't Cornelius been the one to originally leave her fate up to his malicious brother? Krissa could have died right then, only spared by Maurice's kind nature. Perhaps it was that he was still fond of the prince's deceased father and his way. 'Pine does not know.'

The teacher gurgled. 'Let us keep it a secret. If word gets out that Slate, of all apes, is fond of this human…'

"What is there to be.. afraid of?" grunted Slate, cutting Maurice off. It seemed that his english grew better with ferocity. It was clear that something close to possessiveness stirred within him. There was a pause. His amber eyes fell to the flames, and then drifted away.

'We will all keep her safe,' Rocket responded dryly. 'Maurice thinks she is honest. Need to stay cautious though. Apes will watch her.' The grey male gestured to his eyes while curled his index and middle finger on each hand, curling the other tactile members inward to his palms. Following this not long after, he flattened his palms and pressed his fingers together, bringing the back of his knuckles to his opposite extremity, allowing it to slap the tips of his digits. 'You watch close.' It was obvious that he wasn't sure about the human, just as he should be. Nodding and grunting in agreement, Slate mimed how his brother would react. He understood Krissa was not a threat.

Cavalier was a curse.

Dismissing himself, he shot Lake one last little leer and then knuckled out, this time with less urgency. As he exited, it was obvious that Pine had returned. He couldn't help but feel how his stomach took a tumble as the sight of his doe being skinned now. Despite how boorish and brash his brother could be, Slate know he was an excellent tracker and hunter. Perhaps he would go congratulate him on his hunter later; right now, he was itching to find Krissa and see if she was still as sickly as the evening before. Slate plodded over to a few females instead, searching for any sign of his younger sister among them. It wasn't until Joan, a small orangutan female, mentioned to him that she had last seen her leaving with the human. She was sure to coat her words with a nasty look of distaste. It wasn't just the males in the tribe that disliked her, it seemed. Taking to the ledges along the west-wall, he ambled up the crumbling slope and took to the trees. His head was reeling from what he had just taken in, his frustration with Maurice only adding to the situation.

He would have to discuss this with him later.

It was a bit of a task locating the group of females and the four white-tails, but as soon as he heard the excited hiccups of hoots from the children, it was easy to pinpoint their position. From the canopy he hovered, observing as Poppy and Mist picked through the sweet grass shoots, a basket at their side holding what they had already managed to harvest. Krissa was settled of on her own, Nova and she keeping an eye on three young bonobos and Twig himself, who was entertaining the others with his vigorous spinning. The view onward was beautiful; the land dropped off into a pond, the water lapping hungrily at the rusty sides of the rocks and mud. The stream babbling not far from the small group of females and children dropped off the ledge and cascaded in a thin stream into the belly below. Vines and lichen hung and tangled along, and ferns were thick and easy for the young to hide in. Slate swung further into view, Mist's long face turning up toward the clouds gathering overhead. Sniffing curiously, her features softened and she waved him over. Did he really have an option? Poppy would surely give him an earful if he kept moving. Slate ambled his way along a branch and flung himself earthward, the greenery stirring upon his sudden collision. Twig, obviously noticing this, scampered over to the hunter with large emerald eyes.

'Hello,' signed the white-tail, far from apprehensive as he took hold of his spear and began to lean back, using it as support. 'Wanna play?' Soon he was swarmed by the others, examining his weapon and prodding him curiously. They begged him to join them, which he felt his chest tighten significantly at, uncomfortable with all the attention. He didn't wish to disappoint them, but then again, their little hands were touching him. He hated being touched. 'Come play!' signed a small bonobo, her brown tones sparkling in the dim light. 'Play in ferns!' Slate found his attention caught by an amused chartreuse set and his ears burned in embarrassment. He was under their wrath until the little female's brother gave her a shove, and the group all chased after her back toward milky-haired human in a fit of shrieks. Krissa smirked and his nostrils flared in her direction, irritated by her entertainment. She was always poking fun at him.

Mist's soft bray finally broke their silent stare. "They.. are very energetic," simpered the nursing mother. 'Twig is learning fast. Maurice had his hands full today, so they're out with us.' Turning back to her work, he fell into step with her, joining his sister and the other chimp. Perhaps they were simply exhilarated by the change of scenery, but Slate still found himself overwhelmed by the way they buzzed with activity. Wary, he shot a glance back in Krissa's direction, who was now signing back and forth with Nova. She wore this weird tube thing: it was just enough to cover her small breasts, cropping off a few inches above her diaphragm. There were so many strange colors on it and the designs were so busy that it made his head buzz. One of the infants was resting on her chest at and forced her to turn at an awkward angle as she sat in the grass. He had one foot upon her breast, one on her shoulder, and was leafing through her raven curls. It just felt so strange with her comfortably joining the other apes just as Nova did. The human child was one thing, but a grown adult? Not only that, but a human he knew of. As much as Slate didn't wish to be intrusive, he picked up a sliver of their conversation.

'.. Monarchs gather up there. Have you seen them?'

'I've wanted to, I've heard it's beautiful…'

"Pine… did he come back?" asked his sibling, his head snapping around. Had she noticed? Her brows furrowed. Yes. Was Mist aware? A long delicate finger pointed in his direction and then her fingers curled inward. It took him a moment to realize that she was feigning concern. 'You okay?'

'Just distracted. Tired. Long hunt,' he remarked, then shot a look back over at Krissa and Nova. 'Why is she here?'

'Nova brought her,' Mist answered, her head rising slightly. Nose twinging, she paused for a moment, before she nodded softly. 'She is gentle with the children.'

'She won't eat them, Mist,' Poppy teased, giving the older female a nudge.

'I wouldn't let her,' the mother retaliated, although it was obvious that she held her own amusement at this comment. No, Krissa wouldn't hurt a fly. She had never tried to attack him, not once. Recalling the event where she had kicked him in the jaw, he gently brought his palm up and stroked the dark skin and hair. He could snap her like a twig if she decided to turn around and attempted to hurt apes. She was his human, and so he'd control her. Shifting his weight from his knuckles, he sat back in the grass. The clouds had bunched together, drowning out the heavenly cerulean the morning had brought, now heavy with rain threatening to spill. The birds had strengthened their calls, belting out into the afternoon's drowsy heat; mosquitoes whined in their ears, earning a swat here and there from the apes. The sound of the rushing water was now very prominent, the apelings having quieted down, giggling softer now as they were losing steam. The bonobo siblings were now lounging not far from Nova, Twig and the eldest child darting through the ferns and scampering up the trees with vigor.

Eventually Krissa stood up, alerting the others. 'Mist,' she signed gently. 'Might Nova and I take the kids down to the pool? They want to see the water.' Mist smiled tenderly and nodded her head, earning a grateful smile. "C'mon you guys. We're going swimming!" The children bounded to their feet, racing out into the undergrowth ahead of her, excited to get cool. Just as Nova rose and stretched delightfully, her blue eyes fell upon the only male present. 'Slate should come. Keep safe,' she suggested.

His head shook immediately, and before he could catch himself, said something rather odd for a so-called human-hater. "Have Krissa," he responded, feeling his tongue curl back into his mouth as soon as the words escaped his lips. There was an awkwardly hard silence before he finally added, 'Will watch from here.' Hopefully saving the conversation, the male turned back toward the others only to be met with stares. Uncomfortable, his eyes fell and he pulled himself to his quads, plodding through the grass. Once out of sight, he quickly made his way over to the stream, it's bubbling reminding him of the one that had fuck through Krissa's camp. His ears burned at the thought of how Poppy and Mist had gawked. He needn't be so curious and trusting- he was no longer a white-tail. Still, even as he gazed out from the view high above the pool below, pulling shoots from the ground and munching with the least amount of poise, he could hear them down below. The chimp fought urge to peer down over the edge, even as he listened to them below. Eventually though, he gave up, realizing his own stubbornness was keeping him from tending to his promised vigilance.

Thunder hummed overhead and the storm finally began. The rain was soft and fine, kissing everything with it's pearl-sized droplets. Slate could already feel the frustration welling in his belly as he heard her speaking to the young, trying to coax them out from beneath the shelter of the woods. "There's nothing to be afraid of.. Look, see how the water in the rain? See how everything looks slippery? It's just a little thunder." As his amber eyes fell on the posse below, he watched as Krissa's lithe form bounded through the rocks, the females skittering along the water's edge and the boys wrestling in the murky pool. Creeping closer to the cusp of the edge, Slate's attention followed after the human, who eventually came to the weathered boulder jutting out across the surface of the rippling lagoon. Then there was a noise. It started soft at first, but then grew in volume, until eventually he realized just where it was coming from. Krissa's lips parted and words began to form. "Fire and brimstone fell upon my ears, as their throats of open graves recited fear," she sang, her voice clear and satisfying to the ear. "Like the bullets of a gun they drove my tears, and my feet to run the hell... out of here!"

His stomach felt as though it were on fire as he listened, finding that his feet moved on their own and he began to amble down the sheer cliff-side to the stones beneath. Hovering in one place, her chartreuse depths flitted up suddenly, a few pieces of pebble falling not far from her. Surprised, she blinked, then glanced over her shoulder. She seemed to silently confirm something that ran through her mind- perhaps that it was alright to speak with him, and then her mouth opened. "You seem perplexed," she greeted. Slate wasn't sure what she meant, but he continued his trip until he was settled atop a tall set of stones, looking down at her crown. Her next question was dry. "Are you still pissed that I got caught?"

Grunting, he gave her a hardened look of confusion, cocking his head slightly. Her eyes rolled and she rose to her feet. Her hands came to the buttons of her high shorts and she then wiggled her way out of them. What he was met with was her bare backside and this piece of material covering her front and hips. They were unnaturally orange with white and pink, the straps covering the crook of her behind, where a tail could have grown just like apes. Slate pulled his eyes away from her exposed bronze skin and allowed them to hover by the back of her pate. Krissa turned herself around, brows raised high. 'Angry,' she signed, clarifying. 'Are you still angry with me?'

Slate's teeth clenched and his lips curled. 'It was stupid. To go down to the waterfall,' the stubborn ape berated, nose wrinkled. "Could have.. Died. Pine was ready.. to kill you."

"Why didn't you stop him when he was beating me up then, huh?" she asked casually, wading her way down into the pool below. A hiss escaped her, most likely because of the temperature.

'If brother found out, would have killed you and me.' Well, that hadn't been one-hundred percent true. He was surprised by this excuse he created, but it wasn't a complete lie. Slate could feel his gut twist as he realized how shallow been as he had gone about this. Had he thought of stopping Pine? Yes, of course he had… but his own stubborn pride and ego had gotten in the way, and clouded his better judgement. What mattered now was that she was alive and Pine still didn't know about Krissa being more than just a stranger to him. Slate watched as the human climbed beneath the steady stream of water, letting out a hum of agreement. Shuffling, he hopped down from the outcrop and took her place atop the boulder. "He still does not.. know," the male reassured flatly.

These creatures were so different compared to his kind. Her couldn't quite wrap his head around how thin she was compared to ape females, almost as if she were malnourished. Her torso and legs were long, her arms willowy and fragile. She was lean and yet somehow graceful, like a mare. They grew hair only on their heads, and her own was even more otherworldly. The curls were wild, wispy and dark. Those weird markings on her cheeks and nose? Quill had some. The human bowed her head beneath the cascading wall and turned, whipping her shoulder-length hair up and spraying water all over Slate. Startled, he rose at first and growl, only to relax as the youngsters giggled and hooped. "Oh! I'm sorry, did I splash you?" she jeered, sarcastically simulating an apology. Slate was just about ready to tear into her when a wicked idea came to mind. With a massive swipe of his hand, he brought a wave crashing across her left side, earning a shriek from her. Her startled shrill sent deep, throaty pant-chuffs of laughter up through his throat, sneering devilishly in her direction.

To his surprise, he found her top teeth biting down into her lip as she stood there, shivering and giggling. That dark look in her chartreuse eyes caused the fur along the back of his neck to rise. Slate observed as Krissa shook her head, supple lip released, and stooped down. Her hand disappeared, only to return with a massive ball of mud; there was a rumble of thunder and he pant-barked in partial excitement as the wad soared through the air and he dodged out of the way. She could land a square hit on a doe, yet could not hit a moving object? He'd have to show her a few-

SPLAT! Thick, cold, sticky muck smacked squarely into the chimp's ear. Slowly, he felt it drip and slide down his neck, covering his shoulder in it's dense shrapnel before proceeding to ooze until it hit the boulder beneath his feet. This earned an indefinite snarl. Slate turned, immediately shielding his soiled side and attempting to wipe it off. When his tawny eyes flashed in her direction, she was nowhere to be seen, submerged in the deeper part of the pool. That slippery fish! He'd get her back for that one. Sauntering off the boulders, he retreated off into the foliage, taking the long way up to the waterfall so he could calm himself down and speak with Mist and Poppy.

The thunder had all but stopped, the rain continuing to fall in peaceful pearls of precipitation. He could tell that it was about time to pack up and head back home. Slate found that he crossed paths with his sister, the chimp heading for the pool-side in order to collect the children in his place. He had had enough of games for the day. His main priority was to meet up with Mist and wait for the others. Whatever jolly mood he had been put in by Krissa was gone, his coat surely matting later in the day from that muck she had flung at him. As he meandered along, picking through debris from falling trees and toadstools, he rounded the edge of the slope and then stopped abruptly. Something pungent and sour hit his nostrils, which he followed by instinct, naturally curious as to where it was coming from. At first he didn't exactly recognize this scent- it had been too long for him to say, that is. Discovering the odor emanating from the bark of an unsuspicious redwood, he puzzled and scrunched up his face, drawing back as soon as he was too close to take it. Slate had located this scent before, but where? This was strong, and fresh. Perhaps created five minutes ago?

Something clicked and he suddenly understood. Everything happened in rapid fire motions.

Slate whirled around and screamed at the top of his lungs until his vocals felt hoarse; Krissa yelled something illegible; Poppy and the young ones began to make alarm calls, Mist joining in not long after. With powerful strides, the hunter soared through the undergrowth, leaping great distances and ambling up the closest tree to swing back down toward the water's edge. They were just on the cusp of the forest-line: his sister stood protectively in front of the three bonobo siblings, blaring her lungs out. A few feet away, still soaked, was Krissa kicking at nearly 230lbs of muscle and fur, saliva dripping from it's teeth. Guttural snarls frightened the shrilling children behind his confused and frantic sister. Slate didn't take much time to focus on the blood spraying across the ferns- he plummeted to the ground and barreled straight into the cougar's rippling flank. The human scrambled to her feet, scrambling out of the way as Slate squared off with this animal, his spear meeting a thick column of brawn, which immediately earned him a swipe of the creature's extended claws. It happened so quickly: the beast's deadly weapons met the flesh of his forearm and his weapon was torn violently from his hands as the tom pulled himself away. The animal shot forward once again and Slate only managed to throw his mits up in time to catch him by his barrel of a chest and thick throat. The puma snapped, canines making a horrid hungry clicking sonancy, meeting nothing but air. Quickly, Slate shoved the animal back and away from himself.

Finally overcoming the adrenaline coursing through him, Slate twisted his powerful pate around, bringing his jaws down upon the side of it's head, coppery blood blossoming into his mouth and across his tongue. The contact was brief as suddenly his jaw was jarred by how quickly the puma yanked his massive skull from the hunter's steel grip, following with another flesh wound, this time deeper. The white-hot agony of the monstrous feline's claws raking across his opposite bicep caused his lips to curl back and a howl to erupt from deep his chest. Initially Slate thought that the animal would finally give up, but instead there was a heavy silence, filled only by the rumbling growl within the puma's gullet. The two mammals stared each other down in a standoff like no other, the lull filled with the whimpers of the children and the hollering of Poppy and Mist. Great huffs of air passed through his flaring nostrils and lips as he struggled to fight the pain, although he dared not take his eyes off the predator.

His burning rage built up and up, creating great contusions within his belly. Slate lunged just as the puma made for another blow of it's mighty paw. He shot forward, snatching his spear from where it dragged from it's meaty side and with a hiss, he darted out of the way quick as he possibly could. The puma landed mere inches from where he had once been and pinwheeled around, the chimp feeling the staggering gust of air against his exposed back. Slate turned and slowly but surely asserted his dominance, rising to full height. A great pant-scream escaped him, cutting through the cries of the approaching party, his coat bristling and his bloodied fangs gleaming just as deadly as the feline's own yellowing set. The spear ascended into the air, pointed directly at the space between it's widening muddy eyes.

The alarm calls of his approaching liberators startled the big cat, the others charging and chasing the animal away, ending the bloody battle there. Slate felt his entire body slowly relax and began to pick out members of his tribe. Rocket was in the lead, pant-hooting until he was shrieking as shrill as the birds, his arms swinging behind him, then forward. Marshal stood proudly near his side, followed by Hail, Pine and Sharp. Soon their cries of bloodthirsty died out as they approached him, signing and asking if he were alright- but he couldn't hear any of them.

Slate could only hear Krissa's hiccups and sobs. Pulling away from his concerned familia, he turned to stare at the human, curled in a bundle with her knees hugged tightly to her chest. Slate, worried, stiffly fell to all fours and slowly approached, making soft coos and extending a hand. Her chartreuse eyes had never been more colorful, their near yellow shade of emerald blaring out from against her stark raven curls and her dark lashes. Tears fell relentlessly in massive pearls of brine, mingling with the mist that now fell from above in the sky. His wounds ached, all he could smell was excrement... her eyes were so red. Why was she crying? Blood was everywhere-

The blood was on her. It was all over her. Slate could see the crimson smeared upon her fingers and the dark velvety gore that bathed her front. Numb to his fears and what he didn't wish to see, his head turned and fell upon Mist.

The dark brown female coddled her son in her arms, his limbs hanging limp from where she held him, her lips peeled back in distress. The blood that sprayed and marred the dark earth and the fronds surrounding was not only his… in fact, it had been a small portion. The child's remaining eye stared up at his mother: it was milky, unseeing, lifeless- ripped of it's kindred light that twinkled there not long ago.

The entire clearing grieved and Slate had to look away before his eyes could find the white-tail's exposed grey matter.

Author's Note: This was hard for me to write. I've loved this character for such a long time, even despite him only having been in this story for a few short moments. This is emotional to read, so I apologize. If you are wondering what the song Krissa singing is, it's called Lay Me Down by The Oh Hellos. This song (along with others) helped me write this chapter and this death. It really gives you an excellent outlook to Twig's innocent character, as well as how this world is still cruel and chaotic even while there is peace.

I'm sorry for this chapter being so long in the works. Posting might become a bit slower with my new job, but I'll try my hardest to update as quick as possible for you guys. I'd love to hear what you thought and/or are thinking of the story so far, so please leave a review, and don't forget to fav/follow for updates!

Love ya pals, see you in the next chapter! xo