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Chapter 7

Shira raised an eyebrow at him, perplexed. "What?"

"Why are you with Daniel?" he repeated his question as he continued to look into her blue eyes, getting lost in them.

"What kind of question is that?" she questioned him.

"Shira..." he paused for a moment as he walked closer before continuing. "Just answer, please."

"I'm with Daniel because I love him." she answered simply because it was the truth.

The sentence cut through Diego like it was a knife. That confirmed it. That definitely confirmed it. She loved him. She loved Daniel. The last three words pierced through Diego's heart. He stabbed at the ground with a claw, holding back the tears that threaten to spill down his cheeks. He had never been more hurt in his entire life. What was he feeling?

"I... I have to go. Ha-have a good night, Shira..." he said softly, starting to walk away, a depressed look on his face.

Shira frowned as she watched him walking away. She didn't understand his reaction. Why would he react like that? She continued to look at him, confused and lost. Shira didn't know why, but she felt bad for him.

"Diego!" she called suddenly, causing him to stop walking. He turned back to her and Shira could see the hurt look on his face.

"Yes...?" he asked, his voice shaking with sadness.

She gave him a concerned look. "Is everything okay?"

"Y-Yes. Yeah, everything is fine, Shira." he answered, trying to smile and mask his hurt look but he just couldn't. Diego had never felt this before. He hated Daniel with all his heart but he had to admit, he was handsome, strong and courageous... Diego knew Daniel was better than him, a lot better than him. But Shira was... just perfect. Her fur, her body, her voice, her eyes... everything about her was just perfect. He sighed depressedly as he looked down. But her heart belonged to Daniel.

"Diego? Are you still there? Diego, please, answer!" Shira exclaimed, snapping Diego out of his thoughts. "What's wrong, Diego?"

He raised his head up to look at her. "I... uh... I'm sorry. I was just... uh... you know... I... you. Sorry."

She chucked softly at him.

'He's cute... wait... What am I thinking of?' Shira thought to herself, quickly shaking her head.

Shira looked up at him."So..." she started, trying to find something to talk about. "Tell Sid to make me a coral necklace too."

Diego's eyes grew wide as he gave her a weird look. "What? Are you being serious? Really?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Shira replied, shrugging. "Besides, he made you a nice coral necklace earlier." She added, holding back laughter.

'I'm definitely gonna kill you, Sid.' he thought as he gritted his teeth, trying not to blush with embarrassment.

"So, will you tell him? And tell him I want my necklace to be blue and green." she said, all of a sudden, looking at him.

Diego looked at her, slowly nodding his head. "Uhmm... yeah, yeah. I will tell him, don't worry about it."

Shira giggled, causing him to smile. Diego loved hearing her laugh ; it was cute, sweet, beautiful and it soothed him.

"Well, thanks... softie." Shira said with a smirk on her face.

"What...? Softie?" he asked her, his eyes widening.

She nodded and then shrugged. "Yes. Well, you keep calling me kitty so I thought I could give you a nickname too, Mister Softie."

Unable to stop himself, Diego began to laugh. She frowned and looked at him confused.

"Uh... What are you laughing at?" Shira asked the male saber confusedly, raising an eyebrow.

Diego stopped laughing and looked up at the confused tigress. "It's... it's just that you're so cute..."

Shira blushed deep red and looked away from Diego. She didn't know how to answer that. A moment of awkward silence descended upon the two, before Shira spoke up again.

"Well, uhm... Thanks." she said slowly as she turned back to him.

Diego smiled at her. "You're welcome, kitty."

"Don't call me-" Shira stopped and then just rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever."

"Shira, I-" He stopped as his eyes meet hers. They looked in each other's eyes, Diego getting lost in the sapphire and Shira getting lost in the emerald.

'Her eyes...' Diego thought, lost in Shira's eyes.

'His eyes...' Shira thought, getting lost in Diego's eyes.

After a while, the tigress shook her head, looking away from him. What had happened? She then took a deep breath and lay down, avoiding eye contact with the male. Meanwhile, Diego felt his heart race in his chest.

"So," she started, slightly awkwardly. "Why did you choose to leave your pack?"

He looked down at her awkwardly. "It's kind of a long story. I'll explain another time," he sighed. "Let's just say packs-"

"Are stupid, idiot and interest free." they finished the sentence together, looked at each other surprised, blushed before smiling warmly at each other.

"I see..." Shira said softly and slowly.

'Wait... did he say 'another time'?' she asked herself but she chose to forget about it.

Shira looked up at him, yawning. "Anyway, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. Good night, Diego... or should I say, softie." she chucked a little and gave him a smile which he immediately returned.

Then, the tigress turned and walked further into the tree before lying down. The male saber kept looking at her, a sweet smile tugging at his lips.

Diego's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait... did you call me softie?"

"Yep!" Shira answered as she rested her head on her paws.

"Don't call me-"

"Softie? As soon as you stop calling me kitty!"

He giggled but stopped when he heard Shira shiver with cold. He walked closer to the tree and looked down at her, through the hole with eyes of worry.

"Shira? Are you cold?" Diego asked her worriedly.

She turned to face him and shook her head. "No, no. I'm not, I'm fine."

He shook his head too and walked inside the tree trunk silently. Shira looked up and her eyes widened in surprise and shock as she watched him walk up to her. Diego lay down beside her and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his chest. Shira tensed. She could feel herself turning deep red.

"Wha-what a-are you do-doing!? Die-Diego, I have a mate and this isn't right... so let go of me!" she said shocked, trying to pull away from him.

"Shira, Shira, please, calm down. It's very cold tonight and I don't want you to get chilly." Diego explained softly, pulling her even more closer.

She shook her head, still trying to push him away. "Diego, this isn't right. I have a mate. It's... it's... Get out of here."

"Look Shira, I just want to help you. Don't be afraid." he whispered, looking down at the female.

She seemed unsure but she didn't say anything else. She just snuggled deeper into his chest, much to Diego's happiness. He tightened his grip on Shira and pulled her further into his chest protectively. She cuddled into his fur some more, causing him to grin like crazy. Diego kept smiling like an idiot, enjoying the feeling of her soft fur agianst his. Shira also smiled but she couldn't help thinking about how much Daniel would hate this. Besides, she knew Daniel would kill Diego if he found out about it... Shira shook the thought away before closing her eyes. Diego closed his too, a smile on his lips.

"Good night, Shira."

"Good night, Diego."

They both fell asleep...

Hey everybody! How's it going? Yes, yes... I know but sorry for taking so long! Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

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