IV
Water
The sound of gushing water easily calmed the young servals. They lie together, upon the muddy bank. Ziku gazed silently at the river's movements. Had he and Kiro seen this a month ago, the two would've been filled with curiosity, happiness, and eventually, a sense of relaxation. Now, with Kiro robbed of her playful innocence, and the absence of Ziku's laid back ways, all that was felt, was a sense of security and metaphorical warmth. They lie against each other, both purring, and motionless, watching, waiting. A rhino lie not too far off, across the river. It snorted, watching the two, before looking away.
"What's happening?" Kiro finally asked, eyes wide open as she gazed at a rock.
"I don't know." Ziku quietly replied, staring at the same rock.
Not once in their short lives, had they - apart from Oola - encountered a creature, that lie without a reason to be still.
"I mean," Kiro went on. "Not even the insects had gotten to it."
Somewhat abruptly, Ziku turned slightly over so as to get better access to Kiro's pelt. He began to groom the female - a relaxing action of instinct, meant not only to clean, but taught to him by his mother, to help soothe. Kiro's eyes of jade finally closed, and she heaved a long sigh.
"What did it?" she finally asked, through Ziku's lapping noises of the tongue. "What killed that rodent?"
"I don't know." Ziku repeated, continuing to groom his friend in the warm sun. "But it was healthy, no doubt. I smelt nor felt no sign of disease, and it looked very young - perhaps even a cub - in its standards, of course." the serval added.
Kiro nodded, but said nothing once more. Ziku finished up, and she turned over to lick at his head as well, both comforting each other. It was not as if they were frightened, nor even shocked, but more so confused beyond belief. The realization that what their mother had taught them about killing was not all true sent the stunning truth through their spines, causing them both to shudder.
Another few minutes went by, birds, primates and other savanna denizens calling in the distance, more than one could count insects together singing, and the scents of other animals nearby filled the air.