Curtis found himself tracking through the lowlands as dawn arrived. He'd been unable to save Chiaki from the raging river, but his connection to her told him she was alive. He knew the direction she was in, he only needed to keep walking until he could pinpoint exactly where. She was alive, he told himself. This was what kept him moving. Had he lost that connection, the ability to feel her... he would have killed himself in grief.

Almost without thinking he adjusted his direction to his left. That way, ahead of him was a rise, the point where the flood had gotten to before receding. He scented the air, his forked tongue flickering out from between his lips. His nose wasn't as good as a mammal beast male. There was so much water in the air, once the sun crested in the sky it would become humid.

Over the rise he went, then he paused. His tongue flickered again. His eyes widened, "Chiaki!" He called out, having scented her in the air here.

He quickly transformed, rising into the treetops for a better view. Trees, bamboo, water, a mountain in the distance. But not his mate in sight. "Chiaki!" He called again. There was no answer.

Slowly he lowered himself back to the ground and began to follow the scent hanging in the dense air. He found it! The source of her strong scent was here! A muddy moss bed. She must have rested here for a while.

Tongue flicking constantly he stayed low to the ground now, following the scent. Curtis's heart thumped wildly. He'd found her scent! His mate couldn't be far now. Soon he would feel the strong protective pull of their bond and they would be reunited. He would never leave her side again. His thoughts became frantic. He would stop fighting with the lion. He'd let the lion have the next two offspring! Just let Chiaki be alright.

He abruptly rushed into a pool of water. Fresh mountain spring water, untouched by the flood from the other mountain range. Curtis thrust his head above water and coughed, shaking his head. He'd been picking up speed at a steady pace and the sudden change from land to water had taken him by surprise. A flash of red caught his attention.

"Chiaki?" He called. That was his shed skin wasn't it? No reply.

Carefully he lifted the piece of clothing with the tip of his tail. It was dry and the scent softer. It had been washed and left to dry on the shore. His eyes scanned the area. Had she seen him, he knew she would have made herself seen. She was not here anymore. What could-

The scent of tiger! Curtis's head swung towards the new scent. In just a quick movement he was all the way to the other side of the far bank. Chiaki's scent began to mix with the scent of the tiger, no... of the tiger beast male. Curtis's eyes narrowed, she'd been found and taken. That was why she was not here for him to find.

This scent was fresh. It wouldn't be long now and he'd be reunited with his mate!

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

"Dear me, another one?" The healer said as he saw the slip of a female carried in Duskmane's arms.

Chiaki watched the scene with half lidded eyes. The home of a healer was never calm it seemed. It wasn't long before the story came out. This female had been found wandering alone near the top of the mountain, nude and without her family. The sight of Duskmane must have been such a relief that the female had fainted! Chiaki couldn't hold in the snort that story caused her.

Soon the small female was resting on furs next to Chiaki. The female had a small bump on her head and Langzhu was crushing up an herb that would awaken her. Chiaki caught the healer looking up and down the new arrival, searching.

Bai Di placed a hand on Chiaki's head, startling her. "Do you need anything?"

Chiaki sighed. She really wanted to shove the hand away, but he had saved her from drowning. "I- your name again? I forgot it."

The male lifted his head slightly. "Bai Di, others call me the White King."

"Bai Di." Chiaki repeated. She knew Bai Quinquin's name had something to do with the word 'white' also, so Chiaki hazard a guess that his name was also of a Chinese origin. "Thank you, for saving my life."

"If you truly feel that way, become my mate!" Bai Di said as his hands moved to clasp around hers.

"I have a mate, I have two actually." Chiaki shook her head.

"Yes, you said this. Those males must be poor mates to let you be harmed and lost to the waters."

Chiaki pulled her hand free from Bai Di's grasp. "They are nothing of the sort." She said sharply. "And I won't consider any male for my mate who thinks that!"

Bai Di's black ears pinned themselves backwards into his white hair. "Please take no offence then!" He said quickly. "I only mean that-"

"You meant what you said."

Behind them Langzhu chuckled. "It seems that sweet-talk will get you nowhere with this one White King."

"One of my mates will be here shortly." She said as she turned to look at the other female once more. "Then you will understand."