Gash pushed forward until Vein spread his arm. "Do not interfere."
Vein's words cut through the air in a furious whisper.
Gash froze, his paws quivering. "S-so… what should we do, Vein? You said that thing isn't our leader…"
His ears flattened against his skull, the weight of Vein's gaze pressing down like stone.
"First, let's wait," Vein said, his body relaxing on the ground, his tail moving with the slow, sinuous rhythm of a viper.
"W… wait?" Gash stared at Vein, then at the cheering tribe. He swallowed hard.
"O… okay…" Gash collapsed onto the ground, squeezing his eyes shut.
Gash's breath grew shallow, each inhale sharp in the silence.
Every ear tilted toward Vein.
Vein's gaze clung to Claw, unblinking, as the girl's hand brushed against the leopard's fur.
The girl staggered a bit, looking at the other tribal members holding a bowl so massive it could rival a boulder. She let out a joyful laugh.
W… what's that?! Claw's eyes went wide as he stumbled back, claws scraping the ground.
The bowl struck the earth, bursting with steaming meat.
The smell hit them like a wave.
The air filled with the heavy scent of roasted flesh, thick enough to make Claw's stomach twist.
The tribe's cheer rose louder, their voices clashing like drums against the silence.
Huh? His steps faltered, claws digging lightly into the dirt as the tribe's eyes followed him.
Claw sniffed the bowl. I've never smelled anything like this…
His instincts drove him straight to eat.
It's tasty… tasty… even better than the bird I devoured!
Claw leapt into the bowl like it was frozen prey, his jaws tearing greedily, each bite a blur of hunger.
His breath hitched; something hot and strange rolled along his tongue.
The heavy scent rolled over him, thick and unfamiliar, clawing at his senses.
His stomach growled loudly, betraying him before the tribe.
The girl approached and dared to pat him. Gasps rippled through the tribe.
Silence stretched thin—then a hundred heads turned.
"Do not approach him while he's eating!!" one of them shouted.
The air thickened with fear, every eye waiting for Claw's reaction.
Even the fire seemed to dim, shadows curling as the girl's hand lingered on his fur.
But Claw never moved toward the girl; his gaze fixed on the half-filled bowl, unmoved even by her touch.
The scent reached Gash's nose.
"FOOD?! DID CLAW CAPTURE THE HUMANS?!" Gash leapt up with a wide smile—
Vein's paw cracked against Gash's muzzle.
A hard shadow cut across the circle of light—Vein's patience had run thin.
"Silence! You're too noisy." Vein hushed Gash, then turned to Claw.
"Tch… selfish…" Vein frowned at Claw before collapsing back onto the ground.
"My name is Leila! Nice to meet you, Big Cat!!" The girl spread her arms, her front teeth chipped, her smile fearless despite it.
ha? Claw kept staring, confusion shadowed across his face; her words were nothing more than a strange hum to his ears.
The tribe's whispers grew around them, uncertain whether to laugh or shout.
Claw's ears twitched, trying to catch meaning from the girl's strange sounds.
"…Let me name you… hmmm…" Leila tapped her chin, her eyes bright with thought.
After the tribe repaired the huts, they returned to them.
"Mmmm… hmmm…" Leila kept staring at the glowing stars, as if searching for a secret hidden between them.
She spotted a big star and pressed her little fist into her palm, eyes shining with discovery.
"Aha!"
The tribe's chatter dimmed, curious about her sudden spark of inspiration.
Claw's ears twitched, uncertain of her intent.
She leaned toward Claw's head.
"From now on, you're Biggie!" She let out a playful laugh, her laughter bubbling out, broken teeth flashing.
Two guards stood still, their eyes locked on Claw, spears in hand.
Before the old man entered his hut, he let out a faint smile—then it faded into a frown as he stared toward the end of the mountain, as if sensing something stirring in the dark mountains.
Claw yawned; his fangs glinted like a hunter's trap, then lay down on the ground.
The fire cracked softly, its glow painting the huts in gold.
Somewhere in the distance, a lone howl echoed, then faded.
What a peaceful night… He stared at the stars, then at Leila, who sat beside him.
"From now on, we're friends, ok? Biggie?" Leila turned to Claw, who was lost in the moment.
He let out a smile only he could recognize.
Leila swayed, trying to keep her eyes open, struggling with each blink.
Thud!
Leila's head bobbed before finally collapsing onto his fur. His tail straightened for a moment, then relaxed.
For a long beat, nothing moved but the sparks.
Heat from the fire painted the night orange; the two lay still, a small island of calm.
"This human is right… we creatures all share one truth… sleep."
Claw's eyes began to close, a blur covering them.
Then two figures appeared in sight.
Claw's eyes widened, and he gasped as a shadow appeared.
Vein!!?