The mountain lion swallowed, seeing "two impossible creatures" sleeping together.
What in the name of the forest is going on here?! the mountain lion thought.
A big yawn came from behind Ivy , loud as thunder , making her jolt awake and run in frantic circles.
"W–what?! Oh, don't kill me! Oh… it was just a dream." Ivy sank down with a shaky breath.
Wait a minute… so what happened yesterday was real?! Ivy blinked rapidly.
She stumbled over her own hooves, dust rising around her in small clouds.
Her chest heaved, eyes wide, scanning for claws or fangs that weren't there.
"Grizzler! You're still here?!" Ivy screamed.
The forest echoed with her voice before falling silent again.
Grizzler lifted himself up, scratching his head lazily. "Morning," he said, his voice carrying the calm of someone who'd slept through chaos.
Grizzler… yesterday? the mountain lion said.
I think I should go… The mountain lion staggered backward slowly.
Wait a minute, Cougar , this mountain is your territory! If I withdraw, I'll be a coward! he slapped his face with both paws.
I should at least do som— His thoughts cut off when he heard Grizzler's roar; he trembled as the sound rolled through the forest.
"Who's there?!" Grizzler yelled.
The grass stirred before parting as Cougar stepped out.
"T–this is m–my t–territory, just so you know!" Cougar said, his voice wavering though his stance tried to stay firm.
His tail flicked nervously, betraying the confidence his words tried to claim.
A single bead of sweat rolled down his temple as he forced himself to stand tall.
Ivy darted behind Grizzler.
"Save me, Griz!" Ivy cried, her face pressed into his fur, muffling her voice.
"Ah… uh…" Grizzler turned to Ivy, then back to Cougar again.
His brows furrowed, uncertain whether to defend or to ask what was happening.
The tension between them thickened — a moment of silence before anyone moved.
"This is your territory, huh?" Grizzler asked, glancing around before lifting his gaze to the sky.
"Y–yes! And you… you!" Cougar stammered.
"You should get out of it… you — not that deer!" His voice cracked on the last word.
His chest puffed out as if to reclaim authority, though his tail betrayed him, twitching behind.
Grizzler blinked slowly, his calm only making the Cougar's panic louder.
Then he stood up, brushing leaves from his fur.
"Huh? That's a beautiful place to live in… hmm, okay," Grizzler said.
"You're coming with me, Deer," Grizzler added, lifting Ivy's body onto his shoulder.
"W–who told you I'm coming with you, honey stealer?!" Ivy said, her voice trembling.
"Are you sure? You might still be tired," Grizzler replied, his tone softening.
"I don't really mind if you take me home," Ivy whispered, burying her face against Grizzler's back again.
Her ears drooped, but a faint spark of defiance still lingered in her eyes.
Grizzler's lips curved slightly, amused by the courage behind her fear.
"Y–you two! Don't you dare ignore me!" Cougar shouted.
His voice cracked halfway through the yell, turning rage into something almost pitiful.
The forest swallowed the echo, leaving only awkward silence between them.
Cougar sighed, a long, uneven breath escaping him. "So this is what being alone feels like, huh?" he muttered, bowing his head to the dirt.
A dry leaf drifted past his paw, brushing the soil as it fell still.
His tail flicked once, scattering dust from the ground.
He watched it for a moment, then slowly lifted his head again.
Partners, huh… lucky them... he thought.
The forest offered no reply.
The mountain wind brushed past them, cool and quiet, as if washing the fear away.
"Is that a bear… holding a deer?" a startled squirrel whispered.
"Apparently, yes…" his mate murmured, covering their son's eyes.
The little squirrel squirmed, tail flicking wildly as if he could shake off her grip.
A soft chuckle slipped from another branch, half amusement, half disbelief.
The rustle of their tails broke the morning quiet.
"Mom! Mom! Let me see!"
The scene caught every animal's eye.
A deer lifted his head from the river to see; soft whispers rose from a cluster of butterflies.
A bead of sweat slid down Grizzler's temple.
What are they looking at? he thought.
Ivy didn't say anything , her head rested against his back.
Well, it's better than another clash with a wild animal, Grizzler kept his eyes fixed on the path ahead.
His ears twitched, catching the faint rustle of leaves and whispers blending into one hush.
It felt as if the whole forest waited for him to move first.
Then, at last, his steps broke the silence. Ivy followed close behind, their breaths syncing with the rhythm of the trail.
When Grizzler and Ivy escaped, he exhaled.
"So… we escaped that lion, huh?" Grizzler said, his voice carrying a spark of relief.
"Y–yes… hopefully! Oh, I thought I was about to get devoured!"
When silence settled, Ivy's thoughts finally cleared — then she trembled against his back.
Am I really lying on a wild beast's back? Ivy thought, starting to shake again.
Then she quickly slid down Grizzler's back and shouted.
Her voice echoed through the trees, scattering a few birds into the sky.
"DON'T EAT ME!"