Nuru sighed in disappointment and exhaustion. It had been a long, loooong day of work. He had sat waiting, waiting and waiting for what felt like HOURS until a nice juicy wildebeest had strayed incredibly close to the pack lands. Technically it was still in the pridelands that everyone seemed to hate; but Nuru was so darn starving at that moment that he hadn't spared a single thought to remember that. He hadn't alerted the other hunters either- like a genius that he was.
The black furred hyena gave a soft whine as he walked about the path; a black purplish swelling beginning to form under his left eye. His right paw hurt and he walked limp as if every bone was in utter and complete pain. It probably was. All his sore bones were probably broken at his stupidity this time around. Thank goodness, the other hunters had noticed him chasing after the blind wildebeest and assisted him. They managed to eat that day, no thanks to him. Him and his yipping, hollering and cries of continual distress. Ugh… What an embarrassment was he.
Stepping up on top of some skulls Nuru climbed his way to medium-sized elephant skull and crawled inside. It was dark, and he hadn't even a single pelt sprawled across to give him some sort of comfort, and instead dealt with the hard, cold skull collection underway. "Owe..." He moaned and groaned between his whimpers. Flopping onto the ground he cringed as his paw twisted an awkward way and sent shivers up his spine. Such pain! He usually had to deal with the pain from females kicking him in his soft spots, but not prey! It was a real downer, truly.
The eye of the skull he resided in served as a window, and he spotted the familiar pelt of a snickering female as she brush past. He whimpered loudly. He was so not in the mood for this. "Go away. Let me sleep." It wasn't really said as a demand, more like a plead. A whine that a brokenly sad cub might give as it wandered lost and alone in the graveyard. Nuru was usually incredibly friendly and happy and singing annoying songs. He cared not how many bruises he accumulated so long as he brought back food for the pack to eat. Today though he was in too much pain to be his usual self. Besides, it was almost nighttime. One could tell because the overcast clouds of the graveyard started to turn a darker shade of gray. The moon even glistened small rays of white across the ground when usually gas smoke would rise and tint it green.
A laugh got his attention. The female did not leave him and instead she lingered just outside. He whimpered again. “I’ve had a long day, leave me alone.” He whined at them, hoping his innocent way of speech would save him from further beatings. That’s when they had intruded very loudly. Jumping through the window with a few other female companions the females ganged up on Nuru and stared biting at his black fur. He flipped onto his back but they only began gnawing on his leg and pressing against his soft and fragile belly. Bleh, he was going to be sick. "H-Hey!" He yelped and jumped up off the ground. One had violently ripped at his ear, leaving a huge hole in the middle of it. No good! This was a hostile takeover, nothing words could save him from! Running -painfully- Nuru bolted out of the den as fast as he could. He could hear hyena laughter along with a taunting "Males don't get good dens!" behind him. Grr. Argh… ARGH! HE HATED THEM!!
Well no not really, but he was angry at them right at this moment. One of the reasons he never got to sleep in a good spot, or never kept anything personal (that couldn't be worn) was that his houses had a tendency to be ransacked and infiltrated by the pack's females. They recognized his weakness and took advantage of the fact that he was properly submissive. Nuru wasn't one to hold super long grudges either and let them push him around all they wanted. Right now though he stomped off in pain with a grumpy look on his face. One could merely touch his forehead and they’d see from the icy glare of his firey orange eyes that he was not in the mood to talk.
Settling a little bit away from his "home" Nuru began pacing with an angry snarl building under his breathe. Who’d they think caught all they’re food anyways? Other females? Pah to that! Nuru paced more aggressively causing some passing pups to avoid going anywhere near him. He eventually ran around in a circle all curled up and comfy before laying down again. It felt good to rest after being bitten and kicked in the face. That is, after a considerable amount of letting his rage loosen through passing around bitterly. Now Nuru was good. He held no hate and he was no longer conspiring their demises. Nuru closed his eyes and tried his hardest to drown out the snickering in the background. He'd sleep away his anger as it came back overwhelmingly and by morning would have forgiven them of everything they had done. He’d pass them normally and cheerfully grin and laugh and smile and snicker with them and at the jokes they made effortlessly. Yes, forgiveness was the key. After forgiving them… Well, then he would have to find another house. Nuru even gave himself a nod even though his eyes were shut. Yes, most definitely, he would find a house that suited him! It was after all not pleasant sleeping out here where the wind could reach you and nibble at your toes. Maybe, Nuru thought, he'd find a house closer to the border so going to work in the morning would be easier. Yes... That seemed like a good plan. Very good plan indeed! It was just all a matter of waiting for tomorrow.
1016 words