Two dark shadows moved along in the darkness of the rogue lands. Both leopards seemed to be at peace in the shadows and for anyone nearby it would seem as if a rough wind was just winding through the tall grasses rather than the two lithe bodies currently racing. One of the shadows found herself slowing once the grasses moved to open up towards a stream which cut through the borders of her family’s current home. Exhausted from the running the leopardess found herself stopping once her paws reached the water’s edge. It really was getting apparent that her body wasn’t as young as it used to be. The thought didn’t serve to disappoint the feline, but rather fueled her drive to keep pushing to run faster.
In front of her the other shadow jumped nimbly up onto a larger rock before moving once more to twist in midair and land nearby, “Tired already, grandma?” Her teasing voice was laced with soft concern that the older leopard just brushed away.
“I’m fine, Shyama.” Nia swatted a paw towards her granddaughter, “Just thought water looked nice…older bodies dry out quicker than you ‘youngins’.”
“If that’s your excuse then.” The leopardess smiled as she moved to drink next to her grandmother, “Thank you though for running with me again.” Inheriting her grandmother’s love of play and the nighttime Shyama had always loved racing with her family through the darkness. Nia though was the one she related to the most and since her father was once more gone adventuring in the rogue lands the leopardess had taken to becoming a shadow to the legendary shadow that once led the family.
Nia stopped drinking and was quiet for a long moment before finally speaking, “There’s more than just this right?” The leopardess looked at the other female with a soft sigh, “You’ve been acting strangely lately, Shyama. Why do you seem so forlorn lately?” Her golden gaze sought out the indigo one of her child and was surprised by the sudden pang of sadness there.
“Do-do I?” Shyama blinked before looking quickly away, “It’s just that…I love everyone and treasure all of my family….yet-“
“You have wander lust?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Instead of scorning her as she had feared Nia just laughed, “Just like your father then. The scoundrel could never sit still around us and instead has been all over the place. Do you want me to argue against you and to force you to stay here? You know I can’t do that. Not when I had the same feelings in my youth. I dragged your grandfather all over the rogue lands at one point. Even when you were just a cub we traveled before finally settling in this area for now. It’s only natural that you would soon be itching to move again.”
“Nia.” Shyama brushed up against her grandmother and stared up at the sparkling night sky. Next to her the older leopardess leaned against her shoulder and wrapped her tail around her paws, “I don’t want to leave you.”
“What are you a cub?” Nia’s teasing tone lifted over them. How was it that even with the clarity of knowing another was going to leave her side that there was happiness? Nia had always had such a strange outlook compared to many. When there was darkness she found light and when sorrow happened somehow just somehow she would always find something happy to hold onto. Was it from her years before meeting with their grandfather that the leopardess had learned so much?
Even Shyama didn’t know half of the stories from her grandmother’s past…but she was sure it would take days to just get through a chapter of it. The thought made her smile softly. Would she be able to hold such spirit after experiencing many adventures? Unlike Nia though the leopardess could never imagine holding onto a love for one for so long that it took her through the rogue lands and through even prides. In a way she found the idea weak, but secretly in her heart wondered how nice it must feel to wake up each day next to the one you loved more than yourself. Was love really such a nice thing?
She had it for her family, but even then she barely had patience for most of her siblings and cousins’ antics.
Nia however….Shyama had never felt anything negative about her grandmother. In fact as she grew and learned under her father and then Nia after he left on journeys the leoparess had only come to respect her more and more. She had learned to slip through the darkness after the older one and how to fight with the night sky as her cover. Really she had a lot to thank Nia for as a mentor and as a mother figure. It was why she had lingered for so long despite her desire to go explore the world as some of the others had.
“You’ll be fine.” Nia nudged her teasingly, “And if you’re worried about me I might smack you. All of you cubs telling me that I’m so old that I can’t even move apparently…I swear.” She smacked a paw into the night air the force creating a strong rush of air, “I can hold my own.”
Shyama laughed, “You are silly grandma. I trust you though.” Her gaze brimmed brightly despite the tears, “I just will miss you…”
“You aren’t dying now are you?”
The female shook her head quickly, “No!”
“Then don’t act as if you’ll never see me again.” Nia stood and stared at the silent feline, “Come back after exploring for a bit and tell me what you find. If you find a new home then also let me know so I can be happy for you.”
Shyama smiled, “I guess I can do that…”
“You better!” This time the swat was for her and the leopardess laughed as she bounced away.
“Alright, alright!” She dodged the playful nips and blows that Nia was throwing towards her. Somehow even despite the fact that she knew she would be saying goodbye soon Nia had managed to make her feel easy about it. Just getting it from her chest was relief enough. If Nia approved then she truly would be free to go.
Maybe after a while she could find the reason her heart tugged her away.
Was it for adventure and fighting?
Or for something else completely?
One thing was for certain though. As she raced with Nia through the darkness Shyama would never forget the brilliant shadow that had raised her with so much love and care.
{WC:1108}
