Yawning Days (OPEN)

[EmilyColeman]

Winks
Male
Cheetah





I yawned again, my back paw coming up to scratch behind my ear.
Stretching out my full body, i smiled before a massive, jaw-cracking yawn wracked my figure.
It had been a few months since i had gotten in a fight with Chad, the male tiger and i was suffering badly from lack of sleep.
I lie awake worrying at night if he'll intrude into my den and kill my wife and cubs.
Again, i yawn and then freeze. The massive tiger's scent is covering the tree.
Chad.
I could tell by a mile away.
Running silently through the trees and dry, crackly leaves, i pant slowly and try to hold in a yawn.
Run Winks, RUN!.
I have no idea how Chad has been able to mark the tree as Orion and i share the territory...
Taking over ... that's it! He's going to take over!
My head hurts so i slow down, out of breath which doesn't help when (again) i yawn.
"He might kill my family" I gulp, crumbling to the floor.
A twig snaps and my i freeze, starting to shake.
Please. Don't. Be. Chad.

[Deleted]

A S A L I
Cheetah | Female

It was a pretty typical day for me.

On the one hand, there was nothing to stress about; very little happening, and I could relax. On the other, however, I was bored. So terribly bored. A sigh of frustration came through my lips and my ears were lightly pressed back as I strolled across the forest floor. I wondered how my friends were doing. This was their land, in fact. Maybe I'd go visit Korra and have a chat. Or maybe I'd just go for a run. Oh, I did enjoy a good run.

I was thinking about that when I heard someone running through the forest, adjacent to me. Curious, I started walking that way. Who was wandering through the forest? I started to feel a little nervous as I got closer. The other animal had stopped, and I could see a shape through the bushes and trees. I stepped closer, leaning as much as I could to get a good look.

SNAP!

I jumped, then realized I'd caused the sound, looking down at the branch. Well, now I'd announced myself. I held my breath, and stepped through, looking for the other cat. I let out a breath. "Oh! Winks, it's just you," I said, relieved. I started walking towards him, feeling a bit silly for feeling so worried. It was his land, after all. Then I looked at his face. "Hey, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

[EmilyColeman]

"Asali" I sighed, relieved, and fell into her paws, breathing heavily.
"I thought you were ... Chad" I admitted sheepishly, stepping back and looking around, panicking.
Tamara should have been following me.
I heard her chrip, a sound cheetahs made when they communicated.
She was hunting.
I chirped back, telling her i understood.

[Deleted]

Winks sighed. He seemed very relieved to see me. I froze for a second when he went down. Then he back up and I laughed once, a little confused. I thought you were...Chad, he said. I tilted my head to the side. "Chad?" I sat down and twitched my tail curiously. "Who's that?" I asked. Apparently it was someone to be afraid of. I hadn't seen Winks so riled up since Tamara and Royal were little. He looked around nervously and then I heard a chirp from a familiar voice. I was sure it was Tamara. He chirped back. I looked him over, trying to figure out what had him so worked up. This Chad fellow must be a threat to him. I wondered if it was another cheetah, or something bigger. We may be the fastest of the big cats, but it wasn't hard to out fight us. We were more on the flight end of fight or flight. But I was sure Winks wouldn't give up so easily if it involved Tamara, Royal and Korra. Which was probably why he seemed so worried.

I was pretty sure I didn't want to meet this Chad.

[EmilyColeman]

"A massive tiger. Built like a truck, Asali. And he's dark grey, not orange" I said, biting my lips.
"Very loved among the females, i must say" I rolled my eyes and smiled nervously.
"So ... were you hunting?" Resting a little, i lay on my tummy.

[Deleted]

The creature Winks described sounded downright menacing. "Well, I certainly hope I never meet him." I shuddered, thinking of it. I hoped Winks never ran into him again, either. "He sounds awful," I stated. "Grey..." I muttered. That was certainly odd. I couldn't really imagine it, but what I pictured was a villain from a black and white movie. A big, evil villain. There was no way I'd ever take on a tiger. Nope, not a chance. "Aside from the obvious, why are you afraid of running into him? Did you have a disagreement or something?"

Winks laid down and asked if I'd been hunting. I followed his lead and settled on the ground and shook my head. "Oh, no, I was just out for a walk. I ate a little while ago." I smiled thinking of the delicious rabbit I'd eaten an hour ago. "What were you up to?" I asked.

[EmilyColeman]

"Wandering, really. Tamara was meant to meet me but i guess she's hunting and yeah, it's weird that he's grey but ... yeah, we had a fight" I said, gulping.

[Deleted]

"Oh," I said, looking in the direction I thought I'd heard Tamara. I was right about it being his daughter that I'd heard. She was growing up so fast, hunting on her own and everything. My heart swelled with pride. Winks said he and Chad had gotten in a fight. "A fight?" I asked, somewhat alarmed. "Did he, like, attack you? Are you okay?" I looked him over, worried. What if he'd been hurt? What would Korra do if Winks got hurt badly? Thinking about it made me worry even more. What if Chad did show up and hurt Winks again? What if he killed him?! I felt my eyes grow wider as I contemplated this, and had to remind myself that Winks seemed okay for now, and I didn't need to worry that much. Only if Chad showed up to challenge him again would I need to freak out.

[EmilyColeman]

"Not really, unless you count the heavy lack of sleep due to worry" I laughed, a little more relaxed.
"If he hurts me, Asali, you need to promise to take care of Korra ... and the little ones" I gulped, staring into her pretty eyes.

[Deleted]

This was taking a heavy toll on Winks. I frowned as he explained that he'd lost sleep over it, worrying about Chad. His next statement scared me. "You're not going to get hurt!" I insisted. " I mean, you don't think he's going to come after you, do you?" I worried aloud. I hated to think what Korra and the cubs would go through should Winks not come home one day. And besides, we were becoming friends, too. "Winks, we'd figure something out." I looked at him seriously. "You wouldn't try to fight him, would you? I mean...you could outrun him, Winks. Don't do something stupid, okay?" What if Winks felt he had to sacrifice himself for Korra and his children? I had a strong feeling that Winks would die for his family. I didn't like the feeling I was getting from this conversation, as if the things were discussing was imminent, as if he expected to die tomorrow.

[EmilyColeman]

"Yes, I'll fight him if i need too. I'll defend Korra and my children as much as possible ... and you as well" I added truthfully.

[Deleted]

His last statement frustrated me some. He wouldn't fight for me; I wouldn't let him. The guilt would kill me anyway if something happened to Winks because he was trying to defend me. "You don't..." I sighed heavily and then, after a deep breath, started softer. "You don't need to do that. We could run. Yeah, maybe he'd get your home, but at least your family would be intact. What would you have me say to Korra and your children if you died?" I shook my head, feeling more and more uneasy about this conversation. What did Winks know that I didn't? Did he suspect Chad might be coming back? I sniffed the air curiously, wondering if he'd smelled Chad around here. "What are you hiding, Winks?" I asked suspiciously. I thought of Tamara off hunting and felt a brief moment of panic.

[EmilyColeman]

"I ..." I trailed off, eyes widening.
Chad stood behind Asali, breathing heavily, the huge frame of him rising with every silent breath.
A massive grey/black figure with blazing eyes.
"A-Asali" I yelled.
There was one good thing.
At least the rest of my family were safe.
I leaped on Asali, rolling her over and tossing her to where i used to be lying a few seconds ago.
I was at least 2 foot smaller than Chad and i took a step back, snarling.
"Winks" The tiger rumbled, growling.

[loki]

Tanni Yawned. She was restless. Kalu was older now, but still to young to leave the den. With Kalu fast asleep, Tanni slowly rised, an slipped out. *ill check back soon* she promised herself and padded off. But she felt uneasy, although she was in her and Orion's territory, cheetahs lurked about. She shook her fur, raced back to check on Kalu and slowly started off again. She padded, but a thick crack made her hiss. She stopped and crouched low, sneaking forward and ready to attack. Cheetah was strong in the air, and she hesitated, but ventured forward, standing up, right near Chad and 2 cheetahs. She hissed and walked slowly to chad, flicking her tail.

[Deleted]

Winks didn't have time to start his next sentence before his eyes went wide with fear. No... I felt the presence behind me before Winks could say my name. I felt my eyes widened, mirroring his. He yelled my name and shoved me behind him. I rolled a couple feet before springing back up and turning to face them. Chad. I knew it was him by the grey coat. The dark tiger growled Winks' name and I knew we were in trouble. But I had hope. There were two of us and one of him. I crouched low and walked up behind Winks to show our alliance, should there be a fight. We had a chance.

Or not... my head whipped around to see another tiger, this one a golden tabby color, enter the area where the three of us stood staring each other down. He has backup?! I thought in desperation. Please, please let Korra and the cubs be safe. I felt my legs go weak, but I felt oddly wired as well. My legs twitched with an urge to run. The tigress let out a low hiss as she walked towards Chad. Could she be hissing at him? I looked back at Winks. Could I get him to run with me? Could we both escape? I knew I could get away if Chad and the tigress didn't attack first, but the question was...could Winks make it, too?

I wouldn't leave him. I knew that much.