((The boys are now both 8 years old.))
((Figured I should clarify - Min'iah's death is recent, happened about a month or so before this.))
((Figured I should clarify - Min'iah's death is recent, happened about a month or so before this.))
~2 years later~
"Dammit Ja'ren! STOP THAT. I can't aim when you keep jerking my tail! I'm gunna end up putting that squirrel in more pain than is necessary."
Red glared angrily at his 'brother' - though there was mirth in his eyes, and hissed slightly, showing his fangs. He turned back to face the squirrel that was attempting to escape the snare high in the tree above, knocked another arrow, aimed, and the small animal fell limp, killed instantly. Ja'ren chuckled, moved out from behind his friend to climb the tree, and cut the snare loose.
"That was for that comment earlier. About mom."
The boy smiled down at Red, a strained smile, that betrayed the sadness behind the mask of happiness he wore. Ja'ren leaped down out of the tree, squirrel in hand, and the two began the walk back towards camp, pausing at the outskirts.
"I..sorry. I won't bring it up again. Promise."
Ja'ren nodded, "Good. She's gone now, anyway. Whatever you 'saw' is gone as well. End of story." Red nodded, looking rather depressed that his best friend didn't truly believe him, but no one really ever had, so he wasn't sure what he expected. Acceptance? Maybe. However, deep down, he wanted to save his 'brother' from the same fate. What he 'saw' around Ja'ren's mom, was floating around the bracelet she had worn, which was now around Ja'ren's wrist. Red feared it would poison him, as it had his mother, but..after how Ja'ren had ignored the warning, the signs Red had seen, how could he make him understand that the only thing he had left of her..was possibly going to kill him?
"I'll bring the stuff to the usual spot, don't worry. We -are- still brothers. Even without blood ties."
Red grinned, that was the Ja'ren he knew and loved. The fun-loving brother who was there for him even when no one else was. After Ja'teeh had passed, the tribe stopped allowing Red to hunt with them, leaving him to fend for himself, but Ja'ren continued to play with the boy. They spent their time playing, hunting, rough-housing..normal things brothers would do.
"Tch. Good. I'd have to come track you down otherwise, and we both know how much your tribe -loves- it when I do that. I've got a couple new songs if you've got time to listen tonight."
Ja'ren laughed, and nodded eagerly, "For your music? I have all the time in the world!"
"Dammit Ja'ren! STOP THAT. I can't aim when you keep jerking my tail! I'm gunna end up putting that squirrel in more pain than is necessary."
Red glared angrily at his 'brother' - though there was mirth in his eyes, and hissed slightly, showing his fangs. He turned back to face the squirrel that was attempting to escape the snare high in the tree above, knocked another arrow, aimed, and the small animal fell limp, killed instantly. Ja'ren chuckled, moved out from behind his friend to climb the tree, and cut the snare loose.
"That was for that comment earlier. About mom."
The boy smiled down at Red, a strained smile, that betrayed the sadness behind the mask of happiness he wore. Ja'ren leaped down out of the tree, squirrel in hand, and the two began the walk back towards camp, pausing at the outskirts.
"I..sorry. I won't bring it up again. Promise."
Ja'ren nodded, "Good. She's gone now, anyway. Whatever you 'saw' is gone as well. End of story." Red nodded, looking rather depressed that his best friend didn't truly believe him, but no one really ever had, so he wasn't sure what he expected. Acceptance? Maybe. However, deep down, he wanted to save his 'brother' from the same fate. What he 'saw' around Ja'ren's mom, was floating around the bracelet she had worn, which was now around Ja'ren's wrist. Red feared it would poison him, as it had his mother, but..after how Ja'ren had ignored the warning, the signs Red had seen, how could he make him understand that the only thing he had left of her..was possibly going to kill him?
"I'll bring the stuff to the usual spot, don't worry. We -are- still brothers. Even without blood ties."
Red grinned, that was the Ja'ren he knew and loved. The fun-loving brother who was there for him even when no one else was. After Ja'teeh had passed, the tribe stopped allowing Red to hunt with them, leaving him to fend for himself, but Ja'ren continued to play with the boy. They spent their time playing, hunting, rough-housing..normal things brothers would do.
"Tch. Good. I'd have to come track you down otherwise, and we both know how much your tribe -loves- it when I do that. I've got a couple new songs if you've got time to listen tonight."
Ja'ren laughed, and nodded eagerly, "For your music? I have all the time in the world!"
