Ari

Chapter 58: A Male and a Female Youngling

When we left the tribe, Dawon looked extremely sad. I felt guilty, but it is not my intention to hurt him.

We continued our journey according to plan and headed out to the next destination.

It took us hours going down to the steep slope from the tiger tribe's territory. I had to fly Gurion down and wait for the others at the lower ground. I initially suggested to fly each one of them down the steep slope, but they all disagreed so I just took Gurion and a bag down the slope instead to lessen their burden.

Lowell, being the fastest, was tasked to go down ahead empty handed to follow me and Gurion, so that we won't be alone for long when we reach the lower ground. He arrived just half an hour later than us.

"I want to help them with the baggage. Lowell, please stay with Gurion." I pleaded to Lowell with a worried tone.

"N-no... Hah... A-Ari... P-Please stay... Here... T-They can manage it." Lowell responded while gasping for air.

The others took longer than expected since they had to carry all our baggage and supplies. We took some rest and ate some snacks before we continued to walk.

While we were walking, I realized that the others suddenly started to heighten their guard so I instinctively held my bow and arrow.

"Wait.. Ari... No... They are younglings..." My brother whispered as he pushed my bow down lightly.

I was shocked and placed back my arrow in my quiver quickly.

"The two of you! Show yourself! We can sense your exact location. You can either show up or go back to your tribe. Because if you don't, you'll just put yourselves at greater risk and it is not our responsibility if you both got hurt." Dillon shouted.

Blake suddenly disappeared out of sight and a scream of a female youngling echoed around the forest. He pulled the two youngling with his tail and dragged them to us.

"I'm sorry... We just wanted to come along with you quietly... Please allow us to join you..." Cried the female youngling while being held up in midair along with her companion.

The male youngling wanted to speak, but he couldn't for some reason. The two of them looked much alike with their golden hair and black stripes on their ears and tail. They also have golden eyes and light brown complexion.

"No! Go back to your tribe. It will be dangerous for the two of you to stay with us." Lowell insisted.

"Blake, put them down. What are your names?" I asked while looking at the male.

He looked flustered, but he couldn't utter a word.

"My name is Tora and he is Macan. We are siblings, but we no longer have parents. We've long been wanting to leave the tribe because they kept on maltreating my brother since he couldn't speak after an accident a few years ago. He almost lost his life when he went out to hunt for food and hit his head on a boulder after falling from a cliff. Please let us join your group... Just until we could find a proper place for us to stay." The female youngling explained.

"Did Dawon know your situation?" I asked curiously.

"No... We didn't tell him. He was busy with the tribe. We couldn't let ourselves bother him for just a trivial matter. Also, he doesn't need to know since he is not our relative." She responded defensively.

"We still can't take you with us no matter what you say." My brother insisted.

"He has ouchie!" Gurion exclaimed upon seeing the huge scar on the left side of Macan's head.

He has lost his ability to speak due to the brain damage inflicted by the accident Tora described. I felt pity, but like my brother said, it would be too dangerous for them to join us.

It will be too hard going back to the tiger tribe by foot because the way back is too steep and too far. It will be dangerous for them to go alone. Also, if one of us accompanies them, it will already be midnight before he could go back even if it is Lowell or Blake.

"It will be too dangerous for them to go back on their own. I can fly them back and return here." I suggested.

"No. You stay here. One of us will accompany them back. You can't go back alone." My brother insisted.

"It will also be dangerous for you if you go alone while carrying two younglings bigger than you. Please leave it to us." Dillon uttered.

For some reason, I got irritated by his words. I know I'm small, but can they not emphasize how small I was? I am not even that weak to be protected too much like that.

"Let's rest early and figure out a way to send them back by morning. If one of you brought them back, it will be midnight before you can return here." I responded with irritation.

They looked dejected upon my response as they embrace each other.

My brother and the others started to build a campsite, but Dillon felt my displeasure and pulled me at the back of the tree while the others are busy.

"Are you angry, Ari? Did I say something wrong?" He whispered as he presses his forehead against mine.

"Am I that small and weak to you?" I asked seriously.

"No... I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry if I offended you. You are not that small either. It's just that, they are bigger since they are from the tiger tribe. Will you forgive me...? Please..." He mumbled as he tightens his embrace before pressing his lips on my forehead briefly.

I flushed while nodding lightly.

He smiled at me and rested his head on my shoulder while hugging me and rubbing his face on my neck.

"Thanks... I love you, Ari." He whispered sincerely.

My heart kept pounding hard and it felt like it will explode if he kept going on. I tried to push him a little, but he didn't budge.

My brother suddenly appeared before my eyes and pull us apart. He gave a blow to Dillon's head and dragged him away.

"Stop clinging to my sister! Help us build the camp!" He shouted in irritation.

I laughed lightly while waving to him.