A Shifting Land

Chapter 11

"Kiri!" Swift explodes from the tree, taking him flat to the floor.

Kiri squeals in shock, flipping himself upside down. His claws meet her belly, relaxing before kicking as he recognizes her. "Swift! Don't do that!"

"But it's a teaching moment. Be aware of everything. There are predators in these woods you know." She quotes, mocking him.

"Oh shut it." Kiri growls.

She hops off him, her tail tapping him on the nose. "Just admit, you failed today."

"I did." He concedes. "But so did you."

Flare sits directly behind Swift, a small smile playing in her eyes. "Are you distracting my helper?" She asks playfully.

Swift goes fluffy, her hair standing on end as she jumps. "Sorry! Do you want any extra help?"

She shakes her head, "No, we're done for the day. Just let Kiri help me get these back to camp then you two can go play. Just make sure you bring something useful home when you're done."

"Ok! I'll wait at our usual spot, ok Kiri?"

"Yep!"

Swift darts off with excitement. Flare turns to Kiri. "Do not let your father catch you two by the bipeds again. He may just leave that demon for them to remove its influence from you." She warns.

Kiri sighs heavily. "I don't understand why he hates her so. She's not mean or crazy. She's just a kit who everyone here hates or obsesses over. Like she's some sort of disease to study." He looks to his mother with mournful eyes. "Would he do that to me if he knew I was like her?"

Flare sighs. "Probably yes. He's highly superstitious and his father, your grandfather, drove extreme hate for the mainland deep into your father's mind. At this point if he found out he would kill her for it."

"What? Why? She didn't do it! I was born a pure Dukari." Kiri exclaims softly. He swallows uncomfortably, remembering how hard D'vala had helped him work, making his family carefully forget.

"In his mind you would've only developed it after she appeared so it's her fault. If he gets rid of her maybe you will return to normal. Not cursed." She explains. She leans down and gives him a nuzzle. "Go. Take that bundle to the base. Then find your friend."

Kiri tilts his head before nodding. He scoops his prize and trots off to base.

"D'vala, is it wrong to let her try to be the caring mother again? That bond is never going to repair." He asks quietly. "I don't know if I even want to deal with her."

"That depends on you kid. I don't think you should cut her off completely. She is trying and you haven't manipulated her. She may feel bad and want to help make you feel safer."

He growled to himself, stalking into base with a purpose. He stumbles into Shylo, his collection falling everywhere, all across the floor.

Kiri snapped out, catching Shylo with the edge of a fang. "Move."

Shylo snaps right back, catching Kiri and tossing him away. "You move."

He eyed the greenery everywhere and made a face. "Fine, I'm just telling mother you wrecked my hard work for her."

Shylo copied his face. "No! Don't. I'll clean it."

Kiri grinned to himself, his feet slapping the earth lightly as he trots off down the pathways.

Swift paces their spot, waiting impatiently. She nearly tackles him when she sees him, "Kiri! KiriKiriKiri!" She stops, her ears pricking all the way up. "Actually let's go first." She bounded up a tree, racing around the branches in great leaps and bounds.