The mid-day sun beat down on Jabari’s tan spotted fur as he went through the usual route in his territory. It was a day like any other, marked by the rustling of leaves and savannah grass. His purple eyes scanning al around him as his ears pivoted like radar dishes. Hearing every little sound around him, every small prey animal and every gentle whisper of wind. Jabari had a great deal of knowledge after years of hunting in his territory. Knowing that every lingering lion or stray hyena could be disaster for a speed hunter like himself. Even the off chance of a human in his territory being less than friendly. Every snap of a twig or rustle of grass could be deadly to the predator.
During his routes he stumbled upon many different small encampments. Rusted frames of vehicles, to circles of cold stones marking former campsites. The scent of woodsmoke stuck in the air meaning that this site was somewhat fresh. Sniffing at the circle of rocks and picking up fine ash in his nose. The fiery remains making him sneeze, kicking up a soft cloud of ash right into his spotted pristine fur.
Jabi huffed in annoyance, shaking the as he tried to shake the soot off of his coat. Leaving streaks of ash on his spotted fur. “Well...that’s…annoying….” Sighing as he perks his ears back up. A soft almost whispering voice came from a short distance away, almost mistaking it for wind it was so soft. “Bless you.” The voice spoke out as he perks his ears forward. His tail twitching lightly “excuse me? Is someone there…?” Creeping forward cautiously to a weathered and almost forgotten crate. The voice spoke up a bit louder this time “I um…I said…bless you…you did sneeze after all”
The cheetah approached the crate with a cautious sense of curiosity, his paws barely making a sound. The mark of a skilled and weathered hunter. His paw raised, delicately trying to move the side of the crate away. The wood groaning as it opened, revealing a mostly dark interior. A pair of purple eyes staring back at him.
A yowling scream filled the air within the box followed by panicked scrabbling against the wood. Whatever was in there hid itself fairly well for being in a confined area. A thump could be heard as the creature within must have jumped. Landing on the hard wood with a firm thump “o-owie…”
Jabari lowered his ears concerned at the commotion within, tilting his head in a bit, keeping a distance “are you…okay…?” His voice soft and warm
The scrambling continued within, the creature curled up in the furthest corner “d-don’t eat me! Please!” The voice, feminine in sound came from within the crate. Taking a moment to notice that the war paint she thought it was originally was just streaks of ash. “W…wait you’re…not…”
“A monster? Nope...just a very dirty cheetah. See? Oh and…I won’t eat you.” Attempting to brush some of the soot from his snout, smearing it a bit. “Say…what is a mountain cat like you doing over here…?” Tilting his head
The snow leopard stepped slowly toward the opening of the crate “w-well I um…I was meant to be going to a zoo…there was so much commotion from that metal beast that moved me around. I was taken far from my home, from the mountains far north from here. The last thing I remember was a lot of banging and commotion. I felt a sudden hard fall and then I passed out.”
Jabari nodded softly as he steps back to give the snow leopard room. “I see…and oh! Pardon me, I didn’t even ask your name…I am Jabari…or Jabi for short.” Bowing his head as he held the crate open.
“And I am Candace….I have been in this crate for a few days…it is the only safe place for a cat like me…there is so little shade…such little water.” Lowering her ears as she looked around.
“Well Candace…how about you come with me. I and my extended family live a short distance away. We live in a wonderful place with a watering hole that never goes dry, lots of comfortable shade. I would be delighted to have you as my companion” offering a friendly sway of his tail as he pointed his nose in the way of his and hopefully his new friend’s home.
