Serena first headed to the campfire since it was where she had left Kiro with the two tiger beastn. As she walked over to the campfire, scanning the area for the young cub, she noticed an increase in beastn hanging around the camp.
A few glanced over at her as she weaved passed them before returning back to their own tasks. Serena guessed that the group sent hunting had returned thus there were more beastn around now.
A faint scent of cooking at hit her nose along with a mix of body odor and blood. Her nose subconsciously twitched, trying to adjust to the overwhelming slls.
Serena knew she should probably be used to her enhanced senses by now, but there were still tis when they overwheld her. Perhaps it was sothing that would take a lifeti to get used to...
Or her mind was purposely focusing on certain things. Raising her instincts to be on high alert for any possible danger. She rubbed the side of her forehead, trying to calm her on edge nerves.
Everything was fine. It was safe within the campsite.
"Sister!" A voice called out, snapping Serena’s attention back to reality.
Serena glanced over to the direction of the voice and watched Kiro running over to her. He had sohow managed to get himself even more dirty with bits of soot blackening parts of his hair, face and body.
But despite looking like he just rolled though the ashes of a campfire, he had the biggest grin on his face. The sight made Serena forget her need for cleanliness for a mont as she watched him run towards her with arms wide open.
She could always have another bath later...
Serena gave him a small smile in return and edged closer to greet the cub. However, a second before Kiro could reach her, soone grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
Serena’s smile turned as she bared her teeth to the person stopping Kiro from coming to her. Only to go still as she recognized the face and voice.
"I think you need a bath before you go hugging your sister." Theo murmured, glancing down at Kiro as he removed his hand from the cub’s shoulder. "You’re going to make her dirty again when she just had a bath."
"Oh..." Kiro looked at his soot covered hands, seeming to realize for the first ti that he’d gotten dirty.
The joy he had a second ago slowly disappeared, making Serena want to sigh. Theo’s words weren’t wrong, but she wasn’t really worried about getting dirty again when Kiro was so happy.
Now the cub was acting like he was about to make a huge mistake.
"It’s fine." Serena finally said. "A little dirt hurt no one... Besides, the important thing is you had fun. Those beastn were nice to you right?"
As she said that last part, her eyes wandered over to the campfire where the two tiger beastn from earlier were sitting and tending to the fire. Their backs were turned to her, chatting to one another about sothing.
"Yes!" Kiro exclaid, his excitent coming back and drawing Serena’s full attention to him. "They showed how to build the fire with wood and dry grass and even let light it!"
Serena couldn’t help but smile at his words. It was clear nothing bad had happened when Kiro was learning from the older beastn. She was glad for it, even if a little doubt lingered in her mind.
But that was because she could never be sure with anyone’s intentions. Still, if Kiro was happy about the whole thing, then she was going to leave it at that.
"That sounds like fun." Serena murmured, gently patting the young cub’s head. "I’m glad you enjoyed it."
Kiro nodded his head. "Yes, it was really great!"
He looked like he was about to continue speaking, but Theo quickly jumped in and said, "Why don’t you get cleaned up now. Lunch will be ready soon and you can tell your sister everything then."
Serena pursed her lips at his words, but didn’t argue with them. It was better if Kiro washed up before they had lunch. She didn’t want him eating with dirty hands if possible.
"Hmmm... okay." Kiro mumbled, eyeing Theo for a second. He then suddenly grabbed the older male’s hand and declared, "We’ll go clean up quickly Sister."
"..."
Serena was at a loss for words at her brother’s actions. She never expected Kiro to want Theo to take him to the river to bathe. She would always go with him and wait nearby while Kiro washed up.
Not to ntion, she wasn’t sure if Theo was okay with taking him to the river. She glanced over at the tiger beastman, not sure what to say.
"We’ll be back soon. Don’t worry." Theo said, eyes gleaming, seeming to understand what she was thinking. "I’ll keep an eye on him."
Serena numbly nodded her head. "Alright thanks."
Theo smiled at her words before walking off with Kiro. They picked up so cleaning items before heading to the river. Awkward silence filled the air as the two walked through the forest.
However, Theo did not say a word to cut through the silence. He knew the cub was up to sothing, asking him to take him to the river instead of going with his sister like usual.
Normally, he wouldn’t follow along whatever sche he saw though, but Kiro was no real danger to him. Besides, there was a part of him that was curious to what the cub was up to.
So he quietly played along.
When they got to the river, Kiro finally let go of Theo’s hand and turned to gaze up at the older male. Theo felt his lip curl, imdiately sensing that the cub was trying to intimidate him with that stern look in his eyes.
The cub may be young, but he’s got guts... Theo quietly mused to himself, wondering what Kiro wanted looking at him like that.
Finally Kiro asked, "Do you want to be my sister’s mate?"
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