Swiftcurrent Creek To Hold and Ocean

As the woman's eyes opened to a heavy lidded expression, Njal watched her. He drank her in as quickly as his one eye would allow. Studying the glow of her tan fur with the subdued morning light, and the way it played so carefully across the ruddy red of her neck. She looked exhausted, and a part of him was reeling from the guilt that rose to greet her tired eyes. Despite the ache in his face, the feeling of fluid soaking in to his fur and the drying mud upon his cheek, he was content. As pleasant as could be expected, really. As long as she was close by Njal could get through this. For now, Tuwawi would be the rock. "Ah, how are you feeling?" Her sleepy voice intoned a question, as subdued as the pale light at the door. Yet before he could respond - and he was ready to, with his tender face slipping open in a meek little smile - she was slipping away from him. Scampering for the entryway to fetch him breakfast.

Njal reached out suddenly with his legs and trapped whatever part of her he could latch upon. "Don't-" He pleaded quickly, with the words whistling from his lips, slurred and sleepy just like her own. He tugged at her, hoping she would come back to his side. "I can eat later." Truthfully, the man had no appetite. The thought of food only made the chasm of his stomach feel more hollow, and his tongue stale with the memory of cougar blood. Njal nestled his healthy cheek against her ruddy fur, and found himself shivering slightly with the effort. "See? I'm cold," He tugged a little harder, pulling her down to his level once more. "Stay."

When they had rested properly, then maybe the man would be up for finding food. The rest of the pack was no doubt recuperating after the ordeal as well; hopefully Njal and the other gamekeeper wannabees had done enough hard work in the previous days to keep the pack fed, or else they would be in for a tough spring - how unheard of. Spring was meant for life. Njal looked to Tuwawi as this thought came to his mind, blurry though it was, and found himself smiling weakly.