Sunspire Mountains drinks 'em like flesh smoothies

Battle buddy. That was one way of putting it but... "Yes. It's more of a deep friendship, or sibling-like bond." Nanuk was at her most eloquent during their lessons, revealing that she wasn't all barbs and foul words. "Who would you want at your back in a war?" The question was rhetorical. She was already moving on, giving the answer to the bright furred leader. "A mate would generally not be a good candidate because you would worry about their welfare, and they yours. A sibling, or a close friend, has that connection with you, knows you and how you fight, so that they know how to protect your weaknesses and they, yours. You trust them with everything, with your life." 

Aokkatti were common place in some areas and rarer in others. So far, Tonravik and Echelon was the only pair. Whether that would change with time remained to be seen. Perhaps she would have forged such a bond in Siku's branch but she had left before anything could have developed. Her own fault, to say the least, for now the only family she had was that of the pack here.