Qeya River Ikayuak

*barges in*

The sparrow did what he could to stay busy- so that he might not be seen as becoming avoidant. Time passed- Senka's wounds remained, and he continued to patrol the borders both hoping and dreading the moment he came upon a familiar scent. He hunted, he fished, he did what he could to contribute while the bite wounds along his shoulder and across the bridge of his muzzle healed. He fought off stiffness with motion, cleansed the wounds regularly with cool, soothing lake water. 

He found Sulukinak's scent. He associated her scent with Sun Eater, but did not know her face, and could not remember her name. With her was the scent of another man- he tracked them to where their scents mingled, fresh but temporary, with Sun Eater's. He found himself following the story of their meeting- and began to follow along at a brisk trot as soon as he realized that Sun Eater and the stranger had headed in the direction of Senka's den. 

He worried, when he found the den empty- but Sun Eater's trail led down the ridge, and he could now smell both Senka and the stranger on the air. 

No sign of a struggle- only a bit of berry juice left on the ground. 

Not knowing medicines, he became immediately suspicious, and found himself bristling with irritation, that Senka might possibly have consumed something that might leave her vulnerable while in the company of a stranger. 

It did not take him long to track them down- shoulder to shoulder, with Senka leaning heavily upon the lanky yearling. Whether he was known to Sun Eater or not did not matter to Ksura, who barged forward, whiskers pushed forward and the fur from his shoulders to his rump bristled. He uttered a soft growl, and set his keen gaze upon the stranger- for the first time since the raid, he found himself exhibiting a dominance display. 

Both his physical strength and fondness for Senka had begun to grow. The last time an unknown man had come to their home, he had taken over; Ksura moved in to shepherd the smaller man away from Senka's side with a brisk snap of his teeth, so he might step in and support her instead.