Continuing On

The coldness bit at Aki as they left. What astounded her as much as it warmed her, was getting to ride on the back of a magestic snow leopard, down mountains of rock, snow and ice. The crisp air was cold on her face as they descended down into thickets of brush and trees.

It was still cold down here, just not bitingly so.

"Ibris... they're your family.. won't you miss them?"

Aki asked softly, running her fingers through the soft fur on Ibris' scruff. When she didn't get an answer, a small frown tugged at her lips and she dropped the question altogether.

They kept going on for a few more hours, only stopping at streams to drink some water and refill their waterskins before heading out again.

Aki lost track of time, eventually falling asleep on the warm back of her new mate.