Found you

The camp settlement was quiet with the singing of native birds in high places keeping the mood. Green surrounded the area naturally, the grounds were a difficult spot to find but rewarding upon settling. The amount of rose bushes and daisy's growing kept the villagers feeling positive about their new home, and there was plenty of open space for the kids and Nekomatas to play around.

However, there was a line draw around them, or to be more precise a mark carved into rows of trees around the camp which meant one thing: do not cross. Despite having explored the farther jungle land and feeling confident in its general safety, Alma was not one to take risk over losing a child just to expand the play area. Not too much was needed, after all they had a river close by which provided fish in wealthy numbers, and certain Nekomata's were in charge of picking fruits and berries from hard to reach places for healthy nutrition. Spi'Reto would jump at the chance of hunting for mystery meat, catching an animal or two within the jungle and returning with a smile from ear to ear.

Yes, this place had sufficed for the months in which they've kept hidden, safe, and alive. It was a dangerous gamble to hide within proximity of your pursuer, and many times they had set camp within caves or up on trees only to flee once the Priest found them, each time forcing them deeper into the jungle. That's not even mention the danger of the Nekomata's themselves, many cat girls were starting to come of age and Alma hadn't a clue how to control them should there hormones kick in. Then came the day when the running stopped, and the soldiers were never to be seen roaming around in search squads. Perdilius had searched them for a reason or three, and he had found his objective elsewhere. At last, the camp was allowed to rest.

So be it that peace although temporary fell upon the people as they sat down, sang songs and told stories. Well, songs soon became prohibited when Alma decided singing loud into the night wasn't the wisest decision while in hiding. When it came to rest, Alma could find none for she remained aware of the loss they had faced. So many Nekomata's, so many of her group were taken away back into there mountain and not heard of again. Spi'Reto started to notice, first it became apparent from the shadow under his mother's eyes but he realized the weight she carried when he could hear sobbing several feet above in a lookout tree in the middle of the night. He could feel her hidden away inside her shell, no more visitors were welcomed and no communication can be made without her say. None were welcomed, she had learned her lesson after the last man she made trade with.

So be it that upon reading the book's response that she felt a rush of horror resurface in her again, which she was reminded of there predicament once more. For a moment she felt uplifted upon finding her friend's children alive and well, but now.... now she realized they had celebrated too early yet again. The scowl in her face, the anger in her eyes kept any and all from questioning her command or interrupting her should they dare. There are greater concerns after all, though for there safety she kept that detail to herself.

Janette on the other hand...

"Hey, what's going on? What did you find?" Felix asked in the midst of the crowd movement. Nyitzcha squeezed his hand, keeping close to avoid crashing into the others during this rush, her eyes showed no panic or worry only intrigue.

"It's Raz, he's found us. He's here." Janette stuffed her book back into her satchel, swinging it over her shoulder with haste. "We should go back to camp-"

Alma stepped in. "No you lot are to follow the others. My son will be leading you to a rendezvous, we will find you there."

"Ey, ah ain't leavin' without me presents." Nyitzcha argued. "Das a lot o' fine powder sittin' there, callin' for Momma."

"We should go, this sounds serious and I don't want you in trouble." Syri hugged Janette's arm, giving her pleading eyes.

"It's not a choice either, you're going with them." Alma ordered, her eyes on Syri.

"Not without Janette." She pouted, her tails wrapping around Janette's arm. When Janette hesitated, Syri gave her a mean pout when a warm hand fell on her other arm.

"It's okay, you go and join her." Felix said, "I'll handle the book."

"You can't read." Janette argued back.

"But I can." Alma sternly responded, reaching out with her hand. "Besides, none of you made a point of telling me this thing can steal knowledge by contact when I plucked it from the ground before. I'd rather not have my knowledge shared so freely."

Janette frowned, looking at Felix then Alma then to her mate. With a sigh, she slung the bag to her hand and passed it to the elf. "Handle it with care, Felix you're in charge of giving it back."

"Got it." He nodded, reaching to hug both Janette and Syri. Syri squealed with a look of surprise, hugging him back with a warm smile. Janette turned a slight shade of red, feeling his strong arm around her just like back then so many nights ago in that bedroom...

"Good luck!" He shouted, waving and running with Alma, his words snapping Janette back as Syri tugged at her arm. The two nodded and ran off to join Spi'Reto's group. Felix ran with Alma and Nyitzcha, catching up to Dimyri stumbling with her human feet. "Having trouble?"

"A bit!" She huffed, shaking her footwear before running on wobbly legs. "This thing takes getting use to."

"You're not joining your sister?"

"When my sisters and mother are back home, then I'll join." He smiled, noting the look of determination on her face. He could see how KuliKuli took after her during their hard times. Both groups arrived back to camp, however each carrying separate objectives. Spi'Reto was shouting at the others to hurry along, helping them pack up and grab what they can carry while rushing them to safety. Alma ran to her camp, grabbing her gear and weapons while Felix joined Nyitzcha in finding their crate.

"There we go, Momma's got ya." Nyitzcha grinned, her fingers dancing in her palms as she leaned over the open lid. "Don't s'pose we gut horses, do we? No? Fair 'nuff, a'right Nyitzcha darlin', think."

She looked around, ignoring the frantic movements of others as her eyes caught on to a nearby wooden wagon with several barrels sat on top and a lever to pull it with. "Bingo, das my miracle worker d'ere. Help me, darlin'."

Felix went over to the small wagon, looking puzzled as Nyitzcha attempted to pick a barrel up off from it. "This thing, you're sure? It looks like it carries kids around."

Nyitzcha shot daggers at him, forcing him back with raised hands. "Not saying anything like that, but this is small. You're sure the crate will fit?"

"Only way t'be sure is we uhn! Quit barkin'... an' start liftin'!" She growled, her grip slipping causing her to fall back. "Gods, what's in these?"

Felix slid the lide off the closest barrel. "Looks like fish."

His skin lept from his body as a bitter howl erupted behind him, followed by an angry Grizzly cradling the four barrels. "Mine!"

Nyitzcha frowned, getting back on her feet. "Listen' princess, we need dat wagon der fer-"

Nukka shook her head. "Mine!"

"Keep yer floppin' fish, is the wagon I wantin'!"

"No touchy!"

"What?"

"She says no touchy!" Nukka huffed, closing the lid on her barrel and scooting over to stand between the dwarf and her snacks. Felix chuckled nervously as Nukka stood on her hind legs, her nearly nine foot height making Nyitzcha's less than four feet stature look like a child's doll. "You touch, she bites!"

"Okay, new plan." Felix swallowed, pulling on Nyitzcha.

"Nuuuh, I like dis plan. I thinks dis plan 'ere is the best plan." She yanked away from his hand, staring back at Nukka's eyes. "Listen 'ere ye empty-headed self-braggin' fish-smellin' compensatin' overweight furball, ai lay claim on dat wagon an' I give ye on de count o' three to get yer pawz and trolley outta my sight! One! Two!"

"Z-Zimi!?" Felix shouted.

Zimi spun around, quickly running on all fours before hugging Nukka tight. Nukka huffed, shooting fire at Nyitzcha while Zimi rubbed her furry soft spot. "Calm down sweetie, it's just a barrel of fish."

"Is our barrel!"

"Yes, our barrel." Zimi smiled, kissing Nukka's tummy. Nukka blushed, looking down and patting her Nekomata gently. "That's better, stay with me. Easy does it."

Turning around, Zimi looked over at Felix. "Explain."

"Um, we need the wagon to move our crate." He pointed, watching Zimi think of something. In a minute, Nukka growled and lifted the crate up with her paws, slamming it on the tiny wagon as its wooden wheels began to groan under its weight. Nyitzcha looked triumphant, sitting atop her crate with Felix and Zimi as Nukma began to push.

Alma and Dimyri looked back at the absurd sight of a Grizzly pushing a group settled on a crate and wagon towards them. Unbeknownst to them, someone else was observing them nearby, emptying the contents from his bag as fine powder shook down to complete the circle around the camp. The figure turned to find Spi'Reto leading the other villagers down a certain path, noticing Syri accompany Janette with her. It's eyes narrowed, having found the two Nekomata's he was tasked with.

"Found you."