Taji was running after an impala. She had finished all the prey in her cave, and she needed food. She felt happy and free as she chased her prey. When she knew she was close enough, she leaped, landing on the impala's shoulders. She bit down on its neck, holding on until it stopped wriggling. She felt the warm taste of the prey bathe her tongue, and it took all of her self-control not to rip off its flesh and eat it right then and there.

You need to save it, she reminded herself. Grabbing the impala by its leg, she dragged it back towards the waterfall cave. When she was about halfway there, she thought she heard a rustling sound. She spun around, and spotted a clump of ferns. She let a low growl rise from her throat.

"Whoever's there, come out now! I know you're here!" The ferns rustled again, and a cub with dark gray fur, white paws and a white belly stepped out. His amber eyes glittered in amusement.

"Oh, is you stalking me so funny?" Taji felt rage bubbling up inside her. "Because if you want my catch, your not getting it!" 

"You stalk prey," The cub said calmly, sitting down to groom his fur.

"Are you calling me prey?" Taji snarled. "Because I bet I could kill you in a moment."

The cub blinked apologetically. "That came out the wrong way." He apologized. "Let's start over. I'm Banguko."

He's kind of cool, Taji pushed the thought to the back of her mind. He was watching you like some creepy predator! She scolded herself.

"What's your name?" Banguko asked curiously.

"What does it matter to you?" Taji asked. Hostility gleamed in her eyes. "I'm not going to tell you my name!"

"Come on," Banguko's eyes gleamed curiously. "I told you mine," He added hopefully.

"Oh, that's right!" Taji blinked. "You told me something I never wanted to hear!"

Banguko finally seemed to give up. "Fine," He said gently. "I'll leave. I don't live far from here if you ever want to see me again."

Taji rolled her eyes. Oh, yes, I'll totally want to see you again, She thought sarcastically. 

Taji gulped down the last of the impala. The sky had grown dark. The only light came from the stars. Taji glanced up at the full moon. Her eyes began to close. She felt her thoughts drifting back to the cub she had seen.

The cub with the playful attitude.

The cub with the dark fur and amber eyes.

The cub she had immediately felt drawn too, even if he was annoying.

And then, she fell asleep.