Oni forgot how talkative westerners were. Ken had always been so chatty, asking so many questions. Had she hoped the sister would not be the same? No she supposed not, if she was being honest she somewhat missed the conversations. Exchanging information between one another. It had made her think more, start assessing things in a new way then she did before. Would the sister be as helpful? What knowledge did she have that could be useful to her. Her eyes slid towards the sister briefly before looking forwards once more towards the jungle.

“We had become friends.” She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “He was… persistent” the word rolled from her mouth in English. She remembered he would say that a lot. “He would ask questions whenever I came to the village. An followed me back to the jungle. He was something I had not dealt with before so I was curious” she mused. Curious… curiosity had played a large part in putting up with him. He was a skin color she had never seen before, his words foreign, just as foreign as the languages he could speak. “He would speak of other villages, of his home, of the places he had been. In turn he would ask questions about the jungle and animals. He acted much like a curious child” maybe that was another reason she had allowed him to have such liberties. He acted like such a child, the way he followed along and constantly asked questions. She had watched children do so with their parents in the village and even other villagers but no one had ever talked to her so openly.

Perhaps that was also in part why she had allowed it. It was a connection she didn’t have at the very least a different type of connection. She could never explain it, nor was there any English words for it she knew as she never spoke with Ken about it. Each creature was slotted in a place in her mind, whether they were important or not. Whether they were to be watched or ignored. Whether they should be protected or allowed to fend for themselves. The villagers were useful and they needed her aid, or so she had come to take it as such with the constant offerings. Though Ken had once explained to her how the village saw her, she remembered it well but it had made no difference to her. The village could act as it pleased, they were beneficial to one another. Ken had been something entirely new, something that went against the flow of what she knew and how people acted. It had indeed been the curiosity that allowed him to stay at her side.

“All things deserve to be respected in death. The villagers had nothing to remember him by should you find your way here. Your brother spoke of how stones would be placed as a reminder of those who lived for the living. Was I wrong in thinking you would want such a thing? He asked me to place one, for you” she mussed. It had been brought up briefly when Ken was alive. Where were her parents head stones? She didn’t know what he was talking about and so he had explained what they were and why people would place them. He had asked though, and so she had done so. He had taught her what she needed to know… warned her about the future that could come and what she needed to do to protect her home when it came.

Lesser? This comment brought Oni to a stop. Turning her full attention to the girl curiously before her expression once more became neutral. “Nothing is lesser, everything has its part.” Even as her expression said nothing the tone of her voice was firm. She did not see herself as some untouchable thing “I am me” what a simple statement that said nothing. It was true though. She was herself and that’s all she knew. “I am Imamu to the village. Oni to the jungle. Protector of what is mine and my home” it was all such stupidly simple statements but they were all what she was.

Oni knew the village treated her as some special thing. She also knew that she was different from them as well. As a child she had figured that out quickly enough, their words did not simply flow into her mind as the animals did. What that made her she didn’t know but it wasn’t something she worried about either. Ken had never pried or tried to figure out ‘what’ she was, at least not to her face. Maybe in his journal there was something but it was never a topic brought up between them.

The rustling of leaves had her attention turning back towards the Jungle. Lulu sweeping from the higher branches to land upon her shoulder. They had walked some distance in their talks having finally reached the jungle. Lulu clicking and chittering away about what had happened while she was away. Always the eager one to tell what was happening. A wave of her hand had the bird settling down curiously glancing between her and the girl. Reaching out Oni plucked the child from its perch buried in her hair, mindful of its claws. At first it had tried to cling closer but a soft click of the tongue had it submitting quickly enough. Holding it before Lulu she glanced at the bird “Find the others” she stated before placing the child back in the girls hair. With a flip of the wings Lulu flew off into the trees leading the way towards the nests.

With the hunters setting their catches near the fire Oni set the carcus near the fire as well, stepping back to watch as the women moved forwards with ease to begin cleaning and dismantling everything. Oni always found it interesting to watch how they took items apart; it had helped her greatly through the years. Growing up as she did no one took the time to cut things. It had taken humans to teach her what cooked food was just as it had taken them to show her how to field dress something. Truthfully speaking she rarely fully field dressed anything, she took what she needed and left the rest for the forest. When the cold season came, she would work with the village and dry meat to have some on hand should it get too cold to leave the den.

Feeling eyes on her she glanced towards the source to find Ken’s sister watching her. She looked paler then when she’d last seen her. She caught herself taking a deep breath before she realized it. Habits weren’t something so easily brushed aside a couple hours spending with hunters. It was easy enough by sight to tell she wasn’t doing well but after scenting the air she didn’t smell well either. It’s not like she could say what was wrong with someone, only that she knew when they were considered weak. An right now other then the elders and children, Ken’s sister would fall under that label. The elder said she was taking care of a young one, was it taking that much energy out of her?

Moving towards the girl she looked her over thoughtfully before settling on her eyes. “They said you found a young one” the statement was simple, not much of a question either. She could smell where the young one had slept in the crook of the girls neck. Had it taken the human as its mother? That would make things complicated depending on how things went. No use questioning things now until she saw it. “Show me the young one” she finally mused, this time she attempted to keep her tone not so flat. She had come out of practice speaking to others, even within the village most words were short and simple. To the point with little concern for tone or how things were said but someone who grew up with English as there language she remembered Kenneth told her how the native tongue seemed rough to such a flowery language like English. The language spoken in the forest was so very opposite, filled with highs, lows, loud, soft, snarls, yips, song, the range was endless. The human tongue, any of the human tongues was just one she would always find a little difficult.

She didn’t need to be shown where the hut was that Katherine was using, there was no need. She’d walked to it enough times in previous years when Kenneth was still alive… However even as she came to the flap of the tent she found herself hesitating for a moment. When was the last time she’d been in this tent? The day he died probably, she was sure the villagers never told Katherine this was the very hut that he not only lived in during his time here but died in. The hut had been cleansed and released so no negative energy could be found. That still didn’t make it easier for her, Kenneth had been the only human she’d found herself enjoying their company. Shaking her head slightly she stepped through the flap, eyes easily finding a home on the child.

“Young” very young. Crouching down next to the child she tilted her head thoughtfully studying it. Would the young be able to return to the forest? Already she was pondering what she could do to ensure its possible survival but she knew none. If it returned to the forest there would be none to look after it, if the young had been found where she said then most likely the mother was already dead or far gone from where one of her young had been snatched in order to protect the rest of them. “If the young one returns to the forest it will die” she finally said glancing at Katherine thoughtfully. What would the girl do now with this new bit of information?

Joseph was relieved happily returning the hand shake. Thank god, he really didn’t want to have to keep trying to find people willing to work with the unique situation. The next option if this hadn’t worked out was just to find a individual who would come daily, regardless that this was only the first reach out for the job. The higher ups didn’t want to deal with looking all over kingdom come and back so it was a one shot try or he was told to basically higher a nanny that would come every day. He could just hear Rae’s excitement now over someone being in her space on a daily bases, he bit back the groan very well if he was to be honest.

“Here is the paperwork” he said fishing out a manila envelope from his bag. “Fill these out when you have the chance, you can just drop it off with the front desk here they will get it to me. Ah can I get a picture of your drivers license and social security? In the paperwork there will be a form you’ll sign accepting a background check but this way I can knock it out ahead of time for us. Since you’ll have a key to the home, safety and all” he said chuckling as he fished out his phone to take the necessary front and back pictures. “So when you drop the paperwork off you will be given a key by the front desk that will allow you in here. Actual hours you choose to do the job are up to you since she is here all the time and doesn’t have a normal sleeping schedule. As for purchasing the food the front desk will give you a card when they give you the key. Whenever you purchase the groceries be sure to drop the receipt off with the front desk so that they can send it off.” He said ticking off things n his mind. The villa was used for visitors of the company as well as some who choose to live their full time. Thus, the front desk was use to working with keys, accounting receipts and other random bits of work. Hearing the bathroom door open again he turned his head down the hall and instantly sighed. “Rae… you have guest” he scolded. “I… apologize this is… normal for her too” Joseph said rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Rae obviously had no care in the world as she walked down the hallway wrapped in a towel, hair dripping wet and leaving a trail behind her as she zeroed in on the laundry on the couch. Luci was already perched on the back of one of the couches looking rather pleased. “Clean?” Rae asked around the toothbrush haphazardly hanging from her mouth. A meow was her reply and that’s all she needed to start fishing for a new set of sweats and t-shirt. Slipping the sweats on under the towel with a little wiggle of the hips and hop, her next conquest was getting a too large shirt over her wet hair. This time she didn’t much care if the towel staid up, and it didn’t. As soon as her arms went up to pull the rest of the shirt over her head the towel fell but the motion was one done thousands of times as the shirt came down at the same time. The towel never hit the floor as her leg caught it and the next motion had the towel being used to wrap her wet hair atop her head.

Turning around she finally looked at the person standing next to Josh. Both of them were disgustingly tall. “So this is the housekeeper” every bit a statement more then a question.

“Yes, we talked about it awhile ago.” Joseph said. Thankful her memory came more back to her now that she’d had a shower.

“…. Stay out of my studio and I don’t like mushrooms. Luci has free reign of the house, don’t block her door” the last part said with a pointed finger to a doggy door placed in the sliding glass door. Obviously, there was no dog in the home, it was put there for the cat’s convenience to go in and out as they wished. “Josh… I’m going to bed.” She said finally moving past the pair.

“Wait… here’s the next job” he said quickly fishing out another envelope from his bag, this one was a dark green compared to the cream one he had given Adrian.

Rae stared at the envelope like it was cursed. “I’ll look at it when I wake up” she said snatching it from his hands. As she walked by her studio door, she dropped the envelope on the floor and kicked it under the door. With that she finished her journey to her bedroom, a half-hearted shove of the door to close it as she eagerly crawled onto the bed with its ridiculously fluffy comforter and countless pillows. Luci as always hot on her heels through doors so she wasn’t left behind.

“They’re an interesting pair” Joseph muttered shaking his head slightly. “On deadline days if you could avoid a lot of noise” he said sheepishly. “She’s very good at her work, and because of it companies like to pile things on” he said shaking his head. “I’m just her publicist though so all I can do is play run between on all the different companies she works for” he said sighing. That’s right companies, Rae worked for multiple different companies. The different advertising firms all realized that Rae didn’t really care about working for one or the other just whatever sparked her interest. So they had managed to make a deal amongst themselves to basically share her. An he had been hired by Rae to manage everything on her behalf… he supposed he had no complaints but god grief his blood pressure could sure go through the roof sometimes. “Shall we?” he said offering up a smile and motioning to the front door.

With that he showed her around the building. Introduced her to the individual at the front desk, where the side doors were that lead to the dumpster, and the cleaning room that had different cleaning supplies. The building had someone who took care of general cleaning as needed and even when guest would leave after their business trips but it wasn’t a hotel so it’s not something that was stocked for repeat cleanings just general cleaning. Hearing his phone go off he fished out his ear piece and quickly slid it into place “Joseph for Rae Finch, how can I help you” his tone every bit down to business instead of the cheerful tone he’d kept during his time with Adrian. Offering a quick smile and slight wave he mouthed a good bye before skittering back down the hall towards the entrance.

Oni allowed her full attention to rest on the girl before her as she spoke of Ken’s death. She rarely watched how humans mourned those they lost, she had watched villagers die and how the village would remember them. However, the families would only mourn within their homes and be strong out in the public eye. In the wild they would mourn for their dead but every animal had their own way of doing things. What was done though was those around would look after them, care for them. An while this girl was within her jungle she would look after her as she could not do for the brother. When the girl finally spoke Oni inclined her head slightly even as her eyes never left the girl, watching those eyes search for something… anything. Whatever it was she seemed to find it when they settled on the field of flowers.

A small grunt was the only response she offered as she stood, untangling herself from Uma who seemed less then willing to move from her spot she had nestled herself into. Turning she walked back through the brush at a slow enough pace that the girl could follow behind without stumbling over anything. At some spots she helped steady the girl through certain spots that would have been slightly tricky, a hand out reached to assist with balance or to help down from a high point. Through the entire path Oni moved effortlessly without need to check footing or even seem to have the need to check where she was even at. The jungle was her home and she had no need to pay it mind, it was something she had never told Ken it had never come up. To the jungle though was like an image she felt in her mind, she always knew where she was among the towering trees.

Uma wandered ahead of the pair in a lazy manner. Peering at the pair every so often when the human would require some assistance over a particularly slippery or steep part of the trail. It’s not like the jungle was how Ken had described their homes back where they came from. The leopard could remember Oni describing what he spoke of, long trails of stone laid together flat. That sounded rather awful, the hunting would be difficult with everything being so wide open. Then again Oni had mentioned that they didn’t have a need for hunting unless they did it for sport… or… fun. What a very odd world the two humans had come from, an how they found themselves so far into their lands would remain a mystery for Uma. Leaping over the last log Uma peered over the offerings that had been brought that day. Most of these things were rather silly things to offer to Oni as she had no need for them but that was humans for you.

“Follow that path” Oni said once the girl was steady on her feet in the clearing where the alter the villagers had made was situated. Her finger pointed ahead towards a well worn path that would lead her directly from the jungle and towards the village. “It will take you back to the village. Be mindful to stay on the path once you start back” she warned lightly. Watching her retreat down the path she glanced to Uma, an incline of the head that was all the communication needed before she turned to gather up the offerings to take them to the tree home. It’s where she took all the offerings the village brought her, some things she would use in time and others she never would. She could hear Uma moving further into the brush following lazily after the girl with some distance to make sure the girl returned to the village safely.

Moving through the forest balancing the offerings in a basket on her head was more of a game she had made herself from when she was young. It had indeed challenged her balance many years ago but now it was something as easily as breathing for her. Ken had gawked when he watched her do it the first time, also saying something like “no wonder you have such perfect posture” whatever that was. He always found the little things to get excited over like a very young child that had never seen the world, though it wouldn’t be wrong to say he had never seen her world. With the girl in her home memories of Ken kept slipping through her mind until she stood before tree home without realizing it. Plucking the basket from her head she glanced up at the winding steps thoughtfully.

The tree was old, strong but still young compared to the tree her den was made from. Those who made a home in the branches had initially used a rope ladder according to Ken when he had looked over it. They had built steps winding up and around in a way that the tree had grown after all the years to make the steps a part of it, he had explained it but… well the short was they cut wood and cut into the tree, put the wood and braced it into the tree. As the tree healed itself it also grew around the steps making them permanent. Shrugging off the memory she made her way up and around the steps to finally step onto the home platform. So many words she never knew before Ken had come. Her eyes moving along the platform, rails, windows, doors, walls, stairs, second story balcony…. Shaking her head she stepped through the entrance and deposited the contents of the basket with the rest of the offerings that resided in piles throughout the room. Once the job was done she returned the basket to the alter.

“She made it fine?” her eyes settling on Uma who was lazing across the warm alter stone. A twitch of the tail her response. “Come or stay, it’s time to check damage from the rain” she pointed out. It took her two days to check the entire forest for any signs of damages, at least the areas she was most concerned with. Listening to whispers of anything else that might cause problems from the heavy rain. She was grateful when she was done, it put her mind more at ease knowing she had checked everything. “tomorrow I will check the village” she muttered that night rubbing her forehead from the building headache at having to go to the village. She always had to add more clothes, it was so annoying. For now she was content to be in her own den again, she admitted she had become spoiled since she had made her den but she had her right to be so it was a home she had made.

The next morning she was up before the sun appeared, tugging on extra layers to appease the villages ways. Not that it was much of anything, Ken had assisted her in making it. The entire thing was essentially a wrap that looped around bother her shoulders to close on itself, the length was the most annoying as it went down to her ankles. A strip of cloth to use as a belt to help keep it laying correctly. It was a design he had seen in another village the women wore, something easy for them to remove for cleaning at the river. Ode rode upon her shoulder chittering away happily about nothing and everything. He really was the most chatty of them all, Uma content to stay near the den until hunger would drive her away and Lulu was off basking in the tops of the trees with the others of her kind.

Upon reaching the village at daybreak the villagers were already moving about getting breakfast ready. Gone were the days they bowed in hushed whisper upon her arriving in the village. They still offered soft prayers as she passed but now they were polite bobs of the head and children gathered in delight for the basket of fruit at her hip. “Here you are little ones” she said kneeling down with the basket, handing them out receiving soft praises in thanks while the youngest could only manage “Ehhmammu” but it was said with such delight she found it hard not to smile at the youngest.

“How is she?” Oni asked taking a seat among the elders as she took the offered bowl that contained breakfast. There was only one she in the village Oni could have possibly meant as she knew the name of everyone in the village.

The village elder made a thoughtful sound as he finished the food in his mouth before speaking “She returned to the village with a little one, it was hurt. We did what we could but she has been taking care of it mostly. I do not believe she sleeps well” he said scooping another bit of food into his mouth. While Imamu would always be Imamu the pair had become a sort of familia in their own ways through the years. He was the only elder left from all those years ago when the “little hyena” had been brought to the village all the others finally succumbing to their age bringing in new elders from younger generations. He was now the oldest man in the village, his wife the oldest woman. They both had taken a special place in her heart through the years similar to the human parents she had never known before.

“I will go hunting with the others when I return, I will check on the little one she has” she said simply stepping into the small hunt used by the hunters that held the hunting gear. With that the hunters all left before the sun was fully up in the sky and the last of the night was gone from the earth. It was near noon when the hunting party returned, Oni dragging a large buffalo behind her with little effort while the other hunters carried on their back’s meat from other kills wrapped in hides. When Oni could hunt with them it was always a better hunt as she could help bring larger kills back that would last longer for the village.