"They must have swam away!" Caden said and looked into the lake as well his sharp eyes squinting but the depth of the lake didn't allow him the pleasure of looking further.
"Why?!" Sydney asked perplexed. She didn't even have snacks to attract the fish close. She crawled closer and the small waves hit gently against her hands. With a sigh, she stood up and looked at the three males who were collecting huge leaves and laying them to the ground next to the lake.
"Well, we are beastmen so we unintentionally scare prey away!" he said and looked at Ken. "You can go and get the fish from the bottom. I'm sure they won't come out willingly!" he instructed and Ken agreed without question and plucked off his skirt and jumped into the lake. Sydney looked as Ken skilfully dived into the lake and watched him disappear into the water.
Not long after Ken disappeared into the lake, there seemed to be a battle under the water. She walked closer to the lake in concern "Ken!!" she called out.
"He is fine!" Caden assured her and held her shoulder to get her away from the lake. Around three minutes later, Ken emerged from the water his hands holding onto a humagous fish tail! With his poweress, he dragged the fish to the shore despite the fish's desperate attempts to escape sending the water splashing violently. It was as huge as a young whale. Sydney's mouth fell in awe! "It's so big!!!" she exclaimed her green eyes sparkling.
"Not many beastmen catch fish from this lake, it's bothersome too and it's not a favourite food. This helps the fish to grow bigger!" Caden explained seeing her widened eyes. He smiled at her but held her hack when she tried to escape his hold.
"Stay here!" he walked her to the side Ash had brought a huge rock for her to sit. Also part of the fish was still in the water and they had to get it to land. The fish was putting on a serious battle not to get dragged to land but Ken was adamant to let it go! His female wanted to eat fish and he wanted to get her the best. When he got to the bottom, there were smaller fish but he felt he'd seem incompetent if he brought small fish. He ended up dragging out the biggest fish he could see and when he got to the surface, he could see the awe and disbelief on Sydney's face. He was extremely pleased!
"Wow ....this can feed us for weeks!" Sydney hoped off the stone and walked closer wanting to engage in cleaning the fish too but when she attempted to walk over, Ash carried her by the waist and sat her back down on the rock. "Let us clean it!" he coaxed her.
"I want to join too!" Sydney complained jumping off the rock again. She was being stubborn!
"It's scales are really sharp! You'll end up hurting yourself!" Ash argued back and sat her in the rock helplessly.
"I'll be careful! I promise!" She pleaded and looked over to the others but they didn't dare look her way. The fish was twisting around crazily. Indeed if she moved close , she could end up being injured.
Caden didn't waste time and slit the annoying fish's head making it squirm the more in pain. With a tight grip on its head, he pulled it that it continued to tear from where he had slit and this ended the fish's life. Sydney didn't get to see this since Ash who seemed to understand what was going to happen next sheilded her sight with his frame.
"Come on Ash...let me join and clean!!! I want to do something too!! Caden...are you not going to let me join you?! Ken, are you also in support of this brutalism?!" She taunted them with questions.
Ash had nothing to do but relent, he sighed. "Fine, you can join but let us first remove the skin from the fish then you can also come cut it up."
Nodding happily, Sydney who had sneaked her stone knife pulled it out happily shocking Caden. They had clearly hid that stone knife after the battle! He glared at Shawn who was busy skinning the fish making him stop his actions seeming confused. Poor guy was not aware that the sly female had stolen the knife from him since his guard was always lowered when she was around.
Though skinning fish was unprecedented, Sydney felt like her teeth would fall out if she ate this fish skin. It looked tough and sturdy!
Ignoring the odd atmosphere, Shawn busied himself with skinning one side of the fish them with Ken's help, they shifted the fish so they could skin the other side. The whole process was fun when Sydney was finally permitted to join in. With sufficient fish meat and fish roe, the animal skin bags were full of fish to the brim. The sun was also descending at a considerable speed.
"It's getting late! We should leave soon.." Ken spoke as he looked at the setting sun.
"Mm." Ash replied and looked towards Sydney who was busyng washing at the lake. The stench of fish was extremely strong and Sydney was drowning since she couldn't wash off the scent!
An arm wrapped around Sydney's waist startling her but she didn't fight knowing it was Caden. His other hand went under her butt and held her in a way that her back was pressed against his chest. In this position, she could feel his strong heartbeat and warmth sip into her skin. "I'll boil water for you to wash when we get home." he said and Sydney docilely nodded.
Carrying the bags, the group of five went home and chores were immediately shared. Shawn boiled the water for Sydney to wash up . She did so immediately and rushed down stairs to go enjoy the fish she wanted to eat only to stop in her tracks at what was taking place in the kitchen.
Around a huge fire sat four men and they were roasting fish???!!!!!!
Sydney's mouth twitched in perplextion. She sucked in a gush of air and burst out laughing. The men looked her way. "Sydney the fish is ready!" Ken smiled feeling gleeful since he was the one who hunted the fish.
Wheezing, Sydney shook her head defeatedly..she was so done with eating food dipped in salt. With alot of unwillingness painted all over her face, she went and sat in her designated place and fish was passed onto her in a stone bowl. As she ate, Shawn spoke grabbing her attention.
Tomorrow's the bonfire day. All preparations have been made and we'll go over in the evening."
Oh...." Sydney was sulking since her desire for fish was being ruined by how blant it tasted.
Caden noticed her pouted lips and aggrieved face. " What's wrong?!" he asked taking the bowl from her hands. His sharp eagle eyes scammed her body for any form of discomfort but there was none.
Being asked, Sydney looked up and saw the concern etched on the men's faces. She felt terrible for ruining their mood. "Don't mind me. I'm off to sleep." She stood up and turned to leave for her room.
"It's dark...you might fall so let me carry you." Ken suggested as he stood up with her.
"There's no need to do so!" Sydney subtly rejected his help. She was feeling under the weather and her emotions were jumping all over the place.
I insist." Ken persisted and walked towards her. He held her hand and walked her to the second floor. This was the first time Sydney was getting into so much close contact with Ken.
His hands had wrapped around her own and she could feel how rough and warm they were. Even a small tempo that was probably his heart beast could be heard from this close proximity. He sounded like he was going to have a heart attack. She stole a glance at him but it was useless on her side since she couldn't see him well in the dark.
"We are here." Ken said and opened the wooden door for Sydney. "Oh...thanks" she replied and entered the room. " Please close the door for me." .She said as she felt her way to her grass bed.
Ken stayed rooted at the entrance and watched as she got into her bed. Something was wrong with her! She had been excited and her green eyes were exceptionally sparkling when they went fishing in the evening. It was the first time he had seen her so happy that even her little feet hidden in skin boots were unsettled but all of a sudden, she became moody and he was sure all the others could feel it too. She didn't even get to eat the fish she had been so much wanting. He wanted to ask her but felt that she wouldn't answer him.
I'll come in and keep you company." Ken said after a moment of silence.
"I want to be alone. No one is allowed inside..You all have your rooms!" Her voice was muffled but it was stern. There was no room for consideration. " So ken, please close the door and leave!"
At the end of the hallway next to the staircase, he saw that the others were frozen in place. They must have heard her. Ash was the first to walk over to his room and shut the wooden door. The next thing that could je heard was the shuffling as he shifted into his panther form and marked his territory. This wasn't a bad start for him. Next, he'd be marking his female and that'd be sooner!
Helplessly, Ken shut the door and walked to the furthest room from Sydney's and also shut himself inside. He also marked this room as his own territory..... tomorrow was an important day for his future!