* * *

James peered down over the forest canopy from atop one of the trees surrounding the tribe camp area. Next to him was one of the canopy lookouts for the tribe. The lookout kept an eye open for possible hostile beings from the sky. It was a boring job, but had to be done.
The lookout was enjoying James' company, telling tales of his puphood and his adulthood ceremony where he hunted for a large elk to prove he was now a true dog.
"And there it was! He was a big one. Almost twice as tall as I am with razor sharp horns and glowing red eyes!"
James nodded, not paying much attention. "Uh huh..."
"I managed to get up close," the lookout continued. "And threw my spear. It went right through the beast's neck and killed it almost instantly! The tribe had a glorious feast that night!"
"uh huh..."
Down below, the tribe was preparing for James' homecoming feast. A large cooking fire was prepared, and an entire calf was being turned on a spitroast. Others were using their combines powers to make temporary decorations around the campsite. One vixen even made an ice sculpture, which James had to pose for earlier holding the pommel of his katana to his chest and with one foot on a log. James didn't think it was all necessary and said so. Kit argued and said he was being ungrateful.
"... and then there was the time that Jenny pushed me into the rose bush. My gods that hurt. Of course, I was picking on her first... called her an icky vixen..."
James looked up into the cloudy sky and reminisced the day he left the tribe. He remembered it was a day just like this one, except it was the day after the mating duels. While everyong was preparing for the third day of the festival, James prepared his things to leave and go on his own journey. He had failed the day before, twice. He couldn't bear losing again, and so he left to learn how to fight. He wanted to become a mercenary and become the greatest fighter in all the land and one day be the tribe champion.
He had nothing but his father's spear and some leather tribal clothes. He found a traveling merchant caravan and was accepted as an apprentice. One of the merchants was an old hound who was once the captain of the guard for the king of a city that was demolished in a civil feud with another city. The hound was one of very few survivors.
The hound taught James how to fight with a sword and armor. From there, he eventually left the merchant caravan and became a mercenary.
"...and then she dumped the whole bucket of fish parts on my head! I stunk for a week of dead fish!"
James smiled and nodded. "Excuse me. I need to go collect a few things for tonight."
"Sure thing, falcon eye. Thanks for the company."
James patted the lookout on the shoulder and climbed down the tree. The sun was beginning to set, and Jill would be returning soon. James wanted to be the first to greet her.
And then there she was. She walked through the parting in the trees just under the setting sun, which made her appear to glow. She had long dark black hair that went down to her shoulders and bright emerald green eyes. She was thin, yet strong. She wore a plain brown leather dress with leather frills and green beads to match her eyes. She was even more beautiful than James remembered her.
As she pushed a lock of hair back away from her eyes, she saw James standing in front of the large fire. She smiled and walked up to him. "Well, if it isn't the little runaway."
"Hello, Jill," James replied, smiling back. "You are absolutely beautiful, just as I remembered."
"And you are rough and battle scarred," she replied chuckling. "It's almost appealing."
James smirked and shrugged. "I do my best."
"Where have you been?" She asked and set down a covered basket that James didn't notice she was carrying.
"Oh, here and there. One side of the world and then the next. I saved one town from a griffin, you know..."
James wasn't able to continue as Jill had pulled him close into a deep and loving kiss. His eyes went wide in surprise, but then he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, taking in the moment of sweet bliss. The world seemed to disappear from around them as all that existed in it at that time was himself and the love of his life welcoming him so warmly.
"Hey hey hey! Break it up!" A voice James recognized yelled. And then reality returned as they broke their kiss. Jill stepped back, brushing her hair behind her eyes again. James could see her flesh red under her fur as she blushed madly. James looked around sheepishly and found Kit standing there with his arms crossed. Hey now," he said. "You have to beat me first, tomorrow, remember?"
"Yeah yeah yeah," James managed to mumble as he regained his composure. He looked back at Jill and smiled nervously and she smiled back. Then, they  both looked away at the same time as Jill said hurriedly, "I've uh... got to take some things to my father."
"I've got to..." James began before Kit placed a paw on his shoulder. 
"... have a chat with me," Kit interrupted. "We have a few things to discuss about tomorrow."
Jill nodded, picked up the basket, and hurried over to the Chief's tent.
James scratched his head and smiled happily as Kit chuckled and pushed him to a log to sit. "What was that all about?"
"What was what about?" James replied still staring at the Chief's tent.
"Oh, don't play innocent with me, James," Kit said. He snapped his fingers in front of James' face. "Hey hey... over here buddy."
"Huh?" James looked at Kit and blinked as if returning to reality again. "Oh... sorry."
Kit smiled and shook his head. "You really like her, don't you?"
James nodded, and then realized what Kit was about to imply. "No, Kit. I swear to Gods, if you go easy on me tomorrow..."
"You'll beat my ass?" Kit laughed. 
"I could never live with myself," James corrected. "Don't do that. I'll win fair and square."
"I know you will," Kit said. "I've watched you all day. You walk like a warrior, always alert. Always ready to fight. Even when you seem to be off in your own little world, you're still ready to jump into battle at a moment's notice."
"You've always beaten me in the past," James responded. "You'll do fine."
Kit nodded and faked a smile. "We'll see." He placed a paw on James' shoulder and then walked to the Champion's tent. James sighed and smiled as he gazed back at the Chief's tent.