Hatred.

It was a venom like that of the poisonous vipers that lurked in the upper boughs of the treetops above. A single bite from needle sharp fangs and within moments the blood through the veins would begin to coagulate and thicken until no matter how hard the heart tried there would be no pumping of blood through the veins. Rougaru had seen it occur many times now, watched with mild interest as the brilliant green snake slowly made its way down the rough tree trunks to retrieve its meal in peace. Never did it fear the jungle wolf nor did the wolf fear the snake for instead the two gave each other a wide birth and likewise he was careful to ensure that his own herd did the same.

However today was different.

Today Rougaru felt the venom.

Pain radiates down his foreleg from the bruised joint that Jabari had managed to land a hard hit upon. Thick caramel colored tail flicks with an audible snap against thick haunches as the jungle stallion bent his great head to snap at the annoying gnats that tickled the drying blood on his shoulder. He would not forget this day.

It was mild satisfaction for him, to see the limb that Jabari too carried as he moved towards the beach. Dark lips peel back from yellowed teeth as Rougaru follows in his wake with head dropped and ears buried beneath the thick mantle of his cream and caramel colored mane. He was not the victor today, but neither was he ultimately defeated. The loss of Calypso hurt, a wound that he would not soon forget. The bile that rose in his throat threatened to overwhelm him but instead he kept himself silent. Jabari would pay.

The thick cloud of hatred hangs heavily between them, thick enough that even Jabari is not immune to its existence. The painted stallion turns now as they approach the beach, his gaze steeled as he speaks. Defiance brings the jungle wolf's head high, ears remain buried beneath the thick mantle of his tattered mane. A mask of indifference settles into place upon his roguish features as dark multifaceted eyes meet the Luthien stallion. Dark eyes follow Calypso as she moves, a renewed hatred breathing life into the flames that licked at his soul. A single dial flickers upwards as proud head raises to meet Jabari. Lips peel back into a snarling sneer as the bristled wolf rakes a forelimb through the white sands. "You will know the pain of loss Jabari. Celestria was mine, mine to me and her death was met with no payment. Your servitude only scratches the surface of what should be. It is the blood of one you hold dear that should fall next. Perhaps that pale little creature you hide on your fathers shores? hmm?" a dark chuckle rumbles from his lungs as the dark stallion gives his thick head a shake.

Jabari turns his attention to Calypso and a renewed feeling of pain and loss burns through the stallion as he too raises his emerald green eyes to meet the pale ocean ooids of his delicate pearl. Brows furrow in frustration and longing but even the wolf knows that she has not been happy. Not for some time now. Shamwari ruined that fantasy for her and it was only fitting that he free her to make her own way through this world. Perhaps one day she would return? Perhaps not. Jabari promises to keep her safe and once more steely eyes fixate upon the dark eyes of the painted stallion. Blood boils through his veins as the hairs along his spine raise like the hackles on a wolf. "You BETTER protect her! You who take her from my home, who steals her from me. Should anything happen to her I will not stop until your blood runs dry." he growls blinking back the spite that threatens to erupt from his lungs.

The final words that Jabari offers come as a bit of a surprise for Rougaru. Though it has been many years now that he has counted Warsaw a friend, he had not ever expected to find that the gray stallion would make an allegiance of sorts with his sworn enemy. A single lobe flickers at the news of an understanding but Rougaru is not sure he should trust the words. Perhaps it was merely Jabari's attempt to keep the wolves at bay? A disbelieving snort blasts from his lungs as thick whipcord once more lashes against his mahogany skin. "Pretty words... understanding.... An understanding is not something that I have seen yet from you or your sire. You who sully's my mare with your spawn... who sees her death when your spawn dies... you who takes my pearl from me?! where is it that I should find understanding in my heart?" he growls, a single brow raising in question.