Raj purred up at her, though he licked her fingers and looked imploringly at her. "I know, I'm hungry too. We won't find anything in this rain though."

Raj pawed her gently and watched. Kala grinned, scratching behind his ears laughing as he rolled over on his back. "You're just a spoiled, over grown baby."

Josiah pulled his coat up around his ears as the rain poured down around him. He had ridden out to the reservation to help Nathan, who was going to stay the night since one of the children still had a high fever. Now he had to get back to town for his patrol in the morning. He decided that as soon as he found a good spot, he'd stop and wait to see if the rain slowed any. He looked over spotting a cave and rode towards it.

Raj got up suddenly as there was movement at the cave entrance and growled at the figure that walked in.

Josiah froze and looked at the large cat that he recognized from pictures as a tiger. He looked at the woman behind it and held his hands out, "Now ma'am, don't move. I'll have you out of here in a second."

Kala laughed and smiled, calling Raj back to her side. "Come Raj."

Josiah watched as the tiger turned and moved over to the woman and curled up around her feet, and then rolled over on its back, batting at her flowing skirt playfully.

"I am sorry if Raj frightened you. He is very protective. He will attack and kill if I am in danger." Kala stressed this last syllable in case the stranger before her had any ideas.

Josiah nodded and took off his hat, "Yes ma'am. I'm Josiah Sanchez, from Four Corners. I'm part of the law there. I was on my way back when this storm started and I thought I'd take shelter here."

"You are welcome to join in our fire while you await this storm to end."

"Where are you traveling too?"

"Wherever I may be left in peace. I am Kala Varuni. This is Raj, my pet and companion."

Josiah settled down, warming his hands in the light of the fire, "Pleasure ma’am."

"So tell me of this Four Corners."

"It's a small town, fairly quiet. No more troubles than any others."

"Are the patrons tolerable?"

"Fairly. Don't know how they'll feel about Raj, but maybe I can help?"

Kala smiled looking outside as the rain let up, "Perhaps you can. May I walk with you?"

Josiah looked and nodded, "Certainly. Shall we?" Josiah stood and put the fire out.

Kala stood gathering the few things she had and walked with Josiah towards what she hoped would be the end of her travels and the start of a new life filled with new friends and opportunities.