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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:58 pm
How could something that felt so right at the time, hurt this badly now? The sun seemed to have beaten her home, the family's tree looming into view in the early twilight as the blazing orb set on the distant horizon to the west. She and the male, Bushido, had parted ways early that morning, and Kani had been wandering in a daze all day. She hadn't really wanted him to go, the lonliness his solid presence had been keeping at bay sweeping the banks of her mind again even worse than before. She didn't dare go back home right away, seeking shelter behind one of the bolders in the hilly plains behind the pride's monument. Shin would just think she was being dramatic, or he'd keep asking what was wrong until she either told him or pushed him away. She loved her brother, but she wasn't ready for that. She also wasn't ready to try coping with Mosi's equally demanding questions, or the curious stares and questions from her little sisters and brother. The only thing she craved at all was to curl up against her father like she used to do when she was little, but how would she be able to face him again afterwards? She was supposed to be grown now, yet here she was acting like a stupid cub... a stupid girl, like Shin would've said when they were still babies.
Lions came and went throughout the day, but she didn't dare move from that bolder's shadow either. She slept at some point, the only way she was able to escape the confusing pain in her chest that had come back full force with the suns early rays.
That was hours ago though. Just roughly one hour past she'd set out for home, thankful that it seemed to be empty yet still. The cubs were probably still on their adventures, with their friends, or possibly any of their many relatives. It meant Kani could have a little while to herself, good... because suddenly it seemed like she couldn't hold back those tears anymore.
She moved inside, climbing to the high branches where she buried her face in her dark paws just as her form began to tremble, warm teardrops slowly saturating her fur.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:36 pm
 A tawny figure, strikingly similar to the lioness who had entered the den moments before, padded toward the large tree, his gait thrown off by the prey he dragged behind him. He had gone hunting that day, bringing home a meal of a small zebra to feed his growing family. Unaware that his oldest daughter had returned before him, Juhudi dragged his prize beneath the large tree and through the opening into the spacious den beneath. The carcass he left on a large stone he had pushed into the den long ago for the purpose to wait for his family to return and share the meal. It was a habit he had acquired with the birth of his oldest children, and one he continued even after they had grown and new voices filled the den. His ears flicked, catching a muffled sound that seemed to drift from the higher branches of the tree. He was not aware anyone else was home, and uncertain of who it was, his head turned upward, pale eyes searching for a familiar form. "Kani? Is that you?" It was a reasonable guess, for those the sound was too muffled to distinguish, he was fairly certain that the younger cubs could not climb so high yet, and Mosi would still be on patrol now. Which left Shin or Kani, and he doubted Shin would be home so early.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:47 pm
Kani's ears twitched, though she wasn't actually immediately aware that someone had called her for another moment or two. Her eyes wandered down now towards the side of the tree, sniffing audibly before moving to climb down, slipping to the entrance of the den and peering in with ears flat. Juhudi was home, and hiding from him wouldn't do any good, but she was still unaware of what kind of picture her tear stained fur and the mingling scents shrouding her form (both Bushido's and her season) might create. Any good father might think the worst.
"Daddy..."
She'd wanted to handle it maturely, but seeing him there, she knew that any chance of that right now was shot. She moved in closer quickly, burying her face against his mane as the tears came back, and bringing her paws up to brace against him in what looked a lot like the very embrace a distraught daughter would use.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:58 pm
The warm smile that would have greeted his oldest daughter quickly fell, replace by a look of worry and concern at her troubled expression. His head tilted in a question, noting the tear stains that streaked her cheeks, the drops that threatened to fall from her pale eyes. In an instant, fatherly concern seized him, a paw wrapped around his daughter, taking her in his protective embrace. His mind raced, each thought that haunted him worse than the first, what could have happened to upset her so? Had she been hurt? Had someone hurt her? "Kani? What's wrong, what happened?" His voice shook, a trace of fear touching his own eyes. What had happened to his daughter?
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:07 pm
There was no blood, no cuts, not even toussled fur to indicate that she'd been hurt that way, though it was possible to come to two other conclusions. Unfortunately she wasn't able to answer and clarify right away, as tears began to wrack her body again. It took a few moments, a few tries, and a few hard sniffles before she was able to find her own trembling voice again.
"Daddy... I'm so confused, I don't know what to do!"
What a mess she'd made of things, she hoped that this wouldn't ever get back to Bushido, she'd both never forgive herself for causing him trouble (knowing her mother... she was crazy!) and she'd forever feel like such a fool in his eyes. Well, she felt foolish as it was, but that would be twice as bad.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:44 pm
Juhudi had not yet drawn the conclusion his daughter must have thought he would have. Though his daughter had grown into a fine adult, one that he could not have been more proud of, she had grown far to fast and he was still unwilling to think such an act of his little girl. The cub with whom he had shared many afternoons, whom he had always cherished as a part of his own being, was still far to innocent in his mind. "Confused about what? Kani...please, tell me what has happened." Placing a paw on her shoulder, he pushed her upright enough to look into her eyes, his own clearing showing his growing fear. Why wouldn't she tell him what had upset her so? "What is wrong? I'm your father, you can tell me."
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:42 pm
Truthfully, Kani was too emotional to expect or predict anything, be it disappointment, anger, or conclusion-jumping. She was just overwhelmed, and gradually began to calm just enough to listen some, pulling back to look at him through wet, ice blue eyes.
"I... I met a male last night, and..." She lowered her eyes, new tears brimming, but she blinked past them, going on, voice trembling again. "I don't know what happened, I started thinking about you and mom and how I was supposed to move out soon, and I got scared... and he was so nice, he made me feel better about everything. But then when he left I just felt even worse...!"
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:57 pm
His eyes were soft, a reassuring expression on his maw. Whatever had happened to his daughter, he wanted her to feel she could tell him, to know that he would always be there to comfort her, to accept her with open arms. His ears upright, he listened as she spoke, his tail flicking at each word as realization dawned on him. She had done WHAT?! His little girl had been with a male? A male that had then just left her behind without considering how she must have felt? He fought to hold back the snarl that threatened to break across his maw, suppressing the growl he felt trying to escape his deep chest. Never had he felt such fury and rage growing inside him. The anger was not directed at his daughter, for her he held nothing but the love he always had, and the comfort he longed to offer her. But for the male that had done this to her, how dare the beast harm his daughter! Reaching out again, he pulled her closer with a comforting paw, holding her there as if he could somehow erase all that happened. "Shhhh...it's alright, it'll be okay."
If I ever get my paws on him...
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:34 pm
"Daddy, I don't understand why I feel like this... We only just met, but it hurts." She confessed, biting her bottom "lip" and burrowing her face a bit closer, breathing deep and slow now as the hysteria passed. She didn't really feel better yet, but she did feel better than she had. He'd managed to calm her down some at least.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:53 pm
His chest heaved with a deep sigh, head lowered to gently nuzzle against his daughter. He wanted desperately to hold her there, to take away her pain, to bear it himself if he had to. He was furious, disappointed, and frightened all at once. What was he to do, what was he to say? No words he could say, no action he could do would ever erase what had happened to his daughter, and though he wanted to, he could not bear the hurt for her. But sinking his talons into the male who had done this, that would at least make him feel better. But though his rage burned, it was Kani who needed him now, and it was not anger that she needed. "It'll be okay, I promise. No matter what happens, I will always be here."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:36 am
It was with swift steps that Mosi led the way to the family's tree now, watching it loom into view only with half intrest. Her intrest was more on the lions she hoped were inside, Juhudi and their daughter. Generally by this time Juhudi had brought back food, and Kani couldn't stay out all day, so they had to be home.
As they drew closer she thought again over the situation, how to handle it, what she'd say, and turning to look at Bushido, she stopped a few yards from the tree itself.
"You wait here." She instructed in a non-argumental tone, then turned and headed inside to scope the situation inside. Immediately her eyes landed on the two as she entered halfway, golden eyes glinting in the gradual darkness. "Juhudi, Kani, come outside....... and Juhudi?" She looked to the male, bracing as well as she could, refusing to move until she had an answer. "Do NOT do anything rash, please."
Kani had calmed down a bit more by now, staying silent and just focusing on clearing her head. When Mosi entered and spoke up though, the younger female tensed. That could only mean one thing-- Mosi had dragged Bushido back to the den! .... WHY?!
"M-mom...?" She asked nervously, ears flattening. She didn't want Bushido to see her like this, a wreck of emotions, acting like a child, but the stern look from her mother made it clear, she wasn't going to let Kani run away from this problem.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:58 am
Juhudi's ears twitched, the sound of pawsteps reaching him before his mate had spoken. His head raised, he turned to the dark form of the lioness who stood at the den entrance, his maw open for a moment as if to tell her something had happened, but the look in her eyes told him she already knew. But how? Did that mean she had tracked the male down? Had she brought him to their home? His rage burned again, and before he could speak he was on his paws, a snarl spread across his maw. Rash? Oh he wasn't going to be rash, he was going to be a whirl of unrelenting fury, and he would make certain that the unknown lion felt the father's anger in every strike. Or at least that was his first thought, a thought that quickly faded as pale eyes first fell on his mate and then his daughter. "Fine." For his daughter's sake, he would hold his temper. --------------------------- Bushido had followed silently behind the dark lioness, mind swimming with his thoughts, tail flicking nervously at the encounter that was soon to come. He did not fear Kani, instead he welcomed the chance to see her again, to speak with her though he did not know what he would say. It was her father he was worried about, as well as her mother.
Waiting behind as she had instructed, a deep sigh shook his chest. He wasn't sure this was a good idea, wasn't it better for them to discuss this alone? Away from the ears of angry parents?
But he knew better than to leave, and as a lion of honor, this was something he had to face. Hopefully they wouldn't be too angry with him, or worse, be angry with Kani.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:14 am
She didn't bother asking beyond that, taking his word for it immediately, she turned and exited the den the way she'd come in, but waited back to step in front of Juhudi if he did happen to get carried away. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, so all she had to do if he lost his temper was make sure he couldn't get around her.
She looked at Kani as their oldest daughter stepped out before Juhudi, then nodded her head in Bushido's direction in a silent cue. "Go talk to him." She instructed.
It wasn't that Mosi thought Bushido was a bad influence, or anything of the sort, or that he would purposely hurt someone. Really, she was surprised that Kani had taken things that far. She had already been with Juhudi and borne their first litter before she went into her first heat cycle, so she didn't know what kind of temptations it could cause, so she had to wonder what was going through Kani's head last night. She was here to make sure that the blame wasn't shoveled off, and to keep anyone else from interfering.
The taupe pelted lioness looked up uncertainly as she came within view, spotting Bushido waiting ahead and feeling her ears go flat like she'd just been caught instigating with her brother, or worse. Feeling her skin heating with a fluster of emotions, she avoided eye contact and hesitantly went to close the distance between the two, hoping he wouldn't notice the tell-tale signs of her breakdown.
"I'm sorry for this..." She began just above a whisper, despite feeling her heart twist at the words. She didn't regret their actions, but her lack of judgement, control, and thought. Here he was now getting harassed because she couldn't handle a lack of commitment from a stranger she just met.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:40 am
Stepping toward the den entrance, Juhudi brushed against his daughter with a gentle reassuring nudge, showing her that kind smile that told her he was always there. Allowing his daughter to leave the den first, he paused at the entrance, tail lashing as he stopped beside his mate. Pale eyes narrowed the instant they fell on the unfamiliar dark form for the first time, a low growl rumbling in his throat. So that was him. "I don't like this." His words were spoken to Mosi, as he could not help but wonder what she was thinking. This creature had hurt their only daughter, had taken her in her most vulnerable time, why should they give him the chance to do it again.
-----------------------------
Blue eyes lighted at the sight of the young lioness, she was as beautiful as she had been the night before, and he found his paws carrying him a step closer to her, even as she approached him.
He was well aware of the menacing glare that had focused in his direction, ever conscious of angry parents who perhaps thought the worst of him.
"You do not need to apologize."
He wanted to step closer, to reach out, to feel her touch against his, and in that moment he realized that it had not been lust, or heat that had drawn him to her. But it was a desire that would go unheeded, for he dared not do so with her parents looking on.
"I am sorry if I hurt you, it was never my intention."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:00 am
"I know." She confirmed, keeping close, her eyes on Bushido and Kani quietly. "But we have to let her handle this. It does take two, love." She spoke with certainty, though not harshly as the scene unfolded before them. "... And I think that this isn't as simple as it might look.... Besides, it could have been much worse."
She didn't dare say it, but imagined, if it had been someone like Ezeoha instead, or someone with that same attitude. She loved her friend, really she did, but she'd likely have tried to maul him one way or another if he'd done this to Kani. She'd heard about his last fling, and had to say she was both surprised and disappointed. She didn't approve of it, didn't see how anyone could, but, to each their own. If their oldest daughtere had been dragged into something like that though, there would have been hell to pay. Mosi didn't believe in making a promise and then breaking it, and taking a mate was serious promise business.
"He's a good lion... and he knows who he's messing with even if he weren't. If their talk goes well, promise me that you'll give him a chance?"
"It wasn't your fault, Bushido..."
Her smile was small, and sad, as if she only tried to at all for the sake of saying she'd tried. It didn't last long though, as she hung her head and tail now a bit, guilt ridden and confused.
"I just... didn't realize I'd still feel this strongly after we..." Stop, don't finish that sentence, she told herself. If she did she'd just end up crying again, and her father would get upset and she'd look like a child, something she tried so hard to avoid. Kani swallowed a lump and then softly cleared her throat, trying to will her emotions back under control with a shaken inhale. "After last night." She finally finished, chest tight again.
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