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 Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:22 pm
"Number one... Repect all weaknesses, and shall constitute oneself the defender of them. Number two... Love the territory one was born. Number three..."
Zeki walked along the path that ran all about the Pride Lands as he normally did after he awoke from the rest he and his father took after the Morning Run. He left while his father slept only after chuckling at his father's snoring. Once told that he snore just the same that he did. Father like Son. He continuously repeated the set guidelines that his Uncle Trig had taught him during his numerous visits to the sea shore. There were exactly thirty rules to it with only five splinter ones that branched off Number eight and eleven. He knew them and he lived by them. He followed them closely and to the best of his abilities but always found himself faltering a bit at times.
"Number seven... Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor."
He smiled. Thinking about the seventh code, he felt that his life was worthy of that. To himself, that is what he thought anyways. Did others? He chuckled as he remember the next code, one that he wished he'd never have to follow. He never dreamt of ever finding himself in a fight, but just a precaution, he made sure he knew it and knew it well.
"Number eight... Fight on equal terms. - Fight with honor. Never attack an unarmed foe. Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack. Never attack from behind."
With his little play games with Uncle Kinari and more importantly, Uncle Moto. He knew how to defend himself. At least he could take on a foe around his age in a one on one. But that was it. Never fight to hurt but fight to defend.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:43 pm
 The dark lion stretched tired limbs, his body tired from the night's patrol, but his spirit high at the thought of returning home to his new found love. She often accompanied him on his nightly vigil, a habit that filled his heart with joy. But she was not accustomed to remaining awake through the night and often fell asleep, after which he would nudge her home, tell her he loved her, and return to his post while she slept.
Even in his exhaustion, the scout's senses remained alert, ears flicking to catch a quiet voice and soft pawsteps moments before blue eyes fell on a small golden form. With a soft sigh and a gentle smile, the older lion stepped toward the young cub. Looked like he had one more task to see to before retiring to the den.
"Hello there, young one, you're awfully far out this morning."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:55 pm
Zeki's attention snapped from his 'studies' to the voice and large presence before him. He raised his eyes with the crimson eyes that the Royal Family has been known to carry. He looked up at the large male with a innocent smile. The male was large with his pure white mane and those strange golden streaks. Before long, he found himself following the markings that had themselves marked on all four of the male's legs. This was intriguing. If he had wings, he would have believed he was a God of some sort. He looked at him again and dipped his head a little.
"I did not imagine myself to have strayed this far to the border... usually, this path took me to going around Pride Rock. Must have missed a turn or something," he smiled again, a soft purr rolling in his throat. He never imagined anyone having to harm him so he felt comfortable and trusting around just about anyone. "Forgive me for staring before."
He raised a paw as a gesture of greeting, "My name's Ezekiel, but please call me Zeki. I prefer that above any other name that I have may be called." in truth, he disliked being called Ezekiel to start with. He liked his shortened name most of all and even a shorter name that many rarely get the chance of calling him. "According to my knowledge, it is traditionally that one gives his own name before asking for anothers."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:17 pm
"I see."
His voice was kind and warm, a gentle smile on his maw. The young cub had done nothing he needed to apologize for, and so long as he did not leave the pridelands alone, there was no need for worry. The lands beyond were far larger than those of the pride, an easy place for a cub to become lost, or worse.
"Indeed it is. I am called Bushido, and it is an honor to meet you Zeki."
Bushido lowered his head in a respectful bow, honoring the young cub as the cub had honored him.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:35 pm
Zeki tilted his head a little. The only person that has ever treated him with similar respect was his Uncle Trig. The very person who taught him to respect everyone regardless of their shortcomings, gender, age, or origin. It felt nice to have someone respect him as he would respect them. Maybe it was true what they say 'Put onto others as they would put onto you.'
Zeki looked past Bushido and smiled a little. "If you are out here, then you must be either new to the Pride Lands, and in which case, I'll be the first to welcome you, or you are one of the Scouts of the Pride Lands. If that is so then you must be from Pride Rock, too," Zeki purred. He knew vaguly of the Scouts. He knew they patrolled the border to keep those unwanted out and keep those young inside the territory. That would explain why he was here. Patrolling all day, he must be tired.
"Should we head on back then?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:52 pm
"You are very observant, you too would make a fine scout one day. I am the latter, a scout of the pridelands."
But he was certain the cub had already guessed he was, even before he had spoken the words. It was rare to see such politeness in one so young, most cubs were far too innocent, too inexperienced to show such reserve. It was refreshing, and he was happy to see a young soul growing so strong.
"I will be happy to accompany you home."
He was grateful to the cub, for indeed he was tired. And while he would have never begrudged an exploring cub, it was a relief to know home was not far off.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:58 pm
"Thanks, my Uncles say that all the time. Though, I think they are joking with me when I point of the obvious," he responded. "I dunno about being a Scout. But that is good possibility, I suppose, but I will have to wait to see where my life takes me."
Though Zeki was young, he was well rounded by his Uncles. He knew how to defend himself and others and he knew much about manners. His code revolves around those teachings where he compiled them all into a short thirty point list.
"Thanks," he started off first. "Do you stay at Pride Rock or do you have you own den like my family? Please excuse my questions, Bushido. I'm just trying to pass the time a little unless you have something you'd like to talk about."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:09 pm
"I am sure your path will be quit an adventure, one filled with honor."
He smiled lightly, paws rustling in the grass, his pace adjusted to follow the cub's lest his longer strides leave him behind. It seemed his words had grown brighter the past few days, his wisdom not so cryptic as it once had been, the solemness that had so surrounded him before vanishing to be replaced by a gentle air of joy.
"Curious aren't you? Well that's nothing to apologize for, it is by asking questions that we learn and grow. I share a small den with my mate, but it is not far from the rock.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:14 pm
"... And one worthy of respect," he added softly. "My father and I go on adverntures all the times, almost always out of the borders. So I get to see places most don't until when they are older. I just can't go alone."
Zeki chuckled a little as his paced picked up once Bushido adjusted to his previous one. Did Bushido think that he was going to be left behind if he walked normally? Pfft, he could keep up with his father, given that he takes short rests a couple of times... three tops. He picked it up a little more and grinned back at him.
"I'm a cub, aren't we suppose to be? I'm just a cub, I am suppose to learn and grow, but I guess it is a bit rude to ask questions one may find private," he paused for a moment. He had a mate? "Really? Is it close to Pride Rock? I mean, my den is too. I share it with my Dad, Ger, and my mum, Trina."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:34 pm
"Then you must have already found great wisdom in your journeys."
He was not concerned to hear the cub often left the borders, for if he traveled with his father than he was protected. It was when cubs left alone that the older male became concerned, for though he had no children of his own yet, he was unwilling to let harm come to any young creature, not so long as he could prevent it.
"If only adults kept that same curiousity, they would find there is so much more to learn. It is perhaps not as close to the rock as some dens, but it is nearby, close enough to see the sun rise over the peek."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:50 pm
"Only from my Uncle Trig. The others just teach me random things like how to defend myself and the difference between a female and male. Needless to say, there are just some things that should not be taught."
He laughed softly and smiled up at him. It was nice to have someone to talk to that was somewhat similar to him. He hardly got the chance for such situations but he did get to talk with others like those his age and his own family.
"Some do," he added. "The den that we live in is just not that far from the rock itself. It's in the shade so when the sun rises, it only touches the entrance. My Dad and I dun like to wake up after having fallen asleep again after our morning run."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:02 pm
"Everything we learn becomes wisdom, even those things we think we don't need to know. Someday we will look back on those and realize that they were important after all."
His pace grew faster as the cub's did, paws falling lighter with every step that carried them closer home, and his thoughts drifted to the tan lioness that awaited him at their den. It was a new, but wonderful, and he could not feel complete unless she was at his side.
"That is true, but all too often they forget, and it is the young that must teach them to remember."
A small laugh escaped his maw at those words, blue eyes turned to the rock as it grew large in his view.
"Well, I suppose I wouldn't want to be awoken after just falling asleep either."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:10 pm
"Right, who may know that at one point, we may need to remember something so trivial, right?"
Zeki pace quickened to the fast as he could as he sped down the path and veered off the side. He sat upon a rock just under a tree, not too far from where Bushido was.
"True as it is, it is the love from one to another that carries on the youth to live. The love to feed him and care for him. Assuming it is a him. My Dad loves me enough to take me places so I could learn more. Right?"
He looked over his shoulder at a small clearing around a burrow just a ways off.
"Well, Bushido. It is time for me to head on home for dinner. I bet my Dad caught a big one this time! I hope we could talk again or something, I really liked talkin' with you. I hope your mate caught you something too."
He dipped his head softly and disappeared into the bushes. It was time to head home for the night. Bushido was a good lion to talk to. He surely had a life that was worthy of respect and honor... possibly more.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:30 pm
"You speak wise truths, my young friend, may you continue to grow and always keep your spark of curiousity. I will see you again, Zeki."
He smiled after the young cub, a warm and gentle expression. He had no doubt he would encounter the young one again, perhaps when they were both alert and could share more words.
But for now Bushido was tired, and it was time to return home, to rest at the side of his love, a love that the young cub had spoken so wisely, had taught him again to live.
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