|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:13 pm
It had been a little while since Habu had called on an old friend of his for help in figuring out a way to fix his problem with his runaway seer abilities. He had yet to put the suggested method into practice, but he had every intention of doing so once he felt comfortable and safe doing so- it almost seemed like an invitation to be made fun of if he tried sleeping with a feather on his head while at home. The idea that it would work, the mere knowledge that the feather was connected to his friend, though, was enough to have Habu sleeping a bit better in the last couple days. He still worried, and his visions were still daily, but he was getting more rest. After his first attempt to find his own den, to move on because he was left behind entirely, was foiled by the appearance of his aunt and uncle, he'd not tried again for awhile. But today he did go looking, and thought he might have found somewhere he could go. All that was left was to tell his father, and Sheshe and Mira.
Slowly, almost reluctantly, he headed for the family den- the den he'd lived in his whole life. Unfortunately, no matter how slow he went there was no avoiding actually reaching the entryway. For a moment, he stood quietly outside before taking a small step in, "Dad?"
Kizamaji had been sleeping silently in his den for a while. It had once again grown silent, since Sheshe and their daughter must've gone out. It felt strange being in a den all alone. Lately he hadn't seen much of his family, and it seemed like everything was slowly growing apart. Kiza never wanted that to happen. His eye twitched as he heard footsteps outside the den, as he sprung up with excitement. "Is that you, Sheshe?" He stood up and padded quickly to the opening, only to see his son's sillohette instead of his mate. Sighing, he smiled warmly and walked up to Wahabu. "Its nice to see you, son." The male walked past his son, as his tail drug against the ground.
He turned to look at the other adult. "So, is there something bothering you?"
Wahabu was a little put off by his father calling out for Sheshe at first, and bit back a frown. He was upset, he was frustrated, but Habu very much was a failure at being aggressively angry. Never had he been in a situation that called for it, and this certainly was not one of those situations. He was a little cheered up by his father at least seeming happy to see him, but the question put him off again. It should have been obvious that something was bothering him, but then- parents were not mind-readers, and for all Kiza knew Habu was just how he was because now he was an adult.. Habu only hoped this wasn't how he would spend his entire adulthood, or the whole rest of his life. That was exactly why he was doing what was going to be the hardest thing he'd ever done in his short life.
"You could say that," he mumbled, turning and following his father to the outside fo the den, "I have to talk to you.."
Kizamaji quirked a brow as Wahabu hesitated to come over and speak with him. "So, there is something wrong, isn't there?" His ears folded back as he offered his son to sit beside him. He tried to smile, but he was worried of what Habu had to say to him. Was he being a bad father? His eye twitched as he shrunk down. "And i'm here to listen, Wahabu." He regained his posture and smiled. Nodding, he simply waited for what the yellow male needed to say. Kiza was here, and ready to listen well.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:40 pm
Habu only hesitated more when he saw the look on his father's face, he obviously expected the worst. It was impossible to stay mad at him, but it seemed that since his mother had left they had drifted apart and then become a whole new family. The new family was fine, Habu liked Sheshe and Mira very much- but it made him feel more and more distant from his father, especially when his father had never mentioned Sheshe beforehand, and how he'd never really been spoken directly to after Sheshe moved in and before Mira came along. There had been an unsettling lack of communication between them, and part of him wondered if Kilango had shown her face already and Kiza was just not saying anything. Or was she as scared as had seemed when he saw her?
"There is," he said finally, "A lot, but-"
More hesitation. What should he say?
Kizamaji looked to the ground with a frown. He just knew where this was heading. Sighing, he placed his paw on the yellow male's shoulder. "I know its been rough, son. I'm sorry for not being more communatative about things to you. But do realize that i've been through a lot myself. It really hurt losing your mother, Wahabu. I'm sure you felt just as upset as I was. But, I needed room to recover. Sheshe was an old friend of mine. I know you never knew her, I stopped talking to her when I met Mtima. Starting a new family, it mean't the world to me. Losing your mother, and sister. I just couldn't take the loss anymore. I just wish ... I could see them both again. And we were all a happy family once more. Just being able to see Kilango would bring a smile to my eyes. I wonder how shes been." He smiled, still looking to the ground, pondering how his only son would react to such an opening.
Wahabu stared at his father blankly, though not apathetically, as Kizamaji apologized and explained himself. There was no knew information in it, only some words that seemed to back up things he had already thought or suspected. He and his father had been very hurt by his mother's leaving- but at least she had told him. Mtima had not said a word to her son before she left. They suffered similarly, so why had his father not tried to be there for him? Habu could only assume it had something to do with how similar he looked to his mother, it wouldn't be easy.. but he had needed him. Mtima leaving, he was almost sure, was what set off the series of problems that only snowballed up until his talk with K'A. Another one was about Sheshe, they'd been friends before his mother showed up.. and stopped talking when she did- why would you do that? How did they pick up this kind of relationship so easily? But that- that was not something Habu was willing to question directly.
"You may have needed room, but what about me? I'm your son, you're supposed to worry about me a little too," he said finally, releasing some of his pent up frustration though his tone was more upset than angry, "You worried more about yourself, and getting a new family-" There was a touch of pain in how Habu emphasized the new family issue, for though he couldn't be too jealous after all that happened, it only seemed to amplify the situation. Mentioning Kilango and how worried he was about her didn't help him. "And you even worry more about Kilango than about me. After everything she did.. everything.."
He trailed off for a moment, recalling his last meeting with his sister and his promise not to tell their father. He was not usually one to speak without thinking, or to break a promise- even if it was with his sister. Ever suspicious, he couldn't completely trust her, but as long as she didn't give him a reason to break the promise he wouldn't.
"Well, Wahabu. You've been here all this time. I haven't needed to worry about you, because I trust you more than any other lion. You've shown that you are more than capable of being on your own, and that your an excellent member of these lands. While I worry about you sister, only because i'm afraid of her safety. She was so ... open, and willing to leave, facing all the dangers in the world. I haven't heard a word of her in a very long time. Even though her doings were very wrong, and were horrible to begin with, I just wouldn't want to lose her. I know you might not like her as much as I, but shes still blood, you both came from me." He was shocked to hear all that came from Wahabu's mouth.
"Haven't you ever been in love? I might've not mean't to start a family so quickly at the start -- but i'm glad I did. Sheshe is an excellent mother. Just as wonderful as Mtima was." He sighed and turned away for a moment. He hadn't talked this seriously to his son in a very long time, or it felt like he never had. Had all this been bottled up inside him all this time?
"Wahabu, it may not seem like it at some times, but you know I will always watch over you, and love you. Why do you think i'm still here? If I was careless enough, I would've left you here and searched the world to bring back your mother. But, I would never do that to you."
"Well, you don't have to worry about her anymore," Habu snapped before he realized what he was saying, though when he did he immediately dropped the attitude and went on to explain- however vaguely, because he knew his father would not give up until he heard an explanation for what he had just said. He loved Kilango, no matter what, and any indication that Habu knew more than he let on would not go unquestioned, "She's as safe as you or I, I'm surprised you don't already know." Habu didn't have to like Kilango, or believe whatever she'd said when he last spoke with her, but if she was truly different- why hadn't she come to look for their parents yet?
At the question about love, Habu's stomach turned a bit. Not because the idea was so horrible, but because of some subconscious reaction. He managed to keep a straight face, even when his mother was mentioned again and in comparison to Sheshe. He might have issues with Mtima, he might have some with Kiza- but Sheshe and Mira were the innocent ones here, and lately they had been a much better family to him than he'd had before. Sheshe was honest, and did not seem about to abandon them. And even if you didn't compare Mira to Kilango, she was a perfect little angel.
"For how often we spoke, you could well have left," he said finally, sadly, "We both know if she did not want to be found, you could have searched forever."
Kiza widened his eyes with concern. "You ... you've seen her recently?!" His ears perked as he stared at Wahabu, wanting to know where she is ... and how they met one another again. "Its good to hear that shes doing okay. And that shes still alive, for that matter." He simply looked towards pride rock, a slight smile on his maw. His little girl was still out there somewhere?
Flicking his tail, he frowned at the mention of searching being a failure. "But, if she saw me searching with dedication, theres always the possibility of her at least coming out of hiding to say hello to me. Its been so long since i've seen her, i've been trying to put it behind me ... but, when I have a son who looks almost identicle to her -- its hard to forget the past." He grinned, looking to Wahabu.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:43 pm
Habu nodded slowly when questioned about having seen Kilango, knowing it was coming. He knew his father must be smart enough to realize that meant Kilango was in, or had at least visited, the Pridelands. After all, Habu had only left once- and that was on a short adventure with Mtima while he was only a juvenile. Habu would say no more, he would not break his promise any further. His father would simply have to wait for Kilango to come to him herself, to let him know just how things were going. When his father denied the idea that searching was doomed to failure, Habu had a hard time believing that she'd appear just to say hello. That just.. it didn't sound like something easy to do, almost like it'd be taunting. As angry as he could be that his mother left, Habu had a hard time imagining such behaviour.
His attention was turned away from the idea that looking for his mother might be successful to his own fur when Kiza mentioned it. Habu had known that had something to do with it all, but was at least a little relieved that his father smiled. However, this was all leading up to exactly what Habu had come to tell his father. It really would be best for all of them if Habu was not a constant presence in their lives. Kizamaji could move on, be a proper and complete family with Sheshe and Mira- and Habu could focus on his own life, in his own way, without the worry of being in the way.
"I guess that's what I've come to talk about," he said after a pause.
"Oh, is that it?" He sat back down on his haunces with a smile. "And i'm here to listen to what you want to tell me. No matter what you decide, you know i'll always be here whenever you need my help." He smiled and then thought of Kilango. While Wahabu was more than ready to be on his own, he continued to worry about Kilango. What if she did some bad things? What if she made some wrong decisions? He was hoping that was not the case. At the mention of her being around, his eyes lit up with hope. Soon he would finally be able to see his daughter once more.
Habu nodded, somewhere between disappointed and pleased to see that despite this all his father could still wear a smile. Sometimes you just felt like you wanted to be missed, asked to stay, but Habu knew his father was being supportive, and this was long, long overdue. After all, Habu was not a cub of any sorts anymore- and hadn't been for a long time. Habu did not want his father to worry about him, to wonder if he was OK the way he worried about Kilango. But then, there was little reason for him to worry so much about Habu, not in the same way. At first, Habu only managed a nod and another short pause before he spoke up again.
"I'm moving into my own den," he said, and now that it was out there was little reason to hesitate for his explanation, "Then you can move on, you and Sheshe and Mira can be a proper family together and you don't have to keep the past constantly on your mind. I'm not leaving the Pridelands, I'll still be around and everything.. but now we can both move on."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:01 pm
Kizamaji had a feeling in the deep pit of his stomach that he knew this day would eventually come, and he would encourage his son as much as he could. Smiling, he agreed with what Wahabu had to say. "And theres nothing wrong with that, son. You know that. I kind of knew you would be finding your own den eventually, I can't hold onto you forever, you know." He grinned at his son and then looked out towards the opening of the den.
"But, you always know your more than welcome to come and visit Sheshe, Mira and I. And even though your just moving out, the Pridelands is still small in its own special way. You won't be too far away from me. Unless you leave the lands, that is ..." At the mentioning of moving on, he sighed with a smile. "Either way, i'll always love you, no matter what path you take, Wahabu. You are still my only son, after all. But, don't stray too far -- I would like to see your face every now and then." He chuckled, and stood up as he headed towards the opening.
"But, go ahead Habu. I'm not going to hold you back. This is your life." He stepped aside from the opening, and held out his paw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:54 pm
Habu could hardly manage a decision no how he should look, his face torn between a smile and frown- in the end he simply decided that he was best off just nodding. It was the simplest way, he said what he'd come to say- all that was left now was to actually follow through with it.
"I'll come by and visit, don't worry about that," he said finally, "You're all my family, you know I couldn't stay away completely."
He hesitated when his father gave his permission, almost like a hesitant blessing to do so. Wahabu gave a meek smile at his father, and after another moment's pause he walked over and gave a hug-like nuzzle. Then he nodded, and headed out to go and officially claim his new den.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
