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 Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:18 am
The sun was hot and it beat down on her pelt with unrelentless strength. She curved her head back to Kemu and smiled at him, though her maw hung open as she panted.
It was hot, very, very hot and she wasn't sure how much farther she could go on without collapsing from heat stroke. Her fuzzy eyes slipped back to the landscape, desperate to focus in on anything that could give them shade.
"Ah ha!" She found what she was looking for. Trees! Yes they were pitiful excuses for trees but their thing, tangly branches had to be better cover than none.
"Do you see those trees Kemu, or is it me imagining things?" She chirped, trying hard not to hide her fatigue.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:04 am
Kemkemu was a lion used to travelling in the hot and unforgiving sunlight, but today was extreme even for what he was used to. On days like this one, he would normally not have travelled at all, except to the nearest bush, rock or tree. But it was Haba's strong desire to find her brother that had made him get up this morning and start today's long trek, and he just didn't have the heart to ever tell Haba they should rest for a day or so. He knew she'd upset herself endlessly wondering if losing that one day meant they'd somehow missed crossing paths with her brother.
He squinted into the distance, and after a bit of searching, he managed to locate the trees Haba had cleverly spotted. Sure, they were a bit straggly, but in this heat, as Haba thought herself, anything was better than nothing. Panting as much as she was in the dry heat, he nodded his head and smiled. "I see them. Shouldn't take us long to get there."
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:16 pm
She nodded and turned her head, focusing on the trees as if taking her eyes from them would have them dissapear. "I hope so. I'm sorry Kemmy, I made us come all the way out here. We shouldn't have come so far." There was an apologetic tone to her words but a purr laced them too and she buffetted her head up against his shoulder.
"You'll probably be glad to be rid of me." She jested. "Being dragged around by a hopeless female like me must grate on the nerves." She laughed. Her eyes twinkled.
"I don't know how I'll ever repay you for your kindness." She twitched her tail.
As they drew nearer the trees came more into focus and as Haba squinted into the light, she saw, much to her dissapointment, that the shade already had an occupent. A large male was lounging against one of the trunks, his tail swishing lazily.
Haba hesitated. "Do you think we should bother him?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:08 am
Kemkemu smiled and laughed a deep, rumbling laugh. He knew, of course, that Haba was only joking. It was clear from how well they got on that Hababuu had never once gotten on Kemu's nerves. And more than that, he was just such a simply easy-going and company-loving lion that it seemed he could never think that way about another lion, or any other animal. It just wasn't in his nature.
He came up beside her and gently bumped his shoulder against hers with a soft smile. "You thank me every day you're with me just by being here," he said in reply, as he'd said every time she'd expressed the same sentiments - and it was no less true now than it was the first time he'd said it.
His attention, though, was easily drawn by Haba noticing the presence of a male in the shade. Ordinarily, Kemu would have no problem approaching such a lion, but even though he didn't judge anyone before he met them, he knew from experience that not all travellers were kind. Some, sadly, were aggressive, for reasons only they knew. He wouldn't let Haba expose herself to such a risk when he could prevent it just by being the first to greet the stranger.
"I'll go and say hello," he murmured to Haba. "I'll ask him if he doesn't mind sharing what little shade there is. It'll only take a moment."
He trotted forward toward the stranger, affixing his pleasant, friendly smile onto his face. "Good day, friend," he said, once he was close enough. "How are you?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:55 am
She smiled at him, felt her heart swell. She wasn't sure what to call Kemu. He was her friend, yes, but she was sure that she wouldn't connect so wonderfully to everyone like this. He was a kindred spirit, someone to be cherished. She wouldn't forget him. It was a rare occurance for a creature to come across another they trusted completely.
Oh she would miss him when she was gone.
She flicked her tail and purred, leaning into him as he bumped against her. "Then I'll stay by your side as long as I can."
Then, noting that he was pondering on the male she fell quiet and nodded quietly at his words. "Be careful." She whispered after him, falling back to watch from a safe distance. Her heart hammered, that old fear of rogues was not easy to extinguish. She could see the black male, his powerful hulk of a body lounged in the shade.
She shuddered, wished that she was stronger so she could help protect her friend. Hakan's moods were not easy to predict. He was a born warrior, raised in the shadow of a War God whom he had come to love and respect as a father. However, the God had not appeared to him in a long time and Hakan had been left without a purpose, wandering whether or not he was still needed. Still wanted.
He'd always had a temper, always getting himself into fights, but deep down he was a kindly soul. He had a heart and he loved. He had loved many in his time. He worshipped his mother, adored his siblings and had made a pawful of friends who he would defend with his life - no hesitation.
But he was grumpy and sometimes difficult to get on with.
He growled as the other spoke, though it was more of a grumble than a threat. "What do you want?" He raised his piercing blue eyes up to the male, was startled by his bright colouring.
He hadn't noticed the others approached, his nose filled with the scent of his own blood. The wounds were healing on him but one had reopened on his foreleg and he had been tending to it. He licked his whiskers and pulled himself into a sitting position.
He snorted. "What's it to you?" He was wary of strangers, especially males, and he was made suspicious easily.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:56 pm
Kemmy wasn't put off by the cool reception he got from Hakan. He'd gotten worse over the years. Sometimes a simply hello had called forth violence. But instances like this, and worse, weren't things he let get to him and discourage him from trying again and again to make contact with others. For every mean one he met, he found another he was kind. Haba was a prime example of that.
"Only to share your shade, my good fellow. I'm sure you've noticed the day is particularly hot, and my companion and I are feeling the effects by now." Of course, he noticed Hakan's wounds, but the other male seemed to be doing a good job of taking care of them himself. Kemmy wouldn't mention them for now; he'd leave it unless Hakan seemed to be in real pain.
He smiled slowly. "Is it so terrible to wonder if you're all right or not? It's just common kindness. I meant no offense by it." Kemmy decided he was daring enough to sit down. It might annoy Hakan even further, but it also showed he meant no harm. It was difficult to attack from sitting down.
The black male tensed but said nothing. Either he was too tired to put up a fight or he was actually glad of the company. Either way he wouldn't admit it. Shaking his mane, the male snorted and continued seeing to his wounds.
His eyes, however, were not on his wounds and they watched the other male carefully. The orange and yellow one seemed friendly enough but he had the colours reminiscent of a pridelander, which agitated the male slightly. There was background between him and those certain pride cats.
However, at the sound of another approaching, he mentally cursed himself for forgetting the orange one's companion.
A female.
Wait.
He paused in his grooming and looked up. Shocked. She looked so much like the male he had met only a few days ago, the male who had tried to hurt his friend. He did not know the male's name but this was unbelievable. The pair shared a face!
Hakan had never met twins before, though he knew they existed.
"You." He replied as soon as the female was in comfortable ear shot. "You share a face with a male?" He growled, instantly tensing. His wounds pulsed, wanting revenge, but he did not get up.
Hababuu halted immediately, her eyes flickering from Kemmy to Hakan. Her shoulders bristled, fear and excitement stole through her heart.
"You've met my brother?" Her eyes widened. "My brother? Please, sir, please tell me--" She trailed off, realising that the male was wounded. Wounded from a fight with Damu, maybe? She hesitated, shrank up to Kemmy for protection. "No..."
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:10 pm
Kemmy was not a violent lion, but this male had obviously been involved in some sort of conflict recently, and Kemmy's bright eyes could easily identify his build as that of a warrior. He did not really expect the male to attack, but he wouldn't chance letting his guard down completely. Not with Haba here. He may not be a fighter, but out of necessity, he had learned to defend himself.
He stood again as his friend came near, casually and almost unnoticably stepping a little bit in front of her as she shrank to his side. He was more than willing to shield her with his own body if it proved necessary. But his concern for Haba hadn't stopped him following the conversation between the two, and his brows were now furrowed.
"Please, friend," he said, with a slight urgency edging into his voice. "Will you please tell us if you have seen a male of startling resemblance to my companion? It's very important that we find him. Please." The connection between Damu's tendency to violence, according to Haba, and Hakan's wounds had not escaped him. He knew it could make getting the information from this male more difficult. If he were angry, it might make him uncooperative. It was why Kemkemu put so many pleases into his request. It was a short step away from outright begging for the information. Which he would do, for Haba's sake. She had been through enough already; the least he could do was everything in his power to help her find her brother.
Hakan snorted but did not rise. His hackles bristled though it was more of the memory of the fight than feeling threatened by these two. He curled back a lip, revealing a few yellow but sharp fangs in his maw. "Know him? Yes, I know him." He ground his claws into the dirt, his eyes never leaving Haba.
Twins. What an odd miracle of life, two creatures, exactly the same yet sharing different bodies. Two hearts, two names, two lives. Yet the same. Always the same.
"He tried to harm my friend." He growled. "He didn't count on me being there to protect her." He paused, standing, gesturing to the wounds on his chest and muzzle. "Put up quite a fight for a while but he was inexperienced. I would have killed him if he hadn't suddenly lost the heart to fight and fled."
He growled. "Sorry, kid, you're best off not finding your brother."
Haba shook her head definately, cuddling close to Kemmy's side, squeexing her eyes closed. Tears worked their way out from between her eyelids, sending her vision into a wobbling blur.
"Oh Damu." She shuddered. "Kemmy, what am I going to do?" She shook her head. "I have to find him before he hurts someone else but.." For the first time she was afraid. She had not seen her brother's first victim but here was a mighty male, baring scars brought forth from her own brother's claws.
She was afraid.
"My brother...he is not sound of mind...he is....sick."
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:24 pm
Though Hakan did not seem about to attack, Kemmy decided he would not chance it anyway. It was now revealed to them that Damu was indeed the source of Hakan's injuries, and that the big male was still angered by it, perhaps even feeling vengeful. A concern for Haba's welfare in this situation was settled heavily in the pit of Kemmy's stomach, despite how Hakan did not seem like the kind to harm a female. Gently, the brightly coloured male moved his friend further away from the large, darker male, shielding her almost entirely from Hakan's sight.
Low and for her ears only, Kemmy then murmured gently, "It's all right, Haba. We'll find your brother, and we'll go from there. And I'll do anything I can to help you both, I swear it. It's going to be all right."
He straightened up again and turned his gaze and attention back to Haba. "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid it's not your place to say what's best for my friend. If you'll just tell us whereabouts you saw her brother, we'll be on our way so as to not remind you of him any more."
Hakan hesitated, looked as if he was about to deny her the information. Then, shaking his mane casually he sat back on his haunches and cast a look over his shoulder, looking thoughtful.
"Fine. Family is important so I'll tell you. But if he turns on you kid you better hope you can snap him out of that madness." Hakan was about to say it might be safer and kinder to put the mad lion out of his misery but didn't have the heart to say it.
"I met him two days walk from here. I doubt he would have gone far. As to where he went I don't know. But you'll probably pick up his scent. Just keep on walking straight from here and you'll come to the waterhole and a den where I met him."
After a pause he lay back down and eyed them, clearly curious about what they were going to do.
"Thank you sir." Haba murmered, moving to bury her face against Kemmy's shoulder. She was thankful that the lion was willing to help her, but seeing the wounds on the black malescared her. If her brother would willingly attack so big and strong a lion, he might not heistate in attacking Kemmy.
He might hesitate in the presence of a female, especially if that female happened to be his twin.
She blinked up at Kemmy through shimmering eyes. "Kemmy..." She was afraid to say it but she knew she had to. "This is...this is where we have to say goodbye." She had her destination now, she knew where her brother was, or close enough. She adored Kemmy and she wouldn't let harm come to him.
"If Damu sees you there's more of a chance he'll attack. If I go alone he won't feel threatened...he'll remember." She took a step back, shaking.
"It'll be okay...you'll see..."
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:05 pm
At this abrupt turn of events, Kemmy completely forgot about Hakan's presence. For their time together to come to an end so quickly... It would be an understatement to say he was upset. For the first time in a long while, he had found someone who would travel with him and share stories, thoughts and feelings, and willingly listen to his ramblings. A true friend in the purest sense. To have to part with that now... It hurt him, and he wouldn't deny it. He adored Haba as much as she did him. Of course, he had known this day would come eventually, for all good things came to an end, but he had hoped it would last longer. They had only really begun to explore the friendship that had blossomed so easily between them.
"Haba... please. Think about this." He wasn't willing to give up so easily. Aside from hating losing her so soon, he had genuine concerns. "Let me come with you. It might take your brother a moment to remember who you are. As much as he wouldn't want to, he could hurt you. Let me be there to help keep you safe. Please. I would never forgive myself if I found out you got hurt because I let you leave."
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:44 am
Hakan couldn't decide whether the pair were friends or something more. Either way, he felt as if he was trespassing on some sensitive words and not one to butt in, he stood, padded as far away as the shade would allow and turned his back on them, returning to washing the wounds that were slowly starting to fix themselves under his attention.
She looked undecided, teetering on the edge of both decisions. She wanted Kemmy with her, wanted to feel safe and strong standing next to him. She cared deeply for him, he was her only friend that wasn't a part of her family.
But what should she do?
It would be selfish of her to let him come with her when he could face danger and yet...he seemed so desperate to come with her. The decision was hard. In fact it was near impossible.
But his pleading had lowered her defences and she seemed ready to give in.
"Kemmy I..." She faltered, looked into his brilliant eyes. "I don't want him to hurt you." She reached out, pressed the side of her face to his. "But I won't lie. I'd be happy to have you with me. Maybe for a little longer."
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:03 am
Obvious relief rushed through him and washed across his face as she agreed, easing the tension that had been hanging around his shoulders. He wouldn't have felt comfortable parting with her now, when she was about to go into what could be a dangerous situation. He was concerned enough that he would probably end up following her just to make sure she was all right.
"If you're so worried about me, Haba, I won't come with you to see your brother. I'll travel to this den with you, and when you go and see him, I'll watch from a safe distance. When I know he's not going to do anything to you in his sickness, I'll go on my way and leave you two to it." He gave a soft smile. "But I only agree to leaving you on your own with your brother if we promise to find each other soon."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." he purred, blinking back the tears and putting a warm smile on her face. Yes, this wouldn't be so bad and if Kemmy was going to be with her for longer than there was reason to celebrate.
Kemmy was staying and she'd found a clue of her brother's whereabouts.
Her eyes darted back to where Hakan lay but the black male seemed oblivious to them now, focusing on his own problems. She felt like maybe she should apologise again but knew the words would be hollow. She could go round and try to pick up her brother's mistakes and dust them off, but it did not excuse him and it did not help matters.
"I'd be happier with you by me, so long as you don't get hurt." She cuddled against his side. "Come on Kemmy, lets keep going. The sun will be setting in a few hours and it'll make all the difference if we carry on walking until then." She knew the sun was hot, but she was willing to put up with it if it meant finding her brother sooner.
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:17 am
He smiled as she cuddled against him, and with a tender expression on his face, he leaned down to gently nuzzle her neck. He really was going to miss her if everything went to plan with her brother and they parted ways finally. The first companion he'd had for a while, and it was ending so soon. He couldn't help but feel sadness for that fact, but he would never dream of hindering her quest to be reunited with her brother.
"Yeah... let's get going. The sooner we leave, the better chance we have of finding him before he disappears." Almost reluctantly moving away from the feel of Haba against him, he began to move, in the direction that Hakan indicated them. He paused parallel with the big male, offering him a smile. "Thank you for your help, friend." And because he didn't expect an answer from Hakan, or at least not a present one, he pressed on, trusting Haba to follow him.
And she did follow him, smiling at the black male who looked up as they passed by. She said nothing but if the black male looked at her he would have seen the gratitude in her eyes.
She trotted to catch up with him then did her best to match his stride, casting her eyes to the horizon and wishing that somehow everything would work out okay.
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