Eyal had been missing from the grove all day. He finally walked back, his limp practically gone. The wound on his side had healed as well with the help of Siku's parents.
He lifts his green eyes to his surroundings, something hanging limp from his jaws. Once he arrives he puts it on the ground and gives gives it a nudge with his nose.
Asenath peers up blinking with her tiny paws tucked under her. She looks up at her father but he's already searching for someone else.
He knew Siku would be here soon looking for him. This was his proof it was time to go. He didn't know why he needed to show her but he felt she needed to see why he was leaving.
Just as Eyal predicted, Siku slowly drew out of the jungle brush. Since the sun rose she had been out searching for him. Where had he gone to? For many hours the youth had been lost in great concern over him. After the grounds proved to have no trace of the great lion, Kisikusiku perched upon a broad rock in waiting. Over and over again she told herself that he'd return. By the time that Eyal arrived "home" Siku had been ready to give up. It had just been too long and that might have meant that he was gone for good. Gone...the young lass cringed at the terrible word. She didn't want him to go. He had been in her care for many moons now, and if he left the land, the warm feeling he brought that washed over her like rain would disappear along with him.
As soon as the figure drew over the horizon, Siku quickly relieved herself of the rock. Patiently she awaited him to draw closer, and as soon as he was near enough, Siku sprang forth. She was ready to pummel him to the ground, to ask where he had been, and beg for him not to leave again. Yet the young lioness froze in her steps when she saw what Eyal had set upon the ground. It was small, fury, and...beautiful. It was not even an it, but a cub full of life. Siku was ready to coo and place adoring affection upon the cub but before that would take place her mind immediately registered what the youth meant. Her legs quaked as the brilliant blue orbs widened to fit the size of the moon. The cub was Eyal's...he had been waiting for the little one...and that meant..he was leaving!
Eyal stood with his club between his large paws. He stared at the young lioness. He hadn't realized how much she'd grown in the time since he'd first met her. Yet compared to the young girl at his feet she surely was on her way to being an adult. His expression was somber as he met her eyes. She looked devastated. He had expected her to be over zealous adoring the cub.
The look she was giving was as if she hadn't expected this day to actually come. Foolish. He looked away and nudged at the cub again in more of a fatherly way then he knew. "I believe you know why I'm here." He finally voiced. "This is one of my daughters. They're weened and can leave their mother now."
Asenath yawned and batted loosely at her father's mane like Siku had done so long ago. She turned her attention to the new female and got up at the nudging waddling toward her to investigate.
Siku stared at him, her eyes sad and most certainly distressed. Yet she did not release a cry or a whimper from her maw. Even though her insides twisted and turned into a painful loop, the young female stayed quiet. This wasn't her place. She could not stop him. He was not hers to keep. A weak smile crept upon her maw as she watched the small cub play with her father's mane. She recalled doing that, heck, she still did it to him. Lost in a trance of mixed happiness and sadness, Siku did not realize how close the cub had drawn to her until the youth was standing quite close. She laughed at how daring she was to come up to an unknown lioness. Of course she was Eyal's daughter. "She's quite cute." Siku murmured as her body fell to the jungle floor. "And very daring."
"She is..." He returned, his tail flickering. He finds he can't meet her eyes and instead chooses to watch his daughter. "I have to leave soon...." He says his voice low as if he wasn't sure he wanted her to hear.
Asenath stared up at the older lioness. It looked as if the cub had only recently opened her eyes and learned to walk. When Siku laid down she backed up with a small mew then walked over and started to nose her, putting her smell to memory.
"I know." Siku murmured as she too avoided meeting Eyal's eyes. Instead she took up lightly purring at the small cub. She certainly wasn't used to something so small. Many of the cubs in her pride had grown out of this helpless stage of life and into a more independent one. After being used to such a group of rowdy youngsters, it was hard to revert back into a soft and tender lioness. Yet Siku made sure she did not bat at the cub or make any sudden movements. She had to be gentle, soothing, and sweet like a mother if she were to make friends with Eyal's little one. "What did you name her?" Siku asked, her eyes remaining on the cub as she changed subjects.
Asenath tried to purr back and bunted the older lioness with her head, sinking down beside her to settle down in a sleepy manner.
"Her name is Asenath..." Eyal responds laying down and rests his head down. "I will be leaving tonight."
Siku quickly looked up from examining little Asenath to stare at Eyal. "So soon?" She replied with an uneasiness that made her voice tremble. "Why don't you stay a little bit longer?" She suggested in hopes to keep him close for a little bit longer. She certainly didn't seem to want to give him up just yet. Meanwhile, instinctively Siku's paws came round to enclose Asenath in a small barrier as she began to doze off.
"They are able to walk and its a good time to make a clean break from their mother. I can't hesitate." He glances back at her and then away. "I've stayed here too long. My pride needs me."
Siku slowly nods her head as she attempted to agree with him. It was hard though, since she desired to keep him beside her. She liked the attention, the games, and the fun that came with Eyal. Sure he was a straight-faced sour puss at times but on the good days she could manage him to do something out of character. To loose him would just break her heart. At least Kisikusiku assumed it would. She had never lost anything dear to her before. "So...are you happy with how they turned out?" Once again Siku rose to the seat of taking a swift change in direction of their conversation. It seemed she believed if she could distract him long enough, he wouldn't leave her in the dust.
He glances up at her, wondering how she'd fair without him. After all he'd saved her twice now. He licks the scar on his shoulder and takes a long while to answer. "Yes... I've gotten four daughters and that's good for the pride..."
A hesitation. "... and it was... well..." He snorts and looks away. "I suppose I have you to thank for healing my wounds. So thank you." He pins his ears back. "Are you certain you can keep yourself out of trouble in my absence?"
Siku's ears perked as she recognized a sense of concern in his voice. "Are you worried about me?" She asked as a small smile took a hold of her maw that soon twisted into a grin. Now that was interesting if so...big bad Eyal worrying about her safety.
The lion looked over affronted. "What? Me? Of course not!" He puts his nose in the air but there's a slight pink tinge under his fur. "I just dont' think you're capable of not getting yourself into trouble."
The lioness laughed and kept her eyes on him now. "Oh really? I should be saying the same for you. You and your hero complex, you'll be saving damsels left and right until there's nothing but a scrap of your fur left." She briefly teased before turning her eyes away from him after staring at the male for too long.
"Hero complex? Pah...." He smirks at her then it fades. Damn... He felt bad for leaving her like this. He sighs and walks over to look at his cub and brings his nose down to her. He gives her a small lick and looks up at Siku. "I need to take her back... to her sisters... and go."
"Oh....okay." Siku's eyes fell to stare at the ground as her entire body seemed to droop. The spirit she held was slowly fading as he continued to speak of leaving. She didn't want to think of him leaving, of disappearing to a place she'd never see him again. "Will you be safe? You'll be bring yourself AND cubs home."
Eyal lifts his eyes to her. She looked... sad. "Of course we'll be safe. It won't be easy hunting and leaving them alone but we'll manage."
Siku cast her eyes back up at him appearing rather shy now. Her tail swished as she replied, "Would it be better if you had help?"
"Well of course it would be..." He says with a slight sigh. "But there's no one to watch them."
"Would you be happy if you had someone there for you and them?" She asks, her tone kept quiet as she remained unsure of what might fall from her mouth next.
Eyal looks up at her then picks his cub up and places it down by his feet. "I don't know what you're implying about that but it would be easier."
Siku sighed heavily as the cub was removed from the little home her paws created for it. Now was the time. Any second now. Her stomach felt as though it was twisting and turning into a massive loop before she answered. "I want to go with you." Her voice finally whispered. It was then that a great weight lifted off her shoulders.
Eyal stopped in his tracks. His green eyes landed on her. She wanted to go with him? After he was so rude to her? "... You can't. You're just a cub. You need to stay with your parents."
Kisikusiku rose from her place as she shook her head. "Honestly, Eyal. I'm not a cub anymore. I'm older now. A lot of time has passed since we first met." She replies as she draws closer to him. The young lioness still had to look up to meet his eyes but she had now grown to reach the middle of his maned neck. "See? And I think you need me more now. I don't want you or your family to get hurt on your journey home. When you reach your pride, I can then just turn back and come home."
Eyal stares right back into her eyes then down at his cub. They need someone to watch over them. He knows that. He can't do this alone. He paces slightly with a small growl in his throat. "I can't let you go..." He says with a small roar. "You can't go unless there are conditions."
"Conditions? Like what?" Siku asked, unsure if she felt alright with that. She was fine with looking after cubs and making sure Eyal took care of himself but what else was there to do? Nothing...at least that she knew of.
Eyal snorted and looked away. "You must learn how to hunt and fight. Any female I bring into my pride... to stay... must know these things." He opened and eye to look at her, still trying to remain prideful.
His glance was met with one of Siku's famous toothy grins. Such a smile certainly told of confidence. "Of course I can do that. But whose gonna teach me? Your little girls?" She teased the older lion while her mischievous paws took a few more steps toward him.
Eyal looked back at her, a funny look in his eyes. "I don't think you understand." He says approaching her so that he's looking down at her. "If you follow me... You're not coming back to this place. I want you to join my pride."
Like rain, the smile Siku wore trickled down her face and was sucked into the dry dirt ground. She stood before him, dumbstruck. What was he saying? She would have to leave? For good? A twinge that felt as if someone was dragging their claws through her chest hit Siku so hard she actually winced. What was she supposed to do now? She wanted to be with Eyal but...to leave her family? Her pride? For many weeks now she had been pondering the thought of leaving and now that it was presented to her she didn't know anymore. But as she thought over his words, what came from him, "I want you to join my pride." slowly gathered and began to form a decision. He wanted her. He really wanted her to go with him! "R-Really?" Siku asked in a hushed voice that she had finally found lodged in her throat.
He stared at her evenly as his cub curled up by his feet. He was tensed, waiting for an answer. He didn't mean to be so harsh about it but there was no way he could take her for four moons and ask her to come back alone. He couldn't risk her dying like that. He felt... an obligation to her. At least that's what he decided to call it. "Yes...." He answers just as firmly. "I will teach you everything you need to know about our pride and of hunting and fighting. You merely have to follow me and help me rai--..." He coughs, "watch my cubs."
Siku could've sworn that someone had lodged themselves in her ear and decided to bang drums for the sound of them echoed over and over again. Ba Bum Ba Bum Ba Bum. If Siku wasn't standing up and pressing her front legs together her heart probably would have busted through her ribs and chest by now. What was she to do? A whole new life was being offered to her! Like some kind of treasure it was lying before her. Teasing her. It was what she wanted for so long....
The young lioness gulped down a great inhale of air as the silence remained floating over their heads. Eyal had become not only her hero, but a great friend. Would she be able to live without him? They had become so close so fast! Her life had come to revolve around him...she couldn't just let him leave. But her family. They were her flesh and blood. The warm red liquid that ran through their veins flowed through hers. Could she really leave them?
Eyal's words buzzed over her head as the bird's sang in the distance. Eyal meant...something to her. If she didn't know better she could say that he meant everything to her...but that would be foolish. Right? "W-Will I be able to come back here? To see my family?" She suddenly asked as her mind shifted over the pieces of what could be her future.
Eyal was braced for her choice. Time seemed to slow down as he watched her consider it. Hs ears were back, his own heart feeling as though it were trying to beat out of his chest. He wasn't sure if she would. She grew up here, what right did he have to bar her from her home? Surely none. He had grown to like her, he at least admitted to that. He enjoyed spending time with her even if he grumped.
"Of course you can...Anytime."
Siku's heart gave a flutter at Eyal's reply. That meant that she'd be able to return to her family when she wanted to go home. No longer did the fear of never seeing them sit upon her shoulders. Oh no, instead a weight lifted away and into the air to give Siku a fresh new feeling. It was a feeling she had never felt before. It was beautiful and enriching. Her soul felt light as if it could fly away and into the clouds where Devu lived. "So...You really want me to come with you? Would you be sad if I said no?" Siku suddenly asked him as she took a step closer, now nearly nose to nose with the male if she lifted up her head rather than glancing up at him in a questioning manner.
Eyal watched her relax and did so himself. Her moods practically controlled his though he had yet to realize it. He saw her eyes lighten and his mimicked hers. His face flushed under his fur when he found himself staring down into those entrancing eyes of hers. "I do..." He responded slowly, lowering his head slightly. He doesn't answer her last question right away. He's caught between his pride and wanting her to follow. But one is stronger then the other. "Yes..."
A light airy laugh floated through the air as Siku rested her head against Eyal's mane. She couldn't believe how he was acting. It wasn't like him, and she knew he would hate for her to mention that she could see this supposedly weak side of him. Such a bitter sweet circumstance. Kisikusiku wanted to point out how adorable he was acting. She desired to tease him more to see those eyes sparkle like the stars. Yet Eyal would certainly storm away and probably take back his offer.
The young lioness brushed her head against Eyal's mane as she recalled the countless hours she spent playing with it between her paws. Those days that danced in her head felt as though they had occurred just recently even though they were several moons ago. Even so, Siku remained nestled in Eyal's warmth as she spoke again. "Since I don't want to break your heart..." Siku breathed in Eyal's musty scent of the jungle floor as she tilted her head to still lie on his mane but now so her eyes were on his. "I will go with you."
His ears went back as she got closer to him. He couldn't make himself think of her as a cub anymore. It was as if, over night, she'd grown into a lioness. He hesitated then brushes his nose back against her cheek and neck. Her voice brought his ears back up then down again in a swift motion. The way she spoke sent a shiver up his spine. It would, he realized as slowly as the sunrise, it would pain him to leave her behind.
He stared back at her, a relief entering his eyes. "Thanks you... Come." He told her then pulled away picking the already sleeping cub off the ground. He looked back once before heading to the others to introduce them to her and start their journey.
Siku remained standing at the jungle border even as Eyal began to leave. She felt great, empowered so to say. This was the beginning of a whole new life for her. She had wanted this. She desired this for so long. Yet this new life would not be had by her alone. Oh no. Eyal would be there, with his family, and his pride. If he had asked her to come or not, Siku would have left her homeland at some point, it simply would have been inevitable. To now have company by someone she respected and thought highly of was wonderful. It made her feel as though her soul had truly been blessed by the Gods. Siku turned her head to look back at the jungle trees, the rocks, the mossy and root covered her. This was her homeland, and no matter where she went it would always be her home. This was where she was born, raised, and her family lived her. Never would she forget them. Siku knew that. They were one and nothing, not even being far away, would sever that.
A few days ago, Siku said goodbye to her family. For she had told herself that if Eyal was to leave, she would leave too. With or without him it would be her time to start a life of her own. Something, call it a gut feeling, had told her that the time was drawing near and Siku acted upon it with little thought. It had been a tearful goodbye, filled with love but that wouldn't be the final goodbye. The young lioness, brave and bold, knew she'd come back to them. It may not be tomorrow, or the day after, but no matter how long the time passed Siku would return to them. For one can never truly say goodbye to home and never ever can they say goodbye to the ones they care about the most which was her family. "Goodbye, I'll miss you." Siku whispered to the wind that she knew would carry her message to those who held a piece of her heart. The young lioness walked over to a tree she had become fond of and always left her healing bag beside for safe keeping. Gathering up the bag, Siku whispered one more goodbye and then turned to follow after Eyal. This was her new beginning. This was what she had been waiting for. This was a whole new life.
He lifts his green eyes to his surroundings, something hanging limp from his jaws. Once he arrives he puts it on the ground and gives gives it a nudge with his nose.
Asenath peers up blinking with her tiny paws tucked under her. She looks up at her father but he's already searching for someone else.
He knew Siku would be here soon looking for him. This was his proof it was time to go. He didn't know why he needed to show her but he felt she needed to see why he was leaving.
Just as Eyal predicted, Siku slowly drew out of the jungle brush. Since the sun rose she had been out searching for him. Where had he gone to? For many hours the youth had been lost in great concern over him. After the grounds proved to have no trace of the great lion, Kisikusiku perched upon a broad rock in waiting. Over and over again she told herself that he'd return. By the time that Eyal arrived "home" Siku had been ready to give up. It had just been too long and that might have meant that he was gone for good. Gone...the young lass cringed at the terrible word. She didn't want him to go. He had been in her care for many moons now, and if he left the land, the warm feeling he brought that washed over her like rain would disappear along with him.
As soon as the figure drew over the horizon, Siku quickly relieved herself of the rock. Patiently she awaited him to draw closer, and as soon as he was near enough, Siku sprang forth. She was ready to pummel him to the ground, to ask where he had been, and beg for him not to leave again. Yet the young lioness froze in her steps when she saw what Eyal had set upon the ground. It was small, fury, and...beautiful. It was not even an it, but a cub full of life. Siku was ready to coo and place adoring affection upon the cub but before that would take place her mind immediately registered what the youth meant. Her legs quaked as the brilliant blue orbs widened to fit the size of the moon. The cub was Eyal's...he had been waiting for the little one...and that meant..he was leaving!
Eyal stood with his club between his large paws. He stared at the young lioness. He hadn't realized how much she'd grown in the time since he'd first met her. Yet compared to the young girl at his feet she surely was on her way to being an adult. His expression was somber as he met her eyes. She looked devastated. He had expected her to be over zealous adoring the cub.
The look she was giving was as if she hadn't expected this day to actually come. Foolish. He looked away and nudged at the cub again in more of a fatherly way then he knew. "I believe you know why I'm here." He finally voiced. "This is one of my daughters. They're weened and can leave their mother now."
Asenath yawned and batted loosely at her father's mane like Siku had done so long ago. She turned her attention to the new female and got up at the nudging waddling toward her to investigate.
Siku stared at him, her eyes sad and most certainly distressed. Yet she did not release a cry or a whimper from her maw. Even though her insides twisted and turned into a painful loop, the young female stayed quiet. This wasn't her place. She could not stop him. He was not hers to keep. A weak smile crept upon her maw as she watched the small cub play with her father's mane. She recalled doing that, heck, she still did it to him. Lost in a trance of mixed happiness and sadness, Siku did not realize how close the cub had drawn to her until the youth was standing quite close. She laughed at how daring she was to come up to an unknown lioness. Of course she was Eyal's daughter. "She's quite cute." Siku murmured as her body fell to the jungle floor. "And very daring."
"She is..." He returned, his tail flickering. He finds he can't meet her eyes and instead chooses to watch his daughter. "I have to leave soon...." He says his voice low as if he wasn't sure he wanted her to hear.
Asenath stared up at the older lioness. It looked as if the cub had only recently opened her eyes and learned to walk. When Siku laid down she backed up with a small mew then walked over and started to nose her, putting her smell to memory.
"I know." Siku murmured as she too avoided meeting Eyal's eyes. Instead she took up lightly purring at the small cub. She certainly wasn't used to something so small. Many of the cubs in her pride had grown out of this helpless stage of life and into a more independent one. After being used to such a group of rowdy youngsters, it was hard to revert back into a soft and tender lioness. Yet Siku made sure she did not bat at the cub or make any sudden movements. She had to be gentle, soothing, and sweet like a mother if she were to make friends with Eyal's little one. "What did you name her?" Siku asked, her eyes remaining on the cub as she changed subjects.
Asenath tried to purr back and bunted the older lioness with her head, sinking down beside her to settle down in a sleepy manner.
"Her name is Asenath..." Eyal responds laying down and rests his head down. "I will be leaving tonight."
Siku quickly looked up from examining little Asenath to stare at Eyal. "So soon?" She replied with an uneasiness that made her voice tremble. "Why don't you stay a little bit longer?" She suggested in hopes to keep him close for a little bit longer. She certainly didn't seem to want to give him up just yet. Meanwhile, instinctively Siku's paws came round to enclose Asenath in a small barrier as she began to doze off.
"They are able to walk and its a good time to make a clean break from their mother. I can't hesitate." He glances back at her and then away. "I've stayed here too long. My pride needs me."
Siku slowly nods her head as she attempted to agree with him. It was hard though, since she desired to keep him beside her. She liked the attention, the games, and the fun that came with Eyal. Sure he was a straight-faced sour puss at times but on the good days she could manage him to do something out of character. To loose him would just break her heart. At least Kisikusiku assumed it would. She had never lost anything dear to her before. "So...are you happy with how they turned out?" Once again Siku rose to the seat of taking a swift change in direction of their conversation. It seemed she believed if she could distract him long enough, he wouldn't leave her in the dust.
He glances up at her, wondering how she'd fair without him. After all he'd saved her twice now. He licks the scar on his shoulder and takes a long while to answer. "Yes... I've gotten four daughters and that's good for the pride..."
A hesitation. "... and it was... well..." He snorts and looks away. "I suppose I have you to thank for healing my wounds. So thank you." He pins his ears back. "Are you certain you can keep yourself out of trouble in my absence?"
Siku's ears perked as she recognized a sense of concern in his voice. "Are you worried about me?" She asked as a small smile took a hold of her maw that soon twisted into a grin. Now that was interesting if so...big bad Eyal worrying about her safety.
The lion looked over affronted. "What? Me? Of course not!" He puts his nose in the air but there's a slight pink tinge under his fur. "I just dont' think you're capable of not getting yourself into trouble."
The lioness laughed and kept her eyes on him now. "Oh really? I should be saying the same for you. You and your hero complex, you'll be saving damsels left and right until there's nothing but a scrap of your fur left." She briefly teased before turning her eyes away from him after staring at the male for too long.
"Hero complex? Pah...." He smirks at her then it fades. Damn... He felt bad for leaving her like this. He sighs and walks over to look at his cub and brings his nose down to her. He gives her a small lick and looks up at Siku. "I need to take her back... to her sisters... and go."
"Oh....okay." Siku's eyes fell to stare at the ground as her entire body seemed to droop. The spirit she held was slowly fading as he continued to speak of leaving. She didn't want to think of him leaving, of disappearing to a place she'd never see him again. "Will you be safe? You'll be bring yourself AND cubs home."
Eyal lifts his eyes to her. She looked... sad. "Of course we'll be safe. It won't be easy hunting and leaving them alone but we'll manage."
Siku cast her eyes back up at him appearing rather shy now. Her tail swished as she replied, "Would it be better if you had help?"
"Well of course it would be..." He says with a slight sigh. "But there's no one to watch them."
"Would you be happy if you had someone there for you and them?" She asks, her tone kept quiet as she remained unsure of what might fall from her mouth next.
Eyal looks up at her then picks his cub up and places it down by his feet. "I don't know what you're implying about that but it would be easier."
Siku sighed heavily as the cub was removed from the little home her paws created for it. Now was the time. Any second now. Her stomach felt as though it was twisting and turning into a massive loop before she answered. "I want to go with you." Her voice finally whispered. It was then that a great weight lifted off her shoulders.
Eyal stopped in his tracks. His green eyes landed on her. She wanted to go with him? After he was so rude to her? "... You can't. You're just a cub. You need to stay with your parents."
Kisikusiku rose from her place as she shook her head. "Honestly, Eyal. I'm not a cub anymore. I'm older now. A lot of time has passed since we first met." She replies as she draws closer to him. The young lioness still had to look up to meet his eyes but she had now grown to reach the middle of his maned neck. "See? And I think you need me more now. I don't want you or your family to get hurt on your journey home. When you reach your pride, I can then just turn back and come home."
Eyal stares right back into her eyes then down at his cub. They need someone to watch over them. He knows that. He can't do this alone. He paces slightly with a small growl in his throat. "I can't let you go..." He says with a small roar. "You can't go unless there are conditions."
"Conditions? Like what?" Siku asked, unsure if she felt alright with that. She was fine with looking after cubs and making sure Eyal took care of himself but what else was there to do? Nothing...at least that she knew of.
Eyal snorted and looked away. "You must learn how to hunt and fight. Any female I bring into my pride... to stay... must know these things." He opened and eye to look at her, still trying to remain prideful.
His glance was met with one of Siku's famous toothy grins. Such a smile certainly told of confidence. "Of course I can do that. But whose gonna teach me? Your little girls?" She teased the older lion while her mischievous paws took a few more steps toward him.
Eyal looked back at her, a funny look in his eyes. "I don't think you understand." He says approaching her so that he's looking down at her. "If you follow me... You're not coming back to this place. I want you to join my pride."
Like rain, the smile Siku wore trickled down her face and was sucked into the dry dirt ground. She stood before him, dumbstruck. What was he saying? She would have to leave? For good? A twinge that felt as if someone was dragging their claws through her chest hit Siku so hard she actually winced. What was she supposed to do now? She wanted to be with Eyal but...to leave her family? Her pride? For many weeks now she had been pondering the thought of leaving and now that it was presented to her she didn't know anymore. But as she thought over his words, what came from him, "I want you to join my pride." slowly gathered and began to form a decision. He wanted her. He really wanted her to go with him! "R-Really?" Siku asked in a hushed voice that she had finally found lodged in her throat.
He stared at her evenly as his cub curled up by his feet. He was tensed, waiting for an answer. He didn't mean to be so harsh about it but there was no way he could take her for four moons and ask her to come back alone. He couldn't risk her dying like that. He felt... an obligation to her. At least that's what he decided to call it. "Yes...." He answers just as firmly. "I will teach you everything you need to know about our pride and of hunting and fighting. You merely have to follow me and help me rai--..." He coughs, "watch my cubs."
Siku could've sworn that someone had lodged themselves in her ear and decided to bang drums for the sound of them echoed over and over again. Ba Bum Ba Bum Ba Bum. If Siku wasn't standing up and pressing her front legs together her heart probably would have busted through her ribs and chest by now. What was she to do? A whole new life was being offered to her! Like some kind of treasure it was lying before her. Teasing her. It was what she wanted for so long....
The young lioness gulped down a great inhale of air as the silence remained floating over their heads. Eyal had become not only her hero, but a great friend. Would she be able to live without him? They had become so close so fast! Her life had come to revolve around him...she couldn't just let him leave. But her family. They were her flesh and blood. The warm red liquid that ran through their veins flowed through hers. Could she really leave them?
Eyal's words buzzed over her head as the bird's sang in the distance. Eyal meant...something to her. If she didn't know better she could say that he meant everything to her...but that would be foolish. Right? "W-Will I be able to come back here? To see my family?" She suddenly asked as her mind shifted over the pieces of what could be her future.
Eyal was braced for her choice. Time seemed to slow down as he watched her consider it. Hs ears were back, his own heart feeling as though it were trying to beat out of his chest. He wasn't sure if she would. She grew up here, what right did he have to bar her from her home? Surely none. He had grown to like her, he at least admitted to that. He enjoyed spending time with her even if he grumped.
"Of course you can...Anytime."
Siku's heart gave a flutter at Eyal's reply. That meant that she'd be able to return to her family when she wanted to go home. No longer did the fear of never seeing them sit upon her shoulders. Oh no, instead a weight lifted away and into the air to give Siku a fresh new feeling. It was a feeling she had never felt before. It was beautiful and enriching. Her soul felt light as if it could fly away and into the clouds where Devu lived. "So...You really want me to come with you? Would you be sad if I said no?" Siku suddenly asked him as she took a step closer, now nearly nose to nose with the male if she lifted up her head rather than glancing up at him in a questioning manner.
Eyal watched her relax and did so himself. Her moods practically controlled his though he had yet to realize it. He saw her eyes lighten and his mimicked hers. His face flushed under his fur when he found himself staring down into those entrancing eyes of hers. "I do..." He responded slowly, lowering his head slightly. He doesn't answer her last question right away. He's caught between his pride and wanting her to follow. But one is stronger then the other. "Yes..."
A light airy laugh floated through the air as Siku rested her head against Eyal's mane. She couldn't believe how he was acting. It wasn't like him, and she knew he would hate for her to mention that she could see this supposedly weak side of him. Such a bitter sweet circumstance. Kisikusiku wanted to point out how adorable he was acting. She desired to tease him more to see those eyes sparkle like the stars. Yet Eyal would certainly storm away and probably take back his offer.
The young lioness brushed her head against Eyal's mane as she recalled the countless hours she spent playing with it between her paws. Those days that danced in her head felt as though they had occurred just recently even though they were several moons ago. Even so, Siku remained nestled in Eyal's warmth as she spoke again. "Since I don't want to break your heart..." Siku breathed in Eyal's musty scent of the jungle floor as she tilted her head to still lie on his mane but now so her eyes were on his. "I will go with you."
His ears went back as she got closer to him. He couldn't make himself think of her as a cub anymore. It was as if, over night, she'd grown into a lioness. He hesitated then brushes his nose back against her cheek and neck. Her voice brought his ears back up then down again in a swift motion. The way she spoke sent a shiver up his spine. It would, he realized as slowly as the sunrise, it would pain him to leave her behind.
He stared back at her, a relief entering his eyes. "Thanks you... Come." He told her then pulled away picking the already sleeping cub off the ground. He looked back once before heading to the others to introduce them to her and start their journey.
Siku remained standing at the jungle border even as Eyal began to leave. She felt great, empowered so to say. This was the beginning of a whole new life for her. She had wanted this. She desired this for so long. Yet this new life would not be had by her alone. Oh no. Eyal would be there, with his family, and his pride. If he had asked her to come or not, Siku would have left her homeland at some point, it simply would have been inevitable. To now have company by someone she respected and thought highly of was wonderful. It made her feel as though her soul had truly been blessed by the Gods. Siku turned her head to look back at the jungle trees, the rocks, the mossy and root covered her. This was her homeland, and no matter where she went it would always be her home. This was where she was born, raised, and her family lived her. Never would she forget them. Siku knew that. They were one and nothing, not even being far away, would sever that.
A few days ago, Siku said goodbye to her family. For she had told herself that if Eyal was to leave, she would leave too. With or without him it would be her time to start a life of her own. Something, call it a gut feeling, had told her that the time was drawing near and Siku acted upon it with little thought. It had been a tearful goodbye, filled with love but that wouldn't be the final goodbye. The young lioness, brave and bold, knew she'd come back to them. It may not be tomorrow, or the day after, but no matter how long the time passed Siku would return to them. For one can never truly say goodbye to home and never ever can they say goodbye to the ones they care about the most which was her family. "Goodbye, I'll miss you." Siku whispered to the wind that she knew would carry her message to those who held a piece of her heart. The young lioness walked over to a tree she had become fond of and always left her healing bag beside for safe keeping. Gathering up the bag, Siku whispered one more goodbye and then turned to follow after Eyal. This was her new beginning. This was what she had been waiting for. This was a whole new life.
