The evening was approaching slower than usual. The air was cool, leaving the sassy lioness in a particularly good mood. She was smiling as she walked, which, instead of being a lovely sight, was rather disturbing due to her wide eyes.

Tail lashing behind her, Hasaa jumped over a few rocks and quickened her pace. She was on a hunt of sorts. She had left the Ushujaa tribe for a bit in search of this "heir" she had heard of. It was in her best interest that she meet him, as well as his little entourage.

Hm~, what a fool the "heir" must be. But the lioness grinned regardless of any pessimistic thoughts. Because indeed, perhaps she wasn't being pessimistic? Perhaps she was being realistic? That, along with thoughts of pushing the "heir's" buttons in the worst ways possible, was succeeding in bringing the Ushujaa into an even better mindset.

She was happy.

OH~, it was a good day...Except for one thing.

She hadn't seen her darling tease-friend, Mkuu, lately. Now, now...Wasn't he...a...The lioness tilted her head to the sky, mouth agape as she pondered. Ah, he was Mwindaji. Which meant...He was nearby!

OH, GOODIE~!

Humming a strange, twisted melody, the pink lioness honed every one of her senses on finding the dark male.

She caught his scent in a matter of seconds.


Mkuu wasn't in a good mood.

But what was new?

The male growled softly as he exitted the Mwindaji den, stretching his legs as he approached the small springs that kept the tribe watered, gently drinking from the water. Today wasn't the day for much of a hunt, as it was too hot for hunting. All the prey would be settled in the shade, where it was more difficult to hunt. A few peristant lionness' had left to catch what they could, but Mkuu wasn't stupid. Any chance for a break was a chance he snatched with both paws.

Uh, but it was rather boring. Usually, he might consider visiting...NO. He'd promised himself he wouldn't think about her. But what did he think about her? Well, she was an irritating, annoying, arrogant little b***h. But at the same time be almost...admired her. Admired her outlook on life, and the strong outer shell she harboured that never let any emotions out. After all, that was all her teasing was, right? A shell to protect her own emotions.

Growling softly, rolling over onto his back, Mkuu decided to partake in something he'd heard felt quite good - sunbatheing.


She was getting closer now...Almost there.

Body low to the ground, the lioness was stalking. Of course, she wasn't stalking prey...Unless you'd call Mkuu that.

OHO, no, no~ he wasn't her prey~, the lioness giggled to herself. But then her face grew dead-serious.

What was Mkuu?

Eyes narrowing in thought, Hasaa unconsciously slowed her pace. But it didn't matter anyway. She was already in the Mwindaji tribe. Her favorite male would be in plain sight in no time...

AND THERE HE WAS~!

Heart fluttering strangely at the sight of him, though she brushed that off, she changed directions and walked right for him.

"Mkuu~!" she called very quietly, like a haunting echo, testing for a reaction. Perhaps he'd think he was dreaming?

Heeheehee...


Hmm? Blinking lazily, feeling a little sleepy due to the sun - which was lovely, warming his dark fur pleasantly - he turned his head, frowning as he narrowed his eyes. He could've sworn he'd heard his name. But what was that? Something was coming towards him? Rolling onot his front and standing, shaking some sense back into his head, his whole body noticeably tensed as he recognized the female.

Hasaa.

What was she doing here!? His first instinct was to growl, but he couldn't make himself. Instead, he felt his cheeks flush red again, and cursed his brain and body for betraying him. Trying to relax, and not look as tensed, he mnaged an uninterested expression, and a snort.

"...What?"


Hasaa slowed to a stop as she approached him, tail flicking behind her for whatever reason. She gave a wry smile, tilting her head in a strange kind of greeting.

Mkuu was a male of many faces, it seemed. He wasn't very good at hiding his feelings at first, but with a bit of effort, he could wash away one face and replace it with another. It was an admirable trait to say the least, but even more so because it took him a while to do it. She found it cute. Of course, she wouldn't say that.

Yet.

Suddenly, Hasaa's eyes flashed seriously and the smile vanished from her face. Her body went tense and she lowered her head slightly, hair sweeping over her face. She stared hard at the male.

"I have something important to tell you." she said.


She was watching him. It unnerved him, her just watching him there, sitting like that. Or...standing, it seemed. He watched her back, staring for several moment before he was unable to any longer, caving in and frowning in confusion instead. Why was she here? To mock him some more? Wasn't it enough that she mocked him in her own tribe? She had to come and do it in his too?

Suddenly, her eyes flashed and his confusion deepened, the male shuffling a little easily. He was large, but watching him shuffle around like an uneasy little cub being frowned upon by an elder must've been a rather amusing sight.

Important? He snorted. "Like what, my face is wrong? I don't care..." He began, before pausing with another frown. He suddenly realized that he didn't know her name.


"No..." Hasaa said, still completely serious. It was frightening, to say the least. It was quite unusual to see the lioness take on such a stance, and to look so consumed by something. But she held that look for a long while, gazing at him, never taking her eyes away from his.

"It's important...That I tell you..." she began quietly, voice grave. She moved a bit closer, face leaning towards his. There was silence. She could hear his heart beating; feel his breath against her nose. No doubt he could sense the same things in her. A cold wind swept through the trees, green leaves raining softly around the two. All the world seemed silent in preparation to hear the female's serious words...



"HELLO~!" Hasaa drawled loudly.


She looked serious. He frowned, standing properly so he was looking straight down at her, his red eyes watching hers. Was she actually being serious? She sounded it, and whatever this was sounded really quite important...Perhaps he should listen?

...Or perhaps not. He noticeably flinched at her loud 'greeting', before growling irritatedly, swiping his paw lazily in her direction, knowing she'd be able to dodge in time. His growl was louder than usual, possible even a weak snarl as he turned, beginning to leave. He wasn't quite sure where he was going, but anywhere was better than with her.

"Get lost. I don't have the time or patience for your ungrateful, irritating comments."


Hasaa grinned and dodged his swipe with ease, a loose laugh escaping from her maw. When he turned away, she skipped beside him, walking with him, though she knew he didn't want her to.

Or did he~?

Tail lashing, the lioness glanced sideways at Mkuu. She frowned.

"I'm not sure if I could get lost since I know the Aali'makabila like the back of my own paw. Perhaps you could help me?" she asked lightly; friendly-like. "You seem to get lost often enough on your way to the Ushujaa tribe." After a moment, the lioness gave a little shocked gasp, darting a look at the male, as if apologetic. "Unless...There's some other reason you always take so long to bring the food?"


Ugh, and now she was following him. She was like an irritaitng little fly, constantly buzzing in his face until he whacked it away, killing it with one swipe of his paw. But...he couldn't do that to this lionness. Not because he'd be betraying his beloved pride but because...because he didn't want her to get hurt? Was that...allowed?

He snorted, failing in his attempts to ignore her as he tnered the forest, unknowingly making his way towards the stones. He enjoyed it there -the cool shadows of the trees allowed him to sit without getting too warm.

"It's heavy. Why don't you trying dragging a waterbuck across the Aali'makabila lands." he growled softly, still not looking at her.


Where was he going, the strange boy? To the Ushujaa tribe? How cute~. With any luck, he really would change jobs. How lovely that would be~! The two of them, stationed close together, beating the crap out of any threat together...Ah~

Shaking out of her daydreams, the lioness raised her brows at Mkuu's comment. She almost seemed surprised. Whether she really was, or was just acting, was the question. But it couldn't be denied that something was shining in her wide eyes as she stared at the Mwindaji.

"Are you..." she breathed softly, moving a bit closer to him as she walked.

"...Inviting me to go hunting with you?" she asked, like a love-struck damsel.


Ah, she'd quietened down a bit. Maybe that meant that she would soon leave him in peace so he could have a nice nap or something. But no. Instead she took his words exactly the WRONG way, in such a way that he turned around, standing strong before her so she couldn't walk any further. He growled, crouching slightly, watching the female closely.

"NO! It is not an invitation of any sort!" He snarled, a certain venom in his voice. He was tired of this! "What is it with you!? Constantly teasing and mocking others!? Why not just be nice!? Or show any OUNCE of respect! No wonder you don't have any friends or family - they were all GLAD to be rid of you!"


Through his snarling and cruel words, Hasaa merely smiled, eyes flickering over his face like she was fascinated with him--every part of him. The good, the bad, the angry, the placid...Everything. Out of all the things she watched from the entrance of the A'M, he was he very favorite thing to observe. Her eyes glowed as she stared up at his face.

There were a strange, few moments of unexpected silence before the lioness spoke again.

"...Would you be glad to be rid of me?" she asked softly.


Aww no, he'd risen to the bait. Ugh. Suddenly feeling very exposed, and very bad about himself, he took a step back, quickly looking off to the side. He couldn't look at her...not right now. He hadn't really...meant any of those things. But she'd pushed him to it and he'd just wanted her to...stop. And shouting at her seemed to be the thing to do it.

It was silent for several moments before she spoke, and he finally willed himself to look at her again, looking rather apologetic and guilt-ridden.

"I...no, I wouldn't," he began, stammering a little, clearly rather embarrassed, "I just...you push me to say things. Things I don't mean. You're always getting at me and...I just want you to stop. It's not nice, ..." And he remembered again he didn't know her name, pausing as he frowned in confusion. He should really find that out.


Ah...

He...Didn't want her to leave...

Hasaa went on a bit father, maybe forgetting that he had stopped walking. She continued on through the trees only a few more paces before she was on top of a hill. She turned and looked down at Mkuu. He wouldn't be glad to have her leave...

Hasaa smiled.

It wasn't a sly smile. It wasn't a cocky smile. It wasn't a sweet, teasing smile.

It was perhaps the most genuine smile Hasaa had ever show anyone. Her eyes squinted, almost sparkling, and she held the smile as she stared at him. How strange that they'd grown so close (if you could call it that), and yet he still didn't know her name. Strange.

"Hasaa." the lioness stated her name shyly.

A cold evening breeze howled past her, moving through her fur and making her incline her head. As it faded, she turned and leapt down the hill and completely out of sight.


She was walking still? He relaxed his stance, remaiing where he was and watching her with a frown. She wasn't...shouting back or mocking him? She wasn't doing anything but walking. Oh, and then she stopped, turned back and...

And she smiled.

She actually smiled.

It wasn't a mocking or teasing - well, may be a little teasing, but in...in a good way. And the male couldn't help but smile as she stated her name, before disappearing over the other side of the hill. Hasaa...it was a pretty name.

Unable to stop the goofy grin that spread over his face he turned himself, heading back to his camp. Maybe next time, they'd meet on good terms. Really good terms.

He certainly hoped they would.