The green lioness was just back from her usual hunt, stalking what lands she had claimed as her own for her food. She was used to not having luck, though sometimes a herd moved through and she could catch something without having to go far from her selected home, like today. She was protective of what little she had, a small den that she refused to let anyone take. A rogue, but still proud of herself, Kilgharrah was not much for sharing. She was territorial to be sure, even if her territory was not included in any pride.
She would like to keep it that way.
Hitilafu, on the other hand, was lost. She was always lost, it seemed, and she was getting rather used to it. Ever since she had been a cub she had been wandering, having run away from her father after learning what kind of a lion he really was. Though nice to her, he had hidden the fact that he was a killer, a fighter who cared nothing for lives. He sheltered his sickly daughter and doted on her endlessly, but that didn’t make up for the fact that he had purposefully kept her sheltered, so she wouldn’t find out about cruel lions like him.
If she knew how much her father had changed now, it might have made a difference, but she would never know. She rarely thought of him, truth be told.
Probably because she was always lost and had other things to focus on.
Kil smelled the stranger before she even saw or heard her. She leaped from the tree she had been lounging in and prowled toward the bushes. Hidden from view, she crouched and waited until the stranger came into view. A brown splotched lioness, with a very worried expression on her face. Lost, perhaps. Not a threat immediately, but if she planned on staying then she would certainly be a threat. After all, this was Kil’s home, and she was not going to yield to another lioness. There was barely enough food for one lioness, and she was certain that another would tip the scale too far.
And she was not interested in finding out for sure through testing.
Hitilafu looked around and got a creeping feeling down her spine. Someone was watching her, and she didn’t like it. Someone was watching her… but where? This area was lush with green, from the bushes to the tree leaves above, and the grass at her feet. A deep, dark green. It was beautiful, and she wondered if there was a source of water nearby to keep it such a nice color. Usually everything was brown, more like her own pelt. Here she felt exposed. Unsafe. Anyone could see her: at least in the savannah she blended in a bit better. She shuddered, but tried not to think about it.
Of course, not thinking about it didn’t stop her from being attacked.
The green lioness burst from the bushes Hit had just been admiring, making her no longer like it.
“Who are you?” Kil asked, growling fiercely at the young lioness. The thing looked scared enough, so there was no need to be excessive. She flexed her claws and bared her teeth, ears flat on her head: enough to show the stranger that she meant business, and was ready for a fight should one be necessary. From the way the brown lioness was shaking, however, it didn’t seem likely that she was going to attack anyone. Run away suddenly, maybe, but nothing else. She didn’t drop her guard though, just in case she was faking her out. “You can’t stay here: this is my home.”
“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t know that. I was just… just passing through. I’m just trying to… I don’t know. But I wasn’t going to stay! I was. I mean. I am a bit tired, and I was wondering if there was water and if I could rest… but no, no, you’re right, this is your home and I shouldn’t just butt in! I’m sorry. I’ll go. I promise. I’m sorry.” Her ears were flat on her head, as well, but she was completely submissive. Her body was down, her legs wobbling a bit. She looked fairly pathetic, really. And Kil noticed it. “I’ll just keep going. I can find somewhere to stop… further on. It’s okay. I’m sorry.”
She made to walk, but Kil moved into her path with a growl. Hit recoiled, dropping straight to the ground. She shut her eyes tightly and Kil moved to her. Hit expected her throat to be ripped out, but instead, Kil ran her tongue over the young lionesses head. She wasn’t used to seeing someone so pathetic and helpless. It was like a cub in an adult’s body, which Kil found oddly endearing. Perhaps she just had a stronger maternal sense than she realized. After all, she had never had cubs, and never had anyone to take care of. She could remember her own mother being caring, and it seemed the natural reaction.
“I… what?” Hit asked, looking up at her.
Kil shook her head, moving to sit down in front of the young lion.
“I didn’t realize you were so easy to scare. You look thin, have you been able to catch any food for yourself? Maybe I’ll go out and hunt for you. Just… stay here and rest. I’d feel bad if I chased you off and you fell over and died. Here, follow me.” She got up and moved toward the bushes. Glancing back, she saw the worried lioness scooting after her. It made her chuckle and she shook her head at the sight. What a silly thing. It made Kil wonder if she had ever had any parents to tend to her. Kil led the way to a lush pool, where Hit could drink and rest.
Hitilafu was more than thankful, scooting up to the water’s edge and lapping at the water
The brown lioness was more than relieved for a drink, and she enjoyed it as she lapped at the cool water. She sighed, stretching out on her belly, front paws in the water as she looked at her reflection. Her fur was messy, and she frowned. When was the last time she had groomed herself? She heard shuffling behind her and saw Kil returning, dragging a half eaten carcass and putting it beside Hit. The brown lioness sat up, ears back, but a smile on her face. She shook her head.
“You’re being so nice…”
“Are you surprised? I am. I’m usually not so. I suppose seeing you in such a state made me pity you. Don’t go spreading the news around, okay?” She moved over to Hit as the other lioness moved to eat at the carcass. Kil groomed Hit and the two introduced themselves, getting to know each other. The older green lioness decided that she didn’t mind having a little company, at least for now.
(Word Count: 1166 in Word)
