It was late afternoon and the two companions had stopped to rest. Amani himself was sitting out under the evening sky watching the clouds. His face was solemn and he looked so alone at the moment. Lately all he could think about was his pride and what he was out here to do. It had been weeks since he had left and the leopard couldn’t help but to worry over how his family was. Or how much longer it would take to find someone who would go back with him to his pride. The leopard sighed softly. Despite his brave outburst against his mother’s suggestion, he worried that maybe he would never return after all.
Kimana glanced over at Amani with amusement. “So what are you pondering about?” She asked circling around him before sitting down with her head tilted to the side in amusement. She liked to watch the leopard. Often enough she caught him off guard while he was just sitting there staring at the sky. Right now he was doing it again, but this time he looked even more lost than usual. Which was saying a lot for Kimana since she often found him to be a lonesome leopard.
Poor guy. She thought with a small smile. She had been traveling with him for a bit now and was not jealous of his life. Her life, lonely as it could be, was at least brightened by her energetic approach to life and to strangers. After all she made friends with everyone! The lioness giggled at the thought before looking back over to her companion.
Amani nearly jumped backwards. Once again he was surprised by the lioness. It was weird to be traveling with someone, not to mention that his companion was a rather loud, childish lioness who wanted to jump at anything that moved in the tall grasses. Seriously what was he to do with her? The leopard sighed and shook his head, “Pondering?” He repeated giving her a small smile, “Nothing really. Just the usual I guess.”
Not that he was comfortable telling her his usual worries. For all Kimana knew he was just passing through as she was. She had no knowledge of his pride’s ways or of his quest out here in the rogue lands. To find banus. He looked over at her closely. She was pretty and energetic. She could be a banu if he wanted to take her back with him. But the leopard couldn’t seem to bring himself to do that to the lioness. She was nice and gentle, but he knew that there was more to her. She was looking for someone, that he knew even if she didn’t admit it. Maybe she didn’t realize it herself?
“That’s not fair.” Kimana pouted at him, “You always say that and I never get to know what’s going through your mind.” The lioness peered closely at her companion. Was it? Could it be? She grinned, “Are you looking for a lost love maybe?” She loved to tease him. His expressions were always so priceless! And amusing. She was glad that she had run into this leopard. He had proven himself to definitely be worth her time.
“So?” Amani shook his head, “You don’t need to know my thoughts.” The leopard stretched out before shaking off his weariness. He needed to get moving again. But first he had…the thought was stopped at her teasing question. “What?” Amani just blinked at her, “Lost love? Really do I seem to be that type?” He finally replied giving her a small laugh. “I highly doubt that I have any love, let alone a lost one.”
Kimana giggled, “Oh really?” The lioness peered closer at his face, “I don’t know. It’s possible. I see kindness in you and so you would let anyone take your heart and leave if it was for the better.” She sat straighter, “Not that it really would be. But you seem to be the type to leave others alone since you act like your presence could harm them. “She nodded confident in her assumption about the leopard. “After all you act like you harm me just by being near. Almost like you’re a trap and I can’t free myself if I stay for too long. Is that it? Will I die staying near you, Amani?”
The leopard just stared at her. For such a childish lioness…she really. Well there was something off about her that was for sure. Maybe it was just the memory loss that made her act that way, because she was sincerely more thoughtful than most. Despite the hyper active acting and the playful chasing through the grasses she was truly an adult. “Maybe you’re right.” He admitted softly before forcing a laugh, “What am I? You’ll die by staying near me? That almost makes me sound like a disease. Jeesh! As it is I have my journey to finish and then I must head home. It’s best if we separate now. So I can focus, Kimana.”
“Maybe! I don’t know.” She laughed, “Amani, the greatest disease for any feline.” She teased before his next statement made her sober up. She knew it was coming. Just from the way he had acted this morning. She understood of course, but hearing it made the lioness sad. Was she not good enough for him? Was that it? “Why can’t I help you, Amani? Can’t I go with you? Or even live with you?” Her gaze focused and was sincere, “I like you! Just tell me what I can do for you?”
“No.” Amani shook his head, “You may not realize it, Kimana, but there’s more to your story. I just know it. So please, please continue your journey. It doesn’t belong with me, going with me will close anything you have left out here.” He sighed, “I know you wouldn’t mind. But I do. What about your memories? What if you have family out here? If you go with me then you can’t go find them.” His gaze softened, “I like you Kimana, as a friend. You were a good traveling companion. But I live in a place that would keep you there. What if your memory comes back and you want to find someone from your past?”
“Ah.” The lioness sniffled, “I see. You’re really kind, Amani. But it hurts you know.” She turned away from him, “I’ll go now while I can. But I’ll do something for you before you leave, kay?” She peeked back over at him, “I realize that there’s something I can do without going with you back to your pride. But I can’t do it by myself.” She smiled, “I’ll find someone to help me and then I’ll come back and find you with gifts.”
“I don’t know what you are talking-“
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll understand when I find you again.” She smiled and rising nudged him playfully. “Safe journey, Amani.”
“You too, Kimana.” He licked her cheek before backing away, “Take care.”
“Don’t worry I will!” She laughed, her gaze lighting back up to its normal glow before she turned back away. She would see him again, and she would help him. Even if he wouldn’t let her go with him, she could at least give him something to remember her. Something that would be a part of her, her own blood. The lioness smiled. She had faith that this would work and that she could indeed give him what he really desired.
WC: 1136
