Lucia:
It was a stupid idea.
And if Luci was really thinking about what she was doing, she'd know for certain that it was a stupid idea. But then, that was the problem, wasn't it? She wasn't thinking. Saul had been teasing her again today and she had nothing else to do but run away when it got too much. And rather than stopping to see if he followed, she just kept right on running.
And it wasn't until she was rolling down a sand-dune that she realized she had probably gone too far. Lip quivering, she looked around her before making her way back up the dune to look for a way back home.
Gin Matsuba:
Gin had been on the move since she birthed her 7 cubs. It was a meraculous day for all that knew her. Someone whom didn't like cubs all that much, liking the other taste of life to now have seven cubs. It was a miracle indeed and she had bidded to go and find her mother to tell her the good news but that was in time. For now, her children were still learning the skills needed by the pride. When they were able to walk, and put up their heads with pride. Only then would she take them to her mother. Slowly walking towards the sandy shores of the desert. Pulling her oldest son along to start his training but little did she know someone was following until she heard them start tumbling.
How did she have that feeling...
Turning her head and looking at the two tumble in the sands. "Boys. Kowab. What are you doing here? Does your mother know your here?"
Kohaku and Kowab'akmar:
From the tumbling the boys did- it was apparent for the moment that she had been ignored. Rolling around and gnawing on each other as they started to throw each other's weight upon another. She guessed it was still apart of training. Chuckling some until they fell down a dune and Kowab's face pulled out of the mass of Kohaku's leg from under him. "Huh? Mother? OF COURSE SHE DOES." He straight out laughed hardly and snicked just a little. Before he was tossed down by Kohaku. "Kowab is lying!" "NO I"M NOT!" "I BET!" As they tackled one another again. Sighing, she looked up.. Hearing the breeze take upon the sands.. seeing something tumbling down towards the boys playing. A mass of a sand ball from what she could tell.
Kowab'akmar:
When Kowab finally lifted out and threw himself out of the fighting ball they were in- little did he know the ball of fluff coming straight behind him. RIGHT when he was just about to throw himself upon kohaku again he was met with a mouth full of sand- falling straight foward... "Uhhoowwll!" Spitting out tons of sand. Hacking it up with disgust.
Lucia:
Going back up the sand dune had been hard work. It took a bit of turning, but she finally saw a glimpse of the temples in the distance. It meant they were kind of far away, but just knowing the direction she needed to go in was enough. A smile on her face, Luci started running towards home, going down one dune, up another one...
And slipping and tumbling down the next one, only to roll into someone else.
Luci blinked through her mane which had fallen into her eyes. There was black fur in her face and a scent she didn't know. Slipping back, she managed to pull herself up, finding she wasn't alone at all. She'd run into a cub, who was now coughing and spitting sand and there was another cub and... and a lioness. Her ears flicked back timidly, uncertain of the strangers. Were they good, or would they hurt her or steal her away?
She was probably close enough to be able to call for help, she was pretty sure this was where Uncle Gloz usually patrolled. Oh, but she would get in so much trouble if he found her here. She was way too far away from the main pridelands for any cub to be. And it was mostly her fault. She shouldn't have let Saul get to her like that.
"Um, I'm sorry..." she said softly to the boy-cub she had run into.
Kowab'akmar:
Kowab was distinctly very angry, and couldn't figure who- out of the three of them traveling had pushed him in to the sand. Kohaku was in front of him, so who was... When he turned. Immediately and saw the soft female face. A sneer came out as he spat the sand down. "LOOK WHERE YOU GOING! WHERE DID YOU EVEN COME FROM!" He yelled out to her.
Kohaku:
Kohaku for a moment gasped and laughed when his friend got bolted in to the sand. A laughed echoed until it was met by yelling. Quickly he made himself known to the girl and came about their side. "Hey~ hey~ I saw her falling, she didn't mean to! You broke her fall though. For the most part." A soft smile as he looked behind them for his mother. A nod as she acknowledged the female was there. "Where did you come from?" He questioned, likely a pride or abandoned. "We came here to start my training~ I hope we're not intruding.. and forgive my friend. He is a poophead." Pushing his paw at Kowab's face as he struggled against the paw.
Lucia:
Luci clamped her mouth shut when the black cub yelled at her, her ears flicking back sadly. She hadn't meant to, it had been an accident. She hated running on sand, it always made her trip. She wanted to be back in the pridelands, where she could hide in the oases from Saul.
"I really didn't mean to," she said, shrinking back. The other boy-cub, he was nicer than the first one, though she wouldn't be able to tell if he would have reacted with the same kindness if she had run into him instead of his friend.
"I... I... My cousin... he was being mean and I had to get away for a bit... I ran too far." The explanation was a little timid, but she never looked down, her eyes shifting from one boy to the other and every so often flicking up to the lioness.
Gin Matsuba:
Surely, Gin had to make an appearance as she saw she was eyed a couple of times. Slowly she made her way on over and politely sat and even lowered herself. For the moment, the training could wait. They hadn't come across too many lions just out and about. She called out to them. "We could rest here a few.. But we must know that when I move- training has started." Calling out to them, she was some feet away- the boys were always a hassle and it looked like Kohaku was handling it just fine without her but still she was on the look out for anyone whom seemed to push the exception on finding them and running them off. she was not so easily swayed..
Kohaku:
His ears went from one side to the next, blinking at the girl as he took in the information and let it process. He was big, if not bigger than Kowab but they still wrestled frequently. "It's really ok~ He just doesn't know when to quit." A soft smile came about as he looked at Kowab with a disappointed frown. "Chill out- it was an accident." Growling a little.
Kowab'akmar:
"Your not the one who ate sand!" Spitting and huffing before he looked back at the girl between his friend's digits. Biting at them as it was rubbed in. "Get off me!" He yelled and pushed the paw away finally. Looking at the girl now with determined anger. Huffing a little. "It's just a girl anyways." Taking his chest and puffing up and out. "We were trying to get some training but now we're taking a break~"
Kohaku:
"What he is trying to say is that my mum out there, she is taking a break so.. join us?" A soft smile.
Lucia:
"I, um... donno," Luci replied, trying to figure out if she really could stay. Would someone come looking for her, would she get in trouble? She really wished she knew.
But after a moment of thought, the fact that she didn't really have any friends and at least one of these boys was nice and maybe they lived nearby. She was a bit of a quiet girl but she really did want to have friends, other cubs to play with who weren't her siblings or her cousins.
"Training? Already? I'm still in school, we don't start our apprenticeships until we're near-grown," she asked, blinking a little before she dipped her head to brush sand from her mane.
"Oh, I'm Luci, and I live in the Tuait'tekem."
Kohaku:
A soft smile came out of Kohaku, being kind as he always was except when he was around Kowab. "Luci~ That's a beautiful name." A soft chuckle as he nodded humbly, giving a side ways glance at Kowab. "Yes, my mother is training us, we start early- well me because I'm the oldest." Nodding and he humbly sat. "Mother isn't gunna leave for a few- you might as well chill for a minute and be nice." Puffing up his cheeks.
"Anyhow- We are Kowab ( hitting his best friend upside the head with a side glance paw ) and my name is Kohaku. My mother is Gin- a very strong warrior.. we're from the Chowke.. Not too off from here. Well me- not Kowab." Trying to explain things like an adult but he tripped and had made funny 'sounds' of the words that were too long for him.
Kowab'akmar:
Of course when he friend went on about talking and such- his eyes rolled and he started to walk away. Laying his body down and looking almost angerily at Gin for stopping. Puffing up his chest and cheeks in anger. "Dude- she is from another pride. She probably doesn't even know how to fight~ what's the use in talking to her. We're wasting time." Directing it to no one in particular as he talked to mostly the blank side.
Lucia:
Right off the bat, Luci decided she liked Kohaku. He was such a nice boy. Kowab... he reminded her of her uncle when he was in a mood, and actually felt like talking about it. Was he always grumpy like that?
"I could learn how to fight if I wanted to. My papa and uncle are both guardians and I can be almost anything I wanna be when I grow up," she shot back at Kowab, her manners sharpening a little, a bit of her spunk showing. It was rare, but it happened.
"The Tuait isn't far from here, either. I shouldn't really be out this far really, but a little bit won't hurt... I don't think." She didn't think Kowab liked her much. And he seemed like the kind to think most girls couldn't be fighters. Or that other prides didn't have them much. He should see her pride. Or even better, some of their matron goddesses. She'd heard of Tornadoes from her papa, the female was amazing and really powerful.
Kowab'akmar:
Dragging his body around and eyeing her with a pout. "Look~ kid. You could be whatever you want? Less the traveling too far~ You can't ever fully be whatever you want if you don't know what's out there." Sticking his tongue out again.
Kohaku:
"That's mean! Momma is a great fighter! The best other than father." Giving a bicker back before looking at Luci. "Kowab isn't very nice." Shrugging. "Wow~ So there is a pride here- I knew it! Well, we train here and wait when the sands are very hot to start training.. so.. It won't be long but we can escort you back home?" Concerned over her as she slowly walked closer to her and softly taking his paw and rubbing it upon her like an older brother would to a sibling. "You can be anything you wish, your right.. don't listen to him."
Lucia:
Luci was not in the mood to let that go, even if Kohaku was trying to be nice. He reminded her a bit of Rillian. Always looking out for her and her sisters. But Kowab reminded her of a less playful Saul and she had had too much of him already.
She gave Kohaku a little smile before shrugging his paw away and doing her best impression of her uncle's stern face at Kowab.
"Well, maybe being whatever I want to be is being a member of my pride. If I wanted, I could leave and be whatever I wanted out there, but I wanna be something in my pride, my family instead, so there." She even stuck her tongue out at him in retaliation.
Of course, she almost immediately regretted the outburst. She shouldn't have snapped at him like that, it was mean and she wasn't mean. Two wrongs didn't make a right. She wanted to apologize, but she held it in, not wanting to look weak to these boys.
Kohaku:
When she smiled, he was taken back. She had a really pretty smile and was about to compliment her before she threw those words out, so tall in order that even he was taken back. Giving out a soft laugh at the fact it was towards Kowab. Giggling as he turned to see what Kowab would do. "He's just embaressed because he got thrown in to the sand by a girl~ But girls can be pretty strong."
Of course, his mother at least was near enough to semi hear the vibrations of their voices. Giving her son a nodd of acceptance before yawning and yet still keeping her head up in scanning the area.
Kowab'akmar:
'I know that, but she isn't one of them." He huffed a little before being told off- well that mad him slightly more mad. Getting to his paws and stomping back to her. "Yea because your scared." Giving her a push and laughed. "Yea yea~ Whatever. I just think that she can't even hold her own, go run back to the pride~ your so safe in.." Rolling his eyes again.
Kohaku:
"Ok, enough Kowab. Leave her alone." Growling lightly. "Or we could just take you home and I can come back and train alone. One think you don't do is be rude to girls!" Stopping his feet and coming up in front of Luci. Ears back.
Kowab'akmar:
Kowab grew out a grin from ear to ear. "Heh. If I'm not mistaken~ You like her huh! Ha. No." Shaking his head, then looking to her. "If your so good- why don't you train with us. Whoever wins- will keep their hide. How about that." Being rather snarky and arogant. Usually he was a tricker and just a bully but she had made him eat sand and that just WASNT COOL MAN!
Lucia:
"You're not all on your own either, Mr. Tough-Guy. You have a family, too, that keeps you safe," Luci shot back just before Kohaku stepped in between them. She liked him and disliked him for that all at the same time. It was sweet, he was being protective, but she didn't want to look like she was a weakling, either. She was, but she didn't want to look like one. Sure, she could be brave or something, but she was nothing like her older siblings or her parents. She'd never be as brave and strong as they were.
But at least she could pretend that someday she might.
"No. I'm not going to fight with you. It's not because I'm scared of you," she wasn't, not really. "Or because I think you'll hurt me. It's 'cause I'm bigger," well, not by much, but those Pridelander genes ran hard in her bloodline, "and because I don't want anyone to get hurt, me OR you."
She waved a paw in the air and let out a tired sigh.
"You're just like my cousin, only meaner."
Kowab'akmar:
Kowab was stickful when it came to that and he snuffed his nose up and huffed. "If it weren't for my mum I'd be out but still. I'm not 'pampered' in some .. place to be taught schooling. I am taught to be a warrior and my name will be known! I'm always training while your being some stupid cub!" He snapped and hissed before looking at Kohaku. Eyeing him before a growl settled in and once it hit, he tackled him right in to the Luci. Gnawing on him and thrashing him back and forth but Kohaku wasn't going down without a fight that's for sure.
Kohaku:
He was getting pissed and a growl was surfacing from his kind face. Now, really angry at Kowab. "JUST STOP!" He yelled out before getting pushed in to a frency of tumblings and gnawing! Thrashing each other around and biting his neck then ear to make him BEG for mercy but Kowab never just went down. He'd pull out some how!
Gin Matsuba:
When they started to go at it, the lioness rose from her wake and slowly started out to them. Knowing Kowab and Kohaku, they were brutes when it came to fighting and especially over something stupid. Well, she knew her son and he would fight endlessly and a smile grew on her face. Knowing that he wouldn't just go down neither. But once the frency of claws and teeth came she plucked the one out. Giving Luci a soft yet motherly look, as she threw Kohaku over her back. "You two can fight, but please don't cut in Kohaku's training time. You both can go at it." Eyeing Kowab then as he hissed with offense.
Lucia:
Luci was going to say something about her learning very valuable things in school, things that would prepare them for when they were choosing their paths in life. She was also going to say that as a cub you really don't have the sense to know what you wanna be when you grow up. But she didn't get a chance to say any of it, because Kowab was tackling Kohaku, shoving the other cub into her.
She rolled away and jumped up as soon as she could, ears folding back and tears of frustration filling her eyes.
"Stop fighting! Why does everyone have to fight all the time?!" she yelled at them, just as Kohaku's mother came over and broke it up. She wasn't sure who the lioness was talking to when she said you two, if it was the boys or if she meant her and Kowab. She didn't want to fight, she didn't want to have to see anyone fight. She knew what fighting did, her uncle had taken many days to heal from the last fight he had been in. And the scars. Why did there have to be fighting?
"I don't want anyone to fight," she said, sitting down and sniffing as she tried really hard not to cry. Her ears flicked back and she dipped her head to run the back of her paw against her eyes.
Gin Matsuba:
Gin was one stricked mother. Especially on Kohaku. It was apparent that he was taking on the family name no matter what he said about it, but he didn't look like he minded. As so, she had to move rather quickly to keep from having Kohaku jump off her back and run back. Going in between the roguelands and the pride of course- just in case if there was danger she could run up and snag kowab on the way out. Leaving to the highest point of the sand dune beside the small oasis and threw her cub down by the scruff. Lowering herself as she lifted her head in a tilt. "Your in training now. Forget the pass.. and the future. Calm down, forget about the girl- Kowab is not gunna hurt her. If he does, she must defeat him on her own."
Kohaku:
"Mother no! He'll hurt her! Nooooo~~~!!!" Then pulled away until he was tossed down. Still gazing over the girl and Kowab... What was her name? Luci? She was beautiful and didn't deserve Kowab's meaness but whatever mother said. He had to do. He was heir to his family's skills and leadership. Grunting as he looked at his mother. Pissed beyond belief but that didn't suit him well and threw himself at his mother, drawing out his claws and lashing at her but for some reason, for being so big, her step with quick and she dodged it him so easily and he should be faster!
Kowab'akmar:
When his partner was taken away, he shreiked and then rolled, laying on his back as 'pawed' at the air for Kohaku, then rolled again- to look at the girl. Almost so uninterested in her. "Who said I was fighting with you." An eyebrow was raised and a soft chuckle. "I did that to get on Kohaku's nerves." As he broke off in toi a laugh. "I don't fight girls." Laughing some more as he put a paw on his chest and laughed but then he got to his feet and physically showed himself going in to a pouncing mode but he really wasn't. He was only going for appearances so that Kohaku could 'believe' he was still gunna fight her and whimper because he couldn't do anything.
Lucia:
Luci watched as Kohaku was taken away and Kowab... He continued being mean! She continued wiping at her eyes, trying to stop crying, even if it was just a little bit.
"I didn't think you were gonna fight with me, but I don't like to see anyone fighting, especially when they don't have to," she replied, finally straightening up and staying that way. The look on her face was both innocent and wise at the same time.
"And it's not nice to do that to Kohaku, either. He was trying to be nice to me," she added, huffing a bit sadly. She frowned when he moved into a pouncing position, her ears moving from a sad position to a wary one. What was he doing now? Still being mean to Kohaku?
Kowab'akmar:
Lowering himself. "Just stay still." As he dodged forward, just missing her and growling, tossing himself on the ground then came right back up behind her. "Huh?" When he had came that close to her, almost skinning her, he saw her start to cry.. and he stopped. Trotting over to her and in front of her. "Why are you crying." He huffed, with a slight distaste for crying. His sisters and brothers did that all too much and he was quite tired of it. "Nice? That's for pansies." He laughed. "There is always a villian in every story too yea know." Chuckling as he referred to it that way, no one could fully understand. Kowab as Kohaku's best friend but he still loved and adored to annoy him and push his buttons. It's just how it turned out. "Eh, he'll get over it. Though, he did get more upset than usual." Shrugging.. as he pushed her shoulder. "Hey- stop that." Crying... It wans't cool at all.
Gin Matsuba:
She dodged out of the way with ease and realized that all the training with Kowab was amounting to nothing if he wasn't paying attention. "Forget that their there. Think on what your doing!" She yelled at him and once she got to his side, with all her shoved her paw in to his side and made him roll like a ragdoll some feet away. "Your not paying attention." She huffed. "You don't want to train huh." A slight disappointment in her voice.
Kohaku:
When he saw Kowab not too far off, he growled and while he jumped and swiped at his mother. He stopped and was about to dart towards the cubs but realized he had not hit her. Instead. He got closer to her, then shoved it and that made him even more made, until his thoughts were interuptted by getting thrown like a ragdoll by his mother. How embaressing was that! But he rolled and threw his head up in surprise. Anger too but mostly surprised, eyeing her and saw her tones and features. "I'm sorry mother." He heightened himself and didn't see him do anything yet so he had to throw his gaze away from them and start his training. Not to focus on them.. but he couldn't help to want to be in Kowab's place at that moment.. Something was just tugging at his chest but of course- he didn't know exactly what that was..
Lucia:
She sniffed again when he nudged her, telling her to stop crying. She had shut her eyes tight when he lunged at her, felling his fur brush hers when he did so.
"I know there are villains, too, but you don't have to be one," she replied, wiping her face one more time as she finally stopped crying.
"And being nice isn't for pansies. My papa and uncle are both nice and they're warriors. My uncle was even a general in their former pride and he won lots of fights there. And they both braved the desert wounded, my aunt, too. And she's really nice. So you can be brave and strong and a really good warrior and not have to be such a jerk about it!" The more she talked, the louder she got until she almost shouted the last part at him. She didn't really shout, of course, but it was a louder volume than normal and her tone was sharp.
"I should just go home," she growled, looking away from Kowab.
"That would be advisable." The deep, rumbling voice caused Luci to spin around and quite literally run into huge legs covered in dark fur gloves. Brown eyes traveled upward until they finally met her uncle's stoic golden ones. He was frowning down at her, but that was his usual look, really, his pelt securely hiding the scars on his back, though the claw marks that ran down his sides and the almost invisible scars on his cheek were ones he couldn't hide.
Her ears flicked back, pretty sure she was in trouble.
"Hello, Uncle..."
Kohaku:
He threw himself again, and again and again his mother evaded. They got in several trails before his whole body started to 'catch fire' and the hot sands were burning his paws. It was much harder training here for sure and his anger seemed to be exhausted not soon after and at that point when he was about to jump at his mother. In mid flight..
Gin Matsuba:
Gin smelt a male nearby. It was apparent and from the pride for sure.. After the many trials- it was short though and would loved to have trained more. She had to move and get Kowab away. Catching her son in her maw in mid flight before tossing him on her back just as quickly as she ran off. Feeling her son's paws dig in to her skin. Latching on almost for dear life as she surprised even Kowab when she seemed to 'appear' behind him.
Kowab'akmar:
Kowab wasn't trained to 'smell' out anything. He was left in the dust. "But then there is no balance." He tried to justify himself. When she did stop crying he gave her a playful grin. "There we go." He went on as if he was almost proud.Til she started to talk all that 'happy' stuff. His eyes rolled as she went on and on, as her voice rose, he pawed and cleaned out his ear in a yawn. "Well. Everyone around me is good and that's no fun. How do we play guards and thieves then? Someone has to be the theif." Shaking his head in her just way of having to be 'good.' "Yea. Well.. if you are going.. I think then its 'hero' like to take you home or see your-" Before he realized when opening his eyes in a much larger blink that a rather large male was right behind her. For a moment his body stopped.. 'Oh shi* I'm in trouble', "LUCI~" Then stopped when she said uncle and quickly jumped back and lowering himself. 'Oh- it's one of her family. He looked scary there for a moment~'. "Hi." He eyed the male and took a step forward as if to say that he wasn't scared.
Gin Matsuba:
The female wasn't amused that the male had snuck past her but thank the spirits she was in the vacinity to get to where Kowab was rather quickly. Looking unfeared, and ears straight back as she stood tall with her chin up. Almost in some type of half stalk and half waiting stance. What she was awaiting for? Who the male was and why was he so close to her cubs... But hearing Kowab she still didn't loosen but was almost accepted.
Lucia:
Luci looked over at Kowab. He had sounded... Well, it had been a warning. She wanted to tell him that there was a difference between play-fighting and making someone mad enough to fight with you, but that sort of left her mind when Kohaku's mom came running up to stand behind Kowab. She watched her uncle's body twitch ever so slightly and she knew he had just tensed ever muscle in his body, ready to grab her and get away if he needed to.
Quickly, she jumped and hugged his leg, looking from Kohaku's mom, then back to her uncle.
"I'msorryUncle!" she cried, making sure to emphasize his relation to her, just so that the lioness knew this wasn't a stranger.
"Saul was being mean again and I just ran and ran and then I thought I got lost, but then I found the way back, but I fell and ran into this cub and his friend's mama said I could stay for a bit and they were nice to me, I promise, it's all okay, is Papa looking for me, am I in trouble?" The words came out in a flood as she clung to her father's half-brother, watching as he continued to keep his eye on the lioness.
Glozelle:
Gloz tensed when the lioness ran up, ready in case he had to get Luci out of there. Females were ever protective of their young, even against those with no harm intended. But then Luci grabbed his leg and started going off on everything that had happened.
He took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh with a roll of his eyes.
"You could have run home, or to my den. He knows he's not allowed there," he replied sternly, his sharp eyes returning to the lioness as he spoke to his niece. No one knew that Luci had gone off, he'd only figured it out when he heard her voice over the sands. It had been faint even though he was close on his patrol, but that was because she never raised her voice too loudly.
"And, no, your father is not looking for you. Though if he finds out, I imagine you will be in trouble."
Gin Matsuba:
She was even gunna protect the girl if she had to but it was apparent they were related and the girl was rather loud about it. The rise in voice did make it sound differently though. As if she yelled because she was scared and gave a nod- untouching her tense muscles. Still she was protective but that was just the way she was. Especially now that she had cubs. Bowing her head as she lowered herself and pulled Kowab's tail in and placed a paw on his back. Still not breaking her gaze. "We do not come to harm, only to train in your hot sand. Are you opposed to this?" Before that, before everything that happened to her and before her kids. She would have fought him in a heart beat but she mellowed. "As your...niece says. Again we need no harm."
Kohaku and Kowab'akmar:
Both boys had been rather quiet since the grown ups were talking. Although both stayed quiet..
Kowab'akmar:
Kowab squished away and slowly came up more closer and he was rather.. Confused. Making a frown as he thought she was just so deseperate to get away from him. Ears went back as she couldn't help but be sorta peeved at her. Whimpering to her uncle.. and running from a boy she had talked about earlier. Well- she called them alike so he guessed he wasn't allowed in her uncle's den neither. Huffing then sat down with a thud as he looked disappointed at her.
Lucia:
Unbeknownst to Kowab, Luci had made her little stunt to her uncle to make sure no one did something they would regret before things were sorted out. Her uncle probably figured it, he could be really observant sometimes, except when Auntie Ebio was fawning over him, and he noticed changes in personality. She never made those kinds of outbursts, he'd probably drill her with questions when they got home. But, she kind of figured that would be better than a lecture from her papa... But she'd probably tell him what happened, anyways. It was just how she was.
"They were really nice to me, Uncle. Even though they're boys. Not bad at all." Okay, it was a lie. Well, maybe not a lie, Kowab wasn't bad, he was just mean. But she didn't want to tell her uncle about that, he would just get irritated at Kowab like he was at Saul. At least Kowab hadn't done anything physically to her (Like pouncing her and almost breaking her bottle) and he'd even seemed a bit nicer when she'd started crying. He hadn't called her whiney. And she had been the one to run into him, and he had said that he was only being mean to get Kohaku riled, which wasn't a nice thing, but...
Her thoughts rambled on for a moment before she blinked and looked over her shoulder at the dark cub, a small smile on her face. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
Glozelle:
Gloz's look remained neutral as he nodded to the lioness.
"I do not see issue in this. I merely came over because I heard my niece's voice. The cubs are not supposed to be out this far, especially without a guardian present," he replied with a short nod of his head. He glanced down at the black boy-cub, one eyebrow raised at the look his niece was giving the little male. Oh, yes, she would certainly have a talk ready for when they got home, he just knew it. And Ebio would probably find that absolutely adorable, much as he disliked being referred to as adorable.
"I was finishing my rounds, if you need any assistance," he added, returning his attention to the lioness. She was the one training the boys, though he had a feeling the focus was more on the one on her back. The black one did not look too much like her and he had been with Luci rather than training with the other. If she didn't need any help, or someone to watch the black cub while she trained the other, he would simply take Luci home.
Gin Matsuba:
Now that she knew the pride members made their rounds this far out she planted her rump down and let her son fall down her back. Feeling his claws withdraw half way down. A hiss to her pur. Eye rolling as she looked back at her son then looked to Gloz. "I am Gin Matsuba of the Chokwe. My son Kohaku, and my friend's son Kowab. We will not be a bother I'm sure then." Looking down at Kowab.. Placing her paw back on him. "It seems that they have not finished~ Do you mind her staying at least for a goodbye then. Hopefully we will meet again."
Kowab'akmar:
Goodbyes. Not. He was pissed, she was leaving and she only gave him a smile and that peeved him off. Becoming more grumpy at the situation. "Well I was talking with her. Why would I say bye." He retorted back to them. His fur bristled a little and had to quiet down when Gin put her paw on his back- it signified it being so he was quiet. "Just gunna say bye and leave." He grumbled under his breath.
Kohaku:
Kohaku slid behind his mother and came out from her side. Looking to Luci and Kowab, and seeing how he was reacting. It was odd, protective and even angry at an adult which was semi usual but he didn't much speak out on it. Lowering his ears he came up to Kowab's side. "We still wanna play." He was still a little out of breath from the short training but still. He knew his best friend like the back of his paw.. Just he didn't want to 'share'.. knowing that he would come here often- not him.
Lucia:
Luci looked back up at her uncle, poking her lip out a bit.
"Could I stay just a bit more?" she asked, eyes pleading. Silently, she mouthed the words 'I think I have friends'. It was... kind of a big thing for her. She didn't have friends back home, mostly just family. And those were just her siblings, Saul, and she kind of knew Gloz's adopted daughter Zhen, but she didn't have any friends.
The fact that these potential friends were in a completely different pride and lived who knows where had not quite settled in yet.
Kowab seemed suddenly grumpy, and he didn't want to say goodbye. And he had said he would walk her home earlier, did he not want her to go? He had seemed so irritated by some of what she did and yet now he was getting grumpy over the idea that she was leaving. It was weird, she couldn't really figure him out.
Glozelle:
"I do not mind. If you wish to continue training with your son, I could watch these two for a bit," Gloz replied, his mouth quirking a bit at one side when he looked down at his niece, giving her what passed for his smile. He had caught what she had mouthed and it softened his heart. He knew she didn't have many friends. Her aversion to pouncing games tended to isolate her, and the chance that these boys might be potential friends was a good thing. It worried him, though, that Gin had said they were of another pride. It could hurt Luci if she got her hopes up and never saw the boys again.
He sat down in the sand and curled his tail around his side slightly, making it clear that he didn't mind staying if Luci wanted to.
Gin Matsuba:
"Thank you.. we had fallen being schedule on his training.. I thank you but the sun is already covered in clouds and the sand is cooler now. We may come back soon to train fully." But she wouldn't stray far, he did seem nice to look after them but one could never know. Slowly she made it apparent that spending some time watching over them would be best. Lowering herself in a lay as she looked at her son and friend's son with eyes of a hawk, but a sly hawk.
Kohaku:
"Thank you." Bowing his head as he went up to Luci with a soft and bright smile across his face. Looking back at his mother as she lowered herself and looked back at Luci. "So, if you don't train. What do you like doing? I never asked, I was drawn away but~ I wanna know.. maybe we could play something you like or?" Coming between Kowab and Luci.. knowing how direct Kowab was being, he continued as if to get to know her. Maybe he didn't want her to leave since himself was out training? Noting the way he protected her in the first place? He didn't know but he was determined to know this girl..
Kowab'akmar:
Ears went open as happiness started to tickle his face and he was about to smile when they decided they could be around each other for just a little more, a grin twitch on the sides until Kohaku went in between them. Ears flatted back and he lowered his head a little huffing and tossing his gaze away from her as he got up and gruffed. "Nauh, I'm good. We could say bye and leave." Seemingly uninterested now.
Lucia:
Luci smiled when her uncle and Kohaku's mom said she could stay around for a little while longer. Kohaku was getting to stay too, and he seemed happy, too. He got in between her and Kowab and asked her what she liked to do if she didn't train. Smiling, she opened her mouth to reply, but then Kowab got grumpy again. He even wanted to leave. Was it because Kohaku was there? Oh, no, was she getting in between two friends? She didn't want to do that...
"Um... Well... I like exploring, but I don't think we can do that. I run and climb trees," only more often than not she was pretending she was racing. Only there wasn't anyone to race with. She didn't want to share her games with Saul, and her siblings were usually elsewhere. She wanted to play tracking games, she thought she might be good at that, but they couldn't really play that here, either, she didn't think Uncle Gloz or Kohaku's mom would be okay with that.
"I think I'd like hide-and-seek, too, but I don't think we can really play any of those things right now..." she said, rubbing one paw against the other a little nervously.
Glozelle:
Gloz nodded and scooted back a bit, giving the cubs space. He didn't think this little gathering would last very long, and hoped that they would be back sometime soon, and possibly often. Luci needed other cubs to play with instead of playing her games on her own all the time.
He turned his attention away from the other lions around him, standing and walking back up to the top of the dune behind him so that he could keep an eye out for the rest of the desert around them.
Kowab'akmar:
"Dude- We gotta leave. Look- she has to go. Ok give it up. Your pushing her in to a damn corner." He slurred out. Grumpy indeed and although he wasn't gunna state his jealousy.. he couldn't be the happy go lucky, protective like and if that is what she was in to. Fine. Him and Kohaku could play whenever she wasn't around. Although he already knew this would end badly if he continued on his rampage so he went up to gin and laid beside her. Looking away.
Kohaku:
"Eh?" He turned to Kowab, noticing that maybe he was right.. He looked up at where the older male went and tracked a few paw sides away."I'm sorry.. Is your uncle mad?" Lowering his head as he came up close to her and softly putting a paw to her head. "We'll come back then so we could play those games. Mother and I will be back here soon to train.. we could meet up here in.. let's say three days?" Being kind just radiated out of him, like light and dark against the best friends... "Kowab won't be here next time so.." Looking down, shy about asking. Usually this was easy for Kowab's siblings..
Lucia:
Luci's ears drooped a little bit when Kowab walked away. He was a little right, they weren't really going to be able to do anything. Probably the most they would be able to do right now was talk to one another.
She looked back at her uncle.
"Oh, no, he's just being himself. That's what guardians do" she replied, turning back to Kohaku. She gave him a little smile.
"Oh, why won't he be?" The question came out before she really thought about it. At least her tone didn't show her disappointment.
"I mean, you're coming to train with your mom, I don't wanna distract from that..."
Kowab'akmar:
The distant but angry cub was one that was more push and shove than the gentle giant of a cub that was Kohaku. Kowab's ears were placed back as he looked on, everything... Being the way he was, he couldn't help but feel distant and different but thats what made these two best friends. Now, if Kohaku would want to go after Luci and persue it, which he didn't think that it was ever gunna happen but if he did. He would step down, IF her were interested and frankly he felt he didn't have to. When would they ever see each other again? False hope, that was ALL Kohaku's mind cared for. Too many goals... Kowab was simple. No goals except to become a name that every one would remember. Something big, no matter good or bad. Luci was nice, but why throw himself a bone. "You'are doing it again Haku." He fake sneezed.
Kohaku:
A sigh, he didn't want to give up but definately he would come back to see her! She was cute, and he didn't mind talking with her much at all. Ears perked up as he laughed some at her question. "Nauh, He snuck here with me. His mum won't let him do anything." He tried to mouth to her without speaking too high, his mother was keen on her ears and would overhear and probably be upset the whole way home. "I'll come as often as I can. When I grow up, I can visit you on my own and we could hang out after my training now?" Her smile was so pretty, he couldn't help but want to snug her like he did his own siblings. Males included. A gentle giant to be like his dad. Nyack. "Mother gives me breaks.. don't worry your head. If I come on over, maybe you could watch me train or even spar a few with me! It helps for hunting too yea know." Giving a heavy looking nod.
Lucia:
Luci made a face of understanding at Kohaku's explanation.
"Well, it wouldn't be terrible if he did it again. Races and hide-and-seek are more fun with more players." At least, that's what she thought. She'd didn't have any experience with either game. She kept her voice down when she said it, though, just as he had kept his voice low. It probably had to do with his mom.
"I'll probably being Uncle Gloz with me when I come, so I don't get in trouble," she added before looking thoughtful. Would she wish to train and spar with him? Part of her didn't really want to, she didn't want to learn how to fight because that meant she was accepting the fact that she someday would or might have to. But then... her siblings were brave and they sometimes practiced fighting with one another. Maybe she should learn. It wasn't like they'd actually be fighting, there was no harsh feelings and she didn't think they'd actually hurt one another.
"Maybe. I don't know what I'm going to be, I think maybe a nanny like my aunt, so I probably won't be hunting or fighting much. But I could maybe try. We'll see, okay?"
Gin Matsuba:
Gin's face was rather odd, as she looked on to her son. Interacting with other cubs was fine and all.. but now this was a girl and on top of that.. He was giving some attention to, though he did that was his siblings and friend's siblings she couldn't bring herself to say that it was the same affection. Shaking her head as she gave him a few minutes to say his goodbyes. Everyone was saying it- she would have gotten a few good hours in for fighting but that was unlikely now.. The sun wasn't even out now and her offspring needed their mother back home. So did returning Kowab to his mother. "'Haku~" Her voice trailed as she got up and turned to walk off. Then softly she took her back paw and pushed Kowab before walking away in a slow and alluring manner. Unlikely that she was doing it on purpose but now she was becoming more comfortable in her own skin..
Kohaku:
"I wish it was that easy, he loves my mum but his mum makes the decisions.. she is over protective. Yep! I wish he could come more often.." Kohaku's ears went up as he heard his mother calling. Shaking his head, it sucked he had to leave. Looking back at her as he went to look on at Luci. Taking a few steps towards her to break the gap between them. Eyes soft and tender, he softly put his forehead against hers.. Nyack did this was Gin multiple times before.. "I'll be back soon.. Don't go rogue on me ok?" Lifting off her head, and gave that handsome smile that he gave to everyone except more softer. Kinder.. Starring at her with determination before he bounced off. "Bye Luci!~" He looked back and thrashed himself in to Kowab. Laughing as he side stepped and started off after his mother.. Turning to see what Kowab was doing if not for following after him.
Kowab'akmar:
The black cub's head was almost again pushed in to the sand.. and when he lifted his head up, he saw Kohaku touch foreheads and that's when he knew. 'Just give it up.' Reality was hitting him but he couldn't help but feel torn and hurt over it. No, not hurt. Angry. Keeping his eyes locked on her as he watched her facial features move. Her words.. Everything about her, he will begin to hate when time passes. When he got run in to, it looked like he didn't even see Kohaku coming at all. Slamming in to him, he didn't even looked phased! But kept his eyes on her.. No. He wouldn't say goodbye.. Nor see you later. Why would he. It would only hurt, he made sure he got a good look at her, and her do the same before he closed his eyes to break the gaze before throwing himself in a full run- stopping in front of her. Starring in her eyes as he was just a breath away from her, second after, tackling her.. Right when he was on top of her.. the oddest thing came over him.. His eyes went to look in to hers before he leaned down and gave her a 'kiss' before jumping off of her and running away.. The ultimate pay back for both her and Kohaku at once! But it pissed him off that Kohaku already turned and didn't see the retaliation. Damnit~ He'd have to bug him later.. turning his head to see how she managed before completely disappearing in to the dunes with the family.
Lucia:
Luci was saddened that they had to leave now. How strange it was that she had just met the boys and had even literally run into them doing so, and yet she wanted more time, wanted to be friends. Maybe it was because she hadn't met others who were as nice or confusingly pleasant as Kohaku and Kowab. Either way, she wanted them to come back soon, both of them. Maybe even bring some of their siblings along... No, she didn't know if she could divide her attention enough for more cubs. She could barely halve it for these two. And it almost seemed like... like they were fighting over her attention.
She smiled when Kohaku touched his forehead against hers, but it was something of an awkward one. She didn't really know why he had done it and she didn't really know if it was something she was supposed to do or allow. Sometimes she saw her aunt and uncle do that, but it was usually proceeded or followed by nuzzling (on both their parts) or purring (on her aunt's). But his words were so sweet, she softened and nodded.
"I won't go anywhere," she replied as he pulled away and waved a paw at him when he ran off to his mother. She kind of wanted Kowab to say goodbye, too, but she decided he wouldn't. Not even a long pass of the sun and she felt she was beginning to read him a bit. She caught him looking at her and her smile brightened just a bit. Maybe she was wrong, maybe he would say goodbye. Maybe Kohaku was wrong and he would sneak off again next time. That would be fun, they could all play hide-and-seek together when Kohaku was done training and when he was, she could do something with Kowab. Maybe. Or maybe just watch, she'd never seen training before.
While she was thinking, Kowab had looked away, but the next thing she knew, he was running at her and tackled her into the sand!
"Kowab, what are yo-" Her words were stopped when he gave her a little kiss, her eyes wide in surprise. Before she could do anything, he was gone again, running back towards his friend and Gin. Cheeks flushed under her golden fur, she sat up, completely ignoring the sand on her for the moment, and waved goodbye to them, a semi-dazed look still on her face.
"B-bye!" she called after them as she felt her uncle move down to stand behind her.
