Word count: 1,484
Chuk played by Summer Rain 07
Muli played by Das Tor
Another day of travel, and they would be home. Home among the jungles of the Achana, with their friends and good memories. Oh, they certainly had those out in the rogue lands too...but the Achana was home. Mzimulizi couldn't help but smile at the thought of that word; 'Home'. Perhaps that was true freedom...The knowledge that no matter where your paws took you, you had a home to return to.
The red and white lioness tested the strength of the tree she'd found by pressing against it with her full weight. When it held, she looked over to her mate. "If you like it, I think this is a good place to rest for the night."
Chuk yawned as he walked alongside his mate. It had been a while since they had se t off on their journey, and he started to get homesick too. But with every step they took, it was another step closer to their home. Back to the trees where they raised their litter, and more importantly, the place they fell in love.
The jungle would always hold a special place in his heart. And after living there for so long, nothing else seemed to compare to the feeling of comfort it brought.
The leopard smiled as he looked watched his mate, smiling as she tested out the tree. He nodded, "It's perfect." He said as he jumped up and climbed into one of the lower branches to see if he could spot anyone else nearby that would give them trouble for the night.
"That's good." She giggled. "Just think...before I met you, I wouldn't have been able to tell a good tree for perching in from a weak one." She yawned and stretched, shaking herself when she finished. "See any trouble, love? Or shall I join you up there for the night?"
He laughed lightly, "The perks of knowing a leopard huh?" He smiled as he jumped back down onto the soft grass. "Nothing to worry about tonight, dear." He said as he nuzzled against his mate, laying down at the base of the tree.
Muli nodded. "Indeed." She returned the nuzzle, glad it wouldn't be a worriful night. "It's nice to be going home, isn't it?" She settled beside him, a content smile on her face. It was hard to believe she'd had a life before him. It was nice, finding the love of one's life so quickly in life.
Summ: He nodded as she sat beside her. "Yeah, it's seemed like its been forever since we were home." He said as he started to groom her, "I'm ready to be back."
Muli sighed. "Me too. I wonder how much has changed..." She giggled. "How the cubs that were there have grown up, what romances have started, what new stories await us..." She wondered who had come and who had gone...
He laughed lightly as he started to think about it. He had known so many young cubs. He wondered how many of them were grown, how many were bigger than him. One of the downsides of being a leopard was that almost everyone was taller than him. But he didn't mind too much, as long as he was with his mate. "I bet a lot has..." He said as he started to groom her, "We've been gone for a long while."
Muli laughed softly. "We have indeed. Hopefully, our friends are still there." She gave him an amused look. "Would be a shame if they'd all moved on elsewhere." She knew Toh and Huang and the others likely would still be there, of course. After all, they were the leadership, the founders. She hoped Kairi was still there too. She'd always appreciated the leopardess' company.
He laughed lightly, "I'm sure they are." He smiled as he thought about everyone, "And even if they aren't, we can always make new friends." He smiled as he thought about how easy it seemed for them to make friends. "Besides, some of our cubs might still be there to greet us."
"Very true." Muli smiled brightly. "I'd love to make new friends either way!" Old friends were precious, but new friends were treasures as well. And...the thought of her cubs that had remained in the coalition greeting them was a very welcome one. "I hope so. I've missed them greatly."
He nodded. He started to wonder which ones had mate’s of they’re own and if he’d be a grandfather yet. He knew none of them could have cubs of they’re own, but adoption was always an option for them. He did really miss the idea of cubs running around. “Hey Muli,” he said as he stopped grooming her, “What do you think of the idea of having more cubs running around?” He smiled lightly.
Muli gave him a curious look when he stopped his grooming...then giggled. "I love the idea of more cubs. I miss the sound of small paws, in all truth." And small paws that weren't your own cubs, blood or adopted, just...weren't the same. "You miss having cubs as well?"
His smile brightened at her resopnse. "I do." He laughed lightly. "I miss them using me as a playground." He smiled as he thought of cubs jumping on him, and nipping at his paws and ears. "I also miss teaching them how to hunt." He smiled as memories of their cubs came flooding back.
The lioness smiled and leaned to groom his ear. "We'll have cubs again one day, love. Cubs you can teach to hunt, and I can teach to sing and dance. And they'll be able to give their older siblings some company. And perhaps practice for if they ever adopt cubs."
"Haha Very true." He was sure some of his cubs missed having come of their siblings around. Maybe they would like the company of younger siblings. "I know I'm out of practice." He laughed again as he started to nuzzle his mate again, "Living without little ones running around made me forget what it was like."
Muli giggled. "Well...we'll learn how to live with them again together." She returned the nuzzling. "And this time, you won't miss a thing."
He smiled and licked her cheek. "As long as we're together, how could I miss anything?" He said softly as the two of them settled down for one more night away from home. Soon they would be back where they belonged, and ready to start a family again. And this time, he'd be there to do it right.
