Even as strong as Nkuku was, even he could not fight the desert's heat. Even as he left it's sandy borders it still felt as if the place attempted to suck the life from him. The head of the desert had nearly drained him of his energy, and the minimal food he had managed to catch, let alone a near lack of water, had left the lion in a poor state. It seemed all he could do now to keep going. The sun above seemed to shine down much hotter than it ever had in his mountainous home, but perhaps it was just his imagination, or the lack of any real sustenance for so long. At any rate he was glad to once more be able to feel solid ground beneath his paws. The ever shifting sands had been an unsettling feeling, so used to the hard dirt and stone of his home lands, and he was glad to be gone from the desert. However even as he drug himself across the grainy lands hope was still dwindling in the beast.
His long mane hung ragged about him, his skin hanging looser than it should have around his bones, which showed easily through it. If he could find nothing substantial to eat than Nkuku saw little hope for himself in this outside world, one he had little knowledge of and had only seen at a distance as a vague green blur. There had been very few days where he pondered about what was beyond the sea of desert, but he was content where he was, so such thoughts did not linger long. Now he had been kicked from his own, the circumstances quite unfair, and now found himself within that distant green blur.
The black and pink lion slowly moved through the grass, his head hanging low. He would have to find something to eat soon, though after the trek through the desert he doubted he even had the energy to chase something down. Even a lame gazelle would likely out run him at this point. The thought made him cringe with disgust. He did not like this feeling of weakness. He was a young, strong lion, and perhaps a bit larger than most, at least many of his old pride. However here he was, barely able to keep himself upright. The feeling did not last long though, as mast seemed to do lately. His mind didn't seem able to hold on to one thought for too long.
Just then he glanced up towards the sky, seeking the sun within it's blue expanse. It appeared to be after midday, if he was reading the sin's position correctly. That still left him some few hours before night would fall. If he could manage a meal before then he could at least sleep somewhat comfortable, however the likelihood of that was, well, he doubted he would manage to catch anything filling, if anything at all. Just then he spotted a few buzzards circling, one of the group descending until it disappeared past a hill, likely having landed. Food. The thought popped immediately into his head. Where there were buzzards there was sure to be some carcass lying around. He didn't like the idea of scavenging an old kill as much as catching a fresh one, but then again he also rather liked the idea of not starving to death.
The prospect of food spurred the thin lion on, his pace quickening a bit as he moved towards the hill he had seen the bird disappear behind. It felt as if he would never reach it, like the land was stretching ever on to keep him away from whatever lie beyond. It seemed to take what strength he had left just to keep himself going. Finally Nkuku came to the hill, pausing at it's crest as he searched for the avian. It did not take long though. A small group of vultures stood and hopped around a felled beast, one he could not quite make out from here. Nkuku nearly stumbled down the hill in his rush to get to whatever the cultures were feasting on. He lumbered towards them, letting out as lour a roar as he could. While hoarse, and perhaps not as loud as he had hoped, it at least served to startle the birds enough for most to take to the air. Those that did not hopped around the carcass, eyeing Nkuku as he neared.
Nkuku threw himself at the carcass, shielding it from the vultures with his body as he tore into it. He wasn't about to give up this meal now, even if he had not been the one to bring it down. As he ate he watched the vultures closely, as well as constantly looking past them. He doubted he could defend the meal from anything more than a vulture, luckily though he found no need to do so. The meal continued in relative peace, though he was constantly watched by the vultures he had chased off. Then hobbled about just beyond his reach, just waiting for the chance to get back to their stolen meal. After he had eaten his feel Nkuku pulled himself upright and moved away from the remains. The vultures set upon it quickly afterwards, though he no longer payed them any mind.
As the lion moved away he slowly searched around for somewhere to rest, somewhere sheltered. The sky was darkening quickly, and he would have preferred not to lie out in the open. However as he walked, even with food in his belly, he still found himself with little strength to go on. The large male slowly sunk to the ground, unable to continue. It seemed as if he would just have to take his chances in the open for the night, as he couldn't summon up enough energy to go any further. Nkuku stared up at the sky fro where he lay, watching as it darkened. His eyelids grew heavy, and he could feel himself drifting quickly towards sleep. It was unlikely to be a very restful one, but at least it wouldn't be as bad as the desert nights had been. "I hope it doesn't rain." He thought to himself before exhaustion finally got the best of him.
[Word Count: 1051]
