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It has taken them awhile, but the scenery was slowly starting to change from that of the Pridelands to something quite different- they were approaching a more desert-like area, after travelling in the direction Kijibwa knows the Jungle to be in. He's passed by the desert before, so he isn't too concerned- as long as they don't go through it, he's good.

Once the changes in the landscape are different enough to notice you aren't in the Pridelands anymore if you take the time to look, Kijibwa stops and turns to his travelling companion.

"Well," he says, grinning, "We're definetely out of the Pridelands now. But we aren't that far away yet. Still want to see the Jungle?"

Kijibwa beams proudly at the little lioness, making a note to travel a bit slower so it'll be easier for her to keep up- though impressed she's kept up so well without losing spirit so far. He shakes his mane, still getting used to how thick it is, especially now that it goes all the way around his whole head.

"Good," he nods, "We have to go through a drier area, and it's not so nice there. I was told there are some nasty lions in the desert, but I don't think we have to worry. Once we get around the dry land, we get to the Jungle."

His little speech ends quite excitedly.

If neither of them calmed down, what a trip this would turn out to be! Fortunately, Kijibwa manages some form of calm while watching Siku circle excitedly. How different she is now that they've left the Pridelands! Being a rogue is definetely the way to be.

"We shouldn't have too much trouble," he agrees brightly, "I made it through by myself at your size, and I'm like- twice that now." He pauses a moment to look at one of his paws, before nodding- twice sounds right.

He grins when she suddenly turns doubtful, walking over to her and nudging her gently, "Of course we can. Don't question your own opinion on that!"

Kijibwa turns his eyes in the direction they're headed, trying to judge how far they could go as they are now. He turns back to Siku thoughtfully, "We should look for water and do some hunting around here before we go further, maybe. What do you think?"

Kijibwa doesn't seem to notice her looking at him funny after his comment about being her size once before. His disposition stays confident and excited, not only for him but for Siku. His blue eyes fall back on Siku's when she suggests a rest.

"Rest is definetely a good idea," he agrees, then looks around them, "We won't go farther faster until we've rested and gotten atleast some water, I'd say."

His gaze continues to move, as if expecting a waterhole to appear out of nowhere.

"Prey is more scarce in dry lands," he replies, though he doesn't look back to Siku yet, "Some birds, and snakes and stuff..nearer the sand are small.. uh.. crackly things.." He can't remember what it was that Amoret had gotten for him in the desert that day, but he didn't forget that she did. Smiling, Kiji looks back to Siku.

Kijibwa sits down and curls his tail around his paws, chuckling at her questions of these crackly things. Sadly, he himself is unsure of the answer- but he can do his best to explain to the lioness.

"Kind of like bugs, I guess," he says thoughtfully, "We'll have to watch out for some. They're not bad when you're really hungry."

He straightens up a bit when Siku suddenly declares the point unimportant, and moves on to a much more sensible question- something he hadn't really been concerned with before now. He'd assumed they would just.. just.. breeze on through these lands.

Kijibwa laughs to himself, but soon quiets and gives Siku a calculating look.

"How fast we go depends on a couple of things," he says after a short silence, "You haven't gone on this kind of journey before, right? Not this far away, anyway. Do you want to try to enjoy the gradual change in scenery, or just get right to the Jungle?"

He grins.

"We'll have to be careful with either option, I'd say," he adds, "But it's up to you, Siku."

Kijibwa keeps a confident grin on his face, though his confidence is not with himself, it's with Siku- and that's almost too obvious from his expression. He waits patiently as she deliberates, letting her think over the pros and cons of moving slowly or quickly.

His thoughts reason out the situation as well, seeing the potential of either choice but fully prepared to let Siku decide for herself. When she finally speaks up, he doesn't look surprised by her answer, or confused with her reasoning.

"Very good," he says, "The quicker we go, the less time we have to mess up, and the more time we'll have to enjoy the jungle."

Kijibwa watches Siku carefully, pleased to see that she smiles a bit- more convinced than ever that getting out and about will be good for her. He looks off in the distance when he sees her eyes move, and his ears flatten as her tail thumps.

Hesitation. Not unusual for the lioness, but not something to be encouraged. He turns himself around entirely to face Siku and reassure her when she asks if he has anyone to say goodbye to.

"I say my goodbyes at each parting," he explains, smiling, "I don't always expect to stay in one spot, and you're the first one I've stuck with this long. I don't have any, but I can wait if you want to say some goodbyes."

Kiji leans down to look her in the eyes, despite that she is obviously avoiding eye contact now.

Kijibwa waits patiently for her answer, smiling a bit. Siku certainly is quite different from him- mainly in that she knows her family, and doesn't seem so sure of herself all of the time. The most important thing, though, is what they have in common, and that's the eagerness to move.

It's not like she couldn't come back here, either. Though he doesn't know for himself, Kiji can guess that parents are different than other lions you run into- you'd be more likely to find them again.

"The jungle is beautiful," he says with a grin, "Much, much nicer than the dry lands. The opposite, even. Trees aren't the only green things there, there are more plants and flowers.. it's much more colorful than around here."

He pauses, then chuckles.

"Unless you count some of the lions around," he nods, "There are some colorful lions, right? Well, it's that colorful, only it's plants and all together at once."

His tail brushes against the dusty ground as he looks off in the distance thoughtfully.

"It's where I learned to hunt," Kiji explains, "It's easier to hide there, but not always so easy to catch food because of the trees. I ran into a tree when I first started hunting.."