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 Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:21 pm
(( Ininitially for Tanaka and Kiuma, then the two minions as well. Others are welcome to cross paths so long as you ask first. ^^ ))  The growing sunlight glistened in his mane, the colors of dawn reflected off his white hide, paws tinged with the green of grass beneath his feet. One green eye looked toward the horizon, focusing on the next leg of the journey, the next destination. A faint smirk crossed his maw at the thought of what lay ahead, at the thought of the journey he shared with his mate, the red lioness that was always at his side. He inhaled the air that was so full of life, so unsuspecting, it was exilerating and he longed for the days and nights that he and Kiuma would share.
Dark ears flicked, his nose twitching, ever aware of his surroundings. Joyous though he may be at the continued journey, the presence of the red lioness filling him with emotions he had never thought possible, the meeting with his nephew still hung at the back of his mind. Snarling silently to the unseen threat, Tanaka swore that the red lioness would never be harmed, that the god of war would never get the chance to touch her.
Pushing those thoughts away, he turned to Kiuma, a broad smile crossing his maw as he looked over her form. She was beautiful, not only in body, but in spirit, and he relished her company and the love they shared.
"It is a beautiful morning."
There was a smirk in his voice, something mischevious and sinister, though it was aimed at nothing in particular. It was as if he was simply thinking of those unfortunate enough to cross their path, of their unsuspecting prey that lay ahead, oblivous to the approach of the predators.
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:00 pm
The object of his gaze raised her sleek head and glared at him, her lips curling in a snarl. Obviously, she didn't share his current frame of mind. Though she'd tried her best to hide it, she'd been feeling off lately, especially in the mornings when she felt down right sick. Even now, her stomach clenched like a fist inside her, nausea making her irritable and impatient. The red lioness padded closer to her mate, seeking comfort in his large, solid form.
"This morning is hell." She grumbled, brushing her shoulder against his. "Damn sun is making my eyes hurt." The nausea wasn't the only problem on the lioness's mind right now. She'd started to gain weight, despite the hard travel and scarce food. It wasn't obvious right now, just a little thickening around her middle, but she felt the increase in each step she took, in the greater effort it took to launch her body into the deadly spring that brought down prey. Vaguely, she wondered if a little faster pace might help her shed the excess.
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:17 pm
The white lion paused, standing with one paw off the ground as he watched the lioness. He had been caught off guard by her reaction, normally Kiuma was so full of life, always excited to get out into the world again, to terrorize those that lay in their path. But this morning she seemed irritiable, now that he thought about it she'd been that way a lot lately. He had assumed that it was simply irritation at the two followers they'd picked up in the graveyard, who fortunately had not shown themselves yet this morning. But maybe there was something more to it, and he found himself wondering what.
"I didn't think it was that bad."
Frowning slightly, he puzzled over her words, gently nuzzling against her neck as she touched him, curling about her smaller form as if to protect and shelter her from the sun and whatever else had been bothering her lately. Tail flicking, he purred softly to her, hoping to improve her mood, to comfort her somehow.
Silently he contemplated to himseld, reflecting on his mate's recent mood and subtle changes in her behavior. And had she gained weight? Being as close as they were, Tanaka picked up on even the slightest change, but that didn't make sense...they had remained as active as always...unless...
Tanaka's eyes suddenly widened as his thoughts shot back to the events of the graveyard, to his fight with Mrost and to what had happened after; to what they had shared under that giant skull that day and the times they had shared afterward. She wasn't.....was she....?
He blinked to himself, wrapping a paw around the red lioness and holding her to him in a sudden instinctive protectiveness.
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:42 pm
Kiuma growled and pulled free of his hold, her tail flicking irritably. "Don't.... cling, Tanaka. I'm fine." Her head hung between her shoulders, her expression petulant. one moment she wanted his touch, the next she wanted her space... This wishy-washyness of hers lately was driving the lioness nuts. She hated being so easy to arrouse, and flipping back and forth between emotions.
Her creamy-tipped paws patted hard on the dirt as she trotted forward, lifting her nose to lightly scent the air. "I'm thirsty..." She grumbled, her gaze wandering in search of something to slake it. Maybe a drink would help with her stomach as well...
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:02 am
The white lion snorted and pulled back, tail lashing behind him. He was hurt and angry, but most of all he was frustrated. He didn't know what to expect or what to do anymore, and it was becoming unnerving.
"Fine..."
Sighing, he followed after her, his steps slower than her own, staying back several paces as she didn't seem to want him close at the moment. He growled low to himself, tail flicking as his paws stired up the dust and pollen from the grass beneath. Even if she didn't want it, he never let her leave his field of vission, always watching from the corner of his eye.
She didn't understand, he had to protect her, it was his place and his right to do so. She didn't know what he knew, didn't know that his brother was searching for her, waiting for a chance to strike, she didn't know just how dangerous he was. What was he supposed to do? But then...there were probably things he didn't undestand either.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:27 am
Paws lightly on the ground, Kiuma carried herself away from her mate, grumbling with every step. Where was the damn water? Her throat felt like cotton, her stomach rolling inside her. It was almost too much to bear... Kiuma's steps slowed, her head drooping farther as her tail hung low. Damn these mood swings...
Turning ubruptly, the lioness strode back to Tanaka and butted her head straight into his broad chest, looking thuroughly miserable. "Tanaka... do you smell water anywhere?" She asked softly, keeping her face pressed against him so she didn't have to see his face. He was probably laughing at her and her silly behavior. She doubted she'd felt more humiliated in her entire life than she did right now.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:42 am
Tanaka wasn't laughing at her, but he was utterly confused. Just a moment ago she seemed so angry with him, though for what he had no idea. Now here she was pressed against, seeming almost pleading.
Sighing quietly, he took the chance to brush his chin against the top of her head, trying somehow to make her feel better, though he half expected to be pushed away again.
Lifting his nose, Tanaka sniffed the air, searching for the scent of water. As they had journied further, the plants had become thinner and water more scarce. His ears flicked as the faint scent reached his nose, most like a small pool, but it would be enough to quench the lioness' thirst.
"Mm-hmm, off this way."
He indicated the direction with a nod of his head and a few steps toward the scent.
"I don't think it's too far."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:45 am
Kiuma sighed quietly as he moved away, following him in an almost docile manner. The flip-flopping emotions seemed to have worn themselves out for the moment and she was glad of the release from having to think. Even the heat of the sun on her crimson back didn't seem so bad anymore, her thrist easing some what as well. What had gotten into her lately, really?
Her red eyes swept acrossed the land, part of her mind noting how dry everything was getting as they traveled farther north. To be expected, if they were approaching the desert. Excitement stirred in her, adding a little energy to her steps. Meeting the infamous Firekin... that would certainly be a worthy adventure. Her eyes swept back to land on her mate's white pelt, sweeping over him appreciatively. She wasn't sure how he'd pass for a Firekin, which had been her and her brother's original plan... but she felt far more secure with this lion by her side that her weak, sickly twin.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:08 am
Tanaka led the way toward the small pool, the scent of water growing in his nose with each dusty paw step. He green eye glanced over his shoulder, always keeping watching over the red lioness who held his heart so firmly.
"Almost there."
As they walked, he took in the movements of her form, now certain that she had gained weight. The more and more he thought about, the more convinced he became that his instincts were correct, Kiuma was carrying cubs, he was sure of it.
Several more steps and they reached the water, Tanaka's massive form stepping aside to allow Kiuma the first drink. Thoughts raced in his head. Not so long ago Tanaka had never dreamed he would find a partner, that he would ever feel so strongly about another, that he would ever truly love. But now he had not only found his soul mate, but they had started a family. Everything had changed so much and it left his head spinning.
But now the more pressing question was, how to break the subject with Kiuma.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:33 am
Kiuma sighed with releif as the water came into sight, picking up her pace to a quick trot as she moved past his large form towards the water she craved so much. Muscles bunched and rippled under her bright fur as she settled into a crouch, lowering her head to lap up the water. It soothed her dry throat and eased her tumbled stomach. Sweet and cool, it did much to up her flagging mood.
The hackles rose along her spine as she felt eyes on her body, or just one eyes, really. Turning her sleek head, water dripping down her chin, she glanced at her mate and smiled, her tail flicking invitingly where she crouched. It might only be a tease, but her loving expression was real enough. "Why are you staring, Tanaka? I'm not going to fade away like mist..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:43 am
"Hmmm?"
Dark ears twitched, tail flicking as he was suddenly aware of the silly little grin that had appeared on his maw. The grin turned to a warm smile as he stepped toward her, lowering his head to lap at the water at her side.
The white lion took a longer drink than he normally would have, his tail flicking about behind him with his thoughts. So long as his nose was in the water he wouldn't have to answer, but he couldn't stay that way forever, he'd have to say something.
"No reason, just remarking at how beautiful you are."
It wasn't a real answer, but the words were true and sincere. He settled back on his haunches, tail flickng against a rear paw, now what was he going to say?
"Kiuma...do you remember that day in the graveyard?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:19 am
A smile pulled at the lioness' muzzle as she bent again to lap up water, gazing at her mate from the corner of her eyes. He was trying to flatter her today, probably to ease her disgruntled mood. The fact that one such as him would make the effort warmed her greatly, doing much to help her regain her normaly happy mood. Even if that happiness was often at the cost of another creature's. Scenes from that day in the graveyard floated up to tantalize Kiuma, and she rose from the water to step closer to Tanaka, rubbing her side against his with an arch of her back as she cast him a coy glance. "How could I forget, Tanaka?" She purred, her tail flicking to brush against his side. "Why do you ask?"
Lifting her sleek head, she nuzzled into his half-mane, gently nipping at his neck as she rubbed her body against his. She was still new to this game and her attempts at encouraging him were fumbling, at best. Still, he never seemed to notice, and they'd even worked once in a while, earning her a romp in the grass or shade of a convenient tree.
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:33 am
Tanaka couldn't help the low purr that rumbled in his chest at her touch, his eye falling closed for a moment, his own body reacting to lean into her before he even thought about it. A long shudder rolled down his spine, tail flicking, there was always something about her touch, whether it was gentle or agressive that awakened all his desires.
For a moment he thought of giving into those desires, longed to, to touch his mate and feel with her so deeply again. But no, not now, this was a serious issue, and as much as he wanted to, he couldn't give in to the seduction.
Lowering his head he nuzzled into the crook of her neck, partly to assure her he wasn't rejecting her advances, and partly to steady himself against the difficult subject he was about to bring up.
"Well...you" Oh just get it over with. "I think you might...have cubs."
His voice trailed off, his tail flicking, ears back as if expecting to feel a paw crack against his skull at any moment.
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:05 am
His gentle nuzzle wasn't quite what she'd been expecting, but she'd take what she could get. Red eyes blinked in confusion when he spoke though. "Cubs? Tanaka, you off all creatures should know that I've never been with another male before. How could I have cubs?" He thought she'd already had a litter, and had them stashed somewhere? Confusion swirled in her mind, as well as a little irritation. He should know her better than that.
She hadn't misunderstood on purpose... she was just too new to this mating thing to realize what he ment by his strange words. "You're not making sense." She huffed softly, her tail flicking.
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:15 am
Tanaka's ears flicked upright, perhaps a bit relieved that no pawstrike had come, but also a bit shaken by the fact that she hadn't understood and thought he had said something he hadn't. Shaking his head, he turned so that his green eye was focused on hers, those beautiful red orbs that he had come to love so much and for a moment he found himself lost in them.
"No, I mean, you're carrying cubs now, our cubs."
Tanaka's voice was calm, gentle, a tone he never had with anyone else. His tail flicked light, brushing against her own in a gesture of love and attempted understanding. But he didn't know how she would react, whether she would deny it, be happy, angry, or all three at once. And in all honestly, he was a bit afraid as well.
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