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 Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:57 pm
 The white lion stood vigilant, ears flicking at every sound, nose twitching at every scent, his eyes scanning the land around him, senses on high alert. Since learning that Kiuma was carrying cubs, Tanaka had become increasingly protective, always on guard for any possible threats, for now he wasn't just protecting her, he was protecting his children as well. And as such, Kiuma never left his sight, he was always watching.
Even in the early hours, the sun was hot, the cool air of night chased away as the daylight baked on the hard ground, the sparse vegetation withering in the growing heat. Tanaka shot a worried glance at the red lioness, concerned over the effect the heat would have on her. Some water and a shady spot to rest for the day then traveling by night would be the best idea from here on. But the question was, would there be any shade left by the time the sun finished rising.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:44 pm
Kiuma moved slowly up to stand at Tanaka's side, her tail flicking behind her. Despite her little change in weight, which still bothered her to no end, Kiuma moved with a predator's grace and little change in speed. She was not yet so far gone that she couldn't take down a zebra beside her mate, but with the increase of his concern came a little more prudence on her part. If she tried to be more careful, he fussed at her less, which in turn made her life easier since he didn't get into her way so much.
A rough purr, more like grinding stones than a sound of pleasure, rumbled in her chest, making the bones of her necklace click softly together. They were on the edge of the desert now it seemed... the grass was sparse, the ground more sand than soil. They'd have to be very careful now... water and shade would be just as sparse as the grass. Blood red eyes flickered over the landscape, searching for some small bit of water were they could slake their thirst before moving on. Who knows when the next chance would come, and they'd be too far in to turn back?
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:26 am
Under the confines of a shaded rock formation, two lions in a set of four seemed content with hiding in the darkness that surrounded them. Darker than Kiuma in every way it seemed, the adult lioness looked on with bloody eyes, the color so deep it seemed as if since she was born, blood always pooled through her vision. The shadows clinged to her every move, and she kept her form still as much as she could, not wanting to catch attention until she got a good idea of those on the borders.
"..." A soft sort of growl fluttered from her maw at the sight of the larger lion, one that was slightly larger than Chomo next to her, and the wing he had soothed her less, "A god...walking with mortals..." It was than, she snapped her gaze to her sons.
Hearing his mom confirm the beliefe, Naraka took a step closer to the light, though was wise with his movements as well, and just looked on with wide eyes. Satisfaction laced his form at the idea, the first god actually before them, and he ignored the near-lookalike of a firekin by his side. Somehow, just because she looked like one, she had already lost all respect, unlike normally when the blood saw others. Glancing back to his mother, he wondered what they would do next, or if they would just wait silently in the shadows.
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:30 pm
Chomo was casually lounging in the company of his family, content for the most part, so long as he wasn't in pain or too hungry the dark red male was content. Even the fact that his life was going though another upheaval didn't even phase him, his family were there and safe.
However, one thing that did set the Firekin on edge was the Nuri's statement. He snapped his gaze in the direction she was looking and saw the massive lion, from here he could tell that something wasn't right, no lion ever grew so huge on it's own, larger even than those of Firekin stock. Wether or not he looked upon a god was up for debate was uncertain, but something was for sure, neither of the lions before the family were firekin and that made them a threat.
It was surprising how the normally gentle and playful lion shunted from reclining with a smile to sitting, tensed and snarling, his fangs bared, ready to show the other lions what a firekin could do if they opted to harm his family.
Chomo seemed gentle but he was a Firekin by blood, something which had toughened his body and mind over time.
Ra gaped from the shadows, more concealed than his father thanks to his almost all black fur. Other lions. Lions from outside. Beyond the sands, beyond the goddess. And what was that his mother said? A god? Surely not?
He actually leapt sideways away from his father in surprise at the big male's snarl. He'd /never/ seen his father angry before.
He wasn't sure he wanted to again and especially not at him.
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:47 pm
Smiling lighting at his mate, Tanaka lowered his head to a gentle touch against her neck, purring lightly to her. His green eye flickered with affection that for the moment, overshadowed the concern that had been there before, or maybe it just complimented it.
"We should find a place to rest soon, preferablly one with some water and sha--"
Tanaka fell silent, his ears flicking, eyes narrowed. He had heard something, smelled it, someone else was nearby, someone unfriendly, and he didn't like it. His maw parted in a snarl, fur prickling along his spine, mane ruffled. Not so long ago the lion wouldn't have cared about the presence of others, choosing to ignore or toy with them as he saw fit, but now he had a mate and a family to protect and he would not allow anyone to harm them.
His nose twitced, green eye picking up a hint of dark red, senses on high alert. Whoever it was, at least it wasn't his brother, but that did little to calm his protective nature. Sidestepping to place himself between the possible thread and Kiuma, his talons flexed, his body coiled, prepared for whatever threat may come.
"We're not alone..."
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:21 pm
A smile curved over her muzzle, her purr growing rougher and stronger. When he stopped talking, her soft ears perked and she cast her gaze around the area with a predator's sharpness. "Who's there, Tanaka..." She said softly for his ears alone. "Are they dangerous?" Her tail flicked in annoyance as his broad form blocked off her sight. It was times like this that the way he towered over her really bugged her. He seemed to like getting in her way.
Kiuma slipped around him, her shoulder brushing reassuringly against his flank. She followed his gaze, squinting against the sun's glare to pick out the dark forms in the darker shadows.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:43 am
Upon seeing the strength of her mate, Nuri never did tower in fear, instead she welcomed the rush of his anger that brushed over her in waves. Of course, it was not directed to her, but for the normal loveable lion, it was refreshing and reassuring to catch this side of him now and than. However, her distraction with him was short lived, for as soon as he made the snarl, she snapped her eyes back onto their new 'prey', debating weather to let Chomo be unleashed or speak out from the shadows where they were safe.
Stepping out, her fur prickled a bit at the sight of a real fight before them, before she relaxed and settled on her haunches, murmering under her breath for Naraka and Ra to stay protected in the shadows. At the same moment, she nodded to Chomo, before letting out a bloodthirsty roar. The sound was something she never did, but when her maw slowly closed, her eyes showed calculations. The pride knew that intruders were on the borders, they would be ready.
"Dangerous is not even in our league," Nuri said in a monotone snarl, clearly not welcoming them, "And if you two dare step on these lands, you will know just how dangerous The Blood is." There was no anger, just warning, but her eyes told them everything. Unless they were of blood, they wouldn't get past on her watch. Her father wasn't a scout for nothing to be passed down upon her.
Naraka shifted away from his father, a whole new side surprising him before he noted his mother was not phased. Pretending not to be as well, he nodded mutely at her instructions before stepping deeper into the shadows, and somewhat near his brother. Gazing at the other adolescent for a moment, he just turned away without a word to see what his parents would do. It didn't seem they could stand a chance if that white lion really was a god.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:58 am
Chomo stood in the darkness, still somewhat concealed by the glare of the sands, tensed and well aware that the other lions knew of their precence. He waited, tail flicking until Nuri told the two boys to keep concealed where they were and though he was from a line of hunters, he knew a warning roar when he heard one.
He just waited until Nuri was done with her warning, agreeing with her every word, no wanderers would harm his cubs while he still lived. Not in the sanctuary of Finar-si.
Stepping out of the shadows a few paces, he made sure he was in clear veiw, not as big as Tanaka and not half as lethal but with the embers of fury kindled in his gaze that were his namesake. He did not seek combat but he mirrored Tanaka's own possessiveness of family. He didn't want it to come to blows over nothing.
"Coming here is a mistake. These lands are the ancient home of the firekin, lords of the sand and decendants of Finar-si. Intruders are not tolerated in our midst and we are a warrior pride." he shook his head however, ruffling his thick dark mane. "Despite that I do not seek to fight you, pointless violence is something I /don't/ want my family to see." he narrowed his eyes slightly, still suspicious. "I'm no fool, I know I'd come out worse for wear in a fight anyway."
But not for all the fires of hell would he step aside.
Ra gave his brother a grin in the darkness, despite the tension on the air, he was enraptured by the events taking place around him. He didn't even think for a moment that their parents were outmatched, in his mind there were no stronger lions really. Still, he kept to the back, huddled in the deep dark.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:25 pm
Tanaka brushed against Kiuma's shoulder, his head turned to n** at her in a sign that said he cherrished and approved of her boldness but that he also wished she'd listen to him. It wasn't that he begrudged her the opportunity to fight and stand along side him, on the contrary he welcomed and embraced it, nothing could have given him more pleasure that to fight and kill with her at his side. But despite the fact that he knew she was still more than capable of defending herself against most mortals, the white lion couldn't help that protective instict. Afterall, he wasn't just protecting her, he was also protecting his children who could not yet defend themselves.
But while Tanaka was protective, that was not all that motivated his actions, he was thinking strategically as well. By concealing Kiuma from the strangers, it was possible to deceive them into thinking that there was only one of them. This would have given them an advantage, an ace in the whole as it were should there be an attack. But they had certainly both been seen now, and it was too late for the trick to work.
Green eye burning with the fires of hell, Tanaka's gaze settled on the lioness and her mate. A ripple of darkness and fear crackled around the demon for an instant before vanishing, a simple statement that he did not fear their threats.
"And just who are you to stop us, mortal?"
Tanaka wasn't there to fight, but he wasn't one to back down from a challenge either. The white lion and the red lioness at his side went where they chose and they would not yield to another. He was the god of conflict, he was not to be crossed.
His eye drifted to the shadows for a moment, he could smell the other two lions there, probably the offspring of the two firekin. Tanaka had no interst in harming children, one of the situations where his little known sense of honor came in. But if the pair was protecting their children, this could be a very dangerous, albeit interesting, situation.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:00 pm
Kiuma grinned fiercely as he nipped at her, growling almost playfully. She knew he was being protective of her and the cubs that made her sides swell, but she didn't feel she needed that protection from him. The pregnancy hadn't effect her movements that much yet... Raising blood red eyes, she cast them over the pair, finally able to make out their dark coats as they stepped into the sunlight. The female's roar brought a low chuckle from her throat, her body coiling as she straightened herself to her full height. She wasn't nearly as tall as the female, but she wasn't small either, and thick with muscle from long travel. "You readily admit that you'd not be able to beat us in a fight... Why not just let us pass?" She put on a winning smile, her tail flicking behind her as she softened Tanaka's words with her own. "We don't wish to fight either... after all, we only wish to find out if... the Firekin pride is as strong as rumored." She thought fast, trying to find something the pair would accept. "My mother told me stories of the pride she came from, the pride that gave her, and in turn me, her red pelt. Her mother was part of the pride, but left for reasons of her own to bear her lone daughter cub. I've longed my whole life to return to the pride that's part of my lineage... Tanaka, my mate, is accompaning me, since you can see that I'm rather far along in my pregnancy."
Would they believe her and let the pair pass? Kiuma's paws shifted on the ground, resisting the urge to expose her claws. That would not be a good way to get on with out a fight.
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:02 am
Nuri took a moment to think over the words, before smirking darkly, "Unless you can bring forth your mother or speak of her lineage, you have no proof from those words. Showing up here in stances to fight are not going to satisfy us enough to let you pass. Our pride knows you are coming, and to walk any farther would be a death wish, even for a god himself."
"Now turn and leave, you aren't going to persuade us." Keeping it short, her claws slowly extended, for her eyes drifted across Kiuma's belly, "Less you wish for us to take your cubs instead...maybe a rightful offering will be just enough." It was than, at that full moment, her eyes darkened to pure black, and her voice grew deeper. Her fur stood on end and her claws were extended, the scent of a true fighter flowing through the air. Nuri usually kept to herself, but now, now she was growing angry. Angry was not the best thing to do.
"Intruders, begone!"
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:13 am
Chomo didn't budge an inch through Tanaka's words, noticing the darkness and fear he unleashed but duly ignoring it, intimidation tactics could be damned, he'd lived in a graveyard for most of his life, he'd seen scarier. He did not wish to fight and had made that clear, asking the two to leave the lands.
As the white lion adressed them as "mortals" he felt what he'd been worried about click into place, he must be a god. Nevertheless in response to Tanaka's statement, he snarled a reply.
"Who am I to stop you? I am Chomo. A father and Firekin hunter. A mortal lion who is not afraid of your kind. The precence of strangers in these desert lands is nothing but a danger. " Ausha had been right, gods were not graceful entities with kindness and warmth, this lion before him had all the hallmarks of a demon rather than a celestial being. He feared for his cubs as Tanaka's green gaze scanned the shadows and though he was willing to lay down his life to defend his family, in this case, doing so would be futile and he was unwilling to leave his children fatherless through his own stupidity.
As Kiuma spoke up he merely listened to her, sceptical of her story but at the same time hesitant, he had not been believed either all that time ago.
"The firekin pride /is/ strong." he snapped peevishly "Something I'm sure you'll witness first hand if you cross these borders." he eyed her stomach with a sigh, knowing he'd be unable to harm a female who was with cubs, regardless of anything else. "But I cannot stop you, I will not have the blood of the unborn on my paws, regardless of anything else."
He felt his spirit, supposed to have been forged in the rolling deserts waver, replaced by the nature he had learned in earnest in the graveyard. As Nuri gathered up her readiness for battle, he found himself lacking at a key moment, he had taught Ausha that those who fought when the stakes were too high were fools. He was wrong, those who did that were Firekin, and apparently, at the core, he was not.
With a shake of his head he turned away from the two "I will not abandon my sons over two trivial wanderers with strength on their side. " And with that, he headed back into the shadows away from the tension and towards Ra and Naraka. Sitting down beside them he hoped that this would at least solve something. His heart didn't lie with the current inhabitants of the pride after all, only his family, as long as they were okay, then the rest...
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:20 pm
Tanaka growled low, it wasn't exactly the best idea to reveal to threatening strangers that one was carrying cubs, it was like giving away an advantage. But words could not be taken back, and perhaps he could turn that in their favor....or perhaps not.
The lioness' words sent a surge of fury through the white lion, his posture instantly tensing, a threatening roar tearing free of his chest. Dark talons extended, his maw parted in a menacing snarl, his green eye burning with all the hellfire and rage of a protective father. His children would NOT be harmed, not so long as he lived.
His gaze narrowed in fury, dark aura radiating from his massive form, the demon's eye drifted to the firekin male for a moment. So it was their cubs hiding in the shadows, he could use that to his advantage.
"We are not here to harm your children, then will suffer no pain at my paws," well, at least not physical pain. His gaze again narrowed on the lioness, his words shifting to a low growl. "But know this, if you dare touch my mate or her cubs, I will rip you to shreds."
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:53 pm
Kiuma's reaction was instant and far more viscious than Tanaka's would ever be. Her eyes flashed death and every muscle stood out clearly under her pelt as her body tensed. A snarl ripped from her throat as her face contorted, exposing every fearsome tooth she possessed. NO ONE would touch her children... even and especially unborn as they were. That female would die if she so much as took one step forward, every line in the red lioness's body shouted.
"You snake..." She hissed through gritted teeth. "You've made bad enemies in us. Threats to our family are never to be forgiven, but I don't care to stain my paws with your insipid firekin blood. I suppose this is what lifetimes of inbreeding do to a race." Her backstory was forgotten in the flush of anger, her tail lashing like a whip behind her. She never was one to lie and manipulate others, that had always been left in the paws of her brother. Kiuma, when pushed, lashed out with tooth and claw rather than her mind. "It thins the blood and adles the mind. I'm suprised your pride as survived this long in this wasteland with such weak and stupid lions."
The lioness turned with another lash of her tail and struck off at right angles to the pair and their cubs. They'd have to tail them all the way to the other side of the desert to prevent them from entering, if they were set on doing so... But here and now, Kiuma was walking away from this fight. Too much was at stake just to satisfy her curiosity about a pride with red pelts like hers. Even if she had dreamed of it since she first heard stories as a cub... "Tanaka, come on. They're a waste of our time."
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Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:09 pm
Naraka hissed from his spot, rushing out into the sunlight and glaring at the others. However, he didn't change for attack, he instead smirked himself at the God's weakness. Had the red lioness not said anything, he might have, but instead his look said it all.
To touch his mother, they would have to get through him first.
Settling on her haunches and pulling her son close, she just raised a brow at his behaivor before looking back to Tanaka with a preening smile.
"I have no fear of death, so don't think you will scare me off," Shrugging it off a moment later, she also wondered why Chomo turned away, when he seemed so brave. She would ignore him for the rest of the day at his cowardice, though probably by nightfall all would be forgive, just like always.
"And...Firekin indeed..." It was all she said, a simple soft agreement at her suspisions, no challenge lacing her tongue at the thought. Her gaze shifted from the two, a mask of ice while on the inside she was completly pleased. Instead of biting out a comment of how right she was, Nuri just lifted a paw and licked the sands slowly, her stance relaxed yet ready for anything as they were the patroll. It just was lucky that the two adults were so devoted to keeping the lands safe...any other day, Nuri probably would have pointed them to the king himself and let them enjoy. But they had cubs, and that was the only reason they kept their faith. For now.
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