If Sakata was any other lion, he would laugh. As it is, he merely arches a brow at her tirade. He listens in silence, processing her arguments, and then waits a few moments before he replies. "Why should I change? You are the one who needs to show more maturity, Shinda. When you are ready, I will tell you all that you want to know. But I will not trust you with sensitive information when you consistently prove your lack of self-control."

He pauses again, then rises and crosses the distance between then. And as the Warleader looms over the lioness, his voice becomes a low growl. "Because you are my daughter, I will ignore that insult," he begins, bright eye narrowed to thin slits, "but if you ever insinuate that I will not live up to my responsibilities again, I will stand on your throat until you croak for mercy." And then he is done, the predatory air about him dissipates, and he returns to his perch on the rock.

"You would do well to adopt the role of older sister. I expect nothing less from you, that is why I brought you to meet your siblings." Sakata pauses, head tilted to the side as he looks back over the pridelands. "Perhaps by doing so you will finally attain the maturity you lack."

His words are a clear dismissal - this meeting is over.

--fin--