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For once in his life, Ta'Ziyan felt utterly content with how he was managing the day ahead. For hours he had hunted across the lands around him, searching through the high grasses and only resting to get some water as he found his paws leading him closer and closer to the large formation ahead. It was a tall rock, or so he could make out, one that seemed to reach up to the sky above as the clouds were the only things that the peak did not touch. When he had first caught sight of it, it seemed to mean nothing as it crossed his mind, but a few hours later it questioned once again.

With every step he took, it seemed to just stay the same distance away, but for every hour that passed it had grown bigger, and it fuled his intrest. He had no idea about the lands, or where he was, only that this rock was large and he wanted to see just how large it was. No other thought crossed his mind, no other fear except the idea that he would never make it, and now as the day grew old, he found that had to rest. Paws falling from his weight, his tongue seemed to cry for water as he felt his clouded eyes lid over. It never was apparant until that moment that he was in need of water, and as he panted to himself, he tried to remember his goal. He was searching for a friend, a friend he always saw in that area but had no idea where she was. He had searched for hours for Kami, and now he only wanted to rest.

"Maybe..." He panted out with light breaths, though shallow from his day-long travels, "...maybe I can search for her after I take a nap...the sun is so warm..." Smiling, he just stretched right there, and let out a content purr, before his eyes fell shut.

-Kami's wet tail gave another little contented twitch, as she padded along down the trail, kept as low to the ground as her stubby young legs would allow her. She'd escaped succesfully! Down the rock and through the waterhole. Slinking quietly along the trail, her golden pelt blending finely with the golden colored grasses that surrounded it.

She had nothing to escape from of course, except perhaps a few more lessons with her father, but the soft bit of pride was apparent in her for her job well done. Noone had followed, or so she thought, and as she drew further and further away from her home a very faint smile touched her maw. She wasn't sure why.. but for some reason it felt as if something would happen today.-

Shifting lightly as his nose twitched, Ta'Ziyan was strangly content in these new lands. Instead of feel the eyes gazing upon his hide, he instead felt the warm wind brush through his fur, the sun shining down upon him and the clouds occassionally casting a shadow for a cool moment. Letting out a sigh, he just slid his tail back and forth slowly as he felt the heat fill his mind, causing a yawn to escape his maw. For a moment, all he could do was feel the drowzy state cross his body, but soon he was stirred awake, and his eyes blinked open after a long moment. Unsure of what to think, his form protested to the sudden movement and he felt his tired state causing him to become disorintated.

Looking around for what might of awakened him, he shook his head and tried taking a few steps, catching himself after a second before keeping his path, he had to keep moving. For some reason, sleep didnt seem as appealing as it did moments before.

-The dry air was doing it's best to lick up the bits of moisture that clung to Kami's pelt, but try as it might, as she padded her golden pelt still held tight to some of the moisture, darkening her golden fur, and dripping small drops of water from her tail every few bounces she made. When she finally came to a stop, she lifted her paw up letting her tongue run against her darkened forepaw, becoming amused and intrugied with the bit of water she managed to gain in the process.

What an interesting little trick to pick up out of nowhere. Glancing around, she almost wished she had someone to show it to, but the savannah seemed quiet, so she picked up the pace again, padding down the trail. Should she head off into the grass to play? Or perhaps head down the trail as far as her little legs would carry her? Unsure she took up a strange action, trying to peek over the grass for something exciting. Jump, jump, step, step, step, jump. Like a misplaced golden rabbit she hopped along the path.-

The dry winds in turn played with Ta'Ziyan's sense of direction as he just followed towards the large rock, still wishing he could fully see what such a structure could be. Keeping his pace up, he pushed through the grasses like a lion on the prowl, though he had never really hunted. All of his cub life, he had always just scavenged off of others, eating what they left behind. It was a weird way to live, but it did just that, and he was happy he could survive.

Shivering, he suddenly got a feeling as he blindly moved, but with one last step, his paw did not meet the dry grounds that were there before, but instead feel upon soft mossy rocks, and he felt a yelp escape his maw as he slid down them and towards waters that seemed to just push on. Unlike the many waterholes he usually encountered, he felt the liquid that encased him as something that was moving, trying to drag him along, and he quickly stood, holding his ground. This new place was long, never ending from where the water travled to and from. He had no idea he had just fallen into the Tamu'maji, the large river in the Pridelands.

-Though Ta was still a nice distance from Kami, the loud slosh of water halted her hopping immediately, and her ears instinctively flew forward, twitching ever so lightly, as she stood tense, waiting for another sound. The sloshing continued, but she heard no grunt or growl of a dangerous beast.. so perhaps it was a herd animal of some sort?

Deciding to take a peek Kami slipped into the grasses, taking care to walk very slowly and keep from rustling about the grasses that encased her. Peeking through the glasses as she neared the small clearing that surrounded the river, the bright copper pelt of the adolecent caught her eyes.

Ta? It looked... like him except.. Maybe not? He was so big and.. Without thinking she began to creep out of the grass, creeping as if she actually had something to hide behind, trying to get nearer to the seemingly familiar lion.-

Feeling the waters drip from every strand of fur on his body, his copper coat had grown somewhat darker from the new weight that it held. His hair fell heavily against his forehead and his tail was dragging in the waters as he just stood there. Wondering how he could have completly missed the fact that there was a river here, he just tried to collect what dignity he had left, completly missing the fact that another was nearing his possition.

"It figures I would fall into a watering hole like this..." He said softly, eyes turning to trail up the rock in the distance once more. Stiffening suddenly, he darted his vision downwards and let it land right on Kami, his heart racing as he realized she was very close. Not getting to reconize her at the beginning as surprise seemed to cloud his judgement, he tensed but soon relaxed as he studied her slightly smaller form. It had been quite a few weeks, but he felt joy pour through his system as he took a step and had to catch his balance, looking to his feet and wondering if she reconized him.

-When he looked straight at her, she finally noticed her folly. That.. despite the fact that she'd crept, the grasses hadn't followed her, and she froze for a moment, feeling a soft nibbling of embarassment upon her.

However curiousity at the moment got the best of her, and she cocked her head lightly to the side, studying the larger lion. Body still tense, she looked ready to spring back at any moment, but her wavering little voice called softly out.- "Ta...?"

With a flash, his eyes were back on her form and brightened lightly from before, surprised evident as he heard her soft voice. Slowly a smile crossed his features as he took another step towards the other side of the river, noticing it grew deeper now to where his knees were. Pausing once more as the current seemed to tug harder, he just stopped altogether on his path and just looked to her.

"Kami..." He called out to her, over the water's slight roar with the current moving past him, "...Yeah, it is me..." Feeling a little down suddenly at the fact that she seemed to question who he was, he suddenly realized just how long it had been, and he took note that she seemed bigger as well, or in his opinion at least. She looked near to a growth spurt just like the one he had, or so he hoped. He wanted her to grow as well, somehow it seemed wrong for her to be younger when they were so close in age.

-Seemingly elated that her guess was confirmed, she hopped forward towards her edge of the river, stopping at the banks, little golden ears flicking forward to try to listen to him ove the gentle roar of the river.- "Are you swimming? I thought you didn't play?"

-A hint of a smile played on her maw at her subtle 'teasing' and she dipped her forepaw into the smoothly running river, seeming to gain an energy and excitement uncharacteristic of the little cub.- "It's been a very long time. Where have you been hiding?"

Seeing her smile, he just couldn't help as one raised strongly across his features as well. Shaking his head, he was in much deeper than where she was on the banks, and just called out in responce, "I am not really swimming..." Pawing at the water and sending a splash that hit his face, he blinked before shaking the droplets into the air, and chose not to respond to her teasing, for he could not think of one at the moment.

Moving a few more steps after he caught himself, he just looked at her form, "It has been quite a long time, and I see that it has moved us along despite our seperation, you have grown quite a bit Kami." He responded warmly to the cub, eyes shining through their clouded veil, "I have not been hiding, mearly looking again for you through the lands that I know you live in...I am glad to have found out, my search is over for now." Jumping suddenly, he bounded across the rest of the river as splashes sounded over the roar, and just grinned seepishly to her as he was now drenched.

-She listened gently, as he spoke his notoriously longwinded answers, nodding some in happy agreement at his story of looking. If she'd have known she'd certainly been around more often, tromping loudly through the savannah. But there was much she could do about that now, and the task had been completed anyway.

-Lifting a paw lighting to shade her eyes as splatterings of water erupted from the river, she gave a soft little shake of her body, before stepping nearer to Ta, having to look up to see him now. He certainly wasn't as big as alot of the large lions that'd been roaming the Pridelands these days, but he was big.- "Do you.. really think I've grown?"

-Perhaps she had.. but if so it was just a little, the kind of growth that happened so slowly that one didn't even notice it was happening. But it was alright, she didn't mind. In the words of her father, she'd grow when she was ready. She'd rule when she was ready, etc etc. Looking up again gently, her eyes soon followed there normal path to the ground.- "I'm glad you have been looking. I've always wanted someone.. to play with."

Seepish, his smile lighten as he watched her shake her pelt, and he felt a small heat raise to his cheeks as he quickly apoligized, moreso with his eyes than his shy words. She seemed smaller than him, he could tell easily now, but he would not go back on his word as she just stepped closer. He caught her gaze as she looked to him, and when she spoke her quesiton, he felt a tug in his mind, as if he knew his answer seemed to be more important than how it felt.

"Of course you have grown, you seem as if you are about to become my size soon, and even though I have gotten larger, you are catching up quite fast." He grinned to her, something that seemed to easily cross his features as he reassured her, "If you keep up that pace...you might just outgrow me and I will be the smaller one..." His smile teasing, he returned the soft manner that she had directed towards him moments before. Padding away from the deep waters, his pelt was a dark copper color as he moved out and onto the land near her, resisting the calling to shake the water droplets out as he just let his tail swing lazly. Catching sight of her looking away, he let his ears perk at her last statement, and couldn't help but look away as well.

"...I..." He paused, trying to find the words as his longwinded responces seemed to flee him when he really wanted to speak, and he tried to continue with his voice soft, "I missed you Kami...you are my closest and one of my only friends...and I like to play with you, because..." Swallowing, he trailed off, seeing if she had heard him and unsure if he had even said it. It was all true, out of all the lions, she was the only one who seemed to put up with him. He didn't want to give up that friendship, because he knew it was something he might not find again if he lost it. And he did not want to go back to the darkness of running away from things unseen.

-She laughed a little softly, something that almost seemed to surprise her before that smile worked across her face again.- "Perhaps I'll catch up. But girls don't grow bigger then boys."

-She mused happily on the thought thinking of her massive father aside her smaller mother. It'd be kind of strange to look at if it were the other way around. Her voice falling soft again, she added gently.- "Besides, I don't mind being small so much." -It was true. She minded not being socialible, not being strong, not being of beautiful colorings, not being proud and fierce, not being.. well the leader she was supposed to be. But being small was one thing she could live with. The longer you were small, the longer you could hold onto irresponsibility.

Hopping forward a couple steps, she looked back at him gently, letting her eyes touch his face breifly again after the trailing.- "Let's play then? I'll teach you...."

-From within the surrounding grasses the large beast of a lion crouch delicately in the golden hued blades. He'd tracked Kami easily enough both by water trail and sound, and as Mufasa found his daughter's voice once again he was surprised to see that for once, she wasn't simply talking to herself.

Settling in soft silence, trying to keep his richly clay colored mane from giving him away, he watched the encounter and waited.-

Hearing her laughter, his ears perked as he looked across her features. Her laughter alone was something nice, and he always loved it when other laughed, and soon enough he found himself mumbling, "I like it when you laugh," and he let his smile bloom across his features as he boyishly just stated that fact, a childish comment that did not pass away from his growth and travels.

"...I am sure you will catch up soon, and though girls don't grow bigger than boys overall, I know some older girls that are bigger than me...but I am just an overgrown cub right now..." Trailing off with a thoughtful look, he just shook his head in a conferming nod and smiled at her comment of her size. He thought she was fine the size she was as well, if she didn't mind it herself. Shaken out of his thoughts, he saw her hop foward towards where he had moved out of the water, and he tilted his head as she asked him something he wasn't ready to hear. Blinking in silence, he wondered just what she thought about playing, before catching the fact that she had asked him to play, meaning she enjoyed his company. Feeling the friendship warm his body, he just nodded and let his eyes light excitedly.

"Sure! But..." Trailing off, he looked away to the waters, "...well you said it yourself...I never have played with others before...but if you are willing to teach me, I am willing to learn!" Grinning, he found himself on edge as he waited for his friend to tell him just how to play games, something he never learned in his solitude at such a young age.

-Ta's statement was strange, and it caused another soft swelling of self conciousness to run through her. It sounded like something her father would say actually. But she nodded a little softly at it, before mulling over his words about growing.

Stopping the few steps ahead of him she awaited his joining her, little golden tail flipping gently back and forth.- "Of course I'll teach you Ta. I'll teach you any game I know."

-Most of the games she played were solitary games.. but she'd been dragged into a game or two with her siblings in the past. She wondered suddenly what kinds he'd like. Games of pretend like she did.. Or the rougher games like some of her siblings. Cocking her head a little to the side, she asked curiously.- "Do you like running, or wrestling? Or do you prefer things a little more calm?"

Not looking to catch the self conciousness that filtered across her features, Ta'Ziyan had distracted himself with the waters after his strange statement. Silently, he questioned why he had said such a thing, and while he thought it over, he felt his ears perk as the breeze picked up, and her words made way to his senses. It was strange, to hear her say she would teach him how to play, something that all children knew how to do, or so he figured in his mind. However, when he slowly moved his gaze back to her form, she was already a few steps ahead and all he could do was pad after her, unable to say aloud the question.

When he made it to her side, only taking a few steps though it seemed like it was longer, he just sent her a shy whisp of a smile and looked to the grass that was at his paws. It seemed, as she asked the question, he could only glance quickly to her and than away in thought, his eyes darkening just slightly as he let his mind race to answer the question. Finding it hard to do so, he shifted his weight and put himself in the paws of another as he pictured how each was done. Running and Wrestling, before he could even find a fun idea of how to do it, he felt his eyes snap closed, and his ear start to throb. It was from running and wrestling that had gotten him injured by that other lion cub a few weeks before. Swallowing, he opened his eyes slowly, shaking his head and getting the bad images away.

"I don't like wrestling..." He said softly, his face calm though his eyes shining with a slight pang of regret, and slowly he sat down to pull up his paw as if he were to itch his ear. His concious seemed to play with him at that moment, and he qucikly looked to his paw as if he expected to find his blood before, his eyes just starring at the color though there was no red. Realizing he had gotten lost in a memory, he forced a smile and looked to Kami, "...I guess I like things more calm, it prevents from getting hurt...though I guess if people did wrestle and were playing...it might not be as bad...but..." Trailing off, he just finished his statement with a small shake of his head and an even smaller smile, "...Calm is better in my opinion...why do you ask?"

-She watched him with a soft sense of worry as he seemed to drift away, but when he finally answered the question, Kami offered another of her soft smiles.- "So I'd know what game to show you first."

"I don't like rough games so much either really.." -Pondering for a long moment, she let her eyes scan the savannah, taking in each bit of scenery as she tried to decide what they should do first. Listing them thoughtfully allowed, she pointed gently in directions as they came up.-

"We could play pretend I suppose. Pretend to be crocadiles in the river.. Or birds in the trees. Or even elephants. Or...."

-Pausing she glanced upward towards the azure sky and the soft puffy clouds that hung low in the hot weather.- "We could watch the clouds, and find shapes."

"Or maybe... Follow the leader. That's a good mix of calm and still exciting." -Her ears perked curiously to see which if any he'd choose to know more about.-

Nodding at her answer, he just looked to her and waited with perked ears as she slowly spoke of her ideas, of what games she wished to play. His eyes following closely to the trail that hers went on, he felt the urge to move closer to catch her soft words with each idea that she voiced.

Looking to the river, remembering his fall earlier all the while, he just nodded slowly, wondering what crocadiles were but not fully saying anything. Besides, he mused softly to himself, he had a good idea that they were thoes awful green things that seemed to snap at him near the south. Letting that topic fall, he picked up the next one, about birds and tress. More appealing than the last option, he let out a soft sound of intrest, and the elephants one seemed even better. Though, he had to admit, he had no idea just how well he was at pretending, but it did sound like Kami was very good and maybe he could learn.

Her next idea surprised him, and he looked up to see the coulds fall by, "Watch clouds?" He asked softly to himself, eying the one that seemed to cast a light shadow across the lands for a few moments before letting the sun show once more. It sounded like fun, but than again, her next idea was the one he could not help but jump to agreement before she could even finish.

"Follow the leader!" He said with a happy grin, "That sounds like a fun game, and it might help me see just more of these lands...you do know a lot about it, as I do not, so hopefully maybe you can show me around as well, right?" Sadly, he had no idea just how much she knew. It seemed weird, but the idea that she was the heiress seemed to slip his mind, along with the idea of her father being the kind. He had no idea he was talking to the princess, or was on the Pridelands, actually, Ta'Ziyan had to admit he didnt know much at all.

"So...shall I follow you first?" He asked to be certin.

-Kami seemed delighted in the fact that Ta seemed interested in the few things she'd rattled off, it's good when friends had things in common after all. So that was probably the best way to start one's first friendship.

When he agreed with follow the leader she smiled a little more, nodding.- "Yes, you follow. But it's more then just that. You have to follow exactly the same as I do."

"I could do..." -Her voice trailed before she leaped forward, once, twice, and upon hopping over a small rock, stopped and pivoted, calling back to him.- "And then you'd have to follow the same, with two jumps, and a hop over the rock."

-Slipping back around the red rock, she settled in front of him again.- "Understand? It's easy. And if you want, later I'll be the follower."

Watching her movements, he seemed to just smile before he stilled, stiffened and looked around. It had been so long since the last time he felt that, but suddenly, he got the feeling once more. His stomach dropping, the hairs on his neck stood on end as he looked around with a wild gaze, just making sure nothing was there. It seemed different this time, not his usual feeling of 'being watched'. This time it felt more solid, and as he sat there, he turned to look at Kami and put on a fake, boyish grin, though he hoped she could not tell.

"Alright, I think I understand, this sounds like fun." Nodding, his cheer was stretched as suddenly, his paranoia grew. Who was watching them, and was anyone really watching them. Deciding not to voice his ideas to his friend, for he knew it would mostly scare her or so he believed, he just moved slightly closer, waiting for her first move.

-Continued in next post-

-Mufasa lapped at the cool waters gently, before settling onto the dusty ground near the water's edge. His mind wandered to him mate, a soft sweet memory of days past when they were both young and strong. Sighing with soft contentment he watched the relection of the sky in the water, letting the warm day drift over his old bones.-

It had taken a few minutes for Ta to get away from the overly excited Kami, the two having chatted about how he had finally grown out his mane enough to look like the adult he was. It was weird, being so much bigger than his friend when he knew she deserved to grow as well, if not just appearence but for her self confidence as well. Ta had worried greatly over the princess since they met as cubs, and the bond they shared was that of siblings almost, if not more. Shaking his thoughts away from that area, just like always, he decided it was finally time to speak to the King.

Nearing the waters, he caught sight of the larger form, the elder lion being much bigger than his own rogue self. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his copper eyes a moment as he moved a few yards away, lapping the waters himself as he collected his wits. At last, he turned and glanced to the king, before looking back to the waters as all of his pre-planned conversation flew right out of his mind.

If he made a mistake, he could never see his friend again.

-His eyes lifted as the other male settled himself at the watering hole. It was the weird one.. The cub had been there off and on since his childhood, and it was incredibly odd to Mufasa that he'd been there that long without ever asking to be part of the pride.. without ever committing. Looking at the 'young lions' fully adult form.. something that'd snuck on on him, his mind turned to his daughter, and a soft worry began to nag at his mind.

If her 'friend had grown'.. it wasn't too long before she herself would be an adult.. The thought was painful almost, with the dissappearnce of so many of his cubs. As his mind drifted further an idea hit him, and it wasn't a pleasant one.. forcing himself to drink to hide the growl that wanted to form. If this little male had just been in wait the whole time, and had intentions of stealing his eldest daughter to run away with, then he had another thing coming.-

He felt his heart growing his pace as he could see the king out of the corner of his eye. It seemed as if he was the main point of interest for Kami's father, and Ta was afraid to admit he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Suddenly, he remembered the first step he was to make, and he turned back to face the king, lowering his head so his mane covered his downcast eyes.

"Your Highness..." he murmbered in his soft voice, keeping the shadows from catching his attention. Just like always, without Kami at his side, his past started to slowly return. With the winds brushing his coat, his forearms tightened before he took a deep breath to relax the paranoia, eyes raising to meet the king's.

"I..." He trailed off as he caught the slight annoyance in the king's eyes, and once more his own shot away from the depths, "...I have come to speak with you about the prospect of becoming a Pridelander...for as long as I can remember, the lands have brought me safety from my past, and..." He stilled his voice and started to collect himself, "...I want to feel safe in days to come..." Lifting his eyes, he glanced to the king again, hoping he wouldn't see the anger he had pictured would come.

-He gritted his teeth lightly as requests darted through his mind, making up endings due Ta's trailing and submissiveness. Of course you can't have her! Or take her off to see the world. His mind snapped. It was enough that his boys had headed off.

However as the true request touched his ears the king's expression softened, his ears lifting lightly. He was relieved to say the least. His becoming part of the pride not only would settle his notions about the boy.. and showed a sense of maturity that he'd actually apparently gained along with his new size. But of coures it also would keep Kami around, perhaps keep her from gaining the wanderlust that'd eaten through a few of the other prideland young ones.

Turning to fully face the young lion he nodded lightly, offering simply.- "You've been part of the pride since the first night you slept within our lands. And you've proven.. that you aren't a threat to the safety. So if you wish to join, then, you're free to."

His shoulders slumped at the look in the King's eye, and he glanced down to his paws in the childish manor he still held. Becoming a child so late, he still felt his instincts controling his movements, but as soon as Mufasa spoke up again, Ta felt his head rise so suddenly that his ears started to ring. Not knowing if he heard it correctly, he took a step closer before his maw broke into a wide grin.

"Y-you mean it?" He asked in an excited stutter, before a short laugh of amazement broke through his lips. Looking down a moment more, he thought before glancing back to the king in wonder.

"Since I came here as a cub," He said softly, "I have only been shown hospitality but the lions here...as well as Kami...even the queen looked at me as another member, though I was still a rogue...Finally, it feels right for me to ask my place, so I may help protect this pride while you rule, as well as while Kami rules." He had no idea if the king knew it, but Ta suddenly felt the last factor of losing his only friend was finally gone, and suddenly he felt light as if there was nothing else to worry about.

"Thank you, your highness..." He finished, his rambling done as he glanced back towards the rock. He could not wait to tell Kami the good news he finally had, ready to share.

-A half smile touched his lip's at Ta's excitement, and nodded lightly to the spilling words. He offered simply the soft reassuring words that, "A pride can always use more strong males"

-He was a bit of a worrier when it came to thinking about the days he'd join his ancestors in the sky. It wasn't that he thought Kami was incapable.. nor the rest of the pride, but deep down he didn't want them to feel the pain and harshness that life sometimes threw. Another nasty disease, or a pride upheaval. Shaking the thoughts away he glanced to Ta once again, laughing very lightly.- "Perhaps you should go tell your new pridemates?"

Stilling his excitements, he nodded slowly as his stance was one of pride himself. The king had no idea that the only one he could tell was Kami, for he didn't have many others. Heck, it took him months just to speak to the King of all the lions in that pride.

Turning, he sent another grin back to the king in thanks, before running off in stride towards where he knew Kami would be waiting, ready to tell her the news that he would be there for many moons to come.

Mika'il had finally found where Na'ilah had ran off to and was happy to know it was a pride. His eyes scanned the area before landing on some figures up ahead. He really wasn't comfortable staying in another's territory without permission, but his conversation with Na'ilah had confirmed that she wanted to stay here.

As he came closer to the two, he noticed that one of them was leaving. He smiled to both before greeting, "Hello!"

-Mufasa turned lightly to the strangely hued lion that had approached, offering a soft nod of acknowledgement, before he shifted up towards his feet, sitting lightly. The male was unfamilar to him atleast and he wondered softly if it was a traveler, or one of the many new members to the pride.- "Hello there."

Mika'il heard the returned greeting and felt a smile grow. Everyone that he has encountered here was friendly! His tail flicked slightly before he stopped before the King. He looked him over before he began to speak, "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything but I don't like to intrude," He paused before continuing, "I'm Mika'il. It's a pleasure to meet you."

-Letting his eyes turn for a moment to the direction in which Ta had run, he shook his head lightly, he good mood returning with the pleasant turn of events.- "Not intruding at all. I'm just resting."

"Hello Mika'il, I'm Mufasa." -Glancing out at the water again he shifted, almost as if other the other male a seat.- "It's nice to have a wateringhole so near the rocks."

Mika'il felt relieved and listened to Mufasa. He nodded his head in agreement, "It is nice to have water so close, at least you don't have to worry about the lack of it."

He was beating around the bush and could feel it in his stomach. "I have a question to ask you. Would you be willing to accept my friend and I into the pride? I've been traveling with my friend and she's been searching for a place to stay, a place that'll accept her and she feels that this is the place. I just don't like to wander around in someone's land before getting permission."

"Hmmm?" -Mufasa's ears pivoted softly, keeping with Mika'il as he spoke, though his eyes touched the female in the distance. By the time the large male beside him had finished however his eyes were settled back on Mika'il. Nodding a little lightly to the request, Mufasa shifted up to his feet again, walking forward far enough to dip his front paws into the water.-

"You're more then welcome to find a home within the Pridelands. A bigger 'family' is never a bad thing for a pride."

Mika'il smiled to Mufasa in happiness. Dipping his head, "Thank you so much, Mufasa. This place sure does feel like home to me." His tail flicked as he got up to leave, letting the others get a chance to speak with the king. He glanced back before leaving, "I hope we see each other again." He then looked to the two newcomers and gave them both a smile before heading out to find Na'ilah, who was still with the queen.

-Watching the other male leave he nodded in a soft goodbye, before settling himself again, puffing up just a little before giving his long mane a stern shake.

Glancing over to the unfamilar lions, he pondered for a moment, staying still as he thought over how sad it was, that he as the king didn't know anymore exactly who was and wasn't part of his ever growing pride. Maybe it was his old age.. or maybe just all the time he was spending teaching the little heiress. Hopefully Kami would better at it when her time came.

Running his tongue lightly against his golden fur, he shrugged off the notion, offering a soft greeting towards the others, before he lowered his head again, tongue against his forearm.-

The way out of the Pridelands was long for the border-seeking rogue, though he knew it wasn't as long as the path that had led in him for he wasn't so worried about running into other animals now. It's evening and Kijibwa had decided to take a break so he's gone off for a walk without Siku.

"Hm," he murmurs to himself, standing as straight as he can, trying to get a good idea of where they are- or how far away if could be before they were out of the Pridelands, but not seeing any major change of scenery in the near distance.

"Well," he says, taking a seat and shaking his lengthening mane- something that he's noticed is getting longer and thicker, and that he isn't entirely sure he likes yet. He doesn't pay too much attention to what's around him, just looking off in the distance ahead of him.

-A soft sweet melody drifts into the warm air above the lithe young cheetah as she slips through the grasslands. Normally in a new place one would try to be quiet, but Shairi had learned from near cubhood that she could be as quiet as a mouse, and her brillantly colored pelt gave her away reguardless. So she took pride in her noises, and the soft hum that drifts from her maw today is slightly lazy as she listens to her stomach make some sounds of it's own.

Making her way along at a soft step her eyes spot the strange monotone beast in the distance. Used to a life of so much color.. the pretty jungle greens, the clean sky blues, her own bright pink Shairi can't help but stop and take a peek at the sight, drawing nearer with curiousity.-

Kijibwa stares out at the distance, remaining quite comfortable and unaware of any creature that may be approaching him. No sound that reaches his ears seems to bother him, or make him want to look. No 'being watched' feeling comes to him. He feels so peaceful.

To think, he's going to be out wandering around again soon..

-Her parents probably would have had a heart attack if they could see her now. They'd taught her to be so cautious, and yet within her travels it almost seemed as if she got 'less cautious' with each step, as was apparent by the way she was appoaching such a large beast.

What was he doing? Looking for something? He didn't seem to moving around enough for that.. Maybe he was waiting for something? Or someone. Drawing nearer her humming began to fade and she stopped a few yards from the monotone beast, calling out in a soft sing-song.- "Hello there! Waiting for someone?"

The lion jumps when he hears the sudden greeting from behind him, on his feet quickly and turned to face her. His expression goes from surprise to curiousity at the sight of the strange creature. She's so bright and colorful.. and spotty. There's something about her that makes it obvious that she isn't a lion, but he can't seem to figure it out.

"Hello," he replies, "No, I'm not waiting for anyone.."

He looks around- should he be waiting for someone? Is there anyone to wait for? His blue eyes move back to the cheetah.

"Are you looking for someone?" he asks, tilting his head.

-At the returned question she grinned a little sheepishly, obviously not expecting to get the question back. Inspecting large lion once again, now that she could see his face and the white markings that spilled down his front, she shrugged her shoulders a little.- "Ohhh... no no. Not looking for anyone."

-Taking a thoughtful step, she offered lightly the best explaination she could manage.- "It's just, you don't see animals sitting around so still and so quiet unless they're waiting.. or looking.. or hunting I suppose? So that's why I thought."

-Grin touching her smaller maw she mused.- "Perhaps you were just sunbathing and enjoying the day though?"

His tail sways behind him calmly, and his expression is a clear indication that he isn't concerned about being approached like this, and that he is somewhat curious. He tosses his head to get a stray piece of his mane out of his face, "Enjoying the day sounds right. I'm leaving these lands with a friend, and we decided to take a break."

He takes a seat and wiggles a bit to get comfortable, looking at her curiously again.

"What are you?" Kijibwa asks suddenly, and rather tactlessly, "I mean... you don't look like a lion." He lifts his head and glances towards her tail. He has never seen a cheetah up close before.

"Ahhh, well that sounds like a good reason. I know I always take my time leaving nice places slower then I entered them. Kind of like saying goodbye before your adventure continues."

-She'd been in and out of different lands and places since she was little. As a wanderer, never a 'stayer'. On occassion she had company, but when they stayed she always continued on, a soft wanderlust tugging at her constantly.

Her ears lifted a little at his question, and she laughed a little light heartedly posing her smaller frame and unique features for his inspection.- "No no, not a lion. I'm a cheetah. You don't mind do you? I know certain beasts would rather deal with their own kind.

I myself like to mingle! Spices up life really."

"I never thought of it like that," he comments, smiling and looking over the land again, "I've been here a long time.." Almost as long as he'd been in the jungle, it seemed! He smiles at the thought of the jungle, then looks back at Shairi when she explains what she is.

"A cheetah?" he blinks, looking over her lithe form, "I don't mind, I've just never seen.. a cheetah before. Is there a reason not to mingle?" Kijibwa grins, seeing no problem with it- he'd met lions less friendly than this cheetah.

"Ahhh this place must be nice then? If you've got sidetracked enough to stay long." -She wouldn't ask WHY he was leaving, in fact in her opinion the only valid question of that sort would be as to why he was staying, if he were that is.-

"Hmmm.. a reason?" -She cocked her head lightly to the side, thinking over the question, before finally she shrugged, the smile on her maw growing wider.- "Well I don't see a reason why you should worry.. I'm the one who'd end up eaten if things went bad. But... in my past I've crossed a few lions who didn't 'fratinize with lower beasts', as they put it."

-Settling herself a little more comfortably on the ground, now that it'd become apparent that the male probably wasn't a threat, she offered a light greeting.- "I'm Shairi, by the way."

"I actually stayed because I was told the lions here are stupid and lazy," he replies off-handedly, ironically getting to his feet and stretching out a bit, "But it is nice here, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed to try to find out if it's true." He shakes when he stands back up, smiling at the cheetah.

"Well, you don't look too tasty anyway," he says jokingly, looking over her pink, spotted pelt again, "So you don't have to worry about that with me. Was it lions from here that said that? It might prove the stupid part."

Aha, maybe he doesn't need to be in the Pridelands to learn if they are or are not stupid. Not that it really matters anymore, but it just seems to keep coming up. This pink cat doesn't look like a lower beast to him.

"I'm Kijibwa," he grins, returning the gesture, "It's nice to meet you, Shairi."

"Oh I don't?" -An amused smirk touched her maw as he teased and she looked down at her ribbons forepaws. Laughing a little she finally shook her head.- "Well I guess I might look a little too weird to eat, unless you've seen alot of flowers. In the jungle there are some flowers that I match."

-She was glad she'd stopped by to check this male. As a traveler you never knew when you'd meet pleasant company, and this male was indeed a pleasure. Her long tail flicked subconciously behind her with her contentment.- "Ohhh.. it's hard to keep track of it really... There are some really nasty red beasts in the deserts that've had me watching my back.. but I suppose if I lived in the desert I'd be grumpy too."

-Grinning lightly, she mused softly in thought.- "It's just one of those things no matter where you go, some beasts are strange. I've gotten used to it."

"The jungle!" he exclaims, jumping a little bit excitedly at the mention of the place, "That's where I came here from, sort of." Kijibwa nods enthusiatically, smiling widely. Beaming, he tries to see if he can recall any brightly colored flowers that she reminds him of, but ends up shaking his head.

"I don't remember any flowers a lot like you," he admits, "But you do look like you could be a flower." It's not a difficult thing to imagine, especially for one who is used to less brightly colored creatures.

His ears flatten at the mention of the desert, "I didn't know things lived in the desert. I know I can't, I was found as a cub there, not doing very well. But I agree with you, if I managed to survive there I don't think I'd be too cheerful."

Of course, he's a bit better off now than he had been when he was there last. Not that he really realizes this, or cares much for it- he really doesn't think he'd like to go back to the desert.

"There's a nasty red lioness here," he adds, "I don't know if she still is, but when I first arrived she was. Almost scared me out."

"Really?" -Her ears perked in soft intrigue and another light grin touched her face at the admission.- "I don't recall seeing too many lions back in the jungles, but my parents did keep a pretty tight eye on me. Always worried."

-Glancing away at the desert she'd traveled through not long before she pondered over the lion's words. Apparently he was a traveler too? Though probably not so much by choice as her traveling was. Flipping her tail lightly before her she thought over his second statement.- "Another angry red?"

-Laughing a little she mused softly.- "It must be a coincidence. I can't imagine every red lion out there to be nasty." -Not that she wouldn't be more cautious from now on when she saw a hint of red in the distance.-

Kijibwa nods, grinning widely. He gives a great shrug of his shoulders at the mention of seeing so few lions in the jungle, "I didn't come across too many different creatures there- you're the first.. cheetah that I've met." He considers her words, wondering if all parents are worriers- and what happened with his that he was let to get away in the desert.

His blue eyes move back to Shairi at the question about the red lion, nodding affirmatively. There was no mistaking how Kiuma had acted, for it most definetely was not a friendly meeting.

"Maybe," he agrees, though he feels the same way now that he knows there are nasty red lions in the desert, "Everyone should just be friendly, it's a lot nicer that way, you know."

"Oh yes! That'd be absolutely grand.. if everyone could just get along and be nice." -A whistful smile touched her pink maw at the thought.-

"Then noone would have to worry, and everyone could just have fun. What a wonderful thought." -A soft puff rumbled through her chest as her mind drifted, her tail beginning to twitch as her paws begged once again for movement. Shifting upwards she turned her gaze to the colors that decorated the skyline in the distance.- "Well I suppose it's about time I leave you to your break.. and continue on myself."

The lion's grin widens when the cheetah agrees with him, pleased that he isn't the only one to think so. Things would be so much easier, and so much more fun, if everyone was friendly and accepting.. he'd only run into a couple creatures that varied from that ideal, so he considers himself quite lucky that way.

"At least some creatures you find are that way," he nods, giving her a smile that indicates he means her in his comment. His eyes follow hers the sky, then move to behind him when she speaks. Yes, time to continue on.

"I suppose so," he says, looking back at her and then standing up and shaking off his fur, "It was nice to meet you, Shairi."

-Grinning gently, she nodded to his sentiments, before bowing gently in her goodbye.- "It was a pleasure indeed!"

-Smiling lightly, she began to pad off, only to stop a few feet away and call back.- "Best of luck on your own trip Kijibwa."

-And then she was gone again, slipped into the tall grasses and off, heading north to whatever that direction should bring.-

With a smile, he attempts clumsily to mimic the gesture. His blue eyes follow the pink cheetah as she heads off, and then he nods when she calls back. He looks back to where he'd been sitting when she'd found him, and then in the direction he'd left Siku in. He knows they have to go by the desert to get the jungle, and he almost feels a little more wary of the route..

But, after a pause, his worried expression once again turns cheerful, and he heads off to find Siku again.