Welcome to Gaia! ::

*beginning a few posts in*
-Mufasa's eyes widened softly as not one, but two new cubs made their way into the world, and his mate soon had the little bundles pulled up to her chest. Another feeling of pride swept over him and he curled gently behind her back, watching his new family with a silent sense of awe.

Finally, nuzzling again against Sarabi's frame, he whispered comfortingly to her.- "Beautiful like their mother it would seem too. We've truely been blessed."

-However all was not quite so well as it seemed. The second born, most obviously a runt compared to it's two siblings tried to curl towards his mother and fend off the cold that was overcoming his small and slowly weaking frame. Wedging himself between his more lively siblings he lay comfortedly, unbenounced to his parents that it wouldn't be long before the circle of life once again took him to the dirt.-

Sarabi grunted as the birthing pain came again, amazed that there was yet another cub to be born:

Sarabi pulled this cub to her as well, licking her clean. In moments, the contractions started again. Yet another?? Exhaustion was begining to make her mind feel fuzzy, and she'd long since gotten numbed to the pain. This time though, unlike the others, she had trouble producing the cub. Contraction after contraction, Sarabi fought to force the next cub into the world, each time her pushes lossing strength. Finally, gathering herself, the Queen gave one last push. The cub arrived in a rush of blood, breech birthed:

When Sarabi realized that the cord was wrapped around his neck as well, she quickly pulled him to her and bit through the cord. Instinct took over as she cleaned him, searching for any sign that he had been affected by the hard birth. Thankfully, he seemed fine.

Maawios wide eyes grew even wider as she watched the birth, she smiled fondly at Sarabi, she admired her for being so brave, though many females must go through this pain. She looked down at the beautiful baby cubs and smiled. One day, maybe she and Amari would have cubs like that of her own. She sat down, giving them a respectful bow and wondering if Sarabi would need to eat soon, she couldnt hunt for hersel,f that was for sure. Mabye she would have to ask Sarabi, or even Mufasa, if they needed assitance? The golden adolescent pondered, a confused look on her face.

-A pained look touched Mufasa's face at his mate's pain and strain, and soft gentle words of comfort flowed from the king as Sarabi undertook her daunting task. How so much life could come from her he'd never know, but secretly he hoped that it would stop soon, for as much as the blessing of children was, it tore him apart to see her pants, her seizing pain.

After the trouble with the fifth cub, he nudged her very gently, unaware of the last little life that rest within her body.- "Sarabi... perhaps you should try to rest. I can send for water.. food. Anything you need."

Sarabi slumped back, finished with the task of cleaning the fith cub. It had been dificult to see where the birthing blood ended and his red coat began, especially as she seemed to have trouble focusing. She was so tired... and getting more so as she continued to bleed. When the pain started again, the Queen whimpered, thrashing in the soft grass now dark with her blood. The pain grew, becoming more intense with each passing moment. Each movement as agony, each breathe a lead in to yet more pain. It very nearly took her consciousness as she heaved and produced the sixth, and final cub:

With the last of her strength, Sarabi pulled her youngest daughter to her and cleaned her fur, the hue an exact match to her brothers. When the task was done, she sagged onto her side and sighed as her eyes drifted closed. She sank into oblivion, and while her chest still moved, but it was shallow and fitful breaths. The golden body was hot with returning fever, the mind that normally inhabited it fled from exhaustion.

Bakhti couldn''t bear to see the queen in that much pain she stood up and stepped into the den, "Mufasa, sir." She bowed her head as she walked in, "Is there anything I can get her? To help her anything?" She classed the femme as her friend so worried about her greatly. She just watched the cubs squirm around hoping there was something she could do to help the golden femme.

-As his mate passed into her tired exhuastion, Mufasa settled himself carefully on the other side of the cubs, boxing them in protectively, as he began to try and attend to Sarabi. Nosing his way to be near her warm forehead, he tried to soak up any of the extra heat that her body would allow.

As he attended though, eyes kept to the six small cubs as they moved and suckled, leading them gently with a massive paw when they began to stray too far from each other and the warmth of their mother.

He didn't look back when Bakhti spoke perhaps in hopes to hide his true helplessness and ignorance.. or perhaps because his attention was so set on this new 'little' family. Sighing gently, he wracked his brain, before answering softly back.- "I'm afraid I don't know... perhaps when she wakes.. she'll want something to eat.. or drink.. or perhaps some cleaner bedding.. but.. I'm really not that certain."

-The golden female suckled from her mother until her tiny stomach was full ignoring more of the blind world around her. There was warm and there was cold, there was the soft comforting feel of her family around her, small bodies all mushed together in a tangle of legs, tails, and chubby little bodies. But her closest womb-mate, the tiny little runt pressed against her side was was growing cooler, his movements slowing until finally, a surprisingly loud shudder of air escaped from his body, delicate cry resting upon the last breath.

The young female nudged softly, as the feel of breathing, and warmth, and the comforting thump of the heart next to her no longer appeared to be there, and she tried to curl a little closer to her mother, once again looking blindly for the comforts of life.-

-The cubs had made a few noises of protest here and there as they filled their stomachs.. got used to their new little bodies. But mostly they were silent in their task, so when the pained cry touched the air his head immediately lifted and his eyes began to search his young for which had made the cry. After moments of looking he'd almost been ready to rest his head again, when he finally noticed the golden males chest no longer expanding with breath.. and it was then the the sense.. the minutely familar smell of death began to take over his nostrils.

Feverishly he sat, reaching for the small cub with a delicate n**, a wave of fear touching him as the coldness of the cub's body became apparent. Settling the cub between his fore paws, he frantically began to ruffle at the cub coat, trying to stir it in awakenness.

Ignoring the upset mowls of his other cubs at the intrusion, he began to lick the cub, try and warm the cub, nuzzle and nose until his own breath was coming in frightened heaves. And still the cub remained still, cold, silent. Curling his paws around the cub, he moved closer once again to his mate, cradling their lost little one as he pressed his own heat near his living children. He would have to take the cub elsewhere before too long.. before it began to upset the other children.. but for now as Mufasa tried to fight off the emotions of anger, and sadness, and fear that crept within his large frame they'd lay together as a family. The lost cub deserved that much atleast.-

Sarabi slept like the dead, her chest barely moving. Once in a while her paws would twitch in agitation, a mewing sound coming from her throat as the fever cast bad dreams across her mind.

Bakhti watched the death of the cub in horror. She stepped back and swallowed hard before lowering her head and backed out of the cave. She turned to Maawio, if they were going to help Bakhti couldn''t do it on her own.

"Maawio..." She pratically whispered, trying to restrain the tears that were fighting to crawl down her face, it was only a little cub. It had no life, it didn''t deserve that! "Mufasa said we could collect some food and new bedding for Sarabi." she gulped again the feeling some what of a rock inside her throat and stomach seemed to stop her talking properly

-Mufasa watched the cubs with a soft solemnness.. the joy of the day seemingly brought down by their loss.. and his mate's pain. Silently he dwell in his mind over his options. He didn't like the thought of leaving and taking the cub away now.. before his mother could say goodbye. But at the same note.. could he deal with his mate if she woke up to see the lifeless cub? Sighing gently, he nuzzled ever closer to the group trying to think of the best thing to do.. the right thing.-

Kijito twitched as he let out a soft almost growling sound. Shifting in his sleep he began to move away from his mother and the other cubs. Seeking out the warmth of his father.

-Cries were met with soft attention, Mufasa assisting Kijito, pulling the tiny little male close so his walk wasn't so far. Resting his head restlessly he watched the living cubs with the very softest hint of a smile. Sleeping, feeding, wandering around as much as they could with their tiny little limbs. Such a beautifully priceless sight.-

After a time, the fever seemed to abate, the lioness'' body cooling to just above her normal temperature. With a soft sigh, crimson eyes opened, slowly forcusing on the area just infront of her. Sarabi turned her head a bit and looked around, taking in the sight of her cubs and her mate laying close beside her. A deep contentment made her heart ache in her chest and the Queen let loose with a bone rattling purr. Ingoring the tiredness that still dragged at her limbs, she carefully gather her cubs closer and one by one began to clean them thuroughly. Golden fur, creamy fur, dusky red fur... all passed beneith her loving eyes.

When the job was done, Sarabi sighed and shifted, settling her chin on Mufasa''s flank. When a faint smell met her sensitive nose, she raised her head again. She frowned a little as she turned her face this way and that, her nose questing for the unpleasant ordor. "Mufasa? What is that...? There''s something wrong."

-A feeling of relief touched him as he saw his mate stirring, waking and pulling the cubs closer. A soft smile of pride even touched his maw as he thought of how wonderful his mate was.. exhausted and yet still taking on the task of a kind and wonderful mother.

It wasn't until she questioned him, that the feeling of dread and loss once again swept through him. Oh the things he'd do if he could just not tell her.. If he just didn't have to watch her heart break before him. He stalled in silence for a long moment, unsure of what to say, before finally he looked forward, motioning toward the cold bundle of flesh that lay cradled lovingly inbetween his massive forepaws.

Words finally came. But they weren't those of the strong king. They were pained words, on a voice that cracked with emotion. And despite the fact that he knew better.. a hint of guilt.- "A prince... that was not.. meant to be. I couldn't save him either."

Sarabi rose and turned, placing her creamy head beside Mufasa's paws. She nosed the little cub softly, smelling both birth and death on him. If it had been possible, tears would have rolled down her cheeks and muzzle. As it was, the lioness could only mew softly, rubbing her cheek against her mate's large paws for comfort. "It is the Circle of Life, I suppose. Still, it is a sad day for all, as well a happy one. I wish something could have been done for him, but..." She broke off, unable to speak. Her tawny body curled protectively around her living cubs, as if by sheer prescence she could sheild them from the great circle that would one day take them all.

-He nodded a little softly to her words. They should have been comforting.. she'd really tried. However the thought of their son before and his own untimely coming gnawed at Mufasa. Maybe he shouldn't be a father.. have the pride or raising children, if he couldn't even keep them alive.

Pressing a soft nuzzle against his mate's cheek, and a delicate lick, he lifted himself, speaking softly before he tenderly picked up the small cub.- "I'll be back as soon as I can dearest.. I'll take care of this little one.."

-Before really letting her answer, he started off towards the edge of the cave, ignoring those he past, reacting even more unpleasantly to those who would try to stop him, or follow him. An uncharacteristic growl answering their offers.

Away from the rocks he walked, for a long time, paying little attention to anything put the small weight he carried and the thoughts nagging in his head. The sun moved along with him, telling the passage of time until the king finally stopped, staring at a massive tree that seemed to explode from the dusty ground with life. Setting the cub gently down alongside the tree, he sat, in soft silent prayer towards the stars.. towards his father and the kings of the past.

Looking to the cub once again, a sick feeling touched his stomach at the thought of another animal picking at the soft flesh of the little one. It was the circle of life.. but that didn't make it any more pleasant.. any easier. Standing again, he extended his claws, before beginning to rake at the dusty ground. It was hard work, long work, and it hurt his claws to feel the strong pressure of the ground grating the other way against them, but he didn't stop. When a small hole finally rest before him he placed the cub gently in, before brushing dirt back over the make shift grave.

Lingering long after, he didn't leave until stars touched the sky, finally turning to head back home.-

The grass rustled softly to Kami's left, the barest swish of a body moving through them. Unseen, pale red eyes gleamed brightly, with a hint of a cruel smile on the young face. The hidden creature hardly noticed the crestfallen look of the cub, prefering to concentrate on the suprise that it was about to unleash

-Sighing again heavily, Kami dragged her feet as she 'walked' through the tall grasses, a speed of excruciating slowness. Her ears remained drooped enough that she didn't catch the rustle of her littermate nearby.

Stopping finally in thought she debated. As much as she didn't want to play anymore.. did she really want to go home either? To have her mother and father lay concern and worries on her and try to dig out what was wrong? In one way it was amazing, how easily they could read her.. but on the other hand. Glancing in direction of the Priderocks, she settled, plopping her bottom onto the soft ground beneath her, batting at a blade of grass as she thought.-

Things couldn't be more perfect for an ambush, as far as Kiuma was concerned. Ears plastered back against her head, she stalked slowly forward, her tail swishing excitedly behind her. When the tubby little red cub felt she was close enough, she sprang forward with a shrieking roar. She was a whirling dervish of paws, claws and tail as she flew at her sister, making enough sound for five cubs her size. The pounce was ill-timed, and she landed just before the golden cub, paws slapping the dirt as she stumbled and fell on her face.

Embarrassed but trying not to show it, the red cub picked herself up with an air of wounded dignity, giving Kamilika a look that clearly said, This is all your fault... Plopping her little rear down in the dirt, she began to primly lick the dust that marred her creamy chest.

-Initally the golden cub's eyes widened with fear at the 'attack', and she shuffled back about a half inch, hair sticking straight up. The red pelt however quickly gave away her sister, and she struggled between sighing with relief and stiffling the laugh of the comical show. The sound produced sounded something like a hiccup, and Kami was glad. Not only was it not nice to laugh, she really didn't know how well her sister would have taken it.

Opening her mouth, she stayed silent for a long moment, before trying once again, offering a rather weak smile.- "H.. Hi Kiuma.. Are you ..alright?"

-Glancing around suddenly, for sign of other siblings, she finally returned her eyes to Kiuma, tail curling around herself for comfort.- "Why aren't you out playing with Umi?"

Kiuma raied her head and blinked in surprise, as though she had completely forgotten that her sister was there. "What are you talking about? I'm just fine." She sniffed, lifting her muzzle into the air. "Uumikaji is around here somewhere, I'm sure. He just has a hard time keeping up with me, so I like to explore a head a little. Like a scout." She stood up, puffing up her chest proudly at her self-imposed role. "I make sure there aren't any dangerous creatures waiting to attack us. When I find one, they sure regret messing with me!" She hissed and swiped at a low hanging leaf, miming what she'd do if she ever found a 'dangerous creature'. Like a hiena! She's sure show them a thing or two....

-Kami nodded softly with the answer, skillfully hiding the small wince that drew along with Kiuma's explanatory clawing. Why she couldn't be as strong, or as.. aggressive as her younger sibling she didn't know. But shifting back and forth upon golden paws she listened with a slight hitch to her back offering lightly as her eyes began to droop and wander again.-

"A scout? I bet you'll make a really good huntress one day.."

Kiuma puffed up proudly. "Of course, I will!" She grinned, prancing around her sister. Her eyes flciked around, and the smile drooped a little. Where was Uumi? He really should have caught up to her by now...

-Well atleast she was happy about that. Maybe... maybe one day her sister could teach her to be a better huntress? She couldn't really be beyond hope..

As Kiuma's smile began to fade though, Kami stood again, looking to see if there was a way to escape from the prancing circle she'd be 'trapped' in. She knew the reasoning behind that expression. After all, she spent nearly the entirity of her life relitively close to her siblings. Offering a little bit of a worried smile, she stepped foward.- "M.. Maybe you should look. For Umi?"

Kiuma sniffed, raising her nose into the air as her round ears fell back against her head. "I don't need to go look for him, I know right where he is." At least, she thought she did.... "Besides, He can go where he wants, its not like our tails are tied together." She flicked her tail and started to pad back towards Priderock. Maybe her brother was there, escaping from the heat of the day and resting.

-Her sister's departure gave her a moment to step back, and Kami watched, uncertain of whether or not she should follow. Turning she glanced back out again, debating her thought before of going out to play again. However she was soon following after her sister once again, watching the large pride rocks expand up into the sky.

As she reached the bottom she began to climb the rocks slowly, deliberatly, to make sure a paw didn't slide away underneath her as she did, and when she finally reached the top she froze. She shouldn't be surprised that other's were hanging around the den.. but.. Creeping delicately the young heir tried to peek upon the small group.-

Uumikaji, surprisingly, tottered through the grass from the opposite direction. He'd fallen back from Kiuma a bit ago, and had made a large arc around this area, where he'd encountered that copper cub, whatever his name was. He'd been /ignored/ by the other! He sniffed lightly, panting still. He did not have that cute chubbiness a cub should have, rather a sickly skin and bones look. He swallowed when his crimson gaze fell on Kiuma.. and what's this? Kamilika as well. His lip slightly curled at that and he just stood there, breathing heavily and watching the two.

"S..sorry I took so long.. to catch up.." He huffed, gaze flicking to his twins. Hopefully she wouldn't say anything about him not coming in the same direction she had.

Kiuma brightened instantly when her twin appeared. "No problem, Uumi. I was talking to Kami, so it wasn't a big deal." Her expression grew stern. "But you'll need to learn to keep up. It's dangerous for you to fall so far behind." She turned and continued past him, headed back to Priderock.

Uumi made a sour face at his siters back, following behind. He quickly masked that look, gaze flicking to his home. "Oh, of course. Im sorry, I will learn to keep up." He muttered softly. His tail flicked behind him, irritated. Why wasn't something wrong with Kiuma? Why was he the sickly one? His gaze could see tiny figures up on the rock, though that was all he could make out. "Pfft, it looks busy today." He murmered, generally showing dislike for crowds.

-Kami slipped ahead of her two red siblings, ears falling gently as she heard the soft sisterly scoldings that came from Kiuma. It must be neat to have a twin?

From her hiding place amongts the rocks, which happened to blend very well with her bland golden coat, she listened softly to the going on's of the small group, eyes flicking from her mother to the new comer. Spotting the full grown male approach she froze. It wasn't often you saw one coming along the pride rocks other then her daddy... what did he want?

As the conversation traveled onto her dad, she continued to peer, watching the two lively and sweet cubs, before her eyes drifted to her red hued siblings in the distance.-

Kiuma raised her head and scented the air. "Intruders. We should go an check it out!" She growled softly, a menacing smile on her face as she picked up her pace towards Priderock. If there were new lions here, then they needed to be looked over by her and Uumi. After all, they were the self-declared protectors of the Pridelands. Or at least, Kiuma-declared as of this moment. "Come on Uumikaji! We have to make sure they're not dangerous." She broke into a trot, her little tail swinging happily behind her. When they reached the rocks, she began to bound upwards, forgetting all about secrecy and sticking to her brother's slower pace.

Uumi panted, sides heaving in and out. His insides burned with the efforts of actually keeping up this time, after Kiuma's remark he would keep up. For a few days. Maybe, hopefully. He scrambled up the rocks, gritting his teeth. He would not take a break.. or slow down.. or call for her to wait up. He wouldn't!

Pride was already strong in this one.

-As the other slunk away, Kami took the moment to reveal herself from her hiding spot. Trotting over to the resting frame of her mother. She was still hurt from the events of the day.. scaring and running off that poor other cub.. and the large slew of creatures around weren't going to make it better. Nuzzling up against her mommy gently, she closed her eyes, trying to lull herself into a nap, and push away the barrage of thoughts that tried to engulf her.-

Sarabi came to the waking world at the feel of a small, soft body against her own. Red eyes met a golden pelt, and a warm smile touched the thin, tired face. A deep purr rumbled in her chest as she pulled her daughter close and tucked her up against her creamy chest. "Hello, Kami. Did you have a good day?" She said softly, running her tongue over the cub's head to clean the soft fur. This was the part of being a mother that she loved. Holding her cubs close, feeling the soft, round little bodies.

-Kami's eyes openned gently as her mom stir, ears flattening gently as the soft motherly affections were pressed upon her. As the words of her day were asked however, her tail instictively drew around her. Should she lie? Mmm... no.. there was no real harm..

Gazing up at her mother with a shy curiousity, the little golden cub asked softly.- "Why did he run away when I told him about daddy.. I just wanted.. to be friends.." -She sighed heavily, curling closer into her large arms and chest. Maybe she wasn't friend material?-

Sarabi gave her firstborn another lick before looking up at the sound of a small voice calling for her. "Rehani? Hello, little one." She greeted her daughter with a purr and a rub of her cheek against the soft fur.

"Hello Rehani" -Kami's ears twitched a little, and she let her question fall unanswered. Curling up into her mother's affection she made room for her sister. Rehani really was the prettiest of her siblings in her opinion.. those bright green eyes and that softly hued pelt. She sighed a little inwardly and wished. Wished lots of things.-

-A soft touch of sorrow touched the king's face as he watched the torn nature of the young lioness. Her fears and worries flowing from her as obviously as the blood of the wounds she'd sustained with her fight with the beast early that day.

Shifting a little on his massive paws, he pondered for a moment before offering instead.- "If you're more comfortable out here, then I'll explain it to you out here. But you've got to promise me that you won't run off while I retrive something." -He waited questioningly for the answer, not sure if he'd believe it when she DID answer. But he had to have a little faith in the young princess.-

-Almost worrying that she wouldn't agree he added the soft little sting of information to perk her interest.- "Something from your parents, young one."


Dama bowed her head with gratefulness to his more accomodating proposal. Her ears rested against the top of her head as she nodded solemnly. "I will not move, Great King. You have my word..." The lioness was visibly quivering with nervousness. Past experience told her such a promise could possibly be the death of her, the great king possibly going to retrieve some of his lioness' to do her in. But something held her fast to the spot she sat in as she told him she would. If death were to come to her through his lioness' then that was what was to be.

His next words brought shock to her eyes and her eyes to meet his as he spoke. "My....my parents, Great Lord?" Words simply could not express the sheer shock she was in at that single phrase.


-Nodding a little softly, Mufasa lifted his head towards the towering rocks once more, before giving her a soft subtle smile hoping to reassure her gently before he began to make his way up the familar formation. He was quick about his actions, not because he feared for the one below.. he knew his lioness.. that they weren't going to just attack someone without notice or provocation, but more for her. The worry, the anticipation, it must be like a weight as heavy and thick as that giant beast he'd been carrying back for her.

Slipping past family and friends, offering a soft but affectionate nod before he passed them he slipped to the very back where he and his mate spent their nights, searching until he found the ancient piece of jewelry he'd come looking for. Securing his mouth around it tenderly, he made his way back out, heading back down towards the grey princess, delicate necklace in tow.-


Dama watched the king head up the rock formation that she'd so many a time admired from afar. Nerves were on edge as she watched his great hulk disappear into the darkness, and she was left alone to wait. It felt as if she were waiting for a lifetime as each moment passed. Her ears twitched this way and that like radars, listening for even the slightest sound of anyone sneaking up on her.

He'd said it was something to do with her parents....but what on earth could that be? Did he know them? Had he spoken with them at some point? She couldn't even begin to fathom how long ago that was, didn't even know herself quite how old she was. In truth, the lioness was reaching adulthood, her ribbed features softening out into a more pleasantly filled out form of a true adult. She wasn't quite there yet, though mentally she had seen and dealt with more than most adults or others her own age would ever dream of. Not by choice, but by necessity and Fate itself had thrown her nearly full circle in this journey. Yet it would seem that the journey she thought was near to a close, with her life keeping her as nothing but a former slave, was but only just beginning, as a new chapter began to be written. News of her parents, whatever this great king could tell her, would reveal a past yet unknown to her. Who was she? Was her parents alive after all this time? If so, where would they be residing now?

So many things she wanted to know, but the tip of the iceburg was yet to be revealed, as she awaited the great king patiently. Even the dull throb of her injury was forgotten in the intense anticipation she felt.


-He took his care with the rocks downward, releived to see her grey form still waiting for him as he neared the bottom. As his paws settled upon grass once again, he picked up the pace, settling the delicate piece of jewelry before her. The necklace was made of a vine, brillant and green despite all the time that'd past, and the three crystals nestled royally and lovingly from the vine glistened within the sinking sunlight, two small clear ones, and a large one, misted over in the middle.

Offering a hint of a sad smile towards her, he settled to sit across from her, clearing his throat lightly. He didn't know a whole lot about the young lioness.. not in the recent sense atleast, but the vision of her father was still clearly within his memory from the past. He was actually kind of curious how she'd escaped the fate of her father.- "You've been alone for a very long time Dama, haven't you?"


Crystalline blue eyes looked from him, to the necklace and back again several times. She'd never really seen such body adornment, short of what his mate wore when she'd seen them together at the water hole. Such finery was set aside for kings and queens it seemed, rather than lowly run-away servants like her. Her gaze raised up to his quizzically, as she tried to understand what exactly he was trying to show her.

"Without a family, yes...though I wasn't entirely alone, great King." It was true, she had never truly been alone when she lived with the firekin, or with Kitwana. It wasn't until she'd reached the lush Pridelands that she could surely say she was alone. But she never felt like she really belonged anywhere she'd been thus far. Even in what seemed to be these friendly lands, she didn't feel at home. Always looking over her shoulder, wondering when Makadari and the other firekin would catch up to her and drag her back, though by now the old King had to be dead.


-He pondered over how to explain. It didn't seem quite right to just spill every word that popped into his head to the young lioness, so he tried to take it tenderly, his eyes going from the necklace to Dama again.- "I suppose you don't remember your family at all then princess?"


Dama shook her head, not entirely in tune with everything the king had just said. "No... I never knew of them, their names or anything. It was something I learned not to ask about at an early age too." She winced in memory of how many times she'd asked about her family, only to be cuffed rather hard and told never to ask again or her punishment would be much more severe. After a few times, she learned to keep her mouth shut and forget about ever having a family at all.

His last word lingered in her mind for a moment before it finally registered with her. Blinking, she looked to him with her head canted slightly to the side, not understanding. Surely he'd mistaken with that word, right?


-Perhaps spilling was the best then.. Lifting his head in thought he tried to piece together the few things he remember from his trips across the lands. He spoke slowly and deliberately, stopping to answer questions or protests should they come.-

"Your father Nyunya and your mother Kunge ruled over the Mistweavers lands far off from the pridelands and the firekin lands.. That's actually why I was so surprised to see you at first.. because your pelt was so familar and distinctive. So much like them.."

-He trailed softly, rather unthrilled with the fact that he'd be laying the knowledge of their death upon her.- "Back.. back when the disease began to ripple through the lands I'd made another trip towards the futher lands.. looking for somewhere safe to take the pridelanders.. but all I found was harshness. The mistweavers... you land.. it was already taken over by a disease even stronger then the one that swept through the pridelands.. Your mother.. and your father. They'd hoped that you'd be fine.. since you'd atleast gotten away from the lands. They were hopefully when they gave me the necklace."

-Offering a sad smile he trailed again.- "I recall it very clearly. He handed me the necklace and told me that on that day when I saw you, I should give you the necklace. That he wanted you to know how much he and your mother loved you. How proud they knew they'd be of you."


Dama was NOT sure how to take this all in. Silent she kept as he spoke, telling her of a royal family far off in the distance, that she'd only heard tales of. Hatred for the ones called mistweavers was well known to anyone within the firekin pride, slave and Blood alike. But never once had she heard of them spoken of, in respect to relations of hers.

Looking to the necklace, as he mentioned how he'd received it, the young lioness shook her head in disbelief. All she'd ever known was the Firekin, and how they hated her. Her name, to them meant dirt. She was nothing but dirt to them, and would never be anything more, they had said. And they had treated her as such until the moment she ran away with Kitwana.

"I... I don't understand. I'm a firekin slave.. surely not a princess of anywhere. All I've ever heard of the mistweavers is how they are a mangy race of dispicable lions, not fit to walk the sands of the world, let alone the firekin territories..." Dama backed up a step, shock and betrayal shining brightly in her eyes. "I've never been anything but a slave, the Dirt of the Firekin pride, slave to all who wanted to use me for something, a cuffing post especially. You tell me I have parents...to a pride that I've heard nothing but hatred for. How can this be?" The poor silvery lioness was confused beyond belief, her mind refusing to process all that he was telling her.

-Mufasa's fur bristled at the comments, a soft knot tightening in his stomach. He tried to respect all the other prides the best he could.. but the Firekins... How anyone could possibly live in a place full of so much fear and hatred was beyond him.

Giving her a firm look, he stepped to her father's defense, finding more emotion in it then he'd initially planned.-

"The Firekins are a lying hateful bunch, that will say anything they want to make themselves feel better and scare their brood into becoming hateful as well."

"The mistweavers were beautiful lions, perhaps even some of the wiser ones and lived in a paradise compared to the Firekins. Jealous lies and nothing more."

-Despite the fact that he might not have agreed with everything that the mistweavers believed, they'd still be a kind people with the same kind of love and compassion that the Pridelands showed, and the Firekins very likely would never begin to fathom.-

"It's the firekins that have hatred.. slaves... lies.. They're the ones that treated you as if you were worthless. How can you believe their lies?"


Dama cast her gaze downward, feeling a little ashamed for her outburst. It took her a moment to reply to his query, but when she did, she turned her head to the side, closing her eyes for a moment. "Because it's all I have ever known... Their lies....were my truths. That I was nothing but Dirt to them, which is what my name means. Dama, is dirt. I have been nothing but a slave, and when I ran away, a thing to be hunted down and killed."

Pausing for a moment, she looked up to the King. "Many times I'd heard how weak the pridelanders were for accepting rogues, but held the knowledge close to my heart, that some day I could run away, that I could find refuge here, if but only for a little while. The words spoken of the Pridelanders was never quite as harsh as those said about the Mistweavers, thus giving me hope that I would at least be safe here." The young lioness sighed, shaking her head. "It gave me the hope and courage to run away with another slave I'd known all my life, a tawny male named Kitwana, whom I've lost as well..."

With a catch of her breath, Dama tried to keep her voice from wavering. "What happened, that I was left alone to rot in the sands of the Firekin territory? Why did my parents not come for me?" She hadn't entirely caught the innuendo that her parents were no longer living. And even if she had, surely there had been someone from her pride that would've come to her aid. Surely she wouldn't be the last one left, could she?


"The mistweavers are gone... and have been for quite awhile Dama.." -His voice softened gently.- "If they could have come for you I'm sure they would have."

"The mistweavers were a small pride, and when the sickness hit them it dwindled their numbers to next to nothing In fact, from what I've heard the very last of the mistweavers was killed by one of the Firekin huntress'... It was likely only their sick hatred and want to hurt and demean you that kept you alive.."

-He sighed heavily, watching the confused lioness with soft care, the same little trickling thought of 'what if she was one of my children' running over and over through his mind.-


Silvery ears flattened against her head as she sighed to the news of her family. None survived... Tears began to well up in her eyes, grief for a family she'd never known and never would know beginning to overcome her. "They did a good job of making me feel as if I were the most worthless of creatures in the world..." Something he said though, nagged at her until she lifted her head, tear marked trails staining the fur against her faace. "The Firekin seemed to enjoy the name I'd known all my life. Does that mean...that the name I have always answered to, is not my own? Am I not who I thought I was, in more ways than one?"

A princess to a fallen pride... A family she'd never known, and all the so called truth's she'd ever known turned upside down by the truths of the real world. It was all a rather tough tidbit to swallow, though she was trying to understand as best she could.


-He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but instead simply settled himself onto the ground beside her, dropping his paw lightly again onto the necklace laying in front of them. "Noone is worthless... or even worth less really.. but it was something the firekins had to bestow upon themselves if they were going to follow a king the way they did. It's a frusterating cycle.. and I don't think it helps anyone live happily except for the Firekin royals."

"Your name?" -His ears lifted softly as he thought, trying to dig into the deepest sections of his mind for details that fine.- "I'm.. I'm not quite certain I recall what it is.. But I can guarentee you that even if you're parents had named you Dama.. it wasn't because they thought you were nothing but dirt. It would have been because they saw the life blood in you. After all.. it's the dirt that nutures the grass to grow and feed our prey. The dirt that gives cushioning for cubs to play and learn. You're parents loved you very much. So whatever name it was they choose for you, trust, it was done with the thought and love."

-Closing his eyes lightly he tried to think a little harder, trying to recall a time he saw the two together perhaps. But it was the nice that finally reminded him, snapping his eyes open, he seemed almost pleased with himself, happy to divluge the extra information.- "No I DO remember it. Because it was raining that day he gave me the necklace.. and I remember how heavy and yet appropriate it felt when he said that the necklace was to be given to 'little Masika'. Should I find her."


Dama nodded, agreeing mutedly about what he said about the Firekin. It didn't seem Jua had been happy, nor did it seem that even Mwezi was quite happy with where she'd been at the time. What he said made a lot of sense, once she really thought about it.

Her ears drooped slightly when it was mentioned he didn't remember her name offhand. His little speech about how Dama was just as appropriate a name as any seemed to help her, give her a little confidence boost, given all that she'd absorbed thus far. Her paw reached out for the first time, injured shoulder moving stiffly as she touched the lovely necklace before her. "This....was my father's?" Looking up to him, the young lioness listened as he did remember her name and what it was.

"Forgive me....but I must ask, how can you be so sure that I am this princess Masika....this princess of the mistweavers?" She cast her crystalline eyes downward, ashamed to have asked such a question. "My apologies, Great King. It just seems so overwhelming...almost too good to be true. I can't help but wonder if maybe I'm being mistaken for some little princess that's wandering around elsewhere..."


-He labored over the thought obviously, trying to think of the best way to answer it. But how could you answer something like that.. when the real answer was simply that you just knew.. that you could feel it?-

"Well, your coat of course isn't anything like the firekins, or many of the rouges that wander the grounds. It's that soft misty grey that I saw on my journey through the mistweaver areas." -He motioned at her markings very lightly, though didn't comment on them.-

"More than anything though.. I believe it's the way you carry yourself despite all you've been through in your young life. The fact that you were able to escape the Firekins.. and then that you were brave enough to even come here.. and no simply flee jaded into the jungles, to live a life full of lonliness and hate." -Trailing for a moment, he finally nodded, seeming more sure of the fact.- "Yes, you could even say that I can see your father in you."


Dama...no, Masika, for she truly was the lost princess of the mistweavers, lowered her gaze, blushing slightly at the heartfelt compliments given by the great King himself. While comments of all sorts had generally washed right off her like water off a duck's back, his words held more importance and weight, than any of the insults and cuffs she'd ever gotten from the firekin, in the entirety of her short life. Her softened silvery fur, short and fuzzy near her face, showed the color of her blush smartly as she raised her glance back up at the moment of her father. "Do you...really mean that?" She chanced to look down at herself, how she was holding herself and indeed he was right. She didn't seem to be carrying herself like someone who'd cowered to others all their life. She didn't carry herself as regally as his Queen, but she was surprised to notice strength in her own stance.

Nodding lightly, she ran her paw over the necklace once more. "All this time, I never even knew I'd had anything resembling a family. At times, I thought I was created on the sole whim of the firekin to have someone to use as their punching bag. I'd accepted that though I'd always wished there was more. When a fellow slave, Kitwana, escaped, I went with, hoping to find safety with him. I was the one who'd urged us towards your great lands, but never did I dream I would run into my story. I... don't know what to say. It's almost too much to believe in, but somehow...everything you say...makes a great lot of sense. I just wish... I'd been able to know them..."

With a sigh, Masika turned her head away, unsure of what else to say. It was still too good to be true, all of this knowledge, but it made too much sense to NOT be true. But what was she to do now? "What has become of the Mistweaver lands since my parents' death?"


To Be Continued...

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-

-Kami had run just about as far as her tired muscles would allow her the day before, escaping from the events that'd transpired for seemingly no reason. Having curled up within the talls grasses as night fell, the young princess spent her first night outside the den, being too tired to notice the discomfort that would usual come with such a transition.

As the morning sun rose, slowly warming the cool air, Kami drifted in and out of sleep, listening to the sound of birds, and some sort of hooved beasts in the distance. The morning was beautiful and her mind seemed to ignore the emotions of the day before, falling into a soft serenity, rather like they'd been the morning before. Lifting her golden body from the grass she yawned widely, before stepping forward, trying to strech her muscles as she sniffed gently for the scent of water, in this unfamilar are of the Pridelands.-

Tefu had been wandering around the pridelands as of late, searching for some kind of friend, or possibly more .. he didin't know. As he wandered around this peaceful morning, seeing such pretty sights he had never seen. He passed up a lion family with there own cubs, laughing and playing ..and realized thats what he wanted, a family he could call his own. Someone to always be there for him, just then he was interupted by a buzzing noise in his ear. He knew it was a fly, or some sort of annoying insect. Without effort he pounced on the fly quickly, squishing it into the rich soil.

His tail flicked vigerously on the ground, making clouds of dust. Making his way back up to his forepaws, he shook out his body to get all the dirt and debree out so he wouldn't look foolish. As he walked along a small animal trail, he spotted the most beautiful lion his eyes had ever laid focus on. He began to feel a swarm of butterflies roam his stomach. Why he had these abnormal feelings, he did not know.. he didn't even know if he liked the feelings, but he knew they were real. Possibly this will be the lion for me. The brown lion paced back and forth, contemplating on whether to talk to her or not.

After he had finally built up the courage, he made his way slowly down the narrow path into the females focus. A couple seconds of stagnant time flew by, which felt like eternity to Tefu. He was so lost in scanning the pretty lion, he forgot to introduce himself making the situation a bit more akward .. " Um, hi there. " Hi there? Thats all you could come up with? he thought to himself after he said the short statement.

"Huh?" -Kami's ears pivoted towards the sound, and a moment later her eyes followed for a moment seeming surprised that the lion was adressing her. Usually she would have shy'd her eyes, or tried to find a way to slink away, but those silly hormones kept her steady, and she offered a bit of a soft smile in his direction taking in his pelt color with soft interest.- "Hello there."

-Tail flicking back and forth lightly behind her, she paused gently, thinking over the best way to continue. Social graces certainly weren't her forte, but she could make an effort, no?- "Are you lost?"

He shuttered lightly as the lioness spoke, gazing off into outerspace, thinking about god only knows what. " Hii, my name is Tefu " he spoke fast, almost stuttering on his words. This lion was making him so jittery it was amazing how he could function still.

" Not lost, just sort of wandering .. how about you? "

-Rather oblivious to the strange discomfort he seemed to be having, Kami stepped up a little closer, pondering over in her head the best way to answer. 'I'm temporarily running away', no.... She did intend to go home eventually after all..

Laughing just a hint, she gave a half embarrassed look before finally answering.- "Well, I suppose I'm just clearing my head and wandering as well Tefu."

-Glancing around lightly at the serene and empty expansion of land around them Kami offered softly.- "Would you like some company for a little while? My name is Kamilika. Everyone calls me Kami though."

Tefu gazed at the lioness as her maw moved from time to time " Why would you do that? Don't you miss your family? " he couldn't see why she would just leave, Tefu could only wish for a family of his own. He let out a sigh of relief at her next jesture " Oh, thats good .. "

He paused for a bit, running out of conversation. Until the golden lionesses words broke to silence " I can see how a pretty name like that could match your personality. " he was always smoothest when it came to fems " I would love to Kami, were should we go " excitement grew on his actions as Kami asked him the question.

"Families are nice really.. it's more friends that can be confusing."

-A soft grin touched her at the compliment, followed by a quick aversion of her eyes. It certainly wasn't something she was used to unless one was talking about her over active imagination. Stepping nearer she raised her head up towards the sky, glancing from the sun to the streching lands, before motioning simply towards the rising sun.- "This way will work I guess. I'm not to familar with these parts I'm afraid."

-Stepping forward she waited to make sure he was following, before she let her thoughts float into the warm air.- "Do you miss your family Tefu?"

He watched Kami, more or less he gazed into her flshing red eyes. They would really toy with his mind, and he just met her !
" I agree. " he said with a light chuckle in his tone making sure not to over do it. He looked towards the land on which she wanted to roam, and how could he not agree? If the scenary is not nice, at least she will be there. he thought to himself. " Looks great to me " and with that he followed close to her, just in case any males wanted to try and lure her away from him. Tefu could get really jealous at times after all, but not usually over a lion he just met.

There was something different about this one, he could tell. " Family? I've never really had one. Or if I did, I don't remember them .. " he let out a small sigh, trying not to think about it.

"Ohhhh.." -Her ears drooped a little at his admission, and she was suddenly sorry she asked. Faltering in her step for a moment, she offered a soft apologetic smile in his direction.- "I'm sorry.. That's too bad."

-She'd have to watch what she said now... her family was usually the top of her conversation block.. well when she did talk. Falling into a rather lazy pace she let her eyes touch the morning scenery.- "I haven't done much wandering around myself.. It's really very pretty out here. Have you been very far Tefu?"

"I've heard the futher you head the more different things begin to look, and the different sorts of animals you run into."

Tefu noticed her attempt for an apology, and he took it well. " It is too bad, but what can you do? " he smiled back at her, his tail swhishing back and forth behind him. He followed her again, as they attempted to explore more, but before he knew it they were conversating again. But he didin't mind, he would have rather talked to her all day if it meant having her company. " It's really pretty, yes. "

" I wouldn't know, I've only watched them from a distance. " he stood next to her, as an akward silence passed by.

-Poor oblivious Kami, or rather poor Tefu, for while things seemed akward or strange to him, Kami excepted them perfectly. She didn't have very many friends, this was how friends talked and such, right?-

-As he spoke some more a soft grin touched her golden face, and she nodded in soft agreement.- "I like to watch myself as well actually." -Watching made for the best games of pretend and make believe after all. By watching the little zebras run and frolick she better knew how to run when she was pretending to be one. She really was a silly little lion.

Laughing very softly to herself at the thought, she mused gently, asking him softly.- "What else do you like to do? Besides wandering and watching?"

Tefu was glad that he shared at least a few interests with Kami, this way they could strike up conversation better. " Thats good. " he said as a smile made it's way across his tan maw. He scoped around a bit hoping to find something they could do that was exciting, but no such luck. Whatever though, he was fine just sitting and talking with the golden lioness.

" I like to hunt, and I like to observe the other families .. I hope to have one of my own some day. " he wanted to have one of his own to make up for his family loss, but he didn't want to tell Kami THAT much info.

"Ohh...?" -She faltered for a moment, her eyes dropping lightly down to her paws.- "I'm, not so great at hunting.. I don't have very much practice."

"I am learning though.." -Kami glanced over his large naturally hued form with soft curiousity. She bet he was a great hunter! His form was obviously leaner then hers, and she could see his muscles ever so lightly through her legs as he walked. He probably had lots of practice too? Maybe if they traveled long enough she could actually watch him. She'd only ever watched pack hunts before.

Her ears perked delicately at his next admission, and a soft flush touched her cheeks at the thought. A family? Well.. he was older then her, an adult already.. but he didn't seem that much older.. He was ready for a family already? The thought had never crossed her mind.. with all the lessons and learning.. and the playing she buried herself in, and now that it did it was mind boggling.. she felt so.. young, and yet she really wasn't, was she? Trying not to dwell too long on the thought, she offered a soft golden smile.- "Oh? A big family with lots and lots of little cubs? Or just a small intimate little family?"

He chuckled at her comment, his yellow orbs focused on her " It's not hard, really. Maybe I can teach you a couple tricks that make it much easier sometime. " A let a light smile form across his maw. He padded at the dirt softly thinking of some good hunting spots for the near furture. He was willing to do anything, as long as it was with her. He loved the company .. " I know a little huntin spot alog the way from here, if your ever interested " he turned his to look at the sun, they had plenty of time left in the day.

" I guess 3 or 4 cubs would be nice, but you never know what the gods will bring you. "

"Oh that'd be wonderful!" -She wondered if real hunting was as fun as the hunting game she played. It certainly seemed quicker paced, her mind turned to a visual picture of her tripping into some poor unsuspected animal like she often did when she played, and a very light laugh touched her throat.

She felt that urge again rippling through her, the one that'd rested upon her the day before. The urge to n** and tease. But she tried to supress it, being as pleasant as possible.- "That's so true..."

"You know my own parents had only one cub in their first litter... and then fi... six in their second. I remember wishing I had less siblings so that I'd have more time to spend with my mother." -That thought had always brought a bit of guilt however.. since afterall.. it was her fault that he twin had died.. and left more room for her, wasn't it?-

" Well, when would you like to start? " he said, eagerly. He loved to teach, made him feel in charge, although it wouldn't matter to him around Kami. " Really? I don't remember it too much because of the accident. So I just assumed I was the only one. " he never really thought about the possibility of having other siblings, I guess now wasn't the time though. Maybe he dream of them tonight ... " I think it's good to have at least 3-4 cubs, that way they all get equal attention, and have someone to play with. "

-Her ears drooped very minutely at the thought. Siblings SHOULD be for playing with.. it was unfortunate that she was so different from her own siblings. The twins had played together... but that was about it. Shaking the thought aside, she mused very softly. "Hmmm.. friends and playing are always good"

-Switching immedaitely towards the other topic however her smile grew and she playful hopped forward a few steps before him, asking excitedly.- "Whenever you're ready! It takes some sort of prepatation doesn't it?"

He noticed her ears droop a bit, and knew it was a bad subject to bring up " I'm sorry. " you turned his head and gazed at the soft dirt. Maybe this wasn't the best subject he thought to himself.

" Umm, for a major hunt, yes it takes time. But how about just a little practice hunt, to get the blood flowing. Then maybe tommorow or something we can go on a bigger hunt. " He found himself gazing at her eyes again, something had brought them together. He knew it ... but did she feel the same way?

-She gave a soft nod at his apology, it certainly wasn't his fault that her family was.. well strange to say the least.

Listening to his answer with interest she caught his, well it was almost a stare, and immediately felt a flush coming about her cheeks. Thank goodness pelts covered that kind of thing. Averting her eyes gently at the unfamilar action, she gave another brisk nod.- "Practice huh? Like a game?"

" Sure, like a game. But a little more serious " he smiled at her. He could tell she was flattered about something, but the modest brown lion acted as if he knew nothing.

" Soo, are you about ready to go ? " he wanted to start before it got TOO late. But they still had time.

"Alright, it sounds good!" -Nodding with soft determination she put on a serious face, before stepping up against his side.-

"I'm ready whenever you are."

Tefu began on the small animal trail he had followed to find Kami. On there way to the perfect spot they came upon a small watering hole " We should probably get a drink, we'll need it later. " He sat down on the thin grass, his tail swishing back and forth again.

Kneeling his head down slowly, he saw a quick glimpse of his reflection before he ruined it with the ripples in the water from him drinking.

-She followed happily, though the feigned serious look remained on her face, just in case they saw an animal or something. And as he stopped by the water hole she nodded in soft agreement to his sentiment, taking to the shore.

Lapping at the water delicately, Kami glanced across the watering hole towards the unfamilar landscape in the distance. She was dragging herself further and further away from her home, and who knew when she'd be going back.-

Tefu waited patiently for Kami to finish her drink. Water dripping from his chin, makiing little splashes in the water. He realized soon enough and wiped it with his front paw.

" You about ready ? " he said with a smile across his maw. He was glad to be here with someone else for a change. Usually he was by himself usually, talking to his shadow, or thinking about that dream family.

-Dragged from her thoughts by the low rumble of his voice, she nodded lightly, offering him a soft hint of a smile. Lifting herself from the ground, she met him at his side once again, ready to follow wherever he might lead.-

The brown lion hopped back on the small trail, with Kami right behind him everything was going smoothly. He started in a sprint as they got nearer to the spot, which was reached in about 10 minutes.

" Okay, the trick is to always have a sharp eye. Always have a good place where you can't be noticed, and prepare to strike once you see the kill. " he went bihnd a small bush, and sat down peering from all sides.

"Okay" -Nodding with that soft determination she slipped back behind a small scraggly bush near his, watching him lightly as she tried to imitate his actions.

Her mind however drifted softly, and she had a hard time trying to keep it on track as she waited from something, anything really, to appear.-

He glanced over towards Kami to see how she was doing, and he could tell she was drifting off to something. Normally he would get a little fustrated, but he didn't want to take the company he had for granted.

Trying his hardess to not say something and keep focus, all of a sudden he spotted a wildabeast. He tried to get the other lions attention as quietly as possible " Pssst, pssst. Kami, look straight ahead of you. "

-Both her ears and eyes flicked forward, letting the daze of thoughts slip from her, as Tefu's whisper touched her ears. Taking in the sight of the wildebeast a sudden worry flickered through her. It was just.. so very large.

Shuddering a little she crouched down, something she'd learned from her days of playing 'predator and prey', and waited for Tefu to do something. Her heart fluttered and blood raced, and she tried to sooth herself to no avail.-

Tefu counted to three slowly until the wildebeast was more in attacking range. He could hear his heart punding in his head, each beat as a count 1 ... 2 .... 3 .

He plunged forward and leaped in the air, fangs and claws fully extended. Tackling the beast to the ground, he bit into it's neck and jerked it around vigorisly causing the animals neck to break. It struggled and twitched for a couple seconds but soon enough it perished. He edged Kami to come on down so they could discuss the kill and such.

-She watched him take down the huge animal with a look of awe across her young face. She's seen hunts before.. but there'd been lots of lioness.. group efforts.

Nothing like what had just occured before her. Quick, efficent.. As he called she stood once again, taking a long moment before she finally made his way over to him, eyes still filled with wonder, though her voice seemed caught in her throat.-

" Did you see how I did that? " he said to her, because she looked as if she was in shock. Maybe somethings wrong with her he thought to himself. But she seemed perfectly fine ...

He went back to gnawing on the animals neck, as if it were a chew toy. Mainly because it had a lot of meat around it, and it was surprisingly tender.

"I think so.." -She tried to dig up the things that she'd learned through her watching, her head cocking gently as she tried not to feel like a fool, explaining such simple concepts to him.- "You were very very quiet and hid until one came close enough. And then when it was close enough to surprise you sent your weight at it to help you take it down so quickly?"

-Glancing down at the large carcess as he chewed at it, she waited to be applauded or scolded, sitting properly forward to let him know that she was listening. Something she'd learned from the many many lessons with her father.-

Tefu liked the fact that she was an active listener, it made it so much more ... easy. " Good good, I think you about have it. " he ripped off what was left of the leg of the beast, and tossed it near Kami. " Ok, now we should get moving to another spot, for a fresh clean start. After that we can call it a day. "

He could tell she was a little drowsy, time had flew by so fast the sun was already setting. The brown and tan lion waited patiently for her to finish up before getting a move on to the next " arena ".

"Thanks Tefu." -Grinning with the positive reaction, she happily accepted the 'gift' of the leg, reaching down to take a solid bite from it. It'd been awhile since she'd eaten, but she didn't notice it until now, when the food touched her stomach and her stomach cried for more.

Looking up lightly, she nodded as his request was made, trying her best to fill her stomach as quickly as possible, as it was true, the sun slowly sank on the horizon. Licking any remnanse of the small feast off her maw, she joined him excitedly once again. Maybe she'd get to try at the new spot.- "Alright let's go!"

He moved rather swiftly to the new spot, and trodded along kicking up little bits of dust as he went. As the spot came into eye sight, he signaled to Kami that it was near. As he made his way there, they quickly hid behind a large rock, and every so often he'd poke his head out of the sides to see if there was anymore prey.

" Ok, just do as I did last time. As soon as you see an animal worth killing, wait until it gets into a clear open spot. Then attack it with full force. " he whispered too her.

-As they neared the new place she noticed the soft change in how he walked, and herself tried to do the same, being careful where she put her feet, and trying her best not to brush into any noisy brush as she followed. And as she crouched she did the same, not far away, trying her best to watch as he did for signs of movement in the slowly darkening surroundings.

Quietly she waited, keeping her mind focused as her eyes scanned back and forth. It wasn't long before a soft movement caught her eyes and watched as a young antelope, probably a teen just around the same age as she was, made it's slow little trek along the grasslands, stopping to nibble every few steps.

Heart flaring, the blood pumping through her she tried to stay quiet, and crouch, and wait.. and breath. When would it be close enough? Was she going to do alright? Atleast it wasn't as big as Tefu's target.

When it neared close enough that she thought she could pounce she broke out from her hiding spot, taking a powerful running step before she leaped at the antelope, body crashing into the young prey, claws digging into it's soft sides. However she'd landed near the back of the creature and the swift push of force smashed against her stomach as the anetlope kicked in fear, breaking away from her.

Grimacing with pain, she attempted to right herself despite the lack of breath, running after the scared prey. She was almost catching up too, until IT happened. Her footing caught and she tripped, rolling foward in a clumsiness that was so her, before she lie dejected on the ground, watching the antelope speed off into the night.-

Tefu watched the young prey move around as she did. He could tell she was paying attention to his previous catch by the way she acted. The brown lion smirked at what a job he'd done with her, he knew she was bound for the kill. As she lunged forward at the antelope, he could tell she was determined.

She was struggling a bit in the beginning, not giving full effort. She was unaware of her ability with her sudden growth spurt, that was her mistake. She took a blow to the stomach by the skittish animal, and he turned his head un able to watch the rest.

He turned around and saw her lying on the ground, so he quickly went over to the lion in case she was hurt. " A-are you alrriiig hht ?" he said out of breath.

-She sigh heavily as the antelope was lost from sight, a heavy heat of embarrassment erupting from her when she heard Tefu's voice.

Laying her head lightly on the ground, she tried to laugh it off in her answer. Sure she was sore.. but the only thing that was really hurt was her pride.- "I'm okay. I think."

-Lifting herself with a weary paw she tried to give him a faint smile as she stood.- "I'll just have to try harder next time."

Tefu was glad that she knew her mistake already, she had already had it bad enough so he didn't want to make it worse. " Yes, but it was still a job well done, you had it in the beginning. " he was happy to see her not as disappointed. With a little re-assuring .. she'd be okay for tommorow or the next day.

" Well, im growing tired, and Im sure you are as well. Would you like to join me in sleep? I know a good spot near a watering whole. Which isn't too far from here. " Tefu just normally slept where he wanted around the pridelands. All the better for waking up and not having to move around as much.

-Smiling a little shyly at his kind words, despite her embarrasing feat, she shook the dust off of her golden pelt. At his request she stopped for a moment, thinking briefly as those troublesome hormones tugged at her once again.

It certainly would be nicer to lay someplace safe, next to some else, then all alone in the middle of a foreign landscape. Giving the softest rumblings of a purr she nodded in agreement, stepping to his side.- "Sure, I could use a nice drink before i sleep anyway."

Tefu smiled at her gesture, someone else to sleep with for a change. He was excited, but he wouldn't show it too much, didn't want to seem desperate now. " As could I .. it's been along day. BUt an exciting one none the less. " he chuckled lightly, with a small purr nestling in his throat. Didn't want to make it noticable though ... at least, not TOO noticable.

He turned his head slowly and started leading the way to there resting spot. It had been one of the better days Tefu had had in a while, he could get use to this.


-Another young grin touched her at Tefu's sentiment and she nodded happily, following after him into the cool night. Her mind drifted softly to her dejection and fight the day before, and she felt a ping of sadness. Stepping closer to Tefu she contingued along, stopping at the watering hole long enough to drink, before the two headed off to sleep.-

-Waking, many hours later, Kami streched, nearly jumping when she noticed the warm body curled up alongside hers. However when she noticed the soft glint of familar jewelry that the wolf still kept along her side, Kami's heart sank. Laying her head light against the cool rocks she sighed heavily, though atleast the tears stayed at bay this time.- "Are you awake?"

"I am"

"H.. he... gave the necklace.. back?" -Not that she blamed him...-

"Not exactly." -Rolling gently, she turned so that she faced the large 'child', settling the jewelry lightly between the two of them.- "He left it for you to give back, if you still want to."

-Pausing for a long moment, she finally aqquired cautiously.- "Do you not love him?"

"I.." -That soft twinge of pain, guilt, and confusion touched her again. Closing her red eyes softly, she sighed.- "I don't know.."

"I don't think I even know what love is."

-Placing her paw around the maned wolf, she pulled her closer, holding onto her almost as a child would a teddy bear, letting her thoughts softly fill the cave.-

"Ta was my very best friend... Ever since we were little, even before he knew who I was.. He was my first friend, and he stayed around simply to play with me each day."

"Whenever I could, I'd try to sneak off from lessons and go off to play with him. He was kind of shy too.. so I didn't mind talking to him.. and he had this thing.. where.. well he talks.. so so much, just to say one tiny little thing. It always made me smile inside."

-A soft sob caught in her throat as she continued, but she kept the tears away.- "I would tell him everything back then... and then.. and then one day he just.."

"He just shoved me away. We were playing, and I must have done something wrong because and he just shoved me away. And and then! Then next thing I know there is some beautiful female lion living with him!"

"I thought about him everyday that I was gone, and I lied to myself that I was happy that he had his lioness. And then... how could he! How could he just come and say it and expect me to just be okay with it? I mean why would I think that he loved me?" -Huffing with frustration she lay silent again.-

-Silent for a long moment, Hadaya finally offered a soft smile, watching the princess almost with a sense of amusement. To see such a large creature.. acting so childishly. Sure she was younger.. but was she really so naive as all that? Freeing her muzzle from Kami's chest, she mused softly.- "I think you know what love is more clearly then you're letting yourself imagine."

"Love.. for a brother or sister, isn't much different then love of a mate, and the way you talked about him before. Well.. it sounds very much like love to me."

"Tell me.. Did you think of him while you were gone? Are you going to be able to cut yourself from him completely without pain?"

-Wriggling a little, to free herself from the lion's grasp she slipped away, standing.- "If your heart really is so far from him, that it won't be a problem to leave him without thought, then keep your necklace. But.. if your heart and mind are as tangled with his as it would seem, then take his necklace back to him."

-Nodding sternly to Kami's silent gaze, she turned, making her way out of the cave to warm and dry herself.-

-After watching her new friend leave Kami lay still for a long time, letting the words settle within her. It was true.. what Hadaya had said about them being 'tangled' and intertwined. But was it really as simple as that? Was that really all that mattered when it came to love?

Her mind twisted the thoughts gently back and forth until finally she sigh, pushing herself up from the cold ground. Eyeing the necklace for a long moment, Kami picked herself up, leaving it behind as she made her way towards the light of the outdoors. Searching quickly she looked for the large golden build of her father, burying herself quickly in his mane when she found him.

She was too tired to sob anymore, so she simply sank into him. He'd know what to do, he always knew.-

-Mufasa was startled to say the least by the sudden action, but he let that slip away as quickly as it'd come, running a soft pink tongue gently against her cheek, tasting the salt of her earlier tears.- "What's wrong little Kami?"

-With an abruptness completely unlike her she spit it out simply, before staring up at him. It was all she needed to hear and know, and he was the only one that could tell her.- "What is love? How do you KNOW you're in love?"

"K.. Kami you're not in.. " -He broke off immedately from the predisposed 'protective father' response as he watched the pain hidden behind her eyes. Sighing heavily he looked upward for a moment, as if fishing his thoughts out of the sky.-

"It's not really as simple as that. There isn't just one thing that let's you know you're in love. It's something that's built upon and.." -Boy.. how did you really explain something like that? Pausing for another long moment, he finally found something.-

"You're going to feel love for lots of things throughout your life.. I love all of you children.. my friends.. the pride.. and of course your mother. Love is when your heart connects with someone or something else. When you find something that you're willing to fight and try to keep.. well then that's love."

-Smiling gently, though signs of age and worry touched his features lightly, he nuzzled his cheek against hers.- "Love isn't something to be rushed into or to decide is happening.. it's something that happens all on it's own. And at some point in your life.. there will be a love that outweighs all the rest."

"And the only way you'll know is when that love is tested.. and when you're willing to give up everything else you love for that one strongest love."

-Glancing out along the pridelands, he dropped his voice gently, as he whispered to her as if it were some great secret, and perhaps it was.- "Your mother is the love of mine that rises above all the rest. I would give up my life for the pride.. but I would give up my freedom, my life, and even the pride for your mother. Everything is nothing unless she's at my side to share it with me."

-Smiling a little wider now, he gave her one final nuzzle.- "One day I hope you find that sort of love too, just don't rush into it okay. You have all the time in the world to be in love."

-Lifting himself up, he made his way towards of the edge of the rocks before descending, leaving Kami to her own devices.-

-That was that then. Slipping into the cave she retrieved the necklace, holding it tenderly in her mouth before she hurried off in the direction of Ta's den, letting her thoughts drift off as she did.

As the cave neared she paused, looking around for signs of life. She half expected to be greeted unpleasantly by the beautiful lioness.. or to hear Ta's hurtful words again, but she pushed on gently, sticking her head lightly into the cave before she called out as she had two months before, the her voice carried more weight then song.- "Oh Ta. Are you here...?"

The song had been acknolaged, but not thought through as a groan coarsed through the cave. Clearly, the lion had fallen into a fitful sleep, and had awoken at the last tone of Kami's calling. Rolling to his other side, twin orbs of vibrant copper just gazed across to where the figure of Kami stood, the blurred vision only causing him to assume that it of course, was not she.

"Go away Palesa..." He grated out, rolling back over, "I am not in the mood to hear you continue on about how much I messed up this time..." The tone was angry, tired, irritated, almost everything was revealed in the sentence. Yet, it was the sigh of sadness that followed it that truly revealed how the adult was feeling. Moving his paw back to cover his eyes, he just curled tighter and flatened his ears. He knew Palesa would still continue her rant, despite his plea for her to leave. The question was, what would Kami do as she was faced with the lion in front of her.

-She paused gently.. unsure of herself as his words drifted out. Would the girl.. Palesa.. would she come back? Would she find herself stuck inbetween two very angry lions?

And yet.. the way he looked even in the dark.. that sigh, it nearly broke her heart to see him so shattered. She wanted to see him smile again.. to play stupid games where she ran around like a fool pretending to be something she wasn't. To have him accept her again even for all that she wasn't.

Taking another wavering step she called out again, mirroring her words.. she certainly knew them by now, with how often that day had replayed through her head.- "Are you tried Ta? I didn't wake you did I?"

Ears perking suddenly, he let out another groan, before pushing his paws to the ground. Slowly, his tired form moved to stand as he thought up a good responce, before relizing another mistake. Slowly, he drew in a deep breath, before his copper eyes turned to gaze back at the entrance. Since Kami had taken another step in, her outline was not as harsh from the light. Narrowing his eyes, his ears fell once more before he lowered his head.

"Y-you did..." He responded softly, having relized it was not Palesa but Kami who returned. However, he failed to note the fact that the same event from so long ago decided to replay that day.

"You...you want to speak with me...?" He asked her, raising his head and treading through the steps gently. Somehow, the past two times he spoke with her, she only ran. This time, he hoped it would be different.

-Before she could stop it another mirroring of that day slipped from her, and she immedately felt foolish.- "You make it seem as if I only ever visit you for queenly business."

-Her ears dropping with the soft embarrasment, and her voice continued, much softer however as she gazed through the darkness. She couldn't see his face really.. that was a good thing.- "I mean.. if you don't want me to leave. Then I'd like to stay and talk to you for awhile."

-She braced herself for the answer.-

The last sentence caught him, and slowly he moved to sit back down, curious at the statement. Taking a moment to glance over her shoulder, he figured Palesa would be gone for awhile, probably wandering with the winds. He would have to thank whatever god ruled the winds later, on account that they were flowing away from his den.

"Kami..." He murmered lightly, before stopping his sentence. The comment he had in mind about her wanting to talk could run the wrong way for him, so instead he glanced around the dim cave.

"...no running away before the conversation is finished?" He asked lightly, wanting to make sure if something was taken the wrong way, they would work through it instead of try to avoid it. His tone was gentle, his concience making sure to at least sound as if the hurt was gone. He wouldn't run either, for in his mind, they needed to finally work things out.

"I..." -She drifted softly.. This was all her fault in the first place. For doing whatever it was that she'd done wrong.. and then running and hiding from him to add insult to injury.

Finally Kami gave a very soft nod, before settling her body to lay at the enterance of the cave.- "Alright, fair enough."

-Moving her paws nervously over the bit of jewelry they rested upon, she glanced down towards the floor of the den.- "I've caused enough trouble already, I know."

Seeing her nod, he smiled lightly to himself before it fell once more. Standing, he padded slowly towards her before giving her a friendly nuzzle, only a few moments long before pulling back so she wouldn't become uncomforable.

"We are both at fault here...for not listening to eachother..." His eyes were serious as he tried to catch her gaze, before he looked away.

"Let's make this easy, like a game...alright?" Was his next idea, "For every question asked, the other must answer truthfully, no matter how much it could hurt...I know it might sound crazy, but it will help in the end Kami. I know it will. And to prove that, I want you to ask the first question, and I will answer truthfully." He sent her a reassuring smile, before stepping back and setting on his haunces. Sitting in silence, he watched and waited for her first question.

-She didn't pull away as he nuzzled her, but she did stay still, seeming almost confused by the action. Glancing at him questioningly for a moment, she listened to his proposal softly, the tinest hints of a smile touching her lips.- "You always did know how much I love games.."

-Settling herself softly she worried about some of the questions he might ask.. and pondered some of her own. But one came quickly and she blurted it suddenly. So much for going slow and easy.- "Would you... die for me?"

He almost felt his maw drop at the question she asked, his eyes widening slightly before his ears fell. Yet, only a moment later a warm smile crossed his maw, and he let out a light chuckle.

"You never sease to surprise me, Kami..." He murmered, more amazed that she would come up front about a question like that alone. Maybe she did have feelings in return, if she was confortable enough to ask that. Though he knew she might take it the wrong way, he sat in silence for a few moments, his eyes clearly clouded over with thoughts.

"Alright..." He said at last, copper gaze snapping back to attention, though it took a few more seconds for him to speak it, "Just saying yes wouldn't do the answer justice." He finally murmered.

"There are so many things Kami...If you were to be happy, I would give my life for it, to see you live on with a smile. I would give up everything just to make you feel safe...to keep you safe and to make sure you get all you deserve. You deserve to be happy, to have someone there to support you that you can turn to and spend the rest of your life with. And if I am not that lion, Kami, I would let you go to the one you love...so you can be happy..."

Trailing off, he just let it sink in, wondering if his words actually made sense this time around.

-As he answered she could feel her ears drooping gently, the heat of blood at her cheeks, and she was glad that the flush wouldn't be obvious to him, hidden beneath her gold and the darkness.

She was wrong then.. and now that he'd said it she couldn't deny him and try to tell him that he wasn't in love with her. She just... had to deal with it.. Her heart did flutter along with her flushing cheeks and she tried to push the barrage of thoughts away.. Just answer questions now.. think later. Voice lowering to a soft whisper she answered back.- "Okay.. what's your question?"

Pleased that she hadn't left yet, he decided to ask an easier question, not sure of her feelings at all for him. Suddenly, as he was pondering which to ask, he remembered the replay earlier, and got on idea.

"Sure...Kami, the last time we talked in here was a few months ago...before we played preditor and prey...what were the feelings you got when you were with me that day?" He waited, wondering what her answer would be, his eyes softly urging her to continue.

"The feelings?" -She drug up her memories of the day as she thought over the question a little unsure on what he'd meant. Or rather what he wanted.

Pondering softly outloud she answered as fully as she could to try and encompass whichever part of the day he was refering to.- "Well.. in the early part of the day, I just wanted to be by you. It was almost.. comforting and exhiliarating to feel your side as I rubbed by you. Exciting to play and n** at you.. Just to feel the comfort and contact of someone else."

-Pausing a little she gave an embarassed laugh, her voice dipping to a very soft whisper as she delved into the intimate details of what she was feeling then.- "As dumb as it sounds... I just wanted.. to feel your tongue against my cheek, my neck. To be nuzzled up in the warmth of your mane and.." -Trailing immediately she lay her head down, hiding her eyes from him, feeling like a fool again, as she did the days of her first heat.-

"And then.. and then I felt guilty. For doing whatever it was I did that upset you so much. And angry at myself. And then just very very lonely."

-Her mind drifted momentarily to the few she'd met and clung to after their fights. The way she'd clinged to any attention or affection just so she didn't have to feel so lonely again. Cocking her head to the side lightly she asked.- "I'm not sure if I answered your question as you meant it?"

Ta'Ziyan shifted from her truthful answer, his eyes darting away as his whole body flushed from embarassment. He took a moment to cool the thoughts off before sending a seepish smile back.

"No...no, you answered it perfectly..." He told her softly. Mentally, he was chuckling at the comments. Though as truthful as it was, or moreso than it needed to be, he wondered if she even thought about what she was saying.

"Your question, Kami..." He urged her on, tone warm and encouraging.

-Indeed she wasn't. If she had thought about the things she was saying she would have run long before. But it was a game wasn't it? She loved winning against Ta, so all she had to keep in mind was the rules.

Shifting a little softly she pondered, before finally coming up with a question.- "Right before I left, I met Palesa.. and of course I drew an incorrect conclusion. So my question is Why.. why do you let another girl live you?"

"I can't imagine you wouldn't have thought others would assume... living out here so far away.. just the two of you."

He just waited for the question, and smiled as she said it. Figuring that was one of the many ones to come up, he easily responded with the well thought out responce. Though he added some more to it along the way.

"Palesa doesn't take no for an answer..." He said with a chuckle, "When she saw me...after we broke our ties for a bit, she decided that I couldn't survive on my own. At the time, I am sure I would have left myself here to the brink of death, but she insisted that I keep strong...she always told me that one day...things would work out for the better, and you and I would got back to old times once again." Pausing, he softly added, "She has replaced the family I have missed for so long, and I guess I have done the same. Both of us grew up on our own, and now we have eachother as family...siblings that look out for eachother and help eachother find happiness."

"I could care less about what others think...because if they knew me...the knew that I have had eyes for another since I was a young cub." Grinning at that, he nodded, showing he completed the answer.

-It made her happy to see him smile again, to hear him laugh so easily. Giving her a soft warmth inside she almost wanted to laugh and smile herself, but at the moment her mood was still too somber for such things.

And as he spoke she felt again that twinge of guilt. She'd left him on the brink of death? If she were so cruel... then why, why did he still insist upon loving her so? Burying her sigh in her throat she tried to think of a way to answer.

The green lioness, whether he loved her or not had obviously done more for him in the past few months then she'd ever done for him in the past. She should be happy that he'd grown so much, and she guessed she was.- "You've grown so much Ta. And so much faster then I have."

"I'm glad she took care of you then.. it would have been upseting to come back and then never have even seen you again."

"You helped me grow too, Kami." He deadpinned, his voice somber and truthfull as he would have none of her self-doubt in his 'game'. Letting her think about that, he swiftly moved on and decided to ask her an easy question, and hopefully not end up with the same heated results as the last one.

"How was your journey with your father?" He asked, clearly understanding that he was asking a very strange, and off topic sort of quesiton. But he seemed to not mind one bit as he just sat there and waited paitently for her reply.

-He caught her thoughts even without her words, so it must have been written on her face. Nodding a little in soft agreement, she happily jumped at the question and mood change, a soft smile creeping upon her maw as she spoke.-

"It was so scary.. and yet.. very exciting in a way. We traveled for so long, barely even stopping in most of the places. But I got to see the dry deserts. The most beautiful jungle, with flowers nearly as large as my paws, and even a place where it seemed as if the water of the wide rivers would go on forever."

-Tail twitching softly, she turned her eyes up to Ta.- "I met lots of new people.. some nice.. some not. But Daddy kept me safe the whole time. And I even met Hadaya on the trip, she's supposed to be my... oh what's the word.. advisor. The one I talk to when I have problems."

"And I can't even begin to tell you all the different things I learned on the trip." -In fact all the new things still swirled through her head now.. the Firekin history. Why the jungles were so lush and tree covered. Names of brand new animals and plants.-

"Maybe one day I can even show you th.." -Her smile faded suddenly. Soon enough she was to be tied to the lands. And without having someone to look over the lands it wasn't going to be possible for her to head off and show him around. Biting her lip a little she recovered offering instead softly.- "Well maybe Palesa and you can go on a little trip and see them someday."

"My turn!" -Glancing down at her paws lightly she pondered for a long moment, before asking her question with a grin.- "I know that your stomach is ticklish from the time we played before. Any other ticklish spots Ta?"

A smile crossed his maw once more as she spoke so vividly of the places, and how much she enjoyed it. Suddenly, he wished he could have gone with her, to see everything that she saw and enjoy it by her side. Yet, it was her comment that she trailed upon that caught his attention the most. As if to taunt him, she jumped away from her slip, and left him wondering just what she was about to say.

With her next comment on Palesa, he was about to retort when she once more jumped ahead of him, and he lowered his head like a punished cub. He glowered at her next question before letting out a playful growl.

"No..." He murmered, heat brushing his cheeks, "..at least...not that I know of...though don't you go trying to find any, or else I might have to do the same to you, Kami!" He finished with a playful warning, truth and promis behind his words.

-Watching his strange changes in reaction to her answer she wondered for a moment if she'd answered things wrong. But as her friend went to answer his own question she couldn't help but giggle a little, a very soft smile touching her maw again.-

"We shall see, Ta. Who says I'm ticklish at all?" -Teasing, ever so gently, as to not upset him, her next question for him became clearly obvious, and she fell silent waiting for her own question.-

"Your denial." He deadpinned, before suddenly growing weary of his childish questions. All at once, his humor left, before he looked thoughtfully to her form.

"Knowing the feeling you held that day we...well I could never say it was a fight Kami...but knowing those feelings then...how do you feel about me now?" He knew it would scare her, and to voice that, he added, "And to add onto the rules, you are alowed to pass on one question, and one question only...and you may not ask the same question twice. No matter how differently it is worded." Nodding, he waited, breath seemingly hitched.

-The sudden seriousness filling the den again brought a sense of dread to the lioness, and she found herself a bit tense in the whole situation far before the question even came out.

Her ears flicked and she was silent. And as he added his revision to the rules she found herself considering it for a breif moment. But who knew if there would be a harder question later? And even if not.. she was just smart enough to know that this one question was the one that the entire game had been spread around.

The question that had to be approached before they could possibly even 'try' to act as friends again, and as if nothing had happened.

Shuffling her paws, she sigh a little, trying to pull an answer out of the air, as she labor over the task of trying to keep herself from getting emotional or flustered.-

"Mmmm... the feelings that day.. I don't know if I even begin to explain those.. or now if they're related to things I feel now. They were.. some horrible joke of nature."

"N.. Not that I don't want to be by you and stuff Ta.. Just.." -She paused shaking her head, trying to think of the best way to say something that even she didn't understand herself. Coming up with nothing she simply sigh, a sound of giving up that rattled through her body.- "I'd still like to rest and lean against you though, so I guess some of them must have been something."

-This was getting too hard to answer, and she found her eyes shifting away from him, and to the walls of the dark cave.- "But what I feel about you now? I'm not so certain..." -Who was she kidding, she was rarely certain, and more often unsure.-

"I do know that you were my best friend. And that I thought about you everyday I was gone. And..... that it's hurt me alot over the past few months to think that you were hurting."

"But mostly I just felt and feel like I wish I had my best friend."

He felt a weight push down on his shoulders, as if punishing him for being so crule as to ask her. But for months he had bottled up the questions, and had lived with thinking if she felt anything back. And now he had gotten him answer. Realizing all to suddenly that she had no idea what to think, he stood and moved closer, his paws crossing the ground slowly. Yet, he stopped suddenly as a beam of light seemed to settle on a jewel, his necklace.

Just gazing at the gem for a moment, he trailed his eyes back onto her elder form, and a smile bloomed on his own maw. It was weird, for the question to bring him happiness, for all he wanted was for her love to be returned, but instead he just found the whole situation humorous.

"Were, Kami?" He asked with a slight pout, before moving to n** lightly on her ear in a 'chiding' manor, just like when they were younger.

"I wouldn't really have been your best friend if I had given up that easily. Best friends do have their fights...though in my opinion, what happened with us was nothing but a misunderstanding. Kami, I dont know what happened that day, but I think we should work it out so we can be friends again. Heaven knows I need my best friend back in my life...the light that has always sent away my nightmares..." Sending her a soft, lopsided smile, he moved to pad out in the light.

"Suddenly, the day just seemed to have gotten so much brighter..." He knew it was lame, it was the weirdest thing he had ever thought of, but with Kami wanting him back as at least a friend, he knew his life was on its way back to normal. And that just made everything shine again.

-Well he'd taken the answer much better then she'd even hoped he would, and it brought a smile to her face as he teased and spoke so lightly.

Flicking her ear lightly at the affection, she watched him as he made his way past her, to the light behind her and found herself lifting immedaitly to follow. Just like the good old days.

Catching a soft grin, she padded nearer, stopping close enough to strech out the familar necklace in his direction.- "Nothing could make me happier then working it out then."

-Tail twitching gently she let her eyes touch the land that surrounded them, and had the sudden urge to lure him into a game of chase once again. But that last question nagged at her mind, and she glanced to him curiously. It would seem the game was over.. And she still didn't know the one thing that'd nagged her mind so.-

Taking the necklace back, he settled his maw into it before lifting his head once more and having it fall. Settling in the familiar dip of his neck, the gem gleamed in its proper place before the adult lion took a new sniff of the fresh air. His mind screamed for him to continue to pout, but somehow it just seemed stupid, and that he just had to get over the whole thing.

Turning to speak with Kami, his sentence was long gone as he glanced at her curious stare.

"Got another question?" He teased, smirking lightly before it turned back into the boyish smile he always held. He didn't expect her to give up that easily on the game, "I don't think anyone has lost yet..."

-She was relieved to hear his question, however before she could ask a soft giggle tumbled out of her mouth.- "I'm not quite certain how one could lose this game? Run into two questions they refuse to answer?."

-Jumping suddenly, she called out a hint too seriously. Her obvious need of the next question apparent.- "Wait wait! Those aren't my questions."

-Looking down sheepishly, both at her outburst and the fact that she had to ask the next question, she asked softly.- "My real question for you is.. "

"Well, I feel kind of silly asking this but.. I'm just not really sure what exactly I did that day that.. upset you? I don't want to do it again so... I need to know what it is."

His throaty chuckle entered the cave at her apparent stress over her 'questions'. However, he suddenly relized why she seemed to want to continue, and chose wisely not to answer the first two. If she didn't ask, he didn't need to answer.

"Well," He said lightly, looking to the side, "The thing is, you didn't do anything wrong at all." Nodding, he just looked back to her, "But you ran off before I could explain that to you...before I could explain how everything happened. That day, I think we both agree that you were a little bit off your normal personality...more spontainious. Palesa said it was something with...hormones. That when females grow, they are more in tone with their emotions...and that you were just feeling that. I am not sure..."

Trailing off, he thought, before finally adding, "You were moving too fast...as if you were trying to...well court me. I didn't want to do anything, or for you to do anything, that might be regretted. Kami, I knew you were a bit off, and I knew that if we ended up...well doing something...that you might come back later and be hurt. What happened that day..."

Suddenly, he was like a cub again, and slowly he settled down on his stomach. Shaking his head, he reviewd his last answer.

"I am not making sense..."

-So it was indeed her affections that had done it, and yet not exactly how she'd imagined. She'd not even thought of that in fact, even after the apparent attention her affections had continued to bring from the males she met in the few days after the 'incident'. She'd taken it all as pushing away.. when really it was pulling her closer to protect her.-

"Oh Ta....." -She immediately moved forward, her body pulling her towards him, pausing only when she actually reached him, stopping herself from the nuzzle that her subconcious had sent her forward to give.-

"If only I'd known.." -Letting her head hang softly, she asked another question, even if it was out of turn.- "How.. how do I know what's slow enough?"

He seemed to find her presence unnerving a bit, the aticipation catching in off guard. She was so close, yet so far, and it caused his heart to hammer and his head to spin lightly. Swallowing, he tried to focus on her question. For some reasion, after his declairation, the emotions just seemed to be demanding stronger.

"At first...you dont..." He murmered lightly, acting on his instints to answer the question, "But when suddenly, all comfort disappears and something is screaming of regrets...and you ask yourself 'is this what I want...right now?' ...and that answer is no...that is too fast. But...sometimes, when you find the right lion, there is a paitence with them, and they are willing to go step-by-step through. Nothing is too slow, and they know when to make sure you aren't going to fast. The pace...it is perfect." Letting out a nervous chuckle, he shook his head.

"And Kami, you asked out of turn...unless you want to forfit the game..." He smiled at her, teasing lightly.

-The softest hints of a laugh touched her, not a malicous or mean one.. but atleast one of relief. He sounded so much like her dad right now, and that comfort in wisdom and guidance brought a smile to her downturned maw.-

"I guess I did, didn't I?"

"Well.. if you still have things you'd like to ask, then you can ask two questions now to make up for it.. otherwise, I don't mind losing so much this time."

He pondered a moment, before suddenly grinning.

"Alright, here is my first question...did you like this game?" He asked seriously, no sign of any joke.

"And to build off that question," he added, "would you agree that, whenever we are asking eachother questions, we play with the same rules as this game? As in, we always tell the truth...because Kami...I like asking questions and answering yours. I like working things out like this."

His eyes faded from her gaze along with his voice as he smiled lightly, "And truthfully...I missed my best friend as well." Letting out a deep breath of a laugh, he just glanced up at her.

"Remember, these necklaces tell everyone we are best friends, and as long as I have mine on, or you have it in your paws, I am willing to stay best friends with you."

-Ah easy questions! Smiling again, she answered his question with a strong nod.- "I did actually. It was a hard game at some points.. but I always like playing games with you Ta."

-Gaining a soft tease she mused.- "And who knows! It might be one I can actually beat you in, one of these days."

-And his second question was a no brainer. After the fiasco.. with so much pain for the two of them after something that could have been fixed if she'd taken the time to try and talk. She'd learned her lesson.

As he continued on she grinned, her tail flicking in a moment of contentment, before musing towards him simply.- "I'm so glad we traded the jewelry then."

-Turning her gaze out to the horizon she wondered where to go from here, and finally glanced at Ta once again.- "What would you like to do next?"

"I am not sure, actually..." He murmered, and noticed the day was too far gone for them to really get in any adventures nor any games. Yet, it was not his mind that came up with an answer, but his stomach. The rumbling that filled the den was soft, and like a growl. Yet, it was more his groan that he could hear in the end.

"I shall need to go on a hunt sooner or later this night, for I am sure Palesa will fend for herself, as always." Nodding, he suddenly added, "...you aren't...bothered when I speak of Palesa, are you Kami?" His eyes flickered to hers in worry, not wishing for the golden hued lioness to be in any discomfort. Without knowing it, he continued the game.

-She stiffled a soft laugh at the protests of his stomach as it answered his question for him.- "If that's what you want to do, then I'll let you be for the night. I've gotten better at hunting. But I still hamper the hunt on more occassions then I help it." -The admission brought a sheepish and yet somehow amused smile to her lips. Somewhere along the lines she'd given up on feeling bad about that particular flaw of hers.

Her ears flicked lightly as the new question touched the air, and she thought for only a brief moment, her smile never fading.- "No, it doesn't. I always thought you should have more friends anyway." -It had before when she'd thought that he'd choosen Palesa over her, but since that wasn't the case, it wasn't something to dwell on.-

To be continued

-Kamilika squeezed her eyes shut as another ripple of motion flickered through her stomach. How she'd missed the obvious change she'd never know.. but she had up until now.. and her heart fluttered without stop as thoughts filled her head. The trip and the constant motion over the last two months had kept her trim despite the growth within her belly, but now that she'd been back, and nearly a week had passed the weight was settling in on her, and it was this morning with the movement within herself that had clued her into the reasoning behind it.

She was pregnant.. Pregnant by Tefu.. Her first and only mating.. a 'mistake' brought on by her flittering emotions of that god forsaken heat. Curling up for comfort she tried to sort through the thoughts that were rushing through her mind at the speed of light.

She was too young to be a parent... She was irresponsible... She couldn't even HUNT for crying out loud.. how was she going to care for little ones? What would her parents say? What would.. what would Ta say? Her heart sunk at the last thought and she attempted to curl more despite the fact that she was already in a golden ball. It would hurt him so much... Would.. would he even ever talk to her again? Could she blame him if he didn't want to?

A heavy sigh racked through her body. This just.. wasn't going to work. It couldn't be happening.. It shouldn't be happening. All she ever wanted was to be happy.. to be her young self. And even though she'd discovered long ago that wasn't possible well.. atleast she'd hoped to be a good leader.. and to keep the people around her happy. And now it seemed she couldn't even do that.

Unless.. unless they were gone! That'd do it! She lifted her head quickly, trying to cover every little bit of the thought. If they were gone then THEY would be safe.. perhaps with some childless strong lioness in the southlands? Or even with Tefu.. And the pride would be safe and happy. And Ta.. well Ta would never have to know anything at all about them. Noone would. And then everyone would be happy.. It was just.. as simple as that.

Peering towards the darkness outside the cave, she glanced around lifting herself slowly, her paws silent on the cool ground. Nudging Hadaya from her sleep she whispered a few short words ("Tell my father that my trip is not over. I lost something important in the Firekin lands. I'll be back soon.") , before sprinting out into the night, trying to get far enough away quickly, before she could be tracked down.

Running until her she felt her chest heaving, she traveled away from the Firekin lands, stopping only when she saw a river. She may not be able to hunt, but she knew quite well that the water hid a scent, and soon she was slogging through the dark river further and further from home once again. She needed to get far enough away that noone would know her.. and for once she thanked her plain appereance. She could be mistaken for any common lion, and that's the way she'd keep it. In fact.. perhaps she needed a false name if she were going to give up her cubs to another female.. that way they'd never come looking, never find her. Yes.. that was it.-
--------------------------------
-She traveled for an excruciating length, her mind so full of fear of discovery that she kept pressing on further and further despite the fact that her legs ached and her body strained with the new weight that had been seeping onto her. Kami travelled through the night, and through half of the next day without stop.

But as weariness began to over take her, she began to look around for a good place to sleep and hide. Tall grasses... Rocks.. Bushes..

She wandered, finally finding a rock in the tall grasslands. Curling up alongside it, in hopes of keeping her from getting trampled, she settled down beneath the edge of the grasses, falling into a deep sleep as the sun moved slowly across the sky.-

It had been a good few hours since the princess had fallen into her slumber, the sun moving its course across the sky and waning deep towards the west. While the air cooled and the creatures prepaired for night, a lone dark form drifted through the grasses in hopes of finding one more meal. Every moment seemed like a fight for survival for the maned wolf, his dark form not too well at hiding him as he hunted under the sun.

It only took him a moment to realize something was off. And by no means did he like the feeling at all, so soon enough he was pushing through the grasses and following the scent towards the princess. As his eyes landed on her form, he let out a strangled gasp before stepping back into the safety of the grasses, before realizing she was not awake.

"..." Silenced by the new discovery, the wolf slowly pawed to her form to sniff lightly, before shaking his head and pulling back, "Pregnant...fantastic." His tone grounded out and he seemed less than pleased as he turned away a moment, ready to leave her just the way she was discovered.

-Had the lioness not been exhausted, her sleep would have likely been fitful, but as it was she'd laid there still and silent, dreams not even touching her form, as if she didn't have the energy for such things.

As the night began to creep up upon her and the visitor approached her ears registered the sound ever so lightly. It was the soft pressure against her that finally stirred her into conciousness, and she moaned lowly, paws reaching out to try and straighten her body. Eyes openning she blinked a few times, trying to figure out if the touch was something real, or merely a dream.-

His leave was disrupted by the sudden moaning, and his ears perked once before his breath caught. Unsure if his mind had made the noise or he had actually heard it, the maned wolf turned slowly around to gaze wide-eyed at the pregnant female before him. Once he was positive that she indeed had awakened, his head fell and his maw spread to reveal a row of gleaming fangs.

He could not be too sure what might happen, because from what he had expirenced, many females would strike out when in the pregnant state. Though with that thought, he silently deemed himself fortunate enough not to have run into the female with her cubs. Shaking that thought with a slight movement on the outside, he just trained his eyes back onto the awakening lioness.

-He was hard to see in the darkening sky, but once her eyes caught sight of the movement, she trained on the bit of white that touched his pelt. Unlike the mother's he'd heard about before Kami reacted with fear, as opposed to agression, her body instinctively curling inward, her voice coming out in a soft whisper in the night.- "Pl.. Please don't hurt me.."

-Her golden ears settling back gently, she looked at the wolf with a soft helplessness, a child hiding behind the eyes of the grown female.-

Her fear seemed to only send him into a deeper state of disgust, the lack of friendly attributes clear in his form. With his head lowering slightly, he just peered at her a moment in silence before letting out a loud snort from his nostrils.

"Me...hurt you?" An airy laugh broke as his turned his head away. It was clear in his skeptical voice that he couldn't believe her words, "You have got to be kidding me."

If someone said he was the nicest of maned wolfs, he probably would need to hurt them, for that view showed clear in his stance. He was a loner, and though he didn't pick fights, he knew when and where to defend himself. All bark, with quite a bit of bite on the side.

"But with that sort of greeting, something will."

"Yes well.." -She huffed a little herself. It wasn't as if she'd choosen for this to happen to her. To end up helpless, alone, and defenseless in some strange place with a belly big enough to slow down her alright clumsy and large form.

If it were up to her she'd be home.. None of this would have happened, and she was still dwelling in the selfpity of it all. She was pregnant, she was lost, and if she ever DID make it home she had a long and lonely life of broken hearted duty left for her. IF she made it home.

Snapping for a moment out of her pitiful swelling of thoughts she let her ears set forward finally, offering gently.- "I believe that's why I was trying to hide. So I wouldn't be found and run into that problem."

He kept silent while she dwelled, his own musings flowing through his mind. With a sigh soon after, he just shook his head once more and rolled his light colored eyes. The female in front of him was really starting to make him sick, a sign of him beginning to feel pity for the creature.

"Your scent hides nothing," He stated bluntly, tone sharp with truth as he flickered his tail, "I'm surprised I was the only one to find you...now get up, less you want to be caught by the vultures of the night."


-Her scent.. She'd thought about it when she was leaving the pridelands.. had traveled in ways to best hide it, but in her exhaustion the night before it must of slipped her mind, and she immediately felt foolish. He was very very right.

His words however brought a look of confusion to the lioness, though she obeyed immediately, more then happy to cling to any sort of guidance in the unfamilar lands. Lifting herself, she streched her paws before her, before padding cautiously closer to the maned wolf, a hint of hope touching her voice.- "You know of a better place to sleep?"


He just gave her a look before padding off, heading away from the tall grasses where many liked to hide, both preditor and prey. The lines in his tail gleamed with the moonlight, as well as his eyes, however the black pelt made it perfect for him to fade away and keep his form. Yet her gold stood out quite well on contrast, now that she was out of the dried grasses.

"There is no better place to sleep when you are unable to defend yourself...which is why females are usually protected when they carry their young..." He glanced at her over his shoulder, having paused after a moment of walking. He could tell she was not fit as a rogue, and clearly had run from some sort of pride. Not one to pry, he instead just sat there with a bored stare, waiting for her to continue with him. What possessed him to guide her, he did not know.

-She followed quickly behind him, well as quickly as she could manage trying to shrug off the last bits of sleep and manage her new weight. But as his words touched her her ears fell again, and she offered a very soft and embarassed hint of a laugh.- "Unfortunately I have noone to protect me."

-Noone that deserved the hassle of protecting her. That'd been part of the reason she'd left.. Oh how she could see it.. the way Ta's heart would break before her eyes if she'd asked him to help her. He'd protect her probably... but she'd have broken him forever. And for that reason she was better off on her own out here.

Though it seemed she wasn't quite so alone, and she began to wonder softly why the wolf hadn't eaten her.. or simply run off. Unsure of what to say really she offered her plan for his ears.- "I'd planned on sleeping in the day.. and traveling in the night. I thought it'd be safer... less predators.. I won't tire so easily, or need as much food."

"You need a den." He said shortly to all of her questions, clearly not in the mood to elaborate with any of his words. His paws fell in a gentle rythem as he took her away from the pridelands, having a weird feeling that she didn't want to be anywhere near any pride lions at the moment. Glancing over his shoulder, he let out a sigh and slowed his pace so he was somewhat next to her larger form.

"If you have a den, it gives you a safe place to give birth as well as raise your young." It was the most obvious answer in his opinion, but clearly the female was new to the whole birth concept, and that made him a bit unconfertable. She should be screaming at him to leave her and her young alone, not following him blindly towards the southlands.

"A den?" -It was a reasonable assumption, but fear began to ebb on her mind. They weren't far enough away yet.. Members of the pride could be lurking here.. She NEEDED to be further.- "But..."

-She tried to think of a way to explain without explaining, almost giving up entirely.- "I don't feel so safe.. this close to any of the prides. Maybe I can find a den after another day or two of travelling..?" -It was almost a plead.-

-Happily keeping at his side, since he appeared to be the becon of knowledge in logic in her cloud of fear and naivity, she followed towards whatever danger or safety he might drag her into, hoping her stomach wouldn't begin to grumble soon.-

His gray eyes just glanced to her out of their corners, a bit confused at just how much fear seemed to lace the one word. Yet, as she spoke the next part, his assumptions proved to be correct, she had been running from some pride. Shaking his head lightly, he just shruged his shoulder a moment later.

"Maybe you can," Another short answer, his eyes training to the front as he moved and continued to wonder just what he was doing with the female next to him. Deciding he was only helping her to get somewhere safe, as soon as they discovered it, he knew he could just leave her be. That was it, that was all he was doing.

-She traveled mostly silent alongside the maned wolf, her mind flickering back to the other friend she'd left back at home. Hadaya would have taken care of her.. but it all happened to quick.. and Kami was afraid for anyone to know except for herself. How long would it be before she could once again travel the path to home?

Glancing around lightly at their darkened surroundings as they quickly past by, Kami let her mind finally fall silent, pressing all the thoughts away for the time being. Glancing towards her dark guide she offered the first hints of a smile, replying simply.- "Thank you."

"You should be thankful," He said gruffly, "Not many others would be so helpful." It was rough yet true, blunt to the bone as he tried to point out just how harsh reality was. The female needed to be smart if she were to raise her young in the cold world of the Southlands. Hyenas were multiplying, and thirsty to avenge all lions who had forced them into the deadly lands of the graveyard. Leopards were also increasing in numer, and he knew they would start hunting the world, along with cheetahs.

It just wasn't safe anymore, and he knew that. That was why he was tempted to go into the pridelands, catching the scent of other Maned Wolfs in the area who might help him find a nice place to be protected. From what he heard, the Pridelanders were quite accepting, and maybe he could find a charge, someone to advise while they protected him in turn. Would be easy in the long run, and plus he would teach lions how to act smart with the coming times.

-Her golden ears dipped a little with what seemed like a scolding to her. But really, who minded a scolding when she had an escort? Truth be told now that she was fully awake and acessing the logic that the wolf was settling upon her she'd rather be scolded the entire way.. then be alone again in the night.

Digging into her social lessons and graces she pondered what to say, before finally the words came, not so hard as she'd thought actually, just simply from the heart.- "Well it's very kind of you.. there are alot of people around that wouldn't dare help someone of a different species.."

"Which is sad but... I guess you're better then that?" -Perhaps he could be her Pridelands away from home. She certainly was beginning to miss her father, her mother.. and it'd only been what.. three days?-

"Not always Kitten," He murmered, settling into giving the female a nick-name, like he did all others, "Even I have my dark days..." It was the truth, for he could be a nasty creature who turned away all, "Though don't get me wrong, I would never hurt another unless they were a threat."

Nodding at that idea, he decided it was time to give her a lesson, and it would help pass the time as they blindly wandered into the south.

"You see Kitten, many creatures would wish to harm you or your cubs for a meal, and when they are powered by their hunger, they gain a strength and ruthlessness. You must understand, and you must be ready to protect yourself by all means. For if any fear is in your blood when you face a hungry hyena, who hasnt eaten in days, there is little chance you or your cubs will come out alive. It is the strength you hold as a mother, the willingness to protect your young that will help you survive...as well as a little cheating that I could teach you..." He smirked at that, "Remember how I greeted you?"

-The name he'd given her was a simple one, a snappy one, and she was glad that she'd been spared the thought of thinking up a lie for him for the time being, and when he spoke she listened intently.

She hadn't realized the southlands would be so dangerous.. During her travels, even across firekin lands she'd had the large hulking presence of her father alongside her, so very little bothered her. But out here she wasn't a princess, she didn't have a protector, and as the wolf stated she was simply a meal. I meal who didn't know how to fight back.

But she didn't intend to keep the cubs after all, she knew her ineptitude and planned on handing them off.. she only had to live long enough to give them to someone strong. Someone safe. She replied almost apologetically finally.- "I.. can't even really hunt myself. So I don't know how I will possibly be able to fight anyway off. But I'd like to try to learn."

-Pondering back to their meeting, she asked lightly.- "With bared teeth is all I really remember."

"With intimidation," He murmered agian, more in a tone of teaching than one of annoyance, "By lowering her head in a fighting stance, fangs revealed as growls rise from your throat, and your claws extended, you can warn any creature to back off or else you will kill them. Even if they are bigger than you, usually if you show you will put up a fight, they will realize it isn't worth it in the long run."

Stilling a moment, he suddenly acknowlaged her earlier words, and looked at her with a bit of surprise, "You don't know how to hunt?" He asked it with sceptical interest, "What, do you have your parents and siblings do it for you...are you even a rogue?" He asked it all with surprise, for now it was clear she had no practice as a rogue. Though he wasn't one to pry, so before she could even answer, he shook his head.

"I think I would rather not hear the answer to that question."

-As he spoke the words, she tried to picture it in her mind, as she had her hunting lesson with Tefu. Her claws slipping from her paws, the softest hint of a rumble within her throat. Intimidation might not be so hard. She was really good at pretending.. and as long as she didn't have to run of anything.. she could probably do that. Another soft smile of triumph touched her at the thought. She'd have to practice later, but she was confident.

His question gained another dip of the ears from her, her tail curling up beneath her as if she were a pup instead of the large feline that she was.- "I know how.. I just can't really do it. I always trip... or miss what I'm aiming at."

-And as he asked not to hear she fell silent. Yes, she was simply a mouch off of the pride. But that's what children did, wasn't it?-

His silence spoke louder than any of his words, even if it didn't say anything in responce to her explination. As he moved on slowly through the southlands, he decided they could head to a small den he discovered a few weeks prior, one that was a tunnel of rocks that had the cave underground. Nodding to himself, he declaired silently that that area would be best, and just turned his head to where Kami was following.

"Do you need to rest, or shall we continue on?"

-She let her ears droop softly as the akward silence settled about them, as if trying not to hear the lack of sound. As her attention turned away from the wolf, a soft movement could be detected from within her stomach, and she began to wonder which it was. The gentle tossing and turning of the little creatures in her stomach? Or the grumbling and turning of a stomach that hadn't eaten in three or so days?

She'd feel bad asking him for food now.. after divulging her lack of skills to his obvious distaste.. or dissapointment.. or whatever it was the silent wolf was thinking. So she hoped it was simply the little ones, and set her eyes once again before her.- "I slept most of the day, so we can keep going for awhile."

-Glancing back lightly she stared back into the darkness, trying to see if she could see any hints at all of the land she was fleeing. A comforted smile settling upon her lips when she couldn't.-

-They traveled in soft silence for most of the trip, Kami's conversation skills seemingly zapped by the task at hand. Every once in awhile she'd say something, but none of it was of any real value or consequence. Simply something to pass the time as she carried on gratefully along side his 'guide'.

The morning was beginning to filter through the darkness of the night as they neared the den Bijan had mentioned. In a moment of enthusiasm, Kami broke forward a few steps, inspecting the den with curiousity. It was relitively deep and dark, the ground inside cool and soft, it was just perfect. The slightest hint of a purr escaped her golden throat, signifying her contentment and gratitude toward's the wolf's choice.

Finnally slipping within the den she lay quickly down with a thud, streching her weary body across the ground as sleep tried to overtake her, her last words another soft thank you.-

Watching everything with a keen eye, Bijan rolled his light steel gaze as soon as the lioness had fallen asleep. Walking into the darkness, he took a moment for his eyes to ajust, and blinked when she actually had gone into a slumber.

"You're Welcome..." He said grufly, his voice a tone softer now that she was asleep. Looking around, he padded to the back of the cavern and curled up himself, picking the darkest area as his place in the den and letting the lioness have all of the light. Slowly, he fell asleep, quicker than he had in many months, his body relaxed surprisingly now that he was back in his old den again.

"This place is amazing, Jani," the lioness said as she reserved a particularly long glance for Pride Rock itself. "I could never have imagined something like this being less than a day's walk from the thorn patch. I just hope that they'll let us stay." She sighed shook her head in an attempt to get rid of her nervous jitters, but it was in vain. Tufani was a scared lioness; she had met other lions, but she had always been a rogue. She had never even thought that she could be accepted among a pride; she hadn't even thought she needed to be, with Jani around. But she was growing taller, and she did want to make new friends. She just hoped that she would be accepted.


"I'm sure we will," Jani the jackal said as she turned around and fluffed Tufani's fur one last time. "You look quite respectable, and you are a hard worker. A pride couldn't possibly want to turn you away. Besides, I have heard that the King here is good and kind. Whatever happens, we will be fine. And you'll have me with you. So smile and be polite, Tufani, and everything will work out." The jackal then turned and started walking the rest of the distance to Pride Rock, noting the light footsteps of Tufani behind her. Jani knew her lioness daughter had to be nervous; normally Tufani was the least dainty creature in the savannah.

-From Priderock Mufasa lounged softly, taking in the cooler air that was settling about the land as the heat giving sun sank lower and lower. He didn't really have anything important to do as the evening slunk over the land, so he instead looked for some comfort and joy.

His eyes were settled on a few cubs below, playing and wrestling around as if the rest of the world around them didn't exsist. Cubs had always brought him so much joy, perhaps that was part of the reason why he so happily let so many families in. Because each little cub, no matter how unrelated or different then him in apperance always brought a little riffle of joy through his chest, and now as he watched these two little ones he stiffled a contented chuckle.-

Tufani noticed the two cubs before Jani did; probably because she was looking every which way out of nervousness instead of staring straight ahead as Jani did. While she was nervous about the way others talked about the king, she was more than willing to meet other lions closer to her age. Maybe it was because in her mind she pictured the king as being a somewhat scary lion almost as tall as Pride Rock itself, whereas lions her age were always potential friends. "Hiya!" she called out as she started to walk toward them. "Can I maybe play with you guys?"

Jani's head jerked over to the quickly disappearing form of Tufani. Her expression was what would be classified as that of horror. "Tufani," she started shouting, "Perhaps we should meet the king and get permission before you try playing with other cubs...that older lions will want to protect, and..." the jackal stopped when she realized the pointlessness of shouting such an explanation, especially if she wanted to protect Tufani. She couldn't see any older lions, but that didn't mean they weren't there. So she ran quickly after the black lioness.

-These days with the great influx of animals entering the pride.. and the many who soon after bore children Mufasa was getting rather bad at distinguishing who was who. Perhaps his age was part of it, but it didn't really bother him, not so much as it might have some of the others. Even without his direct permission all the children of the land were 'his children', it was almost a right that was passed simply by stepping onto the lands with good intentions in their heart.

The thoughts rippling through his mind he tried to push them away, growing amused by how often he found him drifting off into bits of philosophy these days. It seemed to be one of the things he was particular good at despite his failing form. Scooting a little closer to the edge he lay so that his paws hung over the edge and his golden face and chesnut mane became more apparent to those he watched.

The black cub seemed a little older then the other two already playing. Yelping in the distance drew his attention and though he couldn't make out the words he glanced curiously at the small jackal that formed them.-

Tufani looked back toward Jani, a puzzled expression crossing her face. She heard her name, but couldn't make out much more than that. King purr mission? What in the world was that? When she turned around, she saw paws sticking out from the ledge above. Large paws. Curiousity got the better of her as her head tilted further and further up, until it was nearly resting on her back. It probably looked comical to outsiders who witnessed it, but at least she saw the new lion. A new friend, maybe? "Hiya, Mister!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, which for her was quite loud indeed.

Jani finally caught up with Tufani, panting as she looked around. She couldn't really see this "Mister" that the young lioness was shouting to, and she definitely couldn't see why Tufani was holding her head up in that ridiculous position. But there didn't seem to be any harm done; there wasn't anything chasing after them, so she hadn't done any harm. Now if only she could figure out where this king was..."Never run away from me like that again, Tufani...or at least warn me next time."

-Mister? Well that was a new one. A smile touched Mufasa's golden maw, his ears tilting forward curiously. Either this one was new, or her parents hadn't taught her very well. She looked a little old to been a pridemember that hadn't happened by Priderock yet though, so she must be new.

Glancing momentarily to the cubs, who also looked onto the black child was unfamilar curiousity he settled upon his assumptions.

Letting his tail flick back and forth lightly he called down lightly back to them, almost as enthusiastically, though not nearly so loud.- "Why, Hello little one."

Tufani glanced at the other cubs for a moment, noting the puzzled expressions. Now she grinned sheepishly; if she were capable of it, she would have been blushing at that moment. Well, she was certainly making an impression. Jani probably was going to yell at her for being silly later, especially since they weren't making progress finding that king person. But the older lion seemed nice enough. He was smiling, and smiling was good, right? "Are you having a nice evening, sir?" she asked, this time straining to remember the manners Jani had been trying to teach her for some time now.

At the sound of the greeting, Jani's ears perked up, and, she finally noticed the adult male lion watching them. Well, there didn't seem to be any harm done; this must be one of the nicer Pridelanders. "Good evening, sir," the jackal said. "Pardon us for our newness, but perhaps you may be able to help us. Do you know where the king is?"

-He nodded lightly in greeting once again as the soft show of childhood manners touched the air.- "Indeed I am. I'll take any time to relax and enjoy my surroundings that I can manage."

-He been about to ask her something along the same lines, or ask where she'd come from when the jackal drew close enough to hear, and the question brought another amused grin to his face, not to mention a few whispered giggles from the curious cubs.- "As a matter of fact I do."

-Leaving the poor dears in a long moment of silent suspense he finally pushed himself up with a huff, creeping closer to the edge as he prepared himself to decend down the rocks, the jovial expression never leaving his maw.- "I'm Mufasa, the king of the Pridelands. Is there something I can help you two with?"

Tufani's eyes widened in complete surprise as she looked at Mufasa with newfound awe and respect. So this was the king that everybody kept talking about. But at least he wasn't mad at her for calling him "Mister". This was, perhaps, her lucky day-err...close to night thing. If only she could manage to say something other than. "P-Pleased to meet you, your highness, sir. My name is Tufani."


Well, they had certainly made a first impression. Jani, luckily, was slightly more articulate under situations like this one than her adopted daughter. "My name is Jani'mwiba, your highness. We come humbly seeking a place within your pride if there is room for us. Tufani has lived with me as if she were one of my own children since she was a young cub, but there is only so much I can do for her. I will never leave her side, of course, but I felt that she needs lions of her own age to learn and grow up with. We would both be loyal workers for you, especially Tufani as she rapidly outgrows her own mother." The jackal smiled as only a proud mother could.

"Hellow Tufani, nice to meet you too." -Slowly he began to make his way down the rock ledging towards the young one and her jackal caregiver. Something he'd been able to do without caution or care before, he now took the utmost care doing.

When finally his golden paws touched the warm ground, he turned his gaze once again to the smaller creatures, his thoughts filtering into the air before he could stop them.- "A jackal raising a cub?"

-Well.. he'd seen a fox and owl looking over a cub before. Pushing his questioning glance away for a smile instead.- "A very kind thing for you to do Jani'mwiba."

-Seating himself on his haunches in an attempt not to loom so high above the two, he pondered for the shortest hint of a moment, before nodding.- "It takes a truely responsible and wise mother to know when she needs help. Or that does things to better their young's exsistance. We have a few rules of course.. but it would be an honor to have you two join the pride."

Tufani grinned. "I promise to be good, King Mufasa, sir. I won't break any rules when I know 'em," She and Jani were wanted by other lions? This truly was a great day-er, evening. So many new friends were probably waiting for her in these lands; it made her most excited, though she contained her giddiness in front of the king.

The jackal was at first worried that the king would question her parenting at great length, but as he spoke, she grew quite relieved that the king was allowing them both to stay. It warmed her heart to know that Tufani had a decent future ahead of her now, a chance to grow up with other lions while still maintaining that connection to Jani. "Thank you for your generosity, King Mufasa. My daughter and I would be glad to learn your rules, as it is a great honor for us to join a pride with such a kind king."

"Ahhh don't worry, they're simple enough rules. Rules of curtiousy and family mostly." -His smile broadened gently as he spoke, rattling off the rules.-

"Treat everyone equal and with kindness. We're all family here, children of the land." -Pausing for a moment he added lightly.- "Royalty is no better then any of the other children of the land, and lions no better then any other creatures."

"Don't take in excess where you can share. There is no reason to waste food or space, others will share with you, and you're expected to share as well."

"You're allowed to come and go as you please, however be wary who you bring back with you. We welcome any of those that we can, but there is a heavy toll for those who come in that want to hurt or harm any of our members."

-Trying to end on less of a somber note, he laughed a little lightly, offering.- "Any questions?"

Tufani listened carefully, nodding at each rule. She couldn't understand why anyone would waste, and she was happy that she could apparently visit the thorn patch any time she wished. "No questions, King Mufasa. I don't mind sharing, and I want to be everyone's friend. Unless they're mean or rude or something."

Jani grinned. "These seem like simple enough rules to follow. My mother always said not to waste anything and to help creatures who are hungry, so we'd simply be living life as we always have...only differently, if that makes any sense."

"Indeed I do." -Nodding a little, he mused softly.- "They're really more common senses then anything to anyone who's been raised in a compassionate home, but on the occassions in which those who haven't had compassion in the past join, we always need to state them anyway."

-Shifting a little, he glanced back to the little one, grinning widely.- "Well there are plenty of cubs and children running around to make friends with, so I hope your task of finding some new friends will be an easy one."

-And once again settling onto the jackal, he let his tail twitch in soft contemplation.- "Many of the members stay at or around Priderock, atleast at night, but there are many places through the land that one could settle. It shouldn't be too hard to find someplace you'll find comfortable."

The younger lioness nodded and looked around the area, noting that the sun was getting even lower in the sky. "I hope that I find them tomorrow, King Mufasa. I think everyone will mostly be getting ready for bed now."

Jani nodded and thought of the place they had left behind. She was certain that she and Tufani could find a place to stay that was closer to Pride Rock. "There is someone I know here--another jackal. I think, if the family he lives with doesn't mind, we may stay near them for a while."

-It was getting awfully late, wasn't it? Glancing up at the darkening sky, he nodded softly to them, offering a soft goodbye over the evening air.- "Best of luck to both of you then. Good night."

-Turning, he glanced back towards the den curiously, trying to see if his mate was back within the cool walls again. He didn't see her.. but maybe. Padding back towards the den he continued his search as the night filtered onto the pridelands.-

She'd never been so nervwracked and anxious before. They were closer than they had ever been in the past. Nukta's scent was unmistakeable, and for the first time in months Ausi'Juu felt strength unbridled behind the hope Daimyn had rekindled.

Still, they needed to be careful...

She'd wandered away from her mate's side early that morning, before even the sun would rise. She honestly only meant to be away a few moments to think, but the breeze urged her on. At some point she had crossed over the nearest Pride's boundaries, and made her way aimlessly towards the rock pointed out in the distance ahead. She approached from the Southlands.

The female wondered... was it possible their boy had found refuge within this pride? Would they be allowed to stay if so, or would they be chased out for reasons yet unknown?

-Mufasa's fur rippled softly, a little bit of a shiver touching him as he took up the usually uneventful task he did every morning. Eyes touching the nearly still savannah, he narrowed his eyes quickly at the movement that became apparent. Just some prey animal, yes?

No.. too low set to the ground.. it was a predator of some sort. Sitting up from his lounge, he watched as it neared, waiting to see if it'd come closer to the rocks, or diverge once his pressence was known.-

~Nukta...~

Her baby was here, she could somehow just feel it in her bones, and that knowledge shocked her. She had given up, convinced herself that she'd never see either of her sons again after coming by that horrific evidence...

Yet here she was now...

She felt the other pair of eyes on her, rather than saw them, and her jade orbs lifted accordingly in search of the other. Would she have to retreat back to Daimyn? Had her wrecklessness landed her in a bad position?

There. Sitting up on the rocks, appearing almost like a statue to her. They had detected many scents in these lands, but she did not expect to come across any of them so late at night, or rather-- so early in the day.

Ausi'Juu did not hault her movements, though she had slowed to linger.... Instead she moved in closer for a better look. He didn't seem to be the dangerous sort from what she could see. Perhaps he was just a scout?

-He continued to watch curiously, his self appointed task of watching over the lands while others slept for once showing something. However now that he did see someone, he was beginning to wonder what much he could do about it. His old bones wouldn't carry him that far if it came to a run.. so he was probably better off to wait for it to approach.

And it certainly didn't seem very dangerous.. after all the creature didn't hide or slink along. But then again, perhaps it didn't know it'd been caught.

He could call out he supposed.. but then he risked waking the others. No he'd just have to wait until he could make out the figure, for all he knew it was one of the many new pridemembers that his mate had let in.

So he sat and waited, his large size more intimatidating then the lazy way in which he sat, his tail flicking lightly back and forth.-

Ausi finally slowed to a hault once she was a few yards away from the King's perch. She gazed up at the large lion, shifting back to settle onto her haunches slowly for now. If need be, she could probably manage outrunning him, but for the time being she didn't need to. He didn't seem to be the threatening type, either, there was something about him that, despite his large size, put her at ease. He reminded her of her father, and he probably was old enough to be her father, too.

"I hope I'm not intruding." She commented in a quiet voice, markings visible in the dark.

-As she drew nearer Mufasa's eyes settled more curiously upon her. He certainly hadn't seen her around before.. he'd have noticed those markings. But as she didn't seem a threat, he made no movement to stop her, and once she was close enough to speak up to him, he returned her question softly.-

"All you're intruding on is a morning's rest.. waiting for everyone else to awaken. Is there something I can help you with?"

-With the priderock and surrounding area many lions slept.. numbers so large as to outnumber nearly as many as two other prides put together. But here in the early with just the two of them the vast land seemed so secretive and empty, it was a strange feeling, and Mufasa soon found himself wishing to be nearer to the lioness. To stave off the bizzare feeling of solitude.

But that could wait until he knew her intentions, offering a kind smile he waited.-

"Hopefully..." She smiled uncertainly.

The lands did seem rather vast, only seeing one other sitting before her, but having lived as a rogue for the past four months left her accustomed to such a small "group".

"I'm searching for my son... we've been following his scent since we left the Mistweaver lands, and it's led us here. He looks like me, but with more markings. He'd possibly be grown by now."

"Your child?" -A soft sound of sorrow touched his voice and he wondered softly what there child could possibly be doing so far from it's parents.. but then that thought seemed to creep onto him more and more often with his own children out and about.

Inspecting her carefully, he tried to mull through his dusty old memory. Black cubs with white markings... did he remember any of those? He was silent for an uncomfortably long amount of time.. before finally settling on the fact that he didn't know of the cub.. until he looked once again to the tuft of black and white hair that sat upon the lioness' head.-

"Actually. There is a black male in our pride.. I believe he has white markings on him.. but I specificlly recall a mane with both black and white stripeing like your own."

-Digging for more information he stood, almost looking as if he were going to pace.- "He came with a female if I recall correctly.. Perhaps he is.. yours?"

Ausi'Juu felt her heart catch in her throat as she watched the King rise, gave ear to his words. She'd not told Mufasa (this, among other things, such as her name), but the reason that she and her son had been seperated so long was due to the fact that he'd been presumed dead. The details and the evidence had been disheartening at best, and she hadn't been willing to give up on the hope that they were alive-- it had been her mate, grief stricken by the emotional turmoil her denial put her through, that convinced her that they weren't coming back home. Looking back now she felt so foolish for loosing hope...

"Nukta..." She murmered, more to herself than aloud. "It does sound like him," She couldn't keep the edge of hope from her voice, nor could it be concealed from her deep Jade eyes. "His name, is it Nukta?"

-His eyes were apologetic as her question rose. He was so bad with name these days.. and as it was Sarabi had been the one that had invited him to stay within the pridelands.

The king had merely seen him on a few occassions.- "I'm... I'm afraid I don't know.. However my mate may. And if not her, I'm sure someone within the pride would know of his name."

-Glancing back over his shoulder at the sleeping masses within the cave, he pondered softly, before offering apologetically.- "I can ask my mate now.. but I'd prefer not wake the others.. so if she doesn't know.. then I'm afraid you might have to wait around for a little while longer."

-He prayed his mate would know the name.. he couldn't imagine how he would have reacted to recieving similar words, but he hoped that they would be enough for the lioness.-

She saw the apology in his eyes, and it did well to soothe her excitement back down. He must be a father as well, such compassion for her plight he'd shown. She'd been around long enough to know and understand all too well that things often times tended to be out of one's own control. That he'd been kind enough to tell her this much she was grateful for.

"It's alright, if that is indeed the case, you've already told me more than I could have hoped to hear, all this and I haven't even so much as introduced myself... My name is Ausi'Juu, and I do thank you for your kindness."

-He felt a soft wash of relief at her reaction, unsure if he could have handled saying no to some weeping heart broken mother. But instead she was thankful, and he was of course happy to help her.-

"Well I have every hope that it is indeed your child. I've lost two children of my own.. and have a hard time keeping control of the other five." -Offering a mild smile and nodding softly as she introduced herself, he slipped away back towards the den, dissapearing into the dark depths.-

The lioness watched the male with a knowing smile, empathetic and a bit sad though it was. There was no greater pain than loosing loved ones, but especially one so precious as a child.

He had already slipped into the shadows in the time it took Ausi'Juu to debate waiting or moving closer. In the end she decided to wait.

-When Mufasa's large form finally slunk out of the den a broad smile adorned his golden maw. Quickly padding the short distance between the den and where the lioness wait, he waited until he saw her before the new slipped from his mouth.-

"The black and white lion I know is indeed named Nukta. Sarabi said she doesn't know exactly where he sleeps, but he is indeed still here within the pridelands."

-A rippling of pride, and hope, despite the fact that the 'child' wasn't his touched him as he delivered the news and he braced himself for her reaction, curious to see what her plan of action would be now that he was so closely within her reach.-

Those moments of waiting were much harder than accepting the possiblity of not having an answer. She was waiting for an answer to a question she'd been wondering in the back of her mind for months now. Now that it was down to the wire she felt her nerves bottle up in one spot of her gut. It was nervewracking.

He emerged. Ausi had not dared take her eyes off of the mouth of that den. When she caught sight of that smile her heart took flight, even before he said the words.

And then he confirmed her deepest hopes. She couldn't have contained her joy even if she'd had a thousand years to prepare. Her tail stopped it's inscecent lashing and fell limp as for an instant all that Ausi could do was gape at the male in shock.

It came forth in the most simplistic fashion possible. It came forth in silent tears. Only a few to start, but they would soon grow in number as the shock wore away to make room for raw emotion. Blinking them away, Ausi shook her head, awe in her eyes.

"Nukta? ... My Nukta is alive...!" She whispered, voice quivering softly. She almost seemed to be speaking those words to the king who stood before her, maybe she was?

After all of these months thinking that all she used to love was lost to her, the gods had smiled upon her, and given her back one of her children. Her very heart and soul were crying out for her to find him, but she would not simply turn and abandon this gracious stranger that had bared such heartening news. She looked to him eagerly as the tears dimmed in the face of the smile gracing her muzzle.

"Please, kind stranger, are you the king of these lands?"

-He made his way down until he was almost at her side, stopping gently only when she'd asked her question. He hadn't introduced himself at all had he? Well.. there had been more important topics going on, and obviously the female had figured it out on his own. So it hadn't been very neccasary anyway.

Nodding softly he glanced back to the rocks behind him, golden and auburn tail swaying thoughtfully back and forth.- "Yes, I am Mufasa, king of the pridelands."

-Letting his eyes settle back on her dark figure he offered a soft and old smile.- "You will be staying within the lands until you can find him, won't you?"

Ausi'Juu nodded, and offered a grateful bow of respect after. At any point during their meeting this king could have called her on any number of disrespects, despite her lack of knowledge to the situation. He had pardoned a stranger's intrusion on his lands, put up with her questioning before introduction, and even gone to the trouble of waking his slumbering queen just for her sake. Only a parent could understand her plight, true, but only a kind type of king would show such warmth to someone he'd just met.

"It's an honor to be in your presence, and yes. I would like to find him before we move on, unless there might be room for us here to stay?"

How long had they traveled? How long had she been on the move in her life? Ever since she was young it seemed like she'd been moved here and there. Finally, she was ready to admit, she was too old to keep up with this lifestyle... She would very much like to settle down once and for all, and make a new home, for the last time, someplace where she could eventually lay her soul to rest as well.

-He spoke immediately, though the words were thoughtfully, as if he actually needed to ponder the question before him.- "The Pridelands strech further then you can see from any one place.. The grass is healthy. Life giving waters litter the land. And the grazing herds have only boomed in population since the plague.. The Pridelands has room for any family seeking safety and a home."

-Pausing lightly he let his eyes settled on the lioness once again, a soft questioning look in his eyes.- "The rules of the pridelands are simple.. and by accepting them I'll happily allow you in.. however. Perhaps you'd like to try and find your son before you make a decision?"

-Deep within his heart he hoped things would turn out nicely for the lioness. But there was always that chance.. that slight fear that something might go wrong. If her son denyed her.. would her heart still be set within the Pridelands? Or would the land become a burden.. a pain to her heart and mind ontop of the pain of rejection.-

"Agreed," She smiled softly, "then I should return to my mate, and give him the news."

The white tuft of her tail softly dusted the rocks at her paws as she spoke, a small hint of mirth in her tone. Daimyn would be panicked if he woke up to find her gone in these strange lands, with the scents of so many rogues and pridal males about. Ironic, truely ironic, given that he had at one point done the most damage to her in her lifetime, short of the hyena that stole her first born from her. She had the scars on her neck and flank to proove this. He was a changed man now, though.... but would Nukta see that? Perhaps, she had quite some thinking to do. How much truth should she tell her son, if he did want to listen? Would he reject Daimyn before he even gave him a chance? Possibly.

"I shall come see you again once we have our answer, your highness,"

-He watched her softly as she spoke and debated with herself for the short moment, offering a soft nod of agreement as she made her decision.- "I wish you the very best of luck then Ausi'Juu. The people that live here are friendly, so don't hesitate to ask them for help in your search for your son."

"And if you do make the decision to stay here in the end, then either my mate or I should be here around the rocks waiting." -Offering one last nod of his head goodbye, he turned, slowly beginning to make his way back up the rocks, to rest once again. He'd been right in all this time. It'd been a long time coming, but it seems there had been a reason for his early morning watch, and Mufasa grinned widely to the soft flickers of stars in the sky.-

Only been three days since he started off on his own leaving and returning to Pride Rock on his own. Strange that no one really cared that he left, then again he would have done it anyways. Ger awoke in the pride's den, crowded with lions and lionesses alike. Mufasa and Sarabi were probably the only two that didn't feel that way, they got their own spot to themselves.

Ger looked over at Mufasa's sleeping figure. His large massive body was five times his own. The king had a large ring of fur that surrounded his neck and down his chest. The cub didn't know what it was called, but it was fluffy. He wanted to be fluffy too. Ger pawed his head idly at the thought.

I wanna grow up to be fluffy too.

The little lion quietly got up and made his way around the sleeping members of the Pride Rock pride.

Outside was still dark, the sun was gonna raise soon. The young cat sat on the pinnicle of Pride Rock looking over the Pride Lands, awaiting for the great sun to raise into the sky starting the new day.

-Mufasa awoke slowly, forcing his old body to wake up in it's old habits of 'early to bed, early to rise', despite the fact that it tempted him softly to curl back up with Sarabi once more.

But soon enough it'd be sunrise, and this was the time when the fewest seemed to be up. Long ago he'd taken it as his 'silent duty' to watch over the pridelands in the early morning hours, and each day he was there he took up the task diligently.

Lifting himself from the cool stone he streched, almost seeming in slow motion before he finally began to make it out of the cave, surprised to see he wasn't alone this morning. Eyeing the young one curiously, trying to take in it's pelt dispite the bad lighting he finally settled upon who it was. Despite the large mass of members that made up the pride he did know this little one. Had seen him playing around.

Speaking low, as if he feared he'd stir the sleeping creatures that lay hidden in the den, he greeted him softly.- "Good morning Ger. Waiting for the day to come, to go out and play?"

Ger's body jerked a little in surprised by the king's voice. His head turned back with a smile knowing he was in no harm with this gentle giant. Mufasa was old but his figure still held his majestic glory of his many years as king of the Pride Lands.

"Good morning, Mufasa. Did you sleep well last night?" he asked casually.

The sun was just reaching the great horizon changing the sky into the burning flames of the great sun's light.

"Not today, your Majesty, I have had my fun for a while. A lot has happened to me already and I only started to leave Pride Rock for three days now. Your kingdom is really large and there is so much I have never seen before." he said staring back at the sun raise as some of the inhabitants of the great land moved about down below.

The Pride Lands at its best is in the early morning.

"Indeed I did. We've been blessed with some calm weather as of late." -In truthfulness he'd had a little tossing and turning, worry touching his mind at the princess' disapperance. But that wasn't something to worry a cub about. And he'd slept decently reguardless. He always seemed to when Sarabi was by his side.

Mufasa laughed a little, a very soft and good hearted sound as the cub spoke on, explaining himself, giving his large mane a shake as he tried to stir himself even more into the world of wakeness.- "Sometimes it's nice to just take a break and lounge around home. In between all that exploring and playing."

-So many of the young ones nowadays seemed to have that wandering spirit. And only now as a father did he know how worrisome it was. Seating himself lightly alongside the small cub he gazed out at the horizon.- "Are you going to explore as far as your legs can carry you little one?"

Ger stared in awe at the king's large 'fluffy' around his massive neck. He wanted one just the thought of Kimaji's words the days before and the sight of the king's. He really wanted to grow up.

"No, I want to explore as far as my eyes can see, Your Majesty." he corrected, staring into the vast distance before him. The Elephant Graveyard, the Southlands, the Forest, the Jungle, and all that after. There was so much the cub wanted to see and take in. Curious, "Your Majesty, have you ever been away from the Pride Lands to explore further? There is so much out there that the sun touches. Does all of it belong to you?" he asked. Thinking back to Kimaji, she didn't even know who Mufasa was or what the Pride Lands were. She lived in the forest that boardered the Pride Lands, and the sun touched it so that would mean it belonged to Mufasa's kingdom?

This kingdom thing is confusing...

-Another soft smile touched his golden maw, and he nodded thoughtfully a the questions.-

"As king it's been my job to make sure that everything is safe in and around the Pridelands. So I have traveled alot, visited lots of other prides and lands. I try to stay around the Pridelands as much as I possibly can however. I tend to miss my queen, and all the children around here when I leave."

-A laugh errupted from him at the second question, one that only a child could ask, and he settled his paw lightly against the cub's head, ruffling his coat gently.- "From right here on the rocks almost everything you see belongs to the pridelands. But once you begin to travel you'll see that there is so much more. Lands held by the Firekin and Mistweavers, lands that are free to any rogue that walks through them. There is more land out there then you could ever walk in one lifetime."

"The pridelands, as big as they are, are on a tiny part of the world around it."

The little golden cub was amazed by Mufasa's vast knowledge. It was amazing. However, his massive paw on his head wasn't really granted. Ger pawed at his head fur, straightening it again after Mufasa's ruffle.

"Mufa....Your Majesty, what is a Fire kin and a Mist weaver?" Ger asked. "Could I go there too?" he added.

Fire kin must be a huge place full of fire and lots of stuff. I wonder if there are any lions there too, it'd be so cool to go there. And Mist weaver, is that some place near the watering hole, there are lots of lions there all the time. Ger thought to himself of the two things the large lion mentioned. His eyes filled with glee. "Can I go to Fire kin and Mist weaver!?"

-Grinning a little more he let his tail flick back and forth in soft contentment, watching the sun move higher into the sky gently.-

"Firekin and Mistweavers are two other prides. There are more then that though.. probably more then I even know myself."

"The Firekin live close to here, in the desert. Most of them have a very firey red pelt." -He paused at that thought, his brother's own red coat touching his mind.. though he soothed it away with the thought of his own two red children. They certainly weren't monsters like the other red coated beasts were they?- "The firekins don't tend to be very nice to outsiders however. They take lions from their families and force them to work for them, never letting them leave."

-Frowning a little gently, he gave a soft look to Ger.- "You really shouldn't go there if you don't have to. They don't want you there for anything other then harming you. So if you do ever have to travel that way, do so with a large pack."

-Pushing that aside he turned his thoughts to the kinder pride to the west.-"The mistweavers live to the west and are a very wise and old pride. When I was younger I used to like to travel with the king of the mistweavers land. They live in a valley that is usually full of water and life. They're a kind pride, so it should be alright to travel and visit them."

"I also hear.. that there is a pride to the far east.. that moves and travels about. I've never been over those mountains before though.."

-Trailing, he quieted down finally to look at the cub.- "I suppose the best bit of advice is just to be cautious wherever you travel, because you never know when you'll stumble across some nasty creature having a bad day."

Ger looked down at the animals hunting, playing, and just doing their natural things from day to day. It was as if everything was schedule to happen from one day to the next.

"So then stay clear of the dezart and the Fire kin." he though about it. The Firekin is a pride that lives in a desert. However, Ger was still a cub, what was a desert? Is it big and hot? "And to visit the Mist weavers in the valley." The valley, something that Ger defiantly knew about. It was a vast valley to the west. From where he was sitting, he could see it.

"....Uncle Mufasa, what is a dezart?" callin' uncle to make him not feel as lowly as he is in the Pride being a cub and all. "Is it very hot?"

"Very hot indeed." -He tried to dig through his mind, finding the most simple ways to explain the area. It was becoming apparent that his explainations weren't that good for someone so young. And that thought brought a smile to him. Children were so wonderful. So innocent and ready to learn. Willing to explore and expand their knowledge and beliefs, unlike alot of the pigheaded adult of the world.

He wondered softly if he was as pigheaded as he imagined some of the others were himself. Murring softly, he glanced towards the sky.- "The desert is a place were the grass doesn't grow very well. Most of the ground is covered with dirt or sand, and there is very little water at all. It's not a very good place to live and grow because the prey animals don't stay there, and you could easily die of thirst if you didn't know where all the tiniest of watering holes are."

"We are very lucky over here in the Pridelands. Blessed with some of the best land for settling in and raising families."

Ger nodded, taking in all the information even the last bit. The Pride Lands was a safe haven from most, especially the hyenas bound to the Elephant Graveyard. As long as Mufasa was around Ger was safe, and as long as Jhazara was around he had a family.

"Uncle, what exactly do you do all day? You can't possibly sit up here and just watch as things happen, right?" Ger asked, teal eyes upon the king's. "You must do something fun."

Ger was young, why only many months old. His knowledge of the world and how things works are limited to a minimum. Mufasa was sort of his idol, someone he could look up to while he was down or just lost. That was probably because he never met/saw his father, had no brothers, and Mufasa was the king and one of the oldest members of teh Pride. The little golden cub smiled.

"What do I do?" -He looked up to the sky as he pondered that question, before finally glancing back down at those teal eyes, smiling widely.-

"Well it depends really. Most days I spend the morning out here watching for predators and trouble while the others sleep. But I tend to do more once people wake up. Sometimes myself and Sarabi go off swimming at the water hole. And more often then not, I spend some of my time each day playing with some of the younger cubs around Priderock." -He paushed for a moment, thinking back to his own grown children. Oh how he longed for the cub days again. Having them close to home and free of worry.-

-Giving his mane a soft shake, he continued thoughtfully.- "Of course I have to do 'king things' as well. Like talk to the new animals that wander into the Pridelands, and give them my permission to stay here if they want to. Or wander around the savvannah and keep a close eye on how everyone is."

"When there is trouble I have to help. In the past when we had fewer lioness' I helped to hunt. And when need be I travel out of the pridelands to fix problems at the borders and with other prides."

"But for today? I'll probably just stay around home." -Gaining a mock serious expression he turned the inquisition back towards the small cub.- "And what about you Ger? What do you do?"

Ger contemplated about the question.

"It depends really, I just like to play around while everyone else is sleepin'. But I sort of feel over looked when they wake up being little and all." he turned back to the horizon, "I just want to grow up a little."

The little golden cub laughed. "Though I like to play with Ezeoha when he's around. There are Mosi and Trinny too!" he said with euthusiaism even if Mufasa didn't know the cub's nicknames.

"But for today I want to relax here. I went to the forest and the graveyard, I am done for a while. I'm just gonna relax here." In truth, Ger wasn't entirely telling the true. He did plan to stay at Pride Rock since he had nowhere else to explore. Now that he got information, he could do some more wanderin'. Now he just has to bide his time.

"Your Majesty, when did you get so fluffy?" he asked.

-His brow cocked a little as the young cub disclosed the information of the dangerous places he'd already traveled. That was one of the few things that were bad about large tribes... It was so hard to keep track of everyone at all time.. and the last thing he wanted was some sort of tragedy.

Streching his massive paws out before him he pondered softly, speaking thoughtfully.- "In such a hurry to grow... You get to be old for the rest of your life, you should try to enjoy the short time you get as a child. A time with playing, and mothers to comfort you, and no worries or responsibilities. I know quite a few grown lions that'd give anything to be your age once again."

-Fluffy? His question caught Mufasa off guard, and he found himself pondering for a long moment, before finally he understood the cub's question.- "Oh my mane?"

-Giving his mane a subconcious ruffle under the attention he pondered softly back.- "I believe I was about three years old when my mane finally became full." -He remembered the day actually now. How proud he'd been when he'd been with his full chesnut mane, and how childishly he'd struted off to tell the very young and beautiful Sarabi how he was 'an adult' now. Biting back his laugh at the foolishness of his young self, he smiled once again to Ger, before looking up as he spoke.-

"You'll probably start to see little bits of your mane before too long. It comes in kind of weird, just a little at a time. But before you know it your mane will be large and fluffy."

"I believe the better you take care of yourself the better it grows as well."

Ger's teal eyes grew large at Mufasa's chestnut mane and its luxerous fluffiness. It was obvious that Mufasa took care of it well, and did it often. Ger wanted to grow up so badly, he wanted to be fluffy too, but the older lion said that he had to take care of himself for his mane to grow too.

Ger pawed at his head, he could feel very small strands of fur on his head that hurt when he ran his paw over it. Maybe he should be more cautious of where he went and whom he came in contact with.

....Nah.

"Uncle Mufasa, what are you doing today?" Ger asked out of curiousity. "I got nothing to do today...."

"Today?" -Pondering lightly he looked back at the cave to where many sleeping bodies silently dozed.- "First I'll see if Sarabi wants to do anything in particular. A bath maybe?"

"But if not, who knows. Perhaps go on a walk."

-Trailing a little he pondered out loud, the thoughts of a 'field trip' of sorts touching his head. It'd be a good way to let the little ones explore while still keeping them safe and secure.- "Have you ever seen a large hunt Ger?"

Ger thought back for a moment through his short life history. He has seen his mother hunt time and time again for him since he was too little. He has seen Sarabi and the other lionesses hunt too. On some occasions he would see the males going off as well. Actually, he didn't know what "large hunt" meant!

"No, not that I can think of, Uncle Mufasa." he said innocently staring up with his deep teal eyes, ones he must've inherited from his father's side.

Ger's expression shined, "Is there going to be one today!?" he shouted, almost enough to wake the entire Pride if he was inside the lions' den.

-He gave his mane a soft ruffle of pride at the seemingly good idea as the cub began to show excitement for the idea.- "Perhaps we can set up one. If it's something you and some of the other children would like to see?"

"It's never too early to watch and learn. And it might be exciting." -Of course it'd take a little care and planning. Himself and another would have to keep their eyes on the cubs at all times to make she they didn't get lost, get in the way of the hunt, and such. But it could be fun!-

Ger took a step. "That sounds like fun!" the little cub shouted. "I want to see a big hunt! But what, doesn't need a lot of the lionesses to do it?"

he thought with a baffled look on his face. Wouldn't the hunt just be the same like the others, just with much more food. Also wouldn't that also go against what Pride Land's foundation is laid on, from the old tales he's heard? Taking only what is needed and no more?

"Well...." a hint of hesitation in his voice, "I'm not sure if the other cubs are willing to, Your Majesty."

"Yes, it takes alot of lioness to do. It's a little different. It's kind of like a pride gathering. Many go out to hunt.. and then because a couple animals can be take we're able to feed many people. So everyone comes together to eat. We haven't had one in a very long time.. mostly everyone just hunts small game for themselves nowadays."

-At the resistance he smiled a little, shaking his head.- "It was only an idea. If you children have got better things to do and play, then we'll just plan it some other time."

"Yeah...that sounds better, Mufasa." he murmured.

His head stared back into the horizon at a cheetah hunt going on not to far from watering hole. It was a part of life, the Circle of Life. Live, Die, and fuel the living. Even though Ger was a carnivore, he still had a little resistance to kill another living. Sure he'd eat something his mom would bring him, but he wouldn't kill something himself.

"Mufasa, may I go to the watering hole for a drink and then go play around Pride Rock?" an attempt to leave the mightly lion. The Lion King must have better things to do than talking with a little cub such as himself.

-He watched silently as the cub's eyes headed outward, smiling a little as his own eyes touched the horizon. The scene the cub say brought similar thoughts to him, though he was more comfortable with it, his vision imaging the happy young children that likely awaited the feast being taken down.

His ears perked at the request, and Mufasa ruffled his mane a little, before settling himself to lay at the edge of the rocks.- "Of course Ger, have fun. Soon enough the sun will be up far enough to stir some of the other children."

With that, Ger was able to leave without any regrets.
Pride Rock was large, and very comforting too. It was strange how a rock got so big and become the formation it is now. Maybe it's something that is just is, nothing to think about just accept.

Today's scedule; get to the watering hole then figure what's the latest news, then come back to the Pride Rock and play, and finally, lounge.

Ger's scedule was fool proof. It was just to relax, nothing too exciting that would over-excite the little cub.

Ger smiled. "Thanks, Mufasa. I'll see you around!" Ger hoped away, disappearing below.