Vuvimoto yawned, stretched and got to his paws.

He'd been resting in the shade near the Firekin's dens and had woken refreshed - and after the noon heat was over too. Feeling better for his little siesta, the charcoal lion wandered past a few pride members, not really paying them any heed. He was on okay terms with his pridemates but didn't have any close friends for no real reason. He'd just never sparked with anyone.

Still, he wore a satisfied smile as he walked out across the dunes. The pride was flourishing well enough…So content he just 'patrolled' part of their lands, keeping a watch.

*

Ilahle’wamuhu was practicing stealth. She was shaping up to be a good huntress but she was still so young….and it was her hobby as well as one day being her task for her pride. Talk about job satisfaction! Ilahle was looking forward to that. Though she still had quite a way to go.

So today she was on the borders, moving so as to disturb as little sand as possible and to keep her dark form out of sight. The shadowy side of the dunes.

*

There was a small one skulking about near the edge of their lands, he could see from a distance, his angle of approach being the only one that would have showed her clearly. Vuvimoto dropped closer to the ground with a soft growl. Rogue or Firekin? She was the right colours but without knowing her age her size was no indication.

Even if it was the latter, she was in trouble! Cubs shouldn’t be out here by the borders in case any rogues did dare trespass. It was dangerous for the Firekin young and gave a bad impression of the pride. Of course, if it proved to be a rogue…Vuvi’d either chase it off or perhaps keep it as a slave if it was alone.

He crept forward, meaning to take it by surprise.

*

Oh cra-

Ilahle knew a few seconds before Vuvi appeared she was in trouble. Her mother Ny had warned her about playing so far out! Not that she was playing she was practising, but…but anyway. She noticed just the smallest trickle of sand from the top of the dune go past as he settled there and could hear him breathe now she was alerted. She’d been so busy trying to be stealthy she’d forgot to be properly wary!

Maybe she could get away with it somehow.

*

Vuvi slid down the sand dune in the controlled fashion most Firekin had perfected within seconds – but was surprised when the youngster whirled around and jumped back. He’d been about to scoop her up supposedly unawares! And now he could look her in the face, he could place her. That cub of Ny and Ra’s, the only female in their large litter. No wonder she’d managed that move. He’d noticed she was very into her studies and was more likely to be found playing at being a huntress than getting into scuffles and the more foolish cub games.

“Well done. But you’re not out of trouble just because you can dodge an ambush.”

*

“I know. But I was only practising!”

Had she been in the Pridelands or something, she’d have grinned and wiggled her tail – tried the cute innocent cub routine. Might have worked there too. But here in the Firekin, the thought didn’t even cross Ilahle’s mind. She also didn’t know Vuvimoto very well. Instead she stopped the soft snarl she’d given when she’d jumped out the way. She stood proud despite the fact she was in trouble and just stood by her explination.

*

“Admirable but you’re out of line anyway. Come on, you’re getting taken back and you’d better stay there.”

Vuvi picked her up and instead of keeping her in his mouth swung her over his shoulder, and the youngster scrabbled sharp clawed up between his shoulder blades. No way he was carrying her in his mouth all the way. Dusty hot fur of a cub in his mouth was not something he’d tolerate unless it was his own cub one day or there was dire need. Urgh.

“Don’t fall off or dig your claws in my back. Just grab the mane if you’re a scaredy cat.”

*
“I’m not a scaredy cat…”

Ilahle lay down and griped – lightly because she was not a scaredy cat thanks! - at his mane. It wasn’t the most comfy perch, with Vuvimoto’s shoulders moving up and down with each step. Still, it was kind of amusing being carried back so and she still could try to get out of trouble.

“Maybe you could teach me some tricks sometime Vuvimoto?”
*

“Tricks?”

Vuvi loped up a dune and slid down the other side, and felt the naughty cub grip so she didn’t slip off. He climbed one more whose crest he could walk along like a high path for a while. He raised an eyebrow at her suggestion.

“Tricks for what? Staying out of trouble?”

*

“No! Hunting tricks. You snuck up on really well and if I hadn’t been practising so hard I would never have heard you…you must be a good hunter.”

She tried wheedling as a last resort, flattery. Cunning was surely a good quality as good as stealth and ruthlessness anyway! Ilahle thought she might as well try anyway. It was worth a shot and it was kind of true. She always wanted hunting tips. But she could tell that Vuvi wasn’t failing for it.

*

“Another time perhaps. Nice try little one….but you’re still in trouble.” He chuckled. “You’re not too bad at stealth and wariness, but perhaps we’ll talk about subtly one day.

[end]