Welcome to Gaia! ::

Looking down, he heard the soft plop before he saw it. A grin tugged at his lips; his daughter seemed to have an attitude. "Fitting, very fitting. Reminds me of her mama" he thought to himself. He couldn't help but chuckle a little.

Shaking his head he calmly said "If you are in need of rest little one, we will move on just a little bit longer and find somewhere safe to stop" with that he stepped in front of her and began to walk. He knew she would immediately follow and catch up to his long-legged stride. He had no doubt of that at all. She was a strong little cub, curious, strong willed and overall had sense to be scared but trusting at the same time. "All admirable traits" he thought to himself. He didn't want to become distracted, so he kept his mind clear, his eyes alert and his body tense but relaxed. He didn't want to scare Zarie, but he knew they were not alone. Something was following them. It was not another Lion or Lioness; it was something else. He sniffed the air and that tangy scent filled the air in almost a teasing manner.

Hoping to find somewhere safe to rest so Zarie could sleep, he spotted a large rock formation that had a small den inside of it. From the looks of it was deserted but he knew to be cautious. He gave a low growl to Zarie who stopped immediately and stayed behind him but not in his way.

He walked over to the opening of the den, sniffed deeply and snorted. The smell of dank soil assailed his nose. The air smelled old, as if undisturbed until he decided to poke his head in and stirred it up.

Satisfied it was safe he motioned for Zarie to come he guided her to lay near the side of the entrance not fully in, but far enough in to be fully protected as he would lay partially in and out of the opening. He settled in and began to look around for anything that may be dangerous.

Beside him he heard a soft yawn, and the rustling of the soft dank soil move as Zarie settled in for a much-needed nap.

w/c 378



Zarie was chattering on about her new Mama as she and her new Daddy were trotting along in the Jungle of Secrets. She knew some of this area but not all. This place was true to its name. There were to many of them to count! Some places the cubs were forbidden to enter. Khalima was strict on that. She followed the rules, it was not wise to go against the only protection they had. Khalima was strict but fair. She looked after the orphaned cubs when no other Lion or Lioness dared to take on the responsibility.

Of course, she knew Khalima was not like the others, but she adored her, nonetheless. She taught her how to survive and fend for herself. She was very thankful for all the lessons Khalima had bestowed upon her. Some were difficult to learn, others easy.

Her mind wandering back to where she was at that moment, she began asking more questions. She knew it was probably driving her Daddy crazy, but she wanted to know everything about her new Mama. The one question that was burning a hole in her heart to ask finally tumbled from her lips. "Daddy, do you think Mama will like me enough to accept and love me like her own?" she asked.

She looked up at him only to see him staring off in front of them as if something was there. He sniffed the air and didn't seem to like what scents carried on the stale, hot wind. She began to feel uncomfortable. Then he gave her another low growl, and she hid behind him and stayed still and calm. She knew he would protect her. After a few moments, he decided to move on. She followed, although he did ask if she needed rest and she nodded. She was tired from the long journey they had already undertaken. It seemed as if they had been walking for hours but in reality, probably like an hour or two. To her time meant nothing, she just wanted to take a nap.

Her Daddy scouted around and finally noticed something up ahead. Slowly approaching she realized it was a den that had been made under a rock formation that had a part of it hanging over the front of the den for added protection.

She did as her father bade her and she stood behind him as he sniffed and investigated the entrance and beyond. Once he deemed it safe, he directed her to the side of the entrance so she could lie partially inside but close enough to the outside she could run freely if the need arose. She plopped herself down and snuggled into a comfortable position. Yawning she closed her eyes and drifted feeling safe and content. Feeling the warmth of her Daddy pressed against her side. the sleep claimed her.

w/c 476

Kwesi stayed vigilant, he knew something was there. It hid itself very well, it felt like it was toying with him and that was something he disliked immensely. He detested a foe who used the surroundings to blend in, hide and then strike like a coward. He preferred straight forward fights, one where the foe could be seen and brought the fight to him. He stretched his paws causing his claws to extend even further. The thought of a battle made his blood boil. Usually, he protected his mate with this ferocity, now he has a child to look after.

He gently woke Zarie and told her it was time to go. It wouldn't be a long journey once they got out of this jungle. He could feel it; the boundary was close.

Standing up he began to walk; the ground was hot in some places and cold in others. This jungle was one that held to many secrets. The air felt all wrong, the noises were weird and creepy, the vegetation grew in weird patterns, and the trees were bent at all kinds of angles. The air seemed to change with each step he took; it was getting easier to breathe. It felt cleaner, up ahead he saw the boundary of the jungle and quickened his step. He gave a soft growl to Zarie and he kept moving.

Reaching the boundary, he sighed in relief. The air felt clean, the surroundings he could see, and he detected no others nearby. That smell was no longer there; it seemed to dissipate the moment he stepped out of the jungle and into the lands to take him home.

He looked to his daughter and told her "It won't be long now. Your new mama is awaiting us both" with that he turned and walked off.

W/C 304



Zarie awoke as her daddy was gently nuzzling her. He stared at her and said it was time to go. The boundary to the jungle was within reach and from there it wasn't very far to her new mama.

She stretched lazily, licked her lips and stood shaking herself fully awake. She looked up at her daddy and smiled. "I am ready daddy" with that she walked to his side and waited.

Soon as her daddy started to walk out of the small den she followed immediately. She looked around and sniffed occasionally but she knew her daddy would alert her to any danger. Still, she remembered the teachings of Khalima, never trust the jungle. Danger lies everywhere; the moment you let your guard down it strikes!

The ground beneath her paws felt weird, it was hot then cold. The air felt heavy, then clean the next step she took. She knew it was the jungles doing. The sooner she got out of here the better!

Looking ahead she saw the boundary about the same time as her daddy. She smiled, she would be free in a few moments. The jungle would no longer contain her and she would be loved and cherished by her new parents. She did bow her head and speak aloud to the jungle. She gave thanks for the protection and asked for a safe exit. She didn't want anything to happen to her daddy. He seemed to be fond of her and she was very fond of him already. She finished her prayer and kept moving along behind her daddy.

She heard him sigh as soon as he stepped out of the jungle and on to the lands. She did the same, as she did she said to him "We are safe now daddy. Where is mama?"


W/C 302

Total W/C: 2042