|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:48 pm
But that was where her joy ended. Kiji had approached them, and their adopted siblings, and meekly tried to explain who she was. First she was met with shock and denial, but then a realization seemed to settle over her cubs. It was in that instant that she had seen hate burn in their eyes, her daughter's moreso than her son's.
Then their adopted mother came, and drove her away. Kiji had been called all sorts of terrible things, names which she knew she had earned and deserved. But that didn't make it hurt any less.
She didn't know how to react, and she felt herself spiraling back into a depression, so she had decided to seek out her friend, Tembezishaha. He was still the only creature she really trusted, and she had promised him that she'd tell him how it went.
The cheetah's brown eyes were filled with sadness, but she seemed to walk taller, her head higher. Her cubs were alive. She hadn't expected them to welcome her. What was important was that they were alive, healthy, and well off - perfectly well off without her.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:04 pm
Shaha lay beneath a semi-dry tree, his head resting on folded paws, sky eyes closed in a doze. Wanderer or not, he was still a lion and he would have to admit he was sometimes as lazy as some creatures said lions were. Only sometimes, though. He liked to keep moving, to find new places.
But he'd been doing that a lot lately and his paws were tired as well as his heart. For every step he took was one farther from a friend who wouldn't leave his thoughts. Yes, he'd thought about his friends before, coming to terms with the fact that he'd probably never see them again. But he didn't like to think about not seeing Kiji again. Something about her seemed kindred, as if helping her helped him somehow. And he really hoped he'd see her again.
But for now, he just dozed beneath this tree.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:08 pm
Her eyes fell on the fluffy shadow in the distance, her heart beating faster. She felt so weighted down and she was sure that telling Shaha all about it would help her. Kiji found a particular comfort in his presence, as though he could make all her troubles go away with a few kind words and a smile. Perhaps that was why she was so drawn to him. She trusted him.
"Shaha," she called, speeding up. Within seconds she was beside him, the sweeping branches of the tree casting a cool shadow over her.
"I found them," she said softly, and for a second she seemed to glow. "They're okay."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:12 pm
Light blue eyes shooting open, Shaha sat quickly up, relaxing when he saw it was Kiji.
Wait... Kiji!
A broad smile covered the lion's face as he studied her. And her words registered in his muddled brain.
"That is wonderful, Kiji," he said, his smile softening and his eyes questioned her. His heart rose seeing her this happy. He could still see the change in her, from the weak, scared creature he had found when they first met. And yet, the pain she had felt... "And are you okay?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:19 pm
She hesitated at his question. "As well as possible," she said slowly. "They hate me, Shaha. I didn't expect them to be happy to see me. But it still hurts."
Sighing, Kiji sat down beside him. "They were adopted by another couple of cheetahs, who have two cubs of their own, the same age as mine. The mother chased me away, yelling at me. She was practically shaking with anger." Pausing, she added, "But I owe so much to her, how can I be upset with her? She's only protecting my - her - cubs. She doesn't know the circumstances behind... what happened, and for all she knows I could've been intending to hurt them. No, I think that if I were in her position, I would've acted the same way."
Kiji closed her eyes. "My son... well, I think he was more confused than anything. But the hate in my daughter's eyes, Shaha."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:27 pm
Shaha sighed when she had finished, turned to her and rubbed his head against the side of hers.
"I... For once in my life I have no words. I wish it could have been different for you and for them, but it is well that another found and protected them..." he said and straightened, looking at the sky.
"I am sorry, Kiji. It... must have been hard and I have no experience in what you must have gone through. I wish there was something I could do to take the pain away..." he added, his gaze pensive at best.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:30 pm
Kiji offered him a small smile, leaning into his touch. "I had no right to hope for any more," she said thoughtfully. "So I didn't. I hope to perhaps see the boy again someday, but not my daughter. It would only hurt both of us. I don't want to ruin their lives more than I already have, or at least, almost did."
She looked to the lion, eyes warm. "Thank you for everything, Shaha... I can rest easy now knowing that they're okay, and I may have never gone if not for you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:45 pm
Shaha smiled and let out a soft snort.
"Perhaps, but it wasn't my courage or determination that took you to them. When it all comes down to it, you're very brave, Kiji. I just... helped you find it in yourself," he replied, gently nudging her face again. He was glad she was back and that her children were well. Sad that she had to suffer so, but happy that she still managed to find the light within the darkness.
"What will you do now, now that you know they are safe and well?" he asked, almost as an afterthought. In fact, he hadn't really planned asking her that. It kinda... just... slipped out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:47 pm
Kiji smiled up at him. "Thank you, Shaha."
The question surprised her, too. She had never thought past the point, and suddenly, the future seemed both daunting and hopeful. So much time had been wasted, hiding from the world, that now she wasn't really sure where to go.
"I'm not sure," she said, blinking. "For some reason, finding my cubs was always the end of my plans. I guess it always seemed so far off..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:56 pm
Shaha's "eyebrows" rose and he looked off.
"I'll admit, I said the same thing when my family asked me where I would go. But... after a moment I realized the only answer that would ever be true," he said and returned his gaze to her. "I said, 'Wherever my paws, and my heart, take me.' It's not always the greatest life, but no two days are ever the same. If you'd like, you could join me. You don't have to, but... I'd thought I'd give you the option," he added the last part rather quickly. He didn't want to seem too eager, nor did he want to push her into a decision.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:04 pm
"I'd love to," she said quietly.
She meant it, too. The offer surprised her a little bit, but she was very pleased, too. Kiji still couldn't imagine going on and facing the world alone. Who better to have with her than her good friend?
"Thank you," she said, leaning forward. She nuzzled his cheek before pressing her muzzle under his chin. "For everything."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:12 pm
Shaha's answering smile was so very soft as he moved his head so that he could give her forehead a quick lick.
"There is no need to thank me, Kiji. Seeing you happy and well is thanks enough," he replied, letting the words come out freely instead of restrained if only partially by his mind. He was thrilled that she decided to come with him. He'd had others travel with him before, but he had never felt this happy with any of them. He wasn't sure what it was, but there was something different about her, had to be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:20 pm
She purred lightly, returning the lick a bit shyly.
"Were you sleeping when I got here?" she asked, awkwardly bringing up a new subject. "I don't want to keep you awake. If anything, I could use a nap, too."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:26 pm
Shaha smiled at the return lick and shrugged slightly.
"I was more along the lines of dozing, but I am somewhat tired. I think a nap sounds fantastic," he said and nudged her gently with his nose before returning to his previous position.
"And do not worry. I'm a rather light sleeper, so nothing can sneak up on us," he assured her and then decided to add, "And the only reason you surprised me was because you ran up faster than a light-crack in the sky."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:31 pm
Kiji smiled at him, shrugging as she said, "Well, I am a cheetah."
She slid down onto her belly, pressing her body up against his. The warmth of his fur was reassuring and she felt safe, free from all the worries in the world. Again he had managed to comfort her, and for a moment she thought that he could not possibly be real, that no one could be as kind and sweet.
But as she felt his sides rising and falling with every breath, she knew he was. A small smile spread across her lips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
