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 Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:07 am
It had been two days since the pair had joined together to travel. Now, with Kemmy at her side, the world had become exciting and new. It was no logner dark and scary, no longer something to shy away from. She embraced the adventure with all the curiosity of her youth, exploring streams, trees and meadows with such innocent excitement she might as well have been a newborn.
And Kemmy's smile kept the sadness away.
In fact, the only time she grew sad was when they had settled for the night and the darkness had enveloped the sky, reminding her that Damu was probably all alone out there. Oh how she missed him.
But this morning, stretching each limb in turn, Hababuu felt as if they were really making progress. The Kusini lands lay far behind her and around them she could smell scents, all strange but all belonging to lion. This was rogue country!
"Kemmy~" She called him in her sing-song voice. "Wake up and look." She gave him a nudge with a paw and pointed up to the sky. The sun was just rising and the sky was filled with a hundred different shades of blues and pinks. The land here was so flat and vast that one could see for miles and the sky, the sky was huge!
"Pretty, huh?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:57 am
Kemmy was having the most wonderful of dreams. He was absolutely surrounded by friends. Male, female, lion, leopard, cheetah, and even canine. Young and old, too. It was absolutely wonderful. It was how he wished his real life actually was. But even though he made friends easily, everyone had to go their own ways in life. His friends from the past were following their own paths through this world, either toward family or just to other locations where he himself did not yet wish to go. It was sad, because he wished he could stay with all of them all the time, but he accepted that was the way he was. At least he had these dreams to comfort him for a few hours.
It was a testament to how sweet and lovely his personality was that he didn't even feel the slightest flicker of annoyance at being woken, not even when he was pulled out of his favourite dream. The big male simply yawned and rolled onto his belly slowly, blinking his eyes sleepily to get them accustomed to the morning. And just hearing Haba's voice near him was enough to put a light smile on his face. It was so much better to wake up in company than on one's own. It seemed to him that it always chased away the cold that the early morning light often brought with it, and for that he was grateful to Haba, as well as everyone else he had ever travelled with.
Kemmy turned his bright eyes to the sky where Haba pointed, observing the colours streaked across the horizon like a piece of artwork. He had seen many sunrises such as this one, but apparently it was new to Haba, and he could never water down her enthusiasm, not when she had been so down when he had first come across her. Still smiling, he nodded his big orange head, turning to look at hs companion.
"Yes, it's very beautiful. Thank you for showing it to me, Haba."
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:26 pm
Hababuu's smile widened at seeing his own smile. It was everything about him, the shade of his pelt, the vibrant colour of his mane, the sparkle in his eyes. He was very beautiful, though she certainly wouldn't tell him that!
Giggling she turned from him and glanced back to the sky. Was this what travelling was all about? Was this why some lions chose to travel forever, never settling for longer than a few days? She took a few steps and drew in a deep breath, puffing out her chest and closing her eyes. The air here smelt different too, it had a strange tang to it that was different from the Kusini lands.
"I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, Kemu, but I think I'm having fun out here. Travelling like this could grow on a girl." She curled her tail and turned back to him, blinking her liquid eyes. "I loved my pride but this is so different! I've never seen a sky look like this before. Never breathed air that felt like this in my lungs." She turned back to him, smiling.
"I could get used to this, I think." She moved forwards, nudging him with ehr snout. "Come on Kemmy, let's get going! Get the sleep out of your eyes!"
Apparently Hababuu was as chirpy in the morning as she always was. Maybe even more so.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:12 pm
Kemkemu's eyes danced in the early morning light as he watched Hababuu's energy make itself known. He wasn't the liveliest of lions himself, preferring to take all things, even his travelling, at a steady pace, but he couldn't help but be infected by her energy. Just watching how lively she had revealed herself to be gave him the boost he needed to keep up with her. Kemmy had no idea whether her giddiness was contagious or he was just so happy to see her happy, but it affected him either way. It was a wonderfully carefree feeling, and though he knew that one day it would, for now, he didn't really want it to end. It had been a long time since he'd felt anything like it, not since he'd been much younger.
He turned his gaze back to the rising sun again with a smile. "I may be wrong, but I think the sunrises look different in different places. The colours mix together in different ways, creating unique blends that are all beautiful in ways that are similar, and yet... so very different. It's amazing... sometimes they take your breath away." He seemed to realise what he was saying, and turned to look at her with an abashed grin. "But that's probably just me being silly and letting my imagination play tricks on me."
As he felt her nose poking him, he got the idea and laughed softly. The large male got to his feet and shook out his fur, especially his mane, and then stretched out his long body, first his forelegs, and then his hindlegs. With this morning mini-ritual over, he turned to look at his companion as he stood slowly squaring his shoulders, waking up his muscles. "How about you let your paws decide where we go today?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:17 am
"You're definately not wrong." She purred, flicking her ears as if to ready them for the day ahead. She turned her deep eyes up to him, smiling widely. She didn't think she'd ever feel happy again, not after losing her brother.
She sighed and her smile softened.
"Okay, we'll head over there." She waved a paw towards the horizon where a line of trees could just be seen on the horizon. "That way we can have some shade for the midday sun." Her whiskers flicked thoughtfully. "I never did thank you, did I?" Well, she was pretty sure she hadn't.
"Meeting you has...has eased my heart." She smiled. "So thank you Kemu." She trotted onwards, her sleek body shimmering under the morning sun and her tail streaming out behind her. "It's still there, my sadness I mean, but it's locked away in a part of my heart that seems numb." She purred. "You numbed it with your smile."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:19 am
continued in AIM...
With a gentle chuckle, Kemkemu inclined his head in her direction. "You are more than welcome, my dear. But I believe I owe you thanks as well. By being with me, you keep the loneliness away. I, too, can feel happy. You've lifted my spirits as well, and so thank you, Haba."
It was no joke or secret that Kemmy felt better waking up in company than he did alone. And Haba was absolutely delightful company; kind and polite, enthusiastic and full of life, she kept him smiling just for her. In fact, he couldn't seem to keep the smile off his face whenever they were talking together.
His bright eyes judged the distance between them and the shade, and then turned to regard his younger friend. "We've spoken much about the rogue lands, but not yet about your home. I don't even know the name of your pride, as far as I'm aware." He smiled gently. "If it isn't a delicate subject, would you mind?"
"No, no, certainly not." She smiled. "I suppose I didn't talk about it because I miss it so much." She sighed. "The land I come from is called Kusini'mwezi. It is a fresh and bountiful land. There are rivers and trees and long grass and cool breezes." She could picture it now, in the reflection of the sky.
"I felt safe there, so safe and sheltered. It was as if the outside world didn't exist. There was my family, there were my friends and there was my brother. If it wasn't for him leaving I never would have gone."
She laughed. "You must think me ever so naive and sheltered. And I am, as you can already gather." She looked at him. "Thinking you all oafs, and bloodthirsty fools, only to find a most gentlemanly rogue to show me I was wrong."
"But the Kusini is a quite place, peaceful and calm. It is the perfect size for a pride, manageable and friendly. Everyone knows one another and the family ties are so wide you struggle not to bump into relatives."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:22 am
Kemkemu listened to Haba's descriptions of her pride as they walked, absently stepping over a fallen log without giving it a second glance. It certainly sounded nice to live in a pride. He'd been wandering all his life, from the day he was born to this current moment with Haba, and so he had never known any different. He supposed it would be quite nice to live in such security, without having to worry where one would sleep that night, or when one would catch a meal.
But even thinking that, Kemmy already knew he wouldn't give up the life he had. So long roaming from place to place, seeing new things seemingly every day, had instilled in him a deep sense of wanderlust. No matter how he might like to settle down in one place for a while, every day, his paws tugged at him to keep moving. And if he had no solid reason to stay, he listened to them.
"It sounds like a wonderful home you have. It makes me want to find your brother all the faster, so we can get you back there. Someone who loves something as much as you seem to love your pride shouldn't be away from it for too long."
"I'm so glad I have you here." She smiled. "But I do worry." She frowned slightly, the smile fading for the first time since she had woken from her sleep. "My brother wasn't in his right mind when he left. I suppose I should tell you about him, too."
She felt nervous now, though why, she wasn't quite sure. Yes she had hinted that Damu had a problem but she'd hidden the truth from Kemu, simply because she was afraid what he would think and also because she wasn't sure she understood it herself.
"My brother isn't right in his mind, Kemu. If I find him, it needs to be me alone, in case...in case..." She trailed off, picturing the meeting in her mind's eye.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:06 am
When he saw that Haba had lost her smile, he let his own slide off his face as well, replacing it with a look of concern for his friend. Something was suddenly bothering her, that much was abundantly clear, and it was to do with her brother. He had already learned that Damu had an illness of some sort, but with no reason to believe otherwise, he had simply assumed it was some sort of disease of the body, not of the mind.
Of course, as Haba continued to speak, he figured out the truth. Kemmy was by no means a stupid lion, even if he wasn't the smartest ever to roam the land, so it wasn't hard to arrive at the correct conclusion. Even so, it never occured to him to think differently of Haba just because her twin brother had a problem. If anything, it would make him admire her more that she was protective of a sibling who needed it. Like he should have been for his own brothers.
"You mean he's... violent?" He eyed with her concern. "Are you sure you want to approach him alone, if we find him? He won't hurt you, will he? I'd never be able to forgive myself if he did anything to you, and I let you go to him alone..."
Haba was quick to answer, rising to her brother's defense without a second thought. "Not normally. My brother has always been grumpy and anti-social, but he only ever used mean words to express his feelings. Never to me of course. He loved me. He still does and I love him. I could bring a smile to his face when no one else could. We're twins, we're part of one another, that is why I know there is kindness in his heart..." Again she faltered. "But something has changed in him."
She swallowed and turned her eyes away. "Oh Damu..." Where was he now? Was he still fixed in that empty rage? "All I know was that he spoke of voices, voices in his head. He was scared, I told him I'd protect him, that I'd always be there." She shook her head. "But one day something happened to him. I wasn't there at the time, but apparently he attacked someone." She visibly tensed. "Then he ran away."
"I failed him. I let him down." She felt those tears bubbling again. "That is why I can never return unless I return with him. I wasn't there when he needed me the most. I failed him as his twin. But it's okay because I'll make it right." She nodded. "I'll find him and I'll help him in whatever is wrong and then everything can go back to normal." It might have been only a hope, but it was all Haba had to cling to.
"You don't need to worry, Kemu. Even if he is still...unwell...I know he won't attack me. I might be the only one who can bring him from his madness..."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:34 am
Again, Kemkemu listened patiently and in silence until Haba had finished. He even allowed her a moment of two of quiet after she had finished to compose herself, or begin again, if that was what she wished. It would have been obvious to the least observant lion that the subject of Damu was a very touchy one for Haba, and the last thing Kemmy wanted to do was seem insensitive and hurt her feelings. He was taking every care he could think of to avoid that.
The words he spoke, he considered carefully. This wasn't a conversation where a blase reply would go down well. "You didn't... fail him, Haba. It's impossible to be with someone for every moment of every day. Even two so closely bonded as you are to your brother need some time apart every once in a while. It's just our nature. And it's horrible that this terrible occurence happened when you were indulging in your need for space away from each other, but it still certainly wasn't your fault, Haba. You mustn't think that way."
His gaze turned toward the horizon ahead. "What you need to think about is finding him. You can't change what's happened in the past; you can only look forward to the future. What you need to focus on now is finding your brother and starting the process of bringing him back from the darkness to be the brother you've known all your life once more. You need to stop clutching your sadness so tightly and think positively of the day when things will be normal again." He smiles softly. "I'm still looking for my brothers as well, but though I'm still sad that I let an argument drive us apart, I don't let it weigh me down any more. I just look ahead to when fate will reunite us, and we can be happy together again. I know we'll make it through whatever rough times come our way to emerge triumphant on the other side."
She sniffled softly, quietly. Kemmy was right. What was crying going to do? Her tears wouldn't bring Damu back and they certainly wouldn't heal his tormented soul. Even still, it helped ease the pain in her own heart. For it seemed, even though Kemmy's smile had eased her pain, the wound was still there, fresh and refusing to heal.
She paused, leaned against her orange counterpart and buried her face into his thick mane. She didn't like to show weakness, she had never been that way, never easily broken. But with Damu gone she was like a bird without her wings. Flying was impossible and the world seemed awfulyl big for her to walk alone.
But she wasn't alone. She had Kemu, for now atleast, and soon she would have Damu back with her. Kemmy was right. Give it time and everything would return to normal, she would see to it and if her brother wouldn't return to his old self she didn't care. She'd stay with him anyway. They had made a promise.
"I'm sorry." She reached up and wiped a paw across her muzzle. "You're right Kemmy. I shouldn't blame myself and I should look to the future. Hope is in the future not in the past." She straightened, looked at him affectionately. "If ever we meet again when my brother is with me, I will be sure to introduce you." She giggled. "He might find you irritating at first, but I think he'd grow to like you."
She rubbed the side of her head against his shoulder. "What would I do without you Kemu?" She purred. "I'd be a little, lost wreck." And it was true.
Then, changing the subject, she blinked at him. "You have brothers? I do hope you'll meet them again. Siblings should always stick together, and I don't think an argument could ruin that. They may have been angry then, but anger cools." She smiled softly. "Maybe one day when I am stronger, I can help you find your siblings and return the favour."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:47 am
As Haba leaned against him, the big, fluffy male found his smile again. Such simple, innocent affection could sometimes be enough to keep him smiling for hours, and coming from someone he liked as much as he liked Haba, it could keep him going for even longer. Perhaps even a day or two. For without moments like this scattered throughout his life, Kemkemu would not be the happy, life-loving lion he was.
He gently leaned his head against the top of hers and let a deep, but quiet purr rumble up from the depths of his chest and into his throat. "No need to apologise," he murmured softly. "Sometimes you need to get your anguish out and onto sympathetic ears before you can stop holding onto it so tightly. I understand completely."
He chuckled softly. "For you, I will try my hardest not to irritate your brother. I know that sometimes my attitude can wear on certain individuals, which is what makes you such a refreshing change. You tolerate me well, and for that, I can't thank you enough."
Lifting his head again, he nodded. "Yes, two. I was the oldest, and the biggest. I had taken it upon myself to look out for the pair of them, as any good big brother should do, but we had a minor dispute. The youngest of us always had a short temper when he believed he was right and someone proved him wrong, and sadly, he was a bearer of grudges. I woke up the morning after the fight to find them gone. I searched for them, but... they had simply vanished. I always have my eye open for them, but I don't find myself too worried for their welfare. They are both very able lions, and I know they're both fine."
"Tolerate you." She laughed. "It makes a refreshing change actually. None of my family are so joyful as you. Don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly, but my father was the grumpy sort and my mother, she was wise and gentle, though she wasn't around much when I was growing up. The rest of my siblings, though they're all very different, are far less cheery than you, Kemu." She smiled.
"If they are anything like you, then they must be sailing through life. It's always nice to wonder what others are doing, leading their relatively normal and peaceful lives."
She squinted into the rising sun and quickened her pace, glancing over her shoulder at Kemmy. "Come on, Kemu! Let's get to those trees before the sun gets too hot!" And, she was off, moving with a swift and unhindered gait, her laughter pure on the breeze.
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:28 am
He watched her run, smiling at the pure energy of her, the untainted love of life, and her liveliness. It was infectious, and he found himself grinning as he followed her, picking up the pace as he trotted after his young friend, following the sound of her laughter.
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