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 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:07 pm
The new mother had woken up rather early this morning. She hadn't been getting as much sleep lately, but she enjoyed the opportunity to wake up early and watch her four beautiful daughters sleep. She smiled, looking at each one of them in their slumber before turning to watch the entrance of the small den which she claimed as her own. She looked out into the horizion, watching the beautiful sun rising over the vast lands.
Such vast, open lands, not too safe for a cub. Zuri knew from personal experiences, even though she made it out alright. Sure, her times as a cub being alone in the world taught her valuable lessons and turned her into the lioness that she is today, but those times spent weren't all good times. There were plenty of bad times as well, times she would never wish to have her children experience. Not to mention the consequences: Zuri has still not been reunited with her mother.
She couldn't allow any of her daughters to meet the same fate, she needed to protect them at all costs. Because she was a good mother and that's what good mothers do. They protect their children, by any means neccessary.
Zuri shuddered, trying to shrug off the worry. Best she doesn't think about the bad things that could happen to her family and focus more on the wonderful blessings in her life. Her four beatuiful daughters.
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:39 pm
Kamaria gasped for air as she woke up in a heap of lion cubs. Her heart was pounding and a wave of confusion plagued her. "Momma! Momma! Where are you?!" The small cub had been forced awake by a nightmare. Finally she recognized the safe haven of her mother's gray fur and ran for it. She jumped towards her mother and nuzzled into her warmth. "It was terrible! I couldn't bring my legs to move at all and this giant herd of all different types of animals and beasts were chasing me. Right when they were about to trample me-" The frightened little cub was cut short by a sob. Not wanting to leave her mother's side, she clung on to her mother's fur probably a little more than necessary.
When Kamaria was able to speak again, she whispered to her mother, "Whatever you do, mom, don't tell them I cried. Please, I don't want them to think I'm weak." Kamaria was troubled by the fact that she thought she always had to remain calm in front of her other siblings, even though this was hardly ever the case.
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:06 pm
Zuri couldn't help but chuckle lightly to herself at her daughter's worried state. Not that Zuri didn't care by any means, Zuri felt sorry for Kamaria for having a nightmare. But her response to it all was rather adorable. "Don't worry Kamaria, you're safe, it was only a nightmare. Mommy is here for you, I won't let anything happen to you." She smiled down at her daugher, lowering her head to her daughter's ear. "And don't worry, I won't tell a soul." She returned the love and comfort to Kamaria, assuring her that everything will be fine.
"Now that you're awake, its time for your morning bath," said Zuri with a smile. She remembered how her mother used to give her a morning bath when she was a cub. In fact, it was one of the few memories Zuri had of her mother. Zuri licked the back of her paw, then rubbed her paw against Kamaria's back. She then began to bathe the top of Kamaria's head, smoothing out the furs with her tongue.
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:26 pm
Relief poured over her as the secrecy of this morning's events was agreed upon. She just wouldn't able to bear the ridicule of her other siblings if she was crying over a nightmare. Unlike other cubs, Kamaria had no problems with being given a bath. She loved being close to her mother, especially after being so frightened. It seemed so soothing as her mother began to groom her. As this was going on Kamaria couldn't help but wonder how jealous her siblings would be when they saw Kamaria getting a bath. Hopefully they wouldn't be too mad, as she wouldn't have the faintest idea on how she would go about finding new playmates. Kamaria purred and licked her own paw trying to imitate her mother. "Momma, what were you doing before I woke up?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:37 pm
Yawning lazily, Lumusi blinked as the rays of the sun kissed her eyelids. Keeping her eyes closed momentarily, Lumusi thought about what she was doing right now. She was sleeping... next to her sisters and mother... She was content for the time being. After this momentary reflection, the little cub opened her eyes. She didn't move from her position but she noticed that her mother and her sibling, Kamaria, was already awake. Lumusi raised her head slightly to gaze at them.
There was still a touch of grogginess in her voice but she spoke, "Good morning mommy. Good morning Kamaria." The little cub couldn't help but yawn again because it indeed was still early in the morning. She didn't say anything more but instead just watched her mother carefully. So far, nothing eventful had really happened to this little family. Lumusi silently wished that more exciting things would happen but she knew that anything exciting around here would also probably mean danger. If there was one thing she understood right now, it was that her mother was being very careful. Lumusi didn't understand why she was acting so but she trusted her mother's judgment. But it would only be time until the rebellious nature in Lumusi decided to emerge and dominate.
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:05 pm
"I was thinking, nothing more, nothing less," said Zuri with a smile. She turned to Lumusi, who had also just awoken from sleep. "Good morning Lumusi. Are you ready for your morning bath?" Zuri smiled as she slowly approached her daughter, ready to give her a bath.
NyondaGeni woke up slowly, not sure whether she wanted to wake up or sleep some more. Her mother seemed to be going around to give her other sisters their baths. Ugh. Nyonda'geni hated getting bathed. She knew one way out of it though. She quickly woke herself up and began to try to bathe herself, or at least act like she was bathing herself so that her mother would see. Then she wouldn't find a need to bathe her, right? "No need to bathe me, mommy! I'm doing it myself! See, watch!" exclaimed Nyonda'geni as she licked the back of her paw, then pretended to rub it against her fur.
"Nice try Nyonda, but you are still being bathed," said Zuri with a laugh. Nyonda tried the same trick everyday, but Zuri knew better. She wondered why she kept trying to trick her day after day when she knows full well at this point it doesn't work.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:34 pm
Kamaria smirked at her mother's answer wondering if it was simply the truth or if she was trying to imply a riddle of some sort. Switching her attention, Kamaria giggled at her groggy sister Lumusi, and pounced on her. "Wake UUUUUUUP!" Sending herself into a fit of giggles, Kamaria rolled around on the ground dirtying herself erasing any cleanliness her mother's bath had accomplished.
When she had finally settled herself Kamaria stood up and began pacing around the den, wondering what she could possibly do. "So! I was wondering what we were going to do today, you know, as a family. The five of us. All together." Kamaria suddenly took notice of her sister who was still sleeping wondering if she should wake her up or not. Probably best to let her sleep.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:39 pm
At first it was as if the youngest of the litter would never wake up from the previous night's slumber, the suns rays dancing into the cave, daring to peak through holes - it was not much, but it was a home. Unfortunate, though, was the youthful creature as the ends of her dreams and the constant threat of the waking world finally snapped her from her blissful world of fairy tales, and promises of worlds unknown to her. Choki was a dreamer.
Dulled, red eyes fluttered open suddenly, as if she had only just woken into the waking world, she would never let her siblings know of how long she lived in her head whilst still painfully aware of life. At least, when she opened her eyes, she was always somewhere warm, somewhere inviting and always felt and smelt like a home. Giving a small huff, she watched the dust fly away from her, playing with the soft sunlight before finally groggily lifting her head, eyes showing that they were indeed, still deep in day-dreams.
Watch out world, Alama was awake.
"Good morning, family," chimed through the active air, a bell like voice that sang it's own cord, one that was light as a cloud and just as slow and sweet. "I see we're all awake and active already? I must have overslept..." Understatement of the year.
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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:11 am
"Of course mother." Lumusi complied but knew that she didn't really want to be bathed at all. It was so troublesome because she always ended up getting dirty again anyway... The little cub sat there waiting for her mother to bathe her. Watching her sisters quietly, Lumusi giggled softly when Nyonda started washing herself. Having siblings was rather entertaining, she had to admit.
When Kamaria pounced on Lumusi, she tried to bat her sister away still feeling tired from a rather long night's rest. Kamaria was way too hyper for Lumusi so early in the morning. But she perked up at Kamaria's suggestion, "Yea! We should all do something together." She nodded rapidly; even though Lumusi didn't quite understand how important family was yet, she already knew that once they grew up, they would definitely be seeing a lot less of each other so why not enjoy the time right now.
Gazing at her awakening sister, Lumusi smiled happily. "Good morning sleepy head! Kamaria and I want to go out and do something with everybody. Is there anything specific you want to do?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:05 pm
"About time Alama!" Kamaria teased the fourth born, and smiled back at her. "Anyways, I was thinking that you should teach us to go hunting, Momma. I mean, we see you bring back the food for us, but don't you think you should teach us how?" Kamaria was curious and wanted to learn the different things that older lions had to do. "But, you know, if anyone else has suggestions I'm open to them." An adventure was what Kamaria wanted, but with her mother's constant watch it seemed like it would be impossible to do anything on her own. Kamaria knew that her mother was only protecting her from getting separated from her family, but it just wasn't fair. There was so much of the world to see, and she was limited to the den.
The tan little cub licked her paw and began rubbing it on to Alama's fur, hoping that it would hasten this bathing process. She was bored, and had all the energy that a young cub would. "Mom, look you don't need to get Alama. I 'm already giving her a bath."
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:21 am
"Good morning Alama, my sleepyhead. How was your sleep?" she asked as she quickly bathed Lumusi. Kamaria's behavior was simply precious as she tried bathing Alama. "I think a hunting lesson sounds like a fine idea. Its an important thing you girls learn to hunt, its part of protecting yourselves." As soon as Zuri finished bathing Lumusi, she approached Alama and quickly bathed any areas that Kamaria may have missed.
"A hunting lesson mommy? Do you really think that they will be able to understand hunting?" snarled Nyonda'geni. She doubted her sisters could hunt. At least, not as well as she could hunt. Not that she ever tried, but Nyonda'geni always thought the bet of herself.
"Now, Nyonda, be nice to your sisters."
Nyonda'geni turned away from her mother and stuck her tongue out at them.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:04 am
Kamaria smiled gleefully at the acceptance of her hunting idea, as if she had won a contest. If Nyonda was going to be condescending, Kamaria was willing to stick up for herself and her other two sisters. "Will you SHUT up, Nyonda? I'm sure we're all quite capable of hunting as well or even better than you." In the back of her mind, Kamaria knew that she had never hunted before, so making wagers on who was going to be successful was a bit too unpredictable. Kamaria stood up and puffed out her chest before walking over to her mother. She lifted one of her small paws and pointed out across a plain. All of the bitterness disappeared, and Kamaria's sweet voice returned. "Mother, out there," motioning towards where she was pointing, "Don't you think that would be a nice area to teach us?"
Kamaria honestly had no idea as to what area would be best for hunting. She just desperately sought to seem more knowledgable than Nyonda. But, one thing was for sure. The area in which Kamaria pointed, was the area she looked out upon day after day, the area which she wistfully desired to explore.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:51 pm
Lumusi nodded and allowed her mother to bathe her but after a certain point, she escaped her and moved towards the entrance of the cave. Gazing out into the sunlight, the little cub stood there wondering what could possibly lay hidden in the world. She stopped and turned around when she heard Nyonda questioning their hunting abilities. Lumusi shrugged at her sister and spoke with indifference in her voice, "I'm pretty sure you'll be the last one to catch anything out of all of us now." Smirking, Lumusi turned around and gazed at the outside world. Everything was so... bright.
She continued to gaze out at the area outside of their gave but she replied to Kamaria. "I don't think this would be a very good place. I'm pretty sure the animals around here know that there are lions around and they wouldn't be stupid enough to stick around here... Right mother?" Lumusi tilted her head questioningly at Zuri.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:57 pm
"Thats quite right Lumusi," said Zuri with a nod. "I know an area I can take you to go hunting in, but it will be a fair walk. You know the rules, when we are walking in a group, we must stick close together, don't venture off on your own and get yourself lost. Isn't that right girls?"
"Yes mommy," said Nyonda. She was sick of hearing this routine. She knew that she shouldn't get herself lost, why would she ever do that in the first place? She gave a glare to Kamaria. Sometimes Kamaria really annoyed Nyonda. They both seemed to want to impress their mother, but Kamaria seemed to always try to one-up her. Nyonda approached her sister Lumusi and stood next to her.
"We should get going if we are going to go on a hunting lesson. Is everybody all set to go? Alama, are you fully awake yet?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:26 am
Kamaria rolled her eyes and sighed when she was proven wrong by her Lumusi. Also, the little rule about no wandering slightly irked her. She thought she would be allowed to run ahead and scout for something they could hunt. It would be horrible to get lost though. As much as she wanted to go on her adventure sometimes, she wouldn't know what to do without her sisters, even Nyonda. Slightly worried about the thought of getting lost, Kamaria walked closer and stood by her mother. "I'm perfectly ready for hunting. What do you think we're going to get?"
Turning her head to the side, Kamaria looked at Alama. For the first time, she realized that only Alama and herself looked alike. Lumusi looked like their mother, and Nyonda didn't loook like anyone. Puzzled, she wondered where her these colors came from. "Momma. How come we all don't look like you, like Lumusi?"
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