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 Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:21 pm
What just happened?
Her head was spinning, her body aching. Thankfully, her wounds were few and shallow, all thanks to Ayato and Mosi.
Ayato!
Had he not shown up, Kiasi might've been dead, a bloodied heap of fur that would likely not be discovered until morning. A shudder ran through her spine. How could she ever, ever repay him?
Kiasi looked to Ayato, who was lying near her - she had insisted that he rest, after she finished cleaning him up (which she had also insisted on; it was the least she could do!) Mosi had chased the assailant off, but it did not calm her nerves. Every shadow made her jump. His presence, however, helped immensely. Had she not had his company, she might've had a nervous breakdown.
"Are you okay?"
Her voice was soft, worried.
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Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
He had certainly learned a few things in that fight tonight, like, for one, not to give himself away with challenges like he had, but he couldn't help but act as he had. If he hadn't distracted that rogue lioness... he didn't know what might have happened, and he preferred not to think about how much could have gone wrong in that moment if she hadn't been distracted.
Still feeling rather worn out from the battle and then their escape, even through the cleaning (Which he had been grateful for, though trying to insist she didn't need to. Ultimately he wasn't able to himself and couldn't risk infection.), and after that rest period he was still weary.
Her voice tugged him gently from the depths of his exhaustion wracked brain. Purple eyes were only half focused, but did draw to the darker form beside him, trying to concentrate.
"I'm alright, just kind of tired still.... are you alright?"
He had assumed, but stubbornly pulled his attention back enough to try to see if she carried any injuries at all.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:00 pm
"Oh, Ayato."
Her voice made it clear that she was exhausted, but her eyes were bright and aware as she sat down beside him, gazing down at his wounds. "I can't thank... I mean, you saved... if it weren't for you..."
She stumbled over her words, unable to find any that properly conveyed how strongly she felt. "Thank you. So, so, so much. I can never repay you for what you did."
Sliding to her belly, she tilted her head back to look up at the stars, the same stars they met beneath. "I've never seen anything like that before. Why? Why on earth would someone be so... vicious?" Kiasi shook her head sadly. "I don't understand it."
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:08 pm
"I just did what anyone else would've done..." He modestly replied, watching her as she settled down next to him. "I'm glad I was there to be able to help. Just try not to think about it too much anymore. Whatever the reason, she's gone now."
Though it wasn't the first he'd heard of. There had been that cubnapper before their time, that tried to steal Xu Wu Hui away in the night, and their king had been killed, brutally in the effort to save her and protect the pride. It was before Ayato's time, but it still shook him to learn that news. He didn't understand either, except that there was a side in some others that they chose to indulge, for whatever reason, a traumatizing past maybe, or an angry one, who knew?
Words came to his tongue, but he couldn't form them in his throat, and instead sought others as his ears twitched atop his head briefly. "I'd do it again... just so you know. That's what friends are for.... right?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:26 pm
"Not everyone would be so willing to risk their life for someone else," she said thoughtfully "You're a really, really good friend."
Despite his words, she could not seem to stop thinking about the ugliness she had seen that night. She felt very aware of the fact that she had lived a perfect, sheltered life, happy and naive in her little Pridelander bubble. What other sorts of terrible things existed outside her home? The thought troubled her and made her feel a little sick to her stomach.
In an effort to distract herself, she turned to face him again. "I think I'd like to go visit my sister's pride with you soon. Is that okay?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:53 pm
Ayato glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, then turned his head to watch her again fully instead, sensing that she wasn't quite... able to let it go. It wasn't in what she said, but in how she didn't say it.
He smiled a bit, either modest or affectionate, probably both knowing Ayato.
"Just say the word.... We can go whenever you're ready, well, and I'm able to walk a little better." He added sheepishly looking towards the stars. He didn't say so, but he wanted to be as healthy as possible to protect her as needed on the trip. He wouldn't have anyone else to come save them if things got ugly next time. He had to be ready. He -would- be ready.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:02 pm
"Oh, definitely!" she said, a little too quickly. Kiasi smiled, a bit embarassed at the timing. "Yes, once you're better, and once you've decided to go visit again. I don't want to make you go all that way just because I want to."
With a soft smile, she rested her head on her paws. "You said you have a son there, Ayato? Tell me about him! Unless... you don't want to, of course."
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:05 pm
He rested his head on his paws with that, feeling exhausted so suddenly, weary and out of energy, and he could not help but lean against her some for support now. He'd willingly admit to himself that it felt good to be close to someone again like this, who wasn't family though, and it felt especially good to be this close to Kiasi. The way he'd felt that short day with Shula, he felt like that and more everyday with Kiasi. What was it she was doing to him without even trying?
"My son...? Hmm.... he's full of energy, which you know, I guess he gets from me. But he looks just like his mother, wants to be a healer just like his other grandma. He's such a bright kid," He smiled proud, but tired. "I love the little guy." He admitted, resting his weary eyes on Kiasi's form now. "He's got his mom's colors, but my eyes, you know. I couldn't believe it, seeing someone with your features is really something. I still can't believe I helped had anything to do with something that amazing..." He trailed, but really, he wished even still he could have been there for more of his son's life. Parenthood, when desired, should be something experienced from the beginning through to the end, and he really wished more than anything that he could have been a bigger part of his boy's life. It wasn't something he planned to regret twice though. "... One day, next time I have kids, I want to do it right. I want to be there every minute for them just like my mom was for me."
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:43 pm
"It really is amazing, isn't it? Parenthood. I mean, there's some kind of... power behind being able to teach a cub, shape him into the best lion he can be. I feel it sometimes, and I'm only their aunt."
With a bright, heartfelt smile, she said, "Ayato, I think you'd be a great dad. I mean, I'm sure you are a good dad. You just seem like that kind of lion."
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:11 am
If it would have been entirely possible, Ayato's face would have lit up to indicate he was blushing at her praise, though perhaps thankfully for him, he didn't show such an indicator. He felt his heart flutter, however, and he couldn't help staring at her, not all that much unlike that first night they met, as they sat there under fairly new stars. In fact, the only two differences were in the way that Ayato could feel his heart fluttering and warm, and the fact that they were yet still resting from that attack, though thankfully it was out of mind.
He had given it days of thought, at first afraid that maybe what he was feeling was just another spell like with the first female he'd mated, Shula, but there were multiple indicators that this wasn't the case. Kia's scent hadn't changed in all the time he'd been with her, not yet, and he was genuinely infatuated by her sweet, caring nature. Damn if there wasn't just something about her that made him want to take care of her, for the rest of their lives! He thought to be so forward as to tell her at first, but for a moment his courage froze and the words locked up in his throat after an attempt ("Kia, I-...").
Ayato lifted his head from his paws, finally seeming to go the silent route.
Almost nervously a purr began to rattle in his chest, his head brushing against hers in a way that she couldn't see his eyes at first as he spoke. "I'd like for that family to be with you someday... if.... if you'd have me as a mate."
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:20 am
Kiasi looked genuinely surprised for a moment, although there was no displeasure in her expression, not for a second. She had known that there was something different about him, something special that simply drew her toward him, unable to think of much else, but love had never crossed her mind. The concept had always been foreign to her, something magnificent that only happens on special occasions, to certain lions. Her parents' relationship, for instance, had always been love. Not once had she imagined it for herself.
And yet here Ayato was, in her eyes the perfect lion, and she had never once considered that her feelings were more than just a fondness for a friend. But it was. Never before had a friend caused such strong emotions, such strong feelings of warmth, affection and security.
"Oh, Ayato," she purred, her voice strong, decisive, happy. "I love you."
She pushed her nose against his cheek, nuzzling him lightly. Love, love, love. How had she missed it? It was so clear, so painfully obvious. She loved him.
"I'd like nothing more!"
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:41 am
It felt as if a huge weight had lifted from his chest with her speaking her feelings. He did pull his head up and back enough to stare at her at the bold words. So he hadn't just been imagining the feelings? How else would she have seemed to know the words that were on his heart, and feel them too?
Ayato ignored his aches, moving out of lying down enough that he could wrap a paw around her, holding her close in a way, and returned the nuzzle with an even louder purr than before, and he couldn't help but chuckle, either with relief or for feeling sheepish.
"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear those words. For a while there I thought I was surely going crazy. I've never felt this way about someone before..." He confessed, drawing back enough to look her in the eye. "I love you too." He grinned softly, kissing her nose.
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:54 am
Any effect that remained from the attack that evening was gone now, gone and forgotten. Kiasi was purring so loud that she thought all of Pride Rock could hear her, but she didn't care. Let them wake up!
"If you're crazy, then I am too," she said with a soft laugh. ""I... I've never felt this way either. I didn't even know what it was until you said something. I always thought of 'love' as some big, impossible concept, but it's not, is it? It's just... there. And it's the greatest feeling in the world."
She returned the kiss, smiling up at him, her blue eyes bright.
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