The dark blue klipspringer was grazing a ways from her protector. He was lying on the ground, almost in a stupor manner, gazing at the sky. Why the lion was doing that, the little deer had no idea, but as long as she was able to grab a bite to eat, she was happy. She squealed at Kipofu, letting him know that she was right over to the left of him, before continuing to graze.

However, the little deer wasn’t totally alone with her guardian. Stalking in the tall grasses, an adolescent male, ivory in color just like her guide, thought bearing red markings such as toes, and tail tufts. He licked his lips, waiting for the opportune moment to hunt the precious meal that grazed a few feet away from him. The lion shifted his body weight from left to right, slowly moving in for the kill. Unfortunately, the noise his body made did not go unnoticed to the sensitive hearing creature.

Her head shot up like a rock, ears perked forward before she cried out in fear. Scurrying across the gap that connected her and Kip, she bounced into his side, nuzzling him softly, letting him know something was wrong.

The lion was slow to react, having been in such a close reaction to sleep, that he did not get the message his guide was sending him. It was only through a few nips and bites (some which bled slightly) he was up, and quite grumpy. “I was sleeping Lonny!” The male yawned, causing the deer to roll her eyes. Seeing as she was not one to talk, the female rolled her eyes giving the male a ‘uh huh, sure you were’ kind of look. Unfortunately, the brown marked lion could barely tell the difference, seeing as seeing was not an option.

”Alright, alright, what’s got you into a fuss?” The adult asked, gazing towards the sound of grass splitting, shuffling and twigs breaking. “Who’s there?” The blind called out, standing up, fully awake. His claws were never to unsheathe at an approach, for Kipofu was more of a lover not a fighter.

”Nafasi.” The adolescent spoke smoothly, coolly. His pearly white teeth gave the male a flashed, still keeping his bright blue eyes situated on the deer currently residing under the ex-pridelander. “Ya see…I’ve been waitin’ for a day where I could catch me self my own meal.” He shuffled again, having a slight accent picked up from his travelings. “Tha’ deer snivelin’ undar ya would be very appetizin’.” He smirked, moving closer to Lonny and Kip. “Perhaps ya like to share ‘er?”

The adult pridelander’s eyes widened slightly, giving a questioning look to the male. “You mean…hunt…Lonny?” He blinked, ears beginning to pin backwards as he tried to block the view of the deer from the hungry eyes of the adolescent. “She is not for eats.” He gave the other male a warning growl, clearing noting that the other was smaller. Yet, he never exactly looked the other into the eyes.

Nafasi happened to note this. He spotted slight scratches running horizontally across his eyes, and the slight paleness they each contained. So, this other male was sightless now, was he? Nafasi smirked, this could be very interesting. “Well ya see? I don’ have me self a choice. I am hungr’ and me mother always told me to never travel with an empt’ stomach.”

“Then hunt elsewhere.”

“Ah, that is w’ere ya wrong.” Nafasi circle the male and klipspringer, thinking his next move. All he had to do, was lunge at the deer and get her to run. The male could not possibly chase the two of them without knowing what direction they each were going in.

And Nafasi did just that. The adolescent male attacked from behind, first clawing at the male to get him to side step just slightly. Plans were working, as Kip roared in shock, stepping over Lonny as he attempted to get the male off is back. When the moment was cleared, Nafasi sheathed his claws, slid off the pridelander’s back, and headed for Lonny. The little deer shrieked in fright, dashing away from her protector towards a nearby forest.

”Aww don’ ya run!” The adolescent snarled, chasing the female quickly, following each move with ease. That was the fun thing about hunting. The prey always became frantic when in pursuit. He lunged for her within paws length, clamping down on her neck. The greenish colored deer screamed in pain, squirming underneath the other male, desperately trying to get away.

”Lonny!” The male shouted, trying to follow the sound of the struggling. Unfortunately, the longer it took him to find her, the less the struggle was. His deer was becoming weak, the smell of blood already hitting his nose. “LEAVE HER ALONE!” The male shouted again, taking a chance and running headfirst towards the smell of blood.

He hit a large mass, hearing a loud thump nearby. Kip placed his nose of the ground, feeling the smaller form lying there, struggling to breathe. “Stay away!” The old pridelander said, his frightened sightless eyes gazing around awkwardly.

Nafasi snarled at the male who had literally just ran into him. “Yew’l pay fir dat, punk.”

Kipofu lifted a paw to swipe at the blind male, but scoffed when the both the forms lay shaking on the ground. He couldn’t help but roll his bright blue eyes and smirk.

”Hmm,” Nafasi licked his lips. “Her flesh is rotted anywa’.” The adolescent’s smirk remained ever so present on his maw. “She be dead in a few moments anywa’.” And with that, Nafasi stalked away, leaving the blind male to tend to his guide, slowly dying right before his blind eyes.

“No, LONNY. Come one, you’ll be okay!” Kipofu nosed the ground until he felt something cold and white on his nose. This wasn’t good. “Come on Lonny… Stay with me! We…we will get you help!” He said, trying to reassuring the little klipspringer as well as himself. “You’ll be just fine, just…just stay with me.”

He picked the klipspringer up in his maw, cringing when she cried out in pain. His own eyes watered. “Sorry!” he said, muffled by the small deer. He didn’t know anyway else to go but forward, and fast, listening for anyone to help him and his injured companion.


[[FIN - Word Count 1058]]