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 Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:23 pm
Hodari - Kieko
Kutulia - Kieko
Shiri - Kieko
Tama - T ` P o i
After Kutulia let Hodari know that it would be best to introduce Tama to Shiri before they continued their games, the cub jumped forward, eager to be in the lead. "It's not far from here!" He called to the smaller, white cub behind him.
After running off, he hoped that both Kutulia and Tama could keep close behind him. Every once in awhile, he'd glance back in order to check, but it wasn't long before the three made their way to the familiar den in which Hodari lived. "Well..." He said with a smile, panting from the quick run, "We're here!"
Kutulia did not break a sweat following the cub as she was very used to running at quick speeds. In fact, her little journey she experienced truly prepared her for any type of run. The hare had never run so quick in her entire life before. Returning Hodari's smile, the hare waved a paw as though to introduce the quiet den, "Lemme go grab Shiri! She should be inside." Kutulia's voice was quiet, but very gentle. Running inside to grab the adult lionss, she only returned when Shiri was following close behind.
Shiri stepped out from the den, her bright golden fur glowing under the sun's rays. By first glance, it was not clear that Hodari was actually her cub, but once you got a good look, you could tell that they both shared the same yellow-green eyes and interesting stripes along their backs. Curiously, Shiri looked towards Tama, having been told a very brief version of the cub's story. Very gently, the lioness lowered herself to the cub's level, "Tuli over there tells me that you're waiting for your mother to return?"
Tama followed Tuli and Hodari, keeping up as best he could. He wasn't as used to running, but he was a perservering little cub. Once they reached the den, he waited patiently, his curiosity growing. When Shiri walked out, he was a little surprised. She was VERY different looking from his own pale mother...but she was still very beautiful, in the cub's opinion. He nodded politely. "Yes. But she won't be back for a while. She said there's lots for me to do here."
Tama answered how Shiri was expecting. While Shiri couldn't know for sure, the little cubs situation reminded her so much of her own when she was a cub. She was left by her parents just outside the pridelands and while she was never given the hope that they would return, she always prayed for it. With brows furrowed, Shiri's ears lowered and she wondered just how she could phrase the questions that she was thinking about. "Tama.." She began quietly, taking a seat near the cub. How could Shiri offer advice when she barely knew the cub. She looked towards Kutulia with a pained expression before turning back towards the cub. "How long have you been waiting?"
Hodari watched as Shiri's expression went from one of sadness to one of guilt. Shifting his gaze from the hare, to his mother, to his new friend, the cub wondered just what was so serious about Tama. He was Hodari's new friend and the darker cub was very excited to get going and show Tama all his favorite places in the pridelands!
Tama sat and smiled brightly, as if trying to reassure the lioness. "A couple of days. Mother left me food and made me a good shelter. But she said me reason for being there would show up before she could come back." Though he didn't really understand the implications of it all, he continued on with near blind trust and an open heart. But the hurt that was in the eyes of Hodari's mother made Tama a bit sad inside...He didn't like seeing anyone hurting...
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:48 pm
Shiri listened to Tama's explaination with a heavy heart. She could not comprehend how a mother lioness could simply abandon her cub, let alone leave them with false hopes of their return. Tama was so young and clearly so innocent. With a faint smile, Shiri reminded herself of her mother's situation and how Meme was unable to care for Shiri at her young age. Perhaps Tama was in a similar situation? Perhaps his mother was careful to leave him where someone would find him.
Leaning down to offer the pale cub a gentle nuzzle, the motherly female made a suggestion that she hoped wouldn't frighten the small cub away. "I understand your situation, Tama, but if you'd like a more comfortable place to stay, you're welcome to stay here in the pridelands with my cubs. There is plenty of food and a cool den to get away from the hot sun."
Shiri's suggestion had Hodari's ears perked and a huge smile appearing on his face. "Tama will be my new brother?" Hodari asked proudly. Wrapping a paw around the younger cub, Hodari let out a laugh, "You'll love the pridelands, Tama. You'll see."
With a slight laugh, Shiri watched her son's antics and looked towards Tama. "Only his temporary family until his mother returns."
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:19 pm
Tama nuzzled Shiri back, glad the lioness wasn't so sad now. And her suggestion...Was this part of what his mother had Seen for him? He smiled brightly. And couldn't help but laugh when Hodari put his paw around him. "I would love to stay here until Mother comes back!" The Pridelands were beautiful, especially once one entered it, and like his mother had said...full of great lions and lionesses.
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:49 pm
Shiri was glad to see that the small cub did not think that her suggestion was strange or out of place. While the lioness knew she had to be careful on the chance that Tama's mother did return, Shiri could not simply allow the small cub to remain on his own, struggling to survive. Shiri had been in that place many years ago and would not wish it upon anyone.
When Tama announced that he'd be glad to stay, Hodari grinned, "That's awesome! I'm glad you wanna stay! You'll have to meet Dakarai, Jasiri and Angavu! They're my siblings! I'm sure they'd be happy to meet you as well!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:07 pm
A family...a family that was more than just him and Mother. Somehow, though Tama didn't know all that was associated with it, he felt as if something heavy had been lifted off him. He purred. "I can't wait to meet them!" His new friend had suddenly become his 'brother'...but he didn't mind at all.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:23 pm
Tama's exclamation caused the female to smile in happiness. He seemed so proud to be a part of their family. For a moment Shiri hoped that the cub's mother would not return so that she would not have to lose the cub from her life, but she knew it would be better in the long run to return the small white boy to the mother from which he was born. Looking down to Hodari, Shiri continued to beam and then nudged forward. "Are you both ready to return to the den? We have to announce this news to everyone else! I'm sure they'll all be excited as both of you!"
Also proud that Tama was as happy as he, Hodari jumped to his feet and began to follow his mother. "Come on Tama, I really want you to meet the hares too!"
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:15 am
Tama nodded. Meeting the rest of his family...he wanted to see them all, to be able to play with them like he did Hodari and care for them too. He smiled brightly and fell into step beside his new brother. "I can't wait to meet everyone!"
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