((This RP was done over AIM between Ac.Wings and Randy2Love. Randy2Love is in orange, Ac.Wings is in black. ))
Daybreak had at last broken across the land. The sun had just crept over the hills by the time Siku awoke. For a moment she had to recall exactly why she was lying in a different cave. Yet it didn't take long for the lioness to remember the happenings of the night before. How she had become the adoptive mother of Eyal's cubs, and he had asked her to spend the night with them.
Recalling that moment of welcoming made her heart flutter like a bird as she rose from her sleeping spot. Casting a glance at the sleeping forms, the lioness slowly crept out of the den and into the morning light.
With a great big smile on her face, she settled into a crouching position and stetched her front legs before her before collecting herself and dropping the other two back. It was a ritual she did every day to become limber and refreshed after a good night's sleep.
Kisikusiku slowed her movements after every bone was cracked and awakened. She descended upon the warm rocks to await the other's awakenings. Eyal should be the second to stir, followed by the cubs.
That's how it was everyday she could remember. Since she was always one of the first to get up in the pride, she would wait outside and watch as the other families awaken and gather themselves enough to leave their home and start fresh.
Never one to snoop, Siku felt guilty of her watchings of the other families and now from this high up, she could see everything down below. Even her own little makeshift den sitting alone in the distance. A place she may not need anymore.
Eyal gave a gruff sound when the lioness left his side. He'd ended up pretty closely curled next to her. She smelled good and it was more warmth. When she gets up, he's up shortly after, looking around dully. Hadn't Siku been here with him? He snuffled at the ground and she had. He stands, stetching out and giving a morning yawn tha tcould be easily mistaken for a roar. He steps out of the cave and looks around for her briefly.
Ah there she is. He starts to hop down the rocks, to go to herside. He'd have to find a babysitter. The cubs were wwell to young to learn fighting. That was for a wiser age.
Siku's ears perked up when the great roar only belonging to the mightiest warrior chief bounded into the air. Her blue eyes quickly lost track of the caves and turned to set upon the muscular lion just a few feet away from her. A smile crosses her maw as she watches him come towards her. Lazily her tail flicks from side to side as she watches him with curiousity.
"Well good morning to you, Mr. Roar. Sleep well?" She asked entwined with a purr. Slowly, her body still acustomed to sleep, the lioness stood up to meet Eyal halfway. In greeting she lowered her head and raised it enough to nuzzle underneath his strong chin. "I knew you'd be awake not long after I left. Sorry if my noise woke you up."
It took a moment for the lioness to realize she had buried her face against the lion's mane, inhaling his spicy earthy scent that decorated the salmon colored mane. Quickly she raised her head away from the comforting fur to turn her gaze back up to face him. Perhaps if she stared at him long enough with a playful look her heart would stop pounding so hard against her chest.
Eyal gave a gruff chuckle at the nickname. He too was laiden with sleep and gave a slow tired nod. He was a bit surprised at the greeting but on his own accord leaned his head down to nuzzle at her neck and cheek in return. He too caught himself inhaling her scent like he had been during the night. "You didn't. Just got up..." He responds distractedly.
Then he too realizes what he's doing. He pulls away from her and down toward the other dens. What in the world was he doing? He chanced a look at her, deciding to apologize but her look drains his words. He gives a gruf snort and shakes his head. "Time for your training, don't you think? I'll tell Jaron to watch the kids. Meet me by that large rock." He points to a clearing where a single large rock stood.
Siku hated to admit but she hadn't wanted to remove herself from the warmth that was Eyal's chest. It made it that more painful to tear away with him pressing his face against her own. His gruff voice brought shivers down her spine and as she stood, not broken away, it took all that she had to pay attention to him.
"Training?" She repeats with a sense of surprise. "Ah....a-alright. If you think I'm ready for it." The lioness follows his direction and nods when she spots the large rock. "Understood. When should I be down there by? Or do you want me to head out now?"
Eyal snorted and started to walk back toward his cave. He glances back at her over his shoulder. "Remember? We agreed yesterday. You're ready... I can't tell tell you if you can handle it. Only you can. Go ahead and go there when you're sure you can handle it."
He jumps up onto the next cliff and stares down at her, the new sun illuminating his fur. He turns toward it and greets it with another roar before calmly running off to see to his children.
Siku stares up at him with respect and uncertainty as he retreated back into the dark cave. He was right...she couldn't just question herself. She had to take action. What had happened to her recently? When had she become so unsure? When she was a cub she did what she wanted without regret or worry. She was a free spirit! A live wire! Yet now she was...an adult.
Quickly the lioness turned herself around and leaped off the rocks as she scrambled down the mountain. With pumping legs she hurried across her pride's territory and in the direction of the large rock.
Eyal gave all four of his children to the babysitter and nuzzled them lovingly. He looked toward the sky with its dark clouds that were steadily approaching. He flattens his ears and looks down at them again. "I'll be here before the storms..." He quietly promises before turning to go complete his task.
He goes to the top of the cliffs and looks down at her standing by the rock. Good. She'd made her decision. It wasn't something he could do for her. He takes off, bounding down the rocks with an expert grace and slows to walk toward the rock. His gaze is powerful as he stops just a few feet from her. "I don't think I need to explain you have teeth and claws. So the first thing to do is to get you ready to fight." Without any warning he takes toward her and tries to push her over with a heavy push to the side.
Siku's heart leaped when she saw Eyal, but it began to pump painfully against her chest as the large male lion bounded towards her. There was no time to scream or raise her claws up to defend herself. Yet instead of collapsing from the weight of his paws, Siku leaped to the side that was free from any contact from him.
"N-No warning!?" She roared at him as her anger soared. She never minded surprises before but this was ridiculoua! Eyal was the warrior chief while she was the pride's healer. Siku knew she never stood a chance against him so why didn't he?!
"No warning." He responded smugly. "Terrible reflexes. You could have dodged me you know." With that he rushed her again, this time jaws open. He leaped into the air, claws out and a nasty snarl rising from him. He wasn't giving her a chance to defend herself. She could only fight back! He was making sure of it. Insticts lay dormant in the female and he was going to awaken them one way or another.
"Eyal!!" The lioness roared in fear and panick as her fur rose and her back arched. This was ridiculous! He was really aiming to hurt her! Kisikusiku jumped to the side and continued to try and avoid him with every little dodge she could make. Yet when the male's sharp claws came close to slashing against her face, and close to the mark she held similar to her mother's, the lioness reared back with a new attitude. Suddenly she lunged towards Eyal, her thick teeth shown as she swiped in return. But even though she was fighting back, she wasn't experienced enough to avoid being clumsy. The lioness had little skill, her movements were bulky as she nearly tripped colliding with the great lion.
Eyal wasn't going to relent. No matter how afraid she was. She had to learn to move passed it! He ignored her dodges, going at her with the viciousness that rivaled a rouge lion. It was no wonder why he was the lead warrior. His movements were graceful and caculated. If she dodged he was a step ahead, ready to take her out. He slashed at her eyes and face like any lion would.
When she finally made an attack back he smirked. He must have touched a nerve. Good. That was good. She may be clumsy now but training would soon fix that. He was after that attitude she'd just found. All he had to do was cultivate it. When she lunched, he fell back and easily pushed her off with his hindlegs, twisting to his feet to challenge her again. "You call that an attack? Pathetic. I should have known a healer like you would be afraid!"
It was a surprise to Siku, but when she was kicked away she merely rolled across the ground and stood right back up. There was no other answer for Eyal except an angry snarl and the lioness racing back to collide her drawn claws against him. All the fragments of the female's gentle personality had been vanquished by this new beast. The beast that enjoyed the fight, the roars, and the searing pain that came with it. Never before had she felt this power surging through her veins. it was new and foreign, but a welcoming key to fighting against her friend and teacher.
"I'm-" She breathed as she raced around Eyal, searching for a weak spot before lunging at his back. "Not Afraid!" The female roared as the fire was ignited in her ocean blue eyes.
Thunder and lightening were starting to crash around them, as the impending rain made its self known. As it covered the dawning sun, Eyal's eyes took on a yellow hue to ajust to the now dim lighting. He clashed with her, tumbling her across the ground, slashing and biting with his claws in the most primal way. He jumped off her for a moment to start the fight anew. He watched as she ran around him and let out a howl of pain as she colided with his back. Still he didn't stop. He turned his head and grabbed her own back in his teeth, attempting to fling her off of him just as the rain started.
The change in the weather didn't distract Siku as she fought against Eyal. The vanishing sun, a comfort to her, was lost within the dark clouds and yet there was no pain or longing sitting in her heart. She was too busy, too consumed over the words that the large lion had said. She wasn't a coward! She was brave! She'd show him that, she would make him feel that!
Eyal's fierce roar assured her that he certainly was experiencing pain caused by her. She had given him that pain! She could make one scream and cry. An earthy taste touched her tongue as she bite into Eyal's fur while she was latched onto his back. A part of her wished to reel back and cough up the flavor while the other half desired to rip that shred of fur away and slash at the skin below. There wasn't any time to pick though before Siku found herself in the air and a searing pain sparking from her back after she collided with the ground.
A broken breath sounded as Siku rose to her feet. She wheezed between growls and without another thought charged at Eyal once more.
Eyal had had deeper wounds then the one on his back, the scars from the waterbuck were proof of that. He watched as she tumble across the ground and stood firm. He wasn't afraid of her and never would be. When she charged once again he brought a a paw and smacked her with the back of it with an angry roar. "Enough." He spoke snarling.
"Anh!" Siku screamed in pain and recoiled away from Eyal. Her chin and neck felt as though there was a heartbeat, thumping loud against her ear. In fact, now that she had time to catch her breath the lioness could distinctively feel just how much in pain she was. Her warrior spirit may have awoken thanks to Eyal's training, but she definitely didn't have the tough skin to endure the hits that came with it.
Her blue eyes set upon the ground as she wheezed and choked in a frantic attempt to regain her calm state of mind. For a moment the female stood, still as a statue, with her head bent low to the earth.
Easy...easy now...She had to recall everything that was peaceful to her to retract her claws and restrain her panicked mind. Slowly Siku began to fall back into her normal self yet once she had reached that state of mind she still wouldn't look up at Eyal.
Eyal watched her intently after the blow. He kept his green eyes trained on her, waiting, making sure she was alright. He knew it was a tough thing to teach and even tougher for someone so passive to learn. Once he was sure she was back to her normal self and that her body and posture was shifting back into her normal self he relaxed.
He knew she was in pain but it was something she needed. Carefully he padded over to her. "Well done. You picked it up more quickly then I could have thought. There's a huntress in you." He complimented but he real reward was yet to come.
As gently as the gaint could manage, he slipped over to her side and began to lick at any wound he could locate. A soft pleasent thrum coming from his throat as he worked on helping the blood clot. "I won't apologize for your wounds. They are a part of learning but I will help you heal. Come along now..." He nuzzled at her head, sensing she was upset about what transpired, "Let's get out of the rain. I'm sure the cubs are afraid and could use your comfort."
Siku lifted up her heavy head when she heard Eyal's deep voice upon the wind. She didn't know whether to be proud or disgusted by his statement. She had merely picked up those fighting styles by relying on instinct. The lioness she became was not that of a huntress, but a beast! Blood thirsty and intent on bringing harm to the opponent. It was not an honorable state to be in but that of tainted values. Siku's heart felt cold as a sudden fear struck her mind violently. Would she truly become that monster if she trained under Eyal's influences? Could that red eyed demon consume her?
Lost in her thoughts, Siku hadn't notice the male lion slip by her. What brought her back was the feel of warmth against her raw flesh. Not a word was uttered from the lioness as her wounds were healed by her teacher's gentle gesture. Of course it didn't take long for her heart's thumping to pick up and warm away the ice that had begun to form upon it. Eyal's gesture was too soothing and calm to the point of ravaging her body with shivers. Once again Siku found herself upon to explain her quickening breath and her clouded mind even if it had been happening more and more frequently to her.
What had this lion done? Had he truly captured her mind, spirit, and heart? Was one even capable of such a thing?
The female stopped asking such silly questions when warmth enveloped the crest of her forehead. A smile graced her maw as she happily took comfort in nuzzling up close to him and smelling his familiar scent. Yet no words were given to the male when he suggested they take their leave. Just a simple nod of the head and a final nudge to his chin with her nose.
Eyal more then willingly returned her gentle nuzzles. It was strange. Any other would have recived nothing but a stern warning to get it together before the next training. But part of him understood he had to be more gentle with her and part of him enjoyed it. A lot. He felt a strange sensation who's feeling he would never be able discribe properly. The butterflies was not the right term to use. It was simlair but increased tenfold.
The nudge made him snap out of his thoughts. He gazed down at her for a moment with soft eyes before turning and bounding up the rocks to their den and back to the waiting cubs. The babysitter left shortly after their entrance and he curled down beside them. Asenath nearly pushed herself under his body at a crash of thunder and he had to chuckle. Poor things. He should have known they would be frightened of it. He was at one point.
Siku wasn't a fool, she could tell by how long they held themselves close that Eyal didn't mind their nuzzling. 'Course he was the one who initated it first yet the lioness couldn't help but feel a dramatic change in temperature once Eyal left her. Even though she had brought upon the separation once the coldness was felt upon her she was eagerly awaiting the moment she could give it up.
It pained her aching heart further when those handsome green eyes, the kind a snake must have to use to hypnotise it's prey, fell upon her. There were very few times she had seen those stern eyes soften and whenever they did it took her breath away.
But there was no time to dwadle and star gaze into the pools of forest green. In mere seconds he was gone and climing up the rocky slope.
An unexplained sigh of disappointment was Siku's response before she followed in his footsteps.
When the male was greeted by one of the rampunctious cubs, Siku was greeted by another. In a similar fashion as her sister Asenath, Tesni darted to hide under the lioness as she walked into the cave. Quickly with no time to spare the female laid herself upon the ground to allow the cub a safe haven between her resting paws. "There, there." Siku cooed as Tesni turned her frightened eyes onto the stormy show clashing about outside. "You're safe in here."
Eyal picked Asenath up and laid beside Siku, putting Asenath between his own paws. She looked up at him and he gave the warmest look she'd ever seen. He leaned down to rub his nose against hers before doing the same to his other daughter. A very low harmonous voice started to come from the male as his deep gruff voice started to sing softly.
"Little child, be not afraid.
The rain pounds harsh against the glass.
Like an unwanted stranger,
There is no danger
I am here tonight
Little child
Be not afraid,
Though thunder explodes
And lightning flash
Illuminates your tearstained face
I am here tonight.
And someday you'll know
That nature is so:
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand.
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning."
Siku nuzzled Eyal when he rested beside her. She couldn't help herself when the opportunity was given. It was just a friendly caress, nothing to fret over. As the male's deep alluring voice rang through their den Siku listened contently to it. Such a beautiful voice her possessed. Maybe it was just her opinion but Siku could have sworn he could have a voice fit for a God. Before long the female noticed that she knew this song. It was one her mother used to sing to her when she too was frightened as a cub.
Drawing Tesni closer, nuzzling the light yellow fur with her nose as the song drew on, Siku joined in the male's song once he had paused.
"For you know, once even I
Was a little child
And I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came
To dry all my tears
Trade sweet sleep for fears
And to give a kiss goodnight
Well, now I am grown
And these days have shown
Rain's a part of how life goes
But it's dark and it's late
So I'll hold you and wait
'til your frightened eyes do close
And I hope that you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning."
Eyal glances over at Siku then finishes the song himself. He sighs and lays his head down to buffer the sound of the rain for the little ones. He leaned his head against Siku's paws and closes his eyes. "Don't worry about today... You can control it. I just had to bring it to the surface. Just rest now. I'm sure you're tired."
A warm smile graces Siku's maw as the great lion murmurs comforting words meant for her. Just her. At the thought her heart fluttered once more. It felt wonderful, unbelievably so. Once the little cub resting between her great paws rested her head, Siku stretched out her neck and placed it over Eyal's. "Thank you, Eyal." She whispered as her eyes closed.
Eyal gave a slight nod and squirmed closer to her. He noticed her against his neck but ignored it. He was tired too. It'd been far too long since he sparred. "Of course...." He responded with a large yawn.
Fin.
