Nyuni didn't realize what was going to happen until she brought Dios home.
It had been a couple days since then, and the initial irritation had faded. Jicho had been quite hostile at the idea, moreso because they didn't know anything about Dios. It was then that they realized that Dios didn't remember anything himself, throwing everything moreso into a spin.
With Dios resting, Nyuni dared to wander out to speak to her brother. She needed to know exactly how he was feeling about the situation.
Jicho felt the soft shift in the air when Nyuni grew close. She lowered her head in respect to him, and the black lion knew that she was apologetic. Just how apologetic remained to be seen, but he figured that she would get what she wanted in the end. She would just have to bend to a lot of rules for it to go over correctly.
"What, Ny? You know I'm not to thrilled with what you've done," he said, his tone thick with irritation. He wasn't in the mood to be playing with her games right now.
Nyuni sighed. "I'm sorry brohter, I really am. I know you would have done the same thing that I had, especially if you were in my shoes. Waas I supposed to just leave him there to die? I think not!" She knew her voice was more angry than it should be if she really wanted to smooth things over, but she couldn't help herself. She had finally found what she had wanted, and she wasn't letting it go without a fight.
"No, no, I wouldn't have. I just wish you know more about the stray you brought home." He saw her bristle at this, and attempted to explain himself. "You know I don't mean that in any negative way. He is literally a stray, as he doesn't remember anything of himself but a name. He even admitted that he thought it was a nickname, and not his full name. How are we supposed to help him if we have nothing to go by? I'm sure his family is worried about him!"
Nyuni snorted. "If they were really worried about him, I'm sure that he wouldn't have been found alone for who knows how long." He didn' tknow how long he had been there, but it was apparent that it had been long enough. The lion was malnourished, loosing muscle mass because of hunger, and in a sorry state. It would be moons before he would return to where he should be in development stages, and the pride didn't have the resources to take care of him. Thankfully they were not needing to worry about children to take care on top of this, so it was doable. It would just mostly lie on her shoulders, and she was ready to take care of him to the full extent.
"Still," he said harshly. "If something happened to you while you were on a hunt, the chances of us finding you soon after are slim, and later even slimmer. This is why we want you to hunt close to home. Regardless if there's not much, when you go out there by yourself, you're sure to have an increased risk of disappearing." He knew that she didn't want to hear it, but she had to. He was worried.
"Plus, Ny, I don't want your heart to rush off for a stranger that we know nothing about. What if he leaves once he can stand on all four limbs? You need to remember that."
Nyuni knew it was coming. And it was no surprise when Jicho brought it up. "Hmph," she pouted, glaring at her brother. "Well, you're tooo late for that. I'm going to try to keep him here. He belongs here, Jicho! We can take such good care of him, and there has to be a reason that I found him. Please!" She could nearly feel herself crying. "Please, Jicho, don't make him leave."
The black lion felt the weight of the decision on his shoulders. It would break Nyuni if he left, but the lion named Dios had his own life to live. "It's his decision, Ny. Remember that. I'm just warning you that he could disappear quickly. Or his health could diminish and he could pass away. I want you to be ready for anything. Please...remember that."
His sadness hurt her. Was she really acting that rashly? Wasn't it so obvious that she couldn't live without him? He had to be her heart and soul, that other half that old stories always talked about. She saw it within many of the mated pairs within her pride. Her cousin might be a little loose, but she loved her kids. Her parents were perfection to her. She hoped that she could be like that, with Dios.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, feeling the emotions in her words. "I just...I slipped, Jicho. I know you told me not to rush into it, but I just couldn't help myself."
Sighing, the black lion nudges his red sister on her shoulder. "I know, Ny. You rush into everything in life. Why should I have hoped that love would be different?" Shaking his head, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Just...be careful, okay? He's going to be really confused about everything, and playing with his heart should be the last thing you do right now. Get him healthy, see what he's like. He might turn into something you don't like at all. Then he'll be easier to let go, back to wherever he wants to go."
Nyuni grunted, but she understood where her brother was coming from. If his memory came back and he turned into something that she didn't like, well....she just hoped that he didn't. He seemed to sweet, so perfect. He would turn out to be everything Nyuni dreamed of. She just knew it.
"Thank you for the advice, Brother. I really will make sure to take it to heart. He has been so sweet lately, though, that I'll only hope that he will not change, and everything will turn into how I want it to go."
Jicho only shook his head, still chuckling under his breath. "If that's what you say, Nyuni. I'll put some of my faith into you, just make sure that you handle it well. He will be your charge, and I will help you if I need to. Never fear the need to call on me; I am your brother, and I do love you. Even if you drive me nuts with some of your decisions."
The red lioness smiled broadly, finally feeling like she had her brother's consent, even if it was riddled with warnings. Just the fact that he was offering his faith in her meant a lot; he would be their future Akida some day. Hopefully he wouldn't change his mind later, but at least she knew that she had something. "I promise, Jicho. I'll make sure he comes around to you so you can see how he's doing."
She laughed. "This'll be my first real test! I'm excited. I'll learn how to do everything....I just wonder if Mother has any good tips. I'm sure soem of us got sick or injured as cubs, she'll have the experience I need to depend on." Her tail twitched behind her. "I wonder if he's up..." she looked to Jicho, as if she was looking for permission.
The black lion nodded, stifling a laugh. "Yes, yes. You may go. I will look forward to these little visits. Just make sure that he's willing to go through them as well." And with that, she ran off.
Jicho stayed where he was, taking the time to sit and think about everything that was happening. He worried, because it seemed that she was rushing herself into something. Was she really thinking about it? Only time would tell. Everything seemed to happen so quickly with her, too. Hanging her emotions on the most fragile of strings. Women, he really didn't understand them. He reminded himself that he needed to make note to ask Siri how she felt with everything. She knew more about how the woman's mind worked that he, that was for certain.
Hopefully everything would go smoothly. He only worried for the future of the impulsive, happy lioness and the young lion who didn't seem to remember anything.
