...What was he doing? Why had he done this? Ugh, stupid lazy lions, not wanting to drag the meals to the other tribes. Didn't they know that was part of the job too!? All these "Oh please Mkuu, you're much bigger and stronger!" and "They should come get it themselves!" irritated him to the point where he just agreed, snatching the carcass and dragging it off. ...He'd caved a little easier today, though. And it was the Ushujaa camp again. ...Which didn't make a difference, of course. If he ran into the stupid pink lionness again he'd just...rawr.

And he was still sore. Hunting the prey had become a little complicated today, when the herd had unexpectadly changed course and come charging straight at him instead. He'd managed to get out without any serious injuries, but there was a nice purple bruise forming on the left side of his face, just under his eye, and he had a noticeable limp in his front left foot. Ugh, stupid wildebeest.

Red eyes scanned the area, suddenly aware at how familiar it was. ...yes, this was where he'd dropped the meal off a few days ago. Wih that irritating pink lionness. Why did he keep thinking about her, anyway? She was jsut childish and irritating and...ugh. He should be getting back - Mkuu was tired and sore, and a good night's sleep was what he needed. ...So why was he staring at the boulder?


Ahh, today was going by fast in Hasaa's eyes. Her Dhaifu had entertained her very well that morning, going out to pick herbs for Hasaa for absolutely nothing. It had been fun. So despite her rather laid-back routine of watching the borders and pacing about, she was content instead of bored. That was one good thing about Dhaifu. The other good thing was using them in battle. But Hasaa hasn't used hers that way yet, no. Not yet. But one day. At least, she hoped. But then again, was it right to hope for war?

The air was cold in the mountains, and Hasaa slinked back over to her favorite boulder. She lied down behind it, back pressed against the cool rock, and waited for it to grow warm by absorbing her heat. Shortly after taking her position by the rock, the pink lioness sensed someone approaching. She held her breath, ears tall and eyes wider than even the normal wideness they had.

Then her eyes narrowed, and a slow smirk stretched across her face.

Mkuu~.

When she heard him close by along with the sound of him placing food in the area, she rolled onto her feet silently, waiting. She waited a bit more, listening. Then she sprang out from behind the rock, landing in front of him.

With any luck, she'd scared the crap out of him.


Why was he staring at that boulder! Well, he knew why...no, that wasn't why! Growling gruffly, irritated by himself and his indecisiveness, Mkuu had just been about to turn a leave when suddenly a flash of pink appeared. A roar began to lift from his throat, deep and rumbling, as a warning to whatever was attacking him. It was cut off part-way, however, making it sound pretty pathetic, as he realized who it was.

Stupid, pink irritating-lionness. It only then occured to mkuu that he didn't know her name. He didn't want to know, though.

The surprise - and was that even fear? - present on his face soon disappeared, melting into irritation and anger as he growled disgruntledly, eyebrows angled in a way to suggest his anger at being surprised. He didn't like surprises - they usually weren't any good, and made him look stupid. He'd learnt that from a young age, with other cubs asking him if he wanted a surprise, then bundled on top of him.

Turning a bruised face towards her with a thoroughly bored look, Mkuu snorted air out of his nostrils, "Fancy seeing you again."


It was too perfect seeing him again like that. Especially having successfully startled him and hearing that delightfully-pathetic roar that she had caused. Could the day get any more fun?

Probably.

With an annoying twist of the tail, Hasaa sat down in front of Mkuu, bloodied flesh in between them, like last time.

"Yes~, fancy." Hasaa said sweetly. Then there was a large, strange pause wherein Hasaa merely stared at Mkuu with her large, wide eyes, smiling. There was no clear cause for this silence, or why Hasaa was no longer saying anything. But after a few moments, it became clear. She had been observing his face.

"My, my," she began. "was your nose always that big?" Then she blinked. "Ah, now I see. That's a hoof mark." she said, her tone laced with something that obviously sounded belittling. Or at least, hinting at it. After all, things were never entirely clear with Hasaa. Was she poking a bit of fun at him, or was she merely speaking the truth?


Mkuu's angry glance deepened into a fierce glare as she spoke, followed by a silence that was frankly awkward. If she wasn't going to say anything, then he'd just leave. ...But wait, would she mock him then? Ugh. This lionness certainly was something else. He didn't know whether to leave or to wait or what! She was certainly a strange one to figure out, and this intrigued the male a little. What were her reasons for being so weird? Or were some lions just born weird?

Ah, but then all became clear. The glare deepened once more, teeth being flashed as a slight grumble rumbled in the male's throat, showing that his injuries were quite a touchy subject. He'd already been ridiculed today - he didn't need anymore. Especially not from a weird female like this one. He snorted again, a flash of hurt flickering through his eyes. No-one liked being mocked - especially not when you'd been doing your job.

"A hoof mark obtained whilst catching your meal. So be grateful." he snapped, finding it difficult to hide not only his hurt, but the irritation. Slashing her to bits would not do - he didn't want any trouble in the pride.


"Ah, but I really am grateful~." the lioness drawled, grinning. Then in one speedy movement, Hasaa whipped her head down, grabbed a chunk of meat, and promptly ate it very quickly.

She sighed when she was finished, wide eyes going half-lidded for a moment. Then they snapped back into their normal look (or abnormal, depending on how you looked at it), and she trailed her tongue over her teeth slowly, cleaning the blood.

It really wasn't like her to get too caught up in teasing someone else, but Hasaa just couldn't help herself. She could of course see that this male was of short temper, and thus would snap easily, but the sarcastic lioness just couldn't say "no" to her own ideas.

"Well, hitting on the prey beasts certainly pisses them off, I've found."


That drawling voice...he couldn't tell whether she was being serious or sarcastic! And oh, it infuriated him so! Flashing his teeth again, determined that he'd show anger and strength rather than hurt and weakness, the male tesned his limbs, tail flicking in a fierce way behind him.

And then she was eating. What was this stupid lionness on about!? One minute she was mocking him, then being sarcastic, then eating. He dind't know what to think, and this confusion was really quite clear on his face, as Mkuu had no idea what to do other than growl again. Although that growl soon sank into a snarl at her comment, Mkuu unable to stop himself jerking forwards and swinging a large paw at her. He made every effort to hit, although deep inside him he hoped she'd jump out the way. He didn't actually want to hurt her - but there was no other way to shut her up!


Hasaa certainly didn't know that Mkuu was going to swipe at her. But it wasn't at all an unwanted surprise. The lioness did love to fight; especially sparring. But she didn't want to fight Mkuu. At least not yet...And from his expression as he swiped her (because movements were rather slow in her eyes, due to her sharp vision), he didn't seem too enthusiastic about a fight, either. So there was just one option.

Hasaa whipped a paw in the air, grabbing the male's large paw in her own, and held it in mid-air. She tightened her grip, claws stretching out and touching Mkuu's skin lightly. Both paws were shaking slightly from both muscular forces competing with one another. Hasaa smiled.

"My, what spastic muscles you have." she commented listlessly, as if it didn't matter either way. "You'd best learn to control them, Mkuu. If you don't..." her eyes flashed. "...You might get yourself into trouble."

An icy breeze rushed through the grass and moved over the lions, making the whole scene a rather serious one. But in an instant, the thick air softened, for Hasaa let go of Mkuu's paw and glanced up at the sky, almost like a cub watching the clouds.


His eyes noticeably widened in surprise, his nostrils flaring as her own paw came up to meet his, the two colliding and holding there in mid air. Which almost...well, it did. It hurt. Mkuu was a Mwindaji - a hunter. Usually a swipe and the prey was dead. It never had to fight for a prolonged period of time, nor did he have to hold and limbs in and awkward position. He was almsot embarrassed as his muscles began to shake in spasms.

And her comments were the worst. He growled softly, but didn't lower his paw until she'd lower hers, grateful for the weight he could put back onto it. What a strange feeling that had been...not so much pain as when he got scratched or butted, but more...more of an ache. His muscles weren't used to it.

"How so?" he gruffly spoke, getting a little irritated of her games now - because that was all they were. Stupid little games at his expense, to amuse her. Ugh.


It was fun being with that lion, Hasaa thought to herself. Being out there by herself most of the day, she never realized how quiet it was and how nice it would be if someone shared her watch shift with her; perhaps two lions watching the border together, rather than several spread out all around.

The lioness had never seen a Mwindaji bring food before, because she was usually the last one to eat. The food was usually brought a bit farther away, for whatever reasons. Different Mwindaji had different places to drop food, she supposed. But it was a nice change to talk to someone for a while like that. Perhaps one day Mkuu would leave his Mwindaji and become an Ushujaa? And then maybe, they could share a watch just as Hasaa wanted, both of them stationed right next to each other? Mm, that would be fun~. Mkuu would probably go mad with frustration and throw himself down the mountain. But Hasaa wouldn't let that happen...He was far too fun to talk to. Yes...

Far too fun to let anyone else have him...

Still looking at the sky, Hasaa blinked. Then she moved her head back down to stare at the male. There was a short pause of silence after Mkuu had spoken, the lioness merely staring. But then she replied.

"How so what?" she asked, wrapping her tail around her feet where she sat.


And here she went with the silence again. He wasn't sure what was worse - these horrible awkward silences or the mockings and teasing she gave him. Why was he even still here? Why didn't he just walk away now? He didn't have to stay here and take these stupid games of hers.

His jaw noticeably tensed, the male clearly trying to hold back a sly comment, or a growl, just to break the silence. It was almost unbearable! How could an ushujaa be like this? They were supposed to be warriors - warriors were supposed to be noble and fierce! Not stupid and weird and...and like this!

He cast her a bored look again, rolling his eyes. Seemed he wanted to try irritating her. "How so might I get into trouble?"


"Oh~, that~," Hasaa drawled in a sigh, lifting a paw up and taking a glance at her claws, as though inspecting them for imperfections.

Hmm, their fun chat was coming to an end, wasn't it? Oh, well. There was, of course, always next...And there would be a next time. Hasaa knew that much. He'd come again. Because they were more alike than Mkuu even realized; much more alike than Hasaa realized. And though Mkuu was irritated with the lioness, Hasaa thought they got along quite perfectly.

Hasaa flashed an innocent smile and glanced up from her claw-examining.

"I was just warning you, I suppose..." There was a tense pause, but Hasaa started again quickly. "After all, your superiors would be rather disappointed to catch you shirking your duties because you took a fancy to chatting with some female...again." she said lightly.


And there she went with that horrible drawl again. It wasn't that it sounded horrible - he actually thought it sounded quite good, and he'd loved to have been able to drawl like that - it was jsut that it was so difficult to work out what her intentions were. Sarcasm or truth? Or something totally different? Ugh, he didn't know!

He watched her, studying her cautiously. You had to step carefully with this female, that was for sure. With a sigh, Mkuu shook his large head, bored of this now. She was an interesting character, that was for sure, but she got boring rather quickly. Not rising to the bait this time, just giving her a fierce glare and a flare of his nostrils, Mkuu inclined his head, still feeling the need to be polite.

"G'evening, then."

And with that, he turned and left. He'd be back - he knew he would. But not for a while, he hoped.