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 Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:00 am
It couldn't have been planned out any better.
Tukutu smiled as she walked alongside the two Royal Sacrifices, Tapelo clutching her back. How the two cubs had managed to sneak out from their mother's careful watch was a mystery... but then again, cubs were by far her most favored allies when it came to pulling pranks and tricks on unsuspecting creatures. Their age, their innocent, their size... they were perfect!
She'd let them tell their father that they'd captured her. It was adorable that they believed they could truly wander off and catch a full grown lioness, but Tukutu wasn't about to burst their bubble. If they wanted to feel proud, she'd let them.
Because, after all, these little ones thought they were helping their father, when really, they were aiding her in carrying out her mischief!
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:13 pm
As they drew nearer to the lands that Jadi recognized, he found that several conflicting emotions were increasing at almost the same rate. If he was older and more self-aware he'd take a few moments to analyze this phenomenon, but as it is the youth is too busy being excited about their accomplishment and nervous of the trouble they could still get in to think about that too much.
Every so often in their return to their den, Jadi exchanges an incredulous glance with his sister. Did they actually do this? Before he can open a conversation - warning their prisoner of the importance of being good - his ears perk to a noise in the distance. It's coming closer. Quickly.
This past while has been the scariest time in Sakata's recent memory. In his effort to avoid thinking of the potentially dire consequences of this night he's focusing on mundane things. The ground beneath his thundering paws. The trail, the pawmarks they left. The way it feels to gaze upon his children as they sleep... they have to be okay, they have to. Suppressing the growls of frustration he's been feeling all this time, the Warleader continues to track his lost children.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:06 pm
Tukutu eyed the cub's reaction, and paused in her walk to perk her own ears. Yes... something was there in the shadows, and it was coming closer.
"I think someone's looking for you." she said idly, a small grin sneaking its way out onto her face.
While she was glad (and fully expecting to be met at least midway on the journey) she hoped it was either parent in search of missing offspring, and not an assigned Warrior or Scout. It would be much more difficult to receive a parent's thankful gratitude if a Scout of some kind returned the children, instead of she herself. On the other paw, though... would Jinichongo be willing to part with any form of gratitude towards her?
Creasing her brow, Tukutu frowned. No, for the sake of her current plan at hand, she hoped dearly that it was Sakata who'd come to retrieve them.
And if it was anyone else, there was a good chance that things were about to get out of hand.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:04 pm
Let nobody say that a little bit of mischief benefits from a good measure of luck - it is Sakata who storms around the rocks ahead of them. He is so intent upon his purpose that the massive lion is skidding to a stop before he consciously realizes why he has stopped. Bright orange eyes flick from Kali to Jadi and back again, first checking for damage and then to reassure himself of their presence.
And then... the glare. With a simple growl, he stops the explanation (and bragging!) that Jadi'Aushi was about to offer. "Not a word," Sakata intones, "not a word from either of you until you can explain yourself to both your mother and I."
Now he turns his full attention upon the lioness. The Warleader sighs, narrowing his eyes when he realizes that the saviour of his cubs is also the intruder that attacked his mate, then shakes his heavy head. "I hope you have a good explanation. For all of your sakes."
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:35 pm
Fate was indeed on her side, and she breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the large lion came barreling in their direction. Although she'd never personally met him, it was clearly obvious by his size and physique that this was indeed the great Warleader of the Mizimu'Tungika.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Tukutu couldn't help but grin a bit wider as she examined him as he stood there, staring at the trio of them. It was no wonder at all, then, how he'd come to be the Warleader of the pride. Why in the world Jinichongo would try to have this hunk killed was beyond even the goddess's comprehension.
Still smiling, she nodded her head cheerfully towards the brooding male. "I assume, then, that your children do not normally take midnight strolls on a regular basis?"
Greeting the silence, she shrugged gently before stepping closer towards the cubs, giving the large lion the best innocent look she could manage. He didn't seem to be the type to fall for innocence, though, so she made her reasoning perfectly clear.
"They were searching for me, Sakata, to bring to you, I'm sure, in hopes of obtaining your favor. While I very well could have returned their ill-intended attack," she paused, motioning towards the hare on her back, who bore a visible slash across his front, "I did not. However, after they injured my companion, I thought it was in the best interest for all parties if they were returned to the safety of their parents. While my entrance into your land may not have left a very favorable first impression, I would appreciate being reconsidered after tonight's activities, before any more judgment is passed upon my head."
Orange eyes met with his, and she held her breath. Was he going to buy this excuse from her?
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:32 pm
The stony silence that greets her jest is answer enough to her question - and enough to put Jadi's tail between his legs. His eyes narrow, just a bit, when she moves nearer to his cubs, but he says nothing. No words are offered in response to her 'innocent' look, either, just the slightest lift of one brow. "Hnh," Sakata grunts, while he listens to her explanation. Jadi does his best to remain as stone-faced as his father, but at the mention of the injury to the hare, well... he flinches enough for the Warleader to notice. And that brow lifts a little higher.
"I see."
And now he is faced with a dilemma. This is clearly the lioness who attacked his mate, and yet she has kept his cubs safe. She is a trespasser in these uncertain times, but... she kept his cubs safe. His own bright orange gaze is impassive while it holds hers, showing no sign of the thoughts percolating through his mind. But eventually he nods.
"We shall see what the Queen thinks."
He steps aside, gesturing for the cubs to precede him so that he may walk alongside the stranger as they return to the den. "In the meantime, you will tell me why you are here, and why you attacked the Queen of the Mizimu'Tungika."
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:58 pm
Ohhhhh no, she wasn't about to go back to that she-b***h, not after their first meeting.
Tukutu strained to keep a pleasant expression on her face as she mentally winced. No, it wasn't supposed to go like this... he was supposed to invite her to stay in the land, without needing the approval of the half blind old witch. Going through Jinichongo would cause more problems than not, Tukutu was certain.
Faking a yawn, she shook her head as she refused to walk any further with the small group. "That is quite alright, dear Warleader, for I doubt your mate would have any desire to speak to the likes of me, not while she's suffering over the loss of her little ones."
Taking a step back, she bowed her head towards the lion, a gesture very unfamiliar for Tukutu's typical habits. Ah well, the things one must do while disguised!
"All I ask is to be granted permission to remain on your land; you are welcome to discuss my fate with your.... excitable mate, but I fear I would do more harm with my presence during this... dramatic time, for her."
She kept the smile on her face as she took another step further backwards. In the back of her mind, she was certain that this large lion would not allow her to leave his sight, but at the same time, was she willing to lose this small window of opportunity by bolting... again?
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:06 pm
Curious. If his mask were not firmly in place, Sakata would frown at the strange behaviour. Perhaps he would furrow his brows, or even mutter to himself. As it is, however, he merely watches the outsider as she yawns, backs away, and avoids the subject.
"Permission to remain? Certainly. I would think it... strange, should you leave without first answering the questions I posed." The unspoken threat hangs in the air between them, along with the expectation - they will meet again, and Sakata's demands will be satisfied. "Before you go - your name? I am Sakata, Warleader of the Mizimu'Tungika. You have already met my mate, and two of my children." And if he has his way, she will never meet the other five.
If Jadi and Kali dare to utter even the slightest peep they will be silenced with the full force of his unimpressed glare. Right now, fortunately, the bulk of his attention is on their strange saviour.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:22 pm
Relief washed over her; he was indeed much more agreeable than his stubborn mate was.
"Tukutu," She nodded her head, "My name is Tukutu, currently a rogue among the land of the great Mizimu'Tungika."
She'd always thought titles as being quite silly, nothing more than an arrogant attempt at throwing around one's power. All the same, the pride was evident in Sakata's voice as he addressed himself to her, and Tukutu couldn't help but smile. While most males tended to be arrogant about their standings and their strength, this lion had little need for bragging, to express his strength and power.
"It is much too late for answering questions, not when little ones are up past their bedtime," she lightly tossed back at him, giving him a sly grin, "I will be sure to find you again during decent hours, to discuss such things. I have no intentions of fleeing just yet, Sakata."
She gave him a wink before turning around, her paws taking off in the opposite direction of the caverns. Tukutu was not dumb; she knew there was always a chance of being followed, and she wasn't going to lead anyone back to her temporary hiding spot. It was a shame, she realized, that she wasn't being chased by the mighty Warleader. As gruff and stern as he appeared to be, Tukutu found him excitably refreshing, in comparison to the others she'd met in the pride. Perhaps it was his status, or his attitude, but Tukutu would see him again, for he was much too interesting not to investigate!
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:30 pm
"Hmph," he grunts, the emphasis on the 'great' Mizimu'Tungika not lost on his keen ears. Flattery is something that he's never been susceptible to, so when it is offered so blatantly... feh. Regardless, his cubs are safe and unharmed. And suitably cowed, after another forbidding stare.
The Warleader pauses long enough to observe her retreat; long enough to notice that she does not go back along the path she had been treading before. Interesting. He would have thought that her den would be near to the path the cubs had been following... and unfortunately he can't investigate with them in tow.
"Come along," Sakata growls, swatting at Jadi's haunches when he does not move fast enough. This has been a long day and an even longer night.
But even so, he glances back over his shoulder to catch one last glimpse of the retreating outsider.--fin--
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