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Time had passed.

Oh, how time had passed. Granted, he was finding that lately, waiting wasn't as weary as it had been just moons prior. He figured it had to do with the fact he had all the pieces of his plan ready and awaiting his signal. Rebirth was probably enjoying her stay within the pride, he'd 'warned' the Pure and had even warned the Vates, although he was sure the dark male had thought him utterly crazy. A probable assumption, given the females he associated with; first Insanity, and lately he'd found himself visiting Mischief more and more often. Granted, the feelings he had for Muhali were not the same as the ones he had for Tukutu; still, while they differed, the foundation was still care, perhaps even love.

It wasn't his fault. The dark, striped goddess had grown on him. She was endearing in her own way.

Not that he'd care to voice this though. As it was though, he had his paws full anyhow, so perhaps it was good that the Queen had not yet given the signal to sacrifice the Pure, "Huh," he murmured as he looked down at Tukutu's tired form, which was laying by his side, "One, two, three... four, five, six, seven, eight, nine," he counted the cubs that wiggled around their mother, "Some unplanned mischief indeed, my dear. I sure hope that night of 'fun' was worth the pain of birthing nine little bundles of joy."

He knew he was teasing her, but lord help him, he couldn't really help himself.

Her shoulder dug into his side, but the movement got no response out of the larger god aside from an elegant sweep of his brows. His expressions seemed to be asking her what she wished to accomplish by digging her elbow into him; if she wished to silence him, she was sure as hell going about it the wrong way. After all the fact she was taking his bait was only serving to encourage him, "Oh, it was, was it?" he couldn't help but snort mildly and thought for just an instant, that perhaps he should keep his mouth shut.

Unfortunately for her, he simply couldn't help himself. Honest he could; he found her pout endearing, "Ah, well, if you thought that was enjoyable, perhaps next time you should try it with someone that truly loves you, not someone you've tricked, my dear," he didn't look angry and it didn't really even sound like he was lecturing her, but he was giving her what he felt was a good piece of advice, "Then you'll really know what 'enjoyable' is," a mild snort escaped through his nose as he readjusted his position against the wall of the cave, "Besides, seeing as how you were parading around as Jini to get Sakata's attention and taking into account what a horribly screwed relationship those two have, I'm willing to bet my tail it was rough and not particularly tender. I always thought that queen had issues."

As she spoke again, he arched a brow, "Oh?" he paused, and looked vaguely amused by the idea, "Do you honestly think Denial would be the best of father figures for those poor souls?" despite that, he seemed oddly... pleased she'd asked, for whatever reason. Something she said struck him as odd however, "Do you honestly think I'm going to die any time soon? Something tells me you're not entirely aware of the intricate way my plan is going to work. It's not going to kill me - at least not initially, my dear. I'll be rendered Mortal, but that will leave me with a mostly full Mortal's life ahead of me."

That, and, well... he hadn't really planned beyond becoming Mortal - he had nothing to do, after his plan was was executed.

He watched her out the corner of an eye, even through their current position, mirth shinning in his eyes. He could not deny she amused him. Specially when she acted like this, "Oh, I don't know, Tukutu. You might be surprised one day. Won't that be a sight to behold; you being surprised. Watch out, or Karma might just come knocking on your door."

A chuckle escaped him as she spoke once more, his frame rumbling with the laughter, "Oh, you do, do you? I didn't have you pegged down as that type, my dear. I myself have never been keen on that whole pain equals pleasure anyhow. Huh," he was still teasing her, because it was something familiar. If there was someone that could take a joke, or a bit of verbal banter, it was surely the lioness that was currently nestled against him.

Her claim caused him to hum thoughtfully, his eyes rolling up to the ceiling of the cave, "Well, that is true enough. I'm not entirely sure how the process works, really. Never done it and never seen anyone do it. But... I've got a feeling about it. I'm going to roll with it. Intuition perhaps; I'm not exactly ready to pass on entirely. Just ready to pass on my domain, my dear," he paused and smirked down at her, "Mostly because as it is, I can't even deny the fact you're endearing. I'm not very good at this anymore."

"Indeed it is," he drawled out seriously (though he might have possibly been mocking himself at this point - while he had a rather dry sense of humour, he was rarely actually 'serious' per say), "It would be like you being unable to perform tricks. Now where would the world come to if that ever happened?" he mimicked her by 'tsking' his tongue over his teeth as he shook his head.

The mood changed as she asked him her next question though. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his gaze drifting away from her and towards the entrance of the den, "I... don't know, actually," he told her, "These are deep waters that I've never bothered to visit or learn about before. Most would think I'm horribly stupid by doing this, but I decided long ago that there are times one must follow their heart and do what they feel is right. I feel this is the right thing to do, even if I'm not sure what lays ahead."

By the time he lowered his gaze back to watch her, she was huffing by his side in a way that reminded him of vaguely of a child, "I should hope not," he answered finally, "I'm not sure. But I should hope not," a pause as she spoke again and he let out a sigh, "I suppose not, my dear, I suppose not. But then again, friendship is forever, even if both parties are not there; the actual friendship is forever," he lowered his head till he could place it comfortably over her form in a movement reminiscent of a hug. Or as... close as a lion could get anyhow, especially given the position they were in, "That aside, I believe that souls do not change all that much. Wipe someone clean of their memories and they're still whom they are, in essence. I doubt I could change, even if I wanted to."

He remain that way for a long while before he lifted his head back up, "I care about you. I don't think that's going to change. You can't erase something like that from someone's heart. Even if the memories are not there.... that much will remain," he knew that much because he knew Muhali; the small goddess usually forgot all about him every few minutes, unless he was constantly there, however, he knew she loved him, in her own strange way. The caring and the love was never lost. It still echoed somehow, even if she did tend to forget him.

He could see the wide range of emotions that flashed across her face, and something told him that Tukutu hadn't really had the honor of growing to care for other gods very often. Mortals were fine, and so were companions, but in the end, all of them died. He had been able to love several times in his lifetimes, and he felt like it was a great honor bestowed upon him. Granted, one of his loves had been unrequited, but that didn't really matter.

He'd become Truth and Deception's 'sibling' even though they hadn't been related. He had grown to love Muhali, eve if initially he'd shied away from her and her powers. He'd lived very long, very fulfilling lives and he was glad for it.

A chuckle escaped him as Tukutu finally spoke, "Tukutu, my dear, I probably double or triple you in age. And something tells me that the one that needs someone to take care of her... is you," he moved his head then, lowering it so that he could brush his cheek against hers, mindful of her horns. It was a movement reminiscent of the one a father would have offered his daughter. That was one thing he deeply regretted; not having any children (after all, the God was unaware he had fathered a mortal litter not all that long ago).

"I would like that though, I'm glad you care," he told her finally, "It would be nice to have some company till the end of my days. Muhali is likely to go on her way soon enough, since I already had a good talk with her," a pause as he raised his head from hers, "Then again, she's likely to forget it soon enough," he let out a sigh ans tsked his tongue over his teeth, but there was warmth mingling with his mock irritation.