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 Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:35 pm
When opportunity knocked, it would be a damn shame not to open the door. When Kinamisa asked Kizuka to relieve her in her duty of watching the Royal Sacrifices, she'd been hard pressed not to show a suspicous amount of enthusiasm in accepting. As she entered the den, her eyes gleamed in anticipation. This was it...this was surely an omen of the success Malaika had predicted! Content with this 'proof' that the spirits were on her side and not that of her overbearing half-sighted aunt, Kizuka gave the cubs with a 'friendly' grin that looked a little predatory to observant eyes. "You. All of you. Follow me or..." Suddenly, her paw flashed out lightning-quick and grabbed one of the cubs, gripping it tightly. "This one dies. Call for help, and this one dies. Resist, and this one dies." She tightened her grip even more, enough to cause some pain. "Understand?"
Her voice was low and harsh, and her eyes showed not a flicker of doubt. The spirits had spoken to her cousin, when they were silent and unruly to the Mizimu. That was all the proof she needed for the confidence to carry out this dangerous task. After this, Jini'chongo would know that she, Kizuka'ruya, was no mere Scryer.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:02 pm
 When tension in the Mizimu was slowly but surely escalating, and protection was at an all time high for the new generation--especially her litter, being of royal blood, the first little princess hardly found the calm she liked to slumber. When the royal cubs' parents weren't there, as much as they tried to spend a greater amount of time guarding especially over the past couple of weeks, Kinamisa came in with her seemingly omnipresent eyes. The young daughter found that minder to be more alert than the rest, so it had been very difficult to elude her attention when she had heightened it in lieu of recent events.
It came as a faint surprise at first, when Kinamisa asked a younger lioness than herself to take over. The bright juvenile, from her understanding, knew the one called Kizuka'ruya to be her mother's sibling's daughter, which would make her a "cousin". It was a little offsetting to the princess, because Kizuka was obviously a great deal older than her and her other siblings, but it still didn't seem very fair that someone on the same level of the family as herself would get to boss everyone around. Then again... maybe with Kizuka, they'll get to have more fun! Or perhaps she won't be as quick and watchful as Kinamisa.
When the eldest sibling noticed Kizuka coming into the den, she eagerly awaited the usual greeting, and the possible joining in of her other litter mates to pounce the temporary nanny as a return welcome. But the greeting never came, or at least, not the one she expected.
Instead, she saw sneaky eyes and a frightening grin, followed by the introduction of a game she had never heard of... or would want to play. In the blink of an eye, one of her siblings had been snatched by Kizuka, and not in an entertaining way. She had been the next nearest, so the small daughter quickly lowered her body defensively, attempting a low growl at her very old cousin.
"No, I don't understand," she stated in raising anger, feeling concern for the claimed sibling who seemed to emit a small squeal while gripped, "Where do you want to take us? That's not nice. You're not supposed to do that, you know."
She positioned herself more accurately between Kizuka and the rest of her siblings, assuming the responsibility of her other, younger brothers and sisters. If Kizuka wasn't going to let go of her sibling, she was going to do something to make her let go.
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:16 am
 It had been another typical day to Kali'ari, until Kizuka's arrival. She'd noticed her parents being more cautious, noticed the adults were talking more amongst themselves than before, but the only thing that Kali had even cared about was the fact the Warriors seemed on their guard much moreso than usual. And, having the Warriors' training ground now forbidden territory to her, Kali had no desire to show interest in anything, aside from sulking on the cavern floor. Not even Kinamisa, who she'd begun to believe was 'okay' by adult standards, would allow her an escorted visit.
It sucked.
When Kizuka first entered the cavern, the cub didn't even blink. What was another Scryer among a colony of Scryers? It wasn't until the black and blue lioness reached out and grabbed one of her brothers that Kali's head rose from atop her paws.
Wait... what?
The hairs on her back began to bristle as she watched in growing fear at the order of the lioness, her cousin, of all creatures. What was going on? Was this some sort of twisted game?
She overheard Mfu addressing the lioness. Calm, collected Mfu, always keeping a straight head. Taking one step forward, Kali nodded her head, as if forcing herself to believe that they could talk the lioness out of such an outlandish game.
"We're not supposed to leave the cave, not without Mother or Daddy."
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:00 pm
For a moment, Kizuka simply stared at the two girls, ignoring the male as he wriggled loose from her shock-relaxed grip and scuttled behind his siblings. "Not very bright, are you?" she sneered as she recovered. She'd figured on them being too shell-shocked to protest, but it was starting to look like she'd have to really frighten them into tractability. So sad. "The world isn't nice, brat, and not everyone follows your dear mother's rules. Now shut up and come with me if you value your pretty little hides."
As she took a step towards Mfuondoka, she smirked. "You might even like the change, if you're not your dear mother's favorite."
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:37 pm
The two sisters' opposition in words had worked better than what Mfuondoka expected, and her body lost some of the tension it built up when her brother was released from Kizuka's clutches. She kept her eyes fierce and locked onto her old cousin's own eyes, making it a point that she wasn't going to be pushed around by anyone unimportant.
"Not as bright as you, if you actually wanted to take us somewhere," came out sarcastically.
It was ironic, how Mfuondoka would probably have found an errant stroll a nice activity and break from the mundane, more strict protection everyone had been under lately, but not after the threat. Something was obviously wrong with the way Kizuka had presented things, and while she had no idea where things were going, Mfuondoka was sure that she valued her siblings, and that her cousin could not be trusted.
She instinctively started a low growl in her throat as Kizuka stepped forward, extracting the small claws that were only beginning to sharpen into her childhood. A quick, brief turn of the head looked to make sure that the rest of her siblings were behind her, for she knew she was possibly the best in her group to make a reasonable stand against the opposition. She jerked her head once to Kali'ari, in a motion to say that she had the situation under control, though she appreciated her sister backing her up.
"What's that supposed to mean," Mfuondoka began to question, right before she made a swift move to sink her growing fangs into Kizuka's paws, which had been the closest and most logical part of her to attack.
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:59 am
Kali wasn't sure what to think at this point. Why in the world was her cousin trying to take them somewhere? Was she going to have them killed? Why be hostile, especially considering she was in the middle of the Mizimu territory?!
She contemplated screaming for help, that perhaps some Scryer or Minder would hear her and come running to aid the royal offspring... but if what Kizuka said was true, then she'd have no qualms with killing them for her insubordination. Would a lion or lioness get to the cubs in time? Did Kali really want to risk it?
Swallowing, Kali glanced at her siblings. All but Mfu had cowered in a corner of the cave, pressed tightly against each other. Jadi appeared to be trying to protect his siblings, while Mfu was boldly still standing before their oppressor.
Attempting her best to keep her tail from sinking between her legs in confusion and fear of what was to come, Kali watched as her older sister attacked the lioness. Wait... what?! Passive, smart Mfu taking the initiative? She was going to get them killed!
Taking a few bounds forward, she stared up harshly at the lioness, still slightly in awe of her sister's bold action. "Mother wouldn't approve of this. You should leave, and bring back our normal Minder...we don't need some silly Scryer trying to push us around. We're the Royal Sacrifices, you know, that means one of us is gonna be Heir and one of us is gonna be the Scion so you better listen to us or you're gonna get into trouble!"
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:35 pm
She...did she just do that? Really?
Yowling with pain, Kizuka cuffed Mfuondoka aside roughly. "You little b***h," she hissed, although it was unclear just which of the cubs she was speaking to. While it was quite logical for her to be pissed at the little brat who had just BITTEN HER PAW, her attention seemed to be focused now on Kali'ari. Eyes narrowed, she was silent for a moment as her mind whirred with questions and decisions.
"Well, well, well," she mused, tilting her head with a condescending smirk. "You're just a lovely little twin of your mother, aren't you? You see, brat, this is what I meant...I bet your dear sister here is your mother's pride and joy. Not surprising, really." Baring her fangs in a vicious grin, she stepped closer to Kali. "You know, if you're going to be as much of an overbearing b***h as your half-sighted mother, perhaps you should look just...like...her." With a swift, brutal swing of her paw, she struck for Kali'ari's face with unsheathed claws.
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:14 pm
As soon as Mfuondoka felt her teeth hit their mark, she began to tighten her grip, only to be thrown off almost instantly; it was no matter, as she knew she dealt at least a little harm, and was satisfied by that. She got back on her paws with some trouble, though she was able to smile at Kizuka's pained comment. Her head shook around, trying to get rid of the daze that came from being flung aside, and she tried to keep a clear eye on Kizuka's form.
When it became apparent that Kizuka switched her attention on Kali'ari rather than Mfuondoka, she listened, confused - her sister hadn't even done anything! Mfuondoka was the one who was supposed to distract Kizuka enough so the others would've been safe!
Sure, Kali had been the one to act most like mother - even when she didn't realize it - but everyone was sure of their place and equal standing in the hearts of their parents. Though it was possible that in the future, one or two may rise to enter the throne or take their uncle's place, it was nonsense for any of the siblings to think of favoring being anything but the royal sacrifices they were now.
Mfuondoka was about to make another move, but Kizuka moved first. Her heart raced as she realized Kali was awfully close to their older cousin, but before either of the two siblings responded, she heard a sickening smack. Even Mfuondoka could feel the pain coming from the mere sound of it, and she stared in disbelief when she saw the blood coming from her sister's face.
"NO!," she screamed in anger, rushing at Kizuka's hind legs with claws and fangs out, "You don't do that!"
Mfuondoka could only hope that Kizuka wasn't prepared for a second strike from her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:24 am
Nothing is happening the way it is supposed to. An unexpected change in who is taking care of them. An even more unexpected demand, followed by the unthinkable attack. And through all of it, the youngest sibling has been hanging back.
At first, Jadi devotes his attention to his other (less outgoing) siblings. Stay down, stay back, be quiet. Don't raise a fuss, or the brave show that both Mfu and Kali are putting on would be wasted. Just wait, and hope that the good adults come back soon. But as the situation escalates, he becomes increasingly agitated. It seems obvious (even to his young mind) that things will get far, far worse before they get better. The attack upon his older sister is met with two things:
A gasp, and a skittering of paws as Jadi bursts into motion.
But... he does not run for the lioness, for their traitorous cousin. With Mfu on one paw and the blood of his sister on the other, one might think it would make sense for the young male to add his small teeth and claws to the fray. Instead, the youngest sibling takes advantage of the distraction offered by his braver sisters. He runs, bounding past the altercation and out into the open, and once he is free he starts to yell.
"Help! Help, anyone, help!"
Jadi'aushi does not stop running after he is free of the den. He runs towards the guards he know father has posted nearby, screaming himself hoarse and trying not to think about the colour of his pelt in his next life
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:39 am
It stung to hear Kizuka say aloud the words that Kali and the others had already known in their hearts. It was true, Mfu was Mother's favored, at least during lesson time. Who else knew of the spirits as well as she, who else could recite back the newly learned lesson without hesitation? Despite desiring to walk in her father's footsteps, Kali couldn't help but feel rejected as the older lioness confirmed that her mother's love for her was nothing in comparison to that for her older sister.
Kali paused, however, her glare turning into a confused frown at Kizuka's next words. Wasn't acting like her mother a good thing? And look like her? Didn't Kali already bear the same colors as Jinichongo?
Before the young cub was given enough time to process Kizuka's words, the paw came down upon her. The action was so swift and brief, Kali stumbled to the side by the force, her mind refusing to register the attack as quickly as it had come.
She could feel the pain, she could hear Mfu's scream in the background. There was an even louder shrieking, and it took seconds before she realized it was her own voice, her own screaming as the sharp pain in her eye throbbed throughout her head. There was blood everywhere, she could feel it, and the small cub crumpled into a ball on the floor, her paws moved to cover her face. It hurt, oh spirits, it hurt so bad!
Her mind had temporarily forgotten of Kizuka and Mfu, until Jadi had his outburst and dashed out of the cave. Tears fell from one eye as blood poured from the other, and she continued to wipe what she could away with her freshly stained paws. Oh spirits, was she going to die?
The pain was so overwhelming, she could feel her face soon growing numb. She wobbled as she tried to rise up, but ended up collapsing once again on the ground. Woozy, the numbness took over as she felt herself feeling faint. Soon enough, she passed out against the cold stone floor of the cavern in a small damp puddle of her own blood.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:52 am
Gloating, the lioness stood over Kali'ari. "Tell your mother what you saw," she hissed viciously, a cruel smirk on her muzzle at the irony of her words. Kizuka had only a moment to savor her strike, however, before Mfuondoka's teeth and claws sank into her again. Eyes blazing, she whirled--and froze, eyes widening against a sudden surge of panic as Jadi ran past her, screaming for help.
s**t. Time to get out of here while she still could.
Taking the closest one was the obvious option, and so Kizuka grabbed Mfuondoka roughly by the scruff of her neck. Grunting with the unaccustomed weight, she bolted out of the den.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:15 pm
Pushing back the danger Jadi could have gotten himself into, the horrifying blood coming from Kali's face, and the trouble she was bringing herself into, Mfuondoka put all of her strength, will, and force into her maddened leap for Kizuka. She thought she had Kizuka in her grasp, but what she didn't realize was that she put herself in the most obvious position for capture.
"Argh, Kali!" was all she could say before the unexpected lift of her body pushed the air out of her lungs fleetingly - and before she could say more, she was out of the den as Kizuka's paws proved themselves worthy of such a scandal.
She, too, couldn't help but feel a small trickle of tears from both anger and worry come down her face. Mfuondoka couldn't bear the last image of her sister, crumpled on the floor surrounded by red. She breathing became rapid out of the scare that Kali was going to die because she couldn't get in front fast enough - or that she was already dead. But all she could do for the moment was flail helplessly against her captor, her short paws barely able to reach Kizuka's face. It didn't help that the quickened run shook her own body so much that she was barely able to stomach the ride with her eyes open.
Despite her own position, Mfuondoka was glad that Kizuka wasn't able to take anyone other than her. Once she stopped running, though, she'll have a better handle on Kizuka without the threat of harm coming on her other siblings. Kizuka will pay.
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