Mioyo walked through the land, face firm, looking around as she ventured beyond her pride territory, fangs bared in apprehension. By her side a lone hare moved along, nose switching attentively. Neither liked the land they were moving through, seeking those whom needed her. Needed their pride. But rogues had been few and Mioyo's wounds healed-- but still, she did not return home.
Not yet. They had to be strong just a little longer.
"I don't like the smell of this place, Mioyo." Asikiri grunted. Mioyo grunted, nodding.
"There's too many dead here.... Something's not right." She looked around, hissing, before moving on.
Vaati had followed her since she wandered into his territory, and the violet lion wasn't letting a tasty bauble leave unscathed. Oh, not at all. The violet lion darted and bobbed through the ruins, eyes locked on the female and hare walking along, before he darted, circling, and stopped before them.
Mioyo stopped the moment the male was before her, and her hackles rose. He smelled strange, and strongly of blood. Mioyo knew the type of scent, and her head dropped into a defensive position. Asikiri huddled againts her, looking equally defensive. The hare may be small, but he could move, rapidly. Mioyo finally spoke.
"Who are you?"
Vaati regarded the female with amusement, before sweeping closely, rubbing against her, and purring in her ear. He felt her body go rigid at his touch, he watched her teeth bare further, though he knew not how it seemed possible.
Delicious.
"I? I am Vaati, the Wind Mage and ruler of these lands." he curled his tail around her legs, rumbling.
Mioyo hissed.
"Ruler? A ruler who slaughters his own people?"
She felt Asikiri tense at her paws, the hare prepared to run. Mioyo flexed her claws, eying the male before her.
"They were traitors. They needed to die." Vaati kept his tail in place, licking the female's cheek.
"Surely an intelligent woman can see that..."
Mioyo snarled, swiping at his face. He ducked, smirking fiendishly, and the female snarled, looking again upon their faces.
"They bodies may be mutilated, but I know massacre. I have seen it, smellt it, and watched it. you are no king. You are a murderer."
"Call me as you will." Vaati sneered, expression growing. He silently scented the female. He could smell cubs on her, plants, water, others. She came from fertile land. Her muscles were honed-- she was fit. Perhaps her full pride was. If so... They would be of use. And he sneered. She was no match for him.
"Tell me..." He purred in her ear. "How many children are in your pride...? I do so want some fresh... Subjects..."
The last part was almost inaudible, but Mioyo still caught it. She motioned to Asikiri almost unnoticeably, and spun on the male, before falling, tangled by his tail. Asikiri bolted back, watching, leery.
Vaati immediately pounced, digging his claws into the lioness' shoulders. He snarled, attempting to force her into a submissive position, however she soun on him. Mioyo sank her fangs into the male's mane, trying to tear through to his neck, mind running. He looked familiar-- how? She didn't know him. The male under her struggled, throwing her off before spunning on her again. Mioyo leapt aside, hissing.
"How DARE you, you little b***h! Don't you DARE touch me! You have NO right!"
Vaati swung a paw, clawing her across the face roughly. Mioyo roared, jumping back. Now she remembered.
He looked like the lioness they'd taken in to heal. Nana. She was a bit prissy, but she wasn't bad. Not like this one.
Vaati seemed to be scenting her as well, noting the old scent of his sister, and he launched again, the two rolling as they clawed for one another. Vaati flipped, pinning Mioyo momentarily.
"Where is she, woman?" The lion hissed in her ear. "Where's Nana?"
"Why?" Mioyo's fangs bared. Vaati grinned, a sign of madness proving itself through his facade of stability.
"So I can send her to our father and mother."
Mioyo blinked, then roared, flipping the male off, spinning to Asikiri as she swiped at the male.
"I won't tell." Mioyo snarled over her shoulder. She looked to the hare. "Asikiri! Get to the pride! Warn them there's a rogue coming!"
Asikiri nodded, and spun, bolting.
Vaati lunged, pouncing and clawing the female again. Asikiri spun, and leapt on his face, digging his bunny-nails in and clawed, before leaping off, and bolting. as fast as his legs could carry. Vaati rose to persue, and Mioyo rushed him, sinking her teeth into his hind leg. Vaati roared, spinning one last time and clawed across her chest, before spinning. The hare was already gone. Hissing, he began to follow the scent.
As the male retreated, Mioyo panted, watching him pursue Asikiri.
She couldn't risk it. She had to get back before him. The lioness looked around. The path she'd taken to the place was round-about, but she could smell a desert. She could smell blood-- not of these lands, but much older, that the wind coming that way had offered.
The fastest way to get to a path home was through the Firekin desert.
She shook her head, and sighed. She'd better get a move on...
