Pich'Nkosana:
A lithe body was sprawled carefully in the tall grasses of the rogue lands, a lithe spotted body. A compact head full of determination and vicious teeth, long limbs with rippling muscles. The hint of a white tail barely peeked coiled tightly upwards in the grasses to catch the direction of the wind. This was Pich, raised by loving yet twisted relations he strove above all else to make his uncle and aunt proud, to prove himself the best. today he was hunting with his cousin, but the two were more like siblings for being raised so close.
There were no words needed, the two worked in close tangent, but it was obviously the larger cheetah's hunt. Brilliant gold eyes narrowed on the prey ahead and a slow cruel smirk wound it's way up his muzzle. Ah he could already taste lunch.
Baridi'vijicho:
The cold silver of his namesake flashing in unrestrained anticipation, Baridi grinned as he stalked slowly. He was a ways from his "brother", intending to flush the game towards Pich, rather than run with him. Normally it was a strategy that worked for them when they hunted together. Pich brought it down, Baridi got the satisfaction of removing the pelt, and they both enjoyed a hearty meal.
But his visions had shown something going wrong today. He was even more excited to see what that something was.
Fususi:
That something just happened to be Fususi.
Younger than one of the males, but older than the other, she crawled carefully in the branches of a tree not far from where Pich was moving. In fact, she was almost directly above him. She had climbed up into the tree because she had seen a beautiful feather that had been caught amidst two branches. Confident she could get it, the young female inched slowly as possible, one paw moving in front of the other.
Until she slipped and tumbled off the branch, letting out a loud shriek and landing with a thump right on top of the male cheetah she hadn't known was beneath her.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich loud out a snarling growl and twisted quickly to pin whatever it was that had dared attempt to attack him from above. He who was used to only being bested by his uncle in spars. His eyes were narrowed in rage and his lips curled as he snarled down at the female who had landed on him.
His ears pinned back in irritation as he realized their prey had run off scared. Damn! there went the delicious taste of lunch...to be replaced by the bitter taste of fury. His tail lashed in violence now moving the tall grasses and alerting Baridi that something was wrong on his end...as if the running prey hadn't already told him as much.
Baridi'vijicho:
Baridi heard the startled cry, saw the prey run, and ran after them in a futile attempt to catch one. Eyes blazing in his own annoyed fury, though his stance was cool and almost business-like, he walked back up to his cousin and the pitiful thing pinned beneath his paws.
"Damn, Pich. Bad luck," he purred, looking down at the female and licking his lips. "Oh, but perhaps not. My she's a pretty thing, isn't she? What do you think we should do with her?"
Fususi:
One moment she was on something large and for the most part soft, the next, Fu found herself on her back in the dirt, two large, strong paws holding her down. A male cheetah's golden eyes burned into hers and he was snarling at her. Her pale eyes widened in horror over that.
Another male approached, this one seemingly much more calm and she glanced at him. And immediately regretted the action. The look he was giving her... it frightened her more than the one looming above her. Oh, gods, what had she gotten herself into??
"I- I didn't mean-" she sputtered, trying to apologize.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich growled down at the female and flicked only and irritated glance at his cousin. Bad luck indeed this skinny pale little female landed right on him on purpose! "She's not so pretty I wouldn't trade her for lunch, should slit her throat..." He grumbled, but he wouldn't kill her outright, still he kept her pinned.
He growled down at her "Quiet! You troublemaker, do you always go around spoiling others good meals?" His claws brushed her throat in anger kneading against the pulsing veins there. He frowned at Baridi irritation clear in his features.
Baridi'vijicho:
Baridi grinned broadly.
"Heh, sure you should. She lost us lunch, and of course YOU couldn't find some other use out of a female," the hybrid taunted, leaning down so that he could nuzzle his cheek against the cheetah female's. A shudder past through him and the need to tear into soft flesh rose in him.
"So soft..." he purred, his gaze flicking up to Pich's as he grinned that psychotic grin of his.
Fususi:
Fu's mouth snapped closed at his command, her body twitching ever so slightly in fear. Her terrified eyes squeezed closed as the younger male touched her, his purred words reverberating in her ear. She wished she was at home, with her mother and father again. These creatures were going to kill her, she was sure of that. Or worse... she didn't want to think about what the stockier one had said. She shivered again, but it was a quick movement and after that she remained still, her eyes shut, trying to put on a brave a face as she could.
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich watched his cousin and rolled his eyes, he had no such silly uses for a female. It was such a base instinct to give into the ripping, tearing, and other such things. No he kept his claws from opening her delicate throat only leaving enough pressure to pin her. "Hmph, her coat would look good pinned on the den floor...but other then that she does seem rather useless. Unless I wanted someone else to loose their lunch." He growled.
"I suppose I could let her go...with a warning." He glared down at her his bright gold eyes meeting her soft blue ones. For a moment he felt his gut clench but dismissed it quickly enough as a hunger pain, her fault. "You're never going to climb a tree again are you?"
Baridi'vijicho:
Baridi purred and shrugged his shoulders.
"Not like I really care. But if you let her go, I'm sure Father or Mother would find out sooner or later and my would they have a laugh," he replied, grinning at Pich, his eyes narrowed. "Brother" or no, how he loved to antagonize the older male. Hell, he loved to antagonize everyone. Especially right before he killed them.
He stood, grin still in place.
"Well, do what you want. I think I'm going to find something to kill." His eyes were locked on the female's face as he slowly finished his statement, "Something small and soft."
Fususi:
Fu's eyes shot open again when the cheetah pinning her suggested using her... her coat to place on the floor of their den! How horrible! Her mind screamed at her to find a way to escape. She couldn't stay here, these were monsters. She flinched at the younger one's words, though her eyes remained on the cheetah's eyes. The younger one walked away chuckling, leaving her alone with the one looming over her.
"No... No I won't," she whispered, trying to keep the fear out of her voice as best she could.
Pich'Nkosana:
He cringed then, his cousin was right...aunt and uncle would find out and mock this soft act. No he wouldn't kill her, he would keep her, surely she could be of some use, even just as a trophy. Yes...yes that would do a trophy, Baridi could keep his dead things, he would have living beauty. That would impress his uncle as well, the ability to not only capture but hold this female. He would break her and then his cousin would see that he was just as clever.
He watched Baridi slip away and turned back to the female his grip tightened on her throat. "You will stay with me, if you try to escape..." He smirked slowly. "Well I don't suggest it, I owe my cousin a present and wouldn't you hate to be it?"
He slowly lifted his weight and watched her warily, he was already prepared to sprint after her if she dared attempt to outrun him. He had his mothers passion for speed flowing in his veins along with each tactical manuever his wicked uncle had drilled into his mind from youth.
Fususi:
Fu lay there for a minute, gathering her wits about her. He wasn't going to kill her... But she couldn't leave. She was a prisoner. And if she tried to escape, he'd give her over to that... that... THING he called a cousin. At least she was stuck with the lesser of the two evils, if only lesser by a bit.
She slowly stood, head bowed as she did her best to compose herself. She nodded once in understanding and her eyes slowly opened again. With her head still bowed as it was, she was looking up through her eyelashes. Hell, she probably would have anyways. He was a good bit bigger than she was.
"Why?" she dared to ask before her brain could stop her mouth.
Pich'Nkosana:
He growled softly at her question and circled her examining her, she was soft looking but what did he care? "You do not question me, you ruined my lunch so your just lucky I didn't decide to put you on the menu. You will be mine, my special trophy, not exactly filling for my stomach, but someday you might serve some purpose." He huffed.
Slowly he moved back infront of her and glared down at her, did she have to look so petite and...hmph weak. She looked weak that was all...
"Whats your name anyway troublemaker?"
Fususi:
Fu held back a flinch at his words. For some reason, she didn't see them as empty threats, even though he had yet to do anything to really hurt her. She really wanted to snap at him, telling him that it was an accident and not her fault, but she had a feeling that wouldn't be a good choice on her part.
"Fususi. My name's Fususi," she replied, her eyes locking more firmly on his. Her initial fright wearing off, she was slowly coming back to herself. She didn't like being pushed around, especially not for something that wasn't even really her fault. But she didn't say anything. All that really came over her was a straightening of her posture and a rising of her chin, but it was enough.
Pich'Nkosana:
"Fususi huh? Well Fu will do...come on then lets get you to the den." He stood and looked her over again. No not that pretty, but Baridi had seen something in her and that irritated Pich to no ends. He grumbled softly about his lost meal, the good hunt, and the excess energy in his legs before nudging her to move along in the direction he pointed.
Now that he had her he still wasn't sure what to do with her, oh having a living trophy sounded nice and all but he would need to make her a bit more useful then that. Added to that was the irritation he would have if she dared try and escape, hopefully it would be the type of lesson he either never had to teach her or only teach her once.
Fususi:
Fu opened her mouth to say that was her regular nickname, but decided against it and closed her mouth. Instead, she simply stood and walked ahead of her captor. Oh, she hoped there wasn't more of them. The crazy one had mentioned Mother and Father, but perhaps the older pair lived somewhere else and the two males lived by themselves. She didn't want to deal with the creatures that had raised the two males.
"What's... your name?" she asked quietly, walking in the direction he nudged her in.
Pich'Nkosana:
"You will call me Master until you earn the right to speak to me as an equal, but so that you'll at least know who your captor is...my name is Pich." He neglected to give her his full name, though not purposely. He hadn't heard his full name in a long time, since it was his mothers sweet voice calling him. He could barely remember his mother now, or his brothers, or father. He knew he had them, knew they would be proud of his strength and ferocity. He made due with the love and training his aunt and uncle had given him.
"You best understand now, your alive because I wanted to keep you as such. If you step out of line my cousin, my uncle, or my aunt won't hesitate to slaughter you where you stand. Your coat is pretty maybe, but I wouldn't flaunt it if I were you, my aunt has an affinity for collecting pretty pelts to decorate our humble home."
Fususi:
Pich. It was... and interesting name. And yet it didn't quite suit him. Maybe it was a nickname or something. I didn't really matter, though. He had made himself clear that she was to refer to him as "Master". Fu's heart sank and the corners of her vision dimmed as reality sank in.
She wasn't going to be free, not after this.
She swayed a bit, but recovered and kept walking, tears filling her eyes though she did her best to keep them there. A couple rebels ran slowly down her cheeks.
"I understand," she replied, her voice soft, not wanting to hear any more about his aunt's habits. Gods, what had she been thrown into?
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich growled softly as he spotted her tears, he didn't know why he let her upset him. Why should he care if she cried? Still he moved briskly beside her eager to reach the den. She sounded scared, and that was a good sign of course, but still...
"Just do as your told and I'll make sure nothing bad happens to you..." He finally reassured. Not that he should care if she was reassured or not, he was only offering her protection because she was his now. He liked to keep his things safe, his favorite pelts and favorite trinkets. She was just another possession that he would need to keep maintained and safe.
Fususi:
Fu nodded, believing him. She didn't know why she believed him, but she did. Maybe it was because he seemed so possessive.
"I'm sorry I fell on you," she whispered out the apology, finally managing it. She hadn't gotten a chance to before, what with him being about to tear out her throat and all. She picked up the pace to keep up with him, hurrying along. He was bigger, and therefore his strides were longer. She wanted to tell him she wasn't completely useless, that she could hunt and... well, hunt. But she figured the less she said, the better, the safer for her.
Pich'Nkosana:
"Yeah well, I'm sure you won't be doing it again, lesson learned." A harsh lesson, but that was what life was filled with. Harsh lessons had made him the incredible creature of strength and cunning that he was today. Sadly he had yet to realize it had also robbed him of his compassion and deep inside he felt alone, the lone male struggling for approval. Still he would never admit to such follies, he improved for himself.
"You did interrupt my lunch though, so you'll have to deal with my mood until dinner." He huffed. "I may have to leave you in my family's care...or if you promised to behave I could bring you along for my evening hunt."
Fususi:
"No, I don't suppose I will," Fu replied in the same soft tone, glancing off into the distance to one side. Freedom. And she couldn't even touch it.
"Why don't you just try again? That's what I do when I lose a kill," she added, brain-mouth filter once more inactive for a short, yet crucial, time. She didn't want to be left behind. Especially not if his family were like the cream-colored male. She was certain she wouldn't make it long among them. She wasn't even sure she would make it long with this male either. But what choice did she really have?
Pich'Nkosana:
Pich froze and glared at her his lips curling again in anger as his voice slowly rose. "I did not LOOSE the kill, YOU lost my kill." He growled softly and snapped away from her. How dare she! He did not loose kills, he was an excellent hunter, no longer a clumsy cub. His long strides and constant practice ensured that he didn't go hungry, yet here was this female trying to tell him to just try again? As if it were his fault, as if he were stupid enough to just let himself starve. Of course he could have gone again, but not with her landing ontop of him like some ill sent omen from the heavens.
Fususi:
Fu's eyes widened and she jumped back from him when he growled, afraid he would lash out at her.
"I didn't mean... It... I know I did. I didn't mean to say that you did. You..." she sputtered and for some unknown reason her backbone grew ridged. She straightened her shoulders and gave him a small frown.
"We all know it wasn't your fault, so quit being so touchy about it." She couldn't believe she had just snapped at him. She was sure that she was going to regret that, but she didn't change her posture. If he was to punish her, the least she could do was take it without fear.
Pich'Nkosana:
He growled at her hovering over her with a snap of his teeth. "Your damn right it wasn't my fault!" He huffed and flicked his tail moving onward. He had to admit the snap had bee unexpected, but at least she wasn't totally pathetic. Perhaps she would have somekind of use after all.
Slowly his posture relaxed his ears perked attentive, his tail flicking slowly back and forth. He looked downright normal and friendly, still there was an edgy energy to him, as if he could be very easy pushed to anger once more.
Fususi:
"Then stop getting so angry about it," Fu shot back, though the words were more under her breath than really spoken at a normal tone of voice. She was back to walking again, relieved that he hadn't hurt her when he had yelled and snapped at her. She watched as his posture loosened until he almost looked relaxed. Almost being the key word. She decided to keep her mouth shut and just keep on following, her eyes only barely roaming about her.
