Kame = Bold
Kinaya = Pink
Kinaya was proud. She'd gone out hunting today and had even managed to nap a really large kill all by herself! It'd been a lot of work bringing it home (since the lioness hadn't had the presence of mind to just call her new family to her to eat) and was now excited for Kame'bufuu's reaction. The pink female was sure he'd be glad she'd gotten enough food for all three of them to have plenty! Today was going so well!
Kame had been napping within a small shaded area, his dark coat causing sweat to drip down him in the heat. His striking eyes had been closed until he heard the bustling noises of Kinaya and her dragging back her catch of the day. He opened one while his head was still down and noticed through the grass the colors he recognized as Kinaya's.
"What is it that she has," Kame said to himself as Kinaya drew closer. He could smell the gamey scent of her catch, as well as the drying blood of the carcass. A kill? Kinaya had brought back a kill. Kame couldn't help but be pleased by this; it showed Kinaya was taking initiative, and for someone so young wanting to take initiative was something to be proud of.
The little lionness set down her kill and darted over to her new mate. "Kameeee, I brought home foooood." she cooed happily, eyes bright as she looked down at him. "Come eat? Or do you want me to bring it closer?"
Kame noted the excitement in Kinaya's voice. She seemed pleased with herself, and Kame could not help but find it rather cute of her. The older lion opened both eyes, yawning and stretching slightly. He shook his head to her, "No need to bring it closer, Kinaya. You've worked hard enough."
Kame got up from his spot in the shade and walked over to Kinaya, giving her a lick on her forehead, "You did well. I'm impressed."
"Thank you thank you!" she was very energetic for having just dragged a large carcass back from wherever she'd gotten it.
She sat down about then and flicked her tail a bit. "I tried to find something big enough to feed all of us and healthy too. If we're gonna raise cubs, I'm gonna haveta learn it, right?" Admist her rambles, she waited for the older male to make his selection. "It's an okay choice, right? I didn't know what you'd like so I just left everything in tact so you could eat first. I hope it's good."
She was indeed energetic and young, but Kinaya was making a very good effort and Kame would never fault her for it. He looked over the kill carefully, deciding he wanted to go after some meat on the legs. The muscle was quiet tougher and less sweet than the midsection or upper body, but it suited him best. especially since he liked chewing on his food for awhile, it helped him think.
"It's a good choice, Kinaya. I am not a very picky eater, and when you're on your own as long as I was, you make do with what you can find," Kame said, grabbing at one of the kills legs and beginning to rip into the flesh.
The lioness beamed. "Should I go find Tai? I'm sure she's hungry by now too?"
Kame stopped his eating for a moment, "Tai wandered off to look for something. She will be back later on today. If the meat is not good when she returns, I'll fetch something for her. You've already done enough work, Kinaya."
Kame dug back into the leg, and ripped it from the carcass's socket, pulling it closer to himself. He motioned for Kinaya to join him as he was sure she was hungry as well, "Eat. I'm sure you're just as hungry as I."
The lioness nodded and jumped up to claim a little of the softer meat for herself, ripping it away carefully to chew on. "Wanted to make sure you guys had enough first." she said with a flick of her tail and a wiggle of her ears.
Kame was curious as to how Kinaya managed to take down such a beast on her own, but did not want her to put herself down in the off chance she blundered the first few times. He knew how that felt like, and did not wish for anyone to be disappointed in themselves when they clearly managed in the end.
"I had wondered where you went off too earlier, Kinaya. Bringing us back food was a very nice surprise. You are very thoughtful," He said, wanting her to know the depth of appreciation he had for her actions.
"Thank you! I wanted to make a good impression cause I knew you were a bit mad at me for going outta earshot the other day." she said pleasantly. "I thought getting dinner would be nice. Plus then you and Tai wouldn't have to hunt and we could all relax."
Kame gave off a small grumble at being reminded of his warning to her the other day. He did not intend for his words to be so harsh on her that she felt the need to make amends for it, he simply wanted her to know that he would worry greatly about her if he could not hear her calls. After all, if he could not hear her, he could not come rescue her if need be.
"Your impression is already good, Kinaya. There are just some things you need to learn is all," He chewed into the meat of the leg some more and swallowed heavily, giving off a sigh when he was finished, "I am glad you did think of us, though."
"Well I gotta think of everyone now, right? Especially when there's cubbins around. I'll have to bring food for them too."
Kame nodded to her, "Yes. You will have to bring food to the cubs, but Tai and I will be here also. We all will pitch in and do our part to ensure healthy cubs. Whenever it may be that they come about."
It didn't take Kame long to finish going through the meat of the leg. He decided to stop for now, he never much saw the point of gorging ones self when there were others about who could ward off any advancing predators on the kill. This was why Kame liked the idea of living in a small community as the one he was steadily building. Everything was safer, and the worry of constant danger decreased.
"You seem very excited about the prospect of cubs, Kinaya. Are you itching for them already?" Kame asked. He would completely oblige if she was, he just did not expect to hear so much talk of cubs and the future so soon from the young, energetic female.
"I am." she said cheerily, "I've never had cubs before, I'd like some to play with and show things to." She was eager, despite having very little idea about all the full responsabilities of having cubs. "I like little ones. They're cute."
"You seem like you'd do well with little ones around, Kinaya. With all the energy you have you could keep them well occupied and entertained," Kame said, letting his mind briefly wander to the prospect of little ones running amock, crying their little eyes out about who hit who, and why tails were being bitten. Sometimes he wondered why he would want this, because in his head it never sounded like a pleasant experience; however, in all his time watching others have and raise their children, he never really heard any complaints where the parents didn't like the situation they had placed themselves in. He supposed he'd understand when he had his own children about him.
"When we find a more suitable place to call home, we will worry about children," He said to Kinaya, "I don't like the idea of rearing children out in the thick of danger."
"I was raised out here." she commented idly, "Mama didn't like it though."
"I can see why your mother wasn't fond of raising you out here. It's very terrifying when you're alone and raising cubs," Kame said, watching Kinaya as she ate, "How long has it been since you've seen your mother, Kinaya?"
"Mmmm some time. She shooed me away a few months ago when she thought I was big enough to be alone." the pink lioness commented, flicking her tail.
Kame's tail flicked back and forth as he listened to Kinaya. He could only imagine how hard the first few weeks being away from her mother had been for her. He could vaguely remember how it was for him, and only vaguely remember his mother in general. She had passed several years back from age, she went peacefully and he spent her last moments with her. It's what a son is supposed to do.
"Perhaps when you have your first litter is old enough to travel we can visit her. You can show her the beautiful children you've created," He said.
"Sure, if we can find her." Kinaya agreed pleasantly. Her mother hadn't really wanted much to do with her after she was old enough to travel alone. Something about wanting to get back to flings and whatever else she did.
Kame was growing full from the food Kinaya had brought back with her and gave off a loud yawn, with a growl at the end. He was in need of another nap, he always felt so tired after eating.
"I've grown full. It was a good meal, Kinaya. When you are finished come rest with me in the shade," Kame said, "We should rest for a small while before we look for a place to sleep for the night. It should give us some time before Tai returns."
"All right." Kinaya agreed, flicking her tail. "Should I do something about the rest of the food?"
Kame considered what to do for the moment, but noticed the ever growing flock of vultures surrounding the general area. There would be no way for them to keep the kill with so many about.
"Leave it," Kame said, "The vultures have caught wind of the scent. Fighting them all off would be more tiring than just letting them have it. If Tai has not eaten when she returns, I will fetch her something."
"Oh. Okay." the little lioness stood, bowing her head a little to the vultures and heading into the shade wiht her mate. "I hope the rains come soon. It's been too hot lately."
"Agreed. The heat is getting unbearable," Kame admitted, though his coat was dark and it was always unbearable for him. He flopped down, making sure there was enough room for Kinaya next to him.
The pink lioness laid down, but not too close since that'd be even worse on his fur. "Have a nice nap." she purred, leaning over to lick his cheek before settling down for her nap.
Kame smiled slightly, returning the lick. Kinaya was very sweet, and it was something he could grow to appreciate with time. He made himself comfortable and closed his eyes, "Nap well, Kinaya."
