Duo Makkusuweru - Truth.Be.Told
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Kyouko - Das Tor
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Seremtosti Legodimo - Truth.Be.Told
Now where had she gone...Duo looked around for his little niece, frowning. Bleh. If only his visions were a little more useful for things like finding runaway cubs. Now he knew how his mother and sister and Pestilence felt. And he didn’t doubt Kyouko had gotten her sneaking from him. Geez...Duo sighed and flopped into a sitting position.
“Why me?” He grumbled, ears going flat. “Why did Nyx have to rope me into looking after her today?”
There was a quiet giggle behind Duo, and a blue-and-black little cub pounced on his tail. “Because, Uncle Duo, Mother knows I like you best.” Kyouko stared up at him with her near-black eyes, purring. She would always return to her uncle, her God of Death. She smiled her odd little smile, reaching a paw out to touch his back. “I’m sorry for wandering off, Uncle Duo. I saw something I recognized.”
Duo tensed when he felt the weight on his tail, and sighed in relief when he turned his head to see it was just his niece. He was sneaky, but she was quiet. In an eerie way, sometimes. He smiled at her, one of the smiles he reserved for close family, and they alone.
“I see. Well, don’t wander off like that again, mmkay? I worry about you, kiddo. I only got one niece who is as half-crazy as me!” He manuevered so he could pull her close and gave her a noogie. “AND your Mom would KILL me if I lost you. Even the God of Death fears her wrath, Kyouko.”
The blue cub nodded sagely. Her mother was a fearsome lioness at times. Protective and full of opinions and thoughts. And very pretty. “Uncle Duo, do you think I’ll be pretty when I grow up? Like Mother?” She hoped so. She wanted to be pretty, even if her fur wasn’t the same bright white as her mother’s.
Duo blinked and laughed. “Of course, kiddo! Except you’ll be your OWN pretty. After all, your colors are different from hers.” He licked the top of her head. “But you’ll definitely be pretty.” He wondered if she would grow into the size that tended to run in their family. Or if she would be a small, delicate little lioness her whole life. Duo rather hoped the latter wasn’t the case. Especially if Kyouko’s personality stayed the same. He didn’t want her hurt.
Kyouko perked up, smile widening. “Really?” She giggled and nuzzled the leg closest to her. “Thank you, Uncle Duo!” She hoped she would be a really pretty lioness. Helpful and strong too. So she could help her uncle one day! After all, he and Auntie Shini had lots to do. It would be better if she could help them.
Duo nodded. “No problem, kiddo. So...what do you want to do? Learn to stalk around more? Go bug-hunting? Play tag?” The options were a little limited, since he was an adolescent and she...was pretty small, for a cub of their family. Especially with a god for a father. Duo DEFINITELY didn’t want to accidentally squish his favorite niece. He’d miss her! And Nyx would kill him.
Kyouko looked thoughtful a moment, tail swishing behind her lazily. Then smiled mischievously. "Can we stalk G?" It was always fun when they managed to sneak up on the cheetah. Maybe THIS would be one of those times. It was a shame she couldn't tell When her dreams were. Only what happened in them. And sometimes where they happened, if it was in a familiar place.
Duo grinned. "I like that idea. I like that idea a lot." HA! They would totally catch the old man off guard this time! "You remember what I taught you last time?" He let Kyouko go, so she could show him, or attempt to.
Kyouko nodded brightly, then bounced a little bit away from Duo. "Stay low." She crouched down, slipping into an almost emotionless voice and expression. "Minimize movement." Her tail stopped swishing behind her, but she kept it from raising up or touching the ground. "And be aware of your surroundings, so you make as little noise as possible."
Duo shivered a bit, hating that voice. Kyouko didn't show her emotions like others did, but he HATED when she let go of them completely. He didn't even know where she got that ability from. He nodded though, and joined her, his larger form looming over hers. "That's right. Now come on...let's spook old Pestilence. Follow me, I'll sniff him out."
Kyouko nodded, keeping her attention on her uncle. She hadn't learned how to track yet, and sometimes her dreams hadn't happened yet so...best to let him show the way. She did her best to stay silent, but she crossed over the inevitable twig and rock now and again, wincing slightly at each. That wouldn't do! She needed to be quieter!
After a bit, Duo made a motion to Kyouko to indicate to stop. The blue cheetah was just ahead, a couple of lion-length away in the grass. He grinned, looking back to her, then motioned her forward first. She was smaller, she'd need the 'head start' in catching G off guard.
Kyouko managed to stop in time without making much noise...not more than a strong wind, like the one blowing against them, would cause. She nodded to her uncle, stalking forward a bit before readying to pounce on the cheetah who'd been staying with the pride for as long as she could remember.
Sere yawned, shaking his head. Ugh...keeping up with Duo and Shinigami some days was tiring. He wasn't OLD...but they were far more energetic than he EVER remembered being. It figured his deceased mentor would make cubs like them. And as the new 'G', it was his duty to help raise them, being of Deathscythe's line. A sound downwind caught his attention, and ear flicking towards it before he opened an eye to investigate. And saw a very familiar dark blue coat. Oh cra-
Duo noticed G starting to pay attention and mentally cursed before making his own rush-and-pounce at his mentor. He bowled the older male over onto his side, tail swishing behind him in victory. "Hey Pestilence! Gotcha!"
Kyouko joined Duo in pouncing, flopping over one of Sere's legs, giggling as her 'stalking mode' melted away. The cheetah was part of her 'Inside', just like Duo and Shinigami and her brothers. "Hi G! We got you this time."
Sere made a strangled sound as he was knocked over onto his side. And tried to get up, but couldn't. After all, he had a NOT SMALL adolescent lion on his body, and a small lion cub on a leg. He stopped trying, looking very unamused. "Hello Duo. Hello Kyouko. Yes, you got me. Now let me up."
Duo stuck his tongue out. "Ah, but why should we let ya up, old man?" But he got off his mentor anyways, chuckling. "Was just gettin' my niece here some more stalkin' practice. And you're always a perfect target."
Kyouko nodded happily, wriggling off the cheetah's leg. "Mmhmm! Thank you, G! That was fun." She sat herself up, nothing but sincerity in her eyes.
The cheetah looked at the two as he rolled back onto his belly, wary. Then nodded, sighing. "Of course. Glad to help. Duo...let her do the pouncing on her own next time. You're getting too big to tackle me."
Duo pouted. "Aw...okay, old man." But oh man....did that leave all sorts of awesome ideas in his head! "Well...see ya later! Gotta get Kyouko something to eat, then get her back to her Mom!" Before the cheetah could suspect anything, he nosed his niece in another direction.
Kyouko blinked as she was shuffled along, but giggled and went along with it. Uncle Duo had to be planning something! That meant lots of fun! She grinned. Maybe they'd do something with Auntie Shini!
