It was raining. A rare thing, really. Rare enough that Maisha just stood out in it, enjoying the feel of the water on his fur and the calming, almost somber sound the rain made as it hit the ground and rustled the grasses. His fur felt heavy, and his growing mane was plastered around his head, almost like his mother’s helm. But he was calm, and smiling. He doubted the demons would attack in the rain. They would certainly dislike it more than most of his pride members. For a short time, everything was at peace.
“You talk to the rain.” He started and found himself staring down into a pair of very KNOWING eyes, so dark a blue they were nearly black. He didn’t recognize the girl at all. Her coloring didn’t match anyone in the pride (except MAYBE Caellagh and Laini’s twins), and her markings were off. She was dark enough to be a demon.
“Uhm...not really. Who are you? Where’d you come from?” The juvenile smiled mysteriously and tilted her head to one side.
“You do. Maybe not yet, but you do. And I’m Kyouko. My cousin Emil is visiting, and I came with him.” At Mai’s still clueless look, she giggled. “We’re of the Matembezi’wasakaji.” OH! Realization dawned on Mai’s face and he nodded, relaxing. Yeah, she was...odd, but she was from an allied pride. That he could deal with.
“Nice to meet you. I’m-”
“Urasharasha.” The leopon gave the little girl a look that said he thought she was weird.
“No. Maisha. My name is Maisha.” Kyouko’s tail swished a bit behind her, as if she was annoyed. The emotion flickered through her dark eyes, too.
“You used to be. But now you’re Urasharasha.” Wow. This girl was REALLY confusing.
“Noooo...I’m sorry to disappoint you, Kyouko, but I’ve never been called that. Except by you just now. My name is Maisha.” The girl looked so very confused for a moment, then made a soft ‘oh’ sound.
“It hasn’t happened yet than.” Okay...this girl was REALLY weird.
“Uhm...what ARE you talking about?” Kyouko giggled again, a sound that set his fur on edge despite it being soaked to his skin.
“You finding where you really belong, of course. You don’t belong here, after all.” Maisha stared at her with wide, bright blue eyes.
“What do you...of COURSE I belong here! This is where I was born! This is my home, where my family is.”
“But SHE isn’t here.” The girl looked rather adamant, frowning. Maisha couldn’t help but hesitate a bit. She was right...in a way. There was no one in the pride that he didn’t think of simply as ‘family’. There was no one he could give his heart to, to love.
“How do you know this? You’re not even a member of the pride.” The girl gave him a soft smile, almost motherly in nature, if it weren’t for her age.
“I See things. Because Father is a god and Mother is mortal. Sometimes, I See things about myself or those around me. Other times I See things about those I only ever see once. But I always See, in all directions.” So she was a Seer. They had a few of those in the Mwako’bi’Giza. But...he didn’t recall ever meeting one so STRONG. If she Saw things...than that would explain her confusion over the present.
“So you’ve Seen things about me?” The little juvenile nodded. Mai frowned, looking thoughtful for a moment. And then he nodded. “So...if I don’t belong here, then where DO I belong?”
“By water. A lake so vast you can’t see the other side or walk around it, with she who comforts the dead.” Mai blinked. That...sounded a little morbid. And far away.
“Are...you sure?” Little Kyouko nodded, her expression reflecting the sentiment.
“Very sure. It is with she you belong. She needs you. You’ll be a light for her, as she is a light for those dying.” His ears drooped and his eyes wandered to the side. He wanted to stay with his family though...he wanted to light up their lives too...
A black and dark blue paw rested on his dark orange and white one, small and delicate compared to his large warrior’s paws. He looked to Kyouko again, and there was that almost motherly smile again. “Don’t be afraid. Everything will be all right.” She suddenly perked up as a voice called out, and she looked to Mai. “Be strong. My cousin is calling me.” And she bounded off towards the voice, leaving Maisha alone in the rain. The leopon closed his eyes, letting the rain wash over him. He couldn’t leave. Not yet. This was his home, where his family was...And he hadn’t finished his training yet.
“What would Uncle Set think? Or Grandmother? Would I be missed? Would Mother miss me? I know Mama Luta and Daddy would.” He took a deep breath, taking in the scent of rain and soaked earth. “I would miss them...” Perhaps...this ‘talking to the rain’ thing wasn’t so bad. He was feeling a bit better. Just a little. It was like the rain washed the words away, carrying his worries far from him. “I’ll stay for now.” He had to. The rain seemed to agree with him, and the clouds parted. Brilliant sunshine started to peek out, and some of it hit him, warming his fur and making him smile again. Now the smell of rain was less strong, and the smell of sunshine warmed the scents of the wet earth and plants.
He decided he liked this part best of all, talking to the rain. The part when the sky took the somberness, and turned it into something altogether beautiful and wondrous. It would be a long time before the world looked quite like this again, smelled quite like this again.
He found himself looking forward to it as he turned and made his way to his favorite sunning place. He needed to dry his fur out.
