((1,527 in Word.))
So it was that the pale coated female and the olive hued male began their hunt. Rahim happily took the lead, please by this turn of events. He wasn't quite as certain about a desire to take on the female as a banu, but he would wait and see. One female was hard enough to encourage an adventure with, much less two, and he really wasn't entirely sure how things would work out. He'd have to spend time getting to know this Jinaki, and linger in her company which would delay his trip home.
No, the more he padded forward, the less he wished to take her on as a female. Ly was beautiful anyway, even if she wasn't quite as exotic as this dark furred female. Still, a bit of company would be good, and he was happy to walk with the female and search up some kill. "It looks as if there's a herd not far from here. A possible watering hole as well."
Jinaki was oblivious to the history or roots of Rahim, but she didn't care. He was handsome, certainly, but she had no desire to get to know him. All she cared about was her next meal, and if she could assist in stirring up prey, than all would be well. Food had always been her driving force and it wasn't about to change now. Sometimes the female had to wonder if she might not settle, if she might not have to depend on strangers all her life, but until she found a prince she was doomed. She would have to keep her body strong, her coat clean, as age might someday slow her down.
Oh well. That was neither here nor there. For now, all she had was Rahim and possible trail. "I do believe there was one not far." She lied, she had no idea where a local watering hole was. She hadn't been this far east and was oblivious. "I'm not sure for certain though." In fact, Jinaki hardly understood where her paws fell or what sort of trail they were following.
How she wished she had someone to help teach her to properly hunt!
Rahim grunted, even as stiffened. "There." On the horizon was a small herd of wildebeast. To attack them would likely send them on a stampeded, but he was certain they could stir up at least an old brute, or someone ill. "You can be a distraction. Get down, and we can observe them a bit. See who we might be the lucky one to fall and feed us all."
Jinaki did as she was told, her ears flattening as she disappeared in to the taller grasses. She studied the herd, trying to find a weak spot. The wildebeast were a bit restless, all of them alert in the predawn morning, but it was easy to see who wasn't paying attention and who was becoming separated. "What about the few to the right? They're separated. If you swing around to that clump of grasses, I could get them separated from the main herd." While she had no claws, she could run like the best of them.
And run she would, if it meant a free meal.
Rahim studied the smaller, selected group. He watched how they moved, watched how they were dumbly moving away from the group and testing some greener grasses. "If you think you can get close enough to scare them over. I think they look young and stupid. Do you feel lucky?" He purred a bit, smirking over at the blue eyed female. "I thought your shoulder was sore anyway, so you wanted to avoid running?" He teased, showing her that he knew damn well she was nothing but a lie.
Jinaki blinked, before giving a small laugh. "Well, it will hurt, but it will be worth it." Okay, so she didn't actually believe what she said and knew that he was smarter than she had first assumed. But he didn't seem cross or angry, and that was a great relief to the female. She cleared her throat softly and took a few paces forward, hoping to detract from the conversation at hand. "Yeah, they don't seem to realize we're around. So if we work quickly, I know I can get close. They won't know what's coming."
Rahim smirked and gave a shake of his head. "All right. Give me a bit. I need to make a wide arc around. With luck, they won't see me and spook too soon. Good hunting." And with that, the olive male slunk through the predawn morning like a ghost. His dark coat allowed him to blend in to the shadows easily, and Jinaki was surprised at how easy it was for him to disappear amidst the grasses. His markings were perfect for a hunt, and with luck, the prey wouldn't see what was coming.
One minute. Two minute. Jinaki herself waited and allowed a calm. This was the most hunting she'd done in a while, and she truly hoped she wouldn't flub it up. All she needed was to get closer, step by step. A few more minute passed, and the female was certain he had to be there. The wildebeest herd didn't look upset, and seemed oblivious. But the longer daylight inched closer and the sun began to rise, the less protection they would have from the grasses and shadows.
It was now or never.
Heaving a breath, she began her own hunt. Slinking low to the earth, she moved silently. She stepped lightly and cautiously, pausing every other step to make sure any noise she might make was forgotten and dismissed. She curved away from the heart of the herd, and focused only on the four. Yes.
Closer.
That was right. She was nothing but the wind, the dust, the earth around her. Mentally, the female allowed her muscles to tense, and waited for the right moment. The shuffling of the herd was behind her now, and her focus was on the young creatures that were grazing. Their ears twitched, their noses flared, but they were unaware of the doom about to befall them.
One breath. Two breath. Three breath.
GO!
Like a silver streak, she suddenly bolted out of the thick grasses and aimed at the small troupe. There was a cry of surprise and a thunder of hooves, but the other four had no where to dodge. One did swirl around her, but the other three were trapped and in a panic. They tried to dodge away, but her focus was only on the once closest to her, the run bolting straight ahead.
Rahim himself had waited for this exact moment. It wold be tricky jumping out after only one, but he was heading so close to him that he could practically taste the dust on his fur, see the fear in his eyes, smell the sweat of his panic. Bunching his own muscles, where the wildebeest likely could have outrun Jinaki, the creature was not prepared for the massive lion to bolt out of no where.
A snap of his jaws and Rahim felt his claws sink in to flesh. He bit hard at the wildebeests neck, hanging on for life and feeling the creature stumble with the added weight. It was all over in a matter of seconds, but it had been well worth it.
A successful kill meant a surprise breakfast for Ly, and a bite for the two of them.
Jinaki herself had been surprised when Rahim had pounced, but he made his mark and caused the creature to stumble. That was all she needed. Diving on the back of the creature, she hung on with her paws as best she could, but bit in to his writhing muscle and flash. There was no where for the creature to go, it would be only a matter of time before it suffocated. Ripping it open even as it stood there, accepting its fate, Jinaki couldn't help but be thrilled.
After a few moments, the creature collapsed, eyes glazed. Rahim released its neck and chuffed, licking the blood from his muzzle. He felt good, and was pleased at how much meat he would be able to share with both Ly and this stranger. He also noted that Jinaki didn't seem to hesitate to start eating - she really had been hungry.
"Good hunting there. I wasn't so sure it would work." He admitted with a chuckle. "Just save that hind leg and hip for my banu." He ordered, his words making it a command. It wasn't a request, this was essentially his kill. But he'd share. Jinaki had done her part and was allowed to feast.
Jinaki gave a grunt as she binged. Oh, it was delicious. And so fresh! How long had it been since she'd had newly fallen wildebeest? Far, far too long. Today was a good day. A shame for Jinaki she knew little about the depression and doom that would soon devour her. Life was good but for every up there was a down, and for Jinaki, there was a slew of them in waiting.
