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Sitaki felt like she was going insane.

The only time she was ever asked to do anything by Jabari was when he needed help with things that even a simpleton could accomplish on his own. Refreshing his bedding, cleaning their shared sleeping area... mundane and mind-numbing chores. She was never told to do anything that might put her in danger, nor was she ever forced to interact with any of the other Ligi. Jabari kept her on a short chain, and even when she found a way to disengage herself from his company, well, she still thought about him.

He was her little enigma, her little puzzle. Hers.

Possessive thoughts had been overtaking her mind in some sort of primal way. She didn't like them, in fact she despised herself because of them. She wanted to protect him in some stupid hair-brained way. The lions in the pride hated the Ligi, and Sitaki knew they had good reason to. It was all so confusing and muddled in her head.

Skulking down a half-hidden path, Sitaki's eyes watched her surroundings. If she did not leave this pride soon, she might never want to. Though leaving meant that she would never be able to piece the Jabari-puzzle together... sometimes she wondered if that was why she did not try too hard to escape.

Except for today. She would make a heartfelt attempt to leave this cursed pride -- and Jabari -- behind. Forever.

Sitaki was really getting tired of lions approaching her as if they knew her, and it was always using the phrase "Jabari's" -- Sitaki was Sitaki's and Jabari was just an annoying lion that had just so happened to catch her. Well, he hadn't really caught her, per se, but that was trivial.

Sitaki narrowed her gaze at the female, one who seemed to have some sort of great purpose.

"I am Sitaki," she grumbled, eying the stranger warily. "What do you want?"

Sitaki hadn't lived this long on pure luck. No, she was a clever and smart girl, one who took great pride in her brains and intelligence. This was clearly a trap of some sort, a trap that could end up getting her killed. If it wasn't a trap, this female was obviously off of her rocker. Sitaki did not need "help" escaping.

"What is your name, lioness," Sitaki whispered gruffly, eyes narrowed at the female. "Of all slaves in this pride, why do you choose to help me?"

This was fishy.

Since the first day in the pride, Sitaki had been able to smell the fear. She could smell it and it made her sick to her stomach. While she'd overheard the random whispers of the chosen one, the prophecy, the Shatkona... she didn't think Jabari could become just like him. No, Sitaki knew that Jabari could never become like him.

"Jabari is not like the other Ligi," she said bluntly, "And I do not think that he could ever become like the Shatkona. If he was as cruel as you think... well, I would be dead by now, or perhaps even a plaything for the other Ligi."

But oh, she did yearn for escape.

"I will meet you tonight," she whispered, "but not out of fear. Not because I fear for my life when it comes to Jabari. I will come because I cannot stand the stench of fear and hate that run rampant throughout this pride."

She only hoped that Jabari never found her.

"Watch your tongue," Sitaki spat, narrowing her gaze. Jabari might be her captor, but all of these things that this slave spoke of -- they were things to admire. "I spend much time with him," she continued, growing angry now. "Twisted? Two-faced?" Sitaki snorted, recalling the strange way that Jabari had reacted in a past conversation. Her heart wrenched, and it confused Sitaki greatly. It even frightened her.

"You speak as if you know him," Sitaki was getting furious. Jealous. Furiously jealous. These feelings were scaring her. It was uncomfortable. "I assure you, you do not." Of course, neither did Sitaki (at least not well, he was skilled at hiding his emotions), but that one moment in a past conversation, that emotional outburst... well, there was more to Jabari.

"On second thought," Sitaki snarled, fueled by these bizarre emotions that were twisting her sight and deafening her ears, "I can escape on my own. Perhaps the Shatkona will be pleased to hear that you offered to assist in my escape?"

Sitaki grunted softly as she followed the other female. She could never imagine being one of the Shatkona's personal pets. Another shockingly frightful thought arced through her mind. Away from Jabari only to be claimed by the Shatkona? No, no, Sitaki would rather die. Willingly, even. There was no grace in taking ones life but dire circumstances called for dire reactions.

Distressed now, an emotion that Sitaki hated to feel because it was just another facet of fear, Sitaki crouched behind a bush next to the other female and held her breath. She could only hope that the intruder would pass by without a second glance.

Sitaki needed to get out of this pride, and it had to happen soon. She could not endure feeling so torn, so obligated to a lion that had never given her a reason to feel so attached to him. What was happening to her?!

"Who is it," she breathed softly, a tone so low that only the other female could hear.

Sitaki sighed as Jabari moved out of sight, closing her eyes in frustration as he turned a corner in the woods. Why was she still here? She could've escaped the day he'd caught her in the woods. She could be free, roaming across the savanna once more and prancing across territorial boundaries when she found herself bored sick. It would be easy enough to break free. Jabari didn't watch her with such a keen eye. It didn't even feel as if he WANTED her around.

Was she going crazy?

Turning to glance at the slave, Sitaki nodded. "I will meet you here tonight," she said softly.