It was hard not to go back to that lion he'd met just weeks past. The bright violet of the male was forever ingrained on Zu's mind. He needed answers, and since his mother and sisters had passed away Zu felt alone. It was a despairing alone that made his heart ache and didn't let him sleep at night. There was nothing to soothe him when he tried to fall asleep, nothing for him to think about besides the family that he'd lost, and even the family that he didn't yet know about. It wasn't fair. His mother should have talked to him about his father, but until he'd lost his beloved mother he hadn't even thought about asking questions. He'd been content with his life, his mother and even his sisters. There had been no need for stupid questions, and yet right now that was all he could think of.
Skulking close to the boundaries of the pride where he'd met that purple lion, Zu kept violet eyes open as he peered around. He had to find that male again, he had to ask questions that needed and deserved to be answered. There was nobody else to ask. There was nobody else for him to go to. No, Zu was alone out here and as much as he hated to admit it, well... he was scared. Scared of being alone for the rest of his life, scared of never finding out who his father was. It wasn't like he had other things to tend to, other important things that needed his attention. No, being alone brought with it a sort of freedom but a freedom that was painful to endure.
Kaj had been restless lately. Ever since that purple-maned lion had encroached on the territory, Kaj couldn't get him out of his mind. He'd known his father but not his mother. He'd been told that his mother had passed away and that he was the only cub that had lived out of a litter of four. After meeting that lion Kaj wasn't so sure that he'd been told the truth. Had his father lied to him? Had his father stolen him from his mother? Kaj wasn't sure what to believe anymore, honestly. It didn't really matter, not as much as it had mattered to the lion that had happened upon him a few weeks back, but it was a troublesome thought.
Catching a scent, Kaj lowered himself behind a small outcropping of rock, one that was near the place where he'd first met that lion that looked incredibly similar to his father. He peered around the stone, catching sight of the very lion he'd been thinking of. Before he could be seen, Kaj jerked back behind the piece of granite. He wasn't sure if he was ready to answer the questions, or hear some of the answers to the questions that he himself had. Steeling himself and with a look of great determination on his face, Kaj rose to his feet and made his presence known.
Yes. Zu knew that he would find the lion here. After all, that's why he'd come all this way. Schooling his expression into one of calmness, Zu slowly and carefully approached the other male. His brother. It was a gut feeling that Zu had, one that wouldn't go away. He knew that this lion was his brother just like he knew that the sky was blue. "Greetings," he said softly to the pale lion that approached him. There was no rage or fury in the other male's face, no threat of a fight. That was a good sign. "Forgive me for the way I acted the last time we met. I'm Zu." Zu dipped his head out of respect, purple mane hiding his eyes until he lifted his gaze once more to the lion he'd come looking for.
Kaj wasn't sure how to respond. This was his pride's land. If one of the females happened upon him, there was no doubt he'd be called a traitor or worse. Then again, he had this deep burning urge to talk to the lion, to learn more about him... to share ideas. How were they related? That was no longer a doubt in Kaj's mind. He knew they were siblings, by full blood or half, Kaj wasn't sure. It didn't matter. Family was family, and Kaj had to find out.
"Zu," Kaj said as if he were tasting the name on his tongue. This lion was his brother, there was no denying that. The same spots, the same swirls. "I am Pankaj. Call me Kaj. I need to inform the pride leaders that you are here visiting me so that they are aware there is a stranger in the pride. You will be welcome to stay for a few days. They will understand. We can talk then. I have many questions and I know you have many questions as well." He frowned. "I will try to answer as many as I can, and all that I ask is that you do the same for me."
Zu didn't speak for a long moment. Looking at Kaj brought back so many memories of his own sisters, one of which was nearly identical to him. "After the questions and answers, let us share stories. I will tell you of my family in hopes that you will share stories of yours." He didn't want to come out and just say 'brother' -- it was too new, too scary. But hopefully by the end of their meeting they would have all of the answers they needed. Hopefully by the end of their meeting, it would cease to be scary and new and instead turn to something they could embrace and laugh about.
Kaj nodded. He, too, shared the hope that they would be able to dispel the awkwardness that lingered between them. "You can stay here," he said, indicating a small cave that was created by a few chunks of granite that had been pushed together. "I will return by nightfall."
Zu nodded as he watched the pale lion walk away from him. Satisfied that he'd done the right thing by coming here, he curled up inside the cave that would be his home for the coming days.
WC: 1047
