As the sun was beginning to fade in the sky, the land had slowly began to awaken. Not only did the darkness bring out prey for a hunt, it also casted a lower temperature across the land, letting those leaving those who could not wander across the blazing sun a better means of travel. That, and it allowed those who blended in well into the night to shadow stalk before the sun would marred their dark pelt.
Tonight, Ammon’nen had decided to leave the ghost pride. His gray eyes would watch and wait until the last bit of gold left the light blue sky, leaving it a gentle violet with small white twinkling stars. Soon, the moon would replace the golden ball of fire with her own silvery light.
The land was soft under his feet. It still contained the warmth from today’s adventure. Ammon’nen would miss the softness of the land, but he needed to go find himself before he settled down again. He moved quickly, not wanting to gaze back at the land he had called home for a few years now. His body blended in with the nightly background, moving like a flash. His white stockings and mane were just a blur in the darkness.
Once he figured he had gone far enough, fast enough, he stopped. He took the opportunity to gaze at the sky, counting the stars before losing his place and starting it again.
The star pelted lion did not see the bright white and blue lioness approaching him from behind.
“You know, you are never going to count all them.” She said softly, padding up next to the male.
“Really?” Ammon’nen replied, not bothering to look towards the voice. A female, small in stature he could tell just by the softness of her steps and the quietness of her voice. “I like a challenge young lady,” he finally turned to meet the female’s gaze.
“Young?” Ru scoffed at the thought. “Sir, I am not as young as I once was.” She stated, rolling her eyes towards the starry pelt male. “You have such an unusual coat. I almost missed you on my walk.”
“I try to blend in. Helps me avoid strangers.”
“Heh, I know that feeling. The name’s Rukopa-eupe. New around here?”
“You could say that,” Nen shifted on his paws. “I’ve traveled these parts when I was a mere adolescent. I’ve been called Nen by my peers, but if you would like to know my full name, you’ll have to join me on a hunt, my dear Rukopa-eupe.” The quick lion stated with a small smirk on his maw. Never had he encountered such a beautifully pelted white lioness before, he better move quickly on her before someone else would snag her up.
“…” Ru was silent. She didn’t really care to know this male’s name, but she definitely was up for a hunt. Hunting in the rogue lands alone was a difficult task for one, perhaps this male had a much better sense for the skill then she did. The lioness could not count how many bruises she had encountered from the hooves flying at her in attempt to not be eaten.
“I guess I could go for a hunt, Nen,” She emphasized his name, hoping he would understand that she did not care what his full name was. “But just so you know,” she walked right by him, flicking her tail in his face, “don’t expect me to do all the work if you want a share.”
“…I resent that!” Ammon’nen gonked, following the female. “I take it you know where there is a nice herd of zebra…or antelope,” he licked his lips, imagining the fresh taste of the meet on his tongue.
“Hmm? Oh no.”
“…No? Then what are we h---“
“That!” Ru pointed. Wallowing in the mud, two pairs of warthogs went unnoticed in the moonlight. “Ham, bacon, pig-a-la-mode!” Ru said with a nod, a smile present on her maw. “Besides, these guys are a delicacy, and it’s hard for one ‘young lady’ to hunt one all on her own.”
“…We probably should try for the easier prey…” Nen eyed the tusks from his spot away from the hogs. “I…Yeah…We should definitely do that.”
“What? Scared of a little battle wounds?” Ru snickered, fully ready to take on the warthog alone. “Look, if you don’t want to hunt, then go. I am sure I can handle it on my own.”
“Oh, no you don’t! I am not going to watch as a female gets hurt when I knew I could have avoided it. I am not that stupid.”
Her trick worked. “Excellent! You know, meeting you must have been destiny! Ok, here’s the plan. Your pelt makes it easier to track those pigs. They won’t notice you coming. Now, these warthogs in particular I have seen go stir crazy when a lion is near. I will distract them, and you go for the kill on the largest one you see.”
“…Are you sure that is a wise idea…?” Nen focused his gray eyes on the pigs and then back to the female.
“Yes! Come on!” She bounded off without the male, charging straight for the warthogs. She was easy to see in the dark night, her bright pelt practically glowed.
“….Wait, Rukopa!” Nen called out, but it was too late.
The pigs’ attention had already been caught, and the white lioness was galloping away from the herd with all four pigs in tow. “…how are you going to stop them from chasing you…?” He whispered, running after the female.
Nen had managed to take down one pig (the smallest, presumably a growing child) easily enough, but that final squeals of death had caused the adults to snort angrily and turn towards Ammon’nen. “…Oh, that’s how…” Ammonen jumped off his kill, running in the opposite direction of which he just had ran. “You can stop them ANYTIME now, Rukopa!” but his words were unheard as a roar emitted from the lioness.
Ru quickly jumped on the back of the big warthog, but didn’t expect the flexibility of the pig. She felt a sharp pain right on her shoulder as a tusk dug into it, cutting the flesh. Her jaws snapped onto the warthog’s neck, clamping down tigher as it’s struggles died down to a stop. She only let go when she was sure the pig was actually dead.
“Damnit,” she growled, looking at the red liquid marking her white fur. “That wasn’t suppose to happen.”
“Ruk…Ru? Are you okay?” Ammon’nen asked, the final two pig fleeing the scene before it too could meet up with the same fate as the others. “Ouch, it got you…”
No s**t, sherlock. Rukopa thought to herself, her tongue lapping at the site. “It could have been worse.” There was a slight sting, surely after adrenaline stopped pumping, more would be there; she decided that it was best to eat before she could not.
“Come on, let’s eat,” she said, limping towards her kill. Ammon’nen had brought his kill (the small pig, it was puny compared to hers,) over as both ate in silence. Nen was done before her, but Ru hadn’t even gotten one quarter through when she had her fill. “That was fun!” She said with a grimace, her weight not bearing on her right front paw. The pain was starting to be ever more present as time passed.
“…Maybe you should rest..” The star pelted lion commented. “I…can watch you if you want? Not in like a creepy sort of way, just until the sun comes up. That way, you’ll get a good night sleep and not have to worry about others finding you tonight?” He offered.
“Thanks, but I am sure I can manage on my own.”
“Well…okay then.” Ammon’nen stretched, leaving the dead pig carcass for any scavengers to get. “I..guess I’ll see you around.” Sure his first thought was to try and woe this female, but she was just a little too active for his tastes. But he was definitely not going to leave her alone when she was obviously hurt. He wasn’t that kind of lion.
Once he was well enough away, he spotted a lone tree where he would be a lookout. He would wait until the sun was just ready to take it’s place in the sky, before finding a hiding spot for the next night. But tonight, he would watch to make sure no more harm would come to the female Rukopa-eupe; how guilty would he be if it had.
[[FIN - 1428 words]]
