Toruk had been spending the night in solitude, perched high up in young Kelutral tree. One day it could be home to one of the pride's families but for no it was just a youngster, but offered a good resting spot for Toruk. Surrounded by thriving sounds of the night, glimmering Atokirina seeds danced about in the air all around him, swirling on the warm breeze.
Closing his eyes he let his mind go slowly blank, the songs of the forest's creatures lulling him into a half-dream state. Gradually, as his spirit relaxed, his mind soared free, lifting to the tops of the trees, expanding until he felt bodiless, he was the forest, a part of him with every creature from the tiny bug and lizards to the largest of herbivores.
For hours the dark-coated lion remained high in his tree, body forgotten as his conscience flowed over the forest, free of worry, free of mortal concerns as he let the forest take him into itself. Yet eventually, as the moon started to slide towards the horizon, the lion shifted, shaking his head as if to shake off the effects of sleep, and slowly climbed back down. It was close to dawn by the time Toruk started to head back towards Hometree, knowing he would need to check up on everyone before starting his day's duties.
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Kyam'itan's night had not been restful. He'd been up the whole of it, pacing back and forth in front of the healer's den where Ru had been taken. They'd chased him out once he'd handed her over, saying that he had done his part as the warrior, now it was their's. The shaggy maned lion knew that they spoke the truth, but his heart said he should be beside his mate.His mate...the thought made him smile softly, but it was followed all too swiftly by a frown of worry and he began pacing again.
No one had come near him since he had passed Ru on to more knowledgeable paws. His crimson eyes had held murder in them, and his dark fur had been stained darker by his and her's blood. The Night Scout looked like he had during the war, the rage that painted his expression and movement made the others keep their distance. Kaym'itan was a large male, and right now, he was a large, pissed male.
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As he drew close to home he could sense a strange tens air prevailing across the area. Pausing, ears pricked, he turned slightly and pressed through the bushes that separated the path he walked from the healer's denning area. Instantly the scent of blood, lots of it, hit him and he tensed, golden eyes roaming the area. Yet it was old blood, several hours dry and he knew whatever had happened, was already over. Spotting the familiar dark shape of his oldest friend, Touk walked boldly across the open ground to arrive next to Kaym, pale eyes serious as he studied the shape his brother was in.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, with no small hint of an order in it for an answer.
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The Night Scout turned toward his oldest friend, his expression grim, but calm, only the feral light in his crimson eyes betraying him, " Ru was attacked by a rogue lion along our border. He near killed her. From what she has said, she was trying to aid him and he turned on her. I came before he could deliver the death blow. When he realized that I would fight him to his death, he broke off." Kaym'itan's hard eyes looked into his Brother's. " I marked him Toruk...he bleeds."
There was no mistake in scarlet eyes, he wanted the lion..he wanted him dead. For attacking his mate, for attacking one of his Pride, for shedding blood on their land. He turned his shaggy head to the Healer's den, " I do not know how she fairs, they will not let me in." His voice dropped to a whisper, " She agreed Toruk...she wishes us mated before Eywa, at the tree of voices."
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The news brought a cold light to the warrior's own eyes, golden orbs narrowing as he listened. There was only one course of action possible to him, to find this killer rogue and eliminate him. He was a threat to the pride's safety, and it was Toruk's job to cancel that threat. Glancing to the healer's den as Kaym spoke, the battle-scared warrior brought the gentle, pale lioness to mind. She hadn't deserved this.
Pausing he looked back at his friend, a small smile curling his maw at the news, even though it had been delivered in less-than-happy circumstances. "I am pleased for you, Brother. She is a good match for you." Relief flooded him, Ru was his brother's other half, his soul mate. He saw how she lifted the burden of the past from Kaym when the scout was with her, he had hoped the pair would finally see sense and mate. The news was joyous indeed.
"Let them do their job, brother. She is where she needs to be." Turning back to Kaym, Toruk Makto studied his oldest friend for a long moment. "I will track and kill the rogue." The warrior paused for a moment. "Will you join me, or stay with your mate." Yellow eyes watched the scout, calm and practical. Ru would need Kaym'itan, but it was up o the scout if he needed revenge for her.
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Kaym'itan took a breath, " I will hunt him with you Toruk Makto, I will run with this lion's Last Shadow." He closed his crimson eyes, regining in his rage. He would save it, use it when it was time, when he face the lion claw to claw, " but he is mine Brother, for what he did to Ru. I know where to pick up his trail."
He turned to look at the Healer's den, " He can not have made it to far, I tore both his flanks and he was bleeding heavily. I would ask that we wait till nightfall. I need rest, and I need...I need to know if she will live before I hunt him."
Kaym'itan did not have to voice the rest, that if Ru did not live, the hunt changed from simply taking down a threat to the Pride, but to avenging the murder of his soul-mate.
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Toruk simply nodded gently, understanding in his golden eyes. "Sleep, old friend. I will go see the Clan Leader and inform him of our mission." Neither of them could just swan off willy-nilly, their posts had to be watched in their absence and the chase might take anything from a few hours to days. Studying Kaym, Tsamsiyu preyed that Ru recovered swiftly and well. He did not think his friend could recover from the loss if she died. He had already sacrificed so much in the war against the invaders, loosing family, friends...
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Kyam'itan nodded, suddenly weary, but he did not think he could find his hammock. No he needed to stay close, just in case. " He will need to know, I gave a brief report when I brought her in. I gave you a better one."
Running a paw over his muzzle, he let out a sigh. Eywa, but he was getting to old for this, and considering he was not even an Elder yet, it was a daunting thought. To many hardships, in too short a time. Turning to his brother in all but blood, his gruff voice asked wearily, " Do you think you might stop by the kills brought in this morning and find me a bite to eat. I've not had a meal in twenty four hours, but I do not want to leave here...in...in case I am needed."
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Tsamsiyu smiled gently at the request, silly Kaym he should know Toruk would not refuse him anything. "Off course. You rest brother.. the healer has a hammock here for visitors. I will bring the meat there." Lifting a paw he pointed up the tree they currently stood beside, in its branches several hammocked nests were nestled between the large limbs. "I will not be long, I will bring your meal first then you can get some rest..." Pausing he gave his friend a supportive smile. "You look like hell.. and you might want to wash off before you rest." With a gentle brush of his shoulder against Kaym's, Toruk turned and slipped away into the darkness on his errand.
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Kaym'itan gave Toruk a grateful smile, he was blessed to have him for a friend. He looked up to where the other lion pointed, belatedly realizing he had known there were hammocks up there, but in his concern for Ru and for the rogue far to close to their lands, he'd forgotten. Feeling like a cub, he shook his head and gave his friend a low chuckle.
" Eywa, but I must look a mess. I will wash, while you find me a meal..." He leaned into the gentle touch, and flicked his tail over Toruk's retreating back as a thank you. Sighing, he padded over to the trough fashioned from the stems of a twylex plant and began to remove some of the blood. He needed food, rest...and for Ru to be all right...Eywa above, but let her be fine.
