Naheed was settling into the idea of becoming part of a large family, though the presence of the other females in their traveling group did occasionally bother her. Had they been more delicate, more skilled perhaps, or even just more beautiful, they might not have bothered her so much. But Korofi was so large, and Jazua was, well, insufferable. He had been right to take her along, neither of these females deserved him in her mind. They would be arriving soon, if he had told her right. Maybe one of them would die before then.
Anticipation rose every day; less suns would set, and less nights would be spent with the three females he had procured. Akram'raja was near satisfied of his captures, however, as always, there was still room for even his own perfection. He had gotten the two females he had seen in his dreams - his visions told him who was worthy of bringing into his future, and so Korofi-uzulu and Naheed made up much of his contentment. Jazua'Dania, on the other hand, though insolent, aggravating, and stupid, had become more reticent and bearable. He knew she was just an extra - a lioness he had not seen prior to their actual meeting - and so carried less restraint when scolding her. He had told and educated all three lionesses on the way, though it would not compare to the amount of... "training" they would receive when they returned to the Ukuucha'Wafalme.One more day was his estimate. Perhaps an extra one if one of the females made him lag again, but the distance was ever closing in that he could practically smell the scent of familiar pads in the air.
He was sure he would be the first to arrive. He was, after all, the best of his siblings. Not even Mirsajadi in all his silent hope could have attracted the mangiest of females to him. He was anxious, but a good anxious, and he felt it in his chest as it rose. He turned backwards, looking at the three varied figures in the distance. Oh, bother. They were resting again. He breathed out impatiently. At least Naheed, he had spotted, was actually on her paws and ready to go. He inwardly smiled. She was by far the best of them, and greater than most of the banu in the pride.
He approached her, like he usually did when he wanted to... privately have a moment with her, and said, "We have about a day's left before our arrival in the Ukuucha'Wafalme. I hope you are able to fare well with those other two, especially the brown one. Do not worry, I plan on having her as a kajira - nothing comparable to you."
"I will fare well enough," Naheed said in her soft tone, her eyes turned to him in their corners as she gave a little smile, "As long as Korofi does not crush me in the night." She hid her face for a moment, looking toward the sun on the horizon. In time she knew she might come to consider this female a sister, the other perhaps not, but for the moment she had little in common with her. That would change quickly enough when they shared den and cub. Until then, she would simply have to be on her best behavior. "I apologize," she said as she turned her face to him again, "That was disrespectful, I only worry for your sake that she will blossom when we arrive." And if she already had well, that would be another step up for Naheed.
"Ah, but a little competition sometimes brings out the best, doesn't it?" he responded, feeling like he knew what Naheed must have been thinking.
It would have been hard for these rogue females to fathom the thought of sharing him as much as he couldn't fathom the thought of the lack of male dominance within the rogue lands. It should have been obvious that Naheed was better skilled, more intelligent, and exemplary in general when contrasted against Korofi-uzulu and Jazua'Dania. He even appreciated her humor - it reminded him of himself when his siblings attempted to bicker. As long as it was directed well, he could say he was fine with it.
"Of course, do you not recognize my abilities? You have not seen her when I first encountered her. The real learning will begin when we reach the Ukuucha'Wafalme. The problem is not her size, but rather her... imagination, to put it in a way. You see, though she is larger than most females, it's not for the reason that she's simply had too much to eat or lounges around. She has brute strength in her body that I believe comes from a line of... strong ancestors. That is where I see her value and potential."
He felt like he was beating around the bush, with the talk about Korofi-uzulu. What had he originally intended when he came to Naheed..?
"Sometimes we must tolerable and make the best of the situations to gain from it. However, I will agree that there is a point that can be broken. And I assure you, I deal with those who go past that point. However..." he paused, "I would like to inquire you about your own family. Your lineage. You said your parents have told you of the Ukuucha'Wafalme. Is it possible you are a descendant?"
She nodded, "Indeed it does." If he saw something in Korofi then there must certainly be something beneath the surface. He spoke fondly of her, so perhaps the larger female would surprise her. She could see the benefit of passing on that strength to their sons, especially if there were many young males going out at the same time. Maybe she would reserve her judgment. His question caught her off guard, being a little too lost in her own mind. "My lineage?" she smiled, "My father's grandfather, I believe, was born there. Or perhaps another back, he never truly specified. We have never gone further than where you found me, I think my father enjoys the mystique of it all." She paused, examining the mark on her leg that had come from her mother. "My mother was a gift to him, for settling a peace between two tribes. She was so beautiful, even more so than me," she continued, her voice becoming a bit dreamy, "I hope someday to have a voice like hers, and feet so graceful."
Naheed had certainly pleased him the most when taking in information. Korofi-uzulu would seem to at first not understand, and then on repetition, fling the idea away with a metaphorical wave of her paw. He punished her for this, and even that didn't seem to elicit much from her. But he knew her latent power, and would deal with it more seriously at home.
"Ah, that is not so far back, then," Akram'raja pondered; his own grandparents were nonexistent from the pride, and Tariq'ra'd rarely left word of them.
"A gift, I see. I am sure you possess what it takes to be as beautiful and talented as you say your mother was... Now, it would be more so that you are with me," he stated with a smug smile.
"In the Ukuucha'Wafalme, gifts are received as well. It has not happened as of late... But I don't think I'd dare let you go to someone unworthy, as much of a treasure you are in these lands. I am surprised you have not garnered attention from other wandering rogue males. Is there something wrong with you? Is that why you were so agreeable to join me? Or did you really understand my abilities when we met?" he smiled wider, his own conversation amusing him.
Wrong with her? She was almost offended, and she put on her best feigned pout as she wrinkled her nose at him. "There's nothing wrong with me practice won't fix," she said, recovering her expression to something softer, "You'd have noticed back where you found me. We just never ran into males outside of our group, and all of them were much too old for me." Her father had rarely even let her come out of their camps until she was nearly grown. She added a little smirk, lightly nuzzling his shoulder, "I couldn't pass up such an opportunity now could I?" Though from the other females she had the sneaking suspicion that had she refused her opinion wouldn't have mattered for much.
Akram'raja nodded in agreement. Practice would do everyone good, especially his females, if he were to have the best banu in the Ukuucha'Wafalme. He wouldn't admit that he greatly admired seeing that Naheed danced and could sing, bringing an entertainment unlike any other banu could hope to do in the pride. The pride had gone into a state of degradation he did not condone. The banu now, softened by nice pads, simply lazed around and did nothing other than infuriate him and act out of line.
He welcomed the nuzzle and, with hesitation, lowered his body to receive more of Naheed's warmth. He was unused to this, and felt like he was being quite informal... But he and Naheed already had a few moments of informality prior. He breathed out a sigh. He would have to be stricter within the pride, once he had gotten back into character. Staying in these unclaimed lands for so long was making him feel more forgiving. But he knew he shouldn't be.
"Of course. The Ukuucha'Wafalme will welcome you and I assure you, you will be respected as... my banu. And I shall enforce that."
He let go of Naheed's touch then, hoping to have her acknowledge that no one should ever get that comfortable; there were limits, especially if one still had far aways to go in reaching their pinnacle.
"The other females there are far past their prime," she said sadly, "My mother was the last true lotus flower, and she bore only myself." She would have liked to have a true sister, perhaps they would have even gone together. They hadn't yet reached the pride though, and there was still a chance he would take in another female. "But even if they had been blossoming I would have outshone them, my father said it was my spirit, to always push harder," she added, "Especially when I have someone watching over me."
"Perfect," he purred out, liking most everything Naheed was saying; she remained steadfast in her demeanor and suitable behavior for a banu.
"I think... You will quite enjoy the Ukuucha'Wafalme, and reach your best with me. And as you are humbled by me now, perhaps..." he teetered on the thought, wondering if he believed it himself, "Perhaps I will also be honored to have you."
He laughed, his form of a compliment taking a lot from his desire to speak more. More would be spoken in the pride, at least. Now was the time to return to the journey, as the females had taken long enough of a break.
"Let us continue, Naheed," he said, turning to walk towards the other females, "We will soon be home."
"Of course," she said softly, trying to hide her pleasure at the compliment. She doubted that the others had heard such words from him, though she knew she hoped to elicit similar in the future. While she was nervous about starting a new life she was anxious to see the pride. A place that could raise lions like him and those she had heard in her father's fairy tales would truly be something spectacular. At least, she hoped. And if it wasn't she'd simply have to work to make it so. Not wanting to fall behind she sped up, keeping a few steps behind him as she moved with silenced steps.
