It had been a long time since Moto had been able to enjoy the feel of sunwarmed rock on her belly and warm sun on her back. But that was what she was getting to do, and she was fully enjoying it. Mashai was perched in the shrub not far from the rock Moto was sunning on, napping herself. It was one of those afternoons where...lazy seemed the m.o. And Moto was waiting for her mate to return, so lazy was perfectly fine. She giggled. She had a mate once again, someone she loved with all her heart and made her feel YOUNG and happier than she'd been since Serithi disappeared. Dogo patched up all the cracks and hurts in her heart, the ones her children just hadn't been able to reach.
All in all, Dogo would consider today's hunt a successful one. He had a nice fat hare he could take back and share with his mate, and he’d even found a nice patch of medicinal herbs that he’d nabbed for her. Both of these were carefully tucked between his jaws as he made his way back to the small clearing they’d rested in the night before, and he couldn’t help but smile as he caught sight of Moto in the distance. He’d never recalled seeing her so peaceful or at ease when she’d still been within the Mwako’bi’Giza, and he knew in moments like these that her decision to leave was the right one.
The light scent brought on the wind made Moto's ears perk up, her head following soon after. That was Dogo's scent. Turning her head to the scent, she gave the approaching lion a calm smile. "Good hunting, love?" She hoped so. In all truth, she'd never been much of a hunter herself...and the pain her scars sometimes gave her didn't help that at all.
Dogo grinned at his mate, not that it was easily discernable around his mouthful of hare. It was no trouble at all to cross the remaining distance, and he carefully placed the meal on the rock next to Moto, uncurling his mouth gently to ensure it and the herbs remained in tact. Only then did he answer. "Well enough to feed the three of us for now. I also brought some fresh herbs for you."
Moto was surprised to see the herbs along with the hare, and moved to groom one of his ears. "Thank you, Dogo." How had she gotten lucky enough to have someone so thoughtful fall for her? Especially in her age. There was a twitter as Mashai fluttered out from her napping-spot.
"Little Storm need no worry 'bout Mashai. Mashai eat seeds and crawlies. Plenty those." The bird eyed him a moment, then fluttered onto his head and plucked up a bug that had been playing hitch-hiker on his mane. "See! Even on lions!" Moto chuckled at the bird. The little avian, self-proclaimed 'bard' that she was, had been a source of much entertainment since she'd found Moto.
"You're very welcome, darling," Dogo purred, leaning into the grooming and gently nuzzling Moto's cheek. His heart still fluttered every time she even smiled at him, and not for the first time he found himself wondering how a lioness like her hadn't been snatched up already. He laughed softly when Mashai perched onto his head and picked a bug out of his mane, and he was careful not to jostle her loose. "I'll try to keep that in mind from now on, Mashai."
The little bird chittered happily, then went to take her crunchy bug back to her perch. Mmm...LUNCH! Moto smiled at the bird, then looked back to her mate. "I don't think we'll have a boring day while she's around. If nothing else, she's full of stories from before she ended up with me." She started to get the herbs stored safely inside her pouch.
"I doubt we'd have a boring day even without her. It's hard for me to be bored as long as I'm with you," Dogo purred softly, delicately hopping up onto the rock to stretch out pressed against Moto's side. Once there, he was quick to begin grooming her cheek, perfectly content with the situation.
Moto could feel the skin under her cheek-fur warm, and she leaned against Dogo slightly. Content didn't even begin to describe how she was feeling. "I shall try my best to keep you entertained than, love." In all truth, it was the least she could do, after all he'd done for her cracked and broken heart. "In a few days, we'll reach the Jini-msemi. I think you'll like it there. Despite all the mud and water it's..." She paused, to try and figure out an appropriate way to describe the swamps. "Magical. Especially at night."
Dogo couldn't hide his grin as he continued to delicately groom Moto, and he only stopped once he was certain she was as neat and tidy as he could get her - not that she hadn't been neat and tidy in the first place. He nodded slightly at her statement, paws flexing briefly to convey his excitement. "I can't wait to get there. I'm sure it's amazing!"
Moto nodded, starting to return the grooming. "The King is very nice, as is the male who fathered my last litter of cubs. And you'll get to meet the daughters who grew up in the Jini-msemi. One of them had to stay there, because she was born an albino. Better protection from the sun there than in the Mwako."
"I can't wait to meet them. I'm sure your daughters are just as amazing as the rest of your children," Dogo purred, ducking into a better position for Moto to groom him. He was eager to see the swamps, but he as much more eager to continue his life with Moto there. Possibly even start a family with her.
Moto giggled. "I'm looking forward to seeing how they grew up, myself. And what their new names are." That was one of the things she was looking forward to most, once they reached the Jini-msemi. New names. A new name for a new start. And maybe a new family...a family she could get right. "I love you Dogo'tufani. So much."
"I love you too, Moto'nyota. And there isn't a God or Goddess in existence that could possibly change that," Dogo said softly, nuzzling Moto's cheek and gently placing a paw over hers. His lips twitched upwards briefly as a thought occured to him, one he couldn't stop himself from whispering to her. "Not even Mkodi herself could stop me from loving you with all my heart."
