“Come on, Zao. Time to wake up.” The large green lion made a sound of protest and rolled over, only to get nudged rather forcefully with a paw. “Come ON. Usually you're up before me. Get yer fluffy butt up, man.” Zao opened a purple eye to look at his traveling companion, then sighed and got himself to his feet, yawning and stretching on the way.
“Kucha...I'm tired. Was up stargazing last night.” Kucha-moto rolled his eyes and nudged his friend's shoulder with his own.
“Well, you shouldn't have stayed up so late. Now come on. We've got breakfast to catch.” The dark lion happily trotted out of the cave they'd denned in the previous night, Zao following him at a slightly slower pace. It wasn't long before they found a likely looking gazelle. By that point, Zao was nice and awake, and the hoofed prey-beast looked reeeeeeally tastey. Kucha motioned to Zao the plan for capturing their breakfast, and the green lion nodded and slunk into position.
Unfortunately...there was someone else already there. There was a yelp from both surprised parties, scaring off the gazelle and aggravating Kucha. Zao stared at the lion who had surprised him, the younger male staring back with wide blue eyes.
“Uhm...hi.” The younger lion nodded, still breathing quickly.
“Hi. I think we scared breakfast off.” Kucha stalked up, looking more than a little annoyed.
“Oh gee, ya think guys?” The youngest of the males looked more than a little sorry.
“If I'd realized someone else was hunting this one, I'd have gone to find another one. I'm really sorry.” He sighed, ears going back. “Please, allow me to help you find another one, to make up for it. My name's Bédoier, of the Jini-msemi.” Kucha looked the boy up and down...then nodded.
“Sure. Your help is accepted. I'm Kucha-moto. Idiot here is Zao.” Zao got an indignant look.
“I'm not an idiot, Kucha!” He huffed. “Geez...” He looked to Bédoier and smiled. “I can help, since it's as much my fault as yours.” He put his nose to the air, trying to scent any prey-beasts. “So what's the Jini-msemi?” Bédoier grinned and started helping Zao.
“The pride I'm from. It's located in a swamp, protected by all the trees and water.” Zao blinked.
“A swamp? By chance, is there a female with brown and dark gold fur and gold eyes living there? There's a stripe that runs from her nose to her tail in a darker brown than the rest of her fur.” Bédoier looked thoughtful for a moment...then nodded.
“Yes...there was a new lioness of that description living there, shortly before I left on my Name Quest. You've met her?” Zao nodded, trotting towards a scent he caught.
“I accidentally wandered into the border areas of the land and interrupted her hunting. She was very kind.” Bédoier chuckled and nodded.
“Many of the lions in the Jini-msemi are kind. Or at least polite.” He followed Zao...and Kucha trailed behind them, letting the two other males have their conversation. Zao looked thoughtful a moment, before speaking up once again.
“Is...is it a safe pride?” That he'd encountered a member of the pride twice now could not be coincidence. Bédoier nodded.
“Very safe. Especially now. There...was a problem, when I was very little. But that was taken care of. And it will never happen again.” Kucha spoke up from his spot behind the two.
“What happened?” Bédoier looked a bit uncertain if he should answer or not...but nodded to himself.
“A murderer made his way into the pride when I was a cub. He...he killed several members before he himself was discovered and brought to justice. Our goddess disposed of him herself.” Kucha snorted and shook his head.
“You sure of that?” The younger lion stopped and turned to glare at Kucha.
“Yes, I am sure. I saw it happen with my own two eyes.” Kucha kept Bédoier's gaze for a moment, making Zao shift uncomfortably. Were the two going to fight? He knew Kucha could be abrasive, but...
Kucha nodded after a moment. “I believe you.” Bédoier smiled slightly, then turned back to the task of finding game. Zao happily joined him in doing so again. It wasn't too long before they found another gazelle, one that was brought down by Zao and Kucha easily enough. Bédoier sat to wait, but Kucha practically dragged the boy over.
“You helped find it. Eat.” Bédoier shook his head, smiling sheepishly.
“I'm afraid that wouldn't be good of me. I need to find something I can take back to where I'm currently denned.” He looked rather sheepish. “I've another mouth to feed, and it wouldn't be proper of me to eat until I knew he's taken care of.” Kucha looked at Bédoier oddly.
“You...like That?” It took the younger lion a moment to realize what Kucha-moto was talking about...and then shook his head vigorously.
“No, no! I have a son. I don't want to eat until I know he's fed properly.” Zao perked up, licking blood from his muzzle.
“Why didn't you say so earlier?! Come on Kucha...” The dark lion sighed and nodded.
“Okay, okay...” He picked the kill up enough to drag it, and gave Bédoier a look that clearly said 'lead the way'. Bédoier was surprised...but he nodded and started towards where he was currently denning. Where Kou was supposed to be waiting patiently for him. It wasn't long before they came up on the tumble of rocks that formed a little 'cave' just big enough for a lion and cub.
“Kou, it's okay to come out.” A dark mud-colored little cub poked his head out curiously...and then promptly ambled over to his father, purring and twining around Bédoier's front legs.
“Welcome back, Papa! Ooooo...who're they, Papa? Hello misters!” Zao chuckled at the boy, grinning.
“Hello, little one. My name's Zao. And the lion with the food is Kucha. We helped your Papa find food.” Kou grinned brightly back.
“I'm Kou! Thanks for helpin' Papa!” Kucha put the gazelle down and couldn't help but smile slightly at the enthuiastic cub.
“No problem, kiddo.” Bédoier nudged his son to the kill, encouraging him to eat. Kou didn't need much encouragement to dig in. The adolescent lion gave Kucha and Zao a thankful look. Zao just smiled at him, while Kucha shrugged. Zao trotted over to Bédoier and pat his back.
“We don't mind helping...even if Kucha might grouse and complain.” Kucha snorted and rolled his eyes.
“How far you got until home?” Bédoier blinked, then thought a moment.
“Another...week or two, I suppose?” Kucha nodded...then smirked.
“How's about Zao and I escort you there?” That way Bédoier didn't have to leave his son alone while he was hunting, Zao could learn about this pride Bédoier was from (since it so OBVIOUSLY intrigued him), and Kucha...well, Kucha didn't have much of a reason. He was just being nice to once. He thought. Bédoier looked surprised, but Zao nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! We can make sure you and Kou get home safe and sound!” The younger lion looked unsure for a bit...then nodded.
“Alright...if that's what you two want to do.” Zao and Kucha both nodded. “Then...thank you. I can't repay you two enough.” Kucha snorted.
“Trust me...helping me keep this big baby entertained will be repayment enough.” Zao made a 'HEY!' of protest, pouting. Bédoier couldn't help but chuckle, and gave the two a grateful smile.
“Thank you...both of you.” Zao got over his indigence, and nudged Bédoier over to the kill.
“No problem. Now let's dig in, before your son eats all the of it. Cubs sometimes eat faaaaar more than they look like they can hold.” Kucha made a face as they made their way to join Kou in eating off the gazelle.
“See...that is why I don't want cubs. That, and they're work I don't have time for.” Kou looked up at him and gave him big confused eyes. Kucha cringed. “You're okay, though, kiddo.” Argh! THOSE EYES! That was another reason he didn't want cubs! Those EYES got him every damn time! Zao chuckled softly at his friend, while Bédoier laughed outright.
“You're not the only one he gets with those eyes.” He gave Kucha a sympathetic smile. “I fall to them as well. And I've had family give me those eyes before.” Kucha sighed.
“We're all far from immune, than.” Zao just shrugged, smiled, and dug into the gazelle. He was hungry at that point. Bédoier and Kucha nodded and joined Zao and Kou in eating, glad for the food. And Kucha was glad for the company, even if he wouldn't admit it. The sun shone down on them, with a large enough buffer of clouds that it didn't overwhelm the felines below. It was a good start to the day.
