Rushes which surrounded the make-shift thicket formed a pathetic excuse for modesty. Barely managing to conceal the pair that lay in the embrace of one another. A familiar lynx-marked lion and the cream colored morsel of his choice. With the sun beginning to warm their backs as it stretched across the savanna, gently waking the residents, it was nearly time for Fuuenken to begin traveling again. Mismatched gaze gradually cleared enough to take in the pleasant memory of his surroundings. More often then not he had to recall just where he was and who with, considering the places and faces changed nightly.
Asali’kama Chai..
He could recall the name of this beautiful angel with little effort at all as he examined her sleeping form. Eyes lingering on the gossamer wing markings upon her back. Lovely though they were, it was the peaceful expression upon her face as she rested that was sheer heaven. If angelic creatures honestly roamed the mortal plane, Chai was certainly one of them. It was almost a shame he had to leave her so soon, but a powerful thirst beckoned the rogue to gingerly untangle himself from her to find the nearest water source.
~(o x o)~
If.. I ran away, would anyone notice? The rogue lands were surprisingly quiet, almost desolate. Out here, there was no concern of accidentally running into anyone. Most of the plains were flat enough to see a wanderer coming from miles away, plenty of time to escape far enough to avoid socializing.
Hey! Fuuenken thought Fuu’d be the only one up this early in the morning. Heh, nice to meet another early riser. The smooth rumble completely shattered Atashmah Sayeh’s thoughts. Finding that he was quite suddenly brushing shoulders with a tall adult. A mane that seemed to embody flames with it’s almost violently bright color and rebelliously disheveled appearance the most shocking thing of all. What the--!? When did he--? And where--?!
Earthy brown paws, that were still a little too large for the growing adolescent, staggered over each other in an effort to leap away from the stranger. The garnet gems of his eyes wide with evident shock. His inexperience a stark contrast to the redhead’s unflappable calm as he crouched at the water’s edge, lapping at refreshingly cool liquid not yet boiled by the sun. Uncertain exactly how to react to his first encounter outside the safety of the pride he knew, Atash panicked. Nearly diving face first into the dirt in his effort to get as far away as possible. At least in the Ukuucha his condition was always controlled by the amount of space. In a place as vast and untamed as this there was no telling what sort of misery could strike. It was that sort of thought that made the breath tighten in his chest. G-get away from me!
Now, Fuuenken had seen enough trouble in one lifetime to know a problem when it presented itself, but just the same he seemed completely incapable of avoiding it. Oh no, he preferred to face it down head on, no matter the risk. Why? Because simply moving out of the way was the act of a coward and one who was afraid to face the unknown and the aptly named Fire Seal would never be known for such pitiful actions. So upon catching an eyeful of the brat with the blood moon engraved into his pelt, Fuu was immediately intrigued.
While his movements were effortless and without hurry, they were far from stealthy. To see his fellow redhead react so explosively was perplexing in its own right, if not comical. A brow arching at the cry that echoed over his shoulder. Get away? Now, you know Fuuenken just can’t leave it like that.
Licking the droplets that hung heavily from drooping whiskers, a swift flick of a tail comprised of graduated stripes gave way to the lurch of powerful frame. Taking off with the same force the brute would have used if he were taking down prey. Laughingly calling ahead, What, no greeting for Fuu? Is that any way to treat your elders?
He.. he’s actually following me? You’ve got to be joking! It was hard to comprehend even as the events unfolded before his eyes--or behind him as it were. Under normal circumstances, if it were anyone else in this situation, they surely wouldn’t have been pursued so doggedly, right? This.. this was only because Atash was Atash. Daring a glance of his shoulder was a foolish idea, eyes once more becoming owlishly round with disbelief at the locomotive figure that barreled towards him, gaining ground with incredible ease. What is he?! Leave me alone!
It didn’t take the pale form long to catch up. Fuuen was nearly on top of the kid by the time he caught a vulnerable tail under his paw, abruptly ending the chase. It’s impossible. It’s fate that we’ve met. You see.. Fuuen knows you quite well, death moon. Fuuen has survived an encounter with you once before. Makes Fuu wonder why you run now, are you afraid of the Fire Seal’s revenge?
Auugh! L-let go! Atash choked on the whimper of pain that surged up his spine with the harsh stop, digging his claws into the ground in a continual effort to pull free. Honestly, he was certain this lion was insane. Babbling such completely absurd notions and about the death moon. He assumed the rogue meant the sphere painted upon his hip, a growl of frustration spilling through grit teeth. Know me? I’ve never met you before in my life! How the hell could you know me?! I have no idea what you’re talking about! I’m running away because I don’t want to deal with you!
Canting his head lazily to one side to examine his companion. Well that surprised expression had certainly been quickly replaced with some grit, hadn’t it? A mockingly wounded expression befalling his maw and the knit of his brow. Pouting just a little too convincingly. Deal with Fuuenken? Awwh, meaan! What did Fuu ever do to you?
Aah.. well, nothing. But what does that matter?! Something is sure to happen if you don’t keep your distance. Admittedly caught off guard by such a childish reaction. Of course, it didn’t stop him from trying to escape, twisting to pry at the paw on his tail. Voice cracking with urgency. S-so just... just let me go!
Is that a threat? Because.. you know.. Fuuen isn’t afraid of you.. or the blood moon. Strange how he could make such severe words sound so nonchalant, lifting the immovable weight of his paw from Atashmah’s tail mercifully. Asking in a tone that suggested earnest interest, Just what’s a kid like you doing out here in the rogue lands anyway? You trying to run away from home or something?
Bingo. The glare that was shot at him was sharp enough to draw blood, but Fuuenken didn’t even flinch. Curiosity getting the better of him as he watched the cursed youth round his shoulders and sulkingly turn his back. Aaaah, Fuuenken understands now, but what could be so awful that your only option is to abandon everyo--?
Shut up! You don’t understand! You... you could never understand. So just.. don’t ask, alright? A seething growl made the lanky adolescent’s hackles rise, though he didn’t care to turn around. Shrinking into himself a little more desperately. Why couldn’t this guy just leave him alone?
It was obvious that the run away had met with some difficulties in his lifetime, but it certainly appeared as though he chose not to face them. How insufferable. Clucking his tongue in lazy dismissal of the unsociable gesture that was presented to him, Fuuenken remained completely disaffected. Quit acting like a cub. Go home. Running away never solves anything and unfortunately at some point we all have to grow up and face the things that scare us. Some much sooner than others. Being an adult sucks sometimes, get used to it..
Not necessarily bad advice. Too bad Atashmah didn’t seem interested in anything more than tucking himself in a hole. Pinning the curve of his ears against the thicket of a lush, dark mane as if he meant to shut out the sage wisdom. I don’t want to collect females.. or have cubs. I don’t want friends. I just want to be left alone. I don’t want to be around anyone.
The hint was dropped none too gently, but in true Fuuenken fashion it was purposely ignored. Circling around the fellow lion in order to get a good look at his face before stating flatly, In that case, you might as well be dead.
A heavy head sunk deeper between shoulders that were tightly strung, causing the muscles to quiver. Atash could only admit the truth behind the wildcat’s words huskily, eyes pinned to the ground beneath his paws. ...it would be better for everyone, if I was dead.
Y’don’t say. A sinister sound slid through gritted teeth before the rogue could help himself. Unsheathing his claws as a long arm whipped back, prepared to give the landscape painted youth a slap that would send him skidding halfway across Africa. Well, Fuuenken can help you with that!
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