Kimya yawned softly, stretching pale paws out before her. Crimson eyes fluttered shut as she thought of her beloved Nuru. Where was he? How was he, more importantly. She hadn't seen him since the two of them had begun training to be Tarajali. She'd thrown herself into her training, trying to become the best Mmoja mpaka Halisisha she could be. She didn't want to get in Nuru's way....and so right now, for the first time in a good while, Kimmy was making her way to where she knew she'd find him. "Nuru~?"

Nuru didn't hear Kimya coming, he was too busy trying to catch his breath. The adolescent lion had been throwing himself into his training, determined to learn everything he could as fast as he could, so he wouldn't be separated from Kimya any longer than was absolutely necessary. If that meant losing a little sleep and other minor ailments, then so be it. Anything was worth her happiness and safety.

She trotted close, and called out, softly, "Nuru~!" She wanted him to stop....but...even as distracted as he was right now, the leopardess felt her heart swell with pride, her tail flicking in pleasure. He was amazing....so perfect!

He heard her voice and turned towards her, ears flicking. Nuru panted for breath, but his expression lit up as he saw her. He moved quickly, coming over and nuzzling her affectionately. "Kimya! You look wel!" She did, too - Kimya was growing more beautiful with every passing day...

Pressing her muzzle into his neck, she breathed his scent in, her eyes fluttering shut as she felt peace sweep over her, "Nuru too~" She purred, looking at him with those loving, beautiful crimson eyes. She'd figured out her feelings. After her father had explained things to her, she'd found herself understanding. She LOVED Nuru, in the same way father loved mother. And she didn't want to let him go. Practically coiling herself about him, she purred softly, "Nuru....Kimya's missed you~"

Nuru sighed softly, and ducked his head against her again, his blue eyes falling closed in contentment. "I missed you too, Kimya..." He murmured, wanting nothing more than to never be separated from her ever again. The adolescent lion was still a little confused about his feelings, but they seemed to make a little more sense every time he saw the beautiful leopardess. He would give anything for her happiness - literally anything.

She let her nose rest against his, in the same way she'd seen her mother and father do. A gesture of intimacy that she was very fond of, now. It told Nuru how she felt, or so Kimya believed. She really hoped he understood, "Not going this long without Nuru again~" She whisper-sang, looking him in the eyes.

When Kimya rested her nose against his, Nuru's mind went completely blank. He'd seen their parents do this, and so he knew what it meant - he just wasn't sure how to react. Suddenly, everything made sense.... and yet, nothing made sense. It was a strange feeling and he was left extremely confused and yet very, very happy. "It's been much too ong, hasn't it...?" He echoed her, having to force the words out of his suddenly choked-off throat.

As he choked, her eyes softened and she looked a bit scared that she'd done something wrong. Leaning in, she nuzzled him a bit, worriedly, "Nuru~?" She asked, looking at him, "Kimya.....Kimya loves you~" She purred softly, blushing beneath her pelt, "Wanted to tell you~" She didn't know how else to.....do that...

Nuru tilted his head, wondering why Kimya looked so scared suddenly... yes this was - it was big, and it was kind of scary, but surely she couldn't be afraid of him, right? All thought and reason fleeing him in the face of his desperate desire to reassure her, Nuru ducked his head over hers and licked her behind an ear - not the brief licks of their childhood, but a long one, accompanied by a gentle rumbling as he sought to calm her even while words escaped him.

She looked down at her paws as he came closer, scared of being rejected, but as he slowly licked behind her ear, with the gentle, rumbling purr, she relaxed, and leaned against him. He did! He had to love her back.....Right?

Nuru looked at her, his eyes soft, and after a moment he moved around and ducked his head under hers to lift it up, before backing away enough for their eyes to meet. "Kimya..." he began, then had to stop as his throat choked up again. Why couldn't he just say it?!?

She gazed back into his eyes, and a pretty, soft laugh rumbled up from her chest, "I know, Nuru~" She sang, licking his ear. She'd been able to understand from the lick, and the look in those eyes of her 'brothers'. They were made for each other. Of this, there was no doubt in her mind.

He still felt kind of stupid for not being able to say it... but at last she knew. He huffed and shook his head, blue mane-fur flopping around with the motion, and he blushed invisibly. He was good at fighting, at protecting... being romantic, not so much.

Moving forwards with a Leopard's graceful movements, she coiled about him for a moment, purring, "Nuru~" They felt the same! It made her so happy, that they would be a pair, not only in their jobs, but....for real. Like mom and dad. It meant that some day, the two of them would be able to have cubs of their own! That made her very happy, her heart swelling with joy.

Nuru nuzzled her again, this time drawing the motion out, pouring every ounce of his emotion into it. He didn't know when he would get to see Kimya again - his training took up so much of his time, especially since he put so much extra effort into it - and the lion was determined to make the most of this time with the beautiful leopardess.

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