Shujaa had been in the pride for a week now and each day that passed filled her with more and more strength. She'd gotten to know a few of the healers (though her memory was still shaky and she couldn't recall their names). No matter. She could recognize their faces and knew they were friendly -- as were many of the lions in the pride she was becoming rather fond of.
Tofauti came to mind.
He'd visited her each day that she'd been here and though she had yet to leave the sanctum of the healers, she could count on Tofauti's visits like clockwork. He never failed to visit her in the mornings before he began his duties. He was a scribe for his mother, he'd said, and it was obvious that the lioness was held in high regard. That was comforting. No evil lion could possibly love his mother the way that Tofauti did. This morning she was resting in a sunny spot, awaiting Tofauti's daily arrival.
Tofauti was not coming alone.
Shujaa caught sight of Tofauti and a rather large, stern-looking lion. Tofauti did not look happy, not at all, nor did the lion he was walking next to. A slight frown creased her forehead as she watched the pair of male lions approach her.
This morning had started like any other for Tofauti. He'd risen with the sun, ate a few nibbles of food before sitting and waiting for time to pass before he could go see Shujaa. One week had passed since he and his grandfather had discovered the lioness on pridal lands, one week of smiles and tinkling laughter. Tofauti was smitten by the pretty, gentle lioness. And just like any other morning, Tofauti had started out on his way to see Shujaa when he was intercepted by Kosoko.
Tofauti wasn't sure how he felt about Kosoko. He was not a lion prone to laughter and that tended to bother Tofauti -- not that Tofauti was full of giggles himself.
"I'll need to come with you this morning, Tofauti," Kosoko had said in that authoratative tone of his. Tofauti had frowned but Kosoko had merely gestured with a dip of his head that he should lead on. Zurvan had told Tofauti to expect Kosoko to question Shujaa, but Tofauti hadn't thought such interrogations would come so soon.
Catching sight of Shujaa, Tofauti hurried forward. He didn't want her to be frightened of Kosoko's intimidating presence.
"Don't worry," Tofauti whispered to Shujaa, "He just wants to ask some questions, that's all. I'll be here the entire time."
Shujaa said nothing. Her vibrant eyes merely watched Kosoko with interest as he approached with a frown on his face.
"Good morning," Kosoko said gruffly to the lioness. She was pretty, he supposed, if you liked bright eyes and hair and all that. Kosoko didn't really go for that in a female. He preferred... well. He preferred Safura, not that he'd admitted such a thing out loud yet. Shaking the errant thoughts from his mind, Kosoko got back to the matter at hand.
"I am Kosoko," he watched her quietly for a long moment. He'd had a vision of this lioness -- tragedy surrounded her but Kosoko could not understand how or why. He'd seen her, and he knew that Tofauti would find her, but what Kosoko could not understand was why such a lioness would be surrounded by such tragedy and even death, and yet supposedly remember none of it. He had to be very careful about how he continued -- Tofauti was being very protective of the female for reasons that Kosoko did not comprehend. Usually the boy was shy, painfully so, and yet around this female he was bold, protective and even gentle.
Such things he usually reserved for his family.
"I just have a few questions," he continued mildly, switching his gaze between Tofauti and then Shujaa.
"Don't be too pushy," Tofauti warned, moving to sit next to the lioness he'd apparently claimed.
"I won't," Kosoko assured the younger lion, seating himself before Shujaa.
"It's okay," Shujaa spoke in bell-like tones, her voice almost musical in pitch and rhythm, "he's just doing his job, Tofauti."
Tofauti snorted.
Kosoko ignored the boy.
"So tell me, Shujaa," Kosoko began, "you can't remember anything about who you were in the past? Nothing about what had happened to bring you to us, nothing about family or anything of the sort?"
"I already told you that," Tofauti interjected, though his tired was paused by the gentle touch of Shujaa's paw against his own. Tofauti immediately looked contrite. Kosoko fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Nothing," Shujaa said apologetically, "I'm sorry. I just... remember waking up to Zurvan and Tofauti. That's all I can remember. Everything before that is just a black void of nothingness." She looked saddened for a moment before snapping out of it. "Have you discovered something?"
Kosoko was frustrated yet again by his visions. He knew that if he talked about his visions, if he even made mention of having them through no fault of his own, he would be immediately removed from the pride he'd been raised in. Kosoko did not know what he would do away from his home, and yet it was getting harder and harder to keep these visions to himself. He wanted to be able to say, 'Why yes, Shujaa. I had a vision about you. There was a dead lion and four dead cubs and a dead lioness. What does it mean?'
He could not.
"I have not discovered anything new," Kosoko said blandly with a shake of his head, "I was just hoping that perhaps you had had a glimmer of remembrance in the darkness of your memories, that is all."
Shujaa glanced between the males. Tofauti almost bristled with irritation everytime that Kosoko opened his mouth and Kosoko had an aura of upset around him that Shujaa did not understand. They could not have been more different, honestly. Idle thoughts, Shujaa reminded herself before turning her attention back to the matter at hand.
"I appreciate you checking in on me, Kosoko," Shujaa dipped her head gracefully, those bright eyes of hers vibrant with emotion. "If I remember anything at all, I assure you, you will be the first one to know." She ignored the way that Tofauti snapped his gaze towards her. He was getting to be like a mother hen, and at some point she would have to tell him that she could take care of herself. Despite the way his protective presence comforted her, she did not want him thinking that he could stifle her, smothering her with his protection.
She could take care of herself. Couldn't she?
"You are welcome. Shujaa," Kosoko dipped his head in farewell before turning to do the same to Tofauti, "Tofauti. I will see you both another time." He slowly backed up a few feet before turning around and taking his leave.
Tofauti immediately turned to Shujaa, annoyance bright in his eyes. "What do you --"
"Do not think that I am some meek lioness that you can bend to your will, Tofauti." Her voice held no anger, arrogance or upset. "I appreciate all you have done for me. I cherish your friendship, I welcome your presence, but I cannot have you thinking that I am a weak female that cannot hold her own. I do not require a babysitter, Tofauti." She smiled softly, lifting a paw to brush it against his mane.
"I am a lioness grown, fully capable despite the holes in my memory, Tofauti. I am not hindered by the lack of memories. I am not... broken."
"You are not broken," Tofauti agreed emphatically.
"I am not incapable."
"No, you are not," he agreed again, a warm look in his gaze. Should anyone else had used such a tone to speak with him in, he would have turned tail. He would have hid, or gone to his mother. But with Shujaa, there was something different. There was something strong in her, an inner spark that drew him.
"I am glad we agree," she said quietly, her voice rife with laughter.
"I would not have you any other way than the way you are, Shujaa." He felt like he had to make her understand that.
"I know," she said softly, dipping her head as a slight blush tinged her eartips. He was so sweet to her, so good.
"I am glad you know," Tofauti said quietly. "Now, would you like to take a walk? I am sure mother will understand if I am late for my duties." He hadn't talked to Kizuka yet about Shujaa. He probably should, considering how dearly he loved his mother. Tofauti just did not know what he would do should she disapprove of Shujaa.
Shujaa giggled and dipped her head again in acquiesce. "Of course, Tofauti. I would love nothing more than a short walk, but we best not dally. I do not want your mother storming at me in a rage that I have kept her son from his duties."
With a soft grin, Tofauti helped Shujaa to her feet. Today would be a good day, he was sure of it.
(WC: 1540)
