It was a long day of frolicking and playing, but Vaikko was rather exhausted and ready to retire for the night. His father was disappointed, usually he'd be up hours after dusk, just leaping from trees or sliding from cliffs. Vaikko had to apologize, and promised even more excitement and thrills for the next day. Funny; it was usually Vihrea who was the first to retire! With a giant yawn, the young lion lumbered towards the den where Vuxta was waiting anxiously. She would worry constantly, despite the prophetic visions she'd had of her cub's safety. Vaikko thought she was just being silly - he used these visions as an excuse to frolic without a caution in the world! Who knows how long he'll be able to keep up this kind of behavior, anyway!

Vaikko yawned, trudging along, and dragging his dark tail across the dirt. He couldn't wait to snuggle against his mom and his sisters, all cozy and warm until he falls asleep. In this dreamy state, he gazed up only to notice a lump of fur in the tall grass.

Vaikko blinked, he was slowly pulled away from his imagination as he tried to make out what the lump was. The color was remarkably close to the color of his mother.. or perhaps one of his sisters. What were they doing just lying in the grass? Did mom trip? Did his sister fall from a tree?

"M-mom..?" He asked, cautiously and fearfully approaching the motionless lump. "Vinata? Vashti? Are you alright?" As he got closer, he realized the lump was too small to be his family members. Like a the curious, daring feline he was, he prodded the thing. It squirmed weakly in response. "Hello? Are you okay?"

Kipenzi smirked widely as his 'prey' crept closer. Once the young lion had gotten close enough, he would erupt from his nest of leaves and snag the feline in his paws. It was a game they would play ever since they met last season, and the young lion was dense enough to fall for his creative tricks every single time. "Rah!" Kipenzi finally launched his attack and wound up on the feline's back.

"Kipenzi!" Vaikko shouted, whirling around in a futile attempt to get the canine off his back. "I shoulda known it was you!" The adolescent lion growled playfully, whipping upwards to throw the dog from his back. "You're going to get it this time - I've been practicing with dad!"

The wild dog slid across the dirt and quickly recovered, spinning on his paws to face the the black lion. "Empty threats, my friend! Empty threats!" Kipenzi laughed loudly, taking no notice to the cut he already received on his shoulder. "Remember the last time you said something along those lines?" Kipenzi grinned, showing off glittering white teeth as he launched his second attack.

Vaikko remembered that time - the time Kipenzi had whooped his butt easier than his dad whoops Aotpo. He felt his pride sting, but he shoved the thought aside as he saw Kip make his next move. Green eyes lingered on the dog's movements. He calculated the dog's positioning and quickly, Vaikko used his superior agility to leap away from the charging dog's maw and swiftly initiated a retaliation. A black paw swooped towards the large dog's shoulders, razor sharp claws extended.

Kipenzi had learned very early in his lion-wrestling days to avoid the claws. The claws hurt even more than the fangs did, he was always amazed at how much damage they could do with a simple strike. The black dog had tried to dodge Vaikko's paw, but his speed had failed him. Kipenzi let out a sharp cry as the claws raked at his pelt, tearing away flesh and fur and leaving behind a wound oozing with blood. Kipenzi, flooded with a competitive spirit, turned on the lion and clamped his jaws around his neck - not yet armored with a thick layer of fur. For now, Kipenzi had the advantage.

Vaikko swelled with pride as he finally landed an attack - His dad would be so proud of him. Quickly, that feeling dissipated as he began to worry that he had wounded his friend too badly. The thought was gone in an instant as he found himself trapped in Kipenzi's jaws. For a moment, he was shocked, wondering how he had gotten himself in this situation. He thought for sure, that he had going to win this one - yet here he was... Vulnerable, and practically dead if this was a true battle. Vaikko squirmed, gently placing a paw on the dog's face. "Alright, Kip! Alriiiiiight, you win! Let me go, already!"

Kipenzi released his hold on the dark feline, a huge grin consuming the majority of his face. "Haha... Vaikko, what's the score? Remind me, I've lost count of how many times I won."

"Oh, shut up! I got you pretty good.." Vaikko smirked and motioned to the bleeding wound on the dog's back. He ignored the pang he felt at the thought of actually causing that wound. He assured himself that it was all in good fun and Kipenzi understood that... but maybe next time he should put his claws away first. "That has to count for something, doesn't it?"

"Pffff..." Kipenzi didn't even give his wound a glance - that might indicate that the lion is right. There was no way he was about to admit something like that. "No way, a win is a win. No short cuts, Vai. Now, I think you owe me something."

Vaikko rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah... I'll ask dad if you can join us next time we catch a zebra or something." The lion sighed, plopping to rest on the earth as his adrenaline rush slowly declined. "Just you wait... I'll win eventually, and when I do.. You'll be serving me rabbits for a whole season!"

Kipenzi practically drooled at the thought of getting his mouth on a herd beast like a zebra. It was a rare delicacy for him. The dog scoffed at the young lion's threat. "In your dreams, little man. In your dreams."

WC: 1026