The adjusting was hard. There were so many things about the Pridelands that were different from home....her old home. The biggest adjustment was the lack of privacy; there was always someone nearby. It was hard on the lioness, and she depended on her mate to keep her grounded. Safe. Nyuni was still madly in love with Dios, and he was starting to come around. Perhaps out of habit, but the lion that could not remember anything but the day Nyuni found him, he was always filled with questions. Who had he been before he had awoken? What of that lioness that claimed she knew him? It was puzzling, and it bothered him. It always would, and so he did his best to push himself past it. Nyuni was faithful, sweet, and it was comforting to be so important to someone. Jicho still worried about Nyuni's dependence, but was more accepting of their strange relationship now.
Dios followed Nyuni as she pushed further than she had normally, trying to find a place of solitude. Hard to find, even though these lands were so big. It was a miracle that there was enough prey to sustain the hungry mouths of the pride. Perhaps at times a few lions went hungry for the youngsters, but there was no fear of starvation. No fear of there being a lack of water, with how big the river in the pride's lands was. It was a land of bounty, and a wise choice for Jicho to lead them here when their own pride had been affected by a plague.
"Dios.....do you like it here?" Nyuni asked once it felt like they had a little bit of privacy. A treasured thing here, something that wasn't as hard to find when they were part of the Mteo'nyungu.
Dios blinked at Nyuni. "I have no strong opinion on the matter. I do care what you think, however. Do you have concerns about living here?"
Nyuni's light brown eyes met Dios' darker ones. "I....I feel nervous all the time. Jumpy. So out of place. Dealing with so many different faces every day is exhausting. When it was just the small pride, I always wanted different things. A break in the monotony of life. I loved it there, but very little changed. Then I found you."
Dios shifted a bit, feeling uncomfortable. It was the start of his memory, and there was nothing else in his mind but his time with Nyuni, her family, and the Mteo.
"I know its hard for you....but....I thank you for always staying with me, Dios. I don't know exactly how hard it is for you, but you've been so fair to me. I don't quite think you love me, and you might never will....but I hope one day that will happen."
They both fell silent for a time, watching the breeze tickle the grass. So different from the Mteo's lands. Even Jicho had a hard time with it, and he had learned things about those lands that no one else but his father knew.
Dios reached over, nuzzling the top of Nyuni's head. "Perhaps. I cannot force myself to love you, but I don't know what life would be like without you, Nyuni. I've decided to remain with you, regardless of the future. I think the migration to these lands is proof of that."
Nyuni was actually surprised by the bit of affection she received from Dios. It was so rare, and she never knew how she had the patience to love him. She was so happy with his reply, the corner of her eyes grew wet. "And that is the reason that I love you."
She rested her head between his front legs, the two of them reclining as they enjoyed the small bit of quiet time between them. The inevitable sound of birds flying above them reached their ears, along with the antics of cubs. The chattering of females as the gossiped, the boastful cries of males as they compared stories. It was not quite home, but it would grow to become a second home.
"Do you want a family?" Dios asked, breaking the silence.
Nyuni's head shot up, smacking right into Dio's lower jaw. After a brief exchange of apologies, Nyuni faced the question....in a nervous matter. "I...well...I didn't think you'd ever be ready for that. Its'....well, I don't know what it is like, but something that we could never undo, if you weren't ready for it."
Dios shook his head. "I might never be ready for it, but it seems stable here. Jicho seems....content that the stress of royalty is gone. He might never share with anyone just how high his position was in our old home. If he can adjust, I know that we can handle it. Besides, we have Usiku as well as Jicho to help if we get overwhelmed."
Nyuni blinked, and chuckled softly. "I don't know how well Usiku would deal with little ones. She's....a hard one, that sister of mine."
"Well, we can see how it goes. There's no need to rush anything."
Nyuni snuggled up against her mate, so thankful to have someone so patient, understanding, and adaptable.
"Well....do you think we should tell Jicho about this?" Archedios asked.
"Erm...well....I don't know how well he'd take it if we sprung it up on him, but I don't know if we should tell him when we're not certain yet. Letting things happen might be better. Besides, I think no matter what, he'll be upset that one of his baby sisters is having cubs before him!"
Jicho had lost his prospective mate in the plague. It wasn't known if she died or not, but Jicho couldn't risk everyone else to find out. He had to make the decision to leave, and cut all ties with the first lioness he had come to love. It would take him some time before he fell for someone, if ever, again.
"That's probably wise," Dios said. "I don't know him as well as you, so we'll just...spring it on him when we know."
Nyuni flushed, realizing that this was becoming more and more real. She knew that he would never leave her, but the idea that this was becoming more fact than assumption was almost terrifying.
The future was open, and they were both ready to face it.
(1,073 words)
