Mazal dragged her prey down to where she was resting. Tomorrow she would start her mission. She was to assassinate a member of a pride who was plotting against their king. Nothing unusual. She was actually surprised that there weren’t more assassinations on rulers now day because of how poorly they treated their subjects. She was happy in her little pride though. It was the only place she felt at home, at peace with herself. The outside world would never be able to understand her killing instincts, but in the pride she was looked to as being just as sane as everyone around her.
Once she made it to her den she quickly picked up the sent of another. She set aside her meat and looked around for any sign of movement. In the shadows she could make out the figure of a leopard. “Come out of the shadows now if you want to live.” She growled at him. She wouldn’t trust him. He had no right to be in her den. She watched as he slowly approched her, his wide blue eyes had an innocent look to them. That made Mazal dislike him even more. “What do you think you are doing in my den. You were not invited in. You have no right to be here. This is my land.”
It was a small lie. She didn’t own this land. She was out in the rogue lands. But she still didn’t like the fact that her den had been invaded by this leopard. Had he no sense. Could he not see someone was living here. It irritated her like no other when others were rude. She would have to teach him a lesson.
Bukaera was wondering when he found the den. He noticed that it smelt like another had lived there, but he wasn’t too worried. He would be able to fight them off if they came around. Or if he was lucky it would be a lovely leopardess and he could convince her to spend the night with him. He gave a smirk to the idea. As he examined the den he found a cozy little spot and curled up. He closed his eyes and rested.
When the lioness came in he opened one of his eyes. He was sure he could take her, but he would prefer not to fight, especially with a female. He would just talk his way out of it, he decided. With his charm she would be so enthralled she wouldn’t might sharing a den with him. When she spoke he smiled softly at her. She wouldn’t be easy to talk to, he decided. She was much to demanding. He almost laughed when she called it her lands. Was she really that ignorant to call it her land?
“I’m sorry to of trouble to you, but I just wanted a place to rest.” He said calmly, as he smiled to her. “I am a scout for Mazunguko. I wasn’t aware this land belonged to anyone. I assumed it was all rogue lands. I am sorry for my mistake. Would there be any chance of letting this lonely leopard spend the night here. I promise by the time you wake up tomorrow I shall be gone.”
Mazal looked him over. He didn’t seem to have any killing intention. In fact if he wanted to he could easily take her down, considering his size. Unlike her he was large and muscular. She was built smaller, but faster. If he were to attack she could probably out run him. In a physical fight she would be the one to lose. “Alright leopard. You may stay. Just as long as you stay away from me.” She grabbed her meat and dragged it to the other end of the den, near the entrance just in case she needed to leave for any reason .
She kept her eyes on him as she ate. The way he looked at her was unnerving. He looked at her as if she was a shining star, guiding his way home. She had seen that look multiple times. Hell she even gave that look once, but that was long ago. How easily felines could fall in love, she thought as she admired the leopards fur. He had beautiful stripes going gown her neck. If she was just a little younger, a little more foolish she would do the song and dance with him. She would bat her eyes at him, in hopes of getting his attention. He would have undoubtably fallen for her and than what? She thought. No it could not happen. It will not happen.
She wasn’t nearly as young as she once was, maturity wise. There was once a time when love was the purest thing, but since her heart was shattered by that lion she refused to love again. No she was more interest in her task. Fighting for her pride. The ‘monster’ within herself was part of the reason she vowed never to love again. It reminded her constantly that she didn’t deserve to live, that she was in fact a monster and monster only reproduce monsters. She couldn’t bare the thought of having a monstrous cub. Her life was horrid enough with her own demons to face. She could not bring a cub into a life like that.
The eyes of the leopard was on her. Finally she stood up and dragged the rest of the meat to him. “You look hungry. Eat this.” She said before going back to her corner. Maybe now he would give her a break. She was tired of looking into his pure blue eyes. She hoped he would be distracted from her and focus on the meat.
Bukaera grinned as she walked over to him. He noticed how she looked at her. She had no interest in her. Something he could appreciate. He had no interest in her either. He preferred his own kind to filthy lions. However he also enjoyed teasing other species, confusing them to what they want. He felt that he deserved to play around with this lion’s emotions. After all her species was below his. He should be able to do anything he wanted to. As he ate he kept his eyes on her. She watched him just as closely.
“My name is Bukaera by the way.” He greeted as he took another bite. “You’re welcome to call me Buka.” He got up and sat closer to her. Though giving her enough room to leave if she needed to. “It was very kind of you to let me stay here and give me some of your meat. I am eternally grateful. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”
She nodded her head. “Just stay over there where I can see you. That is all I ask.”
His grin turned to a frown. He moved back and watched her. This might be a harder task than he thought. He would have to try harder the tomorrow. He decided.
WC = 1,189
