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Adrenaline was a heady thing.

He'd been skirting the borders of this pride for a few days now. He was hungry, tired... and yet both of those physical impairments were keeping him on edge. Fueled by the anticipation that coursed through his veins, Hinoko was ready to challenge, ready to take his place among the lions that called themselves the Stormborn.

Rumors ran rampant across the savanna, and these rumors were what had intrigued him, had brought him here. Rumors spoke of the lions who considered themselves the children of the Gods, lions whose belief system was based on honor and strength. While Hinoko's honor could sometimes be brought into question, there was no denying that he was strong of body and mind.

Opening his mouth, Hinoko released a bellowing roar. If anyone was around, they would hear him.

Hinoko hadn't been prepared for the dark-furred lion that burst into view. He'd been half-expecting a giant, burly lion with broad shoulders, scars littering his pelt. Hinoko had not been expecting this pale-maned lion who looked as though he'd just recently come off of his mother's teat.

It was something of a letdown, should anyone ask Hinoko later how this challenge had gone.

"I've got you," Hinoko said smoothly, an instant before he made his first leap towards the lion. Perhaps it was the pure fatigue that made his muscles feel weak and atrophied, or perhaps it was the lack of sleep that put him off his game. Hinoko, aiming for the other lion's face, fell short. He'd be lucky if the blow landed at all, truth be told.

Ouch. A hit to the pride, and quite the solid hit to his chest. Hinoko wasn't pleased with how this was turning out. His opponent seemed fond of making the most ungodly sounds. It unsettled Hinoko, who set his shoulders and dug his claws into the ground to prevent himself from flailing backward. A heavy hit, though not an honest attack. Usually Hinoko did not find himself fond of speaking when he was sparring, but he couldn't help himself.

That, and the erratic twitching of the other lion's eye was a little unsettling.

"Come now," Hinoko growled silkily once he'd stopped the backwards momentum, pressing forward into his opponent's face. His mouth opened with a quick snap - whether he made contact or not would depend on how fast the white-maned male could move. Best to finish this quickly, win or lose. Hinoko was not comfortable around the other lion.

Hinoko paused for a long moment, watching his opponent with a steady glare. He had no idea what to expect, honestly. It would probably be best to just get this over with, Hinoko reminded himself. He watched the other lion closely, stepping cleanly to the side as claws came flailing in his general direction.

"Is this my challenge," Hinoko commented smoothly, looking concerned. If he really had to fight this probably mentally-challenged lion, he would do it, but Hinoko wasn't big on picking on those who were ah... impaired.

Eye-twitches and all.

Once the other lion landed, Hinoko moved hesitantly closer, lifting up a rather massive paw with every intent on sending it crashing into his opponent's face.

Hinoko was far too amused by the lion that he was sparring with. This was supposed to be a serious thing, and yet Hinoko couldn't stop his muzzle from twitching in a grin. Such a smile did not come often to Hinoko, and as soon as it spread across his features it was gone, stamped out in annoyance.

Suddenly, stars. Stars floated across his field of vision as Hinoko reeled, having caught the brunt of Galning's upward shove across his lower jaw. Pain arched throughout his body as he stumbled back and shook his head, trying to clear his vision.

"I am Hinoko," he replied, finding the exchange of names to be oddly-timed. With blurry vision and a hunger for revenge, Hinoko covered the distance between himself and Galning with a great leap. Teeth bared, claws unsheathed, and double vision. That's what Hinoko would attest a miss to. Double vision.

Though Hinoko would rather take a flying leap from a mountaintop than admit to such a thing, he had to admit to himself that there was a strange sense of pleasure-bordering-on-satisfaction to be had when sitting atop another male. In a non-sexual way, of course. Purely heterosexual in a very cut-and-dry sense. Very cut-and-dry.

Hinoko took a moment to ponder on why it sounded like his inner monologue was trying to convince him. It made him a little irritated, really, and Hinoko didn't know why his thoughts had taken such a turn to begin with.

Hefting up his considerable weight before slamming himself back down atop Galning, Hinoko gave a hearty grunt.

"Do you yield?" Hinoko certainly hoped so. As soon as he was accepted into the pride he was going to find the first female that looked at him, and after making sure she was of suitable rank to be used and abused, Hinoko was going to reassert himself as a male. A strong, manly male.

Hinoko did not hesitate to disengage himself from the other lion. It was kind of awkward how this had all ended up, but Hinoko wasn't going to allow himself to feel out-of-sorts. In fact, maybe if he could turn the situation around and act like he had no idea what Galning was talking about, it would take some of the heat off of himself.

"I have no idea what you speak of," Hinoko growled, "But I assure you, little lion, that I was in no way attempting to make any designs on your manhood. Or your... yes, your man.. liness."

This was just turning out to be more than a little much for one lion to handle. Time to get back to the real meat of the matter, the reason that Hinoko was here in the first place.

"I seek entry into the pride. Do you yield, or must I beat you down once more?"

Hinoko snorted. Up until the end, that whole challenge thing had gone pretty well. It was a good thing it was finally over.

"Take me to the females," Hinoko stressed, intimating that he would need at least one or three before he was sated. "And I assure you, Galning, I have no interest in your a**."

No interest whatsoever.