Ifa trot along happily as the group walked, Nullpunkt following with her head down as the Jini'Msemi pilgrim trot along, smiling as she sang a song heard somewhere about travel, paws barely touching the ground in a light rhythm. She felt happy, warm, alive walking through the land, and even Nullpunkt's annoyed, heavy steps gave her a beat to dance to. It felt great. Even if Nullpunkt wasn't happy, anyway. The two had been walking at least 2-3 days, and the female was still just as happy as she trotted.

Nullpunkt didn't know how the female remained so infuriatingly perky. It was bizarre. Nullpunkt shook herself, and kept walking, ears swivelling around for the umpteenth time. She could swear they were being followed, but the dark coloured female wasn't sure whom by. It was unsettling. Ifa seemed to hit a cheery note, and Nullpunkt cringed, reaching a paw in a quick swat.

"Will you shut up? Something's following us."

Ifa was reacdy to protest being shushed, but at the warning of a stalker, she silenced, moving next to Nullpunkt. It surprised the older lioness, but she didn't object, looking back, ears flattened to her skull, claws flexing.

"Whomever's back there would be wise to step forward, or I'll be happy to introduce them to some 'hospitality.'"

Nullpunkt's tone was a threat of danger, the darker lioness growling venomously as she watched several moments before the leaves shook and a young male tumbled out. Nullpunkt sighed, Ifa squeaking and hiding behind her.

"Shigeru."

The red head looked up sheepishly, smiling.

"Heh heh... Hi, Nully."

Ifa blinked, looking between them.

"You know him?"

"Yes. His father's a healer in my pride. Shiggy, why are you out here stalking us like some kind of creepy pervert?" One eyebrow flit up irritably. Shigeru blinked.

"I... I needed to get away."

"Sounds common for your pride."

"Stuff it, Ifa. Why, Shig?" Nullpunkt had to silence the Jini'Msemi female with a glare before she spoke again. Shigeru's ears went down.

"Mother never saw me because I'm a male." He looked down.

Both females seemed to stare, almost not believing it, before Nullpunkt swatted him.

"Dumbass, I really doubt it. She tapped your Dad, reight?"

"Still!"

Nullpunkt got a flat look irritably.

"You at least had a Dad."

Shigeru stared.

"So? You had a mother. Only reason you don't have a Dad is cause Uncle Shupe said your Mom was raped."

The area was silent at that moment. Nothing moved, save the motions of chests breathing. Nullpunkt was pale, staring at Shigeru in disbeleif. He had to be wrong. He had to be. But it explained why she and her litter didn't look like anyone. Maybe a little of her mother and grandmother, and still....

Nullpunkt shook her head.

"Liar."

Ifa watched Nullpunkt, vaguely wary. Shigeru snorted, looking away, but Nullpunkt growled, swiping.

"Take it BACK!"

Shigeru hissed, ducking.

"Why? Everyone older knows. That's why she's dead!"

Nullpunkt's eyes flared wider, the female snarling.

"Take it BACK!" Nullpunkt swung at Shigeru roughly, the male moving back, the female cringing. Ifa watched, looking beyween the two. Nullpunkt.. Well, she looked ready to cry; red eyes flashing painfully. Shigeru huddled back, as if what he said was sinking in. He was angry-- yes, he had been, Ifa thought, from his face, but he hadn't meant to hurt the female. The young lioness shot between them, catching Nullpunkt with her own claws, using her smaller size to force her to roll.

"Stop that!" She scolded. "He didn't mean to hurt you!"

Nullpunkt growled, a low, deep noise as Shigeru remained put, small. This was what he was afraid of, of harming others. However, Ifa wasn't done, turning and swatting him as well.

"You shouldn't bring things like that up either. She obviously didn't do anything wrong. Don't be a butt."

"But-"

"No!" Ifa batted him, the male squeaking. Nullpunkt blinked. Ifa paced, giving both of them a scolding look.

"Both of you need to calm down. You." She pointed at Nullpunkt. "It was obviously not your fault. You shouldn't act like he just accused you of murder. Chill, lady." Ifa snorted, then turned to Shigeru.

"And you, fluffboy." Ifa growled softly. "You need to develop a word to mouth filter before you start upsetting people. Not having a parent hurts, but being a jerk about it doesn't solve anything. Man up."

Shigeru huffed.

"But that's my problem! I'm a man!"

"So?" Ifa snorted. Nullpunkt sat nearby, still perplexed.

"My mother never wanted sons. She just left me with father." Shigeru frowned. Ifa got a flat look.

"Right. An adult, likely. I heard some females will just leave their cubs without a parent. If she hated you or regretted it, she'd have done that." Ifa snorted, shaking her head. "Honestly, you two are so seriously messed up."

"That's why I was thinking of travelling when you dragged me by my ear." Nullpunkt hissed. Shigeru frowned.

"I just need time out." He huffed. Ifa quirked her brow, and reached, swatting both.

"So if you two can get along, I don't see a problem. Just don't be dumb." She rolled her eyes, stretching.

"Pilgrimages are about self discovery! Wonder! ADVENTUAR."

Shigeru shot a look to Nullpunkt, the female eying back. His eyes asked if Ifa was all there, and Nullpunkt shook her head. No, she strongly doubted it. Moreso, she was way too perky. Sort of like an optimistic, happy version of Miira as opposed to the grouchy, lonely female she'd been since Kabichi died. Shigeru made a face, and then sighed as Ifa was suddenly in their faces.

"HEY. Don't roll eyes at me, numbnuts!" Ifa glared at both. "Now. Will you two get along?"

The two exchanged looks again. It was quiet, the pair sizing one another up in silence several moments without a word. Ifa raised a brow.

"Rephrase. Will you two get along and come along with me or quit being turdmonkeys after I smack you around and go off by yourselves?" Ifa smirked.

Nullpunkt looked annoyed, the threat sitting poorly with her, though Shigeru actually spoke before she could smart off.

"I can. I'm sorry, Null." He looked to the female. Null stared at him, expression searing. Ifa minded her diligently, wary as she watched. However, Nullpunkt sighed, rubbing her nose.

"Fine. For now." She growled. "But one word--"

"Not one more about it." Shigeru rose on his hind legs for a second, forpaws up innocently, and he toppled onto his side. Nullpunkt snorted, rolling her eyes before turning to Ifa, scowling.

"Happy now?"

"Indeed! GROUP HUG!"

Nullpunkt hissed, dodging as Ifa flopped, forepaws pulling around her merrily. Nearby Shigeru got up, bounding over to join in. Nullpunkt's ears flattened in irritation and she growled.

"Awright awright AWRIGHT. GERROF ME." Nullpunkt snarled, shaking loose and moving forward, and snorted, ignoring the pouts.

"Can we just. GO?"

Ifa blinked, Shigeru pouting by her.

"Yes! Onward! To adventuar!" And the female bound off to continue, hips waving to a rythym again. Nullpunkt huffed, rolling her eyes and followed. Shigeru trailed behind, glad to be hiding no longer.