(This is an AIM log between my Kipenzi and Keantha's Amathemba)
There was a lot of anxiety running through Kipenzi as she made her way down the mountainside in the early morning dew. The moisture on the stones made for a slippery treck, but one she did with a solid mindset. She was just as nervous to go back into the rogue lands as she was about initially joining the pride. It was odd, to have those feelings reversed, but she couldn't turn back now. Maybe I'll even see Pasha... While she had no idea if her mother was still alive, she had seen her sister once since joining. It had been bitter sweet, since the lioness' memory loss kept their reunion on edge. She had called herself Kimana and as much as Kippy wanted to find her, the meeting might be too painful.
Amathemba yawned lazily as she streched before blinking her brillant blues eyes to clear the sleep fuzz from them. Oh she knew that blinding coat all to well and with an impish smile that was her grandmother in spirit, the blue and white lioness crept from her cave to stalk her mother.
With her hearing at a nonexistent level Kipenzi paid no attention to her tag along. She rolled her delicate shoulders as she slid down a little embankment and jumped onto more solid ground. There was a grace about her that had never evaporated even when she could no longer hear the outside world properly. She only hoped it could save her hide if she got caught in a sticky situation.
Ama waited till her mother was on solid ground before launching herself at Kipenzi's legs. The younger female shared her mother bright coloration but she was her fahter's daughter in stature. Built along the lines of most of Kabusha's blood, Ama was low and stocky with a thick dense coat. She roared happily as she mouthed at her mother's ankles.
Kipenzi squealed and nearly fell when she felt the weight of another on her ankles. "Why you little leech!" She admonished before breaking out into a light hearted laugh. With the practiced ease only those were are used to cubs have gained, Kipenzi started to slip her lean legs out of her daughters grasp. "Honestly, Ama dear, don't you think it's time you acted like a lady?"
Making a rude noise, she rolled onto her back to look at her mother upside down. "Why?"
There was a very unladylike snort that preceded Kipenzi reaching down to pinch her daughter's nose. "Because you're old enough to be mated, that's why. How am I ever to see you off if you can't seem to behave?"
Ama flailed at that and rolled away from her with a huffing snort. "Why would I want to be mated to some huffy male that won't let me be me?"
"Because there's a way you act in public and the young you are when you're around family. They aren't necessarily the same." She had learned it all the hard way. The stubborn, opionated, nosy, gossip girl she had been was less favorable to the noble lady she tried to be as an adult.
"Meme always said for us to be who we are and if they deserve us then they like who we are." Ama replied but rolled to her feet to bump her head against her mother's side.
"Well, she wasn't wrong." Kipenzi wasn't about to argue the advice given to Ama, but she didn't exactly see it all in those terms. "Just try for mama, okay? Be a good girl while I'm gone and surprise me with a special someone when I come back. Or at least pretend like you went on one date, hmm?"
"Gone?!" Ama's head shot up in alarm as her ears tilted backwards. "Where are you going? Better yet, WHY are you going? Does this have to do with Daddy? I thought you two were ok...please momma, don't leave us." Ama whined softly terrirfied at the idea her mother was leaving them for good.
"Shhh, shhh, baby, it's all right! I'm coming back." She gave a little weak smile. "I'm just going to be gone for a couple of weeks at the most. Your father and I are fine, this is just soemthing I've wanted to do for a while. See the world, go see the sights, things like that. I swear to you I will be back."
Ama frowned nodding slowly, "So..your own sort of pligramia." She relaxed.
"Exactly." Kipenzi nodded. "I'm sure the most trouble I'll get into is missing out on a meal or two since I'm such a rusty huntress." She chuckled.
"You want me to come with you? I will." Ama smiled at her mother lovingly. All joking aside, she was a momma's girl and they all knew it. If she hadn't been cuddled up to Kabu as a cub, she was clinging to her mother's tail.
Kipenzi reached out to cup Ama's head with her paw and brush her cheek with her own. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but this is something your mother needs to do on her own. Maybe next time." As much as she would love to have her little shadow with her, Kipenzi doubted she would be able to be as...frisky knowing her daughter was around.
"Sure thing mommalove. Next time we'll go tear up the savanah together." Ama chuckled rubbing her cheek against her mothers.
"Oh yes, most definitely." She laughed and snuggled up close to her girl. It would be a long time before the two of them were reunited and she wanted to remember this moment. "Take care of your father while I'm gone."
"Always, please be careful momma. I love you." Ama smiled at her mother lovingly.
"I love you too, Ama." And with one final hug she pulled away to look at her sweet daughter before venturing out on the journey of a life time. One that would undoubtedly have it's fair share of twists and turns, but so long as she had her family to return to it would all work itself out in the end. Kipenzi severely hoped it would, anyway.
(WC: 1023)
