It wasn’t unusual for Yùtù and Ruva to watch the stars as they waited for Oganjo to return from the hunt. It was a soothing activity that helped Yùtù to relax, and Ruva told the best stories for each pattern in the sky. It reminded Yùtù of the stories Koi used to tell her, the stories about great heroes and monsters and gods and tricksters.

It was Yùtù whose sharp ears caught Oganjo’s returning pawsteps...and the fact they were accompanied. Accompanied by very large pawsteps. Making a small noise, the pink lioness tried her best to hide in Ruva as their dark friend came into view. The large lion was carrying a rather large kill...with the help of a very large lioness. The female was dark, with a white face and front paws, and the most vibrant eyes. Yùtù tried to not make a noise as Ruva cleared his throat.

“Who’s your new friend, Oganjo?” The female spoke before Oganjo got a chance to open his mouth.

“Maghaibi! Daughter of the god of determination, beauty extraordinaire. I noticed your friend here was obviously feeding more than himself, so I figured why not help. I like company anyways!” The two males shrugged at one another, while Yùtù tried very hard to not be seen. But the larger female saw her anyways. “And who are you, pretty one? Don’t be scared of my size. Just means there’s more of me to love!” Yùtù squeaked.

“I ah...I am Yùtù. A...a pleasure, miss.” Well. The female was definitely...outgoing. Ruva eyed her, then smiled and motioned for her to join them via the side his mate wasn’t buried into.

“I am Ruva. And our quiet friend is Oganjo. A pleasure, Maghaibi. Since you helped us, and seem fond of company, would you like to join us tonight? And don’t mind my mate. She’s very shy.” More like scared of the world. But this stranger didn’t need to know that. The trio didn’t need anyone prying into their past. Not after the first creature they let in betrayed their trust.

“Please, call me Mags. And I would be honored! Oh, are you all fond of stories or dance?” Yùtù perked up a bit at that, and nodded carefully as Ruva’s whole face lit up and he just...was on.

“We aren’t simply fond of it. We love it. I especially.” Oganjo couldn’t help but chuckle and started humming, deep in his throat. Ruva was up on his paws as his mate moved over to hide in their friend, dancing to the darker lion’s humming. Mags looked utterly delighted and danced with him, a bright smile on her face. They danced for a while, until Oganjo could hum no more, and settled for storytelling as they ate, and long into the night. Yùtù contributed now and then, but for the most part the pink lioness listened, happily settled by Ruva or Oganjo.

Mags didn’t miss the way all three watched the shadows beyond their ‘camp’.

The day brought the large female beginning to travel with them. They didn’t mind the company, and Mags told wonderful stories and danced with skill and enthusiasm. And in all truth...her claws were helpful as well, both on the hunt and when they encountered creatures who meant them harm. She defended Yùtù as viciously as Oganjo and Ruva did, seeing how aggression sent the poor lioness hiding, cowering behind her mate or their friend, or a rock or tree if the situation called for it.

Mags even learned the small pink lioness was quite skilled at darting up the trees.

Little by little, they let her see more. That though Ruva and Yùtù were mates, Oganjo was just as important to them as they were to each other. That they always set up ‘camp’ somewhere easily defensible. That Oganjo truly rarely talked, Yùtù was constantly watching the shadows, and Ruva was a master at deflecting conversation when it turned to their pasts. They avoided prides when at all possible, and watering holes were treated with severe caution. Whatever had them sticking to the rogue life, it wasn’t at all near the reason Mags was a rogue. It made her think.

Perhaps...the three might do well in her birth place. It would be safe, and secure. Ruva certainly would be valued there. And Yùtù, for all her timidness, was quite the skilled healer. On more than one occasion, hurts that should have taken quite some time to heal healed in half the time. And Yùtù just smiled and shrugged, and said she knew exactly which plants and flowers to use, and how to use them. And Oganjo...he was quiet of paw as well as voice, and fierce and strong. He’d make a good Patron.

Yes. Yes that would be perfect. She would give little hints, here and there. Make them curious about where she came from. Get them to ask. And then she could lead them home. Oh, she wouldn’t stay there, of course! Too much of the world to share her glory with. But she could use a visit to her mother and sibs anyways! She’d get them a home, a safe home. Whatever it was in their past that they weren’t talking about, she would make sure they were safe from it. Or anything like it.

Yùtù looked at her curiously, and Mags smiled brightly at her. The smaller lioness looked a bit flustered, then spoke up in her timid way.

“I-is everything all right? You seemed..lost in thought.”

“Quite all right! Was just thinking of visiting my family at some point soon! Maybe you three would like to join me? My siblings are all as gorgeous as me~, of course.” Yùtù stammered a bit, then shook her head.

“We’d need to...to talk to Ruva and Oganjo. But thank you. Thank you for the offer.” There was a little nervousness in her voice that was different than the usual sort, but also a little bit of surprise. The kind of surprise one had when one wasn’t expecting a kindness or affection. It made Mags’ heart ache for the poor lioness.

Whatever had happened to her, it had scarred her heart rather than her flank.

It was little things at first. Mags mentioning her siblings, or her mother, or any number of relatives. Yùtù couldn’t help but be curious. When she was feeling particularly brave that day, she asked what the relative was like. Mags was always happy to share...but she never talked about the pride she hailed from. That was odd. It made Yùtù curious, and Ruva curiouser when she spoke to him about it while Oganjo and Maghaibi were off hunting.

“It’s obvious she’s from a pride. But that she hasn’t spoken about the pride itself…” Ruva looked thoughtful. “I don’t know if that makes me wary or curious. I’ll see what I can find out. Leave it to me, my dearest rabbit.”

It wasn’t as easy as Ruva had thought it would be. For all his skill, Mags was just as skilled about dancing around topics. The information he wanted finally came out in bits and pieces. Little things that he began to piece together. Wherever she was from, it had quite the history, and was very secretive. It was beside the sea, and had a single allied pride that was also beside the sea. The more they found out, the more the trio looked at one another because...this mysterious pride sounded like a very nice place. A very nice place indeed, where they could hide Yùtù away safely. Where the world could harm them no more. It sounded too good to be true, almost, and it made them wonder…

Was Maghaibi revealing the information like she was specifically to get them interested?

One night, while Mags was off chattering with someone else, the three sat together and talked about it. They couldn’t risk being hurt again. Couldn’t risk the pain. But to have somewhere safe...that would be a blessing beyond blessings. But the last creature they’d let so close outside of their trio had shaken them even further, shaken them so hard there was no returning. It was Yùtù who truly made the decision.

“When she returns, we speak with her. This...this is our chance. To either find a home, or find out her true colors.” Ruva looked to Oganjo, who nodded, then took a deep breath before sighing.

“So we shall. I...honestly hope we may have found a home. You deserve safety, Yùtù. Somewhere hidden, where the world can’t hurt you any more.” His ‘rabbit’ gave him a small smile and shrugged.

“I would love that, yes. But I’ve been hurt enough to know that may not be as much an option as...as we would like.” But gods be good, she prayed for it. Prayed every night as Ruva danced and told stories. Every time Oganjo went hunting. Every time they set up ‘camp’. It was time to hope that praying had paid off.

When Mags returned to the group, it was to serious faces. Oh! So it was time! She simply chuckled and sat down in front of them. “Ready to properly ask about home?” Ruva raised a brow, but nodded.

“So you have been deliberate about how you were revealing things.” The large lioness shrugged.

“Would you have been interested if I hadn’t done it the way I did? You all...I don’t know how, and I won’t pry, but the world hurt you. It took something from you all, and shaped you into who you are today. And while I do rather like the people you’ve become, you need a home. Somewhere safe. Especially you, Yùtù.” The trio watched as Mags’ expression fell, little by little. “You all deserve to not look over your shoulders at every little noise, every shadow. You’re my friends, and I want the best for you.” Oganjo spoke first after that, after a small silence.

“I trust you. You have not steered us wrong. You have seen the things others do not wish to.” Other creatures liked to see the world with all the good things in it. They didn’t like to acknowledge that it could be cruel and sharp and hard. “Tell us of this pride you were born into. What it truly is like.” Mags gave them a small smile, and began to speak again.

“It is called the Kizingo’zaa. It was once a pride blessed with peaceful Insanity, but the blessing was lifted from us and now, only a small part of the pride’s lands hold that blessing. But they still are a peaceful place, hidden from the world through secrets and caution and tricks. Song and dance and stories still run in our blood, and we fight to protect our home, no more. Even out here, I stick true to those teachings. There has been too much needless bloodshed in the world, and I will not contribute to it. You three would be welcomed there. I could take you, introduce you. I know Mother would welcome you with open paws and an open heart if I did so. You deserve a place that understands the world can be cruel, and is a safe haven despite that.” The three looked thoughtful once more, and once more...it was Yùtù who spoke, rather than the males.

“I...I would like that.” It surprised both males and the larger female. “We will...we will still be cautious, but I...I want a home. I want a p-place to call my own once more.” She looked to Ruva. “I want somewhere we can raise cubs without...without fear, somewhere they can play safe until we must teach them about the harshness of...of the world.” Ruva nodded, followed by their friend.

“Yes. You’re right, my dear rabbit. Lead the way, Mags. Lead us home.”

The smile on the godspawn’s face was as bright as the dawn.

[Word Count: 2003, according to Google Docs]