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 Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:51 pm
The life of a rogue was not the life for the red-pelted lioness and it showed in her frame. Once full and strong, the lioness's ribcage was quite prominant and she looked much like the poor wretched creature that she was. Her cubs were always first when it came to feeding and being a lone lioness it was quite hard to bring down big enough prey by herself to feed four mouths. Now as her little ones busied themselves back at the den with the latest kill Kinja made her way towards the boundaries she swore she would never near, the Pridelands.
Kinja hoped that prey would be as abundant in the Pridelands as it use to be. It was close to the den as well. She did not want to wander far from her offspring so the Pridelands was the only place she could turn to. Tentavily she stepped into the lands, blue orbs gazing around for anyone who might see her. Not catching sight of any forms she lowered herself in the tall grass and moved stealthily. It had not taken her long to adjust to hunting in the grass again. The desert was much more difficult since there were so few places to actually hide. The billowing grass around her was a blessing and made her life so much easier.
Moving with exact precision which she got from years of hunting on the sand Kinja kept herself low and out of sight. The scent of prey was everywhere which meant little had changed within the fertile lands, now all she had to do was find a herd of antelope with offspring which would be easy enough to pick off by herself.
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:09 pm
 "I don't know if I want to be teaching you this...", Mwali sighed, glancing down to his eager son as they made their way towards the boarder. Recently, Malik had been showing the patiance of a meerkat in a termite mound when it came to learning how to fight and hunt. The young lion was already quite bulky, his frame thick with young muscle, his face set in a dangerous smile that, in an instant, could become silky and seductive to a lioness. Already a lady's man... whose son was he?
"Aww, Pap, I just wanna be gettin' tah bein' as big n' dangerous as ya'." Malik replied casually, tossing his head up as if he had a mane to clear from his face. He did it often or he'd brush back the short tufft of hair with his claws, always trying to make an impression on the lionesses of the pridelands. He fancied himself quite the playboy.
 "You're just saying that so I'll teach you." He raied an eyebrow then gave a sigh of defeat, glancing about shortly to assure that they were alone. He wasn't sure how Mufasa would like the little half-breeds learning the fighting style of a firekin... Mwali might never have learned how to hunt, but every firekin was taught how to fight. "Alright- you have to know everything around you- the layout of the ground, if you're up or down wind, how soft or hard the ground is... it can really determine a battle. A fight in a rocky area will turn out differently than one on level ground."
"Ya, gotta get yerself used tah the layout, got it, paps... I knew dat one allready." He glanced about, then frowned, his ears rotating a bit, "Hmm... I smell somethin'."
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:05 pm
Kinja eventually came to the end of the tall billowing grass to the shorter vegetation which had been grazed on to tiny nubs. It was here where she found what she was looking for. A large herd of antelope were contently chewing on the greenery oblivious to her prescence. She was positioned just right so that the wind was hitting her face, the antelope would have no idea what was coming until it was too late.
Crouching low in the grass Kinja peered through the lush vegetation as well trained eyes searched for an easy target. Finally, near the outskirts of the herd was a mother and a fawn which looked to be mere hours old. It still looked quite shaky on it's legs as it teetered around it's mother's frame.
Gathering her legs under her, muscles twitched and tensed as she wait for just the right moment to attack. The herd did not move an inch closer to her but that wasn't what mattered. It was what her target was doing. Finally, the little calf tripped up slightly and that's when Kinja's muscles exploded into action and lioness flew from her hiding spot. Claws dug into the ground and helped propell her forward as her prey began darting off but with a few swips of her paws she tripped up the little antelope and pounced on top of it, jaws clenching around the doomed creatures throat as her ribcage showed how much exertion it took for her to take down her food. Deep breaths was taken as she suffocated the calf until it fell limp and no longer stuggled against her. Dropping the head she crouched there catching her breath, not caring that she caused a ruckus. She had her prey which was small enough for her to carry off to the freelands, in a run should the need be, though it would slow her down quite a bit.
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:33 am
Both lions paused at the sound of an antelope's cry as it was taken from its feet. Malik smirked, knowing very well that lionesses did the hunting... oh what lovely lady was working herself out this fine evening? Perhaps one of the queen's lovely daughters, oh what fine beauties they were, nobility obvious in every motion they made, every glance. Or perhaps one of the exotic rogues that had recently joined? Even perhaps a leopard or a cheetah? Beautiful creatures them, sleek and agile.
The younger lion made his way to the crest of the hill, his brow wrinkling at the sight of a lioness.... too old for his tastes but... well she was red- like his father. "Hmm.... Pap lookit this."
Mwali sighed and made his way over, likely another lioness for Malik to stalk and try to swoon with his 'charm'. His mouth fell open as he beheld the familar figure. "Why it's.... that's my sister in law."
"Get out. She looks old."
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:42 am
Blue orbs finally rose from the young antelope laying at the lionesses feet. It was then, that the bulking form of a male came in sight and caused every muscle in Kinja's body to tense and her breath to hitch. No...it couldn't be! Of all lions to see her! Now what?! She could run for it, but she didn't want to leave her kill and she wouldn't be able to out run Mwali. But, as she gazed upon the lion Kinja couldn't help but feel tears well in her eyes. Mwali looked much like his brother and it caused the lioness great pain. Why must the memories haunt her so?
Grief filled and unable to decide what to do Kinja just rose onto her haunches and looked away from the male in shame. She was nothing like the lioness she had been, Kinja had changed dramatically physically and mentally since she had last seen Mwali and she was somewhat afraid of what her mate's brother would think of her. Plus, he was the only lion to know of her secret which made the situation worse.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:56 am
Mwali couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Kinja!" He began down towards her, followed by a confused but curious Malik. The lion looked much healthier than he had when she'd last seen him. What had been rolls of fat on his body before had developed into fine, toned muscle. He hadn't been the best hunter but he gave his full effort, the trip through the desert and back had taken much of the fat from his body, allowing the full firekin frame to show through. He would look very much like his late father save for the more passive expression that seemed to be his constant. Malik was taking after his father as well, still a young cub but a brute for his age, a thick chest with thick forearms and powerful haunches, a sqared off jaw set in a cocky smirk.
"What's happened?" He moved over to the lioness, nuzzling his head into her shoulder. Thank the gods for her... she'd always been kind to him- even when he had been a brat she seemed tolerent, and would pay him mind unlike the rest of the lot. He stepped back, looking her over. "You look terrible..."
"Very nice, pap." Malik rolled his eyes, seating himself just a yard behind them.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:46 pm
She looked back up as Mwali approached and took anote of his changed frame. He had adapted from the chubby, lazy lion she had known to a well defined lion. It was a nice change to see and meant that Mwali was doing well within the Pridelands which wasn't unexpected. The Pridelands were ideal for any lion or lioness to change and become a new being all together and it seemed Mwali took to the kind-heart and tolerance of the pride well.
She sighed for a moment after Mwali showed his affection for her unsure how to go about explaining everything to her brother-in-law. There had not been anything tragic really, not within the pride itself, she had just finally fallen apart at the seams. "Oh Mwali, I just, I couldn't live in the desert any longer. With all of my cubs grown and Kimeti having taken the throne there was nothing to keep my mind off of Kiu. I...I just..." She sighed. "I left and have been living as a rogue but I wasn't doing well. To top it off I now have new cubs to care for after a run-in with a Rogue. I can barely keep up with their growing appetites."
Her eyes fell to look at Malik and she smiled tiredly. "I'd say you're just a little older than my cubs." She glanced up at Mwali. "You're son I assume? He looks a lot like Koho."
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:56 am
"He does, but he's getting as big as his daddy real quick." Mwali chuckled, glancing down to the brawny cub as Malik threw his shoulders back to boast an already thick chest.
"Name's Malik, already king Mufasa knows I'm gonna be th' biggest n' baddist I bet'cha. Pure fighter das what I am, lady." He grinned, "Such a lovely lady too- coulda mistaken ya for one o' my own sistahs."
Mwali rolled his eyes, "And a bit of a flirt." He reached a paw up to scoot his son back behind him. "The desert's not a place I thought you'd care to remain in for much longer..." he shook his head, "How were things before you left? I hope Kimeti remembers what I tried to impress into him last we met."
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:04 am
Kinja looked at Malik with a smile. "Well it won't be much longer until your pushing your Daddy around then, eh?" She chuckled at his flirtacious manners. "I think you better stick to lionesses your own age, though I must say your compliment make an old lioness like me feel good." She curled her tial up and around her paws as Mwali spoke to her.
Blue orbs saddened slightly. "He's not quite as kind as his father but that's Makadari's influence. When I left though I think the responsibilites of being King were beginning to settle in though. He wasn't as ruthless as he was when he was younger though. He has come a long way but there are things he will need to learn on his own." She sighed. "I wish I could help him but I can't bare being in the desert any longer. Not with all the memories of Kiu haunting me."
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:23 am
Mwali's expression sank at the mention of his brother. He couldn't help thinking about him too... they'd grown up so close but the older they got, the more Makadari took to Kui and more and more they had one more thing come between them... as adults the two hardly ever spoke anymore. He couldn't help but wonder if his brother was disappointed in him now, if he was proud... if he even cared to have an opinion. "I'm sorry... I know it must be hard losing a mate. I don't think I'd enjoy remaining in those lands- I feel I should return at least once more... I can't seem to find Wokovu and I feel horrid that we left him behind but... Koho was in laber and..."
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:56 am
Kinja's face frowned a bit and the mention of Wokovu. "I think I remember him when you came to visit. I must say I never did run into him again and I've roamed the deserts quite a bit. Plus, he wouldn't have been able to avoid the ever-growing Firekin pride so I think you can relax in surity that he isn't in Firekin territory."
The lioness sighed softly and glanced around the lands with a sad smile. "I never realized how much I missed this place until I stepped foot in it." She turned and faced Mwali. "I am glad you found your way here. There could be no nicer place for a lion like yourself."
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