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An ash-pelted male sat in the shelter of the trees nearby the watering hole. Another scorching day in Africa had left him a little drowsy and in search for shade a little distant from Pride Rock, and the watering hole was the first thing he happened to see. Kazi let out a lazy yawn and opened his eyes, letting them gaze on the blue surface of the water. "Serene..." he said with a small smile. He pushed his body off the ground and onto his feet and started walking to the edge of the lake where he stared into his reflection in the water. For a moment or two it was just his own reflection, and, perhaps it was the heat, but he soon saw a reflection of Tuzwa beside him as well. He smiled at the reflection and turned his head, hoping to see his mate. The male frowned when he found that she wasn't there, and he sighed again. "Where is she anyway?" he wondered aloud as he bounded back to his spot beneath the trees.

His ears twitched as he heard the sound of a familiar voice. Kazi stood instantly and smiled when he saw his mate. He padded over to her and nudged her nose with his in a sort of greeting. "Hello," he said happily. "Where've you been? I missed you," he went on. The male still hadn't noticed the distraught look on her face. A little too happy maybe? He moved over and stood beside her, beginning to walk toward the trees yet again.

Kazi stopped walking and turned to her, noting the tone of her voice to be a serious...and slightly saddened one, though not making it obvious. "C'mon over here and tell me in the shade then," he said in the same tone as earlier. Within moments they were in the shade and Kazi lay down once more, his head up as he waited for her to lay beside him. His tail was swaying gently behind him, and the wind ruffled his mane a little bit. The smile was everpresent on his face as he looked at Tuzwa, taking in every feature on her face and making a mental image of her in his mind.

Kazi smiled and lowered his head, a smile still on his face despite the sudden sadness that was looming over him now. He pulled away slightly and leaned his face a little closer to hers, licking her cheek and nudging her comfortingly. "I know..." he said quietly before leaning touching his nose to hers again. "And you don't have to be sorry. They're your cubs, you should go and find them." He sighed and licked her nose before lowering his head and resting it on her paw. "But since you're here right now, we can at least be together for a little while before you have to leave." Kazi sighed and swayed his tail so it touched hers. "Right?"

Kazi smiled and sighed gently, purring as she stroked his mane. "I'm glad for that..." he said quietly as he sat up, nudging her muzzle with his own. "I'll wait for you," he said quietly to her. "Until you get back, and then we can start a family of our own, including your cubs." Kazi held a reassuring look in his eyes, and he smiled comfortingly. "I'll miss you though..."

He smirked and purred as she started to nuzzle him, flicking his tail happily. "Don't worry..." he said before pushing himself off the floor and rolling over so that he was the one on top this time. "I won't." Kazi held a playful look on his face, and he touched his nose to hers. "I'll just settle in and prepare a home for you to return to while you're gone then," he said quietly to her, locking his jade-green eyes with hers. "Where do you suppose you want our home to be?"

Kazi purred when she nuzzled into his mane, a smile on his face as he thought of where he could situate the den for his future family. "Somewhere near pride rock would be nice..." he thought as he lay himself beside her again. "When do you plan on leaving?" The tone in his voice had changed, and his eyes now looked gloomy. How long after she leaves will he have to wait to see her again? It was something that he dreaded, even though he's only known her for a few days.