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 Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:48 pm
"This is it," Kiwi breathed.
Part of him felt nervous and part of him felt at ease. Though he was still concerned about whether Moyo's family would like him (especially her parents), he was also excited about the prospect of meeting them. He thought that their daughter and sister was perfect in all ways, and if her family members were even half as great as she was, he was sure that he'd love them like he loved her.
The giant lion took a few steps forward, his soft, large paws falling on the grass. It was about midday - the two lovers had lounged in the sun for many hours, simply enjoying the warmth and each other's company. Now, the big moment had come.
Deciding to take initiative, he cleared his throat and called out, "Hello?" Not really being sure of how to address her parents (he didn't even know their names!), he figured this was the best way to attract their attention. The den was several paces away and he waited, his green eyes bright.
The lion almost dwarfed Moyo in size, being both a male and being exceptionally large. However, there wasn't one menacing look about him - instead, he rather looked like a giant, fluffy teddy bear, which described his personality pretty well. Putting on a smile that came naturally, he waited quietly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:19 am
Chocolate covered ears perked ever so slightly at the call into the den where he had posted himself within his parent's protective reach, looking up from his spot, flopped over his mother's paw, with a sort of curious look.
That voice was unfamiliar, for sure. It may have been one of a male, presumably an older one, but.. it didn't sound like his father, nor did it sound like Bakari's voice with seemed to sound angry so much of the time.
;3; Yes. Bakari scared him to a certain extent.
Crawling off of Tanashita's paw, Nitesh stalked along the edge of the den, attempting to look like a 'seasoned pro', and failing horribly, as he tripped over every nook, cranny, and rock he could, before peering out at the large male, whom seemed to be accompanied by his big sister.
Well then.. that meant he wouldn't get eaten for a playful attack.. right?
Dropping down onto his stomach, he stalked out of the opening of the den, sticking out like a sore thumb if one was watching him, before leaping onto Kiwi's paw playfully.
"RAAAAWWWRRR!" he yelled out as a battlecry, his body flopped over the paw that bore his same color, if not in the same shade, and looked up at his sister and her 'friend'.
"....." he remained silent for a moment, before a grin came over his expression. "HI!"
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:27 pm
Tanashita trotted out after the chocolate colored cub and quickly scopped him up in her large jaws. She set him down beside her and gave him her motherly, stern look. The look that all the children (including Moyo and Bakari) already knew. It meant behave or you'd get an extra bath.
Tana looked up at the large lion beside her eldest daughter, and gave a warm smile. She had been anxiously awaiting the day she could meet Moyos love, and as she looked him over, she knew already that she approved. He had kind eyes, and Tana was a wise lioness, who could tell most everything about someone from their eyes.
Though she couldn't say the same for Kif. She knew he would be overly protective of their daughter, and Tana reminded herself to keep him under control.
After a few moments the tan lioness smiled once more and bowed her head softly to him, sitting down beside Nitesh. "Hello, I'm Tanashita, Moyos mother. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She smiled and glanced to Nitesh, laughing a little. "This little bandit is Nitesh."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:01 pm
Mvita was lying in the den when she heard voices outside and woke up. She looked around and yawned, then realized her mother was no longer there. The small cub got to her feet and immediately started running towards the entrance of the den.
Once she reached it she got blinded by the light outside and didn't see where she was running. A second later she found herself sitting on the ground next to her mother's leg and Mvita's own head would not stop aching. She looked at her mother with small tears in her eyes, hoping she would know how to fix it. "I'm broken." It was the only thing that came to Mvita's mind that could describe what she was feeling.
Mvita then saw something white and brown in the corner of her eye and turned her head to look at it. In front of her stood a huge lion. A big smile spread across her face and she wiped the tears away. He looked like her father, but at the same time he was very different. "Who're you?" Mvita asked without taking her eyes off of him and with the same smile still across her face. Seeing other lions made her happy.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:08 pm
Spreading out all the toes on one of his paws, Paki lifted his cream body up off of the floor as he smelled the scent of another coming near him. A scent that he'd never smelled before in his life. That meant it wasn't one of his family members.
The blind little cub took a few steps forward over the den floor he was starting to learn every nook and cranny by heart. It came with the territory.
Swivling his chocolate tipped ears back and forth, the cub walked forward and placed his blind self right on the feet of the newcomer and looked up at him with pale blind eyes. Taking a deep sniff he giggled and smiled up at him. Obviously he was sitting on the feet of a lion, though how big he didn't know. But he could tell that the lion was good.
Just from the smell of him.
ninja
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:26 pm
 Moyo nudged him affectionatelly and reassurringly, giving him a smile as well. He didn't look that nervous, but he was the one who had taught her that appearances could be deceiving.
"You're fine," she whispered as Nitesh pounced on Kiwi. "Nitesh!" she half-giggled, quickly covering her amusement. "You know how to act. Can you be polite for one minute?" Her paw cuffed Nitesh gently and playfully, letting him know she was simply joking.
"Mother." Moyo gratefully smiled back at Tana as she spoke. Approval! Even as Tana said 'yes' she knew that it would take a while before her father agreed. "Thank you. This is Janikiwiti, my mate," she added.
The moment she saw Mvita made her smile, though. Mvita and Moyo, two sisters who could not be more alike. "Mvita, this is my mate, Kiwi," she told her as Paki plopped himself right in front of Kiwi.
She giggled again.
These new cubs; so naive but so energetic.
"Hello, Paki." Moyo bent and put her face in front of his, allowing her smell to let him know it was her before nuzzling his head. She had to admit, Paki was her favorite choice of smaller siblings, even though she would never admit it (Moyo did not believe in favorites. Only preferences). Mvita was adorably like herself, Nitesh a chocolate fluff-ball who mixed himself into trouble every chance he got, and Johari...Moyo didn't exactly know what to think of her little sister. They would grow in time.
Moyo sat. One, because she was a bit tired, and two, in order to relax the family tension. Johari hadn't awoken yet, and Kiwi seemed nervous enough as it was. Her tail slipped in under his and curled around it, offering comfort in the only physical and decent form in front of her family.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:42 pm
Kiwi blinked in surprise at Nitesh as he pounced upon his paws, but then he laughed, a warm sound. Once the cub moved back, Kiwi jumped slightly and fell into a crouch, his chest brushing the ground as he waved his rear around playfully. As the cub said hi, the large lion chuckled to himself and smiled brightly. "Hi there!" he purred.
Then Tana came out. He suddenly felt a bit embarassed by his cublike behaviour, but he still offered her a warm smile, dipping his head politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Tanashita!" he purred, all his nervousness disappearing. They didn't look like a scary bunch, and he relaxed visibly. "I'm Janikiwiti, but I guess Moyo must've told you that already. You can call me Kiwi."
He smiled down at the cub again after hearing his name. "Nice to meet you, Nitesh!"
As Mvita came out, crying, he frowned slightly, feeling badly for the young cub. Something must've been hurting, and it was obviously upsetting the female. In a split decision, he began sniffing around in the grass, searching for a particular herb... the lion prided himself on being a bit of a healer. Helping others was what he lived for, and he couldn't stand to see the little cub in pain.
Finally, he found what he was looking for. With a soft mouth, he gripped a small plant in his mouth and pulled it up, the roots still dangling on the end. He carefully padded over to the young female and offered her the plant. Setting it down at her paws, he said softly, "Eat that. It'll help make you feel better."
Quickly he trotted back to Moyo's side, smiling as her tail curled around his own. As Paki padded out, settling at his feet, he offered the cub a smile before noticing his sightless eyes. He lowered his head, nose twitching as he sniffed the cub lightly. "Hi," he said warmly, his green eyes meeting the cub's blind blue ones.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:51 pm
Sniff. Sniff sniff.
The fact that Moyo had told them earlier that she would be bringing this...'mate' to the den did not register in Kif's mind at first the moment the wind wafted by with an unfamiliar scent. Moyo was completely entwined in it, as well, but this new male...
With a low, warning growl, Kifijo's eyes blinked open and he walked out of the den, leaving Johari inside and well protected between the walls. The three cubs must have joined their mother; if anything happened to them, he swore revenge.
"Moyo," he gruffed affectionately. However, he kept his eyes trained on this white male with a striped brown mane and tail.
Janikiwiti? he thought, putting a name to the much-described face. Courtesy of Moyo, naturally.
"Janikiwiti?" he spoke aloud, standing tall and proud in front of his den and family.
To be honest, Kif didn't know what to think of the male. Obviously, he was good with cubs. His growl tightened at the familiarity with the reactions of his cubs. Especially Paki, who could only smell the good in lions. Or so he claimed.
The fact with the cubs was important. His growl softened the slightest bit.
But would he be like that if Moyo had cubs, as well?
The growl was up and back again.
But they looked so in love...did he not know from experience that love only multiplies as the years go past?
The growl lowered again.
Kifijo was so confused. He wanted to hate this lion, for taking his daughter away from him.
But he wanted to love Kiwi as his own son, happy that his daughter found a good mate that will take care of her and be there for her as Kif had been there for Tana.
How confusing young love was!
If he had known that this was how it would have turned out, he would have never had cubs!
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:08 pm
As the other male came out of the den, Kiwi swallowed nervously. When Kif growled, his ears automatically pinned back almost submissively. Did he not approve? Was there something about Kiwi that he didn't like? He took in a deep, shaky breath, watching Moyo's father nervously. Oh, why had he been such a fool to think that her family would like him?
As the other male said his name, Kiwi dipped his head politely before raising his green eyes to gaze at Kif. He could see how Moyo was a perfect mix of both the parents, and the familiarity of his appearance, though he had never previously met, put Kiwi slightly at ease. Clearing his throat, he looked down at Moyo for a moment, just for a lift of confidence. Seeing her made him feel a bit better and finally he rose to his paws and treaded over to Kif.
In front of the male, he lowered his head slightly in a polite gesture. "It's nice to finally meet you," he said softly. "I'm sure that right now, you're inclined to not like me, because as a father, you must be extremely protective of your oldest daughter. I assure you, though, that I have her best interests at heart, and... I really do love her, sir. She's the light of my day and at this point, I don't think I could live without her."
The lion, who normally spoke in a very casual manner, suddenly struck up an uncharacteristic formality that he had not previously displayed in front of Moyo.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:18 pm
Tanashita watched as the cubs began to venture out one at a time. She smiled as the whole family began making greetings and getting along. As Mvita said she was broken, Tana smiled down warmly at her and nuzzled her as Kiwi gave her the herb. "Thank you, Kiwi." She said, knowing the herb would help. She nodded ehr approval to Mvita before watching Paki walk out as well.
Tana felt a little guilty for Paki. She felt bad that he had been born blind, but she knew that he was adjusting well and he was just as strong, smart and able as his siblings, if not more. (Though she'd never say that.) She smiled at Kiwis reaction as well. Normally when lions met Paki they became nervous and treated the cub in a special way, which was just as bad as making fun of him for his blindness. But most creatures didn't realize Paki saw far more than most of them would see.
As the familiar shape of her mate ventured from the den, Tana felt her heart start to beat a bit faster. When he sat beside her, Tana set her tail upon his, much like Moyo did to Kiwi. As Kiwi walked over, Tana leaned to Kif and whispered softly, "Be nice." Before pulling away to sit beside her eldest daughter with the cubs around them.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:19 pm
Nitesh winced a bit as he was hefted away from the blunt of the fun, sitting stubbornly at his mother's side, before looking back at his sister as she ran into Tana's leg, giggling and pawing at her playfully, before looking back to his new giant playmate and giggling. "Kiwi! That's a fun word t'say~" he beamed, repeating it a couple of times, while crawling around his mother's closest leg playfully, before posting himself between her front paws.
However, the fun of there being a stranger, about soon faded as his father strode out of the den, an odd air of seriousness about the large male, causing Nitesh to silence himself with a slight squeak to watch his actions.
Okay, rule number one, act big and scary around my sister's friends. Got it! he committed to memory, though if he were to attempt to be scary, he was sure he'd just look like an adorable little puff ball and not be taken seriously. But hey, it was all good.. right?
Looking up at his mother, Nitesh tilted his head to the side, before looking back to Moyo and Kiwi with an odd look. Why was her friend acting so funny around mommy and daddy?
Perking back up, he again bounced away from his mother's reach and flopped himself over Kiwi's paw, giggling, scrambling off of it, then mimicking the same action upon his sister, purring contently.
He so was a 'ruiner of moments.'
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:22 pm
Moyo nuzzled her mother affectionately before keeping a steel look on her father.
Oh, how he frustrated her!
How could he be so closed-minded?! This was love they were talking about, not some masculine competition!
"Daddy," Moyo started, stopping abruptly as Kiwi stepped forward--albeit hesitantly. Moyo didn't blame him--and introduced himself in the most polite manner. She had never seen this formal side of Kiwi, and for that she was grateful. He almost seemed to good to be true, if she didn't know any better.
But she was dumbstruck as he began his polite tirade, insistant on convincing her father--the terror of all young male lions who took after a daughter--that he was the real deal.
Please let Dad believe him, she repeated in her mind.
Moyo's thoughts were broken as Nitesh made himself comfortable on her paws. She blinked, smiling down at him and tickling his stomach with her nose.
"Silly cub."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:37 pm
Kifijo wrapped his tail around his mate's as well, reassuring not only her but himself as well that he would be as firm as he could but laced with gentleness.
Kif didn't want to scare the lion away forever, of course.
His eyes gave Kiwi another inquisitive sweep. Strong, lithe build. Sharp teeth. Kind eyes. And nature. Personality.
All the things that he had ever wanted in a mate for his cubs. He did not know of Riku. He'd have to talk to Bakari about that problem a bit later on...but Moyo. For being the youngest, she sure had found a mate the fastest.
After a few more minutes of 'inspection,' Kifijo finally spoke.
"First and foremost, I am pleased that someone has become brave enough to chase after our daughter," he chuckled. His eyes had softened and his voice had gentled. The growl had vanished.
"Secondly, it is a pleasure to meet you, as well. We have all heard so much about you." Kif smirked at Moyo, who blushed and put her head on Kiwi's shoulder. "And you could probably tell who has oiled their jawbones.
"You are right. I am very protective of my daughter. All of them. I forget; I now have two younger girls." Kif licked Mvita affectionately and patted the two boys. "My males I do not need to worry about. Only when they go and become mates to daughters of the very same protective fathers. I think we all met up in a past life and agreed to treat all future mates for our children the same." Kifijo chuckled again, tail swishing around while still entangled with Tana's.
He took a deep breath, thinking about what to say before the words were released.
"I have also been told about our Moyo's nightmare, and the night you saved her from it. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. If not for you, we might not have her with us, today. And I would not be welcoming you into the family. So, all in all, you've brought this upon yourself. " He smirked widely. "I do not know whether to congratulate you or to help you escape."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:52 pm
Kiwi breathed a soft sigh of relief, his smile softening as well. Dipping his head at Kif's words, his eyes sparkled. "I guess I did bring it on myself!" he said with a soft laugh, before looking at Moyo once more. Her shining blue eyes... he sighed happily. "But I wouldn't change a thing in the world." He pressed his body against Moyo, his love for her almost radiating through the whole field.
"All I want... is to be accepted into the family," he said softly. "Your family. I never had my father, and my mother... she tried, really, she did, but she wasn't ready to to be a mother, to be honest. I've never had a family like your daugher does, but I do have a mate now... something I never dreamed I'd have. And, I'd like to have all of you... accept me as a son, and as your daugher's mate." He offered a weak smile. It was obviously hard for him to talk about his family, or lack of family.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:01 pm
Moyo gave a sigh of happiness and relief as well, tilting her head up to lick Kiwi's cheek subtly.
Decency was still a factor, since her parents were right in front of them...
Not only was Moyo extremely happy about her father and Kiwi coming to an agreement--and it will hopefully grow into more of a true relationship--, but the chance to offer Kiwi the family that he never had made her heart swell with pride, love, and amazement.
She was so lucky to have found him and to be able to say that he was hers and she was his.
"I think it's a given, love. You're in the family, now, whether you like it or not," Moyo replied, nuzzling his ear. She couldn't stop touching him; the simple fact that now they were official was unbelievable (well, they had been official before, but it helped to have the parents' approval).
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