|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:43 pm
((post if you'd like to join the rp. Its open, but we don't want too many joining.))  The first step into the lands of her birth had a strange effect on the red lioness. She could physically feel the difference between the Pridelands and the lands she had come from, though there was nothing one could see that marked the border. It was more a feeling, a sense of home-coming that lightened her steps and brought a smile to the tired face.
Kiuma paused for a moment where she stood, just savoring this feeling and catching her breath. After that terrible meeting with her twin, Tanaka and she had struck out for the Pridelands, but the wall of thorns and the cliff had forced them to detour. Skirting around it had lengthened their journey to weeks, where it should have been days. A sense of urgency had prevaded their travel, growing strong with each passing hour. The cause was evident in the Kiuma's swelling sides, her stomach hanging heavy and full below her.
She'd have never guess that she'd get this big when she found out she was carrying Tanaka's cubs. Of the few lionesses she'd seen with-cubs, she couldn't remember any having grown this large. Red eyes set into a sleek head swivelled, searching for sign of the male that had become so important to her, such a pillar of strength in her life. Those eyes noted a darkening on the horizon, but dismissed it as her mind was occupied with seemingly more important things.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:05 pm
The large white form was never far behind, ever present at the lioness' side, unwavering, unyielding like a force that could never be broken. One green eye scanned the horizon, dark ears flicking, senses taking in the surrounding lands and the pride that inhabbited it. This was Kiuma's home, the land where she was born; and because of that, this was Tanaka's home as well, for wherever she went, so too did he.
Their journey had been long and harsh, white paws dusty with the earth of their travels. The trail had been rougher than the great lion was accustomed to, though it was not the terrain that had made it so. However this was nothing that he begrudged his mate for, if anything he had enjoyed the last leg of their journey more than any other and he cherished the time they had spent together, finding himself falling for her more each passing day.
He turned to his mate, golden mane rustling in the faint wind, a small smile on his maw. She had grown heavy with their cubs, and Tanaka knew that there wasn't much time left. Lowering his head, he brushed against her neck, a low purr in his throat, perhaps an attempt to reassure her for the struggle he knew was soon to come.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:02 pm
The bump against her neck and his low purr brought an answering growl from her and a playful n**. Normally, the lioness would have then proceeded to dash away in a game of chaise, but with her advanced pregnancy the best she could do was a fast trot/waddle. The dark tuft tail flicked in annoyance at the slow pace her body forced her too. She must look like a hippo to Tanaka, and sometimes she honestly didn't know why he stayed with her. He'd even had to take on the responsibilty of hunting and feeding both of them, as well as the cubs she carried.
Settling into an easy pace, Kiuma led the way into her homeland, blancing back over her shoulder to make sure Tanaka was following her. Not long now... and they'd be able to see Priderock. Kiuma was almost home and the feeling was overwhelming. Had it changed since her adolescence? What about her family, had they changed? So many questions, all begging answers while being prodded by a sense of urgency.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:28 pm
Tanaka simply smiled at his mate, his green gaze drifting over her form a moment before trotting to her side and settling into an steady pace that matched hers. If only she knew that he loved her no matter how heavy she got, that he in no way thought she was any less beautiful than the day he had met her, indeed she had grown moreso. He'd had no objection to taking on the added responsiblities or the slower pace, though there were times he missed sharing the hunt with her, times that he knew they would share again in the future.
His larges paws moved easily through the grass of the plains, stirring up the dust beneath with every step. He moved step for step at her side, always matching her pace, his posture ever protective, though it was admittedly more relaxed than it had been in the desert. His eyes shifted forward, watching the horizon and the large rocky formation that soon met his gaze, their destination looming in the distance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:23 am
{Is it okay if the minions are following a little ways behind? :B}
Amleth padded carefully behind the two larger lions, just close enough to follow them to their destination, but far enough away to not bother them... or so she hoped. They'd been less interested in Duhushi and herself since Kiuma had begun visibly showing signs of her pregnancy, and Amleth was rather relieved. The other lions still scared her (as well they should have,) though she had to admit she was becoming excited about seeing the crimson female's cubs. She'd always liked cubs, and even if they were the offspring of these two scary lions, they couldn't be too bad.. right? Besides, she was finally getting to see the Pridelands... it was all rather an adventure!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:07 am
((I hope we aren't intruding ^^ wink )
Duhushi padded closely to Amleth. That Kiuma was far along in her pregnancy andthey were getting more and more pushed aside. Part of him was happy that they were given sometime alone but another part of him wanted to be by Tanaka's side. His tail flicked behind him as he watched the Pridelands before them. It seemed welcoming...enough. He scoffed at the scenery around him. He was used to the forever darkness of the graveyard not this happy go lucky feeling.
"Amleth. These cubs are going to be the death of us..."
Any cubs of those two would be a handful. He certainly wasn't going to look forward to the little bundles of joy but he was happy that Amleth was with him atleast. He brushed his head against hers lightly and continued walking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 6:54 pm
Kiuma growled and bumped against Tanaka as he moved up beside her, the sound playful though she was a little irritated that he could catch up to her so easily. She couldn't wait to have these cubs and regain her former sleekness agian.
Priderock began to poke over the horizon and the sight sent a thrill through her, her pace picking up. "Tanaka, look! Its Priderock, my home." Her smile was bright, spreading acrossed her face wide and uninhibited. She felt almost young again, and adolescent again in a land she knew in detail from the tip of Priderock to the border. She'd certainly passed over it all enough on cub's paws.
She kept the pace brisk, eager now to set paw on Priderock and maybe see those of her family still there. The great structure grew, grass brushing against Kiuma's sides, gold on red. Zebra's started as the lions burst into view, crying out a warning as they dashed away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:28 pm
For the moment Tanaka was less concerned with the large rock formation and more concerned with the land surrounded them and it's inhabbitants. His ears perked, senses growing more alert as the drew closer to the heart of the pridelands and thus to the life within. His tail flicked as creatures scurried from the path of the two large lions. This was home, it should be safe, but the white lion just couldn't help that protective nature of his, a nature that would eventually settle after the birth of their cubs and because less dependant on their parents for survival.
"So this is home..."
It was the only thing he could think to say. Sure it was an impossing and impressive structure, but it didn't inspire the same sense of excitement in the white lion as it did in his mate, after all he was not the one who had grown up there. Even so he couldn't help but smile as Kiuma seemed to hasten her gate the closer they got, he always liked to see her happy. But Tanaka couldn't help thinking that time was short and that new life could cut any reunions short.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:34 pm
A rough laugh fell from Kiuma's maw as she trotted along, jaws gaping with her hard pants for air. "Yes, Tanaka... the place where I was born... and raised." She gasped out, her tail held out behind her as she moved. She made a rather funny picture with her large belly swinging beneith her, but she couldn't care less. The red lioness was finally in her element, feeling bold and cocky on familiar ground.
Bird's wheeled in the sky over head, the dark smudge on the horizon growing as they neared Priderock. It seems there would be rain today, unless these coulds were like the others and just teased with the thought of rain. It was a tempting thought... the lands were needing rain. Enough of it, and the lands would burst into growth, both animal and plant alike. Which ment of cours, lots and lots of easy pickings for lions. It would mean good food for her cubs, and that was a very pleasing thought.
Soon the pair was close enough to make out a slender, cream figure standing at the tip of Priderock looking down on the gentle lands. Sarabi had seen the birds and herd of Zebra distrubed, and had risen to see what had caused it. Her heart did a little flip as she picked out a red form, familiar to her. Could it be...? She hardly noticed the white form, completely missing the two cubs behind it as her eyes were all for her daughter finally returning home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:50 pm
A snort was Tanaka's answer to Kiuma's words, his gait picking up to a trot to match hers. A smirk spread across his maw, one fang showing as he saw some of that feriocity he had always loved about her show through, that boldness that he cherished so.
"Well...so long as we're there together it's home."
Setimental perhaps, but to him it was the truth. It was remarkable just how different he was with Kiuma than with any other. With the red lioness he was nothing short of kind and loving, protective and caring. It was she and she alone who ever saw or experience this side of him, it was something their children would soon know as well.
His green gaze was ever alert, and as they drew toward the base of the rock formation, he did not miss the pale figure that stood above. His first instinct was protective, a reaction that happened before he even thought about it. But something told him the figure was not a threat and his posture relaxed, though he remained ever alert.
"Kiuma, " he gestured above with a flick of his head, "we're being watched."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:53 pm
Amleth stuck her tongue out at her friend. He was grumpy today! She, on the other hand, was awed by the stark beauty of the Pridelands, and the jutting rock that was its base.
"Shh, don't say that! They're only cubs.." she scolded him lightly, grinning. "I bet the'll be cute!"
As they neared the looming rock, Amleth laid her ears back, looking up. She spotted the figure of Sarabi at its tip, and nudged Duhushi.
"Duhu.. look! Who d'you think that is?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:09 pm
Duhushi watched the rock beginning to loom over them. It was quite a sight considering that he wasn't used to the blinding reds, golds and browns. His eyes began to slowly squint as they walked so he could get a closer look.
"They'll be cute alright until they try to eat your tail off." His tail fell against his ankles. He certainly didn't want to lose it.
Finally his eyes began to adjust as he saw her figure. He looked to Amleth before looking to the pair before them. "The queen maybe? That rock doesn't look like a place comoners would be..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:41 pm
Kiuma's soft ears perked as Tanaka spoke again, turning to glance at him then in the direction he guestured to. Red eyes, her mother's eyes, lit up at the sight of the figure on the ledge, pausing for a moment before surging forward as fast as her lumbering body could take her. "Tanaka! That's my mother!" She called back to him, a pleased laugh slipping from her maw.
At the top, Sarabi found herself smiling, watching her daughter catch sight of her and pick up her pace. The queen moved to begin her descent down
the side of Priderock. For once, her daughter had as much effort moving as she did, though she didn't know it yet. The elderly lioness moved down the rocks of her home with slow steps, making sure there was nothing to upset her. A fall could be dangerous for the frail body.
Kiuma could hear voices behind her, and neither was the voice of her mate. A little smirk pulled at her mouth as she reached the base and started up. It seems the 'minions' weren't far behind. It made her wonder just what her mother would think of them... or of her mate for that matter. Tanaka wasn't exactly... a normal lion. A fierce protectiveness rose up in her, making her ears press back. Even if her mother didn't like him, she'd never be able to leave him. She'd leave the Pridelands first.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:01 pm
Tanaka looked toward the old lioness, perhaps a touch of suspicion and protectiveness in his lone eye. Kiuma's mother? Even though the difference in pelt color, the white lion could see some family resemblence, if only in the eyes.
His tail flicked, steps hastening, his gait stretched to match his mate's. She seemed happy enough to see her mother, and that made him happy, he just hoped she stayed that way. After all, Tanaka wasn't the type that most mothers, or fathers for that matter, approved of. In any case this could be a very interesting encounter.
"Does that mean your father is there as well?"
He certainly hoped not, but he made a mental note to at least try to be nice for once, if only for Kiuma's sake.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:32 pm
The red lioness chuckled softly, though the sound was breathless with effort. "I don't know if Father is here... I didn't see him around much before... I left to travel." Those were her last words before she rounded a rock and came on her mother, the two figures rushing together with happy growls. Kiuma lowered her head to nudge the slender body of her mother, for the first time noticing just how frail and small the queen felt. There was hardly anything to her, just skin and bones...
Sarabi rubbed her chin down her daughter's spine, marveling at how much she had grown. Gone was the gangly adolescent, body more full of potential than actual power. It seems that potential had finally come to fruit in this adult body, leaving a creature sleek and hard muscled. What wasn't as she expected was the large bulge of stomach that Sarabi found bumping against her. Pregnant? Then...
The same red eyes turned to the other that had approached, rising up... and up to meet one deep green eye belonging to the lion that must be her daughter's mate. He was certainly... big, his coat a dazzling white contrasting with his black markings and golden mane. That part was a bit off, since he seemed to only have a half-mane. The part that really set him out in the Queens mind, though, where the numerous scars crisscrossing his face and back, leading to one tattered wing rising from a muscled shoulder. Could it be...?
Kiuma turned with a low rumble, smiling. "Mother... This is Tanaka, my mate." She stated proudly, stepping back to his side. "Tanaka, my mother and Queen of the Pridelands, Sarabi."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
