|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:52 pm
 Kiuma cursed softly under her breath as she jumped onto a lone fallen log, its twisted roots reaching for the sky. A thorn had cut her paw somewhere in the last mile, and though she'd cleaned it carefully, it stung every time her pads hit the ground. Grimacing at the annoyance, the red lioness paused on the log to survey her surroundings, piercing eyes sweeping the swaying grass all around her. She was getting close, she was sure of it... Tanaka's blood was heavy in the air, getting stronger the farther she traveled.
Inwardly, she reproached her mate with words that would most likely never leave her lips. It was a blow to her pride that he'd left without her, but after what she'd done meer months before, she could only assume it was payback. She did deserve being left behind, but with his injuries, it was a foolish thing to do. His blood formed a trail of crimson dots, and she could smell his pain... he must be severely beaten up to leave such obvious markings.
"Tanaka..." She hissed under her breath, her chest aching. She had to catch up soon, see for herself that he was okay.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:30 pm
He had made his way to the desert's edge, trudging on tattered paws, trail stained as red as his tarnished hide. How he had managed to make it this far despite the wounds that marred his body was beyond mortal comprehension, driven by the unyielding stubbornness of a father unwilling to lose his child, to allow that infernal blue monster to take her.
He had come to rest at an oasis, his muzzle buried in the cool water, lapping at the precious resource, soothing his thirst, blind to the sting of his scars. Lifting his head, the lion looked toward the horizon, first one direction then the other, his senses alert, searching for a sign of the one he sought, the one he would rend in his jaws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:19 pm
Kiuma paused when Tanaka's scent trail grew strong enough to surround her, knowing he was very close. The broad head of the lioness lifted as she scented the air a final time, then padded forward, ruby eyes alert for anything. The scent of water was nearly masked by the heavy, metalic scent of blood, but it was there... He must have stopped to drink.
Tall strands of grass parted for the slender, muscled form and Kiuma emerged on the little oasis that her mate had found. She hadn't realized she'd been holding it till her breath hissed between her fangs as her eyes fell on the red-spotted white form. Relief flooded her, making her tremble with supressed emotion. It had been hard to loose her daughter, and the sudden disappearance of her mate had only worsened it. Muscles slowly unkinked as she padded forward, her head slung low between her shoulders.
"Tanaka... Have you found out his destination yet?" She spoke softly as she approached, leaving out all the things she wanted to say, the scolding she wanted to give him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:05 pm
Dark ears flicked, the lion's head snapping upright, a vicious snarl falling from his maw, a warning to whoever had dared approach him. His mood was foul and he was in no mood for company, hostile, friendly, or otherwise.
It was not until his gaze fell on the familiar red pelt that his expression softened, and only just, turning away from her with an inaudible snort, occupying himself by licking a scar on one paw. He could feel her gaze on him and sense those words that she had not yet spoken, words that he would not have tolerated, and his tail flicked in a silent warning against it.
"I have a general idea."
His words were harsh, gruff, and brief. He wasn't in a conversational mood, nor did he wish to explain what he knew of his brother at that moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:56 pm
Kiuma gave a short flick of her tail as she padded forward, her eyes falling on the water. "You didn't wait for me." The lioness said softly as she crouched by the water, lowering her head to lap it up and soothe her parched throat. It was a statement only, though once again there was more that she didn't say.
What had they come to, that he would greet her like that? Such a simple thing, something neither of them could control, and he turned cold towards her. She regretted this change... it pained her more than even the loss of her brother. It was all Kiuma could do to keep control of herself. They weren't done yet, there was still time.
"I'm here now, though. Are you strong enough to go on, Tanaka?" Her red gaze slid over to him from where she crouched, water dripping from her jaw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:00 am
The white lion stilled for a moment, his gaze narrowed, a low throaty growl breaking through closed jaws. He remained silent, perhaps waiting to see if she had more to say, if she dared say those words he knew she was holding back. Even so, his mood did not allow for patience.
"No, I didn't. I chose to hunt the monster before his trail was lost."
What would she have had him do? Simply let the god of war steal away their only daughter? To just sit by why he escaped with her? No! He would not let his brother slip through his claws again! He would hunt that infernal blue pelt to the ends of the earth and beyond, and there he would take back what was stolen.
Silently, slowly, the great lion rose to his paws, turning to pad toward a large rock in the shade of one of the trees that grew at the edge of the oasis. It was here that he had dug a short tunnel, enough to fit his front end, his hind resting on the sand outside, tail flicking behind. The sun was bright and his eye longed for the darkness.
"But then, you didn't wait for me either."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:52 pm
Kiuma stiffened, hackles rising along the back of her neck. Sharp fangs flashed at his turned back as she stifled a sharp growl. The upwelling of anger and hurt faded slowly, reminding her that she had left without him.
Rising up, she turned and padded closer, settling herself at his side in the shade. Her red body was held stiffly, tail flicking at her own unease. Was this a fight? Were they actually having a fight? It was the first time they'd really argued... even after that incident with the rogue. Though, she supposed they were overdue.
"No, I didn't, and I guess I can understand your feelings. The situations are much the same, but... " She sighed as she shook her broad head, some of the tension going out of her. "You are so badly injured... are you sure you're alright?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:38 am
The lion snorted, tail thumping against the sand, eyes closed in the darkness, but he did not shift from his position, did not turn to face her. He was irritated, angry, and he did not wish to look at that red pelt.
"You underestimate me if you think my brother could destroy me. I am not weak, Kiuma, you of all creatures should know that."
His tone had not softened, his mood clear in every syllable and every flick of his tail. He was angry at everything and everyone, and nothing was safe from his wrath, from the hatred that burned with an infernal blaze. He would rend that infernal hide from his brother's body, tear him to shreds, and crush his still beating heart in his paws. And nothing, not his injuries nor the red lioness would stand in his way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:01 pm
Kiuma whinced at his tone, hurt by this sudden change in him. They'd been happy... at least she'd thought so, yet now he treated her like some stranger. It was confusing, and it made her feel like something was breaking inside her.
Damn, stupid males. Him and Uumikaji both... why did they have to go and to this to her? A frown pulled at her face as she sat quietly, biting back the retort she wanted to make. Circle, she hated not being able to talk to him. He just didn't understand that even the strongest had weaknesses, and could be overcome. Why couldn't he understand that?
Maybe he just needed some time... maybe he needed to cool down a little, then he would return to normal. She could only hope. If things stayed like this, it would kill her. Damn Mrost too, for bringing this down on them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 3:50 pm
There was a growl in a heavy sigh as the great lion shifted, turning his body to lay on his side as much as he could, front end still buried in his makeshift den, eye hidden in the darkness. His tail flicked in a mixture of hatred, anger and frustration; hatred of his brother, anger at that red gaze, and frustration at himself for not healing fast enough.
Foolish mortal, he had left her where she would be safe, where she could protect their remaining children, where the blue god could not touch her. He had left before she knew, intending to leave no trail. But his wounds had slowed him down, and he had not been fast enough to escape. Idiot, didn't she know she couldn't follow where he was going, a wasteland no mortal should tread where an opponent that only he could face waited. Damn her for following, this was his fight and his alone.
Even as he laid there half hidden in darkness, angry growls echoing around him, the injuries cut into him by the god of war were apparent. One paw had clearly taken the full force of those blue jaws, the tears from claws over his back, punctures from spines barely healed on his sides. But despite this he had continued, and he would not yield. Mortals were fragile, but he was not, and soon these too would be nothing but scars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:44 pm
Kiuma knew nothing of his thoughts, could only feel the anger radiating from him. It frustrated her more than anything. She had every right to be here... even if he seemed to despire her at the moment. The daughter that had been stolen as hers as well, something he seemed to have forgotten. Their other cubs, which also seemed to have slipped his mind considering he'd not asked about them, were safe in the depths of the pride. Why should he be so set against her right now?
Her sleek body shifted back and forth as she held silent vigil over him in his make-shift den, turning her gaze out over the oasis they shared. Did he think she'd get in his way? How could he think that, when she was the more fit for battle of the two of them? He was bigger, stronger, but at the moment she had the advantage over him. A small sigh slipped from her as she glanced back, racking her eyes over his gastly wounds.
Glancing up into the darkness, she gently bent down and ran her tongue over the deep puntures, cleaning the blood from them. Her body stayed tense as she performed this simple task, wary of his reaction to her help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:37 pm
A vicious snarl pierced the air, the lion's body instantly tensing at the touch, tail flicking harshly against the sandy earth. He did not wish for the touch, did not need or desire the help, and no matter what he may have felt toward the red lioness, he was perfectly capable of cleaning his own wounds. That hurt, and he was in no mood for tolerance.
But vocal as his protests were, his physical reaction was far less violent. He did not turn or snap, did not threaten with extended talons. Instead he merely shifted, drawing his hind legs closer to his massive form, tucking paws where she could not reach.
"You don't need to do that."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:26 pm
Red ears flattened at the snarl, her lips pulling back to bare her fangs in her own snarl. The way she felt know, it was a good thing he did no more than shift that great white body away from her. Claws would have been met with claws, the lioness pushed as far as she'd allow him to push her. As it was, she snorted and rose to her paws with an ubrupt motion, striding to the edge of the pool to flop down in the sand, her tail flicking with sharp movements.
"Suit yourself." She hissed out, refusing to look at him. Fine. He rebuffed her help, then she wouldn't bother herself to offer it again. Stupid, stubborn male. Long claws flexed against the dirt, cutting grooves that quickly filled with sand again. "You want to heal slower because you can't care for all your wounds... fine." A soft huff left her and Kiuma fell silent, glaring out over the water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:32 pm
The great lion stirred, his head turned to look over the sands, one lone green eye blazing from the shadows within the den. It was an eerie sight, as if looking on a monster peering through the earth from the bowels of hell.
"It is dangerous to think so lightly of me."
His tone was gruff, words harsh, yet he spoke without threat. His words had been a statement of fact, as if spoken to the absent blue god should the beast dare forget the infernal revenge that would soon fall on him.
"As it is to underestimate the beast or the dangerous realm to which he has escaped."
Maybe she'd finally get it, though he somehow doubted it for she was as stubborn as he was. He could not let her follow, could not let her be destroyed, could not allow her to be used against him or himself to be swayed when that great battle came. Why couldn't she have just stayed where she was protected.
"This is not the first time I have been injured. I have suffered worse, far worse."
He shifted uncomfortably, a sharp intake of breath as a phantom pain struck the remnants of his wings, a vivid reminder or a bitter memory. No, his brother had not touched the pain he felt that day.
A silent sigh and the lion's head fell to rest on his paws. He was tired and he did not wish to argue anymore.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:31 am
His demonic prescence had absolutely no effect on the red lioness, atleast not in the way he seemed to intend it to. After all... she wasn't even looking in his direction, gazing out over the water instead. His aura of malice washing right over her and was dismissed.
"Dangerous for other perhaps." Kiuma snorted, her paws kneeding the dirt a little faster. "And I underestimate nothing. I know what we face, don't you dare think I don't. And how dare you preach to me, when you are the one that forgets what I am." Her head swung as she shook it, almost as if chaising flies away from her. "I don't care about the danger. You might be in it for revenge on your dear brother, but I havn't forgot the daughter, MY DAUGHTER, that he took. So you can stop with your stupid fowl glares and let me come with you. We'll get farther if we cooperate."
She set her jaw as tense muscles rolled under her soft fur the only motion beyond her flicking tail. There was steel in her voice and posture, warning she'd not soon change her mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
