"Everyone, meet Xena." Khari stood in the center of the group, the golden lioness next to him. He had led Xena back to the dens with Amara and her cubs, who had quickly dissolved into the grass as they got back. She didn't want to be there when he announced he had accepted the strange cat into the group. It was a decision that should have taken thinking but he had made in a second.
Faraji padded forward, giving her a sniff. She was stiff, trying not to get on the defensive being in a group without protection or escape. Her bright amber eyes darted around, watching every cat carefully. "Hello." She said steadily. Sauda sat back with Leo, her tail tip twitching. Khari stood with his tail erect, prepared for a lion or lioness to say something about the new arrival that would undermine his authority. The rain continued to pour, thunder cracking every now and then. With the still tension of a new cat, each lion bared their teeth and flattened their ears with the rumbling noise and flashes of light.
Xena felt uneasy as all of their eyes followed her movements. She could feel her fur begin to rise, she hated to starred at like she was something they haven't seen before. The big cat reset herself to where her back wasn't to anyone in the group. Xena made sure she was ready for anything that might happen.
ReplyDeleteFaraji took a step back from Xena once he realized how tense she was. He understood the feeling. One day in his past, he arrived to the pride like this. He couldn't help but bristle though, because who knows what this lioness's intentions are? He dipped his head. "Hello, Xena. I am Faraji, the Lord of the Pride."
ReplyDeleteSauda's ears flattened to her head. This lioness was a rogue, and all rogues couldn't be trusted. What if she went around killing the lions, one by one? What if she killed Faraji and Khari, and then took her place as the leader? If Xena dared to try anything, Sauda would make sure to be there to stop her.
Imanu groaned. The weather was making his muscles ache something terrible. A commotion outside his dry den made him stir to poke his head out. A new arrival into the pride? Excellent. The pride needed some new, young blood.
Leo watched with careful eyes, he growled deeply letting his tail lash. What a fool, he should have thought instead of just letting her join!
ReplyDeleteXena's muscles flexed before she spoke. "I'm a rogue searching for a new beginning..."her amber eyes burned with complete awareness she made sure she knew where everyone was. If they moved she'd run if they struck she'd fight back till the end. Xena is strong despite her young adult self and size.
ReplyDeleteKhari walked between Xena and the group. "And you are welcome." He purred, casting glares toward those who looked unsure. "Leo and Sauda will take you out to test your skills and we will place your rank from there." The chestnut colored lion shook the rain from his mane.
ReplyDeleteAmara pulled her cubs close to her, but Sekai jumped out from under her mother and dashed to the new lioness. "Hiya! I'm Sekai! You're really golden!" The little spotted sandy colored cub jumped onto Xena's paw.
Amara roared in shock, "Sekai, no!"
Cayman padded out of the Elders den after Imanu. He sat beside the lion, giving him a friendly shove. "What's going on?" He knew being out in the rain like this must be bothering the older cats limbs. The dark lion's ears flattened when he saw the new comer and saw the little cub run up to her.
ReplyDeleteXena's eyes only went back in shock, but due to instinct she growled back to her mother getting to her paws.
ReplyDeleteLeo stood up pulling back the cub with a big paw. His growl thrunderd everyones chest. "Enough! Go to your mother..."his voice was soft to the cub but harsh to the female.
ReplyDeleteImanu regarded Cayman with a nod. "Khari brought us a new lioness. I don't know her name, all I heard was a bunch of growls. It's a very impolite way to be awakened from a nap." He watched as the cub bounded to the rogue and let out a deep breath. "Silly young'uns..."
ReplyDeleteSauda nodded to Khari. She would help test Xena; even if she didn't want to be near the new lioness at all. If her king ordered it, then she must do it... She sighed and cowered back once Leo growled at the cub, not wanting to see what would come of it.
Faraji growled and placed himself between Leo and Sekai. He lashed his tail. "Now, now, Leo," he said with a hint of warning, "it is not your job to parent the cub. That would be for Amaru." He turned to look at the mother. "Amaru, please retrieve your cub."
Amara slid forward with her belly close to the ground. She growled as she grabbed her cub roughly by the scruff, with a glance at Leo. He always got along well with her cubs. She set down her cub by Miseka. So far she didn't like Xena: the way she growled. She sent a sympathetic glance at Sauda who would have to take the new lioness hunting.
ReplyDeleteKhari grew impatient with their tense attitude. "Sauda, Leo, Xena: Go now!" He snapped, his teeth flashing as he spoke. When the three started padding away, he trotted to Faraji. "What do you think of her?" He asked with dreamy eyes, glancing back toward the golden lioness.
Cayman nodded to Imanu. He narrowed his eyes at the strange female. "I'm sure Khari has made a good decision." He muttered, his tail tip flicking.
Sauda's ears flattened to her head. She heaved herself up and plodded after Leo and Xena. She glanced at Amaru, sighed, and then looked forward. She rushed to Leo's side and grumbled to him quietly, "What will we start with?"
ReplyDeleteFaraji glanced at Xena as she left. His ear flicked. "I think it'll take a while for her to gain the pride's trust. We need to be careful with her, Khari. I don't want a rebellion to happen because the pride doesn't take kindly to her. Let's hope she proves herself."
Imanu shrugged and sniffed the air. "If Khari is anything like his father, I am sure he knows what he is doing. Remember when rogue lions joined our Clan during his reign? We were so trusting back then. I wonder what happened."
Khari flattened his ears. "There will be no rebellions, that is one thing you don't need to worry about." His amber eyes focused on the older male. "She wants to join. We're short on members right now, after the two-legs came..." It was hard to say. "This is for the best." The chestnut colored lion lashed his tail. He wondered if his father could see him now, leading the pride. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteCayman nodded, remembering it then. "Yes, but we were a bigger group then." He shrugged, licking a big paw. "Maybe everyone is just feeling vulnerable." He had to put his weight on his cripple leg and sat awkwardly.
Xena ignored Khari's snap and walked off with the two cats. When walking with Loe and Sauda she was in her own world thinking of what she did wrong to them. She is loyal, strong, brave, and not a killer! So far the only one she liked was Khari. I'll show them, they think I'm bad, ha I can be worse...but not gonna go there...I need there trust. Someone's trust. They are all I have left after the two-legs...
ReplyDeleteLoe nodded, "let's work on her hunting see how she is with that..."the came up to an open spot with Cape Buffalo. "Alright Xena with is a test on your hunting skills..."
ReplyDeleteXena nodded going off to get closer. There was a sick elderly buffalo laying down. She got into a crouch and once close enough she bolted to the sickly creature. It caught sight of Xena but wasn't fast enough she pushed its nose into the ground. The golden cat spun around and clamped onto its nose to asphyxiate the big animal. After moments of struggling she finally killed it.
ReplyDeleteSauda watched Xena hunt with a critical eye, trying to find anything to use against the golden lioness. But the display was spectacular. She flattened her ears and muttered to the male next to her, "I hate to admit it, but she's good."
ReplyDeleteFaraji shook his mane to give him a moment to think. Khari was right. The pride needed more lions. They had to get anyone that they could get their paws on. He sighed. "Alright. We'll accept her. But if she causes any trouble, we'll have to chase her out."
Imanu nodded. The past tragedy struck him hard when he remembered it. He was there to witness the brutal massacre of the pride, and he had barely escaped. "Maybe. I'll accept her as long as she doesn't try to break our traditions."
Leo's eyes darted side to side not expecting her to take down the beast, "It was laying down it doesn't prove anything...come on lets go." the white male trotted over to the golden lioness nodding. "Nice but we have more to do we will carry this back to camp then see about your fighting skills..."Leo's voice was a deep growl hoping to find a flaw about her.
ReplyDeleteXena nodded licking some blood off of her nose. She could tell no one liked her and expected as much she was never a favorite anywhere she went. Xena turned her head making sure no Cape Buffalo were coming back for revenge her eyes sparked when she didn't see any. her head turned again to face Leo her eyes looked him over swiftly taking in vital information.
ReplyDeleteKhari sighed, lashing his tail once. "Yes, yes." He flashed his teeth, "But that's only if. I don't think she will cause any trouble." The chestnut colored male seemed to have a dreamy tone when he spoke of her.
ReplyDeleteCayman nodded. "I agree. How about a walk to the stream nearby? I'm parched." The big lion yawned, stretching his tongue out. He also wanted to stretch out his crippled leg, which was sore from the rain.
"When is Leo coming back!" The cubs complained. Amara hushed them with rough licks about the head. "Soon, don't fret."
"That mean lioness won't hurt him will she?"
"No, I don't think so. And even if she tried you know Leo is strong and can handle himself."
Leo looked back at Sauda and then picked up a side looking then back at Xena who had careful eyes on him. The white lion could feel bone chilling shivers move through his body, and the rain didn't help the fact.
ReplyDeleteXena's eyes slowly fell to the kill and picked it up with him to drag it back to camp. Her fur bristled at the thought of an attack that could break out, but she forced herself not to let out a deep growl only give two other time to her once loving dear friend, and to her family that didn't understand. By doing so her paws flashed pearly pink white claws.
ReplyDeleteSauda's ears pricked when she saw a flash of Xena's claws. She growled lowly as a warning to the lioness, and turned to give Leo a wide-eyed look. She kept away from the lioness, and helped drag the dead buffalo at Leo's side.
ReplyDeleteFaraji narrowed his eyes at Khari and looked him over. "Yes, of course. Whatever you suppose." He looked around the camp. "Once Sauda, Leo, and Xena return, we must send out a hunting patrol."
Imanu licked his lips at the thought of a fresh drink. "That's a wonderful idea." He heaved himself onto his sore paws. "A good walk and a good drink will do us well."
Leo noticed as well and when Xena and him made eye contact he warned her with a soft growl. When the three cats got to camp Leo walked over to Khari and Faraji to let them know the news. "Xena is good at hunting, she took down a cape buffallo by herself so we have already gone hunting.."he said nodded his hefty head to the buffallo laying next to Xena.
ReplyDeleteXena nodded to Sauda trying not to make that fight happen. When she got back she stayed in plain sight laying down right side up so she could see everything and everyone.
ReplyDeleteKhari was about to speak when Leo walked up. "She did?" He cast a glance at Faraji, flicking his tail. "Very well. Leo, keep an eye on things here. Faraji and I will go test her fighting ability, providing she isn't too tired from the hunt." He leaned to look over at the golden lioness, his eyes glinting.
ReplyDeleteAmara got to her paws when she saw Leo was back. Her cubs danced around her paws, eager to see him. "Shh, now. He's talking with the King." She coaxed them.
Cayman got to his paws and stretched, awkwardly balancing the weight off his displaced shoulder. "Which river? I feel like if we go to the smaller stream on the far side of the willows, we wont get eaten by any crocodiles." He laughed, giving his old friend a nudge. "Like the situation we got ourselves in when I was just a young one in training."
Leo nodded to his king then walked over to the cubs that were excited to see him, "Hello amara, cubs." she nodded while laying down so he wouldnt have to bend his neck.
ReplyDeleteXena caught the King's eyes and held his gaze steady, she was trying to read what his male was like but it didnt do much she had gotten the chills and had to look away. The golden lioness stood up walking over to the King, "Now what?" she didnt seem tired or worn out.
ReplyDeleteAmara greeted him with a friendly nudge as he neared. She kept an eye on Xena though, distrust emanating from her.
ReplyDeleteSekai jumped on the big lion's paws. "How was hunting!?" She squealed, biting at his paw in her excitement.
Masika was much less energetic. She padded toward him with a stillness about her, arching her tail and lifting her head to touch his nose to hers gently. "Hi, Leo." She purred with a soft voice.
Faraji looked over Xena as she trotted over. She seemed relatively energized, despite just returning from a hunt- against a buffalo of all things. She was capable, definitely. "Now," he addressed the lioness, "Khari and I will evaluate your fighting abilities. And then we will decide what rank you will hold in the pride."
ReplyDeleteSauda laid down in the camp. She laid her head on her paws and fixed Xena a glare. How could this new lioness out-rank her already, and so easily? It seemed like a ridiculous prospect.
Imanu gave a raspy laugh at the nostalgic memories. "Ah, yes. I remember that well. You were so clumsy when you were younger. As was I, I must say." He stretched his stiff muscles. "Let's go to the stream. It isn't too far, and as you said, we won't be eaten by crocodiles there."
Leo purred loudly with glee, "great Xena is better then we thought and amazingly still has energy..."he said looking back at there mother with soft blue eyes. Leo looked at the cubs and rolled over playing with them; he first bopped Masika on the head to get something more alive out of her, then he did the same with Sekai. He has always loved those cubs like his own and wouldn't let anything happen to them or their mother.
ReplyDeleteXena purred happily to hear they were doing it now she has extra energy that is overflowing she can hardly contain herself. "Great.." her eyes the softest they have been since she has gotten here rested on the King.
ReplyDeleteKhari shared her glance for a moment, but looked away. "We'll head out then." He lead her and Faraji out toward the moor land. It would be best fighting on easy flat ground at first. He glanced back at her periodically, his tail arched over his back with a light walk.
ReplyDeleteSekai gave a tiny roar, racing around his paws and batting at him. "I'm the best fighter around!"
Masika followed her sister, more balanced on her paws, but didn't gloat or sound as boisterous. "You can't be the best Sekai, because Leo is!" She mewled.
Amara watched with a purr, pricking her ears. The ginger lioness caste a glance at the two lions and new lioness as they left to test her fighting. I don't trust her. She saw Sauda and waved her over with a flick of her tail.
Cayman purred with his friend as the headed that way. "You were more clumsy than I!" He gave the older lion a affectionate nudge, flashing his teeth playfully. He knew they were both too old, or in his case, too cripple to fight anymore but he still had the call of youth within him.
Xena didn't look to much at him after their glances she was too embarrassed to even be with him. Her her rose to a high bristle but she tried to calm down, wasn't workin out as well. "So what is this pride mainly based around, like fighting wise?" Xena did speed up to get next to them she just stayed there walking behind them.
ReplyDeleteLeo purred then stopped and looked at the both of them, "I'm the best only for now but when I get old and too elderly, you both will be the best...and who knows maybe you'll be better then I ever was or will be...."his eye light up with happiness as he said that.
ReplyDeleteFaraji walked close at Khari's side, his ears pricked. He looked at Xena, and answered her question, "We pride ourselves in our ambushing abilities, and as well as our pure physical abilities. Would you care to explain more to her, Khari?"
ReplyDeleteSauda noticed Amara's gesture. The dark golden lioness stood and padded over. She said next to the mother and watched as the cubs squeaked at Leo. She sighed gently and addressed Amara. "I don't like this new lioness at all. She's going to outshine all of us, and then get Khari's full attention and loyalty. What if she is just going to betray us?"
Imanu flashed his teeth playfully back to his good friend. "Hardly! Who was the cub that managed to noisily scamper through the grass, and scare away a herd of antelope? It certainly wasn't me."
Xena nodded moving her gaze swiftly over to the other male. She looked down for a moment to think what she was good at, im good at swift strikes to the body...and i am a little rusty with my ambushing skills but they can be relearned...
ReplyDeleteKhari looked back at her with a casual regard. "Yes, ambush skills. And our ability to over power. We are also very strategic in group fighting." He flicked his tail up. "You'll find out once we get to a good fighting ground." He hoped she would be just as good at fighting as hunting.
ReplyDeleteAmara watched her cubs with Leo, glancing at Sauda. "Yes, that could happen. I didn't scent any other pride on her. If she's a loner she can't be a spy." She licked a paw, trying to keep her aggression down at the subject. "We'll have to keep an eye on her. She can't be good at everything. If we can find a weakness, we can exploit it."
Masika purred. "I hope to be as good as you." The dark little lioness cub looked up at Leo with shining eyes. "I want to make you and mama proud." She flicked her tail toward her mother who was chatting with another lioness.
Sekai bounced around Leo's paws till she reached his tail and pounced on it. Her little teeth punctured through his fur in her excitement.
Cayman mrreowed in amusement. "Well it wasn't me, either!" They neared the stream and he settled down beside it for a drink. After dipping his head and lapping up some brisk droplets, he sat up. "And anyway, antelope scare too easily. A blade of grass breaking in the wind could frighten them." He purred at the memory of hunting the small deer like animals. "Remember when we took down our first wildebeest together? The pride was so surprised we managed."
Xena nodded looking down at her paws as she walked. She wasn't good at ambushing attacks she was best at swift snake like movements, and using her opponents power and weight against them. "I'm not to good with ambush attacks I'm more on use the others weight and power against them. As you can see I'm not the heaviest lioness I can be..."Xena mumbled through her large teeth.
ReplyDelete(hateful!!! lol)
Leo's face twisted in pain, he could feel his ear swivel back as herolled over making sure he didnt crush the cubs. "And you both will be but for now leave the bad guys, and protecting to me. Don't want you to mess with your chances of becoming the best, do you?" He said as he pawed at Sekia and Masika
ReplyDeleteFaraji flicked an ear at Xena's comment. She was rather thin. He wondered if she could master face to face combat, despite being so lean. He huffed and looked at Khari. "Let's see if that if will become a hindrance during our test."
ReplyDeleteSauda nodded, feeling comfort that she wasn't the only lion with suspicions. "Right. I'll keep an eye on her. If she does anything out of the ordinary, I will do everything to protect my pride."
Imanu settled down and took a drink from the stream. He lashed his tail as he remembered his old hunting days. "Oh, yes. I remember. Moto was very shocked, and pleased, that I actually managed to catch something instead of scaring it off." His old mentor was a strict lion, but he was an excellent teacher. A sharp pang came to his heart as he remembered those days again. He shook the thoughts away. "Of course, we wouldn't have killed it unless I was there to guide it into your paws."
Xena nodded and trailed off the conversation as they walks.
ReplyDeleteThey reached a soft clearing in the brush. Khari gave a look to Faraji, arching his tail for just a moment. He then swept around and tackled Xena with a mighty roar, knowing he would surprise her and Faraji would be right behind him to complete the attack. He bowled her over with great force, only half attempting not to hurt her.
ReplyDeleteAmara nodded to Sauda, giving her a nuzzle on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much." She purred. "She's just one lioness, we can handle it." The russet colored lioness looked at her cubs, hearing the last bit of Leo's words. "Leo is right, you two need to take it easy. Why don't you come here for a grooming?" The rain had nearly stopped and the little cubs were covered in dirt from tumbling around.
Sekai mewled in defiance. "I don't want to be groomed!" She bolted a few tail lengths away and scrambled up a tree. Masika, with wide eyes as she worried her sister might fall, bolted after her and climbed up behind her. She pushed her up with a careful paw. "Careful, Sekai!"
Amara flattened her ears, her tail lashing in irritation. As her cubs grew they became more and more of a pawful. "Maybe a hawk will come and pick you two out of that tree."
Cayman stretched his crippled leg, giving it a lick. He looked at Imanu, seeing the sadness in his eyes for a moment. "Moto was always really proud of you, even if he didn't always show it." He pricked his rounded ears. "We made a good team."
Xena lost her breath as she was knocked over. She almost for got this was a test, and rolled onto her back and gave Khari a nice belly rake. The lioness stopped in mid bite on his shoulder and pushed her new leader off. Her eyes her wide but soft on him.
ReplyDeleteFaraji took the opportunity. Xena was distracted and occupied with knocking off Khari. He sped forward and tackled her with a growl, tumbling her over and giving Khari a chance to recover. He scrambled with the lioness on the ground, trying to get her to a point where he could pin her to the ground.
ReplyDeleteSauda lashed her tail in amusement. The cubs were definitely a refreshing innocence to see in the pride. She watched the sisters scramble up a tree, rather messily, her heart warmed by their shenanigans.
Imanu nodded distractedly. He looked up at Cayman, his eyes softer and lacking the former sadness. "We were a very good team," he agreed. "No lion could beat us."
Xena growled in Faraji's ear sotfly then bit hard on them as he pounded her into the ground. She quickly pushed him off and recovered to her paws. The lioness was now in check and knew what was coming. As they came at her she jumped up, to the side and all around knocking them to the dirt. As she did that she gave swift heavy blows to the ears leaving an awful ringing sound.
ReplyDeleteKhari was impressed. But only slightly. He didn't like losing and more than anything it sparked a fierce anger in him. With a mighty roar, he threw all his weight at her, and ran his claws down her belly. The dusky lion swung his tail for Faraji to join in the attack.
ReplyDeleteAmara sighed, her ear twitching with irritation. "Glad to see you're amused." She nudged Sauda with a playful tone. "Now really you two, get down now." She got to her paws and easily pulled the two cubs out of the trees.
Cayman swished some water at his friend. "Even today no lion can beat us!" He laughed a hearty roar that made his fur bristle. He missed battle, and was reminded of his injury.
Xena hissed in pain as her eyes watered feeling her king's claw go deep into her belly. She had always had certain weak spots and that was one of them. "Okay! You win enough!" The golden lioness growled while biting at his ears, hoping he would run out of energy. Xena was being spent like trading fur as she belly could take no more. "Enough! Khari!!"
ReplyDeleteLeo just watched them with soft eyes, he hoped their mother didn't mean that. It didn't deserve to happen to anyone. The pale lion walked up to Amara, and sat down not taking his baby blue eyes off the cubs. "They were just like us when we were younger...they will get better in time...i know you did." he said teasing hoping to lighten her mood. Suddenly Leo's ear twitched to ear Khari and Xena growling from a distance. his mood changed to a quiet awareness. he waited to hear anything else just to make sure he didn't waste his energy going off after nothing.
ReplyDeleteFaraji paced around the two struggling lions, observing Xena's counters to the attacks. Once she started calling out for mercy, Faraji's ears swiveled in uncertainty. If this was a real battle, she would have been defeated, if not killed at the worst. He looked to Khari for guidance.
ReplyDeleteSauda watched, definitely amused by the act the cubs were playing. "Yeah, Amara, let them play. They can gain good skills by climbing trees."
Imanu agreed with a playful growl, and tossed a pawful of water back at Cayman, "It's true! We are the greatest of teams." He let out a deep breath. "Sadly, nature has limited our physical abilities. But it hasn't harmed our hearts."
Khari allowed himself to stumble off the lioness, panting as he kept his claws unsheathed. He looked her up and down for a few more moments before he licked blood from his muzzle and sat down. His aggressive posture changed to casual in a second. "Faraji and I will discuss your performance alone. Go back to camp." He wondered if she'd be able to find her way. If not, oh well.
ReplyDeleteAmara flicked her ears pointedly. "Climbing isn't natural for lions!" But she let them, even though every time they slipped she'd tense up. She heard the growling too and looked worriedly in that direction.
Cayman shook the droplets from his mane. "Ah well, we get to tell the youngins some pretty great stories." He laughed, but sadness tinged his gaze. He did miss being a fighter.
Xena looked harshly at the two lions and was glad they reminded her how harsh and unforgiving males were. She got up and walked back to camp without a single sign of weakness. The golden lioness found a comfortable spot to lay and cleaned her wounds quietly. Xena ignored the other's glances and glares.
ReplyDeleteFaraji watched Xena leave. He admired how she retained a confident posture, even when she had lost the battle. He sat down and stared down Khari. He wondered briefly if the young king was ready to decide if a rogue lion should join the pride. The decision had to be carefully organized, because the rogue could be a threat. "Let's not let bias influence our decision, Khari. Tell me what you saw."
ReplyDeleteSauda watched Xena as she walked into camp. The rogue lioness was tense and quiet, which set Sauda at unease. She laid her head on the ground and fell silent. She glanced over at the cubs, who were peacefully unaware of Xena's presence.
Imanu nodded. "Yes. But, my friend, time is a foe no one can fight. At least we can share our wisdom with the younguns." He nudged his old friend playfully. "Maybe then they won't make the mistakes we did."
Leo's eyes flickered from Xena then to the camp entrance waiting for the other two to come back. The white lion glared and growled softly imaging the lioness taking over the pride and hurting the cubs. His blue eyes were sharp as the images replayed and replayed in his mind.
ReplyDeleteKhari shot Faraji a look. What did he mean by that? I'm never biased. "Well, she's a pretty good fighter. Strong enough to put up a good fight between the two of us, but in a real battle she would have been dead with how she gave up." He licked his sore pelt as casually as he could. "Still, impressive. What did you see?" The young king was already swaying toward letting her be apart of the pride and more than that let her be an elite member.
ReplyDeleteAmara saw the lioness come into camp, and noticed the wounds on her flank immediatly. Her lip curled back as she watched the intruder, but she didn't make an aggresive move. "Sekai, Masika get over here." Her tone was a deep growl and the two cubs this time actually did what they were told.
Cayman nodded with a sigh, looking down at his paws. "I think their about to make a mistake though, letting this lioness into the pride." He said quietly. Of course he supported Khari, but this was crossing a line.
"Yes. Work needs to be down to strengthen her muscles and her heart. She is too thin and sinewy for our type of combat." Faraji lashed his tail along the dried grass. "I saw potential. But to harness that potential, she needs further training if she wants to join the pride." He stared at his king steadily. Was the young lion ready for such a decision? Did he have the pride's best interest in mind, or just his?
ReplyDeleteSauda gained a new protective attitude towards the cubs as they pranced over to their mother. She watched Xena steadily, ready for any sudden movement.
Imanu sighed. The old lion sat down. "Yes... and there is no doubt he will let the lioness in. I'm sure the whole pride noticed that dumb look he has near her. I'm worried, Cayman. He's too rash to make such a decision."
Khari pricked his ears, really only hearing the potential part. "Yes, she does have potential. I'm going to let her join." He said matter of factly, not asking for any more input. The chestnut colored lion stood, already heading back to camp. "Since she is so excelled in hunting and fighting, it makes sense to make her an Elite." Khari felt his pelt turn hot. He liked her. He might finally have a Queen for the pride. It didn't cross his mind the concerns of her being a spy or a rouge.
ReplyDelete"What's the matter, mama?" Sekai asked, jumping around her mother's paws as the lioness layed there tense.
Amara quietly grabbed the cub between her jaws, leading her back into the den they had made for cubs and mothers. Masika naturally followed. "Stay quiet." She hissed, her ears flat and her posture unmistakably nervous. Where was Khari and Faraji? They couldn't leave the pride alone with this rouge lioness. Amara positioned herself just outside the den with the two cubs safely tucked inside.
"Sekai, just sit still." Masika begged, knowing her mother was disturbed for some reason.
"No! I want to play outside, not be trapped in here."
"Something is wrong, can't you tell?"
"Mama is always jumpy."
Cayman nodded, feeling guilty for going against the king. "Im worried too, you're right. Maybe we should speak with him?" The dark colored lion shifted uncomfortably on his hurt leg. Being out too long usually made it sore and even sitting, he began to wince with pain. "He has to listen to his elders."
Faraji hurried after Khari, his ears pricked. Was he listening to anything spoken? He doubted it. Did Khari know what he was leaping into, with his eyes shut closed? The pride already doubted him, what would they do with the tension of a rogue let in so quickly? He sighed. "As you wish, Khari." Hopefully his father's blood would guide him in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteImanu nodded. "We need to speak with him, as soon as possible. Tensions are rising too high for him to act this brazen. Friend, you look sore, should we head back to camp?"
Cayman didn't want to admit it, but his leg throbbed painfully and it made his head slightly dizzy. "Yes... We can head back and speak with him right away." The brown lion stood, wobbling for a moment before he managed to start limping in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteXena looked over her wounds they hurt but she hadnt backed down from a fight like that since she was a cub. Khari was very skilled with a huge temper which she was not fond of at all.
ReplyDeleteImanu lashed his tail. "Take your time, friend. I won't leave you behind." He stood at Cayman's side to support the pained elder. "I hope he didn't already make his decision, but knowing him, he most likely did."
ReplyDeleteCayman was greatly for the aid and leaned against him. "We must hurry then." He tried to go as quickly as he could, ignoring the pain in his shoulder that throbbed down his leg. If I hadn't gotten this buffalo brained wound I wouldn't be having this problem. He thought bitterly, frustrated by the accident that had happened all those seasons ago.
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