LK: Blaze in the Night

[Moonlight]

A gentle breeze drifted over the savannah grasses, rustling them as a dark figure wove through. Lavender streaking across the coming morning sky allowed the dusky lioness to blend with her surroundings, Kina’s russet paws silently padding across the soft dirt as she walked. Crystal blue eyes were locked on a straggling wildebeest, the pangs in her stomach reminding her of the time since she’d last eaten. Still favoring her left forepaw from her encounter with the Hamaki Pride, though. The lioness slowly moved forward in a focused prowl, ears perked forward. A small nick was visibly missing from the top of her right ear in the faint light, but did not deter her hearing any — Tracking the sounds of their split hooves on the grass and dirt, for once ignoring the slashed bark of a tree as she passed. She’d get her meal and get out, rather than risk meeting an unwelcoming scout so soon.

The feminine rogue slowly inhaled as her prey halted to graze, dark claws kneading the ground as they extended. Soft dirt shifted under her paws, slowly dipping into a low crouch. She lunged. Bounding down the short slope in one smooth motion, immediately springing up again as soon as her paws touched the ground. The herd’s heads jerked up — Bolting as her claws dug into the straggler’s back, it snorting in pain as it tried to buck her off. Curled horns swung at Kina, knocking the wind out of her as the blunt edges connected with the weakened lioness. Gasping for air, she launched forward as her claws slipped — Wet warmth pouring into her mouth like a bittersweet spring as Kina’s strong jaws closed around its throat. Snapping the neck and jugulars at the same time.

She released her grip when it collapsed, wincing as she landed on her already tender paw. Pleased that the wildebeest had felt nothing but her claws, though. Instant death was merciful, rather than drawing it out. Kina’s tail twitched as she stood once more, hooked black nose rising into the air as a gentle breeze blew past. Her dark muzzle curled back in dislike as the scent grew stronger. Hyena.

The russet lioness immediately crouched, jaws fastening into the carcasses’s throat as she dragged it back towards the tree. A small cloud of dust followed it, leaving a thin crimson trial as well. However, the canine scent was already becoming overpowering. Mangy poachers. Kina released her meal not far from the marker, her contrastingly bright eyes hardening. Rippling muscle underneath her rich pelt coiling in anticipation, ears flattening against her head in annoyance as a pack of hyenas sauntered into view. Kina’s tail slowly swished to and fro as the alpha female moved to the front of the pack, claws once more digging into the dirt. “Leave,” she hissed, venom dripping from her tone.

The packs tongues simply lolled out of their mouths as they waited for their leader to take charge, panting loudly. Their ribs noticeably jutted out, raggedly spotted pelts not hiding their conditions. Prey was running thin for them all. They were half starved. And there were quite a few, almost a dozen. All of them admittedly looking a little pathetic, though. “Heh … Lions. You’re not in the best of shape either, kitty cat. What makes you think you can win against all of us?” the alpha growled, a lazy drawl accompanying her tone. Her scraggly pack fanning out as she spoke.

Kina bristled at the threat, a feline snarl curling through the morning air. Any pity she held for them was becoming fleeting. “Prey first goes to the huntress, then the scavengers. You know all too well how things work — Your pack may have the leftovers,” the lioness returned levelly, claws extending once more to emphasis her statement. She had trespassed in order to eat for the first time in a week, only to have her natural nemesis saunter in and attempt to steal it. Needless to say, the lioness was less than pleased.

“No — You leave,” the alpha spat, hackles rising as a steady growl met their ears.

Kina’s eyes narrowed, her once leisurely swishing tail now twitching at the almost onyx tuft. Weighing her options. The scavengers were underweight and smaller than her, but also had her vastly outnumbered. If she retreated, she’d go unscathed for the day. The end result would only make her weaker with hunger, thus more difficult to make a kill later. Just because the male hyenas tended to lack intelligence, though, did not mean their leader did. And the last alpha she’d encountered was outright vicious.

Weight suddenly slammed into Kina’s ribs. The hyenas rammed into her again, head butting her with surprising strength. Stifling a gasp of pain, she immediately lashed out in attack. A sharp yelp came from one as her open paw slapped across its head, knocking the spotted dog away. Becoming a umber and beige whirlwind of pain as they repeated charged against her already battered body, resounding barks and yelping following by natural consequences. Strong jaws suddenly snapped at her throat. Kina jerked back, flinching as another collided with her already aching foreleg. Baring her teeth as she retreated a step, several of the hyenas hesitating upon seeing her still bloodied fangs. But only briefly.

Raw hunger drove them on, half crazed with the instinct to survive. The russet lioness reared back on her hindpaws as another lunged at her throat, a swift paw knocking the boney dog back. Agony suddenly tore into her once more — Teeth closing on her shoulder blades. Kina twisted, attempting to bat the spotted canine off her back as more pounced. Her strong jaws tore into the male’s side, before jerking him to the ground.

Only to have sharp fangs dig into her throat. Fresh anguish slowly spreading down her dusky pelt in a scarlet swath. Denying her of air, the jaw lock unrelenting. Kina staggered as the others rammed into her with a full force head butt, overwhelmed by sheer numbers. The offending grip tightening when she attempt to shake the alpha off, digging her claws into the female’s shoulders. Wet blood met her pads, but futilely. Her chest burned, begging for breath.

The lioness slowly succumbed; previous weariness and her situation combined proving too much … Too many opponents, and too little energy to defend herself with. Her paws wavered underneath her as scarlet dripped onto he dirt, Kina’s crystal blue eyes slowly falling closed with the dawn light. Surrendering to the merciful depths of unconsciousness, her world going dark.

A single thought crossing her mind: Kitasa.

* * * * *

Patrolling the boarders usually proved interesting, many still testing his reign, but this morning was decidedly dull. Mradi and Neema had successfully taken down two wildebeest of the herd that had gone stampeding by, but little else had happened. Amri padded along the thin dirt trail that was walked daily, his dark claws gouging into the earth every time he took a step. Dawn light danced off of his burnished gold pelt, the male’s slender muscle rippling underneath his fine pelt. The morning breeze toyed with his dark onyx mane as he walked, carrying fresh scents with the old.

Amri paused, an ear twitching. The familiar scent of hyena reached him, causing distaste to flare in his viridian green eyes. “Pathetic mutts … Even they cannot be that stupid,” he growled under his breath, shaking his head as he set off at a lope. His long stride covered the distance quickly, large paws nearly soundless. One would think that after moons of trespassing and the results, though, that they’d not return.

Long grass rustled as the golden and onyx lion trotted through, set on his goal. Involuntarily slowing some, however, when the bittersweet scent of blood slammed into this senses. Not just prey blood, either. It seemed mixed, overpowering. Amri paused, one paw partially off the ground as he attempted to sort the different scents. The musky stench of wildebeest was almost as overpowering as the hyena, blood aside. His teeth bared slightly, before continuing. When his paws did meet the dirt path again, the rumbling growl tore into a rock-shattering roar at the sight that greeted him.

Scarlet drenched the ground, life’s blood staining and freely flowing onto it. Several spotted hyena’s yelped in response, jerking back from a wildebeest — And a lioness’s prone form. Crimson matted the entire pack’s muzzles. The alpha’s lips curled back, moving away from the fallen lioness when the golden and onyx lion advanced. “Not only do you invade my territory again, you attack another of my kind? Rogue or not, you are treading across a crocodiles back. Your kind is not welcome here,” Amri spat, glaring fangs at the pack. His claws fully sliding out as he stroke forward — An open pawed slap sending the unexpecting alpha rolling along the dirt, a fresh addition of open wounds across her face adding to the collection of scars.

The entire pack was in tatters, though. Claw and fang marks were scattered across all of them, no doubt from the rogue’s influence. That did not cause his glower to falter when the pack’s leader rose to her feet. “You shall get what is yours, my ”˜King’,” the hyena said quietly, tone chilled.

“Is that a threat?”

“A promise.”

“So be it … Now leave, before you cross the last line,” Amri returned, equally quiet. His stance far from lacking in threat, though. He received one last glare before the pack turned tail and bounded off, vanishing past his boarders and into the long grasses that faded out but a league away. He turned after a moment, padding over to the rogue. Their promise held no water at the moment, thus giving him time to continue strengthening his pride. Sticky dirt clung to his dark pads when he halted, observing her.

Ribs were beginning to show, suggesting that she had come from the Barren Lands further out. Bite marks marred her otherwise well groomed russet pelt, one having just missed her jugulars whilst many others were scattered across her back and legs. His paw slid underneath the lioness’s jaw after a moment, guiding her head out before lowering into a crouch. Much to his surprise, a raggedly weak breath brushed by his ear. Barely there, but audible nonetheless. It seemed that despite being half suffocated, she had a will to live. While it would’ve been so simple to end the trespassing rogue’s life had he been in the mood to kill, rare pity struck him in the face. Providing the bleeding stopped, she would live. If the rogue was like the others that had chosen to join him, there would be opportunity as well.

[Zorayda]

The night was thick with the sounds of the savannah--noises that echoed even inside this roomy cave. Taro, former king of the River Pride and now co-king of his and Amri's merged prides, watched his lionesses as they all lay inside the cave, awake and alert, but relaxed. The night was their time to become active, being the top predators of their lands. His queen and mate, Shyla, huddled intimately close. Her round belly jutted out as she lay, her legs curled around it protectively. The golden lion smiled. They would have cubs very, very soon, it seemed--and Taro would have heirs to the throne. He hoped and prayed for a male cub, for someone to become king after he died, but he would be happy with a gaggle of girls, too. They were still his and his mate's creations, after all.

One of the original River Pride lionesses, Zorayda, was rolling about on her back currently, playing with her small cub, Yora. Zorayda had been a rogue once, pregnant and desperate to join a pride to protect her cub. She had been bleeding and weak, with scratches and fresh wounds across her right eye. She had been half-blind since. Taro had graciously accepted her in, and she'd stayed after that, agreeing to become a member of his small pride of six lionesses.

A scent then played across his nostrils, and he allowed the air to enter his lungs slowly. He tensed when he picked up the smell of blood--a coppery and tangy scent that would normally make his stomach growl or put him in the mood for dinner. But he knew that smell, and the subtle changes in scent alerted him to the fact that this blood belonged to a lion. One of his own kind.

Shyla felt her mate tense and looked at him with worried hazel eyes. "Something's wrong, isn't it?" She asked. She'd sensed the air, too. Taro looked at his mate and nodded, his black mane rustling against her creamy fur. He stood up, missing her warmth immediately when the cool air touched his skin.

"I'm sorry, I have to take care of this. You stay here...keep yourself and our cubs safe," he murmured, and nuzzled her quickly. Shyla nodded, touching his cheek gently with her warm tongue.

"Good luck. Be careful..." she whispered softly. Taro padded to the center of the den, where the soft trickling of the stream that ran through it could be heard.

"Kitama, Seca," he called sharply. The lionesses perked up at their king's order, and while Kitama rose immediately to come to his side, Seca grumbled and meandered over slowly and reluctantly.

"What is it, your majesty?" Kitama asked, her rough voice calm. Her yellowed teeth and graying muzzle belied her young spirit within, the one that would immediately come to battle if needed. Seca, the second youngest of the pride, shifted and huffed impatiently behind the older lioness.

"Blood. Lion's blood," Taro said shortly. The message was clear; lion's blood meant that there was probably a fight going on, or perhaps a battle to be had. "Follow me."

The two lionesses did so, Seca grumbling all the way. Taro glanced back at her, a bit worried. He'd always had his doubts about the grayish lioness--she always seemed so reluctant to follow orders, and her loyalty seemed to wane with her selfish desires, or whatever suited her at the moment. The king shook his mane and focused upon the scene ahead of him.

"Amri," he greeted when he came upon the other king. It was remarkable how alike the two of them looked--save for his chocolate muzzle and somewhat softer eyes, Taro and Amri could have been identical twins. As it was, Taro wondered whether or not he had met a lost brother when he first met the younger lion. However, it seemed that the two of them were complete opposites in personality; while Taro was gentle, kind, and somewhat soft on his inferiors, Amri was hardened and a bit self-serving. However, Amri's ambition and strength were a perfect match-up to Taro's sometimes overly gentle and passive nature.

The scene laid out before him caused Seca to let out a strangled cry and for Kitama to tense and look around in earnest, watchful of enemies and attackers. The golden co-king stepped up to examine the bloody lioness upon the ground.

"You don't know her?" Taro inquired, his eyes falling upon Amri's face. The brown, half-dead lioness was covered in gashes that would probably become scars--if she lived. The air was filled with the soft rattling of the lionesses' breathing; a sign of her strong will to live. "Hyenas," Taro muttered angrily, noting the size and shape of the bites, as well as the scent of the dogs' blood. "How dare they attack a lioness and come into our land," he growled, thinking worriedly of Shyla. What if they'd invaded far enough to attack parts of the pride? He shuddered at the thought.

[Moonlight]

A young cub lay crouched in the grasses, trembling badly enough to shake the long blades. His ribs were easily visible in his bronze-umber pelt, pale amber eyes wide with shock and fear. A slight breeze toyed with the dark onyx tufts on his elbows and the one that had begun to grow on his head, his tail curling around his body. Kitasa's breath was shuddering with each time he exhaled, swallowing tentatively.

Kina ...

The scent of blood was overpowering. It was all the cub could to do to stay awake, much less muster up the courage to move past where the hyenas had just walked. Watching the two lions inspect the guardian his mother had begged to take him, only to go rigid upon hearing the imposing golden one speak. The very one that his father had said would try to kill them. Amri.

He'd been told countless times ... His father had taken over Amri's father's pride. The lion had been banished two years prior, just after his half-brother's birth. Crouching lower into the grasses, small frame shaking badly now. Hearing soft pawsteps on the dry ground, ears flattening against his head in submission already.

A muzzle gently nudged the cub, however, followed by a large paw brushing aside the long blades of grass. "You okay, kid?" a masculine voice queried quietly, causing Kitasa to slowly force his eyes open again. Looking up at the much larger lion in a mix of fear and awe, before shakily nodding.

"Y-yes ... I-is she okay?"

An ear twitched curiously, glancing back at the lioness. Too young to bear cubs, certainly. She seemed a bit younger than himself, at least. "Your sister? Mmm ... She should live. We just need to take her to the den for treatment," Amri told the cub, before gently scooting the cub forward with his paw, nodding towards the others. "Come ... We'll take care of you," he assured him, causing the small cub to perk both ears forward in surprise.

Nodding slowly in response, before uncertainly stumbling alongside the larger and muscular golden lion as they walked back towards Kina. The younger King glancing at the older and gentler one, nodding towards the cub. "We have another cub of company ... Would you be kind enough to take him back to the den? It will take a moment to get his sister onto my back, but I will carry her back," Amri stated simply, before glancing back at the wildebeest. It would be a shame to waste a kill, even if hyenas had eaten part of it.

Shyla needed nourishment, as did the two rogues that had wandered in from the Barren Lands.

[Zorayda]

Taro's ears perked forward in surprise, only noticing the small, frightened cub when Amri had scooted him forward. Such a young thing...and to see his sister so torn up and bleeding...it tugged at the golden lion's heartstrings. He nodded at Amri's request.

"Of course," he replied, and nuzzled the cub in reassurance. "I'm Taro. I'm going to bring you back to our den, where maybe we can get you something to fill your belly. There's another cub there, too, so maybe you two could keep each other company." He said this with a warm smile, trying to get the cub to be less frightened. "We will take care of your sister, don't worry." With that last comment, he stooped down and grabbed a hearty mouthful of the cub's scruff and lifted him. Taro caught Kitama's eye and nodded once to her before walking towards Shyla, Seca following silently behind.

Kitama walked over to Amri on Taro's silent orders. "May I be of any help?" She asked. Even though she was old, she was the strongest of Taro's pride.

Back in the den, the other lionesses who had been left behind gathered towards their king curiously.

"What happened?"

"What's wrong?"

"Who was hurt?"

"Who is that?"

Questions and hushed whispers hissed about the den, and Taro smiled into the cub's skin at his pride's concern. He truly cared for all of them, and it was nice to know that they felt the same. He gently set the cub down.

"Zorayda," Taro said quietly. She came forward, her cub Yora curiously hiding behind her heels to see the newcomer. "You are still nursing, correct?"

Zorayda nodded. "Yes, Yora's got a couple of months to go before she's completely weaned," she said, glancing at her daughter. "Who is this cute little thing?" She asked, grinning at the new cub.

A bunch of 'awww's and 'Isn't he cute?'s bubbled to the surface over the whispers and murmurings of his pride. Taro bent down to get nose-to-nose with the cub.

"Yes, what is your name, little one?" He asked gently. Yora perked up behind her mother's paw, shy but eager to hear the cub speak.

Shyla stood behind most of the lionesses, smiling softly to herself. Her mate's treatment of the little cub spoke volumes of their future together as parents. She was strongly reminded of all the reasons she loved him, and as their eyes met, Taro smiled indulgently at the sparkle in her hazel eyes.

[Moonlight]

As Taro took the young cub in his mouth, walking off with Seca, Amri nodded. "I may need you to adjust her position once she is off the ground. With these injuries, we do not want her to slip," the golden co-king said calmly, before gently nudging her small form over his back. Pausing for a moment, to scoot himself at a more parallel angle. When he stood, the undersized lioness' dusky frame was draped loosely over his own larger one. Her small paws hung limply past his shoulders, wet warmth already seeping onto his thick onyx mane.

The younger King's stride was smooth, but far more paced now that he had living cargo resting on him. Metallic scent of her blood invaded his senses as they walked, overtly aware of the lioness' head resting languidly against his mane. Her breath was shallow, strained. Well aware that her wounds were severe. The bite across her throat was bound to scar, although with care the rest were possible of healing nicely. If the herbs were enough.

Inhaling as the den came into sight, the thin stream that trickled through glistening in the early dawn light. The stream itself trailed further into their lands, although he knew that the offered shade and rest would do the rogue much good. Either way, he knew that her chances of hunting were very slim over the next quarter-moon. She'd lost far too much blood to be steady on her paws. Pausing upon noticing Mradi emerge from around the den, the golden lioness tilting her head, silver eyes focusing on the lioness abound her King's back.

"Might I ask?" she queried plainly, a mixture of curiosity and concern audible.

"She came from the Barren Lands. I found her after the pack of hyena half-suffocated the rogue," Amri stated simply, be nodding towards the den. "Is Kuukeni awake?"

The golden lioness nodded in turn. "Yes."

"This one will need all the help she can get," he observed, shaking his head, before continuing in. Large paws padding against the smooth sandstone, stepping around the stream to go through the higher section of the entrance.

Audible murmuring and idle chatter all but stopped as the stifling scent of blood followed them in, thick scarlet now staining his thick onyx mane and smooth golden pelt. The grayish-tan lioness that he'd just queried about was in the middle of bathing her own young cub, Sufura's dusty white form just a tiny ball curled up between her mother's paws. A raspy purr was audible from the not a moon old cub, continuing as her mother looked up. Soft amber eyes widening in utter shock as Amri slid the young lioness onto the dais set aside for medicinal purposes.

"Kina!"

[Zorayda]

Kitama walked alongside Amri, her new 'other' king. She watched and made sure the bloody lioness didn't slip from the golden lion's back, occasionally nudging her limp form to adjust her upon Amri's shoulders. They finally got to the den, and the old lioness stood silently behind Amri as Mradi approached them curiously. Passing her, they got to lioness further inside the den. Kitama raised her eyebrows when she exclaimed what sounded like a name. Did she know the injured stranger?

She chose not to say anything, respectful of the co-king and his lionesses. Kitama treated the others like guests or formal company, something she hadn't gotten over even after being with them for so long. It was a habit to be more loyal and open with her own King and pride, after all. She'd been with them for so many winters...

Kitama noted several of her pride lionesses approaching and turned to join them, getting farther away from the scene. Eeve, Seca, and Zorayda were the first to approach, with only Seca being the one not showing signs of shock or suprise. Yora stared with large green eyes at the bloodied brown lioness, absolutely horrified.

"M-Mama...?" She whimpered, looking up at her mother's face. Yora had never seen anyone so injured, much less with this much blood. She seemed absolutely terrified. "Mama, what happened to her?"

Zorayda swept Yora into her leg, tucking her face into her chocolate fur. "Shhh, baby, she'll be all right. She just got hurt, is all, she'll get back up soon."

There was a tense quiet among all the River Pride, and Shyla and Taro looked at one another for comfort. The little cub that had come with Kina still looked absolutely horrified and lonely, and Shyla stepped up to him.

"Are you all right, sweetheart?" She asked, concern coloring her tone.

[Moonlight]

Kuukeni gently deposited her own cub with Zorayda and Yora, keeping the moon-old youngling from seeing the bloody sight before rapidly moving back to the undersized female. The grayish-tan lioness gently inspecting Kina's wounds and injuries, the mixture of shock and concern half numbing her mind. Her daughter in all but blood - All but dead.

Mentally scrambling for the proper treatments, before gathering an assortment of herbs from where they'd been stored on the dais. Using a large leaf to keep dirt out of the paste she was making, Kuukeni deposited her mixture on it after it was sufficiently chewed. Then moving to gently grooming her adopted daughter's pelt, cleansing it of the bittersweet blood that now clung to it. Her dusty pelt soon returning to the gleaming dusky umber by the time she was finished, before dipping the edge of her paw in the paste to stopper the wounds. Also numbing them with the same paste, which would harden in due time.

Kitasa, who had been watching with an almost morbid fascination, jumped when the expecting mother spoke to him. "Ah ... K-kitasa," the cub returned shakily, before glancing back to Kina. Watching the motherly lioness that was looking after his guardian, coaxing her wounds to stop bleeding. "... Will Kina live?" he asked softly, looking back up at the lioness Taro had addressed as Shyla. "She ... she took me in ..." the cub whispered, finally sinking to the den floor. Resting his head on his paws, ears all but limply resting against his head.

Amri tilted his head slightly at the exchange, though only sat down near the stream after he had cleaned the blood from his own pelt and mane. Watching quietly. Observing.

[Zorayda]

Zorayda stood in front of Kuukeni and the injured lioness, watching in fascination as Kuukeni expertly cleaned and treated the wounds with care. She absently stroked at Yora's and Sufura's tiny heads, alternating between comforting her own cub and a fellow pridemate's. She finally flicked an ear towards Kitasa and Shyla.

"Honey, why don't you go talk to the new cub? I'm sure he could use a friend right now..." Zorayda knew that her daughter loved to help other lions--her big heart and generous nature naturally caused her to want to make others happy. In giving Yora a task to do, she was keeping the cub's mind away from the prone figure lying before them. She exchanged a glance with Eeve, whose orange eyes were shining with fear and other emotions. Seca, bored of the healing process now that the exciting part was over, shuffled off into a corner by herself and lay with her back turned to the others. Zorayda frowned. She'd never really gotten along with the young, selfish lioness...

"Okay, Mama," Yora said obediently, and left her mother to care for the little ball of fluff that wiggled slightly at her paws. Zorayda lay down and curled her forearms around the tiny cub, her dark fur beautiful in contrast to the cub's near-white color. She licked at her ears to comfort her, willing the cub to settle in her sleep.

Yora carefully approached the new cub, her tail swishing happily even in the midst of the frightening situation. She always wanted another cub to play with...

"Hi, I'm Yora," she chirped happily. Shyla, standing near the two of them, grinned to herself and lay down to watch them. "What's your name? Is that your sister over there? I think Kuukeni's gonna make her all better, she fixes all kinds of bumps and cuts and stuff. How old are you?"

Shyla smiled. "You see? She'll be all right. Kuukeni just needs to concentrate, now."

"Yeah," Yora piped up. "She's really, really good. Did you have a healer at your pride? Did you come from a pride? How come you came here? Where did that lioness come from? Was she with you?"

Yora's chatter peppered the air with a new feeling of warmth that only cubs could bring, and Taro smiled to himself as he settled down next to Shyla. His eyes didn't really watch the cubs, however--his concern for the lioness kept his attention towards Kuukeni's treatment.

[Moonlight]

While Sufura contentedly settled for a nap in Zorayda's paws, Kitasa jumped when the lioness cub suddenly approached. Nervously twitching his tail at the onslaught of questions, before finding his voice. "Err ... My name is Kitasa," he finally responded, though tilting his head at the following ones. Pushing himself back into a sitting position, his clear amber gaze meeting Yora's deep green one. "Umm ... Kina is my guardian ... Mama said I had to go ..." Kitasa murmured, staring at the den floor. Shuffling his paws, unsure of how to take what she had said still.

Nodding in response to Shyla's words, though, thoroughly relieved. Kina did look better. The distinct smell of herbs reaching his nose now, sniffing once or twice to get used to the smell.

Finally laughing slightly at Yora's endless chatter, finding her kind insistence comforting. "Heheh, okay, okay - Three moons, almost four," Kitasa conceded, mulling over the other questions. How to answer them. Casting a somewhat frightened glance at Amri still, but more confused than anything. He seemed entirely different from what he had been told, simply stern. Frightening, but not truly murderous. Was he?

"I dunno where Kina came from, but we did have a healer," Kitasa added, something akin to a smile playing about his muzzle. His dampened mood brightened somewhat, mercifully.

Kuukeni eventually simply lay down next to Kina's limp form, quietly sitting vigil over the young lioness. She knew that her mate, as well as Neema and Tii were due to return soon. But she did not know when Kina would wake.

[Zorayda]

(The censor blocked a weird word...I know I spelled it right... :/)

Yora's grin became impossibly wider when Kitasa decided to cheer up marginally to speak to her. "Wow, I'm like, two moons older than you! Which means," she added mischievously, "You have to treat me like your elder." She put a paw upon her chest and stuck her nose in the air. "After all, I've seen so much more than you and I'm experienced in the ways of lion kind."

Shyla couldn't help herself, she let out a soft snort of laughter before immediately covering her mouth with her paw. Boy, did Zorayda's cub remind her of herself when she was young... Taro s******ed as well, knowing what Shyla had been thinking. They'd grown up together in the River Pride, and being the same age, they'd both gotten into a lot of trouble because of their preconceived notions in their little cubby minds.

"Now, now, Yora, don't boss him," Shyla scolded gently. Yora scowled at her.

"I was only kidding..." She turned back to the male cub, irritation immediately forgotten. "So what's Kina like? Is she nice? Does she like to play?" She asked the last question with a slight sparkle in her hunter-green eyes, eager to have more new playmates.

Seca, over in the far corner, craned her head to glare in the direction of the cubs. She had half a mind to tell them to shut up, but with the king, queen, and Yora's mother there, she dare not. So she settled with grumbling and covering her ears, acting like an old and grumpy lioness when she was only about three years old.

Zorayda continued licking the small cub curled between her paws, purring. It seemed like such a short time ago that Yora was this small...she was glad to have pridemates with young cubs, because then she got to watch them and help care for them. As a young adolescent, she thought she'd never want to have cubs, finding them irksome and hyper, but when she'd gotten pregnant with Yora, she suddenly felt a warm and impossible joy burst from her heart. It developed a completely new, motherly side of her she'd never had, and she'd never been the same since.

She turned to Kuukeni. "Will she be all right? When do you think she'll wake?"