LK: Blaze in the Night

[Moonlight]

(OOC: Weird ... SoJ has no censors that I know of.)

A sly smirk finally crossed Kitasa's muzzle, the umber-bronze cub finally fully distracted as he playfully swatted the older cub's head. "Heh, age isn't everything, ya know," the male returned, giving her a solid noogie before ducking down away from what he expected a counter. Sobering again at the mention of Kina, casting the lioness a wayward glance. Relieved to find that underneath all of the blood earlier, she was still alive. Now the only distinguishable but unnatural scent was the herbs.

"Mmm. She's very nice, and probably will when she feels better," Kitasa added, tip of his dark tail tuft twitching periodically. "What about here? There weren't any other cubs in my old pride - Are there any other than you?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him, not having noticed the far younger one yet.

Amri was listening to the cub conversation amusedly, however, remembering his own younger days. Long passed, but still bits of light. The golden lion glancing over as Zorayda turned her attention to Kuukeni and the lioness that she had called Kina, tail curling around his haunches as he waited. Listening to her shallow breathing, the slight waver of every breath. But the bleeding had stopped. Both ears idly perked forward when the grayish-tan lioness spoke, mildly interested. Opportunity, as well as the chance to expand their pride.

Kuukeni's gaze was still concerned, however, as she glanced back at her adoptive daughter's limp form. "I would not expect anything until tomorrow," the elder lioness warned, sighing audibly. She had lost quite a bit of blood. But she was at least confident that Kina would live. That was a small comfort.

Glancing over as a large male frame entered, although a weak smile brushed her muzzle upon seeing it was her mate, Gumu. Although the large beige male had indeed been the prince of his own pride many years ago, before drought picked apart their numbers one by one, she was always grateful for Gumu's gentle nature. He seemed to get along well with Taro as well, nor did Amri find him as a threat. It had made life far easier, for certain.

But it did not stop the golden-maned lion from starting in surprise, seeing the stranger's undersized frame on the medicinal dais. Padding the rest of the way into the den after a moment, before gently nuzzling his mate as he reached her. "Good morning, m'dear. May I ask who our company is?" he queried calmly, though in a friendly manner. Glancing around briefly for his own daughter, before his soft brown gaze settled on Zorayda, whom was cradling Sufura's sleeping form between her paws. More than likely to treat the newcomer, without allowing their daughter to see the original condition, judging from the strong scent of pasted herbs.

An ear twitching in surprise when his mate spoke. "... This is my adoptive daughter that I told you of, during the time when I was unfortunately separated from the group some three years ago. Kina," Kuukeni added softly, before gently pushing her head underneath her mate's as she moved to a sitting position.

[Zorayda]

Yora squirmed under Kitasa when he gave her a noogie, paws flailing. "Heyyyy!" She whined, managing to push him off. She raked her claws through her fur on her head, attempting to smooth it back down. She huffed and came to a sitting position before answering his question.

"Yeah, there's another cub. The fluffball my mom is holding is Sufura, and she's still little bitty," the brown cub answered. "And Queen Shyla is gonna have cubs soon, too," she added, looking over at the couple that sat close by. "But for now, I'm the only one that can play with ya," she smirked, reaching out to bop the amber-eyed cub on the nose.

Zorayda nodded at Kuukeni's answer to her question. She was exceedingly curious about the new lioness, especially now that Kuukeni had just claimed that she had been her adopted daughter. She caught Gumu's glance and smiled softly up at him, as if reassuring him that Sufura was safe in her paws. She also waited to see his response to Kuukeni's claim, wondering how he would react.

Taro finally got up from his position by his lovely mate to approach Amri. "Hey, I know that this new lioness is technically a rogue, so I wanted to double check and make sure that it would be all right to offer her a place in the pride. I don't think you'll object, but..." The golden lion smiled. "Sharing the rule of a pride means that I ask before I make any decisions."

[Moonlight]

As the two cubs conversed, the remaining two lionesses that were missing from the den and Amri's pride also entered. Neema, an almost lion sized beige female and Gumu's sister, leading the average sized sandy female behind her in. A single shake of the head said that the other half of their hunt was unsuccessful, before the process was repeated one final time in terms of explanation. Although Tii quietly moved to the back of the den, not getting in anyone's way, Neema was more openly curious and unafraid to ask questions.

The larger lion sat down next to his mate after a moment, glancing back at the dusky lioness. Offering her a small smile, a faint rumbling purr audible. "If she was reared by you, then I do not believe we've anything to concern ourselves with," Gumu stated simply, those few words alone showing his acceptance. It was not his pride, but he knew if the lioness was anything like his mate she would be a fine addition to it.

Amri glanced at Taro as the older King spoke, inclining his head at the query. "We may do so. The choice, however, is ... Kina's, I believe Kuukeni said her name was," Amri acknowledged, tone perfectly calm. His pride was as whole loyal to him, and it seemed much of the same with Taro's pride. If it came to war when Udole saw fit to hunt them down, or even vice versa, he was confident in their abilities. But another lioness was hardly something he could begrudge.

[Zorayda]

Taro nodded at Amri's words. "Yeah. I know it's her choice, and I hope she decides to stay...after all, it's tough, looking after oneself and a cub all alone," he added, nodding meaningfully at the lioness's condition. After a few moments of staring at Kina, he turned to leave the den. "I'm gonna go get the kill she brought down and bring it back...hopefully you scared the hyenas enough that it's not gone," Taro called, nodding once again to Kitama. Eeve caught the glance and followed along as well.

The kill was still there--apparently Amri was intimidating enough that the hyenas had left it alone. Taro and his two pride lionesses dragged the carcass to the very edge of the den, all of them licking their muzzle as they stood back up. Eeve and Kitama left to go back in, knowing that the kings always ate first, then Shyla, the pregnant queen, then the rest of the lions and lionesses of the pride. Lately, the River Pride lionesses had been letting Zorayda and Kuukeni have a bit more of their share, seeing as the two of them were still nursing young cubs.

Taro preferred to eat a bit less, always feeling vulnerable when he was too full. He had the belief that a king should always be ready for battle or dangerous situations, even after eating or sleepy. He tore off a small chunk of the prey and quickly gulped it down, only eating enough to be less hungry and not entirely full. He sat next to Shyla, who looked at Amri and waited for him to make a move.

"Ooh, Mama, can I have some tonight?" Yora asked Zorayda excitedly, tail wagging back and forth. After a second, the young brown cub looked at Kitasa, too. "And...maybe some for Kita, too?"

Zorayda chuckled, calling back to her daughter softly. "Of course. I'll prepare some for you when it's our turn to take our share." She turned her mismatched eyes to Gumu and Kuukeni. "You two can go first, and I'll take care of Sufura. When it's my turn, you can have her back," she said, looking down at the sleeping cub. She was so adorable...

[Moonlight]

(OOC: Just to clarify, Kuukeni's and Gumu's cub's name is Sufura, with an "s". ^_^)

Amri nodded in response to Taro's words, watching his larger double stand. "A fair point you make," the younger King said simply, glancing at the dark umber lioness again. Her breathing had steadied, clearly soothing Kuukeni's restlessness. A dry chuckle escaping his muzzle at Taro's added opinion, shrugging one shoulder. "It is in the air. They do not seem to learn," the golden male observed, finding the hyena's more bothersome than a true threat with simple boarder-line prowls.

After allowing the older King to eat, Amri simply picked at the carcass, having already eaten the day before with the last kill. Even so, he did not know when the next time they would eat would be. An extra kill would never be wasted, after all. Moving back to allow their pride's third male and his mate to eat after their brief conversation with the River Pride lioness, Zorayda. It was unsurprising that the pair of mates were concerned over their cubs welfare, though he doubted there would be cause for overly much worry among their ranks.

The two prides had merged well - Only the adjustment period of a moon's time causing a slight rift between them. But the prides went through their ranks, before everyone had gotten their fill. Amri padded over to where Taro and his Queen sat, dark tail tuft twitching as he joined them. His viridian gaze finding the new cub that had arrived with Kina, noticing that Kuukeni was caring for him and Sufura both now. "It seems at least one is beginning to feel better."

[Zorayda]

((Heh, oops. Sorry about that XP))

"Hey, Kita," Yora said, her eyelids droopy. Zorayda had helped to pick out the soft organ meat for the two cubs, something that was high in nutrition and easily eaten. Right now, Yora's belly was round and full, and being full made her feel tired... "You gonna sleep with Kina? If not, you can come and stay with us," she said, looking at her mother. The stocky brown lioness smiled in their direction, having heard her young cub's comment. Yora had really grown attached to this new cub, and she wanted him to be friends with her.

At the moment, it seemed that everyone was preparing to sleep. Seca was curled up in her corner of the room, slowly licking the remains of the kill from her muzzle and paws. Kitama was taking some extra time to stretch and get some life back into her old bones. Zorayda seemed very relaxed as she watched the young cubs as they became tired, and Eeve was already laid out on her back, feet in the air, snoring gently.

Taro settled down from his sitting position, shifting to get down onto his belly with his paws tucked in. Shyla licked his ear once before flopping onto her side, falling asleep almost instantly. Her mate smiled, his green eyes warm. Being pregnant sure took a lot out of a lioness...

"Yeah, it seems so," Taro replied in answer to Amri's comment. The golden lion looked happily about the den, content with his life and pride. "Everything seems to be going just fine." He thought of his mate and the cub or cubs they were going to have--Taro hoped it was the latter--and a thought crossed his mind. He looked up at the other king, thoughtful.

"Hey, Amri...this may be kind of a personal question, so you don't have to answer, but I was wondering...are you ever going to consider taking a mate? I...well, I noticed that you're kind of...queenless," Taro said good-naturedly. "There are good lionesses here, and you're a good lion. One of them would easily become a wonderful mate." As he said this, Taro let his eyes touch upon each of the lionesses, some from his own pride, and some from Amri's--now merged into one large, happy family.

[Moonlight]

Kitasa glanced over at Yora at the other cub's question, before offering a bleary nod. Yawning expansively, showing his gleaming white fangs. After having nursed and had a bit of meat, he was beyond ready for sleep. Padding over to Yora's mother, curling up contentedly next to them. He didn't want to bother Kina, whom Kuukeni said was still resting. The dusky lioness hadn't moved since her arrival.

Amri observing as their prides settled down for the evening, watching the new cub's welcome to it. Pausing at the fellow King's query, though emotionless in response to it. "It is true, that I have no queen," the younger King acknowledged, nodding. "But I seek a match. One that would be an equal ruler, rather than too much ambition or too meek to contradict or question my decisions. That, I have not found," the golden lion explained simply, his words unminced and blunt.

Thoughtful, however. He was never one to miss anything. "The thought is appreciated, though ... Perhaps I shall, in the near future. We shall see," Amri added, showing Taro he had not ignored his good-natured compliment. Still taking into consideration the traits of each lioness in their joined pride, of their features and personalities. Still, there had been naught.

[Zorayda]

Taro nodded in understanding. "I getcha. It would probably help if you actually loved her, too," he said, eyes sparkling. "I was so lucky to have Shyla...we grew up together, you know. I guess there just wasn't anyone else but her, to me."

He stood up and sat next to Amri, putting a paw on his shoulder. "You'll find her, I know you will. You're still young," he said playfully, his emerald eyes twinkling with mirth. "Younger than experienced, wise old me, anyway. And, you know..." he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "...you haven't really gotten to know the new lioness yet..." He chuckled before leaving the younger, more serious lion to his own thoughts and joined his mate, a gentle purr resounding through his chest.

Zorayda watched as Kitasa snuggled into her fur, a smile coming quickly to her muzzle. How easily cubs could trust others, it seemed. If only lions could remain that way as adults, and not give them any reason not to trust each other... Yora slowly trotted her way over to her mother and Kitasa, opting to snuggle the male cub along with her mother. Zorayda made a small noise of surprise, but then her eyes crinkled from the strength of her grin. The two of them were so unbearably cute, and it melted Zorayda's heart. If only Yora still had a father around to see...

The smile faded from Zorayda's face quickly, her memories haunting her. The one she'd been with, her first love, had gotten her pregnant with Yora. But, instead of staying with her and becoming her mate, he had told her that he didn't want to handle the responsibility of cubs and a mate...upon her insistence, he became frantic, angry, and abusive--hence the blindness in her right eye, along with a couple of small scars there. She was depressed for a long while, but when Yora was born, it seemed that Zorayda had had a new reason to live, a new, deep happiness that came from the tiny cub. Paired with Taro's gentle wisdom and acceptance into his pride, she became nearly the same lioness she'd been before the affair...but not wholly. Moments like this often stole her joy away...

She was snapped out of her reverie when Eeve let out a particularly loud snore. Zorayda sighed deeply before settling her head upon her paws and drifting off to sleep.

[Moonlight]

Amri nodded at Taro's explanation, something akin to an amused smile crossing the younger co-King's muzzle. "Touche. You make a fair point," Amri allowed, though outright chuckling at Taro's sly suggestion. True. He did not know the lioness. But at the moment, she was not fit for anything. But the decision would take time.

And he would not settle. Those that reigned were not to be taken lightly, for in times of dire need their decisions were what affected the lives of an entire pride. Padding over to his usual place, settling down as well. Resting his head on his paws, which were idly crossed for padding. Viridian gaze taking in the sleeping pride members, and those nearly asleep. Eventually heaving a sigh, before allowing sleep's open paws to take him.

* * * * *

Her body ached. To draw a breath felt as if her throat had been torn open. Slowly shifting, aware of the cool stone beneath her. Light half-blinding the pale eyed lioness as she forced her eyes open, half closing again immediately before they grew accustomed to it. Lifting her head after a moment, the dusky lioness glanced about her surroundings.

Surprised to find herself amidst a large gathering of lionesses and even three lions, only to stop short. Noticing Kitasa curled against another cub's and lioness' bodies. But what had truly shocked her was the unexpected sight of Kuukeni. Her mother.

[Zorayda]

The small brown cub awoke with a small start when she sensed a sharp movement somewhere close by. She blinked her green eyes sleepily, groggy and confused for a moment, and let them adjust to the dim light. The den was only lit partially by the moon and stars through the opening, filtering in to give them pale, colorless light. Yora flicked her ears and turned to where she thought the movement was, and then suddenly she felt wide-awake.

She moved her muzzle so that it was very close to the nearby cub's ear.

"Kita," she breathed softly, poking him with a paw. She did this a few times until he woke up, and then nodded in Kina's direction. "Look..."