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simba was quick to his paws. He stayed upbeat but the features on his muzzle denoted a certain sense of urgency - determination. He glanced at Kovujin and nodded then began to follow Malaika once more. Wether it would be long now or not before they reached their destination he didn't know - mainly out of fact that he'd never been to the older lion's homelands before - but one thing he did know; their journey would become increasingly more dangerous. Malaika's every expression foretold such.
Kovujin felt like Malaika had meant the truth and was serious, he started getting the same emotion before when his parents left him, Fear. He wondered if these rogues would kill them, from the way Malaika had put things it sounded like they needed to get out of there and fast. Kovujin padded up along side Malaika and made sure he was as close as possible to him without getting stepped on, he was scared he kept looking in both directions for the slightest signs of movements.
"there could be, well we better get moving, if there's danger, i don't want to stick around." Titus walks away from the wildebeast he hunted to let the buzzards eat it and walks up to a drop off that was a little far, Titus watches the sky when the breeze came in.
Mizani bounded up to Titus's side, looking behind her to make sure Karifu was coming, before looking back at Titus.
"What kind of Danger could we be in?" She asked Titus, looking at the surronding bushes, almost expecting something to jump out at them.
simba stayed close to Kovujin and Malaika as they went off. He understood that from this point on, no matter how much he wanted, that he really should rather listen to Malaika and not go off exploring or wandering - as much of a strength or faukt as it was of his. The cub tried to keep track of how the land felt beneath his paws as well as any markers around where they were at. If something came up he wanted to be ready and didn't want to be left wondering where to go or retrace. Besides, committing such things to memory made it that much easier to move and react - letting his subconcious mind maneuver the terrain, thereby letting the better part of his awareness handle the situation being faced.
Malaika had a look of malice upon his muzzle. He felt he could take on the humans again. The dream had to have been a vison or at least the earth being an informant telling him what to expect. They weren't halfway to the heartlands yet he knew that if they didn't keep moving now that the rouges would make their move first. The older lion didn't want that. If they wanted to kill them then he would rais hell when he did. They wouldn't know what kind of force they were dealing with. Malaika would give them a war. One well trained warrior against former veterns that didn't compare. Yet still Malaika trudged onward looking back at the two cubs every once in a while to make sure they were sfe.
Kovujin stopped walking for a while to look back, he wasnt to sure if someone was following them or not, he didn't know, he looked forward again, Malaika and Simba had kept walking, not noticing he had fallen behind. He ran back up to them padding next to Malaika again and acted as if nothing had happened, he kept glancing behind them, being that the spot most people usually attacked from. He looked up to Malaika,
"So when we get to your homelands, What will you do there?" Kovujin asked
Malaika didn't look down, he just kept looking forward not worrying about what was behind them. he was now listening more intently to the earth. The earth kept him updated on all that was around him.
"I will find an answer. There is a secret in my family but I don't know what it is or any one is after it. All I know is I had been warned that there are those who seek it. I will stop at nothing till I find out what it is."
Kovujin looked up at Malaika, Then back at the road ahead of them
"I see, Sounds strange, Do you have a family waiting back home for you?" Kovujin asked,
he didn't want to start talking to much incase they got attacked or something so Malaika would be ready, But he was just soo curious, as were all other Cubs
OOC: Whew... finally finished skimming over ya'll's thread. This will be my only post for the night, however.
Particles of dust were startled into action, swirling in the air as a result of an exhaled breath. A pair of smoldering emerald orbs peered out form a screen of cover, a shadowy form camouflaged from view. A mind racing with thoughts which swirl about like a roiling thunderstorm as the figure remained in a tense position, all senses alert.
He was most unhappy with his current circumstances, but then he had only himself to blame. Wasn't it he who had made the decision to go off on his own on a kind of personal quest? A quest to find himself, to learn who he really was and where he was really going in life. Well, Damu Kunguru had not approved when he stated his reason for desiring to get up and go. She actually scoffed at him and gave him one of her soul-piercing gazes as she spat out, "You can't find yourself out there, Kijana! You'll be looking in the wrong direction!"
And what was his reply to that? Just a shrug, and nothing more, tossing her words aside like so many discarded bones. He should have known better than to do that, for hadn't her advice and wisdom come to his aid in the past? She had been the one to find him in dire straights after his decision to become a rogue. She had been the one to help him get through the following weeks, a companion whom he could rely upon. And now that he wanted to go off on his own again, he was spurning their friendship.
Well, he was paying for all that now as he began to gaze about warily, taking in the myriad scents and sifting through the information. His mood had been rather morose the past few days to the point where he didn't care if he crossed a few boundaries. Now how maddening was that? Here he was around seven years of age and he was acting like some inexperienced adolescent. He hadn't made such an error in judgment since he was two. He was definitely going to give himself a beating after all this.
A silent sigh escaped from him as he lifted his head up, revealing a mane of waning reddish hue. The one thing to draw attention to him was the fading scars across his left eye from where a leonine paw had grazed across his face. He was pretty fortunate that his eye wasn't damaged in the process. And what could be seen of his shoulders, a pelt of dulled amber hue could be made out.
To be caught in such a very unpleasant situation where there were very unfriendly individuals afoot. A soft snort escaped from his maw as he muttered, "Oh yeah, I'm having some fun now."
Malaika stopped in his tracks and looked away sadly.
"There is no one left in my homeland. I was the only one to survice the poacher war that took place. Ther are few who even knew it had happened. Now the land is dead and decayed to the point where it may never regenerate. And the rouges may have taken over."
Malaika lost his malice and slipped into sadness which filled him with greif. Yet he knew if he wasn't carefull that it would hurt him in the end. For sadness would lead to anger and the more the anger would fill him the more the darkness would try to rise again. Though he never felt it as much as he once did.
"oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Sorry I asked" Kovujin said with a sigh,
Kovujin had thought Malaika was lonely enough in the world, but now, he had no family? man that must bite. Kovujin had a family but.. They left him so he has none now, but knowing there dead, that must be a big burden to carry on your back, Kovujin felt sorry for the lion.
"Don't feel to bad about it, Me and Simbaji are still here with ya all the way" Kovujin said with a big smile on his face trying to cheer Malaika up, he was obviously depressed.
OOC: yeah my 100th post
BIC:
Malaika smiled slightly and continued onward feeling aprehensive as he felt the presence of another animal near-by. Slowly a feeling grew in the it of his stomache. Whom or what ever the creature was he couln't tell if it was friendly.
"I'm glad I have you and simbaji now."
(ooc: Congratz! :D)
"I'm glad I met you too Malaika, your a really nice lion" Kovujin said smiling looking at the path ahead of them, he felt something near, it made him shiver.
"Do you feel that.. like..were being Followed?" Kovujin asked quietly so the animal or what ever it was following them wouldn't hear them conversing.
Malaika moved forward slowly
"I'm not sure what I feel but I don't want to take any chances."
Kovujin followed Malaika, he was so close to him that he could get stepped on, but he was scared right now, He didn't know what to think he made sure not to say one word so Malaika could hear what was around them.
An opportunity had arisen for him to slip away as quiet as a mouse, or at least he hoped so. His sleek and musculare leonine form moved itself away from the point of contention. Flowing through the greenery like a fish swimming through the water, Kijana gradually made his way towards the lip of the jungle and paused a few heartbeats. His posture was rather tense as he remained in place and cast about with his darkened emerald gaze, ears sucking in any and every sound they could get ahold of while he inhaled deeply. Even his tail was behaving for once, the reddish tuft not budging an inch and seemingly frozen in place.
And then... voices. Were those voices? He strained his hearing a bit more so he could pick out those sounds, turning his head to the left to let his right take it all in. Those voices did not last for too much longer and now there seemed to be silence again. Well, other than the usual cacaphony of jungle denizens such as birds and insects and the like. He took in a deep breath as he eased from the stiff posture he had been holding, now feeling torn between curiosity and aversion. The yearning, however, to go and see who or what could it have been was clamoring for attention. In the end his curiosity won out and so once more he eased forward, muscles rippling and flowing beneath his deep amber pelt.
Now his tail tuft was making its rebellious twitch once more as he weaved his way through the foliage, dark emerald gaze ever watchful, his ears and nostrils ever alert.
Malaika stopped short and litened intently to the surrounding area. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and knew almost instantly that some one was near. The smell was that of a lion but whom he couldn't tell. It was neither the scent of the east rouge's nor the scent of the western prides. at least none that might have known. Yet he felt like he was about to be hunted though he would soon turn it around and become the hunter.
Malaika grabbed both cub and made them lay low in the grass while he slid into the tall grasses near the edge of the jungle. His heart racing as he slowly moved up behnd a boulder and waited silently listening as the earth informed him of the location of the lion. He wasn't too far off. Just a pounce away. The older lion looked over the boulder and down upon another red maned lion. Carefully he approaced from downwind and pounced the other lion.
Even as simba was moved to the side by Malaika he had the feeling that there was something he wanted to see. Curiosity had always been one of his strongest faults and strengths alike. The wind blew quietly across the place where they were, knowingly bending the reeds of grass that now caught the young cub's attention with their soft rythm. He looked to Kovujin and spoke quietly.
"I'm going too."
With that he left for the same direction that Malaika had gone. He felt bad about not explaining more to his friend but time could never be counted on to be on one's side and he didn't want to miss the chance to confirm his suspicions. Paws that had padded over countless miles now carried this curious cub towards whatever it was that had entered into the trio's range.
Kovujin let out a sigh, he wasn't liking the Idea of staying by himself with someone out there.
"Okay, Hurry back now Simbaji" Kovujin said smiling at the cub,
Kovujin sat down on the ground and stayed low in the grass, making sure he wasnt visible by anyone else unless he wanted them to see him.
He paused with barely baited breath, stretching all his senses out as far as they could go. His brow furrowed when he caught ahold of... something. A tickling in the back of his mind, a little warning of something iminent. And he was about to lift his head to gaze about when something collided with him. Eyes widening as his maw parted, he gave vent to a silent shout within his mind. "Holy freaking hey!" And in a heartbeat he was rolling, twisting and turning his sleek leonine bulk.
His left paw came up and pushed at the shoulder of the other, giving a bit of a nudge and a shove. With a grunt, he was able to get out a few words. "Hey, c'mon!" He gave another push and was able to dislodge the burden just a bit, enough to get his upper torso free. "Get off, will ya?"
Malaika rested now just a few feet away from the lion ready to pounce again if need be.
"Who are you and why are you following us? The rogue king sent you to kills us didn't he. We'll you won't. You can tell him if the humans didn't finish me off then he himself better do so cause I'll kill every last one of his flunkies then I'll kill him as well."
Malaika felt for sure this lion was part of the Rogue pride that had formed in his home lands. This rouge was alone and looked to be more of a warrior than anyone else they had encountered.
After having gained and opportunity to pull himself up and rolling onto his feet, he peered over at the other leonine curiously. His head tilted to the right a bit as he listened, a frown upon his face as he gave the other a rather confused look. Blatanly his features shouteed out, 'What the heck are you talking about?!'
Kijana just shook his head before finally replying. "Okay, I have a few questions of my own to ask. Now the first being... Huh?" One brow was raised as he looked to the other. "Let me just add that I've only been around here a short while, having done some extensive traveling. Just passing through, actually." He gave a leonine shrug and turned his head to the right, keeping one eye on the other male.
Malaika turned to see just what the other lion was looking at while keeping his focus upon him. It was Simba. Malaika quickly leapt out to block the cub from Kijana.
"Simba stay back."
His mane blew ceaselessly in the wind revealing the scar on his face.
ooc: i hate to ruin the pace tonight, but i'm beat and really need to sleep. plus i'd rather reply when i'm awake ._. zzzz.... (night all - sorry, but i'll bb in the morning!!!)
(( good night Simba, Its no problem : ) I'm kinda tired too might get off soon anyways Have a good sleep))
What had started out and seemed at first as a calm and knowing wind turned now instead into a more restless, forceful breeze - mimicking the emotions of Malaika. The two were more than likely not connected other than perhaps the wind was offering some form of rebuke or chastisement for the older lion's quick and baseless accusations towards one of africa's better children. The cub could scarcely believe it, reagrdless of the intuitions that had sifted into his perception and hopes; it was Kijana!
Malaika's tone of voice and quick reactions to his other friend lead him to decide that anxious as he was to reunite with an old friend that it would serve him better to approach a little cautiously. He didn't think that Malaika would actually hurt him but it was better not to chance getting in his way; nor was he going to cower in fear that something might accidentally happen. Caution was not mandated to walk hand in hand with timidness.
Many times he probably could have benefited from the insight and semi-wisdom he argued with. His past was so filled with reckless and impulsive behaviors it was a wonder he was still alive; this too in considering the situations such lack of prudence and intellignce he found himself in many a time - and few of those were done so by his keeping his nose out of places it shouldn't be. At the moment he couldn't complain though, he was alive and held far more experience at his paws than many others.
"Kijana?! Malaika, calm down! He isn't a spy or anyone else you need to worry about, he's an old friend."
simba smiled at the amber-manned lion then quickly remembered that Kovujin was still left secluded and otherwise alone. With a loud call he beckoned the other cub to come over and join them. Immediately his gaze turned back to Kijana, accompanied by a bright and happy smile. He took a few steps forward wondering if the other lion would remember him. It normally wouldn't be hard considering the plight of simba's situation - that of mysteriously not aging. So the cub would look the same, but would Kijana believe it was truely him? Anyone would expect to see a lion much older. Kijana, of course looked no differently to simba. And perhaps he never would either. The image burned into the young cub's memories would forever keep the amber lion whole and unchanged - a monument to a special bond forged long ago.
Kovujin heard Simbaji's voice, he strolled along up ahead to where he had seen Simbaji and Malaika run off to. He looked over and saw Malaika, Simbaji, and another Lion. he walked up and sat beside Simbaji, He turned his head and smiled at Simba, Then turned around to speak with the new lion.
"Hi, I'm Kovujin," Kovujin said smiling at the lion
He turned to Simba and whispered into his ear
"Let me guess...Another friend of yours?" Kovujin said with a slight smile on his face.
Malaika laid down slowly. He knew to trust Simba when it came to others that he claimed to know.
Malaikia bowed his head slightly and spoke peaceifully to the other lion.
"Samahani. I didn't know if you were Yahe or Adui. These are troubled times out here right now especilly with a lot of Maadui about."
Translations
Samahani = forgive me
Yahe = friend
Adui = enemy singular
Maadui = enemy plural
sorce
http://research.yale.edu/cgi-bin/swa...onaries_en.php
His pair of darkened emerald orbs immediately fastened upon the young leonine. Practically everything else was tuned out as he just stood there and gazed at the young cub. Several emotions flowed across his face almost like water, from startlement at the sound of his name coming from quite a familiar voice, even though it had been a long while. The little one standing before him certainly had not changed one iota from the last time he had seen this individual and he was somewhat confused and puzzled that nothing had changed. Well, other than what he saw in the cub's eyes, for he definitely had grown older in respect to the light shining out of them. Still rather unsure as to what lay in plain sight before him, he cautiously uttered a name he had not spoken in a long time. "Simbaji...?"
Countless images seemed to flow across his inner vision as he dredged up memories long buried. Memories that were, for the most part, filled with emotion he had not felt in what seemed like ages. A recalling of an old friendship, and one that had grown into a very deep and special one, filled with a deep fondness. Once more he focused on the young ball of mischief and mayhem before him, his gaze then shifting to the newcomer. At the young leonine's greeting he smiled a little uncertainly and responded. "Hello..."
Kijana's attention was drawn back to the larger male and he watched in silence for a few more heartbeats. Bringing himself to rest uopn his haunches, he dipped his head in greeting and resplied. "I don't hold anything against you..." And then he gave a slight smile as he tilted his head a bit. "And definitely Yahe, as Simbaji can attest to." Then he grew serious once more. "Isn't that the truth... I had a close encounter myself rather recently."
OOC: Sorry if I'm a bit rusty, it's been a while.
Feirefiz body was weak and worn by this point, the endless days of searching, hoping to find what he'd lost. He was not able to go further today. He found himself a rock jutting from the warm dirty and laid himself down on it. So long he'd been off chasing his windmills, and it took him further and futher from home. He often felt the windmills were indeed giants he would never overcome.
He looked around, there seemed to be many animals here, a peaceful and prosperous land perhaps? He shifted his weight and laid lengthwise on his rock and began to clean the cracked skin of his pawpads. He didn't know if he'd found home but something...a smell, the landscape, perhaps a memory made him feel like something in this land was right. He just couldn't shrugg off the feeling.
He'd been wandering now for nearly 3 or 4 years. He'd almost forgotten the faces of his pride. He wondered if they remained as one or if time had played its game and scattered them to the wind.
In between his thoughts he'd pause and listen. The grass in the wind calmed him. He'd catch himself in a moment of curiosity, his whiskers pushed forward but soon relaxed as he'd continue his grooming. The days were long and he didn't often get the chance to groom and rest. His black fur was dulled by the gathered dust in his fur. "How iconic" he thought, "Something that once shown bright now dull..."
He moved from his paws down to the tuft of fur on his tail, all while taking in the moment of peace, and watching the other animals. One group in perticular. But he need not conern himself at this point he reminded himself. He feared he was slipping from his Knightly dream.
Malaika nodded to kijana.
"I am Malaika. Once proud king of the Heartland lion pride that once lived in the shadows of Kilimanjaro, I am the sole survivor. Now I am just a storyteller and banner knight to the Mizaati Mara pride."
Malaika stil used the title banner knight though he wasn't sure if he still was. He didn't remeber simba ever giving it back to him. Though he was a knight and a very good one since he had survived the great poacher war that claimed the lives of hunams and his pride, not only his pride but also every other pride that joined. Though none had survived. He had seen more death in that few days than he'd ever want to see again.
He looked over at simba and lowered his head wondering if simba and kijana had been as they were now. He never wanted to lose him and he promised to always protect him. It would hurt the older lion if he lost the cubs 'affection' to some one else. Yet there was more between Malaika and simba than what showed in the last week or so. only time would tell if the fires were stil lit once the journey was over.
"I don't know I can't make out the sound" Titus hears a bit more.
simba looked briefly to Kovujin and nodded at the question as to wether this new lion was another friend of his; and indeed he was. He smiled to the other cub to let him know that they were in very good company. After waiting a moment to let Malaika introduce himself a little more he spoke. He could see the recognition and confusion alike in Kijana's eyes. He was glad more than anything for the first. He too wanted to know the reason for his lack of physical growth. At first it seemed to be some sort of game or maybe fond hope, but as time drew on it was clear that the cub wasn't growing any larger. To most it seemed a paradox or perhaps a disease that maybe plagued the cub. There was one though who knew the truth, and in time that truth would be revealed to the young cub. The answer however would come to hold more mystery and danger than the question itself.
Winds that had been, always been, his constant companion in this life seemed to circle about the group; happy and reassuring in it's own way. The fields of grass also bent and flowed to the adulation and entreaty of the breaths that africa took. No one knew that these winds also seemed to unknowingly mask the presence of another who sat, watching in the distance. The circle of life was drawing it's arches wide and many friends who had become seperated over time were finding their way back for a moment - perhaps a measure of sentiment on the part of the lands themselves to reassure everyone that the journey of life was not always traveled alone, nor lost to the chaos of time and distance. So much was at stake in life. It wasn't always the trials and dangers of others that had to be overcome. Sometimes the single chance for one to find themsef and come to truely know who they are, or cementing a bond that could endure any calamity, any hardship - even death - that, that was sometimes the greatest challenge of all.
simba smiled at Kijana and nodded, letting him know that it was indeed the same cub from all those years ago. The youth was obviusly happy to see that Kijana had continued to fair as well as he did. Wandering alone was something he knew was dangerous, but simba always returned at some point to the pridelands or his homelands. And in that moment a feeling of peace welled up within him for Kijana, who now stood here with him, with the others, he too had come home. No matter the time spent together, though he wished dearly for it to be more than he was normally granted, was always cherished. He approached his friend and after a moment's pause he nuzzled into the amber lion. After asking how he was, he continued. He wished he could take hours, even days to talk with Kijana, but as it was he was left with the only choice he had, to start finding out how he'd made it this far and if there were any reason he were in the area.
"I wish I could answer the question I'm sure you're thinking, but all I know is that it's wonderful to see you again! I have so many questions of my own. How did you find your way here?"
His dark emerald orbs shifted to the left, head turning in that direction slightly, as he became lost in thought. Tendrils of remembrance coiled themselves around him like vines climbing in a spiral up a dendric bole. Too many memories he did not really wish to recall, of the time he had spent struggling to hold his own pride together. For an occasional time of respite it appeared things were going quite well, but more often than not it was one conflict after another. His right eyebrow drew down as he gave a frown, wanting to push back all the memories.
"And now I'm just a wanderer with broken hopes and lost dreams." He wasn't sure if he was making any sense, for he had given voice to the collage of memories that only he had access to. That is, unless he chose to tell of his own story, but it was something he wasn't willing to do at this point in time.
However, a pleasant distraction presented itself in the form of a rather small rambunctious and mischievious ball of fur. At least that's how he always remembered Simbaji. The cub had made his way into the older lions heart like few others had been able. So there was always that one special place where he kept those precious memories tucked away in a protected niche.
He took in a deep breath and then let it out long and slow before replying to the young cub's query. "Well, just by wandering about. I haven't had any particular destination in mind, so long as I went in the direction of the sun's setting." [i]He gave a kind of shrug with his shoulders.[i/] "I needed a breather from a rather demanding taskmaster of mine." The older lion just smiled a bit, to show that it was a bit of a jest he was making. His 'taskmaster' was really just someone who had become an old friend; and she was trying to knock some sense into his hard head.
He looked from the young lions to the one who apparently had been leading them. "So... where are you all going?"
Mizani had run ahead of Titus. In pursuit of her friends, they were no where to be seen.
Whne she arrived at the last spot where Malaika and Simbaji had been, to her dismay they had moved on.
Forgeting about Karifu and Titus, she dashed ahead.
They had indeed goen father then she'd first expected, and soon she realised that it would take atleast two whole days before she caught up with them.
May as well make a start. She thought to herself.
And with that she began to follow the two lions scent.
"We are heading to Mt. Kilimanjaro. We are in search for an answer. Yet I think we may be followed. Last night we came upon a couple of rougues."
He looked at simba and then to kovujin before moving closer and whispering the rest into Kijana's ear.
"I think they want to kill us. Especially Kovujin. In dreamscape last night I heard them talking. It seems that his family holds the same kind of secret my family does."
Malaika didn't know that they weren't going to be after Kovujin but rather simba.
Kovujin smiled, "I'm just following them, I have no clue where were going other than to Malaika's home land. I'm just a cub, heck what do I know" Kovujin said with a wink.
what were they talking about, why Couldn't Malaika say what he said to Kijana out loud, was it about him. or.. was it about Simba or both, He had no clue, maybe it was one of those things adults only tell each other
Upon Malaika's mention of rogues, he reflected back upon his brief and harrowing encounter not all that long ago. It had been not too long before his inadvertent trespass into a pride's territory. That had resulted from him shifting direction to avoid two rogues he had caught a glimpse of. Fortunately for him he was the one downwind and so was able to make a discreet exit.
His gazed focused upon the other lion once more and then responded with a whispering of his own. "It's possible that a couple of rogues I had a near run-in with not too long ago were the very ones who are hunting you." He paused to slide a glance toward the pair of cubs before continuing. "Do you have any plan as to how we could circumnavigate them and avoid getting caught?"
Titus noticed that Mizani was gone and he had no idea where she went off to "Mizani?"he looked around wondering where she went"Mizani?!?!" he looked at the ground and noticed that it was Mizani's foot prints "don't worry Mizani i'm on my way"