The Journey (cont. from second journey)

[Malaika]

Malaika sat by the waters edge in the mist of the waterfall, the water just soaking into his mane. Nothing seemed to be going right. They had been at the cave longer than expected. He didn't want to go himself but he knew the risks if simbaji came with him. They had to leave today. He walked away from the waters edge to pace wondering what he should do. He knew it would be up to the cub to decide. Malaika loved him so much that he would blame himself if anything ever happened to the cub. With a sigh he walked back into the cave and laid down next to simbaji. Carefully he placed his paw over him and cuddled close. He whispered into the cubs ear.

"I love you."

[simbaji]

Time seemed to stand still. simbaji's thoughts had wandered from memory to memory during the lengthened stay in the cave he and the others had found themselves in. So many journeys, so many memories. He had met good friends and bad company alike and seen more places than many might in their entire lifetime. simba's tail flicked idly from side to side as he fell deeper into reflection, his tail briefly stirring up the otherwise and largely undisturbed dirt that blanketed most of the cave's floor. The sounds of the water that flowed not far from where he was sitting muted out nearly all the other sounds now. So deep was his concentration that he hadn't even realized that Malaika had gotten up and moved to the edge of the waters near the entrance.

It was difficult for him to put into words the thoughts that filled his mind. To be honest he was glad since not all of them were pleasant and would surely cause concern for anyone mindful of his well-being. Still, he couldn't help but allow himself this moments rest. How many more like them there would be was anyone's guess. He was not immortal though and one day these moments would set. He often wondered what that alone would be like. Would his time be brief and brilliant like the rise of the sun as it finally and triumphantly breaks over a mountain ridge? Or would it be like the end of the day, filled with a vast choice of hues and colors offered by some great painter's pallette only to slowly dim until the last embers were nothing more than a wish one might make upon a shooting star? He was certain the lands already knew; and one day, so would he.

But he was immortal, or so it seemed. At least to an extent. Without even blinking or moving his head or gaze to his paws he knew what he would see - the paws of a cub. He had seen friends come and go, empires and prides rise and fall, and even the seasons change more times than he spent thinking to remember yet still his paws were those of a cub, his face and body too were those of a cub. And yet for all his youth that somehow seemed bereft to leave him he still felt the wetness of a single tear stain his muzzle; for inside his heart and soul were the joys and sorrows of a lifetime and perhaps more. Why was he like this? What wonder of nature or mystery had sought to grace him with this gift and curse alike? There must be some purpose. He must have some purpose. But what?

He tried to understand the many events he'd seen or been privy to hearing of over the course of his life that surrounded this singular mystery - even tried at times to talk to others of it. Always he came up empty of a solution, always he was left no closer to many insights, only more questions. Of course there had been many clues that he'd come across but none of them fit into a picture that made sense. A mandril intent on killing him after already boasting of killing his family, marks that had been found in various places including one that he'd discovered had been used as a lookout to spy on the place he'd come to call the pridelands. There were also his flashbacks of his life with his original family from memories that seemed to be all but hidden from his recolection - a seemingly innoculous event in some circumstances but substantial when coupled with what had triggered his memory's re-emergence. No, there was more than chance or coincidence at work. It was only a matter of time before all the pieces fell into place and the tapestry that had been created by these threads would be revealed.

Were such a time close at hand he would not know. The introspections he'd found himself given too were dispersed like the dew on the savanah plains at the rise of the sun as the cub felt a weight press up against him. He actually startled at Malaika's actions - moreso because he had been oblivious to his motions the whole time more than anything. The weight of the older lion's paw rested over him and at last felt himself relax. He wasn't sure how to respond, though inside he knew he still loved him too. To what extent the recent events that tarnished that bond and his memories would allow him to ultimately express that emotion was left to be discovered however. For now though he was content enought to have the company he did. And as his breif-moment's refletions receeded back into the depths of his mind like the wanning tides of the sea he watched in both wonder and fear as one particular thought faded at last from his comprehension - he was certain the lands already knew what his fate was to be; and one day, so would he.

[Malaika]

Malaika nuzzled the cub lightly hopeing to wake him.

"Simbaji." He whispered. "We need to go now."

They had been in the cave longer than he had wanted. A lot of things were pulling at him. The fact that the humans never returned for one. He had always thought the humans were after the lands. The more he thought about it the more he wanted the answer. It was almost light out and he wanted to leave soon.

[simbaji]

The cub heard Malaika's voice, calling him. It was time to go. Wake up? Had he fallen asleep? He couldn't even remember. If so his sleep was left with no membrance of dreams, only the reflections that had beset him.

Raising somewhat shakily to his paws, simba arched and stretched his body and muscles this way and that. Perhaps he had fallen asleep. At least, regardless of what had happened, he'd had the chance to rest.

There was still a long way to go, as Malaika constantly assured him, but he now could make the journey a little easier. The pace and trails, though tough and forelorn as they might be, was ready to be met now with eager paws.

A drink of water first though, he thought, as he licked his parched lips. Something to eat was probably more than their graces would offer and so he would not ask. He'd gone without something to eat for long periods of time. But water, that he wanted. And fortunately there was plenty of it for now.

Ok, just had to get a drink of water is all.

[Malaika]

Malaika stood up slowly stretching. It took him longer than he expected to get up since he nearly fell back asleep. He looked at simbaji from the cave entrance and thought how pure and innocent the cub looked totaly oblivious to his past. Only once had he gone looking and had came across a lion who wanted to take over the pridelands. It was because of Malaika that another cub had been killed. Or nearly kiled. She was brought into the pride lands when Malaiak had found her.

It hurt to think about it again but how could he not. Everybody had their own past and it wasn't very good to go looking for some ones past lest you yourself are prepared for the consequences.

Malaika shook the thoughts from his head. His own past wasn't a very pleasant one. He still couldn't understand why he could talk with the earth. Once they reached the valley pride homelands he thought all would become clear.

He smiled to himself thinking of the good times they had had together. He hoped some day they could be together forever.

[simbaji]

simba wasted no time at all. While not eager to travel great distances non-stop, he knew that Malaika was behind on where he wanted them to be. It was also nice that he had gotten a little time to rest and so was now ready to take on another good portion of the journey they were making back into the territory that Malaika had first called home.

No sooner had Malaika stretched than he himself was poised at the entrance to the cave, the sounds of the waterfall that offered both cover and rest alike beating upon the rocks, sending splashes of water on the entrance at times. He wondered about Roshaun, if he'd find them again. He hoped so. One of the best parts he loved about journeys was the chance to meet people who lived very far away from where he did.

Coming?

The cub smiled with as he taunted somewhat playfully.

[Malaika]

with a smile and a snort

"you just try to keep up."

As Malaika passes the cub he lick the cubs fur in the oposite direction and laughs.

"now you look like a savanaha hedge hog."

[Mizani]

Mizani yawned, showing her huge cannines. Being alone sure was boring.
No one to talk to and know one to listen to. She wished her sister was here but she had gone her seperate way on a different path. She soon began to doze on her tree branch.

She was woken up seconds later by the sound of laughter. Groggly lifting her head, Mizani could spot a lion and cub.
"odd" She muttered to herself as she climbed down from the acacia.
Wondering what to do, her curiosity got the better of her and she headed of in the direction of the lions.


~Mizani~
uh, this going to continue or not?

[Malaika]

Malaika padded out of the jungle to the south. It seemed like a long time since they could actually see the light. The brightness hurt Malaika's eyes only momentarily. The southern grasslands stretched furhter than the eye could see. The sun looked to have climbed to its peak meaning mid day was approaching.

Malaika looked back to see if the cub was following. He smiled as he thought bout the good times they had together back in the Mizaati Mara, before he had to return to his homeland, The land in which they were now journeying to. It seemed that maybe they had left the jungle too soon. What Malaika thought would take days turned into Months. Mt. Kilimanjaro was on the other side of the contenent. To him it wouldn't seem far. He had traveled there many times before but always alone. Now that there is someone else with him it would either slow the journey down and just enjoy what he could before entering the heartlands, no a place of danger, or he could carry the cub and try the journey non stop. It usually left him exsausted. Only time would tell.

[Mizani]

Mizani lowered her head as the lion and cub strolled by, unaware of her presence. She had folowed them now for what seemed an eternity, as they seemed to be headed towards a kingdom that her father had once told her about when she was but a cub, but sadly she had forgoten its name. Perhaps I should introduce myself she thought to herself while grooming her paw.

*CRACK*

The tree branch in which she had been resting on had given way and she tumbled down the hill and landed on her belly with her nose touching that of the young cub!

[simbaji]

The morning had seemed normal, the same as any other. Only the never-ending expanse of distance taunting and following as they travelled. He had been many places before and some further than even he really knew, but where they were now was anyone's guess. Slowly winding their way through the land and quite unawares of anything else but the morning dew and unchanging scenery suddenly he heard something. His ears twitched and his head turned to follow the sound just in time to find himself nose to nose with someone he'd never seen before! The sudden excitement of commotion left him stunned for a brief second as he wasn't sure what to say or do. Quickly he backed up a step and blinked his eyes as he spoke.

You scared me!

Where'd you come from and who are you?

[Mizani]

Mizani sooned realized the awkwardness of the situation and decided it best to introduce herself before an unwanted fight broke out.

"um hi!" Mizani grined, staring at the bewildered little cub infront of her. "I'm Mizani, whats your name?"

[simbaji]

simba paused a moment, not sure what to make of everything. Not wanting to miss a beat he replied with a cautious smile.

simba, though some of my friends call me simbaji

He didn't want to mention anything of the Mizaati Mara Pride just yet. They were a long ways from home, and while unlikely as it may be that there would be those who had heard of the Pride, he also knew that he didn't want to be caught so quickly and unguarded from the safety of his home should he run into others who might have less-kind ideas about an encounter with him.

And while it was more than likely more his paranoia at this point that led him to be so cautious and suspicious, he thought that if nothing else it would be better to err on the side of safety. So for now he would see where things went. In all likelyhood the encounter was a chance one that would leave them parted sooner than not. Though, he had to admit he was curious as to where this other had come and what else might come of it.

[Malaika]

The older lion's ears perked when he heard the crack and looked back to see another cub. He listened as the two talked but was ready to take action. Since she was not looking at Malaika he quickly hid in the tall grass near-by and crept around the two for a better position to hear. He would not let simba get hurt nor would he just sit and do nothing but he would let simba talk untill he gave word things were ok. To Malaika it didn't seem ok.

To find a cub of all creatures following them without Malaika knowing made him even more cautious. If he couldn't detect that they were being followed by the cub then who was to say they wern't being followed by more. Malaika strugled with himself not knowing weather to step forward and protect or hide and see if more came before stepping out to protect simba. He decided to wait for the latter. If this cub was alone then where had it come from. The more Malaika thought about it the more it didn't make sence. Where they even on the right track to Mt. Kilimanjaro? Where they off course. Perhaps Malaika made a bad judgement call in direction. No they were on the right course. Just he didn't expect to run into anyone for another couple miles. This cub seemed to have come from near-by. Malaika didn't know about the prides of the west. He only knew about the prides that once resided in the east.

The only pride left in the east isn't even a pride anymore. Malaika, being the soul survivor of the war that wiped them out, was no longer in charge of anything. The only lions in the east now were rouges that wanted to kill Malaika. Ever since the great war, between his grandfathers Kilimanjaro and Chaos, the rouge's wanted revenge.

[Mizani]

Mizani licked her shoulder of some grime and soon began to look around her for the older lion. Mizani stuck her nose up in the air to catch the lions scent. Sure enough she found his scent trail lead to a patch of tall grass. Mizani could not see the lion but she suspected he was concealed somewhere in the grass. To answer your second question, I been traveling for a many months since I left my fathers pride. Where is your friend?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note to the both of you that I am not a cub but a young lioness.

[Malaika]

OOC: I would like to take this time to inform you about Malaika's militaristic past.

Malaika knows how to hide and very well. He has survived many battles and with the ability to cover his scent as well. I thought I had mentioned that to you when I told you about malaika's pride in the heartlands. I will post Malaika's info if you didn't read it in the bio thread.

Name: Malaika
Age: 6
Species: Lion
Pride: Mizaati Mara / Heart
Description: A warrior lion with a firey red mane that usually cvers his scared face. The scar crosses between his eyes from the top of his right to the bottom of his left. His sky blue eyes are hardly ever seen if ever they are shown with an outline of black. The black rings around his eyes show a dark past.
History:

Born prince of the Heartland lion pride. Malaika's Family was well known throughout Africa. The pride itself had been the mane pride in the Pride Wars. Malaika lost his father to humans who had enveloped the land. Trained by his uncle he bacame a great warrior. When his uncle died he fought in the first of the Poacher wars and then left the pride. The scar in which crosses his face reminds him of the price he would have to pay if the humans had ever found him, death.

Ndugu, a cheetah, had found him half dead in the desert. Taking him back to the mizaati Mara,Ndugu saved him from certin death. Malaika remaind there and and told his tail to all who would hear. he was then mated to a white lioness, The Princess Kida. He also adopted her daughter and son. Imbali and Akaro. Imbali did have another father at the time, a human by the name Fernando. Fernando after a while told Imbali that she needed a father like Malaika to watch over her.

After a while Malaika became a banner knight for the Mizaati Mara and had to leave on a quest back to his homeland. The lioness he had placed in charge, Hurul_ayni, had been captured by the humans. He sent every one out to gather the prides that had fought with his family during the Pride Wars as he, himself, went back to the Mizaati Mara to seek help there.

Upon his return he and Kida had broken up. The reason has been forgoten. Malaika fell in love with simba/simbaji and stayed with him for a while untill he left for the war.

Malaika fought hard against the humans. In the final hour of the last battle Malaika was about to be killed but a lioness's shadow took out the final human. They both had gone over the cliff edge.

Malaika awoke with no memory and thought of only one word. Mizaati Mara. He ran back to the mizaati only to find he couldn't remeber anyone. He had attacked simba/simbaji and fled to a cave with in the eastern jungle. He had fallen in love with simba/simbaji's son Elemental fox. while talking one day a strange creature had come upone them asking for protection. Another right behind him asked for us to hand him over. As the creature tried to leave he was killed on the spot. We attacked the killer but was interupted by simba/simbaji. simba/simbaji kept a war from breaking out by talking to the creature as Malaika and Elemental fox waited to tell there side of the story.

Elemental fox decided to end his life that sam day. He took his fathers claw and slit his own throat there in front of us both. In a fit of rage Malaika tried to take the body to burry it but simba/simbaji wouldn't have it. Malaika threw down the Mizaati Mara banner not knowing where he had gotten it and fled.

Imbali, a full grown lioness, helped Malaika regain his memory. Malaika then went back to simba/simbaji and tried to work things out. Everything is better now but still in shaddy area's.

One last thing. Malaika see's any lion/ess under the prime age as still being a cub...even if you are a young lioness. I would be greatfull if you could edit the post. If you have any douts about posting dealing with my character then please pm me. I don't want to sound mean but I pretty much live as this character. It's my second life. Thank you for reading this.

[simbaji]

simba had been so caught up in the rush of the moment with Mizani that he hadn't realized that he was facing the lioness alone - a fact that was brough to his attention as she questioned his whereabouts. With a glance to either side of him he too could not see Malaika anywhere. Not sure where he was, but having faith that he wasn't too far, he looked back to Mizani to answer.

I'm not sure, he was here a minute ago. His name's Malaika. Are you traveling with someone too?

He didn't want to sound too intrusive but thought prudence wise considering the potential vunerability he had found himself prey to. He tried not to seem overly worried nor did he let his concerns show on his face too much. He didn't want to give the appearance of weakness, not out here and not under these circumstances. Africa thrived but not to those who could not weather the inhospitable environment.

ooc: sorry for taking a bit to reply, this last week has been a huge stretch on me.

[Malaika]

The more Malaika waited the more he thought that simbaji's life might be in danger. on a spur of the moment the older lion leapt out of the grasses and in front of the cub. He dug his claws into the ground ready to attack if need be. With a slight growl he spoke to the young lioness.

"Who sent you?"

Malaika tightened his stance ready for anything.

"Why are you following us?"

[Mizani]

Mizani was taken aback by the large lion that now loomed over her.
"What? who? what are you talking about! No one sent me, I am a free lioness looking for a pride to join"

Mizani, still slightly confused continued.
"and to answer your question Simbaji, I travel with no one, for my sister was meant to leave the pride with me."
She paused
"But unfortunatly she lost her life in a hunting aciendent, so I travel alone."
Mizani looked down at her paws feeling un-comfortable talking about her sister.
"To answer your question lion I only want company.
Is that a crime?"

[Malaika]

"You can never tell."

Malaika replied with a scowl.

"Have you seen any other rouges in this area?"

It was a legitamate question. If he couldn't find out where she was from or who was with her then he would ask about other rouges. He knew that his presence wasn't welcome in a lot of places since his father and uncle on the pride wars.