Unconditional Love (Miki)

[Bhu]

"Mama, when will I learnded to hunts?" A chuckle passed my lips as I watched the small form stare down that of a larger one. The look on my cubs face was a demanding one, and I could predict what the reaction to the answer will be. I was surprised, however, when the daily routine was changed. "I'll discuss it with your father. Go play." With a squeal of excitement, the tiny cub spun on her heals and dashed into the bushes. My stomach churned everytime she left my sight, but my mate told me that no matter our past, we couldn't raise this cub any differently then our dearest Ayo. Risks were a part of life.

"Ba-Ba, look at me. Leave Abeni to her buisness. We have things to discuss." As hard as it was, I pryed my look from where the cub had disapeared, glancing in the direction of my gentle eyed mate. My heart flipped at the sight. I loved this female so much and no matter how long we were together, I would never understand what I did to deserve her. "Yes?" My voice was innocent, as if I had not heard her exchange with Abeni.

"Don't play dumb, Ba-Ba. She's coming to the age where we taught Ayo to hunt." Her voice trailed off at the mention of our daughter. The pain in her orbs was reflected in my own, I knew. But as quickly as the feeling came, we both washed it away. We missed Ayo, but both Adaeze and I had to be strong so as to give Abeni the love she deserved. "You know we can't start her at the same age of Ayo. Ayo, at this age, was already fluent in speaking! No, Abeni is not ready." My voice was full of conviction. Adaeze rolled her eyes before turning away from me. "Fine, have it your way. We'll wait." I could tell she was upset, both angry and disapointed, but I ignored the tone and glanced back in the direction Abeni had taken. I chewed over Adaeze's words, though, considering it without letting her know she may have won.

[/size]

Having possibly won over my parents, I turned and dashed from their sight. Most cubs would have eavesdropped on the conversation, but my mind was intent on exploration. These lands were littered with scents and I took it upon myself to smell each one at leased once, try to disifer what it was. The excitement I was feeling was so thick, one could feel it. I was an explorer!

"Yesh, run birties! Run!" My voice wooped loudly as I dived for a magpie flock that relaxed near a stream. Splashing through the cold water, I continued on as the flying creatures took to the air, squwaking angrily at me. "Oh, hush!" I roared in responce, scaring a squirrel in the process. Making a mad dash, I attempted to snatch the long tailed creature before it made it to the tree, but I missed by many tail lengths. My spirits didn't dampen, though, but rather lightened. Another squeal of joy passed my maw as I stood on hide leg, clawing at the squirrels tree, roaring up at the chattering creatures.[/blockquote][/size]

[Miki]

Akila

Eight months of life hardly taught me anything. At least nothing useful, I thought as I took up my best hunting crouch. If anyone, even Amadi, were here, they'd be criticizing my stance. I didn't know it, but my weight was unbalanced and my tail was too high. There was also a twig in the way of my next footstep, but no one was there to warn me of that. The only thing I was concerned with was the small flock of birds ahead of me. Magpies, I thought they were.

I licked my lips, already imagining the taste of a small meal. My mouth was watery, and I swallowed all the saliva that had pooled. Slowly, cautiously, I took my next step. Snap!

The twig broke in half beneath my foot, but I barely heard the sound over the noise that erupted simultaneously. "Yesh, run birties! Run!"

[/i]

The magpies took the air, their wings flapping madly. The splashing of water was heard, and my fluffed up tail lashed in surprised agitation. "Oh, hush!"[/i]

The voice sounded young, very young, and it had the same accent of a lion. I had hardly met any other cats in my wanderings, but in the few I did it seemed that cats of other species had a slightly different accent. This one was similar to mine and other lions' I had met. I looked for the speaker, but at first I couldn't see anything.

Everything was tan and brown because of the brush I was traveling through. Then I saw movement, and the cub's figure became clear to me. He or she was probably unaware of my existence. My mischevious side sparked within me, now that I knew who I was dealing with. Another cub, probably playful. But as quickly as I felt giddy, my logical side seeped in.

It was very likely this cub had a parent nearby, and if I spooked the cub I could get in trouble, or worse - hurt. I'd make my introduction settle then. I padded towards the cub, not stealthily, but not loudly either. Enough noise so it just seemed like I was passing through. I pushed past a small shrub and was now practically standing next to the cub. Except she was on her hind paws, her front paws reaching up a tree.

My eyes narrowed suspiciously, trying to figure out what on earth she was up to. I cleared my throat loudly, and my voice rang out loud and clear. "What are you doing?"

My head cocked to the side, a look of pure curiousity and innocence on my face. The typical look of a cub.[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

A final squeal passed my lips before I grew silent, simply standing on my hind legs, looking up at the trees top branches. One who didn't know me, could say I was probably calculating my climb so as to get up the trunk and sneak attack the squirrel. But I was doing rather the oppisite of dreaming harm to the creature, I was admiring it. It flew from branch to branch with an agility I'd never match, and I envied it.

"What are you doing?"

I didn't spin to face my opponent with a graceful fluid motion like most would have. Instead, I glanced over my should to simply view who it was whom had spoken. What was it my parents had said were an absolute danger no matter what? White skinned, twolegged creatures? Or was it white skinned four legged creatures?

I didn't have to figure it out, though, for this creature was neither of those. She was a lion cub, slightly older then me, judging by size. I stumbled back to four paws and grinned a cheeky grin. "Playing wit da squirlies!" I yipped with excitement. "What your name? I is Abeni!" I inquired nosely. It didn't occur to me that perhaps this cub had parents near by that would not appreciate me speaking to their cub. Things like that never occured to me.

[Miki]

Akila

The cub turned to look at me when I spoke. It wasn't a surprised reaction, and she didn't immediately get on guard like most cats did these days. After looking me over a split-second, she dropped to all fours and grinned at me. And answered my question.

"Playing wit da squirlies!"

[/i] She mewed, her voice high with excitement. Her happiness was tangible, and contagious. I felt comfortable, even safe, in this cub's presence. She was younger than me, and just her stature in overall made it clear she would never do any harm.

"What your name? I is Abeni!"[/i]

"Hi Abeni. I'm Akila." I said politely, and as I talked I felt myself overcome with a kittish, playful mood. It was one I hadn't been in for a long time. With all the trauma and ordeals I've had in these past few months, I was expected to act beyond my years in order to survive.

But now, in Abeni's presence. I felt like I could be a cub again, one with no worries expect who to play with. And here was a possible playmate.

"Do you wanna play?" I asked, my tail starting to flicker with excitement, my worries over who might be the parent of the cub were gone, completely forgotten. All I felt now was the need to be playful and carefree.[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

I flipped the name over in my head a few times, repeating it and even mouthing the sounds. My attempts would be futile, I wouldn't remember the name, but I would always try to. My mommy and daddy always remembered names, and I saw no reason why I was incapable of such a task. Some day...

The final question finally sunk into my head and my grin grew from ear to ear. A playmate that was willing? I'd never had such a pleasure before, adult lions not wanting their cubs near me, for some reason. I had over-heard one say I was 'retarded' and that they didn't want their cub getting my habits, but I didn't know what it meant and my parents assured me that my habits were fine. I hadn't cared much, anyway. Daddy was my most fun playmate, and as far as I was concerned, he was the only playmate I needed (besides my much adored squirrels).

"Yes!" I roared in pure joy, dropping into a pouncing stance and wiggling my hindquarters. I was tensed and my eyes were squinted, but my lips still curved into that joyous smile. My attack was never performed, however, for a voice came from behind. "Abeni, who's your friend?" and then "Baako, you're spying on her! Leave her and her new friend be!" Then the crackle of foliage as the first voicer's appearance broke into the clearing, followed by the second.

Frustrated by the interuption, I turned to face my parents with flared nostrils and an agitated 'huff'. "I am sorry, Abeni. I get concerned and apparantly your mother followed me." I shook my head at the words and gave a soft growl as I stared the two older lions down, stomping my front paw repeatedly, stirring up dust. One of my tantrums was begging to be released.


I noticed right away the signs of my daughters coming tantrum, and Adaeze quickly leaned beside her to cool off the cubs temper. Their attention taken, I gazed kindly towards the other cub. "Sorry for the invasion, Akila," I said her name, releasing just how long I had been spying, which made Abeni huff behind me again, "but I am a concerned father. Your parents are probably worried about you, too, running around alone. Want me to walk you to them? I would love to meet them and perhaps we can arrange some other playtime for you and Abeni. It's time meal for her."

[Miki]

Akila

The excitement to play was overwhelming, and at the moment nothing else mattered to me except winning in the oncoming play-fight. I crouched too, as Abeni did, and my haunches wiggled as I judged the short distance between us.

This was on my mind at the moment. Not my isolated travels, not my worries of the future, not even my memories of Amadi and my family. I was in the moment, trying to figure out my best attack.

Suddenly voices cut through the silence, breaking it with an arguement and rustling brush. Immediately I straightened up, the voices belonged to adults, and if they were related to Abeni in any way, I did not want to look like I was about to hurt her.

But the disagreement did not seem to be about me, at least not directly. Two fully grown lions stepped into my sight, and by their words, I knew these were Abeni's parents. My tail dropped, and I felt myself lowering instinctively. Abeni, however, was having the complete opposite reaction.

She let out a 'huff' of irritation and began to stomp her foot in anger. The cub growled, and the lioness came closer to appease Abeni. I glanced at the huge lion, who in turn was looking at me. His face was kind though, as he addressed me.

"Sorry for the invasion, Akila, but I am a concerned father. Your parents are probably worried about you, too, running around alone. Want me to walk you to them? I would love to meet them and perhaps we can arrange some other playtime for you and Abeni. It's time meal for her."

[/i]

He knew my name? Had he been spying on us? For some reason that gave me a little sense of relief, I wouldn't have to explain that Abeni and I were just playing. But the lion wanted to know where I belonged, and to that I had no answer. Only the truth.

But if I told the truth, what would happen to me? I'd be vulnerable, I wasn't as innocent as I appeared to be. I had heard stories of cubs getting lost, and sometimes killed by other cats, even cats of the same species. My eyes darted to Abeni and her mother, and then to the gentle looking lion. They couldn't be like that, I reassured myself. But still, something else inside me warned. Being out on my own at a young age made me question my every move.

"That's very kind of you," I said, my voice sincere. "But I can find my way. Thank you, though."

I glanced over at Abeni, wondering if I should say good-bye before going my way. I hadn't even known her long, so it would be okay if I just left, too. My eyes flashed back to her father, and I nodded respectfully, taking a nervous step backwards.

Hopefully he wouldn't press me further and I could make my escape. It was just one little interaction, enough social time to satisfy me for awhile. The little family would forget me, and one day I'd forget them as well. But I couldn't shake off the other part of me that hoped the lion would stop me. What if he found out I was an orphan? Would I be offered to stay with them?

I almost shook my head. I couldn't - wouldn't - invade this family. Whatever struggles they already had, I didn't want to contribute to their burdens. I took another step backwards, the faster I got out of here, the better.[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

Something about the way this cub acted made my heart go out to her. However, if she desired a solitary return home, perhaps it was for the best. Her parents may not have taken kindly to an adult male escorting their young lady.

Bidding a farewell smile, I turned to face my family. Wrong move, though, for Adaeze was giving me her eye. I'd done something wrong, and it only took a second to figure out what deed it was. Glancing at Abeni, I noted her pained expression that was set on Akila. I couldn't just let the cub run off, not when Abeni was so deprived of cub contact.

Releasing a sigh, I once more faced Akila. "No need to rush on home, youngin. Abeni's meal can wait, if you have some time. That's if you decide you still want to play with her..." My gaze was continually gentle and my mate's eyes reinforced my kindness, her own orbs glowing with a smile as she looked towards Akila, Abeni sitting patiently, hopeful, between her front paws.

Never was an answer to be said, however, for a low growl sounded from behind where Akila stood. A moment later, a figure far larger than I stepped from the shadows of the brush. The only cat I knew of that was larger than myself, besides some other lions, was a tiger. And that it was.

Instantly, I leapt forward and grabbed Akila's scruff gently, but in a rush. In a single swift movement, I had Akila placed beside Adaeze, and my mate quickly try to herd the strange cub, in addition to Abeni, towards the bushes. Seeing the cubs and my mate getting to safety, I turned to face the tiger, eyes cold and dangerous.

"Aw, come on mate, I just wanted the one cub! She ain't yours, I hear, so give her up. What do you care?" The tiger had a thick australian accent, strange for his species, but I paid no attention. My eyes grew colder with his words.

"My life will be shed before Akila is handed over to you, mongrel." I cursed harshly, kneading the ground with my claws, muscles tense and ready for battle.


I hoped Akila would allow me to usher her away, for if she did not, then Abeni would refuse to be hidden as well. Before I got either to the bush, though, I spoke in a quick whisper to the stranger cub. "Where are your folks? We could use your father's aid." It was after I said these words that a realization hit me; Akila had no other cats scent fresh on her. I paused, seeing as my mate had the tiger busy, and gave a sorrowful and compassionate look. "You don't have any folks, do you?" I quickly bent down and whispered in Akila's ear, so as to keep my words from Abeni. "Neither does Abeni, my love." I hoped my admittance would be of some reasurrment for Akila, so that she would be more likely for honesty.

[Miki]

Akila

I was so intent on making my getaway that the sigh from Abeni's father barely distracted me. It was when he spoke that I finally paused and looked back at him.

"No need to rush on home, youngin. Abeni's meal can wait, if you have some time. That's if you decide you still want to play with her..."

[/i]

The invitation to play longer was tempting, and glancing at Abeni I felt as if that was the only thing in the world that mattered to her. A playmate. I felt myself caving in, and I started to prepare an answer that wouldn't sound like I was glad to stick around.

"I-" But before my words got any further, a growl erupted and I jumped in surprise. I heard rustling behind me and turned my head to see who had appeared. A large, striped cat pushed through the brush and before I could even tell my paws to move, someone else was doing it for me. Someone grabbed me by the scruff and I found myself at the lioness' side.

"Aw, come on mate, I just wanted the one cub! She ain't yours, I hear, so give her up. What do you care?"[/i]

My eyes widened in surprise and I froze in shock. Did this tiger just hint at what I thought he meant? If I had continued backing away, would I be in the jaws of this tiger at this moment? I shuddered suddenly, and realized I was being ushered away. I stayed frozen to the spot for just a moment, and then it clicked. They were trying to save me, I quickly moved, going whichever way I was directed to go.

"My life will be shed before Akila is handed over to you, mongrel."[/i]

Not only were they trying to save me, they were willing to die if it meant my life was spared. This idea almost made me freeze up again. I just wanted to say, 'Just take me!' But I knew it would be better if I was out of harm's way. Out of sight, out of mind.' I had heard someone say once. I didn't think that would work in this scenario, however.

My attention was turned as we got further away from the tiger and lion. Abeni's mother turned to me, and I could see in her eyes that she was somewhat desperate. And her question proved it.

"Where are your folks? We could use your father's aid."[/i] She doubted her mate could hold his own against the tiger, and my parents would be the chance of help. The blank look in my face must've answered her question, because a sympathetic look crossed the lioness' face. "You don't have any folks, do you?"[/i]

The lioness bent down and her voice was soft next to my ear."Neither does Abeni, my love."[/i] I glanced at the other cub, and when I met the eyes of the lioness, I could only shake my head. No, I don't have any parents, my expression said silently. I'm sorry.

At that moment an intense feeling of guilt and hopelessness crashed over me. If Abeni's 'father' got hurt, or maybe killed, it would be my fault. Would he even be able to fend himself, much less, the rest of us?

EB

I had been following this tiger for awhile now, but I still wasn't sure whether or not it was J. I wasn't about to just walk up and ask him either. One experience had been enough to teach me that. And that tiger was definately not J.

This tiger I wasn't so sure, I hadn't gotten close enough to catch his scent, and he had been on his own, so I couldn't identify if he was J from his behavior. But when he had started stalking this lion family, that's when the alarm went off in my head. This was not J. And I was not going to just slip off and let this family of lions deal with the tiger themselves.

I had been following the tiger from above in the trees (boy, was he oblivious!) and now I was in the branches of a large oak. I blended in well with the shadows, and no one was aware of my existence.

I watched the short dispute, and gathered that the tiger wanted to eat one of the cubs, but obviousily the parents didn't want that. The mother was starting to lead her cubs away, leaving the father to deal with the much larger tiger. And the odds were in the tiger's favor.

I sighed, almost with the roll of my eyes, and scrambled down the trees trunk. The two larger cats were facing each other head on, and I came up so that I was on the side, the middle ground. I growled menacingly, taking slow and exaggerated steps toward the tiger. My eyes were fixed on him, and I knew that my stare could be deadly.

I knew I probably looked ridiculous. I was tiny. I was even smaller than the littlest of the lion's cubs. But I knew my strengths as well as my weaknesses, and I would assist this lion in defending his family.

"You better think twice about what you want." I hissed, my ears flat against my head and my tail lashing. My claws were flexing in and out of the dirt. I didn't even glance at the lion, so I couldn't tell what his reaction was to my sudden appearance.

Ooc//: Just bringing EB in for some short fun. She won't stick around long so that we can focus on the Akila/lion family plot. =)[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

My eyes noted that the tiger continued to look past me for a few moments, and then met my stare. Good, that meant my mate had gotten Abeni and Akila out of sight and now I was the only interest to this feline version of a Murder Ape. I nearly chuckled with an amused sound at the surprise that played the tigers face with my words. He was obviously unaware that some cats were willing to die for those outside their blood family and mates; I'd come close to doing so several times in successful efforts to protect Abeni. I wouldn't fail her like I had dearest Ayo. Nor would I fail her new friend.

Before either I or the tiger could spit out another word, a form appeared to the side of my vision, and then it spoke. Not daring to focus my attention anywhere but on the tiger, I gave the newcomer a once over with my peripheral vision. She was a tiny little thing, not much bigger than Abeni, if bigger at all! And yet she spoke with high confidence. Surprising myself even, I relaxed slightly. A cat that small who speaks that big must have a few tricks up their fur; this cat must know a way to beat tigers.

"Choose wisely, tiger. The two of us may not seem like a pair worthy of your time, but I promise you we are. You will leave with scars on both your body and your ego. Not to mention, my mate would gladly leap in if we were unable to handle you for ourselves; but I assure you, we can." I spoke as if this newcomer and I had fought side by side many times, or that I had at leased seen her fight in the past. Though I wasn't sure if I spoke as such in an attempt to trick the tiger, or simply because I had confidence that my words were true, I held a firm and level stare.

It was obvious the tiger was hesitant at this newcomer, taking a single retreating step so as to have full view of both his opponents at once. The silence that he answered with made a laugh threaten to form in my throat, but I held it down and stayed solemn and angry.

"Y'all are nuts." The beast final spat, spun, and retreated into the shadows of the trees. It didn't bother me that he thought us insane, all that mattered is that we had been able to settle this without a drop of blood spilled; and Akila was still safe.

Remembering the appearance of my "angel", I spun to face the small feline. It was awkward looking down to view her, much like how I had to with a cub, since it was obvious this cat was fully aged. However, I smiled large and my eyes were thick with graititude. "You may have just saved not only my life, but the life of my family as well." It was so natural, saying it. I had not forgotten Akila was there, I had simply accepted her as one of the family. Any friend of Abeni was a child of mine.



I should have been watching the scene that my mate was in, but the tension made my stomach flip and feel nasous. Therefore, I kept my gaze evenly on Akila, my heart thick with sympathy for her solitude. Abeni didn't know a world without parents, for she had been barely a month when my mate and I had found her; she had no recolection of the deaths and misery. Akila, however, would remember it forever.

Before I knew it, the brush came to life with rustling closeby. Panicing, I refocused on the scene in the cleared area, expecting to need to jump in and aid in a fight against the tiger. However, instead of a tiger (whom I now noticed had scurried away), there was a small feline a bit smaller than the ocelots I had seen wandering these parts. And the tension was gone; my mate was smiling ear to ear and saying we'd be dead without this newcomer, thanking her in his own way.

Confused, I gave Abeni and Akila a look that demanded they stay undetected until I gave a further order. Then I stepped from where I lay crouched, taking a stand beside Baako. "Thank you for aiding in my mates survival." I purred kindly, as if I knew exactly what had happened and been focused the whole time.

Something about this female comforted me and assured me she was of no threat; perhaps her mere size. So I turned my gaze towards where my cubs hid and beckoned them on. Not surprised, I watched as Abeni bounded from the bush before I even completed my beckon. She took a content seat between my mates front paws, and I continued to watch to see if Akila would join.

[Miki]

EB

The tiger looked startled at first, but then he quickly covered it with hesitance. He definately did not expect me, and he knew he was outnumbered. This tiger was no fool, which could be bad, but he was smart enough to leave us alone.

"Choose wisely, tiger. The two of us may not seem like a pair worthy of your time, but I promise you we are. You will leave with scars on both your body and your ego. Not to mention, my mate would gladly leap in if we were unable to handle you for ourselves; but I assure you, we can."

[/i]

Good, the lion was making this seem like we were prepared. That he and I did know each other, had fought side by side before. We could work this to our advantage.

"Y'all are nuts."[/i] The tiger said, and I could detect the disgust in his tone. He turned and disappeared, but I didn't relax yet. I even felt a shred of disappointment that there was no physical fight. I was itching for some adrenaline, and the verbal threats had not been enough to satisfy me. But a moment passed and there was no return of the striped creature. I let my fur lie flat, and I turned to the lion who was now addressing me.

"You may have just saved not only my life, but the life of my family as well."[/i]

I wasn't fond of praise or gratitude, but I nodded in appreciation. My deed was done, and the time to leave was approaching. I wasn't the type to stick around, although sometimes company sounded appealing. But I had a mission, and it wouldn't be completed until I was reunited with J.

"Thank you for aiding in my mates survival."[/i] The lioness I had spotted with the cubs reappeared, and her tone was full with relief and gratitude. She glanced behind her and beckoned, and before she was even done, the smaller of the two cubs bounded out. The cub ran to her father and placed herself between her father's paws. Just that small eager action made me like the little cub. She reminded me a bit of myself.[/color]

Akila

I was still in surprise at the sudden appearance and aid of the small cat. I watched her curiously, and with a little unease, because from where I was, I couldn't tell whose side she was on. But the tiger left, and soon the lion parents were thanking the little cat.

Abeni's mother beckoned her daughter and I forward, and without thought, the younger cub rushed out. I was slightly more hesitant, who knows, maybe that tiger was just waiting for our guard to drop.

A second passed and I reluctantly padded forward, placing myself at the lioness' side. I nodded towards the cat who had come to our rescue, giving some acknowledgement of my gratitude. The cat held my gaze for a second, and then looked up towards the adults.

"Well, you know... A cat's gotta do, what a cat's gotta do."[/i] She paused, a small smile carving her lips. "And right now, this cat's gotta go find her friend. I'd introduce myself officially, but I've gotta split. See ya guys arond."[/i]

Something about the small cat's composure and general attitude struck some admiration in me, and suddenly I found myself aching. I knew exactly who she reminded me of, and it was painstakingly close to my heart. Memories of Amadi and I began to spring up vividly in my mind, and with that distraction I barely noticed that our rescuer was gone.

Gone, just like that. Nonchalantly modest about rescuing us, and then going about on her way. She must've just slipped back into the long grass and left, leaving me with a family that had also aided in rescuing my life.

I swallowed, suddenly finding myself in the debt of this family. Now I would stay and play with Abeni, if all they wanted was a playmate for their child. I looked up at the large lion, and when I spoke my voice nearly cracked, betraying my relief. "Thank you."[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

The female that stood before me fascianted me, the way she spoke so freely and modestly. I desired to speak more with her, though I couldn't find the right words to say. Didn't matter, anyway, for the female was gone before I could even comprehend the situation.

Turning to Akila, a grin broke across my maw. "That was awesome! Didn't even need to lift a claw, tiger just fled like a kitten!" My words were answered by my own giggles, as I fell on my rump with laughter at the beast that had fled. It was as if the rescuer that I had just been admiring, was erased from my memory. Out of sight, out of mind.



The female fled away from us, on a mission to find a lost friend. I admired her for not only saving my family, but for the dedication she obviously had for that friend. She hadn't given us her name, but she already had me as a fan.

My daughters laughter broke my gaze away from where I watched the bushes. Her words unsettled me for a multitude of reasons, but none so frightening as her obvious lack of common sense. The tiger could easily be hiding, simply waiting for them to lose focus. I was terrified to realize that Abeni couldn't comprehend the danger they were all still in; everything was a game.

"Come on, Akila must go home. We shall walk her to her parents and--" I was cut off as my mate bumped her head against mine gently, drawing my attention to only focus on her. The way she gave a quick glance towards Abeni, it was obvious she desired our daughter to not hear her coming words.

Respecting Adaeze's wishes, I playfully rolled Abeni away from my feet. She barely noticed, for she continued to giggle like a newborn. Seeing she was distracted, I turned my back to the cubs, just as Adaeze had done a second before, and leaned my head close to hear her whisper.

"Akila has no folks, Ba-Ba..." Her words were thick with sympathy and had a begging tone in it. It only took a second to realize why she was begging. Could we really handle another cub? This one wouldn't adapt so easily, since she has known the life of solitude and will be aware that we are no her parents. I quickly threw-out such thoughts. Abeni had brain damage and we'd raised her easily enough. This new cub was perfectly bright and seemed more than able to adapt to change.

Adaeze had turned back to face the cubs while I had sat and considered her desire. When I followed suit and looked to Akila, I knew there was no other way. "Akila, would you like to spend the evening with us? I will ask your parents while I am out hunting for dinner." I sent a quick eye flicker towards Abeni, alerting Akila to the desire to keep my cub in the darkness for now. As far as Abeni was concerned, the world was a place full of rainbows and butterflies...

We'd have to find some other way to explain Akila's perminant presense.

[Miki]

Akila

I was looking at the large lion, expecting a reaction to my gratitude. But before he even spoke, someone else was. I looked over at Abeni, who didn't seem to notice the small struggle I was facing.

"That was awesome! Didn't even need to lift a claw, tiger just fled like a kitten!"

[/i] Her awe and general excitement over the ordeal gave me a strange sense of relief and relaxation. To see another cub at ease gave me the same feeling. Her parents didn't respond to her, and as I looked back at them, I could tell they were both preoccupied. Abeni's mother was watching me sympathetically, while her father looked slightly bothered by Abeni's words.

The lion turned to me after a moment, ready to move on. "Come on, Akila must go home. We shall walk her to her parents and--"[/i] The lion was cut off when his mate nudged him with her head. The two exchanged whispers as I looked on in guarded interest. I figured they were discussing the fact that my parents did not exist.

The lioness was staring at me again, and I began to feel self-concious. The feeling went away when the lion spoke to me, distracting me from my internal worries. "Akila, would you like to spend the evening with us? I will ask your parents while I am out hunting for dinner."[/i]

He glanced at Abeni pointedly, and I caught the jist of what was going on. They wanted to keep their daughter unaware of my situation. I could understand that, I guess. I wouldn't want any other cub to know the tragedy of losing kin.

"Sure..." I answered slowly, casting my eyes toward Abeni. I smiled a little to override the slight reluctance in my voice. I didn't want Abeni to think I didn't want to stay either. I would have to figure out what her 'parents' really wanted. Did they want me, too, since they had adopted Abeni? Or was I just here to be their precious daughter's playmate?[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

[glow=yellow,2,300]Abeni[/glow]

As my father suggested Akila spend the evening, I leapt to my paws in wild excitement. My gaze instantly traveled to the fellow cub and I waited eagerly for her reply. There was no way she could turn down such an offer, right?

As she accepted, I leapt in the air with a roar of excitement. "Sleepover!" Was my call as turned to batted my fathers face playfully. When he gave no reaction, which was unusual for him, I 'huff' in annoyance and turned to my mother. "What we doin while daddy hunts, ma?" I questioned, expecting the lioness to have an elaborate playlist stowed in her brain on account that a sleepover were ever to occur.

"I don't know, baby. First we need to get back home."

I grumbled at this reply before turning to Akila. "Our home is this way, follow me." I giggled before taking off at a fast run. I heard my mother call my name but I chose to ignore it. We'd already had a dangerous run in today, Dio wouldn't allow another one.

Unsure of whether Akila was following or not, I took a chance and hissed quickly without slowing. "Daddy is huntin, let's hide from ma! This way!" I knew a wonderful place, in my mind anyway. It was a small cave, slightly off the worn away trail. Due to the moisture, it has a moldy smell and would cover our scent trails. It would also cover the scent if another creature lay within...

OOC//: Kay, the Folami pup we agreed upon will be in the cave. Abeni is leading Akila into it so I will bring the pup next post, once the two cubs are in the cave and Adaeze has sped past in search of them. Baako is already hunting, we'll say.

[Miki]

Akila

This was all going so fast. I had accepted the invitation to stay, and it seemed like my stay was going to be longer than this sleepover. The adults knew I had no parents, Abeni was oblivious, and I was completely out of control of my life.

With my mind preoccupied with those thoughts and worries, I watched Abeni try to play with her father without success, then turning to her mother for something. The lion slipped off then, to presumably talk to my parents, and then hunt.

"What we doin while daddy hunts, ma?"

[/i]

Doing? Oh yeah, this required involvement on my part. Forcing a smile, I looked towards Abeni's mother, wondering the same thing.

"I don't know, baby. First we need to get back home."[/i]

Okay, I could live with that. I nearly nodded my head to reassure myself. What I needed to do was stay positive. This wasn't too bad anyhow, I had adults around to care for and protect me, and I even had a cub close in age to play with. I could be young again. Me again. That thought made my smile more genuine, and I hardly cared that suddenly Abeni was beckoning me.

"Our home is this way, follow me."[/i] The other cub took off at a run, and with a backwards glance at Abeni's mother, I followed.

I ran hard to catch up, but once I did it was no problem to keep pace with Abeni. I followed a half-tail length behind, because I wasn't quite sure where we were going.

"Daddy is huntin, let's hide from ma! This way!"[/i] Abeni suddenly hissed, veering off the direction we were headed. We quickly stumbled across a small cave and at it's entrance I skidded to a hault.

"Abeni!" I hissed, my voice low like hers had been. This did not seem like a good idea to me. I scented the air, testing it for signs of danger, but all I could smell was mildew. Abeni did seem like she knew what she was doing. Maybe she pulled this practical joke all the time, and her mother would be expecting us. And even if she didn't, it seemed like Abeni knew that this cave was safe.

I swallowed, then followed the cub inside.

Ooc//: Akila is still unaware of Abeni's condition, so as of now, she trusts Abeni's judgement and all. And you can be the Folami pup, because I have no energy to keep writing right now. =)[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

OOC//: Aw, poor Akila doesn't know that the one she is trusting has a brain issue :/ Aw well, will be fun because of this lack of information! Check out Evanglien's Profile so you know what to expect from her Ignore her brother, he's nothing like her

"Ya know what the E in for name really stands for?" The mock sweetness in my brothers tone went unnoticed, I was a fool and believed him to suddenly be kind.
"What does it stand for, brother?" I had an innocent voice, one who only longed for compassion.
"Epic fail!" The male hollered at his lame joke before bounding away with the other pups, all howling their admiration for the canine that is my brother. They all worshipped him, for his looks and for his cruelty. He had no heart to speak of, and his appearance was one that could be described as the Murder Ape's Satan, simply in dog form.
My head fell at their pleasure. I was the outcast, though by far the strongest and most skillfull. I worked so hard in my training, gaining the approval of the humans, but never the canines. They could hear me speak, and they understood my whimpers. It wasn't until the first time they brought a feline, a young jaguar cub, in to practice on that even the humans gained a dislike for me. I couldn't attack another living being if they hadn't done anything wrong...

My head rose as a soft voice sounded not so far away. The gaze I held was like stone. I hadn't been able to harm that first tester cub. I had simply sat and watched the other trainees shred it, recoiling as it's blood spilled and its screams filled the air. That first cub hadn't know my strength and skill, for I'd taken no part. The second and third one, however, hadn't been so lucky. I'd been beaten mercilessly after the first cub was ignored by me. The humans used me as the training bait the next time. My own brother had lunged for my throat, trying to end my existance. Luckly, the humans had desired only harm during this training when they'd set all the puppies out on me. They had wanted me to learn a lesson.
And I had.

The pawsteps came closer and I quickly and silently rose to my feet. My eyes were well adjusted to my dark caves lighting, so instantly I made out the figure of the two lion cubs, both young; not much older than me, if at all. I lifted a paw to step forward, but retracted it as a larger being raced by near the cave. One of the cubs hissed a warning of silence. "Abeni! Akila!" The form outside the cave hollered frantically. I waited a few seconds, until the pawsteps disapeared into the far distance. The dangerous one was far away now.

"So, Abeni and Akila, I see you know no boundaries. Well, suppose this'll be the last trespass y'all ever make." My voice was calm and collected as I approached the two with bared fangs. My age may have been close to theirs, but my size was far larger, as well as my limbs being bulged thickly with muscle.

I'm a Folami. I will make my pack proud.