[Private] Of Illness and Claws

[SnowyCheetah]

Stopping and turning to look back at Kina, Haley sat down again with her back to the lioness. She seemed to wish to help, despite Haley's very odd behavior. I'm delighted by the offer... but I hate to take part in a mean which I cannot assist in producing. Haley said, thinking back to the lessons she had learned as a cub. One of those lessons was never to take food that one didn't help take down, else she be held accountable later to repay the favor. She knew of one snow cheetah who had made such a mistake, and was soon captured by the pack who had offered her the food and held as a slave.

Who am I kidding? she thought seconds later, Better to be a slave than dead. so she decided to accept the lioness's offer. On second thought... I'll accept. It's against my better judgment, but I haven't got much other choice... and I'm terribly sorry I can't help you take down whatever it is you're planning to hunt. Feeling a bit more awake, she walked back to Kina and sat next to her, offering a paw in hopes of a friendly gesture. Kina seemed nice enough.

My name is Haley. the snow cheetah said cautiously, moving the getting-acquainted session along. I come from Simba's Pride, even though I am not a lion by any means. she spread her foretoes and exposed her webs, just one of the many features that made her much different than the more plain lion species. What is your name?

[Kina]

The younger lioness observed the oddly colored cheetah curiously as she spoke, offering a nod to her. She was oddly polite for one barely conscious, but it was highly possible that she was wary of her attacking. However, she'd hardly wish to extend her claws unless necessary against the cheetah. Sleep was something she was in dire need of at the moment, and would pounce when the offer presented itself. "No worries. When you are feeling better, that is up for discussion. For the moment, you needn't concern yourself with hunts," the dusky female added, before standing. Soft dirt sifted underneath her hard pads, still cool from where she'd dug it back. Her nearly onyx tail tuft swished slightly as she watched the cheetah a moment more, before turning slightly.

Ears pricked forward to listen for what direction to head off in, but also listening to the cheetah's conversation. She nodded after a moment. Haley. It seemed that the territory she'd been avoiding, though, was one that she shouldn't have bothered with. While it was still wise to exercise caution, they at least did not seem bloodthirsty as some were. She glanced over her should as she started to walk off, pausing once more. "You may want to stay here for a bit. I could probably find you if you must move, but I do not want to tax you further," she said quietly, one paw still half raised. Remaining a moment more at the request of her own name, realizing she hadn't mentioned it yet. "Kina," the dusky lioness added, before nodding again and moving off into the sunset at a steady lope.

[SnowyCheetah]

Haley immediately remembered the name "Kina" when the lioness spoke it. But just as she was about to speak up about it, her health once again began to fail her. Her muzzle half-open, she fell to the ground, unable to get back up but still alive. That event knocked the memory right out of her, and now she couldn't remember who it was she had set out to find. It's nice to meet you Kina... and don't worry about me right now. I'll be fine soon enough... not to be bossy but leave me be and go hunt. We can get better acquainted after a meal. If I don't have one, I may not live live past the end of the day. Haley said, lying her head on some of the cool dirt Kina's paws had exposed.

She fell unconscious once again, her mind struggling to function. Blurred visions and memories flew through her head faster than she could pay any attention to them in her struggling state. Muddled thinking revolved around Kina's name. At this point, she knew it was important but had no idea how. Thoughts of Kiara uttering the name were present, but didn't take enough importance in the snow cheetah's mind to make her remember that Kina held the key to recovery from her illness.

She woke up 45 minutes later and didn't move, but opened her eyes and rolled them around, looking to see what had changed since her last episode.

[Kina]

The dusky lioness moved at a steady lope as the bracing coolness of twilight overtook the savannah, breathing in the fresh scents as a gentle wind caressed the area. Blending in seamlessly with the darkening surroundings, save for her luminescent eyes. Small paws silently crossed the soft grasses, stirring the sweet smells as her pricked ears listened for anything. The nicked one twitched as heavy breathing reached her, and in droves. Hooves padding along the turf, heavy. Kina slowly lowered into a crouch, allowing the sweet smelling grass to mask her scent.Watching, waiting.

It wasn't long that she had to wait. Several stray wildebeest were plodding along, munching at long wisps of the graze beneath them as they walked. Tufted tails swished at their muscular hindquarters, almost blending with the coming night as much as her pelt. Her lithe muscles coiled as one neared, claws slowly extending. Kneading the ground beneath her, getting a good grip. And sprung.

A deep bellow came from the bull-creature as she landed on the straggler's back, claws digging into the colt's strong shoulders. It easily supporting her meager weight as it bucked, attempting to throw the dusky lioness off. She sharply inhaled as it threw its head back, curled horns colliding with her head. Stars danced in her eyes through the pain, head throbbing where the horns connected. Jaws closing on the back of its neck as she lurched forward again. It collapsed. Dust rose as they hit the ground, dark crimson staining the grass and her muzzle. The bittersweet taste fresh in her mouth as the wildebeest feebly kicked a single hoof in its last dying motion, meaning she hadn't achieved the instant death this time. Meaning it wasn't the intended painless gesture.

Kina slowly inhaled after licking her muzzle clean with a rough tongue, before taking a hold of its thick throat and beginning to pull. Making the trek back with something that weighed more than she did.


A thick scent followed the trail where she'd been, marked by the wildebeest's musky scent and blood. By now the latter was just a small trickle out the original punctures, but enough to leave a clear trail for scavengers. However, Haley's scent was beginning to reach her now. Meaning she was near the acacia tree, at least. Dropping the fresh prey from her mouth, she straightened and turned. Pale eyes met her own as the oddly colored cheetah raised her head, apparently having been resting again. Clearly conscious for longer than she'd been there, at least. So she'd had time to get her bearings. Progress.

She glanced back at the prey under the pale silver of moonlight, motioning Haley over. "How are you faring?" Kina queried softly, half covering the distance between them in case Haley needed help.