[Private] Love Will Tear Us Apart

[YFWE]

Finding himself pulled into consciousness from a particularly happy dream including Bashasha that he would rather not go into detail explaining, Kweli's eyes fluttered open and beheld Kito prodding and poking him, the culprit trying to awaken him. Letting out a yawn that sounded almost like a small roar with its intensity, the lion rolled onto all fours, giving his body a long stretch as he rose onto four paws. "Morning, everyone," he said through another yawn. Groggily, he meandered outside the cave, intending to relieve himself just as Kito had minutes earlier.

Meanwhile, Ari was taken from sleep far more subtly than Kweli had been, feeling the light touch of Hiroshi's forepaw tracing down her back. A grin forming at her muzzle, she playfully batted at Hiroshi's paw with her own, her eyes still shut tight. "Awww, now who could that be?" she laughed, finally opening her eyes to find Hiroshi sitting nearby. Forcing herself to scowl at the sight of him, she growled, "Ew... it's just Hiro. I was hoping it was Kito, our all-powerful future King." Grinning once more, she stretched and got to her paws, gazing outside and noting that it was was not even morning yet. Her body tensing up as she yawned, she sidled over to Hiroshi and gave him a quick nudge against the side of his head to return the favor from earlier. "Good morning," she whispered.

As Kito spoke, she walked over to him, too, the same way she had approached Hiroshi moments before. She gazed into his eyes, mouth open as if prepared to say something. Suddenly, Ari brought her paw down on Kito's left forepaw as hard as she could, shouting, "Good morning, Kit!" in as bright a voice as she could possibly muster. Pleased with herself, she began to giggle, taking note to back away from Kito in case he decided to lash out. She thought of this as revenge for the manner in which he had woken her up the previous morning.

Kweli reentered the den, having missed the fun, but smiling to himself as he watched Ari giggle incessantly. "I'm ready to go when you three are," he spoke up in a quiet voice.

"Y-y-yeaaah, me t-too!" gasped Ari in between guffaws. "Lead the way, my valiant leader!"

[KiarasMate]

”Morning Kweli.” Hiroshi stated, giving his friend a polite smile as he watched him taking his leave from the den momentarily.

Still averting his eyes from Ari, it wasn’t until he felt her gentle nudge did Hiroshi return his focus back to the golden furred lioness. Unable to resist a happy sounding purr from leaving his throat, Hiroshi’s smile broadened as he lightly placed one of his fore paws upon Ari’s back, letting it trace along the length of her body as she walked away from him until it came close to her hind section at which point Hiroshi gingerly moved it from atop her before setting his paw back down upon the den floor.

Watching Ari with a suspicious stare as she approached him, Kito’s muzzle lips started to form the words he was about to speak, when he suddenly felt a sharp pain coming from his fore paw. Wincing and bearing his teeth at the cheeky lioness in front of him, realizing that she had purposefully stepped upon his paw, Kito scowled as he gave his injured appendage a quick shake before snapping back at Ari in a cross tone.

”Damn it Ari! Are you TRYING to break my paw with your fat ass or what? You know this is only going to slow us down today if I can barely walk thanks to you. You’re such a bit..”

Thankfully, Kito’s sentence was cut short by Kweli announcing that he was ready to go. Flashing Ari one last bothered glance, Kito made his way past Ari towards the entrance of the den, flagging his tail in an obscene manner as he passed her before exiting the den, turning about face once he had entered the stillness outside, speaking to his friends in a calm voice.

”Well, okay, let’s get this show on the road then. If we keep a good pace, we should reach Paradise by mid afternoon. I figure we can stay until dusk, then make it back home before the moon is at its highest. So that means maybe only one break during our walk, so looks like you better have a strong bladder Ari cause we’re not stopping to find some bush for you to do your business at along the way, got it?”

Flashing Ari a toothy grin, Kito turned himself around now, giving the distant structure of Pride Rock a brief glance before heading off in the opposite direction at a light trot. Although he did have a rough idea on how to get to Paradise himself, it was still going to take all of Kito’s know how to make sure that he didn’t, in fact, get his friends hopelessly lost along the way. The only thing that mattered to him at this point however, was keeping the four of them out of trouble that would surely come about if they would have stayed upon this day.

Watching as Kito meandered off, Hiroshi quickly followed suit, keeping his strides timed with Ari’s as he stayed by her side as the friends set off for their little adventure. Typically, Hiroshi would have been the first to strike up a conversation but the past night’s dream had really rattled him, or so it would have seemed. Still trying to make sense of what he had saw within his nightmare of sorts, Hiroshi remained quiet as his attention remained focused upon the landscape ahead of him.

Figuring that Hiroshi and Ari would most likely stick close to one another, as was the usual case whenever the four friends went anywhere together, Kito had already prepared himself to be stuck with conversing with Kweli for the majority of the trip anyways. Slowing his pace slightly until he came up along side the smaller male, Kito thought of something to break the short silence that had come over the companions. Spotting the barely visible scar that had formed on top of Kweli’s head from where he had collided into the wall of the so called, secret entrance to Pride Rock days ago, Kito piped up in a cheery voice as he addressed his friend casually.

”So, after sleeping on those pelts of ours for several nights now, was it worth it in the end Kweli? I mean, you can barely see the scar on your head and I’m sure once you grow a full mane, it won’t even be visible.”

[YFWE]

Still completely pleased with herself for having already gotten on Kito's nerves this early in the morning and having satisfied her lust for revenge following the previous morning, Ari was completely impervious to the additional comments made by Kito as the group left the den and on their way to the so-called Paradise Kito spoke of.

Taking a spot adjacent to Hiroshi as they walked, Ari was slightly concerned at Hiroshi's silence as they walked under the darkened sky. Her friend was not a talkative lion by any means, but usually he had at least something to say, especially when he was in her presence.

As they walked, Ari thought back to her brief conversation with Kweli the night before. When she had asked him whether he thought Hiroshi had any sort of feelings for her whatsoever after having spent the day with him, Kweli had replied that she should simply ask him herself. She glanced over at Hiroshi. He seemed to be thinking intently about something... he had seemed to have regressed into this manner since when he saw her wake up. She wished she could tell if there was something wrong, but she was no Kweli--she had no intrinsic ability to see past this sort of thing.

Finally mustering up the courage to speak, Ari asked the most simple, ice-breaking question she could think of, not knowing of its possible consequences. "So..." she started. "How did you sleep last night?"

Kweli, meanwhile, had ambled ahead of Hiroshi and Ari, not wanting to get in the way of anything. Of course, this meant talking to Kito, but he knew he could handle him. He noticed Kito falling back slightly, as if wanting to walk alongside Kweli for the time being, and sped up slightly so that he was neck and neck with the lion moments later. Considering Kito's query, Kweli gave him a modest smile.

"Absolutely. Those pelts have given me some of the best sleep I've had since... since back where I came from." He paused, allowing Kito to finish his statement. "Yeah, does it look good? I haven't actually looked at it in a while; it hasn't hurt in I don't know how long. And I'm not complaining, of course."

Staring off into the distance, Kweli searched for another topic that might tide them over for a little longer while he left Hiroshi and Ari to their own conversations. "I guess this'll be a long trip, eh? How long has it been since you've been to this place?"

[KiarasMate]

Being rather lost in thought by this point, it took Hiroshi a moment to even register what Ari had asked of him. As her words sank in however, for once in his life, Hiroshi wasn’t entirely sure if he should simply tell his golden furred friend the full extent of his nightmare, or if maybe this was one of those things that might be better left unspoken. After taking a second or to, in order to weigh his options, Hiroshi decided to give an abridged version of his unpleasant dream to Ari as he replied in a low voice, mainly because it was still early out and he didn’t wish to attract any unwanted attention to their small traveling group, but also just to ensure that only Ari would hear his response.

”To be honest Ari, I had a bit of a nightmare. It’s sort of embarrassing really. Have you ever had one of those dreams that remind you of something that may…or may not have happened in your past, yet the dream itself takes place in the future? It’s like, as if it’s a premonition of sorts, but having to do with something that might have happened previously. I don’t know. I just know I woke up feeling really cold and sweaty, gross huh? It’s nothing though. Just was a bad dream is all.”

Trying his utmost to suppress the thoughts of his former nightmare into the back of his mind now, Hiroshi managed to adopt a friendly smile as he gently gave Ari’s cheek a light nuzzle, seeing how both Kweli and Kito ahead of him seemed to be too wrapped up in their own conversation to take much notice of him and his golden furred friend. Figuring that he might as well turn the tables back upon Ari, as he was always interested in her dreams if she ever had any that she found worth mentioning that was, Hiroshi chimed in once more as his gaze focused back upon the path ahead of them now.

”How about you Ari? Had any memorable dreams, or nightmares I guess, lately that you’d care to share with me?”

Hoping that by asking Ari the very same question, the chances of her inquiring further about his own nightmare would be overshadowed by his own interest in her dreams, Hiroshi continued to walk alongside her at the brisk pace the four friends were going at, his ears swiveled slightly to the side in order to pick up her response to what he had just asked. His efforts of trying to forget about the unsavory images of his dream were beginning to pay off as Ari’s voice always seemed to have that sort of effect upon him that just made all of his worries disappear, at least for a little while anyways.

”Yeah, I don’t think you even have to worry about it Kweli. I mean. until you find a mate anyways, I don’t think anyone else is really going to be checking you out to begin with so yeah.” Kito stated in as innocent of a tone as he could muster.

Perking his ears up from hearing Kweli’s question about when the last time he had actually been to Paradise himself, Kito even had to think how long it had been, as he and his mother hadn’t even left the vicinity of The Pride Lands ever since they arrived way back when. Searching for the prominent information from the back of his memory, Kito responded in a thoughtful voice as he glanced back over at Kweli.

”It’s been quite a while actually. Ever since Fila and I came to The Pride Lands we sort of never went back to Paradise, mainly because she felt as though that things were better here and we didn’t really need a reason to go there. That, and I think she really took a liking to Scar, gawd knows why that was. Even though I haven’t been there in so long though, I still remember the way though Kweli and don’t worry, you’re going to enjoy Paradise. It’s like no place you’ve ever seen before, I’m sure.”

Taking a moment to think of the best way to describe what Paradise was like and being blissfully unaware of Kweli’s past, Kito fell silent for a moment as his mind pieced together the best elements about their upcoming destination that were worth mentioning. Finally having thought over the best explanation of how to portray the landscape, Kito spoke up once again in a reflective tone.

”Imagine lush grass. Not like the grass in The Pride Lands but grass that just feels like, so soft under your paws that it just makes you want to stop and just stand there, or maybe even roll around in it. Then, imagine tall trees with brightly colored fruits dangling from their tops, as if tempting you to try and get them. Then, next to that, imagine a placid blue lake with water that just looks heavenly and tastes just as good as it looks. Next to that, imagine a rushing waterfall that endlessly spills into said lake. Now, on top of all that, imagine having that little place all to yourself. Not having to share it with anyone. It’s as if, you’re the only creatures left alive, but everything is just perfect, much like the scenery around you. That’s what Paradise is like Kweli. Sounds pretty good huh? Like the perfect place you’d want to take your mate to. Well, if you or I actually had one that is.” Kito stated with a light hearted chuckle.

[YFWE]

Ari put on a concerned look, saddened that Hiroshi had apparently had not had the most comfortable and calming evening. She was curious as to what the dream had entailed and was going to bring it up casually, since she had a feeling he would tell her at least part of (if not, she hoped, all) the truth, but was quieted by the light nudge he gave to her shortly after. Her concerned look changing to a small grin, she fielded his question about her own dreams, pausing for a moment to formulate an answer.

"Definitely no nightmares," she said."Dreams... well, yeah, of course, I've had some. Memorable, though?..."

She looked away coyly. Most of her more memorable dreams as of late involved her and Hiroshi. And certainly he would not want to know all the juicy details of those dreams... and even if she did, she would be a bit embarrassed herself to mention them. They were good memories, sure... but she was still young, and sometimes she was unsure how to explain what she was feeling and what exactly had happened.

"...yeah, I've had a few memorable ones. I'll be honest... most of them have had you in them."

She figured this was sufficient enough. Sure, there was the chance that he might question her further, and she was not sure what she would say then, but she would worry about that when and if they came to that point.

Kweli listened to Kito's account of the place known as Paradise, nodded occasionally to signify that he was still following the lion. His description of the place was honestly exciting Kweli more than anything at this point. The place truly did seem like paradise... heavenly and lush. The perfect place. He hoped Kito was not just building him. He hoped the place actually did exist.

He laughed at Kito's last words. "Sure sounds like it. It sounds like a place I could totally enjoy without a mate, though... since finding one seems less and less likely every day."

Walking along a bit further, Kweli cocked his head at Kito. "So Kito, I'm curious... what possessed you to have us come here? I'd never even heard any mention of the place before this... why'd you suddenly decide to take us? Not that I mind, but I'm just curious."

[KiarasMate]

Feeling relieved that Ari hadn’t pressed the matter further and happy that his little ploy had worked, Hiroshi listened closely as his golden furred friend fielded his inquiry, causing Hiroshi to blush slightly from the thought of Ari dreaming about him. Clearly, Hiroshi knew that if he asked for any sort of details beyond what Ari had told him now, it would surely embarrass her to no end and would most likely result in him spilling his own secretive feelings towards her as far as his dreams had gone. Thinking for a moment, hiroshi decided to take a different route, taking a page out of Kito’s book as he recalled Ari’s reaction to him waking her up earlier as he responded in a playful tone once the golden furred feline was finished speaking.

”Oh, I thought you would have been dreaming of Kito Ari. Oh wait, you did say no nightmares, right? I saw the disappointment in your eyes this morning though. You really were hoping it was Kito, weren’t you?”

Flashing a cheeky smile, Hiroshi leaned in to give Ari’s ear a gentle nip, just to ensure that she knew he was joking with her. As he pulled back from Ari however, his hazel eyes met with hers briefly, causing those same familiar feelings to build within his stomach. Taking a quick glance ahead of him, seeing that it looked as though Kito and Kweli were in the middle of a discussion of their own, Hiroshi debated whether or not he should talk to Ari about his feelings for her now. Licking over his muzzle lips in a nervous fashion, Hiroshi swallowed hard as his voice lowered slightly and became a bit more serious sounding as he spoke up softly to his golden furred friend.

”Hey Ari, can I talk to you about something serious?”

Adopting a wide grin from what Kweli had stated, as if there was any subject that he enjoyed talking about, it was definitely the prospects of finding a mate, Kito took in everything Kweli said up to the point when the smaller male finished speaking for the first time. Figuring that there would be no harm in asking at least, Kito thought for a moment before piping up in a curious fashion as the terrain below his paws gradually began to shift from the grassy plains of The Pride Lands, into that of The Borderlands, signifying that the band of friends were about to leave their homelands now.

”Oh come on Kweli. There’s a lot of lionesses in the pride who I’m sure, wouldn’t mind your company. Sure, there’s not exactly a whole lot of lionesses our age, but you know what they say, with age comes experience so there’s nothing wrong with having your eyes set on an older lioness now is there? I think we both know that Ari is going to end up with Hiro anyways and seeing as she’s the only lioness around our age, you better start thinking about finding a mate now while we’re still young and at least have our looks to fall back on. Well, most of us anyways.”

Looking quite confident by this point, Kito’s mood was quickly soured when Kweli began to question why he had wanted them to journey to Paradise all of a sudden. Being the only one who knew the real reason for dragging his friends out of their homelands for the day, yet not wanting to reveal this fact to Kweli, as it would surely cause more harm than good at this point, Kito did what came naturally as his own personal defenses kicked in, causing him to scowl in an irritated manner as he replied to Kweli in an ungrateful voice.

”Jeez, can’t you even cut me some slack Kweli. Can’t I even do one nice thing for my friends without having to have a specific reason for doing something nice, or does everything I do have to have a hidden motive behind it? If you REALLY must know, it was because I was tired of doing the same old crap. We need a change in our boring little lives and this just seemed like the perfect time to act upon that impulse. I don’t know about you but I would jump at any new opportunity that came my way so how about you get off my case and just enjoy the day for once. In fact, how about you send Ari up here instead. At least she won’t question why I do anything, since she just thinks I’m an idiot to begin with.”

Turning his gaze back ahead of him now, Kito couldn’t help but to feel a tad bit guilty for snapping at Kweli as he had. He really had tried to become friends with the smaller male but they just never seemed to click the right way whenever they interacted. Hoping that Kweli wouldn’t take his remarks too personally, although hoping that his last statement would be fulfilled as he didn’t want to have to answer the very question that Kweli had asked of him and knowing that out of his three friends, Kweli would be the first to catch on to the underlying reason why he had insisted upon this little venture in the first place, Kito knew that dealing with Ari’s company would come a lot more naturally to him than with Kweli himself.

[YFWE]

"Of Kito?!"

Ari knew Hiroshi was only joking with her, but gave him a small push nonetheless, a playful gleam in her eye. "He wishes. You're right... if I had dreams about him, those would be nightmares."

They walked along a bit further, Ari noticing Kito and Kweli engaged in what seemed to be casual conversation ahead of them. Kito appeared genuinely excited about their trip to Paradise, which in turn made Ari slightly glad. He had been acting a bit odd lately (perhaps because of the issue with Scar's changing tastes), so any time he was back to his normal self, things just felt right, no matter how much verbal abuse she might have to endure.

Her ears pricked up at Hiroshi's question, straining to listen as he had spoken far more softly than he had been before. Her eyes widened a bit at the query. Serious? What did he mean by that? Where was he going with this?

Of course playing it off as casual, Ari shrugged. "Sure. What is it?" she asked.

Kweli, meanwhile, internally doubted Kito's positive words that he would one day find a mate... not that it mattered to him either way. He had come to terms with it long ago; if someone came along, then life would be good. If someone did not... well, life would still be good. The fact of the matter was that there are certain lions and lionesses and even other creatures who are simply never going to find a significant other; life just worked out that way. Since he had come to terms with this, his mood about relationships and his willingness to give such advice to others had bettered significantly.

He was thrown off guard, however, at Kito's biting response to his legitimate question concerning the motives behind venturing out to this so-called Paradise. Kweli was dumbfounded. Why on earth was Kito pulling that stunt? He had just asked a question... and it was not like it was a personal or tough question. Kweli was just curious as to what had given him the idea to venture out to the place.

Falling back almost immediately, Kweli growled under his breath, "Excuse me, I didn't know now was the time to act like cubs and get defensive about stupid stuff. Get over yourself."

Kweli slowed his pace until he was very near to Ari and Hiroshi, who were locked in a close conversation. "His Majesty requests your presence at the front of the moving party," said Kweli to Ari in a lofty, yet disgruntled voice.

Mouth agape, Ari looked from Hiroshi to Kweli, knowing Hiroshi had been on the brink of something important. Still, she knew that whatever it was could most certainly wait, and Kweli did seem a bit flustered. "Er... yeah, I'll go talk to him, I suppose," she said, flashing another glance at Hiroshi. "Rain check on this convo then, okay Hiro?"

As he watched her walk back to the front of the group, Kweli settled into a spot almost adjacent to Hiroshi, though not nearly as close as he and Ari had been. Kweli glanced over. "...sorry, I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

Reaching Kito, Ari immediately went into her scolding of the lion. "I don't know what you said or did to Kweli," she said, "but cut it out, okay? Or we'll turn around and go back to the Pride Lands."

[KiarasMate]

Mentally preparing himself for what he was about to say to Ari, his words dancing at the tip of his tongue as his muzzle opened, ready to pour his heart and soul out to his golden furred friend, Hiroshi was abruptly halted in his actions as Kweli came into view. Holding his words in momentarily, Hiroshi’s ears flattened against his head as he forced a nod and feigned a smile as he watched Ari picking up the pace to catch up to where Kito was. Shaking his head dejectedly, Hiroshi’s ears sprang back to life as he picked up the sound of Kweli’s voice reaching them now. Figuring that it was too early in the morning to bring himself down with the disappointment of one failed attempt to tell Ari how he felt about her, Hiroshi quickly rebounded as his smile seemed more sincere. Turning to face Kweli as he kept up with his friend, Hiroshi casually shook his head as he replied in a nonchalant voice.

”No, not at all buddy. At least, nothing that can’t be addressed later that is.”

Taking a brief glance ahead of him at Ari as he watched her conversing now with Kito, still being too far back to actually make out any of the words that were being spoken amongst the pair, Hiroshi finally returned his focus back to Kweli as he addressed the smaller male in a curious voice, his facial features coming off as being much friendlier than those of Kito’s as he spoke.

”So, got sick of walking with Kito already, huh Kweli? Well, I can’t blame you buddy. I’m just hoping he actually does know where he’s going, cause after the night I just had, I don’t feel like playing any of his stupid games. I know Paradise is real though, cause I asked Fila about it when we were younger, just because I knew how much Kito loved to fabricate stuff just to make himself look cool, so the only question on my mind is, if he’ll actually be able to find it on his own.”

Watching Kweli sink back into the ranks behind him, Kito groaned to himself as he waited for what he knew was going to happen. As if right on cue, Ari showed up next to him and without any hesitation, began to chastise him for what he had supposedly done to Kweli, causing Kito to curl his nose in disgust. If he could be open with anyone in regards to the reason why he had made his friends come with him upon this very day, it would be Ari but not in the type of mood she seemed to be now. She had that same look in her eyes as she did the morning he had awoken her from her sleep and Kito was no dummy. He knew when to hold his tongue and when not to push Ari past her limits of patience. Needing a moment to adjust his attitude however, Kito eventually responded in a slightly apologetic voice, or at least, as best of one as he could muster.

”Fine, I’ll lay off him Ari. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings or anything but I really do get sick of everyone thinking that every little thing I do that seems like it’s for the greater good, has to have some self-centered underlying purpose to it. You know I’m really not that shallow but does anyone ever see that, NO!”

Feeling a little frustrated from how his efforts to protect his friends always seemed to go unnoticed even though it was rather difficult to see his pure intentions without having to read between the lines, Kito sulked for a moment as he melded over his own thoughts. Trying his best to push his own feelings into the back of his mind for the mean time however, Kito reluctantly spoke up once more, adopting his usual playful sarcasm whenever it came to Ari as he addressed her in a badgering tone.

”You know, I would have thought that you would have at least wanted to stop in and tell Nafsi that her little girl was going out for the day with three males but I guess that sort of thing just runs naturally through your genes, aye Tomcat? Well, don’t you worry, there’ll be plenty of time for you and I to spend together at Paradise since I heard you this morning. Can’t say I blame you either. I am quite the catch if I do say so myself.”

[YFWE]

Kweli could not help but feel that he had interrupted something, judging especially by the fleeting shaking of his head Hiroshi gave as Ari walked up to meet Kito. That said, if he had been in the middle of something important, he most certainly did not show it in his voice, speaking cheerfully as he backed up Kito's claims that the place known as Paradise, in fact, did exist and was as great as he made it sound.

"I'm not doubting its existence," replied Kweli. "All I did was ask him why we were coming out here... you know, what possessed him all of a sudden to bring us out here, considering Ari and I had never even heard of the place. It was a totally legitimate question and nothing but curiosity was behind it. But apparently that wasn't the right question to ask because if I even question his sincerity, even though I really wasn't, it's a bad thing. He gets after me about the smallest things. If you or Ari asked the same question, he wouldn't pull that."

He felt better for venting his frustrations to Kito, but still couldn't help but wonder why Kito often insisted on acting in a more hostile manner toward him. It was no secret that they were not as close as Kweli was to the other lions, but Kweli could honestly not figure out why that was. At least he had tried.


Ari could tell that Kito was trying to muster up some sort of apologetic tone, but she had known him long enough to know that he was just trying to get her off his back, and she was not willing to let him off that easily.

"Sounds to me like he asked a pretty normal question. He's never been here or even heard of it, and nor have I for that matter. I guess we should totally forbid asking you questions out of curiosity, right? Save it, Kit. Kweli never means anything bad to anyone and you should know that by now."

Stopping there so as to curb her own frustrations, she heard Kito speak again, sarcastically telling her off for not telling her mother where she was off to that morning, and spoke again herself in a disgusted tone.

"Sounds like you're forgetting that you wanted us out of here at the speed of light this morning. I wouldn't have minded a quick trip to Pride Rock, but you were in such a hurry for whatever reason."

Rolling her eyes, she spoke again, "And I guess I'll have to spend some time with you anyway since you can never seem to bring yourself to actually get along with Kweli for two seconds. That or we'll all just stay together doing... whatever it is you do here. That won't be too much of a problem, will it?"

[KiarasMate]

Nodding in an understanding fashion to what had transpired between Kweli and Kito moments ago, Hiroshi allowed his friend to vent his frustrations before he spoke up in response. Having known Kito for as long as he had and knowing the way his best friend took things, Hiroshi knew exactly how to field a response to what Kweli had said, replying in a reassuring tone with a comforting smile upon his muzzle.

”You shouldn’t take it personally Kweli. Kito always acts that way towards those he feels intimidated about. It was the same way when he met both Ari and myself for the first time as I can recall and the only reason why he doesn’t really act that way around us now, is because he’s really gotten to know us and doesn’t feel as though, he needs to best us in everything we do, just to gain our favor, even though he still sometimes resorts back to his old self but I guess that’s just a part of him that will always be there no matter what.”

Pausing for a moment to place a fore paw upon Kweli’s shoulder, giving his friend another reassuring look before picking up the pace once more so that they wouldn’t fall too far behind Ari and Kito, Hiroshi spoke up once more as the pair continued along the dusty trail.

”Kito’s really not as dumb as he might seem Kweli. He knows how smart and perceptive you are and that probably is why he feels so intimidated by you. That, and his mother really does put a lot of pressure upon him to be more than what she sees him as now. I mean, Fila has a good heart, I know that, as does Kito, but I think if we were in his paw prints, we’d know why he sometimes acts the way he does. Kito really isn’t open with his feelings like Ari and myself either, so sometimes it’s really hard to gauge what’s going on through that head of his but I can’t help but to feel that there is an important reason why he wanted us to go to Paradise today. What that reason is however, I couldn’t tell you cause I don’t even know myself but I trust Kito. He’s never put our lives in major jeopardy yet, so I give him the benefit of the doubt most of the time anyways.”

Thinking for a moment, recalling the conversation that the two of them had had the previous day, Hiroshi felt another question tugging at the back of his mind. Debating amongst himself whether or not he should even ask such a thing however, Hiroshi stayed quiet for a minute or so until his curiosity won in the end. Turning to Kweli again, Hiroshi addressed his friend in a concerned voice as he sported a sincere look.

”Hey Kweli, you sure that you’re going to be okay today? I mean, did Kito tell you what Paradise is like? I don’t want to bring up your past again, but I couldn’t help but to think that it sounds very similar to the place that you and Bashasha used to play at. I don’t think it’s the same, but still, I know exactly how it feels to have painful memories resurface from familiar looking locations, so if things become too painful for you, just say the word and we’ll leave, okay?”

Lowering his ears and having his tail fall limp from the verbal lashing Ari was inflicting upon him, Kito felt rather belittled by her words, resulting in him staying quiet for a little while. It was true, Kweli had only asked a simple question and Kito knew this. He just didn’t understand why his friends just couldn’t accept his offer to spend the day together without question. Feeling his excitement beginning to dwindle, Kito swallowed what little pride he had left as he turned to face Ari and spoke to her in a sincere voice.

”I’m sorry Ari. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted for us to have some fun today is all. You know how long it’s been since the four of us got to hang out together for an entire day? I miss being able to spend the day with all of you at once, even Kweli. We’re always split up it seems and the only times we get to spend as a group, are at night and that never really lasts long before we all end up falling asleep. Don’t you even remember the times when we were younger and we all used to play the day away together? That’s what I was hoping we could do today. One more day of just being ourselves without having to deal with pride issues. I know, we’re growing up and we shouldn’t act like this anymore but you can’t tell me that you don’t miss those days now do you?”