[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Husudu grunted as he was awakened. He glared slightly at Vitani, and stood. If she was not to Ayari's liking, he would've struck her down for waking him up like that. Though he figured he could give her an earful when they were far from pride rock. He watched her weave her way out of the den, and got up mimicking her movements. When he was clear out of the den he shook his mane, getting a little dirt and rock out of it. He then watched Vitani sitting at the edge of pride rock, looking at the sunset.

"Where is Kivuli? I noticed he usually sleeps here..." Husudu murmured as he walked up beside Vitani.

[KiarasMate]

Spotting Husudu and hearing the tone of his voice, Vitani could tell that he wasn’t much of a morning person. Trying to keep a friendly air about her, the former Outlander flashed the tired looking male a smile as she replied in a gentle voice.

”I’m not too sure about that Husudu. Ayari and his group haven’t been with us for all that long, so I haven’t really kept track of their whereabouts but I’m sure he’s somewhere in the main den. Why? Did you need to speak with him or something?”

Rising to her paws, Vitani made her way towards the slope leading down to The Grasslands as she called over to the grey furred male.

”Well, unless you’d like to stay up here, I suggest we get a move on. Everyone else will be fine and the sooner we get going, the sooner we’ll be finished”

[Baya]

"A guard's duty is never done..." Husudu replied in response. He then jumped down to the grasslands along side Vitani and began his little patrol. He figured since he was around, and had nothing better to do then this would be the best help he could provide to the pride. It was all to keep his brother happy, and friendly.

Ever since they were cubs, Husudu cared for one thing, and one thing only. His younger brother. If harm came to Shwari, that was when he truly felt remorse for not being able to protect his younger brother. It made him feel empty, and weak like his father. He despised the fact that he cared for his brother so much, but there was nothing to get rid of it. It was just a connection he shared, and one that he doesn't really regret he has.

[KiarasMate]

Vitani nodded to Husudu’s comment as she knew this as well as anyone did. Having been put on Guard Duty countless times when she was a part of Zira’s clan, the former Outlander knew pretty much everything there was to know when it came to the art of keeping watch over their lands. Taking lead, Vitani spoke in a casual voice to the grey furred male as they walked.

”So, I thought we’d perimeter the outskirts of the lands first. From the way Ayari spoke of this Maju creature and company, I would assume that they would have taken up some position either near or within our lands. We’ll hit up The Outlands first, then circle our way around to The Elephant Graveyard, then report back to my brother and let him know if we came across anything. Sound good to you Husudu?” Vitani asked, looking over at her scouting partner with a curious gaze.

[Keeping a steady pace as she waited for a reply from the grey furred male, Vitani’s eyes and ears stayed alert, ready to pick up any abnormal signs within the peaceful looking lands. The sun had barely begun to break overhead and they still had a bit of cover provided by the natural darkness of the lands as they traveled, making Vitani feel a bit more at ease.

[Baya]

"Sounds fine." Husudu muttered in response. He followed after the female, and thought about what he could do to pass the time. "So tell me. You and Ayari are together?" Husudu decided to ask. Husudu knew Ayari quite well, and he knew for sure that Ayari would never try to court an ordinary lioness. This one had something about her that drew the great rogue king to her.

~ Near The Den ~

Shwari began to walk back up pride rock tiredly as he had been hunting very early in the morning. He only managed to catch a young gazelle, due to his small size. He smiled weakly as he saw Zina's sleeping figure. Shwari walked up near Zina, and dropped the young gazelle gently to the ground. It landed with a small thud, off of Shwari's back. Shwari then stretched with a quiet groan, and laid down nearby Zina. He had already eaten, and figured he should bring the left overs back for the pride. He decided on the spot to give Zina first dibs on the catch.

[KiarasMate]

Keeping up a steady pace, Vitani was taken aback by Husudu’s direct question, causing her to pause in mid stride as she shot the grey furred male a curious gaze before responding in a hesitant tone.

”It’s a bit more complicated than that Husudu. Ayari and I were friends way back when he was younger. We pretty much grew up together, until the day he up and left without a word.” Continuing on her way, Vitani resumed speaking, still keeping a weary eye out for anything out of the ordinary as she did so. ”Being back with him now, I have mixed feelings. I can’t say that we’re together but it’s definitely not a possibility that I’ve ruled out completely.”

Figuring that it would only be fair to turn the tables at this point, Vitani casually inquired as she nimbly leapt over a rock that had impeded her path, landing gracefully on all fours as she went on.

”So, what about you, hmm? No special lioness in your life, or does looking after that little brother of yours take up all your time. Trust me, I know what it’s like to have a younger sibling.”

==========

Being the exceptionally light sleeper that she was, the muffled thud of the gazelle being dropped in front of her, was enough to jolt Zina out of her slumber, her eyes snapping open as she quickly jumped to her paws, her back pressed firmly against the rock wall behind her. Noticing that it was just Schwari, Zina let out an exasperated groan as she verbally reprimanded the grey furred male’s actions.

”You know, a simple good morning works just fine and doesn’t scare the crap out of me Schwari.”

Shaking her snow white pelt, causing her new herb pouch to spin around her neck in quite the comical fashion, Zina let out a rather tired sounding yawn for a lioness, before she looked down at the gazelle, speaking in a more civil tone now towards the thoughtful male who had taken up a spot near her.

”Do you do this sort of thing for everyone Schwari, or you just trying to get on my good side now, hmm? First you bring me a new herb pouch, and now breakfast too. I’m starting to wonder about you.”

Managing a halfhearted smile to show that she was only being somewhat serious in her words, Zina carefully positioned herself near the flank of the deceased creature, taking very small bites from the present that Schwari had delivered, all the while, keeping a watchful eye over him as she did so. Not wishing to seem rude, even though she hadn’t asked for breakfast to be delivered, Zina addressed the grey furred male while he rested.

”So, um, what are you going to do today Schwari?” Zina asked in a carefree manner, hiding the fact that she simply wanted to know if Schwari would be free for some fun and games or not.

[Baya]

"I don't have a heart to love, and if I did have one it would definitely not go to anyone besides family..." Husudu explained, as he walked alongside Vitani. "I have lived through enough hardships, and when you live through hardship it cripples your heart, warping who you are. Perhaps you will be met with good fortune later in your life, but what you have become from the hardship never changes. You will have the same thoughts, feelings, and opinion on matters. This meaning, that even though you and Ayari were cubs, you still had those feelings." Husudu murmured. "Age doesn't change how you feel about someone" Husudu said quietly as they arrived in the outlands, where they were supposed to patrol.

~ Near the Outlands ~

Shwari smiled as he watched Zina enjoy his catch. "A little bit of both. I just figured you should get first dibs, in case there is still any ill feelings between us." Shwari said quietly. She went along and asked him what he was going to do with his day.

"I...Don't know what i'm going to be doing. Perhaps making a trip around here to explore. Would be too dangerous though, because of Maju's men possibly being around." Shwari said with a frown as he scratched his chin. "I guess I really have nothing to do. I hunted, ate a bit, and dragged it here for the others. Exploring is out of the question, and so is any form of fun in my brother's eyes, so I guess I am free." Shwari said with a shrug.

[KiarasMate]

Frowning from Husudu’s words, as she herself had once felt that same way, Vitani felt inclined to try and sway the grey furred male’s opinions about love however she couldn’t find the exact words to put her own thoughts in perspective. Remaining quiet for a brief moment, Vitani finally replied in a softer voice.

”That may be Husudu, but if you live your life like that, sheltering yourself away from any chance of love, you’ll end up miserable. I use to think that way myself, but after seeing my brother and Kiara falling head over tails for one another, it started to make me think twice about things. It’s hard to explain but maybe if one day, your little brother falls in love, you’ll experience the same thing that I did. I sure hope so anyways.”

Now that they had reached the borders of The Pride Lands, leading into the familiar looking Outlands, Vitani’s voice fell silent as the natural scout within her took over, her body posture altering to that of a stalking lioness, her ears swiveling to pick up any sounds as her eyes darted from side to side. Things had turned serious now and while there was no apparent threat that she could detect herself, the eary silence of The Outlands always brought out a cold shiver to run through her body. Glancing over at Husudu, Vitani murmured in a hushed tone.

”So, you know Maju better than I do. If you were in his paws, where would you set up camp at?”

Having no idea if or where this Maju and his gang of bloodthirsty rogues were hiding at, Vitani kept on guard as she waited for a reply from the grey furred male.

==========

Smiling deviously to herself, Zina took one last dainty bite from the barely touched gazelle, before she bounded onto her paws and made her way over to where Schwari was laying as she stated.

”Okay, up on your paws then. We’re going herb hunting.”

Not even waiting for a conformation from the befuddled looking male, Zina already started to make her way down the slope leading into The Grasslands as she called over her shoulder in an impatient fashion.

”Well, you said you wanted to help right, let’s get a move on then.”

Waiting for Schwari to join her, Zina held steady as she added in a reluctant voice.

”Um, do you mind walking alongside me? I get a bit nervous when I’m being followed. I like to keep my company in sight at all times. It’s just a safety precaution.”

[Baya]

"Perhaps all the innocence my father had, passed onto my brother. He does not see the world for it's dark, and hideous nature. I have to admit...At times I am jealous of that innocence. Other times, I'm glad I am without it. I have dropped many rogues in my time in the desert, but my brother frowns at the thought of carnage." Husudu snorted as he pushed a rock from under his paw in the outlands. Hearing Vitani's question he closed his eyes for a moment, and stood still.

"Oh they are here alright. Not too far, but not too near. His disgusting scent lingers in the air." Husudu murmured.

~ Zina, and Shwari ~

"Gives me something to do, and builds a little bit of trust between us. It's win, win." Shwari said with a chuckle as he stood up, and followed behind Zina. He tilted his head in confusion as she asked him to walk alongside her as a safety precaution. Due to her calm, and sort of nice nature he almost forgot that she was a rogue. It was only common sense that she would feel like she is threatened. Shwari obliged to her request, and quickly made his way beside her.

"Sorry for making you feel awkward. I almost forgot you are a ro... I mean traveling shaman. Though you shouldn't be scared of me of all lions. I told you before, my brother is the one to look out for. He's so dark, and thinks so deeply into what he does...and what he does is murder." Shwari said quietly.

[KiarasMate]

Feeling a bit unsettled from Husudu’s tone of voice, yet having spent a significant amount of time around her former mother and The Outlanders, Vitani was easily able to quell the feeling in her stomach as she replied in a serious fashion.

”Maybe some of them took refuge in the old termite mounds that I use to call home. Let’s go look there first Husudu.”

Taking lead, hoping that the grey furred male had her back, Vitani kept her focus straight ahead of her as she weaved in and out of the snarled branches and dead landscape that surrounded the pair. While not providing adequate cover, it was better than nothing. Perking her ears as they neared the crumbling structure to which Ayari and his group had stayed at not too long ago, Vitani stayed stock still as she listened for any signs of movement. Unable to detect any noise coming from the depths of the horrid looking abode. Vitani spoke quietly to Husudu, keeping her gaze ahead of her as she did so.

”I don’t hear anything coming from there. You wanna check it out anyways? Would Maju attack you if you were the only one he saw, or would he just expect you to be returning back to his pride?”

==========

About to raise an eye from what Schwari was about to label her as, Zina couldn’t resist a raspy little laugh as she responded in a pleased voice.

”Nice save there Schwari. You know I would have had to slap you if you hadn’t caught yourself.”

Beginning to make her way off into The Grasslands, Zina kept up their friendly conversation as her eyes scanned for whatever it was that she was looking for.

”Hmph, from the way you speak of your brother, it sounds like he’s as heartless as Ayari makes Maju out to be. I thought Siblings were supposed to be supportive towards one another, but what the hell would I know. I never had any brothers or sisters.”

Pausing by a white tipped flower, Zina carefully snipped off a few of the pedals that matched almost perfectly with her fur color, tucking them into her pouch as she looked over at Schwari and replied to the question that she assumed was coming.

”This helps with itching. Helps a hell of a lot when you’re traveling in really rough territory and the insects are relentless.”

Turning her focus back to the conversation at paw, Zina casually inquired, as her attention was grabbed by another nearby flora that obviously held some importance to her as she made her way towards it.

”So, if we run into any of Maju’s lackeys, you gonna turn coat and hand me in on a silver platter or what Schwari, or would that only be something your brother would do?” Flashing the grey furred male a joking grin, Zina cut off a few of the stems from the flower that had caught her eye, adding them into her pouch before turning to Schwari as she waited for his reply.