[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Shwari continued to laugh regardless of the lionesses angry response. When he was done with his hysterics he quickly stood. "Oh, I've never laughed that hard...never...ever..." Shwari said taking deep breaths as he walked in front of Zina again. "So what does that herb do? Anything special?" Shwari asked with a smirk. The smirk faded as several new scents mixed into his nostrils. One he knew was Zina's, and the other two were trespassing lions. Shwari's heart beat quicker as he recognized the scent from both of them. Those were the scents that were all over Kivuli when they found him dead!

"Zina, we have to go... now..." Shwari murmured, knowing he would not be able to take on whatever was coming his way right now. His eyes were narrowed, and his claws were instinctively unsheathed.


"Yeah, I know that scent. A lioness...and the faint scent of a male. Hope we aren't interrupting something...I don't need to see stuff like that." Tume muttered with a shudder. He followed the scent regardless along side Xepher, so that at least they could get some questions answered. Tume noticed the lion and the lioness's figure. They weren't doing anything, just backing away slowly. Tume looked to Xepher with a bold look.

"I'll go cut them off from running, and you charge them from here. We aren't aiming to kill today Xepher." Tume ordered as he began to quickly run off to the right, beginning to turn around the two creatures before him.

[KiarasMate]

Looking over at Schwari, hearing his inquiry and noting the look of genuine curiosity that was apparent in his stare, Zina gave in and explained briefly about what the herb she had just ingested did.

”It counter acts a lioness’ heat cycle. It makes our scent less obvious and…erm, let’s say, lessens the obvious physical traits that we display during that period of time in our lives. If you need me to explain it more thoroughly than that though Schwari, you’re in for a disappointment.”

Fortunately for Zina, Schwari’s attention had been grabbed by something else however. Perking up her ears as she heard the grey furred male’s warning, Zina looked around quickly, her pleasant expression quickly melting into that of a more worried look as she tried to keep herself from showing any signs of fear.

Not too far off, Xepher nodded at Tume as he watched his friend leaving, knowing the exact tactic that was about to play out. Quickly unsheathing his claws, the confident male started towards the distant figures of both Zina and Schwari at a leisurely pace, giving Tume plenty of time to flank the seemingly unsuspecting couple. Mentally calculating Tumes position within his mind, Xepher’s stride’s slowly picked up speed as he drew closer and closer to the lone pair.

Seeing the approaching male now, Zina’s nerves started to crack as she huddled closer to Schwari, sensing the bad position that the two of them had suddenly found themselves in. Normally, Zina would have been ready to face any sort of threat, especially if it involved a pair of hot headed males, but being in her current state, the white furred Shaman was reduced to nothing more than a cowering bundle of fur as her tail tucked tightly between her hind legs, protecting the only thing she swore that these two males would be after.

Seeing the apparent fear within the white furred lioness’ eyes, Xepher snickered maniacally as he finally addressed the two felines in a hostile voice.

”Nice day out, isn’t it? Perfect time for a stroll with a loved one. I must say, you two make quite the odd couple but who am I to judge such things, right?”

Xepher thoroughly enjoyed toying with his victims and even though Tume had made it blatantly clear that this wasn’t to end in violence, Xepher would make sure to milk this situation for all it was worth. Sizing up the grey furred male, it took a moment for Xepher’s memory to piece two and two together as he spoke in a puzzled voice.

”Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere? Your…um, Husudu, or something like that, aren’t you?”

Keeping his body poised to strike at any moment, just to keep his adversaries attention glued upon himself so that Tume could flank the blissfully unaware couple, Xepher stood firmly, waiting for a reply from the grey furred male as he continued to inch his way forward, enjoying the way that the gorgeous looking lioness trembled with every step he took towards her.

[Baya]

"If I were Husudu, you'd be dead." Shwari pointed in out with a small snarl. He knew acting violently was probably not a good idea, but it was just his instincts. What's more was that he didn't want to know how it felt like to lose a loved one right now. Shwari backed up slightly with Zina. What were his paws doing?! What were his knees doing? Was he trembling in fear of this sad excuse of a rogue? Shwari's eyes narrowed as from behind he was pinned down, his face in the dirt. He could feel unsheathed claws scratching against his scalp.

"You are mine now pretty boy. Now, you are going to answer our questions, and then we are going to let you go. I don't want to have to kill you...or your lovely friend over here." Tume said in a very dark manner. Tume looked to Zina. "You shouldn't bother making a run for it. My friend here would catch you within a heartbeat, and I really have no control over his actions. All I can tell you, is that it is best that you just answer my questions." Tume muttered.

"Don't tell them a damn thing Zina! Not a w-word!" Shwari stuttered. Tume snorted.

"Trying to sound brave with a stutter only makes you look cowardly. Now. First question. Which part of these lands has the least amount of obstacles? Any grass plains or something along those lines?" Tume asked with a growl.

[KiarasMate]

Staying as close to Schwari as she could possibly get without triggering her own flight or fight responses, Zina was unaware of Tume’s silent approach. It wasn’t until she felt her support from Schwari’s warm body, being pulled away from her, did the white furred lioness finally take notice of the other male’s presence, causing her to wheel about to face the situation head on. Seeing how easily this larger male had subdued her grey furred companion, Zina felt her legs going limp as she slowly backed away, keeping Schwari and the two males clearly in sight, speaking in a trembling tone to the larger of the two males who had Schwari immobilized.

”Please! Don’t hurt him. If it’s me you want, have at me, just leave him be or so help me…”

Finding Zina’s words quite shallow and amusing, Xepher kept advancing towards her, a glazed look in his eyes as he replied in a callus voice.

”You’re not in the best position to be bargaining with us Lioness. Why don’t you just stop where you are and make it easier on the both of us. Like my friend said, if you don’t resist, I won’t have any need to end your life, but if you want to make things more interesting for me,” Xepher stated, raising a fore paw to his muzzle as his tongue licked crudely over his unsheathed claws. ”then by all means, go right ahead.”

Feeling the last bit of courage leaving her now, Zina collapsed where she was, her body curling up into a defensive ball as she hid her face within her own pelt, fearing the worst and unable to do anything other than sob uncontrollably. Not even being phased by the white furred lioness’ emotional break down however, Xepher simply scowled as he circled her frame with a malicious intent on his muzzle, yet not reacting as was instructed by Tume. While he did so, Xepher took the time to verbally harass Schwari in regards to his previous comment.

”Pfft, then that makes you his pathetic little brother, huh? Warti, right? Meh, I don’t care what your name is anyways. What I would like to know though, that is, once you’re finished answering my friend’s question, would be why you and your brother didn’t come back to report to Maju.”

Pausing for a moment, Xepher’s mind worked feverishly as things were starting to fall in place, bringing a sly smile to his muzzle as he resumed speaking.

”Correct me if I’m wrong here Warti, but wasn’t the plan for you and your brother to go make nice with these low life felines? You know, get them to think you and your brother were allies of sorts, then turn your backs on them at the most crucial of moments?”

Upon hearing this, Zina’s eyes widened, yet she made no movement whatsoever, still being petrified with having Xepher still circling her unrelentlessly. Zina could feel her heart sinking as she tried her best not to accept what this male had just stated but it was clear that his words had struck a very unpleasant chord within the Shaman’s mind.

[Baya]

Shwari's eyes narrowed as he looked to Zina, then back to Xepher. "You lie through your teeth just like that tyrant. I'd rather you kill me right here and now to prove you wrong. My loyalties lie with Ayari now. Perhaps your minds are clouded, but not mine!" Shwari said, attempting to resist Tume's hold. Tume sighed and dug his claw in Shwari's shoulder. Shwari hissed in pain, not being able to breath.

"My mother taught me that one. Certain parts of the body that react more terribly to pain then others. Finish answering our questions, or we'll demonstrate on your friend next." Tume said in monotone. Shwari felt the blood from his face drain. "If you want to kill me, just get it over with. I'll only answer your questions if you let Zina go." Shwari said with a cough. Tume thought about it for a second, and looked to Zina.

"I've got a better idea." Tume said quietly as he motioned for Xepher to keep Shwari down. When that was done, Tume quickly leaped onto Zina taking in the full scent of the lioness. "You are lucky my instincts don't control my actions." Tume whispered to Zina. He placed his paw over her head. "I didn't hear an answer to me first question." Tume said unsheathing his claws again.

"Don't you DARE hurt her! I'll tear you apart!" Shwari growled, bearing his teeth and struggling against Xepher. Shwari didn't notice but right about now, he even sounded like his brother.

[KiarasMate]

Almost instinctually, Xepher and Tume swapped places in the blink of an eye, their movements perfectly in sync with one another due to their years of training together. Both knew each other like the backs of their paws and although Xepher himself was nowhere near as powerfully built as his larger looking counterpart, he held the same knowledge that his friend did when it came to subduing foes.

Matching Tume’s claw marks, Xepher held Schwari down, applying more pressure than his larger friend had, just to be sure that the grey furred male wouldn’t try anything funny or sudden. Keeping a watchful eye on Schwari, as well as a rather attentive stare upon Tume and the white furred lioness to whom was labeled as Zina, or so Xepher had come to learn.

Feeling the mass of one of the lions atop her now, Zina gasped out of pure terror as she struggled to free herself from beneath Tume’s body, barely able to move her frame however, her fight was in vein. Feeling panic rapidly setting in, as this position was no where close to being foreign to her, Zina’s body fell limp as her breathing became much more sporadic, showing the duress that she was openly feeling with having this male on top of her and in the midst of her heat.

Taking his time to savor the scene in front of him, Xepher ran the tips of his jagged claws under Shwari’s neck, pressing them firmly against the pinned male’s jugular as he spoke in a commanding fashion.

”I’d answer that question Warti…unless you want things to get a lot more…explicit between your mate and my friend.”

Driving his claws further into Schwari’s already lacerated pelt to encourage the trapped male to comply to what was being asked of him, Xepher continued to shift his gaze from his immobilized victim, back to his friend and the attractive lioness, and back again, while he waited for a reply from Schwari or another signal from Tume to change actions.

[Baya]

Shwari closed his eyes for a moment, and remained silent. Tume waited for a moment before saying something else. "Well, I am waiting." Tume muttered quietly. Shwari's eyes slowly opened, and he glared at Tume. "I told you already...I won't tell you anyhing!" Shwari snarled with a sudden jerk of his head. Xephers claws managed to tear upwards into his throat, barely missing his jugular, but cutting his throat a bit none the less. When Shwari got lose he quickly pawed sand into Tume's eye. "Zina, run!" Shwari roared as he prepared to fight off Xepher, blood rolling down his chin.

"Xepher!" The blinded Tume growled. "Leave them! They are not worth the trouble." Tume muttered as he squinted his eyes and shook his mane. "We are only wasting time this way, and god knows what'll become of you if you kill Husudu's brother. Come on. We'll find other creatures to question." Tume said, simply beginning to walk away. Shwari's eyes widened. They weren't afraid of him , just the fact that his brother would counter attack?

"My brother is the least of your worries!" Shwari snarled as he leaped at Tume. Tume quickly dodged, and stuffed Shwari's face into the dirt.

"No. You are not a warrior. You are a simplistic rogue that's only alive because of his brother. Now count your losses, and leave. If you come after me again, i'll finish cutting up your throat." Tume said in monotone as he began to walk away once more. This time Shwari lifted his face from the dirt, and looked down. What Tume had said was right. He was nothing without Husudu. He had to rely on Husudu for everything. Shwari roared loudly in response to his bottled frustration.

[KiarasMate]

Schwari’s sudden movement managed to disrupt Xepher’s equilibrium for a split second, giving his victim just enough time to act. Seeing what had happened, Xepher’s initial instincts took hold as he leapt in front of his temporarily blinded friend, taking up a very offensive stance as he prepared himself to lunge towards Schwari, only to be halted in his tracks by Tume’s strict order. Doing as was bid of him, yet keeping a defensive guard over his friend, unsure of what the grey furred male might try next, Xepher was a bit surprised by both Tume and Schwari’s reactions. Expecting both sides to attack, Xepher felt a bit disappointed as his friend started to make his way from the pair that they had just been pursuing. Giving a scowl and a cold look back at both Schwari and Zina, Xepher followed closely behind Tume, calling back to the distraught couple in a mocking tone.

”Later Warti. Bye bye Beautiful.”

Seemingly noticing the small amount of Schwari’s blood that had stained his claws when the male had struggled free, Xepher looked disgusted as he drug his claws through the grass to clean them as best he could, looking over at Tume with a puzzled glance as he spoke.

”Why’d we let them go? You know we could have easily taken the two of them Tume and could have had a REALLY good time with that lioness while we’re at it. I know, we weren’t sent to kill, but you know those two are just going to run off and let the rest of their pathetic pride know what happened. I just hope that lie I told that miserable excuse for a lion, gets to his mate. It was the best I could think of on such short notice.”

==========

Even though Zina heard Schwari’s words, she wasn’t able to make her body move. Still laying almost lifelessly upon the grass, aside from her sporadic breathing being the only sign that she was still alive, Zina cringed harder from hearing Schwari’s frustrated roar, causing her to curl up tighter as she shivered uncontrollably. It took a few minutes before she was even able to uncurl herself. Trying her best to raise to her paws, Zina’s weak limbs were barely able to support her weight as she looked at Schwari with tears forming in her yellow eyes. Opening her muzzle to speak, Zina’s voice was nothing more than a low squeak as she spoke.

”I’m…I’m sorry Schwari…”

Seeing the small laceration under Schwari’s chin, as well as the few droplets of crimson life fluid that stained the grass below him, Zina’s emotions boiled over as she broke down sobbing once more, quickly darting off in the direction of Pride Rock, unable to stay next to the grey furred male who she had caused so much trouble for already. Hating herself with a passion at this very moment and regretting everything that had happened as of late, Zina ran until her legs gave out. Collapsing in the tall grass, she lay there, pouring out her emotions into her fore paws as it felt as though her whole world was coming apart at the seams.

[Baya]

"Ugh, figures you'd be thinking like that. You know that is what creates such negative stereotypes about us." Tume pointed out with a small grin. "Do you think if we killed them the pride wouldn't notice? Lets give them some motivation for a battle! Such a great plan!" Tume said sarcastically. He proceeded to walk, and then looked to Xepher. "Can I ask how in hell he managed to get out of your grip though? You had your paw over his jugular. One good slash and he would've been dead. He must've taken a big risk for that girl. To be honest, I'd let the girl die if I was in his position." Tume muttered with a snort.

~ Back at Shwari ~

Shwari looked to Zina break down, and felt his heart clench again not at all liking it. He didn't feel pity for her, he just felt really bad that she ended up crying. He looked down as she sobbed, knowing no matter what he said it would not make it any better. He was lucky to have gotten out of it alive. Where did that burst of courage come from? Why did he take the risk of having his throat slit? He had never been so stupid, or so bold before. Shwari thought about it for a moment as he made his way slowly towards Zina to try and comfort her. Then it hit him. All of it was because of Zina. She is what drove him to push against his opposers. She was what drove him to act so recklessly. It was the first time Shwari felt confident in his own fighting ability.

When she ran off Shwari looked after her his eyes widening in surprise. He quickly began his own sprint after the young lioness, knowing it would not be wise to leave her alone after their encounter. He didn't feel like a child anymore. He felt like Husudu and Ayari. He felt like he had responsibility and obligation. He wanted to protect Zina with his life.

He stopped running when he found her collapsed in the long grass, just crying. Shwari quickly made his way in front of her, the blood on the top part of his throat now drying. "Zina, it wasn't your fault. Believe me it wasn't. If it was anyone's fault it should be mine for not being as strong or as vigilant as my brother. You don't need to waste tears for such a thing. My wound will heal, and they didn't even attempt to harm you." Shwari explained quietly locking his teal eyes with her amber ones. He proceeded to lick the tears from her face, not really caring about the salty taste.

[KiarasMate]

Shrugging his shoulders in an indecisive fashion, Xepher replied in a careless voice.

”I guess Tume, but come on Buddy, we ARE a stereotype. As much as you deny it, we’re rogues, plain and simple. That’s what we’re labeled as and that’s what we’ll always be seen as until we do something to change that perspective. That’s why you are going to kill your own father, right? To free yourself from all the pain and misery he’s caused you? Me though, I don’t have any reason to fight, aside from helping you out, which you know I’d always do Buddy. The only driving force in my life is just that. The will to live. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Refusing to dwell on such melancholy topics however, Xepher’s tone altered into a more amused one as he heard Tume’s statement about Schwari’s bold actions. Shaking his head in a casual fashion, Xepher responded as he randomly swiped his paw at a passing insect.

”Well, you have to admit, she was quite the looker Tume. Yeah, I wouldn’t risk my life for a worthless lioness, but DAMN! What I wouldn’t have given for a few minutes alone with her.”

Taking up a more serious expression now however and returning his focus back to business, Xepher addressed Tume once again.

”Okay, so do we report back to Aunty Kiburi now or continue our rounds within these boring lands?”

==========

Sensing Schwari’s approach, Zina hid her face deeper within her fore paws, knowing that she couldn’t conceal her open emotions to him, yet still not wanting for him to see her in such a vulnerable state. Hearing his words though and feeling his tender licks against her dampened face, Zina lifted her head and looked deeply into Schwari’s eyes before she spoke, her voice still trembling.

”How can you say that Schwari? We both know damn well that those two lions were attracted by my scent. Don’t even try telling me that none of this was my fault.”

Pulling away from the grey furred male, Zina sat up as her head hung low, the tears continuing to stream down her cheeks as she resumed speaking.

”You don’t have to waste your pity upon me Schwari. I don’t deserve it, nor do you. You can’t even begin to understand how much of a disappointment I am. You’re truly better off without me in your life.”

Looking up at Schwari with her tear stained eyes, Zina sniffled pathetically as she brushed a fore paw across her face to try and clean away some of the wetness that clung to her fur before she continued.

”I…I care about you Schwari and that’s saying a lot. You’re the first male who I’ve even begun to trust, aside from Ayari, and that scares me. That scares me more than anything because…because there’s just so much you don’t know about me that would change your opinions of how you see me in a heartbeat, I know it. I can’t…I can’t do that to you. It’s not fair.”

Slowly rising to her paws, but keeping her head still hung low, Zina started to make her way back towards Pride Rock, calling over her shoulder to the grey furred male.

”Do yourself a favor Schwari and erase me out of your life. You’ll be better off.”