Private: Upon New Horizons [Closed to Zoketi and Baya]

[Zoketi]

Vitani padded softly with Baya, her gaze scanning the savannah. Alert for signs of gazelle or wildebeest, her trained, sharp eyes following every movement ahead. She could sense the affection from her companion, his eyes every so often glancing her way. She let her gaze drift to him, giving a gentle smile. It was so easy, to be with Baya. Then she returned to finding food.

"There!" She hissed in delight, at last spotting a herd of wildebeest. Her hunting instincts began to kick in, and she narrowed her eyes. Searching the distant herd for a weaker one.

[Baya]

[Adorable pic btw]

Baya padded along side Vitani for awhile, before they spotted some prey. He smirked wide as he gazed admiringly into her eyes. Everything about her made his heart skip beats. Once they spotted the wildebeest, Baya shook his haunches. It was time for the chase. Once the wildabeests began to run, Baya chuckled as he pushed Vitani's muzzle with his own.

"The chase is on. Stop hunting, and start running." Baya snarled as he began to sprint after one of the weaker wildabeests.

[Zoketi]

[Thanks! :3]

Vitani stuck out her tongue as he nudged her. Her eyes darted from his face to the fleeing prey, then immediately she jumped into running mode and shot forwards. Her claws gripped the earth as she moved, keeping her from slipping. The grass brushed her as she ran, just skimming her pelt before being blown back by the rush of wind from her movement. Vitani locked her sight on a weaker wildebeest, noticing the slight limp in its running and its powerful fear-scent.

With a stupendous leap, she landed on the wildebeest. The momentum sent both her and the prey animal crashing down. As the rest of the herd, calling and bleating frantically, sped away, Vitani held her captive down. Its struggles were quite strong, even being weaker. Exhausted but not ready to give up, Vitani dodged a couple kicks and glanced quickly around for Baya.

[Baya]

Baya followed closely after Vitani, keeping an eye on her and the prey at the same time. The last thing Baya needed was their prey putting an end to Vitani! That would be the most dishonorable death for such a beautiful and charismatic lioness. Once the Wildabeest missed some kicks, Baya jumped at its' flank, hoping that Vitani would follow suit as well and take the other flank.

[Zoketi]

Seeing Baya near her, Vitani ducked around the wildebeest's flailing legs and sunk her sharp canines into the creature's neck. She clenched her jaws around the prey animal, starting the suffocation. With Baya helping to hold down the wildebeest, she was able to put more of her strength into gripping its neck.

At last the wildebeest's struggles began to cease. Vitani could feel the life softly melt away, leaving the body empty and still. Her own heart was slowing down still from the chase, her muscles still quivering from the running. Vitani unclenched her teeth, letting the creature's head roll away from her. She lay still for a moment, panting, trying not to drop her head and succumb to her exhaustion.

[Baya]

Baya smirked the wildabeest was finally brought down. He noticed how tired Vitani was, but also that she didn't want to show any sign of that fatigue. His ears flexed back as he playfully nudged her with his head. "Easy enough. Feel sorry that you lionesses have to do this more often though." Baya jibbed with a cackle. He then moved his head over hers, as to give her some comfort whilst she rested. "Are we gonna roar for the others right now, or take our portions first?" he asked.

[Zoketi]

Vitani glanced over at Baya, glaring in mock annoyance. "Huff." She breathed, blinking sleepily. She flexed her shoulder and sighed in satisfaction. Beginning to feel better, she at last noticed the enticing scent of the kill. She sniffed delightedly, feeling a bit of pride at bringing down the wildebeest.

At Baya's touch she relaxed slightly and let her muscles stop tensing. "I don't care." She answered truthfully. Her tail flicked and wrapped closer to her side. "But they sent out a hunting patrol as we left, so they should have enough for now." Vitani added, smirking faintly. True, but she did feel a bit protective of her hunt. Besides, there would be plenty even after they ate.

[Baya]

[OOC: Sorry I took so long. Been just a *little* busy this week ]

Baya smirked as he and Vitani both began to get into the meat of their hunt. Once Baya had his fill, he sat down waiting for Vitani looking over to her every now and again. His ears flexed back and he looked around. Baya's ears flattened as he heard a rustle in the bushes.

[Zoketi]

[That's fine. Don't forget the Freedom~OC Pride roleplay as well!]

Vitani began to tear bits of meat off. Unlike some of the other lionesses, she wasn't a "dainty" eater. Not that she was messy, but she did bite rather snappily. Her stomach relaxed as the food entered, and she savored the taste of the meat. She never ate very much, but tried to save the deliciousness--when in the Outlands, prey was scarce and therefore treasured and savored more. But now with the abundant prey in the Pridelands, Vitani ate a bit more than usual.

As Baya moved away, Vitani gulped her last mouthful down. Licking her chops and stifling a satisfactory burp, she sat up. Her eyes scanned the nearby grassland, and her ears flicked. She never had her guard down.

Vitani suddenly stopped grooming her paw. Her ears perked, she glanced at Baya. From his flattened ears and alert expression, she assumed he had heard it as well. Rising slowly to her paws, her body already in stealth mode, she sniffed warily. It might just be a mouse, but she had learned never to underestimate anything.

[Baya]

Baya's eyes narrowed as he looked to the kill, and then the rustling. He saw a pair of glowing amber eyes and his body tensed as a smirk spread across his face when a figure broke free from the bushes.

It was a lioness that burst through, growling and snarling. "The Food. Step away from it." She spat in anger, and bloodshed was clear in her eyes. She seemed under fed, and Baya snickered shaking his head. The lioness took one look at Baya for a moment, and her eyes narrowed slightly. Those scars. That composure. The level of his amusement in such a tense situation.

"Baya." The lioness gasped, her eyes wide. Many of the rogues spoke of him, the ones that he let live anyway. While many outlanders took orders from their leader, Zira, Baya would go out into the desert and kill rogues that dare get into distance of the border of the outlands. Much of the time, he would attack without warning and either maim his opponents in such a way that a message would be spread, or kill them.

The lioness stepped back a little, seeing a lioness resembling Zira as well. This must've been her daughter that Baya had grown affectionate for. Tales of how ruthlessly he protected her from a band of hyenas and several rogues had also spread. Though, the lioness knew she was outmatched and now cornered herself to death.