The King of Grass Walls [Private: ImaniFaith and Amadeus]

[ImaniFaith]

Shivering slightly, Imani smiled. Tenga's declaration had given her hope. Perhaps everything could be resolved peacefully... somehow.

She was also, of course, shocked when the rogue licked her; but very happy. No male-- aside from her father, naturally-- had ever done such a thing. To her embarrassment, she was too shy to return the affectionate gesture. Instead, she merely buried her head in his mane, admiring the way the sunlight shone off the threads of silver and jet.

"Y'know, I'm glad I'm not a very good hunter." Her voice was soft and teasing, "If I hadn't thought you were a meal, I never would have met you."

She pulled away then, looking directly into his eyes. "I have to go back now; I promised I would be home soon. I know you'll wait here for me, and I think I'll be fine... but if those rogues did come back, and I needed your help, how could I get ahold of you?"

//

Bahari made sure to keep away from the rest of the pride, downwind and low. Only when Fola was completely alone did he speak, "Why, hello!"

The lioness gasped, whirling around in shock. When her eyes locked with his, he saw her mouth begin to open in a scream. Within a second, his paw was clamped firmly over it.

"Ah, ah, ah...." He murmured gently, "None of that. I'm not going to hurt you. If I were, I certainly would have done so already."

Fola's hazel-green eyes were wide and unfocused with terror. To his delight, he felt the older lioness tremble in his grasp. Little did she know that she could probably defeat him in an instant if she tried. "I don't wish to hold my paw here forever, and as you can see, I have ample reinforcement." He nodded toward Zuzu, hoping beyond hope that the lioness would believe his lie, "Can we agree to keep things peaceable and quiet when I let go?"

Distraught, she nodded, and he hesitantly took his paw away. To his relief, she was too afraid to disobey him. She only croaked, "What-- what do you want?"

Bahari's blue eyes sparkled dementedly, "Kingship, my dear." He whispered, "Kingship-- and you're going to help me attain it."

[Baya]

Tenga smiled as she buried herself in his mane. When she broke the embrace he looked into her eyes just as deeply as she did with him. His stomach was churning at the thought of her leaving, but she had to go. Tenga didn't want to make it so that she wasn't allowed to ever see him again. "If you need any help, just roar. Roar as loud as you can. I will be there in an instant..." Tenga murmured quietly giving her one last nuzzle before she began to walk away.

Tenga sighed as he laid down on his side and looked at the sky. He really hoped that Imani didn't run into any trouble. He placed his paws in the water once again, and closed his eyes for a moment, taking note of the coolness around him. Hold on. Coolness? Tenga's eyes shot open as he looked to the sky. There were heavy clouds above him! Heavy clouds meant rain! Tenga sighed quietly to himself before looking to the sky, waiting for the rain to fall.

//

Zuzu watched as Bahari worked his magic, and scared the lioness into an alliance with him. Zuzu frowned slightly, as he did not like how Bahari planned on becoming king, but it was better then trying to destroy something as pure as what Imani and Tenga had. Zuzu wondered why Bahari couldn't ever feel the affection Tenga feels for Imani, for another lioness. It really bewildered Zuzu how far this obsession of Bahari's had warped the rogue's mind. It was quite upsetting, even for a fool like him.

"Best you listen to him. He could crush you within a moment!" Zuzu growled to Fola. He only said anything to reinforce Bahari's "illusion".

[ImaniFaith]

Bahari smirked down at the female cowering beneath him. This was going as beautifully as he'd hoped it would! "I know the situation your pride is in, Fola--"

"How do you know my name?!"

"-- and how much you detest rogues, like me." He finished. "But consider this: Your king is dying. Everyone in the area knows it. Now, I have watched this pride for months, and never once attacked, even when I was starved for food. How many rogues can claim that feat, hmm? I have, then, been very kind to you all, and I expect kindness in return."

Fola was still visibly shaking, "... What do you want me to do?"

"There is another rogue in this area, my dear, who also stakes his claim upon this pride. One look at him, and I'm sure you'll agree that he would be much worse to you than I am." Behind him, Zuzu seemed to be agitated, though he could not tell why, "Go quickly to your king, to your pride, and tell them to choose. If you swear alliegence to me now, I promise to allow your old ruler die in peace; but if not, I and my 'friends' will take you over by force."

Bahari released her, and the lioness stood on quivering legs. It was clear she was taking him quite seriously.

"Quickly now." He grinned maliciously, and she took off running.

Turning to his companion, he laughed, "Just wait, Zuzu. All will be ours soon."

//

To her immense surprise, Imani felt her fur being stirred by a sudden cool breeze. Glancing up at the sky, she saw to her delight that thick, dark clouds were approaching from the west. That meant only one thing: Rain!

"Thank the Great Spirit." She sighed. However, as she made her way to the water hole to bathe, her nose caught a smell that made her stomach lurch.

Bahari.

His scent was fading, but it was clear he had been near only a few moments before her.

Forgetting about all else, Imani quickly put Tenga's instructions to good use, sniffing out the rogue's path. Should he spring out at her, she would be sure to roar as Tenga had instructed, but for now she would go alone.

Just then, she made out a faint paw-print on the dry, dusty ground. Horrified, she saw that the old rogue had been heading straight for her home-- to the heart of Grass Walls.

Without stopping to think, she raced there as well.

[Baya]

When Fola left Zuzu looked to Bahari for a moment. "We aren't actually going to try and kill the king right? He's really old anyways, he'd die on his own in a few days if you gave him that." Zuzu said as he furrowed his brow. Zuzu looked to the sky, as it began to rain. The warm droplets of rain refreshed the rogue and he stuck out his tongue to catch some of it.

"And why do you lie Bahari? If you are smart, why wouldn't they let you be king by default! If you were a little nicer I don't even think you'd need tricks to be king." Zuzu pointed out as he shook his now wet, clean and actually neat mane.

"It's raining! Wow!" Zuzu cheered as he pounced around in the rain, getting covered in mud at the same time. Though the rain might be an omen for something horrible that was to happen, and not necessarily anything good, Zuzu didn't know that. To him rain was just rain, and he loved it!


[OOC: I'm sorry, early morning, can't think of a good post for Tenga >_<. I'm really falling as an rper, huh?]

[ImaniFaith]

Bahari glared at Zuzu as the latter skipped through the increasingly heavy downpour. 'Nicer', eh? Why should he be nice? The world had never been 'nice' to him. From a young age, he had been sickly and weak, an easy target for stronger males to take out their pent-up frustrations on. Females, too, had never been kind to him, for what use was a male who could not defend and protect?

"You should hold your tongue, Zuzu." He growled darkly, "Or I may reconsider how 'nice' I am to you."

Still, his spirits had improved considerably. As long as Fola kept her word and returned alone with the king, he could let himself relax a bit. That rogue Tenga and his little lovebird were too enamored with each other to even notice what was happening here. By the time they came, there would be an entire league of lionesses to defend Bahari against them....

Then, there would be no mercy.

//

Imani arrived, panting, just in time to see Fola leading the limping, coughing King Ajani out of his den into the rain. She could think of no reason for her aunt to be doing that, unless.... "Fola! What's going on?"

The older lioness stopped in her tracks, turning huge, frightened eyes toward her niece. As much as Imani disliked her, she found a small measure of pity stir in her heart. "N- nothing... the king and I are... going for a walk."

"Fola, " She scolded, "tell me the truth."

The female would not reply, so Imani turned to the king instead, "Sire...."

"I have been challenged." He sighed, lowering defeated eyes, "By a rogue. He wishes to meet with me alone."

She knew it, "Is his name Bahari?"

"We do not know his name."

"Don't worry about it; I do-- and it is Bahari. He's been stalking me the last couple days. You need to-- "

"Stalking you?" Ajani's defeated eyes grew sharp, "Why did you not report it? This whole situation may have been avoided!"

Fola's expression grew accusing as well, and Imani felt her face begin to burn, "Because I was protected by my friend-- a rogue... Tenga." She didn't give them a chance to question her, "And I know he'll protect us now. Just let me call him!"

"Out of the question!" The king hissed, "One rogue is bad enough! I will not have two fighting over my territory!"

For the first time, Imani felt the fierce resentment against her pride take full form inside her. Never did they listen to her; always they reprimanded her-- and now, even now, when everything they knew and loved was at stake, they still had the gall to turn down her help!

"Stop being so foolish!" She cried at last, "Listen to what I'm saying! Tenga doesn't care about ruling this pride-- he cares about our safety! He will help us fight Bahari-- and I am going to bring him here!"

And before the elderly king could protest any further, Imani let out a loud, defiant roar.

[Baya]

Tenga's ears perked and his eyes shot open as he heard the loud roar coming from near where he was laying right now. He quickly stood, and broke into a run towards the source, hoping that Imani wasn't in horrible danger. However, he knew for a fact that it had to something to do with that rogue that keeps on stalking Imani. His eyes narrowed slightly in anger as he continued to run, not knowing what he'd find when he got there.

Tenga's heart was racing as he entered the Grass Wall's pride and was giving strange looks from the lionesses around there. He noticed that one lioness, and one elderly lion were standing near Imani. Tenga stopped quickly, panting and attempting to catch his breath. "I-I heard the roar. What's going on? Are you hurt? Are there rogues?" Tenga asked looking around wildly. He didn't really take note of the fact that he was standing before the king of the land he was staying on.

Tenga examined Imani for a while and let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were being attacked judging by the sound of the roar! Great kings above Imani." Tenga muttered as he calmed down. He then looked to the king as well as Fola.

"Sorry to be intruding. I told Imani to only call on me when there's trouble." Tenga said quietly, with a bold look at the king. Tenga could tell he was king, only because he was the only male around here, and because of the fact that he matched Imani's description of "sick".

[ImaniFaith]

"There is trouble." Imani said, just as quietly and boldly as Tenga. "Bahari is here, and he's threatened the king."

"W-well, really, he threatened me." Fola interjected with a whine, "H-he said he wanted to make a deal-- if we make him king of our pride, he'll let us live. If we don't... he and his friends are going to attack us."

Imani glared at her, "Either way, we need to do something. Now. I don't believe Bahari has 'friends', aside from that little idiot, Zuzu, but he's still dangerous." She thought a moment, "We lionesses can take him, I'm sure; but just in case, I wanted you here to protect the king."

"I do not need anyone's protection!" Ajani sputtered, though it was obvious that he too was doubtful of his ability to succeed alone. "Especially not a rogue's!"

"What did I say about being foolish!" Imani was rarely angry, but now she could feel the flames of rage licking her heart. Desperation, too, was eating at her. If Bahari did attack, not only were they in danger, but the cubs, and her mother. She couldn't let it happen. "A wise ruler should know to accept help when it's offered him!"

"Imani!" Fola gasped. The king merely gaped at her in shock. For a moment, she almost wavered and apologized-- but the situation was too dire for that.

"Tenga, will you help us?" She said, still glowering at them, "I'll understand if you don't want to."

//

Bahari was beginning to get impatient. He was desperate, wet, and ready to tear something's entrails out.

That 'something' being Zuzu, who was still obliviously frolicking in the rain.

"Would you be quiet?!" He snarled, then murmured to himself, "...Fola hasn't returned yet. This does not bode well...."

Truthfully, he was scared. Should Imani's flaky aunt rally the lionesses to attack, he and Zuzu wouldn't stand a chance. Still, if all else should fail, he would use his last ounce of strength and go for the king's throat. Once that old fool was dead, the females would have nothing left to defend.

This was it, he told himself. If he lost now, there would be no other chances, and nothing left to live for.

[Baya]

Tenga watched the entire scene, his eyes wide and his mouth as agape as the king's. He had never seen Imani upset, and it was something he definitely wanted to avoid. When she asked for his aid, he just nodded, putting on his expressionless face again. Tenga looked to the king for a moment with a raised eyebrow. "Don't feel bad for accepting my help. I'm probably the nicest rogue you'll ever meet." Tenga muttered quietly as he looked around.

Tenga looked to Imani for a quick moment and smiled slightly. He was proud she finally voiced her opinion on the matter, and made herself a useful contributor to the pride. "Be careful Imani. Use what I taught you. Bahari won't be that hard to take down. Also, if you run into difficulty. Just roar." Tenga murmured giving her a quick nose touch with his own regardless of the presence of her aunt.

When she left to tell the other lionesses what was going on Tenga looked to the king. "So, I bet you've seen better days, haven't you your highness?" Tenga asked with almost no emotion. His job was to protect this old beast, but sadly Tenga believed that even the shock of the possibility of being taken over by Bahari might kill him. Tenga couldn't defend the king against nature.

[ImaniFaith]

A twinge of old irritation pinched Ajani's heart at the rogue's blunt statement, but then he sighed. It had been a statement of fact. "Yes, I have. Though I had hoped that my last days would not differ so greatly from my first."

Looking up into the stormy clouds above, he frowned, "But it looks as though that was not to be." He turned to the rogue, "Do you see this land? When I was young, it was a vibrant and flourishing place. The game was plentiful, the water came in predictable cycles-- yet now, under my reign, it slowly dies. Perhaps the rain will revive it... and perhaps it will die with me."

For long minutes, the rogue said nothing; but neither did he use this precious time alone to attack him. Ajani groaned in his spirit-- truly, he had misjudged this creature. "And it seems I have made still another mistake." He said at last, "I seem to have offended a friend. Will you accept my apology... and my thanks?"

//

Imani had not wanted to kill Bahari if it could be helped, but now, as she-- she-- led the lionesses through the thick grass, she felt herself hardening towards him.

If he repented, he would be spared; if he still posed a threat, he would die. She would not let him destroy everything she loved.

//

Bahari stood at the sound of paw-steps. Not the footfalls of one or two beasts, but of many. At that moment, the scent of multiple lionesses reached his nostrils. His worst fear was confirmed; Fola had mounted an attack.

"Zuzu...." He shuddered, looking desperately at the little rogue. Neither of them would be much protection to the other. "They're coming!"

Yet one thing still gave him hope: He did not smell the king within their ranks, which meant only one thing....

"Hurry, Zuzu! As fast as your legs can carry you!" He was already running, "This way!"

Racing through the grass, just out of reach of the pride, he doubled back-- and around.

The king was hiding, and he would find him.

[Baya]

Tenga listened to the king's description of the land, prior to his rule. Tenga felt a twinge of pity for the old king as he might believe that it was his fault all this was happening. He then apologized to Tenga and Tenga shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I'm not a normal rogue. You are right to be protective of your land." Tenga said quietly.

Afterwards Tenga remained silent for a bit and looked to the king again. "You should not fee bad for what nature has done. Who knows? Perhaps this rain really will restore the land to it's prior beauty." Tenga said quietly as he sat there and waited. An odd scent caught Tenga's attention and he turned towards it rather quickly. The rogues were coming.

"Stay back your highness. These are some rogues you are allowed to be afraid of." Tenga said with a growl, as he prepared to pounce on Bahari as soon as he showed his face.

//

Zuzu yelped as he ran after Bahari, having no clue what they were going to do. Zuzu was a bit nervous over where this was heading, but when he saw Tenga and old lion in the distance he realized Bahari was trying to kill the king himself! Though the in the presence of Tenga that would probably be extremely difficult.

Zuzu stopped in front of Tenga and then looked to Bahari. He wanted to be king so terribly bad! Zuzu closed his eyes for a moment, and snarled pouncing onto Tenga.