[Private] Of Illness and Claws

[SnowyCheetah]

[center]Of Illness and Claws[/center]

[right]Kina and SnowyCheetah[/right]

Characters--
Kina - Kina
Dixon - SnowyCheetah
Grunge - SnowyCheetah
Haley - SnowyCheetah
Snowy - SnowyCheetah

[center]-[/center]

As Haley slowly woke one cold, rainy morning in the Pridelands, she had not yet realized what was happening to her. She knew something wasn't quite normal when she woke before the sun had even risen. Even though the weather was dreadful, it was hardly normal for her to wake before sunrise, especially since she had stayed up late the night before as her mate, Snowy, had set off on a long journey and she wanted to see him off.

Rising to her paws was something she found more difficult than it usually was. Her legs felt weird; weaker, and less sensitive than they should be. Her paws felt a bit tingly, as if she had slept on them funny. But the feeling lingered long after she had gotten up. She licked them, wrung them, and pawed at things to try and get the blood flowing; but it already was, and it wasn't helping to restore her less-than-normal sensation.

She also felt drowsy. After sleeping only a few hours such a thing was, perhaps, to be expected. But it wasn't the tired kind of feeling; rather, a sickly, wanting-to-sleep-and-never-wake-up type of feeling in her head and body that she felt. The cold wind and rain, as well as the startling thunder and lighting outside did not help as the snow cheetah padded through the messy mud outside her cave, did not wake her up. As her webbed paws sunk into the mud, she only stood there, fighting to wake up. Before long she passed out, her gray fur brown with mud and her toes held apart by mud that had become wedged between them.

Hours later, Haley found herself back in her cave. She had been dried off, and her toes had been freed of the mud between them. Her webs had even been licked clean, which saved her a lot of irritation as that skin was very sensitive to foreign material. She felt much better than before, but still sick. As she looked around, she saw the Pride princess, Kiara, sitting next to her. Hey, Haley. she said in a soft voice, What happened to you?

Haley struggled to rise to her paws once again, this time finding it a little easier to keep from falling over. I'm... not sure... she answered weakly to Kiara, I feel very sick and weak... for no reason. Kiara frowned. That's an illness that's been going around... usually only between mates. There is only one cure, but it's known of only by one lioness. Her name is Kina, and she is a rogue. You'll need to find her.

An hour later, the sickly snow cheetah was on her way out of the Pridelands in search of this lioness. She knew not what she looked like, where to find her, or how it would go if and when she did. She just walked, her paws weakening a tiny bit with every step.

[Kina]

Sweet smelling grasses swayed with the early morning breeze, a lark's trill drifting with the wind near the small waterhole. Fresh paw prints were visible in the moist sand, though were quickly hardening with the day's coming heat. A dark flash of russet was suddenly visible in the sea of green, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Her breathing came quietly as she padded through the grass, all but silently. The young lioness' still damp pelt gleamed whenever sunlight danced across it, nearly onyx tail tuft swaying slightly as she walked.

Kina's crystal blue gaze trailed over her surroundings as she moved, the slender female quickly moving away from the other rogue's waterhole. Although she was near the Pridelands as well, it wasn't worth intruding only to be driven away again. Solitary lionesses or lions were usually regarded as threats, rather than ones simply seeking to continue living and perhaps gain a friend. And she was currently in no mood to fight the rogue for a drink and wet bath, should the owner of the scent return. The large grayish lump hanging from her mouth continued to weakly flip at the end, shimmering slightly in more of a silver color with each twitch. Once satisfied that she was far enough away, the russet wanderer sat down to enjoy her catch. Although fish wasn't a staple meal, it was at least a change of taste and a pleasant snack; not to mention less noticeable when missing.

Her small paws easily held the flopping fish in place as she put the poor thing out of it's pain, before consuming it rather quickly. She knew better than to hunt near a pride's lands, as it usually led to trouble. Even so, hunger continued to gnaw at her stomach. Undersized or no, she had to eat just like any other. While she still appeared relatively healthy, she knew her ribs were beginning to show again. But after trying to walk around the massive territory for so long, it had taken its toll. Perhaps she'd have better luck towards the forest visible in the distance. If nothing else, at least a break from the relentless heat on her dark pelt. With dawn already passed, it was only getting hotter and hotter.

Pausing for a long stretch, claws digging into the swaying turf as she straightened with a small sigh. The dark lioness spared a glance over her shoulder upon hearing the flap of wings, before continuing on. Weaving through the viridian sea once more.

[SnowyCheetah]

Worried sick, no pun intended, about her ability to make it through this ordeal, Haley trudged on as she felt herself weakening. She'd left home before in search of something she knew nothing about; when her mate before Snowy became abusive, Haley got fed up and left her home in search of a new home called "The Pridelands." She had heard that they were welcoming to newcomers, and nothing more. She knew nothing about the inhabitants other than that they were a different species of cat. She knew nothing about the condition, nature, or looks of the place. She knew not even exactly where it was. And yet she found it, and lived happily there ever since finding it. She even found her new mate there.

It was remembering this that gave her the will to continue pursuing this lioness whom she knew little about. But, just as she had when she was searching for the Pridelands, she had to find some hint of the lioness's location. She knew not what her paws smelled like, and as such could not search for her scent on the ground. She knew not what she looked like, and as such couldn't describe her to someone who might know. She knew only the name: Kina. Sounded like a nice enough creature, but of course, there's often more than meets the eye. Perhaps she was a despicable witch with a sweet name, or perhaps the name suited her well. She did not know, but she knew this: she must find Kina, or die.

Stopping in an unknown land for a drink, she smelled multiple scents. One was of a male who apparently was the owner of this territory. The other was of a female who had recently been there, perhaps for fish. Haley despised fish, and in her sick state did not even feel hungry even though her ribs would soon begin to show. She simply drank... and, in order to get out of the unknown territory ASAP, followed the female's scent. The scent existed only in one place and she assumed that the lioness wasn't supposed to be there, and that the trail probably led out of the territory. She knew all too well the consequences of intruding.

[Kina]

Kina's wandering gaze trailed over the savannah again as she paused, her nicked ear twitching. Thinking she'd heard something again, but it proving to just be a young fox kit scampering through the grasses. The young lioness breathed a faint sigh as she continued, shaking her head. Weary paws taking her in the direction of the nearest acacia tree, seeking shelter from the blistering noonhigh sun. Relief sweeping over her dark frame as she reached the branches, promptly plopping onto the shorter grasses as a gentle breeze trickled over the plains.

Although it wasn't particularly shielded from view or strategic, she would have to conserve her energy to reach the forest. Perhaps a day's travel, if she was judging correctly. Either way, a short rest was due before she could continue. After traveling for some moons already, she had learned the hard consequences of under-estimating distances. Being prepared could very well save a wanderer's life. Laxness could end it.

The young female stretched out after a moment, fangs gleaming in light that danced through the leaves with a yawn. Contentedly crossing her forepaws over one another to make a comfortable headrest, it wasn't long before the dusky lioness had drifted off; succumbing to the temptations of sleep she'd very much been lacking.

[SnowyCheetah]

Nearly exhausted already, the snow cheetah trudged on as the searing African heat caused her to pant hard, despite having just had a cool, refreshing drink. Her paws cried of pain every time she set them down on the ground, which had been under the intense sun all day and build up heat. She squinted to keep the sun out of her eyes. She was not built for such a climate. Her thick fur was meant to provide insulation in sub-zero temperatures, high in the snowy mountains where one never needed to cool down, rather, one needed to conserve heat most of the time. Her webbed paws, meant to help her walk in deep snow without sinking too much, were now only good for getting irritated as the sensitive webbed skin got dust and sand on it. No amount of licking helped, since as soon as she walked a bit, more would accumulate between her toes.

Instead of keeping her warm, Haley's thick fur was hoarding unwanted heat and causing her to become far more hot than she should be. She began to feel dizzy as heat exhaustion began to set in, her vision becoming blurry and her legs shaking. Her tail drug in the sand, gathering sand in the extra fur fluff and making it that much more weight for her to carry. Sick and unsuited for the climate, Haley finally saw a tree with shade under it. Her vision was so blurry that she didn't see there was a lioness under it; when she got closer she saw that there was some animal there, she was still unable to see enough detail to see that it was a dark-furred lioness. Just then her vision went black and she fell to the ground, her mind forcing itself into a much-needed dormancy for the time being as she fell unconscious.

[Kina]

The young lioness jerked as something warm landed across her legs, rudely jolted back to consciousness. Something warm and heavy. Kina's vision was hazy with exhaustion as she slowly lifted her head, taking a little while to fully wake. Pulling her forelegs free with a sharp yank, she shook her head as the weight across them slid slightly. When her vision had cleared enough to see properly, the dusky lioness' head tilted in surprise. A cheetah, but one unlike any she'd ever seen. Thick grayish-white fur with stark onyx contrast, and a somewhat feminine build but perhaps a tad bulkier than most of the female cheetahs.

Kina gingerly stood after a moment, as not to disturb the fallen cheetah. However, it did not look like she was simply resting. Entirely unconscious? Her paw gently scooped underneath the dainty female's chin after a moment, guiding it out upon hearing no notable breathing. She lowered into a crouch after a moment, ears twitching. A faint, warm breath suddenly brushing by them. Alive. At least, for now. The dusky lioness immediately pulled up slightly, before gently grasping the nape of the cheetah's throat to pull her further into the retreating shade. Waiting for the merciful wind to dance across the plains once more, as it made a drastic difference in the deathly temperature. The russet lioness stepped further back into the shade after a moment, before suddenly digging her claws into the soft grass and bringing them back. Ripped turf gathered underneath her small paws with each pass, revealing the tantalizingly cool dirt underneath. It wasn't the cleanest option, but it would keep the collapsed arrival alive. Once satisfied the shallow pit was at least big enough for most of the cheetah's body, Kina took the nape in her mouth again and gently pulled her towards the hole.

The young lioness stepped back after a moment, idly pawing at the pile she'd accumulated before laying down. While she didn't know if the arrival would prove friendly, it was at least worth the try should said cheetah awaken. Being a rogue herself, considered a wanderer by some or not, it was never wise to make enemies. But sadly enough, many of the ones she'd encountered only sought and acted in such ways. She could only hope that she wouldn't be attacked upon her 'company' returning to consciousness - Her lithe muscles tingling with exhaustion, begging to return to sleep. But it would have to wait for now.

[SnowyCheetah]

Haley's thoughts were running wild inside her head as her laid limp, unaware of her location and on the brink of death. Not even one of her muscles moved outside of her lungs and heart, and even those were weak as the lioness had noticed. The cool temperature of the dirt beneath her, kindly scraped by the paws of the lioness who had saved her from a miserable death, was keeping her from getting hot enough to die of temperature extremes. Her body, already sickened, fought hard to stay alive as it was unwittingly watched over by the good Samaritan whom Haley had originally set out to find.

Hours later, unknowing that she had been watched over by the lioness for so long, Haley began to wake. At first her thoughts were horribly muddled as her brain struggled against the odds to reach the point of competence once again. This was difficult due to her body's state, but eventually her brain managed. Her eyes opening slowly, the snow cheetah looked around without moving a muscle. She failed to see the lioness sitting right near her, and blinked a few times, yawning. Her webbed toes spread as she stretched. She didn't know that they were right within view of Kina - but the lioness was sure to be intrigued by the skin stretched between each furry digit. Breathing heavily, she drug herself to her feet and looked around. Her fur blew in the barely-noticeable breeze as Haley saw that many hours had passed since she'd passed out. She'd completely forgotten about the brown blur she'd seen before.

...until she turned, and saw it. There Kina sat - the lioness who had saved the snow cheetah's life. Initially she was startled. She jumped backward, and instantly felt dizzy from the sudden bodily exertion of jumping. Falling to the ground again, she gasped a breath of air as she recovered, not bothering to get up again as she simply laid on her belly. Hello... she said weakly and hoarsely, hungry and dehydrated and lacking the brainpower to think of anything else to say.

[Kina]

The dusky lioness' pale gaze remained on the unusually marked cheetah as she rested her head on her paws, resisting the temptations of her heavy lids as moments ticked by. Shadows were slowly fading into darkness as she waited, the coming evening bringing a cool breeze as the sun slipped below the horizon. Concern was nipping at her paws now, bringing the undersized female's ears forward when the cheetah suddenly moved. Her head immediately raised, gaze intently focused on the other feline as it staggered to its feet. Suddenly pivoting upon noticing her, but promptly falling back to the ground.

Exhaustion running through her lithe frame continued to harp on the lioness as she forced herself to her paws, walking over to check on the cheetah. Offering a single nod in greeting, she sat down mere paw steps from her. "Are you all right ...? You seem rather ... unwell," Kina said after a moment, tilting her head slightly. It wasn't just the oppressive heat that had taken it's toll. Something about the gray feline's eyes seemed off. Was she ill?

Kina shook her head slightly after a moment, noticing the other female was still stirring slightly. At least maintaining consciousness. It could be a start. However, there was the question of whether or not the cheetah would trust her if she was indeed ill. She'd met few other wanderers that clung to an attempt at peace, if nothing else. Waiting once more, only this time for an answer.

[SnowyCheetah]

Inside Haley's mind, she was struggling to comprehend what her senses were putting into her overloaded, ill brain. She barely moved, her breathing labored as her illness suppressed her in a short burst. Within a few minutes, it had subsided and Haley was once again able to function, but who knew for how long. Sorry... she said quietly as she rose slowly to her paws, her legs shaking as her toes got a loose grip on the ground. [/b]I'm not feeling well at all.[/b]

Haley took a few staggering steps closer to the dark-furred lioness. At this point, she did not know that this lioness had saved her from a heat-related death, and more importantly, that she held the key to curing her current illness. Her brain still struggling, she was not herself, and soon found herself sniffing Kina's nose and face in an effort to understand her. In Haley's right mind, she would never have intruded on Kina's personal space like that.

A minute later, she woke up a bit more and realized what she'd been doing. Whipping her nose back to where it belonged, Haley apologized again. Sorry, perhaps I should leave. I'm not myself today... and I think I'm probably going to be a danger to you if I stick around much longer. Haley began walking slowly away on weak legs, completely unaware that she was walking away from the cure to her illness.

[Kina]

The dusky lioness suddenly leaned back as the cheetah haphazardly began sniffing at her, nicked ear twitching in surprise. However, how the slender female across from her was standing and moving about, it was painfully obvious that her words were true. Kina's pale gaze observing the gray feline a bit more, before wearily standing as the cheetah started to walk off. "You shouldn't leave yet ... If you're feeling like this, then you'd best rest for now," Kina advised quietly, stepping in front of the other female. Half cutting off her direct path to leave the shade, but in a well meaning manner rather than threatening. She was hardly in the position to do the latter, nor did she want to. But more and more, the odd colored cheetah seemed to be not in good health. And it wasn't just from the sun.

With lavender streaking the evening sky, it was noticeably cooler. Coming dusk meaning she would be able to hunt soon, providing she'd find the energy. "I do not believe I know your name, either ... Regardless, though ... If you'll stay put I'll see about finding some prey when darkness falls. At least with a full stomach we'll both feel better to some extent," the dusky lioness said, sitting once more. Her tail curling around her slender haunches as her nearly luminescent gaze bore into the cheetah, head tilting slightly in prompting. Unless the cheetah wanted to be picked off by hungry hyenas, it would hardly be wise to continue on in such a state.

The undersized female glanced out at the grassy plains after a moment, breathing a small sigh as a gentle wind rustled the acacia and sweet smelling turf. Nearly blending with the coming night due to her dark pelt, the peak of twilight granting her much protection in itself. Only her eyes would betray her presence when it came time to hunt, save for her scent. If she was fortunate, perhaps the sickly cheetah would be more awake when she returned.