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

[ImaniFaith]

Imani glanced up at the rogue, surprised that he was actually making conversation with her. Then again, this question, like all his others, must have a personal application to him. He was probably trying to decide whether to stay in the area or not. "We're going through a drought right now." She explained. "When the rains do come, they come hard-- but when they don't, it seems like they're gone forever."

Again, he did not reply. His silence was unnerving, but she found that it also intrigued her. He obviously put a lot of thought into his words... unlike herself. She had the unfortunate condition known as 'Paw-In-Mouth Disease', and often regretted the things that she'd blurt out at random. It had gotten her in trouble more than once, and laughed at even more than that. "I'm sure they'll come again soon, though." She smiled, "They seem to know when they're needed."

It then occurred to her that, while he had told her to eat her kill, he himself was most likely quite hungry. Even though food was becoming more and more scarce, she hadn't planned to hunt in the first place, and it didn't feel right not to at least offer... "Do you want some? Of the kill, I mean. You can have the rest, and then I can lead you to the watering hole."

[Baya]

Tenga listened carefully at what the lioness was saying and nodded with look to the cloudless sky. The sun was so intense that it hurt his eyes to even look at the clouds. Tenga watched as Imani enjoyed her meal, and when she offered him some he desperately wanted to say yes. However his pride held him back. "No thanks. I never take food from others. Offered or not. It was kind of you to offer anyways." Tenga murmured, bowing his head slightly.

Tenga waited for her to finish and stood, feeling his hunger pains worsening slightly. If he drank some water he could probably fight the stomach cramps. "Can we go to the water now? I think I will become one with the land soon if I don't get some water soon." Tenga growled quietly. He was getting quite irritated with having to wait for his drink.

[ImaniFaith]

Though she may not have been adept at reading other's emotions, Imani could definately sense the rogue's impatience, "Oh, yeah! Of course. I mean, I could have just left the kill...." She was starting to babble, she realized, and stopped herself. "Uh.... Come on, it's this way."

Exploring often led Imani farther away from home than was probably safe; still, wandering held its advantages. One was that she knew of a small watering hole which the others in her pride had never even bothered to look for, seeing as they already had their own. Here, Tenga could drink in peace, away from the suspicious eyes of her family and 'friends'.

Tracing her steps back from whence they'd come, she found the beginning of the path that led to what she now thought of as her water hole. As soon as they reached the water's edge, the lion bent down and drank more than she'd thought even a large creature like him could hold. If he were that thirsty, she thought grimly, he must be famished as well. Why had he turned down her offer of food?

Another discomforting thought nagged at her brain. Though it was only mid-afternoon, evening would come quickly, and she began to worry for the rogue who had thus far been so kind to her. Well, at least... kind in his own way.

"I've got to go home soon." She began, "I wish I could bring you back with me... but, the way my pride is, I think I'd be putting you in even more danger than you're already in."

He looked at her briefly, but no reply formed on his lips. As he turned away to drink again, Imani couldn't help but notice that, while his buff-colored coat blended in quite well with the bleached, flaxen grass around them, his dark mane did not. True, he seemed to know how to take care of himself, but she believed that his hunger and thirst had rendered him somewhat vulnerable. After all, if an 'amateur' like her could get the jump on him, certainly another rogue would be able to do much worse. "Will you be okay out here?"

[Baya]

Tenga followed her quickly to the promised watering hole, hoping that she had not been making this all up. That would only provoke an angry response from him. Though it seemed Tenga's trust in the lioness was well placed as she had indeed led him to water! He quickly ran passed her and dipped his muzzle into the clear water. As he drank he took note that something was making him feel uneasy. He didn't know what it was, but he continued drinking regardless. He was far too thirsty to care about any threats right now.

As the lioness spoke regarding the coming of the night, Tenga's left ear flicked. He smiled slightly at her concern, but didn't let her see the smile. It was amusing how worried she had gotten over him, and she knew him just for a few hours. "Listen to me princess." Tenga said whilst he took a few breaths. "I thank you for your concern, but I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I grew up all alone, defending myself against mindless brutes. I can last a night out here." Tenga murmured with a devious grin.

He thought for a moment, and looked at his reflection. He thrust his face and mane into the water cleaning the dirt from them. He lifted his head from the water and shook himself dry. His hair fluffed up slightly but he figured that would go down. Imani was looking back at him and asking him whether he was going to be ok, to which he replied. "If you are so afraid for me, why don't you stay here in case I need help?" Tenga asked with a bored expression. He didn't know why, but he enjoyed her company over all others. It had been a long time since he had felt this sort of bond to someone else.

[ImaniFaith]

"Stay with you?" Imani gaped in shock at the rogue before her, unease quickly twisting into fear... and longing. She knew she couldn't possibly stay with him... and yet there was a part of her, that part that had lain dormant since she was small-- that part that desired adventure above all else-- that was earnestly begging her to reconsider. 'But', the other part prodded, 'what about your mother?'

Her mother. Leta. She worried so about Imani, but was somehow understanding enough to let her daughter wander off when she needed to get away. She was so old now, so sick; and Imani knew that she would fear the worst if her daughter didn't come home.

Then there was also the fact that, as nice as Tenga had been to her, he was still a virtual stranger. How was she to know what he would do to her when night fell?

"I'll stay with you until dark." She said shakily. "If I don't get home by then, well.... " It made her sound like such a cub, but it was the truth, "my mother will worry."

When he still didn't speak, Imani attempted to explain the scenario as she predicted it would play out, "Then half the pride will come looking for me. You may be able to hold your own against mindless brutes," she smiled slightly, though she felt like dirt, "but a pack of angry lionesses could be a little risky for even the toughest rogue."

His mouth remained closed, and his face was completely unreadable.

"I'll be sure to come back in the morning!" She said, "If it weren't for my mother, and the pride, I would stay with you tonight, but..." and then, to her horror, her 'Paw-In-Mouth' kicked in, and she blurted, "I-- I really do want to see you again! I like you!"

She hadn't meant it. Not the way it must have sounded to him. She did like him, of course, but not that way. Not yet....

'Snap out of it!' She ordered herself, 'What are you, a love-sick lioness like Aunt Fola?!'

"I mean... as a teacher." Her voice was too shaky, too weak, "And a friend."

[Baya]

Tenga looked to her as she agreed to stay with him until nightfall. He found it a tad bit funny that her mother would worry about a full grown lioness, but didn't show much amusement on the outside. She stayed by his side for the remainder of the day, and he took note of how uncomfortable she was. Tenga knew that it was hard for her to trust him because he was a rogue, and a rough one at that. He didn't want to make her feel any less uncomfortable so he remained silent. When she made the comment regarding the lionesses coming after him he chuckled slightly. The thought of him running from an entire pride was quite familiar.

When it was time for her to go, Tenga looked to her as she spoke. "I really do want to see you again! I like you!". Tenga looked to her boldly, not taking it in the wrong way. He knew it was impossible for her to like him in any other way over the course of a few hours. Though Tenga had to admit, he too felt like he admired her as a friend. He hoped to stay here a bit, so he knew he would see her again. "I'm looking forward to our next lesson." Tenga said quietly.

"If you get into any trouble, let out a roar. I'll be right there." Tenga assured as he gave her a nod. "Good night princess. I'll be right here tomorrow morning." Tenga stated with a small bow of his head. When the young lioness had left the watering hole Tenga looked around the long grass around the watering hole.

"Do you want to come out now, or do I have to sniff you out scum?" Tenga growled threateningly. He knew someone was watching him and Imani the entire time. The reason he asked Imani to stay with him mainly was so that the rogues wouldn't go after her. He knew they wouldn't dare go after her in his presence. He really hoped they'd give up and go away after he kept her around until nightfall, but they were still around and Tenga knew it.

[OOC: Introduction to Bahari, and Zuzu time ]

[ImaniFaith]

"Ah," Bahara sighed to himself, "so it begins.... Early, I might add." he growled, shooting a glare in the direction of his 'partner'.

He had, of course, expected this new rogue to sense his presence sooner or later, but per usual, Zuzu had fouled things up with his ignorance of what it meant to stay downwind. Now, it looked as though Bahari would have to reveal himself sooner than he'd planned, and that concerned him. He had never been overly fit, and a lack of proper nutrition had rendered him even weaker than usual-- which was perhaps the only reason he kept that idiot Zuzu around. 'Safety in numbers', the old saying went, but with a companion like his, however, that was debatable.

Bahari had been watching this new rogue ever since he'd stumbled into what Bahari now thought of as his future kingdom. The creature was no one to mess with; young, muscular, and battle-hardened, he could rip Bahari in two before the latter could lift a paw in self-defence.

"You idiot, Zuzu!" He lamented in a harsh whisper, "How many times have I told you not to wander too close?! Now he knows for certain we're here and we'll have to reveal oursel--" Suddenly, a thought hit him, and he smirked. Perhaps... Zuzu's little mistake might be a good thing; in fact, if properly handled, it could even work to his advantage.

"Actually, Zuzu, " He said, his gruff voice quickly taking on a wheedling, saccharine tone, "he only knows for certain someone is here, and I'm sure we both know which of us smells the most strongly?" Draping his paw over his dumbstruck companion's back, he grinned, "Why don't you go down there and introduce yourself?"

Just as quickly, his tone reverted back to its usual harshness, "And do not mention me! At all! Understand?!" With a heavy shove, he sent the scraggly lion tumbling down to the water hole.

Sitting back, he watched as Zuzu stumbled directly before the rogue's paws. Yes, if all went as planned, this 'Tenga' would believe that Zuzu was the lion that had been stalking him, and Bahari could slip away and persue his true agenda: Making buddies with that xenophobic Grass Walls Pride. A difficult task, at best, but better than fighting a rogue....

[Baya]

Zuzu frowned slightly at being scorned. However, he smirked as Bahari came up with another one of his brilliant plans. "B-but boss won't he kills me? W-Won't he tears me apart?" Zuzu inquired with a worried expression. However he never wanted Bahari to leave him, and if he didn't do as he was told Bahari would do just that. Bahari was sort of Zuzu's lifeline. He provided food, water and answers to his many stupid questions. Zuzu stepped out of the grass as ordered to by Bahari, with a slight scared look at Tenga.

Tenga looked at the scrawny filthy rogue that had stepped out of the grass. He snorted as he figured even if he tried to forcefully do anything with Imani, he would probably take a paw to the cheek and loose half of his teeth. He was no threat what so ever. However, Tenga called the smelly stranger out already so he figured he should ask a few questions. "Who are you, and why were you watching me and Imani?" Tenga asked with a growl.

"I was nots watching you! Just doing as I was told by my boss!" Zuzu whimpered. Tenga's eyebrows raised slightly. Rogues working for other rogues? This was a bit out of the ordinary and sort of rare.

"Where is your boss now? And who is he?" Tenga asked now with a timid glare towards the miserable lion.

"H- He ain't anywhere near here. Nope! Just sent me here all by my lonesome!" Zuzu said with a nervous chuckle. Tenga quickly jumped so that he had the other rogue pinned down.

"Are you lying to me? I don't like liars." Tenga growled, baring his sharp teeth. Zuzu whimpered.

"N-o! No! I begs you! I'm not lying!" Zuzu wailed. Tenga rolled his eyes and let Zuzu go.

"Just get out of here, and never let me see you again. I don't want you spying on me or Imani. If I see it happen first I'll kill you, then your boss. Understood?" Tenga growled. Zuzu nodded quickly as he began to step back into the long grass. Tenga sighed as he lowered his head and body near the water. He placed his right paw in the water. The coolness of the water soothed him and helped him drift off to sleep.

[ImaniFaith]

When Zuzu returned, he was greeted by a swift paw to his face.

"You idiot!" Barahi cried, "I told you not to mention me!"

The pathetic creature gaped at him heartbrokenly, and the rogue forced himself to calm. Years ago, he had found this creature withering away in the desert, and out of some misplaced sense of pity he had rescued it; would that he had left the foolish thing to die!

Still... 'Tenga' had handled the knowledge of Bahari's existence quite well-- much better than he'd expected him to. That could be good or bad, depending on the young rogue's reasoning: He may possibly be unwilling to fight another rogue... that would be wonderful! However, it was far more likely that he was telling Zuzu the truth-- that he was confident he could easily kill both Zuzu (although, Bahari mused with a snort, that certainly wouldn't be too difficult) and Zuzu's unseen 'boss'.

Boss, such a simpleton's word. Bahari had hoped he could avoid being tagged with such thuggish pronouns, but he should have learned early on in his time with his companion that this was not to be. "You're fortunate that the rogue decided to spare us! We could have been-- Oh, for heaven's sake, get up and stop sniveling!" Snatching the scruffy lion up by its mane, he shook him, "Listen to me, Zuzu! Now that he knows about us, we'll have to be even more cautious when we get close to that old king's pride-- especially since the rogue has an inside connection with the little lioness!"

He let Zuzu drop with a rather undignified 'thud' upon the ground, leering. "And, if I have any say in the matter, that connection will be the first thing to go!"

[Baya]

Zuzu fell the floor as his mane was let go. He's eyes widened at what his boss had said. "W-what you mean it must go boss? Are we gonna try and kill the rogue? Or the girl?" Zuzu inquired with a bit of confusion. Even from his point of view attacking Tenga would be an extremely stupid thing to do. That wasn't probably what Bahari was planning considering that lion had seen battles whilst Zuzu and Bahari had avoided them at all costs.

The two began to walk a bit away from the patch of grass until they arrived at a large abandoned den. Zuzu entered it quickly and plopped down on his side, and playing with an animal skull he found lying around. "Oh King Zuzu! So strong and smart you are!" Zuzu said in a low voice as he made the skull's jaw move in sync with what he was saying. Bahari had found them this den when they got here, saying that there was nothing in here but bones and a filthy scent of other rogues. However, rogues haven't come by the den again yet. Just him and Bahari.

"So Bahari, how we gonna cut off their connection?" Zuzu asked after getting bored with the animal skull. He put it down gently beside him and looked to his boss eagerly for an answer to his question.

//

Tenga opened his eyes whilst the moon was still up, and changed positions so he was laying on his back. He stared at the moon and the stars for a moment and sighed. He really hoped Imani wouldn't just leave him because the only reason he'd be staying here was for water, and as soon as that ran out he'd just leave. Though if Imani meant what she said, she would be here when morning came. Tenga planned on showing her how to fight, the basics anyways. He worried for her on her way back and he needed to teach her a way to defend herself.

Tenga closed his eyes again as he changed positions once more onto his side. His eyes closed slowly again, and he hoped the next time he opened them, the first thing he'd see was Imani.

[OOC: So basically, Imani's gonna have to wake Tenga up :3]