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

[ImaniFaith]

Bahari froze as he watched Zuzu spring atop Tenga, amazed at the creature's... what? Selflessness? Stupidity?

Either way, he now had the opening he needed to take down the weak old king. His lips slowly splitting into a grin, he crouched low to the ground, ready to pounce. The sickly lion only lowered his eyes, as though he had already surrendered himself to fate.

It was time, he knew, and he tried to make himself complete the leap. However, the sound of Zuzu and Tenga's struggle kept reaching his ears; distracting him from his goal.

'Idiot!' He groaned inside, 'Why are you stalling?! Do it! Finish him and take his pride!'

Yet something would not let him. The small shred of pity he harbored for his lackluster companion was knifing into his heart like a shard of jagged rock. Why, why couldn't the fool have run like he had told him to?!

Baring his teeth, grin gone, he advanced on the king, leaned back, and pounced--

Directly between Zuzu and Tenga.

//

Imani growled in frustration when she realized Bahari's trick. He had known they were coming and fled before they could quite reach him! What an idiot she had been, to leave Tenga and Ajani to fend for themselves alone!

"Come on!" She cried to the others, doubling back in the rogue's tracks, "This way!"

Imani only prayed Bahari had been lying when he'd told Fola of his many 'friends'. Otherwise, two very dear lives-- one more-so than the other-- might already be lost.

[Baya]

Zuzu bit at Tenga, and Tenga roared in pain pushing Zuzu off. Tenga pinned Zuzu down and glared at him. "You made a really stupid move by attacking me." Tenga growled quietly. Zuzu roared himself and pushed Tenga off with every ounce of strength he had. Zuzu panted as he felt some blood trickle down his right cheek.

Bahari jumped in between them, to Zuzu and Tenga's surprise. "Go kill the king Bahari! I pounced on him so you could have your chance!" Zuzu shouted. Tenga's eyes narrowed as he looked to both Bahari and Zuzu. Perhaps he could be outmatched at the moment considering one could hold him down while the other slashed his throat or something.

"You two don't need to be foolish. You can back off right now, and I won't have to hurt you." Tenga growled. He was respecting Imani's wishes of not hurting anyone, and hoped that they took the opportunity to leave. He might die, but he would die for someone he cherished very dearly.

Tenga frowned as neither of the lions moved and he bared his teeth. The thunder cracked from above and Tenga let out a loud roar as he approached Bahari and Zuzu. There was no time that he looked so fierce, especially with the effects of the weather.

[ImaniFaith]

Imani breathed a short sigh of relief when she caught sight of Tenga and the king. They were still alive! However, seeing Bahari and Zuzu facing off against them only renewed her fright.

Leading the lionesses to a standstill on the other side of the rogues, Imani glared at Bahari, who met her eyes with a strange, vacant expression. Even in the pouring rain, it was clear that his little sidekick was bleeding from his face, and Tenga was closing in for the kill.

"Bahari!" She said, "Give up, and we'll let you and your friend go!"

The lionesses murmured at her words, but she remained resolute. She would at least give the creature one last chance. "We promise!"

She hoped he was smart enough to take it.

//

Bahari stared at the advancing troup of lionesses, then at Tenga, and bowed his head. Even if he killed the king now, this young rogue would simply rip him to shreds and take his kingdom before he had the time to enjoy it.

"Zuzu...." He whispered, "It's over."

Then, slowly, he shifted his gaze to meet Tenga's. The lion was still fiercely baring his teeth. "Dispatch me. Quickly."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Imani's anger dissolve into bewilderment... then horror at his words.

"What?" She breathed, "...You can't do that!"

"What do I have left to live for, now?" He asked her bitterly, turning back to the rogue, "Do it. I know you want to."

"No!" Imani cried, "Tenga, don't!"

[Baya]

Tenga tried to balance out his options in his head while the situation stood before him. If he let Bahari live, then he would surely return one day and probably with a bigger force and take over the land. The rogue looked to Imani for a moment, and stopped baring his teeth. If he killed Bahari, Imani would probably see him as nothing better then Bahari himself. What could he do? What options did he really have?

Tenga closed his eyes and sighed, lifting his head up so that the rain cooled his face down. It was burning with adrenaline. He opened his eyes again and looked forward to Bahari. "Leave. Now. I won't kill you. It would be pointless to take your life." Tenga said in his regular calm, and emotionless manner. The only reason he wanted to save these lands was because of Imani, and if he did it in a way that she wouldn't want then it would kind of kill the point wouldn't it?

The thunder cracked above, and Tenga was just staring at Bahari. He pitied the rogue before him, being nothing more then a scrawny power hungry lion. This battle occurred because of the lion's insecurity. He wanted to feel strong, and thought that by being king that would fulfill his desire. "Power twists the minds of those that have it. If you became king, you'd spiral into your own demise eventually. Save yourself the pain and give up this pointless dream of yours." Tenga murmured as he turned his back on Zuzu and Bahari to examine the king.

"A throne gained through murder leads to tyranny. Tyranny always ends with murder as well." Tenga said quietly, more towards the king then to Bahari.

"Choose an heir. You've taken too much time to do that before. You need someone young to take over already so this doesn't happen again. If not then when you die, all of this will be thrown into chaos and another rogue like Bahari will just arrive and seek the throne." Tenga explained quietly. He then looked to Imani, hoping that he would choose her of all people, since she displayed great leadership skills and bravery today.

[ImaniFaith]

Imani's heart swelled at the wisdom in Tenga's words. Truly he would make a wonderful ruler-- and now he had the opportunity. When Tenga made the offer, she knew he was thinking of her, but she was thinking of him. The lionesses were visibly impressed with him, as was their king, and if he became their ruler, he would never have to leave Grass Walls, and he wouldn't need to feel alone anymore.

King Ajani seemed to be making the same consideration as he studied the powerful young rogue, only for different reasons than she. In spite of his sickness and graying, rain-soaked fur, he held himself up proudly and said, with some of the old majesty that had once made him so beloved, "You are right, Tenga." He said, "And such wisdom as you've displayed today does not come except with much experience. That is why I henceforth name you as my heir."

Imani was elated. Grinning at Tenga, she nodded for him to accept. How she wanted him to stay....

//

Bahari hung his head as all attention turned to the young, victorious rogue. He had been cheated of everything, including an honorable death. What more was left here for him? "Come, Zuzu, let us go."

Miserably, he slunk past the rows of lionesses and prepared to take his leave, but a sudden tap on his side caused him to halt in his tracks. Gazing at him was none other than Leta, and to his surprise, there was pity in her hazel eyes.

"You're welcome to stay in this land." She said firmly, "If you think you can live peaceably with us."

He raised his eyebrows, shocked by her offer, "That is very kind of you." He muttered ashamedly, "But I doubt your king will allow that after what I've done."

"I think our new king might be a bit more open-minded." She smiled, "Why don't you ask him?"

Gazing back at the scene, he wondered to himself at what might be in his future if he accepted her proposal. Could he lead a fulfilling life without having his own pride? Could he actually make a difference, as Imani believed she could, without being royalty?

He looked at Zuzu, and he felt a pang of regret at the sight of blood on the tiny rogue's face. His selfishness had almost cost him the only friend he'd had. If he was able to give them a better home, should he not at least try? After all, it was the best they could hope for now.

"Well, Zuzu." He asked softly, "What do you think? Shall I ask?"

[Baya]

Tenga's eyes widened slightly as he stepped back. The king had just asked him to be king of the very lands he was trying to save in Imani's name! He looked down for a moment, his expression calm and his mane sticking to his forehead due to it's wetness. Tenga looked around at the lionesses that were looking to him, with none of them opposed to the idea. Tenga stared longer at Imani however, and saw how happy she was.

This was his chance then. His chance to stay in the Grass Walls, and keep Imani happy. However, he'd have to expand his caring to the other lionesses. Though none of them he would care for like Imani. She was the whole reason he was elected king in the first place. Had she not bumped into him three days ago, Tenga would've just moved on and continued living his lonely purposeless life. Tenga could not decline the responsibility of being king, as he would protect Imani and the land with his life anyways. The heir looked to King Ajani with no true expression.

"I would be honored to rule these lands. Under my watch, it will prosper and I will do my best to keep all of you safe and happy." Tenga said in his emotionless way, looking at the lionesses once more.

//

Zuzu smiled wide from the outcome. Sure he probably got a scar from Tenga's swipe but that scar would remind him of his own devotion to Bahari. Zuzu was glad Bahari was giving up his plans of becoming king through murder and deceit. He walked alongside his boss, and friend being given the order.

When Zuzu and Bahari were stopped by Imani, Zuzu listened quietly to what Imani's offer was. He really did hope Bahari would choose to stay, because this land had everything they needed. Sure, food was a little scarce, but it actually had rain and water. When Zuzu was asked his opinion on the matter, his ears perked up. "I say we should ask. Tenga isn't like other rogues. If he was, you and I would be dead!" Zuzu pointed out, his eyes wide.

[ImaniFaith]

Smiling through the rain, Imani regarded her new king-- and her dearest friend. He stood proud and tall in the midst of his subjects as Ajani stepped off to the side. She knew Tenga would let the old king live out the rest of his days in peace, and establish the land in the way that Ajani hoped he would.

As she continued to watch the scene, she suddenly became aware of a presence at her side-- Bahari. He was making his way toward Tenga.

Immediately, she tensed; but then, strangely enough, the tawny rogue bowed his head to the new king, and said, in a soft, choked voice, "Your majesty, I realize I have no right to ask, but I am almost as old as the king whose place you have taken here.... I deserve banishment, but I seek mercy. May I live out my last few years peacefully alongside your pride?"

When Tenga didn't reply, Bahari seemed to quiver, "I vow to accept my place as your subordinate, and... help your subjects, as I am able."

Imani 's eyes were wide. Everyone began to whisper to each other at once, shocked at the rogue's request. Naturally, she herself was suspicious of his motives... but then, Leta came up and nudged her, grinning. Raising a brow in confusion, Imani looked back up to Tenga, to see what he would say.

[Baya]

Tenga looked towards Bahari with a slight frown. Was he being serious? Did Bahari honestly want to stay and help with the pride? Or was he thinking of another plan to take the kingdom? It was obvious Bahari could not kill Tenga, but Tenga still had doubts. However, it would be unfair to not give Bahari a chance, as a chance was given to him by these pride lionesses. He wanted to be a fair ruler so he nodded his head.

"You may stay. Though if anything happens that is out of the ordinary, don't think I won't realize it. I'll link it straight back to you and you will be banished from this land, back to the rogue desert." Tenga warned quietly.

Zuzu beamed at the news and he began to frolic in the rain once again. Tenga approached Imani slowly and looked into her eyes.

"You know, a queen would make this rule far more enjoyable too." Tenga muttered with a smile towards her. He hoped she caught the hint. If anyone was going to rule by his side, it would be Imani.

[ImaniFaith]

Imani's face was as hot as if someone had set fire to it. She wanted so badly to reply yes... but what would everyone think?

A quick glance behind her, however, told her all she needed to know. While it was true that some of the lionesses were frowning and raising their brows, Leta was beaming ear-to-ear at her daughter, and that was enough for Imani.

She met Tenga's gaze and said, with a teasing smile, "I'm sure whoever you choose will be more than willing."

Meanwhile, Bahari watched this all taking place with a curious sort of emotion inside him. Was that it? After all he had done, and even with their mixed feelings towards him, had these lions truly accepted him as a member of their pride?

It almost made him... happy.

However, as he watched Imani accept Tenga's offer to be queen, he realized with a start that he had another apology to make; but this one would have to wait until a more opportune time.

Until then, perhaps he should begin to get to know the others, like the older lioness who had chosen to give him a second chance... Imani's mother.

Leta.

[Baya]

Tenga smiled as he nuzzled Imani, their wet furs making contact and almost making them stick to each other. It was at this point Tenga opened his eyes, and they widened at something behind Imani. He broke the embrace gently, and quickly walked around her to see a green sprout coming out from the ground. "It seems as though this rainfall is giving life to the land again." Tenga said with a small smile. He then looked to his queen and at all the lionesses.

"Do you all have a den?" Tenga asked, not really seeing one any where in sight. He didn't want any of them to catch ill, especially his new queen.

Zuzu stopped frolicking for a moment and then quickly walked up to Tenga. "There's an abandoned den not far from here! You can use that!" Zuzu said with a wide grin. "There's some bones in there though, so you gotta clean up before using it." Zuzu added. Tenga sighed.

"Lead the way then." Tenga said in monotone. Zuzu beamed as he began to run. Tenga ran after the ex-rogue and looked behind him to see the lionesses following.