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

[Baya]

Usugu overheard everything they said. Where was Tenga now to listen to the future queen of the kingdom? Threatening one of her own pride! Usugu snorted, knowing that she would be the first on his list. When they got close to the entrance of the den, and Usugu saw how defensive everyone got, his eyes locked onto Lesedi's.

"Don't make such bold threats, especially so loudly. You never know, I might not even target you or your mate, but something far more valuable." Usugu said in monotone as he walked into the den. He would let her figure out what that meant, and see how she'd react.

Tenga looked to Usugu as he walked in with his mother. "Usugu. Why would you have run away with an injured paw? Did you damage your head as well?" Tenga asked, in a slight growl. Regardless of his actions, Tenga still loved his son and didn't like the idea of him going out there with an injured paw.

"No, but I came to a realization. You were right about me father. So was everyone else in the pride. I would just be a tyrant. Perhaps, even worse with all that has happened. Though, one mistake you made was naming Tinashe heir over me however. Tinashe will probably feel the regret for that mistake." Usugu said in a calm and collected tone. To Tenga it almost sounded like the devil was whispering that message in his ear. The fact that Usugu was not upset about all of this really disturbed Tenga. Almost scared him.

"Usugu, you smell of rogue. Where have you been?" Tenga growled, upset that his son had broken another rule.

"The barren lands. Though I guess you already knew that, or you wouldn't have been so upset." Usugu murmured, with a bold look on his face. Tenga was outraged at how much out of place his son was going! Tenga almost felt like striking his son or banishing him, but he thought of Imani. What would his mate think of him doing either of those things?

"Usugu, even though you won't be king, you will still be part of this pride. You have all the responsibilities of a male around here. When that paw heals up, you will start hunting with the lionesses." Tenga murmured as he turned his back on his son and walked outside the den to Lesedi and Tinashe.

"Tinashe, I want you to keep an eye on your brother. Whatever happened in the barren lands...changed him. I'm afraid whatever your brother was is lost now Tinashe. You must not feel pity or compassion for him when he does wrong, as he would not give you the same treatment." Tenga explained sadly.

[ImaniFaith]

Tinashe nodded, but deep down he knew he could not be so cold about his own brother without good cause. Usugu used to be such a kind, protective sibling-- how could he have become such a monster?

Meanwhile, Lesedi was seething. Something 'far more valuable' than her or her mate? What-- or, rather, who-- could that possibly be? A tough case herself, she knew that if she'd said something like that, she'd probably be hinting at taking down the king himself, "You'd better watch it, Your Majesty." She said grimly, "I think your oldest has it out for you."

To her chagrin, Tinashe nuzzled her gently, "You're the one who needs to watch it. You're gonna' get yourself killed spouting off like that."

"I know what I'm doing." She huffed, though now she wasn't so sure. Had her big mouth actually put someone she loved in danger? How would she be able to live with herself if Usugu harmed another because of her?

Her mate smiled, "I know, just be careful."

Frowning, Lesedi shrugged him off her. "Worrywart."

//

Had she heard him right? Imani thought. Had she actually heard Usugu threaten to target someone? It made her almost regret going after him.

And as for Lesedi, her determination to stand by her mate and protect him reminded her of herself when she was young. She would make a fine queen, even if she was a little too brash.

As she prepared to enter the den, she was surprised by a light scritching on her back, and looked around to see the messenger swallow tapping her with its feet, "Uh, yes?"

"Is the king available right now, My Queen?"

"He should be...." She said slowly, not sure if she was right or not. "Why?"

"It's the rhinos, Ma'am! They are still very angry about what the prince said to them earlier, and they don't feel that the king handled the situation well. They would like to speak to him again."

She sighed in exasperation. The last thing her mate needed was more trouble right now, "Take me to the rhinos. I'll handle it this time."

The sparrow seemed surprised, but only nodded, "As you wish, My Grace. Follow me."

It would only take a few minutes, an hour-- tops; then she would be able to come home and straighten things out without having to worry about anyone else's problems.

Little did she know how wrong she was....

[Baya]

The leader of the rhinos was waiting at the usual meeting place, feeling outraged that one of his kind had been attacked by one of the lions. It was even more disturbing knowing that the attacker was the son of the king. The rhino's adviser had spoken to Tenga about the matter, but the leader himself was not satisfied with what was done to deal with the boy. It was for this reason he summonsed the king back for another discussion.

When he noticed that instead of Tenga, the Queen Imani had arrived he snorted angrily through his nostrils. When she sat in front of him, he shook his head. "I asked for the KING! Not you." The rhino snorted with a glare at Imani. [OOC: Btw, you can take control of the rhino leader if you wish. It is essential for your next post]

//

Meanwhile back at the den everything had actually quieted down. Much of the pride lions were still weary of Usugu, but very few of them were actually beginning to get comfortable around him again. Of course, these were the lionesses that believed neither Tenga nor Tinashe deserved to hold the throne. They preferred that Usugu rule over either of them, even if his rule WOULD be tyrannical.

Usugu was napping, and Tenga was sitting outside wondering where on earth Imani was. She said she had to deal with something, but nothing further. He hoped it wasn't something too dangerous.

[ImaniFaith]

Imani took a deep breathe, trying to remain calm. She wasn't too keen on rhinos, due to their continued interference with her mate's reign, and was fighting to think of something peaceable to say that would diffuse the latest situation. "The king is ill, so I came in his stead. He will see you again when he is better."

"A weak and sickly king, eh? Just like our last ruler!" Snorts of laughter went up over the plain, "But he seemed fine to me earlier."

"Our son's ignorant act of cruelty weighs on him."

"Ignorant is right!" The leader shouted, "And we will no longer take your kind lording yourselves over us!"

Imani didn't like the look in his beady eyes, but she refused to back away. Something she had learned in her time as queen was to look strong even when you didn't feel it. "Usugu will no longer be King of Grass Walls. Tinashe has been given the title instead. You know that he has always been kind to you."

"And has his brother been banished for his deed?"

Here, Imani faltered. She should have known that the blow-hard rhinos would demand something like this. "No. I believe we can do more good for him if he is here to learn from our example."

The leader's pupils pinpointed dangerously, "You? And what right do you have to make such a decision? That is the king's right alone!"

"The king was kind enough to consent to my wishes." It was going wrong. Everything was going wrong....

"So!" He raised his voice, and all the rhinos stomped their feet, "You are responsible for keeping the wayward prince in our lands-- you are holding influence over our king!"

Before she had time to react, he had charged, horns low and aiming a straight shot at her. "Then you shall be the one to pay for Usugu's crime!"

//

Lesedi sighed, frowning over her back into the den. She didn't even feel safe in there, anymore, with Tinashe's idiot brother around. Worse yet, a handful of their own lionesses-- mostly the younger ones who thought Usugu was 'hot', Lesedi thought with disgust-- were arguing that Usugu hadn't done anything bad enough to lose the throne. Tenga had silenced them, for now, but they were sulking-- and sulking subjects always spelled trouble.

"Poor, Cubs." She smirked at her mate, "No more time to laze around now, huh?"

Glancing up at the sky, she saw that the sun had begun to set in the horizon-- an end to one of the longest days of her life. It was almost time for the evening hunt.... "Where's Imani?"

"I don't know." Tinashe replied, a troubled look on his face, "She was going out to talk to the rhinos, but it shouldn't have taken this long."

Standing up, she stretched, "Rhinos are a pain. Don't worry, I'll go get her. Maybe we can hunt for something on the way back."

Before he could protest, she grinned, licked him, and took off in a run. It felt good to get away for awhile.

[Baya]

[OOC: Lol, at the "hot" comment xD]

Usugu felt a weird churning in his stomach, wondering why his mother had been out so long. The moon was high in the sky, and under usual circumstances Imani was home by now. Tonight Usugu knew something had gone wrong. He stood without lifting his paw, noticing that Lesedi had gone out in search of Imani. Usugu then looked to Tenga.

"My king -" Usugu started, but then he heard the loud squawk of a messenger as it flew into the den.

"Murder! Treason! Breach of treaty!" The messenger bellowed. Usugu's eyes narrowed.

"The Queen! The Queen is dead!" The messenger stuttered. Tenga's eyes widened and he grabbed the Messenger by the tail.

"Where? Who?! Tell me right now! So help me if you are lying!" Tenga roared in worry. The messenger gulped, pointing outside the den. "

"Th-The rhinos sire! The rhino's have killed her during a negotiation!" The messenger whimpered. Tenga looked to the rest of the pride as he bounded out the den. Many of the lionesses followed, even Usugu's supporters whom liked Imani far more then Tenga. Usugu was left to limp his way to where it had happened.

The messenger was leading the way to the grass walled plains and already Tenga could see the rhinos, Lesedi and a brown heap of fur on the ground. Tenga roared "No! Imani!" Tenga panted as he boldly stepped onto the plains without even acknowledging the leader of the rhinos.

He looked to his dead mates body, and he began to do something he had never done since he was a cub. Tears swelled in the once proud king's eyes and he buried his face in his mate's neck. The lionesses looked around in horror at their deceased Queen. The sorrow in Tenga's heart was quickly replaced by rage.

"You!" Tenga snarled as he turned his gaze to the rhinos. "You will pay for this! There will be no peace as long as you are on these lands! The deal has changed! Either you leave, or you DIE!" Tenga roared, glaring directly at their leader.

Slowly wobbling along came Usugu, pushing through the crowd gently. When he saw his mother dead, his eyes widened. His heart was broken. The only lioness that showed him even a bit of compassion throughout his life, was gone. Usugu wanted to cry, but he just couldn't. He felt the cub inside finally die, and now he would never be the same. He boldly walked in front of Imani's corpse.

"You took my mothers life over a few words. That is unjust, isn't it?" Usugu murmured. Tenga looked to his son, panting. What was he going to say now to make it worse!

[ImaniFaith]

Lesedi had grinned as she'd left Tinashe to run in the plains. Her new mate-- and old friend-- was such a worrywart. Didn't he know by now that she wasn't one to lay back and let the males do everything?

Besides, it had been a while since she'd spent some quality time with Imani. The lioness was more of a mother to her than her own had been. Tonight, they could have a chance to talk-- just two girls-- and catch up on all that needed to be said.

As she reached the plains, however, Lesedi slowed. Something didn't smell right. The stench of rhino hung in the air, which she had naturally expected, considering that Imani had gone to meet with them; but there was also the smell of... blood.

Lion's blood.

Lesedi's heart stopped, then began to pound. Just a few yards away, a band of rhinos were clustered around... something; and with horror, Lesedi knew what it had to be.

With a gutteral roar, she charged at them, but they smugly stood aside to let her through. Coming to a halt, she searched their faces, and saw sadistic pleasure in each and every eye. They wanted her to see, she realized.

"No...."

There, sprawled on the ground and drenched in her own blood, lay the Queen of Grass Walls, and one of Lesedi's only friends. "Imani!"

The lioness shuddered at the sound of her name, attempting to rise, but Lesedi raced to her side before she could strain herself any further. Blood was still flowing copiously from the gaping wound in her chest, and it was a miracle she had survived this long. "Les... run." The words were garbled and choked, "Get ...away...."

Tears gushed from Lesedi's eyes, "I'm not leaving you!" Though she knew it was far too late, she nuzzled Imani's neck and pleaded, "Please, you can't die! Tinashe needs you-- I need you!"

Sobbing, she whispered, "You're the only real mother I've ever had...."

The rhinos were watching gleefully; Lesedi desperately tried to block their snickers out as she looked into Imani's fading brown eyes, "I-- I love you."

There was one last flicker, one last burst of light that shone forth, and Imani smiled, mouthing the words-- four beautiful words, "I love you too."

And then, the light was gone, and all that had ever been inside her vanished, as if it had never been. Her body went limp, and Lesedi roared in agony.

The messenger sparrow, who had never left the scene, had helplessly watched it all take place, and now flew with all his might to tell the king.

//

When Lesedi next opened her eyes, Tenga and the others were racing towards her. Quickly, she backed away from Imani's body, but then froze, unsure of where else to go. The only lioness who had ever loved her, who had acted as a mother to her while she grew up, was dead. The only thing that kept her from throwing herself to the rhinos-- and to her death-- was the sight of her mate's tear-streaked and helpless face. He needed her. Slowly, she walked to him, and lay her head against his cheek.

When Usugu made his stand against the rhino, she felt fury blacken her soul, "'Unjust'? 'Unjust'?! Don't talk about justice to them! It's your fault Imani's-- " Unable to speak the word, she burst into a fresh torrent of tears.

//

The sight of his mother's prone corpse had instantly reduced Tinashe to heaving sobs. Unlike Lesedi, however, he could not find the words to express his feelings, and merely wept as his mate confronted his brother.

He didn't even have the heart to protest her accusation; he only prayed that it would not make things even worse than they already were.

If that were possible.

[Baya]

Usugu felt his rage build up, and this time he did not hold back. He looked to Lesedi, and roared angrily. Some of the pride lionesses stared in fear of Usugu, and Tenga's eyes widened in surprise. This was the first time Usugu had managed a full fledged roar. Tenga was afraid of what his son might do now, but what was more on his mind was punishing the rhinos for what they had done.

"Who are you? Miserable rogue filth!" Usugu snarled. Zuzu jumped in between Lesedi and Usugu with a saddened look on his face.

"Do not make this situation any worse Usugu. She's just upset." Zuzu said calmly, trying to keep what little peace they had left. Usugu pushed past Zuzu, and glared at Lesedi. Usugu then looked to see if his brother would say anything to defend him. He snorted and shook his head.

"Won't say anything will you Tinashe? You are on her side too. You blame me for mother's death. Very well then brother. I've lost every ounce of respect I had for you. Little that was left that is." Usugu murmured as he began to walk away.

Tenga watched his son walk away. He sighed. He failed as a mate, a king and a father. How much more pain could this day bring before ending?

Zuzu looked disapprovingly at Lesedi. "Regardless of how horrible Usugu is, you just struck a blow that should not have been struck Lesedi. You just tore out his heart." Zuzu said quietly with a shake of his head in disappointment. "Imani meant more to him, then you could ever imagine. You have lots of people that care about you in the pride, and I'm afraid Imani was the only one that cared for him anymore." Zuzu explained, as he walked over to Imani's corpse, then at Usugu who was slowly limping away from view.

"Now, the proud prince walks from his home, having nothing left to stay for. Though I have a feeling that we will see him again under far more horrible terms." Zuzu said quietly.

Tenga continued to nuzzle his deceased mate's body, before finally lifting his head the streaks of tears on his face visible. His ears flattened against his head and he slowly began to walk back to the den.

//

Usugu's heart was bleeding, and Lesedi had been the one that tore it open. He vowed that she would suffer far more then Tinashe, Tenga or anyone else that had ever mistreated him. He felt betrayed. He felt guilty. He felt enraged. Though he was hoping the comforting words of Busara would put his mind to ease.

Usugu made his way slowly to the barren lands, hoping with all that remained of his heart that Busara was there. She had to be, or else Usugu would die a lonely and hollow death. He made his way slowly down the familiar hillside, and looked around the field of bones.

"Busara? Where are you?" Usugu shouted, looking around. His heart skipped several beats, and he sighed. "Busara!" Usugu shouted. When he saw the two cyan eyes within the darkness, he was relieved. She was all he had left. She was his only hope to becoming king, and crushing those that opposed him.

"I heard what happened my king." She said as she walked out of the shadows, and slowly found her way towards him. "I also heard your mighty roar. You sounded very fierce. Threw a chill down my spine, and I began to anticipate the next time we would meet." She said quietly as she sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"We have to leave here Busara. There is nothing left for me in these lands. We must leave, and one day return." Usugu murmured quietly as he gazed into her cyan eyes whilst she looked absently into the sky.

"My king, I would follow you to the underworld and back. Just promise me you won't let any males try and take me. I want to be your queen, and yours only." She whispered quietly. Usugu knew not why she was so affectionate towards him, nor did he really think the feeling was all that mutual. However, he needed her and she needed him. That much was obvious.

"I wouldn't have let them take you, even if you didn't ask." Usugu said reassuringly, in a monotone. She smiled and giggled.

"I know. I just wanted to see if you'd answer the way I'd want you to. You did. Now, when do we leave?" She asked quietly, her ears flat against her head in content.

[ImaniFaith]

After the death of their queen, the rowdy young lionesses who had supported Usugu began to quiet down. Some of them, much to Lesedi's displeasure, had even taken a liking to her mate-- too much of a liking. Fortunately, Tinashe had other things on his mind than his doting fans.

Imani's death had hurt them all-- broken them, in a sense-- and even in the following months after the incident, the healing process was barely in the beginning stages. However, as much as Lesedi and her mate were suffering, she pitied Tenga more than she did anyone-- save perhaps Imani's aging mother. For Tenga now seemed a shadow of his proud self, and she knew he wept when he was alone, as she herself did.

Still, there was a light, a tiny pinpoint of amazing joy that had found its way into their lives, and her name was Amara.

It was too soon to tell what kind of personality their daughter would have, but in form, she was almost a perfect composite of them both. Born with Lesedi's soft, delicate beauty, but with the dark coloring of her father and... best of all... Imani's large brown eyes. Even Tenga seemed to brighten at the sight of her.

However, the birth of her daughter caused Lesedi more concern: for she knew that Usugu was still out there, plotting his revenge. She could not-- and would not-- allow anyone else she loved to die.

She vowed it.

[Baya]

After several months, Usugu and Busara had traveled across the desert in search of refuge until they could strike at the Grass Walled plains. Of course that was probably not going to happen as the deserts were far more desolate than the barren lands. Usugu tried his best to keep Busara alive. He gave her his food, his water and defended her the best he could from males. By the time both of them were adults, Busara and him had gotten alot closer.

When the two were returning to the Grass Walled plains, word reached Usugu's ear of a new princess being born to Lesedi and Tinashe. The idea made his spine shiver with the prospect of revenge! What would hurt Lesedi more, then taking the life of her cub and pointing out it was HER fault? That would definitely but the so called Queen in her place!

Usugu was nearing the boarder of the Grass walled plains, his now mighty foot steps pushing sand out of his way as he did so. His cold teal eyes gazed at the plains, taking note of the absence of the rhinos. He placed a paw on the soft earth of the Grass Walled plains, and sighed deeply. He then looked to his left for Busara to catch up.

Busara didn't take too long, but she was exhausted. She was panting and needed rest. She almost fell when she crossed the boarder but Usugu quickly supported her with his head. "You are tired. You can rest right here if you so please." Usugu murmured in monotone, his voice only a tad bit different from Tenga's.

"No. I don't want to be a burden my king." She murmured with a troubled look on her face.

"I can't have you dying now can I? You are all I really have left. So just take a rest." Usugu assured. Busara smiled and lowered herself to the ground slowly, and letting out a sigh of relief.

//

Tenga had seen much since Usugu left. He saw Lesedi and Tinashe grow up, take up the position of rulers of the land and have a cub. Tenga missed Imani dearly, thinking of her everyday when he looked up at the stars. However, as much as he missed Imani, it almost seemed as she had been reincarnated as his grand daughter, Amara.

Amara was the most adorable little cub Tenga had ever laid his eyes on. She inherited a great many things from Tinashe like Imani's brown eyes and fur. Tenga wondered if she would develop Lesedi's personality.

[ImaniFaith]

If you have never seen an African night, you have missed out on one of the most beautiful sights anyone could ever see. The stars shine like a multitude of diamonds in a black velvet sky, and underneath are the vast plains which ripple and stretch to an endless horizon.

Amara never missed such a sight.

In looks, she had taken more after her father after all, though not quite so angular. She was pretty rather than beautiful, as her mother was; and yet she did not seem to be bothered much by this-- though the lionesses murmered often that it was a pity. Though she was still only a cub, it was obvious to everyone whose personality she had inherited-- and it was not of either of her parents. It was that of her grandmother....

Imani.

Lesedi hadn't realized it as quickly as Tinashe or Tenga had, but when she did, she praised the Great Spirit for His graciousness. It felt as though she were now able to pay Imani back for the kindness she had shown her when she was a cub-- by raising a cub so much like Imani herself.

Another benefit of having Amara around went unnoticed by Lesedi, but not by everyone else. For the queen's passionate and often confrontational demeanor had been mellowed under the influence of motherhood, leaving a somewhat calmer and more reasonable lioness to rule over Grass Walls.

Tonight, however, mother and daughter were not thinking about any of this. Instead, they were gazing up at the stars.

"Your grandmother used to do this with me all the time when I was small." Lesedi smiled softly. "She knew all the legends of the stars, all the stories.... I wish I remembered more."

"Just tell me what you know, and I bet Grandpa can tell me the rest."

Lesedi still chuckled at the thought of the proud and fierce Tenga being a 'Grandpa'. "Yeah, I'm sure he can."

"Momma?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is Grandpa so sad?"

The lionesses' green eyes widened in the dark, and pain washed though her chest, "He misses Grandma very much... and I think he misses his son."

"But Daddy's right here."

She shook her head, "Your daddy had an older brother, who left before you were born-- the day your grandmother died."

The cub frowned, "Why?"

"Because it was his fault." Her voice was cold. "And he knew it."

"He killed her?!"

"Not on purpose-- but it was still his fault." Lesedi sighed, thinking of Zuzu's words that day, "He... loved her, but not enough. Not enough to change."

"Did she love him?"

She faltered, frowning, "... Yeah, she did."

"Then she probably didn't mind."

Lesedi stared at her daughter, shocked by the idea. Even now, she was furious at Usugu for the role he played in Imani's death; it had never occurred to her that the lioness would actually have forgiven her son for it.

... It made her think.