[Open] Kopa's Pride

[TheWhistlerify]

Laini cloed her eyes and tried to relax now that it was quiet around her. She just smiled at her mate as he walked off, hoping that he'll managed to catch something. She closed her eyes again, when she suddenly heard the male zebra in the distance, and opened her eyes just in time to see Mheetu getting thrown right off. She got all worried and was about to get up, but remained on her side when she noticed Mheetu get back up. As he finished talking she grinned back at him, he always managed to bring some humor into almost any situation, even when he just got himself hurt, "Yeah, maybe." she said, before going back to her sunbath

[kmay571]

Pity flooded through Ashiki's mind as she watched the lioness. Kichaa was right. If they did not help her now, the brown lioness would not make it through the night. "Okay, Chiwa." she purred. "We going to help you."

She locked eyes with Kichaa for a moment, before looking over to the carcass. This was going to be a hard task. The zebra was at least one hundred pounds heavier than her, and the lioness was going to be a dead weight. "That sounds fair." she responded to her friend. "I'll carry the zebra. You will carry Chiwa."

Finishing her statement, Ashiki grabbed the zebra by the throat and proceeded to drag it back to the pride. "At least it isn't too far." she thought to herself.

[Superdoglac]

"Nice to meet you Chiwa. I'm Kichaa and this is Ashiki." Kichaa heard Ashiki's response and nodded. The zebra was heavier than Chiwa but one had to be more careful when carrying the lioness. All in all, it was a fair deal either way. As Ashiki grabbed the zebra, Kichaa bent down next to Chiwa. "Okay, this is going to hurt. I promise I'll try to get you to our pride as fast and calmly as possible. When we get there you can rest and have some zebra!" Upon saying that, Kichaa's stomach growled. "Wow, I'm hungry" she thought to herself. With that, she crawled underneath Chiwa's waist and stood up so the lioness hung over her. She was heavier than Kichaa thought and she had to dig her nails into the earth to keep herself up. After a deep breath Kichaa slowly but surly began to follow Ashiki.

[kmay571]

The trek was hardest up the path. She looked back at Kichaa a few times to make sure she was managing. The zebra's body was still warm, and blood still flowed from his torn throat. It soaked her muzzle and dripped into her mouth. She was hungry. And so was Kichaa, since she heard her stomach growl once or twice.

The path was narrow, but it was still wide enough for the pair to travel safely up to the den. Ashiki extended her claws for the steepest parts of the climb. She could feel the dirt under her paws. The mist of the waterfall kept this trail fresh and cool, as well as kept the trail packed and moist. Her claws left small intents in the soil.

But soon enough she could see the top. "We're almost there!" she growled around the zebra. With one last lunge, she carried the zebra over the lip of the cliff.

She pulled it out of the way of Kichaa and Chiwa and dropped it. "Someone! Help!" She called out.

[TheWhistlerify]

Laini was still resting in the sun when her mind wandered off to her and Mheetu's the soon-to-be-born cubs. Even though she never experienced having cubs before, it felt like she was carrying at least two, maybe even three. The thought of becoming a mother was very exciting, but the birth it-self could be anytime, even in a few more seconds! It would be painful, she knew, but that didn't worry her too much, her excitement got over her fear of the pain.

All of a sudden she heard Ashiki's call. She opened her eyes to see the lioness climbing from the cliff with a dead zebra on her back. She was glad that at least Ashiki caught something, since her mate's attempt wasn't a very succesful one.

Then Ashiki called out again, this time asking for help, so Laini forced herself up to her feet, despite the heavy weight in her belly and the big temptation to just lay back down. She began walking over so she could help her friend with the zebra. Then Kichaa arrived at the top, she was also carrying something, but it didn't seem dead. Laini's eyes widened when she realised it was a lioness, one she'd never seen before, and according to how she was being carried, the lioness seemed to be injured.

She arrived by the top of the cliff a few moments later, breathing heavily from the walk she had forced on herself before turning to Ashiki and Kichaa, looking at the injured lioness as she spoke, "Who is this? What happend to her?" she askd as she inspected the lioness, trying to figure out how bad were her injuries. But she couldn't tell, though it was obvious that the lioness couldn't walk, and would have to stay with them for a while whether she wanted to or not. She might even decide to stay once she was fully healed, and the though made Laini's worried feelings fade a little. "Here, let me help you with that." she said, crawling under the part of the zebra which was being dragged on the ground and placing it on her back. It was heavy, especially for her, but she could handle it untill they arrived back at the den.

[kmay571]

She took a breath as she listened to the pregnant lioness. "This is Chiwa. We don't know anything else about her. We think she got hurt while we were hunting. Maybe by the zebra herd." She licked her lips and carried the zebra a few more feet. The den was only a few yards away. But suddenly the zebra felt lighter, so she turned to see Laini struggling with the other half of the zebra. "Oh, Laini, don't strain yourself. He isn't going to go much farther anyways. But she-" Ashiki motioned towards Kichaa and Chiwa. "-does. Has anyone found Kopa? And where's Kitama?" Words flowed out of her mouth. She was stressed, and the lashing of her tail made it clear. "Laini, go ahead and get the your favorite part of the beast. You and those cubs must be hungry for breakfast." she paused, looking at the sun. It had been a few hours at least. "Or lunch?"

[XeaxlXV]

Bora, who had been napping on his rock, woke up, hearing a conversation going on between members of the pride, and opened his eyes only to find Laini wasn't there, and neither was Kopa. As he looked around, he saw the hunting party returning with Laini helping out. Seeing this made him worried, as he knew that she shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous this close to birth. Knowing this, he ran towards them, intending to help out with the zebra. However, when he saw Ashiki holding another lioness, he was confused, and stopped a few feet in front of her. "What's going on here? Who is this lioness?" He asked, a look of confusion and concern on his face.

[TheWhistlerify]

As Ashiki insisted on carrying the zebra herself, Laini stopped carrying her half, stretching as the load was no longer on her back. She looekd at Chiwa as they walked, she had so many questions for the injured lioness, but now wasn't the right time. Maybe she'll talk to her later once she felt better. "I haven't seen either of them today." she said, wandering where could those two be. She went over to the zebra, smiling appreciatively at Ashiki before slowly beginning to eat when Bora came, "Her name's Chiwa." she said before returning to her meal. She would have said more if she knew more

[Superdoglac]

Kichaa heard murmers and questions going through the pride as she walked by. She found a shady part and laid down, letting Chiwa's limp body roll off of her back. She wasn't moving but breathing, she must have just passed out during the walk back. Kichaa stretched out her legs and plopped next to Chiwa with a thud. Ashiki explained the senerio and Kichaa was grateful for it. A lioness her size should be stronger but she was young, not having enough time for her muscles to get as powerful as they could be. Thus, the road back was harder than she thought. Kichaa wanted to lay there in the shade forever but a few moments later, her stomach grumbled, reminding her to eat. Kichaa got back up and made her way over to the zebra, patiently waiting her turn. Due to her age, she got some of the last pieces of meat, that's just how the hierarchy worked. But pregnant mother should get priority anyway, and one day when she's old, she'll get the better parts.

[kmay571]

Ashiki looked over at Bora. "As Laini said, the stranger is Chiwa. She got hurt somehow. We decided it was best to bring her here rather than let the hyenas get to her." She shivered. She had been told horror stories about the dreaded beasts. Stories of death and pain. The lioness shook her head, clearing her mind of the dark thoughts.

A soft thud made Ashiki's ears twitch. She turned her head as Kichaa plopped down. "Poor girl." She thought, she kept forgetting the lioness was still very young. Her large frame, being taller than Ashiki herself, led many to believe she was stronger and older than actually was. Instantly, a pang of guilt echoed through her mind, but the zebra would have been heavier for her.

She licked her lips, trying to lick off the blood that had stained her fur. She started grooming, now realizing she was covered in zebra blood.