The Last King

[genie]

Ayele padded along softy as his sister went off over to the prince and they had stopped briefly while she dealt with him and he had flopped down on the ground to rest while she did her thing. Then she came back and he got back onto his feet and started walking again, Ayesha asked if he was ok walking and he simple turned his head and nodded with a smile and seemingly to illustrate this he started running ahead, though admittedly with his size 'running' was a loose definition of it and wasn't a great deal faster than walking.

[cheezeegriff]

(by the way all - you can assume we're in the very top left corner of this image, but that roads and houses don't yet exist: www.atourz.ca/travelbooking/images/upload/05Days_victoriaFallsAndChobyFlyIn1.jpg)


" Oh kesho, thats a lovely gesture, but I don't need that..whats it going to make me.. nothing that I aren't already , I am who I am, take it or leave it ."

Usiku shook her head, then walked over to Ayesha and Judas.
"You silly liopard. A noble is someone who has power granted to them by the King. It's given to them because the King trusts them and wants them to act on their behalf. If Kesho wants you to be a noble it means he wants you to have authority. Isn't that right, Kesho?"

Kesho nodded, eyes wide with amazement.

"So I wouldn't turn it down if I were you. Power is corrupting only to the weak, and how you use it is up to you. You might use it to protect Kesho against... certain unknown factors."

She nodded her head towards Umoja and Katakasha.

"Now, let's head down to the river. It's wider here, and flows slower. This being my master's territory too, there won't be any crocodiles."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Umoja shook his head, still grinning on the half of his face he showed to Katakasha.

"I don't pity you. I pity the Katakasha that existed before, but not the Katakasha of today. You're just a shadow, lying to yourself that somehow, a broken gemstone is of more value than a complete one, because the edges are sharper.
"Let me know when the Katakasha that cares for Prince Keshomaliki comes back. I would really like to meet her."
Without giving her a chance to respond he strode back to the rest of the group. For all intents and purposes it looked like Usiku had been talking about him, and he paused, seeing them all look at him, and approached cautiously.
"We're on the move again?" he asked, and Usiku nodded.

"Down to the river for water. We're not far out though, you know. Before noon we'll be under the shade of the falls. Can I suggest that we push on until then?"

Umoja looked to the little prince on Ayesha's back, then at Ayesha herself, cocking his eyebrow as if to ask, what do you think?

[Dakota]

Ayesha blushed under the stare and critisism she was receiving from the panther, it wasn't her fault that she didn't know anything about court and all their going ons.

"I'm sorry Kesho, I didn't mean to ridicule what you offered to me, I honestly didn't realise what importance it held, I was never around you royals, it was mainly my mother who spent time with your parents.. but if you wish to give me any gifts, how about we start with you helping me, to help you get better... and then later on, if you so want and you remember you can talk to me about it again... and no matter whether I am a noble or not I will protect and care for you, the same with Judas."

Looking back at Usiku, she held her look, as if Ayesha dared her to carry on about it any more, there were more important things to think about for the time being. Seeing Umoja approach with a curious look on his face, Ayesha spoke quietly to the panther
"I thank you for your concerns about the prince and it will be taken on board"

Stepping in a bit closer to Judas, her eyes watched the lion as he talked, she couldn't find fault with him, he showed concern and leadership in his own proud way. yet she still wondered... what if.
Realising Umoja was now watching her ,watch him, she blinked to clear her thoughts, as he asked her a silent question. Ayesha knew the travelling was taking a toll on the prince, but they couldn't stop now, all she could do was keep his mind off the pain, and make sure he was kept comfortable. Nodding her head briefly, she gave him her answer.

Looking at Judas with a smile "did you hear that.. water at last.. maybe when we get to the falls after I've taken care of Kesho and Ayele, I can clean your foot and tend to your wounds, and then.. nothing more I would like is a swim. Just the thought, bought a wide grin to her muzzle. 'You think you would like to join me, or would you want to rest.?"

[Judas]

The soldier just kept one ear on conversation and another on his surroundings. You could never be too careful as they say, even though he kept an ear on the conversation he didn’t actually try to listen except the panther’s last words about their directional heading and where they would soon end up.

His attention shifted to the liard as she seemed quite happy about the prospect of water being nearby, Judas just nodded back with a smile on his face, glancing towards the rest of the group before it settled back on Ayesha.

He almost raised a brow as a wide grin crossed her face, and he was about to ask what mischief she was planning, because it looked such to the tsavo. She invited him for a swim, and the male’s brows rose. “You like water?” he asked, slightly surprised usually most felines shun water like the plague, except for other purposes than drinking. “Regardless, I’d love to join.” Judas admitted keeping himself close to Ayesha’s right flank.

[cheezeegriff]

(Just a reminder to look at the link in my last post to find out where we all are I also encourage you to watch this youtube video - )

"I still want you to be a noble,"
Keshomaliki said confidently.
"And Judas can be a Knight, and Imani a dame. And Katakasha can be a warrior! Or maybe a spy. Will we need spies?"
he asked Umoja.

The big lion looked taken offguard, and said non-committingly,
"Maybe!"

"And Ayele can sit near me when we eat, and we can eat first like my father used to, and we can..."
his eyes looked a little vacant for a moment, and he lowered his head.
"Oo... we can rest, and not be sick..."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Usiku smiled at the little prince, sympathetic pain blooming in her own stomach, but then she overheard Ayesha speaking to Judas about swimming.
"Oh-ho, swimming will be the fun part, It's not drowning that might be a little hard, or being swept to our depths. We'll need to swim from island to island, and the current will be strong. So while we're not busy, please, feel free to take a good look at my home."
She waved one black paw before her. casually, though her face was ecstatic, yellow eyes bright with glee. The moisture in the air, the trees she could hide in, the proximity to her master, even the distant rumble of the waters. She was safe at last.
Beyond her the river broadened to a wide delta, but not one that ran into the sea. Islands poked out of the swiftly-running floodwaters regularly, each one crowded with trees of the deepest shade of green and flocks of birds of many colours, but beyond them, not more than a mile or two away, the wide river suddenly disappeared into a cloud that rose out of the very earth. It wasn't a cloud like a cloud in the sky. Rather, it was whispier, sending out long tendrils like the trailing wisps of a wraith, glowing with the light of the rising sun.
But those tendrils watered a little paradise on the edge of the precipice. Usiku breathed in the water and sighed.
"Welcome to my Master's domain. Welcome to the Smoke that Thunders!"

[Kirsui]

Katakasha watched as Umoja walked away without allowing her a moment to reply. Not that it mattered though, she had nothing to say. Her ears flicked when the others spoke, but she didn't go to them... yet. So it was the caring Katakasha Umoja wanted to see?

The black lioness followed the group when the moved off again, this time staying behind them all instead of walking somewhat at the front. Her half closed eyes watched their every move, but most of the time her gaze rest upon their temporary leader.

She snorted quietly. Umoja would have to do some waiting indeed...

"-- And Katakasha can be a warrior! Or maybe a spy. Will we need spies?"

The young prince's words carried to her ears through the air that was having more moisture in it than normally. Her cold gaze laid upon the prince, even when she heard Umoja's reply to the cub. A spy? She shook her head as a slightly amused grin made its way on her lips. What a "great" spy she would indeed be, with her oh-so-rememerable colouring.

"Welcome to my Master's domain. Welcome to the Smoke that Thunders!"

Kata walked closer and came beside the panther, gazing at the scenery with a calm face, her ears twiching as she listened to all the sounds around her. Water was forming to her eyelashes from the moist air, colouring them even darker purple than they were.
"Impressive."
It was the only word she said, but it was still a compliment, even when said with her toneless voice.

[Dakota]

“You like water?” she heard Judas ask.. turning back to look at him after checking on Ayele, her smile grew broader.
" I learnt to swim when young, when I sneaked away from mother.. I found it calming. I could just float with my eyes closed and dream about things and all would be well again."

Lowering her eyelashes a little, she tried to hde her enthusiasm from the soldier in case he thought she was being silly, but she needed to share her love of water with him.
"You know at night Judas, when all was quiet, I would slip away from where we were sleeping and go to the water, slowly I would walk down into the water till I was nearly submerged, then fill my lungs with the fresh night air and then dive under. Once i was under I would open my eyes and look upwards watching the moon beams float on top...it was my own little world"

Leaning into him she rubbed her cheek against his purring softly "maybe you could come with me soon..... do you like water Judas ? I mean.. well not everyone does I guess."

Ayesha turned her head to see what Usiku was pointing at, nudging Ele, she moved closer to Katakasha, and she stopped in her tracks with her mouth open wide.
A fine mist sprayed up over her face and body, cooling down her skin and making her fur tuft fall flat to her head appearing as though little diamonds were balancing on the ends.

" Kesho, lift your head and look at this magnificent sight before us... Ele and Judas, come look.. its just breath taking.. I swear I'm in love and in one of my dreams."
Ayesha swung her head from side to side, trying to take in the view, but everywhere she looked there was more splendour to see, lost in her excitement she called to Imani and Umjoi, she wanted everyone to see what was splayed out before them in all its finery.

[genie]

Ayele had been looking at ground while his sister and Judas talked all weird like but then Ayesha nudged him and he looked where it was being pointed and his sister said 'breath taking', if shapes could manesfest themselfs, then right now Ayele would have question marks above his head, he was a little too young to appreachiate what everyone else was admiring.

[cheezeegriff]

"We'll have to try and get to that island,"
Usiku said, pointing to the long stretch of land that divided the river in half. It was covered in trees and reeds around the edges. Many birds nested in the high branches.
"I'm going to swim ahead and test the current. If I don't come back it means I've been washed downstream, but don't worry - I know many ways of getting out before the falls."
She gave Keshomaliki a little wink and plunged in.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

All Umoja could see of Usiku as she swam away was the panther's black head. The current was strong, the water quite choppy, and very deep. Then he looked up and took in her surroundings.
"Odd. She associates her master so strongly with death, but here we are in a place full of life, to save a little prince from dying."
There was a silence for a while, then a little voice piped up:

"Maybe, you need to be around living things for them to die."

Umoja looked at Kesho and nodded. Though, it still didn't explain why her master wanted to help the prince.
He shook his head. "Ayesha, do what you need to do with the water so we can be ready when Usiku returns."
Then he wondered: was Usiku even coming back?

[voluptuous♥penguin]

"And Judas can be a Knight, and Imani a dame. And Katakasha can be a warrior! Or maybe a spy. Will we need spies?"


Imani smiled impishly at the little prince. He seemed so exuberent and excited just to be alive. She hoped that the panther could somehow save the sickly cub from whatever plague or disease was troubling him. Mani looked at his little smile and felt that she would do just about anything to help him.

Lost in her thoughts, she heard Ayesha's seemingly far off voice talking about what was in front of them. "Wow......." she whispered in sheer shock at the sight before them. It was amazing. The falls made smoke come out of the water, which was probably why the panther called it "The Smoke that Thunders". Her jaw dropped as she took in the seeming miracle of lush life and beauty that was like a scene from an amazing dream.

Usiku had gone ahead and Imani watched the panther go down toward the water. Hopefully, the current was fine and they could all go over soon and get the little prince whatever they needed, but Imani had learned recently that nothing was ever easy.

[Dakota]

Turning back to Judas with her eyes twinkling , once she saw that the others were all standing there quietly absorbing what was staring them in the face, "Well .... do you ?"

Standing there staring at the soldier she was about to add on more, when the black panther declared she was testing the current strength and in she dove. Ayeshas eyes widened when she saw how rough the conditions were and how far it was to the next parcel of land, she knew she was a strong capable swimmer, but what about the rest of them.

I can't carry both Ayele and the prince, I don't have enough room on my back, I'll have to choose, but what if the others can't swim. I'm not risking the cubs lives, I will take one and then come back for the other

Snapped out of her thoughts by Umoja directing his words at her
"Ayesha, do what you need to do with the water so we can be ready when Usiku returns."
Blinking rapidly she realised what he was talking about, it was in response to her saying before that she needed to clean their wounds.

Lifting Kesho off her back she then picked him up in her muzzle and walked a few steps to the edge where it was still calm, facing her back to the water, she kept him against the shore and between her paws, and gently scooped water over him and his head washing away all the dirt and grime that clung to him, while softly rubbing his fur to unlock any germs that were hiding. Satisfied she had done her best, she handed him up to Umoja who was watching with a hooded look.
"Come on Ele, your turn" Ayesha moved away a little from where she had bathed Kesho, and reached for her brother. Ducking him under the water, she started to lick him clean, making sure she left untouched the small wounds on his back that were healing up nicely. Feeling he was clean, she placed him back on dry land and then with a grin turned to the soldier.

" Well Judas, guess it's your turn now you going to come in willing ?" Ayesha stood up in the water and kept grinning.. "well.. can't wait all night..we have to soak off the covering on your leg, and I want to clean your wounds."
Standing there watching him not move but just stare, Ayesha licked her lips and kept smiling.

[Judas]

For one born in a land of drought, and diseases a sight like this would leave anyone with his background speechless. And it did, the soldier was speechless, of course this place wasn’t that alien to him, he heard of it through tales told by the birds which crossed his homeland. Ayesha’s words was the ones that broke his silence,

“Um...” was the only sound that escaped him, it took him a moment to realize her question, she was of course referring to the fact if he liked water or not. “Yes I do...” he smiled though the smile quickly transformed into a grin, “preferably without crocodiles.” He chuckled softly watching Ayesha bathe cubs in the in the calmer straights of the water.

The tsavo watched her finish, and she then turned to him he just smirked at her grinned words. With a sigh, the male stepped into the cool water, the sudden drop in temperature sent shivers through his body; short gasps of breath escaped him.

As he made his way towards the liard, he could feel the stinging sensation throbbing in his torn leg, he limped over to her. “It doesn’t smell good...” the male remarked, wrinkling his nose, sensing the almost rotting odor from the wound as it mixed with the water amplifying the smell.

[Dakota]

Her grin grew broader as she watched him smirk back at her as he entered the water slowly and saw him suck in his breath at the temperature. "Aww come on, I'm sure you will warm up in a moment or two ". using her paw she splashed at him playfully.

Ayeshas smile dropped away from her face as she heard him comment about his torn leg. Waiting until he stopped and laid down in the shallows, she moved in closer and whispered to him.
"It will heal up good, it just has an odour because it hasnt been cleaned properly yet, but I'm about to take care of that, I'll be gentle ok."
Giving his cheek a lick with her warm tongue, she sat down in front of him, and carefully pulled off the makeshift bandage, piece by piece, after soaking it in the clean water so nothing would grab and rip open exposing the healing flesh. Finally his shredded limb was exposed to them both and Ayesha tried not to wince and she looked at the remains of what was once his front paw.
Looking up at the soldier to see his reaction she affirmed once again to him
"Judas, look at me ...remember.. It doesn't mean anything to me, its not who you are, you are still the same lion I care about, paw or no paw."
Moving her glance back down, she gently used her paw to remove congealed lumps of smelly blood, together with some rotting flesh that was just hanging by a thread until she was satisfied with how it was looking.
Lowering his leg back down, Ayesha moved around to his side and started rubbing along his spine and down each side in circular movements. Splashing water over his back she saw the dirt that had been clinging to him fall away and move off with the current.

Pushing herself back so her face nearly touched his, she smiled slowly at Judas
"Well, you look nice and clean now, but there seems to be a few spots on your face that need to be taken care of too I think."
Poking out her tongue, she ran it once over her lips, then tilted her head a little so their skin finally touched. Slowly she cleaned one cheek and then moved over his muzzle to the other side, and finished with a cheeky lick to the end of his nose.
"There, I think that should do it...squeaky clean for now"
Giving a giggle at Judas, she just stared

[cheezeegriff]

Even downstream a little, Umoja winced at the smell coming from Judas' foot. It had only been a day, and he hadn't thought a wound could grow so bad so quickly, especially in the dry air of the desert, but nevertheless, his nose told him otherwise.
A pity the water here wasn't salty, or it would help a lot more.
Keshomaliki tried to waddle towards Judas and Ayesha from between his paws, but Umoja held him back.
"Shh... stay here. Give them some time together."
Whatever time they had left.

[Judas]

The tsavo was one of the few that didn’t really know the point of washing up if you’re only going to get dirty again eventually. Sure he knew about cleaning wounds and Ayesha said she would do that, however it seemed the liardess got rather enthusiastic about it, and proceeded to clean the whole of him in the process.

The male remained quiet didn’t squeak as much as a complaint even if his mind was shouting protests well into the next dawn. A smile however crossed his face as she laid the finishing touches, she seemed to stare at him though a giggle and he just stared back. The smile slowly forming into more a smirk as he stood to his feet, the water was pretty shallow here reaching him slightly above the ankles.

“And what about you?” he enquired almost whispering, keeping the smirk as he passed around her, ending up right next to her right flank, his wet fur brushing against her dry one. Without another word he pushed his paws gently into her side, if he’d took her by surprise she’d likely fall over, the male would then be hovering over her, with a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

[genie]

Ayele got grabbed by his sister and dunked under the water, bubbles blowing up from his mouth before he was let up, gasping for air, fur hanging draggedly against his body as she further 'washed' him before releasing him before moving to her next victim. Ayele scrambled to the dry dirt looking like a drowned rat and a look of shock on his face, he laid down in the sun, his heart beating fast, safe now that Ayesha's current washing victim was taking her occupation.

[Dakota]

Ayesha stood there watching his face break into a smile, it seemed to make him look much younger, but then the smile turned into a smirk as he started moving around her.
“And what about you?” she heard him whisper
"what, there nothing wrong with m...." next thing she knew she felt him lean against her and of all things he had pushed her under the water.

Holding her breath, Ayesha tried not laugh giving her self away and lay there in the shallow water for a moment. Digging her claws into the sandy bottom and positioning her paws, she counted to three then sprang out of the water and aimed herself at Judas, the only problem was one of her back paws slipped and she couldn't control herself, so instead of landing nose to nose she found herself sprawled out on top of him.

Realising the position she was in, Ayesha started to laugh while trying to push herself off him. "I'm sorry Judas, here it was me who said we needed to get to know each other better, and here I am rubbing myself all over you."
With her eyes shining she held back another giggle " but I have to say, it does feel pretty nice."

Wrigging a bit more, feeling his fur rubbing on her belly, she finally levered herself off, but loosing grip land back in the water going under briefly. Launching herself back up on her paws she stood before him grinning and shook her fur tuft deliberately, watching as it sprayed all over him.

"So, think we're all ready soldier?"

[cheezeegriff]

"Moja? What are they doing?"

Umoja blinked at Keshomaliki's question, watching the two love-birds cavorting in the shallows of the rapidly-moving river.
"It's called 'courting' Kesho. It's the stage in a relationship before couples start producing cubs."

Keshomaliki's face twisted up into a knot of confusion.
"How does doing that help make cubs?"

Umoja thought quietly for a moment before responding.
"Go ask Katakasha,"
he said, then as Keshomaliki wandered off he allowed himself a little smirk. His eyes scanned the water for Usiku, but strangely, she was nowhere to be seen.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Katakasha?"
Kesho asked cautiously, wandering towards the dark lioness. He slowed down as he neared her - after all, he didn't want her clawing him like she had Ayele - but he lowered his head and said softly,
"Katakasha...? How does... Umoja said I should ask you... 'how does what Judas and Ayesha are doing help make cubs?'"

[Dakota]

Ayesha had forgotten about her surroundings and those they were travelling this quest with, she felt carefree and happy, something she hadn't been in a while. Still standing in the shallow water, she felt the tugging of the current against her legs, but kept gazing at Judas, until the sound of the princes voice broke her thoughts.

Blushing, when she realised they were all watching her and the soldiers play, she cleared her throat quickly and stepped away from Judas and moved back up onto the bank, finding herself standing before Umojo and Imani.

Binking the water droplets away from her eyelashes, Ayesha turned and looked down the river where the black panther had last been seen swimming.
"How long do we give her before we have to decide for ourselves Umoja ?"

[genie]

Ayele had become bored laying there, he was sorta half baked dry in the sun now and he started jumping about singing quietly "one two three, if you step on the cracks your feet will fall off" he had just made it up and was trying to amuse himself.

[Kirsui]

Katakasha had laid down at the ground when the panther had left, her head resting on her paws. For a moment she had watched what Ayesha was doing with the cubs, but when it was Judas' turn the black lioness snorted and closed her eyes, determined not to look at the disgusting display the two lovebirds were putting up.

But... As if that wasn't enough, Kata heard tiny steps approach her. Her ears twiched and she sniffed the air. The Prince.

"Katakasha...? How does... Umoja said I should ask you... 'how does what Judas and Ayesha are doing help make cubs?'"

The black lioness' eyes shot open and she stared the cub. What did the cub just say...? Her gaze snapped at Umoja and she glared daggers at the male while cursing him in her mind. The male's head was turned to the water so her gaze that promised either a painful death was useless.

Resisting the urge to growl the black lioness turned her head back at the prince. The cub had his head lowered, perhaps scared of her. She snorted, not able to figure how she had ended up in this situation.
"A male and a female", Kata finally said on an emotionless tone, "spend a certain amount of time courting and bond with eachother during that time. Once the bond is completely formed they are called mates, and a mate is what you need in order for a cub to be born."
She paused.
"Or did you perhaps think cubs appeared from underground, or fell from the sky to the open arms of lionesses? No, they need a male and a female before they can appear."
She eyed the prince momentarily with a thoughtful expression.
"Ask that question from Umoja, or any other lion, again when you're older.."

She glanced at the river, noticing that Ayesha had stood up and was now standing in front of Umoja. She frowned at the liard, showing her displeasure for the whole situation with one glance.

Then her gaze returned to the prince.
"Was that all, Keshomaliki?" she asked tonelessly. "Or do you still have something to ask?"

[cheezeegriff]

"Was that all, Keshomaliki? Or do you still have something to ask?"

Keshomaliki was still trying to process the black lioness had just given him - that they need TWO people to make a baby. Did one parent make the eyes, and the other the feet? Or did they both help together? What did they make it from?

It all seemed a bit too much, and a bit too irrelevant. He looked at Ayele playing around further up the bank and wished he could join in - but he knew if he tried to do anything to strenuous he would get tired very quickly. So instead he waddled forward to Katakasha and gently lay down on her paws.

"Why don't you ever smile?"
he said, looking up and meeting her eye.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"How long have we got?"
Umoja said back to Ayesha. He looked past her at the water: there was no sign of the leopard. What if she didn't come back? He would have to swim across himself... or maybe he could send someone else, as he didn't trust himself in such fast-flowing water. Not at his age. Judas certainly couldn't go. Ayesha's job was to look after the prince, and Katakasha... well. He didn't really want to ask her for anything just yet, not until there'd been enough time for memories of their little chat to fade. Instead, he turned to Imani.
"If the panther doesn't return, do you feel up to try reaching that island for us?"
He nodded in the general direction of the long, tree-rimmed island. The sound of monkey chatter and screeching made it even to their distance from the trees. Maybe they were squaking at Usiku, but maybe not. Nevertheless he had posed it as a question: he didn't want her to think he was forcing her to go.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

(oh jeez i'm sorry. half my stuff is in boxes. moving is harddd)

Imani looked up at the sky and took a deep breath of cool air. She closed her eyes and took a few more deep breaths and then stared at their little group. Judas and Ayesha had gone down the river and her eyes wandered lazily over to where they were. She stifled a small giggle at the flirtations happening on the water's edge. It was rather sweet to see love begin to blossom between two animals.

"Katakasha...? How does... Umoja said I should ask you... 'how does what Judas and Ayesha are doing help make cubs?'"

Imani heard the question asked of Katakasha and her eyes widened momentarily. A smirk settled itself upon her face as she remembered the time she'd asked that question. Her parents had stared at her, looked at each other, taken a deep breath, and just decided to tell her. It had left her confused, but as she grew older and experienced more and more, she finally figured it all out. She turned towards Umoja and arched an eyebrow.

She walked quietly over and sat beside him. "Can't answer the question on your own, huh?" she whispered in his ear, a flirtacious smile on her face.

[Judas]

The male could see Ayesha's blush, he however just grinned not paying much attention to the on lookers. If they were expecting a free show they would be in for a disappointment. The tsavo took a deep breath of air as his gaze trailed at his surroundings; he wondered what the panther had got caught up in. If this was as far as they were going. Well no matter; this was place was none the less, better than the place where they had come from.

Judas walked out of the stream only to settle down on the bank, his gaze still locked on the surroundings.

[Dakota]

From the corner of her eye she could see Judas limp out of the water and settle back down on the ground. Hearing Umoja's non committal reply, Ayesha figured that they would be here for a little while, so it would give the black panther plenty of time to do what she had to do.
Her eyes widened when she heard Umoja ask Imani, if she would be the one to swim to the island.. what was wrong with her, she was a strong swimmer !

Turning away she stopped as she saw Kesho laying down on Katakasha paws asking her something, she watched in case the lioness took offence at the close proximity the cub was to her, Ayesha wouldn't hesitate to strike if she hurt the prince. Relaxing her stance she moved over to where Ayele was seemingly playing little games and licked water from off his back, drying him a little more.
"Ele, how about you come closer over here where Judas and I are, so I can keep you in sight, we're in strange lands now, and we need to watch out for anything that could happen quickly."

Moving up beside Judas, she stood for a moment leaning over him, carefully persusing his wounds, as far as she could tell, they were now clean, and no red streaks indicating poison were showing themselves, Giving a sigh of relief Ayesha relaxed, lowered herself down then stretched out beside him.

Rubbing her cheek back and forth against his a few times, enjoying the feel of his wiry fur on hers, she took a small breath inhaling the clean smell of the soldier.
" Are you feeling better now Judas you have had a dip in the fresh water"

Looking away from him for a second, she surveyed what was in their view ahead of them, it was exciting yet forbidding in a way, but Ayesha wanted to continue on the journey, she wanted to see new things she hadn't witnessed before. Blinking quickly, she bought her head back to Judas, giving him a shy smile.
" I think I like playing in the water with you....it was interesting."

[genie]

Ayele went over to his sister, though with a sigh.. he needed to do something, he was feeling better, he was feeling bored and energy was bouncing around inside of him, a grin appeared on his face as Ayesha talked with Judas. A little chewy growl left his mouth and he went down close to the ground moving slowing, stalking his prey... which just happened to be his sisters tail... but hey.. small details, getting closer and closer, suddenly with a squeeky growl he pounced - victory! His prey was pined beneath his paws and he looked quite pleased with himself.

[Dakota]

Ayesha's ears twitched slowly back and forth, she could hear little pawsteps coming her way. Making herself stay in the same position and not giving way to temptation, to turn her head and look to see what Ele was upto she felt herself start to grin once more. Giving Judas a slow wink, she waited and relaxed her body even more.

Hearing a small growl escape from her brother, then all she felt was weight on her fluufy white tail, she knew where he happened to be. Playing along Ayesha let out a silly yelp.
"Help...help, some ferocious beast has caught me"
At the same time she flipped herself over taking Ele unawares, and gently tossed him into the air, letting him land back half on her tummy and half on her paws.
Pinning him down gently she started to lick his tummy fast, tickling him through his soft fur.
" I have my attacker and I'm going to lick him to death." Ayesha laughed out loud, after all they had been through, it was good to see her brother happy again.

[Kirsui]

"Why don't you ever smile?"

Her face remained black when the prince asked her this. Katakasha examined him momentarily before she gave him her answer.
"Why smile when there's no reason to do so?"
Besides, when ever she smiled, it came out wrong, like she was up to something. The prince didn't need to know that though, she felt it was un-important information.

"If the panther doesn't return, do you feel up to try reaching that island for us?"
"Can't answer the question on your own, huh?"

The black lioness' gaze moved from the prince to Umoja and Imani. The look in her eyes was ice cold, and most of the freezing stare was meant for Imani. Really, did the girl really have to begin that flirt again? Mentally she rolled her eyes. It seemed she was surrounded by lovesick idiots...

But, her being her, she remained silent and simply watched.

[cheezeegriff]

"Can't answer the question on your own, huh?"

Umoja frowned, then allowed himself a little smile.
"Nice try. Can you swim to the island or not?"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Why smile when there's no reason to do so?"

"But you don't ever smile,"
Kesho said, still looking up at the black panther sincerely.
"Don't you ever have a reason to smile? ... what if I do this?"
He rolled off her paws and onto his back, then stuck his fingers in his mouth and pulled his lips wide, and crossed his eyes.

[genie]

Ayele having found himself pinned by his sister and being tickled and he squirmed and started giggling, this wasn't fair, that was his weak spot, he was awfully ticklish on his tummy as he keep on squirming trying to get away.