The Last King

[Kirsui]

"Don't you ever have a reason to smile? ... what if I do this?"

Katakasha turned to the prince the prince, again with a blank expression as he twisted his face into something that could have been amusing... if she just had been someone else.

Though her gaze kept on the prince, the faint twiching of her ears revealed that she was listening what the others were up to. She heard the liard boy's giggles as his older sister played with him, and heard Umoja reply to Imani's flirting with another question.

"If your highness doesn't want your face to get stuck that way..." she finally replied to the prince without the faintest hint of smiles.
"... I suggest you avoid doing that both now and in the future. I am sure it would not please your court to have a king with a twisted face."

[Dakota]

Ayesha had licked her brother till he was giggling out loud, slowly she lowered him to the ground beside herself and let him catch his breath. Taking a quick peep at kesho, her eyes widened and she saw him roll off the black lioness paws she better not have pushed him, or about to do anything..or else, and then relaxing as she saw him roll on his back and pull funny faces.
Ayesha just stared, it was the first time since she had come into contact with the sick prince that she had actually seen him relax and actually was playing and being silly, what a beautiful sight to see. As she lay ther eand watched, all that passed through her mind was that maybe this journey was indeed a new beginning for them all.

Pulling her gaze away, she rested it on Umoja and Imani standing close together talking, Blinking her long eyelases she lowered her gaze and again let her thoughts drift back to her mother, maybe she would still be alive if she hadn't left her and gone off her her own little journey, and why didn't Umoja being close to the King and Queen, let them know how sick her mother was, after all she was always in court as well.

Shaking her head she blocked those thoughts and turned to Judas, who was still silent staring out at what lay in front of them. Leaning in against him, she bought her lips close to his ear and blew gently.
" what's going through that soldier's mind of yours, anything you would like to share?"

[Judas]

The tsavo felt the liard rub her cheek against his, encouraging a purr from his throat, though he wasn’t really sure how to answerer her questions without sounding like a broken record. Well sure the foot was fine, no pain or anything.

It should heal up in a month or two, give or take any possible complications that may arise, after all the mouth of a crocodile isn’t clean, at all. He just smiled at her comment about playing in the water, and that she liked it, well who doesn’t like playing in water?

A grin plastered on his face as he briefly watched Ayesha play along with her younger brother, the smile somewhat faded as his gaze diverted to the landscape again. He was soon snapped back as the liard leaned against him, and a sigh of comfort escaped him. “Philosophy…” he remarked turning to regard the girl next to him and quick smile gracing his features, “Complicated stuff…” the lion exhaled as his gaze fell to the floor. “But not really important.” The tsavo added as he fell to silence.

[Dakota]

Ayesha heard the sigh escape from his muzzle when she leaned against him ,which bought another smile to her face., She wasn't sure if he liked being close to her receiving her little touches, afterall he was a trained soldier, who was taught to keep their feelings to themselves, but she thought slowly he was enjoying being with her.

When she asked him what he was thinking, she was a bit surprised when his answer was 'philosophy' followed by 'complicated, but not really important'.
Waiting a moment before she replied, she followed his gaze back out to what their eyes were feasting on, then pulling her gaze away she moved one paw and moved it under his chin to bring his head towards her.

Gently stroking his fur in a slow rythem, Ayesha met his eyes.
"Not really important ? If we are getting to know each other, I'd like to hear your views on various things, Philosophy is a wide ranging topic, and the way things are looking Umoja is giving the black panther a reasonable amount of time to do what she has to do. So, lets talk about something, see if we agree or disagree"

Not moving her paw away, Ayesha's eyes dropped to follow where her dark paw was moving back and forth closer to his mouth, watching with a grin at how his short fur stood on end as she stroked.

[cheezeegriff]

"If your highness doesn't want your face to get stuck that way...I suggest you avoid doing that both now and in the future. I am sure it would not please your court to have a king with a twisted face."

Kesho frowned, and stopped making faces. Katakasha wasn't even looking at him anymore. What a weird lioness.
"Are you sick too?"
Keshomaliki said.
"When I'm sick I don't feel like smiling... hey. So if you have nothing to smile about... how could I make you smile? I could give you something to smile about. Do you ever cry?"
He said, looking up, but though it was still morning, the sun on his back was getting warm, and he was beginning to feel a little dizzy, though thankfully, his stomach wasn't too bad. Yet.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Imani had obviously missed his question. "Oh, I'm sure I can. I've never had a problem swimming before." she replied quickly. Umoja didn't seem in much of a mood to talk and she wondered why.

She looked over to see the little prince make a face at Katakasha and she let out a little giggle at his twisted little face.

[Kirsui]

"Are you sick too? -- how could I make you smile? -- Do you ever cry?"

Katakasha looked at the prince with a blank face. Full of questions the cub seemed to be.
"I cried, once..."
She paused. When she spoke again her voice was lower.
"I cried when I saw the dead bodies of my former pride members. I didn't cry as a cub, or if I did it was so long ago I have no memory of ever doing such. But that day, when I became the last Amara member still breathing, I cried."
She paused again, thinking.
"There are many cinds of tears though... Sorrow is what you would refer to, isn't it, young prince?"
A faint smirk threatened to appear on her lips.
"There are tears of joy too, of course.. You become so happy that you can't help it. After all, laughter and crying are so close together. Many times you could find yourself crying like mad, and laughing wildly the next..."

The black lioness gazed at the horizon now, completely ignoring the giggles coming from Imani. The foolish brat...
"The third kind", she continued her explanation, "are the tears of rage. You become so angered, so furious that you cry at the same time you are angered and want nothing more than to rip the one who offended you apart."

She took a deep breath, letting out the air slowly. She was still calm, the emotionless mask remaining on her face with ease.
"Those are the tears I have cried, Keshomaliki... On that one day, not before, not after."

[cheezeegriff]

"The third kind are the tears of rage. You become so angered, so furious that you cry at the same time you are angered and want nothing more than to rip the one who offended you apart."

"I cried like that when Umoja said my parents wouldn't be seeing me anymore,"
Katakasha said.
"Then I found out they were dead... what do you do when there's nobody to be angry with?"

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

Umoja looked up: the sun was getting higher, the day warmer, and the panther was nowhere in sight.
"It's a strong current,"
he said, looking to the treelined island, listening to the monkeys squaking from its shores. They probably thought they were safe from predators there, too. Well, soon they wouldn't be happy. Umoja bet they'd do their typical monkey stunt and pelt them all with fruit too. He shuddered.
"If you think you can go, then go. Usiku only said she was going to test the current. She should have been back by now."
He laid his hand on her shoulder before she left, and looked into her eye.
"But be careful, former princess."

[voluptuous♥penguin]

"It's a strong current,"

Imani smiled. "Psha," she laughed, "I think I can handle it." She smiled at him confidently. "I'm a pretty good swimmer, Umoja, give me some credit." she said. She looked at the water and noticed how fast it was moving. "Well, maybe I can handle it." she muttered softly, a little bit less confident now. She stared at it for a time then shook her head and looked at Umoja. "Yes, I can defitely handle it." she assured him, with a fake smile this time and false confidence.

"But be careful, former princess."

"You could just call me royal advisor or, you know, my name or something." she said, looking back into his eyes. "Imani remember?" She giggled. "Just in case you forgot or something." A smile played across her muzzle. "Well, I'm off to the river now." she sighed, more to herself than to Umoja.

The lioness slowly walked down to the riverside and watched as the current whipped sticks and leaves quickly down the river quickly. She gulped and wished on a pink flower that went sweeping by her on the water, then she leapt into the water.

[genie]

Ayele had stopped giggling now his sister had stopped tickling, and eyed up her and Judas - they were acting weird again, he rolled his eyes and scanned the surrounding... there must be something to do.. perhaps something to play.. his tail swished back and forth as he considered things.

[Kirsui]

"-- what do you do when there's nobody to be angry with?"

The black lioness pressed down the smirk that threatened to break loose on her lips. Her eyes caught a faint shine though, her twisted amusement showing in them.
"Simple enough", she replied with as blank face as she could.
When she spoke again her voice had lowered into a whisper.
"I look for someone else to be angry with. Or more so, I wait until someone fitting to that category falls in front of me."
She turned her head at the prince again.
"And while I do, I'm like this. I don't smile, I most certainly don't have fun... not along the lines you would consider fun anyway... If it is entertainment you are looking for, Keshomaliki, you're looking from the wrong place."

[Dakota]

Judas had gone quiet and seemingly pensive towards her, Ayesha wasn't sure enough of her self to keep probing and pulled her paw away letting it drop back beside her other paw.

Feeling Ayele grow bored beside her and start to fiddle, she gave him a little nudge, and rose to her paws.
"Come Ele, lets go see if the prince needs anything, Katakasha is looking like her patience is wearing thin, and I want to see how far we can keep the princess in our sights, seeing Umoja has just sent her on her way, trying to see where the black panther has got to"

Waiting a moment for her brother to get to his feet, Ayesha glanced down at Judas through her thick lashes. She was about to ask him something again, but decided against it and held her tongue. Giving a small sigh to herself she moved away towards where Kesho was sitting staring at the black lioness.

[cheezeegriff]

"If it is entertainment you are looking for, Keshomaliki, you're looking from the wrong place."

Kesho frowned. He wasn't looking for entertainment. He was looking to get to know her better.
"If I wanted entertainment, I'd speak to someone who was still alive inside,"
he said angrily, then spotted Ayesha wandering towards him from the corner of his eye. Picking himself up, he waddled over and then purred into her paws.

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

"How is it, Imani?"
Umoja called over the water at the lioness' exposed head. He was getting nervous now - the current really was strong, and if there were any undercurrents she could be snatched right from the surface of the water.

"If I wanted entertainment, I'd speak to someone who was still alive inside."

Umoja's head whipped around, and he turned to see Kesho waddling away from Katakasha. He grinned, and made eye contact with the black lion and raised an eyebrow.
"Seems our king is already coming into his wisdom!"
he said.

[Dakota]

Coming up behind Umoja, but not yet level with him, Ayesha smiled as she saw Kesho come to wards her and then land on her paws. Dropping down to the ground, so she was level with him, she gave him a soft rub on top of his head with the side of her cheek.
"Hows my special prince doing ?"

Watching his face, she could see indecision and something else she couldn't quite name appear. Looking over his head to where Katakasha stood with a smirk on her muzzle, Ayesha felt a growl come up her throat, but she swallowed it down quick in case she scared Kesho, instead she stared quite rudely at the lioness just willing her to open her mouth, so she could close it for her.

Turning back away, she bought her muzzle close to his ear as though she was about to whisper a secret, then at the last moment blew on little strands of his fur that stuck out from his skin. Seeing his skin ripple alittle with the sensation, she then licked his cheek a few times and pulled him in close to her, just holding him, so he knew he wasn't alone and was indeed cared about.

Even though she had been thinking about the prince, her thoughts then ran on to Judas. She realised in a way the soldier also needed reaffirmation that he was indeed needed and cared about, and in his own way contributed greatly to what they were trying to achieve for Keshomaliki, she just wasn't sure if she should tell him or show him, she was innocent about these things.

Sensing Ayele now beside her, she used her other paw, and pulled him into her hug as well, showering them both with rubs from her paws.
"Ok you two... seeing as Kesho is feeling a little better for now, how about you have a little play, no rough stuff I don't want to have to pounce on you."

Grinning at the cubs, she finally moved over to stand beside Umoja and followed to where his eyes were scanning the choppy waves searching for Imani.

[Judas]

Judas would’ve suggested that they could’ve talked about it, had it not been for the fact that the subject wasn’t necessarily a happy one and the last thing the soldier wanted was a ruin the mood. With a deep exhale he rose his paws, glancing over at Ayesha’s receding form he shook his mane before he walked off, heading down the rocky hill and into the forest. Whether people would notice his absence didn’t matter much, after all he didn’t intend to be away for long, he just needed to stretch his legs and what better way to do that than taking a look around the area.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Imani remained under the water for quite some time, the current grabbing at her like creeping hands that were determined to keep her underneath the choppy river. She scanned the surprisingly clear water and noticed fish swimming, or being rushed by the water, right in front of her nose. The light from the sky was creating intricate patterns along the riverbottom she could see, and the twinkling lights almost put her in a sort of trance. It was as if the river was dead set on capturing any who ventured into it's depths and keeping them forever.

Imani's lungs grabbed her attention before her mind did. They screamed for air and felt as if they were about to burst. She looked up and realized the surface of the water seemed only about ten feet away, and she began scrambling quickly toward where the air was. The current seemed to hold her back and she wanted so desperately to be able to defeat it and escape the clutches of the river. She struggled violently, finally gaining some strength and swimming toward the surface.

Her head finally broke the surface of the water and she took in a deep gulp of air, filling her lungs and regaining her full conciousness. She swam across to the little island that was dead center in the river. She dragged herself onto the shore and shook off all the water that clung to her pelt. "The current is a little strong!" she called across to the little band of felines on the shore. "Kesho and Ayele need to be on the backs of the strongest, otherwise they'll be washed away!"

[cheezeegriff]

Keshomaliki smiled up at Ayesha and hugged her paws, ignoring the pain in his belly as she suggested he play with Ayele. And why not? Soon he'd be cured, and then he could play all he liked. He couldn't wait, either, and made himself a promise: he'd never spend another day indoors lying around so long as he lived, no matter how hot it was or sticky it was. His days of idleness were over.
"I'm going to be well again soon, aren't I?"
he said up to Ayesha, beaming uncontrollably, then turned to the little cub.
"Come on, Ayele! I'll show you a game I used to play with another friend of mine. Stick out your paws and spread out your toes."

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

Umoja let out a breath of relief when Imani's head popped up near the opposite bank.
"Girl... don't do that to an old man,"
he said, low enough that she wouldn't be able to hear, but nodded when she spoke and turned to the others.
"You heard her: only the strongest can carry the cubs. That means you, Katakasha, and you, Ayesha. Judas, are you sure you want to try this?... Judas?"
After scanning the reeds and bushes at the riverbank, Umoja looked to Ayesha, as if to say, where did Judas go?

[genie]

Ayele followed Ayesha along and then got caught up in a hug as Ayesha gave one to Kesho and then it was suggested they play together, kesho as soon as Ayesha got up to leave suggested a game and Ayele not really having any idea what the game was just quietly placed his paws in front of him with toes spread apart await kesho's move, whatever he was gonna do.

[cheezeegriff]

Kesho stuck his head between Ayele's legs so he could see all four of Ayele's paws at once, then touched the second toe in from the left of Ayele's right rear paw, and the third in from the right of Ayele's left rear paw.
"I know heaps better games if we had more people, but this will have to do I suppose. Ok, feel how I'm touching your toes? You need to wriggle the same toes on your front feet, as the ones that I'm touching on your back feet,"
he said, still with his fingers on Ayele's toes.

[Dakota]

"I'm going to be well again soon, aren't I?"
Ayesha looked down at the prince as he spoke to her, pausing for a moment, she then rubbed her ckeek against his.
"I hope so Kesho, I truly do. We are all on this journey to find the black panthers master, as he's meant to have these wonderous healing powers, so until we do, keep being brave for me."

Leaning back up she watched as he made his way to Ayele and began to talk and play, then Ayesha turned and moved beside Umoja.
They both stood there watching Imani's head finally surface and as she dragged herself up on dry land. Accross the distance her words reached their ears.
"The current is a little strong. Kesho and Ayele need to be on the backs of the strongest, otherwise they'll be washed away!"

Looking up at Umoja, it seemed he didn't realise that she had moved to stand silently beside him as he spoke quietly to himself.
' I wonder if he will ever care about me, his.. about me. like he does Imani'.
Suddenly embarrassed about eavesdropping, Ayesha was about to slide away, when the lion turned his head and spoke to them all, stating the fact that there was only her and Katashaka strong enough to carry the cubs across the strong current, then he called for Judas, but Ayesha lookng towards where she last saw the soldier was mystified as to his disappearance.

Standing there Ayesha felt a pain in her heart, if only she was built larger she could carry both cubs to the other side, she knew she was a very strong swimmer, but with the choppy waves and strong current she couldn't manage them both. She knew that she had to take Ayele, she wouldn't trust anyone else with her brother, but leaving Kesho for the black lioness to look after, she couldn't help but shudder.

Looking up at Umoja with sadness in her eyes she lowered her voice so it wouldn't reach the cubs ears.
" You know I will be carrying Ele, and if I could I would take Kesho as well, but it seems I have to trust your opinion of your friend Katashaka to look after the prince with her life, and if she doesn't, she wont be around for long."

Moving her gaze back to where Imani was still waiting, she stared out over the water until an idea came to her. one that could help them all.
'Umoja.. what do you think of this..?. When Katashaka moves into the water with Kesho, how about you go in the same time, but on her left side and that way you can be together helping each other, and also you can watch out for the prince, in case he slips or anything, and then once you have moved away from the shore Judas and myself will do the same with Ele."

Looking at him with hope that he would agree to her suggestion, as there was no way Judas had enough stamina to make it across unsupported, and there was no way she was leaving him to swim by himself, it was together or nothing.


(Ooc... oops sorry about length)

[genie]

Ayele was rather beweilded by this game but he was to move his front toes to the same as back ones, that did't seem to hard, he did't really understand what the objective was but he'd try to do it, as he wiggled the corresponding front paw toe saying "like this?".

[cheezeegriff]

"That's it! Now keep up."
Kesho gradually increased his pace, grinning to himself and biting his tongue as he pushed toes at random, and kept a careful eye on Ayele's front paws to make sure he was lifting the right ones.

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

'Umoja.. what do you think of this..?. When Katashaka moves into the water with Kesho, how about you go in the same time, but on her left side and that way you can be together helping each other, and also you can watch out for the prince, in case he slips or anything, and then once you have moved away from the shore Judas and myself will do the same with Ele."

"Good idea,"
Umoja said, then looked over his shoulder again.
"So where did your warrior friend go?"

[Dakota]

Ayesha was stunned for a moment not knowing what to say, had Umoja actually praised her, she thought he was going to dismiss her idea outright. Letting a small smile appear on her face she as about to thank him, when he looked past her over his shoulder.
"So where did your warrior friend go?"

Turning herself, she looked once again to where she had last seen Judas lying on the ground resting, but all that remained was flattened leaves and foliage.
"I'm sure he wont be far away, he knew we could possibly be moving soon, and now that Imani has reached safe ground, I guess its sooner than later."

Looking over at Kesho and Ayele, who seemed to be amusing themselves, Ayesha turned back to Umoja.
"I'll go see if I can find him, but...please don't go without us, and don't let Katashaka persuade you otherwise."

Moving past the lion to where the cubs stood, Ayesha told them she where she was going, so they wern't taken aback by her disapearance and then moved over to where she had seen Judas last, hoping to get his scent.

[Kirsui]

"If I wanted entertainment, I'd speak to someone who was still alive inside."

The black lioness' eyes lit up when she heard Keshomaliki's words. Her gaze was focused upon the river, but if her eyes could they would have burned with strong flames. But instead of said flames being the ones of anger, Katakasha was... pleased. She was pleased that the prince had become angered at her and more importantly that he had snapped it out at her instead of keeping the anger hidden.

"Seems our king is already coming into his wisdom!"

The burn in her eyes died at those words. She turned her cold stare at Umoja, answering to his grin with an unimpressed expression.
"Wisdom, Umoja?"
She chuckled, offering him a faint smirk.
"A wise king would have kept his anger hidden. It is not wise to make enemies among your own pride with carelessly slipped words. Hide the anger and let it loose later on an appropriate time."
She paused, her smirk widening slightly.
"Not that he made me his enemy with that... It takes far more than simple words from a cub to anger me."

She streched and rose to her feet, taking a few steps closer to Umoja. She ignored the looks Ayesha was giving her, it didn't matter what the liard thought. When she spoke to Umoja again she had lowered her voice.
"I would expect him to learn when to hide his feelings and when is the right moment to show them... preferably before he truly begins his rule?"

However, she had no time to recieve an answer as Imani surfaced and rose to the small island.

"The current is a little strong! Kesho and Ayele need to be on the backs of the strongest, otherwise they'll be washed away!"

Kata lifted an eyebrow. She knew what the solution to that would be even before Umoja stated that she and Ayesha would have to carry the two. She was fairly certain which one of the two would carry the prince and which one the liard boy.

"You know I will be carrying Ele, and if I could I would take Kesho as well, but it seems I have to trust your opinion of your friend Katashaka to look after the prince with her life, and if she doesn't, she wont be around for long."

She watched Ayesha with amusement sparkling in her eyes. Did she truly think that threat would have any effect on her? She would gladly have pointed this out, but chose otherwise when the liard continued. She gazed at the river, examining the speed with which sticks, leaves and other parts of dead plants floated by, evaluating how strong the current truly was.

"-- please don't go without us, and don't let Katashaka persuade you otherwise."

The black lioness chuckled quietly at that as she finished with what she had been doing. She turned her gaze at Umoja once again once Ayesha had gone, some of the earlier amusement still present in her eyes.
"No fear, Umoja", she said.
"I have no intention to try change your mind, or leave before they return."

No, she had completely opposite plans indeed. What fun would it be if there was no one watching? And fun it would be, to her at least. She flexed her muscles as she gazed at the river again. A small grin came to her muzzle as a faint spark of excitement made its way to her eyes. The crocodiles earlier had been an enjoyable challenge... She thought this one would be as much.

[cheezeegriff]

"I would expect him to learn when to hide his feelings and when is the right moment to show them... preferably before he truly begins his rule?"

Umoja grinned lopsidedly.
"Our previous king managed to rule with nothing but total honesty. That's why he hired me to lie for him,"
he said.
"I think, if Keshomaliki ends up half the lion his father was, he'd be able to get away with it too."
His eyes flashed a 'just you wait and see,' then Umoja wandered back to where the two cubs were playing on the ground.
"Well this is a strange game you two are playing. I've got a better one though. Care to hear it?"

[Dakota]

Ayesha stood on the flattened ground where Judas was last seen, why had he slipped away, she became uncertain then when different things flashed through her mind.
Maybe he had changed his opinion about wanting to complete this journey with them,,, maybe he had got tired of her not giving him her complete attention and vying with the cubs.... perhaps he realised that she wasn't what he wanted in a proposed mate, she just wasn't sure anymore.

Looking back at the cubs with Umoja, her glance rested on the black lioness, she didn't trust her, so the sooner she looked for Judas, the sooner she could get back.

Following his scent, she moved over the uneven terrain, looking to her left and right covering the open area, till she came to the forest. Pausing for a moment, shaking off an unknown fear that something bad was going to happen, Ayesha used her head and shoulders to push through the dense bushes that were acting like a closed door.

She couldn't pick up Judas's scent, it was gone as quickly as it came, slowly moving forward, she carefully placed her paws over broken branches and small rocks that littered the trail. Realising if she kept going she could get lost in such a short time, she needed and wanted to be back with Ayele and Kesho.

Stopping, Ayesha felt the hairs on her neck lift, something was watching her, something she couldn't see or smell, but knew she was in its sights.
"JUDAS, WHERE ARE YOU ?"

[genie]

Ayele was moving his paws, a look of difficult concentration on his face, this was getting hard, the concentration of moving the right toe and several times he nearly moved the wrong one but suddenly their game was interrupted and he looked at Umojo who was talking of another game, Ayele glanced around, when had his sister disappeared, he been concentrating so hard he'd not noticed.

[Judas]

The soldier had moved off to stretch his legs; well that was the official explanation. In reality he had headed down stream to try and relocate that panther, which had just left them and not come back when she said she would. And to be honest this place was starting to creep him out, there was something wrong, he didn’t know what exactly just not all about this place was as it seemed.

The tsavo had his gaze on the ground as well as the branches above and shadows around him, who knew what lived in this place? He kept his steps quiet and his movements were careful and alert he had learned a thing or two about stealth over the years and how to disappear when he felt like it.

The soldier’s ears twitched as a far off voice seemed call his name, he recognized the voice being Ayesha. He did want to yell back, but doing so he might attract the attention of whatever lived in this forest, and a confrontation of the violent sort was the last thing he needed. He took a step forward as his gaze shot behind him; perhaps they had found a way across. But why had Ayesha gone after him; she was the best able to look after the cubs, but then again she was probably the only one that cared enough.

"Just go back to cubs, Ayesha. I'll catch up with you later, they need you." he thought, oh how he wished telepathy was real it'd be really helpful in situvations like these.

Torn, but determined he decided to go forward, foolish as it may have been; he’d meet up with them later down the road. He was after all doing them a favor by checking out the place; decides they would never get the prince healthy again as long as that panther was gone. And this Death-guy had yet to show his ugly face, preferably not in the form of crocodiles; Judas has already had enough of those to last a life time.

[cheezeegriff]

"Where did Ayesha go?"

Keshomaliki asked. He didn't look interested in playing games anymore. In fact, he looked like Umoja felt: worried.
Twisting about, umoja gazed over to the opposite bank, where Imani was waiting for them.
"Imani, don't move from there. I don't want to lose you too."
With that he walked to the edge of the reeds where Ayesha had disappeared and roared,
"Ayesha! Judas! Where are you??"
He waited a moment, hoping for a reply. The sun was getting higher here, and this side of the bank there wasn't much shade. He hoped the cubs were coping better than he.

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

"I'm hot... and thirsty,"
Kesho said to Ayele, then looked up at Umoja, who was poking his head into the reeds. The water glistened nearby though, looking so clear and refreshing... picking himself up, Kesho waddled towards the bank.
He knelt down, careful not to fall in, and took a few drinks with his tongue. Boy, that was good. The water was only shallow here though, so it was easy to taste the grit the fast-flowing water stirred up from the river's bank. So he waddled foward a little, putting his paws in the deeper part, feeling the surge of the current around his legs.
No problem though: he was feeling quite strong at the moment.
Leaning forwards, gripping a small log for support, he knew he was being naughty. His carers at home were always so careful with him around water, but the rapids, the rushing and bubbling around his ankles, and the fact that it was quite cool teased him forwards: he wasn't backing away yet.
A lizard jumped into the water beside him though and he jumped, startled, and the log he'd been gripping and the bank moved apart from each other. With a little shriek he gripped the log with his forepaws instead of the bank with his back, then tried to emit a proper scream, but the log spun, and all that came out of his mouth were bubbles.

[Dakota]

Standing still with her claws bared, again Ayesha roared out the soldiers name and no response. Looking carefully around her, her instinct kicked in, whatever or whoever was hiding in the dense forest, they weren't about to make an appearence, and she wasn't about to stand there all day hoping Judas would just casually walk out.

Turning she made her way back to where she had left Umoja looking after the cubs, she knew they had to make their way across the river soon, no matter that the black panther hadn't returned, if Imani had made it over safely, well they could do the same. Pausing for a moment in mid stride, she looked back to where she had come from hoping against all hope that he would appear, despondent Ayesha turned and carried on.

Coming back out into the clearance, she smiled as she saw Ele standing there waiting patiently, but looking around there was no sign of the prince.Rushing forward, Ayesha screamed out to Umoja
"What have you done with Kesho.. you were meant to be looking after him, thats your job..... where is he ?"