Adolescent Ages

[growl1]

(OOC: Ok, here's my start.)
Ranger woke up from a long and refreshing nap feeling pretty good. He yawned and shook out his black mane so it wouldn't look so scruffy, then stood up and thought to himself,
hmm, what should I do this evening? I know, why don't I take a walk? As soon as he stepped out of the cave and took another long look over the barren Pridelands, he thought, sarcastically,
No offense, dad, but you really suck at this being king thing. Then, swishing his tail happily, he headed down Pride Rock.
(OOC: If anyone wants to know what he looks like, see his profile. It's in the characters section and it's under his name.
G.1.)

[This Land]

Kikome Smiled and Nodded as Seleter went past him. He kept his eyes on her to see where she was going. He watched as she sat down some distance away and started eating again. Kikome went inside for a bite to eat, He went up to the dead animal and took a chunk of meat and sat down somewhat close to Sukari and started chewing away. He kept his eye on Seleter just out of curiosity of what she was doing. It very soon occurred to him that it was just her instinct to be alone, because it’s good to do that every now and then.

As Kikome was being curious, something warm and fuzzy was on Kikome's front paw. Kikome turned around and he jumped a breath as he seen Sukari, staring at him with a big smile. Kikome was getting confused now as to from Sukari's point of view, Kikome was a stranger and how could a Cub be so accustom to him. After all she has lost her memory, but Kikome's point of view on memory loss is soon going to turn as to what Sukari was going to say next.

Sukari Sat Down and looked up at Kikome. Her big smile slowly flattening and her expression turning into hint of curiosity.

"I was just talking to Seleter about this.....its weird how I didn't wake up when you met the group, because I wake up all the time when a lion I don't know comes into close contact. And if its someone I know, I just carry on sleeping. I don't know how it works properly, I think its just my nose still working while I’m asleep. I also for some reason just don't feel afraid of you for some reason. And I can trust you straight away."
Sukari paused for a moment, took a few steps back and started at Kikome again
"Do I know you?"

Kikome took a deep breath to cover the gasp he was about to do. He then slowly exhaled.
Kikome at this time didn't want to tell Sukari of the truth, he didn't think she was quiet ready, after all she only just met him. But then again he didn't want to be unfaithful to his daughter.
Kikome looked into Sukari's eyes
“The Mind and Memory can unveil so many things we don’t know, you will sooner or later find out why.” he said gently
“I know this seems confusing and I’m sorry little one but I don’t know how else to put it until you are ready”
Sukari edged closer to Kikome
“What do you mean until I am ready” she said confused, slightly angered
"Hop on my back” he said warmly with a smile.
Kikome lowered himself to let Sukari get on. She hesitated for a moment but soon hopped up onto his back and kikome stood up again.
He started walking out of the entrance and he started to walk into the direction of seleter, he walked in slight semi-circle around her, not to enter her time alone.
Kikome battled to hold back the emotion that was going through him, the warmth and touch of his daughter. He carried on walking, slowly, glancing over at Seleter now and then

"Sukari.....You don't know me ...at the moment, because of your memory loss. But I will do everything in my power to help you. I Promise you I will.

Kikome slowly sat down not to near to Seleter and let Sukari slide of his Back. Sukari ran around to face the front of Kikome
"What are you going on about" Sukari said slightly angered
Kikome put his paw on top of Sukari's head and stroked her. He turned his head and looked at Seleter, smiled, and then looked back at Sukari

"Where the Insects Crawl
Where the Birds Fly
Where the Animals Walk
I Lay Alone...I Cry.

Every Day I searched
Every Day I Listen
To finally find her one day
See her with my own eyes, as they glisten.

"Kikome" You will find her
But not so with Strife
Keep everything in the Balance
The Balance in The circle Of Life"

A tear came down Kikome's cheek.
"Sukari, I am trying to find someone I lost, just like you have. But memory is a pretty big wall at the moment. And I’m sure we will crack it together. lets just give each other time, no matter how curious we both are. As I Said, until you are ready, then and only then you will find out. I hope you understand."

Basically what Kikome was saying is that, he is trying to still find a cub he knew and loved, just that the unfortunate happening of memory loss is stopping him doing that. Just as it is the cub trying to find out Who Kikome is. They both have to work together...

At first Sukari had the most confused look on her face. But it soon clicked into place and she started to smile.
"I understand” she said sweetly
Kikome smiled, leant down and gave Sukari a little nuzzle.
"I'm sure we both will sooner or later" he said warmly
"Run along now, I need to talk to seleter"
Sukari Purred slightly when Kikome nuzzled her, she nodded in agreement and soon ran back to the hollow tree.


Kikome waited a while for seleter to finish the part of the meat she had and he took the few paces over to her.

"My Apologies seleter for invading" he said gently
"But do you mind company, because I need to ask how I break it to my daughter. I know she can be ready for allot of things, but how do a break to her that I am a person that she assumes don't exist anymore." he said upset.

Kikome sat down, switching between looking at her and looking at his little daughter running back to the hollow tree. He didn’t know what to do now for the best for her.


(ooc - warning TL, is having a nervous breakdown, due to this, he does things that can never be imagined, such as long posts)

[Kirsui]

Seleter's ears twiched as Kikome approached with Sukari, but she did not lift her gaze from her meal. She kept listening to what was spoken between the two, heard the poem Kikome said, and heard Sukari race off to the hollow tree just as she finished her food. And as she lifted her gaze she saw Kikome, and heard him ask for advice.

Seleter remained silent for a while, keeping the gaze of her light purple eyes locked on Kikome.
"I suggest..."
She sighed, shaking her head momentarily before looking up at the sky.
"No... More like I 'think' the best way to work around on this is to stay close to her..."
She turned her head at Kikome again.
"When... Sukari lost her memory, she didn't remember any of us with whom she had been traveling. She was so confused, lost..."
She sighed again.
"We kept her close, and not too long after her memory loss she remembered the nickname she used to call me before the memory loss. She called me 'Seleta'..."
The cheetah closed her eyes, swallowing as she turned her head slightly away from Kikome once again.
"And this makes me believe that by keeping her close you can make her memory return. I believe that if you do things with her that you used to do before you got separated in the first place, she might remember. It will be slow, of that I'm sure... But things like this tend to heal with time."

Suddenly Seleter's ears perked up and she opened her eyes. Sniffing the air slightly she looked right forward into the jungle, until she saw a creature step out of the treeline to her view. And it was a creature she thought she'd never see inside the jungle... Another cheetah.

"Excuse me. I hate to intrude on your meal, but I've gotten myself lost in this jungle. Do you know the fastest way out?"

Seleter blinked her eyes, for a moment feeling completely lost in the precence of another of her own species.
"Umm..."
She shook her head before she managed to smile faintly.
"Yes, I know a way out of this jungle."
Her smile disappeared.
"But if you want a word of advice, you would not go to where I could lead you... The Pride Lands are not a good place for a cheetah, I should know after living all my life there... The King ruling those lands does not seem to like our kind..."

Seleter flattened her ears as a slightly distant look came to her eyes. She was recalling past events, ones that she would not have wanted to think of all that much... Shaking her head she snapped out of it before smiling faintly at the other cheetah.
"My apologies... It has been long of the last time I saw another cheetah..."
She nodded her head slightly at the cheetah standing in front of her.
"My name is Seleter."

[Dakota]

On Charlie walked, slowly with his head hanging down and his ears flattened. Anything could have jumped out at him, he wasn't really interested or paying any attention to his surroundings, his mind was just a jumble of things playing over and over.

What's going to happen when Nala finds out Seleter is having Fire's cubs... what if we don't find either of them again, we don't know where Scar and Zira took them or even if they are still alive

Shaking his head, he wasn't watching where he was going and tripped over a tree root. Registering the fact that he was feeling pain,, he lowered his eyes down to look at his paws, seeing he had ripped a claw and blood was dripping softly onto the ground. Standing still he watched transfixed as the blood came in contact with the dry soil, then spread into a small pool, starting to congeal.

Stepping back and blinking once, Charlie moved on further into the bushes, he wasn't sure what he should do, even thinking that maybe now would be a good time to make his way back to where he last saw Nala and Fire being led away by Scar and his bunch of followers.

[Reagen]

(OoC: Seleter is having Fires cubs...? Whaaaat??? That doesn't even make sense!)

"Oh don't worry," Reagen said with a cocky smile. "I have a knack for staying out of trouble." That seems to have been switched off recently he thought to himself with an inward grimace. I still can't believe I was lost in a desert, and now I'm lost in a jungle.

Then, with a more serious expression, he added; "And um, no offense sir," He said looking at the strange lion. "but I've never heard of cheetahs and lions eating together. You two look troubled, is something wrong?"

[Kirsui]

((OOC: Might I just point out that CHARLIE thinks Seleter is having Fire's cubs. =P Seleter herself has not said this. XDD If you have read some of the older posts on this page Reagen, you will see how Charlie got that idea. =3 ))



Seleter lifted an eyebrow at the male cheetah. Mentally she rolled her eyes though her expression outside remained as it was. She had told her name, he had not replied with his own. She soon enough pushed these thoughts away though. There had been a time when she had not spoken like this to strangers...

The male cheetah's next words caused Seleter's ears to perk slightly.

"-- I've never heard of cheetahs and lions eating together. You two look troubled, is something wrong?"

She chuckled un-amusedly, glancing at Kikome.
"I actually can answer as to why you see a cheetah eat with lions..." she begun slowly, considering every word she let out carefully.
"I have been traveling with a small group of lions for some time now... It originally begun when I found this small lion cub called Sukari alone from the Pride Lands."
She shook her head slightly.
"It's a long story... Shortly said we became a gorup of close friends who try to survive under the ruling of our 'lovely Royal couple'."

The golden cheetah sighed once more before turning to look at the hollow tree. She could see a glimpse of both cubs inside, and she couldn't help the faint smile...

Then her eyes narrowed as she realized someone was missing.
'Charlie....?'
She didn't understand how she could have missed him leave. Had she been concentrating on her dinner all that much...? She cursed herself of being foolish enough not to notice, and by now the lion could be anywhere. She flattened her ears, momentarily forgetting both Kikome and the male cheetah as she gazed at the trees.

[This Land]

Kikome Listened to every word that Seleter had spoken, It was true everything that she said, the only way to cure such matters was to just spend time with Sukari. Also Let Sukari find out herself who Kikome really is, and if need be, help her a bit, or tell her when he thinks she is ready and has hints.

The Hard part now, was to get that all into action .Hope that Sukari's Deep thoughts and insticts, Just like her not waking up when she was around "the stranger", Would again come into play.

Kikome Smiled Warmly at Seleter and nodded
"Thank you Seleter, The words that Come out of your mouth makes my confidence so much higher" he said Warmly.

When this new Cheetah Came up to Seleter. his first reaction was to bare his claws, ready for anything. But as they both started talking, Kikome Half Put his claws away, just in case this cheetah was playing "nice guy", waiting for the right moment to attack. This didn't Stop Kikome though being friendly to him to back, after all why be un-nice to a animal if they are nice to you back to begin with, you only have to start being hostile if they are first.

"Oh yes, Finding Sukari Indeed, which i will still be forever great full" he Said happily to Seleter.
Kikome looked over to The Cheetah
"Dont worry Sir, i was surprised at first of Seleter's differences, but at the same time i felt good for her straight away. Because why be the same as everyone else. Dont live in instict, Live in your own way. Instinct can cover the true Animal you really are" Kikome said powerfully and smiled

"Unless its Prey, The instict of a Zebra to run from a predator make it more fun for Me. Unless i am hungry and i kill it Stealth like, without it managing to take one step" He chuckled to himself

Kikome's Smile soon turned plain
"Or If you are like my daughter at the Moment. For her........instinct is everything, along with deep thoughts, if she is to remember me....... Instinct can be good and bad, just depends in what scenario you are in" he said in a lower upsetting tone

"Anyway I think ii am going off topic here. What be your name Sir" Kikome said towards the Cheetah with a Faint Smile to cover up the moment of Upset.

Kikome Looked around to Seleter Momentarily as she Flattened her Ears.
"What's the Matter Sel?" he asked concerned

[Deleted]

Remba kept moving slowly after the black lion, she wasn't sure where he was going, but she had liked being with him and the way he had been looking after her.

Starting to feel a bit scared, she wasn't used to being alone, her eyes started darting everywhere, the shadows were making her afraid. Stopping she turned and looked behind her, she couldn't see the big tree or Seleter anymore, all around her were just strange sounds.

"Charlie...where are you ?, Chhhhaarrlee" her little voice quavered.

Hearing a bang behind her, Remba darted forward running into bushes and branches that were blocking her way. Her ears were flattened and her little body was shaking.

"Chaaarleeee, help me "

[Reagen]

Reagen tried to take in all that they were telling him. Hm, I suppose I can trust them. I'll have to in order to survive in this jungle.

"Ah, I'm sorry. My name is Reagen. But in any case, I'd be very glad if you could show me the way out. If you're heading there, I could tag along for a while." He then turned to Seleter, comfused at her staring at a large tree.

[Kirsui]

Seleter sighed faintly before turning to look at Kikome with a faint smile.
"Nothing... nothing important."
She knew she was avoiding the subject now, that she didn't want to tell how worried she actually was when she couldn't see Charlie anywhere. She knew her lion friend could take care of himself, but... She was still worried.

"Ah, I'm sorry. My name is Reagen. But in any case, I'd be very glad if you could show me the way out. If you're heading there, I could tag along for a while."

Seleter turned her gaze from Kikome to the male cheetah.
"If that is what you really wish, Reagen..." she said with a slightly thoughtful expression on her face.
"You have heard my warning, it is up to you if you still wish to go out there."
Shaking her head slightly she stood up, turning to face Kikome.
"Can you look after the cubs for a moment?"
She covered her worry of Charlie's safety under a smile.
"I need a walk anyway, and could take Reagen out of the jungle."
She glanced at Reagen before slowly beginning to walk to the edge of the direction from which she, Charlie and the cubs had come to the hollow tree in the first place.

[This Land]

Kikome Lowered his head as a small bow.
"Good to of met you Reagan" Kikome said plainly
Kikome's slightly Bared Claws, came out a little further, just in case. He was never careless, especially when his Daughter is in the area, and all that has happened to her. It was natural for Kikome to be protective over his daughter and the Group that have looked after her....Just in case Reagan was Hostile, and playing nice guy.

After Seleter asked Kikome To look after the cub's for a bit while she Shown Reagan the way, a concerned expression appeered on Kikome's face to say "Be careful".

Kikome Nodded slightly and stood up
"Of course Seleter, just remember it is almost Sundown, and we should all stay together in that tree at night, to avoid any potential dangers" he said half concerned half relaxed

Kikome Briskly slid his Nuzzle across Seleter's Shoulder and made his way back to the cave, also hoping there was a bit more meat left, as his last portion had gone down, and he wanted to refill.

[Reagen]

Reagen followed Seleter as she lead the way to, what he hoped was, the end of the jungle.

He didn't like that lion who was with Seleter earlier, he obviously didn't like him. And personally, Reagen didn't like him either. He didn't like lions, or other cheetahs. or, well, anything. Truth be told, he trusted no one. Sure, he acts nice enough, but he wouldn't put it past anyone to betray him. Now, it's not as if he won't make friends, but he just can't seem to believe people will stay true to there word.

As he continued walking, he kept thinking something was wrong with Seleter, Every time he look in her direction, something just seemed... off. She looked normal, but something was just sort of, strange. In fact, everything around her seemed strange. Maybe he was going insane. Probably. But, no, that's not it. It was like she had this aura of... Oh no, he understood now. He was in love. Again. He told himself he would never fall in love again after his last attempt at being romantic. And yet here he was, knowing he was going to say something stupid. He just knew he was going to say something stupid. He couldn't stop himself fast enough.

"So... Where are you from?"

Reagen mentally killed himself.

[Kirsui]

Seleter lead Reagen through the jungle, her purple eyes scanning the area for landmarks. She was glad she had automatically been looking closely at the area while she had entered the jungle, because now it sure helped her to get the way out of there too.

And then she heard Reagen speak. In surprise the golden cheetah turned to look at him, and the surprise was visible on her face for a brief moment. Then a slight smile covered that.
"Where am I from?" she begun.
"That... Is a long story, or a short story made long, depending completely on how you think of it."
She glanced at the other cheetah from her eyecorner. Why did she feel like he was looking at her oddly...?
"I was born on Pride Lands, the very same place where I'm leading you right now. I grew up there, and saw how the change of the king ruling those lands changed the lands itself."
She sighed, her smile dissappearing as a distant look came to her eyes.
"I remember how those lands used to be the perfect place to live in... The lions back then weren't as negative towards us cheetahs as they are now..."

Seleter shook her head and turned to look at Reagen, a determined expression on her face. For a moment she kept walking like that without speaking anything, then she turned to look forward.
"I warn you one last time, Reagen", she said.
"The place where you are going now is not a good place for a cheetah anymore. There are hyenas everywhere, the food resources have become smaller. Even the land itself begins to look like it's dying."

Then she stopped walking. They had come out of the jungle and the savannah opened in front of them. Seleter gazed around the savannah. For a moment she looked like she was about to dash out there, to run as fast as she could through the grass fields. But instead her gaze locked on the stone formation that was the Pride Rock, her ears flattened and the slight sparkle of excitement she had had in her eyes disappeared.
'Nala... Fire...' she thought, forgetting Reagen momentarily.
'Where are you...?'

[This Land]

As Kikome Made his Way back to the Hollow Tree Sukari Came running Out.
"Kikome, Where has everyone gone?" Sukari said Confused
Kikome Darted into the Hollow tree to see nothing but the remains of the meal.
By the time Kikome had ran out to tell Seleter, she was gone, along with Reagan.

"Sukari, did you see Charlie or Remba" Kikome said Worried
Sukari just started shaking and shook her head as a response to say no

Kikome turned around and Roared to see if Seleter could hear him. and with that Kikome turned back to Sukari and faintly smiled

"Comon Sukari, get on my back, its not wise to travel around the jungle at night, I have done so, so many times, and it aint prettier then you think" he said seriously

Kikome Lowered his back to let Sukari jump on and held on tight to his Mane.

Kikome sharpened his eyes all around him, looking at anything that could tell where Charlie and Remba Had Gone. He focused into some bushes that had recently been disturbed, as the Moisture wasn't on top of the leaves any more, and that was his best lead. Kikome darted through the bushes and roared again, trying to alert Seleter if she was close.

"Remba?.......Charlie?, its not wise to wonder around here at night..........come back........roar if you can hear me". Kikome Shouted

Why was Kikome so protective over the others?. Well he already knows what it feels like for a cub to get lost in these lands, he didn't want the same happening again. And as for Charlie, he is a good friend of Seleter, and Kikome would try everything to not get them separated.

A scent waved past Kikome's Nose. he stopped and smelt again, concentrating. then suddenly a voice behind his hear
"Blood Kikome" Sukari said plainly
"I thought I was the only one who had a very high developed sense of smell. i thought i was the only one that could smell it" she said confused
"No other lion would smell what I have just smelt so distant" she added

Kikome knew why. But he still didn't dare say so
"Both Alike little one, " he said warmly.
Kikome darted further into the Jungle, and soon the smell got stronger, he eyes focused on the ground. With the last bit of light touching it. He spotted the few Dots of blood, and the scent of Charlie was strong around them both. He also had a string scent of Remba in the area

Kikome Shouted out again
"Charlie....Remba, its me Kikome, come back we need to stay together"

Kikome stopped walking fast and came to a standstill, taking in deep breaths to get his breath back. His ears perked up as he could hear faint Shaking and breathing. Remember that Kikome has been Highly trained, his senses are allot stronger then normal. this Shaking was coming from some distance away. It could only be Remba as her scent was stronger in that Direction. He looked in the direction it was coming from, as he gave his voice one last chance

"Remba.....Please, we need to find the others, and go back, please let me see you, if you are here with Sukari and me, you are safe" Kikome said gently into the thick Jungle, hoping that a Cub would come out from somewhere.

[Reagen]

Reagen looked around at the pride lands. On the one hand, it was better then a desert. On the other hand... It wasn't by much. Although Reagen was sure with all his cocky might that he could survive here.

"Huh... You wern't kidding when you said this place was in bad shape. So the king is causing all this? Why haven't you just revolted against him the? The resident pride of lions could force him to back down, right?"

(OoC: hey, does anyone know why the whole fire-nala-scar-zira thing isn't going at all?)

[Deleted]

(OOC - For the moment that part of rp is at a pause as Fire has had exams/work, so we are all posting on the other half of the story till Fire posts, which will be soon I'm told

[Kirsui]

Seleter snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at Reagen. She was silent for a good while, thinking how she could reply.
"Yes", she finally said, breaking the silence.
"They could overthrow him... If he was alone."
She shook her head, letting her gaze wander at the savannah before returning to look at Reagen.
"He has followers. Not only his 'queen' Zira who blindly does as he tells and sometimes figures things to do to mess with others lives on her own... But also about half of the lionesses in the pride support him, do blindly as he or Zira tell them to do..."

She sighed and let her head drop slightly lower. She didn't like this next subject she was going to say... But since she had now begun...
"The hyenas... They battle with him. I assume he has poisoned their minds somehow, has promised them something in a trade for their loyalty."
She blinked her eyes, keeping her gaze locked on some small stones near her front paws.
"I wish those creatures wouldn't exist, or that they had stayed out of Pride Lands. They kept attacking cheetahs for easy prey back when there used to be a lot more of us here... They stole our food, and when we didn't have food they killed the young."

Seleter dug her claws into the ground, only barely managing to keep herself from growling. For a moment that same determination that she had had when asking Charlie to train her to fight flashed in her eyes. At that moment she looked very dangerous, however small she might have been for a full grown cheetah.

Then the moment was gone and she looked calm. She lifted her head up, staring blankly at Pride Rock.
"So what will you do now, Reagen?" she asked quietly.

---

A momentago she had been walking peacefully towards the waterhole, to have a drink of the water resource that she knew had become smaller recently. She knew these things were happening to the lands, that there was less food and water after each day passing... She blamed the hyenas for it, the filthy beasts were too much for the nature to bare with all the lions to feed too.

But did she care...?

No, Zira was happy with the situation as long as she herself got enough food and water. She didn't care of the weaker, those who were lower in the rank inside the pride. She was the Queen, only Scar was above her! And she would use her position as she pleased, as long as she did nothing against Scar's wishes.

The stripe headed lowered herself down for the drink, her ears moving from side to side as she kept a guard on the surroundings by listening. Nothing... The surroundings were as quiet as ever. From time to time she could hear the laughing bark of the hyenas around the lands, but she had gotten used to hearing that after Scar became the king.

Lifting herself up to her feet again, the stripe headed continued her travel through the lands. Earlier she had been informed about an intruder, but she had not seen anyone. The hyena that had told her this would have to pay... She had had to leave Scar's side while he was playing around with Fire and Nala, and she indeed would want to get back there and see what was going to happen...

...but for now she would have to make sure the hyena indeed had been wrong about the intruder.

[Reagen]

Reagen was looking at the sky. He couldn't decide where to go from here. He would have liked to stay with Seleter. He still didn't trust her or her company very much. Sure, she helped him, but he just wasn't comfortable in large groups. It's too easy to be betrayed, the more friends you have, the sooner one turns on you. He had learned that lesson from his old "friends". But... Seleter was very nice. Maybe she would turn out to be a traitor...

"I'm going to live here, I suppose. Thank you for helping me."

He started to walk away, but stopped for a moment.

"If we ever meet again... Well, goodbye."

___________________________________________________


Reagen Explored the pride lands and started thinking of where to set his territory. If we ever meet again... What? What was I even going to say? "Let's be friends?" "Let's start a rebellion?" "Let's invite the hyenas over for a party?" He knew what he had wanted to say, but he didn't want to think that he was about to say it.

Suddenly, he noticed that a lion was only a little ways ahead of him! He had been so busy thinking that he hadn't even noticed! He could run away now, but it wouldn't hurt to figure out who she was first.

(OoC: In case you can't tell, I'm talking about Zira.)

[growl1]

As Ranger headed toward the watering hole, he noticed Zira there. Oh, great, the last lioness I wanted to see right now. Oh, well, after all, she is my stepmother and I'll have to be civil, he thought. He stepped up behind her, and said,
"Hello, Zira. What are you doing today? Anything interesting?"
(OOC: Thanks to the person who gave this suggestion! It really helped!
G.1.)

[Kirsui]

Seleter smiled faintly at Reagen, then nodded a good bye as the male cheetah left. She stood there at the border of the jungle for quite some time, watching as the figure of Reagen became smaller and smaller. For some reason she felt... Odd... To let another one of her own species to run off like this.

The golden cheetah shook her head and turned to head back into the jungle. She did glance once more over her shoulder, but she couldn't see Reagen anymore. She didn't really understand herself why she felt bad letting him go alone, why she felt bad she had to return to her friends. But, Sukari was there, and the cub needed her even when Kikome was there.

Seleter walked along slowly, from time to time gazing up to the trees around her. It wasn't until she came to a small stream that she stopped, looking at her reflection from the water. She narrowed her eyes, causing a frown appear on her face.

Then she pounced on the stream, breaking the reflection as she walked over the water without looking back. She was almost at the hollow tree now, only a few more moments and she'd be there again.

---

Zira hadn't gotten far from the waterhole when she was stopped by a familiar voice. The stripe headed froze, then a slight growl escaped her.
"Hello Ranger..." she said, turning to look at the lion over her shoulder.
"It has been... A while..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. She wasn't at all pleased to see him, but since he now was here...
"Seems you have faired, ah... well..."

Zira gazed around the area. She was sure she had seen a movement from her eyecorner only a little before Ranger had appeared. But now the lion was taking almost all her attention. And so she finally turned around to completely face Scar's son.
"What am I doing you ask...?"
She frowned. She had never really liked Ranger... But since Scar was his father she hadn't had much choise.
"Since when have you been so interested of my doings? And since when has that been any of your concerne?"

[Reagen]

The lioness hadn't noticed him, as a new lion had just taken her attention. Reagen crept closer to hear what they were saying.

What am I doing you ask...? Since when have you been so interested of my doings? And since when has that been any of your concern?

It would appear the she doesn't like him. But she seems to be restraining her hate. Perhaps they're in the same pride...? Although she might be his mother. Ah, well. Reagen thought. If I stick around I might learn something about the lions in this territory.

[growl1]

Ranger thought, ok, she's obviously not in a very good mood after she had spun around and asked her questions like that. He answered evenly,
"I was just wondering what you were doing and whether you might know where Father and the rest of the Pride are. I was a little worried. I woke up earlier and found them gone.
So, do you have any idea where they might be or what my father might be up to?", he asked, looking Zira straight in the eye as if daring her to try something other than give him a straight answer.
G.1.

[Deleted]

Remba lay there, with her eyes closed shaking badly with silent tears streaming down her little face, where is Charlie, why hasn't he come and found me, I called his name...where is he...Charlie

Struggling she tried to move, but her body was caught in some vines, and the more she wriggled the tighter they became. Tired now from fighting, she just lay there closing her eyes.

Remba froze, she could hear a noise coming towards her, she was about to call out Charlie, but what if it wasn't him. Lowering her head she tucked it down on her chest trying to huddle into a ball while still being pulled by the vines.

"REMBA, REMBA ." she heard, but was too scared to uncurl herself, it wasn't Charlie, who was it. Trembling still she opened her muzzle and her voice came out as a squeak "I'm here, please come get me" and just waited.

[Dakota]

Charlie slowly kept walking, his mind in a turmoil, he just didn't know what the right thing was to do. His mind was telling him to carry on and look for Fire and Nala, try and help them escape whatever fate Zira and Scar had in store for them... and yet his heart was telling him something totally different.

Suddenly pain filtered into his thoughts and he looked down, realising that his paw had somehow got a large gash carved in it. and blood was smeared over his black fur. Feeling tiredness seep through his body, Charlie just laid down where he was and curled into himself.

Lifting his head, his black furred ears moved, as he looked back down the path he had travelled, Charlie thought he heard a little cry filter through, listening again all had fallen silent,

I must be hearing what I would like to hear, no ones coming after me, I am dispensable now they have someone else to look after them

Laying his head back down, his injured paw twitched in silent pain, as the black lion huddled in misery, not knowing what was going to happen next. He was tired, yet his body wouldn't allow him the luxery of sleep, closing his eyes he waited for darkness to come.

[Reagen]

I was just wondering what you were doing and whether you might know where Father and the rest of the Pride are. I was a little worried. I woke up earlier and found them gone.
So, do you have any idea where they might be or what my father might be up to

Father and the rest of the pride? then this must be scars son! And is the lioness his mother? She doesn't look like him, or even like him for that matter. Maybe he's adopted? or the son of an evil tyrant, this lion didn't seem all that bad. Could Seleter have made a mistake?

In any case, Reagen was getting hungry. He tried to sneak off slowly, making as little noise as possible. For now, he didn't want to take chances. Even if the lions were nice, if they found him they would think he was spying on them! Which he was, but, they don't have to know that.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: Long post alert! ))


Zira snorted ar Ranger, an amused sparkle in her eyes.
"Where are they...?" she said on a lowered voice, as if to make sure she had heard the question right.
"Use your head! Where do you think the King might be...?"
She flattened her ears and growled slightly, more out of annoyance than out of anger.
"The Pride Rock! That's where Scar is, that's where the rest of the pride is! We don't move around these lands much, Ranger... And we certainly are not leaving either!"

The direction of the wind changed, and the stripe headed thought she could smell another feline nearby. She didn't show her awareness of the stranger though. Not yet. All she did was keeping her gaze locked on the male lion while her tail flickered behind her. Everything in her pose spoke of frustration.
"If the pride is gone, they've returned to the Rock... If some are not there, they will be later."
Her eyes narrowed slightly and when she spoke again her voice was lower than a moment ago.
"You would do well to remember that..."

Zira then turned to leave.
"Now if you will excuse me", she said on a mocking tone, as if she needed his permission to leave.
"I have duties. I trust you know your way back to the Pride Rock on your own."
She begun walking away. She would now check out that other feline whose scent she had caught... But of course she didn't head into the feline's direction as she wanted to surprise the creature. For a brief moment she did stop though, to give one last glance at Ranger.
"If you don't know the way", she said on an overly sweet tone, "you can always ask the hyenas."

Smirking slightly the stripe headed kept walking. She climbed up a hill, seemingly going to another direction from where she estimated the unknown feline would be. But as soon as she had gone over the hill she turned around, and stalked around. A grin appeared on her face when she caught a sight of the feline. A male cheetah... How lovely.

She let him crawl forward just a little while, creating a feeling that he was getting away...
"My, my... What do we have here."
She was now standing behind the cheetah. She hadn't seen him before, which meant he must have just arrived. She knew she could never catch him if he decided to run... And he would run if she threatened him.

So she took the most innocent expression she had, mixing slight curiousness into it as well by tilting her head. She waited for his reaction, keeping her pose as far from hostile as possible.

---

Seleter arrived, only to find out no one was there. Charlie had disappeared earlier, she knew that already. Kikome, Sukari and Remba, however...

The golden cheetah circled around the area nearby the hollow tree, her gaze locked on the ground while she sniffed the air for the scents of her friends. She could smell Kikome the strongest as well as see his pawprints when he had stepped on a small muddy spot. She caught the scent of Sukari slightly higher from small loose branches. Sukari must have been sitting on Kikome's back and the leaves must have brushed her slightly...

Remba she found next after a good while of searching, not too far away from where she had found the scent of Kikome and Sukari. Worried she narrowed her eyes. Remba's scent had faded more than Kikome's and she couldn't see any of her paw prints. She came to the conclusion that the cub had left earlier than Kikome and Sukari, which was another thing to cause her worry over the cub's safety.

Then she froze, lowering her head as close to the ground as she could while sniffing. She could smell Charlie here, only faintly. remba's scent had masked Charlie's so well she had almost missed it. Her worry rose again. Remba had left after Charlie, of that she was sure. Kikome and Sukari propably had left after noticing the two were gone.

Seleter hesitated only momentarily before she dashed into the bushes, her head as low as she could while following the fading scent. She was used to doing this while tracking prey, but now she was hunting for her group.
'My group...' she though, realizing she indeed did have a group.
She smiled, not too long ago she would not have even dreamed about a group. Things had changed, Seleter herself had changed. And for the first time in a long time she felt happy.
'I would not want to have it any other way... If I only could find them!'

After following the scent for some time she noticed a change in the scent and felt herself step on something warm and wet. Puzzled she glanced down and lifted her paw, seeing how the white fur on it had turned all red. She swallowed, flattening her ears.
'Charlie...?'
The golden cheetah looked forward, realizing there was a trail of blood ahead of her. She dashed forward, no longer worried of loosing the scent. She could follow the blood trail easily, another thing she at times used while hunting a prey that was hurt. She had to pounce over bushes and zigzag between the trees, but she didn't let the blood trail out of her sight.

Seleter's eyes widened.
'I can smell him!'
Charlie's scent had become a lot stronger than a moment ago and the cheetah slowed down. She was close now, and by the looks of the blood trail Charlie was loosing more blood now...

Her ears perked up while she continued to follow the blood trail.
'Charlie...? Where are you? Oh come on, where...?'
She stopped in the middle of her thought, frozen on her tracks. He was right there! And he was down.
"Charlie!"
The cheetah dashed to the lion and in an instant she was standing next to him. She quickly examined what injury he had and noticed the bloody paw and that his eyes were closed.
"Oh dear... Charlie!"
She laid down next to the lion, shaking him slightly.
"Charlie, wake up, wake up! Look at me!"
She flattened her ears while she kept calling his name, hoping he would open his eyes. She wouldn't dare to do anything else before he woke...

Blinking her eyes she willed the tears that threatened to break free to go away. She would not consider the possibility that Charlie wouldn't wake up...
"Charlie, please..." she pleaded while still shaking him slightly.
"Wake up."

[Reagen]

Reagen winced as the lioness spoke to him. He should have dashed away before anyone could figure out who he was. At least she didn't seem mad, maybe she didn't know that he had been spying. Or more likely she was luring him into a trap. Best to play along for now...

"Oh, hello." Reagen said, forcing himself to sound normally cautious. He turned around to face her, but had himself in a position to run. "Please forgive me if I was hunting to close to your prides den, I'm new to the area and I don't know the territory markers yet. My name is Reagen."

She didn't seem hostile, but her attitude had changed dramatically from when she was talking to the lion. She had to be faking this... But that doesn't mean she knows I was spying. Maybe I can get out of this without making myself an enemy of the pride.

[growl1]

Ranger, thought, listening to her, yeah, right. If they were at Pride Rock, then how come I woke up by myself there? She's deliberatly not telling me something and I don't like that.Wanting to avoid a confrontation, he said,
"All right, Zira. I'll check back there. See you later."
He tossed his mane, turned and walked off quite a ways until he was out of Zira's vision and dropped down and began making his way around to the side of Zira and the group, making sure to stay low and not be seen,
I'm gonna find out what she's up to and neither she nor anybody else is going to stop me, he thought triumphantly.
L.G.

[Dakota]

Charlie had found sleep did indeed pass over him, the dull ache of his paw had subsided and he was warm and miles away, a dream taking him back to when he pictured himself and seleter playing with the cubs, and laughter filling the air.

"Charlie, wake up, wake up! Look at me!" "Charlie, please..."

The words started to filter through into his dream, breaking up the picture of happiness he had created, slowly the dream vanished all together, bringing with it pain shooting through his paw moving up his leg. Bringing his head up from where it lay he heard a sniffling sound from beside him, his long lashes slowly rose, surprised to find Seleter beside him shaking him gently.

Staring at her wondering what she was doing there, still remembering his dream, Charlie leaned forward to give her a gentle nuzzle, but at the last moment pulled back and pushed himself away from her.
She's Fires now, she carries his cubs, and she has Kikome watching out for her, there's no reason for me being here

"What are you doing here Seleter, you should be back with sukari and Remba resting, whats wrong, why are you upset ?"

[Kirsui]

((OOC: Just to point out, Growl... The pride with Scar and the prisioners Nala and Fire is currently at the Pride Rock, and Zira and Reagen are alone while the group with Seleter, Charlie, Kikome and the cubs is in the jungle.))



Zira lifted an eyebrow, a pleasant smile on her muzzle. If the cheetah had indeed been spying on her and Ranger. Well then he would think she was faking this all, which she obviously was.

She would just have to try convince this Reagen that she was a nice lioness, no matter how big a lie that would actually be. He was an outsider, he couldn't possibly know her...
"A pleasure to meet you, Reagen", she said, nodding her head slightly in respect. Fake respect maybe, but she would pull this role the best she could.
"It has been a while since I last saw a cheetah around these lands..."
She lifted an eyebrow slightly, a curious expression on her face.
"You haven't met other cheetahs on these lands, have you? It is such a shame we haven't had your kind here in such a long time."
She didn't know why she asked that, but if this male cheetah had seen Seleter she could have a faint hint of where the cheetah and the rest of the small group were.

---

Seleter's hope sparkled up when Charlie finally opened his eyes. She felt relieved that her worst fear about Charlie's condition wasn't true. Then suddenly his behaviour changed and he pulled away.

"What are you doing here Seleter, you should be back with sukari and Remba resting, whats wrong, why are you upset ?"

Her ears flattened and a mixed expression of confusion and sadness came to her face.
"Why am I upset...?" she repeated quietly.
"You left without me noticing it. Remba, Sukari and Kikome are not at the hollow tree anymore."
She tried to take eyecontact with Charlie and failed. Her ears flattened a bit more.
"You're hurt...", she continued on a whispering voice.
"You're hurt and you ask me what's wrong? I was worried! And, and..."

She let her head drop lower, turning her head away from Charlie. It was obvious he wasn't going to look at her, but the reason why that was escaped her. What had she done to make him behave like this?
"I need you, Charlie", she whispered, blinking her eyes rapidly when her vision threatened to become blurry. She would not cry!
"I don't have anyone... The cubs look for my support, and Sukari has also Kikome once she begins to remember him... Nala and Fire have eachother, one can't miss how close the two have become."
She sighed.
"What's left for me...? Nothing, as usual. Cheetah is the loner, cheetah should be able to live alone."
She placed her head on her paws, staring at the ground in front of her. She didn't really know where all this came from, she was being overly emotional right now.

But since she had now opened her mouth she couldn't stop.
"It's not simple as that, Charlie. I feel left alone. I have gone through a lot of things I wish had never happened. Living in the Pride Lands has not been easy, not with Scar as the king."
She shivered, closing her eyes momentarily before opening them again. Her eyes looked empty, as if all the happiness that she usually felt had suddenly disappeared completely.
"I have had no one to support me", she said rather bitterly.
"And by the looks of it will never have."