Part 2: Dawn of Revenge

[Kirsui]

Kirsui's eyes fluttered open. The lioness yawned and looked around, seeing a group of dead trees. The small group of lions had been resting under them, setting two guards for the night who would wake other 2 up after some time.
No one had woken Kir up to take guard, apparently it hadn't been needed.

The lioness noticed Stardust nearby. Apparently the hyena had been the other of the last quards for the night, for the sun was already rising and new day was about to begin.

Kir walked to Stardust.
"Morning..." she muttered on a sleepy voice.
"Morning, Kir" the hyena replied. His voice was relaxed. Stardust was looking around the area, still keeping guard. Kirsui looked around and saw some figures of other members of the group, but she was too tired to care who they were.

She also didn't see the other one who had been guarding. Maybe he or she was on a scouting trip or something.



((OOC: Ok, not the best possible start for 2nd part, but I think it'll do... xD))

[Cova]

(( so many possibilities..what will i write??! ))

Xena watched as the line of sunlight crept its way slowly across the cave floor through the entrance.
It had been a sleepless night, but she had kept quiet so as not to let any of her pride onto the fact she was troubled. She had to keep a wall of stone up around her to keep order...She had pondered the fact of leaving the pride in the night to spy on their rivals. But her mind was to scrabbled and she would not have been able to focus her powers.
She gazed across the her fellow Lions strooned across the small damp temporary Feraga Cave....a sad sight for such a proud clan. Xena sunk her claws into the stone floor at the thought of Burja....at the thought of Chaza...at the thought of what she would do...It was the dawn or Revenge.
Xena knew they would have it back...it would just be a waiting game. She plucked her claws from the stone floor and got up, .keeping silent, Perhaps some foood would go down well with everyone.
She slowly made her way out.

[Silver]

Storm's eyes opned, filled with the aftermath of sleep...She saw she was a female bird today, but wanted to be something else...She yawned, and fluttered to the ground, all the while turning into a dark gray female lion, with Blue and black eyes. Her paws were red, as was her eye patches, underbelly, around her nose, and the fur on the tip of her tail. She saw another lion-for the moment it was another lion-and walked over. "Hay, Kirsui" She said, streching and yawning again.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Sorry if this is a bit long.. xD )

Ina yawned and opened her eyes. She looked around her at her sleeping pride. What a day it had been yesterday. She stood up and made her way over all the sleeping lions. She walked outside and stared up at the blazing sun, that had now risen into the beautiful blue sky. She padded slowly up the small hill the stood next to the cave and sat down in the lush, green grass. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. And it was sure to stay that away. Well it wouldn't be AS loud anyway, without the dreadul Sitama around. She had noticed that Lorien wasn't in the cave when she had woken up. "Oh, Lorien.. please don't tell me you've abandoned me too.." She said, and let out a deep sigh as the wind blew from behind her, blowing gently on her fur. The wind carried her voice away from her. She looked out across the lands. In the distance, she could say the faint silohette of their so called 'battle field.' She hung her head in shame. What a nightmare her life had been turning into. She had let a member of her own pride take control, causing a fight, killing many of her own and the opposition. Why on earth were they fighting anyway? And she had lost 4 surviving members. Although she didn't really mind that Sitama was gone. It was a lot of pressure off her plate. She just hoped that she hadn't lost a fifth one aswell. Lorien. "I hope she's alright.." Ina mumbled to herself. She motioned her paw and made a ball of water appear. She sat there silently, playing with the ball of water, making shapes of this and that.

____________________________________________________

Trahl padded along, his paws making the dirt flick up underneath him. He smiled as Zalira trotted along behind him, mimicking him. He turned his head back around to see a fierce and angry lion standing infront of him. Zalira hadn't yet noticed the lion and continued trotting on past. The little cub then ran into something. She shook her head, and opened her eyes to see a big angry lion glaring down at her. The lion brought up a paw and was about to bring it down on her when her big brother jumped in the way. "Run Zally! Go hide!" Trahl shouted at her. Zalira was scared. What on earth was happening? What did this lion want? She ran as fast as she could into the nearby bushes. She watched silently, as scared as anything. The lion and her brother fought continuously. Until the lion sunk his claw into Trahl chest, pinning him to the ground. Zalira's eyes widened as she saw the lion pinning Trahl to the ground. Come on Trahl, you can do it. Show him what's what! She thought to herself, waiting for her brother to get up. But he didn't. Instead, the other lion pulled his claws out of Trahls chest. Blood dripping off them and falling onto Trahls grey fur. The lion gave an evil laugh before trotting off into the distance. As soon as he was gone Zalira ran out of the bushes and over to her brother. "Tra?" She whimpered. Tears started pouring out of her eyes. "Nooo!" She exclaimed as she collapsed in his lap . Zalira woke up. Her cheeks felt wet and she put a paw up to them. Yep. They were wet. Her eyes were sore too. The crying part had obiously been real. "Darn dreams.." She looked around and noticed that she had been resting her head on fire's back. She looked down at his tear-stained fur. "Oops.." She whispered, hoping not to wake anyone. She turned around to face the entrance of the cave. She walked outside and closed her eyes. Suddenly the form of the lioness dissapeared and a bird appeard on the ground. She flew up into the sky, looking around at all the morning sights.

(OOC: Told you it was gonna be long. Wow.. i think that would have to be my longest post ever! I'm quite proud of it! )

[Silver]

((Sorry...I'm not really into really looooooooong posts...))

Storm saw a bird flying in the sky. She got bord of her shape quite fast. Her dark figure looked at the bird, but She was much to lazy to actuclly change into a bird again. She waned to be a lion...oh well. I'm such a confuzing character...She thought to herself.

[Katari]

OOC: Wow, good posting everybody. Saff, that's a really good, and long, post. I must post long, too -- sorry for being so wordy! ^_^


Sitama groaned as the sun rose, bringing light…too much light. She muttered some angry words under her breath, swatting at nothing as she did so. She had not joined this little “expedition” only to lie around doing nothing for four days! Surely Chaza would make a move of some kind soon, as he’d promised, but -- where was he? The idiot rogue left them before sunrise each morning, and sometimes stayed away until after sunset. Sitama suspected that even Lorien was getting tired of this.

That…confusing…“lioness,” Storm, had shown up the second day. She’d been a gazelle, at first, but she never could keep one form for very long. Annoying. But Sitama tolerated her being there, if only because Chaza did. Curse the stupid fool….

She snarled and rose from the dewy ground, blinking and scowling. She saw Storm, and Kirsui standing guard -- where was that ridiculous hyena? -- but Chaza was gone, and she didn’t see Lorien, either. Vatasa, one of the three who’d followed her from the Burja disaster, lay sleeping nearby, but Amali and Zarea were nowhere to be seen. Now, where…?

Oh, yes. She grinned wickedly, recalling the little “suggestion” she’d given to them the night before. They’d apparently taken her advice. Very good. Maybe all their problems were over. Sitama resettled herself in the grass, content to wait for news , and hoping it would be what she longed to hear…that Chaza was no longer alive….

----------

Chaza had risen well before the sun, and drawn away from the little group that was his, to come here. By the waters of a small, clear lake, he could find peace from the complaints, and, more importantly, time to think. He needed to decide what to do next; the others were growing impatient and angry with him. Mostly Sitama, of course, but he could feel the tension and knew that everyone was losing their optimism. Sooner or later, something would happen, if he didn’t move first.

But there just wasn’t much he could do. After the first rush of adrenaline that led him to think he could take on a pride, he’d realized that it would be hopeless. Attacking Burja, what with his “hostages,” was still a possibility, but he hadn’t acted on it yet -- best not to rush these things. And that bloody voice still pounded in his head, talking of killing. That, he had no idea how to deal with.

So he stood by the cool water, staring into it, as if that might help him make the choice. Four days…four wasted days. He didn’t know what to think of Storm, the newcomer, just yet, but she (it?) seemed friendly enough. Likely to just bolt at the first battle, though, and Chaza didn’t need anyone around who wouldn’t fight for him. He didn’t need anyone at all. Perhaps he should just send them all away; it would be better for them all, and easier on him, too. But then what would he do -- leave the area without revenge? No! There had to be a way.

A rustling disturbance in the grass behind him caught his ear -- someone was coming? He hoped it was Lorien, but he didn’t think the scent was hers…. He turned to face the intruder, waiting until it revealed itself.


OOC: I already know who’s coming up behind Chaza (two of Sitama’s lionesses), but if someone else wants to jump in there instead, that’s fine, too.

[KanuTGL]

Sumai's sleep had not been pleasant. His dreams had consisted of distorted resumes of the battles we was in when he still was a young 'un, and had quickly turned into burning infernos with fire the elemental lion could not control; he could hear his fellow pridemembers and warriors scream for help in pain, but Sumai couldn't see them, and suddenly Chaza had appeared with a wicked grin, accompanied by an unknown lioness with a simliar look of evil on her face. They came closer and the red lion did everything he could to get away from there, but his paws were tied to the ground with what looked like vines, and they made him unable to move. "We have you now!" the two others had cried and charged.

That's where the dream ended and Sumai woke with a start, panting and sweating. It was barely dawn outside, only a few weak rays of sunlight was seen at the horizon. The General glanced around the cave; everyone was still inside. He sighed and put his head back onto his paws, he could as well sleep a little more...

Next time the lion woke up, it was most definitely dawn; sun was up and birds were chatting and chirping everywhere. Sumai blinked drowzily a few times, then raised his head and yawned, rows of intimidating pearly whites showing clearly. He had one lower canine that was chipped, but that was all that flawed his maw. The mighty lion got to his paws and strecthed a bit, joints creaking just a little, like they do when you haven't used them for a while. Sumai glanced over his shoulder, seeing the ugly mark the flying rock had caused yesterday and frowned slightly. Hopefully it wouldn't scar... The lion turned around and looked into the darkness of the cave; most of the members were still asleep. Good... They needed their rest... A small wrinkle appeared between the red lion's eyebrows and he sighed somewhat sadly, thinking about four days ago. What would this all lead to? So many of them were still young... So many years of peace, and now they were at war again... Sumai turned back against the sunlight and stepped outside to draw a breath of fresh air. Today looked like it could be nice. Though how nice... A colourful bird sang happily from its branch in the tree, unknowing of the troubles and thoughts of vengance that were hanging thick in the air around him...

OOC: Introducing Satoba in my next post. Got lazy xP

[Kirsui]

Kirsui got starteled by Storm's sudden appearing. She looked at the other lion with wide eyes momentarily.
"Oh.. Hi" she replied, taking in a deep breath. She wasn't used to someone shapesifting like that, in fact she had never seen shapeshifters before.
"You have quite an ability" the creamy lioness said with a faint smile, turning then to Stardust beside her. The hyena was still keeping guard.

"Seen anything interesting?" Kir asked her hyena friend. Stardust shook his head as a reply, glancing at Storm from his eyecorner. He didn't quite know what to think of this newcomer to their group. Storm was nice, yes... but there was something that made Stardust feel... odd.

The hyena chased these thoughts away from his mind, seeing then how Sitama appeared to sight. Apparently the lioness hadn't noticed him, and he was only glad of that. Stardust hadn't had any chanse of changing Sitama's opinion about hyenas, but that usually happened with lions. Only Kirsui seemed not to care that he indeed was a hyena.

Stardust sighed, turning to gaze around the savannah again. He wondered slightly of where Chaza was, but only slightly...

"So, umm..." Kirsui said to Storm, trying to come up with a conversation.
"What does it feel like to... you know... shapeshift?"
Kir cursed herself of making up such a foolish question, but what was done was done, and she could not change what she had let out of her mouth now.

[Silver]

Storm sighed. "It is fun at times, but those looks I get from the normal animals get very annoying." She said. "But, I think I might stay a lion for a while." She saw a lion- Stardust, she thought-giving her one of those looks. "Do you have a problem?" She asked hot-headedly. "Or would you likt it if a King Cobra came out of nowhere and bit you, really hard and really long??" She said, her eyes blazing with hurt and hate, from now and many other years of riticule and bring an outcast.

[Cova]

((XD))

Xena growled quietly as she stalked low to the Savannah grass..Her pure black coat was the absolute worst for hunting in the day..luckily..she had that covered..she stood, now silent, right in front of a large antelope as it ate.

Obviously Xena was invisible..she crouched before flying with all fours at its face, the animal panicked and made a desperate sounding squeal, but Xena had already clamped her jaws shut around its wind-pipe, silencing it. The antelopes friends darting away from it as blood seeped to the ground and Xena herself became visible again, releasing her grip on the animal and panting hard.

The sun was blistering on her back and the concentration of the hunt and keeping her shield up was very tiring. She licked her lips at the sweet taste of the animal, it would be savored better back with the others she thought, but it was pretty heavy..and a long way to drag...She growled before beginning her boring task..not helping to take a chunk out of it as she began dragging bit by bit across the green, yet jagged floor.

[Fel]

OOC: I'm so confused as to what day it is exactly... I'm gunna play it like it's the next day after the fight, and if it isn't, just tell me and I'll change my post.

IC: Moving slowly and in no hurry, Alandriene made her way back to the Ferarga pride. Last night's hunting had not been successful; however, she had managed to scavenge a meager meal off of a few hyenas. She had fully intended to be back at the cave before dawn early last night, but had opted to drop into a coma-like sleep in a couple of dry bushes after her meal. This morning saw her well rested and hungry again.

Her head quickly perked up and she caught movement up ahead of her in the distance. It could have been only the wind, but no, something was definitely moving up ahead. She continued to walk towards it, and thought for just a moment she saw a small flash of white againt a black background, before it blurred into the shadows of the grass again. It was Xena then. She must be out patrolling or maybe hunting.

And here began an internal debate for Alandriene. If Xena was hunting, then maybe she would want some help. It she was patrolling then she probably wanted to be alone. Plus, if she was hunting, surely she would have brought a couple lionesses with her. Unless she just hadn't wanted to bother them in their weakened state and had left to hunt alone like she herself had last night. Then again, Xena really wouldn't need help hunting given her cunning and skill, and probably wouldn't want her around anyway.

Xena could be a bit snappy sometimes, and Alandriene knew that she herself was also prone to blowing up. She also knew that the both of them were likely to be crabby when they were hungy.

Finally, she steeled her nerves and continued to approach Xena.

[EDIT] lol sorry cova posted while I was typing...so let's just say that she's already made her kill but that I don't know it yet!

[Katari]

OOC: I think it's supposed to be a couple days after, but I could be wrong; I went with four days in my post, but again, I could be way off.

[Lorien]

OOC: Silly Fel, it's four days later. I guess I'll post as well...I haven't been much in a posting mood lately o.O

BIC: Asuka lay in the cave, the wounded eye of hers starting to show signs of scar tissue. She hadn't been able to see out of it since it was wounded, but she had hoped that the sight might come back to her. Now...she no longer kept her hopes up about it. The lid involuntarily closed and she knew that it must be an ugly sight beneath it. She cursed under her breath the lioness who had done this to her. She would see her revenge, the sooner the better.

She looked around at most of the pride sleeping about her. She was glad that someone was able to get some sleep. She herself hadn't really slept much in the past four days since the battle. She couldn't, not with all of the thoughts running through her head. Usually she wasn't so uncouth, but of late she felt out of sorts. Her usual smile was lost and a scowl filled its place. Many that she normally spoke to she shunned. This war was turning her, for better or for worse she didn't know. She just knew she was changing and that she probably wouldn't ever be the same.

Rising to her feet, she stretched out her muscles and joints. She wished for something to do instead of just camping out in this cave. She resented the partial home: the way it smelled, the texture, the way the shadows played upon the walls. It wasn't home and it was starting to eat away at her. She needed to get out of here. She slowly padded around the others as they slept and made her way to the mouth of the cave, squinting her good eye as she stepped into the sunlight. Taking a deep breath, she finally got used to the change in light and looked around. Seeing Sumai, she slowly made her way over to him. "Morning, Sumai." She sat a few feet from him, keeping a distance out of respect for the older general. She wondered what he thought about all of this, and also where Xena had made her way off to, but didn't ask of either.
* * * * * *
Lorien had woken before the sun this morning, something quite odd for her. She hadn't had the best of nights and had slept very lightly, any and every noise waking her from her slumber. This time, she was woken by movement made by members of the group. She opened her eye slowly, looking around the grounds. She saw Stardust taking guard and then Chaza slip away. She wondered where he went all the time. She was beginning to feel lonely in the group. She couldn't talk to Sitama, she was too afraid to confront her. The other lionesses shunned her and she saw the dirty looks she got from them out of the corner of her eye. The only ones that she had had to talk to were Kirsui and Stardust..oh..and Storm. She had seemed nice enough, but Lorien was quite confused by her most of the time. She never knew what form she would see her in...

She was about to go back to sleep, or at the very least try, but she saw two of the other lionesses, Amali and Zarea, get up and slink away after Chaza. She knew that Sitama didn't trust Chaza and most definitely didn't like him....but she did. She wondered what the two were up to, and instead of just thinking about it, she decided to follow them. She concentrated on her power, making herself intangible to the grass so that she wouldn't make a sound while walking. Her coat, with it's earth toned colors also helped in keeping her cover as she slowly paced herself behind the two lionesses. She thought she overheard one of them whisper something about 'the plan' and this frightened her a bit. She hadn't been told of any plan, but she knew that they were up to no good.

Thoughts then passed to Chaza, alone and unawares of the pair following him. He may be strong, but two against one is never fair, especially if the two have their minds set on something. Frowning, Lorien took off at a run, meaning to spoil their plot, whatever it was. She flanked the two lionesses, running out of the way so that they still wouldn't know that she was there. She saw them heading toward a lake, and spotted the black male there as well. They were right behind him, and she sensed that he knew someone was there. With determined countanance, she rushed out and walked up to Chaza's side before they could get the chance to show themselves. As she trotted up next to him, she looked up at the male with a smile. She didn't know if she had saved him from a fight, but she knew that the two wouldn't do anything if she was there.

"Good morning, Chaza." As it were, the sun was beginning to poke his lazy head out and give the surrounding area a nice shade of orange and red. Lorien smiled at such a pretty sight, something she rarely saw, but soon brought her attention back to Chaza. She wondered again what he had been up to the past few days, but kept her mouth shut about it.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Silly Fel? I didn't know that either! I thought it was they day after. )

Zalira flew around the sky, circling the ground below. She didn't notice anything strange or exciting so she flew back down to the ground. She closed her eyes and re-opened them to find herself as a lioness yet again. She saw Sumai and Asuka. She strided over to them. "Morning Sumai!" She said and grinned at him. She then turned her attention to Asuka. "And.. Morning to you, too." She added on. It still shocked Zal that she had attacked one of her own for a friend. Wait.. Lorien. Where was Lorien. She hadn't seen her since the fight. She was probably with her pride. How where the supposed to make contact now? 'I know... i'll change into a bird and fly over there later today.. that way i can see her." She smiled at the thought and continued to daydream, while waiting for the others to reply.

[KanuTGL]

When the red lion heard pawsteps from behind, he instantly raised his head, looking more like a proud General rather than a tired soldier. The greeting voice belonged to the scarred lioness Asuka... Sumai nodded her way and returned the greeting with also a simple "Good morning". He sighed quietly at the sight of the lioness' scarred eye; she'd probably never be able to see with it again. The lion opened his mouth to say something, but had barely done so before Zalira appeared out of, what seemed like, nowhere.

"Good morning, Sumai!" she said, as cheerfully as ever, and the General smiled, even chuckled a bit. "Good morning, Zalira." "Been out scouting I suppose." he thought. Shapeshifters were very interesting creatures... Sumai had never been able to really grasp them in battle and thus didn't quite know how to deal with them. If there was one as skilled in the art as Zalira in Burja they could have a problem... However, he knew he should for once let the thoughts of the approaching war go... For the last four days, he had tired himself out many times trying to think out strategies and possible defensive and offensive tactics... Why not just enjoy the morning for once?

---

It was still dark outside... He knew it was, even if his own world always lacked the light of the sun. But because he couldn't hear anyone move, it was surely not dawn yet. Which was good, since he needed his rest...

For Satoba, the young lion-panther hybrid, the last few days had been hard work. He was an important piece in Burja's war strategy. The part he played meant something like "stay away from the battles and heal the wounded". Sometimes it meant work for hours with no respect for himself... Yes, Satoba's main power was that of healing, and a powerful one it was. He could heal practically any wound, but the more severe it was, the more it took of his energy. The night after the first battle against Feraga Satoba had almost run himself dry on powers and had slept for 24 hours. Another reason the greyish feline wasn't allowed in the battles was his second differential trait... His lack of sight. Satoba was blind.

He had never been able to see like a normal being, and thus the reason for his always dark world, but he could make out the "auras" (as he called them) that surrounded every living thing. They shimmered in a different way than the darkness and as he had grown Satoba had learned to tell them apart. A lion's aura was different than a bird's, or a zebra's, or a hyena's. So to a certain extent, he could see, but very limited.

The white-maned feline yawned widely and blinked a few times, though for what good he blinked he did not know. Pure reflex maybe... Then he heard someone move and a glowy, blurry something passed by his face and disappeared. Out of the cave probably... Satoba raised his head from the ground and shook it a bit. So it was morning then? He had learned to recognize that glow as Ina, the pride leader, so it was probably okay to get up. The grey and white cat got to his paws and stretched a little, careful not to touch anything that shimmered, then pawed carefully out after the first sglimmer he had seen. When he was close enough he simply sat down. "Good morning, Ina." Satoba said and smiled. He didn't look directly at her, for someone who didn't know of his blindness it would look like he was just staring blankly into the sky.

[Deleted]

Ina had continued to play with the ball of water until Satoba had emerged out of the cave and greeted her. "Morning Satoba." She replied with a warm smile. As she said this the ball of water she was playing wit h evaporated into thin air. "Thankyou, once again, for healing so many the past few days." She smiled at him, although he most probably couldn't see it. He could feel it, maybe. She opened her mouth to ask him "Have you seen Lorien since the end of the battle?" But it seemed pretty stupid, since he couldn't really see her. So she re-worded the sentence. " Do you know where Lorien is? I haven't seen her since the end of the battle.." Ina was worried that Lorien had left her and followed in Sitama's actions.

[Cova]

((ooc. @fel. No worries! she had made the kill and was trying to bring it back to the cave))

Xena's hind paws slipped once more in the dirt as she staggered back and growled fiercely at the dead antelope. She had been dragging it for some time but her teeth were so sharp, every time she gripped and pulled, a piece of flesh would come with it, making her stagger back.
The sun was now rising to its potential in the sky and Xena's shoulders were already heaving with exhaustion. Her black coat was a both a gift and a curse indeed.
She turned her head to wipe her brow against her shoulder, her eyes suddenly going straight to the eyes of the advancing Alandriene. She froze and spun round, breathing quite hard, the heat had indeed got to her, but she shook her head and gave a weakened smile.

"Alandriene...bit far out from the cave arnt you?"

[Silver]

Storm growled, waiting for the reply she thretaningly crouched down, her hind quarers going greenish brown and scaley.

((Ugh...short))

[Kirsui]

((OOC: btw, Silver. Stardust is not a lion, he's a hyena ))

Kirsui's eyes flashed slightly at Storm's words.
"Hey!" she said a bit annoyedly, not giving her hyena friend a chanse to reply to Storm's quiestion.
"Don't you dare to speak to him like that!" she said, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Kir.. It's ok..." the hyena beside Kirsui spoke quietly, but the creamy lioness refused to listen. Instead Kir just glared at Stardust from her eyecorner, turning then her eyes back to Storm, who apparently was starting to change into... something.

"Even though he's a hyena... You don't have to speak to him like he'd be worth of nothing!" she informed calmly but coldly.
"You don't know him, you don't know what he has done - or what he has not done. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut if you can't speak nicely to him!"
She paused slightly, rising to her feet and glaring down at Storm.
"If you don't... Then you got to deal with me. Do I make myself clear?"

Stardust let out a sigh. He knew all too well that when Kirsui was speaking like that, he couldn't stop it. Instead he just gave an apologising look to Storm, hoping that the two lions wouldn't start a fight or something...

[Katari]

Chaza was relieved to see Lorien, and not someone else. At least he felt like he could trust her. But he wasn't sure what it was that bothered him -- he had been sure someone else was there, but there was no sign or scent of them now. Probably a good thing. "Morning," he mumbled in reply, staring at the water and the climbing sun, now nearing its full height of splendor.

"Everyone must think I've gone mad." A smile nearly brushed his face at that -- most of them had probably thought that from the first day. But how long would they follow him? "Sneaking off every day, staying away from the group, and not doing anything that I planned to." He shook his head. "Yes, they must think that." Not Lorien. She was on his side. Don't trust anyone.... But Lorien wouldn't turn on him. How can you be sure...? Not her.

By his talk, though, she might agree with the consensus. "I'm not crazy, Lorien, just confused. I feel...I feel like I'm in the middle of a circle of snakes. If I make one wrong step, they'll kill me. That's how this is. What do you think I should do?" Foolish, asking her for advice, but he wanted a second opinion. Not that he didn't know his plans.

He looked Lorien in the eyes, giving her a chance to speak. Just who else had been there behind him? Questions, so many questions that demanded answers. And a wrong answer might be fatal. Even as the sun warmed the land, Chaza tried very hard not to shudder.

[Fire]

Fire had been sleeping and not really dreaming. It was a time where it was complete darkness when he slept, not that he minded since he was tired from thinking of all the things that had happened in the past few days. Fire fluttered his eyes when he felt movement near by. Nothing new for him since everyone moved in and out between where everyone was sleeping to do their own. But, when he rolled over his back, he felt something wet on his back. His eyes opened and craned his neck so that he could see the wetness. He perked an ear up as he was confused for that moment. Odd... I didn't do anything that would involve water...

He also felt cold as well. He didn't know who was sleeping next to him that night, but hye just assumed it was Zalira. But, when he thought for a moment, he came up with a small idea. Poor Zalira... He says with a small sigh and stands up with a stretch to look out into the horizon.

[Silver]

Stomr continued to turn all scaley, untill she was covered in green scales. Soon, she was a very large snake, her eyes flashing. She hissed, and slithered away into and up a tree. Storm watched Stardust with flashing, angry eyes. "I'm Not about to accept an apoligy!" She hissed.

[Fel]

As she drew nearer to Xena, Alandriene noticed that she was dragging a carcass behind her, an antelope to be exact. The closer she got, the more she noticed how much trouble Xena was having with the carcass. Her sides were begginning to heave and the antelope kept sliding out of her mouth.
Xena slipped backward from the carcass again, and then suddenly their eyes were locked. Alandriene tensed and held in her breath. Just as quickly as the moment occured, it passed, and Xena shook her head and worked up a smile. Muscles throughout Alandriene's body relaxed, and when Xena finally spoke, muscles in her face that she hadn't even known were tense, relaxed.
"Uuhh, yeah I am. Just went out for a midnight snack and fell asleep before I could get back. I...did you want some help with that?" Alandriene tentatively asked, while gesturing to the carcass. "My teeth shouldn't shear through it like yours."
She skirted around mentioning that she throught she was stronger, but quickly rejected the idea. 'She's just tired from the chase and the heat. You can't compare.' she thought to herself.

[Lorien]

Lorien listened to him, looking at him quizically but felt sorry for him at the same time. It must be a horrible feeling, the one he lived with. She looked to the ground momentarily when he said the bit about the snakes. Should she tell him about the two who were following him? For all she knew, they just wanted to talk. But what if they're intentions weren't just that...she had no idea what Sitama was thinking, but did know her feelings toward Chaza. She looked back up when he asked her for her advice, and her eyes went a bit wide. Surely she couldn't tell him anything that he wanted to hear...or that would help him. Should she tell him of the plan she heard of?

"Well..." she started, looking out into the lake, unable to keep eye contact with the larger male. "I don't think you're crazy. But the others are growing imapatient." She felt strange talking like this. She had never really spoken about serious matters with authority type figures, and she was a little bit nervous. She decided that she should tell him about the two. He needed to know so that he could keep his guard. Looking back to the area where they were supposed to be, she didn't see or hear anything, nor smell them, so she figured they had given up on their plan.

"Actually...the reason I'm here..." She didn't really know how to tell him that members of his group might be turning on him, plotting his death. "I followed Amali and Zarea here soon after you left." She took a deep breath, feeling as though she was turning on her own pride members. But they had left her pride, and were turning against the group, so it was something she had to do. She then thought of her pride, Burja...they were probably worried about her. Especially Ina, she could imagine. She didn't know how much longer it would be until she could make her way back, but she didn't want to leave the group. Especially with the new circumstances, which brought her back to what she was going to say.

"They were talking about a 'plan'...I don't know what it was about..." She then looked to Chaza, a worried expression on her usually happy face. "I was afraid they were going to do something to you, so I rushed out here before they could have the chance." Her eyes strayed to the ground again, a bit embarrassed, and she waited for his responce and opinion on the matter.
_________________________________

Asuka growled a bit as she saw Zalira. She hadn't forgiven the young lioness, and probably never would. When she was adressed by the...traitor in her eyes...she narrowed her eyes and got up, leaving the two to speak as they would. She wouldn't be caught dead speaking to a lioness of her own pride who could have cost her her life. She trudged away, eyes..or eye..was still narrowed and she was muttering curses under her breath to herself. What a horrible start to such a beautiful day, she thought.

She made her way to a nearby tree and settled herself underneath it, resting her head upon her crossed paws as she lay down. She closed her open eye and continued to grumble to herself.

[KanuTGL]

"Do you know where Lorien is? I haven't seen her since the end of the battle..."

Satoba sat still for a moment. "No..." he replied to Ina's question and turned his nose to face the ground. "I'm afraid I haven't sensed her around since that... day... I'm sorry." The grey feline sighed, he was actually worried. Lorien wasn't the one to just... run away. A frown formed upon his face and he turned back to looking at the sky, though, of course, not actully seeing it. "I wonder where she is..." Satoba mumbled, obviously concerned. He had heard of the quarrels with Sitama, a lioness he had always by some reason thought of like a threat and feared her. The grey and white one hoped Lorien had not gone with her, as he knew 3 others had. Satoba also feared somewhat for Ina, since he did not know what Sitama was capable of, but he guessed it was a lot.

OOC: Shoort D:

[Katari]

Chaza looked away from Lorien, again resting his gaze on the water. "Amali and Zarea." Well, that was something. He'd never seen any sign of violence from those two, not really -- they grumbled and snarled, but nothing dangerous. So they had been coming...those had been the strange scents. Might have been coming to talk, except.... If they wanted to speak with him, they would have announced their presence, instead of sneaking up from behind. An ambush, if I ever heard of one. And Lorien had helped, again. He smiled.

"Thank you. It could have been very different. I'm glad you came, though." But what to do, now that he knew a plot on his life might be brewing? Stay on his guard, of course. He wouldn't let them know he knew -- if they had been plotting, he'd find out eventually. If their motive was more innocent, nothing would come of it. Either way, he would watch them all very carefully. "Don't tell anyone what you saw or heard, Lorien. They might turn on you if you do. Stay close, and I can protect you from...anything that might happen."

He shook his mane out, confused and uneasy. "Let's go back to the others, now. I have something to say to them."

[Cova]

Xena looked over the younger Lioness curiously at her story of not venturing home even though it was dark. She had to remind herself that the night time did not offer as much comfort to others as it did herself.
She looked slowly at the carcass then back to Alandriene, her offer of helping made Xena smirk, Alandriene was clearly a little intimidated.

"Certainly..if you think you can pull this 250 pound beast across the Savannah be my guest."

Xena commented sitting back on her rump, to carelessly pick at bits of flesh from her teeth with one claw, flicking them aside. The dead animal was begging to stink a bit in the heat and the long blood trail it had left was attracting a manner of scavengers.

"I dare say your unique abilities might make this rather quick.."

Remembering Alandriene at a younger age, using her bursts of strength, to sometimes an unfair advantage against the others when she joined the pride all that time ago.

[Kirsui]

Kirsui glared at Storm, the large green snake up in the tree.
"You're a fool, then!" she informed. Had her pupils started to fade away? Or... What was it?

In that point Stardust stepped in. He had noticed the change in the lioness' eyes.
"Ok, Kir... That's enough!" he said on a friendly but ordering tone of voice.

Kir turned her head to the hyena, her eyes had returned to normal. She glared at Storm once more from her eyecorner before she walked up to a flat stone not very far from her and laid down on it. The hyena looked up at Storm in the tree momentarily before joining Kirsui by the stone. Kirsui made sure she didn't give even a small glance at Storm, she didn't like her anymore. The hyena didn't say anything, but it was clear that he was a bit worried.

[Deleted]

Ina smiled weakly. "Thanks..." She replied as she let out another sigh. "Why is the pride falling apart?" She asked the sky, but also Satoba and herself. She continued to gaze up at the sky. "Mother... father..." She whispered into the cool breeze. Although she had never met them, she always turned to them for advice. "What should i do?" She continued to whisper as she stared up into the sky. They were up there. She knew it.

__________________________________________________

Zalira turned as Asuka turned and walked off. She glared at her, almost giving her the 'evil eyes'. "Good.." She mumbled unhappily as she watched the one eyed lioness walk off. She was happy that Asuka had left.

(OOC: eek.. short. -.- )

[Lorien]

Lorien nodded when Chaza said that she should keep this to herself. Thinking about it, she agreed with him completely. She didn't know Sitama's opinion of herself anymore, and if the elder lioness found out that she had spoiled one of her plans on purpose, she might come after her as well. She smiled when Chaza said that he would protect her. That made her feel a lot more at ease. At least she had a friend to look after her.

She then got up when he spoke of going back to the group. She smiled slightly at him. "Lead the way." She then waited there for him to begin walking so that she could follow close beside.