Part 2: Dawn of Revenge

[Fire]

Fire had stepped out of the cave and then squinted his eyes as they hit the sun. He definitely was not a lion that like the sun first thing in the morning. But, he had to deal with it one way or another. In his gazing out, he saw a birds that was flying very gracefully. Its wings were almost the wind themselves as it carried the bird around in the air. Wow.. And to think, I slept in to miss this?

[Katari]

Chaza could almost feel his heart pounding at a wild tempo...he wasn't going to like saying what he had to say. But making Lorien feel at ease made it a little better; at least one was behind him. He sighed and entered the area they had made their camp, catching the eye of everyone present.

"Listen, all of you," he said -- was it imagination, or were Amali and Zaera smirking? -- "I have something to say. We've been sitting here for days, now, and I'm sure you're getting sick of it." Nods and "Yes!"s all around. Chaza nodded, too. "I understand. Well, today we move -- to Burja's cave. Not an attack, no, but a parley...I'll talk with the leaders, and we'll see what kind of agreement can be worked out."

He looked at Lorien and the other Burja members. Sitama was snarling and muttering to herself. "From there, we'll see what happens. I'm not forcing anyone to come; if you'd rather stay out of it, fine. But it would be much safer, in the long run, to come with me. What do you say?" His heart was in his throat, it felt like, but he had said it. Now, what would they all do?

OOC: Messy post, but I felt the story needed a kick in the rear to get it exciting again. ^_^

[Kirsui]

Stardust looked at Chaza as he spoke, but Kirsui hadn't turned her head to look at the male lion. She was still a bit mad at Storm, and was now staring at the savannah with a blank expression. It seemed as if the creamy lioness hadn't even heard what Chaza had said.

But of course she had. Kir was always listening closely what others said. Now her mind was working hard on what she should do.
"Kir?" Stardust whispered at the lioness, clearly waiting for her to make the decision.
But Kirsui didn't look at Stardust. She was still gazing at the savannah.

Stardust let out a sigh and shook his head. He looked at the group, seeing how Sitama didn't seem to be happy about the decision to go to the Burja pride. The hyena looked at Storm momentarily. The... snake was still at the tree. He turned his head from Storm and looked at each member of the group. No one seemed willing to make a decision.

Stardust looked once again at Kirsui. He lifted an eyebrow, waiting. Kirsui noticed the hyena's expression and rolled her eyes at him.
"Fine..." she muttered at Stardust and turned to look over her shoulder at Chaza.
"I'm coming..." she informed, nodding then at Stardust.
"And apparently, Stardust is coming too."
Then she turned her gaze back to the savannah.

[Katari]

Sitama couldn't fathom what she was hearing. Go back to Burja, after she'd just left in a fury? An attack was one thing, but to go off for a talk was ridiculous! Probably Lorien's idea, she thought with a snarl. That little waif had more sway with the big male than all the rest of them combined!

Swearing under her breath, she nodded at Chaza. "Alright...we'll come, too." Perhaps she could change the reason for this visit before they arrived at Burja's cave.


OOC: Very short. But it's been a few days, soooo.... ;D

[KanuTGL]

Satoba sighed. "I don't know..." was his answer to her question about the pride's decreasing stability. "I wish I did." he thought and gazed into the, to him, dark distance. He could discern some faint glimmers far away. Birds. The young male had always loved their song, it had been his comfort through many a sad and hard times... They could not be heard now, yet, but they would come, Satoba knew.

He listened quietly as Ina seemed to pray for advice through the whispering wind... What would become of this? War was nothing nobody would want... So... why?

OOC: Short as well... And Sumai hasn't got much to reply to at the moment. He'll appear in my next post, okay? xP

[Fel]

Alandriene stared at the ground tyring to keep her face blank. She felt as if she were being taunted. She knew she could move the carcass without too much trouble. Xena's words made her want to stare her in the eye and spit insults and challenges directly at her. 'Of course I can haul it. I don't need powers for that,' she thought to herself. But what if she got tired? Then Xena would be within right to claim that she was a fool.
Moving next to the fallen prey, Alandriene finally met Xena's scrutinizing gaze and said in a voice devoid of enthusiam, "You know they don't work like that." She grabbed the antelope by the neck, her longer canines sinking in enough to get good purchase, and began to walk towards the cave unaided by her powers.

OOC: sorry it took me so long to post!

[Cova]

OOC. yay for Alandriene!

Xena watched As Alandriene stepped up to the Beast. Xena stepped back allowing her room to begin to Drag it..she sensed her words has caused more effect than they had intended to, but kept her provocative Smirk.

"Ohh?...they don't work like that hmm.."

She turned her Smirk to A smile as Alandriene was doing a good job on moving it. Xena came beside her to stand beside her.

"Perhaps i might be able to help you so that they do..."

Not looking at her, as she sunk her teeth (more carefully this time) into the side of the Large Antelope..grunting and tugging at it in time With her fellow Pride member to pick up a steady tugging pace to pull the beast with some ease.
She kept low to the ground to let her weight do most of the work and couldn't help but "mrawl" at the taste of blood that kept filling her Maw. Soon there destination was in sight.

[Lorien]

Lorien stepped up, knowing that he knew that she would follow him as well, but decided to voice it so that the others would too. "I'm in," she said shortly, keeping her eyes from drifting to Sitama, who didn't seem all to happy about the plans.

OOC: sorry, for the crappy shortness. I've had a migraine since last night.

[Silver]

Storm hissed at Kirsui. "Thats what you think." She snarled, slithering down to meet the lion. She made her whole body shake back into the big form of a stormy-sky-colored lioness. She growled, and started to circle Kirsui.

[Kirsui]

Kirsui's staring was stopped by Storm, who suddenly decided to start circling around her. The creamy lioness stared at the other lioness, lifting an eyebrow.
"Look.. Do you have a problem or something?" she asked, not really getting what Storm was doing.
"If you're still trying to put up a fight, then go ahead and do so... But stop being rediculous! I have no intention to fight with you, and I am not getting why you don't seem to understand that."

Stardust sighed, shaking his head and keeping an eye on Storm as she circeled around Kirsui. The hyena was sitting right next to the creamy lioness, so Storm was circling around him too.
'If she won't stop that...', Stardust thought as he looked at Storm, 'I just hope Kir won't do anything stupid...'
The hyena looked at the other members of the group, not sure if they had noticed the tension between Kirsui and Storm.

[Silver]

((Sorry...did I say the wrong lion?))

Storm growled and whipped around, stalking off to cool down elsewhere.
Once she reached a small tree, She dug her claws in it as far as they would go and ripped them down the bark, making huge gouges down the bark. She ran off, going to take her anger out on an antilope, or soemthing.

[Katari]

So, everyone was going to come, then. Well, everyone except Storm. He watched her run off to the savanna, then looked away with a shrug. "Oh, well."

Sitama was not happy with the plan, but he'd not expected her to be. Kirsui also seemed a bit edgy, but it seemed to have more to do with Storm than it did with him. Lorien was going -- he'd figured as much -- and he hoped they'd not have to do any fighting when they reached her pride. Not because he didn't feel like fighting, but, well...loyalty wasn't worth wasting, and if Lorien saw him kill anyone she knew....

"Alright, then. Let's go." Chaza didn't wait; he wheeled around and took a first step on the road to his destiny. The voices in his head rang in rhythm with the pounding of his heart. Kill, kill, kill....[/] He hoped it wouldn't come to that.

[Fel]

As the cave slowly came into view, Alandriene breathed a mental sigh of relief. She was quite strong without her powers, yes, but long drag was starting to tire even her. The sun was beating down on both her and Xena now, and neither of them were made to be out in the afternoon heat with their dark coats. She could see a few of the pride members laying around the cave trying to avoid the sun.
Alandriene dropped the antelope and worked her jaw open and closed a few times to work out its stiffness. "This should be close enough shouldn't it? I figured the pride could come the rest of the way."

[Cova]

Xena to released The antelope from her teeth's vice like grip and sighed, looking over her shoulder to see the Cave and pride members, glancing over at Alandriene quickly before looking at the carcass.

"Thanks, you may take your fare share if you wish..you earned it"

Turning and heading her way towards the new Feraga Cave, looking up at the sun as she went..it burned her eyes and she scowled pointing her head down before arriving at the Cave entrance looking around at the scrabbeled group.

"If any-one is hungry...." Glancing back towards where Alandriene was and smirked "Alandriene has caught a meal for you"

Herself not bothered about taking credit for the kill, happy to not be pestered with thankyou's and Walked past the on-lookers to sit down on her rump in the shade of the cave doorway.

[Deleted]

Zalira looked in the direction of the meal and the two lioness. She nodded at Sumai, excusing herseld and trotted conently over to Alandriene and the She looked down at it and licked her lips. She then looked back up at Alandriene. "Nice catch Alandriene.." She smiled at her sweetly. "You gonna have some? I would feel bad if you didn't." She said before bending down to rip off a small piece of meat.

[Silver]

((OOC: Am I allowed to make threads?))

[Fire]

Fire was still trying to wake up from the sleep that he recently had, looking around and seeing activity already being taken place. Walking around and taking in all that was going on, he sat down near a pool of water and took small sips from it, hoping that Xena wouldn't take notice of him.

[Deleted]

(OOC: It depends what it is about, pm me and ask. )

[KanuTGL]

OOC: *echo*
Shall we get this started again...? oO

IC: Sumai had been lying by the cave entrance, eyes closed and mind for once clear. Later... he would consider the pride's warfare... later...

He remained in this rather peaceful state for another few minutes, before some commotion broke out and the General opened one eye. Ah... there was Xena, and Alandriene. "So they have been hunting..." the lion thought and closed the eye again, yawned, then opened both his eyes and got to his feet. Breakfast wouldn't be bad. The black lioness announced Alandriene as the one who had caught their prey, but Sumai was pretty sure of other things - Xena rarely missed an opportunity to hunt.

As the his leader walked by him, the red male stood at his usual attention, then fell back into a more relaxed pose once she was inside the cave. The General glanced into the dark hole, then to the carcass around which many of the pride members had begun to gather to have a bite, then back to the cave and sighed. A talk was needed.

"Xena... It's been four days, and nothing heard or seen of the Burjas." he said and stepped inside, barely seeing his leader in the dark his eyes were not yet used to, but stayed on a respectful distance from her. The lion paused shortly, choosing his words carefully. Reporting the current state of the pride would be no use, Xena could see that as clearly as himself, so he decided to ask a question he had almost dreaded to speak loud the last few days. Disturbing Xena with such matters was usually not a great idea, he had learned. Yet the words sailed over his lips, almost like a whisper, and echoed against the cold stone. "What will you do?" "We need an answer... They need an answer..." he added in mind, thinking of the pride members. They, and he, needed orders. And four days of uncertainty was well enough.

[Fel]

OOC: sorry sorry I'm late!
IC:
Alandriene glanced at the light colored lioness addressing her before saying in a low voice that was almost a mumble, "Yeah, I didn't catch it." She lowered her head and began to rip meat from the rump of the animal, eating quickly. Thoughts of Xena were chasing through her mind. Why would she say something like that? This wasn't her catch; she didn't want to take credit for it.

She discreetly eyed Zalira as she ate. She was in a good mood yet again. It surprised Alandriene sometimes how she could often appear happy in that gentle 'let's-chase-butterflies' way. She had noticed it during the midst of battle when Zalira had paused with lions clashing around her to smile at the furry gray lioness from the other pride. Yes, Zalira puzzled her sometimes. Especially those vines she wore. Were they mere decoration or did they serve a purpose?

"Hey...Zalira. Why do you wear those vines?"

[Cova]

((OOC> Horay))

Xena Strolled in, Sumai stood to attention to which she nodded respectfully .Passing him and residing herself to the middle of the cave, where she sat down in the middle on her rump, closing here eyes and basking in the cool shade of which their temporary Home gave. Xena's thoughts drifted to the cave they had lost in the last battle..now pushed back to the border lines of their territory's, she would rather die than have no land at all to call home...

Her thought line was broken as she opened her eyes to see the Form of her Prides Large general Sumai standing there. Usually one to talk more business than pleasure, she kept a stern expression as Sumai indeed, asked words of which she herself had pondered. Xena watched Sumai for a moment, the heat effects had not fully worn off yet..

"What would you have me Do Sumai."

Looking at the large male coldly. She hated that she did not really know, as leader it was a tough decision to make..but she could show no signs of any wavering doubt or things could fall to worse than they already were.

"Our numbers dwindle..we can afford one more go at claiming what has been stolen..and thats it. I wont put you and this pride out there Without knowing exactly how it will pan out."

For once her un-wavering rock solid feature lightened a bit..she sighed and looked around the cave before returning her gaze to Sumai.

"Your advice means alot, and now i need it more than ever. Do i survey them tonight...Scout them....or...do we need peace talks"

[Deleted]

Zalira smile and bent down and took a chunk of meat from the wild animal. She was chewing contently until Alandriene asked her why she wore her vines. All the time she had been in Feraga, she had never been asked this question. "Well.. my parents died shortly after my birth.." She started off, not sure whether the lioness knew this information already. "..And, when i was born, they put these on me, and i've never taken them off. I guess.. it's the only real memory i have left of them. They remind me of my dearest brother aswell.." She explained. Speaking of her brother brought her back to the dream she had earlier that morning. What a horrid day it had been when she lost her brother..

[Deleted]

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY KATARI, I AM JUST POSTING IT FOR HIM!!


Chaza had made a change of direction without telling the group. He couldn't put his paw on it, but something told him to head towards Feraga's cave. He'd considered using his wind powers to carry the group, but that had never been tried on more than him, so walking would have to do. Hopefully, by the time the others realized the switched plans, it would be too late to turn back.

After his last visit to the cave -- and the little "chat" with Xena, if it could be called that -- he'd noticed the pride's weakened state. It was that state he hoped to take advantage of now. Well...why not tell them? Stopping, he turned and addressed his followers. "Alright, everyone, I've made a decision. We're going to Feraga's cave, instead of Burja's. Whatever happens, it might be dangerous, so anyone who wants to leave, can." He looked at Kirsui and Stardust, in particular. Then, without a word, he turned to where he knew Feraga's cave was. Yes, there it was now. Some sort of gathering going on....

[Kirsui]

Kirsui looked at Chaza when he stopped, lifting an eyebrow.
'Feraga instead of Burja?' she thought suspiciously. But when Chaza said that it could be dangerous and looked at her and Stardust, she opened her mouth.

"We can take care of ourselves" she informed with a blank face.
Stardust looked up at Kirsui, but didn't speak. The powers he had weren't very useful in fights, except for one of them. But he had promised himself he would never use it on another living creature.
So, the hyena just had to trust on the creamy lioness beside him, and her special abilities if something dangerous was to happen.

[Lorien]

Lorien nodded, following close behind Chaza still. She wasn't about to leave the group, especially after what had just happened that morning. Although she knew that Chaza could handle things on his own, she also knew that he needed a friend. And that's what she could be.

As they walked some more, she began to faintly see figures coming into view. In seeing this, she moved closer to Chaza, practically touching him. She didn't want to admit it, but she was scared. She knew that one lioness would be there, and that she probably wasn't safe on her own, powers or no. Then her mind came back to the reason she hadn't been killed in the last battle. Zalira had broken the blinded lioness's concentration. Zalira. She would finally get to see her lost friend again, and perhaps this time actually get to have a serious talk with her. Smiling, but with the fear and anxioty still there, she held her head high as they made their way to the Feraga cave.

--------------------------------------

Asuka had watched as Alandriene and Xena approached with a meal. She had eaten the night before, so she really wasn't that hungry. Her appetite had dropped as well since she lost her eye, and even when she did eat, it wasn't enough as it should be. She would let the others eat their fill, and then if there was anything left, she would get a nibble.

While everyone else was busy talking or eating, she lounged beneath the tree, blocking the suns rays from her self. Asuka's eyes were focused on the horizon as her mind was filled with thoughts of the past and of the future. Suddenly, her mind stopped as her eyes rested on figures in the distance. She could tell that one was a male...probably that Chaza from the looks of the black figure. She quickly got up and trotted to the cave, ready to warn her leader and general of the oncoming traffic.

She spotted the two and walked over to them, nodding her head respectfully (she had just interupted their conversation) before beginning. "There are figures heading our way. From the looks of it, that Chaza fellow is leading them here, whoever they are." She said this all with her head to the side. She still didn't really want anyone to see her wound and the scarring that had already started to disfigure her face.

[Fel]

"I see," was Alandriene's short reply. She didn't feel comfortable questioning Zalira about her brother. She assumed that he was dead from Zalira's words. But there was also one other thing on Alandriene's mind. Something she had thought about for a few days now, but hadn't questioned anyone on. "Hey, what happened a few days back at the battle? Between you and that small gray lioness?"

She gave her neck a little shake at the thought of how she had been jumped while watching Zalira and the small lioness, and then stood still as she noticed another lioness go still herself. The other lioness then abandoned her tree and disappeared into the cave where she knew Xena was. 'Something's up,' quickly ran through her mind. She turned around but couldn't see anything suspicious in the grass. She began to guardedly bolt down some more meat while facing in the direction the older lioness had been looking.

[Deleted]

Zalira's eyes widened slightly with Alandriene mentioned Lorien. So someone had noticed the two. Well other then Asuka, of course. Zalira's brain had just switched off when she realized that it was Lorien, she didn't care that she was attacking a member of her own pride, aslong as her long lost friend was safe. The lioness then looked up at Alandriene. "That lioness would go by the name Lorien." She stated simply. "We were best friends when we were cubs. Then one day we got seperated, and we hadn't seen each other since, until that very moment." She replied to the lioness question contently. "And... my brain kind of... took control.. and that is why Asuka practically hates me.. i kind of.. attacked her.. " As she said this last sentance, her voice lowered and went into a whisper. She wasn't quite sure if she should have said anything about it. But it was too late now. Her gaze then carried itself over to Chaza and the approachers. "I'll be back..." She said simply before changing into a bird once more and soaring through the sky. She was flying above them and noticed that one of them was Lorien. She flew into the branches of a bushy tree, and changing into a Butterfly, so no one could see her formation, incase one of the others with Lor got suspicious. She then fluttered down around the group, before landing on Loriens head. She took a few small butterfly steps towards her ear and whispered. "Lor.. it's me.. Zalira.. why.. what are doing? Coming towards my pride.. it's.. dangerous." She whispered these words as quietly as she could, and hoped that Lorien wouldn't announce that she was there with them at this very moment.

[Silver]

Storm watched the lions... The one thing she didn't want was to be an outcast again. She really didn't want the life of being watched by normal lions with the crewl, hating look in their eyes. Sighing, her fur started to turn white-ish light blue, with shining tail feathers and great wings. Her eyes were sad, as she hoped they would have forgiven her. She circled them a few times, and came down in a blurr of a lion. "I'm sorry..." She said to Stardust and Kirsui...she had forgotten what she had gtten mad at HER for, but whatever. She just wanted to be accepted somehwhere, and not what she used to be-an out sider...

((Sorry, I just got bord of RPing on only 1 thread))

[KanuTGL]

Sumai kept a stern look on his face and looked away somewhat, to the cave floor. The words he quietly weighed in his mind deyaled... and the truth was, he didn't know. Judging from Burja's sudden aggressive attack, they were not up for peacetalks. The general's gaze hardened somewhat at the thought of it. So one could leave that option out... The old male found his words and took a deep breath. "I don't think Burja are up for peacetalks..." he said bitterly. "But I would not suggest a full, head-on attack at this time either, we still need to recover our forces. And I don't think they, and we, would be able to handle a second loss." Sumai glanced over his shoulder at the pride outside, all gathering around the freshly killed meat. "Scouting Burja would be my choice." He turned back to Xena. "Until we know more, it's better to keep a low profile." He knew "keeping a low profile" was not a favourite option, but it was probably the best they had at this time; many were still injured and lacked strength for a full-scale battle.

"Until I have organized my troops, sending out a scout is what I reccommend." the general concluded and stood at slight attention again, to show he was done. The term "troops" was exaggerated though - not even half of the Feraga members had any battle experience, less been at war... They needed training. And Sumai knew he was the lion to lead it. He opened his mouth to say something more, but changed his mind. "I could use a subordinate." had been what he was going to say, but thought this may not be the best time, and no decision from his leader's side had been made. They were also interrupted, since Asuka suddenly entered, excusing herself before speaking. Her short report was alarming though.

"There are figures heading our way. From the looks of it, that Chaza fellow is leading them here, whoever they are."

The red male's expression went from concerned, to surprised to back to resolute and stern. Chaza... How did he dare to show his nose around here! Hadn't he caused enough troubles already? Sumai had to restrain himself from unsheathing his claws. That black male... What was his business around here? And with followers! Burja members, possibly? Had they come to negotiate?

The general turned to Xena with a look asking for an order. Time to gather the pride, perhaps?

[Lorien]

Lorien was supprised when she saw the butterfly float toward thema and land on her head, only to whisper in her ear. So it was Zalira. She knew she couldn't talk to her long lost best friend, not yet and definetely not like this. The others would think she was crazy, and Sitama might, if she already didn't, think she was a traitor to the Burja pride. Not that it probably mattered to her anymore anyway.

Instead, she got an idea. It would take some effort on her part, and some stealth, but she knew it had to be done. She slowed down her pace, putting on a scared expression so that anyone would know why she wasn't walking as fast. Anyone else in the group would think she was chickening out. Soon, everyone else had passed her, and making sure that no one was turning around to watch her, her body split into two Loriens. One, the copy, followed behind the group while the real Lorien raced behind a nearby bush so that she could speak with Zalira. She really hoped that nobody had noticed that switch.

When she got there, she sat down and ducked low, trying to stay hidden from view. She then tried to look ontop of her head, but gave up and just spoke in a low voice instead. "I know it's dangerous, Zalira. I'm not even sure why we're here. I'm just following Chaza." She then smiled, remembering all of the fun times the two had had during their cub years. "It's really great to see you again, Zali.
__________________________________

Asuka took a step back from the two, allowing for the new information to sink in. She didn't know whether to leave or stay, so figured that she would stay and wait for any orders that they had. In her mind, she hoped that little grey lioness would be with the group, seeing as how she had helped Chaza to escape during the battle. If so...she would have her revenge.