Part 2: Dawn of Revenge

[Deleted]

Ina had been sitting silently for some time now. Until her silence was interupted by someone calling her name. Her eyes shot open and the lioness saw a figure coming towards her. She didn't recognise them. The leader of Burja stood up and trotted over to the male.

"Umm.. I'm sorry Dear.. do I know you?"

Ina asked the lion with a welcoming smile. He looked slightly familiar, like a lion she once knew. But, she couldn't quite put a finger on who exactly it was. So instead she waited for the lions reply.

[lionroog]

Gaizka trotted up to Ina, a smile on his face as Ina came over to greet him; but she didn't seem to remember him.

"Umm.. I'm sorry Dear.. do I know you?" was Ina's reply to Gaizka's introduction. A reply he expected.

"I'm Gaizka, the young lion your pride took in years ago.", Gaizka said to Ina, hoping the information would help Ina remember. "I had left suddenly in the middle of the night a few months after your pride took me in. That was over two years ago. Over these recent times, I have had premonitions that the one pride deserving of my loyalty needed my help more than ever...so I made the decision to return. I can only hope the pride will accept my apologies and to once again take me in."

[Deleted]

Ina listend to the lion introduce himself. Gaizka.. that was the name she was trying to remember! Wait.. so it was him. Before she replied she reached out and nuzzled the lion in greeting.

"Welcome back!"

Ina grinned at the lion.

"Well you're back in the pride.. it is my choice after all. I am the pride leader."

The lioness winked at Gaizka. She had only been an adolescent when he was around, and no where near the position of leader. She was sure it would come as a suprise to the lion.

[lionroog]

Gaizka accepted Ina's nuzzling, a greeting he missed while he was away from the Burja pride. It felt good to see her again, as if she were waiting this entire time for his return. He is a little older than she is, and he could recall the time they spent together as adolescent lions.

"Well you're back in the pride.. it is my choice after all. I am the pride leader." Ina, informed Gaizka.

"Really?!", Gaizka replied in surprise. His smile was ear to ear in response to her wink. Who would have thought that playful adolescent lioness he remembered would grow up to lead the entire pride. "So now I know who I need to kiss up to in order to get a few more bites on my plate at dinner time"

"But you looked a little concerned when I was coming up", Gaizka said, turning serious, "What has been going on here lately?"

[Katari]

OOC: Sorry for taking a while to reply, but I spent a lot of time thinking about this post.

IC:

Chaza’s body was burning with the pain, but he held on as Xena continued to claw him in her fury. He snarled, struck at her face, anywhere, trying to stop the attack, but was unable to block every blow. This was not how he’d planned it. He glanced behind him -- and took a vicious hit to the side of the head that caused a loud roar of pain.

Time for a new strategy. Chaza threw his weight forward, head-butting Xena as hard as he could to stun her, and then jumped off to regain his footing. Panting heavily, he watched the lioness. Neither of them was uninjured, and only one would make it out of this alive. “You win round one...but the next round will be different.”

- - - - - - - - - -

The heat of battle had taken Sitama fully, as she fought with a terrible passion. To her left, one of the three she’d brought from Ina’s pride -- she had no time to notice which one -- died, her throat torn out by the jaws of a Feraga lioness. Another went down directly in front of her. Sitama lunged at the killer like a thunderbolt, driving her body weight into the surprised lioness and killing her without a sound.

Pain. Sitama was knocked sideways by the scorching force of a fireball. A look at her side showed a large, painful burn; she wouldn’t stop feeling that for a while. Setting her jaw, forcing down the agony, she rose and moved slowly, deliberately, towards the two beings she hated most.... This battle was a foregone conclusion, as Sitama had expected, but she’d waited for this chance, and now that it was here she had to see it through.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Chaza!” He didn’t look back; he knew that voice was Sitama’s. Whatever she wanted, it wasn’t as important as watching Xena for movement. “Chaza!” He swore angrily. Couldn’t it wait? The golden lioness came up beside him. “This battle’s lost, Chaza,” she said, gasping for breath, and glaring evilly at Xena. “But we can still get something done today.”

Chaza looked down, then nodded after a moment’s pause. “We’ll take her together. I’ll go in first.”

Sitama’s worried look became a relieved smile. “Right.”

“This is goodbye, Xena, for both of us,” Chaza said, looking around at the chaotic swirl of the battle, and knowing it was all over, whatever the outcome. “But you’ll be the first to go.” He ran forward, intent on the kill...so intent that he didn’t notice the attack on his blind side.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sitama had been living for this moment, and as she sunk her claws deep into Chaza’s back, a tingling sensation of pleasure ran through her very soul. Laughing wickedly, she tore into the black rogue. He bucked and tried to throw her off, but it was too late -- he would die before that happened. Already the blood ran down, staining the glossy coat and matting his mane.

“So sorry, Chaza...but I never liked you, anyway.” Opening her jaws wide, Sitama went for his throat...and her revenge.


OOC: And it still didn’t turn out quite like I wanted. Ah, well....

[Cova]

((OOC> Loved it. brought it about well..i got alot to write..beware..))

The Roars of Chaza was music to Xena's ears. a swipe landing flush on his cheek, so hard it hurt her paw. She barely had time to grin as His head flung about and cracked her right on the jaw. A massive rush of Agony flooding her brain as she could immediately feel her Muzzle become Numb and the insides of her mouth flood with a cut from her Gum line. She didn't know if she was dreaming it but she lost all sense of having her enemy above her...She used this and staggered up to her paws.

Rising she staggered sideways quickly, but quickly found her footing, the ground moving around under her feet, she blinked as the ground became steady and found she had no Chaza. She growled and spun around to find him crouched and ready. All around her vicious fighting going on as her pride savaged the rebels. She panted hard as she to mimicked him and lowered her head..glaring at him. Her coat of Invisibility long gone as she would be content to fight without it....to much of her attention focused on her hatred.

“You win round one...but the next round will be different.” Was the words Chaza uttered And Xena Gruffed in amusement...She wouldn't let on the fact that she was seeing double..or that her tail was dripping blood...or even that she had a mouth wound as she swallowed a large amount of blood as quickly as it filled her maw.

"Your Rebels are Being slaughtered!!!!...............Foolish......"

Blood spitting to the floor as she spoke..Her words half spitting themselves as enraged roars and screams of Death rang in her ears. “Chaza!” That Sound ringing around as Xena's eyes quickly locked onto a Lioness standing Behind Chaza. She knew who it was....Xena knew her as the still current Leader of Burja..What was she doing here!? Xena's eyes darting back to Chaza as he seemed to not want to look.

Xena smirked as Sitama Spoke of them loosing...them?? She was confused but didn't let it worry her...Her slight smirk fading a bit as they now Both seemed to look at her....They were going to do a double act. Xena suddenly thought she might need help....But then Growled fiercely and stood her ground.

"Come on then!! come Claim your Prize!!!"

Hissing as Chaza was the first one to step towards her..She Growled loudly as he commented on her death....If this was her time to go she would face it proudly...She would give on big show and Drain every fluid ounce of blood that she could before she would say enough. Chaza Dived at her and She roared, raising a paw to strike But found Him Flung to her side By a tackle from the Lioness Sitama.

Xena Watched as Sitama Threatened him....Would she let it go...It was a dirty attack..from behind..No Honor....She Was torn in two..She had swore his death..but not this way...She made a drastic Move. Xena Leaped at Sitama, paws outstretched as she Knocked Her clean off Chaza and Landed Full on with a massive crash into a dirty Stinking Patch of Mud.

Xena did not hesitate...She Shot open her jaws and Used her forward motion to Clamp them onto the now exposed throat Of Sitama. Her fangs piercing her throat pipe..She could feel Her shudder as all claws she could have in the Lioness were embedded...Not seconds before She went limp. Xena Dragged her teeth from the wound to Roar and Stand over the dead Body Of Sitama, her shoulders heaving.

((OOC> Yes..i did ask))

[Lorien]

Lorien continued to eye the tan lioness with wide eyes, half fearful that she would lose her life in the next five minutes. Her mind raced with thoughts, and her final one went to Ina. She couldn't die right now. She had to return to her pride...had to let them know that she had not abandoned them.

As Asuka narrowed her eyes, Lorien's mind flashed to one more thing: her mother. She had died when she was a cub, and she had been the only one to know how it had happened. The rest of the pride tried for weeks to figure it out, but then gave up on it. It was a complete mystery.

Lorien's eyes narrowed as well as the lioness in front of her looked as if she would soon leap for her own throat. She debated if she should try it, the thing she had in her mind. She then heard a roar from Chaza, and knew she must. She needed to be able to help her friends and not be paralyzed by fear.

Asuka, however, was about to attack. She readied herself for the death blow, content to use physical prowess instead of her telepathic powers. As she bent down and lunged, she was suddenly stopped in her tracks a foot in front of the grey lioness. Lorien had moved the hair from her right eye, placing it behind her ear so that she could keep it there, revealing a crystal blue eye, beautiful to look at.

Even with only one good eye, Asuka couldn't help but look at it. Within seconds, she felt herself getting weaker, wanting to go to sleep. She took a step back and gasped. "What is this devilry?!?" Lorien, in her knew confidence took a step forward, baring down the lioness with her eyes. Asuka soon went to the ground, exausted and weak; she didn't have the strength to stand anymore. Lorien, however, looked stronger than ever, and when she saw that the lioness was defeated, she shook her head and made the hair go back in place.

Searching the grounds for Chaza, she soon found him just in time to see Xena on top of Sitama's limp body, roaring in accomplishment. Her eyes went wide and she was soon rushing over, unawares of what she was doing. "Nooo!" she screamed as she got closer and knew that she would never see the lioness again alive. Coming from the side, she leapt onto Xena with claws outstretched to get her off of the lioness she had looked up to her entire life. It didn't matter that in her last days she had scared her to death or even hated her. When she found that she was ontop of the Feraga leader on the ground, claws sunk into her, she quickly got off and rushed to the limp body. Tears ran down her face as she layed her own body ontop, crying to herself.

She didn't want there to be a war anymore, didn't want any more fighting. It had claimed the lives of so many, and as she looked around, she saw the lifeless bodies of two of the other lionesses that she had known her entire life. As her eyes searched the battlefield, they finally came upon Chaza. She looked at him, a pain in her eyes that she couldn't explain, and then shut them, resting her head upon the side of Sitama. She wouldn't let anyone touch her again if she could help it.

[Deleted]

Ina chuckled at Gaizka's reply.

"I suppose you could try that... might work."

Then he turned serious and questioned her actions on his arrival.

"Well yes actually. There is a war going on. And my pride is falling apart."

[Kirsui]

((OOC: errr... this became longer than I expected... ))



Kirsui rushed forward as a dark brown lioness charged at her. The ice blue flames were still surrounding her body like a flaming armor of some sort. The creamy lioness extended her claws and pounced on the darkbrown Feraga lioness, hearing her scream as the icy flames started to freeze her body.
'I'm so sorry...' the creamy lioness thought as she knocked the other to the back of her head.
The dark brown lioness fell to the ground, still alive but unconcious.

Kirsui got back to her feet, seeing another Feraga lioness come at her. She bit her lip and suddenly saw the other lioness' eyes flash. Kir's eyes widened as she saw a lightning bolt come towards her. She had no time to avoid it, and the electricity hit her, hard, causing her to scream. Her concentration fell into pieces and the blue flames around her body died. When the pain was over, she saw the Feraga lioness stand above her, smirking.

"Next one will kill ya..."

When she heard these words, she gasped in fear. Almost automatically she concentrated on the one and only person she could call a friend and used one of her abilities...

---

Stardust hadn't had much time to use his own abilities. Well, actually his abilities weren't much use in a battle, but it didn't stop the hyena from doing his share of the fighting. A white Feraga lioness came at him with her long claws extended. Stardust could see some black liquid dripping from the tips of those claws.
'Venom...?' the hyena thought.
He pounced on the left to avoid the slash of those poisonous claws. His eyes narrowed as he saw his opportunity. The hyena pounced again, this time aiming on the white lioness' back. The lioness growled angrily as the hyena took a tight hold of her body with his paws.

Suddenly the lioness' growl turned into a fearful scream. And one could clearly see why. From the parts where Stardust's paws touched the lioness, a colourless liquid started to come visible. It was water, water that the hyena sucked away from the lioness' body. Stardust had to bit his teeth together to stop himself from letting go of the lioness. If he did, it'd give the lioness a chanse to slash him with the poisonous claws of hers.

The lioness finally fell down and the hyena prepared for another attack. But he never had the chanse to do so as an image flashed in his mind. It was one of the Feraga lionesses, bent over another.
"Kir...?"
The hyena's eyes widened as he gazed around the battle scene. There! Kirsui was on the ground, and that lioness was smirking down at her. The hyena's eyes flashed as he bolted into a run, hoping to get there in time...

---

"I promise... it won't hurt.. much..."

Kirsui shut her eyes tightly, not wanting to see the joyful look on the Feraga lioness' eyes. She knew this was it, she would not see the light of another day.

"LOOK at me!"

Kirsui could not resist but to open her eyes and look at the Feraga lioness. She didn't want to die like this, she didn't want to die at all. She was too young!
Apparently, the Feraga lioness didn't care at all and Kirsui saw her eyes flash as she sent the lightning bolt on its way.

But the lightning never hit Kirsui. She stared in a shock as a light brown creature jumpped on the lightning's way. The Feraga lioness seemed to be stunned, just like Kirsui, when she realized the light brwn creature let out a howl, filled with pain.
Kirsui's eyes flashed.
"DUSTY!"
She snapped out of her weak condition and the pupils from her eyes dissappeared again. The Feraga lioness controlling lightning bolts had no chanse ro react as a large, ice blue fireball hit her chest. Kirsui didn't remain there to look what she had done to the other lioness as she rushed to Stardust. The hyena was barely breathing, and his eyes were closed.

Kirsui growled, looking around, only to see what had happened in the battle. Sitama was down, and so was atleast one of the other former Burja lionesses. Chaza was down too, and Lorien...
Kirsui's eyes widened. Lorien was on Xena's back. The creamy lioness couldn't believe her eyes. She would have wanted to stay there... to look at their battle.

But she snapped out of it as a rock came flying towards her. Her blue eyes gazed around, seeing yet another Feraga lion come towards her. Kirsui glanced at Chaza. She knew she could propably help the male lion. She could heal his wounds.
But deep inside she was angry at Chaza. She had not asked for a battle. And even though Stardust was still alive, Kirsui didn't know if he'd survive very long.

She growled, sending a icy fireball towards the one sending the rocks on her direction. She lifted Stardust on her back and glared around.
'Hold on...' she thought as her eyes stopped on Lorien again. She hoped Lorien would survive from this battle, she hoped she'd see the young lioness again.

Snapping out of this moment, Kirsui bolted into a run, carrying Stardust on her back. She ran fast, to get out of the battle scene. She didn't dare to stop, didn't dare to look back. The creamy lioness just ran, hoping that Stardust would survive long enough so that she could try to help him.

[Katari]

The attack had come out of nowhere, complete surprise, and Chaza was as ready as an ambushed gazelle. He took it about as well as one, too; the pain shot through him again, but this time from someone who was supposed to be on his side. Through the haze of wet blood in his mane, he saw Xena’s eyes widen in surprise. But this was his own fault...he’d trusted Sitama. Not “trusted,” really, but he had allowed her to come near him. So much for that. It was over. He couldn’t dislodge those razor claws. She was mocking him, and he wanted nothing more than to kill her now...but he had misjudged, and now he was going to die.

Then the weight was removed from his back as quickly as it had gotten there. Chaza’s legs gave way at the same moment, all his strength spent. He fell heavily to the ground, where he lay very still with eyes closed, and unaware of anything but darkness.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sitama’s body hit the ground with a thump, the full weight of Xena’s body mass atop her. How had this happened? Curse Chaza! He must have arranged this! She tried to fight, but the other was heavier, and she was trapped flat on her back. Snarling and clawing to the end, she breathed in desperately, clinging to existence even as it slipped away.

For one horrible moment, she relived her deeds of the last few years -- of the last few weeks -- all of the things she could have said, should have said, should have done, and now never to be. Her life, lost forever and wasted by her anger. Lorien.... What would become of -- the intense look on Xena’s face was the last thing Sitama ever saw, as her jaws contorted in a final snarl and life faded away into nothingness....

- - - - - - - - - -

Coming to slowly, painfully, Chaza tried to push himself up on his front paws, but was unable to do it. Sitama...what had happened to her? Craning his neck to look, he saw a sight that stunned him: Xena, putting the finishing touches on her kill. The finishing touches on Sitama. She was gone. What..? As the Feraga leader roared with the thrill of victory, Chaza stared in shock, numbed to the bone. Around him, the battle -- if it could still be called that -- no, the rout had moved on, beyond them. Chaza knew that he had been nothing but a fool to come here...or, at least, to bring others with him. But he was still alive, for however long that lasted.

A cry from the left tore his thoughts away from his current state; it was Lorien, running over to the limp form of Sitama. Another shock, as the young lioness attacked Xena fiercely and knocked her away. What was this? Something was...different about her. She was crying, protectively covering the dead body with her own. But Sitama had hated her, hadn’t she? Something had been going on beneath the surface their, but he would never know just what, now.

With a gasp of pain, Chaza stood, shakily. He walked over to the carcass, only good now for the vultures that would be coming to this soon enough. His eyes met Lorien’s briefly. “I....” He stopped, unsure. There was something new in those eyes, he could see it. A new pain, and an equally strong determination that had never been there before. He turned away to look at the only other lion nearby. And Xena would probably want to take him out next of all.

He began to form words, but they wouldn’t come. This was all too ridiculous for words. Chaza shifted his paws and tried it again. “Thank you, Xena.” That sounded very strange coming from his mouth; after all, they had been thinking only of killing one another just minutes ago. But he owed her his life, as crazy as it seemed. Then his confusion was mingled with a tingling suspicion in the back of his mind. Chaza frowned. “You saved my life. Why?” He steadied himself, setting his feet, trying not to show his current weakness. “What are you going to do now?”


OOC: The plot thickens.... ;D

[KanuTGL]

OOC: Wow Just wow

---

Essay time!

IC: What!? Sumai had almost stopped short in his tracks when the creamy brownish lioness with the long flowing hair had stepped forwards to reveal her powers. So she had powers? Why, yes, that could surely be helpful here...
Blue flames of ice danced around her and shielded her and her friends from the oncoming sphere of heat, steering part of it off in another direction, the rest clashing with their antithesis with a furious hiss and bang, before both red and blue faded into nothing on the spot. The general's gleaming emerald eyes narrowed as he tried to take a good look at the lioness as he ran, approaching swiftly by every leap. The flares of blue that surrounded her body made all of her light up, giving her an intimidating aura of cold frost. If forced into it, she was a fighter, that was for sure. Sumai glanced quickly at the ground around her paws and discovered the lush blades of grass had frozen to delicate needles of ice. "I see..." he thought, and decided to keep a sharp eye in her direction. He'd better...

Growls of fury, roars of pain and the terrible sound of claws and fangs ripping the flesh of living beings suddenly filled the air, when the two prides clashed in a battle of what the general knew would be one of life and death.

Kill. Or be killed...

Sumai summoned a ring of flames to circle his body, actually similar to the one that lioness had had, and protect him from possible oncoming enemies as he tried to get a view of the situation. Most of the Burja members had their foes to face, and they all seemed to be having quite enough of them. The general watched for another few seconds, ready to help whoever needed it in the flurry of claws, teeth and various flying objects. As long as they belonged to his own pride of course...

Like this he ran around, knocking off a few annoyances here and helping out a little there. All bits and pieces of work; he had no one to face off in duel, as he had noticed others did... Though, he had kept a strong look-out for that creamy lioness. She seemed to have disappeared however, so wasting energy looking for her was only unnecessary... If she came back, however... Sumai was also wondering what was happening over where Xena were - how the battle of the leaders was going... He had little time to ponder though, as an attacker from the left got him busy. But she was not a worthy match, not even scratching his skin, and Sumai was about to finish the enemy with a swipe of flaming claws when a powerful roar, one of triumph, caught his attention. And it was a roar he knew. The general's eyes suddenly widened, and the moaning, badly burned, lioness on the ground was abandoned. Where was Xena!? It took less than two seconds for the red male to shoot off from his spot and almost fly over the ground to find his leader's side.

It did not take him long and he came indeed upon a terrifying scene; Xena was standing atop the body of a former lioness, but whose throat now was teared to shreds and golden coat stained with red. Her blood dripped from the canines of the black lioness and it was quite clear who had been the Burja-member's murderer; Sumai was sure he had caught her name last time... Sitama? It was a truly disgusting sight... But the red liquid wasn't dripping only from the fangs of the Feraga leader, but also from both of the bodies of the black lions. This had not been a friendly fight. But barely had Sumai taken this scene in before a sudden "Nooo!" cut through the rest of the noise and a greyish brown lioness appeared out of nowhere to charge at Xena's side and knock her off the golden lioness' body. The general roared of fury and ran to his leader's aid, but barely had he reached her before the new attacker had left her to return to the former Sitama; apparently protecting her. Sumai stopped at Xena's side, not saying anything, but glared at Chaza's torn figure, rather than the brown lioness who seemed less interested in being the one to attack, and new flames aroused to surround the red lion's body. A few seconds of silence passed. Chaza spoke. Asking why. Sumai had not been part of the course of events and thus didn't know what he was talking about, but... had Xena... Had Xena saved him?

Another moment of silence. What now?

Sumai suddenly felt nonplussed and unsure. He decided that the only thing he could currently do was just to regard and protect. There were business here that needed finishing, and the general was not allowed to interrupt this flow of event.

[lionroog]

"Well yes actually. There is a war going on. And my pride is falling apart." Was Ina's reply. Gaizka looked at her, then shifted his glance ahead of them, into the distance. Maybe he arrived just in time, to help save the pride; or maybe he was too late, and their fate's sealed. But Gaizka never met a challenge he couldn't face; and he will fight for the Burja pride to victory, or to his own grave.

"I will fight alongside you...and die, if I must, alongside you.", Gaizka told Ina, still staring out onto the field to which war has been waged, and blood still being spilled upon. His demeanor was shifted dramatically from playful to dead serious. This was his environment. He felt it deep down, fighting was in his blood. The thrill and excitement that came from victory was what he thirst for; what he lived for.

[Deleted]

Ina smiled weakly at Gaizka.

"Why thankyou.. that is very kind of you."

The lioness looked down at the ground.

"I just hope i can save my pride, for their sake and mine."

[KanuTGL]

OOC: Those who aren't members of Burja doesn't have to read this very carefully, I just wanted to make a move with Satoba. Forgive meh for posting much in so little time D:

IC: The grey-furred young male had noticed someone approach, and sniffed in the air after a scent. It was another lion, so much he could tell. Satoba soon also noticed the new faint glimmer among the ones that were the only beacons in his dark world and surrounded all living things. An unfamiliar voice reached his ears, but it was greeting his leader, in a quite friendly manner too. Ina replied, unrecognizing at first, then she seemed to remember and the lioness' voice went back into the soft tone with which she usually spoke. Satoba recognized neither scent, nor aura, but it turned out this fellow had been living with the pride before and, judging from how he sounded, was about the same age as Ina. Gaizka was apparently his name.

The grey young feline sat where he sat for another while, letting Ina and her old friend sort out the pride's situation. Gaizka was clearly another ally, and that was good; Burja needed all possible help. Satoba decided that he probably should introduce himself as well, just sitting here was impolite, but he hadn't wanted to interrupt their discussion. He carefully got to his paws, even if he knew every inch of this cave his movements were always, by habit and by extra caution, slowed down and collected. A misplaced step could be fatal on this rock when one lacked sight. He pawed over to Ina's side and nodded towards the flickering light of dark gold that for him from now on would represent Gaizka. "Good day." Satoba said and nodded in respect towards the newcomer, eyes closed. Not that it mattered, but anyway. "My name is Satoba." He opened his eyes again and focused on the new light, trying to memorize it. It was not the unusual colour, unlike Ina's shining blue that always stood out against the rest, but if given some time, it'd be no trouble to remember...
For one on the outside, it'd look like the young male's dulled white eyes just stared into the sky or randomly looked around... And Satoba knew this, but he couldn't help it.

OOC: Why do I write so much o.o

[Kirsui]

((OOC: don't worry about writing so much, Kanu... it's great stuff to read. XD))


Kirsui had managed to escape from the battle scene. She couldn't believe it, but yet she still had done so. The creamy lioness was panting slightly as she ran. It was no wonder. That Feraga lioness using the lightning bolts had hit her hard.
Kirsui slowed down.
'We should be far away enough...' she thought and looked around.
Had she been here before? The area looked much like the day when Kirsui and Stardust had come to this area, when they had first met Feraga lions, and then seen the Burja go to battle with them.
"So we're close to them...?" she muttered.

Her thoughts were interrupted when suddenly Stardust fell from her back. She gasped, her eyes wide open.
"Dusty! Wake up!"
She shook the hyena slightly, but he did not reply. The creamy lioness started shaking slightly and loked around again.
Wait! There was a tree! If she only got him there...
Kirsui lifted the unconscious hyena to her back once again. She let out a sigh and raced to the tree. There she put Stardust down again.
"Wake up, Dusty..."
Kirsui sat down next to the hyena, who still wasn't replying to her.
"Please... just.. wake up..."
She realized her vision became sort of blurry. She blinked her eyes, feeling something wet roll down her cheek. The lioness shook her head to get rid of the tears and returned her eyes to her friend.

"I hate Chaza..." she spoke. "I should never have gone with him in the first place! Now look what he made us do, you're nearly dead and I can't do any-"
She stopped speaking, realizing she could do something. Kirsui bit her lip and placed her paws on Stardust - other on the hyena's head, other on his side. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"I will save you..."
The creamy lioness concentrated on her third ability, to a shining pool inside her mind. It was like water, but it shined at silvery light at the darkness the lioness carried in her mind. She formed the image of Stardust to the pool, concentrating on moving the silvery water to the hyena.

If someone had looked at the two right now, they had seen at first the lioness sit there, eye closed and a concentrated expression on her face. The next thing they had noticed was a swirling silvery light appear around Kirsui's paws. The light looked like water, and it flowed inside the hyena's body, making him glow momentarily. And as this all happened, the lioness seemed to become weaker. A painful and tired expression appeared to her face as she slowly started to fall down.

Then it stopped. Kirsui opened her eyes, breathing heavily after giving her own energy to Stardust. The hyena took a deep breath and opened his dark purple eyes, looking at Kirsui in silence. The lioness smiled.
"I saved you..." she whispered just before her eyes closed and she fell to the groud. Stardust looked at her, making sure she was asleep instead of being dead.
"Then, my friend..." the hyena whispered, looking around.
"I shall save you..."
He slowly rose to a sitting position and looked around. If he wasn't badly wrong, the Burja pride wasn't far away from the two.
"You know..." the hyena whispered to the sleeping lioness.
"It has been great to know you... For such a long time too. But I think it'd be best if you stayed with your own kind."

Stardust rose to his feet.
"I'll be right back..." he said, knowing well that Kirsui would not hear him.
"Give me a moment."
The hyena started to walk away from the tree, trying to think. He was only guessing, after all he wasn't sure where exatly was the Burja pride's Den located. But he surely hoped he was going the right way, and hoped they'd be a bit more friendly than the Feragas right now...

[Cova]

((OOC> All Great posts. Top quality in here..))

Her breath was heavy...Her eyes still locked on the Lifeless, limp body of Sitama. Xena's teeth ground together as she continued to Snarl over her..Her own Muzzle blood red as she dripped spots of bloody onto the already Red stained Lioness. How could she be so Deceiving! An attack like that was out of the question, even if it was on her enemy. I should have killed you years ago Were the thoughts she said to herself as got her breath under control, her mind having to come back to the realization a war was still being waged around her.

As she came to this realization she heard a mighty Sound as she Looked quickly to one side, but could barely make out what it was before it was atop her, She Roared again as she skidded to a halt, with a number of sharp objects all over her. Xena squinted and saw it to be another lioness with her Claws bared into her. Xena's mind was still a bit sidetracked as for a moment she did nothing to stop it....luckily for her as soon as the attack had come around the claws were plucked from her and she shook herself, thrashing in the mud to jump up and spin around, staring and snarling Viciously at the goings on.

Sumai had now joined her side and she lashed her tail ready for battle.......Her gaze falling upon that of The Lioness who had jumped off, she lay weeping over the body of Sitama and Chaza looked thoroughly shocked....She took a calm breath as she held out a paw to one side to signal Sumai to stand down...a haze of fight about him. Slowly lowering it she licked her lips in silence as the Lioness grieved, she now recognized the Lioness....it was the same one she had let go at the last battle. Xena Sneered as she watched her weep.

"War takes friends.....Loved ones.........Leaders"

Her head snapping in the direction of Chaza as she said her last word..Chaza had actually said thank you to her. She breathed hard in silence for a moment as the small group paused their battling for the moment..even if it still happened all around them.

"Pff....don't get used to it..An attack like that Heralds no Honor...and id be just as bad to have let it happen as if i did it myself.."

Her mind whirring as to what it meant for them now, it was an odd situation to be put in, one Xena was not comfortable, or familiar with. It seemed they had hit a par...Burja leader dead Enemy's finding common ground...“What are you going to do now?” were the words that echoed into her as she Growled.

"Look around...if your rebels are not dying, they are wither dead or have fled....Stop them before you let them be needlessly killed." She growled again..not to anyone, more herself "You and them will be Unharmed"

[lionroog]

"I just hope i can save my pride, for their sake and mine.", Ina told Gaizka. Gaizka thought for a few seconds, holding back his response while staring into the distance.

"Sometimes you have to go through the fire, before you find the peace you seek", Gaizka said to Ina, still studying the scenery in front of him. He turned his head and looked at her; sternness across his face. He could see in her eyes that she was sincere. It was the right choice to fight for her and her pride.

Gazika's face softened, "If you can lead them through the fire, you will save your pride."

"Good day; My name is Satoba.", came the voice of a lion Gaizka did not recognize. The new acquaintance nodded his head to Gaizka and Gaizka returned the favor, a little wary of this stranger. Satoba had unique markings, markings that Gaizka never encountered before on friend or foe. It didn't take long for him to notice Satoba's eyes. Satoba's eyes were unique; that's when Gaizka realized Satoba's inability to see.

"I'm Gaizka. You look rather young and I don't remember you from my stay with the Burja pride years ago.", Gaizka told Satoba, trying to get a feel for the younger lion's personality. It was apparent that this young lion had unique abilities to go with his unique markings. One ability, Gaizka, realized, was not that different that one of Gaizka's own, "You're blind, my friend. You knew I was coming towards you and Ina earlier. I know you couldn't have heard me coming, yet I could tell you knew; your body language told me...You may have an ability similar to one I learned while I was gone from the Burja. You have the ability to see what most cannot."

[Deleted]

Ina just nodded simply in reply to Gaizka's words. Then Satoba seemed to have joined them. The white lioness smiled simply as they had a little chat.

"Yes, good ol' Satoba. One of the best members of this pride."

Ina said the last bit, a bit more quieter than the rest as she didn't want any nearby pride members to hear her words. But it was true, Satoba was kind, helpful, and he healed those injured in the pride. And although he could not see, he had better eyesight than half the pride.. if that makes sense.

[Kirsui]

Stardust kept walking, hoping no one would find Kirsui while she was asleep. The hyena felt quilty of leaving her alone when she was unable to defend herself... But he had to do this, now that she was not able to stop him.
Stardust stopped and sniffed the air.
Nothing...
The hyena continued walking, his thoughts bouncing around in all the things he had done with Kirsui from the day he had saved her from the desert. If he had not met her, her bones would lie there... buried into the sand... forgotten...
'Just like me...' the hyena thought with a slight smile.

He stopped again after a while, sniffing the air. His purple eyes shot open and a joyful smile appeared to his face.
He could smell lions nearby.
Stardust gazed around and saw nothing at first. But then, his eyes locked on a bright white character. It was possibly a lioness, which was exactly what Stardust had been looking for. The hyena stood there momentarily, examining what the lioness was doing. It appeared that she was talking with two other lions, both appeared to be males from what Stardust saw.

He swallowed, gathering his courage.
"Now or never..."
The hyena started walking towards the three lions. His walking was peaceful, as was the expression on his expression. He had to show he meant no harm towards these lions, that he only wanted to talk.
"I hope they understand..." he muttered. "Even though I'm a hyena..."



((OOC: just to make sure... the lions he saw are Ina, Satoba and Gaizka. ^^))

[Katari]

The thrill of adrenaline gone, Chaza found himself staring at the horizon, watched by two of his enemies...one of which had saved him from almost certain death. Xena had been joined by Sumai; the battle must be over, for the Feraga general to have left his troops to themselves. He could only hope that those forces were lessened somewhat, whatever good that would do. His own “army” certainly was. A long, drawn-out sigh escaped his lips...another day, another defeat. Just like when he’d left his home, his real home, but home no longer, not ever. So long ago.... And that was the last thing he wanted to think about at a time like this. Best not to think of them at all, those things that had happened before. His father, and how he’d...no, best not to.

Lorien was still weeping, and Chaza doubted very much that Xena’s words would have any great effect. Not a good one, anyway. He’d brought her into this, her and Sitama, and the rest, wherever they were; it was his own fault, as much as it was Xena’s. They had both dealt their own painful blows to the greyish lioness: the one, physical, and the other, psychological. The latter was just as deadly as the former, and all the more so, for its attacks tormented the mind; so much more difficult to control than the pain of the body, and lasting for all the longer. Those whose pain took their bodily energy could rest in the knowledge that it would all be over someday...but the agony of the mind led only to depression and, eventually, to madness and a slow, lingering death of many years. He hoped that Lorien would never be forced to walk that road...that dark path that Chaza himself might well be walking down.

The black lion shook his head to clear his thoughts and bring them back to the events at hand, feeling the ache of injuries old and new as he did so. Sumai had said nothing thus far, only watching with a wary expression; Lorien was still in mourning. He looked around the battlefield, seeing none of his companions anywhere. Either they had run off upon seeing defeat, or.... He didn’t want to think about that. A moment of silence, and then....

As Xena spoke, Chaza’s mouth tightened. This was not the most comfortable of places to be, and it wasn’t anything he’d asked for -- to be at the mercy of others. His wounds were bad, and would need healing, but there was no one close who would be willing to help. He’d live. “An interesting point of ‘honour’ for someone like you to hold,” he said quietly. Then he sniffed somewhat irreverently. “Your only such point, I’d imagine.”

A far-off look came into his eyes, and he considered what to do next. Plans and schemes were put away...he had no way to enact any of them. Now, it was survival that mattered. He knew all too well that he was not welcome with the Burja pride; and Feraga’s was not the likeliest of friendships, either. And even if he could have found a safe place to stay for a while, enough time to rest and recoup his strength, there was no way he could go back. Hell would freeze over like Kilimanjaro before that could ever happen. Not in this life, and not in any life. Never again.

So, where did that leave him? Alone. Just alone.

“I have no pride anymore, Xena, and you know it.” He nodded back towards the one-time field of war, returning his intense gaze to meet those of the Feraga leader and her commander. “There’s no one back there to call off...they’ve left this world.” Or left me, at least, he thought bitterly. Bloody fool that he’d been to trust them, anyway. “And I have nowhere else to go. You may as well take my life...there’s nothing left for me to fight for.” He knew full well that this was his biggest gamble yet, to put his life -- and Lorien’s, too, in all likelihood -- in the paws of whatever “honor” Xena might have. But it was that, or be killed; one way or another, it had to be done. “But I could be very useful to you...I’ve been in the Burja lands, I know their leader. You’d be doing away with a source of information...something you need more of if you’re to defeat them.” So, there it was...he’d made his offer, and now it was up to others to decide his fate. He’d done his part.

But he took a deep breath, anyway. These sorts of things were never easy.


OOC: Once more my verbosity takes over. Hopefully you can follow it alright.

[Lorien]

Lorien continued to weep, though sparingly, as she heard voices around her. She heard Xena's words, wincing a bit at the sharpness of her tone. She then looked up, tears...and blood..staining her face and cheeks. Looking to Chaza, she listened to what he had to say. He was right in saying that he probably couldn't go back to the Burja pride...but what was he saying about helping Feraga defeat them? She felt a bit of hurt at hearing this. She couldn't stay if that's what it boiled down to. Besides...Ina was probably worried sick about her.

Slowly, and a bit painfully emotionally, Lorien rose to her feet. She didn't belong here, and now she wondered why she had even come in the first place. If anything she felt betrayed. She had stood by Chaza's side and now...he was siding with her enemy. She took another look around the grounds, at all the fallen bodies, her eyes finally coming to Asuka who still lay motionless on the ground. She felt awful for what she had done to her...but it was either that or lose her life.

Searching, her eyes finally came to Chaza and Xena, and she slowly looked down at her paws. Turning slowly, she began to walk in the direction, or so she thought, of the Burja pride. She should have returned a long time ago. She didn't belong in this war. She gave a last look to Chaza, the pain still weighing heavily upon her that he would side with Feraga. But...she couldn't really hold it against him. He wasn't bound to anyone, especially not to her, but she was. She needed to be with her pride again. She had had enough of the rebel life.

[Cova]

“An interesting point of ‘honour’ for someone like you to hold,” Was the words Xena first heard. She did nothing..he wouldn't know her real reasons...He didn't even know her. She thought he was dam lucky that she even saved him at all, the blood of her enemy still present in her Muzzle, as well as all over it.

She was now left with what to do with Chaza, he commented on how his life was not worth much anymore and she looked away at some of the death the battle field held..Her view landing on that of one downed lioness...Asuka. She felt a pang inside her that she wouldn't let show in the slightest of ways...but was rushed indeed with a bitter sorrow. Her view pulled away to see the Lioness atop Sitama get up to move. Xena almost went for her but decided to let her go for a second time...Xena noticed how she gazed upon her original view of Asuka...Xena's blood boiling as she growled wondering if it had been that Lioness that took her life.

"Know this!!" Her view still on that same Lioness (Lorien) as she started to leave. "there are those lying here that don't deserve to be! Run back home with your tail between your legs and tell Burja of what has transpired here...i then suggest you never step onto the battlefield with this pride again.."

Knowing true well that her words would hit deep. That Lioness had had to many free passes around and Xena wondered if she had never let her live on their first encounter, who would still be around now...
Xena growled away her thoughts and turned her attention back to that of Chaza, he was wounded bad as was she, she felt sorry for him as he indeed had nothing left, but then she had warned him. Sneering as he said about knowing about Burja.

"So Willing to sell them out ay, Chaza...Yes...you can stay...Were about to head home now Chaza...were going back to our real home. Not this temporary waste land that we have been driven to. Just know..your being watched, not just by me....and one out of place move will see you strung up by my Paw..understand?"

Glaring at him as he had no choice but to agree to her..Her blood and mud stained coat rising and falling as she was still catching her breath, emotions running high but she knew she had to stay focused for the sakes of her beloved Feraga pride. She turned her back on Xena and looked at Sumai, her head high.

"You have never failed me Sumai. Your skills are a big part of why we succeed and i commend you on your performance here today..... How about we head for our real home eh?"

Now smiling a bit for the first time as she looked around to the form Alandriene who was still standing...She nodded, thinking how Fire and Zalira Had had no part in this battle. She would have to have words and Xena was not sure what they would be...Her view falling too, to all the Lions and Lionesses that made up the rest of their pride, numbers having fallen only slightly as their victory was claimed quite well. She roared in victory at them...many returning the favor.

[Katari]

Xena's words cut deep into Chaza, deeper than her claws did. It was a matter of survival, and it was either the Burja or himself who would be sacrificed. Too weak to speak anymore, Chaza could only bow his head in defeat at Xena's words; nodding slightly to show that he understood. Even if he chose to reply, what could he have said? He was just glad Xena decided to show him mercy instead of finishing what was started. And now, he would join the Feraga pride and continue with them to their "real" home.

OOC: Sorry this is so short. Time has been in short supply lately.

[KanuTGL]

OOC: It's me we're waiting for isn't it? D:

IC: Satoba blushed somewhat and giggled, feeling a little embarrassed, oddly enough. But he nodded at Gaizka's words. "That is true... I cannot see the things you can, but that doesn't make me blinded from the world just because my eyes are functioning in another way than yours..." The young male paused, to catch his breath. "I do not know how, but yes, I can see other things. I can see..." No, wait, maybe it'd better to explain it in another way. "Every living creature has a sort of... energy circling them, an aura if you like. It flickers and dances, glows and shimmers, constantly changes and is individual for everyone, though those of similar species have similar shape. They can be told apart by the size and colour, none is the other alike. This is what I... 'see'." Satoba let out a quiet sigh, he had never seen the colour of the "real world" and would give a lot to once, only once, be able to behold the real plumage of the singing bird and not only the glow that symbolized it...

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

Sumai got almost literally stunned by Xena's words. Chaza? Staying? After all he had done to them!? Now this was something sensational... And even more interesting were the words the black male had spoken just before Xena made her ultimatum - had Chaza no pride either? Then... was he not from Burja? This confused the general. The great puzzle he thought he had solved over the last few days seemed to fall apart again, and now several pieces were missing. But one thing he was sure of, Chaza played a key part in this whole situation, and maybe that piece could fit into more than one spot...

"You have never failed me Sumai."

The words of his leader interrupted his thoughts, and Sumai was quickly pulled back to the present. He raised his head high and stood at the usual attention, proud.

"Your skills are a big part of why we succeed and I commend you on your performance here today... How about we head for our real home, eh?"

The general smiled. "Yes." Shortly after, he joined the roars of victory, and truly felt that this was a triumph. And spurred by this victory, he was sure they'd be able to reclaim their home. Soon.

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

Satoba suddenly winced and got to his feet, seemingly looking over Gaizka's shoulder. "Look!" the grey male said and concentrated on the new moving glow he had spotted, trying to figure out what it could be. A non-feline creature, yes... maybe a canine of some sort? But it was coming this way. "What is that...?" Satoba mumbled, more to himself than the others.

[Lorien]

Lorien froze in her tracks when she heard Xena addressing her. She lowered her head, knowing that she herself should be dead, but also knew that she hadn't killed anyone. Although it may have looked like it, she left the tan lioness breathing, although barely in a state to move. She really did feel bad for what she had done, and as she glanced over to where she had left the lioness Asuka, she closed her eyes and apologized to her within her head. She had caused this lioness so much pain, and for what? A stupid war that she didn't even entirely understand?

When Lorien knew they had finished talking with her, and had moved onto the business of Chaza joining the pride and Feraga moving back to their home, she took off at a run. Right now, the only thing she wanted to do was be in her home, and the quicker she got there, the better.

Tears were streaming behind her as she ran, and it took everything that she had to not stop and just break down. She had lost a dear friend today, even if it hadn't seemed like it in the recent past. She was so broken up, that she didn't even notice Kirsui's body next to a tree not too far away as she passed. Lorien continued to run, her legs now burning and strained from going so far without stopping. Finally, she started to recognize the area around her as her home land, and she slowed her pace a bit. She needed a breather, anyhow. If she had continued to run, she would have eventually ran into Stardust, but she was just content with being in her own lands for the time being.

[lionroog]

OOC: Sorry, I've been busy getting ready to move and preparing for another year of higher education...

IC: Gaizka nodded at the words of Satoba, listening to Satoba's description of "sight". The way Satoba approached the topic left Gaizka with a feeling that Satoba could be trusted, that Satoba is a lion that would tell you what you needed to hear instead of what you wanted to hear.

Gaizka noticed Satoba's attention was suddenly diverted; someone was approaching. It didn't take long for Gaizka to sense the energy of the newcomer. Even though Gaizka lacked the ability to distinguish between individual energy signatures, he could tell from the newcomer's movements that there was no immediate threat. None the less, Gaizka turned slightly to get a look at this newcomer.

[Deleted]

Ina smiled at Satoba's words of explaination.

"Couldn't have explained better myself."

But her attention was then stolen by an approaching newcomer, which Satoba had pointed out.

"I believe that would be a Hyena, if not another type of African wild dog. I shall go greet them and ask them of their buisness."

The white furred lioness informed the pair as she padded slowly over to the Hyena and looked down on it when she stopped infront of the creature.

"Hello there, what is your buisness here in my pridelands? Hmm?"

In the distance Ina could see Lorien approaching, which made her glad. And she would have raced over to greet the grey lioness, but she was busy finding out what this stranger wanted.

=========

Zalira had fallen asleep from boredomn, while she had been waiting inside the cave for the events to finish. But she was awoken by loud roars... they seemed quite happy compared to the mood of everyone before she fell asleep. She stood up and walked outside, and padded over to Sumai.

"What did I miss?"

[Cova]

Xena coughed as she finished her roar. A cut on her chest tingling as she scowled and held her paw to the cut to try stop the burning..This day had been long indeed and was not over yet. She growled as she shook her head and blanked out the pain that ensued, a familiar thing in her daily routine.
A blank noise of the familiar Zalira echoing from behind her. She snarled and turned her head to see her standing there as merry as day next to Sumai, Xena gave Sumai a chance to explain before she herself did....Zalira had taken to part in the battle and would be accountable for that in time to come...Xena looked away from her for the time as she thought to herself that Zailira would find out soon enough where her place was if she didn't already know.

Now looking at Chaza as she gave him a disgusted look at the fact he had so easily sold his old pride out at the cost of his own life, she shoulder barged past him to look around at the others that were tending to wounds.

"Mount up...were headed home..Asha can see to our wounds once we reach it..."

[Kirsui]

Stardust stopped at the instant when he saw that the three lions had noticed him. He watched calmly as the white lioness approached him.

"Hello there, what is your buisness here in my pridelands? Hmm?"

Stardust bowed his head slightly at this white lioness. He was sure he had seen her around a few days ago when he and Kirsui had first come to this area.
"Greetings" he spoke on a friendly tone.
"I am looking for help" he continued. "My friend, a lioness... She is rather weak right now... It happened that we were foolish enough to get involved in a little battle with Feraga lions..."
He sighed slightly. He could aswell tell everything to this lioness, seeing how he would not be staying for a long time anymore...
"I believe that this lioness called Sitama was once part of your pride.." he said.
"She was killed in that battle. I almost got my life taken away aswel, and if it wasn't for my friend, I would be dead now..."

He glanced at the direction where he had left Kirsui.
"Could I ask for a place from your pride for my friend?" he asked turning to look at Ina.
"Right now, I feel she needs to be in the company of other lions. She lost a great deal of energy saving my life, and finding out if you'd be nice enough to take her with you seems to be the only thing I can do for her. I could never forgive myself if she lost her life because of me."

[Katari]

OOC: This is Lion Roog taking over Katari's character, Chaza, while he is gone

IC: Chaza could only look at Xena for a second before turning his head away; Xena's disgusted look clearly not hiding any of her feelings on his decision to join her pride at the sacrifice of his honor. But this is a game of survival. Life is a game of survival. He had to do what he had to do to stay alive for now, at least.

Xena pushed passed him, almost knocking him off balance before he caught his footing. It was time to leave. Time to go back home and repair the damages of war; salvage what you have remaining. Some wounds heal fast, some take a little more time, and some may not even heal at all.