Out of the Ashes We Rise ;; open for anyone!

[Jetstar]

Tyne cringed at the last sentence. "I'm so sorry" he said standing. He walked over to her, quickly nuzzeled her and then asked "What was she like? if you don't mind me asking"

[Zoketi]

She lifted a paw and flicked it offhandedly. "It's alright. I mean, my mother's probably dead too. So's half of my birth pride." she was surprised by the lack of emotion in her voice. She hadn't thought about all those deaths in quite awhile, as she of course hadn't wanted to dwell on them. She was warmed by Tyne's concern, anyway. "Oh, wonderful. She was so loyal and noble. She'd do anything for anyone, and always was willing to lend a paw. Her name was Matunda." Kahawia recalled fondly, exhaling a soft breath but smiling at the memories.

[Jetstar]

"Mutanda" tyne smiled. "and your mother too? My first mother and father, along with my sister, were all murdered. Then my second family, they were all killed in a fire." Tyne told her, and laughed a little. He noticed that he had laughed and his expression dropped "and as you can see, i am a horrible person who laughs at death" he joked.

[Zoketi]

"Life's rough." she summed their experiences up in a blunt sentence, showing her teeth in a grin. Kahawia shook her head slightly. "It's fine," she assured him, flicking her tail against his side. "A fire is what caused my separation, actually. My father, another lioness, Matunda, and I were all split from the rest of my pride, including my mother. The lioness died from her burns, and Matunda sickened and died from hers too. My father and I then left each other. I don't know what happened to the rest of them, but I'm guessing most died." she explained.

[Jetstar]

Tyne nodded "Well it's all in the past now. And hey, if I didn't run away when the fire started, I never would have found this place." Tyne said, gesturing to the magnificent cave. "You wanna go swimming?"

[Zoketi]

She bobbed her head in agreement, glad to change the subject even though it had been a relief to unburden herself. She glanced around the sparkling cavern. "Sure!" Kahawia accepted, lifting her head and curling her tail up with pleasure. She peered at the crystalline water and got to her paws, happiness coursing through her.

[Jetstar]

(congrats on the promotion to cub sitter by the way haha xD)

Tyne smilled, also happy to change the subject. He rose to his paws, glanced at Kahawia, smilled a wicked grin, then leaped. Leaped straight into the water. Pristine and cerulean. He waited a few seconds before coming up, laughing. "I..it's...s..so...cold....C..come on!"

[Zoketi]

[oh lol haha I didn't even notice XD]

She watched him spring directly into the shimmering liquid. The splash dampened her fur, making her wince slightly and lower her head. She grinned at his soaked form as he came up, and waggled her haunches as she prepared to leap in to. With a great bound, she flew off the rocky edge and over Tyne's head. Kahawia hit the lake in a spray of sparkling drops. She sunk down, surrounded by bubbles. It was so clear; she opened her eyes to see it. With a couple of powerful kicks she broke the surface, shaking water from her ears and gazing back towards her friend with a grin.

[Jetstar]

Tyne started laughing as he saw Kahawia leap over hisself. "It's nice isn't it?" he asked Kahawia, then dove under. The water was amazing. Gems in the wall, just like above the surface, shone brightly. Reds, blues, greens. The sight was unbelievable

[Zoketi]

She nodded in agreement, paddling to stay afloat. As Tyne dove down, the brown lioness made to follow. She kicked her hind legs and paddled down, shocked by how clear and clean the water was. And how colorful! The gems glittered all along the bottom and sides. She pushed downwards until she touched the bottom with a light paw, scraping it before kicking towards the surface for much needed air. Kahawia inhaled deeply as she broke the surface, and then returned to the watery paradise, swimming and swirling about in the crystalline liquid.

[Jetstar]

This time, Tyne followed Kahawia about the place, letting her lead. Swimming to the bottom as she did, breaking the surface, then down again. The next time he broke he spoke. "They say if you follow the lake that way, it joins a river that's flowing towards us. I've seen the river but it's too strong to swim against. At the end however, there's supposed to be this huge, euphoric amazon."

[Zoketi]

Kahawia listened with interest as she treaded water, keeping her muzzle above the surface. "That sounds awesome." she meowed, picturing a huge jungle. "Maybe I'll go there someday." she grinned, then kicked out and paddled around some more, splashing and diving. When she felt herself begin to tire she headed for the stony banks. Putting a paw on the side and simply allowing herself to rest for a moment, she looked towards Tyne. "We ought to head back soon." she suggested quietly.

[Jetstar]

Tyne nodded "Yeah, it's after getting late, will we go then?" he asked, swimming over to the edge of the lake and pulling himself out.

[Deleted]

(About time you two were heading back!)

Meanwhile Walla sat on the tree stump that doubled as the throne for the largest pride in the world. It was where the queen usually sat. Other lions and lionesses attended her, bringing her the best and juiciest portions of kills, which she gobbled down while another very annoyed looking lion fanned her with a palm leaf. Her stomach had become huge!

[Zoketi]

[ yup XD sorry! ]

The brown lioness nodded, paddling over to the edge after him. She hauled herself out and shook her sleek fur dry. With a last long look at the extraordinary cavern, she turned and began to pad towards the tunnel that led outside again, flicking her tail. Kahawia hoped they'd be back some time, as she'd thoroughly enjoyed the past hour.

[Jetstar]

Tyne walked out with Kahawia, leaving his fur somewhat damp. The sun was high in the sky at this point when they exited the cavern. "Ugh, I'm starving" Tyne said, with a small stretch in the sun. "I'll race ya back" Tyne said sticking his tongue out at Kahawia childishly.

[Zoketi]

She trotted quickly through the darkness, and blinked as they emerged onto the savannah. As her eyes adjusted, she gazed around, sniffing the wind. Though the cavern had been amazing, it was somewhat of a relief to feel the open air on her fur again. She flicked her tail and looked towards Tyne with a smile. "You're on." she meowed, waggling her tail and lowering herself into a crouch.

[Jetstar]

He laughed at her "See, I may be skinny and weak, but what I lack in strength i make up for in speed." he told her, laying into a crouched possition. "Ok, on your marks, get set, go!"

[Zoketi]

Kahawia flicked her tail. "You don't look weak to me," she chuckled. "You're larger than I am, for one." she grinned at him, pricking her ears and getting ready to run. As Tyne counted off, she narrowed her eyes and then shot forwards as he gave the go. Kahawia galloped through the grass, holding back a little to conserve speed. She was more of an endurance runner than a sprinter.

[Jetstar]

Tyne, shocked at Kahawia's burst start, hesitated at first, but he soon shook his head and began to run. The grass whipping past his legs, he could still see Kahawia in the distance. Soon, the pride came into view and Tyne picked up his pace and ran up beside Kahawia, flashed her a smile and then bolted.

[ladywelsh]

Tasneem bounded after her mother, who pawed in silence along the border of a kingdom. They needed somewhere to stay - but it was nearing the evening and they hadn't had much luck finding any shelter, who knew what personality this pride's king had? He could easily threaten and kill them for trespassing.
Her stomach groaned when she spotted a healthy zebra, grazing on the plains with it's herd. She observed the animals, and she suddenly became extremely hungry.
"No hunting tonight little one, it's too dangerous. We might get caught, let's shelter under that tree over there," Hawadi whispered and soothingly caressed her adopted daughter, and edged her underneath the canopy of leaves. She sat down and scanned the area, awaiting for any signs of danger or a pride of lions - she could only wait, before sleep could ever consume her.

[Zoketi]

Kahawia was surprised she had gotten so far ahead--she wasn't running at her full speed. She grinned and continued, glimpsing the pride ahead as she moved closer. When Tyne reached her, she kicked out and blazed forwards. They were almost to the pride, and Kahawia lowered her head as she ran full out. Tyne was just ahead of her, and when she passed the first lion he was still a pace ahead.

[Jetstar]

"C'mon, I thought you'd be faster!" Tyne teased, only looking back for a second. While looking back, he noticed two lionesses at the base of a tree, sleeping "oops, hope I didn't wake them" he whispered to himself.

[Zoketi]

Kahawia breezed forwards, her head level with his shoulders. "I'm letting you win, don't worry," she called back playfully. She skidded to a halt when they had reached their destination and pricked her ears. She followed Tyne's gaze curiously. "Are they part of the pride?" she asked, realizing it was a dumb question and guessing he wouldn't know unless he actually knew them, with a pride so large.

[Jetstar]

"Can't tell, maybe they are. They're pretty far from the pride though, I would've thought that they'd be in closer, ya know, incase of attacks." he looked to her.

[Zoketi]

"Hmm." she looked curiously at the two. "Well, should we bother them to ask?" she questioned, flicking her tail and blinking at him with pale icy eyes. Kahawia was content with whatever he preferred.

[Jetstar]

Tyne was hesitant "Nah, they're sleeping, I say let 'em. I wouldn't want anyone waking me up." he smilled at her, with Ceeulean blue eyes. "you wanna see how Walla's doing?"

[Zoketi]

"True." she agreed, flicking her tail. Kahawia turned her attention away from them, pricking her ears. "Of course! Let's go." she mrowed, stepping forwards in a bouncy pace and looking back towards Tyne. She felt a little guilty for leaving Walla, and the others who had been in the cave, for so long.

[Jetstar]

Tyne led, Kahawia behind, back towards the pride. He strode through the mass of lions and lioness, slipping in and out of crowds until they came to the cave where Walla had been,
Not there
"Hmm, I wonder where she's gone, we were only gone an hour or two"

[Zoketi]

Kahawia glanced around, but there was no sign of Walla in the cave. "I suppose she's outside somewhere." She suggested, looking towards Tyne with a puzzled expression. "Come on, let's find her." The brown lioness turned about and trotted out of the cave, her head high and ears pricked. She sniffed the air, searching for a scent trail.