Hunted (Private)

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I have nothing to tell you." The two siblings said at the same time, Tamu more grudgingly than her brother.

[Deleted]

"Ok, well if you change your mind, I'm here for you," she said, then looked up. "Ah. Here's the cave. Before we get started on potions, is anyone hungry?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

"Yes." The two siblings chirped.

[Deleted]

"Well, we have plenty of food!" Wasana said. She spoke to one of the humans, and they clapped their hands, setting them down within the cave and bringing them all manner of food.

(sorry I've been absent. Work is back and am trying to find a balance between it and various health problems and leisure).

[Ruby_Fehu]

(It's fine, as long as you're feeling better and such)

Ezekiel soon found that he had managed to pin Hasimu to the ground and his jaws were inches from the lions throat, "Never. Harm my sister." He hissed, he lunged but felt something tug at his tail pulling him back and causing him to spin around and snarl only to find it was a human; Hasimu seized the opportunity to race out of the cave and in the opposite direction to the human village. Leaving Ezekiel stood breathing hard.


Tamu shied away from the humans whilst Wunjo tried to hold a brave facade and protect his sister but as soon as the human went to stroke him he jumped away. The two siblings then watched as the food was placed down before waiting impatiently for the humans to step away so they could start eating.

[Deleted]

Wasana beckoned the humans to step back. "Don't worry. They won't hurt you," she said to the cubs, then ate some of the human food to show it was safe. "Mmm." She smiled at them.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Tamu and Wunjo exchanged along before Wunjo tottered forward and nibbled a little bit before pulling away, his eyes glinting, "This is delicious!" He exclaimed starting to wolf it down, whilst his sister just stared at the two, "Do you and Ezekiel have cubs or is it just mama who does?" She asked randomly.

[Deleted]

"Just your mother, though you might have some little cousins in a few weeks," Wasana said.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"Oh, goody. Wunjo is boring to play with." Tamu grinned before turning and starting to eat some meat.


Wunjo finished his small amount just as Tamu started and decidedly sat and watched his sister, waiting to see if she left any food that he could take.

[Deleted]

The humans kept on bringing in food though, and Wasana made sure there was plenty before each cub. She loved cubs, but she was getting distracted. Worry for her mate increased her appetite, and she ate ravenously. Between mouthfuls she said, "Come and share with me, Wunjo. What's your favourite food?" She glanced at the entrance, hoping Zeke would walk in soon.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ezekiel limped in carefully looking incredibly annoyed, he glanced at Wasana and then to the two cubs, "Do you know where Lailah has gone?" He asked huskily. Starting to pace up and down impatiently.


"I haven't seen mummy since she ran off." The two cubs replied, cowering away from Ezekiel.

[Deleted]

"The last I saw she had ran back to her cave while you were in there with Hasimu," she said. She wished she could go to him - he looked so upset, and she wanted to comfort him - but he also looked dangerous, and she found herself too afraid to move.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ezekiel exhaled sharply before his paws gave way and he crashed to the ground in a heap, making the open wound on his side noticeable. He groaned weakly and began trying to stand up. "I'm going to get him." He hissed.


Lailah made her way down through the cave, looking for her mate. She respected Ezekiel for trying to protect, for knowing that Hasimu was dangerous but she was terrified on how her mate would react and whether or not he would take his anger out on her - which he would probably do.

[Deleted]

Wash a gasped upon seeing the wound. "Children," she said, "Your uncle Zeke is sick. Grab those herbs and follow me." She gave them a nudge with her nose, then bit her lip. It had been a while since she'd stood. Months in fact, with the humans all caring for her, but with her mate sick she wanted to look after him on her own. Carefully she shuffled her enormous legs beneath her - she'd been sensible enough to stretch them, at least - and pushed. She stood up alright, but being both pregnant and larger than she'd ever been before, it was impossible to left her heavy belly from the leaf-covered floor. Thankfully the leaves provided a nice cushion, and so she dragged herself in tiny little steps over to her husband's side, where she settled down, panting.
"Don't worry... My... Love. I'm here." She licked his neck behind his ear, then took a moment to get her breath back. "Lailah, pass me that green herb, and go get my mixing bowl. I'll show you how to stop a cut from getting infected"

[Ruby_Fehu]

Tamu and Wunjo obeyed Wasana and began nudging herbs towards her, "Will he be okay?" Tamu asked warily.

"Of course he will Tamu, don't be silly." Her brother tutted, as he sat down and started watching Wasana and Ezekiel.



Ezekiel raised his head to look at Wasana, his breathing sharp as he winced in pain. "I'll be fine sweetie. I promise" He said gently, all anger gone from his voice.

[Deleted]

"He will be... But we need... to see to his wounds," Wasana said, "So ... They don't get... Infected." She applied the herbs to his skin, where the flesh was raw, and shook her head. She felt strange, like she couldn't get her breath back, and her heart was thumping in her chest. Then threre was a pain in her stomach and she groaned, lowering her head against her mate.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"Are you okay?" Ezekiel asked gently, he managed to roll into a lying position with difficulty as he looked at her. "Kids, try to find your mum, tell her that I need her." He told them, ignoring the pain he was in.

[Deleted]

Wasana rolled onto her side, clutching at her belly. "Something's wrong. My heart... Ooh, the cubs are coming. They're coming but it's too early... Much too early."

[Ruby_Fehu]

"Cubs sometimes come early. It'll be fine, they'll be fine I promise." He managed to gasp; wincing again at the pain in his side as he began to nuzzle his mate in a comforting manner.

[Deleted]

Wasana was glad for Zeke's presence, though she couldn't really show it.

The humans eventually found them lying on the ground together, after the cubs had gone to tell them. They carried Wasana back to her litter and the eldest remained behind to attend the birth - an old female with grey hair - as well as the small, young human male. Wasana trusted them the most. When she gave birth to the first cub they look on the old crone's face was disappointment, and she wouldn't let Wasana see him, or her. With the second her anxious face became grim, and with the third, grimmer still.

"What is it?" Wasana said. "What's wrong? Where are my cubs? Our cubs," she said, looking to Zeke. Finally the human lady brought the cubs forward, and she could see what was wrong. They looked perfect, with well-proportioned limbs and cute little pink noses, little tails curled about their legs. Three in total. Two girls and one boy. Lying still. Not moving, not breathing. Wasana sniffed them delicately, licked them to clean them, hoping they would rouse. But they didn't. "My little cubs..." She said. "My precious cubs." She put her head down and sobbed.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ezekiel's eyes widened and he shook his head before he turned and ran off, hiding his expression from Wasana. One of the humans tried to stop him but instead he snarled and swiped at them before racing out of the cave.

[Deleted]

Was and didn't eat for days after that. Instead she lay motionless, lost in despair, refusing all food that was put before her. She was sure Zeke had left her forever. And why wouldn't he? She had killed his children. He'd had little reason to stay already. Now, he had none.
She ignored the humans who brought her food, until one of them brought her a sick human infant. These ae my children, she realised. She ordered certain herbs and healed him, and when they came to her with food as payment she greedily took it. With nothing else to live for she healed their sick when they came, and when not, she simply ate, and ate, and ate.

[Ruby_Fehu]

After a week Lailah raced into the cave panting heavily, "Wasana. I've found Ezekiel!" After being the one to comfort the lioness she had gone off to hunt one day when she'd come across him. "It's not good though, he looks sick. Really sick." SHe continued warily.


Ezekiel was lay in a cave close to where Wasana was but remained hidden, only retreating at night to hunt. He'd come across Lailah the night before and the look on her face gave away the fact that she'd noticed him and that she was going to tell Wasana. He did love his mate, but right now he wanted to be alone. He just hoped that Lailah didn't know where he was residing.

[Deleted]

"Sick in what way?" Wasana said. The humans were lined up in front of her, each with something new to eat. Even in a week she had grown noticeably larger. There were rings on her neck that pushed on her ears, and her little wrists looked more like a human cub's, with her paws sticking out of a ring of fat. She was wider too, almost as wide as her litter, and breathed heavily, like she was exhausted just sitting down and eating. But her eyes were bright with worry and sadness.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"He looked rough. I can tell he's been eating, but not as much as normal, but he looked like he'd not slept for a while, and the cut he had looked infected, I think he's been fighting more too." Lailah explained, biting on her lip, "I couldn't do anything though because when he saw me he ran."

[Deleted]

"If he wants help... if you see him... tell him he can come here. I'll bind him up," Wasana said. "Otherwise... I can't do anything. How is Hasimu and the cubs? Zeke hasn't been fighting with him... has he?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

"If I can talk to him." Lailah corrected, "And no he's not been fighting Hasimu, I don't even know where he is." She said shrugging dismissively. She then smiled fondly, "The kids are fine, they keep asking to see you but I've told them, not yet." Lailah replied to Wasana. She turned and glanced over her shoulder at the humans gathered, they seemed to be listening - not that they could understand Lailah, Ezekiel and Wasana maybe. But not her. "Anyway, I better get going. I'll keep you updated."

[Deleted]

"They're meant to protect us, aren't they?" Wasana said, staring at the cave entrance before Lail had a chance to leave. "Your brother... I always felt safe by his side. And didn't you fall in love with Hasimu for a similar reason? Why do they leave us alone, when we need them?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

"They're probably protecting us by going away. Hasimu said he was doing something for the sake of myself and the cubs. I'm sure Ezekiel will be fine when he comes back. He's never been good at showing his emotions and ever since we were cubs he always wanted a family." Lailah explained gently.

[Deleted]

"And I couldn't provide him one, so he left me to my pain." She shook her head. "I have two sets of friends in this whole world. Humans, and food." She turned her head away, and started eating again.