Idawaiah <<Private: This Land and Kirsui>>

[Kirsui]

The savannah was gloomy, forlorn... The heavy downpour of the rainy season made sure that even the bravest of animals sought a shelter to keep them dry.

But despite this, it seemed that the rain didn't scare off everyone.

A lone lioness walked the plains, wet grass tangling on her paws as she walked. She was scowling, and her dark teal fur was thoroughly soaked. Yet she kept on walking, glancing around every now and then to see if there was any shelter nearby.

[This Land]

It was a split moment choice, but the only one that seemed logical at the time, his whole body now starting to ache from fighting the strong current, but in compared to other things, this was kind of nothing more but an inconvenience. He kept his head as high out of the water as possible but the splashing of the rough water made it more difficult.

Kikome finally made it to the other side of the very swollen river. This side looked to have alot more hope in finding shelter, even though said hope was still very low, it was better then where he had just came from. His whole body completely drenched and he now just hated being wet that little bit more, he let out small groan while shaking his body vigorously to try and take some weight of the water off.
He continued on his way and soon discovered the route he was taking merged with some prints from another lion. His ears flattened and in trained instinct he was on full alert as the water had drained the strength of the scent and tracks can stay in mud for ages thus he has no idea how recent they are, so its better to be alert then not at all. Lions in this weather could get hostile.

[Kirsui]

Scout was ready to give up. Shelter, it seemed, was scarce in this area, and despite the rather warm weather her thoroughly soaked fur was making her shiver. She stopped walking and raised her face towards the sky, squinting her eyes and blinking them when water threatened to go into her eyes.

Nope. It didn't seem like the rain would pass anytime soon. On the contrary, if she knew anything about weather the rain was going to get a lot heavier.

Grumbling with renewed annoyance, the teal lioness lowered her gaze and began walking again.

[This Land]

As much as Kikome knew the dangers of meeting others like himself in this wet weather, he was just too curious as to who else would be wondering around. Maybe these trails would lead to shelter and he could just trail off to another place nearby ? Kikome had no idea of this place but this lion could, The rain didn't seemed to be taking a break anytime soon so his curiosity got the better of him. With a careful approach he sped up his pacing, not to make too much of a sound, he didn't want to risk a confrontation. He would simply follow the tracks, see if it leads to a large amount of shelter and find a place for himself, if it was too small then he would carry on and not take the chance.

After a while the mud imprints were getting stronger and stronger, these tracks were too fresh, he slowed down his pacing until it came to a stop, In mid-thought of what he planned to do now...his eyes suddenly widened!

To his great shock a Lioness stood about 10 paces in front of him, her pelt almost the exact same colour of the surroundings, he could not believe his eyes in not only how well camouflaged she was but how he has never seen a lioness that colour before. He was so relieved that she didn't hear him, the sound of the rain must of drained out the sounds of his own actions. She just stood there looking up while Kikome had frozen with his eyes were locked on her. If she turned around he would stick out like a fire at night with his colour pelt. Luckily she carried on walking.

Kikome was memorized by her unusual colour and wanted to know more but he knew to control himself
"Remember Kikome"...
He took a step back but his hind leg tripped and he slumped to the floor with a groan, immediately he darted off into the long grass. His training instinct kicked in and he knew he would of blown his cover, he scurried around in the grass in means of escape and to his goood luck, a muddy patch was present, he immediately rolled himself around in it, covering as much as he could and then lay flat and still.

"The best form of defense is to put yourself in a position of no offence" - one saying he learnt to live by.

[Kirsui]

It had started as a tingling at the back of her mind. Most would have ignored the strange feeling, or pushed it off as something caused by the lousy weather, but Scout was too well trained for that. She knew this feeling, and she didn't like at all what it implied.

She was being watched.

But she was not a fool. Even though the teal lioness desperately wanted to turn around and see who was watching her, she did the exact opposite and carried on walking as if nothing was amiss. Her senses were on full alert, however, and it was only because of this that she was able to pick out the faint groan from behind her despite the heavily falling rain.

Her suspicions confirmed, she let her gaze casually wander across the lands before her, as if she was simply scanning for some shelter. Not too far ahead was a small formation of rocks. Nothing that would offer much of a shelter, but one that would be perfect for shaking any possible followers off of her track, and possibly to gain a higher ground from which to examine them closer. That is, if she would be able to climb on top of them without attracting too much attention. Her colouration would definitely help, but it would not hide her movements or any sounds she would make.

With a faint smirk Scout continued her way towards the rocks, still avoiding looking behind her. If whomever it was that had been watching her before would follow, she would soon find out who they were.

[This Land]

Kikome lay still, and after a while nothing came near or heard of. He slowly got up and continued in the direction the lioness was last headed. So much of him told himself just to leave her be, he could easily wonder off and not cause any fuss and be on his way. But, his curiosity was getting too much the better of him, he wanted to fight it but he couldn't
"A lioness of that colour...is unknown....at all" he thought to himself
He clawed the mud in frustration of his own wondering mind, it -would- be nice to be acquainted to such a unique lioness after all.
"Right! quick hello, if she is hostile, i harmlessly put her to the floor and be on my way. If she is friendly i'll have a quick talk and see what happens"
He nodded to himself and carried on walking, trying to keep a sharper eye out now she blended in so well !
Up ahead a large formation of rocks came into view, Kikome stopped in his tracks.
"Is she thinking what i am thinking ?"

[Kirsui]

Scout flicked her ears, but the rain was making it immensely difficult to detect if she was being followed. The feeling of being watched hadn't passed, however, so she assumed that whomever had spotted her before was still following her.

Thankfully, the rocks she was heading for weren't all too far, and after a short walk she had reached them. With as much discretion as she could muster she circled around the rocks. Once she was on the other side, however, her whole demeanor changed. While she had been a somewhat casual before, she was now stealthily climbing up the rocks. They were slippery from the rain, but with her claws she managed to secure footholds and silently pull herself on top of them.

Whatever she might have been expecting to see, the muddy lion certainly was not it. She almost burst out laughing at the sight of him, if it were not for the fact that it wasn't in her nature to do so when she knew this particular lion had been following her. She had the upper ground for now, but she would remain hidden from him until she had a clearer idea of why he had been following her in the first place.

[This Land]

Kikome watched from a distance and seen her disappearing behind some rocks.
Shelter or advantage ? if its for the latter then that means one thing....

Kikome crouched low and closely made his way to the front of the rocks, when he reached them he kept his eyes locked to above, just in case this lioness was onto something. His mind was yelling to just leave but now his curiosity got the better of him
"Heh, Ive been in worse situations, this is nothing" he reassured himself

He then continued the path that the lioness had taken, behind the rock formation was more open land and no-one in sight, he started to sniff around the rocks and could only detect slight hints of scent as the rain was quick to cover her tracks.

As he was sniffing the rocks he soon noticed small vertical claw marks up some of them, he dare not follow as he would have the disadvantage of being below, a perfect place to be pounced upon. By the looks of direction of where this track was going, it was obvious that there was no shelter up there, just looks like a good place to....
"Watch over.....she -must- know"
Kikome just realised too that a pounce from her onto soft grass where he stood would be such an easy target and a softer landing anyway, it could happen any moment, so in a spur of the moment he quickly jumped up onto a few rocks and lay down low, it was ironically safer here closer to her then where he was further away.

[Kirsui]

She watched as the lion came closer and closer, until he stood directly below her. She could have pounced then, but something made her wait, to be absolutely sure that he was indeed following her. It looked like he was trying to catch her scent, and she thanked the rain for washing it away.

As a belated thought she realized that pouncing on him when she had the chance would have been a good idea. Her desire to be absolutely certain cost her the upper hand when the lion suddenly pounced on the rocks slightly below her. Of course, he must have noticed her claw marks and decided it was safer to be somewhere where she couldn't pounce on his back. Apparently he knew where she was, even though he for now seemed to have not seen her directly. She supposed she had her colouration to thank for that.

With a mildly annoyed sigh, Scout opted to end this game.

"I know you're down there", she said, breaking the silence. "And I know you know I'm here. I don't want to fight, but I will if you don't tell me right now why you're following me."

[This Land]

Kikome stood still for a moment, calculating what his next move should be, shall he just leave and move on? With his speed he was quite certain he could easily just disappear and avoid a confrontation or shall he take the risk and see who this lioness actually is?
Kikome looked at his mud-soaked fur and where he stood, all this for just so check out an interesting coloured Lion, Kikome realized he knew better and mentally slapped himself for going all through this. He readied his body to leap off the rocks and make a dash....

"I know you're down there"
"And I know you know I'm here. I don't want to fight, but I will if you don't tell me right now why you're following me."

Kikome froze, this Lioness didn't just have a special colour, she had special training. Everything that has happened up until now he could of easily got away with, when following Lions he could be like a ghost but this one could notice him as clear as day. This as well now got his attention.

"Why the talk of fighting with your first words to me ?, you should really get to know someone first with a few more before making such threats" - He said slightly sarcastic yet sincere.

[Kirsui]

Scout frowned slightly when the stranger replied to her.

"Should I now..." she said with a faint growl. "And why shouldn't I feel defensive when a complete stranger goes to the lengths you did to keep their presence hidden from me?"

[This Land]

Kikome wiped away some mud that was dropping in front of his eyes, diluted by the rain.
"Quite some lengths yes, the best form of defense is to be hidden"

Kikome lowered his head
"keep hidden" he mumbled

He knew he couldn't give her his actual full answer as to why.
He had a feeling this may not end well and he still was on lower ground, solid rock or not. He unsheathed his claws and got a grip on the rock.

"If your forms of defense are just fighting, please don't make that mistake"

[Kirsui]

"Sometimes hiding isn't good enough", Scout replied quietly, though her tone seemed to lack the earlier hostility. Based on what this stranger had said, it seemed that he wasn't too keen on having a fight either, which was exactly what Scout had hoped to avoid too.

"And you still have not answered my question, though I think us going on about it like this isn't going to get us anywhere."

She pounced, but not to attack the stranger. No, instead she landed softly on the ground below, then walked a few steps away from the rocks before turning to look at the stranger over her shoulder. She was now the one with the disadvantage, but if her hunch was right he wouldn't outright attack her, unless he was going to go back on what he had just told her moments ago.

"We can get to know each other later, if that is what you want to do, she said instead, keeping her tone relaxed. But I really, really want to find some shelter. This rain is killing me."

[This Land]

"Sometimes hiding isn't good enough" Scout said, confusingly in a more gentle tone of voice
"Oh believe me, i know" Kikome thought to himself

"And you still have not answered my question, though I think us going on about it like this isn't going to get us anywhere."
Kikome assumed the worst and locked his glance at the rocks above, the rain pounding against his face, blurring his vision. The next thing he saw was a large dark silhouette coming right over him. He immediately lept off the rock backwards so as to never break eye contact with the "Enemy". He twisted his body, landing on all 4 paws. To his surprise the lioness wasn't in a stance of fighting.

"We can get to know each other later, if that is what you want to do"
"But I really, really want to find some shelter. This rain is killing me"

She sounded calm and relaxed, maybe she was and didn't mean any harm, or maybe she had plans ? Then again, with the agility that she displayed she could of easily got him on the rock. Going against everything that of Kikome's tactical thinking, he decided to reserve judgement on her for now.

"I would normally decline....i have no idea who are you and i get the feeling with your actions displayed you may have a few things to tell aswell yourself, just dont get any...."

Kikome again looked down at his muddy self then back up at the lioness, both of them soaked. The air was getting colder and a slight shiver ran down Kikome's back.

Kikome sighed
"Any ideas for shelter then?

[Kirsui]

Scout watched the other lion with a calm expression, but despite her relaxed stance she was ready to jump into action at first sign of trouble. It was a huge risk to trust him not to do anything, but she was willing to take that.

In the end it seemed she made the right choice.

"I would normally decline....i have no idea who are you and i get the feeling with your actions displayed you may have a few things to tell aswell yourself, just dont get any...."

The teal lioness smiled faintly and nodded. She understood what he meant, and she honestly couldn't ask him to completely trust her. She didn't trust him either, but was willing to make an exception just this once if it got them both out of this weather and would give her some answers to why he was following her in the first place.

"Any ideas for shelter then?"

"I'm not familiar with these lands, to be honest", Scout admitted straight away. "But I did spot something that might be a cave a little bit towards West from here while I was on top of the rocks just a moment ago. Right now it's the only option I can think of, so lets hope it's not taken."

With that said she fell silent and began slowly heading towards West where she thought she had spotted a cave. After a few steps she glanced over her shoulder again to see if the other lion was following or not.

[This Land]

Kikome nodded with a plain expression. His mind started to relax when the lioness took lead, giving him small hints of trust, he shook his head to try and get rid of such hints, he still needed to be on guard. He took a couple of steps, paused, and took a quick glance behind him, When he looked back forward again the lioness had turned her head to see if he was following. He motioned his head...
"Lead the way"...

[Kirsui]

Scout led the other lion towards the cave in silence. She didn't mind being quiet, and in fact was glad that he didn't try to make conversation with her while they walked. She would rather get out of the rain before answering any questions he might have, or asking any of her own either.

After a few minutes of silent walking, the teal lioness finally spotted their destination. She had indeed seen right, and they were now standing in front of a cave entrance. It looked fairly dry, seemed empty, and would easily house several lions. This in turn meant there would be plenty of space for just the two of them.

Scout walked inside, stopping only for a moment to shake water out of her fur before heading deeper and choosing a rather comfortable looking spot near the back wall. She was shivering slightly, but despite the heavy rain she was glad to find that the cave itself didn't feel as cold as it could have been. She laid down, still saying nothing as she curled up slightly to keep herself warmer while she waited for the other lion to choose a spot for himself.

[This Land]

Kikome followed the lioness to the place they thought would be good shelter, and indeed she was right, a mental sigh of relief swept through his body as the constant rain all day did start prove to get annoying. They reached the entrance and scout went in straight away. Kikome sniffed the air and seemed to be clean. He stood outside for a short while after scout went deeper into the cave and her body blended into the darkness.

The mud slowly but Surely had washed away from his pelt on the way here and him standing outside - one advantage of the rain. He took a vigourus shake and made his way into cave. It was just what they needed. In some ways he thought it was too good to be true but....this felt different....it felt ok. He spotted a dark figure of the lioness curled up at the back.
"I just need to rest for a moment" he said un-wantingly in a gentle tone of voice
Kikome cleared his throat
"Then em, we can get to the bottom of our un-answered questions" he said a bit plainer like his normal self.

Despite the draft being less at the back, Kikome wanted to give scout a bit of space, and himself too. He felt more comfortable near the entrance as oppose to the middle anyway so that's where he headed. He curled up with his back to the lioness and stared outside, a subconscious hint of trust maybe. Kikome was now fixated on the sound and smell of rain, it is so much nicer and tranquil when not in it. He flicked his tail in comfort then wrapped it around him. The draft didn't kind of bother him that much and he felt safer where he was, he kept in a tight ball and let his body do the warming up. At least there wasn't any constant rain anymore.

[Kirsui]

Scout had closed her eyes for a moment when the stranger didn't follow her inside right away. She wasn't sleeping or even trying to fall asleep, and was instead simply resting her eyes. Her ears she kept perked up and trained on any sounds that the other lion might make.

When she heard movement from the cave entrance she half opened her eyes and watched how the other lion, now clean of mud, entered the cave. She understood now why he had chosen to cover himself in mud, for his golden fur would have given him away very quickly.

"I just need to rest for a moment. Then em, we can get to the bottom of our un-answered questions."

The teal lioness blinked her eyes slowly and didn't reply. The stranger settled down and, strangely enough, turned his back on her. This gave her the opportunity to study him closer without having to explain to him why she was staring him so intently. She appreciated the moment of silence he had given too, and was slightly amazed at how easily he trusted her by not keeping on eye on her himself. Then again, he was right next to the entrance, and would be able to make a quick exit if she would do something.

Which she wouldn't. She had had enough of the rain, and as she had said earlier she was not keen on fighting today. Besides, judging from the way he had handled himself before, this stranger struck her as one who knew how to defend himself.

After a few minutes of watching the stranger she finally averted her gaze and yawned. She uncurled herself to stretch slightly, then laid back down in a more relaxed and comfortable position. She had warmed up considerably, and though her fur was still slightly damp it was no longer bothering her so much.

"I'm Scout", she broke the silence suddenly, feeling safe enough to give the stranger her name... Or what most called her nowadays anyway.

[This Land]

Kikome stay gazed at the falling rain, it calmed him down alot and while doing so he was thinking alot about what he should do now and if he can actually trust this lioness. After all he was able to survive on his own. He gazed outside rolling in his thoughts.

"Why am i here ?, I belong out there alone, i -should- go, i must carry on with my....."

Kikome heard the Lioness yawn and change position, sounding quite at ease with herself.
Something suddenly dawned upon him...he had company once again, even though it was not to be trusted yet but time would tell wouldn't it ?

"And you know exactly what happened when you had 'company' last time"

Kikome's head twitched slightly as he Mentally shook his thoughts away
"Everyone deserves a chance....it is risky yes, but am i not prepared for such things? If said new company was genuine it would be good to have someone, even better someone that does look like she knows some moves and tactics so wouldn't be a hindrance. "

The Lioness soon then spoke
"Im Scout"

Kikome rolled over and faced towards Scout, a faint smiled appeared.
"Nice name, I'm Kikome"

He quickly glanced over his shoulder and looked back at the opening
"So what do i do ?"

He turned his head back to scout who looked quite peacefull and relaxed now inside....he had made up his mind.
He got up and took a few steps closer towards her and lay back down, still a little distance away as not to invade her personal space. He was still not entirely sure about his decision so he kept distance for his own good, but it was progress.

[Kirsui]

"Nice name, I'm Kikome"

Scout chuckled faintly. Hers wasn't really a proper name, more like a title that had stuck so strongly that she forewent the name she had been called in her childhood. Most of the time, anyway.

"A pleasure to meet you, Kikome", she said when the other lion moved a bit closer to her. "Even though we did kind of a bad start, aye?"

She paused, tilting her head slightly. She really wanted to know why Kikome had followed her, but she didn't want to replay their earlier episode with her demanding answers from him. And so she chose to be a bit more diplomatic.

"I believe there was something you wanted to ask me, no?"

[This Land]

"A pleasure to meet you, Kikome",...."Even though we did kind of a bad start, aye?"
Kikome smiled slightly
"Indeed"
Kikome looked at Scout, she tilted her head. Kikome realized that she was probably just as curious about him as he was about her.
"I believe there was something you wanted to ask me, no?"
Kikome lowered his head and let out a shy chuckle
"My main reason for following you was just.....you are quite different compared to others.....I was just curious"
Kikome looked back up at Scout
"I wanted keep my profile low, I was going to say a quick direct hello, but my paranoia kicked in when you got to them rocks and in that case i would normally get the hint and just change direction and leave you be, but i couldn't help but carry on following. Then when i realized you had gained higher ground, I automatically asserted myself to be defensive, apologies if i caused any frustration."
Kikome sighed slightly in relief
"So yeah....just me being curious, paranoid and defensive, not a nice mix" he chuckled lightly
"Do you mind if a know a little about you?"

[Kirsui]

"My main reason for following you was just.....you are quite different compared to others.....I was just curious."

And there she had it, his answer to why he had been following her. She was different, she admitted that, but where her colouration came from was beyond her. It didn't bother her, and it often gave her the advantage while camouflaging in certain environments.

She pondered this while she listened Kikome further explain his reasons for following her, until he asked her that last question.

"Do you mind if a know a little about you?"

"There isn't much to tell", the teal lioness said solemnly. "Largely because of my different colouration I was trained as a scout, and after a few years the name kind of... stuck... My previous training is what made me spot you back there."

She smiled faintly, but as she glanced outside into the rain her smile faltered and she sighed. "And what about you, Kikome? Where do you come from?"

[This Land]

Kikome listened to what Scout had to say
"Its weird how we are both specially trained, various things myself. Well They certainly chose the right Lioness for the Job" He smiled.
"Been a while since someone out-smarted me...."
His smile soon turned plain after he said that, even more so now when he knew he would have to answer her question.
"I used to belong to a pride, they were very highly trained. Since i was born into it they made me one of them. When i grew up there were....disagreements, so i left.
Kikome turned his head to the entrance, gazed outside and sighed
"Doing so has caused a lot of...disturbances, so i have to constantly be vigilant."
He turned back to Scout
"Are you still with your pride or are you alone now ?" He asked curiously.

[Kirsui]

Scout shook her head at Kikome's question.

"Not at the moment, I'm not", she answered. "It seems we have more in common than just that we both have been trained. My departure from my pride was... turbulent. I cannot go back yet, so I'm on my own for now."

She paused, her gaze trailing towards the cave entrance and the heavy rain once again. "Maybe one day... At least, I hope so."

[This Land]

"Not at the moment, I'm not"......"It seems we have more in common than just that we both have been trained. My departure from my pride was... turbulent. I cannot go back yet, so I'm on my own for now....Maybe one day... At least, I hope so."

Kikome, kind of surprised by the coincidence turned his head in the same direction as her's and looked out to the rain with her.

"Sooner or later we all have to face our past if its unfinished, it has a tendency to catch up, but until it does, waiting prepares you for it."

Kikome looked back at Scout, he half opened his mouth about to ask more about her story, but he knew out of politeness he would have to do the same himself which he wasn't prepared to do just yet, its wasn't wise to tell your life story to a complete stranger and knowing what he did of scout so far, her feelings in the matter would be mutual.

"I...tell myself the same"

Kikome got up and walked over to the entrance to take a few laps of water from a puddle, he chuckled
"Ironic, all this water outside and i gain a thirst" He mumbled jokingly

[Kirsui]

"Sooner or later we all have to face our past if its unfinished, it has a tendency to catch up, but until it does, waiting prepares you for it."

Scout cringed slightly at Kikome's words. There was truth to what he had said, too much in her case. She just hoped that her past would catch up with her later rather than sooner. With her luck, though, she suspected things would not go the way she wanted.

She watched as Kikome walked towards the entrance, and as an impulse trailed after him. She stood close by as he lapped up water, gazing intently outside as if their talk about pasts might have conjured something to haunt her.

But, of course, she saw nothing but rain.

"Ironic, all this water outside and i gain a thirst."

The teal lioness chuckled. "I'd be more worried if you were hungry. Hunting in this weather would be dreadful."

[This Land]

Kikome nodded in agreement
"Indeed"
Just the mention of food gave Kikome a little sigh and he felt his stomach moan. He slumped down on the ground.
I wont lie, i am rather quite hungry but i can control it, haven't eaten for a few days due to this constant awful weather and even then its only been rather petty prey, I'll only start worrying when i feel that i may end up getting too weak to chase"

Kikome looked up at scout with a sly smile
"But, we do now have the power of two so things maybe a little easier, but if you are ok then i can manage longer"

[Kirsui]

Scout looked down at Kikome with an amused smirk. "Where do you think you'd find anything to hunt in this weather anyway?"

With a small shake of her head she turned her gaze back outside, her smirk fading a little. "I can manage. But I do hope this rain will be over soon. I don't like staying put for very long. It makes me..."

Her words faded away and she narrowed her eyes, staring outside intently. She could have sworn she had seen something move out there, but the heavy rain was making it difficult to confirm her suspicions. She couldn't hear anything aside from the falling rain and Kikome's breathing, and she certainly couldn't smell anything from outside.

Suddenly she realized that coming into the cave might not have been such a good idea. If her instincts were right, and they usually were, then she might be in big trouble right now.

However, she wasn't alone now, and so she asked for confirmation. "Did you see that?"

[This Land]

"Where do you think you'd find anything to hunt in this weather anyway?"
Kikome let out a small chuckle and followed Scout's gaze outside
"I can manage. But I do hope this rain will be over soon. I don't like staying put for very long. It makes me..."
The moment scout stopped, Kikome realized why, something moved out there and it certainly didn't seem like prey. Kikome Instinctively bared his claws. With his situation at the moment he knew this was too coincidental.
"Did you see that?"
Kikome turned his head firmly to scout and let off a deep growl
"Of course i did.....i knew i couldn't trust you! You know who i am ! You know the price on my head !"
Kikome held his paw up high over Scout ready to slash down on her with all his force.....

for that split second Kikome looked deep into her eyes and his own eyes widened.

Kikome thundered his paw down claws bared but changed his body direction, missing her on purpose and hit the ground with a deep thud, he let out a loud growl and darted outside.