Idawaiah <<Private: This Land and Kirsui>>

[Kirsui]

Ah... A former pride. That would explain Kikome's hesitance on lingering in the presence of the young adolescent. She didn't know what exactly had led into Kikome's departure from the pride, but it obviously had to be something big if he wished them to keep thinking that he had died.

"How far would you go to protect yourself and select members of a pride?"

Scout cringed lightly, not bothering to hide her reaction. "That is a difficult question, Kikome", she answered honestly. "There was a time when I was ready to do anything for my pride... No, for my queen. I never questioned her, never shrank away from my orders. Even when she chose exile, I still supported her decisions."

The teal lioness paused to ponder her situation. What indeed would she now do, with her old loyalties shattered when her queen had chosen exile. She shook her head, glancing at Kikome hesitantly before looking at the ground in front of her. "My life was never my own, until I left the pride. I was content, but now... I think I would now do anything to retain the freedom I have gained."

[This Land]

Kikome Nodded in agreement
"Freedom is indeed a a good thing to have"
Kikome fell silent for a bit to gather his words together in his head.
"The pride back there is one that I helped out, alot in fact. Over many seasons I told them everything I knew in survival and working together, including that lion we seen back there. I told him alot of things about myself in confidence as we grew very strong friends, almost felt like family. However due to his young age and nature he accidentally let slip one night who I was. The pride leader did not like it one bit and attempted to disable me while I slept. One thing he didn't know was the art of sleeping with 'one eye open' so to speak. And I knew he would of already sent a lion to search for my pride to come here."
Kikome Stopped walking
"I was in a sudden dilemma . My body alive to my old pride is ten times more effective of their security and safety rather then just me teaching them advanced self defense against them. If I now ran away or killed the pride leader, loads of innocent lions and friends would die prematurely because my old pride is on its way and would be rather annoyed if I wasn't there. My only option and last minute split decision that could maybe work was to run and let him follow me to the river, I pretended to give myself in as the harsh rapid of the river was a 'dead end'. As I did, I pretended to loose my footing and fell in, letting the current carry me underwater and not coming back up. I faked my own death. No doubt the leader went back and told the pride the same thing to cover up his planned treachery against me, If it had of worked I know the pride would be forced to agree of his actions out of fear of the now approaching of my old pride. He was quite clever I admit."
Kikome took a breath and cracked a tiny smile to try and lighten the gloomish atmosphere
"Hopefully I out-smarted him enough, if he believes it and tells my old pride leader, they may be all be saved because of innocence and willing to help. My old pride can spot a lyer, hopefully they only ask the leader that seen me fall and not the lion we seen today, since he is young the odds are in our favor. The only bad thing is I have lost alot of friends now from that pride"
Kikome Clawed the dirt out of slight frustration
"Just that darn lion we seen today, if he hadn't of let anything slip none of this would of happened. But his honest mistake doesn't deserve death, that's why I done what I did"
Kikome let out a sigh of relief and his smile widened.
"Well that was a bit of a release, sorry for rambling on.....its weird how im telling you all this, and maybe the same for what you have told me yesterday, I guess its just because our paths are so similar I feel I can..."
he cleared his throat
"I Feel  I can confide in you" he said Heartfully

[Kirsui]

Scout listened to Kikome's explanation in silence, not wishing to interrupt. His willingness to tell these things to her spoke volumes of the amount of trust that had developed between them, and they had only met the previous night. It was... strange, unfamiliar... She had not felt this close to anyone after leaving her pride.

"-- its weird how im telling you all this, and maybe the same for what you have told me yesterday, I guess its just because our paths are so similar I feel I can... I Feel I can confide in you"

"I... appreciate it", the teal lioness replied with a small smile. "I know how difficult it can be to trust someone, especially for someone with a history like ours."

She paused, taking a deep breath and glancing behind her. They had come far enough from the river that she couldn't tell if the adolescent was still there. She hoped not. If either of their pursuers would catch up...

Scout shook her head with a sigh. Hadn't she thought of this already? No one would be coming after her for at least a few days, that was the way her former pride's assassins worked. If Kikome was right about the adolescent, his pursuers might not catch up to them for a while either. So why was she feeling so uneasy all the time?

"Lets find that breakfast and get out of here", she said with a solemn voice. "The sooner we are done with this place, the better."

[This Land]

Kikome Nodded in agreement.
"Trust in our situations is quite a hard thing to come by, im glad i have found it in you" He said sincerely
And Yeah, any prey will suffice, im getting rather hungry" he lightly groaned
Kikome took lead and headed in the same direction they were going, they had to get out of here. With the amount of backtracking they done to the river then going off in this direction would hopefully make any pursuers confused into which way they were going.
"If we are to catch prey in this kind of weather, i think its best we use our strengths combined....you fancy sneaking around ? He turned and smiled.

[Kirsui]

"-- you fancy sneaking around ?"

Scout chuckled. "It's what I do best, my friend. Now all we need is some prey to hunt."

With a small, amused smile still on her face, the teal lioness turned her attention to the surroundings. Her ears were twitching slightly as she tried to pick out any sounds that potential prey might make. The small drizzle was making tracking by airborne scents difficult, so sounds and sight were the only senses she could rely on. A while passed with nothing exciting happening, until Scout spotted something at the ground.

"Hmm, hoof prints", she pondered aloud, stopping to examine the tracks a bit closer. "Zebras, I'd say. Only a small group, possibly lost from the main herd. These are fairly recent tracks too. The rain hasn't had time to destroy them yet."

She glanced up at Kikome, smirking with slight excitement that preceded a hunt. "Fancy a little zebra today?"

[This Land]

Kikome waited patiently for Scout to do her thing. He glanced around himself to see if he could give her any feedback to see if it helped.
"Zebras, I'd say. Only a small group, possibly lost from the main herd. These are fairly recent tracks too. The rain hasn't had time to destroy them yet.......Fancy a little zebra today?"
Kikome returned the smirk
"Your name does suit you well" he chuckled
"Lead the way, when i get eye of them its my turn to return the favor" he grinned

Now there was a possible meal lined up, Kikome's stomach started to groan, after all he hadn't eaten for quite a while and he started to feel it, he could easily control it but the knowing of a sure meal fired things up.

[Kirsui]

Scout smirked back at Kikome, then turned her gaze back to the tracks and began to follow them. Occasionally she lifted her gaze to scan the area ahead, just to make sure their prey would not spot them and flee. As the tracks got fresher, however, a small frown replaced the eager smile that had been on her face.

"Something isn't right", she muttered, slowing her pace with her gaze on the tracks. "They scattered...?"

The teal lioness lifted her gaze from the ground and narrowed her eyes. The zebras were nowhere in sight, but that didn't come to her as a surprise if what she could tell from the tracks was true. And so she glanced at Kikome with a slightly grim expression before returning to the task of scanning the area. "Someone got to them before us."


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


Jolt was rather pleased with himself, having gotten up early in the morning to track down his prey. He had come across the small group of zebras, and with the silly herbivores too far from their main herd, he had brought one of them down.

The leopard half grinned as he proceeded to drag his prize towards his tree, where he could stash his breakfast away from the reach of lions and hyenas. His half grin faltered, however, when the wind brought to him a scent he would have rather not caught at all.

Lions.

The scent was dampened by the drizzling rain, and he knew that they had to be close for him to catch their scent at all. He growled as he let go of the dead zebra's neck, scanning the area until he saw two figures not too far from him. It appeared as though they had not yet spotted him, but it would be only a matter of time now.

With an angry flick of his tail, the light golden leopard glanced over his shoulder. His tree, though close, was still too far away for him to reach it with his prize, and to get the zebra up to the branches so that he could enjoy it on his own. With a frustrated sigh Jolt turned his gaze back to the two lions and took a defencive position. He didn't announce his presence to them yet, as there was no need to hasten the moment when they would notice him. Instead he spent what little time he had assessing the two.

[This Land]

Kikome also noticed the tracks were scattered and getting fresher, he had the feeling they were walking right in the middle of a hunt that bad been done
"They scattered...?..........Someone got to them before us."

Kikome immediately crouched down, a fresh kill from another predator would mean this isn't the most safest place to be, a predator with a kill would most likely be hostile, he had this bad feeling they were already being watched but he wasn't 100% sure, so it was best to be evasive just in case. He blended into the thick vegetation the best he could and prompted scout to do the same. In a light humor he envied Scout's pelt as it would blend in so much nicer and he could just not wait until things dried up and yellowed for him to have his turn. He sighed, closed his eyes and dragged his head along the muddy earth as he stalked to camouflage his face. He was tempted to colour his pelt again but he had only just got clean fully again. He was now getting very hungry and impatient with all these distractions and if this predator would stop him from eating he would settle the hunger situation very quickly, plus now also Him and Scout were a power of two. He just hoped it was a solitary predator and not a pride.

He split from Scout and flanked widely around to try and get a glimpse from up ahead, keeping his body as low down to the ground as possible and the tip of his now browned face and the roots of his mane the only thing on show so he could see. After several moments of slow stalking he lay his eyes upon a lone leopard, it wasn't looking in his direction luckily but was looking in the direction where he started stalking.

This predator was scanning the area very closely so he knew it had prey to protect, with a bit of persevering he knew he could get that prey, after all its all about survival of the fittest in these harsh times and he was annoyed that they didn't get here first. He lay flat down on the ground a broke a nearby stick with his paws to get the Leopard's attention towards him, and hoping Scout would catch on to what he was thinking of doing.

[Kirsui]

Scout noticed movement at her side, and instantly mimicked Kikome and crouched down. She thought she had spotted something ahead of them, though she wasn't sure what or who exactly it had been. She heard faint rustling and noticed Kikome stalk off, heading for a large circle apparently to get to the other side of whomever had caught up with the zebras.

The teal lioness smireked faintly and began heading straight forward. After a moment of silent stalking, she was able to pick up the other predator's scent. It wasn't a lion, at least, but then she wasn't very fond of just going and stealing a lone leopard's prey. But, she was hungry, and both her and Kikome needed food if they were to have any chance of moving on from this area any time soon.

With her ears perked, she slowed her movements as the scent of leopard got stronger. She crept forward, and then halted completely when she could see the smaller feline's form through the grass blades. He had light golden pelt, not a very good camouflage in the current environment, and he was leaning on his prey with his front paws, clearly in an attempt to get a better view of his surroundings.

Scout almost pitied him. She was already so close, and had the leopard had any training he would have noticed her by now. But he hadn't, not even when she was so close she could easily pounce him if he wasn't facing her. It would be easy, too easy even, but what else could she do?

But, it was not time yet, and she simply remained still, bidding her time for the right moment to move.


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


Jolt narrowed his eyes. He was sure he had seen the two lions a moment ago, but now they were both gone from sight. Being a predator himself, he suspected they had noticed him and were now hiding from his sight. He didn't like this, not one bit. They could be anywhere, and how could he protect his prey from enemies he couldn't even see?

A twig snapped behind him, and instinctively the light golden leopard turned his head in that direction. As soon as he had done so, however, he was roughly pushed aside as something larger than he was collided with him. He snarled as he tried to twist around to fend of his attacker, but caught only glimpses of dark teal before he found himself lying on his stomach against the ground without being able to move.

"Stop squirming", he heard a low, feminine voice whisper in his ear. "I don't want to hurt you."

Jolt growled, trying to twist himself free, but his captor had him firmly pinned down. Cursed lions...! "Right", he growled sarcastically. "You're the one who attacked me, remember?"

He heard a frustrated sigh, and suddenly, much to his surprise, the weight lifted off of him. Bewildered, he lifted his head to look at the lion that had attacked him and was now standing between him and his prey, only to have his eyes widen in surprise of what he saw.

"You're... teal!" he exclaimed, then seemed to realize what he had blurted out. "I... I mean..."

Scout huffed lightly at the leopard's blunt words, but she wasn't really offended. Being called "teal" was hardly an insult. "So I have been told, several times."

Jolt flattened his ears, then uncertainly got up on his feet. This lioness had pinned him easily before, and the way she had handled him told him that he would stand no chance against her. However, he also knew she wasn't alone, and though he tried to keep his stance as non-threatening as possible, he hadn't forgotten that she was not alone.

"So, where's your friend?" the leopard asked carefully, keeping his gaze on the teal lioness just in case she would pounce him again. He didn't think she would, but with lions about to steal one's prey, one could never be too careful.

[This Land]

As soon as Kikome snapped the Twig, got the attention of the Leopard and in an instant scout had him on the floor pinned. He chuckled to himself as how the plan went so smoothley, yet neither himself or Scout said a word in planning, "great minds think alike" he thought to himself.

Kikome slowly made him way towards them while staying out of sight while he let Scout do the talking, he wanted to keep out of sight still in-case anything went wrong and he still had the advantage of surprise.

"So, where's your friend?"

Kikome then emerged from the grass,and was now only a few steps away from them and smiled smugly.

"Right here, and please don't try anything clever, we are as skeptical as you as you are of us"
Kikome fixed his gaze on the Leopard
"Unfortunately, you ruined our plan to eat" he said firmly

It was obvious how scout pinned him easily that this Leopard was no real threat so he felt a little more confident now. He just stopped talking and let the Leopard figure it out their intention.

[Kirsui]

When the other lion emerged from the grass, Jolt briefly flattened his ears in mild agitation. Great... These two clearly were skilled, possibly even trained, while Jolt himself was just self taught. There was no way, no way, that he could keep his breakfast now.

"Unfortunately, you ruined our plan to eat"

"Excuse me?" he snapped, all agitation gone as annoyance took its place. "I ruined your plans? These are my lands, this is rightfully my prey!"

He snorted, waving with his paw towards his prey. "But you don't care about that, do you? You'll just take mine anyway!"

He lowered his paw, glaring at the two lions. "What's all your kind is good for... Taking what others have worked hard to gain."

[This Land]

Kikome took a couple of steps forward and glared into the Leopard's eyes
"Our kind....? he questioned with a deep tone
"And you dare not admit you have done the same ?"
Kikome took a few steps back again, keeping his glare
"In the real world, all the lands are everyones lands, but its who is the most willing mentally and physcially, who survives. It is the instinct of any animal" he said raising his voice

Kikome's eyes widened, almost going into a flashback of a past event, He soon flickered his eyelids to shake out of it. He stood quiet.

[Kirsui]

"Our kind....? And you dare not admit you have done the same ?"

Jolt pulled his ears further down, flashing the white spots behind them as a low growl escaped him. He had long forgotten the fact that these two lions were dangerous, and that he had no real way to overcome both of them if it came down to a fight. No, he was deeply insulted now. How dare this lion compare him to the likes of them?

"In the real world, all the lands are everyones lands, but its who is the most willing mentally and physcially, who survives. It is the instinct of any animal"

"Save your preaching, lion", the leopard spat out, clearly angry. "What would you know of the struggles us solitary creatures face every day? All your life, you rely on a group. All my life, I've had to survive alone. Every time I bring down prey, I have to be quick if I want any of it. Your lot has time and again come and taken my food. Have they ever left even the tiniest scraps for me? No. Your prides scarf up everything edible, and they only come back for more after all the meat is gone."

Jolt scoffed, flicking his tail angrily from side to side. "To answer your question, lion. No, I've never taken another's prey. I have more honour than to steal from those that have worked hard for what little they have. The same can't be said of you."

Scout shook her head and stepped in before the leopard of Kikome could say anything else. "Look, I'm sorry we're... trespassing, and that you see us a threat. We didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable"

She glanced at Kikome. "We're not looking for a fight, just a quick breakfast before we have to leave this area. You can't possibly eat a whole zebra alone, and neither can we. We'd be grateful if you could share at least a portion of it, then we'll leave and you never have to worry about us again."

She looked at Kikome with a determined expression. "Right, Kikome?"

[This Land]

Kikome stood silent as Jolt ranted on. If he had more energy all of this nonsense would be over with already.
"Not our problem you choose to be such solitary animals..." he vented under his breath

He stood quiet as scout tried to reason with the leopard, in a way he understood her tactic as the last thing they wanted was another enemy, but on the other hand he didn't like the fact of pretty much begging for food, it wasn't in his nature...at all.
"We're not looking for a fight, just a quick breakfast before we have to leave this area. You can't possibly eat a whole zebra alone, and neither can we. We'd be grateful if you could share at least a portion of it, then we'll leave and you never have to worry about us again......Right, Kikome?"

Kikome pondered on scout's question. If it was up to him then he would of just taken it and be gone, but he knew if he done that -now- scout would not approve. It felt weird....he didn't want to upset her, and he always wanted to make the right decision for the situation.

"Its not my nature to beg, so i choose to do the thing that will benefit us both....i wont be far"

With that Kikome pushed past the Leopard, walked past the fresh meat and carried on hoping that the Zebras hadn't ran far....

[Kirsui]

"Its not my nature to beg, so i choose to do the thing that will benefit us both....i wont be far"

Scout looked at Kikome with great surprise as he stormed past the leopard. This she had not been expecting at all. She had thought that Kikome would understand what she was doing.

"Well I'll be..." the leopard murmured half amused and half with wonder, drawing Scout's attention. "A lion too arrogant to pass up the chance of an easy meal, and yet too proud to not take the food when instead of stealing it might be freely given."

He turned to look at Scout. "Take what you need. I can't eat the whole thing anyway before it goes off. Go tell that friend of yours he doesn't have to go chasing prey that is long gone."

He paused, hesitating. "You know... That pride of his might be the death of him. Where did you find this guy anyway?"

Scout scoffed. "I didn't. He found me."

Jolt blinked his eyes, then smirked faintly while shaking his head, watching as Scout walked past him without another word. He watched the strange, teal lioness go for a moment before turning his attention to the zebra. It was his prey, and though he had offered to share with these two lions, he would have the first bite now.

Having learned to be fast eater in case someone came to take his food, it didn't take Jolt long to be done with his breakfast. He then idly sat down on a nearby rock and began to wash his face and paws clean of blood as he waited for the two lions to return.

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

It didn't take Scout long to catch up with Kikome. When she did, she purposefully strode in front of him to block his way.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly with a faint frown. "That leopard just agreed to share his food, and here you are, walking away from the breakfast we both were ready to steal from him just a moment ago."

She shook her head. "The trail has gone cold. What prey might have been there before has now fled when that leopard killed the zebra. Can you afford tracking down non-existent prey, especially after this morning's encounter?"

She scoffed. "I know I can't. I'm not shirking away from what another freely offers, especially now. If you don't agree, then I guess this is goodbye because I'm leaving this area as soon as I've eaten."

[This Land]

Kikome kept his head down trying to track onto a scent, but to no avail. He sighed under his breath, he wanted to catch at least -something- to keep his stomach satisfied. He heard something run up behind him and then cross his path, it was scout. He sat down and listened to what scout had to say, he didnt want to fully explain his decision but her last words caught his attention.

"I'm leaving this area as soon as I've eaten."

Kikome could survive on his own if he wanted to, but for all too sudden he felt he needed to stay with her, they both got on well so far and having someone by his side with a similar set of skills was not something to walk away from.

"I don't want this little disagreement on our own morals to be the goodbye for us both scout"

Kikome sighed

"I dont take kindley to animals who think they own this place and feel they are superior then ourselves, then they expect us to ask permission to eat ? Think about it scout"

"The one who is superior is the one that wins, taking prey with our cunning and stealth? We win. We could of easily took that meal without a problem. But if say we were dealing with a cheetah running away with a meal in its mouth, i know the cheetah would of won i would respect that."

"Try to understand Scout I am a warrior , I live and die by moral of 'strongest wins'. The meercats are the kings of tunnels, the vultures are the scavenger kings of the sky, the crocodiles are the kings of river, and so on..... and i respect that. But i wont respect begging from an animal who thinks he is better then me.  If it was my choice i would of grabbed that Zebra and be gone, because lions are the king of brutal strength yet stealth, cunning and working as a team to get what they need."

Kikome looked down to the ground and curled his tail around slightly

"But i also respect that not every lion thinks like me, i don't like to force my belief on others. So that's why i left you to your own decision, i didn't want to......upset you."

Kikome cleared his throat and smiled almost embarrassingly

"You go back and have your share, i know you can fend for yourself but don't turn you back on that Leopard. If i cant find anything soon i will return and we can be on our way again. I'll manage."

[Kirsui]

Scout listened with a blank expression as Kikome explained his actions to her. When he was done, she sighed, shaking her head slowly.

"Strongest wins..." she repeated quietly and turned her head right to stare far into the distance. She understood Kikome's reasoning for what he did. Still, she thought he was being foolish for refusing a meal in this situation. Though, if he was as stubborn as this sort of behaviour indicated, she doubted there was much she could do to change his mind.

After a moment of silence, the teal lioness blinked her eyes and turned back to Kikome. "My pride housed several leopards. I have seen what they can do, Kikome. They are not weak. Superior? No, they are not that either. And neither are us. If anything, they are stronger than we are, living solitary lives and getting by with what little they can keep away from other predators' reach."

She scoffed, perhaps a little more bitterly than she intended. "But, why would you listen to me, when you so clearly have made up your mind about their kind, and our 'superiority' to them..."

She walked past Kikome, heading back towards the leopard and the dead zebra. "I won't take long. I suggest you be hasty with whatever it is you hope to find."

[This Land]

Kikome sighed, he wanted to say back so many things, but he didn't want to cause an argument over such a thing.
"I am listening to you scout, if i wasn't i would of grabbed that Zebra. But i knew you wanted different, and i respect that you are not like me, so i left you be, i was thinking about.......both of us". He hesitated

Again, the use of words based on plural sent a small shiver down his spine, it still was a weird thing to experience....once again.

Kikome turned the other way and started tracking, he knew deep down that scout was right about the now lack of food in this area, but him being him he was stuck in his own ways. His stomach groaned but he mentally blocked it out. He was trained to live on air and water for weeks but everyone has their breaking point.

[Kirsui]

"i respect that you are not like me, so i left you be, i was thinking about.......both of us"

Scout momentarily flattened her ears and glanced over her shoulder at Kikome, who had now turned to head out in hopes of finding something to eat. What a strange choice of words from him. Or perhaps not strange, for in a way she too had thought what would be the best course of action for them both. It was just odd to hear it spoken out loud.

Shaking her head, she continued on her way, and soon came back to where the leopard waited with his prey. The spotted feline laid idly on a nearby rock, doing some after-meal grooming by the looks of it. When he spotted Scout, he halted his actions and laid his paw back down, looking at her with a lifted eyebrow.

"I take it your friend is not coming?" the leopard inquired curiously.

Scout simply shook her head as an answer, then went to tear out a piece from the zebra that she could chew on with ease. The leopard said nothing more, and she noticed that he wasn't even looking at her. Instead, he seemed to be scanning the area for... something.

"Expecting trouble?" she asked politely, to which the leopard chuckled with mild amusement.

"News of a fresh kill travel fast around here", Jolt replied. "Though with you currently here, I doubt anyone will try to steal it just yet."

Scout smiled wryly at that. How ironic that she and Kikome had been about to do exactly that just a moment ago. Ah well, she would just finish her snack quickly and be on her way, and the leopard could drag his food to whichever tree he wanted to stash it in.

[This Land]

Kikome watched as Scout went back to the Leopard, he quickly turned his head back around with a subtle sigh, he carried on his search and soon disappearing into the thick vegetation, hoping he could catch a small meal hiding.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile a dripping wet Lion had just battled through the river and finally got to the other side, blood still remained on his nose and cheek and an evil smirk still on his face, he had tricked and won the information he needed. He looked back to the other side of the river to set his eyes upon the lifeless body of the young adolescent lion.

"Such a buffoon to think i would spare his life for Kikome's whereabouts pffft" He thought to himself and chuckled.

He spotted the tracks left by Kikome, but also some others were there too, slightly smaller.

"So it is true what he said, Kikome has a lioness with him, ahahaha Rawr! What such a prize for me to have when im finished with him!" he grinned

He followed the tracks the best he could until it was just speculating their movements. He then started to scent the air and something caught wind, the smell of a fresh kill, where there are kills there are predators and hopefully the now 2 he was looking for. He started maneuvering in covert, rubbing the yellow parts of his mane in dirt. "Thanks for the tip old friend, heh". He carried on sneaking letting his nose lead the way until he spotted something ahead, he flattened down against the ground and peeked over the blades of grass. He spotted a Leopard and his hopes sank.

"Darnit, just a Leopard.... at least he got me a meal, im starving!".

He was just about to pounce and attempt to grab it until he seen sight of a lion.

"Holy......, i did not see you, you sneaky thing, and what such nice thing you are, a rare and such blending pelt colour you have, you will fit in nicely to our pride whether you like it or not, you dont look that hard to tame, awww you look so adorable and kind hearted........but first Kikome.....were are you hiding.....i need to kill the main priority before i take the prize.

Baraz lay there motionless for a while, just waiting for Kikome to show up but to no avail, so he needed to get some attention, hopefully this will lead to Kikome popping up.

Baraz stood up in plain sight and walked powerfully closer to the Lion and Leopard, he knew it was 2 against one but that didn't bother him, he was ready for the challenge ahead and winning would mean a great credit for himself to show to the pride.

[Kirsui]

Jolt yawned widely, glancing every now and then to see if the teal lioness had finished her supposedly quick snack already. Not that he minded too much that she was taking her time. For a lion, she had been rather nice after the initial disagreement about who owns the prey had passed. He was even ready to admit that he liked her, as much as a leopard can like a lion he has just met anyway.

He yawned again, turning his gaze away from the lioness, only to tense at what he saw. At first he thought it was the teal lioness' friend, walking back to them, but his stance was off. There was something altogether unnerving about him, and that made the leopard flatten his ears and let out a warning hiss as he slowly rose to his feet on the rock he had been resting on, ready to pounce out of the way in case the lion would be hostile.

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

Soon after she had ripped a second chunk out of the zebra, Scout had gotten the strangest feeling. Her senses were on high alert, yet she couldn't notice anything out of ordinary as she subtly checked her surroundings. Still, the feeling didn't pass, and she came to the conclusion that like the day before when she had ran into Kikome, she was now too being watched.

However, the teal lioness showed nothing of her growing suspicions. Certainly, it wasn't an ideal situation to fight with a full stomach, but she needed to replenish her lost energy just in case she would need to hightail it out of there.

It was only when she heard the leopard's angry hiss that she lifted her gaze, only to narrow them momentarily at what she saw. Unlike the leopard, she spotted right away that the lion that was now approaching them was not Kikome. She was also certain he was no one she knew, and as such, if this situation would escalate into a threatening one, she would have the upper hand with the stranger not knowing just what she was capable of.

Having decided this, Scout slowly rose to her feet, purposefully flicking her tail behind her as a sign of uncertainty. To strengthen the image of insecurity, she also half flattened her ears and took a hesitant side step towards the leopard, as if she was looking for added security from the spotted feline's presence. She would play the part of a timid, young lioness for now, at least until she knew just what it was that this stranger wanted.

[This Land]

As Baraz approached the two, he noticed the Lioness looked a bit intimidated by his sudden appearance, a big smirk came across his face and he chuckled to himself "This will be a breeze". He controlled his breathing ready for what was about to follow, he brushed the back of his paws on the wet grass as he walked to get most of what blood was left on them. He scented the air now they were closer and a whole lot more information became apparent, Kikome was nearby, and it had to be recent, the scents dont linger around in the wet for that long.
He stopped a few paces away from the two and stood there silent for a moment, still with a big grin on his face.

"Sorry to disturb you both" he said with an over exaggerated sarcastic politeness.
"Im going to make this forward, because im just a teeeny weeeny bit impatient..."
Baraz clawed at the dirt beneath him
"I know that you both are not alone, you are with another Lion that i need....now. Tell me where he is and no harm will come to you, if you dont tell me then you are no use to me"
Baraz winked at Scout which a sly smirk still on his face
"I hope you will tell me, a Dashing lioness like yourself would be very well looked after" He said as he flipped his mane to one side with his head.
Baraz glanced over at Jolt
"And Leopards are great at catching us food too" he Joked, then mimicking licking his muzzle

Baraz took one step back and slightly lowered his body and dug his claws into the ground
"Choice is yours" he grinned.

[Kirsui]

Scout kept up the role of an uncertain lioness as the lion walked closer and finally stopped. She was fairly certain he was not after her. She knew her old pride well enough to know they would only send those that her old pride's new king trusted, which meant only those whose training he had overseen at least partially at some point. So why was he here?

"I know that you both are not alone, you are with another Lion that i need....now."

Ah, so he was looking for Kikome. Unfortunately, after last night's encounter with Chocoro, Scout couldn't just not get involved in whatever trouble this stranger had come to stir up. Not that she could've backed down even if she had wanted to, at least not after what the stranger said next.

"I hope you will tell me, a Dashing lioness like yourself would be very well looked after"

She had to resist the urge of laughing out loud when the stranger winked at her. How lovely. He actually thought she'd come with him just like that. And not only her, but the leopard too.

"Choice is yours."

Scout glanced at the leopard, who for now had remained silent. He was still perched on his rock, his ears flattened and his tail flicking behind him with annoyance. However, Scout knew the leopard wouldn't be a match for the lion. If he was hunting down Kikome, she was pretty certain he had been trained. The leopard had been an easy opponent, and the poor cat might just get himself killed if he interfered now.

Her eyes flicked back to the stranger, and though she still kept her body language timid, she was already thinking of how to best handle him. He was poised ready to strike, if his lowered stance was any indication. The only way for her to get the upper hand now was to somehow confuse him into relaxing his guard just long enough for her to get closer. But how would she do that without the leopard messing up her act?

She half lifted one paw, hesitantly keeping it raised before lowering it down. Her gaze soon followed as she averted her eyes from the stranger, half closing her eyes as she lowered her head. She was looking at him though, through her thick eyelashes like she had been taught so many years ago. It wasn't ideal, but it was discreet and allowed her to see if he made any movements. She nodded hesitantly, her ears half flattened and her tail slightly tucked between her legs.

"A-alright", she said with a quiet, quivering voice.

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

Jolt growled quietly when the stranger addressed the two of them. He was half ready to tell him exactly where the teal lioness' companion had gone when he first asked it, until the stranger mentioned that a leopard would be a good hunter for his tribe. His growl got louder at that, for he was none too pleased of the prospect of serving any lion that way.

His growl stopped the instant when he heard the teal lioness' meek voice. His eyes widened a fraction, and he turned to look at the lioness with surprise. Why would she...?

Then it dawned to him. She wasn't actually afraid of him, or at least he hoped so. He had experienced first hand how well she could fight, so perhaps this was all just a ruse? If so, he would need to act along, and he could do that best by being the stereotypical leopard when he is faced with a possible confrontation with hostile lions.

He hissed loudly at the two lions, then turned tail and just simply ran. He hoped he had judged the teal lioness' skills correctly, and if he had she would be fine. He'd just be in her way anyway if he remained, and though this meant the loss of his prey he'd just rather catch a new one later than lose his life.

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

Scout heard the leopard's angry his, and turned to look at him with wide eyes. Was he going to attack? But much to her relief, the leopard did the exact opposite and fled. However, to keep up her act, she gasped at the sight of his fleeing form.

"No, wait...!" she shouted after him, letting a small amount of desperation to seep into her voice. Then she seemingly remembered the stranger's presence, and turned to look at him with frightened eyes, as if the leopard's departure had made her even more insecure of his presence.

"Y-you wanted to see my friend?" she asked quietly, her ears flattened. All she had to do now was to keep the stranger occupied and stop him from going after the leopard. "I... I can show you where I last saw him...? If... if you want?"

[This Land]

Baraz's confidence and relief grew tremendously when Scout replied rather submissively, as now he knew this job will be alot easier.
He heard the leopard hiss loudly and soon ran off
"pfffft, off you go then" he said sarcastically. Afterall the Lioness was the main key in knowing Kikome's whereabouts, and she seemed very co-operative and scared, so she is his best lead.

"I... I can show you where I last saw him...? If... if you want?"

Baraz stood up straight and walked over next to Scout
"Oh i would loooove to" he said deeply and sarcastically to intimidate her more, in times like this he just loved to play around.
"You have made the right choice and you never know i may even let you to get to know me more"
Baraz brushed past her and swiped his tail lightly over her face
"I belong to a great pride that would definitely take you in, and you will have full protection....from everyone, with all respect i feel you need it" he said with a little more of a friendlier tone.

Baraz turned his head back to Scout
"Comon, chop chop"
He then turned his head back around and took a further couple paces.

[Kirsui]

Scout shrank away from Baraz when he approached her, as if the sudden closeness frightened her. Inwardly, however, she was celebrating her success at getting closer to him without raising his suspicions.

"You have made the right choice and you never know i may even let you to get to know me more"

She tensed, and hoped that the lion would think it was because he brushed past her and teasingly swept his tail over her face. He continued talking with a much friendlier tone, and the teal lioness forced herself to relax. When he looked at her again, she even managed a small, shy smile, one that she had seen many lionesses give before to those that had had made them swoon.

"I'd like that", she said shyly, then walked after the lion.

"This way", she said, giving the lion a small, innocent smile as she began leading the stranger towards where she and Kikome had parted ways. "I saw Kikome this way a moment ago. He shouldn't be too far away, he said he'd be back soon."

[This Land]

"I saw Kikome this way a moment ago. He shouldn't be too far away, he said he'd be back soon."
Baraz nodded in reply
"Then lets stay here for a moment and see if he comes back to us, im not risking going into what is ahead"
Baraz was very confident in getting Kikome. Since Kikome had left the pride Baraz was chosen as his successor. He was brutally trained with all the knowledge of the pride leaders since Kikome's leaving, but also Kikome had trained him from a cub. He felt ready for his mission but also at the same time his paw couldn't help but tremble ever so slightly as soon as he heard something ahead.

Kikome was still rummaging around in the thick vegetation with no real luck, he managed to catch a couple of field mice by luck but nothing really to satisfy the appetite of a full grown lion. He knew that scout wouldn't be hanging around for long so he just had to suck up his pride for now and admit a slight defeat when catching something is concerned, he sighed heavily and turned around. His ears twitched as he heard muffled talking in the distance in which he assumed was Scout with Jolt, he assumed that she was now going to be on her way so he thought he'd better catch up. He shuffled through the dense bush and came out into the open, His eyes widened in shock....

Baraz stood quiet, a confident grin shot across his face
"Finally our paths cross Kikome, with a little help from this lovely Lioness" he said as he walked up beside her

For the first time....in a very long time, Kikome's heart sank....and was lost for words.
He calmly walked up to them both until 4 paces away. Baraz looked at the distance between them and smirked
"Just as i thought, 4 paces, eyup, just as you told me, comooooon Kikome i thought your reactions are better than that, make it 3, lets make this interesting" He taunted

Kikome instead took 2 paces forward calmly and smirked
"Lets make it 2 shall we" he taunted back

Baraz's eyes widened, he didn't expect Kikome's counter action, or did he?

Kikome glared into Baraz's eyes
"I see the eyes of a now trained killer Baraz, i see that you will do anything to get recognition in that forsaken pride i used to call family, so you volunteered to take me down. I'm not going to try and talk you out of it, i can see you have made up your mind. Am i afriad of you ? of course i am. Because i know whatever you have been taught is because i trained the people that trained you. I have the upper hand of experience and you have the upper hand of a more active and youthful body" He said again calm

Baraz glared back at Kikome
"Quit the wise old words old man, words mean nothing in a fight, blood does. So say your last words to your so called acquaintance, because even if i don't manage to kill you, by hell i will make sure you have the inability to talk or walk" he scowled

Kikome shook off Baraz's threats but given the opportunity to talk to Scout, he did. Kikome glared at Scout and lightly shook his head
"I kept telling myself over and over again while i was in your company not to trust you Scout. I TRUSTED YOU" He roared and slammed his paw on the ground.

"ALL THIS TIME....YOU WERE IN ON IT....." He growled loudly

Kikome's head started to shake with anger
"Why is it, i cant to live my life in peace, correct my own mistakes, try to help others, find some...."

Kikome's eyes glistened in betrayal
"You know what ? just go....GO! and i really hope you enjoy a luxurious life that Baraz has promised you"

Kikome inhaled slowly through his nose and turned to Baraz
"I once told someone, that one day 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."

Baraz Nodded
"My past was -you- Kikome, and oooooh i have waited for a long time, and im sooooo prepared" he grinned

With Lightning reactions Baraz punched underneath Kikome's head which sent him back flipping onto the ground. His felt his neck wound re-opening and felt warm blood starting to emerge. Kikome lay on the ground in shock at how quick Baraz was, he knew this fight will end bitter. Kikome soon got back up and re-positioned himself 4 paces away.

Baraz chuckled
"Heh, and that was just a warning shot" Baraz said in his own amazement

Kikome locked his eyes onto Scout, they filled with Rage of her apparent betrayal
"I hope my eyes never see you again" he growled





Fun fact - i genuinely got proper emotional IRL while making this x3

[Kirsui]

"Then lets stay here for a moment and see if he comes back to us, im not risking going into what is ahead."

Scout nodded at the other lion, stopping on her tracks. So he was prepared, and as such he must be aware of what Kikome could do. She gave him another small smile, and at the same time was glad she had decided to help him find Kikome. Certainly she could have tried to fight him on her own, but she had no idea how well trained he truly was, and she wasn't too keen on fighting out without backup.

Her hearing soon picked up faint footsteps coming their way, but she resisted acknowledging them in order to keep up the charade.

"Finally our paths cross Kikome, with a little help from this lovely Lioness."

Scout turned her gaze to Kikome when the stranger came to stand beside her. She wasn't at all certain of what he was thinking either, and hoped that he wouldn't take this too badly. When Kikome finally turned his attention to her, she visibly flinched under his glare. She didn't even bother to cover it up, since flinching suited the character she was keeping up, but she certainly hoped she could still fix this once this situation with Baraz was taken care of.

"You know what ? just go....GO! and i really hope you enjoy a luxurious life that Baraz has promised you."

She wanted to tell him she hadn't sold him out, wanted to remind him she would not forget how he had helped her with Chocoro the night before even though he wouldn't have had to. But she couldn't, not with Baraz standing right next to her. And thus, she did exactly what her role required of her, and shrank away under the hateful glare Kikome was giving her. She flattened her ears, and seemingly flinched again when Baraz punched Kikome. When the latter had gotten up again and repositioned himself slightly further away, she began backing away with shaky paws, her head held low and her ears flattened as tightly against her skull as she could. She even tucked her tail between her legs when Kikome glared at her again.

"I hope my eyes never see you again."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry...." she mumbled with a shaky voice, until she was a good distance behind Baraz. Trusting that he would not be able to look at her in case Kikome would take advantage of the distraction, she dared to drop her act for a brief moment to give Kikome a playful smile and just as playful wink. She then quickly glanced at Baraz, then rolled her eyes and quickly resumed the charade of a frightened, young lioness that she had been keeping up until now. She hoped, really hoped, that Kikome would understand what she was here for him and not to fight against him.

[This Land]

Kikome raised an eyebrow at scout, she looked very hit by his harsh words as he was saying them. She started to back away from Baraz with her paws shaking....why ? If she was there to help Baraz take him down why was she backing away, after all her and Baraz's strength combined would of been a winning combination.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry...."
An expression of confusion came across onto Kikome, what was she playing at ?

"Whats with the confused face Kikome, you surprised at my attack?" He growled confidently

Kikome cleared his throat and at this point he decided to play along until he could make sense of this whole thing.
"Yes, ....you have been trained well...."

Without averting his eyes he focused on Scout moving further back, then the oddest thing happened, Scout gave a playful smile, winked and rolled her eyes at Baraz. Whas this what he thought it was? Was she playing along all this time? But why do it like this? Why not of just ran off with a warning roar instead of taking Baraz to him ? All these thoughts shot through Kikome in a blink of an eye. But if he could trust Scout one more time....it would be because he knew that she knew what she was doing.

"You remind me of a Lion i fought, his name was.....oh yes thats right -Chocoro-, and he got defeated quite quickly...." Kikome said very confidently, giving a slight nod, hopefully to the attention of Scout.

Baraz Raised an eyebrow
"Soooooooo what ?" he replied Sarcastically, Mimicking Kikome's nod

Kikome Sniggered in response, then replied deeply
"He wasn't watching his back....."

[Kirsui]

Much to Scout's relief, Baraz still hadn't noticed anything off with her behaviour. Kikome looked baffled though, and she wondered if she should have been more clear with what she was getting at with this whole situation. She couldn't risk it now though, just in case Baraz would notice.

"You remind me of a Lion i fought, his name was.....oh yes thats right -Chocoro-, and he got defeated quite quickly...."

Scout smirked. Success! Baraz's attention was completely on Kikome, and at the same time as the latter nodded she crouched, silently flexing her muscles like any lioness would right before they pounce on their prey. Her smirk was gone, and her eyes were fully focused on her target. Her breathing slowed down as she dug her claws into the soft soil for better grip, waiting for the right moment...

"He wasn't watching his back....."

She pounced, barely letting any sound that would alert Baraz of her intentions. She was aiming for his back, hoping to latch onto him and possibly cause some damage while she was at it. If not, then she would at least distract him long enough to give Kikome an opening.

[This Land]

"He wasn't watching his back....."

Baraz's smirk flattened and he raised his eyebrow. It then suddenly hit him what Kikome meant and would explain the sudden gain of confidence. But before Baraz could even think of turning around his felt claws sink deep into his back, he let out a roar in surprised agony, he lept onto his hind legs to purposely fall backwards in the tactic of landing on top of her.

"Oh no you don't!" Kikome growled

Before Baraz could complete his move Kikome Leaped and grabbed Baraz's head and pulled him back down to the ground thus scout could still keep a grip on him, however With Baraz's forearms free and lightning speed he swiped his paw across Kikome's neck, not a blunt shot and it felt very concentrated in one area. The force of it also sent him flying over to one side.

Kikome Landed onto the ground with a thump, a blackness started to cover over his vision and a tingling sensation shot down his spine. He couldn't move and sounds became muffled. He lay on the floor in his own silence with one single thought....."He couldn't of just done what i thought ?. He Then blacked out.

Baraz Twisted his body sharply to break free from Scout's grasp and lept one pace out the way, a smirk appeared on his face when he seen Kikome lying on the ground without movement, he executed the particular attack successfully.

Baraz soon got back into an attack stance and Stared at Scout with an impressed smile
"Nice Fluke attack there from behind, ahhahahahaha Dayum! Kitty has Claws, rawr!" He shouted impressively
His vision narrowed onto her
"But that was a costly mistake my dear, You don't have your warrior now to protect you, you are all aw-wone....awwww. And now i have full view on you" He Taunted

"And may i say, you look rather niiiice, such a shame to waste such unique beauty, if only your skills were as lovely as your looks"
Baraz shifted the dirt between his claws and his grin re-appeared

Baraz pounced at full speed towards Scout with Claws bared, aiming for the neck.