Simple And Clean

[Malenga]

(OOC: Parkour Uriah. xD)

Chezna watched as Uriah followed suit after her. She could appreciate a fellow lion who had the same taste in under-the-stars sleeping rituals as she did. The darker coloured lioness allowed for him to climb up without her offering him help, though something told her she should have since she saw him fumble. Before she could even jerk herself forward to see if she could relieve him of a fall, she was too late and could only look at him as he recovered. Barely. Chezna laid her ears back and smiled, trying to make it less apparent that she was trying to hold back a little laugh. The point was he recovered quickly after. "Easy," she repeated back to him before turning herself around and seating herself so that he had ample room on the top of the cave so he didn't feel overcrowded. The queen began to run her tongue across her scarred pelt, at least making somewhat of a difference in her hygiene before she was going to roll around on the top of a dusty rock.

---

Zoba had crept up on Nkiru laying on her side, legs sprawled out as if she were in mid-stretch. Her face looked like it belonged on another lioness; her scowl was erased and instead there was only a face on contentment. All over her were cubs. One between her front legs, one curled up in her chest, one sneakily placed under her armpit, two laying on her stomach, and one older one propping its head up against her hind leg. When Ikani was placed down by her, the little cub seemed to gain some life in her through sleep only to crawl over to Nkiru's chin and curl up under it. None of the cubs resembled her, so there was no reason to think that any of them were hers. When the lion was beginning to leave, a single jade eye opened and focused on the hulking form of an intruder in her family's den. She didn't make a sound nor move a muscle, allowing for the illusion that she was still asleep while she awaited to see what he would do. To her surprise, she saw him simply walk out of the den. However, her eye moved when she noted a female body perk up and seem to watch Zoba leave the den. Nkiru wondered to herself if it were Kukiki who was watching after the large leo, but she would have to find all that out tomorrow morning. And she did intend for there to be answers in the morning.

(OOC: Wanna start morning?)

[Lyonize]

(OOC: Sure!)

As Chezna chose a spot on the smooth, cold surface of the rock, Uriah rolled over onto it and stretched, his claws extending for a moment before he relaxed. For a moment, Uriah realized that his morning he was just wandering around, looking for some water and now, at the end of the day, he was staying with royalty. It was odd how fast things happened sometimes. With this in mind, he stole a glance at Chezna before turning back to face the savannah.

Morning came with the song of birds and a gentle breeze providing only slight relief from the hot sun. Uriah kept his eyes closed but rolled onto his back, letting the sun warm his fur.

---

Zoba awoke to the guards arguing over who's turn it was to go take a break. He was up late and he couldn't even sleep in. Suddenly, he remembered Ikani and looked around, lifting one arm, then the next to see if she was there. Thankfully, she wasn't. She had spent the rest of the night with her auntie Ruru as he had hoped.

Finally, one of the guards conceded and allowed the other to go get a drink or whatever he was going to do with his break. Zoba took the opportunity to close his eyes and attempt to get a couple more winks of sleep in. He had no idea what the day had in store for him and he decided he'd like to be prepared.

[Malenga]

When the sun came to the point where its peak was at its brightest and washing over the savannah, Chezna found herself squinting her eyes before she pushed her head into her paw. It wasn't a nice feeling being woken up by unwanted light, but she did this to herself not being in her cave most nights. The sun was her annoying alarm clock, but responsibility was the nagging mother telling her she needed to stop hiding from the day. With a sigh, the lioness perked her head up and looked in front of her to see other members of the pride coming out of their homes and greeting others. She remained silent, watching them before she eventually got to her paws and sat up with a yawn. She had forgotten that she had someone sleeping next to her this morning, as she simply watched the others like she normally did. When her presence was known, lions and lionesses gave her 'Good morning' chirps and purrs. In response she chirped and purred back at them lazily, smiling sleepily and trying her best to keep her eyes open.

Turning her sights to a couple, she noted their grooming session this morning. Chezna watched them for a few moments before bringing her paw up to her mouth and running her course tongue over her fur. And when she saw them again, she turned herself so she could reach her back. Only then is when she noted Uriah basking -- or sleeping, she couldn't tell which. "Good morning," the lioness gently greeted him before she went back to reaching to lick at her side.

---

"Good morning." Zoba didn't have that much time to sleep in, as he would see a tan lioness in front of him, smiling at him as though she never slept or felt the need to. "Why did you come to the den and then leave last night? Were you coming to see anyone?" she asked, almost as if she were prying for a certain answer to appease her own curiosity. Such as the way of a cat -- even if it were a big cat. "I would have caught up with you but my mother would have questioned me in the morning. And that is too much talking in the morning," she joked.

However, the moment was ruined as Kukiki turned her head to see a darker lioness emerge from the path she had taken to come see Zoba. Kukiki stood up to give off the image that she was on guard with the lion, looking over to the queen who looked as grumpy as ever. Even the guard who had been laying on his back in relaxation got to his paws and overplayed the 'ten hut' stance. Nkiru walked right past him, muttering a "Leave." to which the guard nodded and quickly trotted away. To do who knows what. Finally, Nkiru walked over to Kukiki who looked slightly worried for what was about to come out of the queen's mouth. "You too, Kukiki."

"Your highness --"

"Are you arguing with me?" Nkiru questioned with a tightened jaw. There was silence before the tan female shook her head. "Then, leave." Kukiki sighed before she nodded and began to walk away. But not before she looked over her shoulder at Zoba. Nkiru watched as Kukiki walked away and then focused her attention on the lion before her. Her eyes seemed to slip into less grumpy, sleepy eyes and more narrowed, annoyed ones. "What were you doing with Ikani last night?" Her tone was equal to a protective mother -- or protective aunt.

[Lyonize]

"Good morning." Uriah echoed Chezna's greeting. He kept his eyes closed. Somehow, staying that way felt like solace from the world. As long as he kept his eyes shut, somehow he felt removed from the world's problems, the stress, and responsibility. It was a thin-veiled solace and he knew he had to eventually return to reality.

Uriah opened his eyes and slowly, the brightness turned to clarity. He brought his paws up to wipe the remaining sleep out of his eyes and then rolled over once more. Solid rock turned to nothingness and a rush of air swept his mane upward as his stomach rose in his belly. A surprised "Whoa!" escaped his muzzle as Uriah fell off the back end of the boulder. If he wasn't completely awake already, he was now. The lion landed with a thud. "I'm up!" He shouted.

---

Zoba woke to a greeting from a certain lioness. He opened an eye to see that it was Kukiki. "Why did you come to the den and then leave last night? Were you coming to see anyone? I would have caught up with you but my mother would have questioned me in the morning. And that is too much talking in the morning." Zoba was about to answer but they were interrupted by the entrance of Nkiru. He already knew why she was here. If one lioness knew he had visited the pride, it wasn't a stretch to assume another would. And with Ikani being as talkative as she was, it wouldn't surprise him if the entire pride knew everything already, not that he intended to keep it a secret. He had no ill intentions, but it was too easy to assume he did. Again, he was reminded of how Ikani just assumed Zoba was a good lion. She was right this time, but unfortunately, that wouldn't be the case with everyone she met. He couldn't blame Nkiru for being protective.

"What were you doing with Ikani last night?"

Zoba sat up to face her. "She's a talkative one. And far too trusting for her own good. She visited me last night. I insisted that she go back to her mother but she refused. I waited until she was asleep to take her back. By the way, and I mean no disrespect but, your guards could use some discipline. They were asleep the entire time."

All he could say was the truth. It was up to her to believe him now.

[Malenga]

Seeing Uriah taking a slide down the back of the rock, Chezna's ears perked up and she got to her fours to look over the back of her home. She was pleased to see that there was no real harm done to make him pass out or bleed. Regardless, the queen couldn't help but have her heart flutter in anxiety at the thought of that being an outcome. But luckily he would probably only walk away with a bruise here and there. "That's one way of waking up in the morning. Is that how you usually do it?" she asked, cracking a smile that overlayed her state of worry for him.

Today was going to be a day like any other; the pride was going to patrol the borders of the land to see if there were any signs of intrusion from their rival pride and train so that they were ready were the day to come when Nkiru was going to strike. A small wince of anger swept over Chezna's face as she looked out past their home and over to the Rogue Akila pride territory. She didn't think that Nkiru would have the nerve to attack her own family. But it soon faded when the darker coloured lioness peered down to Uriah once more with a soft smile, hoping to betray that moment of anguish at the thought of her and her niece being at war for the lands.

---

Nkiru listened to his story, finding that it all lined up as she had figured it would. Indeed, the cub needed a more watchful eye upon her. Therefor night watch would need to be improved - starting with the lazy guards that were mentioned. And as far as Nkiru was concerned, if she wanted better results she would have to do it herself. She supposed she could just get used to little to no sleep these days since it required her doing everything to make things run smoothly around here. Already woken up on the wrong side of the rock, the queen stared at the lion with her head leaned back in order to meet his eyes. For a moment she wondered if Zoba ever felt small. But the thought fluttered away within moments.

"You're truthful, I'll give you that much," spoke the dark lioness before she looked to the edges of her territory, past the river and over to the Balnasi pride. "You are going to be a warrior for my pride. We are currently at war with the pride across the river, the Balnasi pride. Their leader, Chezna, has already attacked us before and it has kept us on guard since then." Or rather, it kept most of them on guard since then. Nkiru walked over to see around the bushes to get a better look of the territory. She didn't think that Chezna would stoop so low as to attack her own family, but she had and it wasn't going to be taken lightly. "We need all the strength we can get our paws on." Her jade hues rolled to the side with Zoba in sight, awaiting to hear what he had to say for himself.

[Lyonize]

"That's one way of waking up in the morning. Is that how you usually do it?"

"That's how I do everything!" He said with a grunt. "Spectacularly!" Uriah made his way around to the front of the rock and waited for Chezna to join him. He wasn't embarrassed at all. He had learned to let mistakes and blunders roll off his shoulder. He learned from these things and life went on. Today's lesson was not to roll around with your eyes closed in a high place.

Now that that little adventure was over, It was time to find a new one. Just then, Uriah's stomach growled and he realized he hadn't eaten in quite a while. "I don't suppose you've got anything to eat around here." He said with a grin.

---

"You are going to be a warrior for my pride. We are currently at war with the pride across the river, the Balnasi pride. Their leader, Chezna, has already attacked us before and it has kept us on guard since then. We need all the strength we can get our paws on."

Zoba was nearly speechless. He could hardly believe she had the audacity to ask something like that of him. It wasn't even a question or an offer. It was an order. Nkiru couldn't make him fight her war. That wasn't going to happen.

"No." He answered dryly. That was it. That was all he needed to say.

[Malenga]

Chezna drew a laugh back into her throat before she shook her head with a smile. "Spectacularly indeed," she replied, finally letting out that laugh. Once he was around the rock and awaiting her, the lioness took a little more grace to 'falling off' the rock as she landed on her feet and looked up at him with a smile. The smile was interrupted by a shocked look on her face before she nodded her head. Yes, the morning time was right around when all the stomachs started to growl in unison. Looking out to her pride member, the queen noted all of the females coming together as an arrangement before looking over to Chezna. She nodded to them and they were off from there. Her eyes followed after the ladies before coming back to Uriah's with the same cheerful smile. "Shall we go watch the hunt then? Gives us something to do while we await for some breakfast." If he had another suggestion in mind, she was interested to hear it.

---

'Somehow I don't find myself surprised by his insolence,' thought the queen lioness before she looked over her shoulder to the large, lightly coloured lion. How annoying. Nkiru found herself rolling her eyes before she turned around and looked at Zoba. "Oh I see how it is. You come into my land and expect to leave just like that, and now that the opportunity presents itself for you to pay your fair share to my pride for not getting rid of you, you refuse the offer. So typical of disrespectful lions like you," Nkiru grumbled.

She had to admit, not getting her way wasn't a nice feeling. She did all the rest of the time so this was one of the more particular instances where she definitely wished she had excused her willingness to spare someone such as him. The lioness didn't see her command as strange or unreasonable. Not in the least. All she had in mind right now was saving her family and taking what rightfully belonged to her mother.

"The only other thing I can think of for you is to be a guard," she thought aloud. She would have preferred he had been in the front lines of war, but she supposed he could make a fitting protector. "So I will give you the choice. Either you're a warrior or a guard."

(OOC: Trust me, she's not always this horrible and rude. lol)

[Lyonize]

"Shall we go watch the hunt then? Gives us something to do while we wait for some breakfast."

"That sounds great!" Uriah replied. He was excited not only to fill his empty belly, but also to explore more of the kingdom. Getting to know a new area was always exciting to him. The two followed the assembly of huntresses side by side, Chezna only a step ahead. "Has the war affected the availability of food for your pride?" He asked, hoping to learn as much as he could before he made contact with the opposing pride.

---

"You wanted me to leave but you changed your mind and took me prisoner. I am not indebted to you." Zoba stated matter-of-factly. "The only reason I'm still here is because I'd rather leave on good terms with you than on bad terms. I will not fight your war for you, but if you're so desperate for help that you'll try to force your prisoners to fight, then clearly there are improvements to be made." Zoba stepped around Nkiru and into the open as he continued talking. "Let's start with your guards. Like I said, they lack discipline. I could have left unnoticed at least three times in the last couple days and I'm not a sneaky lion. I could have caught them off guard and killed them at least twice as many times. If your soldiers are as untrained as your guards are, then it's no wonder you need my help."

He paused for a moment, calming his voice to its usual soothing tenor. "Allow me some time to hunt with your pride. I will think about it and give you my answer when we come back."

(OOC: Sorry for my general slowness at replying.)

[Malenga]

He seemed easy to please, which made Chezna feel a little more at ease about hosting a new body in her lands. So far he seemed to be trustworthy, but the queen would keep her distance somewhat. The last time she allowed her guard to come down, they were attacked by those damned Akilas. As they all set off to go towards the hunting grounds, Chezna lagged behind the huntresses and kept Uriah company. The lionesses were thrilled to have a new male around as they seemed to just get bored of the ones who were there - not including the mated pairs. A few of the youngster lionesses were wanting to walk beside Uriah and ask him questions, but he seemed to be interested in doing what he came here for.

Chezna thought on the leo's question for a moment before she nodded her head. "Not for over-hunting or anything like that. The animals can just... they can sense the winds of change," the dark lioness spoke as she looked forward. They were entering the grounds, and as a result, nearing the edge of the territory where they could very clearly see their rival pride on the other side. "It just goes to show how war not only affects those who are directly involved in it. Not everything is as black and white as it seems."

---

'I wanted to kill you. Kukiki somehow convinced me to keep you alive,' Nkiru thought to herself as she listened to his speech. Watching him as he walked away, she couldn't help but roll her eyes and look over her shoulder to see where he was ending up. As he started to speak of her pride the way he was, she had to at least consider what he was saying to be partially true. She knew there were a choice few that needed to be disciplined, and she figured she would be the one to do it. As Zoba kept speaking, she allowed for the words to reach her and be the rapids that churned the gears in her head. They had come out just fine after that one incident with the Balnasi pride, but what if the next time they weren't so lucky? The thought caused the queen to stop in her tracks and look back over to the lands they stayed. For a moment, her grumpy expression was pierced with a sincere light of worry in her eyes. But she quickly mounted that narrow-eyed, teeth clenched face again as she walked up beside and past the lion.

"You may hunt with us," Nkiru spoke with her chin tilted up. She already knew the hunt was on its way, as per usual, with Kukiki leading it probably right after she dismissed the lioness. She lead the way to the hunting grounds with Zoba either tailing her or beside her. As they entered into the grounds, she noticed the large group of tan and brown females all looking across the river to the other side. Nkiru stopped, trying to see what all the fuss was about, before she saw the scraped up grey queen of the Balnasi pride with a new lion it seemed. The Akilas snarled and kept themselves at the edge while the Balnasi pride exchanged the same vibrato. Who would make the next move?

Nkiru broke off from Zoba and trotted up to the front of the crowd where she noted Chezna's eyes already on her. "Go on your way, Chezna," the younger queen spoke to the other. Chezna merely tipped her ears back to her head and looked Nkiru straight on.

"Your hunters approached us first. They must stand down otherwise we will prepare for a fight," Chezna announced. This caused even more of an uproar than before, Nkiru included as she growled.

"I will jump over this river and finish you myself, Chezna! Don't test me. I've had enough of you and those cowards you call a pride!" Nkiru snapped back. The two female leaders had their own ideas of what needed to happen, but it seemed they both had different ideas of how to get there as well.

[Lyonize]

Uriah was enjoying the stroll. He could almost forget that there was a war at all. In fact, he had nearly convinced himself that maybe Chezna was just blowing things out of proportion. That thought and any merit to it was swept away when across the river, there appeared another pride, each member sneering and snarling. This wasn't a simple tiff between a couple family members. With numbers this many on either side, any confrontation could potentially end badly.

The exchange of threats was worrying but Uriah was immediately torn from the immediate conversation by the sight of a lion he knew all too well. It was hard to miss him since he stood taller than everyone else in the opposing pride. Zoba noticed him almost immediately after. Uriah knew he was probably thinking the same thing he was. Why is he on their side?

Uriah flicked his tail upward once. What's going on?

Zoba returned the signal with one of his own. A wave of his tail to the left, two quick flicks to the right. Captured.

Everything made sense now. Uriah lifted a paw and set it back down quickly. Meet.

Zoba's tail circled clockwise. Yes.

Uriah turned to Chezna and spoke quietly to her."Chezna. We should save this fight for another time. There's no point in fighting now. We're unprepared and so are they. They won't follow us into your territory. They're probably just hunting too. Besides, I have a plan but we need to wait for the right moment."

On the other side of the river, Zoba glanced at Nkiru, noticing the anger seething in her eyes. Casually, he turned and began walking away. He was betting that Nkiru would rather not start a fight without him, and she needed to keep an eye on him as well. For now, he'd continue hunting as if nothing had happened.

[Malenga]

Chezna nor Nkiru -- or the other pride members -- had noticed the secret tail language that Zoba and Uriah had been participating in. How could they, when they thought that at any given moment, one pride would lunge at the other. As for right now it was only females against females while most of the males were back at the main territory protecting it from any incoming males or other prides who might want to take up the offer of unguarded land. The only two males that were participating in this back and forth were the brothers.

Chezna faced a snarling Nkiru with her ears pressed to her head and a scowl on her face. When she heard Uriah speak up, the lioness lifted one of her ears closest to him and nodded her head. "Just need to make sure...," she mumbled to him. Her eyes never left the crouching figure of her niece, who had already bristled her neck fur and turned her lips up as far as they could go to show newly acquired white teeth that came with her full adult presence. For a moment, the ice blue eyes of the older lioness saw a flash of the younger, more loving Nkiru in front of her. Just a little dark brown scruff of fur with bright jade coloured eyes who looked like she was ready to take on the world. How things had changed.

Meanwhile, Nkiru continued to stare Chezna down. Her attentions were drawn back to Zoba as he moved out of her line of sight and she looked over her shoulder to where he was going. She didn't have much choice other than to follow after him, since she was the one guarding him. Before she went to leave, she noticed Kukiki watch after them before the tan lioness looked at the others. "Come on ladies," she called out to them and started the flood of lionesses to the hunting grounds. Reluctantly they followed after their lead huntress but there were still some harsh glares exchanged as they walked away. While they made their way off, Nkiru stuck to the side of the lion and glared at her paws as they walked. They were both under the watchful eye of Kukiki. "I should have gone over there while I had the chance...," grumbled the dark brown lioness to herself.

Once they were surely gone from attacking range, Chezna felt her own chest heave a sigh that she had been holding it. The sound of others letting out the same stressed breath made the grass sweep away from them as they did before heading over to the hunting grounds. Looking over to Uriah, Chezna walked beside him and sighed. "And so it keeps on for another day. You don't know how happy I would be to come to a truce with Nkiru and just put all this in the past."

(OOC: Sorry for the absence. Been busy this week.)

[Lyonize]

"I should have gone over there while I had the chance...,"

Zoba could hear the frustration in her voice. She wanted so badly to end this. He couldn't blame her. He knew both sides ultimately wanted peace. Nobody wages war for the sake of war.

"Neither side was ready to fight." He said calmly. "Nothing good would have come from that battle. Both sides would have lost." The big lion paused and looked around to see the rest of the lionesses following. "If you'll allow me," he continued. "I'd like to accept your proposition to make me a guard." Zoba stared ahead, awaiting Nkiru's response.

---

"And so it keeps on for another day. You don't know how happy I would be to come to a truce with Nkiru and just put all this in the past."

Uriah was reassured to know Chezna wanted peace more than she wanted to win. "Maybe we can make that happen." He replied, trying to comfort her. "
I have a plan, and..." He paused, a smile stretching across his muzzle as his eyes brightened. "I'd like you to meet someone. Join me for a stroll along the border tonight?" Uriah was nearly overjoyed at the thought of being with his brother again. He had to calm himself down earlier so he didn't show any out-of-place excitement. The fact that Zoba had somehow found himself on the other side meant that both parties now had relatively neutral members. This was an opportunity for peace.

[Malenga]

Nkiru listened as Zoba spoke, a pause in her step as she looked over to the other side of the river. Her eyes focused on the dissipating figures that were the Balnasi pride before she side swiped her eyes to look at him without turning her head. However, once he asked to become the guard she (not originally) wanted him to be, she brought her head over to look up at him with a somewhat shocked expression. However, that expression didn't last very long before she concealed it with her usual grumpy mask. "I knew the stubborn act would go away eventually," was all she had to say. As she walked forward, leading back to the hunting grounds, she stopped and turned her head to look at him. "Don't think that this means you're allowed into the den. I'll still be watching you like the stranger that you are." The young queen snorted and walked on, trudging through the grasses and leading up to a rock where she sat, watching the other lionesses of her small but functional pride work on getting them some breakfast. Nkiru had to admit, she was interested to see if Zoba was going to try and participate.

---

The queen couldn't help but chuckle at his words. The thought was nice but the idea was so farfetched at this point; Nkiru had proven to Chezna she was in this to win this. But she allowed for him to go on with his idea, and when he mentioned that there was someone he wanted her to meet, Chezna couldn't help but perk her ears in interest. Almost comically really, as her larger ears stood at attention. Her first thought was wondering who he could know around here. But then her thoughts went to a dark place in thinking that this someone he wanted her to meet was part of the Rogue Akila pride. "You're not setting me up to be ambushed, are you Uriah?" asked the grey queen. She had to at least put on a smile to hide the underlying fear of her own imagination.

[Lyonize]

"I knew the stubborn act would go away eventually. Don't think that this means you're allowed into the den. I'll still be watching you like the stranger that you are."

"I won't go where I'm not welcome." Zoba replied with a smile. "I wouldn't object to a visitor or two myself, though." He said, teasingly.

---

"You're not setting me up to be ambushed, are you Uriah?"

"Me? No way. Though, I understand your discretion. If you'd prefer, I can go alone." Uriah would have liked for Chezna to go with him but ultimately, the information Uriah was after wasn't dependent on whether or not she went with him.

[Malenga]

Nkiru turned her head so she was looking over her shoulder. For a moment she had to wonder, 'Is he trying to be funny with me?' before she stared at him a little while longer. Her one brow was raised and her jade eyes were fluttering with bewilderment. The only real lighthearted speak she had these past couple of days were with the cubs of the pride. But they didn't offer much of an intellectual conversation so much as a free-spirited thinking session with no rules and boundaries that an adult mind had.

Thinking to herself for a moment as she sat on top of the rock, Nkiru cleared her throat and stared forward. Perhaps it was better not to say anything in this moment. And so she watched as her pride of lionesses chased after a wounded zebra. Her tail flicked and swished as she watched the display of hunting. A lioness would dart to the left and Nkiru's tail would practically slash left, just as a lioness would go right she would sway her blonde tuft of fur at the end of her tail to the right. She even bobbed and bounced her shoulders at the exaggerated motions of the hunters. And then when she noticed Kukiki taking the prey down for the final blow, Nkiru rose to her paws and stood on her tiptoes in attempts to spot over the grasses if they were successful. After a couple seconds, Kukiki's head rose above the grass and she smiled over to the two.

"Come and get it!" she called out before disappearing into the thick sand coloured grasses.

Nkiru walked down the slope of the rock and started making her way over to them. She kept one of her ears back, listening for any noise behind her that would belong to the lion under guard.

---

"No no, it's not that...," Chezna spoke up before she took a step toward him. She didn't want him to believe that she suspected him of foul play. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend," the queen said. A sigh left her, making her sound exhausted, and she looked at their paws. She didn't realize how close she had gotten to him with that extra foot taken in his direction. "It's just getting so difficult to know who to trust these days. You have done me no wrong so far, so why should I think any less of you when you clearly just want to help? I apologize." She didn't feel like a very good host to this lion, nor a very good queen. However, she wanted to leave that be and focus on making things better. Looking back up at Uriah, she noted the closeness of their bodies before she took a step to the side. An apologetic smile stretched over her muzzle. "Who are we meeting?"

[Lyonize]

Zoba followed a good distance behind Nkiru. He didn't intend to eat much, but he needed something to keep him going. As he approached, most of the pride members paused and stared a moment. Most of them caught themselves staring and forced themselves to pretend he wasn't there, though still keeping an eye on him. Zoba pretended not to notice at all as he casually pulled off a piece of meat and carried it away from the rabble.

---

"It's just getting so difficult to know who to trust these days. You have done me no wrong so far, so why should I think any less of you when you clearly just want to help? I apologize."

"You're right, it is hard to trust people with so much going on. But thank you for putting your trust in me."

As the two walked, he noticed at the same time she did that they were nearly touching. Suddenly the thought crossed his mind that anyone watching might think they were 'closer' than they really were. Each took a half-step to the side, allowing some distance between each other. Uriah realized he didn't actually mind as he bit his lip, trying not to smile too widely.

"Who are we meeting?"

"My brother. I haven't seen him in some time. He may be able to help us."

[Malenga]

Whilst they all remained entranced by the sight of the new lion, they soon were back on track with moving out of the way for the incoming queen who had made her way over to the carcass and helped herself to some of the meat. She began to tear and rip pieces of warm, fresh flesh from the body while watching as her other pride mates took their share. Ultimately when they were all done, there was still some left over to take back to the males of the pride back home and some of the older cubs who had just started to enjoy the succulent taste.

Taking her piece of the kill was the lead huntress herself. Kukiki trotted her way over to Zoba and laid down with him so she could enjoy her meal with him, which Nkiru took obvious notice of. The queen watched as the tan lioness smiled over to the light coloured lion.

"Does it taste good? I know zebra isn't as good as antelope, but it's got more meat to it," Kukiki spoke whilst she proceeded to nibble on some more of her food and waited for a response from the male.

---

"Your brother?" Chezna wondered, looking at him as they walked. The pride broke off from the two of them whilst Chezna stopped in her tracks and looked up at Uriah. The lionesses proceeded with their hunt. "How is he going to help us?" She didn't have a single clue that Uriah's brother was the light coloured male on the other side of the river standing beside Nkiru.

(OOC: Do you wanna skip to the evening where they are going to meet up?)

[Lyonize]

(OOC: Sure!)

Zoba smiled. "It'll fill the hole." He was grateful to have some company and happy that someone seemed to enjoy his company. He didn't want to push his presence upon anyone who probably didn't want him around, but Kukiki seemed to take to him well enough. Perhaps this was the way to soften Nkiru's heart.

---

Uriah's expression turned from excited optimism to grave austerity. "I saw him today for the first time in weeks. He was on the other side of the river during the standoff. He's been captured by the Akila pride. We're going to meet tonight in secret."

[Malenga]

Once they were all finished their meal, lionesses took to grooming themselves so that the blood and dirt would not stain their coats. Some of the females even leaned over and got the hard to reach places on their other female friends. The purring symphony hummed through the group while they all enjoyed keeping themselves clean. Nkiru had simply licked her paw a few times before she walked off and made her way back to the rock she used to watch the hunt on. Once she was surveying the lands properly, paranoia being her reason for doing so, her eyes landed on Kukiki and Zoba. The two seemed to finish at the same time as the others, and she could very clearly see the tan lioness take the space between them away.

"You have some...," Kukiki giggled gently, looking at his shoulder. There was a smudge of blood very clearly noticeable on Zoba's light coloured pelt. "Here, let me." She slowly moved her head to it, her tongue slowly easing through his fur to get rid of it. She was taking the chance to allow him to either move or stay, whatever he wanted.

The queen narrowed her eyes, making a note of what she would need to warn Zoba about later on. But for now, they were to get going to the den again.

---

Chezna cocked her head back, eyes almost unbelieving for a moment. "He is your brother? That is who we are meeting?" Not that Chezna was disbelieving that they could do anything about what was happening right now; it was just so serendipitous that this was the result. Who knew what would happen from here but Chezna was hoping that the brothers wouldn't get hurt from this war that was not their fault in the least.

[Lyonize]

Zoba didn't draw back but he visibly tensed at the lioness' approach. He didn't quite realize what she was doing until her rough tongue was already making contact with his shoulder. He wasn't used to having someone else around to help him clean his fur. Even when he and his brother were together, they left that to each other most of the time. In spite of having visited many prides in the past, Zoba and Uriah were not used to pride dynamics.

"Thank you." He said as he relaxed. Somehow, he felt he should return the favor. Only then did he notice the smudge of red on Kukiki's chest just below her neck. Zoba proceeded to tilt his head to the side as he leaned in to clean the spot off.

As the rest of the pride moved off in the direction of the den, Zoba realized the sun was nearing the horizon.

"Looks like everyone's headed to the den." He said.

"Are you coming too?" Kukiki asked as she stood up and took a half step toward the slowly pacing lionesses.

"I'm still not allowed to sleep in the den. I'll stay here. It's as comfortable a place as any." The sooner he was alone, the better. Tonight, he'd finally see his brother and together they could figure out a way to end the feud between the two prides. With a neutral party on both sides, he was sure they could figure it out.

---

"Yes!" Uriah replied with a big goofy grin. "Don't worry, he's alright. The fact that he hasn't tried to escape or kill the other pride means they're maybe not as bad as they seem. If he couldn't see any good in them, he wouldn't be there. I'm sure he just wants to help, and with both of us on opposite sides, it shouldn't be hard to figure out a truce of some sort."

A cool breeze swept through, sending a chill down Uriah's back. The suns heat slowly disappeared as it began to hid behind the rippling horizon. "We should go soon. I don't know where we're meeting but if we're both searching for each other's scent it shouldn't be too difficult."

[Malenga]

Nkiru's eyes processed through all the bodies that were passing by and back to the pride. A couple of lionesses had taken hold of the carcass and were dragging it back to the others at the den. Meanwhile the queen noted Kukiki making her way over to her, smiling up at Nkiru. All Nkiru did was raise her eyebrow for a moment. The message seemed to get across to the tan lioness quickly, Kukiki's once positive and beaming smile dimming to a respectful glance up at the darker lioness.

"He is not to be trusted and you're grooming him?" Nkiru asked. Kukiki sighed and looked away, knowing there was nothing she could say to make the queen see things a different way. All she could do now was apologize and hope there was a way to make up for it. Nkiru sighed and shook her head. She seemed to know there was more to it than Kukiki simply being naiive. Looking back down at the tan lioness, Nkiru suggested, "Maybe you should watch him tonight and make sure he doesn't get up to anything. I am going to need to go back to the den tonight and take care of some things. I am trusting you with this Kukiki."

"And I won't let you down, your highness," responded Kukiki. Her tail swished at the opportunity to restore her queen's trust in her abilities to be a multi-talented member of the pride. "Have a good evening and I will report back to you tomorrow."

"Good night." Nkiru walked down the rock and followed the direction her lionesses had left in. She passed by Zoba, taking a look at him. "No funny business tonight. Or you will regret it," she growled before proceeding off to follow her family.

---

Chezna nodded. Reluctantly, but she nodded. If there was a way to end this fighting and there were ideas on how to do it, she would at least consider it. What harm could it do? If Nkiru hadn't harmed Uriah's brother by now, it must habe meant she saw something in him that could produce good results in the long run. But the question she had on her mind was, what was Zoba to Nkiru? Or Nkiru to Zoba. Despite the fighting and war being waged, Nkiru was still Chezna's niece. And an aunt only wanted what was best for her niece.

"Just say when and I'm there with you." Chezna's smile betrayed her nerves lodging in her stomach and throat.

[Lyonize]

Being under watch like this wasn't much different from being guarded in a cave but it would have to do. It was unfortunate that Nkiru wasn't allowing him to sleep alone but how could he have expected any less? He'd have to play this one by heart. He was going to meet his brother tonight, watched or unwatched.

"How much trouble do you want to get in tonight, Kukiki?" He asked vaguely. It wasn't a threat. It was a fair warning. "I'm going to meet someone and I need you to come with me. Rat on me now or choose not to come with me and I'll be gone for good by the time anyone else shows up. Stay quiet and we'll be back like nothing happened." He looked into her eyes, allowing her to look into his. He wanted her to understand that he did not intend to deceive her or hurt her but that would prove difficult. "You've been kind to me, but I need you to trust me."

---

"Good, because we're going now." Uriah said as he trotted off toward the river. His jovial delivery of the statement was a sudden change. It was always easy for him to switch from being serious to jaunty. Getting serious was the hard part most of the time.

The river made just enough noise that their movements couldn't be heard from the other side. Now, it was just a matter of who smelled who first. Under the light of the full moon, Uriah picked a direction and allowed his nose to lead him.

[Malenga]

How much trouble did she want to get in? What sort of question was that? The lioness was already in trouble as it was, so having that question posed to her was making her stomach do flip flops. Were she able to she would have resisted his offer, but there was something stopping this lioness from denying him what he was asking. Looking up at him, Kukiki sighed and shook her head.

"Zoba...," she started almost like she was about to start a lecture on him. However, she stopped herself and looked in the direction Nkiru left. Who knew if that untrusting queen of hers was going to come and make sure that all was well with the two or not. But perhaps she would have to take that risk. She then turned her head and looked back at him. "Hurry back," she spoke in a hushed tone.

---

"Wha-oh, okay," Chezna fumbled with her words like she did her feet, taking off after Uriah and finding the same pace beside him. Constantly watching where he was going and making sure she wasn't bumping into him, her icey blue eyes scanned over the river looking from side to side. If Uriah's brother was to show up, he wouldn't be hard to spot against the growing darkness. "I hope we can figure something out to make it all better...," Chezna spoke more to herself, almost as if she were trying to convince herself.

[Lyonize]

(OOC: I'm so sorry for the late post!)

"Alright. Let's go." The big lion pivoted and turned toward the river where he began smelling the air in search of the faintest familiar scent. He didn't even look to see if Kukiki was behind him. If she was still there when he found Uriah, he would head back with her to the Akila pride and they would keep this little excursion a secret. If not, then he'd join Uriah on the other side. He couldn't risk going back if there was a chance that Kukiki told Nkiru what he had done.

---

Uriah hadn't planned on crossing the river but when he found a shallow area with rocks he could use as stepping stones, he couldn't resist the temptation. Besides, it'd be easier to track Zoba if they were on the same side of the flowing border. As soon as they stepped onto dry land, they were immediately overcome by a feeling that they were in a place they weren't supposed to be. Being in enemy territory had a dangerous air to it... It was exciting! Uriah could feel his senses sharpening under the pressure. He crouched just enough to keep his head below the tallest bushes and grasses.

Suddenly, the air felt more familiar as it carried the scent of Zoba right to him. If Uriah could smell Zoba, then Zoba could smell him. Uriah put his head on a swivel and just like that, the two brothers locked eyes from a distance. The outside world disappeared for a moment as the two brothers trotted, and then ran toward each other, colliding in an ecstasy of happy greeting.

Uriah was the first to speak. "You got fat." He teased.

"You got ugly." Zoba reciprocated the jest with one of his own.

[Malenga]

(OOC: Can't say I'm any better! ;p)

Kukiki knew this was a bad idea. She could feel it in her gut that if she went with him, something was going to happen and it wouldn't be good news for her. But seeing the lion in front of her running with purpose in his pawsteps, she couldn't help but feel like this was worth getting into trouble for. Not like she wanted to exercise the 'Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission' saying with Nkiru but this was an exception. The tan lioness looked over her shoulder as if she were going to see the queen staring straight at her, coming out of nowhere, and then darted off after Zoba.

---

Chezna followed curiously, allowing her eyes to drift over to Uriah's form and imitate what he was doing. Playing a game of copy cat she watched Uriah and did as he did. Like this wasn't her land or something, she looked over the tops of the grasses when she could while playing as conspicuous as she could possibly muster. Finally their time waiting had paid off when a large lion on the other side showed up with a blonde female tagging along beside him. Strange, it wasn't her niece like she thought was going to show up. Or rather, she hoped Nkiru would.

Kukiki looked from Zoba over to Chezna, whom she recognized right away. "Hello queen Chezna," she younger female greeted with a head bow. A smile also helped in easing the darker lioness into a state of ease.

"Hello," she nodded down to Kukiki with a smile. "Not to sound rude, who might you be?" she asked.

"My name is Kukiki. I'm sort of your niece's advisor," Kukiki commented with a head bobbing from side to side, like she wasn't quite sure of the answer herself. She didn't know where she stood with grumpy Nkiru but she knew she stood more of a chance being listened to than any one else in this pride did.

Chezna blankly nodded, thinking on that. "Well it's nice to meet you." They knew they were both there to come to a conclusion of what was going to happen between the four of them, but they didn't quite know how to interact like the brothers did. So they kept it short and sweet. "Is Nkiru well?"

Kukiki simply nodded. Not even she knew how her queen was feeling. All that mattered was that Nkiru was in one piece.