Opposite Ends

[cheezeegriff]

"That's...terrible" she hummed another soft chuckled sigh, before uncontrollably letting a purr escape.

Figgy frowned. "This wasn't the reaction I was expecting..." he said. He'd kinda wanted a fight! But he had to admit, the hug was nice. The feel of her breathing against his neck, the warmth of her fur against his made his heart thud in his chest and his ears turn hot.

"Did I mention you also smell really, really good?" Figgy said, then turned his nose into her neck and breathed deep. He opened his eyes a little, then flinched, startled that she wasn't the same milky white as usual! But he soon realised what had happened. He wrapped his paws and forelegs around her even tighter.

[This Land]

She felt as Figgy tightened his embrace and giving her the sweetest of compliments. Floods of emotions went through her mind, she felt wanted, needed and cared about. She sank deeper into his embrace, her ears absorbing the soothing sound of his heartbeat. She didn't want this moment to end, she hadn't felt this happy and received such a warming (though with Figgy a whole lot softer) embraces since when she...


Then the moment ended.


Her eyes widened again from a bitter realization of the past. It felt as if history was repeating itself. She tried to tell herself this was different, Figgy -wasn't- like him. Then again, she didn't realize the last time with the other lion until it was too late. She uncontrollably started to shake, not out being scared but becoming so confused with her own emotions. Two parts of her brain were battling it out for the most logical answer she wanted to seek but couldn't find. Was it too soon to have affection for another ? She had got to know Figgy over these months and he had been nothing but kind and caring....yet so did the other lion. She hated and was disgusted in herself for comparing Figgy to him, but she couldn't help it. It seemed maybe her pregnancy may of had developed a sense of self protection? self awareness? wanting to be isolated ?


Something in her mind sparked, like a sudden re-wiring. She tried to think as hard as possible for what she has here, what safety and protection Figgy has given her, and what such lovely place they resided. But the thoughts were not strong enough. She had to be alone, even if it was just for the remainder of the night to see if these thoughts subsided.


She started wriggling, trying to break free. But Figgy had a tight grasp. Her wriggling just made him hug tighter, like it was a game. A form of anxiety started to kick in but words were not escaping her mouth, like she was trapped. It soon became too much and she suddenly snapped, letting out a deep growl, and instinctively digging her claws into Figgy before managing to break free.


She jumped away and stay still for a moment, the pupils in her eyes had shrunk that stared at Figgy. She breathed deeply and slowly, with her teeth and claws bared.


Soon, her eyes went back to normal and her breathing relaxed, she looked down at her unsheathed claws with a few drops of blood running down. She then scanned her eyes back to Figgy and seen the small wounds she had inflicted. She shook her head slowly out of disbelief in herself and what she done. It was like something had taken over her, and She hated herself for it. A tear formed in her eye and her muzzle trembled.


"I'm.....i'm" was all she managed to force out.


She leapt out of the nest and onto a branch, before sliding down the base, using her claws to control her speed. Making her way to the water's edge.

[cheezeegriff]

"Argh, no claws!" Figgy said, still playing, until Destiny leapt free and stared at him with those big, charming eyes. Full of starlight. He touched his flank, noticing blood on his fingertips. She'd really clawed him!

"Des-" was all he managed, before she hopped out of the nest and dashed away.

"Nuts!" Figgy said, wriggling his pudgy little legs (little compared to his big belly, anyway) and trying to right himself. Though it was taking longer than he would like. "Destiny!" he said, calling out. No idea what had happened - had he hurt her? Did she think he was attacking her? "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have played so rough. Please, come back!"

He turned and reached across his chest with one paw, finally building up enough momentum to rock himself onto his belly, and then stand, waddling to the edge of his nest. Destiny's white form was easy to make out in the moonlight. Heading straight for the water's edge.

"Wait!" he said, reaching for her, but he couldn't stop her. Wouldn't, even if he could.

[This Land]

Destiny heard Figgy's call to wait, but chose not to pay attention. Her mind was clouded. Conflicting thoughts circled around inside. She needed some solitude and be at one with herself, regardless how much she cared about Figgy and what he meant to her.

Her paws tingled as they entered the cool water, her legs soon followed, then soon her whole body was submerged. It had been a while since she had taken a full swim and definitely felt the difference. The weight of her cubs plus her added bulk from eating substantially better started to show. She had to kick harder and her body dragged through the water with less finesse.

Many traps lay in these waters, some for food and others for intruders. Luckily she remembered where they were placed. She remembered when she would gaze at Figgy in curiousness and bewilderment as he made them, sometimes she would help too.

She surfaced onto one of the other islands, however she felt it was still too close and continued on her way onto the next. This happened several times until she ended up on land that acted as the boundary to their home. For the first time after her departure, she looked back. The tree now far in the distance. Her ears flattened and her eyes dropped. It felt like she had lived there all her life, it was everything she could dream of for a safe and comfy home. Plus the Lion she shared it with gave it all the reason to stay. But tonight, her mind was pulling her away. Both mind and heart were at war with each other.

She now knew what was happening, being a mum-to-be for the first time she just wasn't prepared. Nature's instincts were setting alight inside, when the time comes for her cubs to come into the world she needs to be alone, away from others in a nest of her own. Instincts were telling her to scout out an area for her nest. This along with her conflicting thoughts of her affection towards Figgy and how her feelings were betrayed in the past. It was too much conflicting emotion for her mind process.

She turned back around and stared into the darkness of the wild bush. She noticed Figgy's crafting of sound traps. Consisting of vines that lay across the path, that are connected to hollowed out large bones hanging within the tree. If you didn't know what you were looking for, they were hidden in plain sight. When the bones sounded out it would startle all the birds that reside in the trees and would fly out while sounding their own calls. This gave Figgy and Destiny both a visual and sound warning of intruders. Figgy was extremely clever in this practice of trap making. Her heart started to ache just of thought of him again and all that he had done, and the guilt of her running away the way she did.

However, the other half of her brain taken control again and she shook her head. She remembered this area and knew a hollowed out tree was just a little way past this trap into the start of the bushlands. She stepped carefully over some vines and crawling under others, some were decoys to make it look more natural and others were actual triggers, she couldn't remember which were which so she avoided them all.

She finally made it through and headed towards the hollowed out tree. Impatient, when she found it she briskly crawled inside, wanting to cut herself off from the world. She curled up into the tightest ball possible. Her head pressing against her abdomen, right next to her unborn cubs. Just her and them...alone. It felt soothing and she soon felt at peace and content.

She took in a long deep breath through her nose. The scent of Figgy was still on her. Although she wanted to be by herself, the scent was still welcoming.  However, her nose had picked up another scent that made her heart freeze.

Before she could even react, a growl and snarl echoed inside the tree followed by a Lion leaping inside, soon wrapping his whole body around her. It was Him. And Destiny was too mortified and confused to even move or speak.
"Ah, my little vessel, I hope you are taking good care of MY cubs" he chuckled menacingly.

"You feel quite the different lioness. Since I last hugged you, you surely have alot more bulk. One thing I give that lion, he is keeping you well fed. You feel so soft and cushioning, feels nice" he huffed impressed as he pawed her pelt in almost an affectionate manner.

"Now, please stay calm, I come in peace. I'm not embracing you out of compassion, just my own protection. I know your weaknesses as we are well aware. I only held your tail last time as I thought you would comply, but it seems I have to do the full thing." he scoffed

He unsheathed a set of his claws and pressed them hard against Destiny belly, almost on the brink of penetrating. Destiny let out a long mournful growl in pain, though the sound was just consumed by the inside of the tree.

"Well...I say peace, that's if you comply. If I cannot have the cubs you bear that are rightfully mine then no-one can, especially that large oaf that you you have been getting comfortable with" he said in disgust.

"Don't think I haven't been watching you both Destiny.  Watching and waiting in distance and shadows. Waiting for you to screw up ! I know how lionesses mind's work when they are pregnant,  they eventually want to seek solitude. It was just a matter of time until you came out of your comfortable boundaries and all them traps that your little....ahem well large friend has made."

"This is the last time I act alone, if you don't come with me now. I will bring the force of the entire pride, plus another I have allied with. We will outnumber any traps he has laid. We will hunt you down and take your cubs when they born, and we will take your life. Come now and I promise we can start where we left off. Out of compassion for you making this easy I promise to keep you alive....you have my word" he said, at the end almost sounding heartfelt.

All this time time Destiny stay frozen and quiet, his voice sending shivers down her spine and not the good kind. She was tired of running, tired of fighting. One way or another this Lion was relentless and he would always get his way. Maybe it was for the best.  Density nodded in compliance.

Suddenly, her body started the routine of going transparent, like she was about to teleport.
"What ? what are doing ? You know you cant teleport unless you can see your destination !"

Destiny finally managed to say a few words.
"I know ? I'm not even thinking of teleporting. What makes you say..." Destiny looked at her own body, she gasped in her own disbelief, what was happening? She wasn't controlling this.  "I......I......I  don't know what's going on!"

"LIAR !!!" He snapped back.

Suddenly, his paws started feeling extremely hot. Destiny's transparency had paused, but a strong glowing yellow light beamed from her belly, exactly from the spot where her cubs would be inside. It got brighter and brighter. She could feel immense heat surrounding her belly but could not feel any pain herself. However,  the lion started roaring in agony as his fur started to singe on his paw, like it was being set on fire. The heat soon surrounded her entire body which transferred to the Lion. His embrace now met with his pelt smoking and burning, while oddly Destiny was completely unaffected.  The lion loosened his grip while gasping in pain. Destiny took the opportunity and made a run for it!

She darted out of the tree, followed by the half burnt lion. His anger and rage fueling his adrenaline and strength to keep going. In his rage without thinking, he pounced hard and leapt onto her rump bringing her down. Her legs buckled from the weight and spread apart, she fell hard directly on her belly. A wave of pain and a crack came from her and she too gasped out in agony. The wind being knocked out of her lungs. Her heart froze, the first thing she thought is....are her cubs ok ?

So much emotion and confusion of what happened flown through her body. What was this newfound power ? are her cubs going to be ok after that fall ? She had to think one step at a time though.  Step one - Get the hell out of here !  Her emotions and own adrenaline fueled her power. Hey eyes glowed and she quickly flung the lion off from her.  She looked ahead and eyes locked onto Figgy's trap. Not only she needed help, she needed...him. She tried to roar but just came out as a whisper, she was still winded from her fall.

With what breath she had , she sprinted full force towards the traps, her legs pounding the ground as she took long shallow grunting breaths. Soon she leapt into the vines with all her legs spread apart, catching every single vine she could with her body to trigger the bones. The sounds soon bellowed from the tree, which in turn made all the birds screech their voices while fluttering away from the branches, high into the air.

Destiny didn’t know how long it would take for figgy to arrive, that’s if he arrived at all. She would understand if he ignored the alarm, he could just assume she set it off by accident. Or if he knew she was distress, he would just leave her be after what she done.

She turned and faced the lion who was slowly approaching in a stalking manoeuvre , like he was savouring the moment that was to come, an angry yet satisfying grin on his muzzle with his claws bared. Destiny lowered herself into a pouncing position, her belly pounded and ached, her legs trembled from the anxiety and she tried to regain her breath. But will all that was telling her to try and run, she was ready to take on the fight. She was getting tired of running. This had to end now.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy watched Destiny disappear into the night's murky darkness, waited until her ripples were gone from the water's edge.

Part of himself knew this wasn't the end. Things had been so good! This had to be just a little hiccup, surely. But the other part was hurt. Hurt from being scratched, and hurt from being left all alone. He huffed to himself and said, "Well, it was good while it lasted."

Another comfort was waiting for him in the nest though. One that would never jump up and leave him. So Figgy turned around to the remains of the crocodile and began eating.

He ate a lot, as he was wont to do, especially during hard times. Especially when alone. THe crocodile was all his now, and he ate and ate and ate until it was nought but skin and bones scattered around his nest. The only thing that stopped him from eating was the fact that he'd eaten the whole thing! Of course, there was more at ground level, but Figgy was too full to move.

That discomfort had bothered him when he was younger, but now, the discomfort somehow... comforted him. Being full. It was a sign of his success, yes? But another part of him knew that he was a mess, and that brought him shame. It was a part he usually suppressed with more food, but he'd run out. And a part of him was saying, That's why she left.

He sighed, about to try and talk himself out of feeling so miserable, when birds erupted from the foliage in the distance. One of his traps going off. Figgy sat up, with difficulty, and saw fire. On the wind he could hear roaring, yelling. Lions fighting.

"Gah!" he said, getting up again, peering into the night. Was that Destiny? Then who was the other?

Then he knew who it had to be.

"Hold on, Destiny. I'm coming!" Figgy said. He took a few shuffling footsteps backwards and then ran forward, leaping off the edge of the nest with as much grace as he could muster, diving (or cannon balling) into the water below.

[This Land]

The Lion slowly crept towards her, the ends of his fur still burning and smoldering, and smoke drifted off him. It was like he just came out of hell. In Destiny's eyes, he may as well be. This Lion had turned crazy obsessive. Either he has been all this time and hid it well, or Destiny's powers had made him yearn for owning such power. Since he couldn't himself, the next best thing would be to have sons or daughters that may.

Destiny gazed into the Lion's eyes which returned a dead stare. Yet underneath, she could still see that sweet and caring face she remembered. For a moment, her vicious snarl subsided, and her brows softened. She couldn't help but remember the loving times they shared, the endless nights they spent awake in content silence, just holding one another. It wasn't until she went into heat that she felt he had changed slightly...

She shook out of her thoughts. The Lion was now a lot closer to just a few strides away. She regained her snarl and deep growl, with her fur standing on end.

"Just go! I want no regrets!" She growled.

"Oh please, Destiny, you just became a whole lot more valuable. Do you have fire now? Hiding more from me, huh ?" he sneered

Destiny paused in hesitation.

"I....didn't know, I just....."

The Lion huffed and took another long step

"Pfft, no time for excuses, Now, we are going to try one last time. Simply let me place my paw on you, without the fire, mind you, and we can leave. Either now or I come back later with others, then which I cannot guarantee how injured you become or how painfully your chubby friend will die. Either way, you will be mine".

Destiny had to think fast. First, she had to make herself less noticeable. Constantly moving, her camouflage wouldn't completely make her invisible, but it would help her blend in. She took a deep breath to calm herself down as her pelt soon turned into the similar colour of her surroundings.

The Lion snapped a loud roar and pounced towards her, in which she gracefully dodged out the way but not without giving him a hard swipe on his cheek. He pounced again towards her, and she repeated her move, doing the same on the other cheek. This just infuriated him more. Destiny was stronger in defensive moves rather than outright attacking, keeping calm throughout. This continued for some time. She would quickly and briskly jump and dart around between the surrounding trees and bushes, using her grace, calm and agility to outsmart him. Each time she delivered a slash.

It started to occur to her that for all this time they had been fighting, he hadn't just given up to go back to his pride for his alternate plan. He was insistent on capturing her, regardless of how many slashes on his cheek and shoulders he endured, which by now had turned into a lot.

Eventually, they had ended up back where they started, by Figgy's trap. Both are now out of breath. They both stood towards each other and a few strides apart, glaring at each other and breathing deeply.

Suddenly, another sharp pain shot through Destiny's belly from where she fell earlier from his pin. She roared out in agony and scrunched her face uptight with her eyes closed. The Lion took his chance and pounced towards her. She heard his deep breath as he leapt, and she forced her eye open. Seeing him come straight as her, she tried to move but was in too much pain to even think about dodging it. She stretched out her paw and let out a long howling growl. The pupils in her eyes shrunk.

The Lion was suddenly forced back but landed on his paws and quickly anchored his claws into the ground so he couldn't be pushed further. Then slowly but surely started to fight his way towards her. One paw at a time lifting up and re-anchoring into the ground as he advanced. Destiny tried to push as hard as she could, but he was slowly gaining on her. The vines in the tree flapped around, and the branches swayed and creaked as the forces swirled around her, shown by a trail of leaves and debris, which then also pummeled towards the Lion.

He was just one long stride way from reaching Destiny.

"Destiny....please....just come....for our sake," he said in almost a sympathetic and scared manner, the wind and the sound of the hectic surroundings draining out his voice with his eyes almost on the verge of swelling up.

His last words confused her. What exactly did he mean by that? However, she didn't care. She was angry, she was terrified, and she was in despair from what was happening to her belly. It didn't feel good, not one bit. All starting from when he slammed her down to the ground. It was too early for the cubs to arrive yet, so it must be something else, and it was his fault!

She let her calm demeanor get overtaken by rage, and she snapped. Adrenaline numbed her pain, and It was time to end this and in the old fashioned way with no powers. She wanted him to suffer just like he had done to her.

She stopped her powers and leapt towards the Lion with her claws and teeth bared.

"You…are dead to me…Hatima"

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy emerged from the water and stepped into a hurricane. Wind and power swept around Destiny and the mad lion, the former's eyes full of rage, the latter's full of... fear?

Then the power and wind dissipated, and Destiny leapt.

"You…are dead to me…Hatima"

The two struggled together, a blur of fang and fur and fury. Figgy ran forward to intervene but could barely make out one from the other. Destiny's coat was shifting, blurring his vision, likely confuzing the mad lion Hatima, too. But at last they separated, and Figgy used that moment to act.

He darted forward while Hatima was distracted, biting down on his neck as hard as he can and sinking his claws into his flanks - the most painful hug he'd ever given. Figgy had strong jaws, but not enough to break another lion's neck. But he held on for all he was worth as the injured lion squirmed, the fury slowly draining from his face as Figgy crushed his windpipe closed.

His green eyes looked up at Destiny in the moonlight, still little more than a distortion of the moonlit trees...

[This Land]

Hatima kept his focus on Destiny as they fought, a little too much and not aware of his surroundings. He had to get her back, back to his pride. Both their lives depended on it.
Suddenly, he felt teeth sink deep into his neck and claws anchor into his flanks. The shear weight that came with it completely disabled him. He could barely move or breathe. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the size and who the lion was, and he had him in a death grip. He was shocked such a lion outsmarted him, but he only had himself to blame for not being observant. There was no point in struggling, he knew he was done for. His legs went limp and his head dropped, ready to embrace his fate.

Destiny watched the events unfold. How Figgy leapt in and take Hatima down with such ease. She didn't know if this scared her or make her feel even safer. Figgy like any other Lion, still had to power and will to kill a Lion if provoked, hiding behind that friendly and caring soul.

Then Figgy looked up at her, Hatima's life slowly draining away in his jaw. His green eyes shone into her's. She took a small gasp in shock. She never had seen this other side of Figgy. Blood dripping from his muzzle, with the fate of Hatima in his jaws.

She stay silent for a while, only hearing the desperate strained gasps and seeing Hatima's body and chest pulsate in a desperate attempt for air. Her thoughts and emotions became entwined and confused. She couldn't help but think what he said a moment earlier "Desinty...please....just come....for our sake". And he said it with such a different tone of fear. It could of been a trick ? It could of been genuine ? She didn't know.

Destiny all this time wanted nothing more than this Lion dead, he has caused her nothing but trouble. But she now stood here watching his life fading away, and she couldn't let herself go through with it.

"Figgy..." she said softly and stepped towards him.
"We...cant...do this" She pushed her head against the side of his
"You have given the final blow, now let nature be the decider of his fate," she said softly, and without hesitation, her tongue gently lapped the side of his cheek.
"Lets just go home..." her voice trembled.
Her eyes momentarily winced and flickered as a bout of pain pulsed in her abdomen again which soon subsided. All of this could of been avoided if it was not for her stupid judgments, instincts and emotions. She needed her solitude, but she wanted Figgy.
"I'm sorry about....Im....sorry"

[cheezeegriff]

"Desinty...please....just come....for our sake."

Figgy's grip loosened at the sound of his desperation. He sounded almost like a person, rather than a mindless psychopath. Still he looked up at Destiny, whose coat had returned to her normal white, though still danced at the edges with the colours of the wetlands.

"Figgy... We...cant...do this. Lets just go home..." her voice trembled.
"I'm sorry about....Im....sorry"

Figgy spat out the charred, nearly dead lion like a lump of rotten meat. Even close to death and coughing his guts up, he still looked dangerous.

"You sure?" Figgy said, then looked down at the singed lion. "We can't just let him go. He could come back with friends, to hurt us again." Then his eyes brightened with an idea.

"How 'bout we take him prisoner? There's plenty of places in the tree I could put him. Seal up the entrance with vines..." Though, the more he said it, the more he realised he didn't want this evil thing living in their home. But still, it was better than kill or be killed, wasn't it?

"Why'd you run off anyway? What's going on?"

[This Land]

The front of Hatima's body landed onto the ground with a thump, followed by a blood curdling cough and strained long breath. His hearing muffled and vision blurred, he mostly heard what figgy was talking to Destiny about. Although severly injured and on death's edge, he couldn't help but let out a single chuckle followed by another nasty clearing of his throat.

"You really don't know Lionesses do you Figgy ? Then again how could you, i bet Destiny is the only Lioness blind enough to stay with you. " He let let out a subtle grin, displaying his red coated teeth
"I knew it would happen with a lioness in her state, All I had to do was just wait...." Hatima started to cough profusley in a fit, clawing the ground, trying to lift himself up but failed pathetically. Destiny took a step closer towards him, her eyes looking empty.

"There is no point, let the scavengers decide his fate. I do not want that pathetic excuse for a Lion anywhere near me. Keeping him prisoner will just keep him protected." Destiny said plainly and without remorse.

Hatima's coughing subsided a litte and took another long strained breath
"A prisoner or severely wounded or going back without you is a death sentence for me, just leave me here alone with what Dignity I have left" Hatima then chocked, clearing his throat again before flopping his head limp on the ground.

Destiny let out a slight humf and a scoff
"If you even call this 'Dignity'. You look at Figgy as some sort of loser...."
Destiny then glanced at Figgy, her eyes suddenly filled with soul and life
"Figgy is a Lion more then you ever will be. A Lion that bested you in combat..."
Destiny paused before continuing.
"A Lion that respects and treats a Lionesses better then I could ever of imagined. I..."
She then stopped abruptly and slowly exhaled the breath she would of used to carry on talking. She looked back up and Figgy and smiled faintly, motioning with her head to go. She soon turned and started to walk.
Even though the pain in her abdomen was now slowly dispersing, it still caused her to walk with a Limp and waddle with what she carried.

[cheezeegriff]

Destiny motioned to go, then left herself. Figgy took a few steps backwards, keeping one eye on Hatima, then turned, following Destiny back towards the shoreline.

"You ok?" he said, noticing her limping. He darted forward, or rather, shuffled around his enormous belly until he was walking beside her, close enough for her to lean on if she wanted to. He didn't know what to expect though. She'd ran away on him, but then, she had defended him before Hatima. At this stage, he didn't know if he was loved or despised.

"Soo... we gonna talk about... any of this?" he said, motioning backwards, and then to the claw marks on his sides. Claw marks Destiny had inflicted.

[This Land]

Destiny looked out the corner of her eye at the injury she caused to him. Trying not to give it her full focus, she was too ashamed.

"Im....sorry" is all she could let out with her ears flattened against her head.

She had many questions and thoughts clouding her mind to respond properly about what was going on. What was this extra ability? Were her unborn cubs OK after her fall ? Hatima bared a sense of fear and regret about returning ?

She knew after all Figgy had done for her, she owed him so much more than a sorry. The yearn for solitude had made her selfish with her own thoughts of what she wants or needs, and not took him into consideration. Although in a way she could not help what she done, she could of done it in a better way.
Destiny gently leant against Figgy's bulk as they walked. It was a contrasting mix of having a soft and extremely cushioning support, yet felt like a tornado would not even budge his stead. It was solid, yet soft. She sank into him, it helped to take a little pressure of her own legs, it was most welcome.

"When we first came to this place you made our home, I did fear I would have to find solitude before my cubs were born. But I bottled it up, contained it and it just built up inside.... and tonight I guess it just all came out and I needed to be alone."

"I guess I felt a little overwhelmed...trapped"

Destiny's breathing started to tremble.

"Also, That embrace we shared earlier, echoed my time with Hatima. I hate myself comparing you to that filth, but somehow it felt like a circle repeating itself. We shared a loving embrace and that was when I felt my heat had ended and was pregnant, and that was the same night I woke back up alone, soon eavesdropping on Hatima's true intentions. All that upset, anger and rage surfacing again the same tonight"

Her claws poked out and sank into ground and she continued to walk.

"But I should've never done to you what I did, that was a part of me that was no way nothing....like me. I hate myself for thinking you and Hatima share just a single hair of similarity, but I guess my defensive instincts just controlled me. I wish I could explain it better somehow."
She let out a soft sigh.

"I don't know what to do...When my cubs are born, I feel safe being alone....But...Being with you....nothing makes me feel more loved."
Destiny then slapped her muzzle shut before quickly looking down to the ground. A fresh wave of blood rushing through her now quite warm cheeks.

[cheezeegriff]

"When we first came to this place you made our home, I did fear I would have to find solitude before my cubs were born. But I bottled it up, contained it and it just built up inside.... and tonight I guess it just all came out and I needed to be alone."

"Ohhh! Ha, yeah. I forgot about that," Figgy said. Of course he'd heard of a lioness' need for solitude while pregnant. "I'm sorry. It just didn't occur to me that that's what you needed." He looked over to Destiny and smiled.

"You know, our tree is gigantic. Huge, even! I could make you another nest, on the opposite side of the regular one if you like. Whenever you need to get away you can go there. I won't intrude. Plus, there's plenty of rooms and passages in the trunk and around the roots. You don't need to leave the tree to find solitude. It'd be safer that way."

She leaned against him, making him stumble a little at first, though he quickly adjusted. The feel of her warm pelt against his made his hair stand on end again in excitement. Destiny felt heavier than usual, in a good way. Healthier.

They came to the water's edge, facing open water between themselves and their home tree and island. "Looks like we're swimming back," Figgy said. "You ok with that? Or... want a lift?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

[This Land]

Destiny smiled and nodded at Figgy's suggestion for her solitude. It may just work. There was no problem in trying at least, she still was conflicted in what she desired, and what her instincts told her.
"Thanks, sounds like a good plan" she muzzled into his shoulder.

"Looks like we're swimming back," "You ok with that? Or... want a lift?"

She couldn't help but let out a chuckle from Figgy's wiggling eyebrows, its like he wanted to carry her. She wasn't one to be a burden all the time, she liked to do things herself. However, given the situation and her fatigue from all the fighting, she embraced the offer.
Her chuckle soon subsided when a strain of pain went through her belly again, something wasn't right ever since Hatima crushed it when she fled from the tree. She just hoped it was nothing too too serious, like slight bruising. She soon put her thoughts aside and turned her attention to Figgy's question.

"Now, how could I refuse that?" she regained a smile
"Just...be gentle, feeling a little fragile"
"Well...you always are but.....you know what I mean" she stuttered.

[cheezeegriff]

"Well...you always are but.....you know what I mean" she stuttered.

Figgy gave her a quick lick on the cheek for reassurance. "Always," he said. Then he leapt into the water. It wasn't much of a leap, but it was quite a splash. Figgy quickly bobbed to the surface though, his broad back more than wide enough for Destiny to catch a lift.

So it was like that they went back to their own island, with Figgy doggy (kitty?) paddling and Destiny riding on his back. The big round lion wasn't quite buoyant enough to stop Destiny's feet from getting wet, however he did relieve her of the need to swim herself.

Once out of the water and dripping dry, Figgy glanced a look backwards towards Hatima, to see if he was still there. But the underbrush on the adjacent land was too dense. This didn't make him feel at ease anymore.

After settling Destiny into the nest they used previously, to rest, he sat back.

"You know, you may as well use this one. I'll make another one for myself across the tree. Feel free to come visit whenever you want, though!"

He observed Destiny settling down, the wince in her whiskers and eyes, and her new limp. "Do you want me to look you over, make sure... nothing's broken?" Figgy said. "Not that I'm a great doctor or anything, but it might be worth checking out." He fidgeted a little with his forepaws.

[This Land]

Destiny flopped into the nest and quickly made herself comfortable. It was a weird feeling, not too long ago she felt the urge to get as far away as possible, now being back here never felt so right.

"Do you want me to look you over, make sure... nothing's broken?" "Not that I'm a great doctor or anything, but it might be worth checking out."

Figgy almost looked a bit hesitant asking her while fidgeting with his paws. But she only found this all the more thoughtful and kind of adorable.
"An extra set of eyes and paws is probably not a bad idea" She agreed
She gently and slowly stretched herself out, rolling a little onto her back to make it easier for Figgy to see.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy grinned lopsidedly, then walked forward, placing his paws on her ribs. "Just tell me when it hurts," he said. He was very professional, at least outwardly. Aside from the way his fur kept rising and falling. He grinned a little at her as he pressed his paws down gently. "This is kind of fun, actually," he said, though when he pushed on her abdomen, Destiny grit her teeth and growled.

"A wound here. You'll have a bruise beneath the fur I think," Figgy said. "I hope the kids are ok. But you need to rest as much as possible, alright?" he stepped back. "From now on, Figgy will tend to your every need." He gave her a less-than-graceful bow, then looked up from under his mane. "Give your body a chance to heal. Let me take care of things for a while. If you want some solitude, let me know and I'll bow out for a bit. Anything you need, alright?

"Do... you want some solitude now?" he said, then added hopefully, "Or would company suit your pleasure best?" He grinned again, toothily.

[This Land]

"A wound here. You'll have a bruise beneath the fur I think," "I hope the kids are ok. But you need to rest as much as possible, alright?"

Destiny's ears flattened, twisting her head and glancing at her abdomen. Just for this one moment she wished she could know how her cubs are doing, but she knew only time would tell, and try not to get too worked up on something that may end up not being anything to worry about.

She then gazed up at Figgy when he stated he would tend to her every need and if she wanted company. His charm and kindness soon softening her concern and brightening up the atmosphere.
"I think company would be nice for tonight" she returned a warm smile, her ears soon perked back up and her tail flicked around the ground.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy grinned, then stepped gingerly into the nest besides Destiny. He didn't want to be overbearing, so sat down next to her, but let her come to him. Whatever position Destiny took up besides him, that was the position they spent the rest of the night in.

Early in the morning Figgy arose - unusual for him but he had trouble sleeping anyway, what with the image of the half-burned Hatima occupying his brain. First thing he did was go inspect the site of the fight, but as he suspected, Hatima wasn't there. Not even his body. Either he'd walked off somewhere else to die, or had been found and rescued by... something. Or a crocodile had got him.

Figgy returned to the tree and brought a portion of the morning catch to Destiny. She was still sleeping as the sun rose. He then spend the next few hours making another nest on the opposite side of the tree. One away from the nest he shared with Destiny. By the end of it he was quite happy with his work, and ate a captured crocodile's tail to celebrate.

Occasionally he'd glance up to Destiny's nest, to see if she'd awoken. He was missing her company after all.

Then he headed over to the bone pit - the place where they had been tossing all the bones from the animals they killed. There were complete skeletons of creatures there, from crocodiles to fish, to a wilderbeast they'd caught wandering the flood plains, far from its family - poor thing. He picked out the crocodile skeleton, laying all its bones on flattened grass in roughly the same spot they should be, inside a crocodile body.

Figgy didn't just eat his food. He'd been studying it for a while too. He wanted to make something to protect his home and Destiny, and so, putting himself in a meditative trance, he began weaving vines and runners through the crocodile skeleton, until it bloomed with leaves. Just to offset the grinning bones he even added flowers. It was a long process, and one that took most of his attention...

[This Land]

Destiny stirred in her sleep with the sound of movement, assuming Figgy was up and about. But knowing who she was with...she felt safe. In her still tired state and sense of security, she soon closed her eyes again. A small while later her ears flickered and nose twitched when she heard and smelt something be laid by near her, a welcome breakfast. It now made sense what Figgy had been up to. A slight smile of contentment grew across her muzzle. Figgy was up to his unconditional kindness again. Before she knew it, she was waking up again! Her eyes flickered and nose once again telling her there was food still waiting for her. She must of been really tired after last night's occurrence. She peered over the nest to down below to see where Figgy was, she couldn't see him but could hear some noises coming from the bone pit. Her curiosity told her see see what he was doing but soon her stomach told her she was very hungry, with a long groaning growl. Normally she would ignore it, but needed to remind herself she had to keep her hunger at bay not just for herself, but her little fur balls too.

She took no time in digging into the meat Figgy had left. Quite out of her normal eating routine, she started to devour it quite quickly, almost to the point of not savoring the taste. She scoffed it almost greedily, only chewing if it was necessary. It's like the anxiety for her cub's well being was kicking in further, wanting to give them everything they needed for a better chance at being nice and healthy for when they enter this world.

Before long, the meat had gone, Destiny even surprised herself how quickly she consumed it. She very much could feel and see the result of a decent morning meal. Now she wanted nothing more than to rest again, but she didn't want to feel rude. She strained herself up and made her way down to base of the tree.

She soon came across Figgy near the bone pit on some grass, who looked to be deep in thought or maybe some sort of meditation. Next to him was what looked like at a short glance, a crocodile! Well half of one. A Skeleton slowly being encased with vines and flowers. She watched in awe as it seemed Figgy was using his abilities to make vines and vegetation that weaved through and around the skeleton. It was a slow process but hypnotic to watch, all while Figgy was in a world of his own.

She lay down beside him, watching him work his magic. It seemed like he was either making a deterrent or was a hobby of his she didn't know about, making animals out of bones. Ironic as lions like themselves, tend to make bones out of animals.

From the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but notice the wounds she inflicted onto Figgy last night. They still looked fresh. A cold wave of guilt shivered through her in what she done. Due to Figgy's size and natural 'body armor', the damage was superfluous. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little upset from her actions. She gently rest her head against his side and continued to watch him work his magic. He didn't seem to notice her presence, but she didn't mind , it was just nice to watch him. Meanwhile, she brushed her tongue across his wound, giving it a small clean. He had always been kind and thoughtful for her, she didn't feel she 'needed' to return the favor... she wanted to.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy escaped from his trance to the sensation of... licking? He looked down to find Destiny snuggled up beside him, tending to his wounds. It brought a smile to his face.

"Good morning," he said. "How'd you sleep?"

"Do you like my creation?" He gestured to the crocodile before him, now fleshed out with vines and leaves, with two big pink protea flowers for eyes. "I call her Zeza. No idea if the skeleton was actually from a girl or not, but it seems to suit. Watch this." Figgy gestured with his paw, and the crocodile winked, one of the two flowers opening and then quickly closing.

"How are you feeling anyway? How's your tummy? Are you hungry?" Figgy licked the top of Destiny's head, to show his appreciation for her affection.

[This Land]

"Good morning, slept rather well thanks" she nodded.

She watched as Figgy demonstrated the Croc he made, and it winked!

"Very impressive" she chuckled, but more in amazement then amusement. "Just when I thought you have made everything...you make something even more unimaginable" she grinned.

Her throat hummed with a gentle purr. After last night, it felt nice for things to be calm again. The mishap from last night still haunted her a little and what things may follow, but she and Figgy were survivors. She tried to reassure herself that what trouble may come their way, they would prevail. They had this fortress of a home to keep them safe and a plan for her nesting/solitude needs. She just hoped it was enough.

"Feeling alot more refreshed thanks and no more pain for time being"

She leant on Figgy a little more, spreading onto her side.

"Just eaten, thanks to someone..." She subtly prodded his side with her nose.

"But then again, is there such thing as 'full' when you are eating for a few..."

Destiny tucked her head down.

"Which is a weird thing to say coming from me, when they cubs change you, they ain't kidding" she huffed self amused.

She then turned her attention back to Crocodile.

"So is Zeza here some sort of Decoration? or Deterrent ?" She asked curiously.

[cheezeegriff]

"Feeling alot more refreshed thanks and no more pain for time being"

"Wonderful!" Figgy said, taking his attention from Zeza to nuzzle his mate. Well, his companion anyway. "You should still take it easy though, for today at least. I think," he added, so he didn't sound bossy. "But good that you're not feeling sore anymore."

"So is Zeza here some sort of Decoration? or Deterrent ?" She asked curiously.

"Hopefully, a very powerful deterrent," Figgy said, his attention returning to the... contraption? Creature? What was she? Figgy didn't know what to call her yet. He raised his paw carefully, then spread his digits. Vines twisted around the crocodile's head and slowly, the jaw opened. Then when Figgy closed his paw, the jaws snapped shut. "I figure we can stay safely in the tree and I can control her from up there, to hunt for us and, if needed, fight for us. But it'll take a lot of work to get her to move right.
"In the mean time, food it is," Figgy said, heaving his doughy body off the ground. Just standing took a great deal of effort, and the round lion tried his best not to show Destiny just how difficult it was. "I'll be back soon with more food," he said. "Don't go anywhere!"

He left her for a bit, but soon Destiny would hear him calling. "Hey, mum-to-be! Come look what what's for lunch!" When Destiny came (if she came), she would see Figgy struggling to drag a very large hippo from the water. "I caught her in a trap overnight," he said, looking proud, and not too dissimilar a shape from the hippo. "Ehh, hope you're hungry!" He grinned, green eyes and white teeth twinkling.

[This Land]

Destiny watched, with her jaw half open in amazement as Figgy could control this Crocodile he had made.
"It seems like it could very much in handy, and very clever !" she nodded.

Her ears perked up from the mention of food. She indeed had already ate, but what was stopping her ? In her mind it was a matter of the more the better. She wanted her cubs strong and healthy. It wasn't usually her instinct to eat more then she felt necessary before she fell pregnant. Bus as with what happened last night, her pregnancy wasn't just changing her appearance, but her mind too.

She breifly took a few paces towards a small vein of water that was fed by the river, lapping up some much needed morning hydration and to wash down her previous meal.

"Hey, mum-to-be! Come look what what's for lunch!"

She turned and looked into the near distance where Figgy was, dragging out what appeared to be an enormous hippo. She briskly leapt in enthusiasm towards him before turning into a brief pace, she soon caught up to him and took no time in helping him pull the hippo the final few paces.

"Ehh, hope you're hungry!"

Destiny gazed at Figgy with widened eyes, looking into his own endless green ones. She didnt say anything, just a subtle smile and almost frantic nod. In normal cases she would let Figgy take the first bite out of courtesy. However, this time bizarrely, she dug straight in. She clawed and mauled her way into the soft easy to chew parts and began to feast.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy watched Destiny eat a little enviously. Truthfully he wanted nothing more but to start stuffing his face like Destiny was doing, but... it didn't seem very chivalrous. Plus, he could stand to lose some weight. Instead he settled down next to her, running his claws down her back.

"Just wondering," he said aloud, "How old were you when you first manifested your powers? Just want to know what to expect from the cubs. Do you think they'll have powers straight away?"

Then again, maybe they'd never have powers. That would be a little frightening, having to teach them to hunt the old-fashioned way. He stood as Destiny ate and started opening up other parts of the carcass, exposing the soft flesh beneath the tough hippo skin. Just so Destiny had more options and less difficulty.

[This Land]

A 'feel good' shiver ran down her spine as Figgy ran his claws down her back. Though this didn't disturb her from eating. Though his next questions made her pause for a short moment. As she was thinking about her reply, she got distracted by figgy opening up the carcass more, which made it all the more inviting to carry on eating while she pondered over his question.

After a short while she stopped and turned

"For me, I always felt something was different when at a young age. I would see my pelt flicker in colour in very rare moments which I just put down to my mind playing tricks on me. Or my imagination was just really good, heh".

Destiny took another quick bite before turning back to him. Not so charmingly eating while she talked.

"It wasn't until the beginning of my older cub or early adolescents it became more apparent and started having regular occurrences that I had....gifts"

"This is all new to me, I don't know if my cubs may or may not have powers, or when they manifest, could be at the same age as when I did....I don't know..."

Destiny paused in her words, remembering last night, she took a hard swallow to empty her mouth so her words would be clearer.

"One thing that I'm still confused about, Last night with Hatima, I pretty much set him on fire...I have -never- done anything like that before. The only thing I know is a yellow glow came from my abdomen and wrapped around me....Do you think that....was one of my cubs ?" She tilted her head, seeming confused and curious.

[cheezeegriff]

"One thing that I'm still confused about, Last night with Hatima, I pretty much set him on fire...I have -never- done anything like that before. The only thing I know is a yellow glow came from my abdomen and wrapped around me....Do you think that....was one of my cubs ?" She tilted her head, seeming confused and curious.

"I'd bet my next meal on it," Figgy said, enjoying the sensation of her fur beneath his fingertips. For a moment he looked cross-eyed at a fly as it landed on his bloodied nose, but he swatted it away. "Either that, or really bad indigestion." He grinned.

"So. We may have a fire-wielding cub on our hands," he said, rolling a little closer. "I'll need to make our home more fireproof, it seems. Good thing there's plenty of water about.

"And that makes a name easier to choose, too," he said, then looked at Destiny knowingly.

[This Land]

Destiny simply smiled and nodded in a form of acceptance, the fire ability coming from the cub would be the only explanation. Maybe somehow she had 'borrowed' it in her time of need ? It was a fight or flight scenario with Hatima last night after all.

"Good plan, fire and cubs sounds like a perfect way to cause trouble, lets just hope its controllable heh."

"Certainly makes the name giving easier, though properly not make it too obvious though" she said, playfully nudging him.

Destiny then leant over and tore off another morsel of meat before stretching out, while also leaning snug into his side. With a bellyful of food (and cubs), the sun getting stronger in the sky, her body radiated with warmth. Coincidence being what they were just talking about. She reflected for a short moment, tucking her head down and looking at how much she had changed these past months, and what she used to be. Alot had changed.

Even though it felt as if these months had flown by, she was still only half way until the cubs would arrive. Her tail flicked with a subtle sense of impatience, as much as a gift it is to bear growing life.

She rolled over onto her back, shuffling side to side to relieve an itch, before rolling back and playfully pawing Figgy's side.
"So, another new day. What's the plan ? Fancy a walk ?"

[cheezeegriff]

"Certainly makes the name giving easier, though properly not make it too obvious though" she said, playfully nudging him.

"Ha. Fair enough," Figgy said, grinning back.

"So, another new day. What's the plan ? Fancy a walk ?"

Figgy looked down at Destiny's distended belly. Not just from the cubs, not just from the weight she'd put on, but mostly from the massive meal she just ate. A smile crept onto his face. He took pride in his work as a provider, after all. "You sure you don't want to sleep that off first?" Figgy said. "Also, where would we walk to? Our island is only a few dozen yards long after all. Unless you'd fancy a swim?"

[This Land]

"A swim, even better idea" She said eagerly. She had some newfound energy that she wanted to embrace. Maybe it was because the threat of Hatima had practically gone, he couldn't survive could he ? It was a bittersweet realization but a needed one. Also, The pain in her belly had gone and things felt like they were settling back to normal with less concerning danger. Plus, She felt she had cleared the air a bit in regards of solitude when needed. Things just felt....brighter, and better chances of a happier life. She had a wave of optimism and she wanted to embrace it, play with it.

She leapt (only just} onto her paws, her legs trembling a little from her weight.
"And I dont want to be alone..."
Destiny took a brief step towards Figgy, leaning over and playfully biting the nape of his neck, motioning him to get up.