A Rouge's Journey

[Dakota]

As soon as karensha pulled on his whiskers, she knew what would be forthcoming, and sure enough.
"Really, Pulling whiskers? What are you, a cub?"

Closing her eyes for a moment squeezing them tightly, Karensha took a breath and turned so she was facing him again, leaning in towards him she held her voice steady.

"You are so lucky it was just your whiskers that I pulled. The last 'thing' that had the unfortunate business of thinking I was just a female and decided to take me on, ended up with one of his eyes being skewered on the end of my claw, and it didn't end all pretty.There's alot you don't know about me basilisk, so I wouldn't push your luck if I was you."

Moving back, Karensha lowered her gaze so she wouldn't meet the other lions eyes, and moved beside Maisha. Looking back at him as he still stood there defending himself, she had to admire him slightly, standing up for himself and his silly words, maybe he would come in handy after all, she wouldn't leave him behind if he wanted to come along with them, maybe she could change his way of thinking. Grinning to herself she recalled his words. 'I like your attitude'., maybe there was some hope for him afterall.

[Lyonize]

Uriah watched as Karensha threatened Basilisk. Obviously, Basilisk had never talked to others a lot. He just couldn't choose his words carefully. Karensha got done telling him off and walked walked over to the other lioness, Maisha. He could see a small smile across her face. Uriah couldn't help but smile too. He looked over at the dark lion and spoke just loud enough for him to hear though he didn't know if Karensha could hear.

"Ever wonder why it's the females in a pride that usually hunt?" He asked the rhetorical question and then winked. Uriah looked back at the rest of the group.

"Well, now that that's behind us, why don't we decide what to do next."

[blaqk.noise]

"The last 'thing' that had the unfortunate business of thinking I was just a female and decided to take me on, ended up with one of his eyes being skewered on the end of my claw."

"I don't doubt that, but do keep in mind that I am not the last 'thing'. I have had my fair share of combat, it would be wise if you did not underestimate me."

Basilisk looked over to the group still eating, and looked back at Karensha.

"I am not here to fight you though, I am here to help you. Keep that in mind."

"Well, now that that's behind us, why don't we decide what to do next."

"Well seeing as we don't know where we're going, why don't we just throw a stick up into the air and watch it land. Whichever way it points, we'll go" Basilisk suggested sarcastically

[Dakota]

Maisha stood there listening, she hadn't enjoyed herself in so long, she loved these little events where everyone got to know each other..sooo much better.

She could see the smirk on the snow leopards face, it was good to see that her sense of humour hadn't deserted her, when the going got tough, or though maybe karensha being around her this long was what had improved things there.

The lioness moved forward and towards the two lions smiling.
"well, well, so what we have here is one of you who can't hold things back and likes to say whats on his mind and the other who thinks before he speaks... this should be very interesting indeed.. quite a pleasant journey all things considered."

Maisha turned towards Sereana who was still fussing over leela.
'you would think that girl would be shimmying over here, trying to find a daddy for that cub, but nooo, there she sits with her back turned, oh well, more fun for me I think.

"So boys, now the introductions are over and we've all decided we are staying together, you think we might shake a leg and get cracking...or... are there more pleasantries to come ?"
Maisha started to move in the direction ahead of them, but heard Basilisk's comment
"Well seeing as we don't know where we're going, why don't we just throw a stick up into the air and watch it land. Whichever way it points, we'll go".
Looking over her shoulder at him, she winked.
"doesn't bother me, as long as the stick points in this direction, now shall we all gather our thoughts and such and make a move, I'd really love a bath sooner than later."

[Lyonize]

"Doesn't bother me, as long as the stick points in this direction, now shall we all gather our thoughts and such and make a move, I'd really love a bath sooner than later."

Uriah chuckled.
"Sounds good to me."

Uriah stood up and stretched one leg after another and then stretched his back lowering his chest to the ground. He stood up strait, yawned and shook his mane.
"Well then, I guess we ought to get moving. Shall we?" He said nodding in the direction of the jungle.

[blaqk.noise]

"Well then, I guess we ought to get moving. Shall we?"

"Probably should," Basilisk replied, "no sense in wasting anymore time just sitting here."

He wasn't sure where this place they were looking for was, but from the way they described it, it didn't seem like such a bad place to be. He might even hang around for a while when they find it... if they find it.

He looked over to Maisha and Karensha, "lead the way."

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched everyone. She wasnt really in the mood to do anything. She licked Leela and smiled lightly. Her ears twitched nack and forth as she heard people talking. Her eyes caught Maisha watching her. A sig escaped her mouth and she stood up.
"Follow me Leela.. please. "
She stretched and walked forward slowly making sure that the little one was following. She walked by Maisha and tried not to growl. Knew Maisha never liked her much. She continued walking and then stopped to look around. She needed to get to the top to see if she could find Nadayshana. Then again, she didnt know if she even wanted to find her. Maybe only her body.. Or parts of her body... It wasn't good. She closed her eyes and looked over at the boys. They were...decent.. But there wasnt anything inside of her or outside of her that would attract them, so why try? She looked at Leela and picked her up, placing her on her shoulders.
"Relax baby. "
She smiled and waited to see who was going to move first.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood silent beside Memkra, watching and listening what was happening to everyone, her eyes flicked briefly over sereana with the cub, for some reason she couldn't put a paw on it, she knew trouble would be forthcoming sooner or later with her.she just wasn't sure what it was going to be about.

Shaking the lilac fur away from her eyes once more, she tried to hold back a grin when she saw Maisha had stationed herself by the two new males. Glancing at them both, she knew that the journey ahead of them would certainly be interesting and full of suprises if the lioness had her way.

"So.. if we're already to go ? Memkra, are you ready as well, you haven't said much?"

[genie]

Memkra had been concentrating on the trees the whole time and glanced around to being spoken to and at that moment there was a eerily calling laughter as 3 hyena looking creatures leaped from the trees and several more from the bushes. They were like hyenas yet not, for one thing, they were on par with Memkra himself, another was that they looked grostesquely vile.

There was little time to take things in, 2 landed on Memkra knocking him over and snapping at him as others wheeled round for the others in group.

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

Leela screaled and shooked on her mothers back, she was terrified.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood there waiting for Memkra to reply, it was strange that he hadn't been forthcoming with any conversation, he had just kept staring at the trees. About to repeat herself, she saw the look of anger of the lions face the same time she heard loud noises burst through the bushes at where they all stood.

The snow leopards eyes widened at the grotesque creatures that launched themselves at Memkra knocking him to the ground. Not waiting any further, her battle skills that her father had knocked into her, came to the fore. Screaming loudly at Maisha to protect Sereana and the cub, Karensha let out a warcry of her own and attacked at the first thing that was in front of her.

Keeping her eyes on the animal she slowly moved to the right taking him away from the others, she needed to get it on its own, then the games could begin.
The smell came towards her first, finding its way up her nostrils almost making her gag, blinking slightly she blocked off all thoughts and kept moving, her front shoulders slightly hunched over.
Her eyes never moved from his, it seemed to be watching her closely as well, they both weren't sure who was going to make the first move, but karensha kept circling, she was trying to find somewhere she could back him up against, so he had nowhere to run.

Taking a step towards him, she let a growl escape from the corner of her muzzle as she unsheathed her claws, and then waited . It seemed suprised almost that she hadn't rushed in, she would bide her time, let him move first she thought.
Just at that moment the creatures eyes flickered moving away from hers, and Karensha made her move. Leaping straight at it, she used her head and shoulders as a battering ram against its side, where she could see the softest part of the animal, and as she hit, her claws came up under it and dug into flesh bringing her paws down in one swift movement and then pulling away hearing the sound of tearing flesh coming attached still to her talons.

Hearing the roar of pain from the animal, she pulled her self back away from him, but not fast enough as one of its paws gripped her lilac fur tuft, and threw her to the ground. Her head hit first, but thankful it wasn't hard, just soft from the decomposing matter,so all she felt was a shudder ripple down her spine. Pushing her self back up as fast as she could, she turned at lept at it, her anger taking over now.

With claws at the ready, they raked at its fur and skin, her teeth connecting as well, The more he moved the more she ripped, and she felt some answering blows to her slim body as well. Battling hard she could feel the taste of blood coating her tongue and teeth, and her feet were sliding on the ground, she wasn't sure whether it was her blood, his or just the slime on the ground.
She needed to end this and end it quick, her patience was running out. Pushing at him hard her claws pushed in once again and twisted in its flesh, while her other paw came up and scraped at the animals face, pulling at its eyes, and whatever soft tissue she could find. Feeling its strength start to subside, Karensha let out a yell and pushed it away, leaving the creature shuddering and gasping for breath lying on the ground, and then turned back to see what was happening behind her.

[blaqk.noise]

Basilisk stood there as he waited for the group to start moving. He sat down and looked up into the sky. He stared at it for a while and started day dreaming. He heard sounds coming towards them and quickly stood up and took a fighting stance. Suddenly 3 creatures jumped out and 2 of them jumped on the one called Memkra, while the other circled with Karensha. Basilisk figured that she could handle herself, so he ran to Memkra and grabbed on of them and threw it off, he did the same to the other hoping that it would give Memkra enough time to get away, or get up and ready to fight, whatever Memkra chose. Basilisk picked one and lunged at it while it was still getting up from his throw. He quickly swiped it across the face with his claws, which quickly sent it back down. He raised his paw about to bring it down to it's throat, and hopefully be a finishing blow.

"This was easier than I thought it would be." Basilisk thought.

Just as he was bringing his paw down, the creature brought it's paw and swiped his away in a last attempt to save it's life, but Basilisk quickly used his other paw and covered it's eyes so it couldn't see, and tried swiping his claw again, this time he connected and the creature quickly died. He used his paw and closed it's eyes as a sign of respect. He looked over at Karensha and saw that the other creature was behind her. It began to run towards her just as she looked back.

"She's going to owe me after this." He thought to himself as he ran towards it.

Just as it was about to hit her, he intercepted it and tackled it to the ground. He held it down as it tried to wriggle itself free.

"Care to take the final strike?" He asked looking up at her.

[Dakota]

Karensha turned quickly as she heard the thud of heavy paws coming towards her, it seemed another hideous creature thought it was his lucky day. Flicking her fur back off her face, she licked her lips and then spat the disgusting taste on the ground, her stance one of determination.

One moment it was coming towards her and the next Basilisk had tackled it to the ground and was, she thought smirking at her.
"Care to take the final strike?"

Karensha took a step towards him slowly and whispered in his ear
" didn't your mother tell you not to play with your food ?"

Pulling back she moved by the creature, looking at it in disgust and put it out of it's misery with one sharp thrust into its neck and a quick pull to the side. Stepping away she didn't bother looking back when the sounds of gurgling reached her ears, she was too busy watching Maisha standing in front of the cub and Sereana, trying to shelter them.

[genie]

Memkra was now back on his feet and fighting against the hyena like thing, it was comparable to his own strength and the sparing was fairly evenly matched, at least it for for a short while. Another creature jumped on his back and was biting at his neck, if not for the thick mane on his neck it might of been bad at that moment. But it was bad enough, Memkra had blood seeping into mane and he could't fight as well with a weight on back. Yet he could't back up, not with that eerry and uninvitingly looming jungle hiding who knows what. Every time he tried to turn to bite at one on back, the one in front of him would push the attack. From somewhere in his vision he saw more flanking around him and going for the others, he cursed, he could't die here.. that cub needed protection.

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched as the hyenas sprung out of no where and onto them. She growled and got into a fighting stance. She knew that she wasn't going to attack with Leela, but they didnt. The more Memkra stood in front of her, the more upset she became. She knew how to protect her own cub...that aggravated her a little. She growled and put leela on the ground. She grabbed on by the back of the leg and pulled it off Memkra. Her paws then grabbed the hyena by the hips and yanked it to the ground. It squirmed and swiped trying to escape. She dug herclaws into its side as her teeth bit into its neck. A small chuckle escaped her muzzle as she pulled back, breaking its neck. She dropped it and licked her chops not looking at anyone. That had been the most fun she had in a while. She cleared her throat and out Leela back onto her back. She lghty sniffled and licked Leelas head. Her eyes stayed at the ground but she spoke to Memkra.
"Are you ok...?"
She would have asked Karensha, but she seemed to be getting cozy with the new comer.

[Lyonize]

All at once, several hyena like creatures emerged out of the thick jungle seemingly coming from the shadows. Whatever they were, their intentions were not of peace. Soon, the other lions were attacking the vile looking monsters. Uriah wasn't good at fighting but he had learned a few things from his brother. He allowed himself to be surprised for only a few seconds but then moved his firm gaze toward the attackers in a defensive stance.
Uriah had to think of something quick. What to do? What would Zoba do? The answer was easy. Protect the cubs.

Uriah rushed over to protect Leela. He would wait for one of the creatures to approach. He had to stay within a few meters of the cubs.

One of the hyena like animals had spotted Leela and began to charge. It didn't seem to see Uriah so he tackled it to the ground before it had a chance to get close to Leela. Uriah quickly threw his paw down on the animals face and broke it's neck. One down. Before Uriah had time to regain his composure, another one came out of nowhere and leaped at him. He brought a paw up to swat it out of the air but it caught his arm and dragged him down to the ground. Another one had already come up to Uriah while he was still on the ground. He roared and swung his arms at the two beasts in an attempt to make them move so he could have room to get up and keep fighting.

[Dakota]

Maisha stood there trying to guard Sereana and Leela, she knew they were the weakest in the link, and there was no way anything was touching the cub. Baring her teeth and growling, he head flicked from side to side watching all that was happening, and who was fighting who. Her eyes fell to Karensha,
one thing about that snow leopard, she puts up one good fight, whoever taught her, was a good teacher, nothing slows her down.

Shifting her weight from one paw to the other, the lioness watched as Memkra was tackled and heaven aboves who should push her out of the way and rush into to save him, but Sereana.
well, well the little mouse has roared , maybe there is some help for her afterall, and lookie see who she ran to save

Maisha looked over to see Karensha had lowered her body and was stalking those that were cowering over Uriah, but had looked up and over at her, signalling for her to join in.
Moving forward, the snowleopard on one side and herself on the other, they both charged and landed on the creatures at the same time.
Claws and teeth were used, as the females attacked and fought them off and away from Uriah, they werent sure how many were still going to emerge from the jungle, but for now, they seemed to be winning.

[blaqk.noise]

" didn't your mother tell you not to play with your food ?"

"Possibly," Basilisk replied, "nothing wrong with a little rebellion here and there though."

He watched as she thrust her claws into it's neck.

"Beautiful," Basilisk thought as he listened to the gurgling, "Music to my ears."

He treated this one the same as the other. He closed it's eyes and put it down gently. He looked back over at Karensha and Maisha as they took down the last one. He was sure that no more would show up, but he kept alert just in case.

[genie]

Memkra suddenly received help from a unexpected source, Sereana who grabbed the creature that was on his back, this allowed Memkra to concentrate on the one in front. This one was bigger than the one that'd been on back and it took a bit longer than Sereana's fight but he managed to get it down finally by getting a choke hold on its throat, hence killing it.

Sereana asked if he was ok and he nodded and then walked up to her and touched the side of her head with his, a sorta lion hug in appreciation.

It was at that point another creature unnoticed entered the battlefield. One point Leela was there sitting on her mother's back, the next she wasn't. The creature had speedily crossed the area and snatched Leela in mid jump, holding her body in its mouth. But it seemed the creature had misjudged her weight and its speed had reduced.

Memkra saw red and was after it in a instant, he caught up to the creature before it reached the jungle line and grabbed it in his mouth. Leela flew from the creature mouth and tumbled on the ground a little away. Memkra in fury shook the creature in the air. Though normally passive with spiritual connection to the world - a believe in not killing needlessly, it was not absolute. He brought it down on the ground with greater strength than he had used in fighting the other creatures, its neck broke in a clean blow, instantly dead.

Dropping the body Memkra turned and the fury instantly melted into horror, Leela was still laid on the ground where she had fallen, she hadn't moved. Her body was covered in blood and it looked like she was limp. On closer inspection he saw she was barely breathing still, raspy little breaths. She seemed to stir as he came closer and little whimpering sounds came from her mouth "M-m-u-m-ee... h--el-pp... m-um--mmeee..."

((ooc: i'm not killing her)

[Dakota]

Karensha breathed a sigh of relief, at last it seemed as though there weren't any more vile creatures emerging from the jungle , ready to attack and try and take their lives. maybe they could gather together and move off forward with Basiliks knowledge of where they were all now stranded.

Turning around fast when she heard Memkra roar, she saw he was headed after one who was fleeing with something in it's mouth.
what on earth has it got, thats made Memkra wild with fury
Looking back she saw Sereana standing by herself with a pityful expression on her face, and there was no Leela to be seen.

Taking a few steps towards the lioness, Karensha tried to hold herself in check, breathing in and out slowly before she finally stood in front of her. Not caring that the others could hear, the snow leopard opened her mouth and let fly.

"YOU were meant to stay and protect the cub... YOU say you are her mother, yet you left her alone..alone, that means scared and all by herself."

Karensha bought her paw up and was about to hit the lioness across the face, but caught hold of her anger in time, and lowered her paw resheathing her claws.

"Why do you think Maisha stood in front of you and Leela, risking her own life. ...WELL ?, no answer Sereana, well let me remind you. So you could LOOK AFTER THE CUB., but what do you do, you feel like apiece of the action as well, when all of us here, that was our job to protect those weaker than ourselves."

Karensha moved away from in front of Sereana, where she had blocked her view so she could finally see what Memkra was doing.Bringing up her paw she held it against sereana's face so she couldn't look away from what faced her.

" SEE what your foolhardy actions have done"

Giving the lioness a push towards Memkra and the badly injured cub, Karensha shook her fur tuft, again letting it cover her face so no one could see what her expression was, she turned and walked past them all and sat alone , trying to get her emotions under control.

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched as the creature took Leela.. Her heart sank and she was about to run over when KArensha jumped in front of her. She held everything back from just smashing the nasty girls face into the dirt. When she left, Sereana ran to leela. Teas already soaked her face. She looked at Memkra and hated him right now. She gently lifted Leela so she could get away from the rest of the group. She layed down and layed Leela back between her paws. He nose gently licked and stroked. Tears still continued to run from her eyes, and they werent stopping anytime soon. Her tongue still continued to ru along the wounds.
"Baby girl... Im so sorry...I.."
She had to stop talking. She was a horrible mother and now she had proof. Karensha was right... Sereana held her close to keep her warm. She softly hummed to keep Leela quiet. Once in a while her tongue would run along her body again to just help the bleeding.
"Im here...and Im not leaving you..."
This was true... she wasnt leaving her...but the rest of the group was a slight possibility.

[Lyonize]

Before Uriah had a chance to get up and start fighting again, the two creatures pinning him suddenly disappeared. Pausing for a moment he wondered if they had just run off. But upon lifting himself off the ground he realized that Maisha and Dakota had taken out the two beasts.

Uriah stayed in a position ready to fight with his claws extended. The remainder of the foul animals had apparently retreated or were being finished off by the others. He turned around to make sure that Leela was safe but she wasn't there. Had her mother hidden her? Where was she? Uriah would not be comfortable until he knew he had done his job in protecting her.

"Where is she?" he whispered to himself.

His eyes caught Sereana rushing over to something on the ground. Uriah lifted his head to see what it was. Immediately, his heart sank and he felt a lump form in his throat. He gasped when he realized the cut up thing lying on the ground was Leela.
Uriah had failed. The one thing he was focusing on was the one thing he was unable to do.

He staggered a bit and not know ing what to do, he backed into the jungle and walked a few meters into it. Part of Uriah wanted to find a place of solitude. Another part of him wanted to go and help Sereana with leela but his feet carried him into the jungle one short step at a time.

Uriah was so ashamed. He couldn't do what he had seen his brother do time and time again. Protect a cub from danger. When he was out of sight of the rest of the group. he turned around and sat down in a small clearing in the foliage.

Uriah looked at the ground thinking.
What did I do wrong? He asked himself. The answer came to him in his mind.
You weren't strong enough.
The thought devastated him. More questions came to his mind as his eyes teared up.
Why couldn't I have been strong enough? Why couldn't I be more like Zoba? Why did I have to be so bad at fighting?... Why?
Leela was dead and it was all his fault.

(I know Leelas not dead but Uriah thinks she is.)

[Dakota]

Karensha had moved further away from them all, so she couldnt see or hear anything, and then lowered herself down almost hiding her body behind a boulder.
Breathing in and out so fast, she was sure if she looked she would be able to see her heart pushing out from her chest trying to escape, adreneline soaring through her.
Lying there she tried to get herself under control, she had been put through so much when trained by her father, for what he wanted, it was just the smell of blood and carnage that always got to her. Ripping off leaves from an overhanging bush she rubbed her face and paws hard and urgent trying to be rid of the nausea that still rocked her body from the smell that rose to her nostrils.

Hearing a noise, she stopped and held her body still, alert as to what was coming. At first she thought whatever it was , was heading towards her, but she heard the rustling and the breaking of small branches veer off to the left, move forward and then stop.
Bringing her paw back to the ground, she slowly pushed herself up and stood there, her ears twitching listening intently.

Cautiously she moved forward away from her hiding place, and then stopped looking around her, it didn't seem to be an ambush of any sorts. Letting her claws protrude she carried on slowly making sure she stepped over anything that could give her away to whatever it was out there hiding.

Stopping suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise, it was the lion called Uriah, what was he doing just sitting there his body all hunched over. Karensha took a few more paces and stared at him again, was he ...shaking. Not sure what to do, she held herself still and waited, when into her mind flashed a scene from not so long ago when NightFlame had come to her aid, when she was paralised with fear, from her long hidden guilty secret.Knowing it was time to repay how he had helped her, Karensha moved forward till she was now standing in front of him.

Sitting down on her rump, she stayed silent for a moment, just letting the lion register he wasn't alone anymore and then bought up a paw and slowly stroked one of his own, back and forth.
"Uriah, it's Karensha... don't say anything just listen to what I'm going to say..please."

"You fought hard and proud back there, we all did, we fought for ourselves and for each other, sometimes we win and sometimes we don't, but when things turn out different to how we hope, you can't take it all on your shoulders, or else you turn yourself into something horrible and it eats away at you piece by piece, until in the end you may as well crawl away and curl up and wait for death."

Pausing for a moment Karensha wasn't sure what went wrong as to why he had come out here by himself.
" Uriah ?"
Using her paw, she bought it up placing it under his chin and lifted so his eyes met hers.
"Everyone is fine, the only thing that was hurt or killed, were those creatures that attacked us, and most of them are dead or have slunked back to where they came from, and you were part of what made that happen, you have nothing to be afraid about Uriah. Ok Leela is a little injured because Sereana didn't do what she should have, but the cub will get better with a little care and fussing over."

Letting her paw move from under his chin, she let it slide across his cheek in slow motion and then dropped back on the ground.
" Have you composed yourself now, for whatever is disturbing you, and think you can go back and join the others, we need to keep moving away from here, follow Basilisk I think?"

[blaqk.noise]

Basilisk looked around making sure the whole group was present. He may not have been in many groups, but he knew that you couldn't leave anyone behind. After a quick survey of the area, he concluded that everyone was here, in exception for Karensha and Uriah.

"Great," Basilisk thought to himself, "Why would you leave the group without telling anyone? Now I have to look for them."

He walked into the trees and followed a trail of broken branches and crushed leaves until he started to hear voices. He walked towards them, and found that they were coming from Karensha and Uriah. He stayed back a little and listened to them talk. When he felt that their conversation was over, and heard his name, he walked in.

"Have you composed yourself now, for whatever is disturbing you, and think you can go back and join the others, we need to keep moving away from here, follow Basilisk I think?"

"Yes, yes, everyone is fine. Nothing to cry over, though if there was, then sitting here wouldn't help at all. Now, if your all done chatting and crying I think that it would be best not to leave the rest of the group alone. As for following me, I would suggest a detour so that we don't walk further into the territory of those creatures that we just fought off. I highly doubt you want to try that again.

[Dakota]

Karenha's ear twitched, she knew someone was there listening to her talk to Uriah, she presumed it was Maisha, she was good at 'overhearing' things. When Basilisk stepped forward, she gave him an unwelcome stare but when he gave the remarks about crying, a growl carried up her throat resulting in a little snarl.

Stepping past Uriah, she moved to stand in front of the other lion, she wasn't sure what it was about him that rubbed her up the wrong way, but every time he opened his mouth, she surely wanted to slap it shut. Making sure that Uriah couldn't hear she spoke quietly in Basilisks ear.

" If I hear you taunt Uriah with the words crying one more time, I shall rip off your nose and shove it somewhere, that will make sitting down extremely hard for you."
Pausing, Karensha looked over her shoulder at Uriah still sitting there and then turned back once more.
" He fought with courage and grit back there, and yes.. even you, though I hate to admit it in case your head gets any bigger, we all did well, and for what ever reason he needs some space for a few minutes, you will let him have it, without any snide comments.

Flicking his ear with her paw, the snow leopard stepped back a fraction.
"well you wanted us all back together, what are you standing around for, Uriah will follow us soon, lets get going. Oh.. I'll follow you too, you know in case I stumble I can grab your tail ..well something like that."

Karensha grinned and licked her lips, giving him a small nudge.
"Uriah we're heading back to Leela and the others, join us when you are ready".

[Lyonize]

"You fought hard and proud back there, we all did, we fought for ourselves and for each other, sometimes we win and sometimes we don't, but when things turn out different to how we hope, you can't take it all on your shoulders, or else you turn yourself into something horrible and it eats away at you piece by piece, until in the end you may as well crawl away and curl up and wait for death."

Uriah heard her words of encouragement and it made sense but the pain was still there. He paused for a moment and then looked at Karenshas eyes.

"But... That doesn't change the fact that... we lost a cub."
He tore his gaze away from her but almost instantly, Karenshas paw came up to his chin and lifted his eyes to hers.

" Uriah ? Everyone is fine, the only thing that was hurt or killed, were those creatures that attacked us, and most of them are dead or have slunked back to where they came from, and you were part of what made that happen, you have nothing to be afraid about Uriah. Ok Leela is a little injured because Sereana didn't do what she should have, but the cub will get better with a little care and fussing over."

Uriah's heart leaped in his chest when he heard Karensha say that Leela wasn't dead. He hadn't failed completely. Leela was still alive and that's all that mattered to him now. His eyes widened with surprise. He couldn't think of what to say. Before he could, Karensha spoke to him again.

" Have you composed yourself now, for whatever is disturbing you, and think you can go back and join the others, we need to keep moving away from here, follow Basilisk I think?"

"I..." was all he could say before he was interrupted by Basilisk who had just come through the foliage.

"Yes, yes, everyone is fine. Nothing to cry over, though if there was, then sitting here wouldn't help at all. Now, if your all done chatting and crying I think that it would be best not to leave the rest of the group alone. As for following me, I would suggest a detour so that we don't walk further into the territory of those creatures that we just fought off. I highly doubt you want to try that again."

As Karensha moved around him to get to Basilisk, Uriah smiled slightly and rolled his eyes as if to say Here we go again. Karensha began speaking to the dark lion in a sharp, whispered voice. She obviously didn't want Uriah to know what she was saying but he still heard a couple words and understood the gist of what she was saying to Basilisk. He decided to step in and tell Karensha that he was fine now. Uriah stepped forward.

"Karensha. I'm fine now." He said with a smile. "And... thanks."

He paused for a moment while Karensha gave him a quick nudge.

"Uriah we're heading back to Leela and the others, join us when you are ready".

"Ill be right be hind you."
Uriah couldn't wait much longer to see Leela still alive. The last time he saw her, he thought she was dead.
When they were all back together, Uriah went over to Sereana and Leela just to see the cub. He sat down and just watched, letting the contentment that the cub was still alive set in. Wondering about Leelas condition, he turned and faced Karensha.

"Do you think she'll be able to travel yet?"

[genie]

Leela was with Sereana, being held but she was't really doing much moving, except for one ear that was twitching as in response to her mothers voice humming softly. But her eyes were glazed over and she was just stared blankly. Pperhaps internally Leela recognised her mothers voice and that was causing the twitching ear but externally... she was showing increasingly less response to stimuli.

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Memkra was in a agigated state and was pacing a little way away and went a little further away and suddenly roared mightily as ever you could hear a lion do so. He then pounded the ground over and over and shouted out "SPIIIIIRRRIIIITTT!!!!!!"

Nothing happened and it only infuriated Memkra more and he roared again, again nothing happened and Memkra hung his head down in despair. A cold wind blew and lights started falling from about fiveteen feet up to the ground and suddenly the ghostly blue form of the cheetah appeared again "Memkra... you were warned..."

Memkra jumped slightly as he relised the cheetah, Cheabosa was here again but quickly reacted with snarl as the words "I don't want to hear that! Help her - the cub... shes dying - take my life in exchange!" Though he meant it, there was desperation in his voice.

Seeming with no emotion either way, Cheabosa simple replied "The dead are dead, the living are alive whilst they live... Go the the oasis in the desert in the north and you may well die for your cub... Only the noble may pass on a drink that heals..." with that the spirit vanished and things felt warmer again.

Memkra was silent and looked down at the ground, north was beyond the rocks somewhat in the direction they had been headed, but did that mean there was a end soon, could they get away from this jungle and back to open ground. He just did't know, he did't know how he could persuade the others where to go either.

((ooc: just so everyone knows, memkra has a spiritual side, thats why he's able to see spirits, unless in your profiles your char probs have no idea what was going on in his 'one' way conversation, lol, but its upto you whether you think hes crazy or not, lol)

[blaqk.noise]

"If I hear you taunt Uriah with the words crying one more time, I shall rip off your nose and shove it somewhere, that will make sitting down extremely hard for you."

All Basilisk could do was laugh at her words.

"I love your fiery spirit Karensha. I swear I like you more and more every minute." Basilisk said as he smiled at her, "Now, if your done playing tough girl, I think it would be best if we got moving. We don't want any more of those things attacking us."

"well you wanted us all back together, what are you standing around for, Uriah will follow us soon, lets get going. Oh.. I'll follow you too, you know in case I stumble I can grab your tail ..well something like that."

"Nah, I'll follow you back to the group, I prefer to look at the scenery... well, something like that" Basilisk replied smiling again.

[Dakota]

The snow leopard turned away from Basilisk for a moment listening to Uriah tell them he was fine, for some reason he had thought the cub had perished back there in the fight, it was lucky she had heard him and come looking, for it seemed if they were to get out of this pit of misery, they would need every one they could who could fight and fight well.
Moving aside she let the lion pass her by, he needed to get back to where the others were waiting to see for himself that Leela was still alive.

Looking back at Basilisk, she just stared at him, she still wasn't sure whether he could be trusted or if he had a hidden agenda of his own, but she was beginning to enjoy their little barbs at each other, but still she hoped she would keep him on his paws, and not take her for granted, she could give as good if not better than what she got.

Waiting for him to move so she could then follow, he surprised her with his words.
"I love your fiery spirit Karensha. I swear I like you more and more every minute." Now, if your done playing tough girl, I think it would be best if we got moving. We don't want any more of those things attacking us.
"Nah, I'll follow you back to the group, I prefer to look at the scenery... well, something like that"

Keeping her face free of expression, Karensha moved past him holding her head proudly and shook her head making the lilac tuft fur float all around. Once she was in front she let a large smile appear on herface, then looking straight ahead she raised her voice and answered him back.
"Yes you had better follow, I'd hate for that misguided nose of yours to led you elsewhere, no sense of direction unless a female pointing it out for you.. oh and don't get to close to the scenery, you never know, it might jump up and bite you somewhere the sun hasn't seen in a while."

Grinning to herself still Karensha moved forward, she needed to see how the others were and how badly Leela was actually hurt. The air around them suddenly roared.
Memkra...whats wrong with him .
Surging forward she broke through the bushes and came to a stop, there was Memkra staring at a spot in front of him, but she couldnt see what was wrong. Moving towards Uriah she stopped.
"Do you think she'll be able to travel yet?"
" we need to wait and see, gather everyone together, where's Maisha, when you need her ?"

[blaqk.noise]

Basilisk watched Karensha as she walked by him with her head held high. He knew that she approved of his last comment, even though she didn't show it.

"Yes you had better follow, I'd hate for that misguided nose of yours to led you elsewhere, no sense of direction unless a female pointing it out for you.. oh and don't get to close to the scenery, you never know, it might jump up and bite you somewhere the sun hasn't seen in a while."

"Misguided nose? No, I should think not. adventurous would probably be a better term, and having a female show you the way just makes it that much more exciting. So graceful, but I don't think the scenery has any bad intentions at this point."

Basilisk followed her as she started to walk, but she suddenly began to run.

"And I thought that this was just going to be a nice walk. Another time I suppose" Basilisk said out loud to himself.

[Lyonize]

Uriah heard the roar that shook the air. He dug his paw pads into the ground as he kept up with Karensha. Mentally, readied himself for whatever or whoever it was. Breaking through the last bit of foliage, Uriah found it was Memkra who had been roaring. Uriah calmed himself down knowing that it was just one of the members of the group. He assumed that this was just Memkras way of dealing with the cub being injured or maybe it was just something he did as a battle cry after every time he fought.

Soon after he asked about Leela, Karensha answered.

" we need to wait and see, gather everyone together, where's Maisha, when you need her ?"

Uriah looked around to make sure he knew where everyone was. Karensha and Basilisk were right next to him, Memkra was in the area a ways away from where Leela and Sereana were. But where was Maisha?
Uriah paced back and forth to see if maybe she was behind a tree or a rock or something.

“Good question.”
He said looking around.

Uriah paced back and forth some more. Suddenly, he stepped in something cold. He thought it was just a puddle of water but when he looked down, it turned out to be a pool of blood from one of the creatures. Disgusted, Uriah lifted his paw to look at the bloodstains. He looked back and forth to find something to rub it off with. He couldn’t rub it off on his arm. What about one of those soft, fuzzy leaves? Uriah looked around to see if he could find one.

Upon searching a couple minutes for something to wipe the blood off with, he stepped on something fairly soft. Assuming it was one of the leaves he had been looking for, he continued to wipe the bloodstains off his paw. It was hard to tell what it was in this light.