*Prides Of The Savannah*

[Pulsar]

Legacy’s face went blank as he listened to what Bleak had to say. He looked at the ground slightly disappointed. Then slowly walked up to Bleak and placed a paw on his shoulder.
“Well done Bleak…… You managed to do well this time……”
Then he glanced at Gargoroth.
“You to Gargoroth, you did exceptionally well for your first mission…..”
He took his paw off of Bleaks shoulder and sat down.
“You did well; I know that making a decision like that would have been hard….”
He grinned slightly.
“Especially in knowing that making the wrong choice could cost you a leg or two…. You were right to leave him there for now…..”
Legacy stood up and turned around to look at Kiala.
“I do wonder why he would make such a gesture….. He surely can’t care for her that much….”
Legacy’s eyes narrowed as he thought for a moment.
“Well, what ever his reason for acting the way he did, it gives us a nice opportunity…..”
Then he turned around at faced the two of them again.
“I want you to bring Mino here….. He will indeed prove more…….. useful…. to our purpose then Kiala…… I’ve gotten all the information I needed out of her she is no further use to us….”
Legacy grinned evilly.
“No need to kill her though….”
He said in a devious tone as he turned around and stared at her.
“I’d like Mino to see what he is giving his life up for… maybe he’ll think twice when he finds out she betrayed their pride….. At any case, we’ll let her go back and keep Mino so he can suffer knowing he gave his life to let a traitor return home…..”
Legacy grinned. This could be entertaining.
“Now, go…. Bring Mino back here…. But be careful, I’d rather him not die on the way here….. So if needs be, you must carry him….”
He turned around to Bleak and Gargoroth.
“Do you understand your orders? If so then you might as well leave now…”
He finished as he turned around and sat down. His gaze locked on Kiala once more.

[Lorien]

Gargoroth nodded and turned to leave, only this time, not seeing if Bleak would follow behind. He was getting used to this...he like it, somehow.

____________________________________________________

Kiala kept quiet during the beginning of the conversation. Then when she heard that Mino wanted to take her place, she lifted her head and turned it around so that she could see them. Why would he do that? He didn't even know her. She turned her head back to the front and listened some more. What she heard hurt her. Legacy was right, she was a traitor. She didn't deserve to be set free while Mino takes her place. She shook her head as the tears came from her eyes. Another sob escaped her. She couldn't let this happen. Why should Mino pay for her foolishness? She slowly got up, a bit shaky, and turned around to face Legacy when they had finished. She looked at him stern in the face. It seemed that this little incident had cured her timidness, but it wasn't so. She was angry, at herself and at Legacy, and her anger shines through her timid nature.

"I won't let you do this." Her voice was calm as it could be and her eyes were not faltering. "Keep me, I deserve to be your prisoner." Her eyes now seemed to be pleading. She looked to the ground, knowing that her words would not do anything to help her cause. "I know I'm not much use to you...but.." She looked up at him again, the tears coming forth again. "Don't make Mino pay for my actions. I don't care what you do to me, just don't bring him into this..." She turned her head away. She didn't deserve to live, and Mino didn't deserve to be here in her place while she went free. She had betrayed the pride that had given her a home, and she couldn't face them again, not now after what she had done to them. She sat on the ground, hoping that Legacy would somehow change his mind.

[Kirsui]

Bleak followed Gargoroth. This was already the third time they had to go to the Otana lands.
I suppose I could get used to this... he thought. All though... I usually am spending a lot of time on their territory, but not like this.
Bleak grinned slightly as he recalled Legacy's words.
So she spoke then, he thought. But I don't think we need to say that to Mino... Would be a nice surprise to him.
His grin grew wider. Yes, that would be a perfect little surprise for that weakling.

As Bleak and Gargoroth reached the Otana lands, Bleak's grin faded away again. He had absolytely no expression on his face as he headed towards the cave where Mino and Fire were. He lifted his head up as they got closer.
"Now... Lets see if he still wants to 'save' Kiala" Bleak said with a slight grin. When they reached the entrance of the cave again, Bleak stopped and looked inside.
"Hello, again" he greeted the two lions inside.

[Pulsar]

Mino looked up when Bleak and Gargoroth returned to the cave. He had some time to think about what he said while they were gone, but his decision was still the same.
“Well?”
He said in a slightly annoyed tone of voice waiting for them to say what they had to say.
Mino knew his possible fait if he went through with this trade, but he was also aware that they could keep both him and Kiala and then have two hostages. But to any rate even a small chance of her being set free was enough for him to risk his life.
He stared at the ground waiting for them to speak, his heart racing over the wait.
He was nervous, but he wasn’t going to change his mind. She after all was in prefect health, he wasn’t. She had a life to live, he really didn’t.
If I have to die at Legacy’s paw so she can live to see the rest of her life, then so be it.

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

Legacy smiled, like a cub did, when it got its way.
“OH dear….. You mean to tell me you want to, no wait, you are staying here? Like as though some divine force has given you the right?”
Legacy started laughing loudly.
“That’s splendid, I love it! How very amusing… very amusing indeed…”
He said as he stopped laughing and rubbed his eye as if wiping away a tear of laughter. Then his face went blank.
“You don’t have any right here Kiala, nor do you have any say…. Mino will come here, and you WILL return home….. And you will have to live with the guilt of what you did today…..”
Legacy said as he grinned evilly at her…
“And do you know why? Because you have no choice! That’s why! You don’t have the courage to change this situation, and no matter how much you can muster together, you still won’t be able to…..”
Legacy chuckled lightly to himself as he lay down and crossed his paws.
“So just lay back and enjoy the show, because that’s all you’ll be able to do….”
He paused for a moment as his grin grew wider.
“You should be happy about the fact you are going to live…. And of all the pain and suffering Mino is going to endure….. I know I will…..”
He finished as he chuckled to himself once more. He was enjoying every moment of this. Then he went silent, his gaze still on Kiala, and his grin still on his face. As a reminder of what was soon to come.

[Kirsui]

Bleak grinned at Mino.
He still wants to save her, I can see it from his face, Bleak thought amused. He kept silent for a brief moment.
"There has been a change of plans" he said. "Legacy will accept you as a trade of Kiala's freedom. You will come with us, now."
Bleak's grin grew wider.
"There's no way back now, Mino" he said, then turning to look at Fire. "And you can do absolutely nothing. We will take Mino with us, and you will stay out of this, do I make myself clear?"
Bleak glared at Fire for a moment, turning to face Mino again.
"Now" he said with a blank face. "You clearly are not able to walk to the Jahina lands, so it seems that you have to be carried. It is also the faster way to get to the Jahina lands and set Kiala free."
Bleak didn't say anything else. He walked to Mino and lowered himself a bit so that Mino could climb to his back.

[Fire]

Fire continued to stare out into the land. He couldn't help the feeling that something was wrong... very wrong. He looked back at Mino "Yeah, I'm fine..."

____________________________________________

With Bleak suddenly storming in and telling of Kina's whereabout's, Fire gasped in shock and fury raged through. He had to hold his ground, though. Even though that Bleak was a little weaker than Fire, he was sure slyer and craftier. When Bleak wanted to take Mino back for hostage, Fire growled loud and low. When he looked over to Kiala with the fear in her eyes, he knew that he had no choice but to let Bleak take Mino. Even though that he didn't know what they did to Kiala, by the looks on her face, they sure did a number to her mental state of mind. "How will I know that I can trust you two?..... After all... You do work for Legacy... As a..." He held his tounge at the words that he was going to say. Not a smart choice for the current situation. "Where is Kiala?......... I want to know where she is....."

[Kirsui]

Bleak turned to look at Fire.
"Kiala is on the Jahina territory" he replied and then grinned. "I'm sure Legacy will take a good care of her..."
Bleak then turned to look at Mino again.
"You coming or do I have to make you come?" he asked a bit coldly.

[Pulsar]

Mino looked at Bleak with a blank face. One that suggested he wasn’t going to argue or resist. Slowly he managed to pull himself up onto Bleak’s back, but not before he looked at Fire… That was probably the last time he was going to see his best friend again…
“It’s ok Fire….. I…. I’ve made my choice….. Please… don’t fight…. I’ve taken as much of this war as I can… I couldn’t see you hurt trying to save me… You’ve always been my closest friend….… You were always there when I needed someone to talk to…. I couldn’t ask for a better friend…. ”
Mino could have gone on, but that would just have made things harder.
“Let’s go….”
He said in a low voice letting Bleak know they could leave now, not that Bleak would have cared.

[Fire]

Fire growled low and then lunged at Bleak, only to stop at his face just inches from Bleak's. The look of hatred in his eyes made daggers look like foam candy-canes compared to what Fire was giving Bleak. "If you or Legacy touches either one of them..." He gets out his razor-sharp claws. "... you will die by my paw... Got it?..."

He retreates back a little, watching and hearing Mino get onto Bleak's back. The last time I will ever see him again... That's one promise I won't let you keep, Mino...

[Kirsui]

Bleak looked Fire into eyes. His eyes flashed slightly, but he didn't say anything. He stood up and started walking away, motioning Gargoroth to follow.
I shall inform about this to Legacy, he thought with a slight grin as he carried Mino on his back. Bleak looked around every now and then, making sure other Otanas weren't nearby.

As they reached the border, Bleak headed once again towards the place where Legacy was waiting. A glight smirk appeared to his face for a moment when he thought about the moment when Mino would find out that Kiala had told what Legacy wanted to know. As soon as Bleak could see Legacy, the smirk dissappeared and he had a blank expression.
Bleak placed Mino down when they reached Legacy and Kiala. He then turned to look at Legacy.
"He is here now" he said and bowwed with his head slightly.

[Lorien]

Kiala all the while was just sitting there, awaiting for the two to return. She turned around so that she was no longer facing Legacy, it hurt her too much to look at him. Mino was going to be here in Legacy's grasp and it was all her fault. Why did he have to volunteer himself? She could have held out on her own.

When she saw Bleak and Gargoroth return with Mino, she rushed over as Bleak sat him down. "Mino!" Then she stopped, and a sad look came to her face. "Why did you..." She looked away, ashamed to say anything more.

[Pulsar]

Mino looked at Kiala as she spoke to him. Opening his mouth he went to speak, but found that he couldn’t say the words that where on his mind. He looked at the ground for a moment before looking back up at Kiala.
“I did it for you…..”
Was what he finally managed to utter out of his mouth in nothing more then a faint whisper. At that time, his heart had been racing, but not because he was scared of what Legacy would do to him, but for Kiala.

Legacy stood up and walked over to Bleak, giving him a slight nod that it was well done. Then he sat down and stared at Kiala and Mino, thinking of the best way he could make them both suffer.
“So Mino, is it?.... It seems that we meet again….”
Legacy finally spoke as a smirk appeared on his face.
“I’m surprised you survived after our little…. ‘Encounter’….. Awhile back….”
He said as he chuckled to himself.
“Let her go Legacy….. She is no use to you, and is of no threat…..”
Mino said as he looked up and glared at Legacy.
“I do my dear Mino, in time I will let her go…..But first I thi….”
But before he could finish Mino interrupted him.
“I thought you were a lion of your word! So keep it and let her go!”
Despite however right Mino thought he was, interrupting Legacy wasn’t the smartest way of getting the point across. But for some reason Legacy didn’t do anything or respond fiercely.
“Very well…. I’ll release her now…. But before she goes…. I’d just like you to know just who you are so blindly giving your life up for……”
Legacy grinned as he spoke, his intentions clear.

“You see Kiala, upon spending some of her time with me here, was so generous enough to….. Inform me of your prides leaders…… And where I might find them…”
Legacy stopped as he watched a look of shock appear on Mino’s face. He knew that being a guard of his Pride, Mino put the safety of his pride before his very life, and the releasing of such information that could threaten the king’s life, would be considered a total disgrace.
“Kiala? Is…. Is it true?”
Mino’s voice trembled slightly as he turned and looked at Kiala in a sorrowful disbelief.
“Oh yes, it’s true…..”
Legacy started, answering Mino’s question for her. Mino wouldn’t have believed him if it was any other situation, but from the look on Kiala it was clear, that he wasn’t lying. Mino didn’t say anything; he didn’t know what to say. He just looked at the ground a look of doubt on his face.
“I bet you wish you hadn’t made your choice now do you Mino? Go on, you know you can tell us, after all…. You’re going to be spending some time with us….”
Legacy said as his grin grew wider. And for a brief moment everything was silent.
“No…..”
Mino finally said in a low voice.
“No, I don’t regret my choice….. And if I had that choice again I’d still choose this path…..”
He said in a stern voice as he looked up at Legacy and frowned. Legacy, returning a frown, didn’t seem pleased with Mino’s answer. It was hardly the one he was expecting.
“Then you are a fool Mino, Not just a weakling…….. You are giving your life so that a traitor to your pride can go free…..”
Legacy stood up, but continued to look at Mino.
“I don’t care what she has done…. I don’t care…..”
Was Mino’s response, slightly weaker then his first, as he stared at the ground still his mind in deep thoughts about the situation.
Legacy walked up to Mino and looked down at him curiously.
“What would make you want to give your life for a traitor to your pride?..... Not even that but one you probably barely even know…”
Legacy raised an eyebrow, waiting to see what answer he would get. But all Mino did was look at Kiala.
Because I….. I…..
Mino thought to himself, but even then couldn’t find the courage to say what he felt he should.
“I see…. So that’s why…..”
Legacy didn’t need an answer from Mino to understand his reasons; it was clear enough to anyone that was smart enough to take notice. Legacy Looked at Bleak and Gargoroth out of the corner of his eye, then back at Mino.
“Very well, I’ll keep my word…”
Then he looked at Kiala and frowned.
“You are free to go………”
Pausing for a moment, he turned around so his back was to Kiala and Mino.
“Bleak, Gargoroth…. See that Kiala is escorted to our borders, and stay and watch to make sure she heads home, and doesn’t try anything she or Mino might regret…”

[Fire]

Fire watched the two lions head off, crying deep inside of himself as he turns his back to them and walks into the cave. He stares out into the spaceful sky and thoughts of his past start rushing to him.

______________________________________

"Goddamnit... Another thorn!!"

This was the cry from Akida, a black lion that had been travelling for days. Leaning his head down to pull a thorn out of his paw, he grumbled slightly as he continues walking. Not one of his goood mood days, no siree. He already had several trip-ups with his legs and he had fell into a hole, accidentally of course. Maybe I should have rested today...

He comes across a cave that seemed like a good resting place for the time-being. His paw started to hurt from the recent thorn-pulling. Running towards it and finally reaching his destination, he peeks his head into the cave to see if no one was occupying it. He sees a red-maned lion that looked like he had some serious depression issues. Seeing as how he wasn't one that didn't want to see others in sadness, he approaches the lion, unaware of who he actually was. "Hey there... You okay?..."

Fire looks up from his down-in-the-dumps feeling to the black lion. "Wh-who are you?..."

"Heh heh. I'm Akida..."

Fire eye's widened to, literally, the size of golf balls. No way... I-It can't be... "A-akida?... Do you realize who you're talking to?..." He says this with a slight smile on his face.

Akida raises an eyebrow of confusion. "A moody lion?..." Hmm... He seems to know me as if I had been with him for a while... Wait a minute... Akida walks more over to Fire as Fire was getting up from his lying position. "Kita... Is that you?"

"Akida!!"

"Fire!!"

They both ran up to each other, head-butting playfully and then Fire pounces Akida with the biggest smile on his muzzle, Akida responding back with a playful nip to his ear and chuckling to himself, having also a very wide smile. "Oh my gosh... Fire... It's been so long..."

Fire looks down at Akida. "Yes, it has..." The two long-lost brothers were finally re-united. Even though that Fire had only met Akida for this short while, he had other plans to use Akida for help..

[Kirsui]

Bleak had been following the discussion between Mino and Legacy with interest. Thoguh he was a little surprised to hear Mino's reply when Legacy told about Kiala, Bleak's expression didn't change. He was good at hiding his emotions.

When Legacy gave him and Gargoroth the order to escort Kiala to the border of Jahina and Otana, Bleak walked up to the lioness.
"Ok, get up" he said with a blank expression, ready to start taking Kiala to the border with Gargoroth.

[Fire]

Fire and Akida talked like they had been together forever, with Akida filling in on what's been happing to him and unfortunately, the death of the family. "Fire... I'm sorry... When I came back to check on things... It wasn't my fault... Everyone was... Fire.. Come on..."

This was the sound of Akida calming and cooing Fire down. Fire had tears coming out of his eyes and was on the verge of crying. Fire pulled himself together when Akida was calming him down. "I'm fine... Man... I never thought that I would hear this..."

"Yeah, it's tough..." Akida walked away a little. "So... How have you been?..."

Fire then fills in about the war and the recent events of Kiala and Mino's ransom. Akida listened intently and then shakes his head slightly. "Fire, man... How could you live like this?... Back when we were together, you always were depressed when something bad happened."

"Well, I learned to cope with it... It wasn't easy at first, but I manage to do it... I still am depressed in situations like this, but courage of a lion helps me through... Some say that I would make a very good leader." Fire nods after his comment.

"That's good... You were always compassionate to others... We made a pretty good team babysitting all of those cubs, didn't we?"

"Ha ha. Yeah. They were a handful..."

They talked and talked for mintues on end, having laughs and sharing stroies of their adventures, making Fire happier and lighten his mood of the air.

[Lorien]

Gargoroth nodded to Legacy and went over to Kiala with Bleak. He looked down at her, looked at the marks he had left on her cheek, and grinned. This was getting interesting. He was definately glad that he had chosen to stay instead of going to some other land.

Kiala all the while shot him a look of purest loathing. He had been the reason she was here, and now Mino. She looked away, an angry look on her face. Why wasn't Mino mad at her? She had caused him so much trouble, yet he still wanted to go through with it. He even..stood up for her. She looked at him again, a sad look coming to her face. "Mino..," she whispered before looking to the ground. She then looked up at Legacy, her eyes pleading with him. "Please...Legacy...he's hurt. I have to pay for my own mistakes! I don't care what you do to me, just let Mino go back home..." She looked back to Bleak and Gargoroth, giving them both glares of hate. Looking back to Legacy, she knew it was probably no use to beg with him. She would have to take it as it is, and watch as Mino stayed and she went free. But she couldn't without trying to make ammends for her actions first.

[Fire]

After several moments of talking, Akida giggles a little, pouncing Fire after and pinning him down playfully. "Heh heh. So... Have you got a mate yet, Fire?"

Fire looked to the side for a moment with his eyes, light smile played on his face. "Weell... I'm not sure..."

"Oooo.." Akida leaps off of Fire and then sits his rump down on the ground with a big grin on his face. "I'm all ears... Who's the lucky lioness?"

"Her name is Tef... And she's one of the coolest lionesses I know... She... I can't explain it, Kida... She always so nice and cheerful... I have bee with her the best of the times and the worst of the times, and we both pull ourselves together when one of us feels down..."

"Fire... Go for it..."

Fire looks over to Akida with a confused expression. "Wh-what?... You serious?..."

"Totally, Fire... I think Tef is someone that you should keep... And if you care that much about her, I'm sure she feels the same way, right?..."

Fire looks down. "She doesn't even know that I like her that way... What if she doesn't feel that way for me, Kida?..."

"Come on now, Fire... You're kidding yourself. You are one of the nicest and caring guys I know... Why wouldn't she want to?..."

"Because it's dangerous to do it right now with the war going on... I was thinking of trying to stop it by bringing down Legacy, the Jahine pride leader." Fire said back.

Akida nods and then frowns from what he just heard. "Fire, don't be foolish..." Akida pauses for a moment. "Look.. I'll help you bring down Legacy if this means that much to you. I'll do it for you. After all, what are brothers for?..."

Fire giggles. "To see who can give the best noogie?"

Akida chuckles. "Now, now... Come on..." He puts a paw down on the ground, Fire's memory jolting back to the rhyme that he and Akida made up.

Fire puts his paw ontop of Akida's and joins him in the musical chant.

"Tweedle-de-dee and Tweedle-dee-dum,
call us now and we will come.
But, for now we will wait,
Relaxing now and scoping for mates!"

So, it was settled then. The two heroic brothers to bring down a force that was bigger than they imagined.

[Kirsui]

Bleak looked down at Kiala with a slightly amused expression.
I can't believe this... he though and shook his head. Why was Kiala trying to beg Legacy when she very well knew it would be no use?
"Pfff... You're wasting time here" he said to Kiala. "Get up so we can get going. Or do you want me to drag you to the border?"
He grinned evily. Oh yes, he could drag Kiala to the border...
But it wouldn't be very nice thing to experience.

[Fire]

Since Akida had shown up to Fire's pleasure and suprise, he didn't need to prepare as hard as he had planned. Akida had shown up at about the right time... So it wasn't a suprise to him in a sense that he had him.

"So... Where are they now?..." Akida quirks up.

"Mino and Kiala are with the Jahina members..."

"Well... Seeing as how the problem could get worse, I say we go now and get them back." Akida says.

"What?? But... I haven't even prepared what I am going to do, though." Fire was starting to get a little flustered.

"Fire... This could get out of hand very easily."

Fire sighs as what he heard was true. "Fine..."

"Good... Take me to the cave... I'll get you fixed up and prepared as we walk."

[Pulsar]

Legacy turned his attention from Mino and glared at Kiala.
“My patience with you wears thin my dear….”
Then standing up he walked over to her and stared her in the eyes as if to warn her, that if she stalled any more she would regret it.
“I said I’d let you go free, I never said I wouldn’t hurt you in the process…. Now leave here…. You’ve already paid for your mistake… With Mino’s life…”
Then he turned around and sat down to face Mino.

Mino, who had been looking at the ground, now lifted his head up and looked at Kiala.
“Kiala just go! It’s over….. The deed has been done; there isn’t anything you can do….”
He paused for a moment and looked at the ground.
“Please…. Go…. Seeing something happen to you would hurt me far more then anything Legacy could do….”
He whispered faintly.
“Mino, Mino, Mino….. I’m going to make you eat those words….. But first….”
Legacy then turned his head to look at Bleak and Gargoroth out of the corner of his eye as if telling them to get Kiala out of there, even if they had to drag her, just as long as they did it now.

[Fire]

While Fire and Akida were approaching the border, Akida had been giving him advice on how to fight, especially bigger lions. "I know that you are a good hunter, but hunting way different than fighting... The enemy knows that you are there and they can fight back as well. You have to get that hunting mind-set out of your head... You have a certain all-aroundness in ya that I absolutely envy." Akida nods. "I may be strong, but my agility could use a little work..."

Fire nods back to him and sees that they have reached the border, stepping across it and breathingly deeply. "Welcome to Jahina territory" Fire nudges the comment to Akida.

[Kirsui]

Bleak listened closely as Legacy talked to Kiala.
Why does she make this so complicated...? he thought annoyed. When he saw Legacy's look he turned back to Kiala.
"I told you to get up..." he said quietly with a slight grin. He quickly grabbed Kiala from the back of her neck and forced her on her feet.
"Now, start walking" he ordered and pushed her a bit forward so that she would have to start walking towards the border of the two prides, motioning Gargoroth to do the same.

[Lorien]

Gargoroth compiled with Bleak's beckonings. He followed behind the two to make sure that Kiala didn't do something that she would regret later. He would keep an eye on both of them.

____________________________________________________

Kiala whimpered a little when Bleak forcibly made her leave Mino's side. She looked back at him, her eyes full of saddness. "I'm sorry...Mino..." She then turned around and followed Bleak to the borders of the land, the tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She looked to the ground as they walked, and her mind was full of unpleasant things. Why did this have to happen?

[Fire]

Fire and Akida continued walking throughout the jungle/grass that they encountered, still talking about tactics on how to fight; Akida being the one that was giving the advice.

After a few moment of walking, Akida spots a group of lions and a lioness. "Hey, Fire... Are those them?..."

Fire looks up and sees Kiala and Bleak, not totally seeing Gargoroth because he was cloaked behind a tree. His eyes grew the same size when he saw Akida for the first time. "Yeah... Hide, now......" He ducked behind a couple of bushes and motioned for Akida to follow. Akida, not being the one to ignore sound advice, followed suite with Fire and ducked into them as well, spying on the group.

It broke Fire's heart to see one of the members of Otana being forcefully treated like this... Especially Kiala. She didn't even do anything to deserve this... Fire whispers quietly whispers into Akida's ear. " That's Kiala... Bleak is the smaller one. Even though he is short, he is very sleek and a very good shadower. Gargoroth is the one at the back. You can probably guess what his strength is from his stature... "

Akida nods and whispers back. " Listen, I have a plan... " He leans into Fire's ear, telling him what to do and then leaning back, getting ready to pounce and waiting for the right moment. If you turned your head to the left from where the two brothers were crouching, that's where Kiala was... waiting to be taken back to her home.

[Lorien]

Gargoroth watched from behind as the three began to come closer to Otana lands. His eyes darted around, looking for any signs of danger. He had a feeling that they were being watched. He padded up to Bleak and looked over at him. "Watch your back...I've got a strange feeling."

Kiala looked up at the two male lions as Gargoroth spoke. She then looked around, wondering if anyone was there. She didn't know what to think, but if it were Jahina or Otana, something was bad was probably going to happen. It might give her a chance to go back for Mino...even if he didn't want her to. She couldn't just leave him there, especially in the state he was in, to be the torture toy of Legacy. Her leader traits were pushing through once again, leaving her timid nature in the dust. She couldn't sit and watch as these things happened around her. If she was ever going to see Mino again, she would have to do something about it.

[Fire]

Akida sneaks over to the side where Gargoroth was while Fire stayed put, waiting for the signal from Akida to go. Akida nods and then bounds out behind Gargoroth, Fire leaping out in front of Bleak, taking them both by suprise. The both of them getting out their claws, they growl low and stare into the ememy's eyes. Fire was the first to speak. "Let her go, Bleak..."

[Pulsar]

Legacy was looking at Mino watching him lie there waiting for something to happen.
“What is it you want from me….”
Mino said as he looked at the ground then at Legacy, who grinned in response to the question.
“It’s simple Mino, I want you to suffer.”
He replied as he stood up and walked up closer to Mino.
“Do what you will to me Legacy; you may be able to destroy my body but not my soul!”
He said in a fierce voice as he forced himself to his feet as he had done back in the caves when Bleak and Gargoroth had entered. Showing Legacy that he wasn’t afraid anymore, though inside he was, but he wasn’t going to show it, not to a monster like Legacy, who takes pleasure in seeing such things.
“Standing up to me are you? I doubt that highly…”
Legacy said as he walked even closer to Mino then grabbed his damaged paw in a firm grip then pulled it forward enough for Mino so lose balance and fall to the ground once more in a state of pain.
Flinching slightly he looked up at Legacy and frowned. But The look was just returned back at him.
“Insolent brat!”
Legacy said as he extended his claws on one paw and smacked Mino across the face. Hard enough to cut and send some blood on the ground nearby.
“ARGH!”
Mino cried out in pain. His eyes were closed, the sharp pain of the hit was running though him paralyzing him slightly.
“Oh dear! Did I hurt you? I am so sorry….”
Legacy laughed as he stood on Mino’s hurt paw, crushing it.
“It seems this isn’t your day Mino..”
He continued as he twisted his paw left and right, slightly mashing Mino’s into the ground.
Mino’s eyes shot open as the pain rushed up his arm and around his body, then he clenched his eyes and roared in pain.
“Oh shut up, nobody here cares…”
Legacy said in an annoyed tone of voice as he walked behind Mino and grabbed his broken leg then, with a bit of momentum, threw Mino along the ground making him roll over some stones and the like.
“So Mino, still feel like you don’t care what I do to you anymore?”
Legacy said as he walked back up to Mino with a big evil grin on his face.
Mino, however, did not reply at first. Looking up at Legacy with a look on his face as though trying not to scream out in pain, he spoke in an aggressive voice.
“Why don’t you die and go to hell Legacy…”
Unfortunately, those were not the words he wanted to hear.
“I can do much worse things then what I have done thus far Mino, even worse then killing you…. And that ‘smart’ comment of yours just got you the privilege of getting that special treatment……”
Legacy walked up behind Mino once more and grabbed his broken leg, Mino yelled slightly as he did. Then turning his head so his calm gaze met the angry one of Mino, he spoke in a low plain voice.
“I’m going to turn your life into a living hell….”
He grinned evilly, then proceeded to drag Mino by his leg deeper into the territory of the Jahina.
“Your friends aren’t coming for you Mino; your life is over…. But….”
Legacy paused.
“I think I’ll take some precautions’, and put you somewhere, where no one, not even the Jahina will find you….”
Legacy’s grin was still on his face as he turned towards the jungle and started walking again.

[Kirsui]

Bleak looked Fire deep into eyes. He had regained his calmness after the surprise of the two lions pouncing out from tall grass. Bleak gave a quick look to the unknown lion who was with Fire.
"I can't say I've met you before..." he said to Akida. "But as a matter of fact... I don't care..."
He turned back to Fire.
"You want me to let Kiala go?" he asked with a slight grin. He took a look around. They were almost at the Otana lands.
"Fine" he said and looked at Fire again. "You may have her, but what comes to Mino..."
He grinned evily.
"Don't even think about going..."
Bleak turned to Gargoroth.
"Lets go then..." he said to him and started walking away from the others, heading towards the Jahina lands. He then stopped and turned to look back.
"Oh, one other thing... Get away from the Jahina lands amidiately, or I am forced to make you leave."
He grinned the one last time before starting to walk again, listening closely. If some of them was stupid enough to pounce on him, he would be ready...

---

Tefnut heard someone yelling in pain. She turned to look at the direction of the voice, but all she could see was the trees of the jungle.
"I don't like this..." she whispered worriedly and jumped on her feet, slowly making her way to the direction where the yelling had come from.
I hope it wasn't Kiala, she thought. But... It didn't sound like her. What is going on?
In worry she started running.

After a while Tef slowed down to a quiet walk. She could feel someone was nearby, so she tried to hide carefully. After all, she didn't want anyone to see her.
Slowly she took some steps and then gasped when she saw two figures. She stopped right on her tracks. The other one she regognized as Legacy and the other...
Mino...? she thought confused. What on earth is he doing here? And where's Kiala?
Tef was worried. The expression on Mino's face told he was in pain. Tef flattened her ears. She didn't dare to step out and ask what was going on. But she didn't want to leave either.
What if I'll just... Follow? she thought, knowing well it could be dangerous.
Tef blinked her eyes and decited to follow, tying to make as little sound as possible and hoping she wouldn't be noticed.

[Fire]

Akida growls back in return to Bleak. "As a matter of fact... I do." He leaps over to where Fire was, both of them standing together side-by-side. Even though Akida was bigger than Fire, their facial features were almost dead-on the same. The cold-hearted stare that had no sympathy for evil... The claws that could strike any moment given... and the built of a tree trunk...

Fire had now an expression of worry when Bleak mentioned Mino. No... Mino...

When they released Kiala, Akida guided her back behind the two of them to make sure that she wasn't hurt anymore than she was. "What makes you say that I won't enter into your lands, Bleak?... Like it or not, the war has begun... And I take no mercy on those that have caused innocent harm..." Fire stares at Bleak, expression never changing, yet the coldness revealed out to the group very obviously. He then turns to Gargoroth. "I hope you realize what you are doing, Gargoroth... Even though that Bleak got to you first and you joined their pride, are you sure you joined the right one?..."

Fire turns his back to Bleak and Gargoroth, looking and concentrating on Kiala. He spoke in a soft tone since she looked like she was about to burst into tears. "Kiala... Are you all right?..."

[Kirsui]

Bleak stopped walking again.
"No Fire..." he whispered very quietly so that no one could hear him. "The war begun a long time ago... It has been going on longer than anyone can remember."
Bleak shook his head slightly and sighed.
"I didn't say you couldn't enter the Jahina lands" he said aloud so that everyon could hear him.
"But if you do enter and come deeper into the lands of the Jahina pride, something might happen."
He turned to look at Fire and Akida with an evil grin.
"Walk deper into the lands of the Jahina pride, and you will never see your dear friend Mino again... Alive."
Bleak grinned to Fire and Akida for a moment, then turning and starting to walk away again. He was getting bored to this.