Infect Me With Your Love (Maliki)

[Jiraa]

A sleek red body moved confidently up the rocks, heading to the place where she had been born and raised. Her paws easily manuevered the terrain, until finally, she reached her destination. Her green eyes stared into the cavern, the giant cave where all of the Highlands pride dwelled. She inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of her comrades. For a faint moment, she thought she could smell the scent of her beloved parents. The smell faded quickly, and she was left alone with her memories once more. Jiraa let out a sigh, and her emerald gaze blurred with tears. She shook her head, and looked forward as she strode into the cavern.

She found her favorite sleeping spot-a large, smoooth and flattened rock lying across a pile of smaller rocks. It was located near the right side of the cavern, tucked into a small corner about halfway back. In the two legged world, it resembled a raised bed. A small smile crossed her face, and she leapt onto the stone, literally falling onto it as she dropped to her stomach in an exasperated fashion. Jiraa let her front paws fall over the side as she rolled to her side, staring off into space, deep in thought.

She sported a few new wounds, scars from recent battles. They her weren't major and didn't bother her much, but they were enough to make her miss the constant company of her brother. Oh Batu, where are you? A lot had happened to Jiraa in the last few weeks. She'd made two new enemies, had her first face to face encounter with those pathetic Lowlanders, and attended her first Gathering of all the prides. She wanted to unwind now, unable to let her feelings out in front of the others. And always nagging in the back of her mind, was the thought of her parents. At times, she swore she could hear their voices, see their faces, especially her mother's. With this thought on her mind, she finally let out her pain, the tears flowing warm and fast down her cheeks in her private, though temporary, sanctuary.

OOC: I was listening to Katy Perry, hence the title xD

[Jiraa]

She had heard and smelled him coming long before he crossed into her line of sight. She had quickly regained her composure, ending her tears, though her dampened cheeks betrayed her. The exotic lioness also hadn’t managed to put up her impenetrable, emotionless mask before her king found her on her perch. Oh, the embarrassment. As he approached, she rolled back onto her stomach, lifting her head in acknowledgement. She didn’t leave her stone, she didn’t feel the need; granted, no matter how stupid she thought he could be, she did respect him, but because she grew up with him, it was hard for her to let go of the fact that he would be a normal peer if his parents hadn’t been the Highland rulers.

A rabbit for your thoughts. She had many thoughts, the first being that she should get up and find a new place to sulk in solitude. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to express what she was thinking. That second thought shocked her. She grew up with Maliki, but she had also avoided him and his buffoonery. They had not been apart of the same inner circle, and telling him her secrets was one thing she wasn’t sure she should do. But he was her king, and quite frankly, she couldn’t go around hating everything in the world anymore. She knew that Maliki was a persistent fellow, and if she didn’t tell him now, he probably wouldn’t leave her alone.

Jiraa snorted, clearly not happy about getting caught with her walls down. “I guess it couldn’t hurt...as long as you actually get a rabbit.[/color]” A smirk crossed her face, and she let out a light chuckle. A low growl in her stomach told her that maybe food wasn’t such a bad idea after all. She realized then with everything going on she’d only eaten a few snacks every couple of days. She stood up, hopped down from her resting place, and stretched, arching her back low. With a mischievous glance to her comrade, she strode towards the entrance of the cavern, her eyes adjusting to the change in lighting.

She sat and waited for him when she reached the entrance. “A lot has happened the past few weeks, hasn’t it Maliki,[/color]” she stated rather than asked. She turned back, a slight look of expectancy on her face. This was the first time she’d spent any time with a male alone, besides Batu, in a long time. It was an odd change.[/size]

[Jiraa]

Jiraa nearly flinched when she felt his tail lightly touch her rump, but she managed to keep her composure calm. She almost had the urge to slap him across the face with her paw, but she was pretty sure harming the king was a capital offense. Besides, that was just Maliki’s way, and she knew he would have a lot of growing up to do before he stopped that altogether, with any lionesses in their pride. I’ll comb the Highlands clean until I get you that rabbit.[/b] She turned to him and a laugh escaped her again. Watching Maliki hunt would certainly lighten her mood.

She knew, and she was certain he did as well, that her hunting skills were far more advanced than his own. Her parents, both of them, had taught her to be an excellent huntress, a trained killer on the savannah. The fact that Maliki was offering a rabbit almost made her double over in tears. Being a male, the lionesses hunted for him. On top of that, he had been a prince, and now king. Who would expect him to do anything more than lay on top of the cavern and watch? But the gesture put a small smile on her face, even if it was immediately covered up.

So, is this a hunting lesson, or a skills evaluation from the mighty huntress?[/b] She scanned the lands of her home from the top of the cliff they sat on, her thoughts on how beautiful they were. She looked to him, a gentler look in her eye that she didn’t realize she’d let shine through. She didn’t hate Maliki or hold disdain towards him, if that was what he thought. Jiraa just knew he had so much potential to do better, be a better king, and it pained her to see her peer throw it away on such vices as chasing tail. She smiled at his “mighty huntress” comment, wondering if he’d been watching her. “It’s whichever you prefer, my Lord. Or both. Either way, I’ll enjoy seeing your attempt to do my job.[/color]”

A mischievous glance crossed her face, and she stood once more, looking to their land. A wind had begun to blow near the cavern, and she could feel a cool night coming. The sun had begun to set as they talked, and the sky was painted in hues of orange, pink, and purple. Beautiful. If they had any hopes of catching rabbits however, they would have to do so now. Unlike lions, they were not nocturnal, and she would have been a little saddened if she missed Maliki’s failed attempts at hunting. The sun was still high, but she made for the rocks to head down anyway.[/size]

[Jiraa]

Her green eyes watched him carefully, and they alit with a flame most did not get the privilege to see. Hunting was one of her favorite pastimes; it gave her a rush, and she was very good at it. Is that a challenge?[/b] A smirk crossed her face, and she arched one brow, in an amused fashion. “Of course it’s a challenge. However, I’m pretty sure you’ll be hiding in the cavern with your tail between your legs when I embarrass you. That’s one honor I look forward to having and sharing with the other hunters, your Highness.[/color]” She returned his warm smile, though she didn’t beam as radiantly as he did; she couldn’t allow him to see that much of course.

She was tempted to bump his shoulder playfully, but restrained. She hadn’t been so friendly to anyone besides Batu in a long, long time. It was a nice change, to joke with someone else, especially someone her age. Someone who might be able to relate. She knew they would walk different paths their entire lives-he was royalty, she wasn’t-but maybe a new friendship could grow.

She knew, whether Maliki did or not, that he needed a stable lion or lioness behind him, keeping him grounded and checking him on his mistakes. King Kubwa had not been around long enough to show him the ropes of being a great and successful king. She had no idea about royal issues and responsibilities, but she understood the dynamics of a pride and that they had to rely on each other for success. And no matter what differences they had, they shared at least one thing in common-the loss of their parents at the paws of the Lowlanders. Maybe they understood each other more than she thought; maybe getting to know Maliki wouldn’t be so bad. At any rate, she could keep an eye on him.

The moors are so beautiful at night. She waited for what she was sure would come next, some flirtatious gazelle poo about how they didn’t compare to her beauty, and all that jazz. It was Maliki’s nature. But the obviously expected flirt-compliment didn’t come, and her face flashed a look of surprise when it didn’t. Instead, her ears registered his words, rabbits await[/b] and she was left in her confused thoughts as he whisked by her on his way down. Maybe he was finally growing up. Or had other plans.

“Yes, to the moors.[/color]” She followed him quickly, her tail swishing behind her as the wind gently blew across her face.[/size]

[Jiraa]

Prepare to be impressed milady.[/i] Jiraa snorted, though not out of disgust. Her green eyes till held an amused glint in them, and she quickened her pace to match his own. She bounded over the lands easily, avoiding holes and leaping over branches and rough patches of grass. This was her home, and always would be. She'd traveled these trails many times in her three years.

Soon, they had reached their destination, and the smell of rabbit filled her flaring nostrils. As the scent wafted in and out, she immediately perked her ears, attuned to any sound their prey might make. Her eyes narrowed as she turned her head, visually searching now.

And there it was, a few meters off with its back turned.

Dinner. Jiraa, ever the serious huntress, came to a silent stop, and tossed her head to signal Maliki. She looked from her king to her prey, letting him know exactly where it was. Jiraa turned her full body around to face the rabbit, who was busy cleaning itself in the falling sunlight. The perfect opportunity. Instead of crouching low and getting into the usual stalking position, she turned and padded silently to another hill, where she lay down. She cast a look towards Maliki, one that said "well what are you waiting for", yet she also managed to hold a bored expression. She Jiraa was eager to see how this show down went.

As if giving him a cue, she nodded to Maliki. She crossed her paws eagerly; she was out of sight from the rabbit, yet close enough to see everything. This has gotta be good.[/size]