Luck is Fleeting (Open)

[Kazabu]

Luck had been bestowed on the small pride of Lowlanders. For three days the rain had ceased its onslaught and the grounds finally became hard enough to hunt. The floodplains were still flooded of course but it was easier to navigate each pocket of land in the plain. Since the weather had cooperated for the first time in weeks King Kazabu had decided to occupy one of his favorite places in the lowlands. His light tan pelt warmed under the sun and he shook his black mane to rid himself of a pesky fly that wouldn't leave him alone. His large paws left neat imprints on the still damp ground despite the three days of sunlight and his emerald eyes glanced over at the stream that had grown to almost twice its size due to the rain fall. The waterfall ahead a few hundred miles was louder as water fell from the edge of the hard ground and crashed to the ground below. The falls quieted his always running mind and he let a breath go as his rolling gait brought him further towards the edge of the falls. Kaza had not been King of the Lowlands for long, but he had been informed about the dislike between the Highlands and Lowlands. Already Kaza had warned a few highlanders to stay away, that aggression towards him or his pride members on his turf would not be tolerated and he wasn't going to wait for an attack if they didn't back off.

Perhaps not the best course of action but Kaza's aggressive nature when it came to protecting those who depend on him would not ever be cooled. It both made him great yet failed him in many ways. Suddenly he stopped to let his hindquarters meet the ground and he looked up towards the deep blue sky. His emerald eyes closed and a sigh left his great diaphram. His mind wandered to the times he was a youth. To when he was hated and unwanted by everyone. Where he was a nothing. "Weak, that's what you are" Kaza remembered Scars words to him when he was just a cub. "You'll never be anything. You'll die before you could even attempt to be great" Kaza had cried only a few times as a cub. He had stopped his crying when Scar, he would never call him father, gave him the scar on his shoulder. Thinking about that particular scar had the tan lion looking down at his shoulder, the ugly scar just peeking out from under his thick mane. His pink nose touched his shoulder softy, remembering things he'd rather not remember. But perhaps it was good to remember the past, the good and the bad, without allowing them to affect his future. A sudden noise made Kaza glance away from his memories and look towards the skies. A soft smirk was placed on his face as a familiar object came floating down towards him, his majordomo the secretary bird called Twiki The little birds big blue eyes widened when she saw Kaza and a little squeak was heard. "Kaza! Kaza!" She cried as her little grey and black body rocketed down to him. She flared her wings and landed sharply on his shoulder, her little talons clinging lightly to his skin. Kaza grimaced as the sharp little talons shuffled on his shoulder.

His head turned to look at the bird, her bright orange and yellow around her large blue eyes drawing his eyes while he regarded her. "Twiki I assume you have news?" He asked teasingly with a small smile. "Well, what is it?" The little bird huffed and shuffled a bit. "The lioness' have gone hunting and they have taken down a wildebeast" Kazabu nodded his head, happy that the prides luck had extended from the weather to hunting. "Good, go tell Masi to feed the cubs first, they need it" Kaza stood up and walked closer to the stream, lowering his muzzle to let his pink tongue flick out at the water. The little bird had flapped up off his shoulder and into the air, circling above him for a moment before diving down towards him. "Aren't you coming?" Twiki asked with a swoop close to his head. Kaza shook his head and turned to look up at her. "No, I want some peace to think" He told the bird quietly, dismissing her without really saying anything. The little bird nodded before taking off towards where the kill must be. They would take it back to the burrows and share with the rest. Someone would put aside some meat for him and he would eat when he returned. For now he sat down again and stared down at the water, seeing both his parents and himself. Would he ever get to see them again? Would he even be welcome?

[Kazabu]

Kazabu

The water rippled under his stare and he let out a sigh as the mental picture of Sarabi and Scar escaped the watery surface. The water that had created the visual aid had troubled his mind as well. The obnoxious rain had made the Lowlands a perpetual swampland that made it hard to move around. Only the burrows that lay high in the highest part of the lowland territory was dry enough to tread on safely. Everything else had been reduced to a sopping mud puddle that made it hard to move. As Kazabu had not been King of the Lowland for long he wasn't sure if it was suppose to be like this but to the assurance of Misa that this was not a seasonal thing. Rain was usual but the amount was unnatural to the lowlanders and it made Kaza a bit nervous. Would he have to take his pride somewhere else? Would he have to give up the peace he had found with the lioness that had accepted him, even with his past. Of course he had told his new pride who he was and what he had come from.

The acceptance for a strong lion like Kaza made him happy and he had given his promise that he would protect the lowlanders as they were his family now. He felt a rumble come up from his chest as he replayed the conversation between Masi and himself. 'Kazabu, you must know something about our neighbors' Her hissing snarl had brought his curiousity to the front of his mind and he had given his permission. 'The highlanders, they are a bloodthirsty group, they tried to invade us a couple seasons ago.' Kazabu had reacted to the statement with a peak of dislike. 'The new King is a young foolish thing, called Maliki, he has been rumored to be swooned easily by a pretty face' The rest was a bit more on the history between the two prides but by Masi's obvious dislike of the new Highlands King the light tan lion decided that the highlanders were a bunch of wannabe's who would make a mistake to mess with Kaza and his pride.

The soft wind carried a scent not known to Kazabu and instantly he rose, his stance tense as his dark green eyes narrowed towards the distance. Suddenly in a spot Kaza had thought vacant was a healthy young brown lion who glared at Kaza. The large tan lion took a step forward, his face confident and if not a bit arrogant as he sized up the younger male. "I assume you are King Maliki?" The words were said with a bit of a unconcerned and bored tone as the black maned beast stared down the other. "It's so nice to finally meet you" Once again with the sarcastic bored reply. "It's not every day you find a cub playing King" He walked the short distance up river to stand across the waterry pathway from Maliki. Just as Maliki was thinking of a fight so was Kaza. And with all the confidence of a learned lion.

[Kazabu]

Kazabu

Kaza's maw cracked a tiny smile as Maliki insulted him just as Kaza had insulted the Highland King. It was humorous to her but the minute the Highland King spoke of his own status Kaza looked down at the drinking lion. A rumbling anger rolled through his chest and his vibrant green eyes narrowed and his maw set into a hard line. "I am Kazabu and I am King" He told the lion his sudden flare of anger at the disrespect that the young lion gave him made his claws unsheath and dig into the soft earth. When Maliki accused his lioness' of threatening the Highlanders Kaza snarled. "Perhaps if your own lioness' would keep their own threats to a minimum we wouldn't have this problem" Kaza told Maliki. "I have no interest in this petty fued between you and the old King." Suddenly his eyes darkened and he took a step closer to the water, his lips pealing back to reveal his white canines. "But if you insist on causing distress and unneeded tension with my pride than rest assure we will wipe your sorry excuse for a pride out" His words were strong and by the way his muscles bunched and his careful steps there wasn't a doubt that he would go through with his threat.

The intensity in his gaze surely would have made another lesser lion or lioness quiever but King Maliki wasn't a lesser lion was he? The thought made Kaza want to snort and he let himself take a few steps back as his heart beat settled from his quick burst of anger. He regarded King Maliki for a moment, watching for signs of stress or anger. "But of course it doesn't necessarilly have to be a war, unless you have a problem with me?" It was a loaded question, something to which Maliki would have to answer carefully. But was Maliki able to work politics as Kazabu had been forced to learn from an early age?

[AdminAccount]

MALIKI

don't give us none of your aggravation, we had it with your discipline

The Lowlands' King seemed slightly amused by Maliki's insult. Then, the other male seemed to be bothered by something that Maliki had said, and his eyes narrowed. His mouth set in a hard line, the other male responded. “I am Kazabu and I am King.” Maliki acknowledged the fact with a barely noticeable curt nod as he observed the other King unsheathing his claws. Maliki's claws, which had been sheathing and unsheathing themselves, dug into the earth beneath his paws, staying revealed.

Maliki's comment about the tension between the two prides brought a snarl to Kazabu's lips. “Perhaps if your own lioness' would keep their own threats to a minimum we wouldn't have this problem.” The other king informed Maliki. “I have no interest in this petty feud between you and the old King.” The other male stepped forward, his lips curled back into a snarl, revealing deadly white canine teeth. Maliki did not flinch at the open display of aggression.

Kazabu spoke again, his body language showing that he meant every word of his threat and would not hesitate to give teeth – and claws – to his words. “But if you insist on causing distress and unneeded tension with my pride then rest assured we will wipe your sorry excuse for a pride out.” The intensity of Kazabu's glare should have made any sensible lion cold with dread and fear, but Maliki was a great King, son of a hundred Kings and Queens. His pride had the advantage of open, high-laying lands. He had no fear of a battle between the High and Low lands.

“But of course it doesn't necessarily have to be a war, unless you have a problem with me?” Kazabu seemed to be calming down now, and allowed himself to take a few steps back. Maliki knew how crucial the answer to Kazabu's question was, and he realized that if he did not respond carefully, he could unleash an unnecessary war between the two prides. Maliki did not answer immediately, a move that was meant to show Kazabu that Maliki did not fear him – openly at least – and that he would not take orders from the older King. Maliki had been born on the throne to this Kingdom after all, and Kazabu was a foreigner, much like his own precious Apocalypse.

“I have no reason to have a problem with you.” Maliki answered simply, his olive-green eyes looking across the river in a bored fashion. When he spoke again, his olive coloured eyes moved back to fix on Kazabu's green ones. “Do understand that the feud between the Highlands and Lowlands has spilled blood for more generations than any cubs-tales exist, and it can't just be forgotten with the flick of a tail, although please be assured that I have no wish for it to continue.”

Maliki stared at Kazabu, his body calm, and his voice firm and formal as he spoke. “However, I will not tolerate my pride being bullied and I will have no hesitation in defending my pride, regardless of whether or not it involves a declaration of war. I would like for the Highlands and Lowlands to have a peaceful relationship in the future, but I will not run around catering to demands from the Lowlands simply for the sake of peace.”

saturday night's alright for fighting, get a little action in

Word Count > 562
Lyrics > Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting by Elton John
Tags > Kazabu
[/blockquote][/font]

[Kazabu]

The ease and eloquence in which Makili delivered his reply had Kazabu's respect for him grow larger. When Masi had told him that the Highland King was a youthful fool Kaza had expected a bouncing eager to prove how tough I am youth that would make the mistake of getting in a fight with him. Instead he found a decently competent male whom seemed to want peace as Kazabu wanted peace. He listened to Makili talk of generations of bloodshed and he was reminded of the problem in the pridelands. Had the lioness' rebelled? Were they going through the same that the Lowlands and Highlands had gone through? Yes, it was had gone because Kaza would not allow his newly won pride to become a pride of blood and loss. He would not have his reign filled with bloodshed of others because of something he wasn't even apart of.

Kaza nodded his head at Makili's words of not having an easy peace. He looked up at the young brown lion. "Perhaps, but I do not want the destruction of my pride or yours nor do I want to bring my blood to these lands" His words about his blood might not make sense to the Highlander but Kaza was not going to allow his murderous bloodline to continue here where he just found his peace. Maliki's words brought a soft smile to his face and after he was done speaking a short burst of laughter escaped his maw. "King Makili, I assure you my only demand is that your lioness' do not interfere with my lioness' hunting or harm them in any way" Kaza took a step into the river, sighing as the soft water came rushing over his large paws. "I have to say, I have found you far smarter than I had expected, and I do believe that I can respect your concern for your pride" Kaza let his muzzle drop to the water, the soft tan fur becoming dark gold as the water rushed over his muzzle. His pink tongue flicked out to scoop some water before he looked back at Makili.

[´´miyuki]

[glow=white,2,300]Weather Goddess[/glow]

Rain: it begins with a melodious drizzle and grows to a steady entourage of gargantuan raindrops. They can barge through a canopy of trees and can plunk into a river or lake. They continue to a ridiculous amount until you're experiencing a downright deluge. Your Weather Goddess applauds you if you brave these chilly bullets of water, for she would not. I applaud you now, but wait before you cheer yourself. Don't underestimate those meager raindrops.

[apocalypse]

[glow=blue,2,300]APOCALYPSE[/glow]

She had heard the Kings' conversation from over 30 feet away. She was sure they hadn't intended to scare away all the prey in the vicinity, but the fact was they had. She had no intention of correcting them, but she had heard the Lowlands King was quite the looker.

Her plan was a long term one. She was just grateful that loyalty wasn't required to either king because of her Vagrant status.

She stepped out from the surrounding foliage and stretched out her front legs while swishing her tail. She crouched down by the water and lapped down some liquid, quenching her thirst. When she looked up, she saw Maliki and Kazabu calmly giving each other death glares. She nearly laughed.

"Evening, Maliki..." She looked over at Kazabu and drew a small smile on her face as well as softened her eyes, "Kazabu."

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Kazabu]

The rain that seemed to plague them like a flea on a mangy dingo's hide and it had no intention of stopping. The rain fell down softly at first, seemingly just a sprinkling of rain that left small little plops in the river that Kaza was currently inhabiting. But luck was indeed fleeting and the rain pounded down harder onto the pair of lions. Kaza's statements went unanswered as another female accompanied them. Kazabu's eyes grazed over the lioness' sleek hide, finding a bit of interest within the females bone structure. But the relative familiar sounds of his name coming from her parted maw brought a frown to his face. She spoke to him as if they were old friends, as if they had been together for longer than he had been an adult. Kaza's eyes slid over to Maliki as he spoke.

Was that a bit of jealousy that Kazabu spotted in the other males dark orbs? It made him chuckle to himself inside and a sly smirk formed over his maw. "No, I do not know this lovely lioness" His gaze slide from one to the other. "But I would love to know the name of such an enchanting creature to catch the Highlands King's eyes" There was no use denying it. Kazabu was a seasoned lion, he knew the look of lust and want even when it tried to hide itself away. Perhaps he was pushing it abit but it was his own little personal fun that if Maliki would take seriously than it was his own fault.

[apocalypse]

[glow=blue,2,300]APOCALYPSE[/glow]

Indeed, she had known Kazabu, just not on a personal level. When she was slinking around his territory, she saw him from the trees and caught a liking for him. She had seen the simmering anger of the two prides' rivalries and wanted nothing more than to get involved. As of now, involved she was.

"...catch the Highland King's eyes." HA! Who does not? Maliki would take a frail old hyena as his, given the chance. Thoughts aside, she strode between the two males to a bush dotted with pink berries. She plucked them from the push, her long black claws stabbing them through the heart and her tongue wrapping around her talons and pulling them into her mouth. She smiled and looked over at the two, rainwater flowing over her pelt and making it shimmer in the sun's meager light.

Alright, I'll play your game.

She looked past Kazabu into Maliki's eyes. "I only saw him in passing. When I was wandering both of your territories' trees I noticed Kazabu and connected him with a name I had heard many years ago near the Pridelands. I thought he could only be the famed Kazabu." She shook her head. "That is all." For now.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Jiraa]

[glow=red,2,300]Jiraa[/glow]

As she trudged through the mud and pooring rain, a few thoughts crossed Jiraa's mind. The first, that Maliki had better not have gotten himself into trouble by crossing the Highland/Lowland border. The second was how much she hated these lands, and as her paws sank into the mud and she became stuck, she could only imagine how much cleaning she would have to do later. It was unsual for Jiraa to stray far from her homeland; especially into the lands of the enemy. In this case, however, she had made an exception.

She had been patrolling the borders, and caught her king's scent. Hoping to keep him out of trouble, and save their pride some embarassment, she had followed the scent and found him overlooking the waterfall. Needless to say, Jiraa had been horrified and angered when Maliki crossed over and began to have a conservation with the newfound Lowland king; she had heard he was an outsider named Kazabu. In her opinion, Maliki should have been clawing his eyes out and letting him know his place. But alas, it was not so. She had decided to stay and watch, waiting for any sign that her king's life was endangered. Nothing had happened yet, but she could see the tension from afar.

Then it had begun to pour, and her spy job became even more unpleasant. Her fur was drenched, and she became hopelessly covered in mud. Her beautiful red fur was slightly dulled, and when she shook she took on a spiked look. But this wasn't the most unpleasant thing. A golden lioness had appeared on the scene, no doubt part of Maliki's secret harem. The interesting thing was that she seemed to know both kings. And she could already smell that this female was a vagrant, a member of neither pride. Jiraa disliked her immediately. She wouldn't let Maliki bring their pride down if she could help it. So she made her appearance.

Padding through the mud, she came up on the left side of Maliki. "My king[/color]," she bowed her head in respect and stood tall beside him. She looked at him confidently, her green eyes only straying to observe the reaction of Kazabu and the unknown female. On the inside however, she wondered if he would be upset about her following him.[/size]

[zahara]

Zahara had grown bored at the dens and had made her way out into the further reaches of the Lowlands. Her usually haunting grounds were any of the many ponds but most of all she loved the Borderfalls. It was of course dangerous territory but she had always been careful to stay on the Lowlanders side so as to not cause any problems with the ever hostile Highlanders. As a cub of wanderers she hadn't understood their hate at first but over time she had learned why it was there from members of the pride she was now part of. She understood it but that didn't mean she endorsed it completely, she sided completely with her own pride of course. They were her family and she never would have went against them but when she did meet a Highlander she wasn't immediately hostile towards them. She had always allowed them to make the first move before deciding on her own attitude.

Her paws sunk deeply into the mud but she could hear the thundering of the falls up ahead of her. The rain had been only a drizzle when she had left the dens earlier but now it was a pelting stinging thing. The lioness seemed oblivious to the hard drops hitting her thick pelt as she slung her head low and kept her eyes on the treacherous ground in front of her. Rain could be the least of her worries if she misstepped into a mud hole that decided to suck her in. Her body had grown strong from one too many follies in her youth but now she was wiser when it came to navigating her home.

The falls were loud and she never heard the voices of the other lions until they came into her view. She wasn't sure if they'd seen her yet but that was beside the point, the sight of three Highlanders staring down at her King did not sit well with her and her mind demanded that she go to his side. If only for a show of support. She slipped from the encroaching background and held her head high resting her walnut orbs on each of the Highlanders separately. Her muzzle held her usual smirk and she padded towards Kazabu confidently. When she was in range however she bowed her head to him, here in front of them she would show him respect properly.

"Kazabu, I hope your day is going well my King" she said glancing up at the other lions curiously. She of course knew none of them save one and that was their King and even then she only knew of him. Maliki, the tail chaser. She took up a position next to Kazabu and watched the lionesses in particular, something about the female who seemed to be snacking on berries didn't sit well with her but she couldn't quite put her claw on why. The red pelted female seemed loathsome of the two Lowlanders but instead of showing a snotty attitude back Zahara kept her smirk in place. Better to leave them guessing as to what she was thinking then display her emotions openly.

[AdminAccount]

For the sake of saving me (and the rest of you too) from confusion, I'm just going to post the order of which characters need to post. I'll repost it if we get more characters involved in the thread and things start getting hectic.

Kazabu
Apocalypse
Jiraa
Maliki
Zahara

[Niaru]

He could feel the rain soaking through his thick mane, drenching his neck and upper back. His mane stuck to his body, heavy and black, dripping water as he walked towards the borders. The rain might have blurred him from seeing anything, but he could still smell and hear; it was these senses that pushed him forward to the edge of his home. His king was there, along with a pugnacious lioness by the name of Kiburi and the less aggressive Zahara, but the other scents…he did not recognize. That could mean a couple of things.

He pushed his way through the mud, his weight causing him to sink about halfway to his elbows. When he finally reached the congregation of lions, he bowed low in respect to Kazabu. Truth be told, Niaru was just a year younger than the king, and they were both foreigners. He smiled to himself. He figured the Lowlands Pride was far more accepting of strangers than their own neighbors, the Highlanders; that much could be seen just by looking at the Neapolitan colored female known as Kiburi.

He watched with curiosity as she snarled at the Highland lions, the male who he concluded must be the king, since there was such a large gathering. He heard her say something about scum as he approached, and sighed. Fighting would get them nowhere, he knew that. It hadn’t done a bit of good for the Outlanders when they went to war with Simba and his pride, but then again, it did reunite the two groups. However, as far as Niaru knew, the High and Lowland Prides had no such bond. Still, going at each others’ throats didn’t seem helpful at this moment, so he walked up behind Kiburi and whispered to her. “Calm yourself Kiburi. There is no trouble here unless you make it. Do not be so foolish as to make the first strike-it would be without orders from Kazabu, and on top of that you could cause an unnecessary war. Let the king do his duties; if he needs your strength, you will know.[/color]”

He stepped back, looking back at his king. He nodded again, hoping he wasn’t out of line.[/size]