Gone, and back again

[.:[Deimos]:.]

The male had to leave on such a sudden notice, that he hadn't even told his pride that he had to leave. And now he was back. The marsh was so much thicker, and deeper, he had to actually swim through it. The male inhaled sharply as he smelt the scent of a few new members. He growled lightly, but knew not to let anyone hear the growl, and of course, he had to focuse back on swimming. His golden optics searched the lands. He saw no one yet. He sighed as he came unpon the shore of the muck.

Large pads thumped against the ground as his head held low, and his nosetrals picked up the scent of Lothril. But not his mate. Nkira. Now...Where was she? His cubs should've been born by now. Actually, they should've been already be able to walk. Deimos sighed. He was disappointed in himself for being gone so long. The male, now covered in the muck that the marsh had givin him, the brown muck was clinging to his mane, and to most of his body. He walked up to the same boulder he had gone to before to claim these lands. Jumping onto it, he nestled up a deep growl. " I will not claim these lands yet. Only warn Lothril of my presence in the lands that were once mine." he spoke to himself before he let out a roar.

Of course, this roar was one of humbleness, and not of dominance. For all he knew, Lothril might not even want the male to be in her lands ever again. The male's audits pulled back as he awaited his fate from the queen of these lands. One thing he didn't want was that one feomora to show her face, because of the fact that Deimos wanted either his mate, or Lothril to show their faces, not that one feomora that he had not liked. He believed the name of the feomora that he did not like was 'Sileree' or something of the sort.

Deimos sat humbly on the rock that he had before claimed these lands on previously. Deimos also let out a small bellow to his mate, if she was around. He wanted to see his little cubs, and to rub against their little bodies, and to play and speak with them. Golden optics disappeared, as he closed his eyes and rested abit. Coming back tothe lands from where he had been, was a very far journey, and to come back in such a rush had also taken alot out of the male. Wounds covered his body from all the fights that he had gotten into on the way back here, afterall, he had to take some sort of shortcuts to get back here in time, and he still didn't get back as fast as he hoped. Tail flicked and audits swiveled back and forth like radars to detect sounds that could be coming from any direction. Head rested on paws, and his body rested on the rock. He had to think of a valid reason he was away. For some reason, he didn't think that Lothril would believe the fact that the male had to travel far off for some odd reason.

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[Lassiel]

I'll have a post, but if Ghostie wants to make a post first, go ahead. ^_^

[her]

Nkira's weak body hadn't gotten far before she gave birth. She was returning now to see if anything new had happened. When she heard others talking about Deimos disappearing her eyes filled with fright. He couldn't leave her now not never. A weak sigh was given but no one heard because of the two cubs that dangled from her mouth. When it came time to swim, she did keeping her head high and her cubs norstils sucking in air. When she finally reached ground, she lied upon it and grimanced. She hated being dirty. Her cubs were squirming from being wet. They never felt it before. Nkira groomed them first then herself. Rising, she picked the two up and started again. Her nares brought in a smell that she knew. Deimos had returned! Nkira smiled widely but still her cubs were secure in her grip. She saw a figure that belonged to her mate and trotted happily over. She stood a distanced away, waiting on him to see her first.

[.:[Deimos]:.]

The male had to keep his senses alert and focused on the surroundings around him. His noserials taking in scents, and his audits taking in sounds. He could hear nothing but the whisper of the wind as he rested. His strong bod was now weak, and he was tired, it was written all over his face. He felt as if his soul within his body was drifting away slowly. He felt alone. Suddenly, his audits swivelled forward, and his nosetrials picked up something on the wind.

His audits pricked with the sound of apporching pads, as well as swishing water. The male's head shot up, and his golden optics reappeared. A deep growl formed in his throat and his maw let out a loud bellow. This bellow called his mate. He could smell his mate. But not really see her. His golden optics searched the lands as he lifted his bod on the rock. Then he saw her. The frame that he had come to love.

He bellowed once more and jumped off the rock. His pillars took him over to his mate as fast as it would let him. He ran up to the feomora, and saw his cubs within her grasp. Only two. He was happy, but sad at the same time. Was there more? Did some of them die while birthing. The male stopped in his tracks and rubbed his head against hers. " I'm sorry I left, my dear Nkira." he spoke to her.

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[Lassiel]

How dare he? How dare he?! Skull held low with ears almost pinned, Lothril jogged, nearly ran, through the marsh, her whole being cloaked with great annoyance if not anger. She recognized his roar immediately--that of the one who had claimed leadership over the Akina pride and then left. Her paws splashed through deep water, strong muscles pushing her through the flooded land even when it became to deep to stand. The mud did not bother, could not bother her in this state of mind. Not that it usually did--but that was beside the point. No, her sole focus was finding Deimos and giving him a talking to he would never forget.

In her driven purpose and knowledge of her lands, she found the lion quickly...along with his mate, Nkira, and their cubs. Normally holding a soft spot for any children, their presence would not save their father from her wrath. Pace slowing only slightly, Lothril neared the small family, tail flicking and eyes flashing dangerously. It really wasn't hard to be angry with him--having never given a chance to change her opinion of him from their first meeting, this absence only deepened her dislike. A low growl preceded her first words, deciding to start with a simple explanation. Where have you been? Oh, there was so much more she wished to say, to yell--but she needed to hear his excuse first....if he was lucky, it would cool her anger somewhat.

[her]

Nkira's eyes gazed over his pelt with soft, teary eyes. Why did he leave? She was ashamed that the birth took so long. Her optics watched him come then fell upon the floor. Placing their cubs on the ground gently, she glanced up at him when he brushed heads with her own. Nkira sighed softly as she watched the two young cubs bat at each other then Haydor retreat to under his mother's legs when the tall dark figure approached."Why have you gone? Then returned?" Her voice was shameful with a edge of happiness outlining it.

Haydor looked at his mother's strong stomach then the figure she was conversing with. He shivered with fright. His little legs stood their ground under his mother, taking one step forward with a small growl. He didn't know who it was and if he did, he wouldn't have done what he had."Mommy, who is that?" His voice was a soft whisper as he rubbed his head against his mother's leg, trying to get her attention.

Nikita looked at her brother with a confused expression when he retreated. Then a shadow overcame her's. She carefully looked back, still in the open. She squealed and shuffled to behind her brother as fast she could. Who was that? She heard her brother asked their mother who it was and relaxed slightly. She nipped at Haydor's tail but they she realized this was no playing matter. She wasn't stupid, not at all.

Nkira looked down at Haydor. She sighed then spoke in a gentle tone to them both."That is your father." She licked over both their pelts then gazed back up at Deimos. Then she heard padding towards them both. She glanced back behind her at Lorthil and sighed. She looked angier than a lion without his meal. When Lothril spoke a low, inauible growl rumbled in her throat as watched her mate and the lead queen.

[.:[Deimos]:.]

The male's audits went crazy. As well as his nostrials with the scents of not only 1 lion, but 4. Lothril was on her way. He knew very well that she was or would be angry at the male. After all, he had left the pride without any protection for about a month. The dry season turned into the wet season. He could tell, because the marshes were deeper than normal. The male looked at the two cubs that his mate had produced. Two healthy cubs." My dear Nkira, My love. What did you name them?" he asked with a cock of his head. His head dipped low towards the little ones, and he smiled. " My name is Deimos. But you two are my children, so 'Father' or 'dad' would be more appropriate." he spoke to the two cubs. With a soft smile he raised his head to look at the feomora that he had to talk to. His smile turned into a slight frown and he sighed lightly and watched at the second feomora apporch.

The enraged feomora apporched the four. Now there was not only two cubs, a feomora, and a brute, but now there was two cubs, two feomoras and a brute. All asking where he had gone. Maybe he should've told them before he left, even though he had to leave just then. Just then he had to see the lands, and he wondered out of the lands slightly, where another mlae had challeged him for the lands that he then owned. Even though they were not in the lands that he had owned, he was gonna get rid of competion. He fought through that lion, and then many other followed after him to fight.

It appeared to be a rouge gang trying to get a pride full of feomora's. Deimos had run away from the large group of male until he had found somewhere safe for him to stay until the previous wounds had healed. Once they healed over Deimos had realized that he was farther from the Akina lands than he wanted to be. He was all the way in the lands of the East. Deimos was also still in danger becuase those 5 brutes were still on his tail. Somehow he needed to flush them apart and get them one on one. He eventually did, using the night as cover. The brutes were killed, one by one until Deimos had killed the last one in the lands of the East. The rouges were dead, and then he needed to get back to the land of the south. This took longer than it should've.

Deimos tryed to take shortcuts, by going through the others' lands and he would almost get through the lands of each one, unless the daminant male caught him, and fought him again. He would either fight, and lose, or simply run. Soon he ended up waiting for the night to escape over the lands, then he would make his moves. " Running a group of rouges from the lands." he spoke to Lothril. He knew it wasn't the most.....Senseble answer, but he knew that he'd get somewhere with her. The male stepped out infront of his family. " The whole story is hard to explain." he said and lowered his head slightly. " But, I would like to say that it was not purposly that I left. I did not mean to venture so far out of the lands, my queen." he spoke and sighed lightly.

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[Lassiel]

She swung away from the small family, violently pacing to and fro in an effort to control her anger. Her maw opened slightly, revealing fangs that were not quite yellow yet due to her younger age, and her long, heavy tail whipped about. How to deal with this? If Deimos spoke the truth, then she owed him thanks. But surly he could have at least dropped a word of warning! If not to her, than at least to his poor mate! Although neither held her trust, she sympathized with Nkira.

Lothril faced him again, not backing down an inch. And you could not have said something before leaving? Not even to her? She nodded her head toward Nkira, but kept her golden eyes focused on the male. Paws hit he ground as she neared him once more. I want to hear this story, and soon--but it can wait for now. Somehow, she managed to rein in her emotions, more than what she thought she would be able to accomplish. Despite that, her voice still held a low growl in it. For now, it is enough that you have a reason for being gone--I will let you return to your cubs.

ooc: Sorry it's not very long.

[her]

Nkira watched silently as Lothril spoke. Nkira eased the growl in her throat when she mentioned herself. Then with that Nkira couldn't bare to stand any longer. Her slim, tired body slid around Deimos and Lothril and went to a nearby rock and softly placed herself upon it. Haydor followed swiftly, hunger getting the best of his curiosity. But when it came time to nurse he looked back at his father."Haydor and Nikita." Her voice was soft and comforting as she rested, eyes focusing on the small youth.

Haydor looked at his father with deep chocolate eyes and then slight smile slipped up in the corners of his tiny mouth. His color was dark than his sisters and much more like his father. Then his hunger got the best of him again and he lowered himself to his mother's stomach and drank quietly.

Nikita on the other hand was more curious in her father. She sniffed around her father then nipped at his ankles. She growled playfully, seeing no harm in him. He had a pretty mane and she admired it. Would she get one too?"Daddy, will I get a mane like yours?"She asked in a squeaky tone. It was just how she spoke. Her mother thought it was just adorable though, the way she used it. Nkitia smile up at her dad as she walked in between his massive paws and sat in between.

[.:[Deimos]:.]

She had a reason to have a temper with him. But he still didn't like it. The male emerse a deep growl, but bit his tounge to discontinue it. His head raised and his audits pulled back some. Heheld his figure in pride. Not in fear. He made sure to hold back his tongue from spitting at her, and growling. He huffed lightly and looked at both his mate, and the queen. " My Dear Lothril. It was a matter of letting the rouges run into my lands, and fighting on my own or driving the seven from the lands right then and there. I had no time to tell anyone of the business." he spoke and held back his growl that was prepared to exit his throat.

He shook his fur out from it's debris and clawed the ground nervously. His tail flicked as well. You could tell that the boiling rage that he was sure to hold back didn't escape to his mouth. He made sure to keep quiet. Deimos sighed. He would have to tell her the story later. No matter what. The male wanted to return to the happiness that he held to be able to see his cubs, but seeing Lothril angry, made the male angry. Deimos looked back to his mate and smiled lightly at her. The anger was still present, but less noticable. The male's golden optics fell upon his cubs.

He had heard the sound of his mate's voice. She had told him the names. Haydor and Nikita. Beautiful names for beautiful cubs. He watched as the little female, named Nikita moved between his massive paws. She was so small compared to her father. He smiled and bent down to her. " No. You'll look like mommy. But your brother over there will get one exactly like mine." he smiled and licked the top of her head as she sat between his paws. " You'll be as beautiful as your mother." he spoke before sitting down.

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[her]

Nkira saw the smile and winked at him. She adored the fact of courage their daughter had. She began to clean Haydor silently as he drifted asleep happily.

Nikita watched him lick her head and a soft purr rumbled in her throat as she rubbed her head against her father's leg gently. See, there was no harm in him except for the growl that she heard her father keep back at the other female."Oh. Mommy is really pretty but she looks tired." Nikita glanced back at her mother then up at her sitting dad."I can see why mommy loves you. The first month of our lives, she'd tell us stories about you."

[.:[Deimos]:.]

The male heard the purr of his daughter, and he smiled. A low purr of his own escaped from his throat as he looked back as his sleeping son and his tired mate. She mustof been so worried that she didn't get much sleep. The male then stood back up, and picked his daughter up with those fangs that were once used to kill. The barely white fangs curled around the scruff of the small lion as he picked her up. He was to join his mate. Massive paws thumped lightly against the raw dust, as he flciked his tail and his audits pulled back. They twiched and swiveled back and forth like radars. He smiled and walked over to his resting mate. " Nkira, you may rest now. I will watch the two cubs." he said to her as he put the femme down at his feet.

Yes, this male was tired. He hadn't had food in the last three days, and minimal amount of sleep. He was more fixated on making it back to the place he called home once upon a time. You could see it in Deimos' eyes, they yearned for a meal and some sleep. But of course, Deimos would put his family and his mate before himself. The male layed down at the base of the rock and let out a small and welcoming bellow to his daughter. " Mommy won't look tired anymore, my dear little one." he spoke to her with a smile as he looked up at his mate, whom was perched higher than himself.

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[Lassiel]

Eyes narrowed and lips pulled back slightly in a snarl as Deimos showed signs of anger, but she appreciated his desire to not start anything. No--if this meeting became heated, Lothril did not want the cubs near, for they were completely innocent in what was happening. Pushing her emotions away for now, Lothril separated herself from the young family, returning to the boulder Deimos once claimed the land from. Easily hopping on top, she slowly slid to the hard surface, tail hanging over the edge where it flicked quickly. From there, her gaze rested on the four lions only a few feet away, contemplating her dilemma.

She did not doubt Deimos' words--but she did think he could have taken the time to let someone know of his intentions. If he succeeded in his goal away from his lands, he could surly have accomplished it in Kinamasi as well. True, there were the three cubs to think of, and his own mate's pregnant condition, but it would be next to impossible for seven strange lions to sneak in to the lands unnoticed by an adult. And from there, their welcome would be less than pleasant. Though smaller, lionesses could do much damage in a fight--and Lothril had no doubt that all the members of the Akina pride were capable warriors. Yes, his duty was to protect the pride, but that was hers as well--and to do that, she needed to know where he went beforehand. Shared leadership depended on communication, and she was certain he could have found some way to let her know.

A sigh escaped her as she watched the cubs interact with their father, skull lowering to her paws, rage simmering though not completely gone. How she wished her own children had been given the chance to grow up with their father around. In truth, Deimos' return made her somewhat happy, if only because Nkira's children would not be without his presence. But...a painful hope began to rise in her heart--if Deimos returned....couldn't Ibalo as well? Resolutely, she tried to crush the thought, knowing it would bring her only more agony and halt the slow healing she had begun. If one had glanced at her in that moment, immense sadness would have been seen in her eyes. She quickly shut the door to her thoughts though, hoping it had not been noticed--she had no need for another's pity.

Something--she needed to do something to escape these horrible thoughts. Still watching the family, her observant gaze easily noticed how tired the two parents were. Nkira would need food to keep caring for her cubs, and Lothril knew herself how hard it could be to kill prey when there were children to watch over. And let's just face it--males were not known for their hunting skills. As the only truly capable hunter around--and as a leader--the duty fell to her to make sure her pride members were well off.

Moving her gaze to the surrounding land, she caught sight of a small group of water fowl a short distance away--one of those would do. Slinking off the boulder, her body stalked through the water and reedy grass, paws moving silently across the moist earth. The whole while, golden eyes stayed fixed on the birds, whose backs were turned to her. Finally near enough, she waited patiently for the perfect moment to present itself. As a soft brown one slowly wandered away from the group, she picked it as her prey and launched through the air. Powerful legs made quick work of the short distance, and though the bird took flight, it did not save him from Lothril's reaching grasp. Sharp claws snagged the bird, tearing flesh as it fell to the ground beneath the heavy weight of her paws. Bringing her teeth to its neck, she quickly snapped it before gathering it in her mouth. Turning, she returned to the group with the fowl dangling and blood staining her teeth and muzzle. Soon standing before them, Lothril dropped it at their feet and stared silently for a moment before speaking. You both need food--eat. With that short, almost commanding statement, she spun on her heel, walking back to the boulder and leaping on top again.

[her]

Nkira sighed softly as her eyes began to close. One of the cubs were asleep but the other was getting to know her father. Nkira flicked her tail aimlessly then opened her eyes to the sound of Deimos's paws hitting the earth, coming her way. Her legs lay peacefully on the warm boulder, never wanting to rise again. Nkira smiled as Deimos came and laid with her. She watched silently as thought ran through her mind rapidly. Nkira saw Lothril offer food but she wasn't hungry. She only took a leg and nibbled silently."Thank you, Lothril." The weak power in her voice could shock a king. She laid her head on her paws and drifted into sleep silently.

Nikita watched her father then felt her mass being lifted off the ground. She liked being carried but being this far up from the ground sort of scared her. She saw the same lioness go hunting then come back silently. She watched still in her father's grasp.

[.:[Deimos]:.]

He could've swore that the female was mad at him. Deimos put the cub down on the ground gently and started to groom her. Deimos watched as a bird hit the ground infront of his feet. Deimos thought about the offer. He hadn't eaten in days. And he eyed the bird. His pink tongue stopped licking the female's head and he looked at Lothril. She had left the family and jumped upon the bolder that Deimos had claimed the lands with.

He blinked and eyedthe bird again. Finally he get up and went over to the bird and layed down infront of it, and started to pull the feathers out. He didn't take too much time taking the feathers off before he ripped into the flesh, and started to eat the bird, blood trapping on his maw and on his paws. He smiled contently as he ate at the bird. Of course, his famine state had made him rush as he ate, almost getting aggressive with the bird.

He eyed the little female cub as he ate though, taking moments to look back and seewhere she was, because he knew that Nkira would be sleeping and that he needed to watch her to make sure she didn't fall into the deep marshes.

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