So He Sang; [AW]

[I L Y I C H]

Pressure was heavy against our backs. What was Ende to do but provide for our own? Esson was weak. The jaguar and her lion cub that had been at the river cross these last few days had left, crossing into loner lands. With that threatening presence gone we were well prepared to take what we needed. Tawny eyes narrowing I crept forward, teeth bared. It wouldn't take much. Half of Ende lay streamed out behind me, waiting for the forward scout's signal. Esson, while not a small pride, was too full of childishness to have any amount of hope here. Symphony was not a cruel man, they would come to appreciate him. In time. After all we were not hear to claim little miss Kunabee's property or people. We were here to inform her, by force, that Esson lands were just as much Ende's in terms of hunting rights as her own. Such small lazy animals didn't need the sort of food that my active pride needed. Especially not with folami threat constantly at both of our sides.

It would be simple enough. I didn't see much of a fight coming from Esson, after all. One large ear shifting atop my skull I shifted enough to begin the circle Symphony and Noelle had decided we would utilize to attack. Esson had after all begun to prepare for us. Not that it would do very much for them. A snow leopard and an irimote couldn't provide that much of an outcome in this pride in such a small fraction of time. It wasn't feasible. Children don't become adults over night. Naivity wasn't beaten out of ramshackle soldiers in a week. Tail twitching at it's end I rolled up on my shoulders. The heat of another body brushed to my side, and careful eyes slipped to the side, watching my newest Fuhrer as she slunk along side me. Noelle was not the lightest of cats, but she was one of the strongest. We'd decided to utilize that factor to prevent any immediacy in attack. We were after all on strict orders to not severely injure anyone, and it would be difficult to follow those orders should the idiots come flailing at us with their claws out.

Their camp was close enough to smell now, not that that said much. With folami in their ranks my nose was catching the scent instinctually and with fear. That would be the only real danger now. Noelle, Symphony and Ahote were large enough to not have much worries over it, and that would be their duty should their folami attack. Personally I was pretty sure the ones they had were pretty young anyway. We'd have experience on them, but that meant little when it came to folami. Nasty brutes that they were. Respectable for their strength, of course, but usually not for their cleverness. Noelle's ears flicked as I stood still, listening. Parting her own jaws the liger let her shoulders roll softly in the grass. Drawing the smell over my own tongue one last time I gave the woman a small glance. Now was just as good as any other time. Hazel eyes met my for just a moment before the ginger pelted woman flicked her own tail, just so. The oddest hint of pride brightened into me; she was becoming a good Fuhrer. Symphony had made a fine choice. Worry itched as well, however, as we all knew that the leaders had a new litter of cubs coming. It was still early. Hopefully we could avoid any problems.

With the wind blowing into my face I took the path forward, easing silently through the heather stalks. Knowing the force of Ende slipped behind you was one thing, not being able to hear them gave me a grim satisfaction. We were the only threat Esson could ever wonder at facing, and we had them running like ants. Fear was on our side, and with it's distracting touch we would soon be hunting Esson lands as well as our own. Jaws parting once more I breathed in a soft breath, careful to avoid ruffling the grass before me. Soon we would have one less thing to worry about. One less thing to fret over. Food and shelter should we need it rested at the end of this expedition. Ende would be safe. A heartbeat felt almost audible to me. My children would be safe. Claws sinking into the soft crumbling dirt I all but cut into the open, the sharp angles of my face catching the evening light and turning my golden fur to auburn. Noelle stepped beside me, her massive size sending a shadow forward that would frighten even the greatest of warriors on the plane of battle. Slowly and easily, I knew that at least ten other cats would step forward. A silent imposing shadow. Lips curling in vicious satisfaction, I lifted my tail as Noelle focused her dark determined eyes on Esson before her, and her warning ears on Ende behind.

"We've come as you knew we would, child. It is time to make your choice."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Annora's tail flicked demandingly against my flank. I swallowed the need to disregard her, lost in the moment at being included on this battle run. Orenda had remained stationed at home, along with Ahote. It was their duty to defend the camp and younger children from threats while a large amount of Ende strength was away from home. I looked to John, whom crouched close to Sherlock. John was here to protect his pride-mates with health should Esson try something desperate. I wouldn't put it past the man to provide healing for the opposition should they be so stupid, either. A man of his heart could only have such expected of him.

It was unspoken, but I knew Annora had assigned herself to me. The woman was brutish in nature, but she had a fierce protectiveness of children that ran deep in her veins. It was an endearing feature in her, though any cat that dared point it out would lose their tongue. I snorted weakly as we came to a stop, shuffling a pawstep of distance between myself and the lioness. It flattered me that she would defend me, but I didn't need a guardian, nor appreciate it. I flicked my attention to the opposition as words were spoken. Ears tucked back in annoyance, I eyed the smallest of their group with interest. I could prove myself against him without real concern to my own well being. Symphony had not given the order, but it would be unlike me if I didn't step out of line. It would be their own fault if they didn't expect it.

Sliding forward on thin legs, I cam to the right outter edge of the attack group. Symphony and his patrol, of which I had been part of, had not been far behind Montego and Noelle's scouting venture. The cougar cup had snapped his head to attention before a visual was even allowed, neck fur on end as it settled quickly the threat cornering his family. I was no more than three bounds from the boy and a hiss pushed past my throat, a wordless threat of which he responded to with an arched back and rigid tail.

"Piece by piece they all will fall. Every. Last. One." Barely a whisper I watched as my empty threat settled into the boy's tall-standing ears. His eyes fell quickly to a snow leopard woman not far from the two of us. He blinked away his fear as his gaze fell back to me, replacing it with the heat of his own warnings. Good. He was responding as I had wanted him to. Still young and easy to manipulate, he would attack without much thought as to tactic, which would result in my triumphant victory and the proof I needed that I could handle myself. Best part was, it would all be in self defense. No one in Ende would have to know I tormented a child into attacking me--we already knew Esson was full of buffoons, so it would be no surprise when one snapped at the first scent of danger.

The boy was quick with his lunge and I could see the threat clear in his eyes. As he leaped, claws unsheathed and limbs out-stretched, I second-guessed myself. He was a fair bit bigger than I had thought, older than I assumed. He had been crouched over a piece of meat, hiding his mass in the position. Not to mention his species was a great deal bulkier than mine by nature alone. I would have to trust in my having more training than him. I did admire the way he angled his leap though, and the fact that he did not lunge directly at my throat. I felt his weight come onto my back, using my sharp shifting motion to throw himself up and spinning so as to be in a position where he could bite down at my shoulder blades. This was not him going in to kill me, or trying to dish out instinctual cougar moves--he was thinking. Perhaps all off Esson was not stupid, but they were dumb enough to follow an Iriomote who tried to be friends with Ende. That is dumb enough.

Shrieking in mock surprise, I reared up onto my hind legs and as if reacting to an unexpected attack. I threw myself down onto my back, hard, crushing the air from the boy's lungs. Scrambling back to my paws, I placed myself threatening over the cougar's body, holing the shocked boy down as he caught his breath. I cringed my neck and wrapped my jaws over his throat in a death grip that would result in piercing only if he moved or if I was pushed away by someone else.

I was in control.

[I L Y I C H]

It was quiet odd, I must admit, to be standing at the head of a military. To stand before them as a general in less important terms. Once what felt like so long go I stood behind a monster and submissed. I was nothing more then another hunter, yet here I stood. In a new world. With a new life. Symphony Bava's wife and equal. Dio himself couldn't even have seen this future in my wake. Gods it felt good though. Comforting. These cats at my back were my children, as they were Symphony's. My duty was to protect and guide them. Perhaps in the long run I had been born to be the mother that Anna had not been. I was not my mother's child, and that I proved here. Funny enough I was beginning to shift to Alphonse's earliest points of view. I was a child of my father. A good Alpha. Where Anna had snapped under the loss and degradation I had become strong.

I had grown, and as my mind had solidified my body had bulked. I stood taller then my husband now. The thought brought a small glint of satisfaction into the dull look I focused on the pride before me. It had been some time, I would admit, sense I had joined the ranks of Ende. Our children were over a year now. Harmony stood with us in battle, his father's son as I was mine. One dark ear flicked lightly at the notice of sound. A motion from my own ranks. Corwin, I could see, shifting to the right outside. Boy probably wanted to prove himself. We were all a bit stiff lipped towards the cheetah, thought we had good reason. Symphony had an ear towards the child as well, I noted before focusing back forward. I'd not received an answer.

Answers were not in time, it would seem. A snarl rumbled deep in my chest as one of their youngest leaped forward. Unwarented aggression. I had offered them a choice, and now that choice was gone. A short tail lash ordered Sherlock towards the two quarreling children. Should the cougar separate upon the jaguar's approach we would forget this little bought of fear response. Should he not he had sentenced his family to a war they had no chance of recovering from. My motions, however, brought on an response I had not foreseen. Apparently all of Ende were simply idiots. Sherlock did not move aggressively, the pace of his steps making that quiet clear. Yet the snow leopard towards the front reacted. She reacted violently.

Her heavy body creshendoed into the air, reaching out with fury for Corwin. Aiming to rip him away with force from the cougar. Symphony let out a low chuff, his own amusement blanking into my annoyance. It would do that the man thought this was all rather funny. Frankly, it was. Esson thinking they had a chance to live if we decided they did not need such a luxury. My heavy paw steps skimmed neatly forward as I slipped around Annora and the others. The pallid leopard came down with her back to me, tail ruffed up and swinging. I grabbed it in my teeth without much thought, hauling her backwards with my sheer strength. Whoever she was she let out a low bubbling wail, reaching out with a back paw to slash at me. Releasing her in reaction I pulled back just enough to protect my throat, ignoring the sting at my whiskers. Annora had taught me to know better then to loose an opportunity.

Knowing just how bored I probably looked I lifted one heavy paw and smashed it into the woman's side, sending her dealing easily. Honestly this could have already been over. We could have been walking through this territory and noting what could be utilized fully. Montego didn't always have such luxuries on her scouting trips. Lip curling slightly I lifted my paw threateningly as the woman scrambled back to her feet and turned towards me. Sharp green eyes were wide with anger and panic, flicking anxiously around. A sigh broached past my lips as I lowered my paw. The girl was just trying to protect her family. She was simply going about it the wrong way. "Corwin." Voice gruff I landed a harsh stare on the cheetah behind the snarling leopard. I didn't get a chance to continue, the woman lunged at me right as I spoke.

Paw ripping back off the ground I back handed her out of the air. Curiosity pinged into me for a moment. She wasn't a bad fighter. Even in the air she'd seen my trajectory and attempted to move away by using her tail. She was clever. The hit struck her in the temple, sending her rolling to the right, slamming into dirt with a low thump. Turning sharply towards Corwin I snarled low in my throat. "Return to your stations, the both of you. There is little reason to fight when we don't need to." Symphony had wound his way to my side during the short ordeal, electric blue eyes settling playfully on the fighting children. Trust the tiger to find enjoyment in the breaking down of our careful planning. I looked at him with as much annoyance as I could force into my eyes, but he just grinned. Going with the flow, as always. A sigh huffed crossly out me, and I mostly ignored Sym's small chuckle. I rolled into the brush of his shoulder when it nuzzled against me though.

The white tiger spoke this time, his low voice thick with amusement at the entire display. "It seems you can't control you're children my dear alphess"

[/b]Bright eyes gleamed viciously, against the white. "But as my dear Noelle stated, we aren't here to play little war games with your… people." Coldness bounced along with the jolly tone, curdling any good humor there. I wouldn't put it past Symphony to be angry with the irimote based solly on her cougar's bad behavior. A pride was only a family when it worked in cohesion. Hazel eyes flicking after Sym's own wandering gaze I eyed the snow leopard darkly as she shoved her way back to her paws. The woman seemed a bit off balance, however, so I turned away. There was no more threat from her. "What say you, Mädchen? All we are here for are hunting rights. How much food could you eat anyway?" A dark smile spread across my mate's face, and my own lips twitched slightly. After her last showing I would love to see Kunabee actually deny such a statement, with-held as it might be.

Does she honestly think we wouldn't just destroy her for Ende's sake?
[/size][/justify][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Kunabee]

Kunabee

I pounded into camp, tossing my prey on the nearly-empty pile. Fight training had been our focus. I had practiced on dead prey, sparred with anyone who had energy enough, fought against trees. I had lost sleep because of it, and my form had become thinner. Sam's training pounded in my ears. I was still strong; and, yes, muscles had begun to grow.

"And here I was hoping to enjoy a pleasant lunch," I said dryly as I slowed, coming in front of the Ende menace. I blinked at them and snorted. "Really? So much of your pride for an untrained group of mismatched creatures?" I was mocking them. Oh, yes. I was fed up with everyone. Sam's fight training and done more than train me to fight. Mentally, I was prepared to be an alpha. And I had been anxiously waiting for them.

I gave a firm look at Sam and Ivan, letting them know I'd be talking to them later, before turning my attention back to Ende. My tail lashed. "I understand your decisions, though," I said with the same almost-monotone I had begun speaking with, letting my gaze slide over them. They'd notice a change from the girl who threw temper tantrum; even now, as Kite huddled next to Sam and Ivan, she was shooting me worried looks. I'd changed. That's what happens when you get pushed over the edge.

"I thought Ende was brave," I said, "And perhaps you are, though my dealings with you have showed you to be bullies. You knew we were preparing, but, also, I am confident you know we are far from prepared. Come to harass a pride, for whatever the purposes, knowing you can take them out easily. Smart, yes, but also the sign of bullies." My smile was cold, cruel, and calculated. From my temper tantrum I had learned much from what I saw in Ende. Too much, perhaps - but now I drew out all that I had learned from them. I would match them step by step. "We eat plenty, I must say. These lands are ours. If two prides were hunting here, we might overeat and kill off some of our prey. I don't know about you, but I don't fancy create a deadlands." My eyes locked on Symphony 'Bava's.

"My choice is to fight for my lands, but that's only my choice. It's up to my group to decide. And then you, too, have a choice. Fight us, bully us, or take up my offer as allies?" I refused to lose gaze with Symphony's eyes, my golden burning with a fire. My pride would choose our path to fight or let them pass, but it was up to Sympony whether he wanted an ally. Sure, there was the risk of being stabbed in the back.

But really, shouldn't he know well enough by now that at least some felines kept their word? I would, but I'd always be watching. I was dealing with the toughest of felines.

What they didn't know, is that I wasn't all sugar, spice, and everything nice.

((wooc;; holy crap it is so fun to play a badass Kunabee.))

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

It all happened rather quick. I watched, detached from my body, as Ivan lunged for a cheetah twice his size, though equal in weight. My first instinct was to bolt, tail waving in warning behind me, but loyalty kept me hovering fretfully at the edge of camp. I allowed Sam to jump to Ivan's aid, knowing it made more sense than me pouncing in and just adding another bite-sized snack to the mix. It wasn't until the female Fuhrer became involved that I moved a pace forward, anxiety flooding with a need to defend my group.

At this moment Kunabee came forward, back from her hunting patrol. She immediately began speaking, forcing my muscles to tense under the dark hair of my pelt. I cared a great deal for the woman, I would even venture to say I was highly interested, but she had a tendency to do poorly at speaking with Ende. A smart cat, full of passion and bravery, but that didn't always bode well with the odd group of psychopaths. Conversing with them was delicate, something none of Esson was capable of doing well because we didn't share in their disorders. Their founder was a severe schizophrenic, and every member had their own issues, the mildest being some sort of tendency towards violence. I blinked as the woman spoke, skeptical as always, green gaze locked towards the opposition.

Ivan dove over to Sam, his eyes wide and apologetic as he rubbed himself along her side. Terror wafted over him, overpowered only by his guilt. The snow leopard seemed okay, though an icy grip remained around my heart. Noelle is a liger after-all, capable of snapping a snow leopard in two without straining. I moved forward, placing myself a pawstep behind my alpha, glaring uneasily, though challengingly towards Ende. I would back my alphess up without question--the doubts and fears could be addressed once the enemy had left. I shuddered--if they left.

A barely contained snort came from the right side of the gathering, a lioness moving forward confidently and placing herself beside the cheetah cub as he dusted himself off. She gave him a brutish nudge with her snout, scolding him silently for his stepping out of line, though approval plagued the outer edges of her gaze. Turning brown eyes towards Kunabee, they flicked for a moment onto me, challenging my own glare, before placing full focus on the alphess. "Kleine Katze," the words came out rough, a rugged laugh behind the accented tone, "you fail to realize one thing--Ende stands for Ende. No one else. If this makes us Tyrannen, or bullies, as you call it, so be it. We survive, this is what matters." I couldn't help but hold a sense of understanding towards their thoughts. Perhaps if it wasn't my own group being bullied due to these beliefs, I may even support it.

Ah, but it was my group, and we could not fight and hope to survive.

I shifted closer to my alphess, pushing limits as I dared brush my snout close to her ear. "Kunabee, please, fighting and dying for your home is honorable, but what good would it do us? We are outnumbered and out-skilled. They are offering a chance for us to live. Let us see how it goes. They won't try to wipe us out if we aren't a threat, I don't think. Ende might be a bit over-the-edge, but I doubt they will purposefully starve us or kill land that they want to take from. Unless we upset them. If we need more space, I am confident Alphonse will allow us some lee-way into his land if we say Ende has weaseled into ours." I pulled away slowly, looking to my paws with a hint of shame. I did not think very highly of Ende, but right now trusting them to some degree was our only hope.

But if Kunabee and the rest of the group shouted for a battle, then I was prepared to die for them.

[I L Y I C H]

I offered the tiny thing a cheerful smile as she lunged into her camp. A loose term. How anything as meek as this iriomote could lay claim to anything was beyond my understanding. One must be able to defend ones family; not simply die for it. "You're welcome enjoy your lunch, little one." Why ever would she assume that we'd not let her eat? Ende had not come to hurt her after all. Simply tell her.

Children were meant to listen to their elders, and their betters.

A grim smile split my lips at the thoughts. Of course! Why would I leave much of Ende behind? We had much to do upon overtaking the hunting rights on these lands, after all. Scouting and foraying, that while already partially done must be properly retaken so we might know what these lands could handle. We had the forest to our west as well, after all. Needless to say I ignored the undertones. They weren't worth my time.

A bark of fierce laughter jolted out of my lips. Noelle's own mouth turned slightly beside me. Oh that was just adorable. Brave? "Child what you see before you is something I've been building for almost six years now. A family for those who have no other place to go." I chortled slightly, the words sinking past my teeth in amused little puffs. "A family does not need bravery to defend itself. Only devotion, and while my cats hold both I must say I appreciate their devotion the most of all." Ears flicking towards Annora I offered the lioness a cheerful flick of my tail. She was right. Ende were bullies, but why would such words bother us? We stood for our brothers and sisters. Fuck everyone else.

Ice slammed it's walls down as it had a tendency to do. My mood draining from cheerful to moody in a moment. Impatience was beginning to itch at my claws. Claws that I didn't need to unsheathe to know them longer then this 'alpha's' muzzle.

"We do not come to harass, girl. We come to command. What you see before you is not some ragtag pride. It is a military. And if you think yourselves at our level you are more of an idiot then I previously assumed." Staring with dark eyes down at the child I offered the lightest tilt to my head enjoying the sound of my soldier's claws sinking into the soft soil. "Why would we destroy something we could utalize? Use your brain, bug." Montego to my left tilted her ears backwards slightly, preparing. But I knew more then one cat would hesitate; the snow leopard Noelle had knocked to her back couldn't even get back up from her place on the ground.

Sherlock sniffed lightly, his own annoyance at the situation pulling into the air. I could imagine the jaguar's boredom. A classic outcome. A little girl with her head too full of stories of good versus evil crying out against the injustice. Would it be different if she knew of our barely born cubs back home? Of Noelle's own pregnancy? Would it be different if this woman looked at us and understood that we acted out of fear for our brothers and sisters? Terror that in time we might be forced to watch our loved ones die? I doubted it. Mercy was saved for the good, and this little parasite of an alpha wasn't any more noble then I myself. In her mind we were evil, and always would be. Funny how that worked.

[Kunabee]

Kunabee

And he spoke with arrogance. I was small and emotional and yes, definitely irrational, but could not one of them see that people followed me for a reason? It did not take a genius to know that people were followed for some reason: for security or hope or love. It was the basis of every detrimental relationship, the lines of every pride, and the reason Bokor was able to have people commit suicide or murder each other. Hope, or security, or love.
I imagined I provided hope, and I also wanted to provide love. I could not provide security, but it was foolish to imagine one as small as I would ever be able to provide security.

Except I was stronger and smarter than I looked, brave as the words I spoke, and much smarter. I knew how to hide myself, with mystery and confidence and mask all I knew in stupidity and ignorance. I had faked bits and pieces of myself - and I was a masterful actor. Geronimo knew I was sad, but he never realized I was crazed with anger and self-hatred. Nobody knew how much I doubted, how much I wanted to cry 'This is a mistake! Never follow me!' and flee, run far away and let everyone else run as well. Oh yes, I knew Ende's strength and ability to manipulate. But it didn't change a thing.

"Thank you, Geronimo," I said softly, giving up my silly game of staring Symphony 'Bava down as I glanced at him. "You're smart, and I value your opinion. But I'll take a majority vote." I gave a wry smile. "I think most, if not everyone but myself, will agree with you." And then it was eyes back to the alpha of this pride that dare come on our lands and assumed he knew me.

"I think I would listen better to your words if you did not act with such arrogance," I said dryly, "And military or not, there is little difference between 'harassment' and 'commanding' in such a situation as this. Military can be bullies, and rude, and totally arrogant, and also completely correct." I lashed my tail. "And my pride is ragtag, and rather new, and yet there is still devotion here. Or at least something that causes these cats and Folami to follow an idiot alpha." I snorted, shaking my head as I dug my claws into the dirt. "I do not want to fight, but I want these lands. Which is why I call now for my pride - group to decide." I turned around, perhaps stupid of me, but nevertheless I did it.

"Do we fight - or attempt to keep, at least - our lands, or shall we let Ende have their way?" I turned back, sitting sideways - one eye on Symphony and his pride of military familial bullies, and the other on my pride.

It's up to you. I'll follow your choices.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

One eye remaining on Ende, I turned my attention partially towards the Esson members. I saw many eyes grow uneasy, not comfortable to be the first to step forward. I willed their courage, looking to the larger members warily, expecting them to act in confidence of their own bulk. Strength does not win every battle, though it does help. They knew not the moves to use their size to their advantage, still young in their training from Sam and myself.

A soft growl reached my ears and I turned green eyes to its source. Ivan had risen from his crouched position beside Sam and removed the frail terror from his eyes, replaced by the heat and rage of a cub aching for revenge. "After what has been done to my father, I would find pleasure in tearing every single one of their throats from their bodies." My breathing slowed nervously, afraid that that was already a vote against my better judgement. I moved my gaze from the young boy in hopes of seeing disapproval on the faces of my group-mates. "However," flashing my attention back to Ivan, I was surprised to see the boy had set his brown glare heavy on the enemy, though he spoke to us. "I will not let daddy and mommy fight a battle that cannot be won. I am sorry, alphess, but I say let them take what they want."

[/i] There was guilt behind his conviction, clearly ashamed of being a coward. He pushed himself against Sam once more, cowering into the longer fur along her side to find comfort, or perhaps to give it. I sat my ears back thoughtfully. Ivan was too proud to admit defeat, but his concern over his father was enough to override his need to prove his worth.

War can bring out the worst in people, but it can also bring out the best.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]