Search and Seizure [bhu;aw]

[I L Y I C H]

Zero-->

We moved after the girl in silence. Vengrad seemed almost bored, though those dark ears curved alertly atop his skull. I myself padded tensely at Simba's right. I was to die soon, but I would prefer it be at a venue of my choice, and not this barren grassy waste that Ende called home. The lion cub at least seemed comfortable. Her bulky frame skipped and hopped before us those heavy tawny paws bringing up dust with every strike. Verona seemed to have noticed this a mile or so ago, and was tromping rather hard quiet on purpose. It was slightly worrying, as the noise it made seemed far too loud in the wastes, but she was not doing it for such a purpose. At least I wouldn't think so. Her eyes were bright every time she glanced back to check if we were still here. Tawny jaws parted to allow her to pant the little girl looked all too happy. Carefree.

It was weird to me, that such a child could grow up in Ende's lands. A pride known for their cruelty... but then they were also known for how tightly woven they all seemed to be. A proper insane little family. Then were ever did this lion cub come from, and how did she become a member of this deranged little herd? Little Verona claimed Ahote as her 'daddy' but she did not have the look of a Liger as my two leaders did. It was simple to assume that she was adopted then. And who was this Montego? Whoever was this woman who could grow close enough to Alphonse's icy brother to have the hopes of being named mother by a daughter of his? Biting my tongue around the questions I simply continued moving. There was nothing else I could do. not until we found something. Someone. Symphony Bava' hopefully. Symphony Bava' alone and without his schizophrenic guard dogs. That would be grand.


Montego-->

Large ears swiveled as I walked, rushing about truly in search. The scars tore ragged across my body hampered nothing now, as they had finally come together in deep but neat gouges. At any other time the thought would have made me pleased, but right now I could think of nothing but that blasted child and her constant need to vanish when I wasn't paying attention. Her nasty habit of calling me Mother had set in line an instinctive need to protect her; a need that could not be dealt with when Verona insisted on running away the second I turned my back. Dammit! I walked in a hurry, leaping up over the grasses every few minutes when my patience grew thick with anxiety. "Verona?!" The caterwaul was sent flying over head as once more I lunged twice my height into the sky. No answer.

Coming down hard I spun in a circle, agitation growing thicker. Furious with myself I could not help the snarl that bubbled up. If she got hurt because of this I would never forgive myself. It did not matter that this wasn't the first tome she'd gone missing. It did not matter that Ahote was most likely near by and would join the search at some point. My child, for she had indeed become as such despite her size, was gone. Was in trouble. And I just knew something was wrong. Something was going to hurt her. Something was going to kill her. Heart beating a thousand miles per hour I took off once more, pounding towards the northern Depot. Come on! She couldn't have gotten far.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Simba
My eyes never left the young girl, wanting so bad to smile at her games. But I couldn’t. My mind was frantic as it followed behind my alpha. How would I keep everyone alive? If I protect Verona by letting Ende know we approached, my pride could be slaughtered. If I waited much longer than, say, now, Alphonse is going to slit the little girl’s neck. My eyes held panic, but I kept a steady pace, staring forward so as not to even let Zero know how frail this walk had made me.

“Verona, do you hear that?” I paused mid-step. “It sounded like your name.” I tried to sound enthusiastic so that Verona could still see us as her helpers. But my insides tightened. Oh, what was Alphonse thinking, dragging a bunch of children on a suicide mission? Vengrad was the only adult here! I looked back and forth, unease set in my gaze. Alphonse turned around and caught my expression, snaring in disgust.

A roar collapsed like thunder to my left and I found myself leaning into Zero to avoid the orange face that had poked out only a few feet away. “Verona!” There was a blatant fury in the man’s voice as he called the girl, willing her away from us. The venom that seeped from his eyes as he drilled them into each of us was tangible. As it reached Alphonse, the venom died away, replaced by a cruel smirk. “I see my little brother has returned what is mine. Thank you, Alphonse.” There was no gratitude in his voice.

[I L Y I C H]

Montego -->

It was the fury that I heard, lashed out across the wind and my paws had never run so hard. Speed was my friend and I leashed it to my frame as with violence I flung myself past the grass roots crumbling about me. That was Ahote, and that was Verona. I could smell them, but the rank of Zonta surrounded. My snarl was low, and the bubbling of fury in me cascaded to the open as I sprang upon the ginger hindquarters I constantly seemed to be following. Storming right under the Oberst's snowy belly I slammed into the open, lips curled and large ears pressed back. Verona who had already been moving towards Ahote froze, her mouth dropping into an 'o'. "Woopsy" Ignoring Ahote's vindictive words I crept forward, mangled scared body slithering as I approached my adoptive daughter.

It did not matter that she was already as large as me, Verona rushed forward in a sweep to nuzzle under my jaw her body language all apologies. Violent hazel eyes glared over the top of that golden head. The female leopard at least had enough gall to look ashamed of herself. The lion cub pressed around me, her body brushing close for comfort as she hurried to Ahote, honey brown eyes hide with innocence. Crawling without a pause between the tiger's orange limbs the child sheltered with her back to the group of Zonta trash, head tucked into the thickness of her 'daddy's' chest fur. It was in this distraction that I would forever call myself stupid. A paw lashed about me, it's size akin to the aging wounds wrapped so tightly about my frame.

The other leopard (fuck what was his name?) lifted me abruptly. The shriek of fury that sputter form me had nothing on the squeal that rocket from the now turned about Verona. Bashed into the ground just as abruptly as I had been lifted, I found myself held by my haunches under a paw with far too much weight above it. Squirming despite the pain I could not be blamed for the horrific caterwauling that I made no attempt what so ever to restrain. There was not an ear in Ende that would not hear that sound, they had all been trained to listen for it. As the smallest I was the best sentry, and they would come running. Pleased with myself despite my capture and the pounding of my bones beneath the grip I turned a curled lip expression in Ahote's direction. Verona remained where she was but her stiff fear radiated. "Mama?" I blinked at her, showing off a certain amount of arrogance as reassurance, not that it would help anyone else any.

Fuck.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Simba
Vengrad had the woman taken down, and now Alphonse saw this as opportunity to wave both Zero and I towards Ahote, home he had slowly began to approach. The tiger seemed torn, his aggression faltering. His eyes glanced past us at Montego, concern sharpening the edges of his expression. He then looked between his paws, at the tiny female that pushed herself into his pelt, using him as a shield. My heart dropped to my paws. Ahote was perhaps a cold-hearted murderer at one point in his life, but he had other priorities now. He had a family to care for.

I spun to face Alphonse uneasily, using my body to shield father and daughter pair. Alphonse froze in surprise as he came nose to nose with me. “Simba, what are you doing?” The man had venom in his tone, though it was clear he was uncertain how to react.

“Alpha, we need to go home. This was stupid. We are going to die here.” Perhaps I was a coward, but I let the terror ice over my tone. I glanced over my shoulder at Ahote and Verona, letting my guard against Alphonse down. I was about his size now, though the man was hardier than I. He swiped out a paw and pushed me aside. It was not aggressive or hateful, just a gesture to get me out of his way.

I watched in panic as my alpha foolishly moved to swipe Verona from Ahote’s protective shelter. I knew the man was frustrated because he knew what I said was right, and he figured he should get one prize, but seriously? Try and steal from the Ende Oberst is foolish, if nothing else. Ahote followed Alphonse’s line of sight, realized he was going for Verona, and let his hate pool forward. “Damn you, Idiot Bruder!” The man abandoned his post as Verona’s guard, ripping a snarl forth and pinning the smaller Liger with little effort.

I did all I could think to do. I roared a clap of thunder, in hopes it would bring Symphony running faster. The man at least liked his games enough to not let this end in unfair bloodshed.

Besides, if Alphonse died right now, who could he torture with his abuse of Noelle?