passenger seat. {aw

[I L Y I C H]

There wasn't much I could do here, not with my current state. For the last couple of days I had found respite in helping the women care for their camp and their children, watching with pride as their initial hatred turned to grudging thanks. Times could change and I could help them along even now. Even as I limped so heavily my leg could not truly take any weight any longer. The wound had begun to leak, and though well aware of the thing I gave up on grooming it. The taste was revolting and the touch horrendously painful. Cammie lay beside me now, attempting every now and then to lick the ragged tear. I could all but see her eyes scanning the rip, from shoulder to lower chest and back again. Poor child. She was adorable, this little lion cub, and so much like her mother it almost brought me grief. Yet I had seen something in her lately. See the falseness in her mental 'problem'. emulating. That's what she did. A precious little copy cat, and a clever little girl.

Nuzzling her lightly aside to kindly keep her away from the source of my sickness, I settled my skull between large ebony paws. Cammie turned lightly, purring as she curled between my left leg and my head. She had become highly attached to me, a thing I both adored and despised. Self loathing curled through me even as I closed my eyes with a smile. Precious Cammie and her darling heart. How could I damage a child like this? Yet I could not help myself in holding her close. Holding more then her close, truly. Another child pressed close to me, an older girl called Tweak. She was the daughter of one of the colder lioness' here within Akando, but the little girl herself seemed surprisingly open all things considered. Yet Abeni remained to me. Daiade Jr and Abeni were the only two cats I otherwise wished to see now. I wanted to know them now. Wanted to see how they would change and let them know I would be there. Always be there. Species limitations be dammed, I would visit these children forever.

Blind silver eyes closed I felt more then heard both Cammie and Tweak go still and quiet with sleep. Tucked under and around me their small bodies were hidden from the light drizzle falling from the black sky. Hidden from the thunder that still rumbled every now and then after the earlier furious electrical storm. It left me to think in the quiet. With water in my fur the normal heat burning through me lay cooled. At least for a little wile I was almost fully lucid. The nausea had not left, nor the dizziness that had begun to pluck at my mind, but that I could deal with. Right now silence was fine with me. The quiet of this family and their willingness to welcome those willing to help. It had honestly surprised me, how kind some could be. It would seem Akando's harsh looks were created by a select few. Funny. It almost seemed like my pack. The old pack. Evil wasn't quiet as prevalent as we previously thought. Casting a smile I drew myself a tiny bit closer to Tweak's warm snoring form, pressing my leg to Cammie's softly breathing body.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Oh dear, what had that wretched woman told me to do? Told me to say? The retarded one. I scrunched my face as I whisked through the soggy earth, whispering towards the injured blind man. His stench made my lip quiver, breaking through my attempt to recall my mission. The woman and that boy, they had told me to say something to Daiade.

“Ah-ha!” As I approached the man and the slumbering whelps, I couldn’t help but recoil. I was not a heartless child, but I was not tolerant by any means. This smell, how could my sister stand it! I had a mission, and now I knew what it was I had been told to say, but first—"Tweak, what are you doin’? How can you sleep with that insufferable stench?” I prodded the tiny form, demanding it wake and scurry off. No sibling of mine was to sleep among this decaying form, the zombie of sorts.

Looking once more to the man, I abandoned my sister for the time being, ignoring the daughter of the retarded lioness. What was her name again? My paws carried me to stand before the skull of the large beast. Even with it laying on the ground, my eyes were not too far above his lifeless orbs. “Daiade, the retard and her son told me to tell you they are going to try their hand at hunting for you. The older one,” I paused, trying one final time to sniff out the woman’s name, “said for you not to worry. Said she needs to clear her head. Not sure how it could get any emptier.” The last line was mumbled under my breath, a smirk sitting firm on my face. I looked past the man’s eyes, back at my sister. “You should really be going, Tweak.

“This is no place for a princess.”

[I L Y I C H]

I felt the girl coming, heard her paws steps proud and loud against the wet ground. Having been dozing before had I came to full wakefulness. This child was one of the cold ones, and thus I remained as if asleep. Few animals here would be able to tell, as my frame remained completely limp despite the tightening in my jaws. Tweak was prodded and the little girl twitched, head lifting sharply. Oh did Twister not understand how hard it was to get the hyper little girl to bed? As it were the lioness launched herself upward, springing away from her sister and towards me, slamming full on into my ribs before skidding down and rushing away. Not a word came out of that stuttering mouth, but then not a word was needed. She was adorable, though, despite her... flaws. I remained silent, only opening my eyes in response. Cammie had jerked away beside me, and was leaning forward, her body pressing against my cheek.

It did wreak, though, and that idea I could not be angered by. My infection was growing worse, the edges growing almost green. It would end soon. Silver eyes stared into nothing as I waited, listening to those paw steps. My frame went stiff, however once more mouth opened again. Eyes lashed to her face, locking with all the intensity that a hunting folami was famous for. Was this child dense? Did she not understand what I was, and who I stood for? My head lifted slowly, chin rising above Twister's skull before it had even cleared my collar bones. "Pardon?" Politeness clung thick and threatening in my tone. Lip curled just enough to bare a single massive tooth I leaned a bit forward with a sigh. Children were all the same it seemed, and though I couldn't quiet bring myself to be affectionate I saw a hint of Alonda in this cub.

But no one called my child such names. Not anymore. I was dying so Skoll help anyone who thought I was too frightened of 'consequences' to rip them to pieces. Never the less I did hear the rest of her sentence and I nodded in response. Food... sounded good, and bad at the same time. I was still rather sick, though it was getting better. I wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. "Fine. Thank you child." Despite the uncharacteristic abruptness my voice remained calm, smooth in it's accents. Shaking my head lightly I began to lower my skull once more. Daiade Jr was... adorable. He tried so hard to keep his family together. constantly fighting to protect his sister and his mother alike even if she disappointed him sometimes. He reminded me of folami. Of myself at times, and Abeni or Carska at others. It didn't matter that we were not truly related we had each others souls and that's what counted.

It was with that last cruel comment that my head snapped up again and I gave in to my territorial protective instincts. The sound that rolled out of me started low in the pit of my stomach, brewing with the primitive fury of my lupine ancestors. That noise was bred into me to create utter terror and by the time the snarl reach it's crescendo my lips had pealed back from canines larger then the childishly cruel Twister's paws. "Speak of my family in this manor again you insolent little child and you will see just how this machine was built." It felt utterly brilliant to be so cruel. Protective. How long had it been that I had been able to protect my darling children from something so trivial as hurt feelings? Never. I had never been able to, and perhaps pushing around a cub was horrid of me, but I could not help it. "If you are going to speak ill of them then do it elsewhere. Away from the dog bigger then your alpha." Be clever child, at least.

Tweak who had darted back behind me froze at her sister's words, and in a tugging manor she crawled up and over my body hanging from my withers like a tick. "I was away! But Uncle Daiade is huge and he lets me crawl on him and- see!" Little claws dug into thick fur and got stuck for a moment before she tugged free and half fell down my side, as with much more kindness I turned to nose her back to her paws. Clutching at my snout with one leg the little cub turned on her sister and stuck her tongue out. "We ain't princess' any more Twister! Well we are but we ain't never gonna be 'queen' so it don't really matter." Tweak paused, turning her face towards me for a moment with what I would assume was wide eyed and grinning. Then with an abrupt leap she hopped over my black paw and pounced towards her sister before spinning on a heal and racing off once more.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Izaray had not yet told me how she felt about all this. A Folami, in camp, dying. I justified the kind act by saying that the smell of a dying Folami within Akando would ward off dangers. Who would mess with felines that could kill a Folami? Still, I didn’t know how my mistress felt, and it urked me. I pondered it heavily as I watched from the outcrop that shielded off most of the rain from sleeping bodies. My own body was chilled, mane heavy with moisture. Still, I couldn’t help but smile at how Daiade handled the little children. It was nice to see the children of Ezhno get taken care of, despite some having a mentally challenged lioness for a mother, and the others having a cold hearted female. None of them had a father anymore, and my instincts made me weary of them. So, it comforted me to see they could find some sanctuary. Even if Twister refused to accept the same kindness.

I scowled with the man, not at him. Twister would be a threat to my heir. Unless that woman found her heart sitting with a son I had in the future, she would fight for her right as queen. Her daddy had been our king, past tense. I missed the man, the scowl faltering as I splashed down from my perch and approached the commotion. I neared in time to hear Twister hiss at the man. “You don’t belong here. The lionesses don’t trust you. Stupid Ackecheta has no right to let you be here. Him and my half sister need to learn how to rule a pride.” There was a threat there, and I could feel my insides heat up. When she was old enough, she would try and steal Izaray’s throne, and my own, though that second part didn’t seem so important in my mind. I saw Ezhno in the girl, and though I missed the man, I could not let his arrogant stupidity take over Akando and lead them back into the ditch I was working so hard to carry them out of.

As her sister pounced at her, Twister dodged the move and snarled. “We will be queens. If you won’t fight for your right, well, I will have to do it alone.” I rumbled a warning at this point, letting the girl know I was well aware of her words. However, she was young. I would let her ambitions simmer in hopes that she would grow out of pointless foolishness on her own. That was a matter for later, for now, I would work on her manners towards guests. It was something Ezhno had never done, because his only guests were actually prisoners. I rolled my eyes at the memory of the leopard nanny. With that memory came Dumi, and I quivered in hatred, but also self-loathing. Had he really deserved the death I had given him?

“Twister, apologize to Daiade. He is Abeni’s father, whether I agree with such antics or not. You know what it is like to be a bastard child, to not get to say goodbye to your father. Don’t make Abeni suffer that.” Perhaps I was a bit harsh, but images of Dumi had opened a tsunami of anger. Besides, judging by the woman’s surprise melting into hate, I could tell she didn’t quite care that she had no father and that she did not get the chance to say goodbye. I was shocked by this in the least; it was not like Ezhno made relationships with little girls, unless that little girl was Izaray.

As the arrogant child stormed in the direction her sister had skipped away in, I seated myself beside Daiade and Cammie. Smiling in greeting at the child, I let her know she could reside to her sleep once more, if she so desired. Looking to Daiade, I shrugged towards Twister’s departure, though I knew he wouldn’t see the motion. “Takes after her father, that one. Izaray was the same way as a child.” I huffed the words, knowing that my mate had grown up from that silly arrogance, but still held a few shards more ice in her heart than me. I just pleaded that those ice chips would not wedge between her and I.

I sighed as I crumbled to lie down beside the beast. My willpower was strong, so I kept from even acknowledging the scent of infection. A selfish part of me beckoned death to Daiade. I wished I could tell myself I wanted him to die because I wanted his suffering to be over, but in truth, it was because having a Folami in camp made me uncomfortable. Out of unease I had to be obnoxiously more friendly than I was used to when around him. I felt that if I showed a hint of aggression to him, Abeni, or any of the children, he would rise and kill me. Foolish thoughts, perhaps, but they froze my normal harshness at the core. “Can I ask you a question?” I eyed him a minute, voice tense. I waited for no response. “How the Hell did you become Abeni’s father?” I paused, flipping a thought around in my head. I decided to risk it, for honesty was something I valued. “It bothers me immensely, your relationship with her. Lions and Folami should not be together in kindness. It is,” What? Weird? Terrible? No, it was quite wonderful, really, not having to fear this monster. But what word had my mind placed upon it? “unnatural.”

[I L Y I C H]

I watched her leave in silence, preferring to ignore such behavior then growl again. It hurt my chest, and besides she had only been snapping at me. I wasn't important, and she was right in all of her fury. They did not want me here, but I must remain. Abeni, Daiade JR. and Cammie... I wanted to know them before I left the world for the spiritual plane. I wanted to understand them and tell them that I would see them once again, soon. So soon. Ebony skull swinging slightly to turn to face Ackecheta. Blinking slowly I offered a small smile in response. "Children will do that sometimes." Turning slightly to track the little girl with my ears I allowed for a small wave of my heavy tail. "My niece was like that at one time. She's grown a fair bit... wiser with age and war, however." Giving a small almost nostalgic remorseful smile I turned back to face the lion. "Tell me friend, what does this place look like? I've been wondering. Normally I would be able to sniff out the corners and make a sort of audio or scent map, but I've been unable to get up."

Going quiet for a long moment I remained still, body curled in on itself in an effort to hide the light shivering that had taken over my muscles in the last couple of days. I was so cold on the outside, skin prickling under the heavy layers of fur and so very hot on the inside. Looking up again. His earlier words had held weight. Real weight. As much as I had disliked Ezhno I could not help but remember that he had indeed been the father to more then one child of his own. "I... I am sorry for you're loss, Ackecheta. I did not know the man well but I would assume that Ezhno was very important to you." I couldn't say that I would miss the lion myself,but he'd been this beast's alpha. His leader and teacher as I would assume. Settling my head down slowly I drew my paws closer, drawing Cammie inward at the same time. The little cub rolled a bit her chubby stomach pressing tight to my leg for a moment before turning about face to set her snout on my elbow. Staring at her new Alpha I would assume. As it were my thought process was broken by the lion's following words, and my head turned once more face open and curious.

"Of course" He had every right to question me however he wished, after all I knew exactly how horrid I smelt and yet here the alpha sat. He spoke truthfully, and with ears pushed forward I listened with an open mind. It was odd, I could concede. None understood our relationship, even as we ourselves wondered over it. Reaminging silent for a long moment after he finished talking I could do little but stare into the nothing around me. Before with a low guffaw, I laughed softly, dipping my head to hide the agony that tore across it in response. "It's a long horrid story, let me assure you." I didn't hear any sign of dismissal, but then he had asked. Drawing in a slow breath I dropped my head back to my paws. "Back when Abeni was a very young child her mother and father were killed by my leader. The two cubs were brought to our camp alive as... training dummies." The grimace that pulled back my lips physically hurt.

"I was a coward. I tried to protect them both but had I done anything more then provide comfort it would have been a gun to my head and a fang to my throat." A pause drew out longer then I had meant it to. Silver eyes slipped closed. "The sister died." I couldn't say her name. I'd failed her. Precious child. darling child. "Our pack fell into ruin, our alpha stolen by man. My sister, the alphess took over for a time but was over thrown by a cruel dictatorial man." My ears slowly began to fall back. "My nieces and nephews were good friends to Abeni for a time, but that changed as they began to grow. Mahal was the only one left by the time Abeni ran- escaped." Paws came up covering my face. "I loved her so much, you must understand that. But I was a coward. A snot nosed pathetic whelp, and I let her damage her." Curling slowly into a tighter ball I soon found myself slightly facing away from the scent of this alpha. "My pack thought it unnatural as well. They hurt us, and I did nothing." Silly of me to spill my soul to this cat, but dammit I was dying.

"My apologies. I shouldn't be groaning at you."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

My son nudged my paw, forcing my skull to angle downwards to see what had caught his attention. The boy dodged the rabbit that sprout from my jaws, hanging limp by only his leg. He indicated towards the outcrop where Ackecheta could often be found laying atop, completely drenched in the rain. The man cared not that his immunity could only fight off so much before the chilled flesh gave way to viruses. Now this outcrop housed Daiade, who I had retitled as daddy a few days prior. It was all so difficult for me, forgiving this man. Was forgiveness even needed? I couldn’t fathom my reasoning behind the rage. Yes, my life at been equivalent to the human’s idea of hell. Fire and brimstone had been the land which I walked daily upon. It had scorched me with every movement I made. But, once upon a time, I had told Carska I liked the canyons, because it was where I had met Daiade.

I turned, following my son who walked proudly with a shrew hanging from his jaws. I let him approach, myself stopping before I escaped the cover of the dead grass. It had been my thought that I would hand the kill over to another lioness to give it to Daiade. I loved him, but it hurt me to see him like this. I had to keep him at a distance, avoiding draining the ocean I had dug between us. I needed that separation in order for me to survive another death. I was being selfish, this I knew, but sometimes you have to be selfish to survive.

Daiade Jr. nudged Cammie gently with his skull, offering his prize to his sister. He bowed swiftly to Ackecheta, who only half nodded in welcome as he listened to whatever it was my father was saying. The rain, I knew, hid away my scent; the swaying grasses keeping my image clearly stowed away. I breathed evenly so as I not be heard, but perked my own ears to catch what Daiade was saying.

I heard of our history together and my heart fluttered, then skipped a beat. Daiade thought he was a coward for not doing more in my defense, and a selfish little voice said he should have died for me. What good would that have done, though? If he had died, I would have been killed. The most he could give me was comfort each day. And he had. He had gone above and beyond his moral obligations to make sure I could have some peace in this distraught little world.

Approaching, I dropped the rabbit in front of Daiade, turning my eyes solemnly to Ackecheta. “Her name was Akila. My sister.” I had long since resigned to the idea that Akila was my sister, Baako was my father, and Adaeze was my mother. Daiade and I were living proof that family had no tie with blood. The alpha, narrowed his eyes in remorse, as if he could feel the weight that burdened Daiade’s heart, and my own. I felt a sudden devotion to this man that dove deeper than mere loyalty. Daiade Jr. looked up at me with a prickle of feeling. I had never told my children how my life had been when I was child, just that they were fortunate little wenches. I was not the nicest cat. I could even be cruel to my two children, cold to them more often than kind. And for what reason? Envy. I would never sell their soul to the devil as I had been thrust into as a child, but I would subconsciously make their pain equal to mine.

Ackecheta climbed to his paws, dipping his head towards Daiade, but then realizing he had to speak his farewell. “You, my friend, are no coward.” He walked past me then, drifting back into the downpour. He paused for only a moment, looking at me. “He wishes to know what Akando looks like.” And then he was gone, like a whisp of smoke, devoured by the rain.

I stared after him for what seemed like an hour, silent, the rain being the only sound the echoed the small hollow each member of my family sheltered in. My heart even seemed to halt, though every now and then I would feel the painful thump of it in my chest, trying to get out. There was too much anger there for a child. Ah, but I was not a child anymore.

I looked to Daiade, watching as my son beckoned me silently to the indent that Ackecheta had made in the moist sands. I obliged, having grown used to allowing my son to be the adult in any situation. I looked to the shrew, saw Daiade Jr. push it closer to his sister before leaning against her side to help keep her warm. I half-mimiced him with the rabbit, pushing it to be right by the older man’s nose. “Eat. You need strength if you are to heal.” I stubbornly refused to allow him to die. I could tell myself over and over that I hated this man, but words are just sounds. They do not mold the true rhythm of the heart.

“I can describe this place in four words; hot, dry, sandy, dead. Or, atleast it was before this damn rain. Now I can say one word; mud. Believe me, Daiade, you ain’t missing much.” I put my head on my paws, watching him. My tone was indifferent, all emotion hidden away from the baritones of the words. But my eyes sat watching him, ready for him to refuse the rabbit.

Ready to shove it down his stubborn throat. I wouldn’t lose my daddy. Not again.

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