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 Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:53 am
 He sat quietly, waiting as she had asked, tufted tail flicking behind him. He did not know what Kani was discussing with her parents, nor was he sure he wanted to know, certain that he could hear the bellowings of her father echoing from inside the tree to reach his dark ears. Not that he really would have blamed Juhudi, wouldn't any father be protective of his children?
In his own thoughts, Bushido reflected silently on all that had happened, of what he had found. How was it that so brief an encounter, a lioness that he had not know before last night, had so changed his life, changed his view of the world? It had been such a short time ago, but now it seemed as if she had always been there, waiting for him, and he for her.
He was certain now that there meeting had not been chance, that some unseen path had guided them to find each other, two souls alone in the night, souls only lonely because they had not yet found each other. And what had seemed a tragedy mere hours before, now felt like the light of his entire world.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:17 pm
As it turned out it didn't take long, Kani wanted to let her parents know how much they meant to her, and how grateful she was for their support. How would Shin react when he found out? And Mosi, how did she always seem to be so darn in the know about these things? Poor Juhudi, he hadn't taken this well at all... but she hoped that he'd realize how happy she was now, and that even the pain from before had been well worth the end result. She'd not change a thing if they had to do this all over again.
The den was shrinking in the distance now though, and Bushido's figure growing in contrast as she drew nearer. She felt a shy smile tug the corners of her mouth then, unable to repress it even if she wanted to, with just the sight of him. There was a considerable generation gap and age difference, but both of them were in the prime of their lives, even if Kani was just starting out on hers. What kind of life would they make together? A happy one, she was sure. What would their new home be like? Would they have kids, would they have any adventures, or would they live a calm life in the peace of the Pridelands? The possibilities seemed so very endless.
She purred deeply as she finally was close enough to touch him, and did so. Nuzzling her head against his in affection her thoughts simmered to a calm. When she drew back to look at him she was much more composed than minutes before, though no less easy to read. She was still practically glowing with the happiness of their union, never having imagined things could have turned out this way.
"Ready...?" She'd mentioned wanting some time alone, maybe finding a place to call their own soon since things would be tense even if there was room at the family tree (and there was, in the top area). Her father would need time to adjust, and they would need room and a space of their own to strike out together.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:43 pm
That warm smile spread across his maw again, rising to his paws as brilliant blue eyes fell on the tan hide of the lioness who had taken his heart. It was a heartfelt smile, deep as if he had never truly smiled before this moment. Purring low, Bushido nudged his head against hers, white mane streaking tawny fur as it gently brushed against her.
"I am."
He shifted, now standing at her side, eyes turned to find hers, one paw raised to step forward, the start of their life together. He too longed for time alone with her, time to cherish and explore, to learn and truly become as they were meant to be. He did not think as much of the future, his mind too enraptured with the present, held captive by this beautiful soul. The future would come as it would, and he was certain now that no matter what would come, the future would be theirs together.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:57 pm
Kani returned the smile, taking a combing n** at his pristine colored mane before falling into step alongside him. For a little while at first her eyes didn't leave his, but then with a small, almost modest smile she looked to the path ahead to be sure she didn't trip.
"It almost feels like this was meant to be... Doesn't it?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:08 pm
His shoulder brushed against hers every few steps, unable to resist the urge to touch her, perhaps to reassure himself that she was really, that this had really happened. But it was real, he did feel this, as real as the dark fur that mingled with tan with each passing step.
"I am certain that it was."
The smile touched his maw again, eyes unwilling to leave her starry gaze. But they did have a task at hand, as much as he may have wanted to simply melt into her eyes then and there, they did have a purpose in mind. Not that he disliked that task, in fact he could think of none more pleasant, to find a home the two of them would share.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:15 pm
"I'm sorry about my dad, by the way, he'll come around. I think he was just... surprised. I hope my mother didn't go crazy either..." She almost seemed to be blushing, but of course that was impossible to see with all her fur. She was feeling sheepish, but grateful for their concern even if it was overboard. The thoughts left her mind again shortly after though, taking in his scent and the sensation of his should brushing hers as dusk fell to darkness.
One ear flicked. Kani grinned. Just like the evening when they met yesterday.
"Bushido... would it be alright if I came with you on your patrols at night?" She asked softly then, looking up at him. With his position he might not be home much, and he'd likely sleep during the day, but Kani was eager to spend time, and reliving that first meeting under the stars every night was certainly not something she was against.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:31 pm
"There's no need to apologize, your father is only protective because he loves you."
His grin turned sheepish at the mention of Mosi. She too had been furious with him, and though her reaction was not so aggressive as Juhudi's, the encounter had been no easier.
"She wasn't too bad."
He was sure Kani sensed that statement wasn't entirely true, but he didn't want to burden or upset her, it wasn't her fault. But then, it didn't matter, and the outbursts of angry parents seemed miles away, as if they had happened in another lifetime. Now they were together, and that was all that mattered, and for this feeling of completeness, for the life he now share, he would have born the day a hundred times over.
"I would like that."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:48 pm
"I know... it was just strange seeing him so aggressive, usually that's my mother's role." She realized, but was content to let the worry drop at his insistance. As long as he was alright, and he hadn't been hurt, so. "I haven't seen much of this place yet, the only place I've ever visited besides Pride Rock was the Graveyard, but we were just cubs then. We got into so much trouble when daddy found us..." She looked both awed and amused by their recklessness back then.
Another topic shift now, a more subtle one as she leaned over to brush her head against his neck again. "Tell me more about yourself, I want to know anything that you're willing to tell."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:05 pm
"There is much land to see, though I am certain the spot on which I am standing is the most beautiful."
He brushed against her again, tail swaying lazily with each step. The land was indeed magnificent, a place of happiness and beauty, though it paled in comparison to the creature who walked beside him. The location of the den they would find was not so important as the one he would share it with.
"I was born in these lands, though it was much different then. It has changed greatly since I last saw it as a cub. I am glad I returned, for if I hadn't I would have never found you."
He did not avoid the subject of his past, but spoke as the words came from his heart. The past had faded away, the darkness lost, and he at last now understood that he did not have to be perfect, that he too was worthy of happiness, and that perhaps he had found his honor long ago but was only too blind to see it.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:11 pm
Sheshe'kani felt her heart flutter, and she'd almost swear that butterflies had found their way into her chest by the sensation if she didn't know better already. Once again she "blushed", her ears folding gently against tan fur, letting their tails brush now as well. "I'm glad too..." She couldn't imagine life without him now, what kind of constant daze she'd be going around in.
They hadn't gotten too far before the sound of the river came rushing to their ears, and as Kani reluctantly took her eyes from his face again she stopped in her steps.
A pair of rocks sat in a wedge, half buried in the ground, grass having grown over most of half of them. There was a dirt floor underneath, as if a gaping hole used to be there. The river to one side, and the family's tree a couple hundred yards away, it was perfect.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:30 pm
Tail brushing against hers, it seemed to curl of its own accord, wrapping itself about the slender length in a single coil in a loving embrace. The flush was not lost on Bushido, and his fur prickled with the warm that rushed through his own body as his head turned to gently lick her cheek.
His own ears flicked at the sound of rushing water, his paws stopping to rest beside hers, following her gaze. It was a fair-sized den, certainly large enough for the two of them, near the water but sheltered enough to still be protected, close to Kani's family, and far enough to be theirs alone.
He smiled, musing quietly to himself. They seemed to be bound by the water, their first encounter at the pool's edge, and now a den near the river, it did indeed seem perfect.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:38 pm
It seemed neither need say a word to know what the other was thinking, and Kani, more than a little satisfied, turned to her mate and returned his kiss. They were home, well and truely, and now they had their own little piece of land to solidify it even further. Just one thought ran through her mind then.
~It feels just like home...~
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