Surprise, Surprise
Siri's heart was now filled with a number of different feelings; graditude, happiness, such a large array of so many things he had deep inside him would just be impossible to express with words. Now he had somewhere to go in his time of need. Though he may not be able to see or talk to her physically anymore, there was still a point of contact the two could reach. No matter how far the distance may be, they we're still connecting by their hearts and forever would be. Though Siri didn't get the real chance to have a deep relationship with his Mother, he felt like he could practically tell her everything and anything. Cut from her at such a young age, it swelled him with anger. Leaving him to think the rest of his life of just what could of been. But 'what could of been' was nothing more but a distant fantasy in the back of his wishful mind, he didn't want to let it go, he couldn't let it go. That strong sense of vengance in his heart would never leave until he was satisfied, and that wouldn't be till he had his avenged his Mother's passing. He swore it to her, and he wouldn't go against his word, not to her, not to anyone. It was a mission in life that he had to fulfill, he wasn't sure when or how he was going to, but he was determined to make it happen.
"Hey guys!" Came a cheerful and familiar voice from behind the two males. Kovu and Siri quickly turned their heads to face the call, curious though they were, they could all ready identify the speaker by their tone. The young and elegant Kilow rushed up to the two with glee, wearing a large and warm-felt noticeable smile that accompained her peaceful and appreicative greeting.
"Kilow, what are you doing here...and on your own?" Kovu questioned her sternly. Perplexed by her lonesome presence.
"Heh, good morning to you too." She replied gently chuckling with sarcasm dripping from her words. Trotting over to her Father to give him a soft, warm and tender nuzzle. "I'm just doing an early hunt." Kilow added softly as the two broke the contact. Taking a few steps back to look her Father in the eyes, she paitently waited for his judgement.
As annoying as it was, it was begginning to become obvious that no matter how old Kilow was, Kovu would always treat her like a young cub. Questioning her every motive, every move and her every word. His expectations from her were limited, but what he did expect from her was total and utter obidence and respect. The King, sighed deeply and nodded before walking past his daughter and Siri, pacing himself towards Pride Rock. But then, he stopped and turned over his shoulder to look at his daughter with what seemed a face filled with anger.
"Kilow, I want you back home straight after you've finished your hunt, and i mean it." He spoke harshly to her. Kilow scoffed at his words, turned away from him and muttered childishly under her breath.
"Whatever." Siri watched with confusion and wonder as Kilow stropped away from her Father, not even respecting his authority or statement. He was perplexed. Not even a young Lion like himself would have the courage to question or disrespect a King such as Kovu. So how could someone as meek and shy as Kilow stand up to someone as bold, powerful and in some cases, dangerous as him? He was her Father, and yet it appeared to him that the King's solemn words meant nothing to her.
"Siri." Kovu said sternly, turning his head swiftly to face the adolesant, who was still fixed towards the wonder of Kilow as she strutted angrily past him. Hearing his name being called out to him, brought Siri out of his 'confused trance' and his pricked his ears up sharply. That small word seemed to drown over all hearing and dominate over all conversation, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Yes?" Siri spoke, quite nervous by Kovu's strong word as he turned to face the King with a cold and shallow look.
"I want you to make sure she gets home safely." He stated harshly. As soon as those words were spoken, Kilow grunted loudly and turned to face her Father with an angry grimace.
"For crying out loud Dad, I'm not a cub anymore!" Kilow argued loudly at him. Siri's eyes opened wide with shock, he would of never thought that Kilow would have the guts and bravery to question and yell her Father. Kovu was obviously more then capable of just scolding her, and even Siri was aware of that. The young lion took a few paces back and watched the two anxiously; he preferred not to get too close when it came to arguments and confrontation. Only his feeble mind could begin to imagine as to where this horrible quarrel would lead...and end. But strangely enough, Kovu didnt respond. He stopped, turning his head over his shoulder, and gave Kilow a cold and unnerving stare. Siri prepared himself for the worst, the King's pupils had dilated into small dots, giving him that vicious appearence. But instead of retaliating or making any reaction, he just turned back forward and walked away like he never even heard his daughters remark, sluggishly trotting back to Pride Rock.
Siri watched Kovu make his exit with a confused look upon his face. He was stumped. Surely Kovu would have done something to cease Kilow's disapproval, or atleast said something, but no. In fact, the King's silence and heart striking eyes were scarier then words. Even if they weren't targeted directly at Siri, just by witnessing it, Siri could sense the resentment and anger from deep within. He stood silenty staring infront of him with a dumbfounded look, still trying to figure out why it was that the King didnt do anything do disown his daughter. As King, naturally you would demand full respect from all animals. So why did Kovu let Kilow's bitter rage slide?
"So, are you coming?" Came a sweet yet still angered voice from behind him. Siri quickly came back to his senses and swiftly turned his head behind him to locate the source of the call. He managed to get a glimpse of the young lioness, looking at him with a cocky smile and a raised eye brow. Siri could see it through her features that she was still annoyed by her Father's demands, even though she presented an inviting and pleasant smile, her face bared the hint of anger and frustration. In her state, he didnt want to enrage her further nor dissapoint her.
"Erm...sure." Siri said nervously as he picked up his pace to chase after her.
The two moved themselves slowly down the ever-expanding African savannah. Walking boldy through the crisp yellow-green grasses as they were brushed along the felines body and crushed the weight of their paws. The cats scanned the plains intensley with wide eyes, looking for even the smallest of meals; an antelope, a buffalo calf, even a half rotten corpse of any creature would be suffice. With their incredibley sensitive senses at work, they searched the lands frantically. Bearly any conversation was shared between the two, which was expected; in a hunt you had to be deadly silent. Even the faint echo of a twig snapping could send the largests of herds into a mad running frenzy.
As the time passed, they were getting more and more desperate. Searching in such a harsh and unforgiving terrain as the African savannah was taking its toll on the adolesants. Their throats slowly became dry and depleted of moisture. Their self esteem was quickly getting shallow and weaker as they trailed on panting, carrying only with them just enough hope that could lead them a few more meters on before they had to turn back and head for home. Exhausted and weary, they eased themselves over the fields with their small and weak paws. Looking round the plains helplessly, they knew they couldnt go on any further.
"Lets just go back." Kilow pleaded angrily as she turned around and walked away with a loud scoff, enraged by their empty findings. Siri sighed deeply and bowed his head in self ashamement. It seemed that the Pride would go hungry. Defeated by the raging heat, he too turned around and began to sluggishly make his way back home. As soon as his aching paws hit the ground, his ears pricked and went on alert, something had caught his attention. He listened intensley, faint echo's of a cry could be heard in the distance, a Wildebeast cry. He looked over his shoulder awkwardly towards the desperate yelping, he couldnt see the source but he could roughly tell the whereabouts.
"Kilow." Siri whispered sternly to her, a few paces infront.
"What?" She asked angrily, still upset by her loss of a catch.
"Shhhh..." He interrupted quietly through his smirk as he crouched a little and allowed the noise to be overheard. Kilow looked at him with a confused stare, but curiously she listened for...well...she didn't quite know herself. Her ears pricked up as they caught something faint. The gentle moaning of a wildebeast. It brought a smile to her face. Knowing that there was a possible kill close by, she smirked evily at the young lion who returned it with an light cocky chuckle.
Kilow followed Siri as he got onto his underbelly and crawled along the floor towards the cries, growling quietly with pleasure. It was odd, though Kilow and Siri could hear the cries getting louder and desperate the more they trailed on, they couldn't see the target. It was expected surely to have a visual of your prey, but no, they were now just relying on their ears.
Suddenly, Siri caught sight of his target. It wasn't grazing happily with a herd, infact, it didn't look like it had the strength to do something as simple as graze. A full grown Wildebeast lay helplessly on the floor crying uncontrollably. The two walked along side it and studied it with interest. As soon as Siri and Kilow walked into the sight of the animal, it tryed to make an escape, only to pathetically fall back into its same spot, collapsing with pain. That's when Kilow noticed something odd about the particular Wildebeast that layed sloppishly before them, its back leg was broken, possibly injured in a scrap or fall. Well, whatever the reason, it was going to be an easy kill.
Siri walked around the animal and stood over its head, he licked his lips and then like a flash, locked his jaws tightly around the creature's neck. Kilow watched with a grin as Siri performed his strangle upon the hopeless Wildebeast. It gasped and yelled with pain loudly as it kicked pointlessly in the air to try and get to its feet. But even it should know, when your lying on your side and have a meat eating predator around your neck accompanied by an assistant, the outcome was pretty obvious, but yet it persisted. It twitched frantically as Siri slowly embeded his razor canines into its neck harshly. Blood began to pour from the wound as it gurgled and gasped for air. Siri could feel the pressure on his teeth, its own blood quickly rushing into its windpipe. It would surely die of drowning, drowning on its own fluids. Siri held the beast still, its kicking and cries slowly became effortless as it twitched lightly and made its last breaths, until...it moved no more.
Siri released his grip and licked the fresh blood from his lips, his muzzle was stained with red, he looked up at Kilow with a smirk. Sarcastically, he stated with a smile.
"Heh, thanks for helping." Kilow rolled her eyes and shook her head with a smirk.
"But, you looked like you was enjoying yourself." She replied childishly with a light giggle. "Well, atleast we dont have to worry about going hungry." She added cheerfully.
"Nope and neither do we." Came a shrilled voice from behind them, followed by several evil cackles. The odd and mysterious remark made the two felines look around themselves franctically for an answer as to who it was that was speaking to them. But then it came apparent, a rather ugly group of four Hyenas laughed manically as they took positions and encircled the young adolesants, looking at them and each other with smirks of sinister.
Kilow eyed each and everyone of them with anger and enragement, she knew exactly why they were here, but she didnt intend to let it happen, nor did Siri. Siri took a defensive posture and scowled them as he crouched low and beared his teeth, growling harshly. The dogs giggled lightly among themselves as one carelessly took a step forward. A female. With noticeable scratchings down her right cheek and digusting face to match it.
"Thanks for helping us, we'll take it from here." She spoke with a cocky, arrogent and fearful smile.
"Ha! You show 'em Shenzi!" A male coached from behind her with a drooling tounge.
"This is our kill!" Kilow protested angrily. "You dont seriously think that we're just going hand it over to you do you?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow. Slightly regretful of her own words. She had been warned by her Grandfather of how decieving and vile Hyena's could be, and if she even encountered one, she was to run. But what she supposed to do now? She was clearly surrounded and it was obvious that they werent doing to leave until they got what they came for.
"Well yeah." Shenzi replied with a rather confused stare. "Look around Honey." She patronized timidl as Shenzi turned over her shoulder and winked at her pack. "Your outnumbered." She added chuckling.
"But not outmatched." Siri muttered under his breath with rage.
"Your not getting it!" Kilow argued loudly at her. Shenzi shook her head slowly and sighed deeply.
"I gave you a chance...now you've just left us no choice." The dog stated in a rather dissapointed tone. Kilow prepared for the worst, she extended her claws and bared her teeth. It was obvious by the bitch's words that the Hyenas were going to do something, and whatever it was, it wasnt going to be a pleasant experience.
"Bring it." Siri spat bitterly.
"Oh Bonzai!" Shenzi called cheerfully, looking over her shoulder towards a rather dull looking male. "Show our little friends here what happens when they push their luck." She added with a smile. Almost instantley after her words, the male launched himself towards the young ones, snarling like a mad beast. Bonzai darted for the closest target, who also happened to be the weakest. Kilow. The Hyena stopped infront of her and stood on his hind legs, raising his paw triumphically in the air above Kilow. The young lioness watched with horror as the crazed animal looked down on her with big hungry eyes that showed his inner excitement. She tightly shut her eyes and and flinched, waiting for the impact to hit her. But then, she heard a sudden loud squealing pathetic yelp. Perplexed by her unharmed body and the odd noise, she immediatley opened her eyes, just in time to see Bonzai skid across the floor violently. Shenzi and the other two Hyenas watched with wide eyes as they witnessed their member take a harsh fall.
Bonzai eventually stopped his rugged slide and stumbled slowly back to his legs, revealing a nasty rake-like scratch across his face. The wound bled freely as Bonzai opened his exhausted eyes and aimed them directly at Kilow.
"You're fucking dead kid!" He stuttered painfully, clutching his face with groans.
"You wanna' leave? Unless you want me to make you uglier then you already are!" Came an enrgaed voice aside her. Kilow swiftly looked next to her, and Siri came into her view. Panting with rage and holding his paw infront of his face with extended claws. He chuckled lightly, staring at the mark he had just placed upon Bonzai.
"Shenzi, its not worth it." Bonzai whispered timidly as he sluggishly crept up aside her. Shenzi slowly turned her head and looked into the eyes of his blood-stained face. She stared at him scornfully with impaitence.
"Your useless." She admited with a scoff, before turning back to face Siri. "Your pretty cocky for someone of your age." She said to the young lion childishly. "Didn't your mommy tell you not to mess with Hyenas?" The bitch added with a devious smirk. Kilow became scared, scared of how Siri would react. He didn't like to talk about his Mother naturally, so how would he be if someone used her for insulting purposes? Kilow watched with him with anxiety. She darent say anything, it could set him off. But instead, Siri just glared at the female with striking eyes, as so did Shenzi do the same back. There eyes locked for what seemed hours.
"Come on!" Bonzai spoke impaitently through his teeth, pleading for them to retreat. Shenzi took one last look at the felines and sniggered lightly to herself.
"This isn't over!" She spoke evily at them as she and the pack slowly fell back. The two cats watched them make their exit with angry growls. Staring at them with wides eyes as Bonzai stumbled with the pack from sight. Siri and Kilow both let out a sigh of relief in unison, the young lion quickly turned to the distress female.
"Are you okay?" He questioned her sternly, concerned of her well being.
"I'm fine." She stuttered. Kilow was still overblown by Siri's power and courage. "I never knew that you was that strong." She added with awe. Siri chuckled lightly at her words.
"Heh, never did I." He replied meekly as he walked away towards the freshly killed Wildebeast behind them. Kilow watched him, for some odd reason she began to build a strong guitly conscience. She slowly paced herself next to him and nuzzled him tenderly.
"Thank you." She whispered with a smile, accompanied by a gentle purr. Siri was slightly stunned by her actions, but his expression quickly took the form of a smile as he nuzzled her back happily.
"You know I wouldn't let you get hurt." He stated softly. Kilow blushed lightly as she lifted her head up slowly. She looked deeply into her eyes and grin smoothly. Opening her mouth timidly, she placed a passionate lick upon his cheek. Siri quickly flinched his head back a little and looked at her with shock. She kept her eyes fixed on him, showing nothing but pure confidence and greatfullness. The young lion bowed down and gave her a heart-felt nuzzle, they purred softly together as Kilow sighed happily. She smooshed her head into the comfort of his fiery mane. Siri closed his eyes and enjoyed her still wet kiss on his cheek with pleasure, letting his head freely move up and down as Kilow rubbed up against him.
"This wouldn't had been the first time you saved me." She spoke quietly with a chuckle.
Authors Note: This chapter is also known as the !WRITERS BLOCK! I'm sorry for the delay, many thanks to those who have given me ideas along the way. King Ligerion, Belitagurl, MinisterSweetGoodKid.
On another note, Belitagurl as requested to use Kilow in one of her stories. "Twice In A Lifetime" I give her my full permission and consent.
The next chapter may not be up for a while as I will need to overcome quite a serious challenege. But never fear! Thank you for your patience. R&R!
Shadow.