Of Fathers and Children [Closed/Ventus/Makima]

[җ M.heetu]

Mheetu

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The sun had just risen out over the horizon when the male had awakened to the morning light. The songs of the many wild birds and calls of the animals of the kingdom sounded off all throughout the land, echoing off the walls of the caverns that just hours ago were completely silent. The dark blue hues of the queen's brother slowly opened as the golden rays of the sun lit up the part of the cave he rested in, raising his head and giving his light shaded mane a small shake as he came alive to the world once more for the new day. Once he could see properly, Mheetu glanced around the cavern - most of the lionesses had already taken off, including his sister, Nala. He could see Koda and Simba resting next to each other nearby, but as usual Kiara was no where to be seen. The subordinate male rolled his eyes at that - Kiara, while his beloved niece, was most certainly a hand-full. At this rate, it was looking more likely that Koda would end up the heir, even though he was the youngest. Kiara could be a wonderful queen if she just calmed down a bit, but she was too adventurous for her own good; he hoped Nala or Timon and Pumbaa were with her at least.

Pushing aside thoughts of his niece, the light creme male turned his attention to his side, where his own cubs lay. Makima, his eldest, and her little brother Ventus. A smile crossed his muzzle as he rested his head down again, and closed his eyes, just for a moment more. Makima was his little angel, an almost exact replica of his mother, Sarafina, except without the out-going and go-getter attitude of her grandmother and a little darker in coloration, a trait she most likely picked up from her mother. Ventus, however, was much smaller than Makima at only nine months of age. Mheetu had been told that Rafiki, the Pride Healer and Makima's teacher, that the cub had been found half dead near the outskirts of the Pridelands, and once Mheetu saw him he knew that he couldn't leave the cub an orphan. So he took him in, raising him as his own. And anyone who said otherwise would be meeting their maker soon enough.

Living throughout Scar's Reign was no picnic for a male lion, and didn't Mheetu know it. The young male survived by keeping his head low and following orders, any lion or lioness that didn't would've been killed by the hyenas otherwise, but especially young and strong males like himself - competition for the throne in Scar's eyes. Scar had no heir, and no heir meant another young lion of the Pride had a chance to take the throne themselves. Ex-Queen Zira had worried about this constantly until she began heavy with her own cubs - Scar's cubs. She bore a son, a child Mheetu had long forgotten the name of, but Scar didn't seem pleased by this offspring, who's growth in the womb had been hindered by the drought. Thankfully, the evil couple didn't have a chance for another try; Simba's return to the throne made sure of that. But before his brother-in-law had come back, Mheetu had to witness lions and lionesses he knew die by starvation, dehydration, exhaustion, or at the teeth of hyenas on Scar's command. Those days had taught Mheetu the importance of love and family - he didn't want to lose anyone else close to him.

...that was why when Nala disappeared, he about freaked! He was so sure that Zira had her killed - he'd heard the insane queen mention something about feeling threatened by the younger, prettier lioness days earlier - that he about attacked the slim lioness straight out in front of Scar, a trick that would've gotten him mauled no doubt. Thankfully, his mother stopped him before he did something rash, and explained where his sister had gone... it was a relief that she was alright, but Mheetu still felt like dying during the time when Nala wasn't around, sick with grief and worry for his elder sibling's well-being. His only comforters had been Sarabi, the late queen consort of Mufasa, his mother, and a lovely grey lioness known as Alita. Not a Pridelander by birth, Alita had joined the pride a year after Scar had ascended the throne; her skills in hunting and tracking had cemented the young lioness's place amongst the others. As times grew harsher, and more of his friends left the pride in fear or in death, Alita - being the only lion about his age - became his only friend. When times were bleakest, the two clung to each other - seeking laughter in sorrow, and peace in chaos from the other, precious rarities in that horrible time.

Friendship blossomed into love during Scar's last days as king, and as Simba took the throne, Mheetu and Alita became mates. Makima resulted from their first coupling, a lovely daughter strong and healthy, new life to go with their new hope. But times changed again, Zira proved herself too loyal to Scar, too insane to admit defeat, and killed Kopa, Nala and Simba's firstborn, and another lioness in cold blooded revenge and insanity. Most of the lionesses that left with Zira had been friends of Alita, and with their leave his mate also vanished to become a rogue again, feeling out of place in the pride. She left both Makima and his broken heart in her wake, but he never stopped loving her. If she came back, even now if she just walked through that cavern entrance, he would welcome her back with open arms. He'd introduce her to Koda and Kiara and to Ventus... he knew she'd love him if she met him.

A single tear shed from the adult male's closed eye as he reopened his dark blue hues, his smile having long faded during the memories of his beloved Alita. Raising his head once more, Mheetu shook his thoughts clear, a bit more violently that last time, and rose to his paws. Turning to his daughter and son, he nudged the elder of the two gently on the shoulder, his soft smile returning as his eyes glittered with mischief and love. Makima... it's time to get up.

[/b] he whispered softly. He nudged his daughter one more time before moving to Ventus, raising his paw and lightly shaking the cub. Ventus, come on. Didn't I promise I'd take you on a hunt with me today?[/b] although Ventus was still too young to hunt himself, he was now old enough to begin learning the tricks of the trade and to accompany Mheetu and the other lions on hunts. Makima was nearly old enough now to make her first kill; at a year and six months of age, she still had a little more time before then, but it would be soon enough. Koda, from what he'd heard from Nala, had already made his first kill, and a successful one in his first hunt at two years of age... quite a boy Nala and Simba had raised there.

Returning full attention to his own cubs again, the father smiled as he patiently awaited them to join him, turning around and walking to the entrance of the cavern. Today would be a special day for Ventus, he was just old enough to be given live prey items to test his skills on. A sly smile crossed the pale male's maw as he glanced back at the grey cub's form; perhaps he'd keep this fact a surprise for Ventus until the last moment, just to see his reaction. If there was one thing Mheetu loved in this world besides his family and Alita, it was his cubs, both from his blood and of his heart. And he loved to surprise them whenever he could... he wondered if he should tell Makima about his surprise for Ventus. Hmm...

OOC: Wow, freaking long post. xD I just had a burst of Mheetu muse. xD[/justify][/blockquote][/size][/blockquote][/color]

[Makima]

Makima was silently peaceful in the cave, still sleeping like a cub with her back arched, rear paws near her chin and fore paws covering her face. The young adult was rarely able to fall asleep unless she curled up; although sometimes she did wake up in some very unusual positions. As a cub, she was convinced that either her father or other members of the pride deliberately moved her around for their amusement – how could anyone sleep with their back arched (in the wrong direction!), limbs sprawled all over the place with half of the body twisted. Completed with Makima grunting in her sleep or sucking on her tuft. The tuft didn’t always belong to her, either. This time, the lioness slept in a more dignified position, even if a little juvenile. The temperature was beginning to decrease in the evening, a sign of autumn, so it was unlikely that Makima would cease the curling habit anytime soon.

Still a fairly heavy sleeper, Makima remained still despite her father’s attempts to wake her. She was dreaming; standing at Pride Rock’s ledge looking proud. Her healing knowledge was ever increasing, as were her hunting skills. In her sweet dream, Makima was the single best hunter in the lands. In an almost ghost like motion, she leapt from the ledge and landed gracefully on all four paws, somehow ending up near a herd of wildebeest. Everything seemed to move in slow motion; even the grass around her. Everything was quiet; the herd was still and silent, the birds above made no noise.. the only thing to be heard was Makima’s stomach rumbling. She would bring the entire herd back to her pride! As she started her sprint towards the unsuspecting animals, their figures seemed to distort and twist before her eyes, never allowing the lioness to get closer. Before she could realise what was going on, Makima was suddenly faced with a lioness. A grey coloured feline, unlike the typical Pridelanders she knew, with bright white eyes. Makima froze, slowly arching her neck and frowning at the image before her – which was now only a few yards away. It was the image of her mother, or how she remembered her mother, Alita. Alita’s gaze was emotionless, with no real eyes to read. Makima’s face soon lit up in happiness to see her long lost mother once again. She tried to speak, but couldn’t. She tried to run to her mother, but her paws were stuck firmly to the earth which had turned to ash and burnt vegetation. Alita turned her back and move away, whispering her daughter’s name, leaving Makima feeling awful. Unwanted. Suddenly, the young lioness was surrounded by vultures, diving at her with talons extended with the intent of ripping her to pieces. Makima tried to scream but was unable and instead curled up into a ball to protect her face and underbelly. She felt one collide into her side and, with a grunt, her blue eyes sprung open while her body tensed.

It was a dream. Of course, it was obvious it was a dream to her now, but Makima didn’t realise just a few moments ago. It all seemed real. Her worry and guilt disappeared as she felt pressure from someone close to her. Realising it was Mheetu’s attempt to wake them, Makima rolled onto her back and stretched from her claws to her tail before rolling to face her father and Ventus. Her blue eyes were half open, but her ears were perked. The cave seemed almost empty, which was no surprise to Makima as she did enjoy a lie in more than others. It was certainly unusual for a lioness to sleep in like a lion. Like their King apparently was, with his son Koda. For a few moments, Makima’s attention remained completely on the two sleeping males, thinking how lucky he was to have loving parents. Not that Makima believed Mheetu didn’t care about her – in fact he seemed to often overcompensate for her mother’s absence. But it wasn’t the same. The young lioness felt that she had no real female role model. Just Mheetu and young Ventus.

Poor Ventus. The poor cub was found close to death, all alone. As Makima focused on the young male, she begun to feel guilty. At least she had one parent; Ventus had no one. Well, he and Mheetu were very close. This made the young lioness happy half of the time, knowing that her father had a heart of gold to look after another cub. She was proud of him. Proud to be his daughter. Makima inhaled deeply to stretch her lungs, trying not to seem contemplative or down, watching Mheetu now attempting to wake Ventus. Perhaps due to the odd dream she had, but Makima seemed rather disheartened by the sight of the two. She did wonder if the young male would take her place in their small family – he still needed to be taught life’s lessons, to hunt and more. Two males together, far more likely to bond than father and daughter. At least that was what Makima imagined.

Makima’s eyes focused on her father, forcing a genuine smile. She pretended she was still sleepy and emitted a yawn, turning away briefly to do so. It was then that she noticed the sun was up. Was there a plan for this day? The young lioness could never really function without her morning drink of fresh, cool water. A bit more relaxed from her days as a cub where she would be the first one out of the cave and straight into the small pond by the unique rock formation, Pride Rock. Shaking her head, Makima rose to her paws in a quick, fluid motion and threw her head above her shoulders in another stretch. “Where is everyone?” The young lioness asked as she stared outside; nothing to be seen but birds.

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[Ventus•]

Ventus

Ventus had awoken to the sounds of roars, his eye lids flew open to reveal frightened grey blue eyes. A body next to him grew stiff as they to noticed the noise that was going on outside the cave. Battle cries were called out and Ventus had back up against the lioness behind him. His eyes wide as he glanced up at her, his eyes confused as her face seemed blurred out, like she was slowly being erased. He wailed not wanting whoever this was to fade away, and he could feel the tension rising in the air. The blurred female got to her paws and grabbed him by the scruff and in moments she propelled out of the cave. Many lions and lioness's were clawing at each other, his slate colored eyes darted from one face to the next. Blood painted the earth like rain, and his eyes locked upon a very angled face. She had dark lines running from her head, and an evil sneer on her face as she sent two of her lioness's in there direction. The blurred female realized this and set him down. "Run tenahi!" she yelled, he stared up at her confused until she butted him forward and he found himself running, the roars of the others as they died filled his ears and salty tears ran down his face. He didn't see the lioness that tackled him down, claws tore into his shoulder and sides until the angled lioness's voice told her to stop, and they needed him alive. The blurred lioness tackled the other one, and again picked him up by his scruff, blood dripping from his form.

He could practically feel her heart beating against his back as his eyes started to drop, and his body go limp. was this what death felt like? was all he could remember thinking before it went dark. Sharp prods on his side caused him to wince as his nightmare still had hold of him. He swiped out his paws as if it could save him, or if he was pushing someone away. Ventus, come on. Didn't I promise I'd take you on a hunt with me today? Ventus flinched as his eyes flew open, and his gaze snapped up to Mheetu who looked down at him warmly. His gaze then ran along to his daughter Makima who smiled and waited patiently. He lowered his gaze, Mheetu had taken him in after Rafiki had saved him. Not that he wasn't grateful or anything, but he still felt awkward around them. He wasn't blood, so why did he even matter to him. His rounded ears flicked, and the tufts of black fir showed his future mane color. Grey and black both dark, just like he was. He was an orphan and no amount of fake love could shield him from that fact. His mother, whomever she was, didn't want him and for all he knew was the reason he was in his previous state. In an answer to Mheetu's question he just shrugged. "I guess so." he replied not seeming the least bit enthusiastic, how could he be when the nightmare was still fresh in his mind. It hadn't been to much time since Rafiki healed him, so his sides still gave him some pain every once in awhile.

So as the young lion pushed himself to his paws he gritted his teeth as he stood up fully. He glanced back to his side as if expecting a long gash to be there, but instead there was a faded line that marked the healing process, and a possible scar. He sighed as he turned to look at the two and then around the den as Makima asked where everyone was. He knew the question was not directed at him so he kept silent, allowing Mheetu to answer her. He knew more about them than he did any way, still he took a look around spotting Simba and Koda not to far off. While Nala and Kiara were no where to be seen, which seemed to be common with princess Kiara always running off. He knew most lions expected Koda to becoming King, but he believed Kiara had just as good a chance as any to become queen. Besides she could probably use some sort of support, even if she didn't want it from him. Turning again to his adopted "family" he brushed past them, eyes to his paws as he allowed himself to exit the den. The morning light greeted him and caused him to blink back until his eyes could adjust. Once he did he turned to look toward the path, knowing perfectly well that he was supposed to be carried by someone due to his not fully healed scars, but he didn't feel like being some charity case so he hopped down from on rock to another. Picking up pace so that he had a better chance of getting down before anyone could do anything, each time he winced as pain shot up through his sides. Still he was determined, it was stupid to go against Rafiki's wishes, but he didn't much like to listen to such cautions.