1-24-02
Starscape Plateau
Nafse, Oh, my only Love..how do I let you go?    Saranya, ever-vigilant lookout.   Akili, it's time for him to take his place.   Mikini, scarred, but recovering.
 
Exits:
       Head [back] to the cave
 
[IC ] Xhu, male leopard                [IC ] Nafse, female lioness            
[IC ] Kituko, male lion                [IC ] Shingo, male lion                
[IC ] Azizi, female lioness            [IC ] Kimia, female lioness cub        
[IC ] Saranya, female lioness          [IC ] Akili, male elder lion           
[IC ] Mikini, female lioness
Nafse's paw still rests gently in Akili's chest fur, lying just over his heart. Once again, that reassuring beat has allowed her to get at least some sleep...even though she woke several times to just gaze at her sleeping mate.
This time it is afternoon when Akili finally stirs from his long rest, yawning.  Even having just woken up, he looks terribly exhausted... but, right now, he doesn't think he dares to go back to sleep again if he can help it.  So, forcing himself to stay awake, he yawns a few more times, and slowly opens his eyes, letting his vision adjust to the light of day.
Nafse instantly senses the change, her eyes flying open. As soon as they see that wide yawn, she smiles softly and leans towards him to gently rub her cheek along his. "Hi Love..."
Azizi was so exhausted from her lack of sleep that she is still sleeping soundly with her head in her fathers mane. Her sleep doesn't seem to be very peaceful for occasionally she will grunt and twitch.
Not too far away, Mikini also awakens, having missed Akili the few times she'd been up.  As she goes through her daily ritual of stretches, she realizes that there is a lot more company than when she last fell asleep - including a very familiar lioness nearby that is already awake and sitting up... and appears that she has been for some time.  Seeing that Akili is waking up, and that he is currently surrounded, she nevertheless pads closer to him, waiting for a chance to give him a nuzzle of greetings.
Waking from her sleep Kimia opens an eye to see who is awake.  Noticing that her grandma and grandpa are up, she sits and smiles at them.  "Grandma, grandpa," she mews.  Kimia scoots away from her mommy and stops in front of them, giving them both a lick on their paws.
Kituko slowly opens his eyes as he wakes up from his sleep which he needed badly, and looks arund the room to see if any one else is awake yet and when noticing: Akili, Mikini, and Nafse are awake he says in a still sleepy voice. "Good morning."
Managing a gentle purr, Akili returns Nafse's cheek-rub, smiling tiredly.  "Good afternoon, my love...  Kings, but I feel tired," he murmurs in a lower voice, and that's followed by a soft sigh.  Not elaborating more on that, he glances over at his daughter when he feels Azizi shift against him... but no, she doesn't appear to be awake yet.  Then, feeling Kimia's familiar soft licks, he gives her a soft smile, and noses her forehead.  "Hello there, Kimia."
Saranya shows a soft smile when she sees Akili wake up, and her usual enigmatic expression is subtly different, although it's not possible to pin down just what it is.  Not yet making a move over to him, she alertly watches, giving a nod and a smile to any who choose to glance her way.
Nafse hears the other greetings, sliding her paw close to Kimia and caressing her side. But, her eyes and attention stay on her Love..waiting for his response. When it comes, her heart sinks. She nods gently, keeping the smile in place. "Then, we will have a quiet day. You can just....rest and...talk to everyone. Are you hungry or thirsty or...anything?" She doesn't really expect an affirmative answer to that, but feels a strong need to ask.
Azizi wakes up with a start and is panting heavily as she looks around at everyone. As she tries to get her breathing back under control she rests her head back in her fathers mane to snuggle with him. "Good morning mom and dad." She mews quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone any more than she did with how she woke up. "Kimia hasn't been bothering you has she?"
Akili nods agreeably to what Nafse has to say, but doesn't answer just yet... glancing around, he nods his greetings to Kituko and Mikini, seeing that they're both awake... and then focuses on Saranya, not saying anything.  Nor does his expression shift, but it does seem as though he's wordlessly asking her something... and, after a pause, he turns back to Nafse, giving her a slightly apologetic smile.  "Talking would be good... I can't say I have much of an appetite, though.  If you're hungry, there's lots of fish to eat before they go bad," he offers, suspecting that Nafse - and quite possibly no one else - will really be hungry.  Feeling Azizi wake up next to him, he gives his daughter a soft nuzzle.  "Awake at last, huh, daughter-love?  You probably needed it.  No, she hasn't bothered us at all."
Curling up in a little ball Kimia closes her eyes.  Pulling her paw up to her mouth she begins sucking on it, hoping to ease the slight pain starting up in her mouth.
Kituko twitches his ears when Azizi wakes up and looks up at her. "Good morning Azizi."
Finding an opening, Mikini circles around to the direction Akili is facing - it's pretty evident that she's not going to get a chance to snuggle against his side - and gives him a warm nuzzle from in front.  "Hi, Akili," she purrs softly... and a little sadly, too; she can see as well as anyone else how haggard he is today; she's almost surprised that he's awake at all.  She glances at the pile of the fish when he makes his offer... but, no, she doesn't have much of an appetite today either, despite not having eaten much since her injury.
Nafse smiles towards Azizi, quickly shaking her head. "No...no Kimia is fine. She only just awoke and gave us each a morning nuzzle..on our paws." She turns back to Akili, catching the look between he and Saranya. Once again, her heart thuds in her chest...such a painful thing this time, that thudding. But she hides it quickly, looking away for a moment before responding softly. "Maybe later..." Her eyes have caught another look and squeezing Akili's paw, she releases it and rises to her own. "Mikini...why don't you sit...sit here and help keep him warm. I'm going to pull some more of the bedding over here and see if I can't make it a little softer a place to lie in."
Kituko slowly gets up and slowly makes his way closer over towards Akili without saying anything trying not to frown, or seem upset.
Azizi is relieved that Kimia didn't cause them any trouble, "I am glad that she hasn't. She is usually a very good girl and behaves herself." She too sees how her father looks and she can also feel him against her and she is as sure as her mother is that there isn't much longer. There are still things she wants to talk to him about and ask him about but she knows that now isn't the time, and that she probably won't get another time to do so. She feels sick to her stomach and is still tired, despite the sleep she just got. "Come here Kimia." Azizi calls to her daughter, "Why don't you rest in grandpa's mane for a little while?"
Quickly, yes, but not quickly enough that it didn't escape Akili's notice this time.  Giving her a wistful smile, he nuzzles her side when she rises, but makes no attempt to get up himself.  Not even sitting up, for that matter; he has his head raised and his forepaws out in front of him, sphinx-like, but doesn't otherwise move.  Nodding softly to Nafse's intent, he shifts his gaze to Mikini... who is busy giving Nafse a grateful smile, before she takes the proffered spot at Akili's side... giving Nafse a nuzzle of her own when she passes by.  Settling down next to Akili, Mikini also takes the opportunity to bury her head in Akili's thinning mane, purring quietly.
Taking her paw away from her mouth, Kimia stands up and walks over to her mommy.  Snuggling next to her and grandpa she begins to purr despite the pain in her mouth.  Bringing her paw back up to her mouth she begins to suck on it.
Silently gazing off into the distance Shingo stands, standing in a different spot then he was last night this time by the cave's entrance. Standing on all fours, not showing a single sign of fatigue, he continues to watch. He holds a thoughtful look in his eye, full of emotions.
Akili rests his head over Mikini's for a short time, purring back to her... then pulls back just enough to give her a slow, soft nuzzle, licking her nose for a final measure.  Feeling Azizi move again next to him, Akili looks towards his daughter, and gives her head a gentle lick.  "Anything you want to ask me, daughter-love?" he murmurs quietly, his tone of voice just a bare shade above a whisper.
Nafse's cheek holds the nuzzle with Mikini just that little bit longer...telling her wordlessly that she knows...oh kings!..she knows. Silently, she straightens up then and moves out towards the pile of grasses she had gathered a few days ago... Her back to the others, she allows herself a few brief moments to let the tears fall. Then, quickly wiping away the evidence, she scoops up mouth fulls of the fragrant stuff and carries it back to where Akili lies. With great care, she manages to build little cushioning mounds around him...tucking them up close in an effort to offer him some support. Moving the grasses fills the air with the sweet scent of leleshwa and that scent brings floods of memories. Attempting to catch Akili's eyes...she wonders if it does for him too?
Kituko looks up to his sister when he notices that Akili is looking up to her, to see if she has anything to say feeling uneasy about something and tries not to let it show.
Azizi opens her mouth to say, "Who..." But then she stops herself and shakes her head. This isn't the time to be asking this question. Instead she asks him, "Can you tell us about when you and mom first met again and how you fell in love?"
Kituko hears what his sister said and looks to Akili and nods to him, "I would like to hear that as well."
Shingo attention breaks over to Azizi and Akili coming back to conscience reality, looking over, giving a frail smile but as he turns away it melts into a frown. Perhaps he has figured it out, perhaps the last, but he frowns and moves near but of course soon decides to break away into his own world of thought for the mean-time, sitting on his haunches keeping his whole body still. He still listens to them, but doesn't make any replies.
While waiting for his daughter, Akili gives Nafse an appreciative smile, thanking her for the extra comfort.  More and more holes are appearing in his once-seamless memory, but the familiar and reassuring scent of the leleshwa stirrs the memories that remain... and, when Azizi asks her question, he realizes that he does still remember that day... if perhaps not as much detail as he would like.  He conveys, as best he can, his pleasure and thanks to Nafse for the reminder, then turns to look at daughter and son.  "It was really quite a lucky meeting, for both of us.  She had been visiting Life Valley to speak to Gesten, and during her visit there, she went out for a skating drip on the frozen lake..." he looks wistful for a moment, realizing that that's something else he'll never do again.  Picking up his story, he resumes, "I knew there was something special about her when we first met, although I didn't know what.
Only later, when I was helping her recover from the illness she got from being out in the cold... did I realize that she was whom I'd been waiting for."  He gives Nafse a warm smile at that point.  "And her timing couldn't have been any better... if she'd been any sooner, I would have still been in mourning for Siara."
Voices. Faint, distant voices. The leopard's left ear perks to them. When Xhu halfway opens his eyes, so slowly, his gaze doesn't focus on the rock wall right before him. With his head still resting on the ground he listens to them for a while longer. He's listened to quite a few voices, out from the corner he's retreated to, since Saranya did lead him here, for him to meet his old friend.. and since they talked... Though, there haven't been that many different voices yet.. Nevertheless, when he takes a deep breath and slowly gets up into a stand, without a single stretch, it's not the curiosity he's well known for that makes him start to move closer. And when he drags himself around the ledge that has hidden him from the views of the others, it's not his immense weariness that slows down his movements and hangs his head...  Having reached a point where he can see them, and vice versa, he stops, shortly lifts his head to look for Akili, and lays down on his belly when he spots him surrounded by his family and pride. Still too far away to understand what is spoken he rests on the ground, sphinx-like just like the lion, and closes his eyes again..
Nafse finishes moving all the grasses..stopping mostly because there's no more to move. She misses the odd tension that seems to be in the air between Shingo and Azizi...too focused on Akili to notice much else. As there is no room for her beside him, she moves around behind him and lies down. Another memory pushes its way forward and she bites her lip, before reaching out and covertly giving his tail a gentle tug. She knows he will understand...even if that affectionate signal can no longer be answered with his familiar grin. 
Seeing Nafse return, Mikini gives her Queen a smile and an interrogatory lift of her brows, wondering if she'd like her spot next to Akili back.  She somehow knows that Nafse needs to be in Akili's presence more than she does right now... but she doesn't want to ask out loud and embarrass her just yet.
Finishing with his story, and glad that he was able to recall as much as he could of it, Akili smiles to his two cubs, then feels a familiar tug on his tail... one he hasn't felt in some time.  Peering back over his shoulder, he gives Nafse an incredulous look... which softens into an amused grin when he realizes that she's not *exactly* serious.  There's something in his eyes that shows that he'd like to if he could... but he can't, in more ways than one.
Nafse smiles as she remembers that meeting too. "Your Dad was so handsome...and so caring. And so brave! He..he..even after he learned who I was...he still wanted me. He still loved me!" Shifting her eyes down, she catches Mikini's question and nods lightly...before continuing. "We were destined for each other..long before we even knew each other existed."
Azizi settles down comfortably before her father begins the story and listens to it like she has never heard the story before. She doesn't notice that her mate is isolating himself for she is too busy with her father. She purrs, "That is a lovely story dad. And you are the luckiest lion ever to find mom like you did." She hears the name Siara again and perks her ears, she wants to know who she is but doesn't ask for fear of upsetting her dad.
Nodding back to Nafse, Mikini gives her mate one last, thorough nuzzle... then rises to her paws and steps away, to give Nafse room.  Unintentionally, she ends up next to Saranya; realizing this, she gives the lioness an uncertain look, but when Saranya reassures Mikini with a grin, Mikini settles back down to watch and listen.
Kituko nods to Akili as he listens to the story and enjoying it and when the story is finished he says, "I agree with Azizi. Thank you dad for telling the story."
Shingo goes back to the conscience reality, reacting as if he had woken from a dream, with a jolting head. He glances over to Nafse with a smile and nods to her, "It's obvious that you two were, no doubt.. Both always care for each other." giving a smile to Akili and Nafse.
Not expecting that response at all, Akili's look makes Nafse's eyes flash back at him and...unable to hold it back, she bursts out in laughter. "Your memory of some things has remained... I...I was just...just testing." Her eyes turn bright with tears she refuses to allow as she rises and comes around to take Mikini's place. As she passes Saranya and Mikini, she turns her head and whispers..."Please..don't leave...promise me you'll stay?" Not wanting any other to hear that plea, she keeps moving settling back beside Akili and nosing gently beneath his chin. 
Laying quietly with her mommy and grandpa, Kimia murmurs through her paw, "grandpa, my grandpa."  As she lays there taking in the story, Kimia can feel something odd in the way everyone is acting but isn't quite old enough to understand and to top it off the pain in her mouth isn't going away.  Doing her best, Kimia doesn't cry cause she doesn't want anyone to get mad at her again.
Looking back at Nafse again, Akili gives his love a warm smile, then faces his cubs again.  "That I am, although with some of the things I went through... well, if there *is* a cost to such luck, I think I paid it off," he purrs with a humored chuckle.  Seeing Azizi's puzzlement, Akili expands, "Siara was a lioness I met long before your mother... *long* before.  She was actually pregnant with our cubs when I lost her," he explains, with just a tinge of that old sadness.  But after so long, time has finally healed that wound, allowing him to speak of it with only that subtle reminder of how badly it shattered his life back then.  He grins, nodding to Shingo, then looks back at Nafse with a chuckle.  "I figured you might be... after I almost forgot that once, I made a determined effort to remember that.  I'd probably sooner forget your name," he purrs with a wink, nuzzling his Queen again when she returns to his side.
Mikini's response to Nafse's whisper is a reassuring smile and a nod; she doesn't intend to go anywhere.  Saranya also nods back, although not with as much assurance; evidently there's some caveat that she didn't have time to tell Nafse about in the brief time provided by her passing by.
Azizi had totally forgetten her mate until he just said something and that is when she gives him a wondering look, "What are you doing over there?" She queries. Recognition dawns upon her as her father explains about Siara and now she fully understands what he meant a while back. Though this doesn't give her much comfort. She nuzzles her daughter and licks her to tell her everything is alright.
Nafse chuckles quietly, well aware of just how impossible that would be. "My name is engraved on your heart and on your soul just as yours is on mine. We are, my Love, true soul-mates. But, even given that.." and she burrows her nose gently down until it rests where it has since their first night together...deep in his mane. "..I'm glad you haven't forgotten other things."
It is not before some more time has passed - slowly, as time doesn't seem to pass quickly anymore, for this emaciated leopard - that Xhu opens his eyes again and watches the group from the distance. As intended by him he cannot hear what is said, in order to respect the privacy they deserve. Though he can see, and what he sees makes him smile, pensively... Aiy'ha is caring for him, and those who surround him are caring for him as well. There doesn't seem to be any pain, only the warm closeness of a family he once was happy enough to enjoy himself. And telling from the laughter of Nafse he recognizes right beside him, there seem to be some lightheartness as well. His gaze becomes blank again as his mind wonders back in time, following the paths of various memories.. His family and cubs... The first time he met this special lion, literally running into him... The exciting time when they met Siana and Togun... 
Kituko lets out a soft sigh when he hears that about Siara and nods to him, wanting to say that he is sorry to hear that but does not want to make things worse. Then when he hears what Nafse said he looks over towards his mother and smiles at her.
From the depths of that mane another quet chuckle emanates. "Do you reemember the first time you tried to teach me to hunt?"
Azizi perks her ears again as her curiousity is piqued and her sadness seems to disappear for the moment, "Oh I have to hear about this." she smiles.
Shingo hrms and blinks to himself, "Me my love?" he pauses as he moves closer, slow enough that he can give a look out towards the distance again, looking for something that is not there. He says in a light tone to her, "Just thinking to myself.. I didn't miss much." he raises a brow as he finds a place in front of them, "Did I?"
Akili smiles softly to Azizi, then looks over to Nafse with a warm grin.  "That we are, my heart."  His soft purrs increase in volume when Nafse nuzzles into that deeply familiar spot, and he also rests one of his forepaws on top of hers, giving it a soft squeeze.  "There are a lot of blanks now," he admits, "but I'm glad I still remember as much as I do."  Unfortunately, Nafse's next amused question causes an unhappy pang of feeling; that is, to his great regret, one of his memories that has been mostly lost.  And so, reluctantly, he purrs, "...I remember that it didn't work out as well as I'd hoped... but not much else, I'm afraid."
Kituko tries to fight back his tears when he hears Akili say, that he is affraid because he has never known of his father to be affraid before.
Nafse chuckles softly. "Oh Love....you don't remember me 'slinking' down into the grasses and 'disappearing' as I crept forward towards the gazelle?" She doesn't move her head from where it is..but her tail suddenly lifts and dangles in the air behind Akili. "The gazelle who was greatly frightened by this tail poking straight up out of the grass and coming right for him?"
Akili tries his best to remember that event... surely it should be important enough for him to recall... and just a little bit of additional memory surfaces.  "That part I do remember, actually," he says at last, looking over at Nafse with a light smile.  "But only after you mentioned it."
Kituko can not help but chuckle at that remark himself.
Wandering the paths of memories can be dangerous... Xhu remembers that too late when he suddenly finds himself asking how his own Circle may close, some day... Will it be in peace, or will it be in fear and alarm? Though, what bothers him above all: will he, too, be surrounded by those he loves, and who loves him, just like Akili - or will he die all alone, in blood, only accompanied by endless grief and despair..?    He tries his best to push aside that nagging question, lock it up into that part of his mind that already keeps prison so many other thoughts like that, since he cannot feel the heartbeats of those who had been a part of his life anymore...   And his mind begins to wander again...
Shingo makes a thoughtful gesture as hunting is mentioned which causes him to look around for someone. "Hmm.. Speaking of teaching and hunting.. Should probably start teaching Aeris how to hunt.." saying softly to himself.
Nafse rubs her nose over Akili's chest, grinning in the hiding veil of his mane. "Oh, but I did Azizi! And, and your Dad burst into laughter and frightened the others away. I'm afraid I just have never been a great huntress. Thank the kings that we have you and Mikini!"
Nafse senses a hint of worry in Akili and wraps a paw gently around him. "Don't worry about not remembering, Love. I gave you so many reasons to wonder...and to laugh. Forgetting one of them is no cause for concern."
Azizi laughing dies down, "I can see why you don't hunt that often now." She pictures the image of her mother stalking some gazelle and them watching her tail come at them and starts laughing again.
Kituko looks over towards Nafse and nods, "That is true. I do not think, any one will go hunting much if they went through something like that."
Akili gives Nafse a gentle smile and a purr, but for the first time, it sounds somewhat labored, as though it's taking him an unusual amount of effort just for that soft noise.  Nuzzling Nafse back, he barely holds in a wide yawn as exhaustion - none of it due to lack of sleep, this time - continues to take its toll.  He still has the endurance to force himself awake, although even he isn't sure how much longer he can hold out.
As attuned to her mate as she is, Nafse immediately senss the change. Although fear grabs her heart and squeezes tightly, common sense (and perhaps some otherworldly aid) keeps her together. "Akili? Love...can I get you anything? Would you like me to re-arrange things so you can lie down more comfortably?"
Shingo OOCly kills his DSL line.
Azizi's laughter dies very suddenly when she hears her fathers laboured purr. She gives her mother a look to see if it means anything and what she sees scares her.
Mikini gives Nafse a smile at the praise, although she hasn't done a great deal of hunting recently.  She's been too occupied doing... other things.  When she picks up on Nafse's alarm, she glances at Saranya... then looks back at Akili, but not saying anything.  She knows what's coming as well as Nafse does, and she's as prepared as she can be.  Thank the Kings above that she had time alone with him to get everything settled, otherwise she'd be a complete wreck right now.
Kituko twitches his ears to the sound of his father's purr and quickly looks over towards Akili worriedly to see what is going on.
Nafse looks back, her eyes suddenly somber. "Azizi..perhaps you and Kimia would like to give Dad a nuzzle and then move back a little so he can lie down?"
Nafse looks up at Kituko and Shingo...that same expression in her eyes. Without words, she tells them that if they wish to say goodbye..now is the time.
Despite her efforts to stay awake, Kimia has drifted off to sleep and seems to be purring very quietly.
The more Azizi reads from her mothers expression the more scared she gets. When her mother makes her request it takes all the will she has follow it, for all she wants to do is stay laying next to her father like this. She gives him a very long nuzzle and licks his muzzle, "I love you more than anything dad." Her voice trembles so much that she almost isn't even able to get those words out. She move away just enough so that her father can lay down but she is ready to move back closer to rest with her head next to him when she has the chance.
Nafse gives Azizi a shaky smile. Still waiting for Shingo and Kituko, she carefully arranges herself so that Akili can lie against her with his head elevated on her chest now. She hopes that will ease his breathing. She doesn't know what else to do....
Akili gives Nafse a supremely tired smile, and slowly shakes his head.  "No, Nafse; I'm as comfortable as I can be."  He grimaces slightly, and reluctantly admits, "...I don't think I could get up if I wanted to, anyway.  No, I'm fine like this... with all of you."  He pauses, and adds, "...I don't think I want to lie down just yet."  There is the unspoken addition that, if he does... he believes it will be for the last time.  He softly nuzzles his daughter back, purring as best as he can.  "I love you too, my daughter.  I'll always love you..."  Raising his eyes, which are shimmering slightly in the late afternoon light, he meets everyone's eyes as best he can, and expands, "I'll always love all of you."
Kituko looks over towards Nafse and nods to her and by noticing that expression in her face he also gets scared. Then he slowly gets up and gets closer to Akili, and nuzzles him. "I love you dad." he says then he turns around and makes his way over to his sister. When he gets right beside his sister he looks back over towards. Then when he hears looks back over towards Akili, "I will always love you too dad."
Azizi quickly moves back to her father side and lays next to him. She does her best to hold back from crying but just look at her would tell anyone that any little thing and she won't be able to hold back any longer.
Nafse allows Akili to stay as he is...fighting the urge to do more. She knows in her heart that he needs to do this his way..the easiest for him. And that she needs to sit back and .....just be there.
Shingo blinks and turns his head quickly to Akili, perhaps he was right, wishing he wasn't.. He looks up at Nafse, almost confused.. Not confused, just refusing the truth.. But soon he holds his head up, knowing that running away will only make things hurt more then they should, like last time. He steps forward giving Akili a nuzzle, "Thanks dad, I may not have had long to get to know you, but you've been a father ever since..." with the last part his voice gives out a tremble, so he steps back and lowers his head as he hides a tear..
Nafse lifts her eyes to Mikini and Saranya, mutely inviting them to come closer too.
Seeing that his time is near, Mikini leaves Saranya's side to pad over to Akili, tears already starting to flow soundlessly down her cheeks and muzzle.  She settles down in front of him, resting one forepaw on his outstretched one, and resting her head on it... but not before giving Akili's own muzzle a thorough licking.  Finally, she settles back down to sit and wait... as there is little more she can do.
Slowly drifting back to the here and now Xhu finally looks back at the lions. Something seems to have changed, the way the look and move. Their voices sounds different, too, sounding serious ans somber now. It may be only him, but he can't remember having seen Akili looking so tired and old... Even from the distance he senses that the lion's Circle finally closes...
Mumbling to herself Kimia awakes confused to what is going on. "Grandpa, my grandpa," she murmurs quietly, more confused then ever by things going on.  Scooting up to her mommy, she looks at her questioningly hoping to gain some understanding.
When Kimia goes over to Azizi she doesn't look over at her or speak to her. The only thing she does is hold her close between her and Akili as she cries into his mane.
Settling as much as he dares against Nafse, Akili gives everyone warm nuzzles when they approach him, looking happier that his daughter returns to his side... and that Mikini also joins him.  Still purring as best as he's able, he licks her muzzle dry in return, although it doesn't last as her tears continue to flow.  "...Knowing," he murmurs softly, his voice more even than even he thought it would be, "that anything can happen to any of us, at any time... I'm grateful that I've managed to live out my entire life... thanks to all of you.  I could never have asked for a better family."  He says all this very sincerely, a heartfelt declaration of his love for everyone here.  Not finished yet, he looks back at Mikini, and instructs her with a sad smile, "If anyone wants to know anything about me, anything that I haven't managed to share... you may tell them as much as you know of my life...."  Sniffing, he looks over to Saranya, whom is still sitting there... and decides the time as come.  "...Mom?" he softly calls to her.
Kituko makes way back over to his sister and the rest of the family himself, trying not to cry himself but having a hard time so that he will be close to his family and father without thinking about it.
Upon being addressed, Saranya gives Akili a gentle smile - she's the only one who isn't in tears or on the brink of them.  Rising to her paws, she pads over to him, and gives his nose a lick, purring, "I'm here, my son... it's almost time."  Sitting down next to Mikini, in front of Akili, she rests one of her much younger paws on Akili's older one, continuing to watch him.  She's sad, yes, but in a different way than everyone else present.
Nafse has begun to tremble with the effort of holding herself together. She lifts one forepaw, gently stroking it over his mane...smoothing it down and brushing away her tears as they silently fall on it. She can sense the effort it takes him to continue and, knowing that, doesn't interrupt him as he singles each one out...only sitting there with him alightly resting against her..stroking that paw...back and forth....
Azizi's silent crying almost becomes a loud bawling but with every ounce of will power she has she holds back for now. When Akili calls out mom and she sees Sara approach she is confused, why didn't she say that she was his mother. She gently starts rubbing her fathers back with her tail to reassure him that she is there with him, and to help reassure herself too.
Shingo still has his head down, ashamed of the tears that drop and the ones that drip through his fur. He's nearly lost his composure, hanging on by an inch. He looks up at Akili, seeing a family member, a father figure, in such condition.. He lifts his head as he looks at Sara, letting his bewilderement take him over, never did he even suspect that she was his mother..
Kituko looks to Akili when he hears him call out to his mother wondering what that is about, but with his tears coming he is too upset to say anything.
Akili's breathing abruptly becomes more labored, and, reluctantly, he lowers his head, resting it half against Nafse and half against his paws.  But he still has at least one more question, one more favor to ask... and he has someone in particular he'd like to address this question to.  Looking at the lioness who he has finally revealed as his mother, he murmurs, "Saranya... Mom...  Can you... will you make sure that I'm returned to the Circle?"  Evidently this has some deep meaning for him; as a firm believer in the rhythms of the Circle, he desires that his body be returned to the grasses, so that may give himself back, in some way, to those that he has fed on during his long life.  But that's too much to explain to everyone else, hence why he asks Saranya specifically.
Nafse's paw abruptly ceases it's movements, lying still against the fur it was stroking. How she feels about this last request Akili gives Saranya is locked deeply inside her. She suddenly wonders if...does Saranya know? But, there is no way to ask and, she realizes, it doesn't matter. All that matters now is that her Love must complete this journey alone. And..that she must remain behind for now. And, despite her words to the contrarey, she's no longer so sure she can handle this! Her head lowers to rest very lightly over Akili's, her eyes dry now...her words waiting on his Mother's answer.
Smiling gently, Saranya obviously fully understands what Akili means, and nods, softly nosing him.  "I will... when we're done," she adds mysteriously, and refuses to elaborate further.
When he notices Akili lowering his head Xhu's look becomes soft, focusing on the lion he appreciates so much. "Oh Aiy'ha, First of the Foremost..." he solemnly whispers, audible only to him, and hoping She's listening, "... here is one who deserves a place among the others... Guide him to where he'll be happy.. and let him shine brightly.. so we all can look up to this light, whenever we miss him..."  Despite the long time, despite the long distance, he still remembers the words - although it has been the first time he'd spoken them himself.. "I'll miss you, my friend..." he adds with a breaking voice, "I'll miss you..."
Nafse gives Saranya a hopeful look...a pleading look... She knows as well as Saranya does that nothing can stop what's about to happen. But still....her eyes plead for a little more time, as if Saranya could grant that.
Kituko is still watching Akili, witht he tears still coming down his muzzle and feels that his fur is wet with his own tears not saying anything because at this time he for the first time can not think of anything to say. The only thing, he can do is think of is how much he is going to miss his father.
Relieved, Akili settles back down... a few tears of his own escaping.  He's not sad that his time as come... he's sad that he must leave everyone in this way.  But that, too, is part of the Circle.  "Thank you," he murmurs, settling back once more... and his eyes start to slip closed, however hard he tries to hold them open... it's becoming more and more difficult to resist sleep's final call.  If anyone has anything more to say, now's obviously the time.
Azizi continues to hide her head in her fathers mane for she doesn't know what else to do. She mumbles under her breath so low that if it is heard at all it would only be by her mother and father, "Please Great King grant me this one and only wish and I will do anything you request. Let my father stay alive."
Nafse's gasp is audible in the sudden silence. She tears her eyes away from Saranya and lowers her her head, lying her muzzle beside Akili's. "Love? Akili? Don't go....not yet..please..don't leave me yet. I'm not ready...oh...I'm not ready."
Saranya catches Nafse's glance, and sadly shakes her head.  She can do many things, but the flow of time is well beyond her abilities.  Returning her gaze to Akili, she purrs quietly, "It's time, my son.  You must take your place... and," she adds, more quietly still, "...I'm proud of you."
Kituko makes his way over to Akili and nuzzles him, "Please, do not go dad. I do not want you to go."
Shingo looks upong Akili once again, and just closes his eyes which have a few more tears and quietly speaks, "Thank you Akili, father.. Many things  you have taught me, things that have motivated me.. been sometimes crucial..." he thinks even further, "This.. can't be the end.... No.." he then becomes silient as he lowers his head, realising that the truth, cold and harsh, of what will happen..
Nafse's voice sinks to a whisper only her love can hear. "I won't leave you. I promised and I won't forget that promise. I won't leave you...not even for a second. I'll be waiting. I promise my...my Love. I...promise..."
Azizi doesn't realize her father is starting to go until she hears her mothers pleading. That is when she looks up and gives her mother the same look nafse gave Saranya while at the same time crying out, "Daddy you can't go. I won't let you. Kimia needs you. She needs her grandfather." She is starting to sound desperate. "Dad I need you. We all need you. I love you too much for you to go. Please stay dad. Please stay." 
Akili does overhear everyone's soft murmurs, and wishes there was a better way... but what must be, must be.  "I'll always be with you, my heart," he murmurs to Nafse, his voice hard to hear.  "...Apart but never seperated, 'member?"  A warm smile graces his lips when he hears Saranya, although he doesn't say anything further to her.  And, overhearing what he can of everyone else's protests, he murmurs, "I'll live on in all of your memories... as long as you have those, I'll... never be gone.  Have faith in... yourselves... in each other.  There is... where you will... find the strength you need," he manages to finish, his labored breathing finally affecting his speech.  And, out of nowhere, he finds one more phrase to speak, not knowing exactly where it came from... but grateful, nonetheless.  "Be brave, be true, stand... for your beliefs... all the rest... is darkness."  With a soft sigh, he finally gives in to the tidal pulls of weariness, no longer able to resist.  
"I love you all," is the last thing he manages, as his eyes close shut, and his full weight settles to the ground, his breathing slowing as he falls into deep, dreamless sleep... and beyond.  And, as Nafse and Azizi can feel, resting against him, his heartbeat slows along with his breathing... all too soon coming to a stop as he drifts away peacefully in his sleep.
In the distance the leopard closes his eyes and lowers his head, slowly, deep to the ground... It is said that those sensible enough can feel the Na'tah leaving what was made of the grasses and what will return to the grasses, to soar, free of burdens and pains. But maybe it's just that immense sadness that makes his heart missing a beat...
Shingo frowns as he watches Azizi, he slowly puts a paw on Azizi's shoulder, "I am sorry Azizi.. There isn't anything we can do... It's histime to return.." he says slowly, and painfully.. Listening to Azizi, finding himself trembling..
Somewhere on the muck, Tursi has disconnected.
Nafse's heart knows the exact instant that her Love's ceases to beat...because her own stops with it. However, it is not her time yet and one who knows that and has been silently observing, reaches out with his thoughts and reminds the broken heart to begin again. She stretches herself out beside his body, wrapping her paws around him and burying her face in his mane. No longer aware that there is anyone else around her, Nafse mourns as only one who has lost a part of themselves can. She continues to whisper to him...but not in words that any around her could possibly understand.
When Saranya feels Akili's passage, she keeps her paw resting on his for just a moment longer, looking... contemplative.  Finally, rising back up, she glances around at everyone, and murmurs, "I must be going.  There's... something I need to do," is as much as she chooses to explain.  And, knowing that everyone is going to be occupied for a while, she discreetly retires to the tunnel leading back into the cave below, soon disappearing from sight.
Kituko stiill crying and knowing that Akili is gone he closes his eyes, and says. "I love you too dad. Thank you for everything that you have taught me, and for being there for me when I needed you."
Azizi either doesn't notice her mate next to her or ignores him completely. She just can't accept that her father is gone. She starts to nudge him gently and starts mewing softly, "Dad get up. You have to get up." She continues to repeat that for she just can't accept that her father is gone. "Daddy You need to get up. The fish I caught for you are waiting. Daddy please, you need to wake up." 
Mikini's tears continue to flow, feeling that her own love has finally left her... he'll leave a hole in her heart that she'll never be able to fill... but even through her own sorrow and self-pity, she knows that this is better for Akili... she saw how much it pained him just to move around... and how much it hurt him to not do things he'd been doing all of his life.  She'll be a while getting over this... but knowing what she does of Akili's life, and what he survived... she will too... eventually.  Such is her focus that she ignores just about everything else going on around her.  Nor does she move away from Akili yet.
Shingo looks down at Akili, finding tears filling his eyes again as he looks down at the silient King, "The body, something that disappears.. Essence remain.." he closes his eyes, remembering Akili, when he was first introduced to Nafse and him, times of advice, times of comfort, things that he remembered his own father gave him. He takes a deep breath as he continues to look, "Live forever, in peace King Akili..."
Azizi loved her father as mush as a daughter can love her father without becoming mates. Even though she was warned what was going to happen and that it was going even watching her father die isn't enough to make Azizi accept that her father is truely gone. Her head remains nestled in her fathers mane under his chin as she cries and continues to try and get her father to wake up.
Watching everyone around her Kimia becomes more confused then ever.  Looking over at her grandpa, Kimia cocks her head to the side and mews, "grandpa, my grandpa."  Wrinkling her nose in cunfusion Kimia nuzzles her mommy.  "Mommy," she mews, "grandpa no go."
Kituko opens his eyes and looks over towards Akili as he says, "I will never forget you dad."
Nafse's words, when they finally do come, remain muffled by Akili's fur. "Shingo, you should take Azizi and Kimia to the cave. It's not good for Kimia to be...to be here. And...I....please...I need ....." She can't finish, the reality hitting her again.
Silently Xhu lays there, a long time... Finally, moving like not paying attention to any of his movements, he gets up and starts padding towards the group... There's one thing left...
Azizi barely even notices her daughter in her grief. But when she does she cries from within her fathers mane, "Grandpa is right here Kimia. And he will be waking up to play with you any time now." 
Shingo nudges Azizi gently, feeling horrible to pull her away at such a time, "Azizi we should.. should get back.. Please.."
Azizi shakes her head from within her fathers mane, "I can't leave my dad. I need to tell him something when he gets up."
Kituko still looking over towards Akili he feels his tears starting to get worse...
Shingo shakes his head, hating to be the one to say this but he knows he has to, "Azizi, he's not going to get up.. He's gone.. He's gone and there's nothing we can do about!..." he soon becomes deathly silient..
Having reached the group Xhu hesitates... An inner battle is going on between moving forward and returning, given that his family and pride is surrounding him. He does not care about being attacked or chased away, due to considered a stranger arriving at a very wrong moment. But he does heavily ponder about disturbing the privacy of that moment...  And so he stands there, nearby, undecided, sadness and mourning all over his face.
Nafse's pain is too deep for her to be able to handle anothers right now. She continues to hold unto him, lifting her head to reveal a face ravaged by grief. "Azizi...it's time for you to grow up daughter-love. You have no choice but to face what is real.  He has gone. He will not be coming back. You have a daughter who needs you and shouldn't spend the night beside a dead body. Go with Shingo..go to the cave...."
Still grieving for Akili, Mikini manages to gather enough of her composure to realize what's going on around her...  Shingo and Kituko seem to be all right, and Nafse needs more time... and Azizi's deep in denial.  Shaking her head, she sniffs a few times, then notices movement... a leopard.  A familiar leopard, at that.  Swallowing hard, she tests her voice carefully, not wanting it to crack - it's bad enough that tears are still running down her muzzle.  "...X..Xhu?"
Azizi tries to find an excuse, any excuse that they are wrong, "But he can't be gone. He promised to help me raise Kimia and she isn't grown up yet so he can't go. He promised."
Even through the blurr of tears, Nafse can see that there is another here...one she doesn't know. Lifting her head a little higher, she peers towards the figure, realizing who he is when Mikini says his name. Tightening her hold on Akili's body, she gives this Xhu a questioning look...
Hearing Mikini addressing him finally decides the battle. Though he doesn't reply to her, nor does he turn his head to look at her. Gulping, he nods his head shortly, his head still fixed on the lion, before he glances over to Nafse. And while his face still tells everyone looking at it about the sadness and grief he feels, his eyes are meant to be read by her alone, carrying a quiet plead to be allowed to step closer to Akili's body..
Shingo shakes his head, "Azizi, he said to you to be prepared for anything.. my father made promises to me, but he would have fufilled them if he was given more time.. We can raise her Azizi... We have the strength to raise Kimia by ourselves, thats what your father wanted, for us to be able to handle this on our own.."
Kituko twitches his ears when he hears Mikini mention the name of Xhu and tries to remember where he has heard that name before, and as he looks over towards his direction that Xhu is in he remembers meeting him before and in a sad voice he says. "Hi, Xhu." then looks back over towards Akili's body.
Nafse stiffens as the leopard approaches, gripping her Love to her. Her eyes search his face, slowly locking on his eyes. She sees no threat there..only a pain almost as deep as her own. "You....you knew him? she murmurs softly.
The nod is proof enough that this is the same leopard Mikini remembers during Siana's stay.  Looking to Nafse, she gives her a head a slight nod, telling her that it's safe.  Mikini knows that Xhu is a very old friend of Akili's... and that Akili would want Xhu to be able to visit when he chose.
Azizi, for the first time pulls her head out of her fathers mane and growls at her mate, something she has never done before, "My dad promised me and kings have to keep thier promises." She looks at him for a moment longer as if daring him to challenge that. Then she returns her spot in her fathers mane.
Xhu nods, in reply to Nafse's question, closing his eyes while doing so. No word does he speaks.
The longer this goes on the more scared Kimia gets.  Being as young as she is Kimia doesn't understand but she knows deep within that her grandpa isn't himself anymore.  Turning, Kimia rushes towards the cave trying to get away.
Kituko suddenly goes silent and sits down wishing that he had more time to spend with his father, and wanting to know more about him that he'd have liked to find out from Akili himself.
Shingo doesn't even dare to challenge that, knowing not matter what she'd probably refuse to believe it still. He watches Kimia rush towards the cave and soon he follows slowly, "I'll be in the cave.. I tried Nafse... I tried.." he says, lowering his head as he enters.
Nafse ignores Azizi now...leaving her to her mate. She has just lost her own and her coping skills are stretched to a fine, brittle thread. Seeing that Mikini also knows Xhu, she bows her head as a sign that he can approach...
After having snapped at her mate and realizing what she has done and after all her attempts to wake up her father hasn't worked, she is finally forced to accept what is. As she does so she seems to withdraw into her own little world where nothing else matters. She doesn't even twitch a muscle when Kimia runs away from her.
Kimia has left.
Shingo has left.
Five slow steps takes him closer to the lion's body, and he crosses the distance with all the respect that is deserved. Keeping his eyes on Akili's face he stands there for a moment longer, then he reaches out with his right paw, even slower and with more respect than he approached. When its tip slightly touches the tip of Akili's right fore paw, he tries to speak, tries to get his trembling voice under control, to speak the words soft and solemnly... and, with all his willpower, succeeds, offering what he came for. "Until we meet again, my Friend..."  A few heartbeat longer he keeps the touch, then he retracts his paw, offers Nafse a look full of gratitude and sympathy, and turns around, padding away slowly with his head hanging...
Kituko does not leave he just looks over towards Akili finding it hard to believe that he is gone, even though he wished the day would never come and now that it has wishes it was so much easier to handle.
Nafse's somber eyes watch Xhu approach. She lowers her head back down to lie her cheek against Akili's, her eyes watchng as soon reaches out and touches that paw. There is no fear or worry in her own as she looks back into his. "Xhu, we have never met before, but, he spoke of you with admiration. I'm glad you could be here."
Azizi begins mumbling something so quietly that with it being muffled by her fathers mane and her crying makes the words indistinguishable. But the tone is like she is talking to her father. She doesn't seem to notice Xhu's approach or what he did.
Mikini watches Xhu pay his last respects to her mate, her King...  That brings a flood of tears anew... but perhaps in some small way, not as bad as they were earlier.  Looking up at Nafse, she gives her Queen a cautious nuzzle, and, glancing back at Azizi, she whispers to Nafse, "...Can she stay, or should I try get her to leave?"
The sky has begun to darken...a few stars managing to twinkle before a light cloud cover hides them from sight. Feeling the cooler air begin to settle, the expression in Nafse's eyes turns to one of all encompassing pain. In all of the nights since she and Akili chose each other, they have never slept apart. How will she manage this... Looking up at Mikini's question she tries to pull her thoughts together. "She shouldn't be here. She has a daughter who needs her. And she has a mate ..one whose side she should never leave. She should be with them....."
The leopard stops, when he hears Nafse's words. Stopping he looks back at her, and just bows his head, as he doesn't seem to be able to pronounce words now. It's quite visible how he feels - and that he needs to be alone now... Looking ahead again he resumes his walk towards the entrance of the cave, staring at the ground as he moves away slowly, finally disappearing into the darkness.....
Nafse notices the leopard leave...but her pain is too deep again to play the gracious Queen. She turns to the others and pleads. "Please, give me this time with him. Let me...let me have this last night. Please...."
Kituko looks back over towards Xhu once again and says, "I am glad that you could be here as well." he says even though he does not know Xhu very well, but knowing that he knew Akili and he thinks that Akili would have appreiciated it if he was still alive.
>>>Guest1 says, "With Xhu's final pose written, I wish to thank you all for the excellent RP. It was great, and touching, and I feel honored having attended. I've almost lost hope that something like this can still happen, a great RPer group doing a RP bearing the old magic."
Nafse gently releases her hold, letting his body settle on the ground. She rises to her paws and begins to move around him, arranging his limbs in a comfortable position. Carefully, she scoops the grasses to make him a pillow and then sits beside him once again...grooming his mane one final time.
Lightly nodding, Mikini doesn't look forward to the task of taking Azizi away... but she does believe Nafse knows what she's saying.  Sighing, she gathers the little of her composure she has, and... at Nafse's further pleading, she understands that she should also leave Nafse alone this time.  She looks over to Kituko, to capture his attention; once she has it, she gestures to the tullel, telling him that he should also leave Nafse alone.  Finally, reluctantly, she moves over to Azizi, and nudges her with a paw.  "Azizi, we must leave... and if you still don't want to come, I'll carry you by the scruff of your neck, so help me."
Kituko notices Mikini then looks over towards Nafse andd nods, "Alright mom, I will let you have the time." then he looks over to Mikini again and nods. "I am ready."
Azizi is still out in her own world somewhere and is oblivious to anything going on around her. Even her aunts threat doesn't elict any sort of response from her.
Kituko heads over to his sister and Mikini, and helps Mikini to carry Azizi out.
Azizi is in such a state of shock over her fathers death that even her aunt dragging her doesn't cause her to come out of her daze.
Mikini leaves, with Kituko and Azizi walking along with her.
Nafse lifts her head, looking around the plateau and finding it..finally....empty. Only now, with no one to see or to interrupt, only now can she break down and give way to the torrent of tears that she held back. It's lucky no one can see her because they might fear for her sanity as they watched. And yet...the entire time her paws somehow remain gentle as they smooth and straighten every inch of Akili's fur. She doesn't bother pleading to her parents. Not yet.....that will come later. For now....she is simply a mortal lioness mourning her mate's death. And..the mourning goes on through the entire night.
>>>End of log