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Taji hadn't grown up expecting to help rule the pride he had been born in. He knew he was related to the original founder of the pride who had passed away years before he was even conceived, but those were his only thoughts as far as the pride rulers went. He had been so focused on playing games while he grew up that he didn't realize he had molded himself into a perfect leader. The others in the pride had noticed, as had one of the older leaders that needed to retire.

Howahkan, the other leader, had been in control for a good year. Here he was, just a few weeks into the job, and he hadn't even really spoken to her beyond formalities. And if there was anything Taji wasn't, it was formal. He was itching to speak to her about anything that wasn't pride rules and regulations. Not that they had many, of course...

It was a pretty nice day and Taji figured that was as good a sign as any to hunt down the cheetah and just...chat. About anything! Everything! The pride, the games, the cubs, new members...or just about the latest hunt that had gone out. Or maybe the height of the river. It was the lowest he'd ever seen this year, and made crossing easy. Good for lots of new members.

The only problem with trying to find the cheetah. The prides lands were quite vast, after all.

Taji continued to roam through the prides lands, looking for Howa. It didn't take him terribly long to find her, thankfully, as she seemed to seek him out once she spotted him as well. Once he saw her brown form moving through the grass, he grinned and turned his paws in her direction.

"Afternoon," he called out cheerfully once she was within ear shot. "It's a wonderful day, isn't it?" And indeed it was. There was a nice breeze that kept things fairly cool and the bugs away. What more could you ask for? They already lived in a perfect place, so when there was perfect weather, it felt like a sin to be alive.

"And how are your cubs doing?" he added once they were closer. She had recently had a litter of hybrid cubs, and while he hadn't seen them yet, he knew they had to be old enough to be on their own for a bit. She wouldn't have left their side otherwise.

Taji nodded just a bit, chuckling at the talk of cubs. He had been the exact same way not too many months ago, as he was just barely an adult himself. He knew that excitement and the disappointment that came with being told he couldn't train with the 'big kids'. But there were things cubs and juves could do to help hone their skills at a young age.

"They'll be wonderful players, the lot of them. With your speed no one will stand a chance against them," he said with a wink, purple eyes smiling along with his mouth. "And in a few months they'll be off to train and you won't have your paws quite as full anymore," he added, nodding a head in the direction of those that were running around with an empty tortoise shell in preparation for the recruiting season.

The question made Taji shake his head. "No, Howa, nothing of excitement happened while you were away. I managed to keep the pride together without anyone dying," he said, only managing a straight face for just a few moments before he broke out into laughter. "I can't believe that was a practically true concern of yours! I know I am young, but I am not as reckless as I used to be." Howa had been in charge since he had been young, after all, so she had seen him grow. "The pride is safe and more than ready to welcome you back into your roll.'

Taji nodded in agreement. It was the way of the pride to let the cubs watch the games and pick a path from there, but he would want any offspring of his to be players as well. He was sure they would be, with the way the love for competition flowed through his veins.

"No offence taken," he said with a loud laugh. "I don't think you have an offensive bone in your body, Howa. Fair and diplomatic as always," he added with a little wink. The question made him wonder, though, and he tapped his chin with a paw. "You know...at some point, I'm sure. I do love cubs. Watching them grown and learn is just about the best thing someone can experience! But I'm so busy with this now, as you know...I'd probably just find a nice girl looking for some cubs to look after and help her out. Taking a mate at this point might be too big of a commitment."

As loving and cheerful as Taji was, he liked the idea of getting with as many females as he could to produce all kinds of players. That and he enjoyed a good roll in the grass as much as the next guy and there were so many pretty females out there...well. He couldn't help himself!

"Of course, as long as the cubs stayed in the pride they'd know who their daddy was," Taji went on. "They won't be able to hide from me!" Should the mother be in the pride, he'd play the role of father very willingly.

"That they will be," Taji agreed. "You've got quite the lively bunch as well," he added, nodding to the grass that was rustling. It seemed some of the cubs were waking him.

"Nothing that I'm aware of. Training season is about to start, though, so I might check out the new recruits that are looking to get on some teams. Give them a few pointers," he said with a little wink. "Makes me miss the old days. I remember trying out for the first time...ah, it was so exciting!"

Purple eyes focused on a point just beside Howa as he drifted through his memories, remembering how nervous and excited he was to practice with his new team, the joy of getting his first goal, the thrill of playing in the championship...ah, it seemed like it had been yesterday.

Shaking his head, Taji motioned to the now rambunctious pile of grass. "I think you may way to check on them," he said with a bit of a smile. "They're certainly a feisty little group you have there."