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A small lizard, burrowed away in a nice hole, relaxing for the day, had been awoken by the vibrations and movement that was the gathering of many lion around his little home. How rude! Now awake with annoyance, the lizard rush out of his burrow to see what was going on around him. For a small lizard like him, getting enough water to sustain ones self was not as difficult, as small plants and flowers could be used as supplements for water, so he had no real idea of the drought that the pride was currently facing.

Quickly, he shrank back down into his hole, leaving only his head above ground, so that he could see all that was going on. There were way too many lions for his liking, and he wasn't going to risk getting eaten, especially by lions that were on display here. Wondering what they were gathering for and what all the fuss was about, the little lizard decided to stay put and watch, thinking that maybe he may get some entertainment out of watching the goings on.

Kosuke had to hand it to his half-sister. She was a persistent lion. Of course, like any brother, he showed concern, rising to his paws to walk over. "Indeed digging's been done... And I think you've done TOO much digging." He walked around her, eyebrows up. "If digging's getting us nowhere... Maybe we should start considering a rain dance." It was, at least, something. It might not actually bring RAIN, but they could then say they tried EVERYTHING.

Tuli let out a slight huff, then huddled into his mother, vanishing against her coat. White eyes looked down at everyone... He rather liked this vantage point. What he didn't like, though, more than the angry lady, was the lady with the bloodied paws. From the sounds of it, digging she had gone, in search of water. And the signs weren't good. As he blinked, he remembered the markless white lady's words about possibly leaving. He decided he liked that even less. And things only seemed to get worse...

As Rowtag watched the white lioness approach, he could see... Not all was right. "I don't think she's coming about the water..." He scampered slightly forward, ears up, before his ears dropped back down. "Lack of water doesn't make someone afraid like that!" He looked back and up at Veru, as if the ill lion would have some magic answer.

As Ute approached she could feel the tension already. Another fight would probably break out. Now was not the time; she felt. She spotted several family members, Fia her aunt. She went straight toward her. She had never felt exceptionally close to her aunts or uncles, but for some reason felt they would be the best to tell. She didn't want to have to talk to her grand parents about it.

"Aunt Fia!" She called as she neared, hurrying up her pace. She began to run almost, her gait showing a slight limp; her paw pads were on fire. Perhaps from reflection of the sun on the sands. "Aunt Fia..." She panted as she got within nice ear shot. "Aunt... Fia." She stopped and hung her head; panting.

She then lifted her head and quickly spoke. "My mothers gone missing!"

He did not feel at ease in the least bit, all of this was weighing heavy on his heart. On the hearts of all his brethren, he was sure. He wished that his sister was here though, surely the closest of his litter mates. The one he could rely on most not to leave him, as his mother had done when they were born and as their father had done only a few moons past. Was she out searching for water, a job a lot of the pride had taken up? Thinking of other options? Brooding? It was all possible. His ears twitched, trying to take in as much of the conversations going on around him as he could.

The pride members were so intense in their search that they were willing to neglect their own health, just to find the precious substance of life. It was saddening and heartening at the same time. They offered their safety for the better good of the pride, it seemed to say to Canicus.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he heard the first ill news that did not focus on the water. "It starts." He said slowly, offering the words to Kasi though he wasn't so sure why. If the lions began to go missing... it meant death in the desert, surely. If not that, than something much worse.

Mwako'Damu was trying to take in all the information that was passing. Digging wasn't working, perhaps a dance, and someone was missing? Mwako'Damu looked to his paw and let loose the tiny round stone he had found, had it really been with the water, if so, from where, or had some bird or other creature some and dropped it upon the sand as a trick?

As he was going to open his mouth to speak, a shadow fell from the sky above his head as he moved, and then darted upards again.

What the-?

He glanced towards the sky, then towards the others.

"A dance, I'm not sure will help, but digging isn't working, and I fear if others travel in search for water alone, others will go missing as well," he said looking to the pale white lioness.

"Where had your mother gone? To look for water, or for something else?"

Had she been a hunter, water seeker, guard?

He needed to help, should they send a search party?

Or maybe she wouldn't behave!

"Is this really the time to go mounting some search?" Armada said flatly. "From what I remember, Zii was looking like she was wasting away. If she's not strong enough to survive in the desert, I don't see why we should be tossing her a rope. These are hard times. We might as well let the desert help us manage the situation some."

Ea growled, the sound of it popping in ferocity. "Shut your mouth, Armada! That's the regents child you're talking about. Surely you owe our parents some respect!"

Armada crossed her paws and leaned back on her shoulders. "Out of respect," she clicked. "I won't try and stop you if you all run off like children to rescue some lioness whose only going to come back and drink more of your water. I'd say that counts for something."

Ea turned from the red cat, not wanting to start another quarrel with her. "Well," she growled. "Better to waste the effort looking for Zii then arguing about this again. Nothing has been decided. That means we're still a pride, and we look out for each other."

The wild-eyed cat looked towards the rest of those gathered. "Well. Are you going to help, or are you going to sit around like her?"

As the group moved about, Veru leaned towards Vlam and whomever else was nearby. "Well, with friends like this..." he trailed off.

Canicus' ears flickered back just slightly as he watched the liones 'chat' with each other. The tension in the air lately had been poor at best, any second any one could and would snap at someone else. He looked to the female he was seated next to and nodded. "It's not a matter of finding her." He stated, as though in agreement. Luckily he had the sense not to morbidly add that it was a matter of if she turned up dead or alive.

His tail flicked as they were posed a question and he frowned slightly. They searched for water, they searched for lions. Both were missing and Canicus thought they'd hardly find the lioness in good condition. The desert was cruel on it's best days, and lately it had been beyond cruel. Well, it looks as though we can do two things at once." Canicus stated before moving to his paws, reading himself to travel across the desert again. They would look for the lost mother, they would look for water. It was all the same, really. His body was already ten degrees hotter just thinking of all of the walking. But, he would for his pride.

Ute was almost shaking all of a sudden. She sat down, her ears flat and her head lowered slightly. "My mother is a guard. She takes her job very seriously. I think... I think when she was on duty she went off in search of water. She hasn't been in the right mind lately. She won't drink. She makes me and my father drink before her." She said shaking her head. "She would say "You are my only child and my only mate' and would refuse."

She looked a bit skeptical at a few comments. "My mother does not get lost. She doesn't wander. And she especially doesn't stay out and not return. She is always on time. She's hours late." She looked at her Aunt Fia. "She was doing her usual rounds. I have checked them, but did not wander far from them. I think she may not be far. I didn't want to go on my own..." She stood up and took a few steps. "I at least wanted to let everyone know I was going off looking..." She added quietly.

She began to walk towards the direction she came from. "I asked her familiar and she said my mother left her behind for her safety. If Smeagol had been with her it would be easier. I am so worried." She began to walk faster, ignoring her painful feet.