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Another group of Hongshan? While some of the tension faded from Nuria, it didn't dissipate altogether. While more Hongshan was a better thing than an attempt to invade, the water they have was already stretched. One downside to sharing water equally--regardless of whether she supported the decision or not--was that the more numbers the Firekin gained, the less water there was for all. So perhaps this was not an immediate threat, but it could certainly still be a problem.

"We have had several Hongshan come to us in the past," she added to Kinja and Ute's words.

Keahilani left his sister's side, going toward the larger group. He arrived just in time to hear Kalama's proposal, nodding. "I agree with Kalama. Even if we're not all guards... We're FIREKIN! We're the toughest thing in this desert beyond the rocks!" He then scowled. "But where would we keep them?"

His eyes passed over the gathered Hongshan, listening to their words. And then they landed on the lone female of the group, and for some reason... He was stricken. He wasn't sure why, either. By the standards he'd been raised on, she didn't seem anything to him to look at, and yet she did. "I'd be happy to volunteer myself, regardless, to help guard them."

"It would be best if we didn't swarm them," Nuria agreed in a biting tone. Her tail flicked against the sand irritably, annoyed that their greeting party was steadily growing. So much for a small group. "The Red Quarter would be good. We could take them there, ask our Hongshan about them if nobody recognizes them before we get there, and keep them under guard." Though they had joined the Firekin, 'our' Hongshan seemed something of a neccessary distinction, given the strangers claimed to be Hongshan themselves.

Ukuba already had a fairly good grasp of of the 'common' tongue before the Nergui even invaded, which is why he chose to use it at this time. Although the Firekin that had brought them here didn't seem like the paranoid type, it concerned him that he may turn on all of them if he feels that they are plotting behind his and his Pride's back, as he would be unable to understand their own language.

When a few of the Firekin started moving forward, Ukuba took a few steps himself. It was quickly stated to the approaching Firekin that the group was indeed Hongshan, and they seemed to accept that as fact rather quickly as well. How fortunate.

As Thabiti had nominated him to go forward, Ukuba decided that he didn't need Miah's permission to do so. The situation at this point seemed stable, as long as the rest of the Firekin were as amicable as the leader of the Firekin group that stood before them seemed to be.

He moved to the front of the group, his head held high, not wishing to show any weakness despite how his body ached. He shot a small smile at his brother, in an attempt to silently reassure him that everything was going to be alright, despite the fact that he himself wasn't entirely sure. The Firekin were now assured that they weren't a threat, but at times as desperate as these, a burden wouldn't exactly be welcomed either.

"That would be ideal." He said in reply to the Firekin who seemed to have taken charge of the situation. "You mentioned that there are others? We would love nothing more than to be reunited with our fellow Hongshan. If, however, you would prefer for us to remain seprated for the time being, that would be fine as well." He chose his words carefully, as his eyes never left the large group of Firekin on the horizon. He was still convinced that there was a small chance that something could go wrong, so everything they did had to be on the Firekin's terms. That, in his opinion, was the best way to prove that they weren't there to cause trouble.

Whilst he waited for the Firekin's reply, a lioness broke out from a separate approaching group. The closer she got, the more familiar she appeared. Although sadly her name was lost to him, Ukuba knew the lioness that was coming, most likely in order to identify them as well. He smiled, somewhat relieved, but still cautious. It turned out he was right to be so, as the female's face suddenly dropped and she began calling out for their dark 'savior' to be killed.

As he was already at the front of the group, Ukuba shook his head fiercly. "No! You are mistaken!" Although he was shouting, he was careful to keep his tone neutral. "This lion, Miah, helped us escape! We owe him a great deal." As the cog in his mind forever turned, he immediatly wondered if he had just made a massive error. If Miah was killed, it would certainly make this easier, as all that would be left was Hongshan. A harsh stance to take certainly, but as he had yet to discover Miah's reasons for helping them, Ukuba was still wary of him. Oh, how he hated the possibility of making mistakes.

~~~

Back with the large group of Firekin that had remained in the area where the alarm had first been raised, Teketeza snarled as word got back that it was another group of Hongshan. "More mouthes to feed?!" He snapped. "We're barely getting by as it is!" The hulking grey lion had always had a bit of a temper, and now that it had been revealed that the 'intruders' were simply more charity cases instead of an actual threat, he found it very difficult to contain his anger.

Suddenly, he let out a loud roar. "Ute! You better not be bringing them back here!" Was he speaking out of turn? Of course he was? Did he care? Of course he did. It was because he cared about his Pride that he was so wound up. His tail whipped violently from side to side as he intently watched to see what direction they went in when they started moving again.

Then, as if by magic, a second alarm. This one was a direct request, from one of the Hongshan already leeching off them no less. A wide grin touched his face. "Now we're talking." With that, Teketeza leapt down from where he was stood and went running full pelt towards the group, his orange mane bellowing like a bush fire. If there was killing to be done, he may as well be the one to do it.

(( Edited to include reaction Kima's post! ))

"Roho rodae," stammered at the enthusiastic, but familiar sister among the Hongshan. It appeared that the rumors must be true if she was here, possibly the others as well. To see a familiar face outside their nomadic group was heart-warming. It was when her gaze remained on him that things began to become uncomfortable, and his focus faltered. The burning sand upon cut and worn paw pads shot electricity up his nerves causing him to flinch. "Uv...", Ow..., picking a paw to glance at it. A large gash upon the middle of his paw, surrounded by smaller cuts and knicks from rocks.

"Yai kakv'd dhavk I'k kikd ruav kavv uvk kao, kak avai?", You didn't think I'd just lay down and die, did you? Thabiti chuckled lightly. The pressing matters of the native pride and this group slowly ebbed from his mind. The Hongshan was here, they could join them and things will be safe again. His brethren will be safe here. It didn't matter that the Nergui were behind them, here, they would be safe with the native pride and the Hongshan.

Finally the steady focus he held, the concentration to arrive safely to a place where the Hongshan could rest and be protected and rebuild, was finally fading. He could finally relax. Letting out a shaking chuckle, his legs wobbled a bit before an exclamation jolted his previous fears.

Jerking to Miah, complimenting Roho's accusation, "I xrov vo tlairbr'k kuitk vai. Wlv vairb tadoaro r'xo vai do 'r klo raerb ag klato dartkout?", I knew we shouldn't trust you. Why would someone like you, a rogue, be in the land of those monsters?

To Ukuba, "We may owe him, if he is not danger to us!" The dark male growled. He was weak. He was injured. But his anger would be enough to keep him on his feet. "Why do you help us?"

Kich had stayed silent during this time, as he had done once upon a time when his mother danced up to greet others. He...would stay suspiscious. But he hoped they were Hongshan. Those within their pride now...they would do well with more of their number. And then Roho cried out that one of them was Nergui. Nergui, those that the Hongshan had warned about. He frowned, keeping his claws sheathed for the moment, but his muscles tensed. IF such a thing was true...

"Circumstances can often lead to incorrect assumptions." He moved to stand beside his daughter. If this rogue was Nergui and not Hongshan...he would be among those to defend first. He had caution for not just the rogue now. They were Hongshan, yes...but with that also came the possibility one of them had gone 'to the other side'. It was a double-edged rock. He was happy for more of Roho's kin, but...they were to be watched as much as the non-Hongshan newcomer.

“I agree.” Suditi replied her expression shifting at once to determination. “If they are refugees…” She trailed off and shook her head. Was it possible? Still she had to take a breath, “Then it’s just the two of us, Roho.” Without hesitation the lioness followed her friend towards the rest of the group. As Roho gave her permission to follow Suditi smiled and gently bumped her friend, “I’ll always have your back.” Her gaze shifted ahead as she raced off after Roho.

Then as they got closer Suditi’s heart did a flip. “I see them!” She called out with a bright smile blooming over her features. In her happiness the lioness forgot her bitter feelings of guilt and shame for not being at the battle that day. There were more Hongshan here! Still her excitement turned to dread as Roho’s own expression changed. What was wrong? And then Suditi noticed it as well – there was a stranger in this group. “Who are you?” She stood tall beside of her dear friend and with a low growl braced herself for a fight. If this guy was Nergui…then she would finally get a chance to taste the blood of one of those who had destroyed her precious home.

Fionntan nodded at Roho’s advice before leaving the main group. He would go find Azar'bijan and ask for his help.



“Stop it!” Xennek immediately rushed in front of Suditi and Roho both. Placing himself in between the groups Xennek looked at those who called for the blood of the lion who was supposedly not Hongshan. “I may not be Hongshan and I may not know who is who over here, but remember one thing. When the first group of Hongshan came here they brought with them others as well. Roho, even I traveled with you and entered this land with your group. I was not Hongshan.” He looked back over at the strangers, “For all we know he could be a rogue who joined up with them. And that does not make this lion an enemy for certain then. So stop before you allow your excitement for fighting get the best of you.” He looked over at Ute with a slight nod before it faded into a small frown. Even he was one who would sometimes rather just shove another to the side through his strength alone, but surely reason would get through. The last thing they needed was senseless bloodshed especially if the Nergui was still around.

He looked over at Suditi, “And aren’t your people strong? I think if it’s them verses just one of the enemy then he would have not traveled far at all with them.” And if it was a trap then he just hoped that Fionntan made it to the others and the borders were checked in time. His gaze flashed with worry before a gleam of fire showed. They were Firekin and even the dirtiest of tricks wouldn’t take down this pride easily.

Silently Suditi settled down behind him before pressing comfortingly against Roho. "We'll find out about this stranger." She promised.

Kinja remained calm and listened to the conversations taking place. Accusations, cries for blood, amiable words, and none of it was helping to move this process along. Many ideas had been thrown out on how to deal with the situation but nothing was being done about it. As much as Kinja respected the others of her pride, she knew this situation wasn't going to be taken care of if things proceeded as they have been going. Bellowing back and forth between groups just wasn't going to cut it.

"Enough!" She crowed to her Firekin group, giving them all a steady look. "Things aren't going to be handled well if we all do not settle down."

Holding herself proudly, the old lioness looked to Xennek. "We're going to have them come into the main pride area. Hollering to each other isn't going to solve this. If you could get the guards and some soldiers to protect our new arrivals, that would be ideal."

She turned her attention to Roho. "I need you to remain calm and go and gather others from your pride so we can get some things cleared up."

She then turned to Ute. "I'd like you and a few others to help accompany them into the prides lands. This way everyone can feel safe and in control. The Hongshan seem amiable enough and willing to work with us."

She looked back at the Hongshan, and taking the chance, trotted up to the group. "I hope you don't mind being under guard until everything can be taken care of. This is to protect us and yourselves."