How long had it been? It felt... Too long. Savitri lay under an outcropping of rock, watching the distant horizon. She could only hope that the best had happened. She missed Hodari, wanted him there. She saw so many around her happy, with somebody, with the one they loved. Even Shula was with someone, what with her odd dancing! She'd seen her sister and Kosuke dancing out on the dunes, sometimes even heard them sing. It made her heart ache, both from sorrow and joy, to see them. The white lioness let out a shakey sigh, closing her eyes. Maybe he'd lost...
Hodari could barely face Savitri after he had lost his first battle. He'd been scarce before that while he was training, but afterwards her made a point to almost disapear. He hadn't done enough the first time around and the second time he wanted to make sure that he won. He couldn't let her down and he couldn't bare to see the look of disappointment on her face if he had to tell her what had happened. After his second duel with Bodaway, however, Hodari had managed to stand his ground and earn his place in the pride with a tie. It wasn't the most impressive win, he admitted, but it was enough to call himself a Firekin and begin his new life with Savi. Now if only he could find Savi... Hodari had been welcomed into the Firekin lands on a couple occassions beforehand to visit Savi, but he was still naive to the setup of the pride or where everyone lived. Quick on his feet, the newly accepted soldier kept a sharp eye out for her beautiful pelt and an eager nose to pickup her scent.
A tear slowly slid its way down Savitri's face, as fear settled in. He'd lost... He'd certainly lost! He'd lost, and was ashamed to come back. She wouldn't be able to blame him, of course. She'd heard stigma as a cub against Pridelanders, about how weak they were. To face off against not a joined rogue, but a full-blooded Firekin, surely it was an unfair match. Maybe she could petition for a rematch? Against Ka, maybe! He was a former Pridelander, too! It'd be a fairer fight for Hodari that way! Or... The white lioness sat up, letting out a sigh. No, it was done... He'd never come back. Her ears back, she got up and started back to the pride. Her gaze remained down, not looking at where she was going or who was coming. She didn't know yet that she couldn't be more wrong about what she feared.
Hodari was first to notice the other as he made his way throughout the pride. As a gust of wind blew past his nose, he caught her scent. It sent a shiver down his back and a surge of emotions through him. Hodari blindly followed her smell, grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't wait to share his news with her. As he ran, a slender, pale colored figure stood out brightly from the waves of red lions in the pride. The moment he caught site of her, he knew that it was his Savi. Her presence was enough to stop him dead in his tracks and although he wanted to simply run to her, the solemn expression she wore on her face prevented him. Hodari was aware that some time had passed between the two of them, but he hadn't been made aware of just how much time until he saw her again. He'd been so determined and driven to prepare himself that he'd almost become lost in his training. What if Savitri had found someone else...? Hodari shook his head and stepped forward more slowly than before. He hadn't worked so hard to back down now. He loved the white lioness before him and he finally wanted to be the mate that she deserved.
Stepping around another lion, Savitri finally looked up. She spotted a dark form, though at first she thought it was one of her cousins. After all, her aunt-by-mating was a black lioness, so when Kidondo and No had had cubs, there were naturally black lions in the litter. Most of the pride was still red, but there were increasingly more black lions. White lions, like herself, were still rare, though. She let out a solomn puff, starting to pass the other. For a moment, she smelled... Hodari? She stopped, looking back. "Hodari...?" She was surprised, at first, and then elation replaced fears and confusion. "Hodari!" Nevermind whoever might see them, she tackled the lack lion happily.
As the two finally reached one another, Hodari took in a deep breath of Savitri's scent and prepared his speech. To his surprise, however, the white lioness kept walking passed him. "S-savi..?" the male questioned nervously, taken back by her complete dismissal. It was only a moment after that she paused, called out his own name and finally turned. The look of absolute happiness on her face brought immediate comfort to Hodari's fears. His grin reappeared and he let out a laugh as the pair collided into the ground with a thud. She had always been the quicker of the two growing up and she knew exactly how to get the better of him in any 'combat' they had with one another. Leaning up to lick her cheek eagerly, Hodari's voice came out in a happy rumble, "I suppose I can take that as my welcome home," he teased. He had only just won the duel with her father and assumed she had not yet heard the news.
Home? A welcome... Home...? Savitri's face lit up, shining like the full moon in the middle of a clear night. He'd won the duel! Hodari had won the duel! She happily licked his face, ignoring any stares or little laughs they got. "Hodari, I'm so happy! We can be together! We don't have to hide or anything!" She pushed herself up, grinning from ear to ear. "I want to yell my joy to the sky above!" She felt so exuberant, she just MIGHT yell it to the sky above! She certainly wanted the whole pride to hear it! Maybe her sisters might take notice, the sisters that stuck around in the pride.
Hodari watched in silence as the meaning of his words slowly became clear to the beautiful lioness before him. He couldn't help but chuckle when she finally pieced it together and began to return his affections eagerly. He wrapped a paw around her and pulled her close, breathing in her scent. It had really been too long since he'd seen her last. He would ensure that the two never had to endure something like that again. He had finally made it and they could begin the life they both always dreamed about! Hodari couldn't believe it was actually happening... As Savitri began to shout out her happiness to the pride, Hodari's eyes widened. From everything he had experienced and heard of the pride, the Firekin were not the typical lions to display this type of behavior. As strangers cocked brows and laughed, Hodari grinned. Savi didn't care. All that seemed to matter to her was the black lion before her and Hodari entirely understood the feeling. Following Savi's lead and finally getting up, the large male shouted out, "I am proud to call myself a Firekin and I couldn't have done it without the support and love from Savitri, the most incredible lioness I know!" Lowering his voice and stepping in front of Savi, Hodari wore a nervous expression. He lowered himself humbly before her and spoke gently, "Savi... will you have me as your mate?"
Hodari's shouting made Savitri laugh, before she rose up on her hind paws. "I love Hodari! He's the ONLY lion for me!" When her paws met the sand again, she butted her head to his shoulder, a happy rumble in her chest. For all the waiting, for all their time together... Ever since they were cubs, she'd been drawn to him. From the moment she'd met him, when they were cubs, playing at the patch of massive thorns. It had felt like she was doing something naughty, thrillingly so, by being his friend. It had eventually turned into... Love. The love she felt now. She was surprised by his question, expression showing it. He wanted her to be... His mate...? She'd seen many a fling in the pride, and had seen many a declaration of love, and many a declaration of matehood. To consider herself with a mate... Her surprise gave way to joy, as she butted her head against his shoulder. "Yes, Hodari! A thousand times YES!" She looked up at him, blue eyes shining. "I would love to be your mate!" Around him, she didn't care about her snow white pelt, she didn't care about what others might think of it. Around Hodari... She was calm, and happy.
Hodari knew Savitri cared for him, but seeing and hearing her express her feelings for him was an experience all in itself. He felt his heart race as she rose up and shouted out. It felt to him that after all the time that had passed and all the growing they had done, they were still the same pair of cubs that had met so many years ago. In Savitri's company, Hodari could be himself. As Hodari waited for Savi's response, his heart beat only quickened. He hoped and prayed she would say yes, but in the silence, his anticipation led way to worries and fear. Had he asked too soon? Her look of expression only furthered his thoughts and his smile melted into a nervous look. But then Hodari noticed a change in expression as Savitri began to smile. He let out another happy laugh as her excitement was suddenly revealed. Her head butts to his shoulder only caused his deep rumbling purr to become louder. He couldn't believe it. As she looked up to him with the most gorgeous pair of deep blue eyes, Hodari beamed. He leaned towards her to offer an affectionate nuzzle. "I could not possibly be happier, Savi.." His voice was quiet, his attention now directed only towards her.
"Neither could I, Hodari.." She smiled, nuzzling into his mane. It didn't take long for her to get lost in the moment, as they stood there. Like Yin and Yang, opposites in many ways. Black and white, male and female, bold and shy... It was a perfect match, if she could ever find one.
