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She was usually composed. Collected. Sasja usually had no trouble allowing others to see only what she wanted them to see. It wasn't until she was alone that she allowed her true self to surface. The true self that had only been witnessed by Bruten. It was ugly and violent and feral. It was a clawed beast, hungry for blood, hungry to hurt, aching to mutilate. It would not be sated.

As she strode through the forest, stiff-legged and hackles up, ears pinned and claws absolutely unsheathed, Sasja did not realize she was not alone. She did not notice that she was being watched by a dark-eyed lion high in the branches above her.

With a low, guttural growl, Sasja stopped only when she thought herself a safe distance from the stronghold - and immediately began to rip into the bark of a hapless tree.

Skogund had been spending time in the trees closest to the stronghold. High in the branches he could remain unseen while still taking in the daily activities of the pride beneath him. He certainly hadn't been expecting a lone, pale female to stalk towards the forest. She'd piqued his interest, and Skogund had followed her from a safe distance. He kept to the thickest branches, and only moved when he was certain that the shuffle of leaves would go unnoticed by the lioness.

He supposed she was pretty enough, but what truly enticed him was the way she walked. As if she were some sort of monster wearing the suit of a lion that was too small.

When she began clawing at the tree, Skogund remained hidden. The sounds coming from her were not of the friendly sort, and Skogund thought it prudent to wait until she seemed to exhaust herself.

Sasja forced herself to pretend that the tree she'd picked out was that of Bruten. Each strike she made, Sasja could picture her claws tearing into his dark pelt. Each rip of her claws would draw blood. She could almost taste his blood on her tongue, could almost smell that coppery, tantalizing scent.

Nearly an hour passed before she finally found herself exhausted enough to cease. The anger was still there - but it was no longer thrumming in her ears loud and electric. It was a dull, low thud. Contained and controlled.

Panting softly, Sasja rocked back on her haunches and turned her face skyward.

She was not alone.

He knew the exact moment that she'd spotted him, but Sko did not allow himself to look alarmed. There were no other lions in the pride that could climb like he could. He was the Forest Shadow just as his mother was the Forest Ghost. He was quick and agile and powerful.

He was not afraid of her, and he did not look at all ashamed to have been caught watching her.

"Of course, I must ask - what did my tree ever do to you, mm?"

His voice was impossibly low and gruff, and Sko spoke as loud as he needed to ensure that she could hear him.

Sasja did not know how long he'd been watching her, and it infuriated her that she'd been caught unawares. The fact that he might have seen her initial entrance to the forest made her feel a bit uneasy, but she refused to let him know that.

It was not difficult to tell whose lineage this male came from. Those facial markings were like a brand, constant proof that he was of Aesir's blood.

Schooling her features into something far more composed than she actually felt, Sasja gave the dark lion a smile.

"I was not aware that this tree belonged to you."

Her voice was soft, saccharine, husky.

"My apologies."

Skogund rose to his feet and stretched before leaping down a branch or two. He now stood only a few branches above her, though he made no move to get any closer. He would never forget the way she'd looked as she'd come into the forest, all terror and rage. This was not a lioness that could ever be trusted, and not only because she was from the stronghold.

"All is forgiven, of course."

He paused and gave her a lazy smile.

"Something bothering you? I saw you come into the forest." Skogund's smile turned more knowing than lazy.

Sasja forced herself to sheathe her claws and relax her body. So he'd seen her come into the forest? Sasja wondered briefly if that was a good thing. Perhaps now he knew not to ******** with her, if it had been even a fleeting thought in his mind.

Falling back to her haunches, Sasja curled her tail delicately about her forepaws.

"It has not been the best of days," was all she said in answer to his question. He would get nothing more from her.

"You are of Aesir's ilk, hmm? How fascinating."

Her smile was slow and knowing.

"A son? Grandson?"

"Grandson."

The knowledge did not give her a leg up. It was commonly known that Aesir had sons in the forest, and it was also probably known that he had grandsons in the forest, as well. In truth, Skogund did not care if those who called the stronghold home knew he lived in the forest. If they came into the woods and harassed his family - most especially his sister - then things would change.

They'd kept their distance, and he'd kept his - if only to keep the peace so that his brother Burzum did not have difficulties within the pride.

"I am Skogund. You are?"

Sasja tilted her head to the side, an odd smile toying with her lips. Aesir's grandson. Fantastic. She briefly pondered pale lion that Bruten's sister had been given by Njal. Sasja could not remember that lion's name, but it was not difficult to see that that one was related to this one.

"Sasja."

She rose to her feet and turned her back on the dark lion, tail swishing in slow, sinuous motions.

"Perhaps I will come visit you again, Skogund-of-the-Forest."

He was keen, she could see that glimmer of something in his eyes. Perhaps he'd be useful to her someday. Gods knew she'd need someone useful. Bruten could no longer be trusted.

Skogund grinned, a dark and toothy smile. He didn't bother to hide the way his eyes lingered on the swish of her tail. There was no sense in hiding the fact that he could probably become very interested in the female, even if he could not ever trust her.

"Perhaps you should," he murmured softly, just loud enough for her to hear him.

He watched her take her leave with dark eyes, and for a moment Skogund allowed his thoughts to wander. She turned only once to smile at him over her shoulder, and after that she was gone.

He would see her again.