Fupa was having a hard time adjusting to living here. She had always had nightmares of this place, but the fact was that she just couldn't live as a rogue. She was lucky enough that she had lived this long, and had even brought two children into the world. Then she had met Kingio. A true gentleman if there ever were any, and one that knew how to treat the fragile Fupa. The white and red hyena sighed, trying to keep her skull-home clean, wondering when he would get back from duty. Hopefully no one would come home injured; she had always known how to do basic healing, but she never liked to use it. She didn't like the fact that others were getting, injured, even if most of it was because some stupid hyenas just couldn't get along.
Tukutu had a lot to deal with right now. And Masuko...well, it was obvious where she was headed.
"Hey, love," Kingio said as he climbed into the skull. They got a broken one, as Fupa didn't want Kingio to fight for a better one. The whole system here was based on infighting, and the female didn't understand it. Kingio merely ignored it. He blinked as the sun's rays peeked through the holes in the top of the skull, his eyes adjusting to seeing the white hyena against the plae skull of the elephant that became their home. It was snug, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Ah!" Fupa jumped, as she hadn't been expecting him back yet. Her blood red eyes blinked at him in surprise. "You're back! I thought that you were going to be out a while longer. I hope no one was injured...?" she round-aboutly asked. If someone needed a healing, she'd rather know now than when they stumbled up here to get help.
"No, no, everything is fine," he said with a laugh. "It was a dull day. I'll take those over the more exciting ones, though I know that some of these hyenas are bored to tears. And possibly insanity. Tuk needs to figure something out soon, though it sounds like everyone's been thinking that lately." The black and white hyena stretched out, trying to coax Fupa into joining him, but she wasn't biting yet. "He's just not the sort of hyena to go out looking for conflict. Maybe one of the young ones will do something," he said, though everyone knew that Masuko was probably going to be the next leader. She didn't sound like another Mafa, which might be a good or bad thing, no one knew.
Mafa sighed. "So much on the shoulders of one so young." Kingio just shrugged. "She seems strong enough for it. Let's just hope that no one comes along and decides to try to rule us before she can get her grounding." That was a possibility, but Kingio didn't think it would happen. There wasn't anything to take here, unless someone wanted power. Power over a bunch of hyenas that just lived together, really. It wasn't much of a pack, but Kingio liked it more than just being a rogue. "How's the brat doing anyway?"
Fupa snorted. "My Ini is not a brat! She's fine, probably getting into trouble with Tegemeza. The two of them probably shouldn't have been allowed to be hunters together, but they are bringing the food in." Food didn't last long here, everyone was always hungry. It was better than it once was, as Fupa could tell that everyone was putting on weight from when she had come here. Perhaps that might make the hyenas more restless. Really, they should just get themselves into trouble, and not pressure Tukutu into doing it. It wasn't his fault, anyway. He probably was sleeping somewhere at the moment too. He was getting old, and little ones never made life much easier, even if the mother was around and in charge of the little brood.
"Ugh. I found Teg when he was just a little whelp too, and he can't ever not get into trouble. At least he's not as much trouble as that Mbezi. I think if that hyena tries to boss me around one more time, I'm going to bite his nose off." Fupa only laughed, telling him that it might not be the best idea. Then again, it was public knowledge that Tuk and Mbezi hated one another, so perhaps no one would really care if Mbezi couldn't stick his nose in the business of others. The 'prince' as he was once known as just needed to find himself a nice female to distract him. Then maybe he would stop being such a thorn in everyone's paw.
Kingio sighed as he felt himself doze off. Today hadn't been hard, but it was nice being with Fupa, not worried about food, protection, or weather. It wasn't the best, but it was theirs. He felt Fupa flop on top of him, and the hyena growled a bit. He liked to be close to her, but being squished, even by a small hyena, wasn't really something he enjoyed. She laughed and jumped off of him, glancing upwards at the holes. "I wonder if we could get some skins from Baki. She's like a hoarder or something."
Kingio just snorted, leaving all that work to Fupa's mind. He didn't care. It blocked out the worst of the weather, and even if it got a little wet in here in the rain, it wasn't as bad as standing out in it.
Fupa just stuck her tongue out at him. "Fine, I'll do it myself. You'll just have to bribe some food off of Teg and Ini then." She heard a groan and laughed. "Just get it from Ini, I know she'll want to make sure I eat enough." Fupa picked up one of her paws, seeing just how easy it was getting dirty. Having a pure white coat just didn't happen here. She sighed, lowering it and crawling back over to Kingio. She still didn't like it here, and she might never like it here, but at least it would be home with him around.
"Hey, cheer up," he said. "Things'll get better, just wait. Besides, you'll be safe in here." They both knew that she would rarely step outside of the skull, even if it was a small, cramped space to spend so much time in. Fupa felt safter in here, even if something drastic happened she might be trapped. Everyone knew where she was, and as such she would be able to help anyone that might need her. Kingio just dealt with it as best he could, and not let himself worry too much. Besides, if anyone hurt her, he'd rip them apart himself. Even if it was Teg.
(1,134 words)
