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Jini was always coming up with great ideas. They were great in her mind, anyways, and now that she had a partner in crime (as she liked to think of Sixx) it was much more fun than it had been when she was alone. Growing up she hadn't had time to make friends. Jini was always too busy trying to impress her father or make her sister look silly. It had been a waste of time, really. Jini had found a place where she was truly happy, and in that place she'd found a friend that she was growing to care more for as days went by.

"Come on, Sixx," she chittered over her shoulder as she sprinted foward, "I need to stretch my legs!" With a laugh - out of place in such a dark pride, it seemed - Jini cheerfully dared, "Betcha can't catch me!"

His last few weeks had been amazing since he had met Jini. Something about her made his heart flutter.
He didnt know what a crush was, and so he was just left here wondering why butterflies had taken residence in his stomach.
He kept them hidden though, and happily did what it was Jini felt like doing. She was a real breath of sunshine in such a dark
and dreary place such as the lands they called home. It was nice to be somewhat away from there for now.

"I bet I can!" He said, and began sprinting himself. He was a larger lion, not yet an adult but clearly no longer a cub. He ran
as if his heart had wings. He laughed, the first time he found himself ever really laughing. This was all very new to him, but he welcomed
it with great happiness.

"Im going to get you!"

Jini soared over the open savanna, her laughter trailing along behind her. She hoped he did catch her. She wanted him to catch her, even if that meant that she slowed down so that he could. Jini understood that their pride wasn't a place where lions always freely showed affection for one another, and within the pride she took her duties seriously. But in privacy Jini was not ashamed to laugh or talk in softly whispered tones to Sixx with a smile on her face all the while. He brought that out in her. It was Sixx that made her feel as if she could fly forever.

Was this love? She wasn't sure. She couldn't say, having never experinced love before. All she knew was that Sixx made her happy and fuzzy and warm... and beautiful. Strange? Maybe. Silly? Probably. Amazing? Yes, a thousand times yes.

Glancing over her shoulder those purple eyes of hers flashed at him as she laughingly called out, "You'll have to run faster!"

He pushed himself faster whenever she called him out. He loved the way this made him feel. He had never
felt love, be it from mother or father. He had been raised in hate and had somehow still come out with a sweet
heart and a kind soul. He had no demon, he had never had a demon. He pretended he did, he had even come up with
a name for it. He was considerably slower than her, having more mass and less grace.

But somehow he found himself gaining on her, and he batted at her rump with his paw. He kept his claws sheathed,
he wasnt aiming to hurt her. Once he felt he had slowed her a bit, he jumped, wrapping his paws around her abdomen.
The force of his running and the lunge, toppled him over and he rolled, pulling her down with him.

Jini laughed gleefully as she fell, paws wrapping around his neck as they came to a gently thudding stop. Her breath was coming in harsh puffs and her eyes smiled up at him. Never had she felt so free. It was wonderful, it was how she'd wished she'd been able to feel as she grew older and more mature. She still had growing to do, that was true, but this was everything she'd missed as a cub, as a juvenile. Now was to make up for all that lost time. Now, and with Sixx.

"Got me," she chuckled breathlessly, grinning up at him. Those eyes, she dreamed about those vivid eyes of his. "I let you catch me, y'know," she challenged, eyes bright with humor. No, he'd caught her because he was bigger, stronger, faster, but that was what she appreciated about him. Never once had he hurt her or said something that made her feel bad. He'd always been so gentle with her, even when she was a grouch.

"You weigh a TON, Sixx," she laughed, "What have you been eating?!"

He landed on top of her, looking down at her beautiful face as he did. He almost blushed,
but he refrained. He did his best to keep composed but his heart beat wildly in his chest.
She was something he had never had before. Never love, happiness, nor friendship. He loved this feeling.
He hoped that it would never end, and that Jini would never leave.

"Oh is that right?" He asked, looking down at her and staring into her own eyes with his own soft gaze.
He smiled as the wind ruffled his mane, or what mane he DID have. This was like something out of a story.
He just knew it.

"Youre just jealous you dont have this muscle." He mused.

Jini laughed heartily, shaking her head at his antics. He was a silly lion, one that she was swiftly coming to realize she would give her life to protect. She had the same funny feeling he'd do the same thing for her. Pressing her paws to his chest she gave a little shove, starting to feel a little overwhelmed by his nearness. He didn't frighten her, no, but her thoughts did. A blush turned the tip of her ears pink and her nose picked up the same color.

"Get offa me, ya big lug," she laughed, giving him another shove. Part of her was afraid that she'd blurt out her feelings for him and he'd just laugh at her, and part of her was afraid that he'd blurt out his feelings for her and she'd freeze up. Jini wasn't sure she was ready for it, not yet. She wasn't ready for it to end.

She was right when she had the feeling that he'd give his life for her.
The guy was a glutton for heroics, even despite what hed been raised to be like.
He would walk through fire to protect her. She was his only friend, he needed to do what
he could to keep her safe.
He felt a bit overwhelmed by the look in her eyes, even if his eyes likely gave the same
exact stare. He chuckled, pushing himself off and sauntering off like he had won the challenge.
A smug look on his face, he lifted his nose to the air, closed his e yes and began strutting.

"You know you liked it." He said, teasing however, and not trying to make her uncomfortable.
He liked being himself around her, it was such a pleasant feeling. Though his thoughts were darker
in terms of his demon. What would she do if she found out he had no evil within him? He felt that it wouldnt
matter in his heart..but in his mind, he felt that maybe he should have been more careful.

If there was one thing the male would never do, it was laughing at her. He would rather chew off his tail
than laugh at what she said. Unless it was meant to be funny.

"So where we headin?" He asked.

Jini laughed and rose to her feet, moving to stand by him and idly bounce her shoulder against his. "I don't know, honestly," she shrugged, "just felt the urge to get out and run." She shook the dust from her fur and peered out across the savanna that yawned in front of them. A thoughtful look crossed over her face as she grew pensive, falling silent for a long moment before she spoke again.

"Do you hate anyone, Sixx?" It was an odd question to be sure, but it was something that she wanted to know. She often thought of her sister, Kizi, with mixed emotions but oftentimes the fury and rage burned in her chest when it came to thinking of the blue-furred sibling she had grown to hate. Part of her felt that she should warn Sixx of her sister on the off chance that they would meet, but part of her knew that Sixx would never stray from their friendship.

He nodded, and grinned, looking down at her as she nudged his shoulder with her own.
He was taller than she was, even if not by a whole lot.
"Running is good. I approve." He teased, and nudged her with his paw as they walked. He was heading
in the direction of water, as he always loved a good swim. He didnt get it often, and when he did it was
hurried so that he wasnt alone in the savannah long. But now, now he had someone to be with him. He didnt feel
so alone.

He listened to the silence between them, and it wasnt the awkward silence that was unpleasant. It was as if the silence
just filled their hearts and they knew that they were both on the same page. He had never had a silence that wasnt intimidating
between parties.

Her question caught him offguard, and he gulped. Did he hate anyone? Of course not. Sure Roth wasnt the most pleasant but he didnt
even hate him. He thought briefly of lying, and saying that he hated alot of others. But he knew that she wouldnt believe the lie.
And he didnt want to risk their trust already.

"No..No I guess I dont hate anyone." He said, after thinking for a few moments.
"Why? Do you?"

"I did... I still might." She looked troubled, confused. "My sister, Kizi... for a long time I thought I hated her." Sheepishly she shook her head, "I might still hate her. She's always been papa's favorite. She's a seer," Jini added, as if that was terribly important. "Because of that she held a special place in papa's life, one that I could never hope to fill." A harsh laugh rumbled from her throat and she shook her head again, "I don't know why it matters so much to me, Sixx. I was hoping that by being here in our pride I could forget that it ever did matter to me."

With a frustrated growl she gave Sixx her attention again, her eyes showing the guilt she carried. Of course he didn't hate anyone, she thought to herself. He was everything in the world that was kind and gentle. He was her opposite. She didn't want to lose that, she didn't want to lose him.

When she spoke of a sister, he paused and listened intently.
Her sister sounded alot like Flye, if Flye had been a seer. Roths daughter
had always been his favorite for some reason. He supposed cause that was the only litter that
had been produced from a demon mother. Those cubs, were apparently a gift to him. THey were the
only cubs he cared much about. But then again.. Roth cared for him to, and for what he could give
to him mostly.

"I know how that goes. Being a seer myself, I.. Ive been used by father many times. All for dark and nefarious
purposes." He said, voice not happy about such a thing. Life was life, you had to live what was given to you.
But it didnt mean he couldnt wish for more.

"Well you have something she doesnt. You have the love of a friend." He said with a smile. He didnt realize that
it could have been taken as a confession of love (which wouldnt have been far from the truth!).
"Youre already doing better. But hatred burns the soul." He said.

"I mean..I mean.. Damnit." He growled. He realized that his answers were proving the very thing he didnt want her
to know of.. He didnt want her knowing he had no dark demon that haunted his thoughts!

Sometimes Jini could tell that Sixx was hiding something from her. She never wanted to pry too hard, never wanted to push. Maybe he would tell her when he was ready, and maybe he would never tell her at all. His friendship was too precious to her and she didn't want to jeopardize that. The more she thought about the way his father treated him, the more Jini despised Roth. There was nothing admirable about forcing your son to perform like a puppet. That was pure evil, and not an evil one could be proud of. She shook her head, offering him a smile. The conversation had taken a turn for the serious, and she wasn't sure she liked where it was heading. He was right, though, she did have the love of a friend, and her Sixx would never let her down. For that she was thankful.

"I have to go on my Name Quest soon," she said softly, worried about how that would turn out. It was also a good change of topic.

He felt the mood drop, and he hated it. He wanted the subject to go
back to how his heart beat wildly when he saw her. Of course he couldnt tell
her that, he felt sure that she wouldnt want to hear that. What if it ruined
his friendship with her? He would never forgive himself if feelings got in the way
and ruined whatever it was that they had. Hed hate himself forever.
Sixx thought back to his father, and sighed. He supposed that Roth really was a b*****d.
But it was hard to hate your father, despite how they treated you, they were still your father.
Your blood. Though Sixx had no idea that none of Roths blood flowed freely through his veins.
He had the blood of a god.

"Really?" He asked. He had forgotten that he would have to do so as well soon. In fact, it was high time
he had done it. He had merely made a name for the false demon inside him. He hadnt gone on any quest.

"Are you excited?" He asked, looking at her softly. He wanted to be excited for her, but that would mean she
would learn her demon, and he wondered if that would take away her friendship from him should she find out his dirty
secret.

Jini placed her foot on a stone and gave it a small, petulant shove. "I dunno," she said softly, unsheathing her claws. She stared at her foot for a long moment before she spoke, feeling a little frustrated. "What if I don't find my demon name? What if something goes wrong? It's kind of scary, don't you think?" It was to her, at least. It probably didn't frighten Sixx like it did her. That thought made her smile a little. "A little excited, a little scared, I guess."

She didn't like the turn the mood surrounding them had taken, and in an attempt to lighten it, she dropped the subject and sent him a playful look. "Race you home?" The words were barely out of her mouth before she turned tail and went shrieking off in the direction they'd come.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could she mentioned
racing and took off. She was like a yellow blur, and he blinked a few times
and turned to dart after her. She was a fast girl, someone he knew that he couldnt
catch on his own. But he wasnt trying to catch her now. Now, this was racing at its finest.
He smiled, and let his mane [what little he still had] blow in the wind. He loved feeling the wind
hit his face. He supposed it could be alot like flying.

"Im going to beat you!" He called, and his laughter rang out through the savannah.