[PRP] Our Darkest Days (Areo x Shauku) [Fin]

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Time was coming and going, something that fell through the exhausted lioness' paws as through it were water or grains of sand. She arose slowly, the sun hadn't even met the horizon yet, but it's rays were protruding just enough to bring light into the dark sky. Shauku inhaled deeply and gazed upward, bright piercing red orbs took in the utter beauty of the twinkling stars above. The sight wasn't something she would soon forget.

"Home." She mumbled quietly. A word that had been burning in her mind. The lioness had found herself very alone, no pride members, and no pride lands. This was unusual at first, but once her mind had been set straight she began to steadily trace herself back to her homelands. Once stretched and ready Shauku began collecting what little belongings she did have to prepare for her journey.

Than her journey had begun, only to be cut short. She rounded a tree only to come face to face with large lion. One of whom she had hoped she would recognize, but the unfortunate relaity settles in as she realizes he is just a stranger. "Hello." Shauku says kindly, eyes keeping up a fierce appearance, just in case.  

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Shauku stared at the lion, a little dumbfounded by his statement. She had been so exhausted that she hadn't truly considered her situation. Such a small statement, yet it meant so much to the crumbling female that she had to allow herself to sit. Her rump fell gracelessly and with a deep, uncontrolled sigh. "I must look as awful as I feel than." The near defeated tone in her voice would let on to a troubling past, but she couldn't have cared any less than she did at that point.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted your day." Her voice gave way to a small tremble before strengthening enough to hold her together. Her weariness was catching up to her and she knew it. The dark lioness couldn't even meet the strangers eyes at this point and found herself staring off into space, gathering what was left of her wits and hope.  

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The movement, though slow and seemingly gentle still startled the lioness enough for her to look up and finally lock glistening eyes with her new found companion. As strong as she was this was something akin to a form of failure, at least in her eyes.

"A terrible, terrible idea." She murmured softly. The words would fade with time as she found her way home, she was sure they were well cared for in the eyes of their many gods. Of course, the bonus was that surely they would have little to prove that there had ever been a drought.

"There is not a thing, not a thing you can likely do that would make this moment more than what it is. I am a lioness without her home, family and friends." Her eyes closed slowly and she breathed deeply once more. "I will have to continue my searches and hopefully find my way home to a happier home than it once was." The lioness could sigh no longer and simply stood again, her joints were weak, but she held strong.

Than her stomach gave way to a terrible sound. Hunger. She hadn't thought of much else beyond her home in many moons it felt like. Though she wasn't willfully challenged, her current abilities wouldn't posses enough power to gain any food source.

"You wouldn't happen to have a meal?"  

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The appreciation that glowed in her eyes was something words could not describe. A nod confirmed the request and a smile followed to reflect her thanks.

"I wish I were in the condition to do this task myself, but as you noticed through those keen eyes.. I cannot satiate my needs." Her weary eyes turned to look towards the direction she assumed he had come from and the smile grew slightly brighter.

"Please bring back what you can, but do not fret if we have missed our chance."  

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Forever.

In fact time seemed to stand still. She hadn't worry, if he didn't return she would not blame him. Fending for oneself was priority number one and if a lion couldn't successfully complete even that task than they should be in a pride or dead.

All that, dreadful, thought did was initiate a threat of tears. With all the strength left in her body she fought the emotions and kept herself as together as she best could. Though, once she watched the lion begin to approach her once again she nearly lost herself with joy.

"Oh my goodness." Exhausted, her words seemed to just collapse from an open jaw. One that, as soon as available to her, needed no persuasion to begin chewing at the gazelle dropped to the ground. Somewhere between chewing and gasps for air she recalled thanking him.

Soon she finally had to stop. Her mind screamed at her to keep eating, but her stomach was near capacity and with how long it had been since she ate she already feared heaving the whole meal back up. So with a contented sigh she gazed upon her savior again.

"You will likely be the reason I see my people again. There are no words that can express my gratitude." Her head bowed slightly in respect and thanks.