Something like that. [Open]

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER

[/i] Slaughter ran up to the queen and king. "Is everything well? We worried, you weren't returning as quickly as the others." He bowed his head, blood still dripped from wounds. It had been a bloody battle.

"We're fine. Back to the others, Slaughter, Najisi and I need time alone." He turned to the queen, ready for what she may have to say.[/ul][/blockquote]

[LAD]

Yasbi and Yasha

Yasbi remained crouched over Najisi' cubs - what was left of them. She was still shocked, still startled. Still completely off her rockers. Her gaze slowly turned to where Slaughter yelled out to the Queen and King. But she remained where she was, nudging any cub that tried to leave her back into her saftey. "Let mama recover for a moment." she murmured to them.

Yasha came up to her side - having followed the scent that was strongest, and then glanced around. She saw her daughter and moved to her, then pausing when spotting the cubs. "Yasbi?"

Yasbi glanced up, her eyes dead. Then Yasha nodded to her, and sat down a few paces away. Keeping guard almost. But neither acknolwedged Reno and Najisi further. Let them recover and speak of the actions that just took place.

[Caylis]

Influence coughed up blood before flexing his wings.. he wanted to avenge Krankheit's death.. though that was his lord's doing. He felt pain overwhelm him though he wasn't even near death.. though he was a pure BloodBeast and BloodBeasts were said to have nine lives, if anyone finished him now, he would lose a life.

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

The ess landed and just stood there, almost numb. Her head down. Before She had her 'alone' time with Reno, she had to address Yasha and Yasbi. Reno needed to hear this too. She coughed, her throat aggrovating her.

"Yasbi, Yasha. Jericho is not a traitor. He was sent from me into Meur to contact my kin. I was meant to meet them away from Volcano, to avoid Meur finding La Morte. He was acting as not to blow his cover."

She admitted feeling horrible. If Jerich was killed.. she would have lost a brother. Ruined another family. She turned to Reno, unable to even look at him, and slumped down, her head at his leg/chest (standing/sitting). She was broken inside. Zenith.. Osic.. Carnal... Then she remembered.. Krankheit.

"Reno.. I'm sorry.. Its my fault. I made him hesitate when he went after Carnal.."

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER

[/i] He asked, concerned about a fellow pride member. Slaught' was no healer, and now with Brynneth gone, they really had no one. He flopped down beside the bloodbeast.

Reno remained quiet as he stood, and eventually sat, to listen to Najisi as she explained that Jericho was on their side and that Krankheit hesitated because of her. It was a lot to take in, and he gave it a few moment to sink in.

Then the king leaned down to nuzzle Najisi affectionately, as if to say it's okay. He cared not if the others saw, and remained quiet for a few moments longer.

"It's not your fault."[/ul][/blockquote]

[LAD]

Yasbi and Yasha

Both small 'ess's turned to look at Najisi as she spoke, one with a dead gaze the other with gaurded eyes. The news took a moment to sink in. Jericho was on their side. Jericho didn't truly mean to attack them. But both heard the whispers in the back of their mind. 'Oh yes he did. And it's her fault that he attacked you. Are you really going to be so forgiving? You both helped her, put faith in her, and then you realize that your brother/son is against you cause of her for the moment.'

Their inner demons were ruthless, but Yasha had plenty of experience with her, and merely flicked her ears in response. Her gaze landed on her daughter however, as the amber gaze boiled with new emotion. Hurt, angry, sadness. "For your kin..." Yasbi spoke softly but loud enough. "He is your brother, Najisi. And mine. Those two that you wanted to speak to made their intentions clear in this battle." While the anger had begun to boil, it died down just as quickly, and the numbness. "You did not force him to attack us, while the mission was prompted. He still left with them." She hissed out, her voice cutting off on a near choking sob.

Yasha tilted her head. "Oh get up, Yasbi." She snapped out. "He may have spent all those years with you after Stygian Fierte died, but what happens happens. Besides, Osic is still under Meurtrier, and Jericho may very well be concocting a plan to get him out as we speak." Her cold gaze landed on Najisi as she said that last part, then she spoke to her.

"You too, Najisi. Stand strong. You cannot let this defeat you, having been born in that damned pride you and Yasbi were born in. One of the cruelest strongest prides yet! If I am not mistaken, those" She flicked her ears and tail towards where Yasbi was still crouched over the cubs, "Are your cubs. You must stand strong, if not for yourself, but for them. If you have accepted Jericho, as I can see that you have, then he will do what he must to make his sister happy. His blood sister. He will figure something out. But right now, you must pull yourself together, girl."

And there Yasha admitted that Jericho - yes, was not Bixbi's kid, but Deimus'. Then she paused, hesitating, then flicking her gaze upwards to Reno. "And sort out what you must." Then Yasha stood, and moved over to Influence. Her nose crinkled in disgust. Having grown without needing the care of others all her life, she couldn't stand the sight of weakness. Sighing she turned to Slaughter. "Get me any kind of leaves... or cobwebs considering this place, you can find."

[Caylis]

The BloodBeast turned to the yellow male with a depressed look, a weak smile given to him. "Krankheit.. he's gone.. and Brynneth.... the only female I looked up to.. she betrayed us and now.. they're gone.." he said quietly before feeling hot, he held back tears, he didn't want anyone to see his weakness.. behind that massive, muscualar body, Influence could be very sensitive and mournful when someone died. He looked over to Slaughter and buried his face into his shoulder. "Slaughter.. what are we going to do? I.. I don't know what to do.. Meurtrier is strong and we are little.. but do we really have a chance of winning?" he said before shaking his head, was this what Brynneth had felt? He wouldn't be weak.. no.. he had to have faith in La Morte! He wouldn't go down like Brynneth did! The BloodBeast made his way over to Brynneth and Krankheit's corpses.. before picking up some blood before raising it up. "I, Influence of La Morte vow to avenge those who have fallen on this night.. I WILL obey every order coming from m'lord Reno and m'lady Najisi! I wish to take my rank as a warrior to advantage by doing my best to serve this pride! Even if it kills me, I lost a clan once and I won't lose this pride again!" he said, chest puffing, blues gleaming through the night before going back to Slaughter and sitting down, the blood still on his paws.

He was dead serious now, he would not let La Morte fall to it's knees, he would NOT let the name be dragged in the mud! They could do this if they tried their best!

His reds turning back to blue, he looked to Yasbi with a sigh.. he hated her being this upset.. he just wanted to go over there and comfort her but then again, he followed Reno's orders. When Yasbi would come back he would comfort her the best he could. Something budded up within him like a blooming cherry blossom in the trees of the Veldt.. for her... [glow=red,2,300]what was it?[/glow]

He rose his head to the experienced one and rose to his paws. "Shall I assist him?"

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

Naji prepared for a scolding. A temper that would cause them to fight and she'd lose him, just like Funeral. But it never came. Instead she reseaved a nuzzle and reassurance. This helped put her at ease a bit. The pride had just tasted what Meur was like. Why La Morte existed. She buried her bloodied face into the male's crimson fur. At least blood didnt show too well on him. Naji looked like a three year olds painting project.

She looked up at Reno and sighed. She needed to get him alonee.. She had.. finally admitted it to herself. Back there when she thought she would be killed.. She realized she didn't WANT to die. She wanted to live.. For Reno.

"What did.. you need to tell me.."

Her ears perked as Yasha spoke. Then Yasbi. She growled. She was still qqueen of this pride. They needed to stand together. Not stand divided. She knew Jericho's lineage. Even before anything was said. He smelled of her father.

"Yasbi. I am still your queen. He is acting a spy. That is his job and he happily volunteered. He could prove useful, being in Meur. He's smart. And I promise you.. All of you. I will not let Meur take anymore of us."

She saidm trying to sound confident for Yasha.. For Reno.

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER

[/i] He turned away and headed into the territory to search for cobwebs and leaves.

Reno waited until Slaughter moved on and turned his attention back to Najisi. "She is right, to an extent. We need to be strong for now. We will have our chance to be.. less. Until then, we have a pride, and you have young still." He groomed the top of her head and flinched. The pain of the battle was really settling in now. "We need to move in the morning, Naj. This place isn't safe. I know of a new home we can move to. It has fire for warmth, a den that oversees the mountains, and on the other side of the mountains, a mystical source of water. There are well protected dens and plenty to eat. I planned for us to move soon -- but not this soon. However we've no choice now. By morning we must be ready to go."[/ul][/blockquote]

[LAD]

Yasbi and Yasha

Yasbi didn't even glance up at Najisi as she spoke. Yes she was under her and she would look up to Najisi as a leader - she was a strong feline. But... Her brother was in the hands of Meur... Of that pride... Holding back another sob even as her mothers and Najisi's words rang in her mind. Then Reno spoke, and she slowly stood, her muscles aching from the damage from her brother and then from being crouched over the cubs for so long. She flicked her ears once, twice, then a third time before completely turning her back on Najisi and Reno and Yasha, but not before they could all see a small spark of her old self flaring back in her eyes. "Come on little ones, let's get you some place warm to rest." She glanced at Najisi to see if this was okay, waiting for permission before doing anything else.

Yasha took a few paces back at Influences' declarations. Then snorted. "Boy, can you walk? Or do you need tending to? Regardless, lick your wounds less the get infected." With this said she glanced over at Najisi and Reno, "I can lend what services and knowledge I have as a medic." She told them. "If anyone needs seeing to, I can do that for tonight and tomorrow, and assist you in moving." She too, waited for a response.

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

"Keep the cubs here Yasbi. I will see to them soon."

Najisi spoke and sighed. A move? With so many injured. But it was neccessary. She knew it would be better. But she had to wonder if moving would mean Zenith was a lost cause at this point. She wasn't giving up. She never would. But she worried by the time they'd even be able to send in a strong enough rescue force, it'd be too late. Unless Jericho could pull it off.

"Thank you.. Yasha. Tend to the others for now. My wounds can wait."

She was probably the more injured of their group. Well, maybe. She didn't seem as bad off as Influence. She looked up to Reno and stood. She had to be strong. She nodded to them and sighed. Things would get better once they moved.

"We will need to track in random directions to cover our sent. We don't want a raid party to catch our trail from this place."

She said sternly. She turned back to Reno. She needed to talk to him. Alone.

"Reno, can.., we talk?"

[Caylis]

Influence nodded to her and licked his wounds, this female seemed to know healing and at least she wasn't a traitor.. or at least he hoped not. The red Bloodbeast followed Slaughter's advice and felt his own blood on his tongue, though he didn't mind it at all. He wondered how Zenith was doing.. but what were Meur going to do with her? He shrugged and kept licking his wounds, if anyone were to approach, he would treat them with respect.

[kahara]

RENO & SLAUGHTER

[/i] He said with a nod.

Reno shook his head. "We can talk, but after you've been tended to. I know you want to be strong, but being strong sometimes means admitting you're weak. Have yourself cleaned up and then we can talk. And we will. Everyone will need to partner up and zigzag across the territory, then meet up at the end of it before we leave together. Does that sound good?" He wanted to talk to Najisi in private as much as she wanted to talk to him, but they had the pride -- and themselves -- to take care of.[/ul][/blockquote]

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

The ess sighed. To be strong.. you had to admit you were weak? She didn't know what to even think anymore. She had tried so hard to be strong for Funeral. To be his crutch. To support him and she did. Then she showed that one instance of weakness. Because of Cocaine and she was ruined. She tried to stay strong to win him back but fell weak to Ceon's kindness. Then, she became a traitor and she was just weak.

So what was she supposed to be now? Strong or weak? She couldn't stand up to Cocaine.. She couldn't beat him.. She caused Krank's death.. and all Carnal did was want to kill her. She lost Zenith and she knew what was happening with Osic... She couldn't save him. He was going to die... They were going to kill him.. She wasn't strong at all.. Maybe she should stop pretending to be.

She hung her head, ears drooped, and limped over to Yasha for treatment. Maybe she shouldn't tell Reno what she wanted to. He needed a strong qurrn, and she was not. Carnal was right. She was just a weak whore.

"Yasha.. When you finish with Influence... I could use some help.."

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER

[/i] He began.

"You fought well today. Do not consider this a loss. We mourn the deceased, but we learn and move on now. We are still here, we are strong because we can admit when we aren't, and we know when to stop. We aren't brainless murderers like Meurtrier -- we are here to defend something, and we welcome in even the enemy if they would need a help. We are strong and never think otherwise." Reno sighed deeply. "The reason I tell you this is because by morning we must be on the move. Meurtrier knows where we are. We have a new home though, and it's beautiful. I promise you all it is. We will need to keep them off of our trail though. So in pairs we will zig-zag across Volcano and meet at the border before leaving together to our new home. It will take a while, but if we keep going steady, we should arrive in our new home within the next day." His voice was clear; as well as his intentions. They simply HAD to move.[/ul][/blockquote]