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Najisi was the product of an unwanted breeding between her mother, a rogue lioness, and a prince who believed anyone who was foolish enough to stumble into his lands was his property, and that therefore he could do what he wished with them.
Her mother, full of shame and disgust, couldn't bear to look at her daughter...when she was born, her piercing green eyes were just too much to bear. She couldn't stomach the thought of leaving the cub to her father, for fear that he would see her only as an object to be used. Instead, her decision was that it was more merciful to abandon the cub to starve...she couldn't bear to kill her, despite her looks.
Najisi was picked up by a passing old lioness, dark and scarred. She carried her to a nearby land and blackmailed the Queen (who had been seeing a rogue behind her King's back) into nursing her. Weaned early, Najisi was quickly snatched away again before she could understand what was happening.
The old lioness trained her to steal and to fight with quick, cheap shots. Najisi wasn't particularly strong because of her early weaning, but she was fast, and she could evade and elude her enemy with ease. Soon, Najisi was a loyal pawn, stealing from prides as she travelled with her keeper.
But soon, the questions started. Why do I do all the work? Why do you get the greatest share of food? Why why why why why? Eventually the scarred lioness decided Najisi was more trouble than she was worth, and made a move to kill her, quickly and quietly.
But Najisi saw it coming, dodged and fled. Her old mentor was no match for her speed and energy, and quickly gave up the chase.
For a time, Najisi travelled on her own. It was much easier with only herself to feed, but she longed for something. She didn't know what.
Eventually she was caught stealing from a small-ish pride. The youngest lioness...Thabiti? She had caught onto the theft, and had set a trap for Najisi. And she'd fallen for it, badly.
Surrounded by lionesses and with no escape, she begged to be spared and swore the most honest thing she had ever spoken. She promised to never steal again.
The King approached her and fixed a stern gaze upon her. She was sure her punishment would be horrifying, but he simply stated that if she was that hungry, she only had to ask, before stepping aside, and gesturing for her to leave.
Uncertainly, Najisi followed the small pride from a distance for several days, observing them. They seemed...different. Unselfish. Like a strange family.
One night, while the lionesses were sleeping, The golden King emerged from their temporary den and padded over to sit on a nearby hill. He sat there in silence for a few moments before calling her over. She was surprised he knew she was there, but then again, he had to be successful to have amassed as many lionesses and as much territory at such an age.
He told her something she already knew - she had a question. An important one. Najisi hesitated, then blurted it out all at once. The lion smiled warmly and accepted her. She had a pride now. A family. A place to belong. And her skills were certainly useful...but she knew she wouldn't be caring for dead weight - they all had something to offer.
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Najisi had thought long and hard about how things were going to play out now that she had been from the downward spiral that was once her life. She was extremely grateful, especially to Achilia, but had become plagued by guilt. How many prides had she stolen from? How many mothers nursing cubs? How many sick or injured?
Once she was initiated into adulthood, things became clear. She asked Achilia for a leave of absence and, once he accepted, set off towards a distant pride. I wasn't the first pride she'd try to steal from, but it was the first instance where she had actually succeeded. She hoped that they would accept her apology and allow her to try and repair some of the damage she'd done.
It was difficult to find the territory; it had been so long ago - but eventually she arrived in the right place. She was greeted by a menacing sub male, not much older than herself. He initially displayed his heavy mane and large teeth, trying to ward her away, but when she submitted, he paused, intrigued.
Without moving, Najisi quietly asked to see the King when possible.
The lion informed her that the King was busy and wouldn't be able to see her for three days.
Unperturbed, Najisi nodded and retreated back from the border to find suitable shelter until she was able to be seen.
Days later, she was awoken by a gruff snarl. She cracked her eyes and scurried backwards when she immediately met one blue and one green eye.
King Fyrestar.
Finding her composure, she bowed low, tucking her tail quickly away in submission.
In a rasping growl, he demanded to know why she was so close to his territory.
Najisi swallowed hard and bega to explain. She was here to admit a crime, and to beg forgiveness, perhaps to try and repay her debt if she was allowed.
The King scoffed disbelieving, but she continued, describing the night she had snuck into their territory and stolen a small antelope carcass. It had been very windy and cloudy, with a distinct smell of smoke in the air...over a year ago, now.
His eyes flashed and he closed in, pressing a heavy paw to the back of her neck and applying enough pressure to close her oesophagus. He dug in his claws a little, testing her, and asked why he should allow her to live. She didn't move, and he lessened the pressure a little so she could speak.
She explained that her life was turned around by a lion whose pride she now resided in. She had hoped to travel to find all the prides she had hurt, and make penance where possible...but if he decided death was an appropriate punishment...then she accepted that.
He glared at her as a tear rolled down her face. She didn't want to die...but she wanted to make amends. With a growl, he lifted away from her and sat back, tail lashing. Then a nasty smirk settled over his face. He decreed that as payment for her past crimes, she was to bring down a fully grown buffalo. Alone. She had three days.
Najisi tried and tried whilst the pride watched on in amusement. She was ok at hunting - she'd been practicing - but she was a scout. Her skills weren't in killing. And buffalo were hard to kill at the best of times. It was clear King Fyrestar had set her an impossible task.
But she tried anyway. She had to.
On the third day everything was going well. She had selected a younger male - full grown, of course - but some of the other males in the herd were massive...and honestly she'd probably die if she tried to bring one down!
She managed to separate it from the rest of the buffalo and herd it into a rocky area where she had superior balance and speed. She came at it from all angles, wearing it down. Tiring work, but she was doing surprisingly well.
Finally, she went in for the kill, diving straight for the throat and latching on. But that's where her good fortune ended. The buffalo panicked and thrashed, dragging her down under its hooves. She was being half-trampled!
Finally, she gave up on this attempt, letting go and hoping to be quickly out from under the rapidly fleeing would-be-prey. But instead she was kicked in the ribs. Then, a hoof struck the side of her head and the world went black.
~
Najisi struggled to rise, but the world was wavy and wobbly and painful. A lioness pushed her back to the stone floor, calling for assistance. Someone brought her meat - buffalo...an insult?
Her head throbbed as she tried to remember - the hunt...it had gone wrong? The buffalo had taken HER down...that wasn't the way it should be. It hurt to breathe. And then Fyrestar came into the den.
Najisi tried to rise, but she found she could barely lift her head. She turned it to the side and peered up at the King, begging for mercy. But he smiled. No...he SMIRKED. He sat down in front of her and nudged the lump of meat a little closer, urging her to eat.
In all his days, he'd never seen a single lioness, especially so young, bring down anything so large alone. He was certainly impressed. He leaned forwards and placed a single, perfect vulture feather across her paws - a proposition!
He smiled again - this time with warmth. She had proven herself to be truly repentant, succeeded in her task, and had also shown herself as a lioness with a good heart, strong will and an acceptable mate. Najisi considered his words and then smiled, but expressed that she still needed time to heal, to which he replied with assurance that his lionesses would tend to her until she was ready.
Days later, Fyrestar bestowed upon her the greatest gift of all - cubs! And then, in a great show of respect, he escorted her personally back home, eager to meet Achilia, he younger King she spoke so highly of.
Despite their differences, the two Kings got on surprisingly well. However Firestar had to leave eventually. He thanked Achilia for the hospitality and nodded towards Najisi, speaking only praise of her achievement.
She nodded back, almost - but not quite - purring, and promised when the cubs were born, she would come to visit.
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Najisi had two daughters, one a spitting image of herself, the other of Fyrestar. She named the firstborn Sizi, meaning 'soot' for the dark greys she had inherited, and the secondborn Mwako, meaning 'fire' for her vibrant coat.
As soon as they were old enough, she took them to visit their father. This time, the lionesses were much more respectful towards her. The Queen even approached to apologise, but Najisi explained it wasn't necessary - she understood, and forgave the humbled Queen.
Fyrestar was overjoyed by two perfect daughters, and held a celebration in their honour. They stayed for three days, organising plans for the cubs' futures. If they proved to be good huntresses, they would be joining their father's pride as soon as they was old enough.
Najisi was pleased that her daughters' lives would be secure, and glad to look to the future.
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It was Najisi's plan to seek Fyrestar's aid when Shira and Thabiti wanted to desert Sikia's pride. And it worked well. She got to see her two beautiful daughters, healthy and strong, and her one time lover...one of very few lions she still had respect for.
In truth, she had missed him, and although she was early with Sikia's cubs, she spent a glorious night of farewell with the handsome King before departing to Nuksi's pride the following morning.
Najisi means 'defile' in Swahili.
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