Kion and Rani: A Decision

Chapter 16: Savior

Rani ran away, the scratch that Zin gave her started to sting. She ignored it. Rani wanted to find Kion. She didn't care if her scratch got infected.

Rani kept running. She tripped over a rock, "Ahh!" Rani cried in agony. Tears fell down her face. She tried to stand, but her paw wouldn't allow her.

The scratch started stinging more, and Rani was in so much pain. Rani heard a low growl. She lifted her head, and perked her ears up.

The sound went away. Rani rested on her side, trying not to put pressure on her paw.

Rani tried to stay awake, but she couldn't. She passed out from exhaustion.

Darkness soon filled the sky. Rani was still passed out. The pain in her scratch numbed, and she couldn't feel it. But her paw felt broken.

The moon shone directly on Rani, making her visible in the night.

Yellow eyes glowed in the trees. Soon, more appeared. They growled and walked into the light of the moon.

A bunch of cougars surrounded Rani. They barred their teeth.

"Surround her, make sure that if she wakes up, she can't leave," The leader growled. They made a circle around her.

They started to slowly creep up on her. Suddenly, a golden blur ran infront, and stood over Rani.

It was Kion. He stood over Rani defensively. The cougars were surprised, but continued to advance closer to Rani and Kion.

Kion unsheathened his claws and growled at the cougars, "You aren't going to lay a claw on her."

A cougar charged at Kion. Kion turned to him and growled. Kion slammed the cougar into the ground, crushing its skull.

The leader slashed its claws at Kion. Kion ducked and bit the cougars neck. It dropped dead.

The others froze. Their leader was dead. They ran away. Kion dragged the two cougars out of the way. If any other predators scented the blood, they would attack.

Kion walked back to Rani. She was still passed out. Kion lifted her chin and looked at the scratch on her cheek. He gasped. He licked the scratch, getting the dirt out of it, stopping infection.

Kion layed beside her, keeping her warm. He kept on high alert, making sure no one tried to hurt Rani again.

The next morning, Kion was still awake. Rani started to shift. She groaned as her paw touched the ground.

Rani felt something soft beside her. She turned around, and Kion was laying right next to her, his head up straight, and his ears perked.

"Kion?" Rani asked confused. Kion looked down at her, "Morning sleeping beauty," He smirked. He stood up.

Rani tried to stand, but her paw wouldn't let her. She fell back down.

"Ahh I'm so attractive you can't even stand at the sight of me," Kion smirked. Rani looked up at him, "Wow Kion."

Kion chuckled. "And, that's not the reason Kion. I tripped last night, and something happened to my paw. I can't put any pressure on it," Rani explained.

Rani layed on her side, not putting pressure on her paw. Kion looked at it, "It's just sprained." "But it's hurts," Rani complained.

"It will heal soon," Kion chuckled. Rani groaned.

Kion licked her scratch again. Rani looked at him, shocked. "What? Do you want your scratch infected?" Kion asked with a cute smile. Rani smiled back, "Thanks."

"If I may ask, how did you get that scratch?" Kion raised an eyebrow. "That's just like me asking how you got your scar," Rani chuckled.

"Ok. I'll tell you how I got my scar, if you tell me how you got your scratch," Kion said. Rani nodded.

"I was bit by a snake. Thankfully it wasn't a poisonous snake. And if I'm being honest, I think it makes me look more attractive," Kion smirked at her.

Rani chuckled, "Not really." Though Rani was lying and she knew it. "Your turn," Kion gave her a smile.

Rani sighed, "Zin won the competition. I was forced to "marry" him, though the marriage never took place. I got angry at him and attacked him. He was furious, and scratched me," Rani started crying, "He would have killed me if my dad wasn't there to stop him."

Tears streamed down Rani's face. Kion stared at her, shocked, "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked." He nuzzled her gently, not touching her scratch.

Rani pulled Kion down next to her. She cried into his chest. Kion was shocked at first, but then felt more comfortable. He gently stroked her back, "It's ok. You aren't there anymore."

Rani started to purr. She eventually stopped crying. "Better now?" Kion asked. "Now that you're here," Rani smiled. Kion smirked, "Guess just the sight of me makes anyone feel better."

Rani tickled under his chin, "You aren't wrong," She chuckled. Kion purred.

They nuzzled. "So, are you going to go back to the tree after your paw is healed?" Kion asked. Rani didn't respond. "Rani?" Kion lifted her chin.

"I don't know. I mean, what if my parents try to betroth me again?" Rani stated. "Would they really do that? After what happened with Zin?" Kion raised an eyebrow.

"They would pick the next best one, which was Aisi," Rani sighed. Kion growled, "That backstabber."

"What are you going to do Kion? Are you going back to the Pridelands?" Rani asked. "No. Besides, my dad would have kicked me out anyway. I'm reaching the age where I have to leave the pride," Kion rolled his eye's.

"Then, why don't we live together? Out here?" Rani asked. Kion raised an eyebrow, "You actually want to live with me? Even after that night?"

Rani smiled, "It would be nice." "I guess I could protect you. Because you can't defend yourself," Kion smirked. "I can defend myself," Rani replied.

"Oh yeah?" Kion chuckled, "Then why was I the one saving you from cougars last night." "Cougars? What cougars?" Rani asked. "See," Kion laughed.

Rani licked his cheek, "You're such a flirt." Kion smirked, "Sometimes. Now let that paw rest. Then we can decide what to do next." Rani nodded. She snuggled close into his chest. She purred and fell asleep. Kion shook his head with a chuckle.