Tiger and Lion

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Sanyu watched as Madge and Mesi aid some of the lions and tigers who were the most injured. The large cats trusted them both because Sanyu trusted them.

The sun was just setting. Creating a calming scenery.

A half exhausted look was on Sanyu's face as she contemplated to fall asleep. She was used to sleeping on the ground, whether or not she was in human form. Resting her head against the tree she laid under, Sanyu closes her eyes and slowly falls asleep.

Only to wake up at someone tapping her shoulder. She wakes up with a jolt and looks up. Kondo stood there with a small smile on his handsome face. "Did I wake you?" he asked teasingly. "I was about to. But you must know to never wake up a sleeping lion. You could get bit." Sanyu said.

With a laugh, Kondo sat down beside her. "I grew up with tigers. I've grown up knowing that rule." he said.

"Speaking of which, did you know a tiger named Sefu?" Sanyu asked suddenly.

The question caught Kondo off guard but he quickly collected himself. "I . . . I did know him. He was the one who raised me." he admitted.

Shock was written on Sanyu's face. She stared at him slack jawed. A look of disbelief on her face. "The tiger that tried to kill my daughter for being a P-I mean human, he raised you?" she asked, stumbling a bit on her words.

A dark laugh left Kondo's mouth. No sound of kindness in it. "Indeed. Back then, he actually had a heart. He raised me to be a warrior. He gave me everything, protected me. And I repaid him by leaving him to be with my kind." he said.

'Sefu's bitterness . . . was because of his departure.' Sanyu thought in realization.

"Assaggi is the opposite of me. She stayed who she was was even when she found out what she really is. I don't think I'm worthy of being her cousin." Kondo said sadly. He drops his head in his hands.

A small noise escaped Sanyu's throat as she stared at Kondo. She felt awkward talking to the one who gave her pain. And now that he was sitting there crying, all vulnerable. It was like seeing a different person. Slowly, she rests her hand on Kondo's shoulder and rubs it comfortingly. "Don't say that, Kondo. You both have a fighting spirit. You took different directions but you are still together by blood. No matter what." Sanyu said.

Kondo suddenly grabs Sanyu's hand and guides it to a scar that ran down his shoulder to his left breastplate. "Sefu gave me this for abandoning him. I nearly died that day. I feel like I should've died for leaving my life behind." he said darkly.

A warm hand rested on the scar that rested against his heart. Slowly, Sanyu ran her hand up the scar. "Ekon once told me flipping over a rock is like turning over a leaf to new life. The gods are allowing you to make up for your sins." Sanyu said. Kondo flinched at the mention of Ekon. "It sounds like he was a good man." he said sadly.

Sanyu's heart dropped at the mention of her mate. "He was." she said. Uncomfortable silence came between them. Sanyu watches Mesi as she pets two tiger cubs to sleep.

A tired look was on the young human's face as she started to become sleepy herself. Soon enough, Mesi slumps down beside the two cubs and fell asleep.

"Do you think Assaggi will wake up?" Kondo suddenly asked.

"She is strong willed. But her body may not survive what it has received." Sanyu said. A stray tear ran down her face. The fear of losing her daughter rattled her senseless. "I lost one daughter. I can't lose another." she said with a growl. Her canines elongated as her anger built up.

All of a sudden, she was pulled into a hug. Her head rested on Kondo's chest, and she could hear his heartbeat. The rhythmic beat calmed her down and settled the fear in her.

"Whether or not she dies. There are people here that will be there for you." Kondo said. "Like me." he suddenly added.

Sanyu shot her head up to look at Kondo's face. He stared at her intently. His dark brown eyes clashed with her bright gold ones. "I know I shouldn't be saying this. But I think of you as a remarkable woman. And beautiful." Kondo complimented.

He starts to lean in closer till their lips were just centimeters apart. His breath danced along her lips. Sanyu's heart began to pound as heavy as thunder. She just watches as Kondo slowly presses his lips against her own. The odd advance he made sending a tingling sensation run through her.

Then all at once, Sanyu shoves Kondo back and pushes herself away. Her human features started to change as confusion and shock ran through her. Without saying anything, she shapeshifts back into her lion form and ran off.

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