Sarabi slunk further into the long golden grasses, emerald eyes paying close attention to the beasts that would bring her sustenance. Uhuru was nearby, his immense form surprisingly elegant and nimble. He would make a fine hunting partner, perhaps something more. Closer she stalked the quarry, limbs equally tight and also lumber, ready to spring towards the prey at any given moment.

Timing was key here. One wrong step was defeat in her eyes. Carefully stepping over rocks and other debris, she made her way towards them as close as she could. One by one, the wildebeest dispersed and came closer. One in particular caught her attention. Sarabi looked to her companion, hoping that he caught it in his sights as well. It was now or never.

uhuru watched for his signal, not from the herd but from sarabi herself. a flick of black-backed ears, a curl to her tail, the pretty muzzle lifted to scent -- all these things might choose her quarry. in the end it was a glance, and the steady look of her green eyes brought the lion in sunlit exposure to burst cover.

grasses broke. the air splintered. he landed with lunging paws and picked up a growing thread of speed, angling so that he could thrash the creature in sarabi's direction.

around them, the wildebeeste scattered in haunting bawl.

Quickly he caught her signal, bursting forth from the long grasses and sending the herd panicking. The wildebeest in question came running in her direction, accompanied by another of its kind. Once they came in close enough, Sarabi lunged forward to showcase her grace and power. The lioness chased down the first animal, separating it from its companion and making a flying leap on to its back. She struck her claws into the hide and back of the wildebeest, teeth clamping down on to the neck as she pulled her powerful jaws shut. Now it was her companion's time to shine. Bring in the power and bring it down.

golden grace carried sarabi in the burst of speed for which their kind was known. uhuru followed at a slower pace, cutting off any lunging escape the wildebeeste might make. atop its back, the lioness ripped with long claws, her pretty teeth gleaming in impressive light.

his stare said she was mighty. beautiful. his shoulder slammed next into that of the beast. uhuru's own fangs cut deep, and more wounds added to the flowing blood which now spattered the grasses.

still, impossibly, upright the animal stayed.

A show of teeth and claws flying was brought to the forefront. Sarabi saw her male lay down his own attack, streaking crimson on the animal's hide where ever he could. Still the wildebeest fought with all of its might.

The queen of the savannah dug in deeper with her fangs, trying to suffocate it or rip out the windpipe. Using the weight of her own body, filled with solid muscle, she wrestled her prey with utmost might, hoping to drag it down. Now her Uhuru needed to lend further aid.

sarabi tore above.

uhuru locked his heavy legs against the earth and wrested from below.

jaws tightened; he would break the bones while sarabi cost blood in every second.

they worked in the paired way of ancient halves.

and uhuru's heart beat with happiness to consider that.

hard shoulders twisted. he meant to throw down the creature now.

Uhuru made good his promise to hold up his end. The sound of crunching bones echoed in her ears, the animal toppling over at it cried out in pain. That's when Sarabi went to fully bite down on the neck, severing anything that would continue to keep this creature alive.

In a matter of a few minutes, the wildebeest was dead. The lioness let go of her grip, releasing the meal once she was sure of its demise. She layed down in the grasses, panting heavily but regaining herself after a short while. Go on ahead, you have more then earned your share. Truth in every word she spoke.

that bellow announced the end.

sarabi lay splendid in the sun, and as uhuru caught his own breath, he traced the arch of one hip with appreciative gaze.

this kill was hers to have, to possess, to give. that was their law. on her offering, he did not wait.

entrails and blood slid into the grass. the lion was soon painted in red, low growls suggesting his pleasure at the meal.

belly swelled with the wealth of their triumph, uhuru pulled away, joining sarabi at a small distance but making little move yet to clean his fur.

while she ate, his eyes belonged to her guarding.

The prideful lioness watched him as he gorged on the new meal, a quiet pleasure hiding in those green depths. Sarabi then enjoyed her meal as well, filling herself to the brim. Afterwards the woman layed across the patch of soft grasses and soil that made up their vast kingdom. Not too far off, she could feel Uhuru's eyes washing over her spotted figure. Yet she remained silent and stoic, unsure of where to go from here.

uhuru meant to court sarabi now.

this was the first step. it was a dance, delicate for felines as broad-pawed as they.

he offered himself as hunter and as guardian.

she chose to eat from the kills in which he aided, to turn her back and let his eyes watch over it.

tailtip flicked in the dry scrub.

at length he lay back, rolling, bits of leaf and dirt flicking high in the air.