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(( Surprise! I want to play uncle Jitokeza! ))

The Wolf Clan migration had come back around to the mountainside the Jini-misemi had once occupied, and Jitokeza found himself quite distracted from his regular duties. The mountain looked perfectly normal but anybody who had known it so well could see its face was forever changed after the landslide that finally sent them off. More important in his mind was the increased likelihood of finding a stray pilgrim headed back for the mountain, but it never happened. After all, they were still quite far away.

Still, he couldn't get it off his mind so he was out for a walk on his own. Kianira certainly had the same worries, the same hope in the back of her mind .. and misery sure loved company but they would never move forward if they shared it all. He'd shake it and carry on as usual.

He didn't even notice who crossed his path as he walked. The tattoos were still throwing off his recognition of family, even though Kawani was plainly his brother's daughter.

Jitokeza jumped back in alarm at the cry, giving Kawani a confused stare as she tried to shake the surprise off. He heard every sound she made but he didn't process it quite fast enough, and he'd never comment anyway. His first assumption was always that others were more amiable and eloquent than he was, a single awkward display wouldn't convince him.

The shouted 'uncle' helped him figure out who exactly he was talking to much faster than he might have otherwise. He quickly replaced his confusion with a smile.

"Hello, Kawani," he said, backpedaling the conversation a bit as if he didn't hear the comment about the sunset, "I should watch where I'm going, I was a bit distracted, sorry."

He rambled as much as her, but he didn't stammer.

Her correct guess caught him by surprise, though he knew it shouldn't have.. and despite himself, he managed a reassuring smile when she apologized for bringing it up. They were still far from being comfortable as a family, they had all spent so much time apart.. but she was trying.

"It's OK," he said, "I was thinking about the mountain, but those who weren't there during the landslide."

The clarification felt necessary for the tone of the conversation, though it helped the awkwardness exactly none. Luckily, Jitokeza hadn't planned on ending there or it would have been better to just walk away from him instead of letting either continue to embarrass themselves.

"Many pilgrims never come home, but the ones who do won't find anything now," he said, his tone neutral, "And some of us are still just right here."

"I'm sure others have the same thought," he said, willingly passing the responsibility of informing and guiding lost pilgrims to the other Jini-misemi, "When we came here, there were still many lions who were reluctant to leave.."

Jitokeza's voice was quiet and thoughtful, as if reminding himself as much as informing Kawani of the situation. Some had moved on easily, plenty of those who came to the Ela'wadiyi were families seeking a sense of stability like him and Kianira, or Khara and her consort.. there were plenty of other less attached and more unpredictable lions in the pride.

"It's a shame you won't get to meet most of your cousins," he added.

But if there was one thing Jitokeza was used to, it was children who never returned home. Tradition meant they were lost but he had hope they simply found something better for themselves. They still had Hupomeno and Gaven, Tseva had gone off with her mate, and Yamokiini had chosen to wander again after seeing those who stayed off to the Ela'wadiyi..

"You are," Jitokeza agreed with a smile, happily allowing that distraction to take them away from the awkward, sad conversation about his own missing family members, "I'm very happy to see the family Sado has made for himself, and to be a part of it once again."

Sado's mate was questionable, though he had barely spoken to her himself.. but his children and grandchildren were wonderful. He was rather envious his brother's home was designed to keep them together, whereas Jitokeza's home had been designed to separate them. Four of thirteen was so few to have come home.

"Sure," he said, perking up at the nice idea of having some company for his walk, "We can trade stories, I know plenty from when he was a cub."

A distraction at his brother's expense.. it sounded like a decent plan. And it wouldn't matter if Sado objected, he would be far outnumbered. He had himself a good family, Jitokeza imagined each one of them would love to hear the stories and poke fun at their old man..

"Come on, I'll even start," he offered, turning himself around to join Kawani in heading back to the clan's camp instead of wandering off aimlessly. He had just the story, but he'd have to get it in before they got back to the clan and Sado could cut him off or remind everybody that Jitokeza himself had been involved, too.

Fin!