Something Wicked This Way Comes

Nasaba used to cry in his sleep.

It had taken time for him to finally move past that. Cheka had been patient, probably more patient than some might say he deserved, but Cheka had always been patient. She had to be, especially as the Isle of Rose's assassin. Still, with time, Nasaba finally got to a point where his past released its grip on him, at least enough to let him sleep peacefully at night.

Still, Cheka could feel that something wicked was coming this way. Something that was going to destroy the delicate balance she and her mate were working so hard to establish, and Cheka couldn't identify what it was. It frustrated her to no end. How was she meant to protect Nasaba (and her pride, the Isle of Roses) as she'd sworn to do if she couldn't identify the root of the issue? She didn't want to disrupt the happiness he seemed to finally be finding with her by bringing this to his attention, especially if she was wrong. Because what if she was? What if she was simply being paranoid?

"Cheka, what is going on in that head of yours?"

The lioness blinked, only now registering that the black and white lion was staring at her, a concerned look on his face. "Hm?"

Nasaba frowned. "You're making that face."

Cheka frowned in return. "What face?"

"The face that you make when you're thinking too hard," he answered, a small smile making its way onto his face, "and refusing to explain what. What are you so focused on?"

"It's not anything important," she answered, shaking her head.

"Well now I know you're lying. You know better than to give me that crap. We trust each other; we talk to each other. Cheka, seriously, what's wrong?"

"I...I'm just worried. Something about the situation of things feels...wrong. But I don't know what, and I don't want to worry you unnecessarily."

Nasaba sat down beside her, twining his tail with hers. "Has someone been acting suspiciously?"

Cheka shrugged helplessly, leaning against him. "Not that I can think of. I can't connect the pieces, but it feels like things are going to go terribly wrong, and I don't know how to stop it."

"Are you sure you're not just being paranoid?"

"No," she admitted somewhat reluctantly, "but still..."

Nasaba nuzzled her. "I trust you and your instincts, Cheka. But you haven't gotten as much sleep recently, and we have no way of knowing whether or not it's just paranoia. Who would even have a reason to upset things? Why would anyone feel the need to upset the balance?"

Once again, all Cheka could offer in response was, "I don't know. But I want you to be careful regardless, alright?"

Nasaba chuckled. "Of course. And I want you to be careful too, okay? I'll keep my eye on things, and we will keep each other updated if we hear or see anything suspicious. Alright?"

"Alright. It's a promise."

Despite his laid back attitude on the matter, Cheka knew Nasaba was taking the issue seriously, just as seriously as she was. He was simply trying to lighten the mood, something she appreciated, especially when he was so prone to worry about things.

That night, it was Cheka who cried in her sleep.

When Nasaba awoke her, obviously concerned for his mate, she could offer him no reason for her tears. She didn't know why she was crying.

She just knew, somewhere deep down, that something was going to go horribly wrong, and that try as she might, she would not be able to stop the inevitable.