[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Lodrill]

For anyone who knows this from another board: This story will start new at the beginning. So just imagine the other plot did not happen. (I will make a fresh start.)

Time: This plot plays after the second lion king movie (a few weeks after the second movie ends.)

Aging: The lions here are like in the movie. Normal time span and adulthood.

Allowed characters: Any own character is allowed. You can also pick any canon character. The only limit here is the time. So your character (age of character) must fit into the time of this plot. So no cub simba/nala/kiara and so on. (Sorry!)
Kiara may not have any cubs yet but maybe she is bearing? I will add all characters with links to the profile in the list.
I will only alow characters that have explainable powers (like visions, healing knowledge with herbs, shamanism and so on). Please do NOT use any kind of magic or fantastical powers like flying (for non flying races like lions) or teleporting. You can play a character who dreams of having such powers, believes he/she has this powers or just pretend to have this powers though. No chimeras or not existing creatures are allowed.

Casting: If you want to be part of this plot please PM me for this. Please add the profile (link to character profile) and/or a short discription who your character is and your prefered color into the PM. This is just to keep unnessasary OOC out of this plot and ensure the flow.
You can also bring in your own characters that are not directly in the plot at the beginning. I can adjust to this and I will maybe add new characters (or canon characters) to interact with you. (I have some characters in the backhand for this.)
I want this plot to become a big event where anyone can have fun.

Activity / stalled characters: If you have important characters (for example characters directly interacting with Taraji like foster parents or other characters that are important for the plot) please post at least once or twice a week. I will do my best to keep the plot alive. I will add new characters or take a canon character to help stalled characters of you to come back into the plot.
We will never kill any character in this RP just because the owner did not post for weeks. But we may advance on the plot if you do not post for some time. (So maybe you have to find a new entry with your character and discribe what the character did meanwhile.)
Please try to not advance more than half a day or maximum one day before the rest of the plot. If you are one day ahead of the other plot (other characters) please wait for them. The time (advance) will be set on the character Taraji. (See above for non active characters.)

Clean and fair: Please keep discussions out of the plot. If you do not agree with one action or want to ask about it please do it with a PM. If you think one content does not fit with the plot please PM me. I will take a look at it. And last but not least please do not go against the forum rules. I don't want this plot to be deleted/moved unavailable because of offenses against forum rules.

Character List (Original Characters):
Lioness:
Taraji (Lodrill)
Laini (Lodrill)
Rahina (Lodrill)
Almasi (LionPrincess)
Zina (KiarasMate)
Jamalia (CrystallineIcefire)
Penda (LionPrincess)

Lion:
Daxis (SinChei)
Kivuli (KingKivuli)
Shani (Mike)
Ashur (SimbasMate)
Santiago (SVelasquez)
Caine (SVelasquez)
Darion (SinChei)

Character List (Canon Character):
Lioness:
Nala (KiarasMate)
Kiara (KiarasMate)
Sarabi (Kovu131)
Serafina (NukaKun)
Vitani (Mike)

Lion:
Simba (KiarasMate)
Kovu (Mike)
Kopa (KiarasMate)

Others:
Rafiki the Baboon (Mike)

Minor Characters (Rogues, Enemy, Temporary Characters)
Lion:
Zane (KingKivuli)
Merementa (KingKivuli)
Anga (KingKivuli)
Makali (SinChei)
Sushaunna (Lodrill)

Inactive Characters
Mosi (LionPrincess)
Mila (Nala's Mate, KingKivuli)
Amanda (Amanda)
Celyon (CelyonHana)
Gumu (Faolchú)
If you want to play any canon character not on this list ask me. I can add it to this list.

So for the start of the plot please read the background story of Taraji.
Prologue - A hope of life.

Plot starting line: At the edge of pridelands, just right at the borders, a strange lion cub is lying. It has reddish fur and seems to be more dead then alive. The cub is week and thin and in a miserable state. The destiny of this cub may be in the hands of someone to find and save her...

[KiarasMate]

It seemd like any ordinary morning in The pride lands as Simba let out a leisurely yawn and stretched his tired body as his eyes adjusted to the glaring light that filtered through the entranceway of the main den atop Pride Rock. Giving his achy lims a few moments to wake up themselves, Simba took a quick glance around the den. It had only been a few moons since Kovu and company had been accepted into the ranks of The Pridelanders, yet his daughter Kiara had insisted to him that she and her mate Kovu, be given a private cden of their own. Something about being so close to her parents made her feel uneasy, especially when she was around her love interest Kovu. Being an understanding parent, Simba had graciously granted his daughter what she had asked for, but he still had to get used to the fact of waking up and not seeing her glowing smile each and every morning. Still, Simba knew that Kovu would make a suitable mate for his daughter and he trusted him a lot more than he had in the pastt.

Seeing that the groggyness of sleep had finally left him completely now, Simba slowly made his way out of the main den, being sure not to disturb any of the other slumbering felines within the confines of the homely abode, as he made his way out onto the promontory of Pride Rock, admiring the gorgeous day that was already unfolding before him. Little did Simba know that this day would change the course of his Pride in ways he would have never imagined.

==========

Not too far off, another feline was slowly shaking off the sleep from the previous night. Shifting her golden furred body to free herself from within her mate's entangled forelegs, Kiara smiled happily as she leaned in and gave the brown furred lion next to her, a tender lick upon his cheek as she murmured softly into his twitching ear.

"Come on sleepy head. My father's going to be mad if you're late again for Scouting Duties."

Purring softly as her loving fore paws lightly ran themselves through her mate's jet black mane, lightly scraching the side of his neck with her extended fore claws as to encourage her doezy mate to get a move on. Gazing into her mate's emerald eyes as she spotted them slowly opening, Kiara let out a playful giggle as she coaxed him onwards.

"Do you want me to pick you up and drop you into The Waterhole Love? Cause I will if you don't hurry your butt up."

Leaning in to give Kovu an affectionate nuzzle before rising to her paws, Kiara started to casually make her way towards the entrance of their quaint den before pausing and turning to glance back at her mate, smiling deviously as she waited for him to stirr.

[Mike]

Kovu awoke slowly, and when he cracked his eyes open a tiny bit he was greeted by an angelic face hovering over him. He let his eyes fall shut again as he let Kiara scratch and lick him in something between a massage and a tickle fight. He made a sound that was half groan of pleasure and half sleepy yawn.

"Who're you calling sleepy head?" Kovu asked without opening his eyes, a huge lopsided grin on his muzzle. He then almost dislocated his jaw with an enormous yawn that turned into a soft roar. Kiara had started to wander out of the den. "Okay, I'm up." Kovu opened his eyes again, and was momentarily thrown by Kiara's disappearance. Then as he got to his feet and stretched deeply he saw her at the mouth of the den. The sight of her seemed to put wings on his ankles.

"Throw me in the waterhole will ya? You'll have to catch me first!" Kovu sprinted forward and burst into the sunny green and gold pridelands at top speed. He laughed and chased a nest of small birds out of their nest, suddenly full of energy, and thoroughly enjoying the feeling of a promised fresh new day with his new family. He made a tight turn and jogged back to Kiara, meeting her with a warm nuzzle. "morning love." he said.

[KiarasMate]

Watching her mate's energetic display, Kiara felt her own spirits rising as she purred contently upon feeling her mate's loving gesture, returning with a gentle nuzzle of her own as she jokingly stated.

"Well, that's good Honey, because I don't think I could lift you anyways. You're sort of getting rounded in the belly there." Kiara exclaimed as her fore paw gave Kovu's stomach a light nudge.

As the warmth of the sun began to heat her golden fur, Kiara motioned for her beloved mate to follow as she started to make her way towards the distant figure of Pride Rock, speaking in a relaxed tone to her brown furred lover.

"So did you sleep good last night Honey? You sure seemed pretty warn out from whatever it was my father had you do yesterday. I hope he's not working you too hard. He can really be a tyrant when it comes to dishing out the work here in the Pride. At least you've gotten on his good side though Honey, or at least, until you're late again for the Scouting run."

Letting a lighthearted laugh escape her muzzle, Kiara turned her focus back to the scenery ahead of her, spotting the distant figure of who she assumed would be her father, standing regally atop the majestic structure that was Pride Rock. Giving her mate a sly grin, Kiara addressed him quietly.

"Hmm, seems like my father is already expecting you Honey."
Picking up a bit of speed, Kiara dashed up the side of Pride Rock, stopping momentarily to give her father an affectionate nuzzle as she quickly spoke before disappearing into the main den of pride Rock in the hopes of getting her paws on some breakfast.

"Morning Dadddy."

Simba smiled warmly at his daughter as he witnessed her vanishing within the dark opening of the main den before he turned his gaze back towards Kovu.

"It's amazing Kovu, but I never thought my daughter could have more energy than when she did as a cub but it seems that you really bring out the best in her. How did you sleep? Up for a bit of Scouting today I hope." Simba said as he made a quick motion towards the entrance of the den with a fore paw before resuming. "Of course there's no rush. I'm sure you're hungry and there's plenty of zebra left from yesterday's hunt, thanks to Nala and all of our skilled lionesses."

[Mike]

Kovu stretched casually. "I'm always ready for scouting Simba, I've been through some pretty tough times in the outlands. I was made strong there, even though there wasn't always enough to eat. Nala's one skilled huntress, and a great queen of course. We're lucky to have her. And thanks to her, and her hunting parties of course, we have the entire bounty of the pridelands open for us and I'm only going to grow stronger." Kovu spoke not with arrogance, but with a lazy and calm assurance that came from knowing his own skills. Kiara had disappeared into the den, and from it were coming the stimulating smells of mostly-fresh zebra. Kovu's stomach growled. "That's not to say a little breakfast before I set out wouldn't be welcome." Kovu said cheerfully. "Have you eaten? Join Kiara and I for breakfast if it pleases you. I'm going to go dig right in!"

Kovu entered the den and answered the greetings of a few lionesses. Everyone knew of his part in defying Zira not long ago, and he found the welcome of the pride like a warm blanket of acceptance that he had never truly felt before. In his life in the outlands he was treated with a combination of worship and fear by all the lionesses who were afraid of provoking Zira's wrath if they showed anything else. Here he saw many of the same faces, but they behaved in a new way.

"Hey termite-mane!"

Well, most of them behaved differently now.

Kovu shook his mane vigorously until it fluffed up around his neck. "Nope, no termites here. What's that I see in your ear though Vitani?" Kovu took a fast swipe at Vitani, but the lioness was still quicker, dancing out of the way.

"Gotta be faster than that little brother." Vitani said with a cheeky grin on her muzzle. Then she walked with him shoulder to shoulder towards Kiara and breakfast. That was Kiara all right, Absolutely the spunkiest lioness he'd ever had the pleasure of meeting, not to mention hyperactive! She'd probably be more than halfway through her meal already. Kovu walked around to the other side of the Zebra and dug in, Vitani chose a far leg. The legs always had the best muscle Vitani always said, but Kovu couldn't taste such a big difference.

"Hope you don't mind sharing" Kovu said through a full mouth.

[KiarasMate]

Simba chuckled and nodded in agreement to Kovu's statement. He was pretty well educated in regards to his newly acquired son-in-law's past with The Outlanders and had all but thrown out the last bits of resentment he had felt towards Kovu and his sister Vitani. Deep down, Simba always knew that they weren't directly responsible for the termoil that The Outlanders had caused his Pride, but the fact that they were still Zira's own flesh and blood, still brought a small level of uncertainty to the King's mind whenever he thought too deeply into the matter. Seeing as times were good for his Pride once more though, Simba shrugged off this feeling as he politely declined Kovu's offer.

"No thanks Kovu. I think I'm just going to relax a bit out here. It's such a nice day out and there's plenty of food to go around so I don't think I need to gorge myself quite yet."

Flashing Kovu a smirk, Simba laid himself upon the warm stones that lined the promontory of Pride Rock, seemingly lost in his own thoughts as often was the case for him. Calling back over his shoulder as he watched Kovu making his way towards the entrance of the den, as to make sure that the younger male knew of his instructions for the day in case he wouldn't get another chance to speak to him before the days events got underway.

"I was thinking you could do a quick sweep of The Outlands area today Kovu, after breakfast of course. I know you know those lands very well and even though there hasn't been any signs of activity within that area for a few moons now, I'd still like to be sure that there are no remaining Outlanders that might have decided to hang back after...well, you know."

Not wishing to bring up the unsavory past between himself and the future King, Simba merely gave Kovu a friendly nod before returning back to his own private thoughts.

==========

Kiara had already taken up a comfortable position next to a free zebra carcass that looked especially tasty. Knowing that her father could talk to any creature for hours on end, the famished princess wasted no time as she helped herself to the delectable meal in front of her, being careful not to stain her muzzle too badly from the crimson fluids of the deceased creature as she took reasonable maw fulls of the satisfying meat. Spotting her mate returning, along with his sister, to whom Kiara had grown quite attached to given the short amount of time they had been acquaintances for now, Kiara quickly cleaned her muzzle with a quick swipe of her moist, raspy tongue before speaking to her mate and Vitani, who had joined her around the zebra carcass.

"You better eat what you can now Vitani, since once your brother gets going, there's going to be nothing left of this poor zebra."

Giggling happily, Kiara moved in and gave her mate a meaty lick with her crimson stained tongue to show that she was only playing around with him, before she returned to her previous spot and resumed eating, speaking in between bites.

"Mmm, so what's the plan for today Honey? I'm sure my father already gave you orders, huh?"

[Mike]

"Aww, don't worry Kiara, Kovu never goes for the leg." Vitani said cheerfully. "Especially when you're eating some other area" She added with a sly little wink.

Kovu took the friendly jib in stride, and leaned over to lick off some of the breakfast stains that lightly decorated his mate's cheeks. "You eat too neatly sweetie," Kovu joked. "This could go on for so much longer if you were a messy eater like me."

"Yea well when you little lovebirds are done your 'breakfast' I think you were saying Simba had a job for you?" Vitani laughed at the word 'breakfast'.

Kovu hesitated, then plowed straight on ahead while still taking bites between his words. "He wants me to visit the outlands. To see if anyone's still hanging around. Naturally he chose me because I know the place better than just about anyone, certainly better than Simba himself does. " Though he wouldn't admit it, going back to the outlands would be unsettling. He hadn't been there since Zira's death, and her oppressive presence after death might be worse than ever in an empty land that he once called home.

"Yuck, better you than me brother." Vitani wasn't scared, Kovu thought. She just hates those termites.

"Yea well, whatever. I can handle myself, you know that." Kovu said, his mouth full. And Vitani did indeed know that, Kovu thought to himself. Time and time again he'd shown his strength and skill as a cub and then a young lion at the direction of his mother. As often as not Vitani was the opponent in training matches, and She'd been bested as often as not. Kovu swallowed. "Well, that's it for me. You'll have to say thank you to Nala for me if you see her today. I'd hate to go a-scouting on an empty stomach."

Kovu again licked at his mate's face, then nuzzled a goodbye.

[KiarasMate]

Kiara blushed from her mate's kind compliment in regards to her cleanly eating habbits, purring quietly as she felt his rough tongue trailing across her lightly stained muzzle, causing the embarrassed princess to blush steadily as she responded to his comment in an amused voice.

"Mmm, if that means more licks from you Honey, than I'll be sure to make a mess of myself more often."

Turning her focus back to the zebra now, Kiara lazily picked at the savory meat as she listened to Kovu and his sister exchanging words, speaking up randomly as fits of giggles left her muzzle.

"Seeing you two really makes me wish I had a brother growing up. Must have been nice having this big lug around when you two were cubs, huh Vitani?"

Kiara finally had her fill of the tantalizing zebra, taking a step back from the partially devoured carcass as she started to groom her flawless, golden pelt attentively while continuing to listen to her mate's discussion with his sister. Once she was satisfied with her looks, Kiara turned her full focus back to her mate as she heard him mention about The Outlands and how her father wanted him to scout out the area. Even though Kiara knew that the majority of The Outlanders had broken their former ties to Zira, she still felt a bit uneasy about her mate going off and being alone in such a foreign area, or at least, to her it was. Speaking in a concerned tone, Kiara addressed her mate.

"I wish my father wouldn't send you off to that place Honey. You know I worry about you when you're gone. Just be careful okay? I know you used to live there and all, but I just can't imagine what I'd do if anything bad happened to you."

With this said, Kiara made her way towards her precious mate, giving him a loving nuzzle and affectionate lick over his meaty tasting muzzle lips before allowing him to take his leave, sighing softly as she watched him depart. Once Kovu was out of sight, Kiara turned her attention to Vitani as she spoke.

"Well, looks like it's just me and you Vitani. Mind spending some time with me? I get so bored when your brother is gone and it'd be nice to have the company of a fellow lioness for a change, not saying that being around your brother is boring by any means, but without getting into detail, it'd be nice to spend some time with you, unless you have plans?"

==========

Simba was enjoying the cool breeze that lightly whipped through his warn, red mane as he spotted Kovu exiting the den. Knowing that his son-in-law had finished breakfast now, Simba merely waved a paw to the younger male as he watched him disappear into the distance. Simba had sent Kovu on many scouting runs in the past and he was extremely confident that his fellow Pride Member would know exactly what to do if he happened to come across anything out of the ordinary. Feeling his age starting to get the better of him, Simba's eyes slowly started to close as the warmth of the mid day's sun began to gradually lull him to sleep, thoughts of times past, drifting through his memories.

[Mike]

"You mean you're hoping to pick up some hunting tips from a professional like myself" Vitani said, preening herself in an exaggerated and comical way." You're not alone Kiara, I'm the envy of the whole lion world when it comes to these things. But I guess I could take some time off just for you, my little brother's mate and all. Just some girl time huh? Sounds like a great time. Did you have anything in mind?" Vitani dropped her fake-self important tone to make way for sincerity.

-----------------

Kovu took the memory of Kiara's smiling face with him as he set off at a brisk pace towards the outlands. The tall green grasses caressed his belly and legs as he waded through them. He was like a feather skimming along a fast-moving river. The beauty of the pridelands never ceased to amaze him, even after all these months. In a way he felt lucky to have been exposed to such a desolate placeas the outlands in his youth: it made him more appreciative of the land he lived in now. He made good time and soon Pride Rock was just a hazy spike in the distance. Ahead of him was a wide band of golden sun-dried grasses. On the other side of this lay the outlands He could see the tall termite spires and structures reaching up out of the land like a clawed hand trying to snatch away the sun. Kovu made way for a herd of elephants. They weren't likely to attack, but Kovu didn't see the sense antagonizing something so much bigger than him.

Suddenly the grasses ended, and ahead was barren, sun-cracked, red and brown earth. He had arrived at the outlands. It was darker here, Kovu thought, probably because the termite spires blocked out some of the sun's rays. Or maybe it was just the darker color of the soil that made it seem a shaded and gloomy place. Whatever the reason, Kovu felt a shiver despite the morning's heat. He realized what he'd done in disgust and turned the shiver into a full body shake, as if he could shake the eerie atmosphere away.

What must you do?

Kovu jumped in surprise and shock. That was Zira's voice, but was it a memory? Or was the vile old lioness still here in some way? "You're dead." Kovu said, trying to reassure himself of the fact. Nothing answered him.

Shaken Kovu moved on. The sooner I finish checking out the area, the sooner I can leave. He thought to himself. Simba sure didn't need to worry about straggling outsiders living here. You'd have to be desperate to try and live out here. Anyone who did probably had bigger things to worry about than causing problems for the pridelands.

Ahead he saw a patch of earth that seemed even more red than the surrounding area, but it was difficult to make out in the strange shadowy haze. Kovu approached it to investigate, and as he did so he saw that it wasn't a patch of oddly coloured dirt after all. It was-

What must you do?

The voice was more insistent this time. Zira's voice demanded an answer.

It was a baby lion, no more than a few months old. She was obviously in pretty bad shape. Thinner than Kovu had seen any outsider, thinner than the runts that Zira refused to let live. She wouldn't allow any to challenge Kovu, the future King. That was fairly standard behavior, and Kovu knew that when faced with a situation like this most lions wouldn't hesitate to kill-

What must you do!?

Kovu roared suddenly, ferociously! He emptied his lungs and put all of his strength into the roar, his teeth shining and his mouth open wide.Then he stood, panting. "I must do nothing." He muttered aloud to the ghost or memory. "I am not your tool. I am not Scar. I am Kovu, I am a pridelander, and I am bringing this cub to Simba." Kovu raised his head.

[Lodrill]

The loud roar of Kovu knocked Tarajis back to conscious. She felt the sun at her paws but a cold shadow seemed to be thrown at her. Her eye lids flickered and opened half an inch. It took her some time to realize that before her a big lion was standing.

The big figure roaring loud and on top of that so close to her filled the worn out cub with fear. She was completely out of energy and so only a very silent whimper left her small muzzle. Taraji tried to flee backwards but her muscles did not move. Her eye lids opened a bit more and revealed the unusual crystal white eyes. They were filled with fear and panic. But before Taraji could do anything else the exhaustion took it's tribute and Taraji lost her conscious again. Her eye lids closed over her crystal eyes and her head droped to the side.