What I've Been Through [PRIVATE: AC & Nakisisa]

[AustralianChaos]

Simba sighed, taking it all in. After what felt like a long time to the exiled prince, he finally replied. "Thank you for explaining that...and for taking your mother's side in this," he said, before some of the details of what Bardu had said nagged at him. "I just wish I knew what had come over Scar...he was such a cool uncle when I was a cub. A little weird, but cool...I don't understand how he could have changed so much."

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Tanga's expression grew even more awkward as Nala asked him what was wrong, knowing he was causing her to worry. "It's nothing," he tried to dismiss the matter quickly, but realised that was never going to work in a million years. "I just..." he sighed, running a paw through his mane again, before ploughing on. "I've always been a little...awkward...with that sort of thing," he said vaguely. "I mean, I love cubs...and I was with Kulinda briefly...but it's still awkward. I mean, you know what happened as I grew up...I just never believed anyone, even Kulinda, would ever consider that sort of thing...with me..."

He could feel his blush increasing with every word he said, and continued to his his face behind his mane the whole time, unable to look Nala in the eyes...but he knew she deserved an explanation for his sudden awkwardness, he was just finding it hard to explain.

[Nakisisa]

Hmmm Bardu mused aloud, trying to cast himself into Simbas cub hood, to see what his father was really like, to see the pridelands in the way Simba had described. suddenly, he thought of something. Simba, How close were you and Nala, my mother? he asked, uncertainty in his voice.
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Ohh Tanga darling[b] Nala said sweetly, rubbing as close to Tanga as she could manage, placing her head under his for comfort. [b]I only want whats best for us, whats best for you... was the sullen sweet words spoken by Nala quickly as she comforted Tanga. As she began to purr, Nala quickly spoke again, You know I love you very much, all i want is for you to love me like i love you... and for you to let me help you. quickly whispering to herself, she muttered, for me to teach you

[AustralianChaos]

Simba was a little thrown by Bardu's change of subject, but went with it. "She was, and still is, my best friend. She was really the only other cub I played with when we were young. Anytime one of us heard of some cool place or thing, we'd always tell each other before heading off to find it...and if one of us did find a cool place first, we'd usually find each other straight away. I could never have asked for a better friend."

At this point, Simba sighed...he remember that day, when he had told her about the Elephant Graveyard, and the one detail in their relationship that could very easily complicate things. "But...there's one thing..." he said hesitantly, trying to figure out the best way to explain, knowing he had to, one way or the other.

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Tanga wanted to shy away from Nala when she rubbed against him affectionately, placing her head under his, but could not do it, instead returning the affection as much as he could while she explained. "I do love you Nala...a lot...but it's all so new, and I don't..." he sighed, trying to figure exactly what he was trying to express. "I'm not used to any of it, and having things get to this stage, this fast, is just...it's taking some getting used to."

He sighed again, pulling his head away from Nala's hanging it again, feeling more and more stupid with each passing moment. He did not move away from her comforting presence, however. "I'm sorry, Nala," he said softly. "I just...I don't know what I'm supposed to say, what I'm supposed to do...but if you'll really help me, once we've dealt with your stupid king, then I guess, maybe..."

[Nakisisa]

What is it? Bardu asked, quite confused by Simbas tone. If you don't want to tell me, i understand... but... Bardu trailed off. he was lost in his own thought, and knew Simba would be to. He was dieing to hear what Simba had to say, but he didn't know if he wanted to hear it.

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Awww, Tanga Nala said softly to her mate, I'm sorry of I'm pushing us into things... it's just I Love You, and well... Nala trailed off, not knowing what to say. She put on a brave smile, and purred, moving from under Tanga, smirking, she turned and pounced Tanga to the ground, walking on top of him.

Smiling, Nala nuzzled Tangas mane and purred. Looking into his eyes, all thoughts washed from her mind, and acting on impulse, Nala moved towards Tangas muzzle, and kissed him lightly on his lips. Blushing she smiled and looked at him, loosing herself in his eyes again.

[AustralianChaos]

Simba sighed as Bardu suggested he could simply not speak of it. "No...I have to say it, it's not a secret I can afford to keep, but it's...awkward...particularly with them..." he pointed to Tanga and Nala, abck where they had come from, noticing that Nala seemed to have Tanga pinned down, and was being rather affectionate with him. Smiling at the rather amusing sight, despite the small pang of jealousy, Simba turned back to Bardu.

Taking a deep breath, Simba finally started to explain. "The day before I..." he stopped himself, sighed, and deliberately ploughed on, knowing he could not keep skirting around the issue. "I accidentally killed my dad, both me and Nala were told that, as part of an ancient tradition of the Pridelands, we had, pretty much since birth, been betrothed to each other. When I grew up to become king, she was set to become queen. Even with my own exile, and Scar's take-over, I think the betrothal still stands, which is why I'm worried."

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Tanga smiled at his mate. "It's okay...I generally need to be pushed to do anything anyway," he added with a hint of amusement, before Nala surprised him by pouncing him, pinning him to the ground. As she nuzzled his mane, he nuzzled the top of her head in return, purring and smiling the whole way. he return the brief kiss she gave him, before they once more lost themselves in each other's eyes.

Smiling, Tanga squirmed playfully underneath Nala. "You know, normally if someone pinned me like this, I'd be terrified that claws were coming next...but with you, none of that fear is there," he said, surprising himself with the honesty of his words. "I've never been able to trust anyone else like that before, even my own parents..." he gave her a soft lick across the cheek, before squirming again. "But as it is, I think we were supposed to end the reign of a tyrant today...should we be going?"

[Nakisisa]

Why are you worried simba? Bardu asked concerned, trying to show his compassion for Simba's situation. Who cares if the bethrothal still stands? All you have to do is take Nala as queen, but dont mate her, then after a few days, say you dont want to be king. Nala will be queen, and she can choose her own mate, who would be Tanga, the next king. Bardu was yet thoughtful, and planning all the while. And i would be the future king, and prince to the pridelands.... unless... That was a bridge that could be crossed later.

*****

Nala was amazed, she didnt know how Tanga would have reacted, but she was overjoyed when Tanga nuzzled her back and licked her. she listend to his kind words without interuption, and even gave him a lick back, knowing it would make him happy. Nala gasped when he finished, and laughed at the latter, even as he squirmed, Nala kept him pinned.

tanga, stay and enjoy the rest for awhile, it's a long trek back, and look... she said, pointing to Simba and Bardu, There finally talking and getting along, we wouldnt want to break that up! would we? my king? she added flirtiously trying to ammuse him with a little game.

[AustralianChaos]

Simba sighed. "I guess...I'd rather not take up the kingship at all." He sighed again, before continuing. "I guess, if I was to simply refuse the kingship right after overthrowing Scar, and hand over to Tanga, the betrothal would be void, anyway. The betrothal was made under the impression that I was going to become king."

He rubbed a paw through his mane, thinking about all this. If Scar was overthrown, Simba knew his mother would fully expect him to take up the throne himself...how would she react when he refused, and instead passed it on to someone who, to the entire Pridelands, was a complete stranger. He knew for certain that the entire pride would be stunned...but would they accept Tanga? Or would the pride resist his rule, like he was sure his mother was subtly resisting Scar?

"But I don't know how the pride would react to Tanga...he's a nice enough lion, and I can tell he'll act in the best interests of the pride...but no-one else knows that, and I'm worried. Maybe you're right, maybe I have to take the throne up for a couple more days, just to give the pride the sense of order, to prepare them...but I don't know..."

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Tanga looked over at Simba and Bardu, noticing that they were indeed, and even though Simba seemed nervous, it did not look like it was directed at Bardu. "Yeah..." he answered, before his gaze snapped back to the pale lioness on top of him at her last words. "King? I'm not king yet," he said, smirking the whole way to show that he knew he was not supposed to take that seriously, but was doing it anyway. "And as for resting, well..." he gestured to himself, reminding Nala that he was, sort of, resting already. "What do you call this?" his smirk was still present.

His old, rather carefree and playful side, that he had suppressed through years of bullying, was finally breaking free, released by Nala's love and care, and his trust in her. He had been forced to suppress it when he learned that any sign of happiness from him generally lead to a massive bully session. He generally tried to hide his emotions out of habit now...but Nala's actions were slowly drawing him out of his shell, the old cub in him coming back to life at long last.

[Nakisisa]

Simba... You'll be fine... I know you will.... Bardu said calmingly, trying to analyses all of what Simba had just said. First, Simba didn't want to be king, confusing the young Bardu, Who would give up a chance at power? he thought. Secondly, the betrothal still stood between him and Nala, Interesting, how would he get out of that one? Bardu thought as he sneezed loudly, disrupting his train of thoughts.

Looking around, he saw his mother and Tanga, quickly looking away he blushed, and made sure Simba didn't look, quickly trying to find something in the distance. Errr..... Simba.... Bardu said quickly, Wheres our home? He asked, hoping like hell it wasn't behind them.

*****

Nala's eyes widened as Tanga became more playful before her eyes. Leaning towards him and planting a small kiss on his lips, she looked deeply into his eyes as she pulled back from the kiss. I call this... She said thinking, Spending some time with the King before we head back and fight Leaning in, she nuzzled him again and slowly moved, so she was laying on him, rather than pinning him with her paws.

As she spoke, her voice softened. Finally she felt safe, it hadn't happened in years, and yet here she was, laying on a lion she trusted, and loved. Besides, it's busy being king... and I wouldn't want you to be overwhelmed before you even began she added flirtatiously. Purring as she nuzzled his soft mane, she felt like she never wanted to move again.

[AustralianChaos]

Simba smiled, nodding his appreciation at Bardu's words. He noticed the black lion's thoughtful look, but ignored it...if he wanted to share what was on his mind, it was his choice, he would not pry...Kings Above knew he understood when someone wanted to keep things to themselves.

But Simba could not help but give Bardu a slightly odd look when the lion asked where the Pridelands were, obviously flustered. "It's that way," he said, gesturing with a paw away from the jungle...and away from Tanga and Nala, out towards the desert. "Out across the desert somewhere. But...are you okay? Is something wrong?" he asked, wodnering what was getting the lion so worked up, not realising that Tanga and Nala were continuing their rather public display of affection behind the two of them.

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Tanga purred, returning Nala's quick kiss, before chuckling as she responded to his playful jibe at the way she had him pinned. He was not entirely prepared for what she did next, though, and briefly tensed when she lay down on top of him, but quickly relaxed, purring with her as she nuzzled him, speaking softly, throwing in the occasional flirt, which kept Tanga's cheeks from losing their burning blush, making him fear they'd stay that way forever now.

"That's what scares me," he admitted, nuzzling her in return, drawing comfort from her warm embrace. "That I'm not going to be up to the job, that all the responsibilities are just going to completely overwhelm me." He then smiled warmly at her. "But, as long as I have you and Simba to help me, I think I might ba able to manage...I hope," he added, licking her cheek, before giving her another quick kiss.

[Nakisisa]

I... Bardu started flustered, but knowing that Simba had picked up on that fact, he quickly tried to regain his composer. Bardu tried to analyses everything at once. First, he knew Simba mustn't see what was going on behind him, That would be disastrous. Secondly he knew he shouldn't be too worried that his mother had found a lion that she loved, and hopefully, he loved her back.

Finally, he knew that they would be returning today, and he hoped that Simba would be returning, He needed to ask that, but first he had to take a second to calm down. In that second, his composure returned, and he began to speak. I'm Fine he said coolly, I just wanted to know if you knew your way back... You are coming back aren't you? Bardu asked.

*****

Nala was in heaven. She was in a beautiful place, with a beautiful lion, with such a beautiful muzzle by hers, and such a beautiful set of lips, gently touching her own. Not caring anymore, Nala began to purr happily, and very loudly, opening her eyes so she could look into Tangas pure electric blue eyes, seeing her own features reflected in them, she smiled as Tanga pulled away.

You'll be fine Tanga, i know you will. Nala said caringly, making sure she kept her blue eyes locked with his. And even without me and Simba by your side, you'll do fine. Plus... Bardu will help you... She laughed lightly, leaning down and planting a strong and deep kiss on Tangas lips, trying not to break away until she absolutely had to.