[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Husudu chuckled in a manner that would send shiver's even down the devil's spine. "I already said that it does not matter to me which side I am on, as long as there is food and shelter. I'm only here because my "lecherous" brother is. Also, for your information we are information seekers, and ground troops. We did not have any idea what Maju wanted to accomplish by setting these lands ablaze." Husudu said with a bored expression. He then looked carefully at Zina, examining her features and her scar.

"I've seen many scars in my time, so it's safe to say that it is amazing that you are still alive after an injury like that." Husudu murmured. "I commend you Shaman. You are too good for my brother." Husudu said with a chuckle as he clapped his paws.

"What's too good for me?" Shwari asked as he walked out the den, and towards where he heard his brother speaking with someone. Shwari's eyes narrowed as he noticed the lionesses from the night before. He glared at her as he stepped back slightly, and closer to Husudu.

"She is without her herbs. Don't cower behind me." Husudu grunted. Shwari pawed his brother on the head.

"I am not cowering from the likes of her." Shwari snorted.

"Ugh. I'm going to let you two settle this...confusion right now. I am not up for hearing children whine." Husudu murmured as he stood up, and gazed at the past mid sky sun. He began to leave pride rock, for an afternoon hunt.

When his brother left Shwari looked to Zina. "Do you do that herb crap for kicks? I just wanted to help, and you paralyzed me. What's wrong with you?" Shwari said with a disgusted expression.

[KiarasMate]

Hearing Schwari’s voice and seeing the other male approaching now, Zina felt her nerves being tested as she held steady and listened to Husudu’s departing remark. She had to admit it but out of the two of them, she much preferred Husudu. His age fit him well as he seemed to have a better understanding about the world around him, unlike his younger brother. Still, if Zina had her way, she wouldn’t have interacted with either of them however, now being faced by the younger of the two brothers and knowing that she owed him an explanation, if anything, Zina let out an annoyed scowl as she snapped back at him.

”I didn’t know you were here to help. From the way you looked at me, it was more like you wanted some late night company. You and your brother could have just made your presence known at a more reasonable time and things would have been fine, but since you had to stick your nose in my business, you got what you rightfully deserved. I will not apologize for my actions, much like I told your brother. If you’re truly here to help, than maybe I will look past what happened between us but don’t expect me to be your friend or anything. I don’t trust you, nor do I trust your brother. At least he had the sense to leave me be though.”

Glaring at Schwari with a cold gaze, Zina couldn’t help but to examine him a bit more thoroughly than she might have wanted to. His older brother might have smarts on his side but Schwari’s looks were definitely more appealing to the eye. Trying not to look as though she was looking too deeply into his character, Zina averted her eyes but kept watch over the grey furred male out of the corner of her eye as she muttered under her breath.

”I could have killed you when you were down, but I didn’t. That should be thanks enough. Just like you could have let that lion attack me during the fight, but you didn’t.”

[Baya]

Shwari grinned. "You didn't kill me because my brother would've come after you. In fact that's why you ran in the first place isn't it? I looked at the horror on your face as you left. You shouldn't assume someone is looking for late night company, when they are out late at night. You were looking for something, and I offered you my help. I know we are rogues, but the least you could've said was what you were looking for so I could keep an eye out for it. You are lucky you passed by me, and none of the other males from Maju's group or you would've gotten exactly what you expected." Shwari said quietly.

"Alright, I apologize if you thought I wanted you like that. To be honest, I really didn't. Not that you wouldn't appeal in that way, I just...didn't have that intention." Shwari said, trying to choose his words carefully so he did not offend the shaman. "You don't have to be kind to me, as I am to you. That's just in my nature, and I can't help it. If you ever need help you can come to me." Shwari explained. At that instant Kovu walked out of the den looked around in confusion.

"Hey Shwari. Have you seen a lioness with bangs? Or Ayari?" Kovu asked with a hint of worry. Shwari shook his head. "They are probably off somewhere together." Kovu said with a small smile. He was glad that his sister had someone to share some time with. He noticed that at times she got a tad bit envious of what he and Kiara shared. On that note, he went back into the den, not at all worried about his sister while Ayari was with her.

"Hey. What happened to the pouch around your neck?" Shwari asked as he looked at the scar in the pouch's place. That scar looked like it would've been quite the painful injury. He wasn't going to ask about it though, nor would he stare at it in fear of offending Zina.

[KiarasMate]

Zina huffed at Schwari’s offer as she responded in a not so enthusiastic manner.

”The day I ask for your help, will be the day I’m no longer a lioness. Thanks, but no thanks!” Zina paused, before adding in. ”Besides, you wouldn’t have understood what I was looking for anyways, since you’re not a Shaman and you would have thought it was stupid.”

Starting to relax, if only slightly, Zina allowed for her body to lay down now, still making sure to keep her back end as far away from the grey furred male as she could before she replied to what he had mentioned about her lost herb pouch and scar.

”As if it’s any of your business, but if you must know, it got ruined. Maybe I was scared from you two and wasn’t thinking when I washed the herbs that had taken you down, off of me but didn’t have time to take off my herb pouch, since your brother could have been hot on my heels. Like I told your brother, looks like you two got the last laugh in the end. I’m nothing without my herbs.” Covering a fore leg over her visible Scar as if to detract Schwari’s attention from it, Zina looked away, a sad look in her eyes as she mumbled.

”I don’t want to talk about that, especially to the likes of you.”

Even though the grey furred male hadn’t inquired about her scar, Zina knew well enough what was on his mind. The whole reason why she wore her herb pouch around her neck, unlike most typical Shaman lionesses, who carried them around their waist or on their back, was to hide the humiliating mark that her mother had so coldly assigned to her. Out of sight, out of mind was how she saw this subject and now that there was nothing to hide her shame, Zina knew that she would have to answer the unasked question eventually.

[Baya]

"I see. Do you want me to help you make a new one, so you can gather your herbs again? A shaman without herbs, is like a lion without claws. Of course I saw you fight, and I'm pretty sure you are not useless. The look of terror on the enemy's faces were proof enough of that." Shwari commented as he noticed she covered her scar. He looked down in slight shame, that he had offended her anyways. The least he could do to make her feel better, would be to leave her alone.

"A-Alright. If you want my help for the new pouch...Just...Tell me brother and he'll tell me." Shwari murmured, as he stood and walked back into the den without another glance, or word to the lioness.

~ In the elephant graveyard ~

"Ugh, you FOOL! You ran away? Your orders were to stay, and to fight till your last BREATH. Why did you run?!" Kiburi snarled as she smashed a small animal skull with her paw. She glared at the cowardly male before her, as the other lionesses watched.

"I was outnumbered? Should I fight if I were to take a life, then die myself? What would be the point of that! You sent my friends to their deaths when you-" The male stuttered, but was cut off by getting pawed in the face. Kiburi roared.

"Friends? We don't have friends here! Everyone here is only here to survive! Not to make friends! The only thing these lionesses should be making is cubs so that we can reinforce our army!" Kiburi growled.

"Th-This is madness! You cannot expect us to blindly go into combat! We will all die that way!" The male said with wide eyes.

"Madness?" Kiburi said, surprisingly calmly. Two lionesses quickly grabbed the male from behind, pinning him down on his stomach. "Do you want to experience madness?" Kiburi purred as she ran her claw slowly on the male's cheek. She then lifted her claw, preparing to strike.

"Kiburi..." A soft voice purred from behind, and all the lionesses turned to the giant skull of the elephant. Two glowing yellow eyes were visible in one of the eye sockets of the skull. "Why would you treat your subordinates like that? Have I not told you to punish failures, not kill them?" Maju purred as he stepped out of the eye socket. His mane was a pitch black, and his fur a caramel brown. His mane was also very long and flowing. "Now tell me my dear. Why would you disobey me? I told you to kidnap Ayari, and bring him to ME!" Maju snarled angrily as he pawed Kiburi hard across the face sending her rolling in the bones, into the giant rib cage of an elephant.

"M-Maju! I-I swear! We were out numbered!" Kiburi stuttered. Maju snorted as he looked to the two lionesses holding the male down.

"Release him." Maju said in monotone. The lionesses complied quickly, stepping back and away from the male. The male looked gratefully at Maju and bowed his head.

"Th-Thank you my lord." The male said quietly, with a slight whimper. Maju chuckled.

"Only reason you are spared, is because we need all the strong soldiers we have. Now where the hell is Guza?" Maju growled angrily.

"RIGHT HERE BOSS!" Guza shouted with a demented cackle. Everyone turned to where Guza's voice had come from, and Maju rolled his eyes. The soot covered Guza was gazing into a small fire he made, with a look of awe.

"Your plan. It was brilliant my dear boy." Maju purred as he walked up beside Guza. "I've never seen such an inferno in all my days. Tell me, is there anyway to make the fire spread faster then it did today?" Maju asked. Guza looked blankly at the fire, as if he didn't hear Maju for a long time, and then looked to Maju.

"Who are you to control how fast the maiden dances!" Guza snarled. "Her dance is not to be rushed, or you will perish for it! She demands sacrifice to spread. She devours life, and when there is no sacrifice, then she cannot spread." Guza said as he calmed down and continued to look into the fire. Maju sighed as he rubbed his temples.

"Such an imbecile. I'll have to come up with another plan that does not involve fire assault then." Maju growled grumpily.

~ Back At Vitani's Cavern ~

Ayari awoke as he heard some birds outside, and his ears twitched at the sound. He opened his blue eyes slowly, and looked down to Vitani. He smiled as her scent filled his nostrils. There was nothing more that he wanted right now, then to just stay where he was but they both needed to get back to pride rock in case of another attack. Ayari gently nipped Vitani's neck to try and wake her up. "Vitani..." Ayari whispered. "We have to get back to pride rock. They might be worrying about us..."

[KiarasMate]

Not even realizing that she had drifted off as long as she had, Vitani slowly opened her eyes, giving Ayari a weak smile as she purred softly and spoke in a collected voice.

”How long was I asleep for Ayari?”

Rising to her paws and giving her muscular frame a good stretch, accidentally bumping Ayari with her hindquarters due to the lack of space within their temporary confines, Vitani glanced back to her old friend as she teasingly spoke to him in a dreamy tone.

”I had the most wonderful dream earlier. I dreamt that this handsome lion told me he loved me.” Leaning in close, Vitani murmured in Ayari’s ear. ”Can you believe that Ayari?”

Giving her friend’s ear a playful nip, the former Outlander made her way out of the little space to where they were held up at, looking towards the sky to gauge what time it was. Hoping that her brother wouldn’t have worried about her sudden disappearance, although she knew that he most likely would have pieced two and two together upon seeing that Ayari hadn’t returned either, Vitani gave herself one more much needed stretch before she started off towards Pride Rock, which didn’t take very long to reach from their current position, calling back to Ayari as she giggled.

”Hurry up slow poke.”

==========

Zina had heard Schwari’s offer, yet paid it no mind. She was in a hurry to be rid of him as she was slowly finding herself getting more and more enthralled by his presence, which scared her to no end. It was impossible for the white furred lioness to imagine that any male, let alone Schwari, would be sincere enough to want to help her without expecting something in return. Having her own thoughts to meld over, Zina had taken a quick cat nap before the approaching sounds of Vitani and Ayari had broken her light slumber. Hopping to her paws, Zina greeted her leader with an overzealous grin as she stated.

”Well, look what the cat dragged in. We’re seeing less and less of you lately Ayari. Growing soft on us, hmm?”

[Baya]

Ayari smiled as he walked back to pride rock with Vitani, very content with what they had established in their time alone. His ear's twitched as he heard Zina's comment and he looked to her with a grin. "I'm not turning soft. None of you simply saw this side of me." Ayari said quietly. Kivuli snorted as he walked out the den.

"You seemed to have been busy today Ayari." Kivuli murmured as he tilted his head at his leader. Ayari rolled his eyes.

"How is Siri, Kivuli? Is she well?" Ayari asked curiously. Kivuli nodded as he looked down.

"Zina's herbs are working wonders. She said she doesn't have that head ache she did before, and her throat doesn't hurt anymore." Kivuli responded. Ayari chuckled, as he examined how Kivuli was standing and looking at the ground.

"I'm guessing she thanked you in quite the affectionate way hm?" Ayari said with a grin. Kivuli snorted.

"She doesn't understand the concept of personal space." Kivuli said in monotone as he walked down pride rock's steps. "I'm going to go get some food. I'll be back by moon rise." Kivuli called over his shoulder as he left.

"He sounds happier than normal." Ayari pointed out. Siri walked out of the den slowly, smiling towards Zina.

"Oh lala. Here comes the girl of the hour now." Ayari said with a teasing wink and laugh.

"I've never seen you so cheerful Ayari. I'd have to say you've been doing things yourself..." Siri pointed out with a grin.

[KiarasMate]

Calling after Kivuli as he left, her sassy attitude seemingly refreshed from her short rest, Zina couldn’t help but to exclaim after him.

”Be sure to save us some carrion too Kivuli.”. Smugly indicating that Kivuli’s chances of actually catching himself something decent were slim to none in her mind.

Turning her attention back to Ayari, Zina was about to chime in again, until Siri’s presence shifted her focus. Seizing the opportunity to gang up upon Ayari, if only in good fun, Zina let out a raspy laugh as she added in.

”I’ll say Siri. You’d think these two were betrothed from the way they are always together. I’d pity the poor lioness that would have to deal with you on that level Ayari. Day in and day out. I think I’d rather take my chances with Maju and his hordes of bloodthirsty vermin.”

Vitani had stood idly by while Ayari conversed with his fellow rogues, keeping a friendly smile upon her muzzle but Zina’s comment caused her to stick up for her old friend as she responded in a humorous manner.

”Oh Ayari. You have so many lionesses just begging at your paws and you still pick me. Must say something about you two. It’s all business though, right?”

Giving Ayari a quick wink, Vitani left the small group to see how her brother was doing, finding him comfortably situated next to Kiara as she addressed them both as one.

”Hey Kovu, hey Kiara. How are you two doing?” Turning her focus mainly to Kiara as she continued, Vitani adopted a friendly smile as she went on. ”I hope you haven’t been worrying too badly about Kovu, Kiara. He’s been handling himself quite well out there. He’s definitely shaping up to be the great king that your father was and that’s probably a lot in part to your efforts as well. You both should be proud. Even though we might be facing hard times right now, I feel confident that we’ll pull through under your leadership.”

==========

Zina had watched Vitani leave, leaving just the three of them now. Turning to face Ayari, Zina’s tone got more serious as she stated.

”Okay enough of that mushy crap. What’s our next plan….What’s the PLAN in general now Ayari? You never did fill us in on what exactly we’re doing. Things have just seemed like we only act when something arises. This just isn’t like you. What happened to always being one step ahead?”

[Baya]

Ayari smiled at Vitani's comment, and watched her leave. He then turned his attention back to Zina, who was asking what the plan was now. Ayari closed his eyes for a moment, the smile fading from his face. He opened his blue eyes again and twitched his whiskers. "In this case we cannot be one step ahead of him. Though the good news is we got quite the force over here. The former outlanders, the pridelanders, and us. Maju won't prevail." Ayari explained. Siri sighed as she shook her head.

"Ayari, you have become blinded by your love for Vitani. You don't see what's really going on here. Maju is testing our defenses, and trying to find a way around it. He may not be wise like you are, but he is intelligent enough to come with an effective strategy to take us down. If he knew of how much you care for Vitani for example, he'd take her away and have you walk right into his paws." Siri pointed out. "What will you do then Ayari?"

Ayari growled as his eyes narrowed. "I'll kill him. Regardless of the past we shared, if he takes away what I care about , I will kill him." Ayari snarled as he scratched the rock floor with his claws. Siri was surprised by this response. Coming back here had changed her leader so much, and Siri was debating with herself if it was a good change, or a bad.

"Ayari...Do you think Kivuli would do the same for me?" Siri asked, randomly looking to the ground. Ayari calmed down a bit, and looked to Siri with a serious expression.

"I knew Kivuli longer than any of you, so you're smart to ask me of all people. Siri, Kivuli has never looked at another lioness with lust, or love. If he truly loves you, and loses you, I'm actually afraid of what he'll become." Ayari said with a reassuring smile. That comment resulted with a blush from Siri, and a smile.

~ In The Den ~

"Thank you Vitani. Your support is appreciated. I was worried about you for a little bit you know. I thought you had gone off on your own, but then I realized you went off with Ayari. Though I still worried about what you two might be doing." Kovu said with a raised eyebrow. He got a gentle shove from Kiara.

"Stop teasing Vitani Kovu. She finally found someone, and here you are poking your nose into their business." Kiara said with a giggle. Kovu smiled as he nuzzled his mate.

"You can't stop a brother from worrying about his sister." Kovu said with a large grin.

"Ahmen to that!" Husudu said from where he laid down in the den. Kovu chuckled as he shook his head.

"Uh, would any of you happen to know of a person that deals with herbs? Besides the white pelt outside?" Shwari whispered to Kovu, Kiara, and Vitani. Kovu thought for a moment, and shrugged his shoulders.

"I do not know of any shamans besides Zina outside." Kovu replied. Kiara smiled wide, and nodded.

"I know of one. I warn you though, he is a bit irritable. Why do you need him?"Kiara asked curiously tilting her head. Shwari sighed as he looked down.

"I've...ruined the shamans herbs apparently, and I think it would be my job to replace them. She doesn't want my help, but she seems so upset about the loss that I think i should make reparations." Shwari explained, looking to Kiara for the answer.

"That sounds very nice of you. Rafiki lives in an old tree. You can't miss it. Just keep looking around the west grasslands and you'll find him." Kiara advised. Shwari smiled and nodded, bowing his head.

"Thank you very much." Shwari said as he quickly bounded out of the den. He ran passed Zina, Ayari, and Siri as he made his way down pride rock.

"The hell is his hurry? He seemed eager." Siri asked with a frown.

[KiarasMate]

Smiling happily at Kiara, giving her brother a playful smirk, Vitani was about to thank the golden furred lioness for sticking up for her, when Schwari’s voice cut into the conversation. Holding her tongue, Vitani waited for Schwari’s business to be concluded with before she piped up.

”Ayari and I are taking it slow Kovu, don’t worry. As for what happened earlier today though, I think we should keep a watch on every bit of our lands. There’s no telling where those rogues might try and strike next. Maybe we should set up a Scouting Party or something? I don’t know if Zuzu can handle keeping watch over every inch of The Pride Lands on his own.”

==========

Watching as Schwari hightailed it down into The Grasslands, keeping an extended eye on him as he did so, Zina only managed to mutter.

”Maybe he figured out that his worthless hide isn’t needed here. Or maybe he’s going to report back to Maju.”

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Zina turned to Ayari once more as she reflected upon what he had said previously.

”Don’t let your feelings get the better of you Ayari. That’s the last thing we need, is to lose your leadership skills over some lioness from your past. You were the one that brought us here so don’t leave us high and dry now.”

Glancing over at Siri, Zina’s more caring side showed as she inquired in a curious manner.

”You feeling better now I assume Siri? As much as I hate to admit it, if it wasn’t for Kivuli’s help earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to get you those herbs.”

Even though this was a bit far from the truth, as Zina knew she would have been fine with simply finding and retrieving the necessary herbs as long as she wouldn’t have ran into any of Maju’s followers, Zina was still insistent on helping Siri and Kivuli in their slowly developing relationship, more for Siri’s sake than Kivuli’s of course.

”He’s not as bad as we might put him out to be, at least, when he doesn’t have his lips pressed against Ayari’s ass.” Flashing Ayari a devious smile, Zina added in. ”Cause Ayari has Vitani now for that task.”