A Change of Plans [PRIVATE: AC & The Whistlerify]

[AustralianChaos]

Nala looked up at her mother. "You're right...but it still won't be the same...we always had so much fun. Why did Scar do this?" she asked, her tone become sad and irritated as she got up to follow the others back to Pride Rock, staying close to Simba's side as she did. She had pretty much lost two friends today, leaving her wanting to stay by Simba's side forever, and never move away, lest he ended up getting taken from her as well if she did.

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Tanga gave her a shy smile as she complimented his actions by the waterhole. "I didn't save your life," he said, feeling ashamed of his failure. "It was Sarabi and Sarafina that stopped the hyenas, not me."

He looked back up at her. "But I promise not to let you down again. I'll get stronger...and become a better fighter, so I can protect you next time," he vowed, staring into her eyes, so much like his own, as he said it, showing her his conviction and determination to make amends for his failure. He also, even if it wasn't quite intentional, knew that his eyes would be filled with his...was it love?...for her as well, but did not look away. She already knew, anyway. And all he could do now was pray to the kings that watched over them that she returned his feelings, or at least would come to during their year in exile.

[TheWhistlerify]

Sarafina sighed and looked at Sarabi, who also seemed deep in thought about why Scar did what he did. "I don't know Nala..." was all she could say.

Marini smiled slightly at Tanga. Now that she knew how he felt, she felt alot more confident next to him. Staring into his deep blue eyes she felt her heart going somewhere else. She felt so lucky of having Tanga by her side. "Still... you were really brave." she said smiling, still looking into his eyes

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga smiled. "I could never have left you there to die, Rini...you mean too much to me," he said with complete honesty. "I'd rather be here, exiled and seperated from Simba and Nala but with you, than with Simba and Nala knowing you were dead."

He hesitated briefly, knowing he was opening his heart out to her. In the end, he decided it didn't matter...she might as well know everything if they were going to live in each other's company for the next year. "I...I don't think I could go on if I lost you, Rini."

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini couldn't help but smile and blush deeply at this. "Well... I was really worried about you..." she admitted, "even a little more than about myself... I'm just glad you're okay." she said and added another smile

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga smiled at this, also blushing as Marini revealed how much she had worried about him as well. "I'm glad you're okay, too..." he said softly, before drifting into a comfortable, if slightly sad, silence as the made their way through the southern segments of the Pridelands, towards what was most likely going to be their new home.

He turned back as Pride Rock became little shape on the horizon, informing them that they were getting closer to the border. "I know we'll be back someday...but I'm really going to miss this place. And not being able to see Simba and Nala all the time..."

((Another timeline jump soon, perhaps? Maybe another two or three months?))

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini sighed heavily. "Don't worry..." she said, feeling an urge need to comfort Tanga, "They'll visit us when ever they can." she then uncontrolably gave him a quick nuzzle, "and we have each other."

(( I was thinking that we could do one more day before the time jump ))

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga returned Marini's nuzzle. "I know they will, and I'm glad we have each other..." he decided that maybe a small joke to lighten the mood was in order. "...I'm not sure I could stand it if it was Simba or Nala instead of you coming with me...they'd never stop teasing me over one thing or another!"

He grinned at Marini, showing he was just joking around, before looking back once more at Pride Rock. With one, final sigh, he turned away and looked back to the south, gazing briefly up at the sky, which was beginning to turn orange in the late afternoon as they came within sight of the river Sarabi had told them about. "There's the river," he stated needlessly.

((Sounds good))

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini looekd at Tanga as he stole one last glance at Pride Rock. It was obvious that the exile they were forced into was hard for him. She then looked back at the south as he mentioned the river. "Here it is." she said and sighed. "Well... things could have turned out alot worse." she said, trying to cheer him up a little. Noticing it wasn't really working, she gave him another nuzzle, "We will be fine."

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga sighed, leaning against Marini for a brief moment, calming himself as he felt the softness of her fur for a brief moment. "I know we will...but still, Pride Rock's always been home...it doesn't feel right leaving it behind."

Shaking himself out of his depressed stupor, he flashed Marini a brief smile. "Don't worry about me, Rini...it's just gonna take some getting used to, that's all."

Deciding he needed something to distract them both, and help them both cheer up, he spotted a curving S-bend in the river, with a tree marking the inside corner of each part of the curve...just as Sarabi had described...they were close. Pointing to the tree that was on their side of the river, he turned to Marini, grinning. "Race you to that tree!" He challenged, and without waiting for Marini to react, sprinted off, laughing as he left her in his wake.

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Sarabi lead the group back to Pride Rock, reaching their home just as the sun was closing in on the western horizon. Stopping briefly as the slipped into the shadow of the massive rock formation, she turned back to the others. "Are you staying up?" she asked, looking at Simba, Nala and Sarafina in turn. "I think I might turn in early...it's been a hard day."

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Nala was about to agree with Sarabi's suggestion, but stopped her reply short, turning to Simba, waiting to see what he wanted. She knew he would need his support tonight, after being forced to watch two of his friends exiled by his own uncle, and despite her own weariness, she would stay up to support him if he chose to. "Simba...what are you gonna do?"

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini looked at the tree, it was just the way Sarabi had described it a few minutes ago. She was relieved that they found it, and that they were together. Still sighing in relief she noticed Tanga had already taken off and gave chase. "Wait for me"! she shouted laughing

Simba knew it would take him time to get used to not having Tanga and Marini around. He looked back at his mother, "I think I'll stay up a little longer... I need some time to think." he sighed and looked towards the south, hoping Tanga and Marini would be okay.