[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Lodrill]

Laini noticed someone entering the den. The fur of the blonde lion shined bright in the moonlight as he passed the entrance. Laini retreted back to the corner carefully. She did not know this lion but he sure seemed to be strong. Maybe an intruder. Or wait... she saw him already with Vitani some time ago. At least this meant they knew about him already and she did not have to tell them.

Laini felt her stomach growling and sneeked out of the den. The night was cold and silent. Only a few cicadas were chirping. Laini was extra carefully to not run into one of the outlanders while heading toward the main den. As she reached it everyone was fast asleep already. The perfekt time for her to get a bit of meat. This was the normal time she sneeked in here. When everyone was asleep she felt safe. She silently sliced through the meat to get a piece of. She managed to get a rest of the flank and sneaked out with her nights meal. With beeting heart like every night she reached her den and finally relaxed again. She ate very slowly like always. The moon was already set as she licked her lips a last time and finally gone to sleep again. In her den she felt safe.

[hr][/hr]

Meanwhile Taraji slept peacefully snuggled up with Kiara. She dreamed of her mother and now and then mewed very silently in her sleep.

[KiarasMate]

Time passed by peacefully as the slumbering Pridelanders dozed, having their respectful dreams and thoughts. Slowly, the Dark contrast of the night sky was gradually beginning to be swallowed by the crimson glow of the rising sun, signaling the start to another day. It was Nala who stirred first, lightly untangling herself from her mate’s gentle embrace as the cream colored queen took a nice, long stretch, shaking off the feeling of sleep as she yawned and began to make her way out of the den, pausing for a moment to glance over to where Vitani was laying, the thoughts of their short conversation from the previous night still looming in her mind. Letting a soft sigh escape her muzzle, Nala left the confines of the main den, shivering slightly from the chilly morning breeze that teased her fur and caused it to dance and sway in its invisible ministrations. Knowing that the serene peace that seemed to be hovering over the lands would soon be shattered from the typical hussle and bustle of the day, Nala took full advantage of the calmness that was so rarely enjoyed by her, taking up her favorite spot on one of the many sunning rocks that adorned the promontory of the majestic structure. As she relaxed and let the warm rays from the sun heat her tired frame, Nala’s thoughts remained focused upon Vitani. It made her feel a bit uneasy about how the ex-Outlander might be feeling towards either her brother or another member of the pride. Melding over the possibilities of what might be bothering her, Nala hoped that she would get a chance to speak with her fellow lioness before any drama might unfold. Not wishing to disturb her from her sleep however, the thoughtful queen merely stayed put, enjoying the comforts of life in The Pride Lands.

Meanwhile, not too far off, Kiara was also beginning to awaken, feeling completely refreshed from the long sleep she had endured. Being somewhat disabled in the fact that both her mate and adopted daughter had her wedged in between the both of them, the golden furred lioness simply stayed situated, turning her attention to her daughter as she gently nuzzled and bathed her soothingly as she once more admired the unique birthmark upon the small cub’s forehead. Purring quietly, Kiara shifted slightly, trying her best as not to disrupt her mate’s slumber as she wanted to snuggle in a bit more to the both of them, refusing to start the day at such an early hour, or to at least her, it was. Relaxing once more but keeping herself awake and occupied by attending to her cub’s appearance, grooming her thoroughly, Kiara thought about what the future might hold for her, her mate and this little cub to whom she had grown so attached to. Her biggest hope was that the young cub would start speaking soon, as she had so many questions that hung in her mind. All in due time though, she figured and continued to lovingly care for her new reason for living in life.

[Faolcho]

A loud thundering sound was to be heard all over the savannah of the Pridelands, or was it snoring?

Gumu was happily rolling around in his sleep, bumpig head head occasionaly. He was dreaming of disciplining Daxis.. That must be the second sweetest tasting thing next to honey, discipline! One of the bumps proved to be too hard though, which woke him up, thinking he was being assaulted.

He quickly rose to his feet and arched his halfly closed eyes, but then.. he fel back down due standing up too fast. He moaned in misery for seeing black spots, that always happens with him when he stands up too fast.

The Southlander dragged himself towards the private waterhole and nearly sank his entire head in. It was cold, but worth it. With a dripping muzzle and mane, he continued his scouting through the Pridelands. It was a nice scenery, but he still missed the bright green grass and trees from his homeland. South Afrika is definatly a place worth conquering he thought, which made him think about his former leader. Was his action really the right one?

[Lodrill]

Taraji slowly woke up from her slumber. The first thing she noticed was Kiara who was bathing her. Her mother used to wake her up the same way and for a split second she really thought it was her mother. Even a very faint "Mama?!" escaped her muzzle with her small sweet voice before she opened her eyes and saw her mistake. She was not afraid anymore due she already adopted to this lioness who was so close to her mother... except for the color of her fur that was. Taraji blinked into Kiaras face and examined every inch of it.

The cub showed clear liking in the threatment of Kiara (the grooming and bathing). The signs of disappointment to not see her mother fade away very quickly. Taraji already knew that she would probably not see her mother ever again. That was what her mother had told her and... she had found another lioness just like her. Taraji begann to purr and close her eyes again to enjoy the morning bath.

[Panda-chan]

"Night Simba," Amanda mumbled, already nodding off. It had been such a long and tiresome day, even for her, and all she wanted to do right now was to get a good night's rest for tomorrow. Before she even knew it, the young cub was fast asleep, dreaming of chasing small purple butterflies that always seemed to escape her grasp.
After what seemed to be just a few seconds, the sunlight streamed into the den and hit the Amanda's face. The young cub squinted into the bright morning sun before realizing it was already daytime. She got up slowly and yawned. She didn't feel like she'd rested at all. Blinking sleepily, Amanda looked around the den. Most of the lions were still asleep. Holding back another yawn so as not to disturb anyone, Amanda gave herself a quick grooming before trotting outside to play.

[KiarasMate]

Nala seemed deep in thought as she laid upon her favorite sunning rock, barely taking notice of her surroundings until out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of slight movement coming from the entrance of the main den. Quickly snapping herself back to a more conscious state, the cream colored queen gazed towards the opening of the den, spotting the little figure of Amanda bounding outside, bringing a smile to her muzzle as she called out to her.

”Off to play already, are we Amanda?”

Giggling light heartedly, Nala moved onto her back now, allowing the warm sunlight to heat her belly fur as she watched the young cub intently from her vantage point, letting another tired yawn leave her muzzle as she spoke once more, particularly towards no one indirectly.

”Wish I had as much energy as a cub. I miss those days of just playing nonstop until the sun set.”

Letting a nostalgic sigh escape her muzzle, the dreamy queen went back to thinking about the situation with Vitani, as well as the matter she would bring up with her mate later on in regards to The Hunting Party.

==========

Kiara’s ears perked up upon hearing the faint word that emitted from the young cub’s maw, twitching them slightly as she wasn’t too sure if she had actually heard her speak something or if it was just a noise. Pausing from bathing her adopted daughter momentarily, Kiara spoke softly towards her in the hopes that she had actually spoken.

”Hmm? Finally awake Cutie? Did you just say something?”

Kiara’s warm stare remained as she gazed down at her little cub with a loving look, feeling the warmth that seemed to fill her entire body every time she looked into those entrancing crystal eyes of the small cub’s. Kiara knew there was something special about her daughter and the fact that she and her mate were now responsible for caring for her made the proud princess feel just as equally special. Debating whether to rouse her mate or not, Kiara opted to let him sleep for a bit longer, perhaps thinking that the young cub might feel more inclined to speak to her alone, rather than the both of them. Waiting patiently for a response from her little bundle of joy, Kiara gently resumed the bath she was administrating to the young cub previously, keeping her ears perked just in case the young cub might speak once more.

[Lodrill]

Taraji opened her crystal eyes again as Kiara stopped bathing her. She was a bit embarrassed about the fact she mistook this lioness for her mother. She tried to hide herself behind one of the paws of Kiara so that she would not be in direct line to the liones...

"N...no...." her voice was very faint and was cut by a big growl of her stomic. Taraji hid shy behind the paw and the blood rushed into her head.
What an embarrassing thing to happen right in front of this lioness who still was somewhat a stranger to her.
Very slowly Taraji peeked around the corner of the paw up to the lioness with a cute expression. Even if she adopted to this lioness in quite some fast time she still was a bit shy about her. She did not notice Kovu at all because all her focus was on Kiara.

[Mike]

Kovu was woken by some gentle movements and soft sounds at his side. He came more or less fully awake in time to hear a soft word spoken by the little cub. Kovu raised his head and looked over Kiara's shoulder at the cub. The cub was awake and making small movements in Kiara's arms. It's delicate cuteness took Kovu's breath away. Earlier he remembered feeling the same way, but now that the cub was awake and speaking it was stronger. He felt almost captured by her milky eyes. In other lions Kovu had seen that colour, but it had always been the sign of blindness or disease. In spite of everything the cub had been through, she could clearly see normally.

Kovu held his breath, not wanting to break the spell Kiara seemed to cast on the delicate little life, and anticipating learning more about the cub's history, especially what she had been doing alone in the outlands. He licked his mate's ear from behind to let her know he was awake, but didn't speak.

[KiarasMate]

Kiara was oblivious to the fact that her mate had woken up, being completely enthralled by the adorable nature of their adopted daughter’s actions, giggling from the way the tiny cub tried to shield herself from her loving gaze behind her fore paw. Splaying her delicate paw toes, Kiara gently scratched the soft, reddish fur on the small felines underbelly as she spoke quietly to her.

”Aww, don’t be shy Cutie. You’re safe here. Do you feel like talking now, hmm? Can you tell me your name?”

Kiara suddenly felt the warm, wet contact of her mate’s rough tongue that tickled the back of her ear, causing her to shiver slightly as she purred happily, murmuring in an affectionate tone to her beloved mate.

[]”Mmm, good morning Honey. How did you sleep? Looks like our daughter has finally come to and has even spoken a few words, all be them really quiet ones.”[/b]

Kiara leaned her head back, giving her mate a good morning lick over his cheek as she nuzzled him, or at least, attempted to from her current position, not wanting to alter her stance from where their daughter was still hiding at. Gazing back towards the cute, little stare that the young cub was presenting to her and now, her mate as well, Kiara spoke up again to her precious love.

”Isn’t she just the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen Honey? I bet if we had a daughter, she would be just as adorable as this little one here.”

Purring contently, Kiara moved her paw slightly to reveal more of the small feline’s frame as she moved her head partially aside to allow Kovu’s presence to be known by the little cub, hoping that she wouldn’t be too intimidated with his presence now that it was just the three of them.

[Lodrill]

Taraji peeked a bit more to the lioness as Kiara asked about her name. It took some time until Taraji got the courage to answer dispite her shyness.

"Ta... ra... ji..." she hid behind the paw again.

As Taraji peeked around the paw one more time she noticed Kovu whose head was next to Kiaras. Startled Taraji jumped forwards and tried to dig under the chest of Kiara to hide from Kovu. It was not that she was really afraid of him but only being with her mother all the time and not meeting other lions on top of that traveling all by herself made her extremely shy for any stranger. Taraji carefulle peeked up to Kiaras eyes from her hideout. She snuggled deep inside Kiaras fur. Her stomach growled again and Taraji faced to the ground embarrassed. She was to shy to speak up about being hungry and on top of that towards these lions she did not even know the names of.