[Open] The Aftermath

[Baya]

"Yeah. I was born here. My mother left me when i was a few weeks old. I don't know why." Shwari said as he looked down and his ears drooped. His claws dug into the floor of the cave and he frowned. He held alot of hostility to his birth parents for leaving him all alone. He figured that he wasn't good enough for them, and that is why they left him. "Do you want anything to eat?" Shwari asked as he looked to Zira again, though his eyes reflected his negative feelings.

[Mike]

"I'll be alright." Zira said little gruffly. She wasn't a cubby after all, she was just a little run down. She couldn't wait to heal up and be able to take care of herself again. She relied on her pride as an outlander, but that was different. Back then she was perfectly capable of living on her own if she chose to, but relying on Shwari was unpleasant. He seemed a somewhat capable young lion, true, but he was a far cry from Kovu's courage and power at his age. Zira ground her teeth remembering Kovu's betrayal, and frustrated that she was now alone. She turned her back on Shwari and moved off.

Zira moved a little farther into the den, so that Shwari wouldn't be standing over her as she fell asleep. She lay on a more or less flat patch of ground, careful to lie on her side and keep her damaged ribs off the hard rock. It wasn't any less comfortable than the termite infested outlands though, and Zira was thankful for the absence of the ever-present parasites. Not a lot of light filtered this far into the cave, but in spite of this it was some time before Zira was able to stop brooding on the terrible turn her life had taken in the last few days. Eventually, physically drained, she drifted off.

[Baya]

Shwari sighed as he lay down on his little bed of leaves. His ears flattened against his head as he tried to think of ways to make Zira heal faster. He already fed her, and gave her a place to rest. There was a pool of water close by in the cave so that the lioness may drink when ever she pleased. He thought for a moment, and his eyes widened with the flash of an idea.

Shwari smiled as he quickly got up, and began to tip toe out the cave. He knew who he should go to for something like this! The little cub came out of the cave and he noticed the sun going down. He'd have to go quickly before the night prowlers came out. Shwari began to walk over the tree roots, and rocks once more.

"Pona!" Shwari called through the forest, knowing that it wasn't such a smart tactic.

"Boy! Don't be calling out my name in such a dangerous place! The prowlers will hear you!" A raspy old voice said from above Shwari. Shwari stopped walking and looked up with the smile.

"Hi Pona!" Shwari whispered. Standing on a branch was an old gray furred mongoose. His claws were gripping a walking staff, and his brown eyes were gazing down at the young cub.

"Hello young Shwari. What makes you come out here, and inviting the prowlers for dinner?" The old mongoose known as Pona said as he jumped down from the high branch and landed elegantly with a wide toothed smile.

"I need some...Medicine for someone." Shwari said quietly. Pona looked very troubled for a moment and then he looked to Shwari.

"It is none of my business to ask for whom this is, but it is my business to ask what it's for." Pona said as he gripped his staff tighter.

"Uh...The lioness the medicine is for walks all weird, and is in pain alot." Shwari muttered. Pona scratched his chin and walked over to a special bush with colorful leaves. The bush shook several times, and the old Mongoose walked out with several leaves from that bush.

"Tell her to eat these. They will numb the pain while she heals. Now run along little cub. The prowlers will be coming out soon." Pona said as he began to climb the tree again.

"Thank you Pona!" Shwari said cheerfully as he took the leaves and quickly made his way back towards the cave.

[Mike]

When Zira finally swam back into consciousness she could feel that she'd spent many hours in a restless sleep. She was a bit stiff from her wounds and the inactivity, but her thinking was sharper, and when she flexed and stretched her muscles they responded with a strength and speed she certainly hadn't possessed the night before. She also noticed a crusty residue on some of her more obvious wounds. That probably helped explain why she was feeling better.

Though Zira was awake she didn't get up right away. It was time to do some serious thinking. How could she recover from a setback like this? She was alone now with one half-grown cub. Her pride had deserted her and left her for dead. She could try to recruit other rogues and wanderers from beyond the pridelands, but this was risky. If she surrounded herself with too many untrustworthy "allies" she was begging to be overthrown. She'd just have to start slowly, that's all there was to it.

With both her body and mind in order, Zira stood up, grinning tightly at how easy it was compared to the day before. She'd be her old self in no time at all at this rate. She prowled up the cave, looking for Shwari.

[Baya]

Shwari was sleeping near the entrance, some of the remaining pain killer leaves around his little paws. He was exhausted from the day he had. When he heard claws scraping against stone he opened his eyes slowly and yawned. He knew Zira was coming.


Meanwhile at the pride lands, Kovu was eager to have met all his cubs, and was wondering when they would be presented to the animals of the kingdom. He asked Simba on the matter the night before, and Simba simply said that the cubs would have to be able to open their eyes after a little feeding before they were presented. Kovu was extremely proud to have had three cubs, but already fear struck his mind, thinking of all the dangers out there. Sure, Zira was dead, and the outlanders came to their senses, but there were still rogues, hyenas, and many other dangers out there just waiting to take a snap at his young cubs. He had to be extra careful with them, and make sure no harm came to them.

Kovu's emerald green eyes opened slowly as the rays of hot sun began to beam down onto his face, and warmed his fur. Kovu chose to sleep outside the den, on the edge of pride rock because he wanted to give Kiara some privacy to clean, nurse, and spend time with the cubs. He let out a mighty yawn and stretched as he got onto his feet. He looked to the horizon with a tired look and smiled. It looked so innocent, and beautiful. His smile turned into a frown as he looked down.

"Everything has a dark side..." Kovu muttered quietly.

"King Kovu! King Kovu! King Kovu!" an adolescent blond furred male sang as he ran out of the den. The male had a small brown tuft of mane on his head, with messed up whiskers, and crazed out green eyes.

"Good morning Woga." Kovu chuckled. Woga was the local fool in the eyes of many in the pride, but Kovu had a deep respect for the lion. Woga sort of reminded him of Nuka, except for the fact that Woga was a complete scaredy cat. "I see you escaped your sister's grasp?" Kovu inquired with a raised eyebrow. Woga's eyes widened as he stopped in front of Kovu.

"P-Please don't speak of her. You know that saying? Speak of the dev-" Woga was cut off as he was tackled from the side by a blond furred lioness. Nishati laughed as she pinned her twin brother down, while he was screaming. Her amber eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Don't ever think you are safe little Woga." Nishati cooed as she released her cowering brother.

"Haha. Nishati. I see Vitani's been teaching you how to be such a great big sister." Kovu said with a hint of sarcasm. Nishati laughed.

"No, No. She told me to treat Woga better, but you know how fun it is to mess with a paranoid scaredy cat?" Nishati asked. Kovu laughed and shook his head.

"It ain't fun for me!" Woga whimpered, as he stood up shakily.

[LilTiger]

Vitani smiled when she saw the newborn cubs. "I'm an aunt...'. She look at Kiara. "Wow, you had three cubs, I couldn't even handle two! I hope you can handle these little bundles of joy. So, what are their names?" Vitani ask as she look at them.

[Mike]

Kiara hadn't noticed Vitani enter. She held no ill feelings about the former outlander, and they had been living together for some time, but she didn't appreciate her barging in like this with no invitation. She was surprised and a little disappointed that the cubs would meet their aunt before their own father and grandfather.

"They're Maua, Tero, and Shani." Kiara said awkwardly. "Um, could you go ask Kovu to come in here? And maybe Simba if he likes. We'd like to have some family time together."

Kiara hated to be rude, and hoped that Vitani would take the hint and stay outside while the males met the newest additions to the pride.

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

"Shwari." Zira said, coming up behind the young lion. "Your medicine and help have made me stronger. I'm ready to travel. I am going to return to the lands where I used to live. I have old enemies there and a score to settle. I will have to build up a new pride as I move, and so the journey will probably take some time. You've shown me hospitality, and so I invite you to be the first addition to my new pride."

Zira's eyes flashed at the mention of the pridelands. She stood tall and confident as ever. It was clear that she expected Shwari to jump at the offer. After all, what kind of a life did he have here in the jungle? Eating bugs and worse, and being hunted by enemies all the time.

[Baya]

"Hey King Kovu. Why didn't you meet your cubs yet?" Woga asked as he stopped walking towards the den again. Kovu sighed and gazed out into the horizon.

"You know that every cub is more attached to their mother, then they ever will be to their father? I can wait until they finish nursing..." Kovu said with a sigh. "Kiara is also still asleep, so it does not matter anyways." Kovu said quietly.

"No, she was the first one awake." Woga pointed out. Kovu looked over to Woga and a small smile spread on his face.

"Very well." Kovu said, feeling more nervous then proud. He was meeting his cubs for the first time, he shouldn't exactly have iron nerves. The king started to make his way slowly towards the den, behind Woga.

"King's here!" Woga called throughout the den. Nishati growled as she thumped her paw onto Woga's head.

"Some lionesses are still sleeping idiot! The cubs might also be very sensitive to hearing right now!" Nishati hissed quietly. Woga groaned and rubbed his head.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shwari turned around quickly and looked up at Zira. He looked down for a moment deep in thought. What if his parents came back to look for him? He frowned deeply. If they wanted him in the first place, they had the chance. He wouldn't survive too long on his own after infuriating and challenging the panther. After balencing out the benefits and costs of this decision, he looked back up at Zira. "Yeah, I w-want to come. I want to become strong, and help you." Shwari said with a smile grin. Maybe some day he would return to the jungle, but as long as Zira had use of him, he would stay by her side.

[Mike]

By this time Kiara was slightly overwhelmed by all the visitors in the den. She was feeling very vulnerable and protective of her cubs. She wanted to get up and take her cubs with her, but there wasn't all that many places to go. She latched on to Kovu's gentle eyes, grateful for his presence. "Umm, Kovu could you clear the rest of these guys out?" she said, trying to direct her words only to her mate.

[Baya]

Kovu nodded as he gazed at his mate, and looked to Woga who was still grumbling to herself. His eyes then averted to Nishati. Nishati was looking curiously at the cubs, with a very amused look on her face. "Could you two give us a sec? You know...privacy?" Kovu asked trying to sound as polite as possible.

"What ya gonna d-" Woga said, but was cut off as he was hit on the head again.

"It's none of our business what they wanna do. They are grown ups Woga. They do grown up things." Nishati growled as she began to prowl out of the den. Woga frowned as he rubbed his head again and made his way for the exit.

"Those two are quite the siblings aren't they?" Kovu joked with a chuckle as he walked closer to Kiara and then looked down at the three cubs admiringly. "They are adorable." Kovu whispered as he nuzzled his son first, then his daughters.