[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[SinChei]

Daxis became more and more nervous. he started to look compatissant in the face of the small lioness.
He breathed harder every new minute. His glance switched nervously from Simba to Laini and back again.
He was affraight he didnt want to leave this place.

[Lodrill]

Laini felt very uneasy. She looked panicing between Simba and Daxis.
On the one hand this Daxis really scared her with his bully behaviour but... he was still somewhat near being a cub. Laini felt a bit sorry for him being threated like that. Even more due she hated brawling.
But she would never dare to lie to the king and so she very slowly shook her head.

"I just came here to drink something and left as this lion came here." her voice was very silent but soft and beautiful.
"Well, he called out for me and I did not answer... maybe that..." she choked. It was her nature to take any blame that she might be able to take just to avoid any physical dispute. Deep inside she did not really think that she was wrong due this lion was a completely stranger and the way he asked really scarred her a lot but... she did not want this lion to have a grudge against her and take on her later so she tried to take the blame a bit.

Her fainting voice gave away her uncertaincy about her being the one to blame pretty clear. It was an old habit of her that she felt uneasy and her voice fainted whenever she blamed herself for something she did not think she was to blame.

Laini still stared on the ground. "I am sorry for that king Simba... may I ... leave now?" her voice was like a light breeze ober the savanna. It was blown away right after she spoke the words and it was very hard to even understand what she was saying.
Laini waited for the answer of the king. She really felt uneasy big times.

[KiarasMate]

Listening to Laini’s response to his inquiry, Simba hesitated slightly as he was a bit perplexed by her answer. On one paw, she seemed as though she was denying what Daxis had accused her of, yet on the other paw, she also seemed to be admitting to what he had stated as well. Backing off Daxis now, letting the adolescent up from beneath his paws, Simba took a moment to think things over before he spoke to both felines in turn, starting with Daxis.

”Well, from what Laini said, I feel as though you are not entirely at fault in this case Daxis, so I apologize for jumping to conclusions, however I’d still advise you to mind your manners around any of your fellow pride members, that is, if you want to be accepted into my pride once your trial period is up.”

Turning his focus towards Laini now, the king adopted a slightly more disappointed tone as he addressed the young lioness.

”And as for you Laini, I feel as though you’re not being entirely honest with me but I am in a forgiving mood today, so I will overlook this little incident. I really have high hopes for you so please don’t disappoint me in the future. You are free to go, but I would like to speak with you in private later on, so please make an effort to stop by the main den later. I will be expecting you.”

Nodding to both felines as to indicate that the situation was finished, Simba took his leave without another word, leaving the two to their own devices. With an already unpleasant start to his day, Simba made his way back towards the main den, this time, taking the typical route. As he approached the base of Pride Rock, the king’s eyes spotted another group of felines, bringing a smile to his muzzle as he noticed that one of them was in fact, his mate. Feeling his spirits slightly raised from this prospect, Simba made his way as stealthily as he could, over to where the small group stood, reaching his mate while her attention was captured by both Gumu and Mila, to whom Simba had signaled not to give away his approach, giving his mate a gentle bite upon her nape, startling the cream colored queen to no end as she almost jumped out of her fur, whirling round to face her mate, who had a sheepish grin upon his muzzle as she scolded him for his actions.

”By the kings Sweetie, are you trying to scare the life out of me?”

Leaning in to give his mate a tender nuzzle, Simba spoke in his best innocent voice in response to what his mate had spoken.

”Me? No, not at all Love. I just figured that the leader of The Hunting Party would have at least detected me coming from a mile away.”

Playfully swatting a paw at her mate’s chest, Nala continued to reprimand her beloved lion for his cheeky behavior.

”Well, maybe I knew you were coming and just didn’t see any threat in your approach, hmm?”

Grinning from ear to ear, Simba simply nodded as he spoke again.

”If you say so Sweetie.” Turning to face Mila and Gumu, the distracted king finally greeted his fellow pride members with a smile.

”And a very good morning to you two as well. Glad to see you again Mila, as well as you too Gumu. I hope you both slept well and are having a nice start to a beautiful day. Simba stated, staring back at his mate as he spoke the last words, giving her a mushy gaze as he politely waited for either feline to reply to his comment.

[Lodrill]

Laini rushed back to her den as Simba let her go. She felt really uneasy. She never was called to the main den before and she really did not like it. She never wanted to make any note of herself to the others so that she could just live as peaceful as possible but this young lion made a completely mess out of her life with his actions. She did not even look back to him. She felt miserable. She knew that she could not dare to not follow the order of the king. It was like the hardest punishment he could have given her.
Going to the main den at day. Passing all these Outlanders she was so afraid of... it was like a nightmare.

As Laini reached her small den she curled up in a dark corner. A few tears ran down her cheeks. She did not have any pelt in her den. This was for a few reasons like for example she never had been in a hunting party or hunted even one big creature. And of course because of her low rank in the pride.
But Laini had never cared about having a pelt in her den or not. She never even thought about trying to get a bigger den. As long as she could hide in here it was okay. The other lions rarely came here. Nearly the only lioness who visited her here once a month was Sarabi.

But at this very moment Laini did not even want to see her. She just wanted to dwell in her sadness and try to calm down her fear of the future encounter she had to face in the main den. With a few more tears she felt asleep pretty fast.

[Mike]

[[OOC: I'm so terribly sorry I've not posted before =0 I forgot my computer at my cousin's house three days ago and wasn't able to get it back until tonight. I've got it now though =)]]

Kovu watched in delight as Taraji started to move carefully around him, and investigate his mane. He gave a chuckle of pure joy, which startled the little cub slightly, causing her to hide behind Kiara's paw once again. Kovu knew that the ice had been broken with the little one though, and he smiled lovingly. Kiara announced her plans to leave, and Kovu gave a reassuring nod and smile, now confidant that he could get along with Taraji.

"I'll see you soon love. We'll be okay." He then lay down with his chin flat against the ground as Kiara left the den. "Hey Taraji, how are you doing little one? Come on, don't be shy, you can come sit on me or next to me.

His breath disturbed the lower parts of his mane, which fluttered around gently like grass in a mild breeze.

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

Vitani stretched and woke up. She was surprised to see that it was already light out, and she stood up quickly before feeling dizzy and laying back down for a moment. Eating so quickly just before bed last night gave her some indigestion which was probably why she slept in so late. On the positive side, last night's problems seemed trivial in the light of day, and Vitani stood up again, more slowly this time, which a cheerful attitude.

Everyone seemed to have left the den already, and Vitani stepped into the sun unsure of what to do with her day. Finally she decided to stop off to see Kovu and finally meet the little cub. She was headed to Kovu and Kiara's den, when she met Kiara who was clearly on the way to Pride Rock.

"Good morning Kiara," Vitani said with a pleasant voice. "I was about to stop bye. How's the little cub Kovu found yesterday?"

[SinChei]

Daxis was very affraight but felt relieved as Simba take his paw off his chest. He stood up quickly while looking sadly at Laini he noticed
Laini was very sad she told Simba lies. He nodded Simba but looked after Laini. Daxis waited till Simba left and then sneaked after Laini.
He lost her on the half way and looked for the golden furred lioness. He found her a few minutes later in a small den.
he entered the den with downcasted head and spoke very low.
Hi i apologize ... [/b] he saw that tears ran over the golden furred cheeks and he flattened one's ears and went towards her.
why are you cying? i feel so bad.

[Lodrill]

Taraji looked a little bit lost as Kiara left the den. She looked after her still after she was long gone. Kovus voice made her wince and turn around. Her body pressed close the to ground she observed him once again.
Slowly, very slowly she crawled closer but she made a bow around the head that was faced to her. It was not so easy to shake her shyness off.

Taraji rached the belly of Kovu and snuggled herself against the warm body of Kovu. It had become a bit chilly inside the den and so the warmth of Kovu was the right thing for Taraji to warm up. She purred very faint and closed her eyes. All the excitement so early in the morning sure had worn her out fast. She was tired again yet hungry. But she still was to shy to raise her voice about this matter. She listened to the voices around her, the breath of Kovu, the rambling of hes stomach that was so much louder than hers, the birds from the outside and the voice of Kovu talking to her. This all seemed so familiar already yet so strange.

[hr][/hr]

Due Laini ever had a very light sleep she woke up the moment Daxis entered the den. She got the scent of him and knew who it was. She was afraid of him wanting revange and so and decided to do as if she was still sleeping.

As he asked her about her tears she sure felt miserable. She did not want anyone to see her crying. But there was no helping in it now. What lay before her was far more uncomfortable.

With closed eyes she waited if this lion would leave her den again. She was a bit afraid and her heart beat and breath got a bit faster. This den at least had ever been something like an oasis of peace for her. But this peace was about to be disrupted by this young lion.

[SinChei]

Daxis noticed her breath was faster after he spoke to her. He knew she wasnt asleep but he accepted it that she wouldnt talk to him and sighed loudly.
He felt even more miserable now and went out of the den slowly. He held his head close to the ground while he went out. The red maned cub layed down near the den.

[KiarasMate]

Finally reassured that her mate would be okay left alone with their daughter, Kiara gave the little cub one last loving nuzzle before she exited the den, on a straight course towards Pride Rock. She hadn’t been walking long however, when the familiar sight of Vitani came into range. The older lioness seemed to be in a cheerful mood, which was a change from the previous night, or so thought the golden furred lioness as she politely responded to her fellow lioness’ warm greetings.

”Good morning Vitani. Ahh, she’s doing great. We even learned her name, since she finally decided to speak to us, well, at least one word anyways, but her name is Taraji. Isn’t that the cutest name you’ve ever heard? Right now, Kovu’s watching her, so if you want to go have a look, you’re more than welcome to. I was just on my way to see if I could find her something to eat. She seems to be a bit young still for solid foods, as the antelope I gave her yesterday was quite the challenge for her to eat. If only there was a lioness in our pride who had cubs…” Pondering over her own thoughts momentarily, Kiara spoke up once more. ”So, erm, last night, you didn’t quite seem yourself Vitani. You know I’m not the type to intrude on other’s business but you also should know that I’m here if you ever want to talk, you know, lioness to lioness.”

Offering her fellow Pride Member a friendly smile, Kiara remained where she was, waiting for the older lioness to reply to what she had said, all the while, thinking of what exactly could be done about Taraji’s hunger.

[Faolcho]

(( Sorry I didn't post as well, personal matters. ))

Gumu frowned confusedly as Mila giggled mischievously, what was so funny? He saw her joyful mood being priven away from her as he told her about what Daxis had done to Nala, not to speak of what other things he did.

The blonde mane nodded his head in agreement to her comment, indeed! She continued to speak of the plans of her own with Daxis now, he wouldn't want to miss it for the biggest chunk of tender and fresh meat. "That would be an excellent idea."

In the distance he saw Simba sneaking towards Nala, it was actually quite a funny sight, and very visible with that red mane. Well.. he can't say too much either, Gumu's mane can be a bit.. bright in the sun. By now, the king had already surprised the queen.

Gumu couldn't help but to let a sound escape in confusion and amazement, they were cuddling infront of everyone, in public? Atop of all, they were cuddling! Cuddling had no use other than to warm yourself up he thought, it's one of those weird phenomenons.

Then, Simba turned his attention to both him and Mila. The good start he spoke of was nonexistant. Oh, he remembered! "Simba, I need to inform you of Daxis' latest actions, as they were rather.. bold. He 'talked' with your mate." He gave a rather long nod to make sure he gets what he meant with 'talked'.