[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

Vitani agreed with Kiara that yes, it was a very nice name, and pondered the question of what they might feed her... Then flushed slightly as Kiara brought up her sour mood the night before. She shifted uncomfortably.

"It doesn't seem worth mentioning now. I'd be embarrassed to talk about it. Let's put it behind us." Vitani continued breezily, trying to change the subject. "So I think I'll make my way into the den to see Kovu and the little one. About the food, you might try offering Taraji the softer insides rather than the tough muscle and flesh. I'll see you later on Kiara."

With that Vitani continued past Kiara, feeling the younger lioness' eyes on her back. Vitani made a conscious decision then to take Simba's harsh words as an offhand comment, and pay them no more mind. It was with a resolved conscience that Vitani appeared at the entrance to Kovu's den. Inside she was treated to a heartwarming sight. Taraji had snuggled up against Kovu's side and Kovu had just laid a gentle paw over his adopted daughter.

Noticing Vitani, Kovu gave a signal to be cautious and quiet, so Vitani lay down herself at the mouth of the den, two or three meters away from her brother. Vitani heard Kovu speak.

"There you go little Taraji." He said. "Hey, look," He indicated Vitani with his eyes. "We have a visitor. That's your aunty Vitani."

Vitani had to admit that Taraji was adorable, and suffered the label "aunty" in good grace.

"Hi Taraji." She answered.

[Lodrill]

Taraji opened her eyes and looked at Vitani. Just as before Taraji acted very shy as she was introduced to this new lioness. She crawled into the mane of Kovu to hide and just her crystal eyes peeked out of it.

She was not even completely easy around Kovu but in this situation he was the only one she was a bit used to and his mane was the best hideout. From her safe spot she observed the new lioness. She was nearly as big as Kovu what made Taraji even more shy towards her.

[KiarasMate]

Seeing that Vitani truly didn’t want to delve into what had been bothering her the previous night, Kiara nodded and acknowledged her fellow lioness’ decision, calling after the older lioness as she made her leave.

”Okay Vitani, but remember what I told you. Talk to you later.”

Watching as Vitani disappeared, Kiara went back to the task at paw, thinking over what Vitani had suggested to her. It did make sense although the golden furred princess knew well enough that typically the most tender parts of the kills were devoured by either Simba or her mate Kovu. Figuring that this was the best option that had presented itself to her thus far however, Kiara figured that it was worth a shot as she started to make her way towards Pride Rock once more. Once again, Kiara’s travels didn’t last long as she spotted the group of felines who were gathered near the base of the large structure. Not being the type to shy away from group encounters, the perky princess picked up the pace and joined the small band of her fellow Pride Members, arriving just in time to hear her father speaking towards Gumu.

”Hmm, you don’t say Gumu? Well, I’ve already have had a run in with Daxis this morning. It seems that he and Laini, another lioness of our pride, had a little argument of sorts, although to the extent of detail, I don’t honestly know. This fact just seems to enforce the fact that Daxis is going to need more than just time to improve his attitude.” Simba stated before he noticed the addition of his own daughter to the group, causing the king to smile and address her in the warm, fatherly voice he was known for. ”Oh, hello Baby Girl. How’d you sleep last night and how’s the little cub doing?”

Feeling her cheeks flushing from the pet name her father had used for her, replying in an embarrassed voice.

”Oh Daddy, please don’t call me that in front of the others. I’m doing fine though Daddy and the little cub has actually been doing fine. She told us her name, which is Taraji and right now I’m trying to find her something to eat.”

Simba nodded as he responded to his daughter’s words.

”I’m sorry Sweetie. That’s good to hear about little Taraji though and I bet your mother could help you find something for the little one to eat.”

Nodding to her mate’s response, Nala made her way over to her daughter as the two lionesses departed from the group, but not before Kiara made an effort to acknowledge Gumu and Mila’s presence as well.

”Good morning Mila and Gumu. Guess I’ll see you two later.” Kiara giggled as she and her mother took their leave.

Watching his mate and daughter leaving, Simba turned his focus back to Gumu as he spoke up again.

”So, seeing as you come from a Pride where respect and discipline are key Gumu, do you have any suggestions to how we can improve Daxis’s behavior? Mind you, I don’t condone any unfair or cruel treatment, even if the creature in question is perhaps deserving of such actions. I must uphold my father’s, as well as all of the Great King’s Of The Past’s traditions, though I am willing to hear you out if you have any ideas.”

[Mike]

Kovu laughed as Taraji burrowed her way into his mane, it tickled! Then he laughed again as she popped her head out as though peaking out from under a thick blanket. He watched Vitani react to the cub's adorable antics.

"So you're the little cub that my brother rescued yesterday." Vitani said with a smile in her voice. "You've managed to get everyone from Simba on down to fall instantly in love with you. And Kiara's on her way to bring you breakfast in the den too. It must be nice after what you went through before Kovu saved you huh?

Kovu nearly spoke up then, asking Vitani to hold further questions about Taraji's life until she'd settled in a bit more, but Vitani seemed to sense his thoughts, and stopped without pressuring Taraji with a direct question.

[Lodrill]

Taraji dig herself into the mane and hid completely. It started to be to much of strange lions she met this day. She was not used to be around more than one lioness, her mother.

her belly growled again. A bit louder this time. She really felt the hunger but still did not say anything about it.

[Faolcho]

Gumu was listening the Simba with a tilted head and a slighty confused expression, it showed interrest he thought. Kiara appeared to the play, in response, he nodded his head politely.

The conversation between her and her father was quite.. unusual though, at least, for him. All of this, made a real confused expression appear, weird.

"Best of luck, you two." He said as she took her leave with her mother.. That 'you two' part haunted through his head, informal! Hmm.. these were the Pridelands, remember, they're not that stern.

Simba focused his attention back to Gumu, asking him of a way do discipline Daxis, in response, Gumu stared at the ground for a while with a blank expression.

"A troubled cub like him is easily intimidated by larger lions." He titled his head to the other side now. "We could give him a cruel treatment by bluff and words, such things are bound to be carved in their memory." He nearly sighed in his ways of explaining things. "What I meant to say is, a confrontation with Daxis, in odds where he clearly is outnumbered and outmatched, would stay with him for a long while."

[NightmareMoon]

Mila had not said much of anything while Simba stalked Nala, and just began a fit of giggles when Nala jumped. They quickly died down as they began talking, followed by Kiara coming in for a second, who Mila just smiled towards.

Simba and Gumu began to talk about Daxis, and Mila stayed silent. It wasn't usually like her to drop silent and stay there, but when it came to something knew nothing of it wasn't hard to be quiet and stay quiet for her. She just listened to the conversation between Simba and Gumu, and when she heard Gumu's idea, she figured she would want to go along to see it for a good laugh.

But Mila would just remain quiet until she was addressed or the subject was changed.

[Mike]

Kovu saw that Taraji seemed a bit insecure meeting Vitani as she burrowed deep inside his mane. Kovu saw Vitani make an apologetic gesture, and didn't blame her for startling Taraji. He could still feel little movements though, and so he spoke to try and calm Tariji down.

"Awww, Taraji, It's all right, Vitani helped save you too. Don't be scared of her. Everyone here helps out each other. We're a pride, which means that we work together, and trust each other. If you're ever in trouble, the whole pride will help you out, just like a big family."

Kovu felt and heard a tinny growl go through the cub's body and smiled. Of course she was hungry, He just hoped that Kiara arrived soon with some kind of food to make the little thing feel better. He continued talking about the benefits of living with a pride.

"You must be hungry little one. Don't worry, Kiara's gone to get you something to eat. It's a good thing we have a team of huntresses that get us fresh food all the time. Otherwise I'd have to leave you alone and try to get some food myself, and it wouldn't be anything big or tasty; I can't catch anything like that on my own. But with huntresses like Vitani helping, we'll get you some breakfast in no time."

[KiarasMate]

Taking in what Gumu had suggested, Simba thought long and hard about the idea of what the Southlander had proposed. After a good long while, Simba sighed softly and shook his head before speaking.

”As much as I’d enjoy seeing the tables turned upon Daxis, I’m afraid that even he doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment. Intimidation can work in some cases, but it can also drive a creature to feel threatened and perhaps take unnecessary actions. Believe me Gumu, I have a lot of experience in that sort of field. I honestly don’t see Daxis causing any harm to any creature as of now, but given the right circumstances, who knows what he might do. No, I think there might be a better option out there, although to what, I’m not entirely sure of yet but I appreciate the thought and thank you for your suggestion.”

Turning his gaze to the sky momentarily, the king seemed lost in his own troubles for the time being, until his gaze returned back to his two fellow Pride Members as he spoke once more.

”Well, if you two will excuse me, I have another engagement I must attend to, unless there are any other matters that either of you need my presence for?” Pondering for a second, Simba politely suggested. ”Say, if you’re not busy Mila Sweetie, why don’t you give Gumu here a tour of our lands. I’m sure the scenery will look a lot more enticing if there’s a pretty lioness to describe all of the key places of our territory with.” Giving Mila a fatherly smile, Simba turned to Gumu as he addressed the Southlander in a casual voice. ”And perhaps tomorrow, I can find some job that will suit your fancy Gumu. Like I told you when we met the previous day, I like to give my new members time to adjust to their new home, so I think by tomorrow, you’ll be ready to take up some work?”

==========

A short while passed before Kiara finally returned to her and her mate’s den, almost tripping over Vitani, who was conveniently situated at the mouth of the den. As the golden furred lioness entered, a pleased expression visible on her muzzle, Kiara spoke enthusiastically.

”Oh, you wouldn’t believe our luck Honey. I found Taraji the perfect meal!”

Motioning a fore paw towards the den entrance, Kiara watched as none other than her mom slowly made her way into the den, flashing Vitani a polite smile as she made her way past her.

”Ta-Da!” Kiara exclaimed, grinning happily as she noticed the confused looks upon both Kovu and Vitani’s muzzles. ”Huh? Oh, right! Well, you know how I was looking for something for Taraji to eat, something much easier to handle than solid foods. Well, I came across my mom and we got to talking.” Kiara stated, her obvious excitement getting the best of her as she continued. ”Well, you two will be the first, well, now the second and third, since I already know, but anyways, guess what? Kiara paused for a brief moment before she hastily answered her own question. ”My mom’s pregnant!”

[Lodrill]

Laini woke up pretty soon after she fell asleep. She was to nervous to sleep. At least she calmed down a bit and did not cry anymore.

Laini got up and started grooming herself. If there was something she was good at then this would be grooming and cleaning herself. For no other reason her fur was like silk and she always looked clean and beautiful.
Laini let as much time pass as possible but she also knew that she had to go soon and attend this punishment Simba had told her about.

As Laini found nothing else to do anymore she sighed and left her den. Carefully she climbed up to pride rock. She came past Kovus and Kiaras den and heard some kind of cherity there. Quite a few lions seemed to be in there. That was good, so thought Laini, because this meant less in the main den.

Laini sneeked around the other dens and finally was up at the main den with carefully avoiding any lions and lionesses on her way. With a hard beating heart she entered the den and tried to sneek in as silent as possible. She was a bit afraid of what Simba would do to her.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji poped her head out of Kovus mane as she heard Kiaras voice. But instantly she pulled back as there was another stranger for her comming along.

Taraji started getting confused. All this new lionesses and lions startled her and she was not yet used to the numbers of lions living here. Again she pressed herself against Kovus chest and her crystal eyes carefully observed the lions in front of her through the openings in Kovus mane.