The Mystics. *Private Arani and QOPR*

[Arani]

Tahi drowned out Hofu's growl with his own. Vitani had finally caught up, and Tahi, Huru, Isabella and Vitani surrouneded Hofu. Tahi glanced to his side a little. Hatari was standing there, staring at Hofu. Her brown eye's looked almost clouded. She was still terrified, trembling, and not daring to help surround the traitor. Tahi looked back at Hofu. He slowly backed off, then bolted from the scene. Tahi wanted to chase him, but decided not to. Huru began to chase him, but Tahi quickly jumped in the way.

"Let him go, Huru. Today was his warning. But if he ever shows his face in the Pride Lands again, no one may show him mercy." He looked back at Hatari. Ayria had come back and was now at Hatari's side. They were talking to each other in hushed tones. Hatari's trembling had died down some, but she was still in shock. She nodded at something Ayria said as Tahi ran up to her. "Are you alright?" He asked, nuzzling Hatari. She nuzzled him back.


"A little dizzy, but I think I'm okay." She said. Her voice was shaky, and she finally sat down, the dizziness taking it's toll. Huru came up and nuzzled her as well. "It's a good thing you guys came when you did. a few moments later and I wouldn't be here." She said, releived and happy that Hofu was gone.

[AdAstrα]

Vitani merely stared at Hatari, shocked and rather absent-minded,unable to believe what had just happened. Ayira,immediately picking up on her fear,sat down next to her,gently nuzzling her forehead in an attempt to make her feel better. She,too,was frighetened, but she knew that Hofu was not going to return anytime soon. This did in no way mean that they would never encounter him again, but at least they were now aware of his plan.

[Arani]

(Hey, I thought you'd forgotten about the RP ^_^ lol. Getting pumped about the story yet? I'm liking it a lot. ^_^)

Hatari returned Vitani's stare, looking directly into her eye's.

"Oh Aunt Vitani, don't look so shocked. I'm fine and we all knew that he would come back someday." She said with a smile. It quickly faded away as she looked down.

[AdAstrα]

(No,I hadn't forgotten about it! How could I! I've just been really busy with homework and stuff. Not cool! I really like this story so far,I think it's great )


"I know" Vitani sighed,giving Ayira a quick nuzzle in return, "It's just..he seemed so..different. It scares me. I mean..if you guys hadn't chased him away.." She shuddered.
"Let's not think about that right now." Ayira said,smiling. "But we do need to be careful from now on."

[Arani]

(I hope I didn't make you upset about that... It's no problem, I've been really busy, too! Agreed, it's a great story and it'll keep getting better! )

"I agree." Said Isabella. "A lot more careful."

"Alright. I'll have patrols go around the borders more often." Tahi said with a frown. "I don't like this at all."

"Sorry guys, but can we talk about this more at Pride Rock please. Even with you all around I really don't want to stay out here." Hatari said with a shaky voice. She then stood and started walking back to Pride Rock, everyone else close behind. She needed to lie down. The only thing that would truly comfort her now was guidence from her father.

[AdAstrα]

"I agree" Ayira said quickly. She felt a shiver down her spine as she thought of Hofu, of his roars of anger..would he return? And would she be able to predict it in time?
"Let's go home." She said, struggling to keep her voice steady. She did not want to think about him right now. She had been looking forward to coming home after spending such a long time on her own,but now she somehow felt an urge to leave again.

[Arani]

Hatari senced Ayria's fear. She slowed down a little going up next to Ayria.

"Don't worry, he won't come back." She smiled a weak smile. She didn't believe herself.

"Arent you the least bit afraid, Hati?" Isabella asked, also slowing down to Hatari and Ayria's pace.

"Of course not." She said, though she was lying. She was afraid, and she knew that everyone else was, too. Their pace soon got quicker until they got to Pride Rock. Kiara was waiting for them, worried. She walked over to the group as they came closer.

"Are you guys alright?" She asked, nuzzling her children.

"We're fine, mom." Huru said with a smile. Hatari walked up Pride Rock and into the den without a word. She curled up in the darkest part of the den, and was almost instantly asleep. The spirits had another message for her.

[AdAstrα]

Ayira walked up to Kiara, a bit nervous that she would not remember her. "Hi.." she began slowly, beaming at the former queen before her. "I don't know if you remember me at all but..I'm Ayira and I..I've been away for a while."

[Arani]

Kiara starred at her. She was surprised that Ayria was even still alive. She then smiled.

"It's good to see you, Ayria. You've been greatly missed." She then looked around. "Now where on earth has Hatari run off to?" She asked, getting worried again.

"I saw her go into the den." Tahi said quickly. "I'll go check on her." Then, without a moments hesitation, he got up, walked up Pride Rock, and strait into the den. He knew what Hatari was doing. He was going to be there when she woke up.

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

Hatari was in a white room. A room she had been in hundreds of times before.

"Father?" She called, her voice echoing loudly. "Are you here?" Then, something appeared in front of her. She smiled.

"Hello Hatari." It said, walking towards her.

"Hey dad." She replied. "I came to ask about..."

"About Hofu?" He interupted. She nodded. "Yes, I saw the whole thing."

"What does he want? It's a fool's arrened to come back here!" She exclaimed, worry in her voice.

"Hofu has not forgotten about what happened, what you and Tahi did to him. Now, all he wants is revenge."

"What should we do?" Hatari asked.

"Just as the king said." Kovu replied. "Send out more patrols, but bigger ones. And no lion or lioness is to go out alone. He'll pick off the Pride one by one, they must stay together."

"Okay, dad. I'll tell Tahi." Kovu smiled, and in an instant, he was gone. As she slowly started to awake, she heard Kovu say,

"Stay safe, Hatari. I love you.".

[AdAstrα]

Ayira sat down outside the den and waited for Hatari to come out. As she barely knew her yet,she didn't want to actually go in there. She knew what was going on,she could feel it, but going in there didn't feel right somehow. She closed her eyes. Voices were mumbling inside her head, but she couldn't hear any of what they were trying to say.