[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Panda-chan]

Amanda fell to the ground when Daxis pushed her, stunned and a little hurt. She had just been trying to make friends. She bit her lip and quickly looked away so Daxis wouldn't see the tear sliding down her face. When she was sure her eyes were dry, she turn around again. She wanted to see what Simba had to say. It looked like he had a lot on his mind.

[Faolcho]

Gumu lets out a long drawn sigh, and mutters softly in an angry tone as his 'company' leaves with their awkward behaviour.

"Can't get any closer to this big stone, those red heads might spot me."

When the two lions are out of range, he slowly crawls back over the dirt, then sneaks between the tall grass, and then, tip-toes to settle himself in the shade of a nice big savannah tree, hoping to have more luck another time..

GROWL

That's how the drums of war sound in his very own stomach, making him moan in discomfort.

[Mike]

Kovu had only been standing there for a moment before he heard Sarabi's calm and motherly tones, though they were currently laced with surprise.

"Hello Sarabi." Kovu said. "I found this poor little cub alone in the outlands on a scouting trip Simba sent me on. It's a good thing I found her when I did. She's starving, so Simba sent Mila to gather some water for the poor thing. Simba decided to let her stay in the pridelands at least until She's recovered. I think Kiara has other plans though." He sneaked a look at his mate and grinned.

Just then the delicate little cub stirred in front of him and her eyes cracked open. Kovu felt her strange eyes pierce through him, and he blinked. Then the little cub shivered with fear. Kovu bent down until his head was at the same level as hers. He spoke in as calm and soothing a voice as he could manage.

"Hey there little one. You're okay. I found you in the outlands and brought you here. You're safe now. We're going to take care of you. Someone's already fetching you some water. She'll be back any moment. Don't worry, nobody's going to hurt you. Don't try to talk just yet, you're still in pretty bad shape."

[KiarasMate]

It only took Simba a few moments to reach Vitani and this strange new lion to whom Kovu was referring to, but the sight that met the king's eyes upon arriving didn't settle well with him. Letting a fierce growl boom from his throat, Simba advanced upon the smaller male, teeth bared viciously as he hissed.

"Hey! Keep your paws off the cub!"

Simba made his way over to where Amanda was sitting, leaning down and speaking in a fatherly tone to the young cub.

"Are you okay Amanda Honey? Why don't you go up to the main den for now. It's not safe for you here little one."

With this said, Simba stepped in between where Amanda and the foreign lion stood, making sure to shield the beige colored youngster from any future actions from this unknown creature. Keeping a stern look upon his face, the king addressed the ornary adolescent in a callus manner.

"I don't know who you are or what business you have here but if I ever see you lay a paw on any of my Pride Members again, I'll personally see to it that your life be ended! Now state your name and why you're in my lands."

Simba's eyes stayed locked upon the younger male, preparing himself for whatever the smaller feline might say or do. If there was any way to get on the king's bad side, it was to physically assault any of his Pride Members.

==========

Kiara watched intently as her mate picked up the young cub, noticing the sudden change in expression that was etched upon her small face, causing Kiara to speak up momentarily.

"Careful Honey, she's not a piece of meat you know."

Kiara stood up and followed her mate into the cooler area of the main den, suddenly hearing the familiar voice belonging to Sarabi. Pausing for a moment, Kiara gave the elder lioness an affectionate nuzzle as she spoke softly.

"Yes, as Kovu just said, this young cub here is in pretty bad shape and my father said that Kovu and I could take care of her until she's well enough to be on her own."

Not wishing to leave the young cub's side for an extended period of time, Kiara politely made her way past the two felines in front of her, coming back into view of the trembling cub once more. Seeing the look of fear that seemed to streak down the young cub's face, Kiara once again, took up a comfortable position next to the shaken infant, gently moving her delicate fore legs so that the young cub was lightly cradled between her soft, warm fore paws. Leaning her head down, the caring princess lovingly nuzzled the small cub, trying her best to soothe her while she spoke softly to her.

"It's okay Cutie. Get some rest. I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise."

Recalling how Nala used to relax her when she was a cub, Kiara began to purr softly as she hummed the tranquil tune that her mother had sang for her on many a sleepless night, keeping her warm, furry body close to the frightened cub's as to ensure that she was safe now.

[Mike]

Vitani was shocked in the way Daxis casually gave little Amanda a shove that sent her flying. It wasn't the action itself that shocked her, Vitani had suffered worse abuse herself and Zira probably would have left her claws out when she delivered a blow like that. What she found surprising was that Daxis was brave or stupid enough to do it right in front of Simba. Surely he didn't think the king could just overlook something like that?

Well it turned out that Vitani had been wrong about Simba's presence tempering the aggressive and arrogant lion's behavior. She was disappointed, she'd been hoping that he wouldn't force an ugly conflict into being. She drifted away from Daxis to stand at Simba's shoulder, she put a stern expression on her own face as was her duty in supporting her king.

"This is Daxis." She muttered in Simba's ear. "He's been behaving like this for all of the five minutes I've known him. I don't think he's a real bad guy, but he's sure trying to be a pain in the rear."

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

Kovu was relieved when Kiara took over the affectionate protector duties. Protector, he could handle. Affectionate, he could handle if it were Kiara, but strange cubbies weren't really his thing.

"Hey Kiara, I'm going to check on Mila." Kovu muttered. He then left the den and walked briskly out to the end of the promenade. From there he could see most of the pridelands, and there was Mila, hurrying back home with the supplies that would hopefully save the little cub's life. She was still some distance away, but she would be back soon. Vitani, Simba, and Daxis were directly beneath him, but they were blocked from his view by the promenade.

[Lodrill]

Taraji relaxed a bit as Kiara sothed her softly. She stopped shivering again and closed her eyes. She felt the warm body of the lioness. This reminded her of her mother.
It was warm and the humming of the lioness lead her into a deep sleep. The slumber grasped at her with dark hands but no fear was inside this darkness. It was a warm darkness with a soft and nice melody that helped her to rest after her long long journey. Taraji did not think about the hard times she had faced since she was born. The voice of her mother came to her in her dreams. This was the hope she ever had talked about. This was her name. Taraji... the hope. A hope of life. A hope to find someone as caring and nice as her mother...

And maybe she finally found someone like that.
Taraji relaxed and her muzzle opened a bit as she fell asleep.
It surfaced the baby teeth that were not much developed. Even for her age of five month they were rather small and looked week. But they fit into the full image of Taraji. She was week and skinny. Looking at her made one wonder how old she really was. Because of the lack of food and water she did not develop like normal cubs. Her body was small like those of a 3 or 4 month old cub. But even if she looked to poor and weak she also was cute. Even more as a fade smile decorated her half open muzzle as she was curled between the forepaws of Kiara. A reddish small cute furball surrounded by the gold furred lioness.

[SinChei]

Daxis took a second short look at the cub as Simba reached them but he didn't regret it. So he looked up evily to Simba and said in a low and self assured voice.

She's right my POWERFUL name is DAXIS he went a few steps closer to Simba Vitani and the cub till he was with his face directly in font of Simbas face and grined. Then he added
And I wanna stay here cause I need a new pride and you are the first one i found he turned around and showed Simba his back then spoke Any questions yet?

[Kovu131]

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Sarabi walked in the help kiara. kiara fell asleep when she was watching Amanda sleep but Amanda was still sleeping. Sarabi took Amanda and lay beside kiara. well she was watching Amanda sleep. Amanda slowy woken up. Sarabi: its ok Amanda i will watch you for know on. kiara is fine she just fell a sleep" Kiara woken up and she looked at Sarabi. Sarabi: hello sleepy head. its ok i will watch over Amanda for know. Kiara: ok. Kiara walked out of the den

[NightmareMoon]

Mila ran towards Pride Rock as fast as she could with the water that she had just collected for the poor cub. She ran as fast as she could, even though she had no idea who this little cub was or what it was doing in the lands that she called home. For all she knew, it could have been a trick or something to that extent, but Mila's kind heart kept her going to save the little innocent cub.

About half-way back to Pride Rock, she slowed down her sprint when she caught sight of Kovu. Only assuming he was coming to check on her, she ran up to him swiftly. After about a minute or so of constant sprinting, she finally made it up to Kovu. Seeing as Mila was very fit and in-shape, she had no intention of slowing down in the slightest. She just gave Kovu a quick nod, trying not to spill any precious water, and ran up to where she had been given her assignment.

Mila barged in to the den, and slowed down just a bit when she saw Kiara with the little one. The lioness approached Kiara and set the water filled container down next to her gently. Mila calmed her heavy breathing while around the sleeping cub, and listened to the gentle yet relaxing sound of Kiara's humming.

"Seems like you already know how to handle cubs." Mila whispered to Kiara, smiling in a friendly manner and noticing the simple state that the cub was in. It seemed to be enjoying the sound, even subconsciously, as Mila was.

[Kovu131]

Sarabi walked towards Mila and helped her with the load. Sarabi woken up the little cub. Sarabi: here Amanda drink up. you will need it. Sarabi watched Amanda drink up. Simba watched Amanda from a distance but Sarabi knew that he was there. Sarabi walked towards Simba.