[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Lodrill]

Rahina yawned. She felt Kopa next to her and smiled. He fell asleep. Poor Kopa. He must have been exhausted as much as she had been and even so he stayed up to protect her. Rahina knew that it could not have been long before he fell asleep due his breath still was a bit irregular.

Rahina liked his cheeks and stayed put. Now it was her turn to be on guard. She felt the warm frame of her loved lion next to her and remembered all the trouble he had at first to trust her. She giggled a bit as she thought about that. He has been a sticker.

Rahina purred and snuggled against him. Her eyes were focused on the entrance and her ears perked up. Then the memories of the last day returned to her. It was hard for her to believe that she really was near her old home. A shiver ran down her spine and she cuddled against Kopa a bit more. That Zira was dead was something that calmed her down at the full story but still it was not a complete comfortable feeling.

[hr][/hr]

In another cave Taraji still was in her slumber. Held dear and warm between Kovu and Kiara she dreamed a nice dream. Her sleep was not yet disturbed by anything. It was peacefull and nice.

[hr][/hr]

Laini on the other hand woke up as Nala left her den. She did not call her. She felt a bit guilty due she had fallen asleep in front of her queen.

Still a bit stiff from sleep she started to do her morning bath and grooming. She needed three times as long for that than normal lionesses. Every inch of her fur was being brushed and bathed several times. This was the reason why it became so soft and shining. The only thing she really showed some proud was her appearance.

As always Laini took her time while the light that came in from the entrance walked deeper into the cave.

[Mike]

In a blur of motion Rafiki suddenly crossed his legs and sat holding his chin in one hand, his other hand holding his stick with one end planted in the ground. He sat perfectly still for a moment. Rafiki was afraid that anything that wasn't part of Nala's previous pregnancies was unlikely to be good news, considering how well they both turned out.

"Hmm," he murmured to himself, "Hmmmm." Then his eyes snapped up to meet Nala's "Each young life dat you bring into de world will be different." he said soberly. "Is it so strange dat you already feel a difference? You must try to accept each new event as it comes to pass. Perhaps dis is a message from your own body. If you become tired, why not have a nap? I would suggest dat you give up hunting until you are feeling better. And Nala my love, you must tell Simba today. He will notice soon enough, and I am sure that he would want to hear it from you."

Rafiki resolved to meditate on Nala's behalf once she'd left. As much as he felt his advice was good, he knew that it wasn't the whole story.

[KiarasMate]

Listening to what Rafiki had to say, nodding in agreement as she knew his words held a lot of meaning to them, Nala replied in an understanding tone.

”Yes, I suppose that is true.”

Hearing the mandrill’s next statement however, Nala lowered her ears and averted her gaze towards the ground as she grumbled.

”But…if I give up hunting, there won’t be enough lionesses to keep the pride fed, well, at least not as good as we have been lately. I was hoping to at least stay on The Hunting Party until Mila had her first hunt and perhaps even Laini, although I haven’t brought up this subject with Simba yet…along with the subject of carrying his new cub.” Looking up from her position, Nala met with Rafiki’s gaze as she continued, this time, in a more uncertain voice. ”I can’t bring myself to tell him yet. Do you remember how he reacted when he found out about Kiara? The memories of Kopa are just too…painful for him, as well as myself but I just don’t want to put him through that again. There have been so many changes to our pride as is lately. How can I possibly add this to everything he has to worry about?”

Feeling lost and not knowing what to do, Nala turned to Rafiki, a pleading look on her face as she asked.

“Speaking of Kopa, have you seen that new lion and lioness who wandered into The Pride Lands? He says his name is Kopa and by the looks of him, you would think he was a reflection of Simba himself. I refused to allow myself to jump to any conclusions, but…” Nala’s voice started to trail off as the tears started to form in her eyes, the memories of her beloved cub, combined with the offset of hormones that raced through her body in her current state were just becoming too much for her to handle. She rarely ever broke down but seeing as she was in friendly company and away from the majority of her fellow Pride Members, Nala let her emotions run freely as she looked at Rafiki for guidance.

[NightmareMoon]

Mila grinned at Kivuli. "Sure, lets go then." She answered, leading the way to the private waterhole that was near Pride Rock. Even though Kivuli wasn't in the royal family, she could get away with letting him drink from it while she was around him.

A short period of time was between the time Mila and Kivuli began walking to the time they got towards the waterhole. It wasn't too far from Pride Rock, so it didn't take long at all, as the two hadn't said a word there, which was a shock. They were always talking. Upon arriving, Mila looked at Kivuli, and back at the waterhole. "This is where the royal family and I drink. It's the private waterhole, so don't come around here if I'm not with you." She said, smirking at him in the meantime. "Drink up for now. No one should be up yet and it should be safe to drink." With that said, she walked up towards the edge of the waterhole, and her tongue flew out of her mouth. Her tongue lightly drank the water, and seeing as she was not too thirsty, was finished fairly quickly. Her head shot up to see Kivuli drinking up the water like a mad lion. She giggled a bit at it and waited for him to notice her giggling.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli followed the young lioness down Priderock, and out to the waterhole. It was a peaceful stroll. The african birds singing their morning song, which danced across the sky. They Finally reached their destination. Kivuli had never seen this waterhole before, but quickly learned it was for the royal family. Not caring much for that fact Kivuli quickly brought his head to the water and began drinking.

Mila had already started drink. She was gentle and delicate lapping up the water. Kivuli was just brutally gulping it down. Not only had he got thirsty from last night, it had been years since he had such wonderful water. Part way through his drinking Mila stopped and looked at him. She was giggling at him. The grey lion rose from his drink and wondered what was so funny. Then without realizing he starting giggling too! Through the laughter that engulfed the two of them Kivuli managed to utter the words Whats so funny

[KiarasMate]

Having his pleasant dreams cut short from the fits of laughter that drifted into the den to which he and his beloved mate were at, Kopa slowly began to stir. He didn’t know how long he had been asleep for, as he didn’t mean to drift off, but from not having any rest for quite some time, it was inevitable that his guard would have been let down. Opening his eyes with a sleepy look, Kopa gazed up at his precious Rahina, speaking in a tired voice.

”What’s going on outside my precious? Sounds like there’s visitors. Could it be that king of theirs that Nala had spoken of?”

Uncertain of what might happen next, Kopa gradually rose to his paws as he peered outside of the den. From the small amount of morning light that illuminated over The Private Waterhole, he was able to make out the figures of a young lioness, who seemed to resemble that of both Kiara and Nala, as well as a much larger grey furred lion, who he had never seen before. Waiting for his mate’s reaction, Kopa remained quiet as he observed the odd couple outside.

[SinChei]

((OOC guys im in holidays i try to reply as soon as possible sry ))

[Mike]

[[OOC: Don't worry =) It's morning though so Daxis is in his den. He can wake up whenever you get back with no problems.]]

Rafiki was saddened by Nala's unwillingness to put aside her fears and other concerns and devote herself entirely to her newest child. "But Nala," he asked speaking slowly. "If you do not tell him, who will? Eventually you will have to admit to yourself that you carry a child. Seeing Nala in such a saddened state though, Rafiki decided to accept her decision for now and seek guidance from the Kings later. It was time to move on to a more cheerful subject.

Rafiki wrapped one long, skinny arm around Nala's shoulders, but instead of directly comforting her he leaned in and spoke as if telling a secret. "Aha! Yes, Kopa has his father's body, but he has your lovely eyes." Rafiki then grabbed Nala by both shoulders and smiled. "Your son has returned, is dat not enough reason to be happy? You should go welcome him properly, and take Simba with you!"

[KiarasMate]

Knowing that she would in fact, have to confront her mate with this news, Nala simply nodded and was about to speak up once again, when she felt the wise old mandrill’s arm around her once more, perking up her ears to take in what he was whispering. This news couldn’t have come at a better time for her, as a big smile worked its way upon her cream colored muzzle. Feeling a flurry of emotions swelling up inside of her, Nala couldn’t hold back as she wrapped her fore legs around Rafiki, giving him a tight hug as she murmured.

”Oh, by the kings! Thank you Rafiki!”

Keeping this position for a brief moment, sniffling from the overwhelming sensation of knowing her long lost son was indeed alive and well and more importantly, was already home, Nala gently released Rafiki from her embrace, speaking up in a more cheery tone.

”So, you’re certain of this? I mean, I trust you completely but how should we approach this subject to him? He seems to not even remember me, so something must have happened to him when he was a cub, much like Simba and I speculated but what could have been so traumatic to make him lose his memories of us?”

Never being the type to rush into any situation, Nala hoped that Rafiki would have something encouraging to say or at least provide her with a bit of helpful advice. As she waited for his response, Nala’s mind slowly replayed the fond memories that she held so dear to her, of Kopa’s cub-hood and the day she and Simba were blessed with his arrival.

[NightmareMoon]

"Your drinking like you've never had a drink in your entire life!" She said through a fit of giggles, not sure why it was so funny herself. In an attempt to go over to Kivuli, she began to walk around the deep waterhole towards where her friend was laughing. While walking over, and in her fit of giggles, her equilibrium was thrown out of balance from underneath her from lack of attention to her stance and balance. In a clumsy manner altogether, Mila slipped and fell. Directly into the water.

Upon contact with the chilly water, Mila's body tensed up and immediately began trying to get up to climb out. She quickly climbed out of the blood freezing water and immediately stared straight into Kivuli's eyes. Her cheeks turned an intense burning red color from embarrassment, and tried to shake off some of the water attached to her now soaking tannish fur. The fresh morning winds blew on her, and chilled her to such an extent that it made her freeze. "That's NOT funny!" She yelled, closing in on Kivuli looking for some warmth. To be a bit playful even though she was still completely embarrassed, Mila rubbed up against Kivuli, completely drenched, to transfer some of her newly found water onto his delicate fur. His laughing at her was definitely her motive for that.