The Pride Lands (Zeke, NM, kovu42, morri908)

[NightmareMoon]

Mila was still sobbing when Zeke broke the kiss, and he laid his head on the back of her neck. She was trying to fight back the tears, and she didn't think they were necessary. They just came and she didn't try for them to. Her emotions at that moment were extremely mixed and she wasn't sure which ones were real. There was happiness and excitement, and joy, and then there was anger and uncertainty. She tried to focus on the positive emotions, and was successful. She continued to cry, her reason for it unknown to even her, and relaxed as Zeke rested on her. She tried not to ruin the moment or make him feel uncomfortable. She gently pushed Zeke's head off of her neck, and when Zeke looked at her, she put her head under his, wrapped two forelegs around his neck and enjoyed the warmth of the wonderful mane that belonged to a wonderful lion.

[morri908]

Taisaku had finally made it back to the cave, Bakari was outside sun-bathing, but Zeke and Mila were nowhere to be seen. Taisaku began to think that they must be inside, probably sleeping, so he quietly dropped the zebra off by Bakari. Then quickly, but quietly, moved to the other side of the cave opening, and began to look inside the cave. The next thing he heard was Zeke say, "Mila, I love you." He watched the whole scene play out. Tai then realized why Zeke was so mad at him, why Mila had been so mad and sad when Tai had told everyone Mila was pregnant. Zeke and Mila had only just met, so Zeke didn't like the fact that Mila was pregnant with another lion's cub, but it still didn't explain why Zeke hated Tai so much, even before Tai had told everyone Mila's secret. But it did explain why Mila could hate him, Tai had told her mate that she was pregnant, and she didn't want Zeke to know, until after they had created the possibility of it being Zeke's. For all Mila knew, Zeke would leave once he found out she was pregnant. Well, it only kinda explained why Zeke was mad, Tai had brought the news that Mila was pregnant, and Zeke had every right to be mad about that, but before Tai had said that, Zeke was already being a jerk, asking Tai a lot of questions, and then trying to kill him. Maybe it was time Tai actually told the truth about why he had "left" his old pride.

Tai saw Zeke and Mila leave their final embrace, and as Mila put her head under Zeke's, Tai quickly moved away from the entrance, almost to the side of the outcropping. Hoping that Neither Zeke nor Mila saw him spying.

[Zeke]

Once again, Zeke felt Mila's warm head push against his chest and heard a soft purring emanating from her throat. The smell of fresh blood began to fill Zeke's nostrils. He felt his stomach churn with hunger as the smell became stronger and stronger as he lay. However, he resisted the urge to go outside the cave and leave Mila behind, for he was thoroughly enjoying her company. The feeling that someone was outside was unnerving to him and he called out quietly, "Bakari, that you?" There was no answer. "I guess its just nothing," Zeke said to himself and put his head back on Mila's shoulders, purring himself.

[NightmareMoon]

A strong scent hit Mila's nose. She heard Zeke's stomach growl slightly, and figured that he must have been just as hungry as she was. As much as she didn't want to ruin this moment, her stomach thought otherwise. It growled loudly, and Mila's face turned a bright pink from embarrassment. "Sorry..." She said, and giggled a little. "Let's go eat, I'm dying of hunger." She got up, trying not to bump into Zeke. She figured that Zeke would probably despise whoever brought the food back, for cutting the sincere moment between the two short. She decided a little anxiousness would be good for them both... so she began to walk outside of the cave, towards the scent. While she did this, she looked back over her shoulder at Zeke, and gave him a gentle yet seductive look that clearly said 'after we are done there we can come back'. She hoped Zeke would get the message, and ran outside, as hunger pains stung her stomach. Were they just hunger pains?

[Zeke]

Mila stood up, and Zeke let go of his grasp on her. She looked back towards him, and he smiled back. Zeke gazed upon Mila's figure as she pranced out of the cave. She's so beautiful, He kept thinking to himself as he slowly lifted himself from the dirt. Zeke stretched and slowly made his way after Mila. He squinted as the sunlight struck his eyes and he entered the clearing in front of the cave.

[morri908]

Tai watched as Zeke and Mila left the cave, he decided that it would be smart to hide behind a rock so that Zeke didn't see him, I bet he's gonna be ticked that i ruined his moment. Why do I always have to ruin everything? Everything I've ever done has gotten someone hurt, this time it's gonna be me. He noticed two rocks, big enough that he could hide, but they had a small opening between them, he moved behind those rocks, that way he could watch as they ate. Why hasn't Bakari moved yet? Is he not hungry, or is it because I brought the food? I bet he thinks I did something to it, so he won't eat it. I don't blame him, I wouldn't eat something that a rogue brought back. Then again, last time I did that, the "rogue" got his pride to kill half of mine.

[kovu42]

Bakari snapped out of his sleep as the smell of fresh kill overwhelmed him. He looked around, half surprised to find himself outside when he remembered what all had taken place. We can't seem to get a few days of peace can we, he thought to himself as he watched Zeke and Mila approach. "Hey guys, there's a lot of food over here. I guess I should thank Tai, whenever he decides to show himself." With that, Bakari almost dug into the fresh meat, but thought of Mila first and he pushed the food her way. "I can wait a bit, why don't you two eat your fill."

[morri908]

Tai hadn't realized that Bakari was asleep, that would explain why he hadn't said anything when Tai showed back up. Should I even go over there while they are eating, then again, I highly doubt they will eat it, considering I brought it. Taisaku snuck around the rocks, ran out toward the river, and came back, after cleaning the blood off. He didn't like it when his fur got blood soaked, so he had gone to wash it, and, cleaning himself made the perfect excuse to not be there when they showed up... He walked back to the side of the cave he had spied on Zeke and Mila from, and laid down. Hoping no one would get mad for whatever reason they had.

[Zeke]

Zeke saw the food which looked delicious under the hot sun. He heard Bakari's words and immediately looked around for Tai. He felt a sudden wave of guilt sweep over his body as Tai was nowhere to be seen. What have I done? Now he's afraid to show himself, but he shouldn't... Zeke cut off his thought and tried to stray back into a justified mindset. I guess I should apologize to that rouge, Zeke finally decided, still not fond of the newcomer. Zeke was about to dig into the fresh meat, but then remembered Mila and he stood back, allowing her to get her fill before he ate.

[morri908]

Tai sat away from the group, he was going to wait until they finished eating to explain his story, they weren't going to believe him, he had no scars to prove it. Even though the battle was horrific, just thinking about it made Tai extremely mad, but depressed, he'd lost everything. He was still a young lion, he still hadn't mated yet, even though he was betrothed to a beautiful lioness. He was only about 2 1/2 years old, (ooc:human years)..His body size, however, made him look twice his age,but he was still undersized, to be a full grown lion, which made him think that he would be massively huge when he was fully grown, or he would just stay the same size. He was still a "teen", and yet he had been given the thrown, it had been his right, until a rogue came in, offered protection. Instead, he stayed for a few weeks, and then disappeared for a few days, when the rogue came back, he came with an entire pride. Tai had never faced someone in a fight to the death, all his fights were "play fights"... Training fights. Due to this, his trainers, the lionesses, were better at fighting then Tai was. And even though Tai knew he couldn't fight well, he couldn't let his pride die, unfortunately, about half did, and the other half, he didn't know if they had died or not. He had no idea if his former mate was still alive or not. He wished he knew, it would be better to know then to not know. Tai moved far away from the others, hopefully far enough that they couldn't hear him. When he got to what he thought was a good spot, he laid down, and began to cry, silently, to himself.. Hoping no one heard him.. They'd already think of him as week, when they heard his story... It was a good thing he looked older then he was, or actually, maybe it wasn't, maybe if they knew he was younger, they would be more lenient on him... He didn't care, he wouldn't get pushed around this time.