[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli smiled at Nala. He knew what she thought, but he felt something had to be said Thank you for your generosity Simba. As for your appreciation, there is one thing. You know what it is, however you have forbidden me. I will repect that wish and not get involved, if that is what you want All the time Kvuli's eyes were fixed on Simba's, allowing the king to see the truth and honesty Kivuli was giving out

[Mike]

Shani forced his ragged breathing to calm down. He'd learned long ago that appearing weak was often more dangerous than being vulnerable in reality. He shifted to hide the bloody gash on his shoulder. When he felt strong enough to speak without betraying pain he raised his head to stare into Kovu's eyes. Kovu didn't flinch, but he seemed to stiffen as though trying to put on a hard front.

"You two have some nerve trying to drown me on my own land." he said in a coolly conversational voice. "I almost regret leaving my pride to die now. For all the disadvantages of pride life, I admit that it's nice to outnumber your foe."

Kovu, like his sister, took this news with jaw-dropping disgust. "I'm sorry, did you just-?" he threw a look at Vitani. "Did he just say-?" Seeing his sister nod grimly, Kovu focused his attentions on her. "What's gotten into you sis? You just run off, making me have to chase after you, you turn up with a murdering wanderer trying to rip your throat out, and then you have me spare the murdering wanderer's life!"

Vitani bristled at this. She did not like losing, and she liked it even less when someone mentioned her losing. "I told you, it was my fault. This lion-"

"Shani." Shani said as though introducing himself to an old friend.

"Shani then." Vitani continued without missing a beat. "Is as much royalty as Simba. His land died in front of his eyes, and his pride followed suit. We of all people shouldn't be judging him for that."

Shani was a tough lion to surprise, but he didn't exactly expect Vitani to come leaping to his defense. He made a mental note to ask her about it when the annoying brother wasn't around. In the meantime though, Shani figured that it was about time to get something definite to happen in this standoff. "Well." He said, getting to his feet, hardly wincing from the pain in his side and keeping his expression disinterested and almost bored "If we're done discussing the way I run my kingdom?.."

Vitani was the first to respond to this, though Kovu showed signs of wanting to make a smart comment. "I don't see much of a kingdom here Shani, what's keeping you here?"

"Why, Nothing at all." Shani said opening his eyes in mock-surprise. "And thank you, I accept. Lead on."

"Now hold it buddy," Kovu broke in. "I didn't hear any kind of invitation from Vitani, and you sure didn't get it from me."

"It was in her eyes." Shani said placidly, and started in the direction where Kovu had arrived from, guessing that this would lead him to the origins of the formidable brother-sister team. "Won't you come along?" He called carelessly over his shoulder.

[KiarasMate]

Wandering alongside his mate, the pair of felines made it back to The Private Waterhole in a short time. Waiting at the den entrance, Kopa watched Rahina making her way over to the placid waters as she took a quick drink. Kopa secretly eyed his mate’s enticing looking rump as she leaned down to quench her thirst, shivering from how he made her feel whenever she presented herself in that way. Quickly averting his eyes, Kopa waited for her to pass him at the den entrance, giving her rear a playful nibble as it passed his muzzle. Following her into the warmth and safety of their quaint little den, Kopa took up a comfortable position next to his mate so that she was laying in between his loving fore legs. Snuggling in close to her, resting his head upon her soft neck, licking lightly over the delicate fur there, Kopa started to speak in response to his mate’s inquiry.

”Well, I did my best to tell the king of these lands about our past Hina. I told him about how we met, my life before that, or at least, all I could remember, the troubles we had with Jelani and how we had to flee from our oasis home. The king in turn, filled me in on his back-story. Apparently, he’s lived a pretty rough life himself and up until recently, there was a lot of conflict that went on in these lands.”

Moving his head up a bit, Kopa nibbled lovingly over one of Rahina’s cute ears as he continued, his fore paws beginning to caress his mate’s sides in the way he knew she enjoyed.

”He then told me about this Kopa cub that he and his mate had many seasons ago. This is when the conversation got a little awkward. A lot of the things he talked about, they did seem vaguely familiar to me for some reason but I still couldn’t put my paw on why that was. It’s like…the more I stay here, the more my mind seems to be revealing things from my past that were buried deep within my memories or something Hina. It’s the oddest thing. I’m not saying that what these two lions are saying are true, but I just need more time to figure this out.”

Resting his head back down upon his beloved lioness’ warm body, Kopa sighed indecisively as he finished speaking.

”The good news is, the talk I had with their king, it seems to have at least given us a bit more time here. We are welcome to stay here for as long as we want, according to Simba that is. For now, I think we should stay until this situation with my past is figured out Hina. Is that okay with you my precious?”

Turning his head slightly so that he could lock eyes with his precious mate’s, Kopa waited for her reply as his fore paws stroked tenderly up and down Rahina’s soft frame.

==========

Nodding to acknowledge Kivuli’s statement, having a slight idea of what he was inferring to, but not wishing to make mention of it now, Simba simply smiled and replied in an understanding voice.

”Very well Kivuli. Well, it’s getting late. Shall we call it a night then? We can speak about this matter tomorrow, as well as your duties within my pride.”

Having had their fill of the delectable zebra, both Simba and Nala left the carcass for the rest of the pride to have as they bid the grey furred male a good night.

[KingKivuli]

As the king and queen went to settle down Kivuli said Good night, and thank you When the both of them were out of sight, Kivuli tore a good piece of the zebra off and held it in his mouth. He started the journey back to his den. On the way he passed Mila's cave. Dispite Simba's orders to stay away, Kivuli was not letting her go hungry. Quietly sneaking in he lifted the sleeping lionesses paw and put the meat under it.

He stood back and looked at her. She was so peaceful. Kivuli then took his leave. Once he made it back to his den, he wondered how he could win Mila's affection. Realizing it was pointless to think about it now he curled up on the raised area and finally got some much needed sleep

[Mike]

Vitani heard Kovu growling under his breath as he turned to follow Shani from a distance. She began to get up, but snarled in pain from her broken paws. The left was not badly bruised, but the right felt as though it just might be broken. She saw Kovu pause and return to her side. "Looks pretty nasty sis. You sure I can't drown him just a little more?"

"Just help me back to the pridelands." she said through clenched teeth. "I'll be okay with a day's rest or so."

Vitani winced as Kovu passed his leg under her damaged right forearm and gently stood, allowing her to lean heavily against his shoulder and walk with her left forepaw only. She had to admit that at the moment seeing Shani struggling underwater again sounded pretty good. At the same time though, Vitani was not only impressed by, but jealous of Shani's unperturbed behavior, and the way he casually donned a leadership position like a second skin. Shani was a formidable lion indeed in Vitani's eyes.

[Lodrill]

Rahina slightly pushed away Kopas paw as it ran towards her belly. It was more a reflex of her like to protect the unborn cub. But directly she rolled around as if she just pushed away the paw to be able to roll around. It was not yet the time for her to tell Kopa. It was to uncertain if they would stay or for how long they would stay.
As far as Rahina understood it was no yes or no that the king had given.

"Sounds good for me. Having a den to rest for a while will be nice. Do you think we will be able to settle down and stay here for ever or do you think we should depart as soon as we are well rested and find our own land?"
Rahina licked his cheeks and also caressed his flank the way he liked it.

[SinChei]

Daxis awoke and looked around if he could see something dangerous. Then the red maned cub saw Laini and smiled. He snuggled again against her chest and closed his eyes. Before he went to sleep he whispered.
"Good night .... mommy"
Then he went to sleep again.

[KiarasMate]

A bit confused by the way Rahina had pushed his paw away, as she typically always enjoyed his tender caresses, Kopa watched intently as his mate rolled upon the den floor. While this behavior was a bit foreign to him, Kopa didn’t feel like delving too deeply into the matter. Listening to what his beloved lioness was asking him, Kopa thought for a moment before he replied in a soft tone.

”I think it would be best if we stayed here for a while Hina. At least we have the protection of this pride and meals are easy to come by. At least that will give us some time to recover and think of a plan of action for our future. While these lands may not be our new home, we can at least enjoy our time here while it lasts.”

Resting his head upon his fore paws now, Kopa eyed his mate with a loving stare as he reflected over the conversation that he and Simba had had earlier, trying to recall any more important details that he might have failed to mention.

”No matter where we end up though Hina, as long as I have you by my side, I know things will turn out for the best. I’m just thankful that we’re together and maybe one day, we will get our oasis home back.” Kopa stated as he rolled onto his side in a more relaxing position, his hind quarters flopping lazily to one side as his tail swayed casually.

[Mike]

Shani deliberately kept up a pace that was just slightly outside Kovu and Vitani's comfort range. Neither of the proud pridelanders were willing to admit they needed to slow down, so Shani took a small pleasure in the discomfort he caused. For some time they traveled this way, before Shani decided to fall back and join the two pridelanders. He knew from long experiance that information was power, and he was determined not to be powerless when he arrived in his new home. And he was confident that the pridelands would become his new home; in the past he'd found that he had an uncommon talent for saying the right thing in order to get the response he wanted. To that end he resolved to learn everything Vitani and Kovu could tell him about the members of Simba's pride. But who to ask? Most lions would probably approach Kovu, seeing as he hadn't suffered any injuries from him, but Shani had noted that for some reason Vitani seemed much more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It would be her then, he decided.

"So tell me about these pridelands of yours Vitani..." he began, as the pridelands drew nearer and nearer.

[Lodrill]

Rahina rolled to the other side again and snuggled her back against Kopa. She did not want Kopa to realize the changes of her body like that she was starting to give milk and her belly was starting to get rounder.

"Darling? What would you do if.... well, nevermind..." Rahina still was not sure if she should tell Kopa yet. It was to uncertain how long they would stay in this land and also Kopa was so worried about her already. What would become if he would get the information about her state. She hated to leave him out of this due she really started to be delight about the cub to come and thought about names already. On the other hand she was afraid if she would manage to take care of it.
But if they would stay in these lands Nala could maybe help her. It was reasuring to know that the old lioness offered her help. And she was in the same situation with not having told her mate anything.
Maybe she should seek her guidians again?

It was hard for Rahina to keep silent about this, because she really was happy and proud to bear Kopas children. But what would her mate say? Would he really be happy about it? Would he overreact in his protective manners and let her just lay in the den all day long? This could happen here more than if they were alone due there was not such a big need for her to hunt.
But Rahina prefered to hunt down the meal for Kopa. It was her duty in her eyes and also she loved it to be praised for her hunt by her loving mate.

Maybe she should look out for a lioness with a cub to get to know more about raising a cub. Or ask Nala who seemed to be experienced with having cubs. Wasn't Nala the mother of Kopa. Or better she said she was...

Rahina was a bit confused. Even more because she just realized that if Kopa was indeed the son of Nala and the King then her cub would be the grandchild of the King... would he accept that? He did not even really accept Kopa as far as Rahina jugdeg the situation. What would he do if the son he did not approve would have a cub? Would it be allowed to live in this pride or would Rahina have to leave with it? Would Kopa come with her? For sure he would. Rahina could not think about Kopa leaving her alone but what if he also was not happy about the cub?

New fears started to dwell inside Rahina. Fears she wanted to discuss with Nala the next time she would see her. But Kopa would get suspicious of her if she now went to Nala. Also they also might have settled themself down for night already.

So Rahina snuggled against Kopa as much as possible and tried to chase away all this worries. A nice a good night was waiting for her. And with her mate next to her she would not need to worry about other things... for this night at least.

[hr][/hr]

Laini instantly woke up as Daxis moved. Noticing that it was just the cub she was not alarmed. As Daxis started to speak her ears perked up. It was a bit embarrasing being called a mother while she was barely one year older than him. But this left her in the bind to care for him now. She knew that it would be hard to find another lioness when this cub seemed to already have adopted to her.

Laini opened her eyes at the moment Daxis went to sleep again. She softly licket the cub between the ears and then put her head on his back. He was adorable if he was nice and polite like in the last hours. She would seek guidians from another liones about how to raise a cub... but from whom? The only lioness who came in her mind was Sarabi, who was the only one she talked to once in a while or... maybe Nala? She had offered her help the other day.

Laini drifted to her light sleep again while she thought hard about the task that awaited her. She was worried and did not feel ready for this. She had not yet been in her first heat and also she was far too young to raise a cub. That was what Laini thought at least. Also she still had the horror of her dying mother in front of her eyes.
Feeling the warm body under her head made her relax a bit. It was clear that this cub needed her help at least for now. And to be hones Laini also needed someone to help her get out of her fear and terror of the past. Someone who was just there and helped her to fight the lonelyness that she ever thought she seeked. But in the end it was nothing more than fleeing from reality and the fear of others. Now that the cub was here she felt herself back in the day where she snuggled up against her mother. Being with another and snuggle up against them was one of the most wonderful things a lioness could have.
With a very faint purr Laini faded into the slumber.