[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Siri chuckled. "If he was thinking like that, he'd have courted you or I, a very long time ago. I think he didn't realize what he wanted, until he got here. He didn't think twice before leading us here now did he?" Siri said with a grin.

When Zina began to speak of Kivuli, Siri huffed. "Don't start with me. I despise that rotten no good..." Siri growled as she took out her sore tail from the water. "He actually bit me this morning! To wake me up! I'd hardly call that any sort of affection!" Siri snarled. "Now Kivuli, he would fit the description of a typical male." Siri said bitterly.

~ Pride Rock ~

Ayari listened to Vitani's apology, and he shook his head through it all. She was apologizing for snapping him back to reality. When she asked him the question of whether he came back for her, he looked down. What could he say right now. Originally he came here so that he could protect his pride, but after seeing her again he wasn't sure that was the reason he was staying. "I came here for my pride Vitani." Ayari said in a quiet tone. "They are my family, as your pride is yours. However I did not count on not wanting to leave when I met you again. I thought you were going to be bitter, and angry with me because I left. Now...I'm just thinking of more then just my pride." Ayari muttered quietly. He knew that was the most terrible thing he could possibly say, but he could not lie to her. Zira and Vitani had this thing about them that could almost detect when someone was lying, and Ayari wasn't going to take his chances this time. He was hoping that because he was being honest, Vitani would not get upset again.

[KiarasMate]

Tilting her head to one side, Zina replied in a curious fashion.

”you think? I don’t know. I wouldn’t even try to begin to figure out how a male mind works. Ayari was never the type to do things accordingly though. It would be in his nature to come back for something he had left in the past, you know Siri? Why are we here again? Because of that damn rogue of Ayari’s past. Why did he bring us back to those forsaken lands we stayed in last night? Weren’t those the lands he used to live at, or something like that? Again, tied to his past. It’s just like that brown noser, Kivuli, said this morning to that lion named Kovu. Where ever Ayari goes, his past seems to follow him.”

While she had twisted Kivuli’s words slightly, Zina didn’t care as she heard Siri’s comment about Kivuli himself, causing the white furred lioness to roll onto her side so she could face Siri before she responded.

”Maybe that’s just his twisted way of telling you he’s into you. This is Kivuli we’re talking about Siri. With the way he is, it’s no wonder why he has no experience on how to court a lioness, not saying that you should accept his advances anyways, but at least knowing that he might like you, would give you the upper paw.”

Rolling back onto her side, Zina grinned up at the blue sky above her as she rambled on.

”If I was in your paws, I’d tease the crap out of him, just to get inside his head. You know, give him some mixed signals, then leave him high and dry. Oh, that just sounds like loads of fun. Perhaps I should try seducing that Kovu fellow, what do you think Siri? Maybe I could stir up some trouble in these peaceful lands and get Ayari all flustered up at the same time. Things are just too calm around here for my likings anyways.”

Looking back up at Siri, as if to gauge her reaction to what she had just said, all be it in jest mostly, Zina couldn’t help but think about the prospects of messing with Kovu. While she despised the thought of any male laying a paw on her, she relished in the pleasure of wrapping males around her paw toes, just to know she had control over them.

==========

Deep down, Vitani was hoping that Ayari would say that he came back for her but her better judgment told her that this wasn’t the case. After a moment, it was clear that he hadn’t come back for her alone but this didn’t detour Vitani’s feelings as she simply nodded and took a step back before replying in the same soft tone.

”I understand Ayari. I wouldn’t have expected you to return just for me but knowing that you want to stay and that I have something to do with that, well…that’s good enough for me.”

Not wanting to offend Ayari, Vitani turned her attention to the present he had brought her. Laying her muscular frame down as she leisurely began to eat the rabbit, speaking to her friend in between bites.

”I’m surprised you actually went out and got me breakfast Ayari. That was very sweet of you.” Vitani stated, flashing Ayari a friendly smile while she licked over her muzzle lips and continued, adopting a more playful tone. ”…unless you stole this kill off of someone? Don’t think I forgot about the first time you brought me breakfast Ayari. I remember it quite clearly. It was a rabbit, much like this one and you convinced me that you went to such great lengths, just to get it for me. Come to find out, you sneaky devil, you stole it from one of the other lionesses when they were busy.”

Letting a lighthearted giggle leave her muzzle, Vitani continued to enjoy her meal as she kept an eye on Ayari, a hint of appreciation noticeable in her gaze as she stayed quiet for a moment, just savoring the special time that she was being allowed with Ayari, that same sense of nostalgia hovering over her as Ayari’s presence continued to slowly break down her natural defenses.

[Baya]

Siri listened as Zina spoke, and she nodded in agreement. "I'd say I feel sorry for him, but he's put this on himself. He's thinking too much with his heart, than his mind. That is going to cost him." Siri pointed out. He then listened to Zina's long little speech about controlling the local males. Siri rolled her eyes.

"You know he already has a mate don't you?" Siri pointed out. "He's the king. He already has a queen." Siri said with a wide grin. "I like your first plan though...Perhaps if I...entice him a bit, it would really show him who's really in charge of the situation." Siri purred. She had to admit, Zina's plan was quite brilliant.

~ The Pride Lands ~

Ayari chuckled sheepishly. "It took great stealth, and time to get that rabbit. This one...it just took patience." Ayari pointed out. He noticed how much she was enjoying it. A bit too much. It was probably because he was the one that went out and got it for her. "I didn't need to steal it this time. I'm the second best hunter among my pride...Siri being the best of course." Ayari said as he scratched his cheek. "Soooo.... Met any interesting males in my absence?" Ayari asked with a grin.

[KiarasMate]

Zina had to suppress the sarcastic laugh that wanted to escape her muzzle as she replied to Siri in a smug tone.

”Of course I know he has a mate. You think I’d mess with him if he didn’t Siri? C’mon, you know how much I hate males. There wouldn’t be much point in me toying with him if he was single now would there be.”

Trailing her claws through the grass below her, hearing the rest of Siri’s remark, causing her smile to broaden as the thought of Kivuli being jerked around by Siri was quite amusing to her, Zina retorted in an encouraging voice.

”Indeed, that would be Siri. Ayari did tell us not to cause trouble for these sappy lions, but I doubt that rule applies for Kivuli. Just don’t go falling in love with him now. You’re way too pretty to have the likes of him being all over you and so help me Siri, if you have any cubs with him, I’ll personally put you out of your misery myself.”

Laughing uproariously from just the thought of Siri and Kivuli being mate’s, Zina could barely contain herself as she almost rolled into the waterhole, fits of laughter leaving her muzzle as she tried to keep a dignified position in front of her fellow rogue.

==========

Vitani managed a smile at Ayari’s vote of confidence within himself, flashing her friend a sly smile as she replied in a partially impressed voice.

”Well, can’t say I’ve met many males who can out hunt a lioness, but seeing the company you keep ayari, I’m not surprised that you’re second best at the hunt. I mean, you always did have such lioness like characteristics when you were younger.”

Laughing comically, Vitani’s facial expression altered slightly from the next question that was posed to her by Ayari. Giving her friend an intrigued stare, the former Outlander took a moment before she responded in an honest tone.

”No…I haven’t Ayari. I don’t exactly possess the traits that most males find…well, lioness like I guess. I suppose most males are intimidated by the fact that I could just as easily beat them to the ground, as I could be a caring and loving mate. As far as looks go…well,” Vitani stated, rising to her paws and doing a quick 360 degree turn to show off her frame to Kivuli, smiling sheepishly as she asked. ”what would you say about it? Honestly, the looks I get from most males are that of intimidation, like I said before.”

Meeting with Ayari’s gaze once again, Vitani found herself blushing slightly from the way he was looking her over, even though she had just asked him his opinions about her. Feeling slightly self-conscious, Vitani took a seat as she continued.

”Well, aside from you, I must say Ayari. That look that you give me, it reminds me when we were younger. I still see that innocent youth in your eyes. Even though you might have grown up on the outside, I bet there’s still that playful side of you that I came to know and lov…erm,” Vitani’s voice faltered momentarily as she tried to recover from what she had almost unknowingly revealed to Ayari.

[Baya]

Siri rolled her eyes at Zina's childish behavior. "You know, you should really stop suggesting such disgusting things. Don't worry, If i ever had cubs with Kivuli I'd put myself out of my misery." Siri said with a frown. "Why would you even suggest that I'd fall for that self conscious jerk? All he cares about is himself, and looking good to Ayari." Siri growled quietly as she looked at her reflection. "If he likes me he'll lose interest while he's here. Lots of lionesses." Siri said with a wide, yet somehow faltered grin.

~ The Pride Lands ~

Ayari listened intently to the parts about many males not finding her as attractive as he did. He was a bit relieved when she told him that many of them were intimidated by her. His ears twitched as he smiled. "You have a figure, that any other lioness would be lucky have. I have seen all types of lionesses, and yours isn't too meaty, nor is it too scrawny. It is just right." Ayari said with a nod.

He snorted when she said he had the same child like aspects to him. "I am not a child anymore. I had to grow up, inside and out, when I walked the desert. Vitani, there are alot of terrible things out there. Any innocence I had around you, is gone now. I've never done one thing though. I have never killed another lion my entire life." Ayari said with a smile. Ayari had caught her last comment, but decided to brush it off. However, he knew what she meant by it, and that was what made him smile.

[KiarasMate]

Zina finally managed to compose herself as she rolled onto her paws, looking at Siri with an innocent expression as she stated casually.

”Oh, c’mon Siri, you know I was just playing with you. I know you, of all lionesses, would have better taste in mates than Kivuli. Just remember that love can do strange things to you. Just think of Ayari and his current situation right now, if you ever feel that strange feeling taking over you.”

Feeling that the pair were simply wasting a perfectly good day away by just sitting by the waters edge, Zina started to make her way back towards Pride Rock, calling back to Siri as she left.

”I’m gonna see what’s happening in that main den at the rock structure Siri. Come and find me if you get bored with messing with Kivuli, kay?”

Leaving her fellow rogue to her own device, Zina bounded off, the thoughts of what she had mentioned to Siri moments ago, still dancing in her head as she really thought about toying with Kovu. Perhaps she would observe him a bit before actually following through, just to make sure she wouldn’t put herself in any unnecessary danger in doing so. Passing by Vitani, Ayari and Kivuli on her way up to the main den, Zina didn’t pause to ease drop upon the conversation that her leader and the other lioness were holding, as her own personal matters seemed more important for the time being.

Upon entering the main den, Zina was pleased to see that there were very few felines around, but much to her dismay, Zina didn’t spot Kovu. Her attention was drawn however, by a different feline, a rather good looking lioness with a golden pelt who seemed to be resting near the center of the roomy den. Figuring that this lioness would know where she could find Kovu and not feeling any sense of awkwardness from her presence, Zina timidly approached as she addressed the lioness in an overly sweet tone.

”Excuse me, but do you happen to know where Kovu went off to?”

Zina had no earthly idea that the lioness she was speaking to, was the queen of the lands she now resided in, not to mention, Kkovu’s mate, but keeping her tongue and attitude in line, just to keep up a polite facade towards these new strangers, Zina acted accordingly as she waited for a reply.

=========

Vitani felt her cheeks starting to blush from Ayari’s compliment about her figure. This feeling was quickly subsided by a less pleasurable one however, upon hearing Ayari’s comment about his past. Lowering her ears and gazing towards the ground once again, Vitani found herself repeating aloud, what Ayari had stated the previous night to her.

”To kill a monster, you have to become one…”

Sighing regretfully, Vitani looked up at her old friend, a feeling of guilt beginning to work its way over her as she spoke to him in a reluctant voice.

”That’s the difference between you and I Ayari. You’ve always stood up for what you believed in and have always been able to settle matters without resorting to the extremes. Me, on the other paw…I’ve ended the lives of several creatures and I can’t honestly say that any of them were actually deserving of their cruel fate to which they met at my paws. Maybe I am that monster you spoke of last night. Maybe I have changed into something I never thought I’d be, but that was in the past and as much as I do miss my mother, there’s no doubt in my mind that if she hadn’t ordered me to do what I did, it would have never happened. I could never hurt another living creature again, unless my life was on the line, or another creature’s life, to whom I loved or cared about.”

Swiping a paw at the rabbit carcass, which was little more than skin and bones now that Vitani had picked the tasty meat off of it, the apprehensive lioness rose to her paws as she calmly asked.

”I need to take a walk Ayari. There’s just something about standing still for too long that gets to me. Do you want to come along, erm, that is, if you don’t have other plans?”

[Baya]

Siri shook her head as Zina walked off. "This won't end well Zina! I don't think Ayari will like what you are doing!" Siri shouted after her friend and sighed figuring there was no point. She laid down again near the little pool of water and looked at her reflection again, trying to fix her hair. She then stopped and frowned slightly. Why was she actually sprucing herself up for Kivuli? He should be sitting there, fixing himself up for HER.

Kiara looked to Zina as the lioness spoke, and she smiled slightly. "What business do you have with him? He's on his morning patrol. He should be back in an hour or so." Kiara replied as she examined the lioness. "You are one of the rogues are you not?" Kiara asked with a forced smile.

Ayari sighed slightly as Vitani spoke of what she had become. Ayari then smiled as he looked directly into her eyes. "You are not a monster. I've seen monsters...and they don't have eyes so full of life." Ayari said quietly. "Think about it. Did you do what you did out of free will, or to survive?" Ayari asked. "It's kind of like how we kill animals so we can eat." Ayari said with a nod.

Ayari's ears perked as she asked him to go on a walk. "Did you even need to ask?" Ayari said with a raised eyebrow. He remembered their "Walks" as cubs. It usually got them in trouble with a creature much larger and stronger then them.

[KiarasMate]

Cringing slightly from being addressed as a rogue, Zina held it together as she nodded and replied in a kind voice.

”If that’s what you’d like to classify me as, than yes, I am a rogue but I prefer to be known as a Traveling Shaman if you don’t mind. Makes me sound less, well, threatening. I just wanted to introduce myself better to him is all. I feel as though, we didn’t get a chance to get to know each other well enough yesterday.” Pausing for a moment, realizing that she hadn’t even introduced herself to the golden furred lioness in front of her, Zina quickly spoke up once more. ”Oh, forgive me, where are my manners. My name is Zina. And you would be, if you don’t mind me asking?”

==========

Feeling her cheeks becoming warm once again, Vitani let a small laugh leave her muzzle as she started to make her way down into The Grasslands, beckoning a paw to Ayari so that he’d follow her, even though she knew that he wouldn’t need to be asked twice. Keeping a slow and casual pace so that they could keep up a decent conversation while she showed him around the lands, Vitani spoke in a more friendly manner to Ayari.

”You know, you still always seem to know what to say to me to make me feel better Ayari. I really value that about you. I can see why your friends look up to you the way they do. I remember when we were younger. You were one of the only lions that actually was able to talk his way around my mother without her snapping back. Do you remember when we were younger Ayari?” Vitani asked, glancing over at her friend with a thoughtful smile as she continued. ”What was your fondest memory that we had together when we were cubs. You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.”

[Baya]

Kiara smiled kindly towards the traveling shaman. "My name is Kiara, Queen of the pride lands. It's very nice to meet you." Kiara said with a quiet purr. She was one to respect those, that respected her.

~ Near the Grassland Region ~

Ayari followed after her without needing the beckoning, and he listened as she spoke of nostalgic memories. "I'm glad I can do something to make you happy." He said quietly as he followed after her. He could feel a purr rumbling through his body as he walked alongside her. He had never felt so happy since he was a cub. He looked to Vitani as she spoke of how he could always talk his way around doing Zira's bidding. "Zira knew that I was not one of you. She kept me around only as a soldier if need be. Too bad I was a much better negotiator then a fighter..." Ayari said with a chuckle.

As they walked, Ayari began to get a chilling filling run through his body. He couldn't explain what it was, but it was not a good feeling. He heard Vitani's question, and boldly opened his mouth to answer, while looking behind him. "My favourite memory of when we were cubs? I have too many to choose from, but I guess my favourite one was when we met." Ayari said with a chuckle. "Such juvenile insults and threats." Ayari said with a roll of his eyes.

[KiarasMate]

”Ahh, so you must be Kovu’s mate, aye? Well, may I say that he is one lucky lion to have such a beautiful mate such as yourself Queen Kiara.” Zina said in a respectful manner, even though, deep down, she was kicking herself for almost putting herself and her plan in jeopardy already.

Performing a respectful bow to Kiara, Zina took a seat in front of the golden furred lioness, flashing her a warm smile as she inquired politely.

”You and your mate rule over some very nice lands here Queen Kiara. It must take a lot of work to keep everything as peaceful as they are. I commend you both on a job well done though. It’s a nice change of pace from the day to day struggle that a lioness like me has to face typically.”

Trying to pour on the charm as much as she could, just to gain a bit of favor with Kiara, Zina swallowed her pride as she halfheartedly offered her services.

”I suppose to repay you for your generous hospitality, I could help you and your pride out if there ever are any medical issues. Being well learned on everything that has to do with Shamanism, I’d be more than happy to help out the sick or injured. It’s the least I can do for you and your mate Queen Kiara.”

==========

Vitani couldn’t resist a small laugh as she gave Ayari a playful bump with her body as she stated.

”That’s no fair Ayari! You took my memory. I remember when we first met. You were just so adorable in the way you tried standing up to me and my mom.”

Giggling softly, Vitani thought for a moment, trying to come up with another memorable time that she and her old friend shared together. After a second or two, she piped up again.

”You remember the time when we snuck out into The Outlands at night and took a trip all the way to The Pride Lands borders? That had to have been the stupidest, yet, most fun adventure we had, that is, until Nuka ratted us out.”

Feeling completely lost in the moment, glancing into Ayari’s eyes with a fond smile, Vitani found herself returning the gentle purrs that could barely be heard from her old friend. There was just something different about being with him now, than when they were cubs. Those odd new feelings that she had felt the previous day, once more, started to churn within her belly as she hastily averted her stare, trying to keep herself from slipping further into the moment.