[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

"Right," Vitani said, frowning in slight confusion. "No problem." she said as Nala got up to leave. Thinking a bit more though, Vitani thought she could guess what was on Kivuli's mind. Nala was the lioness to go to if you wanted to slip something through Simba's defenses, and Vitani could certainly imagine what Kivuli might want with such a person.

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Slipped his mind? Shani thought to himself, mentally raising his eyebrows An attack on his lands? Huh... Shani thought that this was slightly odd, though he did not to be fair to the king that Simba was planning for a period of watchfulness, so maybe this was a one-time slip. "I'm sure you can keep the lands safe from a pair of bitter wanderers." he said. "After all, I've herd most of the story where you and your pride survived the attack of an entire outlander pride."

"As a matter of fact, yes." Shani said easily in response to Simba's next comment. "I've seen four other members of your pride, though I've only met two of them. I saw a rather subdued lioness and an energetic cub with a red mane just as Kivuli and I were preparing to leave on our scouting trip. Also, I took the time to introduce myself to Rahina and Kopa. I gather that they're also homeless lions that you've agreed to shelter for a time. Unfortunately although were neighbors I can't say that we've gotten along so far. Rahina looked like she could have attacked me after I mentioned a name that is apparently taboo. I figured that I had better make a hasty exit after that. Kopa seemed more friendly, but unfortunately I haven't been able to speak to him since then as he's always accompanied by his overprotective mate."

Shani figured that it would definitely be best to make the first mention of their altercation. If Simba had spoken to Rahina first he might have gotten a different view of the situation. He would still talk to Rahina, Shani knew that was inevitable, but this way he didn't look like he was hiding anything.

[KiarasMate]

Not quite sure how to react to Kivuli’s inquisitive nature, knowing that it would be of no use to deny her current status to him and figuring that the grey furred male would most likely keep her secret, if only to repay her for the tip she had given him to get on Simba’s good side at least, Nala opted to come clean as her voice lowered slightly, just as not to be heard by any unwanted ears.

”Well, I had no idea that you watched me so closely Kivuli. I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended.” Smiling in a friendly manner towards the fiery eyed male, Nala continued. ”Yes. I am pregnant again but I have yet to tell Simba about it and I’d appreciate it if you kept this information to yourself. I just need to find the perfect time to spring the news upon him without causing him to break down emotionally, due to the complex past that he and I have with cubs.” Gazing at Kivuli with a serious expression, Nala resumed speaking. ”Promise me that you won’t say a word about this to anyone Kivuli, especially Mila, since Simba knows how to get info out of her pretty easily. I know that I will have to tell him eventually though, since not even he could be dense enough to mistake my bulging belly when the time comes. I’m counting on you though Kivuli.”

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Continuing to listen closely to what Shani was saying, Simba nodded as the former king spoke of his interaction with Kopa and Rahina. Once Shani was done speaking, Simba replied in a thoughtful tone.

”I see. Well, yes, in fact, both Rahina and Kopa are fairly new to these lands but my mate is quite insistent that Kopa is our long lost cub. You see, back when I reclaimed these lands from my uncle Scar, which I’m sure you already know about Shani, Nala and I had a cub, to whom we named Kopa. Unfortunately, and to keep a long story short, he went missing at a very young age and we weren’t able to find any traces of what had happened to him. Both of us speculated that a certain lioness had something to do with it, but we never did find any solid evidence that linked her to the crime, so we’re still very uncertain at this point. Perhaps that’s why I’m allowing them to stay with us for as long as they need, but I feel as though that they will most likely leave the lands once they figure out what they are going to do.”

Figuring that he hadn’t divulged too much information to Shani, Simba stayed quiet now, allowing his fellow pride member to comment on what he had stated if he wished to.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli smiled at the brooding lioness You have my word I shall say nothing. If you need a friendly face to talk to please drop by my den I will be there most of the time nearby. However I suggest telling Simba soon. I noticed these small signs. It wont be long now before more obvious signs appear and Simba becomes aware. However I agree that you need a right moment. Why not suggest that Simba takes a few days off. Let Kovu run things for a bit. He is after all the heir and need practice am I right?

[LionPrincess]

Almasi awoke suddenly, she had another nightmare, she knew she couldent go back to sleep so she struggled out from under Rahina's forepaw and quietly wandered to the exit of the den, on her way there she had saw Nala go up into the Main den and so she decided that she would go and see if the queen was still awake, as she climbed the Majestic rock she felt out of breath as she had never climbed before, as she reached the top she saw Nala outside talking to a gray fured Male "Nala" the little cub shouted in excitment

[KiarasMate]

”Thank you Kivuli. I know I can trust you and that actually sounds like a good idea. Perhaps Simba and I could both use a short vacation and I’m sure Kovu and Kiara would be up for running things just for a short while.”

Thinking long and hard about what Kivuli had suggested, wondering to herself why she hadn’t thought of this idea in the first place, Nala was about to speak up to the grey furred male once again, when another voice cut through the stillness of the night. Turning her head towards the direction to which the voice came from, Nala looked rather shocked to see Almasi making her way up the slope of Pride Rock. Having her motherly instincts triggered by this fact, the cream colored queen left Kivuli for the moment, making her way over to where Almasi was, speaking in a tender voice to her.

”By the Kings, what are you doing out so late little Almasi and all by yourself at that? Where is Rahina and Kopa?”

[Lodrill]

Due Rahina was on guard in her typical way even while sleeping she directly woke up by Almasi struggling. Her black eyes followed the small lioness out of the entrance and she raised to her paws with a sigh. Where by the great kings wanted this little one go at this time?

Rahina followed her in the shadow with enough space so that the adolescent lioness would not notice her. As she saw her running to Nala she smiled. She stepped out of the shadows and the moonlight fell on her so that Nala could see her and not suggest any stalker. She lay down to follow the further process of this scene. To be honest it had worn her out a bit to run after the cub due she had not have much sleep yet.

[LionPrincess]

Almasi looked at the cream colored Queen as she walked towards her "i had a nightmare" she told her as she walked over to her and hid under her, she looked terrified, "so why are you up so late" she inquired as the queen had with her, Almasi lay down and rolled onto her back to play

[KiarasMate]

Nala had noticed Rahina now, who seemed to be observing the situation from a distance, lessening the cream colored queen’s worry over Almasi a bit, at least knowing that Rahina had known that the youngster had wandered off and had the sense to follow her. Listening to why Almasi was out and about so late, Nala nodded towards the young lioness, being understanding of her needs as she herself occasionally had nightmares of her younger years under the horrible reign of Scar. Still, not wishing to let the little feline off that easily, Nala still had to reprimand her slightly.

”Well, I’m sorry you had a bad dream Hun, but you shouldn’t wander off by yourself like this, especially this late at night. Our lands here are safe for the most part, but you can never be too careful. Promise me that you won’t do this again, okay? If you have a bad dream, you should let Rahina know. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to comfort you Hun.”

Leaning down, Nala gave Almasi a friendly nuzzle to show that she wasn’t cross with her, but was merely looking out for her well being. Hearing the inquisitive cub’s question, Nala couldn’t help but crack a smile as she replied in an amused voice.

”Well, when you get older, you won’t have a bed time Hun. Adults are free to go to bed whenever they want to. I was just talking with Kivuli here, the lion you see right over there.” Nala stated, motioning towards where Kivuli was standing before she continued. ”He’s a nice lion though, so you don’t have to be afraid of him. He’s just a big softy at heart.”

Flashing Kivuli a playful grin, Nala motioned towards Rahina now, hoping that her fellow lioness could take over now, just in case Kivuli had more to speak to her about. Unsure of whether or not this was true however, Nala stayed put, in between where Kivuli and Rahina were, looking down at Almasi with a caring gaze as she waited for either of her pride mates to react.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli heard his name mentioned by Nala. As he turned his head round to observe the scene with fire eyes, Nala was giving him a cheeky, almost playful smile. Curious as to the commotion, Kivuli padded over to join Nala and the young cub You spreading rumours about me Nala? How rude Kivuli's voice matched Nala's smile. Cheeky yet playful Who's your small friend Nala. I have not seen her around before

[KiarasMate]

Adopting a devious smirk, Nala retorted to Kivuli’s inquiry in a joking manner.

”If the paw print fits Kivuli.” Turning to glance back at Almasi, the cream colored queen continued. ”This is Almasi. She was found by Rahina there,” nodding towards Rahina as she spoke. ”and has become our newest addition to our pride.” Lowering her tone and moving a bit closer to the grey furred male, Nala continued. ”Her mother was killed by hyenas so she will most likely be a permanent member, that is, if Simba accepts her.”