[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

Kovu listened to the tidbit the stranger gave out about his past with interest. Not all lions were so blunt about their past problems. He decided to respect Santiago's privacy for the moment though, merely nodding sympathetically.

"If there's anywhere that'd make you want to settle down it'd be the pridelands. Our king Simba keeps them booming with life and prey, and our pride is a very accepting group. You'll be able to fit in in no time unless you're totally unpleasant." Kovu spoke with a light tone that indicated he didn't expect for a minute that this newcomer would be an unpleasant fellow.

Kovu peered again at the lions at the base of Pride Rock. From this distance he realized that the lion he had took for Simba was really Kopa, and he was busy greeting his mate back from the hunt. Nala had just left for the upper reaches of Pride Rock, presumably to drop her kill off in the main den. Kovu's best bet at finding Simba would be where the food was, he thought to himself with a grin, so he kept on, now approaching the group

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Shani grinned wryly at Nala's (rather childish in his opinion) humor. She must have real faith in his and Vitani's relationship skills to imply that they were now flirting after trying to kill each other the night before. But then again, that seemed to be the character of these pridelands. Swiftly changing friendships and loves. A dynamic and fast paced social life was hidden under the lazy sun and peaceful grounds of the pridelands. It was in just such a life that Shani flourished.

Shani was also put off by Nala's second remark, but he recovered much more quickly than Caine, who flailed around for a moment, looking for an answer. "There's somebody for everyone Caine, you'll find them." He said, deciding that some empty, but encouraging, philoso-babble was the best way to disperse the tension. He knew that Nala was only joking, but the victim of any joke needs a comeback before things get awkward.

"It looks like Rahina's adapted well to life in the pridelands then" Shani said. "Unless it was you that made those kills?" Shani was hoping to confirm his suspicions that Rahina wasn't as invincible as she'd been acting. Sure she was large and powerfully built, but Shani had never seen her in action. He regretted not having the opportunity to watch her hunt.

[KiarasMate]

Hearing Caine’s comment, Nala feigned to look surprised as she replied in disbelief.

”What?! Not one of the good looking males? Surely you’re joking Caine? You know, if I didn’t have a mate, and a daughter,” Nala stated, giving Kopa a glance out of the corner of her eye as she continued. ”and a son…I would pick you to be my mate in a heartbeat. You’re one of the most handsome lions I’ve ever had the pleasure of locking eyes on.” Flashing Caine a friendly smirk, nala couldn’t help but to add in. ”And besides, you’ve seen what Shani did to Vitani here, so it’s obvious that he doesn’t like lionesses.”

Giggling from her own comment, only meaning it in jest, the cream colored queen glanced over at Shani with an apologetic stare as she stated.

”Oh, I’m sorry Shani. I just couldn’t resist. That was distasteful of me though. I know you’re probably a darling at heart. Don’t take what I just said personally, although…Caine would be quite the catch if you ask me.”

Hearing Shani’s inquiry about the successful hunt, Nala had no qualms in replying as she did so in a proud manner.

”That would be the work of Rahina Shani. She’s quite strong and knows how to deal with prey.”

Figuring that she had caused enough trouble amongst the small group, Nala rose to her paws as she addressed them all indirectly.

”Well, before I get on someone’s bad side, why don’t we all go and enjoy a nice meal, courtesy of Rahina’s first hunt with us. Everyone be sure to thank her now.”

Giving Vitani one last playful wink to smooth things over, the cream colored queen disappeared back into the main den, only to hear the question that Kivuli was posing to Simba, causing her ears to perk as she made a split second decision to drag the wildebeest out to the promontory of Pride Rock, allowing for Kivuli and her mate to have their privacy as she knew the topic of the conversation could get quite heated if Kivuli didn’t play his cards properly. Calling over to her fellow pride members again, Nala encouraged them to join her.

”Don’t think I won’t eat this whole thing myself. You all better get some while you can.”

=========

Simba had a rather serious expression on his muzzle upon hearing Kivuli’s statement. While his nerves remained in check, it was obvious that the topic at paw wasn’t exactly one that the king wished to face. Still, knowing that Kivuli’s words were true and that he would have to let Mila go to some male someday, Simba took the opportunity to tell Kivuli how he honestly felt about the prospects of his adopted daughter being with him.

”Listen Kivuli. I know I’ve forgiven you for everything that has happened in our past, mainly because you seem to have done the same for me, but you have to understand, as being the only father figure in Mila’s life that she’s known, I have to always be looking out for her best interest. While you have proven yourself to be a loyal member of my pride thus far, don’t you think it’s a bit too early for me to be giving you Mila’s paw? I mean, she’s still young and you two haven’t even known each other for all that long. Yes, you might make each other happy, but you have to believe me that a commitment to one another needs more than just that, in order to survive. I can see that you care deeply for her and I’d hope you would make a good mate for her too, but I cannot give you my blessing this early on. With that said however, I feel as though I don’t need to worry about you being around her when I’m not around, so I grant you permission to be with Mila whenever she wants you to be. That’s honestly the best I can do for you right now Kivuli and I hope you can understand where I’m coming from.”

[JaguarOne]

"Hey, I'm a pretty agreeable guy. I really only get irritated if you test my patience," Santiago replied as if trying to prove that he could be pleasant. That being said, he could be rather impatient at times, but generally it wasn't much of a problem with him. Unless you managed to be a complete idiot around him.

Then he could get impatient.

"Anyways, sounds like a nice place to live. I'll give it a try if I'm allowed to," The black maned lion replied as he padded alongside of Kovu, taking in his surroundings so that he was familiar with the terrain should he need to quickly escape for any reason. Although judging by Kovu's description of Simba, Santiago had a feeling that would most likely not be something he had to worry about.

Santiago and Kovu had reached the top of Pride Rock when he spotted a beautiful lioness with scruffy head fur, blue eyes, and a rough and tough look to her. Unaware that the lioness was Vitani, Kovu's sister, the black maned Santiago let his stare linger a little before he turned and continued following the lion, hoping he hadn't made it too obvious. Although he had a gut feeling that they had made eye contact.

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The comment that came out of Shani's muzzle didn't do anything to help Caine's mood after Nala commented on how she would have taken him as a mate...if she weren't mated. That began to make him think about the other lions and lionesses in the Pride Lands and how quite a few of them seemed to be getting mates. Meanwhile, he was left standing on the sidelines and watching because there weren't any males that would be interested in being his mate.

"Yeah, sure. And warthogs fly," The golden furred, nutmeg maned lion replied quietly before he turned and made his way down the side of Pride Rock towards the grasslands and, hopefully, a place for him to sit alone and just think and dream. Usually he wouldn't have reacted so negatively, but it seems that as of late, his lack of even having somebody to flirt with was starting to wear on the lion.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli heeded Simba's words. The lion king made sense but there was something else that Kivuli was going to address and not let go of so easy I do understand where you are coming from,, however there is another question I must ask. What if Mila is the one that asks you to give the blessing?Would you just forbid it? Once again Kivuli waited for a response.

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On the far side of the Outlands, in side a small jungle, Zane and Anga had awoken. The jungle was quite dense. The trees grew tall and their leafs blocked out a good amount of the sunshine. The undergrowth was thick with plants and flowers, and scattered around were hidden caves and small rock formations. The area these two were in was a small clearing, where the light was stronger. A samll rock peak was sticking out from in-between two trees. It almost looked like a meeting area.

Anga and Zane's journey back from the Pridelands had taken them quite a while as they only arrived last night. Both lions were pondering over what they had seen during their brief time in the Pridelands. At least Anga was. Zane was more frustrated than anything Curses upon that Kivuli!!! Can we never get a break from that brute? Just another minute and I would have... an enraged Zane was cut off by Anga Calm down Zane, he surprised us this time, we did not expect him, next time he will be ours Anga's voice was calming, it needed to be round Zane

Anga is right Zane. Stop your moaning and sort yourself out A voice came from behind the two lions, on top of the rock out outcrop. As the pair turned to see who it was that had spoken, both called out as they looked upon him Merementa!! He was the leader, his fur was a radiant orange, with soft cream underbelly paws and muzzle. His eyes were a deep green and mane was a shining gold. He spoke once again Stop all the complaining, at least now we know that Kivuli is there, as well as a Pride we can take over

Merementa had calmed Zane down but there was something bothering him How can the three of us take down a whole pride, its impossible Merementa just laughed a the comment We are not going to be alone in this A bunch of lions suddenly appeared around the three. There was another eight in total. Merementa spoke up Good thing about reputation is that you can convince alot of others to do your work. These eight are just the start. More will come. Soon we will have enough to destroy Kivuli and take over his home

[KiarasMate]

Noticing Caine walking off, sighing softly to herself as she hated to see any of her pride members feeling down, Nala rose to her paws and made her way towards Shani, whispering softly to him.

”Do you think you can go talk to him Shani? Caine really could use a friend like you after all, since you have probably dealt with issues like his, you being a former ruler and all. I would appreciate it. I’ll be sure to save you some of the tastier parts of the wildebeest for your help Shani.”

Smiling at Shani with a thankful gaze, Nala waited quietly for a response while her eyes drifted back down to where Caine had wandered off to.

==========

Hearing Kivuli’s next question, feeling his patience being slightly tested, Simba replied in a tense voice.

”Mila is too young to know what she wants Kivuli. You of all creatures should know that when you’re her age, you tend to follow your lesser instincts, rather than your better judgment. While I’d take her request into great consideration, I would really have to know if she was absolutely sure of her choice and if you yourself Kivuli, would be able to take care of her on a deeper level than what you’ve done so far. Again, I’m not trying to take anything away from you both, but this is my stand and for now, it’s final.”

Not wanting to lose his temper in front of Kivuli as they had worked so hard to repair their friendship and he wasn’t about to jeopardize that due to his strong, over protectiveness over Mila, Simba silently took his leave, making his way over to the fresh kill that his mate had placed upon the promontory of Pride Rock, taking the liberty to start eating.

[LionPrincess]

"i had a great time, Simba said i could stay as long as i wanted" Almasi told Rahina as she then made her way back to the promontory of Pride Rock to eat, as she got there she noticed that Simba was already eating and she padded over to the side of the king "may i eat or have i to wait" she asked him "were i used to live cubs had to wait until everyone else was finnished" she told him as she stood, with her maw watering at the site of the tasty feast

[Lodrill]

Laini observed the tries of Daxis with a keen eye and helped him if he did not manage to do it right. Or better she showed him how it was done correctly.
She helped a lot less than last time. Laini wanted Daxis to lern how to do it himself. At least he was pretty much grown up already.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina's breath finally calmed down. She raised her head and looked at Almasi who was telling her about her day. Before Rahina could say anything though the cub turned around and ran away. A big smile crossed Rahinas muzzle. This adolescent lioness was one funny fellow. She seemed full of energy. "So you really managed to look after her?" she asked Kopa and purred softly.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji quickly ran after Kiara and still kept close to her paws. The small cub was still very frightened due she had been sensing the anxity of Kiara during the incident with the other lion.

[KiarasMate]

Simba hadn’t been eating very long when he spotted Almasi making her way over to where he was. Hearing the inquisitive cub’s question, the caring king smiled down at her as he replied in a fatherly tone.

”You are free to eat whenever you are hungry here Sweetie. As long as there is food to go around, you can have all that you’d like.”

Scooting over a tiny bit so that Almasi would have plenty of room to make herself comfortable next to the delicious looking wildebeest, Simba returned his efforts back to eating once more, cleaning up his manners slightly as he didn’t want to look crude in front of the young lioness next to him.

Watching as Almasi took off towards the promontory, Kopa listened to Rahina’s inquiry, feeling a bit ashamed from lying to her previously, but still not wanting to worry her over such a trivial matter that was already in the past, he simply nodded as he responded.

”Yeah, it was no trouble at all Hina, but enough about my day, how was yours my precious?”

Moving in closer, now that Almasi had left, Kopa leaned in and planted a very affectionate kiss over Rahina’s muzzle as he lightly stroked her cheek with a fore paw, gazing into her onyx eyes with a loving and concerned stare.

==========

Keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings, Kiara noticed her mate and the new lion, making their way towards Pride Rock in the distance. Figuring that Kovu was bringing the newcomer to meet with her father, Kiara finally was able to relax, knowing that all was well again. Turning her attention to Taraji once more, still noting the fear in her daughter’s expression, Kiara kept her pace steady so the two would reach their den shortly, knowing that Taraji would most likely calm down once she was in a familiar place. Arriving at their home a few minutes later, Kiara made her way inside, getting herself situated comfortably upon the sleeping pelt in the middle of the den, before she motioned for Taraji to join her as she spoke softly to her.

”Come lay with Mommy Cutie. Is there something on your mind? If something bothers you, you know you can always tell me Cutie. I’ll do whatever I can to help you feel better, I promise.”

[SinChei]

Daxis continued cleaning himself with Lainis help. He stopped after a while and grined at her.
Finished... and was it good?. His fur was nearly clean but a areas o his body weren't completely clean but only the areas which were difficult to clean. And his fur was a bit scraggy now.
Can I go play now

[LionPrincess]

Almasi smiled at Simba and then positioned herself beside the wildebeest ready to tuck in to the delitious feast infront of her, she tore vigourusly into the carcase, she was soon full and turned back to Simba her maw coated with the blood of the tasty meal she just devoured, she then let out an enourmous beltch that showed the meal satisfied her needs and then she blushed "oops, pardon me" she said as she smiled and ran off to find Daxils while licking the blood from her muzzle she turned back to simba as she decended from the rock "oh and thanks" she said as she disapered down the side of pride rock