[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KiarasMate]

A bit taken aback by how open this new lioness was, Simba held his ground as he listened closely to everything she was revealing to him, his facial expression shifting accordingly from time to time during her story, showing his understanding towards her delicate situation. Completely setting aside his own feelings of irritation towards the two males in The Outlands, Simba’s caring nature returned to him as the young lioness finished speaking. Addressing her in a kind voice, Simba happily granted her what she wished.

”Yes, I am the Simba you speak of Jamelia and these are my lands. It pains me to hear your story Jamelia and I offer you my sincerest condolences. As I can’t change your past, nor can I really help your former pride at this time, I can however, offer you a safe place to live, nourishing food to eat and a welcoming family that would be more than happy to embrace you into our pride as if you were our own. We do not judge others upon their past, or looks for that matter and you will never come across a more understanding group of lions, as my pride, or so I’d like to think. If you would like, I will take you to meet everyone and hopefully we can get those paws of yours tended to. You must have traveled quite far and you look exhausted. Please, come with me if you’d like to stay that is.”

Motioning for Jamelia to follow his lead, Simba started to make his way back towards Pride Rock, keeping a slow and steady pace so Jamelia could keep up easily with her injured looking paws. Feeling very sympathetic towards her and reflecting over the story she had told him, Simba had no issues with allowing this new lioness into his ranks. She seemed very polite and well behaved and there was just something about her that brought out the best in him. For now though, he would keep a watchful eye on her, just to make sure that she was as sincere as she seemed to be.

==========

Smiling warmly up at Kivuli, Nala replied in a motherly tone as she playfully scolded the grey furred male.

”You don’t need to impress me Hun. I know you’re tough and that you’ve made it this far on your own but you should enjoy the benefits of pride life. We lionesses hunt so that you don’t have to go hungry and like I told you, I don’t think Mila would want you to starve yourself on her behalf.”

Hearing Kivuli’s next question, Nala couldn’t help but let a small giggle escape her muzzle lips as she flashed him a sly grin as she responded in a sweet voice.

”Oh, come now Kivuli. I know you’re a clever lion. You must have figured out Mila’s feelings towards you. If you were observant enough to notice my pregnancy, than surely Mila’s feelings haven’t gone undetected by you? I know that you two will make each other very happy Hun and I know that your feelings towards Mila are mutual. It’s up to you though to tell her how you feel. Just remember that there is a time and place for everything Hun.”

[NightmareMoon]

Mila had peacefully been dreaming for a long time. She dreamed of Kivuli and herself, and of great times they were to have and of times they already spent together. Her dreams were slowly ended by a moist tongue gently passing over the soft and delicate fur of her muzzle.

Mila slowly awoke, partly because of these licks and partly because she heard talking. It wasn't the voice of her mother or her father, which she had gotten used to hearing when waking up, but the voice of the subject she had been dreaming about for this entire time; Kivuli. The sacred voice was conversing with another voice she had grown accustomed to hearing; The voice which belonged to Nala.

Slowly awakening, Mila didn't move as she listened in to the conversation that was happening between Kivuli and her mother. She heard that she - she alone, and no one else, had changed his life. That was drastic for the lioness to hear and was shocked to hear it. Was she really that special to him?

Apparently she was.

She then listened as Kivuli asked, in a very curious tone, the feelings Mila held for the lion. She thought it was cute.

Nala's response was a response that shocked her. Pregnant ? What? Everything else went through one ear and out the other. She stopped listening to everything else and really pretended to be asleep this time. She felt like she was succeeding in it too, until she felt pressure building up in her nose.

Mila attempted to hold the pressure in her nose back, to prevent herself from sneezing. The pressure of the sneeze was far too great for her to withstand however, and she sneezed fairly loudly. She had blown her cover.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli chuckled at Nala's response I'm not trying to impress anyone. Well, maybe one certain lioness, sadly its not you Nala Kivuli joked round a little bit. This activity was strange to him. Laughing and joking? Kivuli had never really experience it. Only a few days ago he wanted to tear Simba apart, now he was part of the pride. They certainly had an effect on him, especially Mila.

Kivuli continued to speak As for Mila's feelings, I had an idea she might like me, but emotions are not as easy to spot as physical changes. I know there is a time and place to tell Mila how I feel. You already know but I don't know when I can... Kivuli was cut short by a loud sneeze from behind him that made him jump a little. As he turned round he could see Mila awakening

Kivuli turned to Mila and nuzzled her whilst saying gently Thank god your finally awake, I was getting worried. Are you ok? He then sat back to give Mila room to wake up

[NightmareMoon]

Mila knew it was time for her to awaken, so that's what she did. She began to slowly stand up on her paws. It wasn't too long before Mila had gotten up and her eyes locked on Kivuli, ready to respond.

"Yeah.. I'm fine." She mumbled, as first words of the day are usually hoarse and forced out.

Mila then turned her head slowly around to face the blinding light outside of the cave entrance, and immediately was surprised by the amount of light that was shining brightly outside.

"How long have I been asleep for?" Mila asked with a curious tone, as it seemed to be very light outside and Mila was afraid she had slept most of the day away, which was the case.

[KingKivuli]

Without hesitation Kivuli replied A long time. Its the afternoon now. Ive been with you since the morning waiting to see if your ok, Im just so glad your finally awake and ok. It looks like your wounds have healed too Kivuli gave Mila a loving nuzzle before laying down right next to her and gazed into her eyes

[Lodrill]

Taraji nibbled on Nalas tuds happily. She was a bit shy about the voice of Kivuli but because he was not in line of sight of her she did not care too much about it. She felt save at the belly of Nala.

However as Mila sneezed the cub winced and retreated between the hind legs of Nala that lay abouve eache other. She hid in the space between them and Nalas belly and pressed herself against the belly of the lioness. Her muzzle was full of milk from her sudden retreat and made her look like she had a white beard.

[KiarasMate]

Not being as overly concerned with Taraji’s shyness as Kiara might have been, Nala casually shifted her body, lightly maneuvering the little cub from in between her hind legs with a light pat of her paw against Taraji’s butt, repositioning herself so that Taraji could continue to nurse if she wanted to but would have to do so in the presence of both Kivuli and Mila. Leaning over, Nala quickly licked the excess milk away from Taraji’s cute face before she spoke quietly to the cub.

”You’re fine Taraji. Just go back to eating. There’s nothing to be scared of here.”

Glancing over at Mila, Nala welcomed her adopted daughter back to consciousness as she spoke warmly to her, throwing in a good word for Kivuli while she was at it.

”Well, good evening Sleepy head. Good to have you awake now Mila Hun. Kivuli has been watching you like a hawk ever since you fell asleep and wouldn’t even leave your side for a bite to eat. Such a nice lion he is, hmm?”

Giving Kivuli a subtle wink, Nala returned to resting upon the den floor, stretching out her body in a carefree manner as she waited for taraji to finish her meal.

[NightmareMoon]

Mila was a bit shocked that Kivuli had the dedication to stay with her all morning while she was asleep, but from what she had just heard from Kivuli himself, she was not completely surprised.

"You've been with me since morning hmm? Well thank you for your concern Kivuli". Upon saying this, Mila smiled at Kivuli with her typical warm and loving gaze. Her blue eyes glimmered at the male for his caring.

Mila scanned over her own body. From the amazing sleep she had just gotten through, her wounds had cleaned themselves up fairly nicely. They weren't completely gone, as expected, but they looked much better then she thought they would look, almost bringing her beauty back to it's normal state.

Nala addressed Mila and told her about Kivuli's protectiveness and smiled again, this time blushing. The previous conversation between Nala and Kivuli was embarrassing to her as they had talked about her feelings, and noticing Nala's subtle wink, Mila knew what Nala was doing, but ignored it for now and played along.

Mila chuckled a bit at Nala's comment while still staring into the caring eyes of Kivuli.

"I'm flattered, Kivuli." That was all Mila could think of saying. She had never experienced such a thing before, and because of it, had no idea on how to respond.

Mila never took her eyes off of Kivuli. Something about his red eyes attracted her. Like an insect attracted to a shining light, she was unable to keep from moving her eyes away, and had this strange feeling inside. She wanted to move closer to Kivuli, but was afraid that the light, the one she was so attracted to, wouldn't be as it had seemed.

[CrystallineIcefire]

Jamelia was overjoyed and relieved as Simba accepted into his pride with open arms. "I would want nothing more than to be welcomed into your pride." she spoke, and began to follow Simba to Pride Rock. As she walked, she began to notice a change in the grass texture. Where she came from, the grass was coarse and quite prickly, and it hurt to walk on. The grass on the Pride Lands were lush, soft, and dewey. The dew on the soft grass somewhat relieved the pain on her paws, and she no longer felt the prickley grass.

[KiarasMate]

Simba smiled over at Jamelia as the two continued on their way towards Pride Rock, which still was a bit of distance off. Hoping to avoid an awkward silence moment, the thoughtful king spoke up in a friendly fashion towards the unique colored lioness beside him.

”I hope you’ll find my lands to be to your likings Jamelia. Like I stated before, there is always plenty to eat here and you don’t even have to do any hunting yourself if you don’t want to, as we have a dedicated and very skilled hunting party here, lead by my beloved mate, who you will hopefully meet here shortly. With that said however, if you feel obligated to catch your own food, you are more than welcome to do so. Just don’t be offended if some of the other members partake in your meal with you, as we share and share alike here. Honestly though, with your paws the way they are now, I’d have to suggest holding off from any hunts until they heal, assuming that you’re the hunting type, which, if I had to take a guess, I’d say you were. You have a very nice build for a lioness.” Simba stated, quickly adding in so Jamelia wouldn’t get the wrong impression from his innocent sounding comment. ”For a hunter that is. You seem to be in top condition, aside from your paws and belly, which I’m going to assume, is due to lack of food. I’m sorry if I seem a bit talkative. I just want you to feel comfortable in your new lands and around me. I may be a king, but I like to think of everyone within my pride, not as subjects, but more so as family and friends. Now that you are a part of the pride, the same rights and privileges extend to you as well Jamelia. With those rights and privileges however, come a few laws that must be abided by at all times but we can go over those at a different time. I don’t want to overwhelm you with details as I’m sure you’re tired from your long journey.”