[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

"About what you'd expect" Kovu laughed, taking it in stride. "Refreshing huh?" Kovu sat back down. It looked like Taraji wasn't quite ready to wake up yet, and Kovu didn't want to disturb anyone regarding Daxis until at least the sunrise had finished. In the meantime though, there was a good opportunity to fill Kiara in on his first real duty.

"Yea it looks like Daxis has finally snapped." Kovu said regretfully, in a soft enough voice to avoid this becoming a public conversation if anyone else had been an extra-early riser. "That's what your father was telling me just before he left. Daxis got into a fight with another of the newcomers. Thankfully Simba knows who the culprits are; I'd hate to have to interrogate them or anything. Daxis started the fight, and Laini's in trouble as well seeing as Daxis was her responsibility. I'm supposed to had them out punishments. Of course, Daxis will need a new chaperone as well. That's why I mentioned it to Vitani. Looks like she's not interested though."

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Shani smiled indulgently, this lioness was just spoiling for a fight, and he was happy to keep up the passive, sardonic aggression in response. and nodded to Pride Rock. "That would be our destination then. I'm Shani by the way." he said and slowly moved off. "So are you just running to daddy because the kids aren't playing nice with you, or are you actually thinking of joining the pride to live with us hot-headed narrow-minded ignoramuses? I can't imagine why you'd want to do that."

Shani gave a wink to let the lioness know that he was at least partially joking. He wasn't opposed to new Pride Members joining after all. The current batch were a little too ready to do anything Simba told them. This lioness in particular seemed like a good candidate. Plenty of energy and pent up bitterness. This wasn't a lioness that anyone would have to baby sit at least, and that was a plus in Shani's books.

[KiarasMate]

Waiting patiently for Taraji to rouse herself, Kiara listened to her mate explaining the situation that he was now faced with resolving, causing the golden furred lioness to frown slightly as she muttered softly.

”Figures. Leave it to my father to start your temporary reign off with a bang. It just doesn’t seem fair is all Honey but I guess you have no choice.”

Moving into a sitting position now, having Taraji still being tucked in between her fore legs, Kiara met with Kovu’s gaze as she smiled warmly at him, trying her best to reassure her mate that she would support whatever decision he came to in this matter as she spoke to him in a loving voice.

”I know you’ll do what’s right though Honey. That’s one of the many things that I love so much about you. You’re understanding nature and willingness to forgive.”

Leaning forward, the perky princess nuzzled her mate tenderly before she looked back down upon their resting daughter. Sighing happily, Kiara spoke up once more as her fore paw lightly caressed over Taraji’s little frame.

”Well, you’re not the only one who is going to have their paws full today though Honey. With my mom gone, that means there’s no milk supply for Cutie here, so she’s just going to have to learn to eat like the rest of us. My mom even told me that she should be weaned off milk now, so maybe it’s just the opportune time to make the transition.”

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Letting Shani get a few paces ahead of her, the white furred lioness trailed after him, her eyes never wandering from his figure ahead, an untrusting expression visible on her face as she replied to Shani’s introduction with a half hearted one of her own.

”The name’s Zina. I’d say it was nice to meet you Shani but I try to save my lying for more important situations.”

Hearing Shani’s inquiry about what business she had with being in these lands, Zina scowled openly as she stated in a coarse tone.

”If anyone doesn’t play nice, it’s me Shani and believe me, I have no intention on calling these lands my permanent home. Not that it’s any business of yours, but I’m a Traveling Shaman and I don’t typically stay in one place for very long, so you don’t have to get your hopes up, as you probably won’t be seeing me around here, unless there’s something of mutual gain for me to get out of from staying here.”

Figuring herself that this in fact, would be the truth, as she honestly didn’t have any plans on sticking around her current location, Zina saw no harm in being frank with this male. There was something oddly familiar, yet still very foreign about Shani that intrigued the white furred Shaman for some reason. Piping up once more, Zina carried on their dry conversation as she continued to follow her current company.

”Shani?…Shani?” Zina stated, the name seemingly bouncing off her tongue as she felt that odd tugging of recollection from the back of her mind. ”Not that I really care or anything, but you’re not originally from these lands, are you?”

[LionPrincess]

Almasi pearked up as she heared rahina mention the main den, she had been in a bit of a daydream and had only snapped out of it with the mention of Mosi "ok and i will be ok, you dont have to worry about me im tough" she said as she bared her teeth jokingly, she then stood up straight and puffed out her cheast as if to make her look bigger "come on then follow me" she told Ashur as she headed off in the direction of priderock walking slowly as she went

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Penda lay watching another lioness whome cradled a cub and her mate beside her, she didnt realize who it was but she then got to her paws making sure not to desturb Mosi and walked towards the trio "Kiara, Kovu, is that you" she said as she walked over and nuzzled her Queens stand in lovingly "and who is this little one" she said looking down to Taraji "your mother never mentioned you had a cub" she told the Princess, she was surprised that the Queen had forgoten to mention such an important matter, "and Kovu i heared you talk with Vitani and the youth you talk of would have no simpathy in my paws" she told the future king "you both knew my son and how badly behaved he was, i never let him away lightly" she said giving kovu an option of what to do with Daxis

[Lodrill]

The word milk brought once again movement into the small cub. Taraji rolled around so that her back snuggled against Kiaras chest and her crystal eyes opened again. Her head looked up to Kiara. She had to put it so much into her neck that her forehead was touching Kiaras chest. "I am hungry..." she explained and a faint growl in her stomach underlined this statement.

Her crystal eyes were looking at Kiara awaiting to be led to Nala soon to get her breakfirst.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina grined as she watched after the departing small lioness. Then she turned her back towards the entrance of the den and walked inside to Kopa. He still seamed to sleep. Not much time had passed since he lay down so it was no surprise.
Carefully she lay down next to him and snuggled against him to wake him up very slowly and in a pleasant way.
Her muzzle was very close to his ear and she whispered silently. "Are you asleep my dear? Almasi just went to the main den. If you are not too tired I have something to talk about with you."

Rahinas paw was softly caressing the flank of Kopa and she licked his cheek waiting for an answer if Kopa was not too deep asleep. Her ears were still perked towards the entrance so that she would notice anyone who would come close to the den.

[KiarasMate]

Having her attention drawn to Taraji upon hearing her sweet little voice, Kiara gazed down at her daughter with a compassionate expression upon her face as she smiled happily and leaned down to lick softly over the crystal eyed cub’s face before responding in a motherly tone.

”Well, then let’s get you some breakfast Cutie.”

Turning to Kovu, now that her agenda was underway, Kiara flashed him a tender smile before giving him a departing nuzzle, rising to her paws afterwards and beginning to make her way over to the corner of the den that housed the left over wildebeest kills from the previous day. Stopping before the closest of the two carcasses, the golden furred princess turned to face Taraji as she motioned for her to come close, lowering her supple frame to the den floor so she could speak to her daughter at her own level.

”Today is going to be a special day Cutie. You’re going to take another step towards becoming a big cubby. I know that you’re used to having your yummy milk from Nala but it’s time for you to learn to eat the same things that Mommy and Daddy eat. Do you know why this is Cutie?”

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Kopa had only managed to slip into a very light sleep, mainly due to the noise from outside the quaint den, but now that everything had fallen silent, the exhausted male was about to drift off into a heavier sleep, when his mate’s angelic voice reached his ears. Feeling her soothing touch against his hind quarters and sensing her being so close to him, Kopa gradually began to open his eyes, focusing his tired looking orbs upon his beloved lioness as he replied in a sleepy voice.

”Hmm? Something wrong Hina?”

Even in his sluggish state, Kopa couldn’t resist snuggling in a bit closer to his mate’s warm body as he leaned his head upwards to lick gently over her chin, as that was the easiest place to reach in his current position. Noticing the rather serious look in her alluring onyx eyes however, Kopa forced himself to wake up as best he could as his ears perked, ready to pick up whatever his precious mate had to tell him.

[SinChei]

Still laying on the cold stone ground and the chilly air which blew around him let Daxis shivering. He was still awake and looked strickt on the wall in front of him. Maybe Laini was awake too maybe she as still asleep but he wasn't able to look at her. What woul kovu say... would he take Laini away from him, would he banish him. The red maned cub didn't really care about his punishment expect it would keep him away from Laini but if not Lainis punishment made him even more sad then his punishment. Daxis tail flicked nervouldy and he was waiting for a deep and strickt tone who would tell him Kovu is there to punish him.

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Darion felt the cilly air around his nose and turned around ones again to fell asleep again. He wasn't a morning lion and tryed to sleep longer. Even though His little brother wasn't there anymore and he just had to hunt when his stomach would growl.

[Mike]

Kovu was just smiling at Taraji and Kiara as they moved off to introduce the little one to solid food when Penda approached and intercepted them. After the quick greeting Kovu listened as Penda revealed that she'd been listening in on their conversation and proceeded to spill her thoughts on the matter. Kopa knew Penda only hazily as she had left to search for her son so shortly after he'd been accepted into the pride, but his first impression had been of a rather tough lioness, like Vitani, but more passively aggressive than overtly. It was hard to know exactly where you stood with Penda, and she was going to have a lot of new faces to meet, but she at least had friends in Kiara and some other members of the pride that had been around since before the trouble with the outsiders.

It was still taking time for Kovu to make friends with her however, as they'd spent very little time together before Penda left, and her generally angry personality didn't exactly attract him. It therefore surprised him a bit that Penda had been eavesdropping, and was now presuming to give her opinions on the private matter of Daxis's punishment for all the den to hear. Kovu decided that a little gentle correction was called for.

"Thanks for the tips." Kovu said with a tilt of his head. "But frankly this is between Daxis and me right now, and you could do with a little more discretion before you start listening in on my conversations with my mate. Sometimes pride business can be sensitive... and so can personal business." Despite his general disapporval, Kovu tried to defuse the situation with a wink and by poking fun at himself just a little with that last comment. "By the way," Kovu continued on what he hoped was a lighter note, "I haven't heard, if you were successful in finding your son? I'm sorry I never knew him, but he was gone before my time in the pridelands... you were almost gone before my time too come to think of it.

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"Just passing through are you?" Shani said with a raised eyebrow, but an otherwise straight face. "Shame. I'm sure your lovely personality would have you welcomed with open arms, unless of course your skills as a shaman are as bad as your skills with introductions, in which case I can see why you don't stay in any one place for long. Useless shamans develop reputations quickly. Best to keep on the move.

As much as he enjoyed casual verbal fencing, Shani could tell that something about him was genuinely niggling at Zina's thoughts. That was odd because he had no such recollection of her off the top of his head, though of course his old pride had paid host to a number of visitors, and he couldn't be sure he'd remember everyone that he'd met. In any case, Shani was intrigued enough to give a complete and honest answer.

"I arrived here only a few days ago. I used to rule a pride in those rocky lands in the distance." Shani said, indicating his old wandering range with a nod of his head. Unfortunately the lands weren't quite visible from the pridelands. "It's quite a hike, out of sightseeing distance, not that I'd ever want to return there. There's nobody left. Starvation." Shani added the last word as an afterthought, as though it explained perfectly ell why his entire pride was dead and he alone survived to enter the pridelands.

[KiarasMate]

Jeering in an intimidating manner towards Shani from his quick witted response, as much as she wouldn’t admit it openly, the white furred Shaman was thoroughly enjoying herself within this male’s presence as it wasn’t every day that she found herself being matched paw to paw on a more mental level. Typically, every male she had encountered previously, depended solely upon their brute force alone as being their only means of interaction, however Shani seemed to be different. This became glaringly obvious once the male had answered her question, causing the missing puzzle piece in her mind to fit into place as the crass shaman adorned a toothy grin, responding in a sly voice.

”Oh, is that so? Funny, I heard that it was due to poor leadership. You must be lucky to have been the sole survivor of such a terrible reign. At least you managed to escape the rule of such a pathetic king.:

Adding a bit more sarcasm to each word that left her muzzle, Zina knew that Shani would undoubtedly realize that the two had crossed paths in the past before, even if Shani himself couldn’t remember the specifics at the given moment. As if to pour more salt into the proverbial open wounds that she had already tried to inflict upon the former ruler, Zina casually changed the subject as she stated in an antagonizing voice.

”So, how’d you manage to weasel your way into the good graces of this king of yours, hmm Shani? I can see that that the gift of gab is well endowed within you but surely it doesn’t take a genius to see through that shallow facade of yours now does it?”

[Lodrill]

Rahina held in for a moment just enjoying to lay beside her mate and feeling his caring licks and his warm body next to her but she snapped out if it and whispered in his ear again.

"Well there is something I wanted to tell you for some time now. But there never was the right time or we were not alone and... well I really wanted to tell you this since we escaped from our home in the jungle yet... I never got to tell you..."
It was hard for her. She still was a bit afraid of how he would react and also was a bit embarred even if she had no reason to.

"...erm... say what do you think about Almasi and caring for her? Do you like it or would you rather be only with me?" she tried to grab the topic from another... more innocent direction. She snuggled a bit closer to him and hoped he would not think of a cub as a burden or that he would not like having a cub.
Impatiently she waited for his response while she grew more and more nervous.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji was a bit disappointed that she would not get any milk anymore. "Why do I not get milk anymore? It is so yummy." She was a bit upset about this news. Sure she had suckled on meat before two times. The first time was when she had departed after her mother has been taken away and the second time just after she got here.
She did not want to think about these creepy and aweful crubs and insects she had eaten while she had been on her journey. That was if she had been able to find one.

"I don't know why!" She answered Kiaras question directly.

[KingKivuli]

As the morning sun rose, its warm beams of light shone through the hold in the roof of Kivuli's den. The warm light fell upon the sleeping couple atop the raised area. Its warming embrace was enough to wake Kivuli up.

As the big brute began to stir and open his eyes, he say Mila was still draped across his chest. At first Kivuli was confused about why she was there, then the nights activities came flooding back to him. How they embraced each other in and by the water. Then back at his den as they complimented each others beauty

Those memories put a small smile on Kivuli's face, but he knew that he must be careful. Mila was a strong willed lioness, Kivuli didnt want to get on her bad side. Especially since she was also Simba's daughter. That fact alone demanded respect, and he was going to give it as best as he could

Finally fully aware of the world around him, Kivuli gently slipped out from Mila's gentle grasp on his body. He made sure that she was not disturbed from her sleep, and gently placed her body on the smooth rock floor. He bent over and gave a soft lick on her cheek before leaving the den and heading to the waterhole for a drink

Once there he dipped his muzzle in and took his fill. While doing so, thoughts ran through his head Last night was amazing. For both of us I think. I know I want to be with her, but does she want to be with me? Is she making the right choice. Guess time will tell. For now I will keep my word to Simba and look after her

Kivuli finished his drink and left the vicinity of the waterhole. Once clear, he began jogging which soon turned into a fast paced sprint, out into the grasslands. Kivuli was not entirely sure how to look after a young princess but he would try, with what knowledge he had. He was going hunting, in the hopes to find a good meal for her