[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Nuka looked at Mara as she spoke, with a blank expression. As she spoke on and on, his ears twitched in annoyance. "You really think I haven't tried to? My first phrase was "Yes Mother" for crying out loud. I do whatever mother asks of me, and I am still just as bad as the enemy. What do I have to do? Run into the pride lands and kill Simba for her?" Nuka pointed out, and looked to the den floor.

"Nobody respects you for doing what anyone else can Mara. Your sister has brought food home before, and all the other lionesses have as well. Sure they weren't all Zebra but it was food none the less. Beats eating termites." Nuka said as he scratched his head. He did not feel any better having talking with Mara. Nuka looked down to the den floor, and closed his eyes. He figured if he slept he'd feel at least a LITTLE better.

[KiarasMate]

Scowling and flashing Nuka a cold stare, Mara retorted in an irritated tone.

”Yeah, if you want to live off carrion and rotting kills for the rest of your life, by all means, have Masa and the other coward us lionesses do your hunting then. You fail to miss the point there though Nuka. Not only did I bring food, DECENT food, but stealing from Simba’s lands, it’s a subtle jab at the enemy and your mother knows it.”

Shaking her head in a hopeless manner as she watched Nuka drifting off to sleep, Mara casually rested her head upon her fore paws as she muttered quietly to the dozing male.

”No one will take you seriously Nuka if you don’t take yourself seriously first. Actions always speak louder than words.”

==========

As the first rays of light flooded through the ceiling of the termite mound, Zira shook off sleep’s grip as she bounded up the ledges within the still silent abode until her head broke the surface of the structure. Peering out over the lands, past the desolate scenery in front of her to the majestic looking terrain of The Pride Lands, Zira’s eyes narrowed as she let out a defiant roar, as was the morning ritual for her.

Hearing her mother’s vocal alarm clock, Vitani uncurled herself and moved away from Masa’s warm body, giving her tiny frame a good stretch before her eyes fell upon Ayari, who had fallen asleep on the opposite side of the large lioness. Yawning casually and eager to get the days events underway, Vitani quickly bounded out of the den, purposely stepping over Nuka, who was sprawled out upon the floor of the termite mound before she exited the quiet quarters and took up a comfortable spot to let the early morning sun warm up her body.

Zira’s wake up call didn’t go unnoticed by Mara either, who quickly rose to her paws and worked out the kinks from her nights rest before she waited for her orders from Zira. As if on cue, the ruthless ruler came down from her perch above and addressed the attentive lioness in a calm manner.

”Seeing as you were kind enough to provide a filling meal Mara, you’re free to do whatever you’d like today. Make good use of your time though.”

Nodding in appreciation towards her leader, Mara bowed quaintly before she turned to where Nuka was and addressed him in a nonchalant tone.

”Dust yourself off Nuka. We’re going for a walk.”

[Baya]

Masa opened her eyes slowly as she heard the ground shaking roar of her leader. Masa noticed that Vitani was already bounding outside the den to begin the day. The lioness smiled at Vitani's enthusiasm and looked to her side where she noticed Ayari jump awake, looking around with wide eyes. Masa chuckled in a gentle manner. "It's ok little one. That is how Zira gets the day started. It's a bit startling at first." Masa explained.

Ayari rubbed his eyes, as his heart raced at a quick pace. Zira almost scared the poop out of him! He thought something bad was happening like an attack or something. He hadn't heard a roar like that since he witnessed the fight between his father and the hyenas. Ayari looked to Masa for a moment, waiting for her to say something.

"Alright little one. Make your way outside and prepare for our lesson. Prepare yourself mentally, because crying will not be tolerated." Masa said in a stern tone. Ayari snorted.

"I never cry!" He said with gritted and bared teeth. Masa laughed.

"If you haven't cried by now, you'll be crying when I've done training you for today." Masa murmured, taking note of his tough attitude. She knew this cub had a troubled mind and heart just by the way he was standing, by the way he spoke. He was far too kind toned to have been born and abandoned to become a rogue.

"Outside you go. Vitani will give you a basic run down of what's going to happen." Masa said pushing Ayari with her paw gently. Ayari quickly trotted towards the den entrance, and walked out into the hot beaming sun. Ayari's paws sort of burned from the scorching heat of the sand. He looked over to Vitani, and quickly approached her.

"Masa told me, you'd tell me what kind of training I'd be starting with." Ayari said with a playful gleam in his eye.


Nuka yelped as he was awoken by the mighty roar of his mother. He looked shiftily from side to side, and then calmed down. It was no big deal. He snorted at the praise Zira gave Mara, and muttered angrily under his breath. "I could do the same if you put a little damn faith in me..." Nuka looked at Mara like she was the most stupid creature in the world when she asked him to walk.

"Uhm, what's the word the first comes to mind when you ask me that? Two letters? Uhm...what was it? Oh yeah. NO!" Nuka growled. "I'd rather baby sit the termite then be stuck with you all day you pet." Nuka said with a glare towards Mara. His distaste for the lioness was starting to grow. What was she trying to accomplish? Was she trying to rub his face in the dirt because she was in Zira's good books? Nuka already was humiliated by having to take care of Kovu, he wasn't going to give Mara a chance to ridicule him in front of the other lionesses.

Kovu had woken up in his little wooden crib like structure, and yawned. He gazed around the den with his emerald eyes tiredly. Kovu sat up, placing his paws onto the wood of the crib and now looked for his mother.

[KiarasMate]

Enjoying the peaceful silence from being outside of the termite mound, Vitani’s tranquility was shattered by the sound of Ayari’s voice reaching her ears. Rolling onto her paws and staring at him blankly, Vitani responded in a smug tone as she randomly started to scratch herself with a hind paw.

”Huh? You’ve never sparred before? I thought you said you were a rogue Ayari? You’re telling me you’ve never gotten into a fight before?”

Relieving her itch, Vitani clamored onto her paws once more as she started to pace back and forth in front of Ayari, much like she had seen her mother and Masa do during sparring lessons when orders were being given. Adopting as a commanding voice as she could muster, Vitani started to fire off the rules of sparring to her soon to be sparring partner.

”Rule number one. Mercy is for the weak. We train to fight in the name of Scar. Rule number two. No bloodshed during sparring if it can be helped. Rule number 3. No crying. Masa hates it when you cry. it’s a sign of weakness or something. Rule number four. Nothing is off limits as long as you win.”

Pausing for a moment to gauge Ayari’s reaction to what she had stated thus far, Vitani smirked as she continued speaking. Halting in front of Ayari as she stared directly into his eyes.

”Lastly, whatever Masa says, you do. No questions. She might seem really nice on the outside but get her mad at you and you’ll regret it.”

Giving a sarcastic laugh, Vitani took a few steps back before she took a seat and stared blankly back at Ayari before asking.

”You always could run away now Ayari. No point in putting yourself through this if you’re not ready.”

Flashing the young male a sly smile, Vitani waited for Masa to arrive so the training could begin.

==========

Taking Nuka’s foul attitude in stride, Mara merely shook her head before she started to make her way past the grouchy male, speaking to him in a nonchalant voice as if his words held no meaning whatsoever.

”Fine, do what you want Nuka. Just thought I’d try and be your friend, maybe get you out of doing what you loathe so badly, but I don’t give a damn anymore. Sit on your ass and let the termites be your only company who care.”

Making her way out of the termite mound, Mara started to advance towards where both Vitani and Ayari were seated. Vitani quickly spotted Mara’s approach and bid a hasty retreat to give the large lioness plenty of room. Although there was plenty of space for her to go around, Mara just demanded respect as she made her way right over to where Ayari was seated, roughly pushing the little cub aside with a fore paw as she huffed.

”Out of the way Runt!”

Without even a second glance back, Mara vanished into the distance, on route to the borderlands between The Outlands and Pride Lands.

==========

Zira observed the events that took place between her oldest of kin and most trusted lioness. About to speak up to Nuka, Zira’s eyes caught sight of movement near Kovu’s crib, causing her to instantly drop her current agenda as she made her way over to where her youngest cub was now awake at, her motherly side clearly showing as she greeted the sleepy faced cub in an almost warm fashion.

”Good morning my little prince. Did you sleep well?” Zira asked, gently nuzzling her kin before lightly picking him up by the nape and setting him down gently in between her fore paws.

Looking about the den, Zira spotted Masa, who hadn’t left just yet. Calling over to her in a stern tone, Zira lightly nudged Kovu towards her general direction before she stated.

”A bath is in order and then get your tail out and start training that little cub Ayari. I expect you to break his spirit by the end of the day or something else will be broken instead!”

Turning her attention back to Nuka for the moment while she waited for The Chosen One to get cleaned up, Zira couldn’t help but to scowl as she called over to her oldest son.

”Why are you just sitting around Nuka? Isn’t there something productive you could be doing right now?”

[Baya]

Ayari listened to the rules Vitani was listing off. His face scrunched up. It was starting to sound unappealing to Ayari when she said "bloodshed", and "tears". Ayari knew he wouldn't by crying, but he didn't like the idea of bloodshed being involved even if due diligence was used. He growled slightly as she told him he could run right now if he wanted to. He bared his teeth with enthusiasm and grinned.

"I'm not going to run. Not anymore at least." Ayari said with a low growl rumbling in his throat. He noticed Vitani step away, and took pride in himself. He probably asserted his authority and scared her into submission. He realized he was wrong when he was shoved aside by Mara. Ayari got up from the sand and groaned slightly. Why was that lioness so violent? He wanted to snap at her in response, but his common sense helped him fight the urge. He brushed his fur free of sand, and glared after Mara. When she was out of earshot, Ayari approached Vitani quickly again.

"What's her problem? She's struck me two times now..." Ayari murmured grumpily. "Maybe she doesn't realize that when I grow up, I'll be bigger and stronger than her." Ayari muttered angrily.

"She knows that. A lion is nothing without confidence however, so even if you were big and strong, if you didn't have enough faith in yourself it would all go to waste." Masa explained as she shadowed over Vitani and Ayari. "Now this should teach you to steer clear of Mara little one. Follow Vitani's example. She avoided Mara, and the pain that comes with her." Masa warned. Her eyes fixated on the two cubs now.

"Shall we begin you two?" Masa muttered as her tone changed entirely.

~ In the den ~

Nuka grunted as she walked off. She wanted to be his friend? That was a really pathetic excuse. He knew for a fact that she just wanted to parade him around and treat him like a useless heap of fur like his mother did. He would take it from Zira, but never from Mara! Not her of all the lionesses here.

Nuka's ears twitched frantically as his mother called to him. His heart raced as he smiled nervously. "Uh, I was just...trying to take out some termites so it wouldn't irritate Kovu!" Nuka lied, with a grin but gritted teeth. That was so obvious that he was afraid he'd insulted Zira by using the lie.

"No termites bother me. I'm always up here." Kovu said from where he sat, looking to Nuka.

"Shut it termite." Nuka said through his gritted teeth.

[KiarasMate]

Watching on as Ayari was shoved aside by Mara, a small part of Vitani started to feel pity towards the lone male. He seemed so out of touch with what she knew to be typical pride behavior. Debating amongst herself if she should even say anything, Vitani was glad when Masa arrived and addressed Ayari’s question herself. Trying to clear her mind from whatever thoughts had made their way into her head, as she knew that losing focus during a sparring match could result in a verbal scolding or worse, Vitani nodded to Masa as she took up a fighting stance a few paces away from Ayari before she stated in a confident voice.

”Well? Have at you Ayari!”

Keeping her little claws sheathed as she knew the rules of sparring well enough, Vitani’s eyes narrowed as they locked upon the lone male, everything else around her becoming obsolete as she waited for him to make the first move. Her little frame tensing up as the anticipation of battle coursed through her tiny body, evoking a low growl to escape her muzzle.

==========

Shooting Nuka a judgmental gaze, Zira replied in an unwavering voice as she stated.

”If you’re going to lie to me Nuka, at least make it believable, now come here. I have a very special task for you to do for me.”

Waiting for her oldest of kin to arrive by her side, zira spoke quietly to him, her voice adopting a more serious tone as she addressed him.

”I want you to make sure that your sister doesn’t grow too attached to that little cub Ayari. I won’t have her mind being clouded by another male. The whole reason why I put those two together as sparring partners was to make sure that there was nothing between them. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but your sister just can’t seem to take her eyes off of him when she has the chance. There’s no room for love in this pride. We have an agenda to keep and I’m counting on you Nuka, to see to it that this fact remains true.”

[Baya]

Ayari unsheathed his claws , getting ready to pounce as well. His eyes were set on his prey, and he prepared to pounce. Masa shook her head.

"Wrong Ayari! Never wait to pounce, and give them a chance to predict what you are going to do. Look how casually I'm standing." Masa said in a stern tone. She then quickly pounced onto the sand, onto a rock. Ayari knew the seriousness of the situation, but he couldn't help but laugh at how silly Masa looked. He stopped laughing when he received glare from Masa.

"Now go Ayari." Masa ordered sternly, not liking Ayari's childish attitude. Ayari stood normally, and then quickly pounced onto Vitani without any notice. He rolled with the other cub. It was more fun then dangerous really. Masa took note of how much Ayari was enjoying the sparring.

"Got rogue blood alright..." Masa murmured quietly to herself.

~ In the den ~

Nuka frowned as Zira talked about Ayari, Vitani and love. Nuka stuck out his tongue in disgust. Love. What a useless emotion. "I'm pretty sure Tani won't fall in love with that cub mother. I think the wound from Kopa is waaaay too deep for her to love any male ever again." Nuka said to try and get out of doing this piece of work. However, he thought more about it and figured it would be a great way to prove his worthiness to Zira. "I'll do it anyway!" Nuka said quickly. "Now what should I do mother? Watch them spar?" Nuka asked with a wide grin.

[KiarasMate]

What seemed like innocent play to Ayari, was quite the opposite for Vitani, as her instincts and upbringing made this situation no laughing matter. Upon seeing her adversary’s advance, Vitani readied herself as his small body came in contact with her own. As the two cubs rolled, Vitani kept a careful eye on just where each of Ayari’s paws were, keeping her head well out of biting distance as her own body contorted and positioned itself for the landing, to which Vitani herself was already calculating. In a swift motion, Vitani jerked her body to one side, shifting the momentum of their bodies in her favor as the pair came to a halt with a thud upon the ground, Ayari smack dab below the proud looking lioness as she rapidly unsheathed her claws and brought them up against Ayari’s neck, just to symbolize just how easily she could have dispatched of his life then and there.

Getting her point across, Vitani moved off of Ayari, repositioning herself for another go as she stated in a mocking tone.

”C’mon Ayari, put some effort into it next time. You’re not going to let a lioness beat you now are you?”

==========

Listening to Nuka’s reply, followed by his question, Zira narrowed her eyes as she responded in a crass voice.

”And make it that obvious that you’re spying on the two of them? Use that brain of yours Nuka. Do you think that would be a good idea? No! I want you to keep track of those two but without your sister knowing. If she knew what you were up to, how do you think she’d react, hmm?”

Turning towards Kovu now, Zira started to make her way over towards where Masa had left Kovu after bathing him. Pausing alongside her youngest of kin, Zira turned about one more time to face Nuka as she stated.

”I’m going to take your brother out for a bit of training. That should give you some time to think things over Nuka.”

Leaning down, Zira scooped up the little bundle of fur into her muzzle, carrying him proudly by the nape as she passed by Nuka, on route to her special training grounds. Leaving the termite mound, Zira made her way in the opposite direction to which Masa, Vitani and Ayari were located at, stopping by a hallowed log before she set her youngest cub down and spoke in a motherly tone to him.

”Now my little prince. It’s time to start your training as well. My beloved Scar chose you for a reason and you’re going to be the key to our victory over those sniveling Pridelanders!”

Searching around the rather barren looking landscape, Zira’s eyes fell upon exactly what she was looking for. Swiping a paw downwards, the cold hearted lioness cupped something in her paw. Bringing it close to where Kovu was seated, Zira revealed the contents of what she was holding, in the form of a brightly colored butterfly, a rare sight to see in such a desolate place, it’s beautiful patterned wings seemingly out of place when contrasted against the decaying surroundings. Holding the captivating insect close to her son, Zira’s voice lowered to a dangerous pitch as she hissed.

”Kill it!”

[Baya]

Ayari was laughing when Vitani had ended up pinning him down. Masa sighed, but couldn't help but smile at how Ayari was reacting to the training. It was so strange yet normal for Ayari to be laughing in this situation. "You just wait Vitani. I'm going to be bigger and stronger in the end." Ayari said with a wide grin.

"Unless you die before you reach that point. You have to take fighting seriously Ayari. I know you are a cub, and it seems you have a heap of innocence. I'll have to show you something then. Come with me, both of you. I'll show you what life is all about." Masa said quietly, hoping she was doing the right thing. These two needed to see a real fight, not just a little sparring match. Masa began to lead the cubs away from the termite mound and towards the desert.

"Masa, won't we get lost?" Ayari asked. Masa shook her head.

"I know these lands like the back of my paw. There is no way I would ever get you two lost." Masa explained as she walked. It would've been good to have some extra security just in case. Too bad Mara wasn't around with them.

"What are we going to see?" Ayari asked, really curious as to what they were leaving the security of the pride for.

"You said you are a rogue right Ayari? Well look." Masa said stopping and laying down on her stomach quickly. She pushed both Vitani and Ayari down as well to blend in with the sand. In front of them was a watering hole where a lioness was laying. The lioness was not alone for long as another lioness approached the watering hole.

"Do you two see this? Watch what happens." Masa whispered. The lioness that just arrived tried to take a drink from the watering hole, but the other lioness quickly pounced onto the one attempting to drink. Those two began to fight and it was quite vicious. The lioness that came for a drink didn't do so well defending herself for long, but she managed to slash the jugular of the other lioness. The lioness that was there first was no bleeding from her throat onto the hot sand, and staggering slightly.

"These are rogues Ayari. They did not speak to one another, they did not know one another, that lioness didn't even warn the one trying to take a drink. If you want to fight like a rogue, you'll have to shred every ounce of nobility and mercy in your heart. Let your instincts guide your actions. Never think about living or dying." Masa murmured. The lioness rogue then quickly looked towards Masa, Ayari and Vitani. She growled deep in her throat and approached them with bloody paws. Masa quickly stood, and roared towards the rogue.

The rogue roared back but much louder. "Stay behind me children!" Masa ordered in a shaky tone. Ayari stepped back as ordered, noting that even Masa was afraid right now. "We don't want trouble rogue. We were just observ-"

"Silence!" The rogue growled. "You are trespassing!" The rogue snarled as she pawed Masa hard across the face. The attack left Masa with a gash on her cheek. Masa's eyes flared and she bared her teeth letting out another mighty roar. She then pounced onto the rogue and began to have a true fight to the death.

Ayari watched in fear, and amazement. Masa was proving her own lesson to be true. Under normal circumstances Ayari knew a lion would not react like that to a blow to the face by a superior creature. Masa didn't care though. Her honor was taken away just now, and she was taking it back.

~ In the den ~

Nuka sighed as he scratched his head. How would he figure out information, without getting noticed? He was terrible at espionage. He sat there and thought for a few minutes before an idea struck him. Perhaps he could try and befriend Mara, then get some lessons on hunting. Through those hunting lessons he'd learn how to stalk Ayari and Vitani without getting noticed! It was a full proof plan. Though there was a problem. Nuka had no idea where Mara was at the moment.

~ At the special training ground ~

Kovu looked to the butterfly with a sad look on his face. "Wh-Why mother? What did the butterfly do? How can I kill something that hasn't done anything wrong?" Kovu asked, knowing he'd be scorned for saying such a thing. He couldn't find it in his heart to kill something so beautiful.

[KiarasMate]

Happy to oblige, Vitani quickly bounded behind Masa as she lead them to unfamiliar territory. Doing as was bid of her, Vitani looked on in disbelief as the horrid event played out in front of her very eyes. Even as accustom to violence as she was, Vitani herself found the sight to be a bit unsettling as her eyes averted from the scene as things turned explicit. Showing no fear openly however, Vitani said nothing as they were about to leave, only to be stopped by one of the rogues that they had been observing moments before. Watching from a distance was fine but now, being so close to the same ruthless beast that had so effortlessly fought with the less fortunate lioness, Vitani felt her heart beginning to pound in her little chest as she quickly found refuge behind one of Masa’s large hind legs.

Trying to keep her cool, if only for her own sake, Vitani whispered quietly to Ayari before all hell broke loose.

”Don’t worry Ayari. Masa has everything under control.”

In the blink of an eye, Masa and the opposing lioness were battling it out, the sounds of aggression filling the air as Vitani found herself panic stricken. Without thinking, the young lioness moved in and grabbed hold of Ayari’s fore paw as she commanded.

”Come on! You’re going to get hurt if you stay where you are.”

Dragging Ayari along until he got the hint that she wasn’t joking, Vitani lead the way to a nearby crevice, provided by two large boulders that just seemed big enough for the two of them to squeeze into. Wasting no time, Vitani pushed Ayari forward to indicate that she insisted for him to go first, quickly following close behind him as the small cubs hid themselves from the vicious fight that was being waged not too far away. Panting heavily, both from fear and uncertainty, Vitani kept a close eye on what was happening outside, not even realizing that their little cramped quarters had brought the two cubs rather close together as her body pressed against Ayari’s, her trembling frame obvious to the touch as she silently hoped that Masa would be okay.

==========

Not too far off from where the trio of felines had wandered off to, Mara was hot on the trail of the scent of blood that she had detected. Unbeknownst to the scouting lioness, her sister was fighting for her life at the moment, Mara casually advanced upon the waterhole that the injured lioness was still laying at. Unfazed by the gruesome looking sight, Mara’s attention was grabbed by the commotion not too far off from where she was. Anticipating some action, Mara stalked closer, her eyes making out the silhouette of some strange lioness, but more importantly, that of her sister.

Like a flash, Mara was off, jetting towards the brawl like a crazed beast, letting out a defiant roar upon arriving at her sister’s side, Mara’s unsheathed fore paw sailed through the air, striking the startled rogue as a fresh coat of blood spilled upon the scorching sands below. Taking up an aggressive stance next to her sister, Mara glared at the baffled rogue as she hissed through bared teeth.

”You’re not seeing straight are you? Two of us now. You’ve picked the wrong fight and if you hold your life dear to you, this is your only chance to leave with it in tact.”

==========

Looking extremely disappointed from the lack of action on Kovu’s part, yet knowing that he was still young, Zira sighed dejectedly as her paw quickly clenched, an unpleasant sounding squishing noise confirming her actions as her paw opened once more to reveal the now lifeless figure of the once majestic looking insect, now nothing more than a crumpled mess. Wiping her paw off upon the log as if disgusted by the lifeless creature that was pasted upon it, Zira spoke in a stern voice to her youngest of kin as she met with his emerald orbs.

”To become the king that I know you will be Kovu, you must not hesitate in life. You must act swiftly and without remorse. Distance yourself from your heart. Growing attached to anything will only lead to hardship. You need to take what you want, when you want it and if anyone stands in your way, they are the enemy, and all enemies must be eliminated.”

Bringing her face dangerously close to Kovu’s, Zira whispered softly to him as her fore paw roughly caressed over his tiny body, her sharp claws trailing through the little cub’s brown pelt as she did so.

”Do you remember who is responsible for Scar’s death? Do you remember who banished us to live in these dry, barren, disgusting, termite infested Outlands? Tell me my little prince. Who? Who is the enemy?”