[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Husudu looked to his bother for the answer, sort of knowing what his brother would say. Shwari smiled slightly and looked to the den where his lover had gone to rest a bit. "I-I'm going to ask Zina if she'd like to come back to the jungle and start a pride with me." Shwari murmured. Husudu chuckled, already knowing that's what Shwari would say.

"I can't be a rogue anymore either." Husudu said looking down at the cub. "This damn little furball won't last a day without me." Husudu grunted. Shwari rolled his eyes, but smiled knowing that his brother didn't mean the negative portion of that comment. It was nice to see Husudu actually showing affection to another living creature.

"I'm sure you will succeed Shwari. King Shwari, and Queen Zina, of the Junglelands." Ayari said with a upper class mocking tone. Shwari laughed as he scratched his chin.

"That sounds good. I'd rather be, Shwari! Lord of the jungle!" Shwari said with a devious smirk. Ayari didn't hear the last part as he nuzzled Vitani again. Passion was really in the air, and the tensions between couples were rising. Ayari could see that Zina was right, everything had turned around for them.

//

"It-It is done. It'll only add to my collection of scars..." Kiburi panted quietly as she let herself fall to her side, to take a rest from all the battle stress. Tume had arrived there right on that cue too, with a look of worry. He quickly made his way towards his mother. Tume's eyes glanced over at where Guza was still laughing, and his eyes narrowed. Maju was dead.

"Mother. What happened?" Tume asked with a glare towards the pyromaniac. Kiburi sighed quietly, taking in some more breath before speaking.

"Your father heard me talk about destroying him. He told two of his henchmen to kill me, and your cousin here held of those rogues. Maju was about to attack Xepher, and Guza...just killed Maju." Kiburi explained, summerizing the horrific last moments. Tume looked to Guza again who had stopped laughing.

"Why do you fools stand around? GET THE STICKS!" Guza roared, still planning to burn the pridelands.

[KiarasMate]

Something had told vitani that this was going to be what Schwari and his brother would choose to do, although there was a small part of her that had hoped that they would have chosen to stay with her, Ayari and Kovu’s pride. Even though the small group hadn’t been united for very long, Vitani herself had considered each and every one of them, as a staple member of the pride by this point, even Husudu, as it was not entirely clear, yet to the trained eye, one could see that the oldest of the grey furred brothers was indeed, quite attached to his new found cub. Smiling fondly, vitani spoke up once Schwari had finished speaking, adding in her own two cents as she continued to snuggle in closer to Ayari’s warm body.

”Well, it’s a shame that you all will be leaving once all this is behind us, but I suppose someone has to keep Husudu in line and while all three of you, Vitani stated, giving a quick glance to the little bundle of fur in between Husudu’s fore legs before she continued. ”erm, four of you, will be surely missed. You know you all are always welcome back here though whenever you want to stop in for a visit.”

Looking over at her mate now, Vitani purred softly as she returned Ayari’s affectionate nuzzle with one of her own, resting her head against his for a moment as she whispered softly.

”I want this war to be over with now Ayari. I want our lands to be at peace again. I want to be with you and have your cubs without having to worry about their safety.”

==========

Hearing Guza’s order, Xepher curled his muzzle lips in disgust as he made no apparent effort to do what was commanded of him, instead, taking up a stance next to Tume, before speaking to the maniacal male in a disrespectful voice.

”And who died and made you leader all of a sudden Guza? Just because you did what all of us here, have wanted to do for ages now, doesn’t just automatically give you all the power you know. If anything, Tume here is our new leader. I’d much rather follow his orders than to be under your rule.”

Turning to face his old friend and aunt, Xepher looked as though he didn’t quite know what to do. On one paw, he recalled Tume’s plan of turning against the horde after the Fire Decoy was set, but now with Maju dead, Xepher couldn’t choose what or who to follow, but being loyal to his friend more than anything, Xepher gravitated towards Tume as he addressed him in a respectful manner.

”So Tume, what do we do from here? Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

[Baya]

Ayari smiled as he brought his muzzle to Vitani's for a quick kiss. He purred quietly, and his eyes gleamed with interest at his soon to be mate. "You don't know how much I want that too. Once Maju is gone, we won't have to worry anymore. I knew one day we'd end up together some how." Ayari muttered. He looked to the darkening sky, and sniffed the air. "Does anyone else, smell...burning?" Ayari asked quietly.

Ayari slowly made his way to the edge of pride rock, and closed his eyes for a moment. "It's time..." Ayari murmured quietly. When he said that Husudu looked to the ball of fur sleeping between his paws. He frowned slightly not knowing what to do with it.

Ayari let out a roar to alert everyone to come outside. Most of the pride did, including Kovu, Kiara, Siri and Shwari. "It has begun hasn't it?" Kovu asked quietly looking to Ayari. Ayari nodded.

"Siri, I'll need you to take of her while I go." Husudu murmured, picking up the little cub by the scruff and handing it over to the pregnant lioness. Siri nodded as she took the cub from Husudu. Siri felt her heart leap as he spoke to her in that tone however. He sounded so calm, collected and he reminded her a little of Kivuli. Siri gave Husudu a quick nuzzle.

"Be careful. Don't let this cub grow up without her father." Siri said quietly as she picked up the cub and slowly made her way towards the den.

//

Tume had taken charge as Xepher requested, and had marched all the rogues to the front lines. The fires were set and the pridelands began to burn once more. Tume looked intently at pride rock, not knowing why he was doing this. He did not want to be king, nor did he want to orphan any more cubs. Kiburi on the other hand was growling with the anticipation of battle.

"Charge my friends! Charge and conquer!" Kiburi roared. In that instant, all of them made their way into the pride lands burning the grass as they did so.

[KiarasMate]

Vitani smiled happily and purred contently as she watched Ayari making his way up to the promontory. It wasn’t until his voice reached her ears however, did the former Outlander pick up upon the faint smell of burning brush, causing her to quickly rise to her paws as she made her way over to Ayari’s side. Taking a look off into the distance, it was difficult to tell if, in fact, there was another fire somewhere in The Pride Lands, as the setting sun had lit up the fading sky with hues of bright orange and red to begin with but hearing Ayari’s defiant roar and trusting that her mate knew Maju’s plans better than she herself did, Vitani hurriedly complied as she started to mentally prepare herself for what she hoped would be the final confrontation, but most importantly, that things would turn out for the better.

Zina too, had been rudely roused by Ayari’s ear splitting roar, causing the white furred Shaman to almost jump out of her fur as she made her way out of the main den along with the rest of Kovu’s pride. Taking up a stance next to Schwari, Zina looked as though she wasn’t quite ready for what was about to happen but knowing that she too, had something worth fighting for now, gradually made her more and more prepared for the showdown that was about to take place. Waiting for Ayari’s orders, the white furred Shaman prayed that she had gathered enough herbs and that Vitani’s training would aid in helping Kovu’s pride to pull off a victory once and for all against Maju’s horde.

==========

Now that Tume was in charge of things, Xepher had no qualms about following his orders. Taking a spot in the front row next to his aunt as was his typical nature, Xepher stood at the ready, the newly lit branch still ablaze within his mouth as he stared off into the distance as the horde advanced forward. Unlike their previous battles, there was an eary ominous presence about this one that unsettled Xepher deeply. Perhaps it was the fact that Maju himself was no longer around and that this would be their first official fight without his leadership skills. Although Xepher himself truly despised Maju, he had to admit that the deceased lion knew how to run a very tight shift when it came to the art of war. Still, knowing that Tume was no slouch when it came to battle plans either, Xepher tried his best to focus his mind upon what needed to be done.

Hearing his aunt’s words, Xepher lowered his head, bringing the blazing branch in contact with the flammable grass below, quickly stepping aside as not to get engulfed by the rapidly rising fires himself as the horde moved forward. Once a significant portion of the grass was set ablaze, Xepher dropped the branch from within his muzzle and turned to find Tume in the chaotic scene that had just irrupted. Locating his old friend from within the thick smoke that had already begun to swirl around them, Xepher spoke to him in a serious voice as the lands around him smoldered and crackled.

”Okay, now’s the time to inform me on what exactly we’re doing this for now Tume. Maju’s already dead, so who is our target supposed to be?”

[Baya]

Ayari gazed at the horizon with Kovu, and then turned to the king. He didn't say a word to the king, but nodded. Kovu let out a loud roar of his own, indicating that it was time. Time for war. Ayari was the first to run down pride rock, along with Shwari and Husudu. They had to be at the front lines. The lionesses followed behind them, along with Kovu. Ayari looked to Vitani one more time, and then forward. He hoped with all his heart she at least wouldn't be harmed even if he went down.

The pride landers were standing on the border of the pride lands, and the outlands once again. Flashes of memories ran through Kovu's mind of how Zira died not too far from here, but he shook his head as he felt the heat of the flames that was eating away at his new home. Kovu's eyes narrowed as he saw the horde approaching with fire torches burning in their mouths.

"Just kill Maju. If he goes down these mindless fools won't know what to d-" Ayari was cut off when he looked around and instead of Maju at the battle field he saw Tume, Xepher and Kiburi. . Ayari knew Maju wouldn't pass up a chance to kill him, so why was the fool not here?


//

Tume didn't say a word to answer Xepher's question. "I don't know who our target is. I don't know why we are here at all. Just fight Xepher." Tume growled quietly. The battle had begun. Tume took down three lionesses, not killing them however. Husudu was fighting viciously alongside his younger brother. Both of these males had something worth fighting for now, which meant no backing down or running away.

Ayari's eyes met with Kiburi's for a moment, as the glow of the fire reflected in her eyes, making them look like they were filled with the fire of hate. Ayari roared loudly as he ran at Kiburi, and pouncing onto her.

"If you're so excited my dear, you should take your mate, not me!" Kiburi snarled as she was pinned down.

"Don't flatter yourself..." Ayari growled as he raised his paw to strike her but was pushed off by Tume.

"You have no place here Ayari. Leave. Just go and no harm will come to you." Tume growled quietly as his eyes narrowed on the gold pelted male.

"You don't know how wrong you are. Do you know what I'm fighting for? To live? To save these lands? Hell no. I'm doing it for something I care about, which is a feeling you'll never know!" Ayari roared. Tume's eyes widened at that comment, and was pounced on by Ayari.


Shwari fought off several rogue lioness, until of course he was pounced on by Guza. "I got you little Shwari! I got you in my grasp! Now comes the question of who decides your fate! Me or my dear lady! When I'm done with you, I'll take care of that little temptress of yours...Wonder how many males have taken her before because her rear end is always in the air isn't it?" Guza cackled as he held his paw to Shwari's throat. Shwari's throat was closed off by the force and he was beginning to black out. All he could think about was Zina, and what this sick freak would do to her if he got ahold of her. She had just begun to trust males again, and to understand not everyone is cut from the same cloth. If Shwari died now, and let this mentally ill monster get ahold of his mate...

Shwari let out a loud roar of anger as he pushed Guza off. "I know you'll be happy in hell, because your lady is all over that place..." Shwari growled as pounced onto Guza, and quickly cutting his jugular.

[KiarasMate]

Xepher didn’t even have time to respond to what Tume had told him, as the approach of The Pridelanders took his full undivided attention as he turned to attack. Choosing his targets carefully. Xepher weaved his way in and out of the masses, on route to find one lion in particular. Through the thick smoke that blanketed the lands, Xepher’s eyes locked upon his desired target as he moved in close, Husudu directly in his sights. The grey furred male seemed to be handling himself quite proficiently for someone who wasn’t fighting for any apparent reason, sparking Xepher’s curiosity as he called out to the male to grab his attention.

”Well well. We meet again Husudu. Why so suddenly aggressive towards your former horde members hmm? Did you finally realize that you have nothing to live for? That no one will ever love you because you yourself can’t even feel love? It’s quite sad but fear not. Where you’re headed, love is obsolete.”

Letting out a tremendous roar, Xepher charged Husudu while several of his horde members were being dispatched by the preoccupied male. Landing the first blow savagely against Husudu’s hind leg to weaken his balance, Xepher kept his guard up as he struck Husudu with several more vicious hits from his strong fore paws, his razor sharp claws fully protruded, leaving deep lacerations within the grey beast’s body. Xepher saw an opening and was right about to slash Husudu right across the throat, when his focus was suddenly stolen by the sight of his aunt being pinned down by Ayari, causing his guard to be dropped for a split second.

Upon arriving at the war zone, Zina stayed back as she was instructed to do, rushing from feline to feline as she tended to any injuries that came up, all the while, fending off the few lionesses that managed to squeeze past the front ranks of The Pridelanders defenses. Having only collected so many herbs however, her stock quickly diminished although, it was clear that the training The Pride Lander lionesses had endured thanks to Vitani, was truly paying off as they were managing to hold their own for the most part. Even though her focus was upon the needs of the injured, Zina couldn’t help but to keep a weary eye out over her beloved Schwari. If anything were to happen to him, she knew what she would have to do and wouldn’t hesitate to act if need be.

Quickly parting ways from her brother as the battle began, Vitani tried to distance herself from Ayari as she knew that his mere presence would be a distraction to her. Shifting her mind into battle mode, the former Outlander’s ferocity surfaced as she quickly ended the lives of a few random members of the opposing side’s forces, rapidly staining her paws in a thick layer of the enemies blood. Feeling that familiar spark of rage that often times had taken over her during her mother’s reign, Vitani seemed to lose herself in the battle as she charged head long into a mass of bodies and flying paws and claws from both her own allies and enemies as she vanished under the masses.

[Baya]

"I don't know what you are trying to say fool. I never fight to live and love, I just love living to fight!" Husudu snarled as he rolled around the ground with Xepher. Several times he narrowly dodged swipes at his throat, and he felt a stinging at his face where the other male had torn flesh. Husudu smirked as Xepher's attention went to his aunt being pinned and he found the opportunity he was looking for.

"The dumb get dumber..." Husudu snarled as he pinned Xepher down. He panted as he looked down at the male, and his grin widened even more. Now he was in control, he was dominant! The only thing Xepher could do was wait for death. Husudu raised his paw to strike Xepher and finally shut his mouth before the thought of Siri and his new daughter ran through his mind. Husudu looked down to Xepher once more, seeing the terror in the young male's eyes.

"It's not for me to decide whether you live or die." Husudu growled quietly as he got off of Xepher, giving him a chance to choose between running, or getting himself killed.


Kiburi smirked wide as she managed to subdue Ayari by biting his neck. She was now pinning him, and she let go of his throat. "Perhaps I'd have use for you. We'd need another cub to take over after Tume, how would you like to provide me with that? I promise to kill you nice and quick if you do." Kiburi purred. She was obviously in heat [literally! lol], and was very distrusting of her son's actions recently.

Ayari looked at her with disgust. "I'd rather die then have my kin growing in your repulsive body!" Ayari snarled as he slashed her across the face sending her to the floor. Ayari debated whether he should kill her or not, but he figured the fire would do that since she was unconscious. Ayari noticed Vitani having a little trouble with some lionesses that were ganging up on her and quickly ran alongside her to help.

Shwari meanwhile panted tiredly, limping slightly from a wounded ankle on his right forepaw. He was exhausted and the fire was spreading. How could they possibly win now? There was no way he was going to survive in these conditions and the pride lands were going to be destroyed. Shwari's vision began to blur from all the ash and smoke in the air. He staggered a few times, and finally fell unconscious where he was now at the mercy of the horde.

[KiarasMate]

Feeling himself being pinned down by Husudu and staring death in the face directly as the grey furred male’s paw raised high in the air, Xepher felt that the end had came. While he was obviously terrified to die, he still kept his dignity in tact as he waited for Husudu to finish him off. Much to Xepher’s surprise however, he felt the grey furred beast moving off of him as he hurriedly rose to his paws and darted off towards where he had seen his aunt last, calling back over his shoulder as he did so.

”You should have killed me when you had the chance Husudu. Mercy is for the weak. You of all lions should know that.”

Rushing over to where Kiburi was laying, Xepher quickly scooped his unconscious aunt onto his back and moved her out of harms way. Trying to find a place safe to set her down upon, Xepher ran head long into Tume, prompting the male to halt in his tracks as he shouted at him in a concerned tone.

”I need to take Aunty Kiburi somewhere safe Tume. She’s not going to make it if we leave her here.”

Vitani was lost in the heat of battle as she spotted a glimpse of Ayari who had joined the fray. Clawing her way through the few lionesses that stood in her way, Vitani arrived alongside her mate as she stood back to back with him, the flames dancing wildly around them as she spoke in a winded voice.

”We’re going to need a miracle to make it out of this alive Ayari. Where the hell is Maju anyways? I thought you would have been ripping his throat open by now.”

Snarling viciously, Vitani raked the side of an unsuspecting horde member that had crashed into her, leaving quite the unsightly wound across her body. Turning to face Ayari now, Vitani leaned in close to lick him over his cheek before she stated in a bold voice before dashing off.

”I love you no matter what happens Ayari. We stand as one!”

While tending to a wounded member of Kovu’s pride, Zina caught sight of Schwari, who seemed to not be fairing very well. Rushing over to his side as the younger of the two grey furred brother’s collapsed, Zina pulled out the last remaining herbs from her now empty pouch, quickly applying them to Schwari’s injured leg before her fore paw moved over to his muzzle, her paw toes uncurling to reveal a single lotus pedal. Leaning down to lovingly nuzzle him, Zina brought the fragrant flora close to his nose, speaking to him softly as she licked him tenderly.

”C’mon Schwari, you gotta get up. Things can’t end like this. Not here, not now! I need you with me. GET UP!”

Refusing to let her emotions to get the best of her right now, Zina took up a defensive stance, no longer willing to stand in the foreground as she courageously fought off any and all members of Maju’s former horde who came too close for comfort. She wouldn’t let anyone lay a paw upon her love if she could help it. Until she would draw her last breath, Zina would defend Schwari till the bitter end.

[Baya]

"Hah. You are going to die anyway. At least this way, my little one won't have to see blood on my paws." Husudu murmured quietly, more to himself then to Xepher. He continued to fight, his thoughts always lingering on his cub, and Siri. He really wasn't fighting for the thrill anymore, he was fighting to protect. Siri was lonely and with cub. If he let these rogues pass the border and take over, what would they do to her? Those thoughts kept Husudu motivated to take down as many rogues as he could.

The fight waged on for hours, and the clouded sky began to let down rain. The rogues all looked around as the rain put out the blazes. It was an odd coincidence. The rogues were scrambling for orders, not knowing what to do, not having any strategy.

Ayari looked to the sky as the rain fell, and his mane got soaked. "Weird...This happened a second time." Ayari murmured knowing for sure it wasn't just coincidence. The great kings above were truly watching over them. Ayari's ear twitched at Vitani's question not knowing the answer.

Tume looked to where Xepher had carried of Kiburi and followed after him quickly, his paws making imprints in the now muddy battlefield. Tume stopped at where Kiburi was starting to stir, not meeting his friend's gaze. "We've lost mother. There's...nothing we can do. Without guidance these rogues are fools. The rain has drenched the fire. We are being out numbered now. We must leave." Tume said calmly. Kiburi coughed.

"No. We will stay. We will fight. I'll kill that Ayari if it's the last thing I do!" Kiburi roared as she pushed past Tume and Xepher, running towards her target.


Shwari smelled a variety of scents. At first it was burning, then the comforting scent of his soon to be mate, and after that an aroma that really caught his attention. His eyes opened weakly as he noticed the air was clearing up from the smoke as well, the rain dripping onto the male's entire body. "You really need me so bad? Well then I can't go yet." Shwari said with a small chuckle and cough. He nuzzled Zina as he noticed several rogues beginning to leave the scene. Without a battle leader, they were as dignified as hyenas. They couldn't even plan a basic attack on their own.

Ayari sighed as he quickly trotted over to Kovu who was staring over the edge of a cliff, that lead down to a rushing river. "We won I think. With no casualties too." Kovu said quietly not looking to Ayari. Ayari looked over the cliff as well, and sighed.

"Yes, we did win. I didn't see Tume, that other male or Kiburi dead though." Ayari murmured. His eyes widened as he heard a loud roar, and speak of the devil he could see Kiburi charging towards him. Before Kiburi could pounce on him though, Tume pounced on Kiburi sending them both rolling over the cliff.

When Ayari looked over the cliff to see if they were in the river, he gasped as he saw Tume hanging onto a piece of rock, with his mother's claws sunk into his back. He was in an immense amount of pain.

"G-Go Ayari." Tume hissed in pain. Kovu looked sadly at Tume, wondering why the villain sacrificed himself like this.

"Why Tume?" Ayari asked quietly and in confusion. Tume chuckled, and shook his head.

"All this time, my actions are based on hate, because I had no reason to base them on love. I don't care about anybody. I have no reason to live. I grew up only wanting to bring about my father's death, and when he died I felt as empty and hollow as a Hyena's skull. Perhaps this way, I'd earn myself entry to the stars of the sky, rather then the fires of hell..." Tume grunted, but his mother was struggling to get back up there.

"I must let go...Now..." Tume said as he prepared to release his claws from the rock.

[KiarasMate]

Zina’s spirits seemed to instantly lift as she picked up upon Schwari’s voice, bringing an overjoyed smile to form upon her snow white muzzle. Showering her beloved lion in affectionate nuzzles and licks to show just how thrilled she was to know that he was going to be alright, Zina didn’t care who was around them by this point and seeing how the battle was quickly coming to an end, the white furred Shaman seemed to relax a bit as she spoke lovingly to Schwari.

”You had me worried there for a minute Schwari. Don’t you ever scare me like that again or I’ll kill you myself.”

Letting a raspy, lighthearted giggle to leave her throat, Zina continued to fuss over Schwari, making sure that his hind leg wasn’t severely injured and that the herbs she had applied moments ago, wouldn’t be washed off by the sudden downpour that had overtaken the lands. Leaning down to try and help her grey furred lover to his paws, Zina murmured quietly as she watched the last of the rogues taking their leave from the battlefield.

”Looks like fate favored us upon this day Schwari. Maybe it’s a sign though. Maybe we need to start taking our own lives a bit more seriously. C’mon, I’ll help you back to the main den. You’re going to need to let that leg of yours heal but I’ll be sure to keep you company, so it shouldn’t be too bad.”

Vitani had noted the change in attitude from the remaining horde members, causing her to cease her own attacks as she pulled back to where her brother and Ayari were situated. Peering over the edge of the cliff, Vitani caught sight of both Tume and Kiburi, right before the pair plummeted into the watery depths below. Looking quite befuddled by what had just happened, the former Outlander turned to her brother and mate, speaking to them both in a subdued voice.

”Well, it’s finally over. Not exactly the ending I was expecting but I don’t think we could have asked for a better one.” Moving in close to where Ayari was, Vitani nuzzled him tenderly as she whispered softly in his ear. ”Especially since you’re safe my beloved Ayari.”

Taking a look around the surrounding lands, Vitani surveyed the damage from both the fire and her own pride’s actions. While they hadn’t lost any members miraculously, there were countless injuries to be tended to from almost every member, herself included although her wounds were minimal at best. Paying her respects to the fallen members of Maju’s former horde, even though they were the enemy, Vitani turned back to face Kovu as she spoke up once more.

”Well Brother, you truly have proved to be quite the leader and a mighty fine king if I do say so myself. A job well done, wouldn’t you say? I think we all would like to head home though. Hopefully our lands will be peaceful and safe for many seasons to come, now that Maju is a thing of the past.”

Not too far off from where The Pridelanders were now celebrating their newly achieved victory however, a lone lion watched from afar before skulking off silently. It was Xepher. Having witnessed what had happened to both his best friend and aunt and having no other place to go as he most certainly wouldn’t be welcomed into the ranks of the pride he had just moments ago, been trying to end the lives of, this left Xepher with only one other option. He would have to return to living the life of a rogue once more. This wouldn’t be the last time that he would see The pride Landers however, as Kiburi’s wishes still rang fresh within his mind. Somehow, someday, he would fulfill her destiny.