[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli watched for a while as Mila devoured her meal. It wasnt long before her actions made Kivuli hungry himself. He went over to the body and ripped a leg off for himself and brought it over infront of Mila. He lay down and without delay sank his razor fangs into the tender meat, ripping an chunk off and devouring it seconds later. What Nala had said previously was right. Kivuli could devour a meal very quickly and even after years being away his appetite hadnt changed

It only took him a couple of minutes to finish the leg. He licked his lips and sighed with happiness. Mila was still in the middle of eating hers, so with nothing better to do, Kivuli just watched her, ripping the meal from the bone, and savouring the fresh taste. Something then aught his eye. A piece of flesh that lay next to him off his leg. Grinning like a mad lion he picked it up and threw it at Mila. It landed right across he nose, and for reason unknown this sent Kivuli into fits of giggles as he rolled on his back laughing

[Mike]

"No, go on." Vitani laughed understandingly, recognizing the behavior of an affectionate couple. "We can always catch up later. Good hunting today." With a nod of farewell she continued on towards where Kiara was sitting. She began to help herself to a share of her kill and spoke to Kiara between bites.

"Still no sign of my brother huh." she said. "How've you found your first day on the job then?"

---------------

"Right, good enough for now." Kovu said with a sigh. It was nothing like what he'd hoped for, but it was better than nothing in Kovu's mind. He was getting anxious to leave in any case. He could imagine that Taraji would be getting restless, and this was more frustrating than he had anticipated. "You're not welcome in the main den anymore, you gave that privilege up the moment you spilled another pridelander's blood. If you can't hunt for yourself we'll send something to you."

"Daxis is pretty sure that he wants to stay with you." he said, turning to Laini and trying to keep his voice civil in the face of her tenaciously blank gaze. "I need to know what you want. We can find somebody else to watch him, nobody will think less of you." Kovu promised this even as he did not have a clear idea of who he could dump the young male with. He supposed that he would find someone if he needed to.

[Lodrill]

Laini forced her eyes away from the cub to Kovu again. His voice made clear that he wanted an answer but Laini did not even know one. Sure she was responsible for Daxis now that she had saved him and he was not that bad of a fellow dispite that Laini began to fear his temper a bit after the last events. But Laini also already had decided to move back to her old den and even leave the pride.

With Daxis this would be very difficult due for him it would be the best to stay here. Laini was no good huntress either so it would be hard enough to get something for herself not thinking about for another lion.
"Erm...." Laini could not decide. Maybe she should agree for starters and later tell Daxis about her plans? This seemed to be the best dicision for the moment due this would make Kovu leave finally and she could relax a bit. Maybe Daxis even wanted to accompany her or she ran into a lioness who would be willing to watch over him for a while until Laini was far away and they realized that she would not come back?

Lainia nodded very slowly and with minimal movements of her head and lowered her eyes to her paws hoping Kovu would finally leave.

[SinChei]

Daxis didnt really want to go to the main den again he just wanted to be with Laini now no one else but it sounded like Laini wanted another one to care for him e couldnÄt understand if she agreed to another lioness to care for him or to care for him herself. The red maned cub was so exhausted because of the situation he just wanted kovu to go as soon as possible.


((sry again for this short post ))

[Lodrill]

Rahina smiled towards Vitani. "Okay thank you. I will catch up later then." Rahina giggled and nudged Kopa. "Alrrrrright!" she exclaimed. "Should we go sweetheart?" Rahina jumped over Kopa still giggling and sprinted down pride rock. She knew Kopa would not wait long to follow her. She headed directly towards the private waterhole and looked over her shoulder to check if he really was comming. She did not run high speed to be on the safe side. Maybe her status of being pregnant made her slow down. She had never cared about safety while running along small passes back in the jungle. Or better to say she knew she was so good in walking them that she did not even consider them as being dangerous. But a lot had changed since she got pregnant. Even at hunt she was not as risky and careless as before. It had began in the times she still had wandered with Kopa. She had been the one hunting all their food up to pride rock but she had made sure to do so while Kopa was sleeping due she knew he would have got wind of her baring cubs if he would have watched her.

Well there was no reason to worry about this anymore due she finally told him what she should have told him months ago.
That she finally had told him about their little cub to come and the fact that he (after the first shock) was as happy as she was about the new life and that he was not cross with her anymore made her feel light as a feather. It was a wonderful thing to share this happiness with her one and only lion. In this moment she wished that Kopa and her would be the only lions in the whole wide world just that they could spend this moments together for ever. Just the two of them.

[KiarasMate]

Having finally cleansed herself of the previous actions that had taken place between herself and Shani, Zina made her way out of the shallows, giving her silky white fur a rough shake to dry herself off before she walked back to where she had left her herb pouch in her chosen den. Waiting for a few minutes for her neck to dry up a bit, the white furred Shaman slipped the pouch back around her neck, once more covering her scar as she turned to leave the quaint confines. Looking for a decent spot to lay so she could let the hot sun ring out the rest of the water from her pelt, Zina opted for one of the smooth surfaced rocks that were positioned around the crystal clear pool. Hopping atop one of them, the white furred feline stretched herself out comfortably as she closed her eyes and indulged in a cat nap, keeping one of her eyes slightly open as she was never careless enough to drop her guard completely.

==========

Watching both Rahina and Kopa leaving the main den now and spotting Vitani making her way over to where she was currently sitting, Kiara politely made room next to her so that her fellow lioness could join her. Perking her ears up from the question that was being posed to her now, the golden furred princess shook her head and responded in a disappointed voice.

”Sadly, not yet Vitani. I know he hasn’t been gone for all that long but I still can’t help but to worry over him, especially since Taraji is with him. I know that neither Laini nor Daxis would be much of a threat to Kovu but I wouldn’t put anything past Daxis when it came to Cutie’s safety.”

Pausing for a second and picking up upon Vitani’s second inquiry, Kiara seemed to be slightly relieved that the subject had been changed, giving her an excuse to stop thinking about what could be going on in Laini’s den at this very moment. Piping up once more, the golden furred feline responded to the former Outlander’s question in a casual tone.

”Well, it’s proving to be quite easy at the moment although I wouldn’t say the same for your brother. I sort of feel as though I should be doing more though. All I’ve managed to do is make sure that the main den is neat and tidy and that’s about it. Clearly I’m not needed for The Hunting Party, since you and Rahina seem to have that completely under control, so I honestly don’t know what else my mom does, that I should be doing right now.”

==========

Quickly bounding after his beloved lioness once he had given both Kiara and Vitani a polite farewell gesture, Kopa easily caught up to where Rahina was, as it appeared as though she had toned her speed down a bit, allowing him to close the distance between them fairly rapidly. Reaching his mate’s side, Kopa lightly rubbed himself against her attractive physique as he spoke in a loving voice to her.

"I’m glad that you decided to come have a drink with me Hina, instead of staying to speak with Vitani. I mean, I wouldn’t have minded either way but we’ll finally have some time to ourselves now, seeing as Almasi is still off playing. I think you especially, should take this time to really relax. You just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with that my precious.”

Dawning a warm smile, Kopa stayed close to Rahina as the two leisurely made their way back to The Private Waterhole, all the while, Kopa keeping a watchful eye over his beloved lioness. He had always been very protective over her, but now that she was pregnant, it was going to be a whole new ball game or so it seemed. Kopa made sure to ensure that his precious mate was comfortable and as they arrived at the pristine pool, Kopa took a quick glance about, just to see who was present. Only spotting a younger looking lioness, who seemed to be snoozing on top of one of the many flat surfaced rocks a few hundred paces away from where they were, Kopa assumed that everything was peaceful as he turned to face his beloved mate, speaking to her in a mushy voice as he leaned in to nuzzle her softly.

”How about we take a quick drink and then go lay down in our den for a little while Hina, how does that sound? Maybe I can give you a nice massage to help you feel comfortable?”

[Lodrill]

Rahina noticed Zina the moment she reached the waterhole even if she did not show it. Her instinct rang alarm bells as if she knew this lioness already but at the same time Rahina was sure that she had never seen her before. But Rahina listened to her instincts and so she decided to be careful around this lioness. Something about her felt like it had connections to their old home in the jungle and that these connections had not been good ones. But Rahina also did not want to overestimate these instinct. Maybe this was just one more of these mood swings Nala had talked about. At least she would be careful around this lioness but not unfriendly. Listening to her mate and one ear turned to the stranger continously to react in any sudden situation of danger Rahina leaned down to the water and began to drink a few gulps of the clear cold liquid.

As Kopa mentioned heading towards the den very fast and how he wanted to help her she could not resist to giggle. "I am not injured or ill sweetheart. Even thoug I might take you on your promise to massage me." she smiled and went the few stepts to Kopa to nuzzle him. "How could I resist such an offer from the sweetest and most handsome lion on the whole wide world?" Rahina giggled again and poked Kopa into his ticklish flank with her paw while playfully puting his ear between her muzzle lips and nibbled at it.
She really loved these situations. It had been like this in the first weeks after they had met. He had eagerly tried to win her and make her feel good as well as she tried to care for him like for a little brother. If she thought back they had been more like brother and sister than like lovers until her first heat had changed the athmosphere. Not that Rahina regretted it because their relationship just got a bit deeper. But they still could act childish and like cubs in front of each other. Rahina knew that she would not leave Kopas side. And if she had to fight other lionesses over him then she would fight with her life because she could not think about a life without him anyways.

"Sho letsh go into the den and make you fulfill the promish" Rahina mumbled still the ear between her lips.

[Mike]

"Kovu can take care of himself." Vitani agreed, trying to ease Kiara's worries about her mate. For her own part, Vitani had no concerns that Kovu was in danger, she just wasn't entirely sure he was up to the task. But he'd learn, Vitani supposed, or else Simba would return, hopefully soon. She mulled over Kiara's concern as she munched on her tasty kill. It was true that Kiara was looking a bit aimless, and Vitani considered what she'd seen Nala do in her time as queen.

"Nala's pretty good with making new arrivals feel at home." she said finally. "I don't think there's a single newcomer that's showed up here that doesn't know Nala as the one to go to if they need help. If you're looking for something to do, maybe you could follow in her footsteps."

-----------

Kovu was slightly dismayed as Laini nodded in agreement that it would probably be best to find Daxis another guardian. "All right." he said calmly, "I'll find someone to stay with Daxis before the end of the day." Kovu promised this with a slightly heavy tone, as he wasn't sure that he could even keep his word. Still though, he was determined to at least try, and not stumble at his first real challenge as interregnum king.

"Thanks for your time." Kovu said in parting, trying to at least keep a little dignity. He turned away from the two lions and headed for the door of the den, gently guiding Taraji in the same direction, and exiting into the warm sunlight. "Come on little one." he said softly. "It's time to leave."

------------

Strolling across the pridelands, Shani's attention was drawn to what Shani recognized after a bit of thought as Kivuli's den. He'd only seen the powerfully built lion there once or twice, but Shani was good about learning details that he considered important. He peered into the relative darkness to find a rather surprising and amusing sight. Kivuli was on his back, laughing out loud, aparently lost in his own world. Intrigued and bemused, Shani let himself in.

"What's so funny?" he asked with amusement in his voice. The last time he'd seen Kivuli was at the meeting the previous night when Kivuli had definitely had a more serious face on. "Doesn't a lion like you have things to do?"

[KiarasMate]

Laughing uproariously as he felt Rahina’s fore paw tickling him in his favorite spot, followed by the warm sensation of her muzzle trapping one of his ears within its gentle grasp, Kopa squirmed like a cub getting an unwanted bath as he returned the loving gesture with one of his own, bringing his large fore leg up and around his beloved lioness’ upper half, pulling her in close for an affectionate hug, making sure to be extra careful with her as he spoke quietly.

”Well, I’m just trying to look after you as best I can my precious. I know you’re tough and you could probably handle everything on your own but you always have me here, so try and relax and let me do something to help for a change.”

Waiting for his precious lioness to release his ear, Kopa stood up and lightly nuzzled Rahina’s side to indicate that she should go first. Standing behind her, Kopa watched intently as his eyes fell upon the dozing lioness, who seemed to have stirred from the noise the two of them were making. Taking note of the strange pouch around her neck but knowing that it wouldn’t be polite to stare, Kopa trailed after his beloved mate as the pair made their way back into their den. Once inside, Kopa shot one last glance outside before he turned his full focus back to Rahina, speaking to her in a loving voice as he advanced towards her.

”Never seen a lioness like the one outside there Hina. Quite the unusual fur color and what’s with the odd thing around her neck? Oh well, it’s probably none of our business anyways, so how about that massage, hmm? Why don’t you lay that attractive body of yours down and let me help you to relax my precious.”

==========

Outside near The Private Waterhole, Zina’s tranquility was cut short with the arrival of two new faces in the form of a lion and a lioness who seemed to be very close to one another, or so it appeared to the white furred Shaman. Being unable to rest any longer from the scene the two felines were making, Zina rolled onto her belly as she observed the couple from a far. They both looked as though that they hadn’t originally been from these lands and having a pretty good judgment of character after having traveled abroad so many times, Zina trusted her instinct as she noticed another more familiar face making his way over to one of the further dens from where she was situated at. It was Shani and he seemed interested with whatever was happening within the confines of the den he was standing in front of. Yawning in a bored fashion however, Zina’s focus only stayed upon him for a minute or two, as she had already gotten what she wanted out of Shani today at least.

Turning her focus back to where the smitten pair of felines had been, Zina caught sight of the two creatures, who were already beginning to depart from where they had been. Watching closely, her yellow orbs fixated upon the male lion in particular, Zina spotted them entering the den that was right next to the one she herself had chosen to call her own for the time being. Recalling Shani’s words from earlier in regards to the lioness who had metaphorically almost bitten his head off, Zina assumed that he had been referring to the dark furred lioness that had now disappeared into the den with the other handsome male. Swishing her tail in a thoughtful manner, Zina thought to herself as she rolled back onto her side, her gaze locked upon the den entrance to which both Rahina and Kopa had vanished within as a smug smile worked its way over her muzzle.

==========

Taking Vitani’s advice to heart, Kiara thought for a moment as she tried to recall the names of the new faces that had joined the pride most recently. Remembering her mate’s brief introduction to the unique looking lioness she had spotted earlier yet drawing a blank when it came to her name, the golden furred princess casually rose to her paws as she addressed her fellow lioness in an appreciative voice.

”You know, that’s not a bad idea Vitani. I know if I were new, I’d feel more at home and welcomed if someone did that for me. I think I will do that. Can you please tell Kovu when he gets back, that I’ll be at The Private Waterhole and if he needs to get me for any reason, that’s where he’ll find me. Oh, and tell him to get Cutie some lunch too. I’m sure her little breakfast she had this morning won’t tie her over for very long. Thanks Vitani.”

Giving the former Outlander a thankful smile and a friendly departing salute, Kiara turned to make her way outside of the main den, pausing for a moment at the mouth of the cave, giving one last glance over the distant grasslands in the hopes of seeing her beloved mate and adopted daughter but to no avail. Sighing softly, the golden furred lioness ascended from on high as she bounded off through the lush grass in the general direction towards The Private Waterhole.

[Lodrill]

Rahina smiled and let go of Kopas ear. She walked towards their den as Kopas nudge told her but all the time her ears were faced backwards. Not because of Kopa... well maybe also because of him... but mainly because of Zina. Something did not sit well in her about this lioness. Something felt like danger about her. Maybe it was more her instict to protect Kopa and the unborn life inside her that made her to be carefull with faces she did not know.

In the den Rahina streched herself and lay down on one of the sleeping pelts. With a seducing look towards Kopa she rolled to the side and streched herself to her full length showing off her attractive body and her clear rounded belly.

"As you command darling." she whispered with a soft, warm and lovely voice.
She intensely watched the strong body of Kopa closing in to her. She captured any movement of his attractive body with her eyes. From the shivering of his whiskers to the top of his tail that was swaying back and forth lightly. This was the lion she loved more than any other. And Rahina knew that he loved her more than anyone too.

---

Laini breathed again as Kovu turned around and left the den. She kept silence until nothing was to be seen from him and then slowly raised to her paws.

She passed Daxis and looked outside to make sure Kovu really was gone. Then she turned around and looked into the eyes of Daxis. He seemed frightened and Laini could not stand leaving without telling him or asking him what he wanted to do.

"Erm... sorry Daxis but... well I think I will leave pride rock now. What do you want to do?"
The time was getting short. Laini knew that she had to take the initiative and leave as soon as possible or else someone would try to stop her. In the worst case possibly Kovu and his murderous sister.
It had been a fun time to have someone to take care off and to talk in the last days. But Laini also had clearly seen that it was too much for her. To be honest she was a bit relieaved that Kovu said he would find another one to watch after Daxis. At least this new lioness maybe was better fit for this job. Daxis was no bad lion, Laini knew this. The times with him had showed her that he did not mean to harm anyone but rather his temperament and his overwhelming feelings made him to act without thinking. Also the small lion seemed not to know his own strength. But what he needed was a hard hand to handle him. Limits set for him and someone who would be strict with him so that he would not break the limits.
Laini knew that she was not capable to do this. She would ever be too soft to rise a guy like him. At least maybe she managed to show him how to care for himself in the meaning of cleaning and so on. There was nothing more she really could teach him because she had never been thought anything herself thanks to Vitani. Well Serafina sometimes helped and taught her. Serafina had been the one who taught her how to make her fur shine silky. That had been the reason why Laini was taking care of her fur so much because it was the only thing an older lioness ever taught her.

If her mother would not have been killed by Vitani maybe Laini would have been grown up another lioness. She would have learned how to hunt and all other things. Maybe!

But Laini knew that she now had to figure out herself how to hunt for food. Kovu had forbid her to come to the main den. Or at least the nervous lioness understood it that way. She had not got the point that he was only talking about Daxis but thought he would mean her too. This was another reason why she was happy that another lioness would take care of Daxis. At least this ensured that he would be fed and have enough to eat. Laini was unsure if she could even hunt enough for herself not talking about a cub. Waiting for Daxis answer she looked into the frightened eyes of the adolecent lion.

---

Taraji was happy and padded under Kovu as they departed. The air was much lighter out here and the tension also was fading away with any step the cuple made.
Taraji thought about what just happend while she was running slalom through Kovus moving legs. It was a fun game and sometimes she got hit by Kovus paws when she was not fast enough to evade them. But she giggled every time this happened and just jumped under him again and continued with her game.

"What has this lion and the lioness done?" Taraji asked after a while as she started to run between Kovus forelegs and stopped with her slalom. Her little head was in her neckt and her cute white eyes looked up to her foster father.
The small cub was nearly out of breath from her little game and she still had to run to keep the pace of Kovu. Her small legs were moving back and forth while her head shook from one side to the other due it was hard for her to look up while running.