[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KiarasMate]

Shortly after Zina had arrived back at her den, her attention was grabbed by Kivuli’s voice which drifted from the entrance of the cave. Looking up from where she had settled herself at, the white furred Shaman listened to the grey furred male’s apology, causing an amused looking smile to etch its way across her muzzle as she rose to her paws and began to pad towards the lone male, her eyes holding a hint of mischief within them as she addressed Kivuli in a nonchalant tone.

”And why exactly are you apologizing to me Handsome? I’m sure Shani had it coming. Besides, if it wasn’t for tempers like yours, us Shamans would be out of a lot of work.”

Grinning toothily, Zina took a seat several paws length away from Kivuli, her tail swishing thoughtfully behind her as she began to groom her fore paw in a suggestive manner, her yellow orbs eyeing the grey furred beast intently as she gently set her paw down upon the den floor and spoke up again.

”So, is there something I can help you with Handsome or did you just come to stare at me, hmm?”

==========

”You know I’d never do that Hina. You are my one and only and that’ll never change. Well, that is until our cub is born. Then you’re going to have to share my love with him or her.” Kopa stated in a playful voice.

Purring happily as Rahina curled herself up next to him, Kopa leaned down to give his beloved mate a soft lick over the top of her head as his fore paw lightly caressed over the length of her furry back. Turning his focus back towards the entranceway of their den, Kopa noticed both the white furred lioness from before, as well as the large male, who Kopa recalled being called Kivuli, making their way past the mouth of the cave and apparently taking up residence in the adjacent den next to theirs. Continuing to stroke his precious lioness to relax her further as she rested, Kopa’s ears swiveled to try and pick up the conversation that was going on next door, although it was difficult to make out what exactly was being stated. Still, having nothing else to do while he kept watch over his slumbering mate, Kopa made the best of the situation as he thought about his mate’s previous words.

Rahina had been the only lioness who Kopa had even had much interaction with, or at least, from what he could remember. Now, being in the midst of a pride and having new faces showing up with each new day it seemed, Kopa’s natural curiosity was being put to the test. While it was true what he had said that Rahina was the only lioness he loved, which was truly the case as his heart would always belong to her and her alone, Kopa couldn’t deny the fact that being around other lionesses didn’t go unnoticed. While he assumed that he’d never actually be tempted to stray from Rahina’s side, Kopa did have to question his own self control as he had allowed his eyes to wander earlier and the last thing he wanted was to upset his precious lioness, especially when she was carrying his cub.

=========

Kiara had been traveling through The Grasslands on route to The Private Waterhole but had taken a slight detour to check up on Laini and Daxis. The Golden furred princess had only found an empty den however where Laini had presided previously, which had sparked her curiosity to say the least. Making a mental note to bring this issue up with her mate once she would return, Kiara got back on track as she finally arrived at her desired destination. Taking a brief look around to survey her surroundings, Kiara caught sight of Shani, who seemed to be laying in the grass alone. Recalling Kovu’s former warning, the golden furred lioness approached with caution as she spoke up to him in her typical friendly fashion.

”Excuse me, erm, Shani, right? Is something the matter, or is there something I can help you with?”

[Lodrill]

Even though Taraji still was a bit afraid of Vitani, or better said shy, she dared to come out far enough to reach the meat Kovu was placing there for her. Her stomach did win against her shyness and so she started eating. This was far better than the last time where she had to collect her meat herself on the instructions of Kiara. It was much easier for Taraji to eat the food without having to cut it out of the prey. Taraji concentrated so much on filling her stomach with the tender pieces that it took her a while to react to Kovu. "Hmmm...." she agreed with her muzzle and forelegs full of the spilled blood from the meat. She just looked up to Kovu for a blink of an eye and her cute big crystal eyes looked into his until she returned her concentration on the lot of food that wanted to be in her stomach as soon as possible.

Taraji had been proud as Kiara had praised her and as she had managed to get the meat herself the last time but she did enjoy to being pampered by Kovu much more. It was less work for her and more tasty and tender meat. Even though this way she would barely learn anything about caring for her own some day but this were no worries for the cub. It did not think about her in the future but just on filling her stomach and being with Kovu and Kiara. She was so into the food that she even forgot about Vitani being nearby and lay down on her belly while getting anything Kovu placed in front of her inside her stomach as fast as possible.

---

Rahina did not answer Kovu's comment. She was already on her way to a deep slumber. Dreams of her time alone with Kovu crossed her and she purred happily in her sleep. The small one in her belly was kicking her a few times but Rahina did not wake up from it.

---

Laini meanwhile also was in a light slumber. She still held the plans to leave the prideland due she was very afraid of Kovu and the other outlanders and with no Simba there anymore her fear had become to strong to stay.
She had decided to first rest far away from pride rock and in the night when not so much lions would be out she would leave towards the outlands. there should be no lion out there anyways. She knew that the pride and even the old outlanders rarely went there. There was nothing in this devasted land to begin with and Laini thought it would be the way with the least danger to be caught.
She did not plan to stay there but to leave the outlands in the other direction soon after though but she planed one step after another. First came the escape from the land where these beasts that came from the land she wanted to flee to now.
Yea, she had grudges but more than that she had fear. She was neither a good huntress nor a fighter. To tell the truth she had no skills whatsoever due noone ever thought her or could teach her due she ever hid since her mother died and the outlanders came to the prideland. Simba had have enough to do with the new adjustments and ruling the bigger pride to notice that she was missing. Serafina had been the lioness who found her in this very den days after the unification of the prides. Serafina had saved her from starvation and when she was able to came to talk to her and tried to get her to come with her to pride rock. But due it was some way down to the edge of the territory of the pride where her den was and due Serafina had her own tasks to do as well she could not come often enough to really teach Laini or do more than talk and show her how to keep her dignity and make her fur shiny and silky. But even Serafina came less and less and after she had been injured at a hunt and had to rest for some weeks she stopped comming.

Laini herself rarely had gone to pride rock and only if she was starving hard enough to do the trip. Sometimes she met Serafina and they talked a bit but most of the time Laini had avoided everyone.
Deep inside she still was the scared small cub she had been at the time her mother was killed by Vitani. Even though she was close to her first heat and her body already was that of a grown up she had not hunted once or being shown how to do it.
This would make it hard for her to live on her own until she maybe would find another pride. But Laini was not even sure if she would be able to relax in another pride. Her heart was scarred for life and in addition of all the sorrow and fear she now also felt guilty for leaving Daxis alone. He had been the first lion she ever talked to beside Serafina. He had been the first lion next to her mother and Serafina she felt a bit attached to. Now she left him with all his problems. Laini would have preferred to stay with him and so she also was sad that it could not be but she was too scared, too insecure and too weak for this. She had known it from the start that she would have to give up raising him sooner or later. She already had been pushed far beyond her limits with him. As well emotional as physically.

Unlike Rahina Laini was sleeping very bad. She woke up very often in sweat and had bad dreams about her mother being killed by Vitani, about herself being chased by Kovu and killed in the end, about Daxis being killed by Kovu and about herself starving to death in the desert.
The last time she woke up, more exhausted from her sleep than rested, the day began to come to an end and the sun was setting at the horizont. She could see the red ball touching the land in the far distance through the entrance of her den. Soon she would be on her way. Laini hoped she would leave all the sad and fearsome memories behind and be able to start new.

[Mike]

Kovu returned to his own meal, mirroring Taraji's move. Vitani watched more or less patiently, and at least managed to refrain from needling her brother about his first "mission" which she gathered had not gone well. There would be plenty of time for that when Kovu had eaten and she was able to enjoy his undivided attention. Besides, Vitani didn't want to disturb Taraji, who was quite skittish enough in her opinion. When Kovu finally surfaced for air Vitani took the initiative to speak.

"Looks like you two have had your fill." she said. "Let's go find Kiara." Having completed her duties as huntress, and very well in her opinion, Vitani didn't really mind taking a stroll with her brother. "Ready to find your mom Taraji?" she asked, getting up and making her way to the entrance of the den.

Kovu performed a quick cursory cleaning on the worst of the stains left by Taraji's enthusiastic feeding, forgoing a more thorough bath due to his anticipation of seeing his beloved mate once more. This done, Kovu leaned down to once again offer Taraji a ride if she chose. "Okay little one," he said, "keep an eye on Vitani, because she's going to lead us to your mom."

[Lodrill]

Taraji was full and satisfied as she finally noticed her surrounding again and returned a bit to her shy side again. She withdrew towards Kopa as Vitani directly spoke to her but due she went away she did not hide under Kovu.

Kovu knew her very well because once she saw that she was allowed to ride again she jumped atop him and snuggled into his warm mane. She already was pretty spoiled even if it was a short time since Kiara and Kovu took her in.

Hearing that they were going to Kiara the cub was pretty excited. Even more due the rides in the sun had been little adventures Taraji realy enjoy. From her hiding in Kovus mane she felt completely safe and so was able to enjoy the weather, the landscape and also to observe all the new things she else would have run away due to her shyness.

"I won't lose her if you run fast enough." she giggled.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli sat at the cave entrance, watching Zina as she spoke and cam close to him. Her final words made him chuckle Ill admit you are a very fine looking lioness, however if you want my 'special' attention your going to need more than that. I just came by to make sure your ok. I know Shani had it coming, but you didnt need to get caught up in the business of two males

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Back in the outlands Anga continued on his way with Makali Yes i will help you, but its not just for your sake, its for all of us. Anga took a deep breath and looked at the cub As for Kivuli....A few years ago before your time me and Zane met Merementa during our travels. He was different then. Sure he was big headed but he knew how to laugh and take it easy. Thats until Kivuli crossed our path. Something just didnt sit right between us three and Kivuli's little gang. We began fighting, for months. Kivuli's two friends were killed and in the process, he thought us three were, but the heat of battle can make you sloppy, Kivuli only assumed we had died. Instead Merementa's pride found us. They got worried for their king and went out in search. They took us back to the pride all and healed us. When Merementa was better he swore revenge. The rest you know

[SinChei]

Still laying in the grass and the whole forelegg covered with his own blood Daxis heard someone comming to the den but he smelled it wasn't Laini no it was the golden furred queen. Daxis crawled in higher grass but kept his fangs in his foreleg. he felt guitly for Laini's disappearance. He was still crying and the ground below him was wet from his tears and the blood. It wasnt much blood because his teeth were still not so big and he hadn't took them out of the wound. The pain made him feel better a bit.

===============================================

Makali was following Anga and listened to his strong voice but didn't really understand why they were helping this brutal lion Merementa. And as Anga said Zane's name he made a angry face and whispered low. Zane ... i hate zane.... As Anga finished Makali kept following him and replied. So... you want revenge? Is that all or did i forget something important? but if you want revenge .... then let me go... i have nothing to do with this. Or... what would Merementa do? ...

[Lodrill]

The sun was drawing closer to the group but still big and golden above the savanna. The lioness was nearly invisible in front of the sand. Her fur matched perfectly with the beige of the sand. Not one piece of her fur or tassel had another color. It was like someone had thrown her in a sandlike color.

Sushaunna raised her head. She had been running for the full day and started to get exhausted but it had been worth it. She could see the end of the sandy desert not far ahead. She had never been to this part of the land even if she had seen a lot of different territories. Oasis, desserts like her old home, savannas and stone deserts.
She was a wanderer and a loner. She did not stay in one area for long. Sometimes she had contact to prides and her beautiful and astonishing look that drove any lion crazy for her would have made it easy for her to settle in any of them but she was through with males. She avoided them if possible and had lost any trust in them.
This had also been the reason for her to leave any of the prides pretty soon and going on her endless journey again and again.
She was still very young with her 5 years and even the cubs she had in her old pride had not done any bad on her figure. She was slender and graceful like a gazell. She really loved cubs and losing her own to the ever changing rulers of her pride who killed them to have her get their own cubs made her angry against males and therefore she did not trust any lion that he would be strong enough. But maybe such a lion who could protect her cubs or make her believe he could would pop up sometimes. But this lion would have to proof himself hard before she would ever trust him. Until then she was a lonly lioness on the walk. Not a rogue, not a pride member, not a lost lioness but just a strong and independent soul in the vast land.

"Gotta find something for tha night." she said to herself. Even if she had been to many prides yet she still slightly spoke the dialect of her home pride. Even though it was washed away nearly complete a few phrases and words still were there.

Her paws left the sand and met with solid ground and the first traces of vegetation. She did not know if there was any pride in this land and even if she knew she would avoid them. She did not really like the way the lions stared at her and tried to get her. She even had males fight over her in one pride.

She decided to first search for a wind protected place for the night. Some high gras, a big rock or something like that would do the job. And the next day she would try to find some prey. She was an over average huntress... well she had to if she was caring for herself most of the time though.
Sushaunna wondered what encounters she would met in this land. Was there even a pride here? If yes then would the allow her to hunt in their territory? Maybe she could look after the cubs as a payment to be allowed to hunt. Just for a few days before she would continue her journey to not disturb the peace of the pride with the males fighting over her or having a lion purposing to her. She really loved cubs. She looked after quite a few of them in a lot of different prides. They all loved her too because she was strong and streight but also very calm and caring. She was like a mother oughta be. She even caused a bit trouble in one pride due she did not allow the father of the cubs to come close to them. This were still reflexes of her bad experiences with males and cubs.
To cut it short one could say she was a perfect nanny for cubs. If it would not have been for her fabulous looks she could have settled in any pride with this talent but it never went good and the males soon began to propose to her or trying to have their way with her and she left their lands in a blink of an eye. She could run pretty fast and also fight. Even though this had not really been nessesary yet due the lions seemed to have problems with attacking her. Maybe they did not want to hurt her perfect pelt. Some lionesses and hyenas had other opinions in that so she still got a lot of training with fights.

Thinking about the future encounters that might occour and about what would await her here she unknowingly crossed the borders of the prideland and padded towards the waterhole that she already got the scent of.

[Mike]

"I think I can manage." Kovu said with a little chuckle, admiring Taraji's energy and enthusiasm.

"Bit full of yourself eh Kovu?" Vitani said over her shoulder without stopping. "All right then, let's see it." With that Vitani broke into a light jog as she seemed to flow gracefully down the rocky path leading to the grasslands. Reaching the flat plains she took off at a dead run, laughing at the consternation she would be causing Kovu as he tried to balance Taraji's safety with speed.

Though at first taken by surprise by Vitani's actions, Kovu then grinned widely. "Hold on little one, here we go!" he said to the little bundle of fur buried on the back of his neck. He turned forwards to concentrate on the path ahead and Vitani's swiftly disappearing back. He took the path down Pride Rock in a series of short steps, avoiding long bounds that might have shaken Taraji loose, and burst onto the grasslands hot on Vitani's tail. He held himself back from Vitani's reckless sprint, but was cruising along at a speed that was more than enough to get the wind whistling in his ears.

At the speed that Kovu and Vitani were taking, it was not long at all before they arrived at the land surrounding the waterhole and noticed Kiara. Vitani wasn't worried by the fact that she was not alone. Kiara had told her that she had left to met some of the newcomers to the pride after all, but as they approached, Vitani's sharp hunting senses picked up very faint traces of a lion's blood. At the same time, Shani seemed to notice the two lions approaching and motioned to Kiara that she should turn around for a look.

Arriving next to Shani and Kiara, Kovu could not at first see the small amount of blood that had leaned out of Shani's tail before Zina's ministrations had staunched the flow. He quickly moved to Kiara's side, and gave her a quick but heartfelt nuzzle as a greeting, then unknowingly repeated Kiara's question. "What's wrong Shani?" he inquired, alert for the answer.

"Kivuli and I got into a little disagreement." the undersized former king answered, spitting the words onto the ground. "I tried to leave, he attacked."

[Lodrill]

Taraji was surprised and sank her claws and baby teeth into Kovus mane to not fall down. After a while she had fun with flying over the ground atop of Kovu. She giggled and even let go the mane with her muzzle and laughed.

As they arived at the waterhole and Kovu moved in to Kiara very fast and then stoped it came so suddenly for Kiara that she bounced off his neck and directly between the forepaws of Kiara. Her head hurt a bit from hitting the ground and her back did as well for the same reason but she was not badly hurt anywhere. Taraji slowly got back on her paws and shook her head to get he spinning go away while she whimpered a bit due to the pain in her head. It took her some more time to realize that she was not under Kovu but under a lioness. Due she still was a bit dizzy she did not realised that is was Kiara and therefore jumped away from under her into the direction of Kovu until she was under their heads and saw that it was Kiara. Now she also got the scent of her and turned around so fast that her small body toppeled into the original direction and against Kovus paw before she got on her paws again and jumped to Kiaras paw. The small body snuggled up against Kiara still a few tears in her eyes from the shock and the pain.

Even if Tarajis actions looked very funny they also looked very cute how she rolled around between the lions and then snuggled up against Kiara. She was a shy girl alright but still so adorable.

Taraji's hurting head and the fact that she was happy to see Kiara again made her completely forget about the other lions just like what happened at her feeding before.

[KiarasMate]

”Special treatment?” Zina stated, giving Kivuli a cheeky looking smile as she continued speaking. ”And what makes you think I’m looking for any such treatment from you, hmm Handsome? Surely I haven’t given you the wrong impression of me now have I?”

With this stated, the white furred Shaman turned around and began to walk towards the back end of the cave, purposefully swaying her hips and tail in a seductively explicit manner as she walked. Reaching the far side of the den, Zina casually slipped her herb pouch off from around her neck and placed it securely against the stone wall before turning to face the grey furred beast, a look of intrigue being apparent within her stare as she addressed him in a sweet voice.

”Well, let’s say I were looking for a bit of company. What exactly would a girl have to do in order to have the likes of you join her for an unforgettable night, hmm?”

Laying herself down upon the lone sleeping pelt in the den, Zina comfortably situated herself once more as she propped her head up upon her fore paws and eyed Kivuli with an attentive gaze, waiting for the grey furred lion to reply as her tail flicked longingly behind her.

==========

Noticing Shani’s gesture, Kiara turned her focus towards where the injured male was motioning, spotting Vitani, Kovu and Taraji bounding towards them. Adopting a warm smile from the mere sight of her beloved mate and adorable little daughter, Kiara seemed to bubble over with happiness as she watched Taraji taking a little tumble, causing the golden furred lioness to wince slightly as she hoped Taraji was alright after the impact of her fall. It seemed as though, aside from being a little befuddled about her surroundings, that Taraji was unharmed from her ungraceful landing and as the crystal eyed cub regained her composure and snuggled up against her fore paw, Kiara felt her heart melting as it always did from just how adorable Taraji could be. Leaning down to lovingly nuzzle over her daughter’s head and back, giving her several affectionate licks over her face and muzzle, tasting the faint flavors of Taraji’s lunch, Kiara purred happily as she listened to what was being stated between Shani and her mate. Feeling as though she should say something as well, Kiara waited for a break in the conversation before she chimed in.

”I didn’t witness any of this honey so I can’t vouch for Shani, but perhaps there was another witness?”

Figuring that Kovu would take charge of the situation at paw now, Kiara turned her attention back to Taraji as she lowered her frame into the lush grass below and gently began to stroke a fore paw over the length of her daughter’s physique. Feeling relieved to finally be reunited with her family, even if it really hadn’t been that long since she had seen the two of them last, Kiara couldn’t help but to fawn over Taraji as she smothered her in kisses and nuzzles again, speaking to her in a motherly tone as she inquired.

”Were you a good cubby for Daddy Cutie? Did you have fun and did you miss me? I surely missed you Cutie.”