[Private] Love Will Tear Us Apart

[YFWE]

Kweli listened intently to what the jubilant Rafiki had to say and to why he had been expedited into such a mood, and a goofy grin began spreading across his muzzle. This was perfect; if the rightful heir to the throne was still alive, and if Rafiki could find him, then the Pride Lands would be much better off and, as such, Kweli did not feel as bad about leaving. He had held the fear that his departure could be construed as him trying to escape from the poverty of the lands, being a coward instead of facing the problem head on. And though some could still see his leave in that light, the fact that help was possibly on its way eased Kweli's fears somewhat.

Ari had followed Rafiki's tale with even greater interest, considering that she was still to be remaining in the Pride Lands for a while longer. Of course, Sarabi's son's presence would not necessarily bring the lands into prosperity right away, but it was certainly an upgrade over Scar. "That sounds great, Rafiki," she said. "I'll take anyone over Scar at this point, and if this lion is Mufasa's son, then surely he'll be a great leader, right? Just be careful..." she added. "We can't end up losing you permanently. Someone's gotta get these better," she said, looking down at her wounds.

Now that Rafiki had shared his story, it was time for Kweli to share his, though at first he hesitated, a thought popping into his mind. If Rafiki was leaving too... could they perhaps leave together? It would be better than Kweli venturing off on his own at first; in fact, it could be beneficial for both. Predators would be much less likely to attack two beings than one alone.

However, before the lion could inquire of the mandrill this possibility, Rafiki had already moved on to a new topic upon Kito's puzzled question. Glancing up at the concoction that adorned his own facade, Kweli listened to Rafiki's explanation and smiled. He had heard Rafiki mutter about such things before, though had never actually seen such a strange ritual performed. Kweli found it slightly ironic that Rafiki had done such a thing given what was about to happen, and wondered if perhaps the shaman already knew Kweli's intentions, but decided to let him know anyway, just in case, and of course to humor the old mandrill if so.

"Well, Rafiki... I've been thinking about that premonition I had the other day," started Kweli, "and I feel like I should act on what I saw. If I don't, I think I might always regret it. So I'm going to try to find my family, and Bashasha, and whoever else is out there. If my premonition truly was accurate, then I can't just sit around here the rest of my life knowing that I could have found my family again. I have to do this."

While Kweli spoke, Ari glanced down at her paws, her mind on Rafiki's comments about the markings he had placed on she and her friends, particularly the explanation of her own markings. While in one sense she was glad to hear what Rafiki had said in some regards, his final words troubled her somewhat--and she could not figure out why, exactly, this was the case.

Loyalty should have been a given, should it not have? Ari was in love with Hiroshi and should have felt undying loyalty toward him... and felt that she did. And yet, something about it troubled her, as if the mere thought of remaining with Hiroshi for the duration of her life did not sit well within her conscious. And why was that?

Ari had no answer. And the simple fact that she was questioning something so arbitrary truly worried her.

"So, that's what I'm doing," said Kweli. "And since you're leaving... would you like to depart with me? So that way... we won't be alone at first before we go our separate ways?"

[KiarasMate]

Amercing himself in what Kweli was telling him, Rafiki’s expression remained unchanged as if he was already expecting to hear what was coming out of his friend’s mouth, although there was still a slight sense of surprise in his eyes, just from how perfect the timing seemed to be in regards to his own revelation. Giving his frail beard several thoughtful strokes with his hand while taking in the rest of Kweli’s statement, the wise mandrill cracked a toothy looking smile as the golden furred lion proposed that the two of them set off on their adventures in each others company. As if inspired by the thought of traveling alongside his friend, Rafiki gave Kweli’s back a firm pat with his free hand while speaking up in an enthusiastic voice.

”Oh ho, something tells this old mandrill that The Great Kings had this in mind from the start. It would be my pleasure to accompany you Kweli my boy, for as long as our two paths shall remain the same for. Perhaps with your presence, I will be able to bring Prince Simba home sooner rather than later, because you know these old legs aren’t as young as they used to be.”

Stating this, Rafiki hopped himself atop Kweli’s back momentarily, letting out a humorous sounding chuckle before darting back up the side of his baobab tree. Taking a few minutes to prepare himself for the journey, the diligent Shaman gathered up a few specifics before returning to where the small group of felines were still situated at. Gingerly setting down an ancient looking stick with several odd fixtures attached to one end of it, Rafiki made his way over in front of Ari before undoing one of the vines that held one of two hide pouches that clung from around the old monkey’s neck, reattaching the container around the golden furred lioness’s neck there after. Giving the top of Ari’s head a loving pat, Rafiki addressed her in a thoughtful tone as he retrieved his staff he had left upon the ground next to him.

”Well then, no more doddling now. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step after all. Miss Ari, I leave in your care, my last remaining herb supplies that will hopefully be enough to heal yours and your friend’s wounds there.” Rafiki said, giving a nod towards Kito to indicate just who he was referring to before he continued speaking. ”Just use them sparingly and if Aiheu permits, both Kweli and I will return in due time, hopefully with the company we both seek, by our sides.”

Taking notice of Ari as she gazed down at her paws while Kweli was busy informing Rafiki about what was going to happen, Hiroshi mistook the look upon his mate’s face, thinking she was getting herself worked up again over Kweli’s departure. Hoping to ease her troubles as best he could, the black maned male gently lifted one of his large fore paws before lightly alighting it atop of one of Ari’s smaller fore paws. His digits intertwining around hers as they softly massaged over her delicate fur there. Leaning in to give his golden furred lover a supportive nuzzle, inadvertently smearing the markings that still adorned both their cheeks in the process, Hiroshi whispered soothingly in Ari’s ear as he purred comfortingly towards his beloved lioness.

”Hey, he’s not gone just yet. Stay strong there beautiful.”

Meanwhile, Kito’s former disgruntled mood had all but evaporated from what he had heard. Now, in its place, was a broad looking smile as the thought of not only having Kweli out of the picture, but also the nuisance of a Shaman as well, danced freely in his mind. It truly seemed as though fate were smiling down upon him as the brown maned male sat calmly, waiting for everything to be in order before the final goodbyes would be said. Assuming now that Kweli had someone to venture out with, that Ari, Hiroshi and his own attendance would no longer be required, Kito could barely restrain himself from laughing openly from just how quickly things were falling into place for him. Keeping what little manners he had left about him still, Kito bided his time until both Kweli and Rafiki were ready to leave.