A Change of Plans [PRIVATE: AC & The Whistlerify]

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga looked from Sarabi to Marini...from the older lioness' concern and worry to his girlfriend's pleading eyes. He sighed, lowering his head in defeat as Sarabi came up to him. "Okay, Rini...Sarabi, you can carry me."

He took the time to pull Marini into one last hug, whispering into her ear. "You don't need to keep apologising about this, Rini...I completely forgive you." with those words, he gave a quick, affectionate lick across the cheek, before Sarabi settled dow beside him, allowing him to climb on her back, his forepaws wrapping around her neck so he could hold on as Sarabi stood up once more.

"Come on, Marini...let's get you back, too."

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini knew that she would never forgive herself about everything that happend, but she decided to let it go. He said he forgave her so Marini decided that at least for him she would stop talking about it. She nodded at Sarabi and followed her. She kept close in case she needed help with Tanga, noticing that Simba was doing the same on the other side.

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga smiled down at both Simba and Marini as he rested on Sarabi's back, letting them both know he was fine...before settling back and going into thought as he relaxed for the trip.

Son enough, they all arrived back at the den, Nala quickly running up to them as Sarabi stopped just inside the cave, allowing Tanga to get off and take a couple of limping steps to his favourite resting spot in the grassy part of the den, before lying down.

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Nala rushed to Tanga's side as the golden lion flopped down on his side, smiling despite the fact that he was terribly wounded and covered in his own blood. "Oh Great Kings, Tanga!" Nala cried, her eyes irresistably drawn to the severed right ear...or what was left of it. She had thought Tanga was in bad shape from a distance, but now, up close, she was amazed he was still alive.

She eventually turned to Simba, Marini and Sarabi. "He's going to be okay, isn't he?" she asked, her gaze settling in Simba predominantly.

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As the last sliver of the sun finally slipped below the horizon, and twilight began to settle in the land, Ganya and his group came up to the river crossing that marked the southern borders of the Pridelands, from here, he could see his forest home, along with the hill and cliff that he was sure housed the lion family. Settling at the water's edge, he turned to Zira. "Should we wait here while Sarafina gains their trust?" he asked.

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba watched as Marini settled by Tanga's side. He seemed to be drawing alot of comfort from her. He wondered if it was only in his mind or whether that was actually making him heal faster than he anticipated. He then noticed Nala's gaze was on him and remembred their conversation a few hours ago. "A few scars... but he'll be fine." he said and smiled before turning his gaze back to Tanga.

Zira looked at Sarafina as she took off. "We're still not sure how many are there. We will know soon." she said and motioned Sarafina to hurry up. Ganya might have only saw 5 lions in his forest, but that didn't mean there weren't any more. They might need to bring some more support.

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga looked up at Simba and Nala as he once more cuddled into Marini's warm, pale fur, noticing that they were both staring. "So...how bad do I look, then?" he asked, smiling to show he was asking the question in humour. Despite this, he saw Nala turn away, obviously a little ashamed and embarrassed that she had been caught staring. "I know I must look pretty bad, so don't worry about telling me how I really look...I can feel all the blood on me, anyway."

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Sarabi sat back at the mouth of the den and watched the four adolescents interact, smiling to herself at how well Tanga was coping so far, despite having a near-death experience, and knowing he must still be in quite a bit of pain from his wounds.

But she was distracted by a faint, familiar scent on the winds...a scent she had not detected for quite a few months. "Sarafina..." she whispered, before looking around wildly, trying to find her friend. What was she doing here...why had she come to them now, of all times?

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba grinned at this. It wasn't funny, not at all, but Simba noticed that Tanga was trying to bring some humour into the odd situation of both Simba and Nala staring at him. "It doesn't matter." he said and smiled down at Tanga, "What does matter is that you'll be okay."

Sarafina reached the den after a few moments. Sarabi was there, she probably picked her scent a few moment ago. She looked at where the four adolescents and smiled to herself as she saw Tanga was okay and that Nala was un-harmed. She knew she had to make this quick before the group behind got suspicious. "Sarabi, all five of you have to get out of here. By tomorrow morning." she said as the gazes of the adolescents turned towards her, she tried to ignore the surprised looks on their faces. "That leopard of yours..." she said, seeing they were all confused about how did she knew, "Is an old friend of Shenzi." she then looked at Tanga and Marini, "Rini, he remembered your name. Scar knows that the two of you are here." she then stopped talking, giving them some time to take in what she just told them.

[AustralianChaos]

Sarabi ran forward to hug Sarafina, but stopped as she started speaking. "What?" she asked, before Sarafina explained what leopard was up to. "What do you mean? Sara, is Scar coming for us? How much does he know?"

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Nala looked around as she ehard Sarabia nd Sarafina talking. Ignoring their words Nala ran forward. "Mum!" she squealed, before literally leaping into her mother's embrace, hugging her tightly, her growth spurt over the last four months leaving her smaller than her mother still, but able to hug her properly at least.

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Tanga took in all this, before turning to Marini, his eyes wide. That leopard had come back for them...and brought Scar in on the act! His wounds trobbed painfully as he thought of what the leopard would do to him and Marini if he got to them again. "Oh, Kings Above..." was all he managed to breathe out.

[TheWhistlerify]

Sarafina took a moment to hug her daughter back, before looking back at Sarabi, "Scar only knows that Tanga and Marini are here. And he thinks that they live with this 'group' and are planning to over-throw him." she sighed and then looked at Simba, "That's not all..." she said and pulled away from Nala. "He sent Zira here. She's at the northern side of the river, She's got the leopard and three hyenas. And me. Luckily she sent me to 'get in formation', she thinks that you'll trust me so I could bring back some useful facts about this 'group'."

Marini then stopped Sarafina before she said anything else, "So now what?"

Sarafina fell silent for a few moments, "I'll tell them the group is bigger then we thought. Then we will have to go back and get more hyenas or lionesses. While this happens you all get out of here." She then looked at Simba and Sarabi, "You two can't sfford to get recognised. Especially you Simba."

[AustralianChaos]

Sarabi looked at Sarafina, frowning in concern for her friend. "How are you going to explain the sudden disappearance of our group? Surely Zira and the others will get suspicious when you all return to find an empty cave?" Sarabi knew she was being picky, and that if Sarafina had taken care of herself so far, she would take care of this. But this place had become a home away from home for the last four months, where could they go now?

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Nala just clung to her mother, savouring the small moment she knew they were able to have together. She knew and understood that her mother had to return to the Pridelanders soon enough, but hated it...she wanted her to stay, but accepted that these few short minutes would have to do.

[TheWhistlerify]

Sarafina sighed, "I already thought of something. I told Scar that Nala might be here. Remember, Scar thinks that Nala saw me kill Simba. SImba was the only hting standing between Scar and the throne and Nala's best friend. She warned them about the possibility and they moved away." she then looked down at her daughter. It wasn't the best excuse, but it was all she oculd think of. No matter what would happen to her, Nala and everyone else will get away safely.