[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KiarasMate]

A bit disappointed by Kivuli not taking her up on her generous offer however, respecting his wishes to the utmost, Nala nodded and replied in an understanding tone.

”As you wish Kivuli. I will inform him about your request. Please come to the main den at Pride Rock when the sun begins to set. That should give me enough time to find him and let him know of your request.”

Moving back towards where she had left her kill, Nala leaned down to retrieve the fallen gazelle, turning to face the grey furred male one last time as she stated.

”I’ll try and put in a good word for you Hun. I hope he will give you a second chance too but I can’t make any Guarantees.

With this being said, Nala lifted her prized kill and started to take her leave, forgetting about what she had intended to originally do as she now searched for her mate to give him the message. Wanting to get rid of the extra weight she was hauling around, Nala quickly made her way towards The Private Waterhole, missing Kiara, Kovu and Taraji just by a fraction of a second as she arrived and made her way towards the den to where she had allowed for both Rahina and Kopa to stay at. Finding the large male laying at the den’s entranceway, Nala stopped next to him and lightly deposited the gazelle in front of Kopa before she spoke.

”As promised, here is something for you and your mate to enjoy Kopa. Please, feel free to eat as much as you two would like. I brought this for you two only so don’t feel bad about taking it please.”

Watching as the cream colored queen presented the tasty looking meal in front of him, Kopa politely gestured as he spoke softly as not to wake his slumbering mate.

”That’s too thoughtful of you Nala. Thank you. I’m sure my mate and myself will enjoy this meal as we haven’t eaten anything this good in quite a long time. My most sincerest thanks to you and for all your hospitality.”

Blushing from Kopa’s kind words, Nala nodded as she replied once more.

”Oh, think nothing of it Kopa and you’re most welcome. I’d love to stick around but I still have other matters to attend to. I will check back on you two later and I will also inform my mate about your presence in his lands.”

Taking an abrupt leave, Nala dashed off, leaving Kopa to ponder over her departing words. It didn’t take him long to realize that Nala must be the queen of these lands and that her mate was the ruler. Figuring that the two of them should be at their best presentable state, Kopa decided to wake his beloved mate but not before dragging the delicious looking gazelle into the den assigned to them. Placing the deceased creature near the far den wall, Kopa moved in and lovingly nuzzled his precious lioness as he spoke in a gentle voice.

”Time to get up Hina. We have something to eat and we might have a visitor soon too.”

Giving his mate soft licks against her cheeks to bring her out of her dreamy state, Kopa lightly rubbed his large fore paw along the length of his mate’s soft, furry side, giving her light scratches in her favorite spots that he knew of.

==========

With the weight of the gazelle no longer weighing her down, Nala was able to travel at a much faster pace as she searched for her mate’s whereabouts. After a short while, she happened upon him, speaking with Gumu. Not being the type to interrupt a conversation but knowing that Kivuli’s request took precedence over all other matters at the moment, Nala stepped forward and addressed her mate in a serious voice.

”Sorry to barge in here but it seems that Kivuli has returned to our lands and he wishes to speak with you Sweetie.”

Taken aback by his mate’s news, Simba rose to his paws and excused himself from Gumu’s presence.

”Well, looks like I better take care of this business. Please forgive my sudden leave Gumu and we can discuss this matter at a later time.”

”Take it easy on him Sweetie. He’s had it pretty rough.” Nala exclaimed before her mate could leave.

Giving his mate a curious stare, Simba motioned a farewell to both his mate and Gumu before heading off to the main den. Watching her mate depart, Nala turned to Gumu and smiled as she stated.

”So what exactly did I interrupt here anyways Gumu if you don’t mind me asking?” Nala inquired as she took a seat next to the beige maned male.

[Mike]

Kovu felt the small weight of Taraji on his back, and bent backwards to poke her affectionately with his nose. Then he looked at Kiara and motioned with his head as though to say "shall we go?" He walked off at a slow pace towards the waterhole, a slow pace for two reasons. First, he wanted to avoid shaking around the little cub on his back, and second, he didn't want to rush such a lovely moment with his family.

"Look Taraji," he said pointing to Pride Rock's massive form that towered over the pridelands. "That's Pride Rock, and it's our home. Sometime soon I'll bring you up to the very top, where you can see everything. The pridelands where we live are all like this. It's a paradise." Kovu said, turning his enthusiastic focus back to his surroundings. From the top of his back Taraji would be able to see hills and waterholes, and large boulders speckling the green hillsides.

[Lodrill]

Taraji nodded and smiled to Kiara as she told her to hold on tight. She snuggled deep into the mane of Kovu and was excited for the walk they were about to do. She really loved her two foster parents already.

The stomach of Taraji growled a bit but she said nothing. Kiara promised her that she would get some milk soon.

Taraji put her head into her neck to see the big pride rock as Kovu pointed towards it. She winked a bit because she had to look into the sun. After a while she put her head back and looked at the land around them. Everything was even more beautiful than in her dreams of this place. She was one lucky cub.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina woke up from her slumber very fast. She opened her opal eyes and as she noticed that Kopa was next to her she reached out her paw and fondled his chest.

"Good morning darling. Has something happened?"

[KiarasMate]

Kiara strolled alongside her mate as she listened to him explaining to Taraji about her new home. A wave of pride swept over the future queen as she heard Kovu’s words, bringing a sense of strong nostalgia to her as she recalled her own father telling her the same thing, or something close to those words. Dawning a smile as she admired her mate in the gentle glow of the afternoon sun, everything just seemed perfect with the world. Keeping her pace timed with her mate’s, being used to walking by his side as the two often took walks such as these, just not under the given circumstances. Leaning in, Kiara lightly nuzzled Kovu as she murmured in his ear softly.

”You’re such a good father Honey. I can’t tell you how proud of you I am right now. This just makes me wish that we had more cubs.”

Purring very happily, Kiara continued to travel with her family, watching as Taraji’s curiosity shown as the little cub took in everything The Pride Lands had to offer, the look of both wonder and intrigue clearly visible on her small, adorable face.

=========

Purring quietly from his mate’s loving gesture, leaning down to give her cute paw a loving lick, Kopa quietly responded to his precious lioness’ question.

”It’s nothing serious my precious, but I thought you could use something to eat. Nala was kind enough to bring us some food and you need to get some of that strength of yours back so please eat Hina. Also, the king of these lands will also be by soon I’m assuming. I couldn’t exactly say for sure, but I believe that Nala is the queen of these lands. Anyways, I thought we should at least be up and about when his majesty drops by.”

Motioning towards the gazelle, which still lay near the far wall of the den, Kopa moved in and gently locked his muzzle lips around his mate’s, taking in a passionate kiss before he spoke once more.

”I’m going to get cleaned up Hina. I feel like a million wildebeest ran over me. I’ll be just outside at the waterhole. Get that cute tummy of yours filled up and I’ll be right back.”

Nuzzling his one and only lioness in life, Kopa bounded out of the den, on a straight course for the waterhole. With a tremendous splash, the large male had completely submerged himself within the cold liquid. It wasn’t anything new to him though, as this was the way he was accustom to bathing back at their old oasis home. Figuring that there wasn’t anyone else around, or so it seemed, Kopa felt right at home as he let the water do it’s magic, returning his coat back to a much more presentable shade of gold, as well as revitalizing his mane a bit.

[Mike]

Kovu blushed at his mate's words, and looked up at Pride Rock to hide his huge, somewhat goofy smile. A second later he approached to walk alongside his mate, and put is head on hers, nuzzling as he they walked.

"Yeah," he answered, "thanks to your superb example. It must be rubbing off on me. You know I think Taraji's the best thing to happen to us for a while. She's gotten us to move into the next phase of our lives." Struck by a sudden thought, Kovu pulled away, and stared at Kiara. "Hey, If you and I are the future king and queen, does that mean that because we adopted Taraji, she'll one day replace us? How will Simba feel about the next ruler not coming from his line?"

And another thought occurred to Kovu. If he and Kiara had cubs of their own, would the title go to their eldest child? the firstborn male? or the eldest of their own cubs... Kovu was a little bit frightened by the responsibility in these decisions, and took comfort in the fact that he wouldn't have to make them, hopefully for many years.

[KiarasMate]

Giggling from her mate’s words, Kiara returned the loving nuzzle as she spoke in a reassuring voice.

”Woah, looking a bit too far into the future there Honey. I think we should be more worried about if my father will let Taraji stay once she’s well enough and old enough to take care of herself. I think things are looking good though, since he already seems to be quite fond of her from what I can tell. Besides, my dad is a real softy when it comes to a cute face. How do you think I got him to allow you and me to have our own private den, away from his peering eyes, hmm?”

Gazing up at her beloved mate, Kiara continued to walk with her one and only love and their new cub as the small group neared The Private Waterhole. Perking up her ears as the sounds of splashing lightly drifted towards them, Kiara looked a bit puzzled as she spoke up again.

”Sounds like someone’s having fun in the water. Wonder who it could be. Maybe one of those new lions that were accepted into our pride, what do you think Honey?” Kiara asked, keeping her focus straight ahead as to survey the situation before the trio arrived, not wanting their precious cub to be overwhelmed by too many new things at once, although Kiara knew that her mate was strong enough to protect the both of them if trouble should arise. Due to the calm nature of The Pride Lands however, this thought weighed very lightly upon the golden furred lioness’ mind as she stayed close to her beloved Kovu.

[SinChei]

Daxis followed interested the coversation between Nala and Kivuli but he couldnt follow and didnt know what are they talking about.
The red maned cub liked Kivuli he seemed to be powerful and strong so Daxis decided to follow him. He didnt notice something expect Kivulis actions. He always stayed far enough from Kivuli that he wasnt in his way and annoyed him but he was near enough to watch his actions.

[Mike]

Kovu paused for a moment, bringing his attention back to his surroundings rather than the distant future. Kovu's ears soon picked up what Kiara had already noticed; the sounds of someone using the waterhole. However, the wind was blowing away from them, carrying the unknown's scent with it. Kovu was puzzled, wondering who would use this waterhole rather than the larger and more social main waterhole.

"I dunnow love. I can't quite see from here." Kovu said with a hint of confusion in his voice, then shrugged and spoke without aggression or malice, simply laying out the facts. "Well, if it is one of the newcomers we'll just have to let 'em know what the deal is about this waterhole." As he said this, Kovu had almost crested the hill between him and the waterhole, bringing his destination into view.

[KiarasMate]

Feeling confident in the fact that there was nothing to be worried about, Kiara remained by her mate’s side as the three felines finally arrived at The Private Waterhole. As Kiara’s eyes met with the scene before her, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. To her, it looked as though her father was splashing about in the water as if he were a cub or something. Utterly confused by his actions, Kiara called out to him in a befuddled voice.

”Daddy, what on earth are you doing in there?”

As the golden furred princess’ voice reached Kopa, who was thoroughly enjoying himself within the cool pool, he suddenly spotted the new arrivals an hastily drug himself out from the pristine waters, looking a bit embarrassed as he spoke in an equally bewildered tone.

”Daddy? Hmm, are you addressing me Miss?”

Now that the strange lion was out of the water, Kiara noticed that it wasn’t her father, although the resemblance to him was quite uncanny. Feeling embarrassed herself now, Kiara quickly replied in an apologetic voice.

”Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were my father as you two look alike…erm, well, who might I ask are you?”

Kopa looked over Kiara, as well as Kovu, who seemed to be eyeing the situation with as much curiosity as Kiara was. Hesitating slightly as he was still perplexed by what Kiara had stated, Kopa answered in a timid voice.

”My name is Kopa and me and my mate stumbled in your lands and were almost attacked by a lioness named Nala. She told me and my mate that we could rest here for a while and I just needed to clean up a bit so I thought it would be okay if I just had a quick bath.”

Narrowing her eyes slightly as the male’s story sounded a bit fishy to her, Kiara backed up a few paces as she replied in an uncertain voice.

”That’s a bit hard to believe Kopa. My mother would never attack anyone for no given reason.”

Kopa could see the untrusting look in Kiara’s eyes as he tried to explain the situation in grater detail to try and support his former statement.

”No, it was an accident on her part. Much like you, she mistook me and my mate for being members of your pride. I think she was going to pounce me or something. I tell you the truth though Miss Kiara. I have no reason to lie.”

Still feeling a bit unsure of whether to trust this unknown lion’s words, Kiara looked over to her mate to gauge his impression of the situation, all the while, Kopa remained in place, his fur dripping and mane drooping from the weight of the water that still hung heavy within it, making him looked quite pathetic as he waited for either of the felines in front of him to speak.

[Mike]

Things had been moving a bit fast for poor Kovu. Like Kiara he had assumed that the lion was Simba until slight differences in his appearance and voice presented themselves to him. He started to shake his head in confusion, but remembered just in time that he had an adorable little cub riding just behind his neck. As Kiara got Kopa's story straight Kovu admitted that what he said made sense. After all, he and Kiara had both just mistaken the stranger for Simba. He recovered enough to speak.

"I'm sorry, hold on. You're not Simba, so who are you? The resemblance is stunning. Have you seen him yet? You wouldn't happen to be his long lost twin brother would you?"

Kovu had never heard Kopa's name mentioned, and so his question was phrased in a joking manner designed to break the ice. Huh he thought to himself. Simba's having a busy week so far if he has to deal with this newcomer as well.