[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

"Hey!" Kovu said, pretending to shy away from the playful tail-swat. "Too heavy? For me? Am I supposed to take that as a challenge or an insult?" He shot back with a grin. Being Kiara's wife was a full time job trying to accommodate her endless energy, and he wouldn't have it any other way. He could only imagine what Simba would have gone through raising a cub like her, though Kiara had told him stories of a few notable childhood adventures and misadventures to pass the time on rainy days.

He and Kiara reached Pride Rock a moment later, and began to climb, headed for the main den. Still not used to carrying a cub on his back, Kovu jostled Taraji in the first part of his ascent before compensating and slowing down to prevent what could be an unfortunate accident.

[KiarasMate]

Letting some much needed giggles leave her maw, Kiara moved in close, flashing Kovu a seductive smile as she whispered to him.

”Well, you don’t hear me complaining when you ride on my back, now do you Honey?”

Giving her beloved mate a quick lick over his cheek as the two ascended up the path leading to the main den, Kiara was the first to enter the large abode, instantly taking note that both her parents were present, causing Kiara to pause in mid step as she thought to herself.

Hmm, this is going to be tricky…

Kiara knew that it would be fairly easy to get her mother away from her father however, she also knew that her father would most likely inquire about what exactly was needed of his mate, seeing as the two typically spent the late evenings together in each others company and any interruptions of that special time were often questioned. On top of this fact, Kiara failed to think of the possibility that little Taraji, being completely unaware of the secrecy behind Nala’s pregnancy, might take matters into her own tiny paws if given the right circumstances. Trying to think of a good way to separate her parents for enough time to give Taraji a quick meal, Kiara remained stationed near the entrance of the main den.

[Lodrill]

Taraji held on tight as Kovu started to climb up pride rock. She nearly bounced off again but Kovu slowed down at the same time so she could hold herself atop him.

She giggled as Kiara visited her atop Kovu and talked to her. She felt totally at ease and enjoyed the ride back to their den - or at least she thought they would go back to the den.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina returned the kiss to Kopa and purred as he snuggled up against her. She sighed and whispered to him. "It's not that darling... it's just that... I finally understand that I grew up in the land we passed before we came here. I am very close to my old home." Rahina closed her eyes and leaned her head against Kopa's.

"And you know... I think... " Rahina yawned. "... I think this could be a place for you and me to stay and raise our cubs." Rahina sighed again and her tail swayed over Kopa's body as far as it could reach as if she wanted to pet him with it. Then she leaned her full body against him and started to purr louder. This nice feeling of lay next to her beloved Kopa was thrilling. She felt safe and the sleep also wanted her to welcome it but she still enjoyed the situation. Even if she knew that she could not escape the dreamland for long now.

[KiarasMate]

A bit caught off guard by what Rahina had said, Kopa’s expression altered slightly as he looked a bit confused. The subject of cubs was one that they had discussed on previous occasions but never seemed to settle well with either of them due to both their shaky pasts. Kopa had come to the conclusion that perhaps having cubs of their own would never be a possibility and he had come to terms with this reality however, hearing his beloved lioness speaking such words now, began to make him ponder over the thought once again. Also taking in what she had mentioned about the lands they had passed along their way, being her former home, this also added to the many topics that swirled about within his mind. After a few moments of recollection, Kopa spoke softly towards his precious mate.

”Are you for certain about that Hina? Those lands…they looked so bare and desolate. How could someone as beautiful as you, come from such a forsaken place such as that? Are you sure it’s not your mind playing tricks on you my precious? I don’t know what it is about these lands we’re in now, but I just have had this funny feeling ever since we stepped paw in here. Everyone we meet looks at me like I’m one of The Great Kings Of The Past or something. It’s really disturbing in a way.” Breaking in his dialect for a brief second, switching his tone ever so slightly as he brought up the subject to which Rahina had spoken of in response to the whole cub issue and wanting to stay in these lands. ”This is quite a change from you my precious. I always figured that we were both a bit apprehensive of having cubs of our own…you know, because of our own cub-hoods. What brought on this change? Was it seeing that little cub of Kovu and Kiara’s? Taraji, wasn’t it? Well, you know that I’d never pressure you into having cubs with me Hina and I just think we should think things over a bit before we make any serious plans like that. Plus, we’ll have to see if this king of theirs will even allow us to stay. From the way both Kiara and Kovu spoke of these lands and their pride, it seems like it could be a nice home. I just wish everyone would stop giving me those odd looks and would stop mistaking us for others. How close could we really resemble to that of their own members, hmm? Especially you my precious. No one could ever match you in terms of looks, since you’re the most breathtaking lioness that’s ever graced The Circle Of Life.”

Upon stating his last few words, Kopa’s facial expression displayed that of disbelief, as he had no clue where on earth he had heard that expression before, as it had just slipped out of his muzzle, yet felt almost as familiar as the gentle touch of his special lioness laying beside him did.

[Lodrill]

Rahina smiled sleepy. "I just said it like that. Maybe one time in the future... you know." Rahina suppressed a yawn. "I know you would be a perfect father... and regarding this being near my home land... well..." Rahina had it hard to keep awake. The warm body of Kopa next to her made her even more sleepy. Even if she would be the next with guard duty. Or at least soon. "... the story of them reselmbles it to much to be a coincidence. The son of... well you know... was named Kovu and I remember one time my mother... " Rahina stopped for a moment. She hadn't talkt about her mother in a long while. "... she once told me about the daughter of the neighbor pride being named Kiara. Well... the outlands never... really had much to give..." Rahina could no longer suppress the yawn. She licked the cheeks of Kopa as good night kiss and started to doze off.

[KiarasMate]

Listening to Rahina’s reply, straining to pick up her words as the exhausted lioness’ voice started to fade beyond audibility, it wasn’t long before she had dozed off in the middle of her speech. Sighing softly from both relief and confusion at the same time, Kopa leaned in to return his mate’s good night lick with a loving one of his own over her attractive muzzle lips before he turned his gaze towards the entrance of the den. Feeling much to awake to even think about sleep and having way too many things on his mind, Kopa allowed his beloved lioness to rest peacefully, not caring that he hadn’t rested himself much, only caring about Rahina’s wellbeing most of all.

”Good night my precious Hina. May you have the sweetest dreams possible.” Kopa murmured as he prepared himself for a long night, one that would be filled with many different thoughts and memories of his past that would finally surface after being so dormant within his mind. Things were going to change now that he and his special lioness had stumbled into these lands and although the outcome was completely unknown to him yet, as long as he had Rahina by his side, Kopa would brave hell and high waters and whatever the future might throw his way just as long as the two of them were safe and happy together in the end.

[KingKivuli]

He was there. Afters years of suffering he made it. Kivuli was home. Priderock. As he looked up at the rock structure in all its majesty. Memories came flooding back to Kivuli. How he was raise in Scars rule. The battle of the kings. The months of peace that followed. Then his exile from Simba. Now Kivuli was just a few steps away from his return

He took a step onto the first rock of his climb up. It was smooth and flat, easy on his paws. It had been along time since this shadow lion felt so comfy on a rock surface. All he knew of were razor rocks that would kill you if you were not careful. He then continued making his way up, and finally reaching the cave den. Kivuli decided it best to wait and so lay down on the smooth rock at the entrance to seek an audience of the king

[SinChei]

Daxis followed Kivuli till he reached pride rock. The red maned cub didnt like this place his paws hurt a bit on this hard rock.
The sun shined on the rocks and blended Daxis a bit. He looked out for Kivuli and found him laying on a rock.
Daxis decided to lay down next to him. Daxis couldnt take his eyes off him. He spoke shylyand a bit fearful to him.

"H..H..Hi who are you?"

[Mike]

Vitani managed to get her kill to the bottom of Pride Rock without a hitch. There she took her kill by the neck in her jaws and swung it's body over her back. It wasn't comfortable, but it allowed her to swiftly bound up to the promontory. There she stopped suddenly, surprised to see Daxis with yet another strange male. She growled, not happy that Daxis was already ignoring Simba's instructions earlier that day. Daxis was asking the newcomer who he might be. Vitani peered into the main den, wondering if she should call Simba, but then noticed Kovu much closer to the entrance.

"Psst, Kovu, get out here for a minute." Vitani hissed at her brother, keeping her voice low enough so as not to disturb anyone else. She saw Kovu whisper something to Kiara, probably saying sorry to have to leave. He walked out of the den to join Vitani outside in the gentle glow of night. The first thing he noticed was Vitani's kill laying next to them.

"Don't tell me you want help carrying this little thing into the den." Kovu said laughing.

Vitani rolled her eyes. "If you'll take your mind off dinner for one second you'll realize that there's a strange male over there with Daxis." Vitani watched as Kovu immediately became more serious.

"And you thought that you'd better call me out here rather than Simba? Great planning sis. It's not like I can decide whether or not to let him stay. For all you know Simba's already seen him and given him his blessing. Here, I'll take dinner inside, and I'll send out Simba at the same time."

Suiting his actions to his words, Kovu dragged the gazelle into the den, laying it in the centre before moving towards Simba. "Compliments of Vitani everyone." he announced, then addressed Simba directly in a lower voice. "I hate to call you away from dinner Simba, but there's a strange lion out there on the promontory." Kovu said, angling his head to indicate the mouth of the den. "Vitani's out there keeping an eye on him with Daxis. She needs to to go have a look. Want me to come?" Kovu was unaware that Simba and Vitani had put Daxis on trial earlier that day, so he mentioned Daxis only as an afterthought.

[KiarasMate]

By this point in time, Simba’s patients had worn considerably thin. He was about to state that Kivuli had stood him up, when Kovu’s voice met with his ears. Turning to face his son-in-law, Simba listened to what he had told him. This new lion Kovu spoke of, it had to be Kivuli. Shaking his head, Simba replied to Kovu’s statement in a confident tone.

”No, I’m actually expecting him Kovu. It’s a grey furred male, is it not? Please, do me a favor and send him in. As for Daxis, please tell your sister to escort him back to his den where he should be in the first place.”

Taking advantage of the situation, Kiara flashed her mother a sly wink while Kovu held her father’s attention. Taking the hint, Nala made her way over towards where Kiara was as the pair waited for Kovu to join them before they left the main den.