[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Lodrill]

Taraji was very surprised as Kovu carried her out of the den. As she saw the strange lion and Daxis (she already did not see him yet before) she hid herself again in the mane of Kovu. Even as Kovu entered the main den she stayed hidden.

At the time she got a glimpse of Nala and assosiated it with her dinner she crawled out of the mane again. In this moment Kovu just turned around again to fulfill the wish of Simba and Taraji lost the grip. But she was lucky due Kiara stood next to Kovu and so she just landed soft on her paw. Her eyes were sparkling as she directly searched for Nala. Her growling tummy and the chance for dinner made her not noticing Simba or that she hardly knew Nala and so her shyness did not stop her from asking the question about her milk. She opened her muzzle and looked up to Kiara. Her intention were clear.

[hr][/hr]

Laini woke up as the sun began to set. She knew that she could not stay in the savanna alone at night. In hope that the pride rock would be less crowded now she started to trot back. She did not really know which den she should sleep in this night due Simba had not shown her yet. She only knew she could not go into her old den. But as she passed it she stoped by instinct and looked to the entrance as if her eyes could make it her own den again.

[KiarasMate]

Feeling the light thud against her fore paws, Kiara looked down to spot that Taraji had tumbled off of Kovu’s shoulders amongst the commotion of the new lions. As she watched her daughter, it dawned upon the golden furred princess that Taraji had no idea that Nala’s milk was supposed to be kept a secret. Panicking momentarily, Kiara moved in and gently picked her precious little cub up by her nape, setting her lightly atop her own soft, furry back as she whispered to her.

”Hang on Cutie. We’re going to go home and get you something to eat.”

Giving her mother another wink, Kiara hastily exited the den, knowing that her mate would catch up once his business was finished. Nala trailed after her daughter as the two made their way back towards the den to which she and her mate stayed at, passing by the empty den that would soon be occupied by Laini.

[SinChei]

Daxis stood up when he herd Simba he didnt know why but Simba didnt affect as powerful as Kivuli. Daxis looked a kind of stunned at Simba and stuttert low.

but .. but.. but why ohhhhhh he sighed loudly with a deep growl and rolled his eyes.
The red maned cub was waiting for Vitani and sat down again he would stay as long as he could to look at Kivuli even more.
He was amazed by his movements. One time his gaze sweeped around to Kovu and saw a orange furrred thing in his mane but couldnt discover what it was. Then his Gaze went again to Kivuli who vanished in the den.

[Mike]

Kovu nodded, and turned to leave den again. On the way he lost Taraji due to an incautious movement, but luckily Kiara was there to break the little one's fall. Shooting an apologetic glance at his mate, Kovu stepped outside where he again saw Daxis, Vitani, and the new lion that he could now identify as Kivuli. He stepped up to Vitani for a moment before introducing himself to the new lion.

"Simba wants you to take Daxis back to his den." Kovu said to his sister. "The other lion is Kivuli. Simba's been expecting him."

"Could you take Daxis home tonight Kovu? He's got Laini's old den. Simba banished him to it earlier, but he's already flouting that order. I've frankly had as much of that lion as I can stand. I'll show Kivuli in for you" Vitani spoke in a low whisper, so as not to be overheard.

Kovu sighed in resignation. "All right sis, but you owe me. I'll be a while getting back, you would send me all the way to the other end of the pridelands." Kovu enjoyed Vitani's grateful smile, then the siblings moved up to join Kivuli and Daxis.

"Daxis, Kovu's here to take you home." Vitani said in a severe voice. "Don't let us catch you defying Simba's orders again. Simba won't keep letting you off this easy. After holding Daxis' gaze for a moment, Vitani turned to Kivuli. "Simba's been expecting you Kivuli. Please, come in." With that Vitani turned and started back into the main den and Kovu began the long trek to Daxis' den, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the young lion was following.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli slowly walked into the den, a strong sense of nostalgia over came him. Long ago when he was just a cub. This place would be filled with scattered bones and broken skulls. As Kivuli got deeper in, it grew dark. His fur blended into this darkness. Eventually the only thing clear to anyone inside were his glowing red eyes

Kivuli approached Simba, he gave a small bow before speaking the harsh slow words Well if it isnt the great king Simba. Still running the Pridelands i see, and doing a good job about it There was a slight hint of sarcasm to his tone as he spoke to the king

[Mike]

Vitani stood stiffly at Kivuli's side, bristling at his provocative presumption. can't understand why Simba would be waiting to talk to this jerk... she thought. She felt the need to explain why it was she, rather than Kovu, who had shown Kivuli in, so she spoke up.

"Kovu agreed to take Daxis home." She said shortly, waiting for a less busy time to discuss her other reason for wanting to stay in the den. Vitani also noticed that Nala and Kiara had left with Taraji. True to her word, she didn't comment, and just hoped that Kivuli's presance would keep the king busy for another few minutes. The way things were going, this seemed like a safe bet.

[KiarasMate]

Waiting for Kivuli’s appearance in the main den, Simba noted the familiar looking pair of red eyes that slowly began to become visible within the pitch black environment of the main den. Almost all the light from outside had subsided, leaving only the faint moonlight that started to glow upon the majestic structure of Pride rock. Rising to his paws as the grey furred male approached, Simba listened to the slightly sarcastic remark that left the younger male’s muzzle, as well as the presence of Vitani. Waiting until Vitani had finished speaking, Simba replied in appreciation.

”thank you Vitani. I guess you’ve had enough of Daxis for one day.

Turning back to Kivuli, Simba ignored his first sassy comment as he spoke again.

”Well, it’s nice to see you too again Kivuli, all be it unexpected. What brings you back to the lands that are no longer your home?”

Although he’d never admit it, Simba was rather relieved that Vitani stayed inside the den. It wasn’t as if he was worried that Kivuli might start trouble, since being completely outnumbered within a confined place seemed to be enough to ease those thoughts in his mind, it was more for moral support, seeing as his mate had left to go speak with his daughter or so he thought. Waiting for a response from the grey furred male, Simba kept his eyes locked upon him, a judgmental stare plastered on his face.

==========

Finally reaching the den, Kiara entered first, followed closely by her mother. Carefully laying herself down upon the soft sleeping pelt to allow taraji to climb off of her easily, Kiara looked over at her mother, who was already taking up the same position she had earlier in the morning, allowing for the young cub to come nurse if she wanted to.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli looked Simba straight in the eye. He wandered if the rest of the Pride knew why he was exiled. It was time to blow it the cover and Kivuli was not going to hold anything back Why do you think ive returned? I came back into the Pride i was wrongfully exiled from. You may have decided to forget that memory but i have not. Kivuli then paced forward. He kept going until he and Simba were face to face, almost touching. You cast me out cause i could not decide between my best friends, i was just expendable. I have suffered for it. Almost 2 years alone with no one to comfort me or talk to. Living in barren conditions. Kivuli then backed off to his original position and looked at Simba once more Thats why i am here. I want to end this now

[Lodrill]

May it be for her loud growling belly or because she was so excited about the milk she was gonna receive or maybe even because she got used to Nala... but Taraji instantly headed to her and began to search for her meal. After a while the small cub was happily suckling out the milk and her big eyes were closed in enjoyment. She really had starved a lot and with all that happened she seemed to not wanting to stop any time soon.

[Mike]

"End it then!" Vitani burst out, surprising herself. She had not meant to interrupt, but she couldn't stay silent any longer. She mentally gritted her teeth, knowing that she had to go forwards now. "There's Simba, right in front of you. What are you going to do? Or was it all just a bag of hot air?" she scoffed at Kivuli's self-righteous speech. Slowly, and without taking her eyes off Kivuli's for a moment, she moved from his side to Simba's where she stood tall and proud, her eyes daring the other to make a move.

--------------------

"So Daxis, how are you liking life in the pridelands so far? You don't seem to be exactly comfortable here." Kovu asked as he lead Daxis down Pride Rock and towards Laini's old den at the far end of the pridelands. The question was provocative considering Daxis' history so far with the pride, but Kovu thought that his answer might help him understand the young lion. He picked up his pace slightly, anxious to return to the den and Kiara. He assumed Daxis would keep pace.