Baya's Struggle [Closed to Kopalover]

[Baya]

"Perhaps, or perhaps not. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't think I'll need to. Maybe I'd try and kill you, but thats the most I'd do. No one else here is as fun to fight." Baya pointed out as he slowly closed his eyes. He slowly but surely dozed off, and his ears pressed against his head. He wasn't sure if sleeping with Vitani around was the brightest plan, considering she'd almost killed him before. Then again, he'd rather her being here than some other lioness or lion. The feeling that she gave him was better than the normal thrill of battle.

[Time Skip?]

[Kopalover]

Vitani smiled and went to sleep as well, "Sleep well, Baya." She said, before falling asleep in the warm sun. A mid-day sleep was all she needed, even after fighting Baya and getting all worked up. Sleep was still the best. Just the dreams she has been having over the past few day were brutal. All about Kopa.


[Yes, :3]

[Baya]

A week had easily gone by, with Baya getting frustrated and bored because he couldn't move. Some of the pride cubs would visit him, regardless of Kovu's warnings for them to stay away. Out of his boredom, he told them stories of the desert, of how brutal and unforgiving the sun was. Some of them grew easily afraid and ran back to their mothers, but one always stayed. It was the cub that belonged to Kiara. He was named Ahadi, after his adopted great grandfather. He was curious, and not too afraid. He also was unaware that the lion he listened to for so many days and kept company was the same who tore him away from his mother.

When Baya could walk again, he was filled with energy. The first thing he did was go on a hunt instead of the lionesses and drag back the carcass of the Zebra he had hunted. Kovu, was slightly impressed at his efficiency but quite disturbed at his eagerness for the hunt. It was during the middle of the day, when all the lionesses were lying about near pride rock, that three lionesses from foreign lands arrived. Two of them had brown fur, while the third had cream fur. They made their way towards the bottom of pride rock, ignoring the lionesses of the pridelands. "King of these lands! Come out, and speak! We seek council with you!" The cream colored lioness shouted. Kovu, being near the edge of pride rock, looked over at the lionesses that called his name.

"What is it you want?" Kovu asked, glaring down at the lionesses.

"The King of the Jungle-lands, the honorable Maju, wants you to hand over that cub in your care. Our spies brought to our attention that not only are you harboring that cub, but also a run-away mercenary of his. We want them both..." The Cream Colored Lioness snarled.

Kovu raised an eyebrow. "You honestly think you could come in here, with just two guards and expect us to give in to your demands? My Queen and I have adopted that cub as our own. As for Baya, I have no idea what side he plays for. All i know is, it isn't yours anymore. Now begone from my lands, and tell your king that he will not get the cub. As for Baya, I dare you to go and get him yourself." Kovu said in a monotone.

The cream colored lioness bared her teeth. "Foolish King! If I get sent back, this will mean WAR for you! You realize how many lives you are putting at stake for a cub you know nothing about? A cub that isn't even your blood?!" Prideland lionesses began to get a tad bit defensive, growling and snarling towards the three foreign lionesses.

"You savages dare bare your teeth at us...You will all be killed. Our king will make sure of th-" The cream colored lioness's eyes widened as she was headbutted in the side and sprawled across the grass. The pride landers looked to see who did it, and it was none other than Baya. Baya cackled as he looked to the two guards of the messenger, whom were stepping back slowly. The messenger was coughing, trying to catch her breath.

"Stop talking. Get lost before I kill you all." Baya said with a sadistic grin. The guards of the messenger helped the messenger up, and all three of them made their way cautiously from sight.

Kovu shook his head. "Was that necessary Baya? You probably only angered them..." Kovu pointed out. Baya snorted.

"No. Nothing I do is really necessary. It's all just in good fun." Baya said with a wide grin. Kovu rolled his eyes.

"It's not like they weren't going to leave on a negative impression anyway. Fighting that other pride is inevitable. I just want to be part of that great war. It'll be fun to kill that coward Maju. Maybe his mate and cub too if I'm lucky..." Baya said, snickering at the thought.

"You are a lunatic. One that I'm glad is on our side." Kovu said with a weak smile as he made his way back in the den.

"For now." Baya murmured as he slowly trotted towards Vitani's den, hoping he and her could fight a little before the day was out.

[Kopalover]

Vitani saw Baya coming, she's known him for a week now and he hasn't caused any trouble. "That was charming." She joked, walking up to him with a smirk. "What were they here for, I heard something about them wanting that cub." Worried for her adopted nephew, she's grown attached to him because he seemed to be in her den with Baya all the time.

"I'll be going hunting soon, I need to keep up my strength." They both started walking to the den. "Hm, you've seem to have grown on me. I like you, you're nice. Well, to me at least." Smiling, they entered her den and they both stayed there. Little did they know a lion was about to come.

//

Kopa was in the Pridelands, almost at Priderock. Commotion came from Priderock and he saw three lionesses run from it. Confused he ran to the steps and bolted to the royal den. "Simba, Nala?" He called out, hoping they would answer.

Nala who had grown old heard the calls for her and her mates name. Walking out she saw a scared lion. "Uh, Simba. Come here dear." Calling out for Simba, he came running. Looking at the rouge with weird eyes.

"Who are you, rouge?" He humbly asked, not hoping for a fight. As his fighting days were over, his life was only on a thin strip. If he fought, he would most likely lose.

"Mother. Father. Don't you remember me. I'm Kopa!" Tears started running down his cheeks. His parents couldn't recognize him, but he was glad to see them still alive.

"Kopa!" They both said, running and hugging him. They exchanged licks and nuzzles and some of the lionesses that remembered him came out to see him.

"Kiara! Come meet your brother, the one we told you about. He's alive!" Simba cried out, as he was still hugging Kopa alongside Nala.

[Baya]

Baya cackled. "They want that cub because he's a prince. A prince they don't want alive. I'd have killed him by now had my employer not changed." Baya pointed out. He walked alongside Vitani for a shortwhile, before she spoke her next few words. He had grown on her? Is that some silly way of saying that she had gotten used to his company? He felt sort of the same way. Before, he had no one to talk to. No one to fight regularly for fun. He had never made friends before, because there were such vile things in the desert. Now that he was out...he felt that he needed at least one good companion.

"Look at you, speaking those words. Last week you beat me to near death. Though, can't say I'm not glad you did it. It was the best fight I've ever had." Baya said with a smirk as he nudged her side playfully with his paw. "We've got to fight again. You pick the time and the place." Baya said, as his smirk faded. His ear twitched as he heard cries of happiness. Cries, of Kopa. His eyes widened at the thought of Kopa...the one that Vitani told him about, being alive. He would steal Vitani away from him. Baya felt a growl rumble in his throat, and his smile completely fade.

//

Kiara ran out the den, to see her older brother. Her eyes widened. He looked alot like Simba, but with a brown mane. "All these years, dad told me stories!" Kiara said with a smile as she jumped down the steps of pride rock to embrace her brother as well.

Kovu stepped out, and looked down at Kopa from pride rock. "Uh. Nice to meet you. I'm Kovu. Kiara's mate." Kovu said with a nervous chuckle.

The lions were rejoicing in happiness. Baya, however, was getting quite testy.

"If you don't know by now...Your friend is back." Baya said bitterly. "Best you go greet him." Baya murmured, his eyes narrowed. He shoved past Vitani, walking into her den.

[Kopalover]

Vitani turned around, she remembered the dusty colours on that lion. Kopa. He's alive. Kopa's alive?! Smiling, and smirking at Baya. "How about, when we fight that dingy king as he arrives." Patting him on the back, and walking up to Kopa.

"Kopa?" She asked, looking at him with confused eyes. Seeing her, he ran over and hugged her. He was so excited and has been waiting for this day to see her since he found that new pride.

"Vitani, you've grown. You are so beautiful!" Kopa said, still hugging her and letting her scent enter his soft pink nose and nuzzling his face into her neck.

Smiling, she realized something. Her best friend; her love has come home. "Kopa, you're alive." Fighting back tears, she nuzzled her face into his large mane. She know could live a happy life, knowing the best thing that ever happened to her, was alive and healthy.

Kopa let go, and pulled Vitani towards everyone, turning to Kovu. "Kovu, don't you remember me? I was Nuka's pal, when you were young. Don't you remember?" He asked, looking into Kovu's electric green eyes.

[Baya]

Baya snorted as he slowly made his way into the den, and laid down on his side. He picked up a small skull that was just lying around and held it firmly. "I guess that's all I'm good for. Killing. It was wrong of me to make...pointless connections with others. In the end, Baya is still a demon of the desert." Baya murmured to himself, with a wide grin as he smashed the skull against the den floor. He shook his head, and let out a loud roar of frustration. "Why do I feel so angry! Why do I want to kill him so badly! Why Do -" Baya was cut off as a small cub, made its way into the den as well, his ears flattened against his head. It was none other than little Ahadi. Baya looked to the cub that just waltz into his home.

"What are you doing kid? Do you want to die?" Baya snarled. The cub shook his head and sat down, looking upset.

"Do you have a mum Mr.Baya?" Ahadi asked. Baya looked away from the cub.

"No. I never had one. I was raised by the desert." Baya murmured bitterly as he laid down on his side. The cub tilted his head and quickly trotted up next to Baya. He placed his little paws against Baya's back.

"Why are you so mad Mr.Baya? You are always smiling. At the wrong times...but still smiling none-the-less." Ahadi pointed out.

"Whats it to you kid? I don't even know..." Baya murmured. "Her precious Kopa came back, and now...I feel angry. I feel like killing him!" Baya snarled. Ahadi stepped back a little, a tad bit afraid.

"Mr.Baya, you might be jealous. I mean...you want Vitani all for yourself right?" Ahadi asked. Baya gazed at the young cub for a moment, wanting to break his neck for such accusations.

"Kiara and Kovu are really close too you know. You and Vitani are like that sometimes. Though maybe you can't tell. I think you love her..." Ahadi murmured. Baya stuck his paw under the cub's chin.

"What? What is that? Love?" Baya growled. "Tell me in words I can understand..."

"You don't know what love is?" Ahadi said, pushing Baya's paw away. He was a bold kid, Baya gave him that. "It's...it's like not being able to live without that person next to you. That's how you know you love them. Seeing them with others makes you mad. That's jealousy." Ahadi explained.

"I've never felt it before. Moving on. What were YOU upset about? What have I told you about crying?" Baya growled menacingly. Ahadi sighed as he looked down.

"I remember my mum. I don't know her name...or what she looked like. I know only her voice, and it goes through my head sometimes. I have dreams of her coming here and taking me away again." Ahadi said as he teared up. Baya rolled his eyes.

"You know, I never cried as a cub. I didn't even HAVE a mother and you are crying because you had one! Let me tell you something boy. Life is about loss. What you can't take from others, will be taken from you! That is why I fight. If I don't kill them...they will kill me." Baya pointed out as he laid down on his side again. Ahadi slowly walked so that he was alongside Baya and laid down next to him.

"Mr.Baya. Do you ever wish you had a mummy?" The cub asked.

"You are a nosy pest. I've killed cubs for asking less..." Baya said as he closed his eyes for a nap. Ahadi sighed, and also closed his eyes. Subconsciously he nuzzled up to Baya's side and fell asleep as well.

//

"I don't quite remember anything from when I was very young. I'm sorry that Nuka couldn't be here to see you too..." Kovu said sadly. Kiara sighed as she looked down. The losses they faced were so pointless. They could've all just lived in harmony. "Miss Kiara!" A voice called from within the den.

"Ahadi has gone!" A lioness called to Kiara, running out of the den. Kiara's eyes widened.

"Where?!" Kiara asked.

"I don't know...his tracks...lead up to Vitani's den!" The lioness replied. Kiara looked to Kovu with a huge look of worry. "Baya..." Kovu hissed as he quickly ran off to Vitani's den.

"I'm sorry Kopa...I have to go check on something." Kiara said with worry in her tone, as she too ran towards Vitani's den.

[Kopalover]

Vitani let go of Kopa, "Just because you think he'll hurt Ahadi. Doesn't mean he will!" She yelled after her brother, knowing she was being rudely ignored. Chasing after them, and then slowly halting to a stop. As they entered the den, she turned around and back up to Kopa. "Sorry about my extremly rude brother, he's never been nice to guests." Laughing she turned to Nala and Simba.

"I'll leave you to alone with your son, as you probably miss each other." Nodding she started heading down to her den. "As for you Kopa, I'll see you later." Winking, she continued trotting down to her den. Knowing her brother and Kiara were up to something.

Entering the den, she noticed Kiara and Kovu just standing there with shock. Looking over to see Ahadi nuzzled up to Baya, as if he were his father. Vitani, was also in shock. She had been the only lion to ever do that, and to see Ahadi in her spot made it more soothing.

Walking closer, she climbed up to the large rock Baya usually lies on and laid beside him. With Ahadi nuzzled in between. It felt strangely like home, but she liked it a lot. Baya had been nice to her this entire time, and she felt herself get closer to him. Falling asleep close to him, with her brother and sister-in-law watching.

"You can leave now," She told them, before drifting off into slumber.

[Baya]

Kovu looked at them for a moment, and let out a sigh of relief. "Kovu...this is...strange." Kiara commented as she and her mate made their back down to where Kopa was.

"Strange is not words enough for it. Vitani has never gotten so close to a male before. Ahadi seems to like Baya alot too...even though he's a lunatic. Maybe there's a side to him we just don't see..." Kovu pointed out. Kovu smiled as they got back to Kopa in the den.

"So, Kopa. I heard you went missing a long time ago...I thought my mother had...killed you." Kovu said hesitantly. "I guess she just scared you off?" Kovu asked. Kiara smiled.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Zira's gone...but now you are back. That's all that matters." Kiara said as she nuzzled her brother once more.

//
Baya subconsciously placed his head over Vitani's in his sleep. Ahadi meanwhile, nuzzled his head into Baya's side even more.

[Kopalover]

Kopa sat down beside his parents. "Well, she scratched me up pretty bad. Near death almost, but gladly I escaped through some large groundhog holes which led to the desert. I didn't live there long. As a Pride found me and toke me in." Pausing and looking at the surrounding lionesses.

"I got homesick, and I made my way back here. It toke around a month." He stated as the surrounding lionesses gasped. "I got only a few minor scars fighting off rouges on my journey, but none to bad." As he pointed out the long pink scars on his body.

"How'd you know where to go?" A lioness asked, who seemed to be one of the elder lionesses, who seemed older than Simba and Nala.

"Well, I humbly asked some Kings and Queens of their own Prides. Many sent someone to help me find PrideRock, up to a certain place. Some just told me directions." Answering the lionesses question with a nodding head.