[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Lodrill]

With a big sigh Laini finally got up again. She wondered why this Daxis was not here. Maybe Simba had already banished him or gave him another den?

Carefully she advanced for the den. Her old home had some magnetic powers for her. She poked her nose in. Daxis really wasn't here. He might dispise this place but Laini loved it. She lived her for all the time since her mother died. It was the only place she really could call a home, the only place she ever found her peace in. And now this should no longer be her home?

A silent tear ran down her cheek as she turned her back to the den. With a very sad heart and hanging head she made her way to pride rock. She did not even know where her new den should be located. She was lost and homeless for this moment.

Laini was not looking where she was going. She just set one paw before each other and more tears joined the first one. The wind played with her silky fur. The dirt on the ground had colored the edges of her white paw brown. But at this very moment Laini did not care about it. She would clean herself right after she got a place to hide.

The air was full of the smell of rain. Dark clouds began to drift in the sky. Very faint the sound of thunder rolled over the pride land. Still far away it already announced its arival. 'Soon it will rain! Laini thought. The perfect weather for her mood. The heaven was crying along with her.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji finally satisfied her thirst and hunger. Her belly was round. The milk still was around her muzzle as she looked up to Nala. There.... a faint thunder rolled into the den. Taraji nearly jumped in the air with all four paws. She rushed to Kiara and tried to hide in her fur. She snuggled head first into her chest.

Thunder was one thing she was afraid of. Or more precisely it was the lightnings that came with the thunder. On her journeys alone she ever had been afraid when a thunderstorm came over her. The first time she experienced one was shortly after her departure. It had been terifying even more because she had been alone at this time. Since then the pure sign of a thunderstorm rang alarm bells in Taraji's mind.

Slightly shivering Taraji tried to dig herself under Kiara so that she would be protected by her new mother.

[KiarasMate]

Scowling to himself as he heard Kivuli’s response to his offer, Simba nodded as the grey furred male took an abrupt leave from the main den. Turning his attention towards Vitani, Simba spoke in a low tone.

”I hope I’m making the right choice here Vitani. I really meant it when I said that everyone deserves a second chance but there’s just something about that lion that is unsettling with me. Anyways, can you please show him to one of the free den’s by the Private Waterhole? I know I ask a lot of you, but it would be most appreciated.”

Giving Vitani a gracious smile, Simba seemingly noticed the gazelle that Vitani was so kind enough to bring for supper. Having his business with Kivuli concluded now, the king of The Pride Lands settled in to enjoy himself as he began to eat some of the tasty meal.

==========

Feeling Taraji finishing her dinner, Nala rose to her paws and let out a tired yawn as she spoke quietly to her daughter.

”Well, seems like Taraji is nice and full now Sweetie. I’ll be going. I probably will see you later on tomorrow afternoon. If you need me again for Taraji’s meals, I’ll come find you then.

Looking a bit confused by what her mother had stated, Kiara merely nodded and watched as Nala took her leave, being distracted by the distant sound of clashing thunder, feeling Taraji’s small frame trying to burrow deep within her warm body. Looking down at her daughter, Kiara smiled and settled herself down upon the soft sleeping pelt once more, moving a fore paw over to guide the little cub over next to her, leaning in to gently nuzzle and lick the remaining milk that stained the small cub’s muzzle as she spoke softly.

”It’s okay Cutie. It’s just a thunder storm. Nothing to be afraid of. I’m here for you and hopefully Daddy will be back soon.”

Curling herself around her precious cub, Kiara purred in a relaxing manner to help ease the little cub’s fears, quietly humming that familiar tune that she had previously used to calm Taraji down when things had gotten out of paw.

========

Nala had not gone far when the first drops of water lightly deposited themselves upon her cream colored coat. Looking up towards the darkened sky, the queen let out a low sigh as she picked up the pace. Off in the distance, her blue orbs picked up the sight of Laini, who seemed to be unknowingly making her way towards her. Calling out in a friendly voice, Nala bounded towards the younger lioness as the rains started to pour down.

”Hey Laini. I was speaking with my mate and he mentioned about the new den you were supposed to have. Want me to show you to it? The quicker, the better. We’re going to get soaked if we stay out here too long. Seems like there’s a storm coming from the looks of things.”

If there was anything Nala was not fond of, it was being caught in the middle of a down pour. Not really waiting for a confirmation from the younger lioness, Nala simply motioned for her fellow Pride Member to follow suit as she dashed off back towards where Kovu and Kiara’s den was, taking a slight alteration in her course as she quickly arrived at the vacant den that would now belong to Laini. Looking back over her shoulder to make sure that Laini had trailed after her, Nala disappeared into the den. Taking a look around as she waited for the younger lioness to join her, Nala noted that the new den was much bigger than what Laini had previously had. There was two comfortable looking pelts laid neatly within the den, most likely due to the fact that this den had belonged to a pair of lions previously, but who had left for bigger and better things.

==========

With his mind full of thoughts and sleep seemingly unreachable, Kopa stayed awake, watching as the first signs of the approaching storm made themselves visible outside the quaint den to which he and his precious mate were staying at. Feeling rather anxious from the many thoughts that swirled in his mind, Kopa snuggled up extra close to his beloved lioness, resting his head upon her soft, furry back as his body lightly trembled from the memories that continued to haunt him.

”What does this all mean. Why do these lions here see me as someone else? Why does the names Nala and Simba seem so very familiar to me? Why does Zira ring a bell? Who on earth is Lulu…” Kopa mumbled to himself as he tried to close his eyes to escape the thoughts that kept replaying in his head.

[NightmareMoon]

After much alone time and thought about what she would do, Mila finally decided that she would go talk to her foster mother about her issues and what she wanted to do. She knew that she must take her place and be a helpful member of the pride instead of what she currently was.

Milas destination was Pride rock to see if anyone was there. There was usually someone there to talk to and find out where an individual was. Upon closing in on the massive rock, Mila noticed a lion there. One that she had never seen before. He was grey, and had an exquisite, well build frame that she noticed even from the distance she was at.

The curious lioness walked up to Pride rock and before she went inside the den, she wanted to introduce herself to this lion. If he was on Pride rock without anyone attacking him or something of the sort, she knew he wouldn't be where he was. She just hoped the lion wasn't that Daxis character.

Mila walked over to Kivuli, slowly and carefully, towards the well built lion. She smiled as she approached and asked him a question with a cute tone of voice. "I haven't seen you around... who are you?" She kept her friendly smile across her muzzle and wished this wouldn't end up badly. She had met some rude lions in the past and she didn't want to have to deal with something like that at this time.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli turned his head to greet the voice that sounded angelic. Upon seeing the lionesses face, Kivuli was dumbfounded. This amazing female was incredibly beautiful, as well as being young and having a body that rivaled that of Nala. For a few moments Kivuli could not speak as her dark sapphire eyes had him transfixed in a stare

Finally coming back to his senses and standing on his feet facing her he stumbled into his word oh...erm. Im Kivuli. You are? As Kivuli asked the question he stepped closer as those sapphire eyes brought him into her

[Lodrill]

Taraji calmed down a bit but still snuggled against Kiara. She closed her eyes and listened to the heart beat of Kiara. Sometimes the thunder of the thunderstorm that was closing in still reached her eyes. She winced a bit at each thunder but she felt save with Kiara curled around her.

[hr][/hr]

Laini entered the den right behind Nala. Normally she did not like rain but this time she was pleased by it because Nala did not see her crying because of it.

Laini bowed before Nala and her soft voice echoed in the den. "I thank you and the Kings kindness my Queen!" She sat down on the oposite side of the pelts on the ground and lowered her head. She did not want to be unformal and start grooming and cleaning herself in front of the queen without being allowed too.

Being of low rank she rarely had anything to do with the higher ranks and therefore was not really used to them. She did not know how to behave around the royal family without catching their anger.

[KiarasMate]

Smiling warmly at Laini, Nala took the liberty to start grooming the unwelcome water drops that had found a new home within her fur before she spoke in response to Laini’s comment.

”Oh, think nothing of it Hun. Like I told you earlier, I really think my mate sees real potential in you Laini, as do I. You don’t need to be so shy around us. We’re your Pride and you know we’re here for you. Now that you have a den closer to Pride Rock, you know you can come find me, my mate, or better yet, Kovu or Kiara, since they are basically your new neighbors now, if you need anything.”

Trying her best to make Laini’s new adjustment to her home a bit more inviting, Nala looked around before she spoke up once more.

”Is there anything I can bring you or do for you to make this place better Hun? Perhaps a male to come keep you company?” Nala stated in a joking manner, flashing the younger lioness a keen smile as she continued. ”Maybe I can see if there’s something to eat at the main den and bring some of it back for you? There’s no reason why we both should get drenched outside now is there.”

Hoping that her kind offer would be taken the right way by the lower ranked female, Nala waited patiently for her reply, all the while, continuing to rid herself of the dampness from her silky fur.

[Lodrill]

Laini winced as Nala mentioned a male lion but calmed down pretty fast. She shook her head to the question of Nala.

"Thank you for your kindness my queen. I cannot have you be drenched for me. I will be okay here..." '.. I hope.' she continued the sentense in her thoughts.

[KiarasMate]

Sensing that Laini was just being modest yet not wishing to make her feel uncomfortable, Nala nodded and replied in a kind voice.

”Very well Laini, then I will let you be. Just remember what I told you, okay? We’re all here for you Hun.”

Rising to her paws, Nala presented one last friendly smile towards the younger lioness before she zipped out into the pouring rains. Like a blur, Nala jetted through the downpour, passing both Mila and Kivuli as she bounded up the promontory of Pride Rock, calling out as she passed them.

”By the kings, I hate the rain!”

Disappearing into the depths of the main den, Nala spotted her mate, sitting next to Vitani. She could see the partially eaten gazelle that laid by Simba’s side, giving her the idea that she was going to bring Laini something to eat whether she wanted it or not. Moving in past her beloved king, Nala gently ripped off a decent sized piece of the gazelle before she bounded out of the den again.

”Okay…” Simba murmured as he continued to feast upon the delicious meat.

Bounding past Mila and Kivuli once more but having her muzzle full of gazelle, Nala merely nodded at the two as she raced back towards Laini’s den, reaching it in what seemed like record time. Quickly entering the large den, Nala lightly placed the meat down in front of Laini as she spoke quietly.

”I told you, we all look out for one another. Go ahead Hun. Eat up.”

Nala took a seat near the den entrance, not really wishing to travel in the conditions that loomed outside and feeling a bit light headed from all the running she had been doing throughout the day. Placing a paw upon her head, Nala sighed softly as she laid down, running a fore paw thoughtfully over her belly as she looked over at Laini, remaining quiet to allow the younger lioness some time to enjoy her delivered meal.

[Lodrill]

Laini just had started to groom herself as Nala bounced in again. She winced and looked at her with wide open eyes.

Being invited she did not want to hurt Nalas feelings by declining the offer again as she felt that the queen would then be angry she started to eat slowly with an keen eye on Nala. She looked at her belly and for Rahina it was clear in which state Nala was but she did not dare to ask her the obvious. Instead she held in and with a faint voice asked the queen something else. "May... may I offer you a pelt to rest on?"

[KiarasMate]

Perking up her ears upon hearing Laini’s kind question, Nala smiled and shook her head as she responded in a soft voice.

”Aww, I’m fine, thanks Hun. How’s the gazelle? Wish I could say that I caught it but I think it might have been Vitani, so you should probably be thanking her instead.”

Knowing that Laini and Vitani still weren’t on the best of terms with one another, Nala decided to change the subject as she stated.

”So, have you and Daxis ran into each other any more Laini? From what my mate tells me, you two have been seeing a lot of each other as of late.”

Not really knowing what exactly had gone on between her two fellow Pride Members, Nala’s inquiry was sincere as she was just curious about Laini’s feelings towards the young male.