[Open] The Winds of Change

[SimbaKovu]

Title: The Winds of Change

Story: I've been toying around with this idea for going on 5 years, now, but it never truly came to fruition in anything other than a few timeline fanfiction items I've written. I always had this vision of Vitani taking on a much more prominent role in the Pride Lands after the death of Zira and the uniting of the two prides. I always envisioned her leading some sort of pro-democracy reform movement within the Pride Lands which leads to social unrest throughout the Pride Lands and the formation of a schism within the Royal Family between those who wish to preserve the monarchy and those who wish to implement democratic reforms. Simba would be put in the position of having the status quo which he represents upended by youth rebellion and social unrest, as well as dealing with prey species finally demanding their rights, including the right to vote in any future democratic state. Meanwhile, Vitani would be busy giving speeches and organizing rallies calling for more democratic institutions as Simba considers whether or not he should take steps to silence her. The path of the story is largely open, but should have that overall theme. However, I would like to begin the story with Kovu and Kiara's wedding.

Cast:

Canon Characters:

Simba: KingKovu44

Nala: DLFix

Kiara: Gerada

Kovu: DGFone

Vitani: SimbaKovu

Rafiki: wolfishgirl

Sarabi: OPEN


Fan-Made Characters:

Baya: Baya

Tupa: Baya


Yes, we are accepting other original characters.

[SimbaKovu]

As the morning sun rose to illuminate the whole range and breadth of the Pride Lands and its rays flowed into the den of Pride Rock, Vitani Kita arose from her slumber. After partaking in her usual morning stretch routine, she opened her eyes a bit wider, which allowed her to see that she was the only resident of Pride Rock who was awake at the moment.

Why are they still sleeping? Don't they know that today is the day of the wedding?? Vitani thought to herself as she carefully waded through the maze of sleeping lions and lionesses. After reaching the end of the mass of slumbering bodies, she looked back towards the far end of the den, where King Simba and Queen Nala were still sleeping. By this point, a few more lions were beginning to stir.

Vitani exited the den and was almost blinded by the bright summer sunlight which flooded her eyes. After adjusting to the light, she continued to make her way towards the tip of Pride Rock. This was a morning ritual she always partook in following her and her friends' reintegration into Simba's pride. She was usually the first to arise in the morning and when somebody else would wake up to find her missing, that somebody could be reasonably assured that she could be found sitting at the tip of Pride Rock, surveying the land and thinking, not to be disturbed. What Vitani thought about while out on the tip any given day was pure guesswork. Sometimes it was about her personal life, sometimes it was about the day's coming hunt, sometimes it was about nothing at all. Today, it was about the wedding of her half-brother Kovu to his sworn mate Princess Kiara.

Vitani, as Princess Kiara's Maid of Honor, had been charged with organizing the affair and was going over in her mind any last-minute details relating to its execution. Royal weddings in the Pride Lands were relatively simple affairs, but it was still imperative to ensure that they went off without a hitch, and this was what Vitani Kita was occupied with on this particular morning while sitting at the tip of Pride Rock, as the morning sun continued to rise before her, and as the rest of the pride continued to stir further.

[KingKovu44]

Simba was preparing himself for his daughter's wedding. "I'm very happy for this day," he said aloud.

[Baya]

The sun's rays began to stretch far across the pridelands, meeting pride rock only after a short while. Sleeping outside the den, was none other than Baya. Who else would try so hard to separate himself from others? It's not that he thought less of himself, or less of them. It was alot more instinctual then that. He was so used to being alone in the desert, that soon it became habit. Until he met Tupa of course.

The rogue groaned as the heat of the sun began to warm his fur and sleek black mane. One of his green eyes opened, squinting at the strength of the light. Unlike his old home, the sun's warm morning embrace was more of a hello as opposed to the common "someone's gonna kill ya!". Though, old habits die hard. He stretched all of his limbs, and let out a quiet yawn as he sat up straight.

Ever since they had left the desert, he and Tupa had resorted to working for Zira for food and water, and of course more important then anything else -- Battle. Baya wasn't too thrilled about being told WHO to kill, but he really put up with it for Vitani. He couldn't understand why he felt such an odd connection to the usually scorning lioness, but every time they fought it seemed like alot more then just battle. It meant a little bit more to Baya than it probably did to Vitani, but he wasn't about to get on his knees and profess love for her. No. He'd wait for her to feel the same special little moment in battle.

That special feeling had kept Baya at Vitani's side for quite some time. He didn't hang around her or anything, but she was the only one Baya really took orders from or listened to. Anyone else that spoke to him he usually ignored, except for Tupa and Kovu of course. As he was about to go on a bit of a morning walk, he noticed Vitani walking out of the den. Baya had heard that Kovu and Kiara were going to go through this simple ceremony to "marry". Why couldn't they just answer nature's call, and be done with it? Why did there HAVE to be a ceremony? This pride land life was going to be hard to get used to.

Baya didn't know if she did not see him, or was just plain not acknowledging him when she walked past. She and him didn't have the best relationship in the outlands, many of their encounters being in the form of Vitani being angry and leaping at him in that anger. Of course, he provoked her on purpose to get that special battle in for the day.

"What's got you all tense, hm? Not even going to glare at me anymore?" Baya asked with a smirk at her from his position.

[SimbaKovu]

Vitani was startled by Baya's sudden appearance at her side at the tip of Pride Rock. She instinctively whipped her head around in the direction of the sound of his voice, with a menacing glare she threw at anyone who dared to disturb her morning thought session.

"Oh, it's you," Vitani replied with a sound of disdain. She had never had the best relationship with Baya, even though she was well aware of his infatuation with her and she was mildly attracted to his demeanor of a sort of tamed evil, as well as his physical appearance, which would normally make him a more-than-desirable mate for any female. Come to think of it, she always had some sort of underlying attraction to Baya, even if she didn't display or admit it, either to anybody else or even herself.

But, in this instance, she was preoccupied with her morning thoughts and was therefore genuinely angry with Baya having interrupted her thought process.

"What do you want?" she snapped, whipping her head around back to her front to continue gazing at the ongoing sunrise.

[Baya]

Baya's smirk faded, and he tilted his head with a very bored look in his eyes. "You seem to be extra grumpy this morning. Are you still planning that silly pointless ceremony for your brother?" Baya asked, not much energy lacing his words. Ever since he had met Vitani, she seemed to always be defensive with Kovu and even Nuka at times. Another thing Baya could never understand. Devotion to family. Devotion to allies. Devotion to friends.

"I don't see what the big deal is, but if you are really so fed up about it why not fight me? It would probably take alot off your mind." Baya suggested with a sinister grin. He would've offered to help her with the wedding instead, but the first thing on his mind at all times was an opportunity at battle. Then again, he could just help her anyway once they were done fighting or if she rejected his offer to battle. Then there was the final option to making her so mad, she had no choice but to pounce at him, like old times in the outlands.

[SimbaKovu]

Vitani could't help but chuckle at Baya's suggestion that they fight. "Oh, Baya," she muttered, shaking her head. "Must things always end in violence with you?" While asking him this, she couldn't help but muster a weak, if admonishing, smile which she directed at him.

[Baya]

"End in violence? No no no no..." Baya said with a cackle, shaking his head. He growled. "It starts with violence, and ends with death. The weak die, and the strong live to fight another day. I'm sure you would've known that by now..." Baya said in a curl of his words. "So, what, no answer? I could just go fight Kovu. Test his weak skills again." Baya growled, wanting to push and push until she fought him. Battle was his fix, and by the kings above he would get it!

[SimbaKovu]

"Don't you dare!" Vitani snapped at Baya, turning around instantly to face Baya, who had begun walking back towards the entrance of the den. "Kovu's getting married today and we as well as I don't need you injuring him!" By this point, Vitani was standing on all fours, glaring at Baya, who had his backside turned towards her as he was about halfway between Vitani and the den entrance by now.

Vitani simply couldn't understand why Baya always needed to fight, especially with her. She hadn't been in the mood to fight him this morning, what with all that was on her mind with regards to the wedding. But, if it entailed protecting her brother from getting mauled on his wedding day, she was prepared to get into a knockdown-dragout match with Baya if needed.

[Baya]

Baya's right ear twitchd as he heard Vitani's voice take a stern tone. He smirked, as he slowly turned his head. Amusement danced in his eyes at how easily he had provoked Vitani this time around. "I knew you wouldn't turn me down." Baya said with a grim cackle. He was about to jump at her when another lioness stepped on his tail, holding him back. Baya turned his eyes and glared at Tupa.

Tupa's magenta eyes had a tired look to them, and there was a bit of a bulge to her stomach. "Baya. We need her in one piece for the wedding. Show some restraint..." Tupa murmured in a tired tone, rubbing one of her eyes with the back of her paw. "The least you can do is help..."

"Fine words. Telling me to kill her in the outlands and now, show some restraint? Is that you or the cub growing in you talking?" Baya asked in monotone, his smirk fading. Tupa rolled her eyes. She gave Vitani a look.

"Best you get to what you need to do." Tupa murmured, in a sort of stern tone. She wasn't too fond of Vitani, only because of her body language and general attitude towards Baya. Tupa had grown up alongside Baya, and he had never taken an interest in anything or anyone. Now with Vitani, it seemed as though it was a far different case. Seeing her act so horribly to him, made Tupa feel a sort of distaste for the once outlander. Baya groaned as he laid down again.

"I might as well go back to sleep then. Nothing to do all day..." Baya growled. Tupa flicked Baya's ear.

"You can actually HELP. There's an idea!" Tupa said with a frown. Baya snorted, and looked to Vitani. "If she needs me, I'm right here." Baya grumbled in response.