[~ Private RP with NukaKun ~]

[Baya]

Baya and Tupa spent many days, weeks and months wandering the desert together; as mentor and student. Baya trained her to the best of his ability, and soon enough she became a challenge to him. Though even when they actually fought, Tupa would never strike him, but give him an affectionate lick. Baya told her such things meant nothing to him, but she did it anyway to his displeasure. She saw him as a father figure, and although Baya would hate to say it, he saw Tupa as perhaps a younger sister or even a daughter.

Tupa had grown into a strong, independent and stubborn adult lioness. Her magenta eyes, which were normally soft and beautiful, would grow hardened and fierce during battle. Unlike Baya, she didn't see fights as a method of entertainment, but resolving most disputes. When Baya went off to kill rogues, Tupa went off to kill some rabbits or other assorted desert creatures for food. They fought for their own reasons, but Tupa always looked up to Baya. After all, it really meant something that Baya hadn't abandoned her yet, even after she reached adult hood. That sort of loyalty wasn't even something she'd expect from birth parents, let alone a murderer of an adoptive father.

Baya hadn't changed much, his mane only growing out a little bit more and perhaps his number of scars. He still held strongly onto his belief that slaughter was the only real fun out in the desert, and that perhaps one day he would die in battle. That, he explained to Tupa, would mean his death would be one of glorious defeat. Hitting the dirt by old age or disease wasn't something Baya found particularly amusing.

The two were making there way across the desert, per usual, on this sunny morning. With no clouds in the sky to show mercy to the two, their thirst and hunger were intensified by the heat of the scorching sun. Baya, being too proud, did not dare complain or show signs of weakness. Tupa on the other hand, was beginning to see doubles of everything. "B-Baya.We need water...it's been days..." Tupa murmured. Baya remained silent as he walked. A cool breeze whipped past them, making Baya's mane sway. They were near different lands, he could tell. Perhaps there he could find a good fight, and Tupa a drink of water.

"Not much longer..." Baya muttered, looking cautiously at Tupa's slowing paw steps. Tupa looked to Baya and chuckled, her eyes half closed out of exhaustion.

"Only reason I'm alive is you, so I guess I should trust your judgement." Tupa said with a small grin following after. "Baya...if I were to die right now, would you be upset?" Tupa asked, knowing full well he would be, but he wouldn't say it.

"Death is a part of life. No sorrow in that..." Baya simply replied. Tupa sighed, but her smile stood strong. She knew he would say something like that. After all, he was a total cynic with regards to anything but battle.

The two continued to walk until the sun was directly above them. Baya noticed the ground was growing rougher, and with less sand. He also took note of the many rocky growths from the ground. "We aren't in the desert anymore..." Baya said with a small cackle. "Where there is prosperity...there is weak pampered lions to exploit for a quick battle!" Baya growled.

"Ugh. Water first, Battle later!" Tupa said as she nudged him sternly with her head. She continued to walk until both she and Baya heard the gentle rush of some sort of water. They walked closer and closer towards it, a mountain ridge seemingly shadowing them as they did so. When they got to the source of the water, there seemed to be many dead logs floating within it, and it was completely shrouded in the shadow of the cliff structure behind them.

"Gosh, it's been awhile!" Tupa sighed in relief as she pushed past Baya, and got closer to the watering hole. She dipped her whole head into the water whilst Baya laid down on the cooler, shadowed earth.

"We can stay here for a few days..." Baya muttered as he looked at the cliff above. Baya turned to see one of the logs moving closer to Tupa's head within the water. His instincts kicked in and he grabbed her by the tail, pulling her back quickly. Those weren't dead logs!

Sure enough, a crocodile's jaws' snapped right where Tupa's head was a second ago. Tupa gasped as she shook her head free of water, and looked at Baya.

" What are these Baya?" Tupa asked stepping back, as the crocodile hissed and went back into the water. Baya shook his head.

"No clue. They should be avoided..." Baya murmured. As strong of a rogue as he was, something with that much force so deep in the water was not necessarily something he'd want to fight. After all, the fun of a battle is in the gamble. When there is an absolute chance of death or life, what was the point?

"Baya...We are being watched..." Tupa whispered, not really turning her head. Baya had the same feeling, but he too would not turn to look around for its source. One thing rogues had plenty practice in, it was following their instincts and caution.

//

From atop the cliff behind the two, over looking the watering hole, was none other than a young adult Kovu, Nuka and of course Vitani. They were told to go patrol around the border, considering there was a bit of a rise in rogue activity and their mother could not bare to give up any scrap of food to them. Kovu's green eyes locked onto Baya, and then onto Tupa who seemed completely unaware of their presence.

"Why are we wasting time? Let's just kill' em already!" Nuka hissed from behind Kovu.

"If it were that simple, we would've already charged Nuka...look at how the lion stands. His composure is one of aggression too. I'm pretty sure mother taught you better..." Kovu growled.

"Well there's two of them, and three of us!" Nuka pointed out. "And we were trained by mother. They are just two stupid rogues! Just like all the others!" Nuka once again argued. Kovu sighed and gave his brother an annoyed glance.

"Nuka, one of them has plenty of scars. What did mom say about scars? They tell stories of survival. This guy's been through alot...and with all those battles he probably picked up a thing or two. I think we should just tell mother and have her send a few more lionesses in and -" Kovu was interrupted as Nuka simply turned away and began to make his way down the cliff.

"You can sit here and cower termite! More glory for me!" Nuka cackled as he began to slowly shift down the trail leading the crocodile watering hole. Kovu looked to his sister, and let out a small sigh.

"We can't let him go alone at least..." Kovu commented as he too began to follow after her brother. This might very well be the stupidest move Nuka has ever made.

[Applejack]

Vitani let a small, frustrated growl as she followed the two down the side of the cliff. "Nuka," she said, obviously not amused, "I swear, when I get my paws on you, you're going to wish that you'd never been born!" She shook her head and moved down silently, dropping to a creeping stance as she got closer to the other lions. She wasn't about to get her life handed to her by this lion who obviously had won more than his share of battles. She started to creep around, searching for a way to the rear of the other lion and the lioness. If she could hook her claws in that lioness and take her down, maybe the lion would submit.

Nuka, meanwhile, picked up speed, now sliding headfirst down the hill in a direct course for the strange lion and lioness. "Hey, termites!" Nuka called out as he came into range of the lion, baiting them, goading for a fight almost instantly, "What do you think you're doing, trespassing on our land? I have half a mind to put you under real quick and easy like, just to save mother the trouble of dealing with you!" Nuka stood tall infront of the lion, who was obviously older than him, and puffed his chest, trying to look bigger than he was, but with his pathetic mane, it was near impossible to look intimidating.

As Vitani crept closer and closer, she heard Nuka's jibes, one after another. She was half expecting to hear the roar and snap of Nuka's neck being broken, or some other extreme injury inflicted, but the lion seemed to be holding his ground. "Nuka, you idiot! Don't you know how to do anything right? After all of the training mother gave us, you still charge headfirst into a confrontation." She shook hear head and dropped down to a stealthy crouch, getting closer yet to the lion and lioness. So far she was undetected, but she knew better. After all, these two had sensed their sentry point with such ease, this could all be a ruse. The lion could just as easilly whip around and rend her in two. She shook the thought from her head with a soft growl. She was a warrior, living and dying by the code of war. Death meant nothing to her.

[Baya]

Baya's ear twitched and he smirked, still not turning around. Tupa looked to Baya's smirk and sighed. "You know we could probably negotiate..." Tupa pointed out her Magenta eyes not giving of their cheery glow at the moment. Baya cackled as he now slowly turned his head to the opposition.

Kovu cursed under his breath as he realized all his siblings and him were caught before they could even attempt a sneak attack. His ears flexed back as his emerald green eyes met that of Baya. Something about him made Kovu very uneasy. It wasn't just the aggressive stance, or the many scar's the decorated this warrior's head and upper body, but his eyes. His eyes were so hollow and distant, Kovu would never guess this creature was a lion to begin with!

Baya raised an eyebrow and his face took an expressionless look to it. Tupa watched Nuka jibe at Baya, and chuckled at his feeble attempts to look tougher than he actually was. "Did he just call me termite? What kind of insult is that?" Baya questioned as he looked from Nuka, to Tupa.

"No clue. Sort of adorable how he thinks he's tough though." Tupa commented with a grin.

"This is your land is it?" Baya growled, a grin growing on his face now. The classic 'Get off my land!' dispute. Ah, how it brought back memories to Baya! "Would that mean if I killed you, it would be mine I wonder?" Baya asked with a grim cackle as he slowly began to circle Nuka. He need not puff out his chest, or jibe too much at Nuka. No, his mind was only fixed on being tough, not just looking. Baya let out a short snarl as he jumped at Nuka, only to be intercepted by Kovu with a nice slash to the face.

Baya rolled around in the dirt, and quickly stood back up shortly after. "Vitani, there's no point in hiding!" Kovu called out behind him as he paced in front of Nuka, looking to Tupa. She didn't seem as interested in fighting as her male partner.

"Aw. Baya...need help?" Tupa cooed with a grin.

"If you get in my way, you'll only get hurt." Baya warned in monotone, but smirked as he dug into the ground with his claws for leverage in his next leap.

[Applejack]

As soon as the lion, Baya if he had heard correctly, had launched himself at Nuka, Nuka himself had dropped to the ground with a pathetic yelp. As Kovu jumped over his form, Nuka slid out and started to crawl away, attempting to slip back to the camp. "I need to get mother!" he exclaimed, dashing off towards the encampment. Then, realizing what he was saying, he turned back around, skidding next to Kovu, crouching in a ready position. "Chosen One... get out of my way. This lion is mine and mine alone!" Without waiting for Kovu's reply, Nuka gathered himself and jumped at Baya, his claws outstretched, an insane grin on his face. "For mother!" he exclaimed.

As he dashed away, Vitani jumped in his place, growling fiercely. Her tail lashed viciously as she started to circle around the lioness called Tupa. "Miss prety lioness here with her strong, strong boyfriend. Well, what do you think he'd do if his little girl here were hurt?" She bared her teeth in anticipation. "I like it when they fight me back, oh yes I do. I live for the battle." She took an intimidating step towards Tupa, her claws sliding silently from inbetween her pads. "So tell me, pretty girl, are you ready to have that fur shredded a hundredfold?" In her head, she was half marveling at Tupa's eyes. They were shockingly the same color as hers. She'd never seen another lioness alive with her eye color. Oh well, she thought to her self, this one wont live much longer anyways. I always liked being unique, and she's taking that away from me! She continued to circle Tupa, a grin full of bloodlust slowly filling her face. "So, pretty girl, are you going to sut there and watch me, or are we going to actually do something?"

[Baya]

Baya raised an eyebrow and smirked when Nuka jumped at him again, claws outstretched. He stood his ground and remained standing when Nuka had managed to sink his claws into Baya's shoulders. Baya's face was inches from Nuka's, and not a hint of pain was on the rogue's face. "That tickles." Baya growled as he head butt Nuka's forehead, sending him to the ground. The claw marks slashed along Baya's shoulders, but they weren't too deep.

Tupa looked at Vitani as she circled, a grin only growing on her face as Vitani jeered at her. "Baya? My boyfriend?" Tupa chuckled as she placed a paw over her own muzzle to stifle the laughter. "He is my mentor, and I'd like to say father. He pretty much raised me from cubhood dear. Now please, save yourself the pain and run away. Your brothers are done for..." Tupa pointed out with a grin. Although fighting wasn't her first option in many situations, if it came down to its he could be just as fierce as Baya.

"If you are going to fight me, I'll give you the first strike. I urge you to plan accordingly. Thanks for calling me pretty by the way. Not often I get compliments. Usually, lionesses just attack me out of sheer jealousy..." Tupa cooed.

Kovu was just watching all this take place, and he charged at Baya once more hoping that he would land more of a blow to him. Though unfortunately, Baya simply back pawed Kovu along the dirt too. Kovu growled as he slowly stood up again only to be knocked back by another paw to the face.

As Nuka was on the ground, Baya turned his attention back to him, placing his paw on Nuka's throat. His claws did not sink in yet, as he wanted to savor the look in Nuka's eyes. That look of horror that was all too familiar to him.

"Before we fight...you should probably bid your brother farewell." Tupa urged Vitani.

[Applejack]

Nuka's wide eyes changed quickly from a look of pure joy to fear as he sank into Baya and saw that Baya was taking it with no pain at all. As Nuka was thrown to the ground, he opened his mouth in a small, pained yowl, only to have it cut off as Baya's paw pressed down on his throat. Nuka lay still, forcing his voice to rise. "If you're going to kill me, do it quickly. I can't stand the smell of your termite breath on my fur. It makes me look bad." Nuka still managed to smirk, half cackling manaically, half choking.

Vitani whipped around, torn between Tupa and Nuka. Nuka was her brother. She had to save him. She started towards Baya, only to see him bat Kovu aside with such ease. Her violet eyes alight with rage, she ran full force towards Baya and tackled him, trying to force him off of Nuka. "You leave my brothers alone," she hissed, her voice so soft and calm that she could only have one thought on mind: killing Baya for touching her brothers. She finally managed to push him off of Nuka with a grunt, and Nuka flew away, trying to push Kovu up to his paws. "If you ever touch my brothers again, your life wont be the only thing you lose!" she hissed venemously. She nodded backwards towards Tupa. "You'll lose her as well. Now, Baya, do you have any last words before I attempt to rip your throat from under your head?" The look in her eyes was all business, her purple eyes glowering.

Nuka continued to try and push Kovu up, and then noticed the lioness standing there, lashing her tail. "Easy pickin's," he muttered, and slowly left Kovu, seeing as Kovu wasn't responding. There were more pressing matters at paw. "Hey, lioness, you ready to meet your ancestors?" He shook the soft, dull thudding out of his head, ever content to abuse his head by being thrown around even more, and slid closer to Tupa, his eyes shining in the joy of battle. "C'mon, lady, lets do this. You and me. Mano 'y termite."

[Baya]

[Sorry it took me so long. Work pisses me off...]

Baya let out a short grunt as he was pushed off Nuka by Vitani. His eyes met Vitani's, intense with surprise and the prospect of a good fight. Baya tilted his head, a smirk spreading across his scarred face at what Vitani suggested about Tupa. "You can kill her if you want. She's a big girl now, and knows the risks of traveling around me." Baya growled.

"Best dad EVER!" Tupa chimed in, heavy with sarcasm. However, she did really know the risks of traveling with a maniacal battle crazy rogue. Of course her life was going to be threatened, but something like that wasn't of importance to Baya. Knowing this full well, she stayed by his side as student.

Baya cackled at Vitani's threat, his ears flexing back as he bared his mighty teeth. "You amuse me to no end! Hah! Less talk, more action girl. My throat is open for you to tear, if you can get to it!" Baya snarled as he jumped at Vitani now. Tupa noticed something about Baya and this lioness. He seemed to be fighting serious, yet not so serious at the same time. If he'd wanted to, he could've at least drawn blood by now, but he was just...playing around. It was an odd sight to behold from Tupa's past experience with Baya.

When Nuka spoke, Tupa's ear twitched as she turned back to him. "You would hurt me? Wow, aren't you a brute." Tupa said as she approached him slowly. When she was inches apart from him she smirked. "You aren't a warrior. I feed the sands of the desert lions like you for breakfast." She purred as she gave him a nimble flick with her paw on his nose. "I'm not going to fight you, so you might as well just watch your sister and Baya fight..." Tupa said as she sat down in front of Nuka.

Amidst the chaos, Kovu slowly opened his eyes and began to back away slowly. He had to tell Zira what was going on! He just hoped that Vitani and Nuka could last long enough! "Nuka! I'm getting mom! Hold them off!" Kovu called back, as he began to sprint away.

"Wow, really? You are telling your mum on us?" Tupa giggled as she shook her head. "You are an amusing lot, I'll give you that." Tupa said as she looked back to Nuka. "What's with the face tough guy, not like I'm insulting you or nothing." Tupa pointed out, giving him another flick.

[Applejack]

Vitani simply bared her fangs, a new shade of hate layering on her deep eyes, turning them a black-purple color. "As you wish, Baya," she replied with a snarl. She leapt at Baya, reaching furitively for his neck, but was sidestepped with ease. Growling, she went for it again and again and again, each time getting a little close. She had a terrible feeling that this lion was messing with her. He could have easilly killed her already, this she was sure of. "I don't have all day," she chided. "If you're going to kill me, do it already. If not, stop wasting my time and die!" She loosed a terrible growl and made a mad dash for him, slamming her body into Baya, attempting to push him over on his back so she could get at the exposed flesh and fur of his underside.

Nuka looked at Tupa with a mix of wonder and mistrust. "What do you mean, wont fight me?" He pulled back a little after she flicked his nose, then examined her again as she sat down. She really was posing no threat at all. "I'm no brute," he began slowly, not sure what exactly was going on, "But I can be tough if the need be. If you try and make one move, I wont hesistate to tear out your heart and feed it to mother." He tenatively sat down next to her, wary, and watched the ongoing fight between Vitani and Baya. As Kovu ran off towards the encampment, he couldn't help but snicker at Kovu's desperation. "He's the goody two-shoes of the family. Always doing things by mother's book. Never living for himself like a real lion. Me, I only care about myself. I can take care of myself." He diddn't even draw back this time as she flicked him, snickering. He reached around, trying to scratch at an itch near the base of his tail, but couldn't reach it. After a few moments of trying, he grumbled and turned back to the fight.

[Baya]

Baya cackled madly as he was pushed onto his back. "Such strength! Such aggression! If you weren't so amusing, I would have killed you! Though you are far more fun alive!" Baya smirked as he was finally pinned. He knew he might die, and he knew that although it was amusing to him it was not at all to Vitani. His head tilted as his sides were pushed down by her paws. Baya looked up into her purple eyes, and his own eyes widened. He quickly snarled and pushed her off with all his remaining strength.

As he looked to Vitani again, he felt a surge of...of something. It was the same effect battle had on him, but without the battle! He chuckled quietly. "You, I will spare. With such admirable strength, I can't simply kill you. That wouldn't be very polite." Baya mused as he looked to Tupa.

"Need some help with that?" Baya asked, looking to Nuka. Tupa smirked as she looked to Nuka.

"He is no threat. You are agitating the girl though. She might just blow her top." Tupa warned, pointing to Vitani with her paw. There was a loud roar that turned everyone's attention to the path that the three siblings had taken down the cliff in the first place. Standing there, was none other than the amber eyed empress herself, Zira.

"Baya of the Desert." Zira growled as she slowly approached the group. Zira quickly trotted over to Vitani, looking her over for injuries, then looking back to Baya with a look of disdain.

"You are quite the trouble maker, my sources tell me. A rogue with such little compassion, he would kill a mother just to see the cub's reaction...very brutal." Zira cackled. "And yet, you have not even scathed my daughter. I should get new sources..." Zira growled now, as she glared at Baya and approached him slowly.

"Your sources are correct lioness. Though I must admit one thing, your daughter has admirable strength and stamina. Had it not been for that, I would've presented you her head right now." Baya cackled, intensely gazing into Zira's eyes.

Zira was not amused by that statement, but she held her composure. After all, if this lion got too out of line she would simply call out the lionesses waiting near the top of the cliff with Kovu. Her vulture spy told her many things of the pridelands, and the desert beyond. Baya was one that stood out in the desert, only because of his brutal mentality and mass of slaughter. An idea struck her, and she had no clue how horrible the risk would be, but she would be willing to gamble.

"I would thank you for your compliment, if you hadn't uttered that other part. Now, I have a proposal for you. Option A: You and your friend are killed by my pride or Option B: you are spared, and work for me. I could use a few more experienced paws in taking down the pridelanders." Zira offered courtly, a smirk growing on her muzzle.

Tupa looked to Baya for a moment, and vice versa. "Option B doesn't sound bad to me Baya. After all, living is pretty awesome." Tupa pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"There will be battle?" Baya asked with a tilt of his head.

"There will be war." Zira mused, with a cackle following shortly after. Baya smirked as he looked at Vitani. "Option B it is."

[Applejack]

Vitani's expression changed from anger to a sort of sick, cyniccal joy. She had this lion under her paws, and her paws shifted slightly to pin him better. Suddenly, the lion exploded under her, pushing her off. To her utter surprise, he explained that he was going to spare her. She growled even more at Baya as he strutted his way to Tupa and Nuka, her eyes dark with hatred. She eyed Nuka, and at that moment, noticed he was sitting on the ground next to Tupa, talking! She could barely contain her rage as she strutted up to Nuka, pulling him up by his whiskers. "What do you think you're doing, Nuka? She's the enemy!" Nuka smirked and looked at Vitani, a look of sheer amusement on her face. "Hey, 'Tani, whats wrong, got a termite where the sun dont shine? She's as harmless as mother on a good morning." he cackled at his own joke and settled back down, rubbing his whiskers absentmindedly. "Diddn't have to pull so hard," he remarked.

Suddenly, they heard the roar that marked mother had arrived. Nuka and Vitani both sat up near instantly, looking at Zira with a salute on their heads. "What do you think mother is going to do with them? Stew them befpre or after they're dead?" Nuka commented, exploding with wild laughter. For some reason, it seemed funnier to him than it actually was. Vitani, meanwhile, was listening intently to the exchange. After everything was said, Vitani felt her spine chill from skull to tail-tip as Baya looked at her with a look of... of something she did not even reckognize in them. She gulped and got up, following Zira closely. Nuka, meanwhile, dropped back next to Tupa with a sigh. "So, now that you're to live with us, I guess I'll have to deal with your flicks more often?" He chuckled at the jest, but knew it was probably more truth than joke. Oddly, though, he didn't mind.

Zira nodded and motioned for the pride to follow her back to camp. She started to pick her way up the side of the hill, and turnd back to make sure everyone was following them. "You, Nuka, I have words for you when we return to camp. Now, everybody fall in line and lets get back to the camp before I decided against being so hospitable."