Private: Upon New Horizons [Closed to Zoketi and Baya]

[Baya]

After the conflict between the outlanders and pridelanders had ceased, many of the outlanders have really indulged in pridelander life. They hunted with expertise, and no longer did they sleep in hunger or fear. Now, they were all finally free of the chains of persecution. However, one of all of the outlanders was displeased with his life in the pridelands. He never dared to bring it up, considering every one else was happy, but he felt like there was more out there for him.

It was probably because he was getting hints that he should leave by Kovu and Simba. If Kovu was to have a male heir, there would be far too many males in one area. More conflict would break out, to Baya's supreme enjoyment, but not to that of others. As much as Baya thought low of the other outlanders, he knew their struggle and could feel an ounce of compassion for them. After all, he denied them the food they desired and the safety they deserved. He was the nightmare that kept one of their eyes open at all times.

Right now, the moon hung high in the sky, beaming down on the slender figure of the young Baya. He sat at the edge of priderock, just staring out into the horizon, wondering if there was more to his life then this. He had a tugging feeling in his heart, that he had to just go. It could not be avoided. But someone was on his mind. Who else, but Vitani? She seemed to be lingering in his mind often, as he had grown up with her, and did most of what he did to make her happy. When she crossed over to Kiara, so did he. Zira was fiddle in Baya's eyes.

His ears flexed back in confusion as he stared more intensely into the distance, and felt a growl rumble in his throat. He began to pace back and forth, trying to think of what he could do. What was driving this urge in him to leave? Wasn't he happy here? Wasn't Vitani happy here? Was it the lack of conflict and disorder that made him so uncomfortable? Was it perhaps, his drive to fight that made him just want to go out there, and kill who ever dared challenge him? He let out a sigh, stopping his pacing.

This wasn't helping anything. He closed his eyes as he sat once more, his shoulders sort of haunched. His left ear twitched as he heard someone padding out of the den. He already knew who had enough courage and caring to come out and dare approach him.

"Not comfortable in your nice warm den?" Baya mused, without looking back.

[Zoketi]

Vitani's tail twitched. "Not without you." She retorted calmly. She had dared to put that into words. She wasn't the one to keep many secrets. Better to express your feelings than keep concealed. That's what she had learned.

The thin lioness approached Baya. Her unusual eyes gleamed with confidence, but there was a faint speck of uncertainty in the blue depths as well. Her paws made no sound on the stone, as used as she was to creeping about. Even her breathing was soft, barely noticable. It was hard to wear down on Zira's training.

Vitani's eyes flashed in the moonlight as she moved. Her tail swished faintly in rhythm. She neared Baya, and sat down beside him. She didn't immediately look at him, still cautious. She wasn't sure of his reaction. She was never sure with him.

[Baya]

Baya's head tilted in slight confusion, as he wasn't used to such kind words, especially from Vitani. Normally, they'd be squabbling at this hour in order to train for the battle ahead, but there were no more battles. Now, they usually just talked or laid down together. It felt a bit better, and he couldn't really get her out of his thoughts. Even now, he was thinking of what would become of Vitani if he were to leave. He figured it would be something of a kind gesture to tell her that he was planning on leaving the pridelands.

He turned to Vitani, gazing into her blue eyes with a confused look in his own. He'd always thought her eyes were unique, but he could never get a good look at them while they fought. Now that there was peace, it was easier to appreciate how beautiful Vitani really was. "I'm planning on...leaving Vitani." Baya murmured, looking away from her.

[Zoketi]

Vitani's tail ceased its twitching. Her eyes searched her friend's face, though he was turned away. "Leaving? To where?" She murmured, surprised at how calm her voice was. She could understand his notions. It seemed as if Baya didn't feel comfortable here. Even she wasn't as confident. The past still lurked in the minds of all the lions.

She shuffled her paws slightly. Would he really leave her? She narrowed her eyes, then looked at the ground. The stone of Pride Rock still glinted in the moonlight. "I'm coming with you."

[Baya]

Baya raised an eyebrow as she boldly stated she was coming along as well. Something lurched in his heart, and he could not really explain it. He was feeling upset about leaving because he would never see his lifelong friend again, and now here she was offering to come along as well. He smirked that same twisted grin of battle and pushed his cheek against hers as he so often did. "There's going to be alot of trouble, I can tell you that." Baya mused his words curling together.

His smirk faded as his attention went over to the den again. He shifted his face away from hers and frowned slightly. "What about your brother? The pridelands? You pretty much just got here, and if you are happy I can't let you come with me." Baya murmured, looking directly into her eyes. The moonlight only make her look more beautiful, and he wanted more than anything for her to come along. The problem lay with the fact that she had other responsibilities and obligations. There was also no telling what would happen along the journey.

A gust of wind blew, making Baya's dark mane flick about over his face. "Aren't you afraid you'd miss out on raising cubs, or hunting big game? Hm?" Baya mused to her, with a bold gaze.

[Zoketi]

Vitani let her gaze drift to the moonlit savannah. "Trouble? I can take care of myself." She reminded him, her eyes returning to his face. She felt her eyelids quiver, and blinked once. Of course she could take care of herself. That's what happened when you had Zira as your mother.

At Baya's further comments, she held his gaze. "I am only happy with you." She murmured in reply. "Kovu will have to deal without me. I'm sure he would understand." She added, thinking of him and Kiara. "Besides, there are certainly going to be other places that might be perfect spots to live." She flicked her tail. She felt slightly saddened of leaving what was left of her family, and a safe home. But if Baya left everything about the Pridelands would be so much more bland. She knew she must go with him.

Vitani's small tuft shifted slightly in the gale. "Really?" She scoffed at Baya. She sniffed in almost mock disdain. "I don't need any of that." A faint smile appeared upon her muzzle, and she gazed into her friend's emerald stare.

[Baya]

A smirk spread on his face as she scoffed. Of course she didn't want any of that stuff. She wasn't the most feminine lioness, and definitely enjoyed a tricky hunt with just adequate rewards. Baya was fond of her since they were cubs because she was so different and independent. This was why he simply didn't ignore her like everybody else. When their eyes locked for a moment he knew she really wanted to go with him, and didn't feel like she necessarily had to.

Baya touched his nose to hers, as the normally did out of affection when either of them were upset. Though this time, it was because he didn't want to stop staring into her eyes. In Zira's, there was only pain and hatred. In Vitani's, it was devotion and discipline. He removed his nose from hers with a grin and laid down on his side. "We'll leave after a little bit of time here, I suppose. Maybe a few days." Baya murmured. He looked to the moon that hung above.

"Every time I look at the moon, I remember that one day when both of us were in the desert...looking for hare. Zira told us to go get Kovu some food earlier that day. You and I walked a bunch, and we couldn't find any, but neither of us would complain..." he explained quietly with a grin of nostalgia on his scarred face. "Then we ran into my father, gone mad by the desert and its' dangers." Baya said as the grin disappeared. He looked over at Vitani.

"I was scared stiff. I couldn't even speak I was so afraid...but then he turned his sights on you, and I couldn't be happier to jump into the fray." Baya murmured silently.

[Zoketi]

Vitani stared unblinkingly back. He did have quite appealing eyes. Almost unusual...like her own. She shifted slightly as he lay down, then proceeded to lie beside him. "Yes..."

As Baya recalled memories, Vitani's mind as well drifted into the past. "I remember." She murmured simply, turning her gaze to the sky. She felt his sight on her and her eyes locked to his. At his last comment her eyes widened slightly. Instead of speaking, she nuzzled his cheek. A faint rumble rose from her throat as a purr, and she couldn't have been happier.

[Baya]

Baya felt a surge of affection pour through him as Vitani nuzzled his cheek. A smile grew on his face as he nuzzled her neck in response, letting out a short purr of his own. He then touched his forehead to hers, and chuckled. "Been a long time since you gave me a nuzzle like that. Was it something I said?" Baya mused with his purr trailing on again. He knew that as long Vitani stayed by his side, even the unpleasant experiences he would face in the near future would not look as bad as the did.

"You know I never said this, but I've always thought of you beautiful. Alot of male lions did, but I scared them off." Baya confessed. He couldn't stand to see a rogue pass into the borderlands, and gawk at Vitani's slender beauty. What's more, was that she had muscle unlike alot of the scrawny lionesses of the outlands, which made her look more lean than skinny.

[Zoketi]

Vitani raised an eyebrow. "Careful now." She grinned and twitched her ears. Her eyes shone with affection, and she could feel her heartbeat speed up with her joy.

At Baya's next comment, Vitani's smile disappeared. Instead, uncertainty rose in her gaze. But it was momentary. A tiny little smile returned, and she felt her cheeks burn. "M-me?" An unusual stammer slipped out, but she seriously didn't believe her friend. "You're joking." She murmured, her embarrassment growing. She never thought of herself as good-looking...but when had she any interest in that? At least, until now.