[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli just chuckled at Simba remark No its not a ritual, im upgrading my own den. I discovered that part of the roof was weak, so i thought Why dont a hole through, build a dam, then when it rains ill have a private drinkng hole Messy work but im almost done

Kivuli lay down in the water to clean himself off. It didnt take too long. Just a few dirt patches covering his grey fur. When he was doen he got out and shook off. Splashing water everywhere. Kivuli's attention was brought back to Simba Thats better, im clean now. Anyway do you wish to disuss my duties now, or are you too busy? Kivuli was eager to get this buisness out the way. He was not one for following orders

[KiarasMate]

Stepping aside to avoid the torrents of water that flew every which way from Kivuli’s overly enthusiastic shakes, Simba thought briefly about what the grey furred male asked of him, trying to figure out a good task for Kivuli to handle. As far as scouting went, there didn’t seem to be much of a need for that however, one could never be too careful and knowing that Kovu would still have his paws full with taking care of Taraji and worrying about his sister’s health now on top of everything else, Simba finally came to a conclusion, speaking up to Kivuli in a polite tone.

”Well, this seems like as good a time as any to discuss your duties. I suppose that I can start you off with something easy for now Kivuli. Why don’t you try a quick scouting run around the lands, just to make sure things are all in place. You should know your way around here, so I trust you won’t get lost. Maybe after that, you can do me a favor and try and get to know Shani, that lion you saw me with moments ago. He might be a new addition to our pride but I’d like to gauge other member’s views of him before I make any final decisions. Knowing that you’re a well traveled lion, I trust that you will give me an honest opinion about him once you get to know him that is.”

Figuring that this was a reasonable amount of work for Kivuli to undertake, Simba waited for a reply from the grey furred feline as he thought about what exactly he himself was going to do today.

[Mike]

Left to his own devices, as he'd planned, Shani poked around one or two of the dens, but decided to hold off choosing one until he was ready to sleep. Instead he peered into the dens looking for a pair of lions that were supposedly taking a den there. Rahina and Kopa were the two most important lions in the pridelands in Shani's opinion. Their formidable combined strength and their relatively weak ties of loyalty to the pridelands made them the perfect allies, if only he could offer them something they would find valuable enough. After several fruitless investigations, Shani discovered the couple he was searching for. Kopa seemed to be having a bit of a sleep-in by Shani's standards, but Rahina was alert inside the den.

"Good morning Rahina" Shani said with a dazzling smile. "My name is Shani. I only arrived here this morning, and I wouldn't want to waste any time getting to know lions of your strength and dignity. I've heard a lot about you from Kovu and Vitani. It was they who brought me to the pridelands. Perhaps if you would be so kind as to wake up your handsome mate we could speak together."

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Knowing that Nala was certainly right about Kiara, Kovu politely took his leave, and began to descend Pride Rock on his way to find his beloved mate.

Rafiki gave Kovu a formal bow on his way out, and then approached Nala and the injured Vitani.

"Ah yes." Rafiki sighed, leaning dispiritedly on his stick. "It pains me to have to examine such an unpleasant injury. I will do my best to help it heal."

Vitani still slumbered in a well-needed sleep, so Rafiki had no problem making at least a visual examination of her paws. He tutted and grumbled to himself. After a moment he seemed to lose interest in Vitani's less damaged paw, and focused on the one that had a clear sign of broken bone. He ran his fingers over the irregularity over and over again, each time in a slightly different position. Eventually he stood again, and faced Nala, but this time with a radiant smile.

"This is an injury that," he said enthusiastically "though it is grievous, I can mend!" He gestured down at Vitani's paw, though the lioness still did not stir. "You see, de bone is not really broken, just twisted out of place. I can mend it, so As Rafiki had been speaking, he bent over Vitani's prone form. He placed his hands on Vitani's paw, and with the last word he pulled firmly.

Vitani's eyes shot open and she screamed in pain; something that had almost never happened before. It felt as though Rafiki had pulled her toe clean away from the rest of her paw, and she herd an ugly snap. Before she could draw another breath to continue her cries of agony, the pain faded to a thick throbbing. She held her breath and tried to move her paw, and found that her toes all responded, which was more than they'd done before Rafiki's treatment. She groaned and her head flopped back to the soft pelt Nala had provided.

"You could have warned me" she grumbled into the pelt.

"No my dear Vitani I could not." Rafiki replied sadly, but with a hint of amusement now that the worst was over. "You would have jerked away. Sleep now my child. You must get at least a day's rest, perhaps two before you move about."

Vitani, too tired to argue, drifted off once more.

[KiarasMate]

Watching contently as Rafiki performed his examination of the slumbering lioness before him, listening to the various things that the wise mandrill mumbled to himself as he did so. While not really understanding a word he was saying, Nala still found herself intrigued by his actions, as he always had a unique way of approaching any situation. Finally hearing him speaking to her as she perked up her ears, Nala nodded and prepared herself for what she knew was going to happen.

Even though she was ready for it, Vitani’s ear piercing scream still managed to rattle Nala’s bones as she had never heard her fellow lioness express such a deep level of pain before. Just thankful that she wasn’t in Vitani’s current position, Nala continued to observe as the former Outlander chewed out the cheeky shaman for his actions. Once things had settled down again, Nala moved in towards Rafiki, wrapping a fore leg around him and hugging him thankfully as she spoke in a grateful tone.

”By the King’s, you are a true lifesaver my friend. Thank you for helping Tani and I’ll be sure that she keeps off her paw for the time being.”

Letting the mandrill free from her grip now, Nala performed one last quick bow of respect for Rafiki before she returned to Vitani’s side, staying present just in case her fellow lioness should need anything whenever she might awaken.

[Mike]

Rafiki laughed, relieved to have been such a help, and returned Nala's hug enthusiastically before backing gently out of the den, off to do what? Only the Great Kings knew.

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Kovu arrived at his den, and was calmed and comforted by the sight. He'd been awake for too long, and he rued the fact that it was now dawn rather than dusk. He could think of nothing that would be more pleasant than cuddling up next to his beloved mate after the harrowing journey. He peeked his head into the warm and dozy feeling den to find Kiara asleep with taraji close against her.

"Hey Kiara" He whispered gently "I'm home."

[KiarasMate]

Kiara had spent a long and rather lonely night, trying to answer the many questions that Taraji had posed to her about Kovu’s whereabouts. After spending a long and enjoyable day with her foster father, only to have him not show up for an extended period of time there after, the little crystal eyed cub had been a bundle of confusion and inquiries. After a while, and with her mom’s help, Kiara had managed to settle her down for the night at least, although sleep didn’t come easy for the golden furred princess either, as the worry she held about her mate’s abrupt disappearance plagued her to no end.

Now that it was morning and she had had a bit of time to rest though, hearing her mate’s soothing voice reaching her ears was like a breath of fresh air. Shaking off the sleep, Kiara carefully rose to her paws as not to disrupt Taraji’s slumber, as she made her way over to her precious mate, giving him an overly enthusiastic nuzzle and prolonged kiss over his muzzle as she both welcomed and chastised him at the same time.

”Oh Kovu, you had me worried sick! Welcome home Honey! Where on earth did you disappear to and why didn’t you tell me you were leaving Taraji was worried about you too! You can’t expect to spend a fun day with her and then just up and leave without breaking her little heart, not to mention mine! I’m just happy and relieved that you’re home though Honey and I’ve missed you so much.”

After smothering her beloved lion in affectionate kisses and nuzzles, Kiara backed off a few paces, allowing him to redeem his actions of late, listening intently to what he might tell her, knowing full well that he must have had a reasonable excuse for leaving without telling her, although she still couldn’t help but feel a tad bit cross at him nonetheless.

[Mike]

Kovu returned Kiara's affection with feeling, but rather tiredly. As much as he was happy to be in the company of his precious mate, Kovu's mind was still heavy with the knowledge that Vitani was in pain in the main den, and that he'd just lead a potentially dangerous stranger into the safety of the pridelands. He eyed little Taraji, still slumbering on the floor. He was grateful for this, and began to tell Kiara the bare bones of what had happened on his travels.

"You remember I told you I was off to track down Vitani?" He began, sitting down for the story, and inviting Kiara to do the same. "Well it's a good thing I did ... "

[KiarasMate]

Noting the tired expression in her mate’s eyes, taking a seat nice and close to him, Kiara gently tucked her fore leg around Kovu’s back, encouraging him to lean up against her as she listened to him unraveling his story about what had happened to him and his sister. Staying quiet, both to hear what her precious lion was saying, as well as not to make too much noise, due to Taraji still slumbering peacefully several paws length away from where they were seated. Once he had finished telling her of his adventures abroad, the golden furred princess didn’t hesitate to speak up.

”So, you’re telling me that this Shani fellow attacked Vitani and now he’s wanting to join our pride Honey? I really hope my dad thinks long and hard about this one. From the way you speak of him, he sounds like he could be here to cause trouble. Let’s just keep an extra close eye over Taraji Honey, since I haven’t actually met this lion yet but I trust your judgment fully Honey.”

Leaning over, Kiara gave Kovu another loving nuzzle as she whispered quietly to him.

”You look a bit exhausted though Honey. Why don’t you get some rest. Maybe later we can take Taraji up to Pride Rock to check up on your sister.”

[Mike]

Kovu's slightly bleary mind tried to unravel the complicated case of Shani's character, but he didn't feel up to it, and had to admit as much to Kiara a moment later.

"I don't know Kiara." Kovu admitted unhappily. "As Vitani reminded me, I of all people should be wary of judging strangers by their first impressions, but this guy changes his skins too fast for me. It's like he's made of smoke, or else he's a chameleon. The thing is, he's been the perfect gentleman ever since I've spoken to him. He might be a bit arrogant, but after all, he was a king." Kovu spread his paws helplessly. "I don't know where that leaves us. I guess we have to reserve judgment like Simba said. And if we can't trust Simba, we can't trust anybody."

"I guess I could do with a bit of a nap though." Kovu said with a yawn. "Why don't you go up to the den. If I know you're checking on her I think I'd feel better. Or you could stretch your legs; I know I've sort of left you cooped up looking after Taraji since I left. Just tell someone where we can find you when we wake up if you do okay? I love you Kiara."

[KiarasMate]

Pleased that her mate was going to get some much needed rest as he really did look worse for wear by this point, Kiara nodded to his suggestion. It wasn’t the fact that she hadn’t been able to stretch her legs with having to keep track of Taraji on her own, but more so, the fact that she had come to realize just how severe Taraji’s fears of abandonment were. With the way the young cub had acted from just having one of her foster parents disappearing without a word, Kiara wasn’t about to leave her alone under any circumstances. Now that her beloved Kovu was finally home however, this granted the golden furred princess the perfect opportunity to sneak out for a bit, answering nature’s insistent call being at the top of her priorities. Rising to her paws, giving Kovu a rather overly affectionate nuzzle, trailing the entire length of her slender, furry body along the underside of his chest and chin, ending with a playful flick of her tail, which caused the tuft to brush ever so lightly against Kovu’s nose, Kiara spoke softly to her precious mate before she took her leave.

”Okay Honey. Do me a favor and lay close to Taraji though and don’t let her out of your sight while I’m gone. I’ll check up on your sister and maybe take a quick stroll around, just to get a bit of exercise. Gotta keep in shape you know, just to keep you happy Honey.”

Dawning a sensual smile towards her one and only love in life, Kiara glanced one last time over to the little bundle of slumbering cub that she cared so much about, before she turned and exited their quaint abode, calling over her shoulder as she did so.

”Rest well Honey and sweet dreams. I’ll be back soon. I love you always.”

Disappearing into the thick grass around her, Kiara left Kovu to tend to Taraji, hoping that their daughter would be happy enough to spend another morning with her foster father, assuming she would wake up anytime soon. Attending to her own business now, Kiara slowly made her way towards the main den, taking her time to do what her body was asking of her, feeling that very familiar warmth building within the pit of her stomach, indicating what she knew would soon be upon her.