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

[Baya]

Baya looked to Vitani again for a moment, trying to calm himself down the best he could. His eyes narrowed as the averted back to Simba and Kovu. "Very well." Baya murmured quietly as he turned without another words and began to trot off with Vitani. The other lioness frowned slightly at the scene. From what she gathered, Baya probably did alot for them. But the sad reality was, when a lion felt threatened, he eliminated the other lions. It was only a matter of mating rights, sadly enough. She quickly followed after Baya and Vitani, without much of another word.

"Why didn't you kill them, and take over? These lands are prosperous..."

The young male chuckled, oddly enough. "Fight Kovu and Simba? Yes. I could have. But to what avail? I would be targeted by his family, and my cubs the same." Baya pointed out. "Just because I love battle, doesn't mean I can senselessly participate in it. All that's important to me now, is Vitani and our off spring." Baya pointed out with a grin as he looked to Vitani admiringly.

As they approached the desert Baya let out a short sigh. "You haven't been far in the desert, so just do as I do. When I say stay, you stay. There are a great deal of cruel and vicious males out there, that would like nothing more to take you as their own." Baya warned.

"It doesn't feel good. Believe me." The other lioness murmured, ears flattening slightly.

[Zoketi]

Vitani gazed across at her brother, faint distress in her gaze. But she blinked and pushed her emotions away. Turning with Baya, she followed her mate away from Pride Rock. She did her best to keep ignoring the other lioness.

Her mind was muddled, full of confusing thoughts. She couldn't concentrate on anything, and didn't really hear Baya's conversation with their tagalong. She felt betrayed by Kovu, and even the bit of respect for Simba had vanished. She could see some of their reasons, others just seemed pointless. She guessed they had never wanted Baya in the first place.

She felt herself being looked at, and glanced around at Baya. She realized he had been speaking, so she twitched her ears awkwardly. As she turned her head forwards, the dry, dusty scent of the desert rose before her. "Alright." She replied to Baya, giving him a I'm-not-a-newborn-cub glance. She didn't really acknowledge the other female's comment. Vitani felt a twinge of annoyance that both these lions had more knowledge about something over her.

[Baya]

Baya could feel her distress and discomfort as they began to cross over towards the desert. Baya's paws felt awkward against the sand, as he hadn't truly been here in a long time. He had to get used to the sand once again. His ears flattened slightly as he stopped for a moment and looked around the long horizon. He looked up at the vultures who were circling, and then back down at Vitani. He didn't want to think that she would die and these birds would pick at her remains. This thought almost made Baya upset, outwardly.

"Are you ok?" Baya asked Vitani. He knew what betrayal from a family member felt like. The first scar he had was a token to that. "You look troubled."

[Zoketi]

Vitani's ears twitched. "I'm fine." She replied in a distant tone. Her paw-pads were burning from the hot sand, which felt quite uncomfortable beneath her paws. She could hear the slight breeze rustle her fur, but it barely cooled her. She flicked her tail and shook away her upsetting thoughts. She didn't want to appear like she was easily distressed.

She concentrated on walking, thinking instead about the desert and the vultures. She scuffed the sand beneath her paws and let her tail drag a few times, creating snake-like paths. She found this place quite strange.

[Baya]

They weaved through the sands for several hours before the other lioness spoke up. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know." Baya replied boldly, his ears flat against his head. There had to be some end to this desert, right? Then again, they could be walking into another pride's territory and their doom. Perhaps Baya should've found the home first before dragging his mate and another lioness along with him. It would've made more sense, and there would've been more preparation. Then again, if he left Vitani alone at pride rock long enough, she'd have probably just found another male and let him become a distant memory. Or perhaps she wouldn't have.

The moon now hung over them, and they found a small watering hole, which Baya had to intimidate a rogue lioness for. He just let out one roar and she already knew she was out matched. He laid down by the watering hole and let out a sigh.

[Zoketi]

Vitani plodded closer to the watering hole, her exhaustion creeping over her limbs. She lay down beside Baya and dipped a paw into the water, exulting in its soothing coolness. She pressed close to Baya, just wishing to sleep. She didn't care right now where they were headed, or what they might meet. Her current mood was very unlike her usual self.

Vitani's eyelids drooped and she tucked in her paws. She was too tired to even yawn. With a last look at Baya, she let sleep take her.

[Baya]

Baya looked to his side where Vitani was pressing closer against him. Not many things could make Baya upset, but to see his loving mate so unlike herself, so distraught more than likely because of on what grounds they had to leave; it brought great sorrow to Baya's eyes. He wished he could've just been normal for this instance. He wished he could not have been an expert killer, so that Kovu wouldn't have had grounds to make him leave.

"It astounds me, really it does. How could the two of you be so attached? The rumors I've heard...this isn't like you two at all."

"Every creature needs its' significant other. I'd rather die protecting her, then kill others for my entertainment. After all...she carries the burden of having me as a mate." He replied to the lioness, oddly enough in a warm and loving tone. He laid his head over Vitani's and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Such love is admirable in such a brutal creature like you. When we find lands for ourselves, I'm sure you realize you will have to love all of the pride and not just your own mate." The lioness pointed out.

"Love is a strong word used only for Vitani. Caring is what I'd be to you and any others. Now go to sleep. You are irritating me with your questions." Baya muttered as he slowly closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

[Zoketi]

Vitani's eyes opened slowly. She shifted her legs, feeling the joints crack. The pale light of dawn gleamed on the horizon, casting faint glowing along the desert and making the water shine. She gently eased herself into a sitting position. She felt well-rested, and felt better than yesterday. Some of her grief seemed to have worn off in the night.

Vitani rose to her paws and stepped closer to the water's edge. She bent to lap up some of the precious drops, feeling the day's heat already start to warm up her fur. She watched the ripples of the water fade away, and stared at her reflection for some time. She narrowed her eyes and sneered mockingly at the water, then let a tiny smile appear on her muzzle.

Some of her usual attitude was returning. Vitani yawned and arched her back in another stretch. She dabbed lightly at the water, and waded slightly in, glad for the cool liquid swishing around her toes and cleaning off the sand.

[Baya]

When the morning sun came, Baya really didn't want to wake up. He groaned as the glare of the sun was heavy on his face and body. He knew Vitani was already up, as he no longer felt or smelled her close by him. He opened his emerald eyes slowly, and noticed she was near the watering hole. A smirk spread on his face as he stood silently. Baya slowly walked through the sand, towards his mate and finally pounced at her. The both of them tumbled into the shallow watering hole, getting soaking wet. "Morning." Baya said as he lifted his wet head from the water and stared teasingly into her eyes.

[Zoketi]

Vitani let out an involuntary yelp as she tumbled into the water, feeling Baya's weight beside her. She straightened up, gasping slightly. Her eyes focused on Baya and she glared playfully at him. "Good morning." She smiled and splashed water at him. She shook her head to rid most of the water and rose to her paws, still shoulder-deep in the waterhole.

She flicked her dripping tail at Baya, then splashed out of the water. She shook, her fur spiking. Vitani glanced at her water-dark fur, then began to groom herself with long, consistent strokes.