Watching Kovu depart and noticing the sad look in Taraji’s crystal eyes as the little cub observed her foster father taking his leave, Nala leaned down to start bathing the young cub, hearing her cute little voice speaking to her. Nala smiled warmly down at Taraji as she spoke in a reassuring voice.
”Don’t worry Sweetie. Kiara will be here soon, I promise. Now just relax so I can clean you up. You want to look your best for her, now don’t you Sweetie?”
Being the well experienced mother that she was, Nala’s bathing skills far surpassed those of her daughters and it showed clearly. The way her moist tongue skillfully worked around every inch of Taraji’s little frame, cleaning deep within the red pelt of the small cub, thoroughly reaching every part of Taraji’s body as to make absolutely sure that there was not a single trace of dirt left on her. Working from Taraji’s adorable face, down her smooth little tummy and over those tiny little paws of hers, Nala worked meticulously as she purred softly to ease Taraji’s senses, much like she had taught Kiara to do. Working her way down to the little cub’s hindquarters, Nala held nothing back as she ran her tongue over the last remaining section of the small cub’s body, ending with a quick lick over Taraji’s active tail before the cream colored queen lifted her head as to indicate that bath time was over.
Glancing down at the crystal eyed cub with a happy stare, Nala spoke in a soothing voice as her soft paw toes gently massaged Taraji’s little frame.
”So are you happy living here in The Pride Lands Taraji? Are Kovu and Kiara taking good care of you, hmm?”
==========
Kiara’s train of thought was interrupted by her mate’s loving voice, causing her to rise to her paws to greet her beloved mate, nuzzling him tenderly as she murmured to him, keeping her voice lowered to not bother Vitani as she continued to regain her strength.
”Hello Honey. I wish I knew. She hasn’t said anything to me since I’ve been here. She seems pretty out of it but from what my mom told me, she will pull through. She just needs a lot of rest and to stay off her paws. That Shani fellow really must have done a number to her.”
Taking a seat in between the siblings, Kiara addressed her precious Kovu once more, curious about what he had stated before.
”Hmm, what’s my mom doing at our den anyways Kovu? She told me she was just going out to stretch her legs real fast.”