[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

Kovu watched the situation unfold passively, but as he watched the seriousness of what had happened sunk in. It wasn't every day that strange lions entered the pridelands and beat up a lioness. Kovu nodded tightly. at Simba's order. He was now rather concerned about the safety of his pride and family, having understood what almost happened not long ago. He was itching to see Kiara and assure himself that she was still safe.

"I'll do it Simba." He said staunchly. "It'll be ready when Mila's feeling strong enough to move. Once I've got that done can I go to Kiara and Taraji? I want to stay with them after what just happened."

-----------------

Shani nodded his approval of Kivuli's final sentence, and made it look as though he was agreeing with everything the other lion said. In fact he thought that Kivuli's speech was a bit arrogant, especially as it was addressed to the King. Kivuli was no prophet, he couldn't know that the attackers wouldn't try again while the pridelanders were fussing over Mila. However, he made no sign of these thoughts visible. If he got what he wanted Shani didn't care if Kivuli shot his mouth off a bit. Actually he was rather hoping that Kivuli's read of his old enemies was accurate. It would save them the hassle of being interrupted by combat.

[Lodrill]

Laini sighed. She did not really feel well being surounded by all the other lions. Even less with a lot of outlanders around her but she knew that she could not just keep staying here with the cub. Also the den here was pretty small for the two of them. Maybe she should consider to take this den Simba assigned her with Daxis. Then she could just stay inside the den and Daxis could go and play with the other cubs. Laini did not remember that Daxis had been banned from pride rock.
"If you want to go there I have no objection." Laini raised to her paws and started to follow Daxis in her slow sneaking way. Sneaking was nearly the only thing Laini could do because she always tried to avoid all other lions. And now she were to go into the middle of a lot of lions? She sighed again. It was very hard to care for a cub. Even more for such an old one.

[hr][/hr]

"That tickles!" Rahina dragged Kopas head up to hers and nuzzled him. She did not want him to lick over her belly because he might notice that her dugs were bigger because the milk began to produce.
Rahina surounded Kopa with her fore legs and pulled him against her chest while she snuggled her head against him. "I am really fine. But if you are more reassured if I let Nala check me I will do so." Rahina licked over Kopa's cheek and purred.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji nodded and snuggled against Kiara. She loved her new mother and wanted to be with her as much as possible. Maybe because she did not have much time with her real mother.

[SinChei]

Daxis noticed this sound again but ignored it. Laianis sigh confused him a bit but when he thought of pride rock again his confusion aded away.Because of her slow walk he ran through her legs again and again.
"There we are" he smiled and jumped several time up and down. Daxis remembered he had been banned but he wouldnt leave this place now. His behavior chnaged the last days and thought it would be ok for Simba now so he didnt care and continues running around there. As he jumped again he saw a few lions and laughed loud.

[KiarasMate]

Nodding to Kivuli’s request, Simba spoke in a rather rushed tone as the severity of the situation was beginning to sink in now.

”Very well Kivuli. You and Shani can finish the patrol for today and be sure to report back to me immediately once you’re finished.”

Turning to address Kovu’s inquiry now, Simba replied in a serious voice.

”Absolutely Kovu. I would like you to please stay by Kiara’s side for the time being. Until we know for certain that this threat is no longer present, I can’t take any chances. Don’t worry about your sister. I’m sure Nala will take good care of her while she’s looking after Mila too. With our pride’s forces weakened like this, we might be facing some hard times ahead. Just keep my daughter and your daughter safe at all costs please.”

Now that everyone had their plans in order, Simba motioned for his mate to help Mila up to the main den. Nodding to Simba’s request, the cream colored queen murmured softly to her as she gently nudged the younger lioness to move now.

”C’mon Hun, let’s go up to the main den. You can rest up there out of the sun and away from everything else. I’ll go and get some medicine from Rafiki once I have you settled up there.”

Offering her body to lean upon, Nala waited for Mila to get up so that the two could make their way towards the safety of the main den.

==========

Feeling his mate pulling him closer to her and away from her exposed belly, Kopa hurriedly licked away the small amount of milk that had managed to work its way upon his tongue and muzzle before he nuzzled her affectionately, speaking in a calm tone.

”Yes, I’d feel better if you’d let her my precious. Let’s go back to our den so you can rest, okay?”

Giving his beloved mate a loving lick over her soft muzzle lips, Kopa started to make his way back towards their den, the thought of what had just happened, lingering in his mind.

==========

Purring happily as she rested with Taraji in the warm afternoon sunlight, enjoying just how close she and her adopted daughter had come to be. Hoping that her mate would come home soon so that their happy family could be whole again, especially with the way she was feeling right now and the way her body longed for her mate’s attention and loving touch.

[Mike]

Kovu was off at a good pace the moment Simba gave him leave, and was halfway up Pride Rock before Simba finished speaking to his mate. When he reached the den, Kovu quickly checked on Vitani, but she was still recuperating, so he didn't bother her. Feeling that it was fitting to put the injured lionesses together, Kovu chose a fluffy sleeping pelt and lay it out next to Vitani for Mila to use when she arrived. With one last quick glance around the den, making sure there was nothing he was missing, Kovu exited again and sped off towards his home den.

[Lodrill]

"Maybe I look for Nala before I return to the den..." Rahina suggested and raised to her paws. She needed to talk to Nala from lioness to lioness. She was a bit concerned about how powerless she had gotten and also she feared Kopa would notice her state soon. Nala was pregnant much longer and her mate seemed to not have noticed it. Maybe Rahina could get some hints from her.

[hr][/hr]

Taraji was happy. The sun in her face, the warm body of her new mother next to her and nothing that would spook her.
She purred softly and kept her eyes shut. She did not sleep but she listened to the noises around her. To the breath of Kiara, to the distant noises of hoofs and birds... it was a peacefull moment.

[hr][/hr]

Laini tried to keep up with Daxis but she did not want to run so she fell behind Daxis a bit. Slowly she climbed up pride rock. Her stomach rumbled. Laini ignored it. She was used to being hungry. She felt even more unwell because she also saw the other lions and got nervous. She really was not used to be around a lot of lions and tried to keep her distance to others. It had been like this since her mother died and the outlanders came into these lands. From this time one Laini barely dared to come near the other lions of the pride. Deep inside her she was still afraid of the outlanders.

[KiarasMate]

Pausing in mid stride, Kopa turned to look at his mate before he spoke.

”Hmm? You want to find her now Hina? Well, okay, let’s go.”

Kopa turned around as he made his way over to Rahina’s side, letting her take lead now if she wanted, totally unaware of the fact that Rahina most likely wanted to speak with Nala alone.

==========

Waiting by Mila’s side, Nala watched as Kovu zipped by her, wanting to stop him to ask that he kept a very close eye on Kiara, due to the fact that she was in heat, but seeing how urgent of a look was upon her son-in-law’s muzzle, she remained quiet, hoping that he would have already come to this assumption.

While his mate waited for Mila to move and now that Kivuli and Shani had their plans worked out, Simba’s attention now fell upon the new comers to the scene. Noticing Laini and Daxis making their way up to the main den, Simba’s mood shifted slightly. His caring nature for every member of his pride, even the lower ranked members such as these two, still held true as the thoughtful king started to make his way up the slope leading to the main den before he addressed both Laini and Daxis as a whole.

”I’m glad to see you two here. There has been some trouble in our lands and I must advise the both of you to stay on guard and to not wander too far out from The Grasslands.”

Turning to face Daxis now, Simba addressed the young adolescent in a forgiving tone.

”I hope you have had a change of heart now Daxis as you have had some time to realize just how important being a member of a pride is. If so, I will allow you to take your old den near The Private Waterhole back if you’d like.”

Turning to Laini now, Simba spoke in a thankful voice to the young lioness.

”And how’s that new den I assigned to you going Laini? I hope it’s better than your old one. Is there anything I can do for you at the moment or are you just here to get some food?”

[SinChei]

Daxis looked back as he got frightened of Simba who stood apruptly in front of him. Simbas Voice relaxed him and he looked friendly at simba. The small talk to Kovu and at least Laini really changed him.
"Im glad to see you here too King Simba. Yes i changed and im sorry for my ormer behavior i will be obedient and friendly now.... .And about the den i dont want it i would like to be with Laini she is carring so good for me.".
Daxis turned around to see Simba and Laini and listened to them. The golden furred King made him so happy he thought he wouldnt be so friendly when he will meet him.

[NightmareMoon]

Mila was almost to the point of passing out when she heard Nala addressing her once more. Regaining a bit of her consciousness, she said nothing as she stood slowly. Mila could tell that Nala wanted her to lean on her. Figuring that doing so wouldn't destroy her proud and tough image, she accepted thankfully and leaned on her foster mother slightly. She was ready to make the walk to the main den.

[Lodrill]

"Erm..." Laini was caught cold. She did not know what to tell Simba because she had abandoned this den to check on her old den and then the story with Daxis developed. She had thought about moving to the new den again because her old den would be to small for the two of them now. Daxis refusing to take the den at the water hole meant that Laini really had to think of moving to the new den here at pride rock. But it still did not sit well with her.

"Thank you my king." she spoke softly with her head bowed to the ground and her eyes on the paws of the king. It was clear visible that Laini did not really feel to well under the stare of Simba. It was nothing new for her though because she was not good with having the attention of other lions. With her eyes still looking at Simba's paws she waited for him to release her or raise his voice against her. She did not dare to go away without being allowed to even if everything in her just wanted to get away. She was very a very shy and fearful lioness alright.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina slowly started to head towards pride rock. If the queen was somewhere to be found then there... probably.
Her mind was heavy from the pondering how she would get a private word with the queen. Not only that other lions may be around but also it would be hard to get Kopa to understand without hurting his feeling. She clung to her pretty much since she rescued him long time ago in the jungle. Sometimes he was more like a cub than her mate. He wanted to follow her everywhere and was easy with sulking or being upset if Rahina tried to ask for a private moment. Back in the jungle the only moments Rahina had been alone were on her hunts. Kopa had finally agreed to let her hunt alone because he clearly was not getting the hang of hunting. Rahina also didn't seek for loneliness in the jungle because she was happy with Kopa around her any minute. But in her new situation she just wanted a moment alone with the older lioness to talk with her. Would Kopa understand this? Would he get suspicious? Up to now they had done everything together since they met. Rahina was maybe clinging to him as much as he did. She felt lonely if he was not around but... how could she talk about this matter with Nala while Kopa stood next to her without him notice that she was baring?

While she still was pondering over this matter and how to get some time alone with the queen they reached the pride rock and started to climb it. Rahina noticed a group of lions. The big lion was clearly the king. He was in a conversation with an older cub and a lioness Rahina did not see yet. Rahina nuzzled Kopa and joined the group because she thought bidding the king a greeting would be appropriate.
"Good Evening King Simba!" she spoke to Simba with a strong, yet soft and warm voice. "May you know where queen Nala is at the moment?" Rahina looked friendly into the eyes of Simba and waited for his response.

[hr][/hr]

Laini winced as Rahina raised her voice and shot a quick look to her. She evaded to the side due the color of Rahina clearly showed her outland descends. Also the scar on her left leg looked pretty rough and let think of Rahina as a wild fighting expert that liked to brawl.