[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli memories flicked back to his cubhood and how Scar killed his mother. Although it was years ago, the memory was as plain as day and the feelings it stirred still hurt I know how she feels. If you remember I lost my mother to Scar Kivuli tried to install the lost memory within Nala. He then lay down and brought his head to Almasi's level and spoke to her in a soothing gentle tone. At least as soothing and gentle a large bulking male could doYou are cute little cub aint you. You should be careful round here with all these sharp rocks

[Mike]

Shani listened to Simba, as he finished off the small, but mostly satisfying meal. His mind was working at top speed. It was time to take a little risk and see if it paid off. He figured that he might have worked up enough good favor by now in the pridelands to weather the storm if it turned out that he was making a faux-paw in front of his king.

"I'm sorry to hear that Simba." Shani said, his tone sincere, but also relatively professional, as could be expected from a newcomer this early in his stay. After a brief moment of silence for respect for the sad tale, Shani continued carefully. He chose his words with the utmost care, but they flowed naturally from his mouth. "I got the feeling that Kopa tried not to judge me when I met him. That's a fair feat considering his mate's opinion of me. If he is indeed your son maybe he got that wisdom from you. I have to say though," Shani said, dropping his voice to a slightly furtive mumble to keep the words to Simba's ears only "and I'm sorry if I seem rude, but he could have picked a better mate than Rahina. She's intolerant, and overprotective. He's rarely let out of her sight, and doesn't seem to have much right to think for himself." Feeling that he had gone far enough, Shani stopped short of going on a full-fledged rant against Rahina which could be seen as suspicious, especially given the friction that existed between the two.

[LionPrincess]

Almasi looked at the gray furred lion that had now lay down and was talking to her " well i think sharp rocks are the least of my worries" she said, Almasi acted alot older than she was, as she has practicaly raised herself she is alot more mature than other cubs her age

[KiarasMate]

Looking attentively at Shani, hearing his opinions about Rahina, causing the king of the lands to adopt a puzzled gaze towards the former king as he responded once Shani was finished speaking.

”Is that so Shani? To be honest, I haven’t had the time to get to know her very well, although, from what I have observed of her, she does seem very protective over Kopa. With this said however, until I am certain myself about Kopa actually being my son, I have no right to judge his taste in mates. Whatever suits his fancy is his own business and as long as it doesn’t interfere with our pride life, than it is no concern of mine. If in fact, he is my son though, than I might take what you have said into greater consideration. I appreciate your opinions though Shani and seeing as you were a former ruler yourself, I know that you must have a good judgment of character, aside from the little incident with Vitani that is. I suppose no one is perfect though.”

Assuming that Shani’s words were sincere enough, as he had no reason to distrust him yet, Simba merely took his words in stride as Simba started to feel the tug of sleep encouraging him to call it a night. Seeing that Shani had finished the meager meal that had been offered to him, the gracious king politely excused himself.

”Well, I hope you don’t find me rude for taking my leave but it’s rather late Shani and if I don’t get some rest now, I’ll probably not be up till well after the sun is. Perhaps we can chat tomorrow over a better meal.”

Giving Shani a parting farewell, Simba rose to his paws and made his way towards the back of the den, passing by Mila briefly, leaning down to give her a loving nuzzle and soft lick over the top of her head, before moving on, flashing Vitani a warm smile before plopping himself upon his and Nala’s sleeping pelt, ready for a good nights rest.

=========

Nala couldn’t help but smile from Almasi’s response to Kivuli’s comment. She was, in fact, one of the more mature lionesses that she had seen as of late and her attitude showed this clearly. Glancing over at Kivuli, the cream colored queen spoke in a mockingly playful voice.

”Looks like the rocks aren’t the only sharp things around here Kivuli. Maybe you’ve met your match with this little one.”

Giggling softly, Nala turned to Rahina, speaking in a louder tone so that the near by lioness could hear her.

”I think I’m going to turn in for the night Rahina. I suggest you and Almasi do the same. Can’t go hunting when we’re all tired now, can we? I’ll see you two in the morning.” Nala stated, leaning down to give Almasi a friendly nuzzle before turning to take her leave, smiling at Kivuli as she vanished back inside of the main den.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli just chuckled at Nala's snide remark. Being back in the pridelands, even for this short time, had changed him. Vengeance was not always the answer to everything. Kivuli also decided to turn in. He gave Almasi a smile as he said Im off as well. You take care and watch yourself Kivuli departed from Priderock and headed home. The cool night time air was nice as it breezed over his fur.

When Kivuli arrived back at his den, a small surprise was waiting for him. His demolition work from the morning had cause part of the roof to cave in, leaving a wide hole in the roof on one side wide open. It was too late now to work so Kivuli just settled down to the side and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of one thing. Mila.

[Lodrill]

Rahina sighed softly as she raised to her paws. She really was tired and was thankful to Nala to signal the little one that bedtime had far passed already.

"Mind to sleep now Almasi?" she said with her warm and smoth voice while she closed in and caressed the head of Almasi with her paw. "There are dream to catch now. I guess the excitement will have to wait until tomorrow. And if you would have a bad dream you can always wake me up." Rahina yawned. "In fact I am on guard tonight due Kopa does not seem to stay guard. So if you wake up I will be awake very fast anyway...." Rahina smiled. "... like if you leave the den, or not?" Rahina nudged her and picked her up. She placed Almasi on the top of her shoulders. It would be faster to carry her home. "Say good night to the queen." she requested from Almasi with a wink to Nala. "Good night queen Nala. I will be there tomorrow for the hunt." Rahina waited for Almasi to say good night.

[Mike]

Shani nodded a farewell to Simba and took his own leave, heading back to the den he'd scouted out early in the day. He'd barely made it to the entrance of the den however before he saw Rahina and Nala with the same little cub that he'd spotted earlier. Feeling that it would be impolite to brush past the queen he paused on his way back to his den.

"Good evening Nala" he said "I was just heading back to my den. Thanks for the meal, and you can pass that on to your hunting party. Good evening Rahina." he said with a mild nod to the large lioness.

He wasn't exactly pleased to see Rahina, but he certainly wasn't scared of her. It was more the damage she might try to do to his reputation in the pridelands that he wanted to avoid. Then again, they couldn't hide from each other forever, and the sooner they got their friction out in the open the better.

[Lodrill]

"Good evening!" the voice of Rahina was soft and warm like always but there was a dangerous tone deep in it. Her black eyes scanned Shani very intense and she instinctively moved so that the cub was absolutely out of range of Shani.

She did not want to be inpolite but she definitely did not trust Shani. It was not only about his doings so far and that he was similar to Jelani but her instinct triggered by the appearance of Shani. It was something like her protective instinct warned her to be careful about this lion. She merely nodded to him before making a bow with her head to the queen and then pad towards the den where Kopa was waiting. Even if Almasi did not yet say good night to Nala she did not want Shani to get there before her and do what the great kings know to Kopa. Rahina was remembered that her mate was sleeping alone in the den.

[LionPrincess]

Almasi was puzzled as to why they left so fast and without her saying her goodnights to Nala "dont you like that lion" the little cub asked Rahina "i dont like the look of him, he looks scary" she said as a shiver ran down her spine, As they reached the den Almasi jamp off of Rahina and ran to the same spot that they had previosly occupied "Night" she said as she again driffted off into dreamland

[Lodrill]

Rahina took some time to follow Almasi inside the den. She really was worn out. She needed a rest very much. Almasi lay near Kopa and Rahina laydown on the other side. She nudged Kopa with her muzzle. "Hey dear. Can you take over the guard tonight? I am pretty much exhausted..." she whispered and her voice sounded weak.

Rahina forced herself to stay awake and wait for Kopas response while she was placed Almasi on her belly again to warm her at night. She did not even know why she cared so much about this cub. Maybe because Nala asked her to take care of her for the night.