[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Kivuli grunted as he stood, and went back into the den. Ayari's eyes narrowed and he looked to Kovu once more. "I have some troubling news to tell you as well Kovu..." Ayari said quietly. Kovu's ears twitched, and he got more serious.

"What is it?" Kovu asked.

"There's another pride of rogues, but they fit the stereotypes more then my pride. They are mindless beasts, and they are looking for a new land. I heard they set their eyes on the pride lands, and are going to be coming here to try to take over it..." Ayari said quietly. Kovu closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.

"I don't suppose we can negotiate with them can we?" Kovu asked. Ayari shook his head.

"They live to fight, kill and tear. I'll help you with them as much as I can, and when they are defeated I can leave." Ayari said quietly. Kovu nodded.

"Thanks. I think we'll need the help." Kovu murmured looking down. "Do you really want to stay here of all places?" Kovu asked looking at the den. "I can offer up part of my lands to give you that temporary home. None of your pride deserves to be in such a terrible place..." Kovu muttered. Ayari smiled.

"I'll take you up on that. It'll keep them all from whining." Ayari said with a chuckle.

[KiarasMate]

Figuring that their business had concluded and happy that the situation had ended in a peaceful resolve, Vitani turned to take her leave, followed by the remaining lionesses. She knew that Ayari would follow once he had informed the rest of his pride about the new turn of events. There was a part of her that was overjoyed in the fact that her old friend would be staying in their lands but something still didn’t settle quite right with her. Unsure of why this was and not wanting to dwell on such feelings, Vitani just shook it off as she thought about what the future would hold for herself, as well as her old friend Ayari, the threat that Ayari had mentioned previously still looming in her mind as she walked, looking back over her shoulder to make sure that everything was still alright with her brother.

[Baya]

Kovu turned, happy at his resolve with the rogues and began to walk away with his older sister. What Ayari had warned him about brought a troubled frown onto his face. Those rogues he spoke of were the real deal. They were what made the stereotypes. He hoped that he would be strong enough, brave enough and smart enough to command the end to the vicious pack of rogues.

~At the Pridelands~

Siri grunted as she pulled the dead carcass of the Zebra she caught, onto her back. She was informed by the returning lionesses of the meeting between Ayari, and their king. Siri sighed as she began to carry the heavy Zebra back towards the outlands, hoping that she would get a detailed explanation from Ayari.

[KiarasMate]

Falling back so that she was walking beside her brother, Vitani took the opportunity while they made their way back towards Pride rock, to see what Kovu thought of this new development. Keeping her voice to a minimum, Vitani addressed her brother.

”So, that was nice of you to offer Ayari and company, a place to stay in our lands Kovu. Honestly, I thought you were going to force them to stay in our old termite infested home. I guess Kiara really has done wonders to you, aye brother?” Flashing Kovu a smile, Vitani continued. ”Those rogues that Ayari spoke of, do you think they really will try and take over our lands? Ayari did seem pretty sincere in what he told us but perhaps we are worrying over nothing. I still consider Ayari a good friend Kovu, but do you think he really came all this way just to warn us, or could there be some other objective on his mind?”

Feeling slightly guilty that she’d even speculate that her old friend would be up to something, yet never ruling out any fact unless she was absolutely sure of things, Vitani had to pose every worst case scenario to her brother, just to make sure he’d give every little detail as much thought as was needed. Still, caring deeply for Kovu’s position at the top, Vitani also did her best to reassure him of her confidence within him.

”You know, whatever the case may be Kovu, I know you’ll get us through it. At least you have me to rely on, as well as your mate and pride. This might be quite the first day for you as king, but everything will work out, I’m sure of it.”

Hoping her own words would be the truth in the end, Vitani tried to keep a positive outlook on things as she stayed quiet now, her gaze focused upon the two lionesses off in the distance, who seemed to be heading in the opposite direction to which they were. Vitani made a mental note of both of them but said nothing as she assumed her brother would have spotted them too and would have realized that they were the lionesses to which Ayari spoke of previously.

=========

Zina followed closely behind Siri as she carried the fallen zebra on her back. Not offering to help, since she knew how proud Siri was, Zina simply walked as if she were on a casual stroll, speaking to her fellow rogue in a lazy manner.

”So, it didn’t take them long to notice our presence, hmm Siri? Wonder what they talked about while we were gone. Knowing Ayari, he probably worked it so that we’ll end up having to work for those lions there.”

Pausing for a moment near a patch of odd looking grass, Zina quickly ejected a claw and sliced off a few of the thin strands, quickly tucking them into her pouch before she caught back up to Siri, grinning and continuing her speech.

”You still cross at Kivuli or did that hunt clear your mind Siri?

[Baya]

As Kovu walked, he played close attention to his surroundings while he listened to what his sister was saying. "Nobody is that sincere. There's something up Vitani, but I do not believe Ayari is the greedy scheming type. I think we should just wait it out, and see how it plays." Kovu murmured. After Vitani's pep talk he smiled. His sister had come a long way from where she was. She was the most supportive lioness he knew, even beyond Kiara. He hoped he was making good judgment when he let Ayari's pride come onto the pride lands. "Vitani. I want you to do something for me." Kovu said quietly as they neared pride rock. "When Ayari gets over here, I want you to get into his head. See what's up." Kovu requested looking over at his sister for approval.

~Siri and Zina~

Siri rolled her eyes. "He probably would tell us to do something demeaning...I will not be anyone's mate for permission to these lands. I'd rather be killed." Siri said with a snort. As she continued to walk with the Zebra on her back, she heard the question regarding her calming down about Kivuli. "Kivuli is a jerk. Of all the lions I have ever met, Rogue or not, he is the most full of himself. He speaks down on me, and one of these days I'm going to make him regret ever doing that. While Ayari is around, I guess I can cope with the idiot." Siri growled. "For now, I am content" She muttered finally answering the question. They arrived at the den not much later.

"Siri, Zina." Ayari said greeting them welcome. Kivuli was in his corner sleeping so he really didn't notice the two lionesses coming back.

"What's the news?" Siri asked as she dropped the Zebra to the floor of the den. Ayari stretched slightly, and looked to the two females.

"We have permission to stay on their lands until we need to move." Ayari replied with a small smile.

"Wonderful. Is that where you will figure out a plan?" Siri asked with a frown as she began to eat her catch. Ayari approached the Zebra as well and began to feed.

"There already is a plan." Ayari said as he chewed and swallowed. "I told Kovu that we came all this way to warn them about the barbaric rogues that were greedy for land and food. They'll help us, and they won't even know it. In the end we look like the good guys." Ayari said as he leaned in for another bite.

[KiarasMate]

Hearing Kovu’s request, Vitani cringed slightly. Deep down, she feared that he would ask this of her. Having to get on Ayari’s good side probably wouldn’t be too difficult to achieve for her however, if she were to learn of anything that might prove to be negative towards her brother’s pride, Vitani honestly didn’t know if she’d be able to do what was asked of her. On one paw, family always came first, but when it came to Ayari, despite having been torn apart from him for so long, there was still some strange connection she felt towards him that kept her from immediately responding. Taking a moment to think things over, seeing the serious expression upon her brother’s face, Vitani swallowed hard before she replied.

”I’ll do my best Kovu. There’s no guarantee that he’ll open up to me but I’ll try…for you.”

Torn between loyalty to her pride and a long forgotten friendship, Vitani found herself more lost in thought than she had ever been before. In her heart, she hoped that Ayari’s word was sincere and that he truly had come back to help, but if the worst case scenario should fall upon her, the former Outlander told herself that she would have to come clean to her brother, even if it meant severing her friendship with Ayari.

When they arrived back at Pride Rock, Vitani entered the main den without another word, making her way towards her typical resting place where she flopped herself down to meld over her thoughts until Ayari and company arrived.

Who knows, maybe he’ll turn out to be a complete ass… Vitani thought to herself as she waited to be summoned by her brother once her old friend arrived.

==========

Zina laughed a raspy sounding laugh at Siri’s response to her feelings towards Kivuli. Due to her jaded opinion of the male gender, Zina always found pleasure in the misfortunes of others, especially if they were male. Flashing Siri a keen smirk, Zina responded in a supportive voice.

”Whatever you have planned Siri, I know he deserves it. You know I have your back too. If Ayari wasn’t in the picture, I know that Kivuli wouldn’t have survived as long as he has now. All in good time though.”

Zina’s voice trailed off as the two lionesses arrived back at their makeshift home, following Siri inside with one last sly grin. Taking a seat near the far wall of the termite mound, waiting for Siri and Ayari to have their fill of the zebra before she would eat, not because she had to, but because she disliked being so close to Ayari in such cramped quarters, Zina listened intently to what Ayari was saying. She was pleased that they would at least no longer be forced to sleep in such inhospitable conditions but having to live under the laws and regulations of this other pride seemed to outweigh the benefits in Zina’s mind. Chiming in once Ayari had finished speaking, Zina inquired in a curious manner.

”How’d you get on their good side so easily if you don’t mind me asking Ayari? Most pride’s would have turned us flat on our tails, let alone, offer us a place to stay. What’d ya do, blackmail them or something?”

[Baya]

Kovu smiled. "He isn't the same Ayari he was as a cub, but he hasn't gotten any worse Vitani. Don't expect anything bad, just look out for it." Kovu muttered as he went up pride rock.

~The Outlands~

"I wasn't in a position to black mail, or threaten them. I have a few old friends in that pride, and their king was one of them. We got lucky that the pride landers are so innocent minded." Ayari said quietly.

"First we run, then we shelter ourselves behind old friends? Ayari do you have ANY pride what so ever?" Siri hissed.

"I have more of a heart, then pride. None of you can tell my friends of this. Should they find out, they would be furious and we'd all be dead. Not a word, understood?" Ayari warned. Siri nodded hesitantly.

"When this is all over, we can move on." Ayari muttered.

"Wait, you just come back to your old friends for their help then leave? Pardon my tongue, but what the hell kind of lion are you?" Siri spat. Ayari sighed as he looked down.

"I know what you are thinking. It's not like that..." Ayari said quietly. "Being close to someone...gets you attached to them. When they are gone, you will feel heart ache until you see them again. That sense of relief will make you even closer then you ever were before. I want to leave before that happens... We are rogues. Wanderers of the desert. We cannot have connections with other prides." Ayari said with a growl as he laid down in his spot, and closed his eyes. Siri looked at Ayari with pity. She thought he was just a coward who ran from his battles, but now she knew better. The greatest battles Siri herself have ever faced, were not between other lions, but within herself. She should've known how awkward it must feel for Ayari right now. Siri sighed as she continued to eat without another word to her leader.

[KiarasMate]

Zina snickered from Ayari’s reply, unable to hold her tongue as she blurted out.

”You mean, you actually HAVE friends who don’t bow to your every whim Ayari? That’s rich!”

Smiling crudely towards her leader, Zina listened to what else Ayari had to say, silencing any more comments from her as she heard him mention about growing attached to someone. These words seemed to strike a chord within the white furred lioness as she knew exactly what he was talking about, the circumstances being quite different however, from what he was probably referring to. For Zina, trust was always an issue and getting attached to anyone always seemed to end with her getting hurt, either physically or emotionally. Much like Siri, Zina flashed Ayari a sympathetic gaze, which was quite rare of her, although never being the type to dwell on something for very long, she quickly changed her facade as she spoke up again.

”So, I take it we’re moving out once we’ve had our fill of zebra, or are we supposed to wait for your friends to come get us, hmm Ayari?”

Looking quite eager to leave her forsaken surroundings and curious to know more about these new lions that would soon be amongst them, Zina shared her thoughts aloud as she moved in, now that Ayari had satisfied himself with as much of the zebra as he wanted, taking a spot next to Siri and keeping herself so that she could keep a watchful eye on both resting males, keeping her tail tucked underneath her as she ate which was her typical nature.

”Whatever the deal is with those lions, just as long as we don’t have to stay here, that’s all that matters to me. Just as long as the space they provide us with is better than this dump and as long as they don’t expect anything in return, it sounds like a pretty damn good deal you’ve worked out Ayari.”

[Baya]

"Yes. We will be going in about a minute or so." Ayari said standing up again, and looked to the den's entrance. "None of you better cause any trouble." Ayari warned. Siri laughed.

"Ayari, we all know your the most daring of us. Don't worry." Siri reassured. Ayari snorted as he began to trot out the den. Siri walked up to the sleeping Kivuli, and smacked him upside the head. "Wake up idiot, we are leaving the den" Siri said in monotone. Kivuli snarled as he awoke, and rubbed his head.

"One of these days you worthless flea bag. One of these days..." Kivuli said with gritting teeth as he also stood, and made his way out of the den, towards the pridelands.

Ayari walked towards the pride lands, not bothering to wait for his group. He was actually rather excited because he got to speak with Vitani again. He wanted to compare stories with her about their pasts after the point that he left. He already knew that his stories were going to have alot more gore, betrayal, hatred, and death in them.

[KiarasMate]

Trying to scarf down as much of the zebra as she could, spotting her fellow rogues already beginning to move out, Zina sighed softly as she abandoned their kill, leaving it for the termites to deal with as she followed a few paces behind Kivuli, taking up her usual place at the back of the line, this way, there were no creatures to her back and she could always keep an eye on everyone ahead of her. Taking one last glance at their previous resting place, Zina grinned to herself, hoping that their new living quarters would be a step up from what they had to spend the night in earlier. Already knowing her way to where they were going, as herself and Siri had already traveled through the lands to which they were heading now, Zina didn’t pay much attention to the scenery around her, instead, keeping her mind set on what plan Ayari had in mind and how these softhearted lions who were kind enough to take them in, fit into the picture. Noticing that Kivuli’s pace seemed a bit sluggish today, most likely due to the fact that he had been rudely awakened from his nap, Zina called towards him in a not so encouraging tone.

”C’mon Kivuli, move your ass. Following you is worse than trying to tail a tortoise. I wanna get to our new home before the next season starts.”

Letting a raspy laugh escape her muzzle, Zina flashed Kivuli a jeering smirk as she continued to shadow him, making sure to keep a fair distance between her and the male, just in case he decided to try something funny.