[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Ayari sighed as he looked down at the ground, and pawed a rock away from himself. What was he thinking? He knew this would not work. He knew from the beginning that coming back near here would be a mistake. He looked up at the moon, and his blue eyes glowed in reflection to the light. What could he possibly do? He had to choose between his pride, and his friend as well. His problem was no different from hers. As he gazed at the moon, warm memories ran through his mind of when he and Vitani used to play, train, and watch Kovu together. "Should I die, so be it." Ayari said looking down. "It is not them he wants...it is me." Ayari muttered to himself as he laid down again. The next morning he would tell Kovu the truth, and then he would leave his pride to the pride lands. Siri was right all along. He was running away from his problems, and that made the problem bigger then it needed to be. He had to confront his rival once again, and this time finish what he had started. He closed his eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.

~In The Morning~

Kovu was the first to awake among the pride landers once again. He shuffled his way out of the den, trying not to step on any of the lionesses. As he stepped out onto pride rock, he noticed one of the members of Ayari's pride gazing to the horizon.

"Good morning." Kovu said with a small smile, as he sat next to Kivuli. "What are you looking at?" Kovu asked as he looked over the horizon too, and his eyes widened in horror. Approaching the pride lands were dark clouds.

"Anywhere he goes, a dark cloud of death follows." Kivuli said with a sigh. Kovu looked to Kivuli worringly.

Ayari woke up with a gasp, looking over to the horizon. He just had a terrible nightmare about Vitani fading into the pitch blackness of the evil tyrant's domain. He shook his head and growled slightly, as he began to trot towards the steps leading up to pride rock. His heart raced as he noticed Kovu and Kivuli on the edge of pride rock. "Kovu!" Ayari said with a pant. Kovu turned to Ayari with a serious expression. "I must...tell you something." Ayari said as he approached Kovu, beginning to explain the situation.

After the long explanation, Kovu looked to Ayari with a glare. "You've put us in a very bad position." Kovu said quietly. Ayari nodded.

"I know. I am sorry...I was being a coward...I can't let any harm come to you or your pride because of me. I'll run now and -"

"No. Do you think that your enemy would spare us, even if you just walked up to them and gave your life? They want this land...which is why they are coming here. If you just gave up your life, it would be in vein." Kovu explained. "What made you tell me this now?" Kovu asked his expression softening.

"Vitani...She convinced me that I should do it." Ayari murmured.

[KiarasMate]

Being an exceptionally light sleeper, Zina had been awake even before Kivuli had made his way onto the promontory of Pride rock. Having no business to take up with him however, the crafty lioness merely feigned sleep as she laid next to Siri, who seemed to still be slumbering peacefully. Once Kovu had made his appearance, Zina started to feel a bit uneasy, yet remained where she was, her flawless hearing picking up every word that was exchanged between the males. As Ayari’s voice joined the mix, Zina found herself unable to keep up the charade as she lazily rose to her paws, giving her white fur a rough shake as she started to make her way past the trio of males, keeping her pace to a crawl as the tone of Ayari’s voice was one that she rarely heard come out of his muzzle. It was almost a guilty sounding tone, bringing a smirk to her face as Zina left Pride Rock, the thoughts of what she had overheard, lingering in her mind.

This vitani, she must be the one that Ayari spoke of on occasion. He must be fond towards her or something. Good to know… zina thought to herself as she made her way towards the nearby waterhole for an early morning drink.

==========

Vitani hadn’t had the best of nights as her mind was too cluttered with what had happened last night. Tossing and turning constantly, sleep had alluded her for the longest time, keeping her tormented by her own thoughts until she was finally able to drift off. Sleeping in the furthest most reaches of the main den, Vitani was completely unaware of what was taking place outside.

[Baya]

"What can I do?" Ayari asked quietly as he gazed over at Kovu for an answer. Kovu looked towards the dark clouds and sighed.

"You know this guy better then anyone else right? What would he plan to do?" Kovu asked. Surprisingly, this resulted in a short chuckle from Kivuli. "What is so funny? This is not a laughing matter!" Kovu snapped at Kivuli.

"He doesn't have rules Kovu. He doesn't have plans. He just does things, and see how they play out. He is unpredictable, but yet at the same time very predictable. He is a smart lion, but if you anger him he'll lose his common sense." Ayari explained calmly.

"They won't be here for awhile." Kivuli said quietly. "You have time to make a plan of your own king. With careful thought, you can take him down. Ayari almost did..." Kivuli murmured as he began to walk down pride rock.

"Where are you going?" Ayari asked Kivuli.

"To wake up Siri." Kivuli said without turning to Ayari.

"Hey...Kovu. I seem to forget, but is Vitani forgiving?" Ayari asked looking to Kovu.

"What you did Ayari, was something my mother would've done. Even I have trouble trusting you now, let alone Vitani." Kovu said stenrly as he walked into the den. Ayari sat on the edge of pride rock with a sigh.

[KiarasMate]

Having located the waterhole with little effort thanks to her sharp senses, Zina carefully removed her herb pouch from around her neck, tucking it securely under and in between her fore paws so she would be certain that it wouldn’t get lost or wet. Leaning her head down, her rough, pink tongue breaking the surface of the crystal clear waters as she lapped intently at the cool liquid below, letting a pleasurable purr to course through her body, which was extremely rare as Zina was the type to never display any signs of self-indulgence, other than the occasional smile and smirk. Once she was satisfied with quenching her thirst, the clever lioness’ mind shifted to that of her pouch.

Taking a quick glance around to make sure she wasn’t being spotted, Zina gingerly opened her pouch, rummaging through the various items within until she came across a brightly colored plant that resembled a blade of grass, but was far more dense looking. Sighing softly to herself, she snipped off a very small portion of the plant with one of her sharp claws, quickly devouring the detached piece before quickly stuffing the remaining strand back into her pouch. Hurriedly slipping her belongings back around her neck, Zina trotted off, back towards Pride Rock, her body already beginning to react from the ingested plant, her muscles beginning to relax as her mind felt more at ease.

As she approached the large structure, Zina’s eyes surveyed the situation. Kivuli was making his way towards where she was while it looked as though, Ayari was by his lonesome upon the promontory. Seeing no signs of Kovu and feeling quite calm from the medicine she had taken, Zina addressed Kivuli in an almost civil tone.

”Morning Kivuli. Looking for Siri I presume? If so, you’re going the wrong way genius. She’s up there.” Zina said, giving a motion with her head towards the main den, but slightly off to the side before she resumed speaking. ”Didn’t you even smell her scent up there, or is your nose always buried too deeply in ayari’s backside to notice anything, hmm?”

Giving a quick raspy laugh towards Kivuli, Zina bounded off, back up towards the main den, spotting Siri still sleeping where she had left her last. Instead however, Zina veered off and took a seat a few paces away from Ayari as she spoke in a more polite tone than she had used with Kivuli.

”So, is this how you saw everything in your mind Ayari and is there anything I can do to help out?”

While it was rather peculiar for zina to offer her services to Ayari, often times, especially when she was under the influence of her own herbs, Zina’s more understanding side managed to surface and she almost became tolerable to those who understood her.

[Baya]

Kivuli growled at her remark, and turned around going back up pride rock. He quickly made his way to Siri, and bit down onto her tail. Siri roared in pain as she awoke with widened eyes. The roar reached and echoed through the den. "You should learn to be more quiet." Kivuli muttered.

"Why you unbelievable b-" Siri growled, but regained her calm status of mind, and looked away from Kivuli with a huff. She then lazily made her way towards the steps leading down pride rock. Kivuli looked confusingly after the lioness. He'd expect another empty threat, or possibly an attack but she just walked off. This was not like Siri at all. Kivuli would've gone after her and questioned her about it normally, but right now he just didn't feel like it. He laid down on his side where Siri was laying only moments earlier.

Ayari's ears twitched at Zina's comment and a frown tugged at his face. "Yes. You can do something for me. I want you to pass down my verbal will. Zina, if I am to ever die in this impending war, I want you, Siri, and Kivuli to stay here with the pride landers." Ayari said quietly. "I put you all through so much, and coming here was a cowardly mistake I've made. I've attracted our enemy, into the home of my friend putting not only her but her entire family in danger. If this situation get's worse and Kovu cannot hold off the other pride's attacks...I'm going in for the kill. I will not be coming back if that is the case." Ayari explained. "I know you have trouble with trusting males, but I have no trouble trusting you. This is why I'm telling you this, and not Kivuli." Ayari muttered. He stood then, and began to walk down pride rock's steps. The first thing he would do today, was go out and get Vitani an apologetic breakfast. When they were cubs, he won her friendship by offering her his rations of food. He hoped that memory would run through her mind, as it does his.

[KiarasMate]

Being in no position or mood to argue with her leader, Zina found herself merely nodding to Ayari’s request, calling after him as she watched him take his leave.

”Understood Ayari.”

Staying put for a moment, Zina’s mind melded over what Ayari had just told her. Much like she had expected, her leader’s words only solidified her speculations about him and Vitani. Finding more usefulness in this little detail alone, the white furred lioness all but ignored the rest of what Ayari had asked of her. She knew that, in the rare case to which Ayari’s life would end at the paws of this rogue, to whom Zina herself wasn’t too familiar with, seeing as she was the last member to join up with Ayari after the conflict with this former feline had taken place, Zina knew that both Siri and Kivuli would have no problems being on their own and whether they chose to stay with these soft hearted lions or not was none of her concern. Taking a quick glance over to Kivuli, flashing him a smug smile for no apparent reason, Zina bounded off once more, easily picking up the scent of Siri as she wished to ask her for more information about this rogue to whom Ayari was now worried over, as well as to share her own new found knowledge about Ayari’s one and potentially only weakness in life, that being Vitani.

==========

At about this time, Vitani had finally woken up enough to the point where she felt as though she could face another day. While her head still ached with thoughts and her feelings were still a jumbled mess, she knew that moping around the den wouldn’t do her or her fellow pride members any good. Forcing herself to her paws, the former Outlander’s eyes shifted around the den, spotting her brother not too far off. Noticing the strange expression on his face, not being the typical early morning one that she was used to seeing from him, Vitani’s curiosity was sparked as she slowly made her way over to him, greeting him with a sibling like nuzzle as she asked.

”Morning Kovu. You look as though something is bothering you. Is everything okay with you and Kiara?” Vitani inquired, generally assuming that any issues that seemed to plague her brother typically stemmed from his relationship with the golden furred lioness.

[Baya]

Siri meanwhile had walked off from pride rock to the nearby watering hole. She dipped the pained part of her tail in the water, and growled quietly to herself. That fool of a lion actually bit her for attention! The look on his face after Siri walked off was enjoyable however. Ayari was right. If she chose to ignore Kivuli, he would probably get bored of annoying her and move onto someone else. Siri opened her eyes completely and looked at her reflection trying to fix her messy hair.

~ At Pride Rock ~

Kovu smiled as he nuzzled his sister. It had been a while since he ever got affection like that from a family member. He listened to her inquire whether he had problems with Kiara or not. Kovu's face turned all dead serious from there. "He told me Vitani. He told me everything." Kovu said quietly. "Ayari came forward, and told me what is to be expected." Kovu said looking directly at his sister. "We must be prepared for what is to come. Everybody makes mistakes, and I feel even if Ayari did not come onto the pridelands...those evil rogues would've eventually come across our lands and desire it anyways." Kovu explained. "They have to be dealt with." Kovu said with a sigh.

[KiarasMate]

"Don’t worry, you look fine." Zina stated as she approached Siri, who was busy attending to her fur.

Taking up a comfortable position near the edge of the waterhole on a nice patch of grass, lazily dipping a paw toe into the cool waters as she glanced over at her fellow rogue with a mischievous smile before stating.

”So, you know that lioness named Vitani, well, apparently Ayari has feelings towards her, can you believe that Siri? I’m starting to think that the only reason he drug us all this way, was just so that he could reunite with his old flame.”

Seeing her own reflection in the clear pool in front of her, Zina scowled as she swiped her paw through the surface of the water, distorting her reflection as she rose to her paws and continued.

”Also, it seems that Ayari is starting to have second thoughts about his plan. He actually told me that he’s going to take on that rogue who used to be a part of your group before I joined, if the situation gets ugly, and all because he supposedly feels guilty about bringing trouble to these lands and to Vitani.” Looking at Siri with an intrigued stare, Zina inquired casually. ”So, mind telling me what’s so special about this one particular rogue that Ayari is so concerned about Siri? I know they had some sort of fall out but knowing Ayari, it really had to be bad if this lion wants Ayari dead.

==========

Vitani looked absolutely shocked by what Kovu had told her. She wasn’t expecting Ayari to fess up to her brother so quickly and the fact that he had done this in such a timely manner, it just made her feel ashamed for the way she treated him the previous night. Pleased in the fact that Kovu was being unbelievably understanding towards her old friend, Vitani graciously thanked her brother for his kindness as she spoke.

”I’m sorry Kovu, for what Ayari has brought upon us but I know in my heart that he didn’t mean for this to happen. I’m just glad that you are being rational about this whole ordeal. We’ll pull through this Brother, I know we will. Now that we know this threat is real though, we should increase patrols around our borders and keep our pride together, just in case the unthinkable happens. You know I’m here to help in any way I can Kovu but you’re the king now. Everyone’s counting on your leadership to get us through this but you’re never alone.”

Giving her brother one last nuzzle, Vitani started to make her way outside the main den, thoughts of Ayari running through her mind as she mentally kicked herself for yelling at him the way she did. Feeling as if she owed him a sincere apology, yet not wanting for Kovu to know that her feelings towards Ayari were beginning to escalate, Vitani merely took a seat upon the promontory of Pride Rock, her stare fixated upon the lands below her as she tried to work out her own personal issues so that she could focus on what mattered most.

[Baya]

Siri stopped fixing her hair as she noticed Zina sit beside her. Siri rolled her eyes and grinned as she looked to Siri. "You can never be too beautiful." Siri said sarcastically as she liked her own muzzle and continued to look into her reflection. Siri nodded at Zina's comment about Ayari only coming back to the pride lands to meet with Vitani. "To be honest...I think you are right. Ayari never speaks to us like he does to her. He's always so stern, and calm with us. With her, his words actually have more feeling and casualty. To us he's a king, but to her...he's something else." Siri said with a chuckle. "I think it's a bit adorable you know? Ayari the squishy gushy king of the rogues." Siri said with a giggle.

Siri looked into her reflection and frowned as she heard Zina's second comment. "Ayari...must really care for this Vitani. He's willing to give up his life...so this petty little pride can live. Zina...We are rogues. What in the great king's above is Ayari?" Siri asked in monotone.

~ Meanwhile with Ayari ~

Ayari smiled in content as he began to trot back towards pride rock, with a fresh kill of wild rabbit in his mouth. He knew it wasn't much, but this is exactly what he gave to Vitani as a cub and he figured that it could spark her to forgive him even more. His eyes gazed over at pride rock and his heart skipped a beat as he noticed Vitani at the edge. He could tell from afar because she was the only lioness he knew who had that tuft that almost covered her eyes. He quickly broke into a swift run, so he could make his way up to pride rock. He quickly jumped up the steps and stopped behind Vitani dropping the rabbit. "Hey." He said softly and nudged the dead rabbit over to her with his paw.

[KiarasMate]

Typically, Zina would have jumped at the opportunity to tear into Ayari’s character with Siri but the herbs she had taken earlier still had a drastic effect over her mood, causing the white furred lioness to simply roll onto her back, her paws dangling carelessly beside her as she pawed at the air above her while she replied.

”Your guess is as good as mine Siri. I’m telling you though, Ayari’s thinking with his loins and not with his head right now. That’s the trouble with males. They are just so fickle. All it takes is a pretty face and BAM! They’re stupider than a lone hyena. Let’s just hope that Ayari doesn’t forget who his real friends are.”

Looking up at Siri, flashing her an upside down smile, Zina let out a little raspy laugh as she resumed speaking.

”Speaking of friends, what’s with you and Kivuli now? Aside from the quick exchanges between you two, you both seem almost…tolerable towards one another. You think Kivuli has something towards you Siri?”

==========

Vitani heard a light thump behind her, causing her to turn around, only to see a wild rabbit dropped in front of her by a very apologetic looking Ayari. Sighing softly to herself as she looked over the thoughtful gift, meeting up with ayari’s gaze after a brief moment, a look of nostalgia in her blue orbs as she spoke in a low voice.

”I don’t deserve that Ayari. I don’t deserve a friend like you, not after the way I treated you last night.” Pawing at the slain rabbit, Vitani looked down towards the ground as she continued. ”I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. Maybe I’ve changed but my short temper sure as hell hasn’t. I should have talked things over with you better Ayari and shouldn’t have chewed you out like that.” Glancing up at Ayari with a sincere apologetic expression etched upon her muzzle, Vitani resumed speaking. ”You did the right thing though, by telling my brother and for that, I thank you Ayari. Fortunately enough, my brother has looked past the little things and has allowed you and your friends to stay. I’m happy about that but…there’s something I need to know.” Moving in a bit closer so that she could really sense Ayari’s reaction, Vitani inquired in a soft voice so that only Ayari’s ears would hear what she asked next. ”Did you come back here…for me?”