[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Kovu nodded as Vitani made her statement. "We need to assign guard duty, to make sure we can catch those rebels before they can make their move. I hope that part of the pride lands will recover from the damage." Kovu said with a nod.

~ Outside The Den ~

Ayari sighed at Zina's disturbing comment. "You know Zina, one of these days you are going to be head over heels for a male. I'll have a list of teases just waiting to be used." Ayari pointed out with a grin. "I will totally wait a life time just to do that." Ayari muttered.

"What is the plan Ayari?" Siri asked, getting serious again. Ayari looked to Siri and sighed.

"I am not sure anymore. For now we will hold him back. We will have to counter attack as soon as we find out where he is coming from." Ayari explained. "We will be asking Shwari for this information. I think Zina should do that, since she got so...acquainted with him." Ayari said, trying to choose his words carefully to not give her the wrong idea. "It's either that, or we can all die." Ayari said as he rubbed his chin.

"We're all gonna die aren't we." Siri said, doing a face palm.

~ Near Rafiki's tree ~

Shwari looked around eagerly for the great old tree that Kiara had described. There weren't many trees but one that was in his view, just a few feet away. He quickly made his way towards it, and placed his paws on the bark. "Hello? Anyone up there?" Shwari called as he looked through the tree for any signs of life. It might've been helpful if he knew what he was looking for. He wished he wasn't in such a haste to get the herb pouch.

"Ugh. Even if I get her the pouch...She won't care anyways. I'm such a tool." Shwari growled as he laid down on his side. There was no way he could make Zina befriend him. [Would you mind taking Rafiki, or should I?]

[KiarasMate]

[I’ll play him Kivuli, since you’re already playing like a million other characters. Lol. Don’t expect the accent in my posts for him to be good though. Lol. ^^]

Zina huffed at Ayari, turning her head as she grumbled.

”Not in this lifetime Ayari. You might as well waste your comments on someone that cares.”

Hearing her leader’s next statement, Zina sighed, as she figured that she would be assigned this task. Having no chance of arguing her point however, as simply agreeing to Ayari’s wishes would at least give off the impression that she was putting business first, Zina reluctantly nodded as she replied in a crude tone.

”This is strictly business Ayari. I’ll only get what information out of him that I can without having to present myself as a token of good faith to him. You know, you ask a lot of me Ayari and you’re just lucky that I consider you a damn good leader, or I would have turned you down flat.”

Growling quietly to herself, Zina went back to her usual resting place as she waited for Schwari’s return, trying to ready herself to at least show him a bit of dignity, only because Ayari requested it, or at least, that’s what she told herself.

==========

Vitani couldn’t help but to raise a paw at the prospects of being on guard. If there was anything she was used to from the days she had spent out in The Outlands with her brother, it was guard duties.

”Count me in!”

Before she could even think about how Ayari might react to her being out in The pride Lands on her own, Vitani’s instinctive nature dominated her better judgment as she waited for an approval from either Kovu or Kiara.

==========

High up in the upper reaches of his baobab tree, Rafiki was hard at work, trying to uncover the new mystery that had surrounded The Pride Lands with the arrival of these new and rather hostile felines. Always trying to look deeper into things than was typically necessary, Rafiki’s concentration was shattered by the sounds of a voice calling up to him. Scratching his chin with a finger one last time as he took a quick glance at the mural of events he had drawn upon the trunk of his sacred home, Rafiki gingerly fetched his familiar looking stick before poking his head down towards the source of the noise as he spoke in a loud, yet somewhat understandable voice.

”YES? Whose dare?”

Seeing the sight of a grey furred lion at the base of his home and sensing the need for help that emitted from Schwari, the observant mandrill quickly descended from the high branches of the baobab tree, landing ever so lightly on his feet next to Schwari as he looked at the male with a perplexed gaze, speaking in a thoughtful fashion.

”If you came here for something to change dat fur color of yours, I’m afraid you’re out of luck dare. Old Rafiki don’t have anything that can do dat.”

[Baya]

Shwari frowned slightly as he looked to the baboon. "I did not come here for that...of all things..." Shwari said as his ears twitched in annoyance. What was wrong with his fur? He thought it made him look sleek! Shwari turned his body so he was facing the baboon, and examined him. He was quite old, and his staff had strange fruits attached to it.

"I heard that you were quite the Shaman at pride rock. The queen told me you know alot about herbs." Shwari said calmly, as he felt a breeze go by. "A lioness I know ran off because she was afraid of my brother and I, and she accidentally went into a pool of water with her pouch of dried herbs. They were ruined, and now she's blaming me for it. I just wanted to ask if you could please help me get a new pouch of herbs for her?" Shwari asked, in a slightly pleading tone.

~ In the Den ~

"If you didn't have experience from the pride lands, I would totally deny you this." Kovu said with a sigh. He didn't want to put his sister up in the face of danger. Back then they were just dealing with pride landers. These were rogues!

"She'll have a partner anyways. Best it not be Ayari, because they wouldn't be paying much attention." Kiara pointed out. Kovu nodded. They'd have to find Vitani a guard partner.

[KiarasMate]

Rafiki looked interested in what Schwari was saying, constantly rubbing his chin while he listened intently, as if he were deconstructing everything that the grey furred male told him. Once Schwari was finished speaking, the wise mandrill responded with a question of his own.

”Oh, so Queen Kiara sent you, hmm? Very interesting. Very interesting indeed. Dis lioness to whom you spoke of. Do you feel guilty for what happened to her? Is dis why you seek new herbs for her, hmm?”

==========

Happy that her brother had given in to her request, Vitani thought about who would make the best partner for her to stand guard with. Debating amongst herself while she looked about the den, Vitani’s eyes fell upon Husudu as she spoke in a curious manner.

”What about him?” turning to face Husudu, Vitani addressed the older of the two brothers in an inquisitive tone.

”You said you and your brother came to help prevent another tragic loss, so how about you join me on Guard Duty? If anyone knows this Maju lion and how he thinks, I’d have to assume it would be you Husudu.”

[Baya]

"Actually, I have no idea why i'm doing this. I don't feel guilty because it was her own mistake for going through a pool of water while she ran...I just feel bad about it. She's bitter at me over that, and I figured I should try fix that." Shwari explained to Rafiki. "I am not on expert on what herbs are good, and what herbs are bad. That is why I come to you." Shwari said, adding onto his last statement.

~ In the Den ~

Husudu looked up at Vitani, as she asked him her question. He sighed as he got up and stretched, extending his claws at the same time. He grinned as he closed his eyes for a moment. "Guard duty? I had that with Maju too. I guess I'd be an obvious choice..." Husudu murmured quietly. "Just tell me where, and when." Husudu stated.

[KiarasMate]

Looking Schwari over with his beady eyes, as if to tell if the grey furred male was being honest with him, Rafiki stayed mute for a short while after Schwari had finished speaking. Closing his eyes, seemingly lost in thought, Rafiki finally spoke in a calm voice.

”If dat is truly the reason why you seek my help, den I suppose I can help you.”

In a flash, Rafiki had vanished up the trunk of the baobab tree as only his motions and melodious chanting could be heard from below. After a short while, the nimble mandrill reappeared on the opposite side of Schwari that he had previously been, giving the grey furred male a light poke with the end of his stick before he extended his hand towards him, a small hide pouch with a cleverly woven vine tied around it being clutched within his grip as he spoke once more.

”Dare you go. Dare be no herbs in dare doe, cause Shaman’s gather their own. Tell your mate that when you give it to her and she’ll understand.”

Laughing hysterically, Rafiki skillfully leapt onto Schwari’s back and boosted himself up, only to disappear within the high branches of his home, leaving the grey furred male and the small pouch next to him.

==========

Flashing Husudu a thankful smile, Vitani nodded as she replied.

”Okay, how about we start at first light tomorrow. I would assume that Maju would need a bit of time to regroup his forces after what we put them through, or would I be wrong to assume that? If you feel as though there is a need to start now Husudu, I will be more than willing to oblige, as long as my brother allows it, of course.”

Waiting for Husudu’s reply, knowing that she would still have to inform Ayari of her new duties, which she was quite reluctant to do, since Vitani could only imagine what he might say to her, the former Outlander stayed quiet, her eyes drifting over to her brother, Kiara and back to Husudu.

[Baya]

Shwari waited until Rafiki had come back down, and smiled when he saw the little pouch in his hand. He quickly took it around his own neck, and frowned at his comment. "She isn't my mate!" Shwari growled. "Anything, BUT that." Shwari said quietly as he looked down. He didn't feel that way about her...did he? That would explain why he was doing this, because all she did so far was put him down and trick him with no sign of remorse for her actions. Shwari shrugged it off, as he began to make his way back to pride rock, the pouch bouncing around his neck.

~ Back At Pride Rock ~

"It is best we go on patrol in the morning." Husudu explained quietly. "Maju is not as organized as he'd like you to think. He get's his subordinates to do the thinking for him." Husudu pointed out. "It'll be a while before another of his subordinates comes up with a good plan."

With that, Husudu laid down again, and closed his eyes. "If you see my brother, tell him not to disturb me." Husudu murmured as he dozed off to sleep.

[KiarasMate]

Nodding to what Husudu stated, Vitani assured her new Guard Duty partner that his wishes would be carried out.

”As you wish Husudu. I’ll be sure to tell him that for you.”

Giving the grey furred male a polite gesture, Vitani took her leave now, returning back to the promontory of Pride Rock, where she found Ayari still seated. Wandering over to her old friend, Vitani gave his side a light nudge with her fore paw as she took a seat next to him. Keeping her eyes upon the ground, Vitani got right to the point as she stated.

”I volunteered to stand guard over our lands, with Husudu’s help Ayari. We start tomorrow. This is to help prevent another attack upon our pride without us knowing in advance. What do you think of this?”

Keeping an open mind to whatever Ayari might have to say to her in regards to what she had just dropped upon him, Vitani stayed mute as she traced a claw around the various cracks in the rock below her as she hoped that her old friend would be understanding of her new position and not overreact, although something told her that he would.

[Baya]

Ayari's response to what Vitani had said came out in a sigh. "Vitani. It is very dangerous...Especially in these times. I can't stop you from doing it though." Ayari said quietly. "As long as you have someone with you...I have faith you won't get hurt." Ayari said with a small smile as he nuzzled her gently.

"Now isn't that sweet." Shwari said as he panted from where he had just arrived at pride rock. Ayari snorted as he gazed at Shwari.

"Where were you off to in such a hurry" Ayari questioned, but his eyes caught the new pouch around Shwari's neck. He grinned slightly as he began to make his way towards the den.

"Come Siri." Ayari called to Siri. Siri rolled her eyes but followed regardless into the den. Shwari sat down in front of Zina, and looked down as he took off the new pouch. He then placed it in front of Zina.

"The baboon said that only you could fill it with the necessary herbs." Shwari murmured, not making eye contact with Zina.

[KiarasMate]

Rather surprised from Ayari’s understanding nature towards what she had posed to him, Vitani was thankful for his blessing as she returned his soft nuzzle before Schwari’s voice broke their peaceful little moment. Following suit with both Ayari and Siri, Vitani bid a quick retreat into the main den as if the whole thing were planned, calling over her shoulder to Schwari before she disappeared.

”Husudu told me to let you know that he doesn’t want to be bothered Schwari, but it looks like you have your paws full anyways.”

The sudden commotion around her had disturbed Zina’s rest as her yellow eyes gradually opened, taking sight of Schwari, who was approaching her now. Getting ready to fire off a cold comment towards him, Zina’s eyes suddenly fell upon the small pouch that the grey furred male dropped in front of her. Looking rather shocked, Zina found it hard to find the appropriate words as she only managed to stammer.

”You did this for me?”

Reaching out a fore paw, the white furred lioness took hold of the small pouch, carefully undoing the flap that held it closed as her eyes looked over the inner workings of it. A small smile made its way upon her muzzle, which was quite a rare sight as Zina spotted something placed at the bottom of the pouch. Turning the crafted container upside down, Zina watched as a single lotus peddle fell to the ground before she looked up at Schwari, a genuinely appreciative look in her eyes as she swallowed hard before speaking to him.

”Thank you. Thank you Schwari. This is…well, one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me.”

Gently picking up the single lotus peddle in between her paw toes, Zina sniffed the fragrant flora as her eyes closed briefly as she stated quietly.

”I’m sorry for being such an ass towards you. Maybe I really did misjudge you. It’s just…really hard for me to trust anyone, especially males, due to my past.”

Opening her eyes as she met with Schwari’s gaze for the first time, a sincere expression upon her face, Zina asked curiously.

”Did you know that this lotus peddle was in here? Do you even know what this symbolizes for a Shaman?”