Revenge - Shadowfax and Tsuki [Private]

[Tsuki]

Zuberi blinked. It was true that he hadn't really fought back. Cheetahs are very fragile animals and a broken leg can spell death for them. Without four legs to run on, a Cheetah will be unable to hunt and would be a target for other predators. But it wasn't the fact that Zuberi was refused to fight back. It was the fact that after a hunt, he was usually exhausted. Running up to 80mph and bringing down prey can take a lot of out a cheetah. He didn't stand a chance against a pack of Hyenas.

"I didn't fancy taking my chances against a large pack of Hyenas. One against eight isn't exactly fair. But if giving them food meant that they wouldn't kill us, then that's what we had to do. But I'm royalty. I don't approve of backing down to those scum. But I didn't fancy fighting Hyenas and a Lion just then. I have more important things to worry about. Mind you, you seemed to handle the situation for me."

He smirked slightly. Maybe he could use this Lioness afterall.

[Shadowfax]

Nova scoffed as Zuberi told her his story. When he mentioned he was royalty, her eyes widened for a moment. Royalty? Seemed like everyone was these days in the Savanah. Nova had fled her homeland when she 'came of age' and was going to be forced to be partnered with a male lion she detested. She ended up in the pridelands and found Scar's pride where she lay low and was treated like a normal lioness, but was given ranking above some of the others, which suited her fine.

"Let fear get the better of you and you'll be dead soon enough" She growled after Zuberi had finished.

She sat down to take the weight off her legs, not taking her green eyes off Zuberi.

"What do you want?" She growled seeing that he wasn't going.

[Tsuki]

Zuberi frowned. It wasn't afraid. He hadn't been afraid for a long time. But he didn't think it was wise to injure himself before he had acheived his goals. But when the lioness asked him what he wanted, he blinked. What did he want? He couldn't possibly think he could wipe out an entire race on his own. That would be foolish. His gaze left Nova and he looked out over the Savannah. On the distant horizon stood a large rock formation that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Zuberi dragged his claws in the dirt and his eyes hardened. He knew that that rock was Pride rock, the home of the king and queen.

"Revenge" he finally answered "Revenge on those not fit enough to call themselves King"

[Shadowfax]

Nova's eyes widened a fraction as Zuberi spoke. So... He too wanted revenge on the fake king and queen? Nova hated Simba possibly more than anyone she had ever known. He had ruined her life and exiled her, so she knew she wouldn't be welcome there. Still, herself and the cheetah shared a common enemy. Her thoughts wandered to Vex. Where was her little adolescent daughter? She sighed and stood up again.

"You cannot hope to just walk in there and kill them. Pride rock has many tunnels and lookout posts and there are always lionesses around the king. Plus the stupid little bird that serves the royal family" She spat with annoyance.

"You'll need a plan. Big words won't ensure your victory"

[Tsuki]

Zuberi's ears twitched. It sounded like this Lioness knew more about pride rock than he did. This was useful. He needed to get her on his side. He hated to admit it but he needed her help.

"It sounds like you know the ins and outs of Pride Rock."

Relaxing slightly he lay down and stretched his limbs. He knew that if this lioness wanted him dead she would have attacked already.

"From what you've said, it sounds like it's well guarded. So we will need a few of us to be able to get through their forces. And if that bird finds us he will report back to the King and Queen and thus they will up their guard. We need a team."

The last part was said through gritted teeth. Zuberi was use to working on his own. This often annoyed his adopted brothers as they were suppose to work as a team to bring down prey. But Zuberi didn't like relying on others. If you wanted things done properly, do it yourself. That was his moto. But, although it pained him to admit it, this lioness was right. He couldn't get his revenge on his own. He needed a team.

(Thinking of brining in another character later if that's Ok? I'll run it past you first though.)

[Shadowfax]

(Yeh sure =) I am gonna bring Vex in at some point soon too if that's ok?)

"That's because I used to be one of them. Well, I was untill that moron Simba drove me out. He will pay for that though. Little price doesn't seem to realize he can't just walk back into his throne after abandoning it when he was a cub. I will avenge my former king... That brat will pay" She snarled.

When Zuberi started talking about sneaking into Pride rock and about teams she showed a little interest, but soon pushed it away for Nova too was a lone cat. She never got on with lions and didn't work well in a pride. Sometimes her father would tell her she was in the wrong body and should be a wolf or a tiger if she longed for solitude.

"Speaking of the bird..." Nova snarled as she spotted Zazu on the horizon.

[Tsuki]

Zuberi was surprised to hear that this Lioness had been part of the King's pride. This made him suspicious. Could he really trust her? Was she just telling him this to get him to trust her so that she could hand him over to the King and then be allowed back into the pride. This was tricky. BUT if she was telling the truth then she would be useful. But the lioness suddenly broke his thoughts and he turned his head to look over the horizon. Sure enough, hovering on the horizon was the silhouette of a small hornbill. Zuberi frowned. If this bird found them then it was game over before they had even started. Should they slip away? Or was better to dispose of him there and then? But that may cause suspicion.

"What do you want to do?"

[Shadowfax]

Nova tried so hard not to growl, but one still escaped her as she glared up at the approaching Zazu. She wanted nothing more than to rip his feathers out, but that would only have Simba's entire pride on her in hours. Plus, she knew why he was out here. He was checking that she had left the pride lands.

Nova looked at Zuberi. He wasn't a threat to Simba as far as he knew. To him, he would just be another cheetah residing in his pridelands. Nova suddenly dropped down onto the floor on her side and closed her eyes as if playing dead. If she could convince Zazu she was dead, she'd have an advantage when it came to getting her revenge.

"If you convince him I am dead, i'll help you get into Pride rock" she said out of the corner of her mouth before closing her eyes.

[Tsuki]

Zuberi blinked in surprise. She would help him? Why? But before he could open his mouth to argue, the hornbill had flown even closer. He didn't have a choice. He approached the lioness slowly and began to inspect her as the hornbill landed.

"I wouldn't get too close if I were you" said the Hornbill, "She's a sly one. A traitor. Tried to commit mutiny"

Zuberi took a sudden dislike to this bird. He had an arrogrant air about him. Zuberi had to restrain himself from attacking the bird. He looked over his shoulder at the hornbill and tried to look as innocent as he could.

"She's dead. I found her like this. I'm guessing her injured leg got the better of her."

The hornbill flapped his wings in surprise and Zuberi had to surpress a grin. This plan was working.

"Nova is dead!? Well....I guess that's one less problem to worry about. I have to report back to the King and Queen. Good Day!"

He took off and headed back towards pride rock. Zuberi waited until he was certain that the hornbill wasn't coming back.

"Ok he's gone."

[Shadowfax]

Nova lay motionless and took a deep breath in as Zazu got closer to them. She had to try her hardest not to laugh at how easily the hornbill believed her to be dead. Does he think I would die that easily? She thought to herself as Zazu then took to the air and flew off. After a time, Zuberi informed her that the Hornbill was gone. With that, she sat up and smirked wickedly in the direction of pride rock.

"You must be able to lie quite convincingly. That's good. So tell me, what is your plan once you get inside pride rock? Do you have a pride or something because you'll need one if you want to kill the king. If not, he will have to be lured out alone, which will be no easy task" Nova added looking at Zuberi through curious, yet hardened eyes.