The Gang of Five
Role Play => Random Role Play => Topic started by: brekclub85 on June 16, 2009, 01:32:33 PM
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(Here we go, we have all the required characters taken at this point.)
The sun rose one morning over the Pride Lands. Kiara felt a ray of light go over her eye.
"Morning Kovu," she said, nudging on the dark-furred lion sleeping next to her.
"Morning Kiara," Kovu replied with a smile.
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Simba felt the rising sun, warming his body slowly. He laid next to Nala who still slept. Should I wake her up now? Nah, I¥ll let her sleep, thought Simba as he walked over to the river to get a drink.
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It was as Nala stretched within her sleep that she noticed she could actually stretch more than usual without bumping into Simba and hearing his mumbled complaints. Cracking one eye open she noticed he had left.
She smirked to herself, "Wow, becoming an early riser, who knew" she whispered as she stood and stretched awake herself.
She spotted her daughter and son-in-law over on the other end of the cave and smiled. Kiara had found a mate, it was a step closer to her one day taking on as Queen and Nala knew that soon, today even if time permitted, she would have to continue on in guiding her daughter to one day be the leader of the hunting party.
For now though she let them rest and walked outside of the cave to greet the day.
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As Simba finished drinking he turned around to see how Nala is doing. But he already saw her then, coming outside the cave. "Goodmorning sweetheard", he said as he walked over and nuzzled her. "Hope you had a nice sleep".
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"Morning daddy," Kiara smiled, she and Kovu walking up to the current King and Queen.
Kovu gave Kiara a little nuzzle. "What say the 4 of us go hunting?" Kovu asked.
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Ramiki awoke with a small yawn. He stretched and looked over at his mom who was still asleep. Ramiki quietly tip toed past his mom. She could get kinda cranky if woken up to early.
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"Morning Ramiki," Kovu smiled to his nephew, "How are you doing today?"
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Ramiki who was still half asleep walked over to Kovu. "Good morning Uncie Kovu" Rimiki said in mid yawn and nuzzled his paw happily with a purr. "How are you today?"
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"Oh good," Kovu smiled.
Kiara walked up to her parents. "Mom...daddy....I have some news for you," she said with a smile.
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"Yes I did" Nala told Simba, nuzzling him back before the others came out. She smiled down at little Ramiki yet then turned as Kiara said she had news for them. "Oh, and what would that be, dear?" she asked.
That twing of motherly intuitions which told her she knew the answer already was in overdrive yet she decided to just let Kiara tell them whatever this news was.
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"Let's just say...you're gonna be grandparents soon," Kiara smiled to her parents.
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"What you and Kovu will be parents soon? Congratulations! It's gonna be so great you guys are gonna make such great parents" Ramiki said happily. Getting so happy over the fact that now someday he'll have other cubs to play with. It could get kinda lonely being one of the only cubs in the pridelands.
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"Thank you," Kovu said to his nephew. "How's your mother doing?"
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"Well I think she's doing ok. All though I can't really answer for her. " Ramiki said.
Just then Vitani awoke with a yawn and Ramiki playfully pounced on to Vitani and showered her with kisses and nuzzles. Vitani laughed. "Good morning Sweetheart" She said nuzzling Ramiki's little cheek and then gave him a lick.
Ramiki jumped off his mom's chest.
"Good morning Kovu, Good morning Kiari" She said and
"Mom, hey mom guess what. I just heard Kovu and Kiari were expecting cubs" Ramiki said.
"Really? Oh, Kovu that's wonderful" Vitani said happily.
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Nala looked surprised yet then smiled, "Oh Kiara that's great news" she said, stepping forward to nuzzle her daughter. She then smiled over at Simba, "Hear that, you're going to be a grandfather soon".
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Simba at first couldn¥t believe what he just heard. He expected something like that before, but that it would come this soon.. "WOW", "that¥s just great Kiara. I am so glad for you.", he said with a smile and nuzzled her. "I am really happy about this news. And yes, I am becoming grandfather. And you¥ll become grandmother," he said as he looked at Nala and nuzzling her as well.
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"And according to Rafiki....two cubs are expected!" Kiara revealed happily.
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Nala smiled back, "Yes...oh I wonder if my own mother felt this old at the news on Kiara!" she sighed. Her smile was still happy though.
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Meanwhile, not far from Pride rock a small little lioness cub stalked through the grass, trying to be as quiet as she could. She'd often had to feed off the left overs of left overs of kills long since left by all scavengers since a small cub on her own, like herself, could never have fought off anyone.
It had been getting old though, and the sight of the small antelope about her own age looked...doable, and the prospect of fresh meat that wasn't a mouse was just too good to pass up.
Slowly Hali crept even closer, unaware that this was technically hunting another's lands and she would be forced, when and if found out, to hope the king was benevolent about such things.
Soon she got within striking distance and noticed that the young one had wandered far from where his herd could notice before it was too late, hopefully; grown antelopes were another thing she couldn't hope to fight.
Leaping out, Hali gripped the young antelope about the foot and struggled to pull him down...it was easier when she was thinking it through though. Now, in actual execution, the antelope just kicked and bellowed loudly, causing a loud bellow to sound from his herd as they rushed over to investigate.
As they charged forward, Hali released her grip and backed up, hoping they wouldn't attack...maybe she could disappear in the grass...
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Not far from where Hali was hunting, a leopard was calmly lying on the branch of a large tree, watching the peaceful sunrise bringing a new light to the savanna. But that peace was soon broken when he heard the sound of a young antelope bellowing for help. The pride couldn't have made it this far so fast without him noticing. He turned his head and could rarely make out a small lion cub cowering back from the herd of antelope, now starting to move in on the little predator. Whoever that cub is, it's in trouble, he thought.
Getting up to his feet, he threw his head back and roared as loud as he could...
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The antelope, having just arrived and spotted out the small blur responsible for their young member's distress, frowned sharply. Of course if it had been Simba's pride they were allowed to fight back in defense in anyway possible, but even then resentment wouldn't have set in at the way the Circle of Life worked.
the pride wouldn't have singled out a young calf first though, so that had been suspicious enough, and now that they spotted an unfamiliar cub...well their harsh gazes seemed to forget it was a cub and one stomped forward.
"We don't take kindly to..." he began, before a roar brought the heads of all the antelopes up and spotting the leopard they decided explaining themselves was anything but important at that moment.
Turning, and the mother of the young antelope shooing her son off since he only had a small cut, the herd made their way off away from where the predator's were.
Hali slowly rose from the grass and sighed. She next turned to see if she could spot whoever had scared off the herd.
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As the herd finally left, Matsu leaped from the trees and strolled over to where the cub stood. He looked her over quick enough to see that she wasn't familiar to him. "A little courageous, or hard-headed, for a lion cub to hunt a herd like that alone, aren't we?" he said sternly, and then sat down. "I don't think I've seen you before. One of the pride's new cubs just out adventuring?"
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"Is it just me, or do you smell a lion cub nearby?" Kiara asked. "And I'm not talking about Ramiki."
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Hali glanced up, giving a nervous smile. This leopard didn't seem like he would hurt her, but he did have a point as to her behavior.
"Um...no sir" she said, "I guess that's where it get's worse" she admitted, "I'm not s'pose ta be here probably, I don't have a herd, haven't for...my whole life I guess" she shrugged
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Nala turned at her daughter's words and sniffed the air, "Yes...there is an unfamiliar scent in the air..." she said. She frowned, "I'll take some of the lionesses and investigate" she told Simba yet also left room in the statement for his thoughts on this plan, though she doubted the scent of a cub nearby could be any kind of trap of any kind.
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Ramiki could smell it too the scent was strong it did smell like another lion cub. This was his big chance to find another cub to play with. Maybe they could even be best friends. But, Vitani what would she say? He knew that his mom wouldn't like it if he had just wandered off. So Ramiki would have to be a little bit sneaky. He tiptoed past Vitani who was turned around still talking to Kovu.
He ran off it wasn't that Ramiki was gonna do anything to bad. He knew his way around the pridelands and it wasn't as if he was going to explore beyond the pridelands but he really wanted to maybe find this other cub so that they might be able to be friends.
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A solitary lIon entered the Pridelands from the south. He was a young adult male, and his likeness to the king was uncanny.. this was Kopa, Simbbas first-born son, and elder brother to Kiara. the Outsiders had pushed him off a cliff when he was a cub, luckily, a wandering mystic had caiught him, before he had hit the water. He had grown up under the mystic Nuteri's guidance, and now he was going home..
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Come on young Kopa.. i am not as young as I used to be" Nuteri said. "You do realize your return will throw the line oof sucession into chaos. Your sister will have to yield her place as next in line to you.."
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Does she have a mate?' Kopa asked. "Kovu, I think his name is..' Nuteri replied. "Come, lets head to Pride Rock and introduce ourselves.."
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"I think I'll go follow Nala," Kovu said.
"Ok, but just be careful," Kiara called to her mate.
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Kopa, continued walking at a rapid clip. memories of his childhood came rushing back to him. he had played in that stream frequently as a cub, he remembered his father laughing as he looked on.. "I've missed a lot" he said sadly.
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You can malke up for it.." Nuteri replied. "Ah I see the king now!" A large smile broke on his face. 'fATHER! Kopa roared loudly..
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"Alright dear, do so. But wait." Simba raised his head and smelt in the air one more time. "There are more then just one scent. And one of them is kinda familiar to me." That was just the moment as Kopa called out for him. "Kopa? What in all means??". This was really his first born son. He couldn¥t trust his eyes. He was so happy, that he made a jump and ran over to Kopa to gave him a friendly punch with his paw and a big nuzzle. "I am so glad you are back", he said as a tear ran down his cheek.
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Kopa hugged his father. " Father! It is so good to see you.. I'm ready to take my place in the pridelands! This is my rescuer and Mentor Nuteri' Kopa pointed to the older Babbon.
_ My lord<' Nuteri bowed ti Simba. " Young Kopa here has come back to Succeed you as king.."
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Wait! how can I be king?' Kopa Protested. 'You are the first born, and have the rightful claim. Kiara and Kovu will have to wait thier turn.." Nuteri replied.
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"Kopa?!" Kiara said amazed, surprised to see her brother.
Kovu came back to Pride Rock by this point.
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Little sister!" Kopa exclaimed, rushing up to her and giving her a brotherly hug and kiss. "We've actually never met.. You were born after the Outsiders pushed me off a cliff.. I'm interested to meet your mate.. its Kovu, right?"
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"It is," Kovu smiled, waling up. "Greetings."
Kiara nuzzled her brother back.
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Kopa shook paws with his brother-in-law. "Nice to meet you.. You are a former Outsider correct?" Kopa paused. "You weren't even born, when they tried to kill me, so I have no quarrel with you.. Your mother is another matter.."
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"She's dead..." Kovu explained. Then he did he best to avoid making this reunion sad.
"I think you know my sister Vitani, she was still alive then, but she told me she wasn't in on the plan. She told me she even found you cute."
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"Uhhhhhhh......... Hi Kopa" Vitani said shyly as she saw Kopa walk up Pride Rock. "Yeah, Kovu's right. I didn't know anything about it. And even when I did I tried to stop them but they didn't listen to me. I even wanted to make sure you were ok. But, me being an outsider cub they stopped me and told me if I even tried to help you they'd kill me. I'm just glad that you're ok Kopa."
All Vitani could do was blush when Kovu had said that. "Kovu" She whispered blushing even more .
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"Thats is fortunate for your mother , because if she was not already dead, I'd have her executed for trying to kill me. Vitani was a cub then, correct, so she's either around my age or a bit older.." Kopa mused.
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Those that did that to you are dead" Nuteri replied. "And those who are here with us, will ensure that no one ever attempts to kill you again Kopa..Kova and vitani are your family now, they would never wish harm on you.."
I'd glad to hear that Vitani' Kopa nodded as he herad what Vitani had said. You have a mate now, correct?"
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"I have nothing against you," Kovu assured.
"After all these years...we're one big (soon to be bigger) happy family again," Kiara smiled.
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"You are going to be an Uncle soon... around the same time you take the throne, you will become an uncle" Nuteri smiled, and Kopa looked at Kiara. "You two have been busy" He grinned, making Kovu turn a little red.
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"No pride, huh?" Matsu replied, then shrugged. "Better than an Outsider, I suppose." He turned and looked across the land towards Pride Rock, when he caught a glimpse of gold coming their way. "Word gets around fast here. It'll have to be the decision of the royal family on whether or not you should stay here. And it looks like we won't be waiting long..."
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"I guess...." Kovu agreed with a little laugh.
"So Kopa, what have you been doing since the incident?" Kiara asked.
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I've been under the guidance of Nuteri here.. he kept me away until the Outsiders were dealt with, and then it would be safe for me to return.." Kopa said. He was larger than Kovu, roughly the same size as simba. he had a pleasant face, and had a kind nature, Nuteri had taught him to be in tune with the fates and the circle of Life, and he had strove to be ready to return as soon as he had reached maturity..
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"Thats is fortunate for your mother , because if she was not already dead, I'd have her executed for trying to kill me. Vitani was a cub then, correct, so she's either around my age or a bit older.." Kopa mused.
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Those that did that to you are dead" Nuteri replied. "And those who are here with us, will ensure that no one ever attempts to kill you again Kopa..Kova and vitani are your family now, they would never wish harm on you.."
I'd glad to hear that Vitani' Kopa nodded as he herad what Vitani had said. You have a mate now, correct?"
"Well ........ not exactly" Vitani said kicking the dirt shyly blushing even more now. "I have been trying to find that someone but quite frankly I never really found the "One"." Vitani said. She really wanted Kopa to be her mate or at least try dating but she was way to worried.
For one she had a adopted kid and god only knows how Kopa would feel about that. And the last thing Vitani ever wanted to do is chase Kopa off or make him think she was a weirdo.
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"So, I'm sure you'd like to be spending some time with Vitani," Kovu told Kopa with a little smirk.
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"So you are unspoken for then.." kopa said slowly.. "We're about the same age, and I'm single myself.."
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Once you take your place Kopa, thee will a rush of lioness fighting for your eye. Becoming the next queen, would be a great incentive for many lionesses.. "Nuteri replied.. "No need to rush.. your father wasn't married when he took the throne either, but he didn't stay single for long..'
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"Really? So you're single too that's cool" Vitani said trying her best not to sound desperate. The last thing she wanted to do was sound desperate. "Well I was kinda hoping maybe me and you could consider....... maybe hanging out a few times...... just to see how it works" Vitani said still trying her best not to sound desperate and chase Kopa off. Vitani having a kid would scare Kopa off all ready without her acting like a lovesick lioness which in her thought would scare Kopa even more.
Meanwhile Ramala searched the pridelands for the cub he had smelled earlier. He didn't want to worry his mother though. The last thing he wanted was to get grounded until he had kids of his own. But, he had to find this one cub. It smelled like a newcomer and if that were the case he could introduce him/her to Kovu. Kovu was his Uncle so he practically had ties with the royal family.
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'Certainly" Kopa smiled At Vitani.. "You pick a spot, we'll hang out there.." Kopa in truth was not concerned much about things right now.. but that would change as he took over from his father.. then he would have to find a mate.. as tradition dictated..
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Alright Kopa, do so. Me and Nala will go and look where this smell came from. And once again, I am very happy to have you back. And thanks to you Nuteri, that you protected my son, he said as he bowed by himself. There is no need for you to bow in front of me. You are really welcome to be a member of our family every time, Simba said with a smile.
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'Certainly" Kopa smiled At Vitani.. "You pick a spot, we'll hang out there.." Kopa in truth was not concerned much about things right now.. but that would change as he took over from his father.. then he would have to find a mate.. as tradition dictated..
"Well to be quite honest I'd be happy with any place. How about me and you go on a walk through the pridelands you know to catch up a little bit. " Vitani said She hoped she did not run into Ramiki. Because then Kopa might get a little suspicious as to why she had a cub.
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Lead the way Vitani. And, father, tell mother that I'm back, so I can reunite with her once Vitani and get back from our walk..' Kopa replied..
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You do me great honor sire.. my one request is that I be permitted to build a home near Pride Rock. I am getting old, and would like a stable place to live out my days..' Nuteri replied.
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Kovu smiled at the sight of his sister in love.
"Hey Kopa, could you and Vitani catch some food for us on your walk?" Kiara asked. "Daddy told me I shouldn't hunt in this condition."
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Certainly sis, its probably going to be about a year before you can hunt again on your own.. so sit back, relax, and let me handle the dirty work for you" Kopa smiled. " Any particular preference? Wildebeest, antelope, something else?'
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All Vitani could do was smile sweetly at Kopa but she quickly shook it off .
(In her head) Get a hold of yourself girl. All you're gonna end up doing is making a fool out of yourself in front of Kopa if you get all lovesick on him now. You're a single mom with a cub, let's see how Kopa reacts to that first. The last thing you wanna do is make Kopa think you're weird. You just need to play it cool.
Vitani: Don't give it a second thought Kiara me and Kopa would be honered to catch some food for thr pride.
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Kopa began walking away towards the watering hole.. he had a friendly relationdship, if brief, with Vitani, before the attempt on his life. "I have about five years to catch up on..' He said to himself.."I'm not a cub anymore.. those Outsider scum took my cubhood away from me.." Even though those responsible for the attack on him were dead, the anger and hatred for them Kopa had inside him, would not cool, would never cool..
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"Antelope," Kiara requested of Kopa.
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So be it.." Kopa, said aloud.. " Come on Vitani.. lets go hunting..'
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Kiara then nuzled up to Kovu, the two lions spurring.
"I'll be a daddy soon..." Kovu sighed happily.
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"Fate willing of course. you never know what fate has in store for you.." Nuteri said sagely.. "Remain hopeful, but do not be completely crushed, if you lose them. My mother lost several children in childbirth.. she kept having them, luckily for me.."
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Vitani follwed beside Kopa. "Coming Kopa " Vitani said following right beside him. "So" She started getting a little loss for words. She really liked Kopa but it was extremely hard for her to talk to Kopa cause she kept on thinking to herself how much of a bad person she was. Sure, she wasn't one of the outsiders that planned the attack she really wanted to help Kopa with every bone in her body. But, she felt she was responcible for it. Why? Because she was an outsider. Maybe not an outsider who ever did anything to Kopa but that was besides the point.
Kopa must have hated outlanders and like it or not she used to be an outlander. Like it or not she used to be one of them. And it was hard for her to even think about being one of them. She decided that she better talk to him before Kopa thought she was even weirder. "So what have you been doing with yourself for all these years Kopa? " She asked wondering more about his cubhood.
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"I don't want to think about that," commented Kiara.
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It is unfortunately somethjing you must think about. You must keep yourself healthy.. by al means necessary..' Nuteri replied..
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I was ttrained by nuteri, who saved me.. taught to respect nature, how it works.. my cubhood is really a distant memory.. I remember playing in the watering hole, playing with ZAzu.. but not much else.." Kopa said..
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It is unfortunately somethjing you must think about. You must keep yourself healthy.. by al means necessary..' Nuteri replied..
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I was ttrained by nuteri, who saved me.. taught to respect nature, how it works.. my cubhood is really a distant memory.. I remember playing in the watering hole, playing with ZAzu.. but not much else.." Kopa said..
"Yeah, I don't remember doing anything as a cub either. I try to shut out everything that happened to me as a cub. Because when I think of being a cub I think of being an outlander and what happened to you and I never wanna think about being one of those monsters again." Vitani said sniffling and then quickly wiped a tear away. "I'm just so happy that you're back and that you had such a special lioness looking out for you" Vitani said.
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"Got it," Kiara replied.
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Nuteri is a Baboon, like Rafiki" Lopa corrected her.. "The hatred I have, is for those responsible for the attack on me. I don;t hate you , or Kovu..you are innocent in my eyes. The hatred I have is deep, it will never go away. tHanks to them, I lost five years.. five years I could have spent with my family.. "
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"Oh yeah, sorry" Vitani said quickly forgetting who had taken care of Kopa. When Kopa said she was innocent and that he did not hate her. Vitani smiled and couldn't take her eyes off Kopa. She still had a chance. She still had a chance at making Kopa love her. Vitani decided to change the topic knowing that she was making herself upset and Kopa. It was all water under the bridge the lions who had done that had all died. And Kopa was still alive....... thank god.
But, just then the worst possible thing that could have happened ..... happened. Ramiki ran up seeing his mom and Kopa together. "Hi mommy, who's he" Ramiki said happily.
"Kopa this is my son Ramiki. Ramiki , this is Kopa" Vitani said shyly and embarrassingly.
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Your son, huh?' Kopa paused for a moment then looked at the young cub. ' You never said anything about haaving a son, interesting.. and as for you.. you litle scamp" He said to Ramiki, who was pawing at his tail playfully. "The tail's not a toy.. ramiki is it, well Ramiki, does your mom have any other secrets she's been keeping from me.?" Kopa was taking this info in stride, for now... the delicate details of having a relationship with Vitani, and what to do about Ramiki would come later..
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Your son, huh?' Kopa paused for a moment then looked at the young cub. ' You never said anything about haaving a son, interesting.. and as for you.. you litle scamp" He said to Ramiki, who was pawing at his tail playfully. "The tail's not a toy.. ramiki is it, well Ramiki, does your mom have any other secrets she's been keeping from me.?" Kopa was taking this info in stride, for now... the delicate details of having a relationship with Vitani, and what to do about Ramiki would come later..
"Sorry I didn't tell you Kopa. The Truth was I wanted to tell you but never wanted to scare you off. When I had first came into the Pridelands one day it was raining really hard and I needed to get back to Pride Rock. On my way there I see this poor helpless cub scared outside in the rain. Ramiki didn't have a home and since I was the first one to find him I felt as if I needed to give him a home and take care of him." Vitani said.
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"Oh, he's adopted then.. that changes things completely... see I thought he was your son by birth.. since he isn't" Kopa bit his lower lip.. "aS for scaring me off.. why did you think I would be?"
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"Her Rafiki," Kovu called to the baboon, "Is there anything we should have Kiara eating or drinking because of her pregnancy?" he asked the shaman.
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(Nuteri)
(keep her in shape, but do not over do it. do not too much fatty meats.. so no hippo for awhile.." the mysrtic replied.. "And injury can affect the cubs, if you get sick, it could kill them... so don't eat anything you find on the ground.."
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"I guess it is better I stay on Pride Rock," Kiara chuckled. "And I never liked hippo anyways."
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Your mother would have better advuice, aftyer all, she had two kids herself" Nuteri grinned.
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Hali glanced over at Nala's approach with some others it seemed just as the leopard said this. She hunched further in.
"Well, good day to you, Matsu" Nala greeted first off, spotting the leopard and giving a cordial nod. "I am sorry if we distrubed you but we could have sworn we smelled a...", as she glanced down, Nala spotted the little cub in the grass finally.
"Ah, so we did" she smiled. Hali slowly raised her head, giving a hesitant smile.
"And where might you come from, little one?" Nala asked kindly. "Um...no where really Ma'am..." Hali answered, "my...my name's Hali, I was able to remember that much of being a real little cub, but...I can't recall what my pride was like or anything and...have been on my own since then". She glanced down, "sorry if I should have asked permission" she glance from Nala to the others, "before coming in, I was just so tired of that desert" she sighed.
Nala frowned compassionately, "Well that would be understandable, yes..." she admitted.
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"My mom's been gone for a while," Kiara said.
"I'll go find her," volunteered Kovu, and set off into the Pride Lands. After a few minutes, he found the queen.
"So there was a cub nearby," Kovu said.
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"Good day to you, my Queen," Matsu replied, bowing his head in respect. "She was found nearby a herd of antelope. She had a youngling in her grasp, but she released it when she was confronted. I simply warned them off, but they may come to you or your King later..." As the young cub and Queen were talking, Matsu spotted Kovu coming their way. He bowed his head to him, too. "Good day to you, my Lord."
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"Good day to you Matsu," Kovu replied. "So what are we going to do with this cub Nala?"
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"Yes, once we are away from you, in their eyes the leopard to recently startle them, I'm sure a formal complaint will come sooner or later" Nala admitted to what Matsu told her.
She glanced down at Hali once more even as Kovu asked the all important question. Nala smiled though, noticing how the cub had retreated a bit with Kovu's appearance.
"Well I think first off we should inform Simba of our guest" she said, in a gentle tone so that the cub wouldn't misunderstand and get more worried.
Hali had to admit, meeting more grown males didn't sound all that great, but she knew she had little choice given her bold actions.
"and I definitely don't think the little one should be without a Pride's protection" Nala added, but that was all she said for the moment. She stepped forward a bit, "If it would be alright with you, um Hali" she recalled the name the little one had given out, "would you please follow us to meet some more of the Pride?".
"Um, I guess after attacking one of your antelope I have little choice don't I" Hali said, glancing from Nala to Kovu, "Um...sure". She followed, almost looking like a lectured cub, as they made their way to Pride Rock once more. Nala of course nodded a farewell to Matsu and thanked him once again for stepping in to help the cub.
Once reaching Pride Rock, though, Nala's focus was broken a bit by the sight of one of the lions there. "Kopa..." she breathed, seeing and recognizing her son straight off. She rushed forward to nuzzle him, "Oh, I'm so glad to see that your safe" she said.
Hali'd been sticking very close to Nala and now felt more than a bit awkward standing out in the open. She hunched further in. Nala noticed soon enough though.
"Ah yes, well this is the cub we were smelling before" she went on to explain to Simba and the others, giving a quick rehash of what both Matsu and the cub herself had told her of Hali's predicament and actions.
Hali gave a small nervous smile, "Again...I didn't mean to cause any trouble with the antelope..." she said in a small voice.
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Mother" Kopa said tears running down his face, as he hugged his mother. "I am ready to take the throne... in the spring that is.. I think we need time to prepare for that.. " Memories of his cubhood came rushing back. Rafiki holding him l\aloft on Pride Rock in front of all assembled.. Tears continued steaming down his face, as he finally noticed Hali. "And who is this?"
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Matsu bowed his head again as the Queen and her group returned to Pride Rock, before returning to his own duties as a watcher. He took little effort to jump back into his tree and settled back down for a peaceful watch...
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"This is a cub we found by herself in the Pride Lands," Kovu explained,
"We'll be taking care of her."
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What is her name?" Kopa said.. "She does have a name right?"
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"Her name is Hali," Kovu said.
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'Hali is it" The Prince looked at the youndg cub. "Where are you originally from Hali?' Kopa asked kindly.. "Or do you not know?"
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Hali felt a bit ashamed at letting others tell her name, but the sight of all these males had her a bit tongue tied. She finally found her tongue though, "Um, yes sir, my name's Hali" she said with a small smile.
She frowned as she was asked if she knew where she was from, "Not really...I just remember another green place when I was very young and being near something warm, probably by mother, but...then there was alot of roaring and...well things got confusing after that, and like I said I hardly remember, but I think I was placed in a bush for safe keeping I guess only...no one ever came back".
Nala frowned sadly, and thoughtfully, listening to the cub it sounded like a coupe of some sort, though it was hard to tell off her description, and in such events cubs the Pride had before were often huge targets.
"and you survived all this time?" she asked a bit incredulous, yet gladly of so. "Y-yeah, I think alot of mothers, even elephants and such, felt sorry since I was just a little cub so they'd help me here and there but...you guys are the first lions who haven't chased me off" she smiled a bit...and hoped they would continue in not chasing her off.
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"Lets take her to Pride Rock" Kopa said. ' She can stay with us until we can find suitable parents for her.. Perhaps Hamiki would like a sister?' He mused. "Well Hali would you like Something to eat? I was just about to go off to get some food for KIara.. Would you like some antelope?"
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"It's Ramiki," Kovu corrected for Kopa.
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Ramiki- right" Kopa ran his paw over his face in embarassment.. "Come on Hali.. Theres someone I'd like yoiu to meet. He wasn't sure Vitani wanted to raise two cubs without a father figure present..
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"Nice to meet you Hali," Kiara waved.
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OCC: Guyssss, how much are you writing?? Oo I need to reread this. Post something later, pfeew.
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OCC: I¥ll answer all in one now.
IC: Simba already saw Nala and the others coming from farther away, with the little cub.
"Oh, see there", he said as Nala introduced Hali. "Well, I think there is no need to worry about, that you attacked one of our antilopes. You couldn¥t know that it¥s one of ours. And all about that, it¥s the circle of life. Eating and being eaten", he said with a smile.
"So you were kind of adventuring, huh?", Simba said and chuckled. "Kinda reminds me at myself. Anyway,... we can¥t leave you out there by all means. So you are very welcome to be our guest" Simba said with a smile.
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"Oh, he's adopted then.. that changes things completely... see I thought he was your son by birth.. since he isn't" Kopa bit his lower lip.. "aS for scaring me off.. why did you think I would be?"
"Well, that's kinda a reason other lions never reall wanted to go out with me. They would take one look at Ramiki and run for the hills. Ramiki might be adopted but the lions I met just had a hard time dealing with me having a cub and they would run off and never wanna see me again I was worried you would be just like that Kopa" Vitani said.
"Oh, so you're Kopa? My mom talked about you all the time" Ramiki said with a smile.
Vitani blushed as red as a tomato as Ramiki said that.
Vitani followed Kopa but just then Vitani saw the other cub. Ramiki had noticed that smell he had smelled that before. That must have been the cub he had been searching for quite some time. Ramiki was a little bit shy especially around other cubs. So Ramiki just hid behind Vitani.
"It's ok Ramiki there's no need to be shy. " Vitani said pushing Ramiki gently toward the other cub with her nose. "UHHHHHHHH........... Hi......... I'm uhhhhhhhh.............................. Ramiki. What's your name"? Ramiki asked shyly.
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"Well, thank you sir, very much!" Hali told Simba, the other male lions were being nice too, but something about this one's words just completed her feeling at ease. She turned as Kopa indicated for her to follow him.
"Oh, sure!" she padded after. As they reached where the lioness and other cub were, Hali gave a shy kind of smile herself, but didn't rush off. "Um, Hali" she answered, "nice to meet you, Ramiki".
She tried to play it really safe, not being around other Prides, she didn't get to play with other cubs alot and didn't want to mess up in meeting one of the few friends she could have.
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"Well, thank you sir, very much!" Hali told Simba, the other male lions were being nice too, but something about this one's words just completed her feeling at ease. She turned as Kopa indicated for her to follow him.
"Oh, sure!" she padded after. As they reached where the lioness and other cub were, Hali gave a shy kind of smile herself, but didn't rush off. "Um, Hali" she answered, "nice to meet you, Ramiki".
She tried to play it really safe, not being around other Prides, she didn't get to play with other cubs alot and didn't want to mess up in meeting one of the few friends she could have.
"That's a nice name it's nice to meet you. So where you from"? Ramiki asked getting a little bit more comfortable with this cub.
-
Kiara started to fall asleep. Just for a nap. "Night everyone," the princess yawned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Meanwhile, in the Elephant Graveyard, a well-known trio of hyenas was hungry. "Can we just sneak into the Pride Lands and get something?" Banzai asked.
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OCC: I might be away for the weekend. Would you mind to wait til I come back? If so, it would be just nice if someone could give me a short summary, when I come back. Thanks in advance ;-)
Patrick
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(Sure WE'll hold off until yu get back)
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OOC: Sure, we can wait.
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"And let those lions after us again?" Shenzi replied. "It was hard enough being there when Scar was in charge. But now they have at least two males in that stinking pride. If you want to get food from under their noses, then be my guest. Cause I'm not going!"
Ed was already busy gnawing on a fossilized bone, chipping his teeth in the process...
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"Well we have to do something!" Banzai said. "We've haven't had something to eat in days Shenz!"
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(OOC: I just realized it... Do we have any bad guys for this thread?)
"So what do we do? Walk up to the king and beg for scraps? He won't even let us set one paw on his turf!"
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(OOC: Not yet really.)
"Um..maybe we could hope this two kids of Scar's would go easy on us? We turned on Scar, after all."
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"Are you kidding?" Shenzi snapped. "He betrayed us! He said WE masterminded Mufasa's death! Only because of that we have no friends with the Outsiders, either. Besides, we don't know squat about Scar's little cats since they left the Outsiders..."
Ed was starting to struggle with the rock bone...
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"So what are we going to do huh?!" asked Banzai.
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"Eat Ed, for all I care!" Shenzi shouted. "At least it would shut you up!"
Ed's head popped up with as stunned and as stupid looking a face can get...
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"She doesn't mean that Ed..." Banzai explained, annoyed by his friend's inability to know sarcasm.
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OOC: I know, we're waiting for Nimrod, but that doesn't mean Hali can't at least answer the question and it won't get too far I'm thinking :DD
"That's a nice name it's nice to meet you. So where you from"? Ramiki asked getting a little bit more comfortable with this cub.
"Um, I don't really know..." Hali admitted, shuffling her paws, "Like I told the grown-ups, I vaguely remember the Pride I might have come from when I was really little but then there was this aweful fight and I was put in a bush for safety and...no one ever came back, so I've been on my own since then". She frowned again, "Now that I think about it, I could have been abandoned for all I know, but...I think someone meant to come back, I don't know" she shook her head.
"So..." partly to change the subject she went on, "are there lots of fun stuff to do around here?".
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OCC: I am back, so you can continue. Thanks for the wait :-)
IC: See there, and already found a cub to play with, Simba said as he smiled over at Nala.
OCC: About the bad guys. I could play some. Just don¥t know. Should I make up some chars and post them?
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OOC: I know, we're waiting for Nimrod, but that doesn't mean Hali can't at least answer the question and it won't get too far I'm thinking :DD
"That's a nice name it's nice to meet you. So where you from"? Ramiki asked getting a little bit more comfortable with this cub.
"Um, I don't really know..." Hali admitted, shuffling her paws, "Like I told the grown-ups, I vaguely remember the Pride I might have come from when I was really little but then there was this aweful fight and I was put in a bush for safety and...no one ever came back, so I've been on my own since then". She frowned again, "Now that I think about it, I could have been abandoned for all I know, but...I think someone meant to come back, I don't know" she shook her head.
"So..." partly to change the subject she went on, "are there lots of fun stuff to do around here?".
"Man that's harsh before I came to the pridelands I used to stay in a pride at war too except I don't think I have ever known my parents. From day one I've been kinda on my own. You know no one to look out for me or nothing. Until I met Vitani" Ramiki said looking lovingly at her. "So what games do you like to play"? Ramiki said eager to drop the topic and not upset either himself or her.
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" so mother" Who is going to care for Little Hali? Kopa asked his mother. " Is it going to be a group effort?
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"Hmm, it is a tough question" Nala admitted, "I admit when I brought her back I was just thinking of a group effort in raising her until or unless some lioness and her bonded I suppose, just wouldn't want to force it, we can see how it plays out I guess" she said still thinking.
"I am glad to see she's become so comfortable with us, though" Nala smiled, noticing as Simba pointed out how she was making fast friends with Ramiki.
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' Well, Kiaras is no condition to care for her, she has to worry about her pregnancy.. I guess Vitani could care foor her, but I'm not sure iif it is fair is saddle her to with two cubs without a father figure there to help her.."
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Kovu was sure Kopa wanted to e Ramiki and Hali's father figure/Vitani's mate, but he didn't say it.
"Good idea mom," smiled Kiara
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Kopa frowned as he looked at Kovu. " what?' He said experatedly. "It's not like I want to be her father figure.. I was just making a suggestion. Nala looked at him, He wasn't very convincing.
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Vitani had overheard what Kopa and inside frowned. She should have known Kopa wouldn't really wanna help. She had hoped deep inside that Kopa would help her raise Ramiki but now that was impossible in her way of thinking. "All though it is is up to Hali I wouldn't mind taking care and Ramiki by myself. I wouldn't mind if you guys and Hali don't mind."Vitani said trying not to let her sadness show.
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Nala just smiled, whatever she herself was thinking that Kopa was thinking she kept to herself, "Well like I said we can see how it goes" she said, "for now she seems comfortable here and I dare say after all she went through that's one good thing".
Hali thought about Ramiki's question, "Well...I don't know if I know all the games..." she admitted, "since I only stubmled across others to play with every now and then, but...hide and seek or tag were always good" Hali was glad she could think up some names, she didn't want to seem so ignorant of normal cubs' lives that she couldn't think up games.
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Kopa ran his paws through his mane. "Gosh, I sound stupid" He sighed as he looked at vitani.. then turned and headed back home. " Hali, when you are finished playing with Ramaki, come find me..' He said.. " You can.. stay with me.. for awhile..It wouldn't be fair to Vitani to put all the burden of caring for you on her..'
after saying this,, he walked away, Reproving himself for sounding so flippant..
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"Ok" Hali said a bit unsurely as Kopa walked away. It felt a bit weird to be the topic of so much discussion.
Nala debated following to see if her son was ok, and truthfully wanted to, but knew that her son was grown and perhaps wanted to be alone right now with his perceived messing up.
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That could have gone better" Nuteri said approaching Kopa. "What can I do, Nuteri.." "Ber honest with yourself, my prince.. " " I don't want to give her the wrong impression. "You just did, by acting as if you didn't want any part of helping to care for hali. The poor cub has never known a father, that she remembers, she needs stability, someone to protect. And Vitani has had no luck with having any sort of relationship, while caring for Ramiki. males whoo wish to find a mate, don't want extra baggage, an adopted cub is a big turnoff. She has a lot of hopes for you.."
_
Are you saying that she wants me to her mate. " Nuteri gave him a "duh" look. "you are going to be king, Kopa, by next spring, you need a queen.. there are not that many available females at this point of the year, the ones that aren't taken are too old, too young, or who have been rejected, Vitani being of the third group..Take her out on a date tommorow, and see where things go.."
'But' Nuteri pointed back at where the others. "Go! Ask her out.. and yes, the kids can come too" Kopa's mouth fell ope.. "What? am I to be responsible for both Ramiki and hali?" "Go, bnbefore I knock you over the head with my stick Kopa! Of course, I might knock some sense into you.." Nuteri began moving his staff back and fiorth"
' Ok! Ok! I'll take her out on a date!" Kopa said, turning and heading back, as he did so, he bumped into Vitani. 'Oh.. hi" He said embarassed.
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Vitani was just a little bit angry at Kopa . It seemed like he thought that she couldn't handle it. She tried her best not to show it. Kopa didn't mean anything by it he was just trying to be nice and care about her. And yet Vitani still questioned why he didn't think she could handle it. Till just then some words that Kopa had said started repeating itself in her head."It's not like I want to be her father figure" Here Kopawas voluteering to be Hali's guardian and look out for her and yet he said he didn't want that. What did that mean? Did that mean she didn't love him? In Vitani's mind it did. Who was she kidding? It's not like she really had a chance. "Hi" Vitani said not really looking at Kopa she didn't want him to see her cry." Im gonna go take a walk" Vitani said trying not to show how sad she really was.
"You love to play Tag too?" Ramiki said happily. Ramiki could kinda tell she didn't know many games and never really had to many friends."Don't worry Hali I know a lot of cool games and I could teach you every single one of them. If you need a refresher course on how to play Tag just tell me". Ramiki said nicely.
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"I'd like to take you out on a date tommorow' Kopa saidf hurriedly. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier..I'll be there for you, if you need someone to tend to hamiki or hali.. it's not fair to force you to raise two kids by yourself" Kopa stratched his head. "You're probably angry with me, so.. ewr.. ' he trailed off..
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"I'd like to take you out on a date tommorow' Kopa saidf hurriedly. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier..I'll be there for you, if you need someone to tend to hamiki or hali.. it's not fair to force you to raise two kids by yourself" Kopa stratched his head. "You're probably angry with me, so.. ewr.. ' he trailed off..
Vitani stopped in her tracks as Kopa said the first thing. Perhaps Vitani had thought wrong . Kopa wasn't a bad guy and Vitani wasn't really angry at Kopa. She was frustrated, a little bit sad, and confused bt not angry. " A date? That sounds really nice Kopa. I'd love to go on a date with you" Vitani said hoping she didn't sound to desperate.
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Great.. Tommorow around sunset, nar the big watering hole?" Kopa replied. I'll see you then" He moved close to vitani and kissed her, much to her suprise. Kopa started as he realized what he had just done. Vitani's mouth was warm and soft, and as he pulled away, he wore a smile on his face. "Er.. see you then.." He said.
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Vitani felt as if she would faint after Kopa had done that. Kopa was such a good kisser. Kopa had never doner done something like that. And at the moment he did Vitani was sure there was a part of Kopa that loved her and that's all she asked. She kissed Kopa back on the lips and then blushed a bit. "Yeah you will" She said smiling lovingly at Kopa.
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' Good" Kopa smiled. " you care about me, dont you?" he said.. "Nuteri sure seems to think so.."
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"Of course I do Kopa. I always have and always will care for you. Since the day I first met you Kopa" Vitani said.
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'thanks.. you should talk to Nuteri.. he's .. taken an interest in you..He's over there. in case you want to talk with him" Kopa smiled..
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Hali giggled, "Oh no, I can remember how to play tag, but thanks". She thought, "Um...so I guess...you'd be it" she said quickly tagging Ramiki and bolting off, not quite so shy given how helpful and nice Ramiki and everyone was.
It was still hard to tell, but in the adults talking she thought she'd heard Kopa say he would take care of her. Hali actually thought she might have found a home.
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"I won't be it for very long Hali I am a master at playing Tag." Ramiki said chasing after Hali as fast as he could go. Ramiki finally got close enough to tag her.
"Tag, you're it" Ramiki laughed hopping over her playfully and then stuck his tongue out at her playfully try and catch me if you can you big slowpoke." Ramiki said playfully.
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Hali giggled again, "I'm starting to think" she said, "that you know how to play alot of games but decided on Tag because it's your game, sneaky" she laughed, yet nonetheless rushed after trying to catch back up with Ramiki.
With a leap she finally landed close enough to tag him and then rushed off the other direction, "Not too bad huh?" she called.
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"Actually I chose the game because it was one of the games you knew how to play. I didn't want you to feel left out. Buttttttttt, there's that reason too. Your moves are pretty slick and trust me you gotta have slick moves to tag me. " Ramiki said chasing after her as fast as he could with a small playful growl.
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Kovu and Kiara smiled to see their siblings on a date.
"I know they'll make a good couple," Kiara told her parents.
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Indeed, they¥ll, Simba answered. We already are, and we are glad about what we got, he said and smiled as he nuzzled his daughter.
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"Oh, daddy..." Kiara said happily in response to her father's nuzzle. "I love you."
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Kopa left and headed back to Pride Rock.. all the while he was thinking what he had done. he had kissed Vitani! He hadn't meant to do it, it was just a spur of the monent action.. but she had clearly liked it, he reasoned, as she had kissed him in return..he pased Nuteri, lost in his ownn thoughts..
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As Kopa walked by, Nala sighed, "We just get our son back" she told Simba, "and how he's going to be distant and lost in love sickness day in and day out", her smile showed she was happy though.
Still playing tag, Hali giggled and tried to leap out of the way of Ramiki's tag, but got caught anyway, she laughed, "Wow, you are really good!" she complimented.
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"We love you too", Simba answered to Kiara. Then he turned to Nala. "He¥ll do fine, I am sure he will. He just needs some time to get used to all this new things around here.
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Ramiki blushed a little bit with a proud smile on his face. "You know Hali I mean this when I say this. I have played tag with a lot of cubs believe me. But, you are by far one of the best taggers I have ever seen." Ramiki complimanted back. He said and then quickly ran off. "Oh, I forgot to mention You're it." Ramiki shouted back with a giggle.
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Nala smiled, "Of course, you're right" she nuzzled him.
Hali smiled at the compliment and then noticed too late that Ramiki was bolting off and heard his call. "H-hey, no fair!" she took off after him, laughing though, she attempted to gain speed on him.
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"Man, this girl is fast" Ramiki said to himself as he saw that Hali was picking up speed. No matter how fast he was he got caught by Hali pretty easily. "Hey Hali, I have got an idea ya wanna play Hide and Seek? I bet you're really good at that game" Ramiki said.
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Hali paused, actually before tagging Ramiki, "Oh, sure" she said, "um...who hides first?"
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Ramiki thinks for a moment . "You can hide first and I'll be the seeker. But, let me warn you I am a pretty good finder" Ramiki said.
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Simba nuzzled back, feeling her soft and warm fur.
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Kopa took awhile to compose himself, but he finally did. He yawned and looked for a spot to nap in.. the cave at back of Pride rock had been home to his family for many generations, long before His Grandfather Mufasa, and Kopa supposed, would remain home,, as long as his family ruled.. Kopa chose a spot just imside the cave, where he had a good view of the surrounding area. It had been an eventful day, his first back in Pridelands since he was a cub..
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Hali smiled, "Is there a game you're not good at?" she asked, but in a nice tone. She skipped off to hide though. turning to make sure Ramiki was counting before picking a direction to head off in.
On such open plains, Hali looked about for a good hiding spot. She spotted some elephants off grazing and walked over, "Pst, hey, can I use one of you to hide behind?" she asked politely.
One of the females glanced down, she'd heard nothing from the antelope though, and so just saw this as another of the Pride's cubs, and knowing this pride this was anything but a trick.
"Just don't get in my way" was all she said. Hali smiled, "thanks" she darted behind the elephants front foot, an easy hide for one so small.
Meanwhile the antelope hadn't forgotten though, and one of the largest of the bucks, slowly and respectfully approached Pride Rock.
"Sire" he began with a bow to Simba and polite nod to the Queen at his side, since Simba still dealt with kingly matters, "I'm not sure if you've been previously informed, but one of the young of my herd was attacked by a cub I take it is not of your pride during a strict off hunting time of the day" he voiced his complaint.
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"The Kid didn't know any better" Kopa replied from where he was lying down.. "Forgive me for interupting father, But I'll wager I'll be hearing complaints like this one come next spring.. I'm Kopa, the king's first-born, and heir..." He explained to the antelope.. "I was attacked by the Outsiders as a cub, but I survived. I was taken out of the Pridelands for my safety, and I just returned tooday. Forgive me If I am breaching royal protocol here, I probably am" He bowed to his father "but I don't think Hali should be punished for what she did. We'll have her apologize to the herd, and to the antelope she bit, is that acceptable?" He asked the Bull.
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"No need to worry my son", Simba said in a soft tone. "Well, that¥s just what I was going to say. Hali didn¥t know that it is forbitten to hunt here. She just got here and was hungry. And she really apologized by all means. ... I promise you that something like that will not happen again. ...Did the antilope get hurt?"
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The bull noticed his argument was filling with holes fast and he frowned a bit, "Well...no, he's fine all in all aside from a slight scare and...small cut of a bite", he snorted a bit just in embarrassment himself, "Well...if she's part of the Pride now and...knows better...I retract my complaint your Majesty" the antelope nodded to both Simba and Kopa and let the title apply to whoever it might.
Nala smiled, "Completely understandable" she assured to antelope, "you were merely looking out for your herd".
"Thankyou your Highness" the antelope gave a nod bow again before excusing himself.
"Well, I'd say Kopa handled that quite well" Nala commented to Simba yet gave a smile back to her son. He'd do fine taking his place she knew.
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'I still want her to apologize to the antelope.." kopa replied.. '"Its only fair" He stretched.. "Where is she now?"
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Hali smiled, "Is there a game you're not good at?" she asked, but in a nice tone. She skipped off to hide though. turning to make sure Ramiki was counting before picking a direction to head off in.
On such open plains, Hali looked about for a good hiding spot. She spotted some elephants off grazing and walked over, "Pst, hey, can I use one of you to hide behind?" she asked politely.
One of the females glanced down, she'd heard nothing from the antelope though, and so just saw this as another of the Pride's cubs, and knowing this pride this was anything but a trick.
"Just don't get in my way" was all she said. Hali smiled, "thanks" she darted behind the elephants front foot, an easy hide for one so small.
Meanwhile the antelope hadn't forgotten though, and one of the largest of the bucks, slowly and respectfully approached Pride Rock.
"Sire" he began with a bow to Simba and polite nod to the Queen at his side, since Simba still dealt with kingly matters, "I'm not sure if you've been previously informed, but one of the young of my herd was attacked by a cub I take it is not of your pride during a strict off hunting time of the day" he voiced his complaint.
Ramiki just smiled and nodded. He turned around toward a big tree and covered his eyes with his paws and began to count. "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30" And then he began to look for Hali. She must have been a really good hider "Ohhhhhh, Hali. Come out, come out, wherever you are. You know I'm gonna find you sooner or later" Ramiki said still in search.
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"I believe she's off playing with Ramiki" Nala said.
Behind the elephant, Hali tried to be quiet as she heard Ramiki looking for her, but she couldn't help giggling just a tiny bit.
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'Well, could you send a couple lionnesses over to pick them up and bring them here? once they are done playing their little game, then bring them here. Wake me when they get here.. thanks mom, I'm going to nap for a bit, i was about to do thatwhen the antelope came oin with his complaint.." Kopa said..
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"I could go get them," Kovu offered.
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"Thats very kind of you Kovu, please do so" kopa nodded. "Let them play a little bit then bring them back.."
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"Got it," Kovu nodded, setting off into the Pride Lands.
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Matsu, who was on his patrol at the time, noticed Kovu in the distance and moved to greet him. "Good morrow to you again, my lord," he said, bowing his head. "I saw the antelope leader leave the palace a short time ago. I take it that things have gone well?"
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"From what I've seen, the conflict isn't quite resolved yet actually," Kovu said, "But don't worry, we'll take care of it."
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Congrats on 2000 MK!)
Kopa moved over to a different spot and fell asleep.
_Nuteri was relaxing under the shade of a tree. "A long day comes to a close" He smiled. "My young Cub is going to be king soon enough, and He'll have no shortage of folks to gets advice from.."
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(Yeah, congrats!)
Kovu eventually found the two cubs playing a short distance away.
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(Thanks guys.)
"I'm certain it will be taken care of," Matsu replied. "The antelope leader did not seem happy, though." He too caught sight of the playing cubs. "Ah, so new cub already found a playmate?"
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"Yup, they get along very well," Kovu smiled.
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Matsu tilts his head he watched. "But I'm not sure if hiding within a herd of elephants is a good idea," he implies. "There's at least one in there who trips over his own feet a lot..."
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"Yes, he did kinda well", Simba replied with a smile. "He will be a good king one day".
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"I believe she's off playing with Ramiki" Nala said.
Behind the elephant, Hali tried to be quiet as she heard Ramiki looking for her, but she couldn't help giggling just a tiny bit.
Ramiki still searching saw a herd of eleaphants nearby but Ramiki could have never thought in a million years that she'd be hiding behind any of them. "Wow Hali's a really good hider mayve even better then I am" Ramiki said to himself out loud.
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The female saw the 'problem elephant' coming and frowned a bit, "Now...Bumbio, uh" she tried to think how to warn him without giving away that Hali was hiding there.
"Let's just, watch our steps shall we" she said, positioning a bit to try and proved some barrier if Bumbio came to close.
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"I think I'll go get them now," Kovu said, not wanting to see the cubs get potentially squashed.
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"Wahahaha, are you ready to be a father kovu" said Rafiki
OOC: hey brek, when i'm gone could you play rafiki for me?
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(Kovu isn't a father yet)
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(sorry little confused there)
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(Nick: I think Rafiki's asking if he'll be ready when the time comes.)
(Chomper: Sure.)
"Yeah, I think I will," Kovu smiled.
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"we shall see" said rafiki, "fatherhood is not as easy as it may seem sometimes, ask your father-inlaw about that"
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"Believe me, I'm aware if that," assured Kovu.
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Rafiki smiled knowingly and slipped away into the savana to look for herbs
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"Hali, Ramiki, it's time to head back to Pride Rock," Kovu called.
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"AWWWWWW, man really?" Ramiki said stopping his searching and just groaned. He hated having his games interupted. But, he knew it had to be something important.
Ramiki quickly called out to Hali just in case she was so far away she couldn't hear Kovu. "Hali, Kovu wants me and you to come back to Pride Rock right now." Ramiki called out just in case.
He then slowly made his way back to Pride Rock. His mind searching why they couldn't play any more. The sun was still high in the valley so it couldn't have been that it was getting dark.
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"Actually," Kovu admitted, "I just was worried about you two playing close to those elephants. You can still play, as long ads it's not risky."
-
Hali heard that part as she came over, "Hey, you gave away my hiding spot!" she told Kovu, but she was smiling and not annoyed but just kidding.
"But ok, not risky...um, I wonder what wouldn't be risky?" Hali tried to think of a game that fit that description, it was a bit hard since she wouldn't have said hide and seek with the elephants was risky, so she wasn't sure if she knew what the adults would call 'risky'.
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"Pretty much any thing that could result in you getting hurt if it goes wrong," explained Kovu.
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"That's alot of stuff..." Hali admitted with a frown, crossing off some of the activities she'd been thinking of.
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"How about this, the 3 of us play tag?" Kovu offered.
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Relieved that the cubs have moved away from the elephants, knowing of the accident-prone pachyderm among them, Matsu sat back and watched quietly.
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"How about this, the 3 of us play tag?" Kovu offered.
Ramiki thought for a minute . Hali was right all that he could think of playing that wasn't dangerous was swimming. Until Kovu offered the idea about them all playing Tag. "Hey, Yeah that's a great idea" Randio said happily
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"I'm it, you better run," Kovu grinned.
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Hali giggled, "Come on Ramiki!" she called as she took off before Kovu decided to tag them.
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Kovu snickered a little, chasing after Hali first.
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Kiara looked at her parents. "Rafiki told me that actually I should be having 2 cubs," smiled smiled happily.
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2?' KOpa awoke from his nap. " forgive me for saying so, little sister, but you didn't waste any time... When was the last time a female in our family had twins..?"
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"Generations ago..." Kiara replied with a laugh, "And Rafiki says it's going to be 1 boy and 1 girl."
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Congratulations, of course, they will be the next in line, until I have my own kid or kids' Kopa yawned. "I'll try and be as good an uncle as I can be.. When are they due? Next spring?"
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Hali giggled more as she took off this way and that around the plains, trying to avoid Kovu. She felt like looking to see how well Ramiki was doing in the game but didn't want to slow herself down by looking around.
Nala smiled, "Must Rafiki always take all the guessing out of the expectance of cubs" she wondered, remembering how much info on both Kopa and Kiara she'd been given.
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"What did he say about me?' Kopa smiled.. "I honestly don't remember much about him.. only that he has been in the prophecy business for generations..
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"Yes about next Spring," Kiara nodded, "And Rafiki also predicted that both of them we'll have Kovu's fur color."
"I'll catch you Hali!" Kovu laughed.
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"Great so both of them will look like Scar- minus his evil scheming, I hope.. at this his sister frowned.. SCar was a touchy subject for Kovu, Zira had raised him believing he was Scar's son and heir and she had sent him to kill Simba and avenge Scar's death..
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"Yeah, just don't mention that around Kovu brother," Kiara said. "But I'm sure my cubs will be beautiful."
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I hope they have your eyes, those eyes have been passed down for generations in mother's family.. from grandmother to mother to you.. and hoefully to your daughter as well..
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"Meet too, though I wouldn't mind seeing them have Kovu's emerald eyes."
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Maybe one of them will have your eyes and one will have his.. Sister, can I ask you a question? What is your opinion of Vitani? I don' want to move too quickly with her..yet Nuteri says I have to find someone.."Kopa replied.
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"She's nice, and very cool to hang around with," Kiara replied. "Besides Kovu, who I love, I'd say she's my best friend."
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When did she .. 'adopt" Hamiki? She told me she hasn't had any luck with finding a male since she adopted him.."
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"About 3 months after the Outsiders joined us," Kiara explained.
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You mean kovu and vitani, every other Outsider is dead.."Kopa replied.. "I bet you are wondering where Nuteri took me after he saved me/ This happeneed before you were born, so I'm probably about 15-16 months older than you sis, although you've gotten the full treatment, on responsibility and the place in the circle of life, I missed all that.. being raised by an old, slightly nuts baboon insn't the same as being raised by your parents..
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"Yeah.." Kiara nodded, feeling her brother's feelings. "Actually, most of Zira's former lionesses went good, it wasn't just Kovu and Vitani who joined us."
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Yeah I'd imsaagine dad wouldn't want many of the males joining, after all, Zaira used the males mostly in her plots ..so all that were left were females " Kopa said.."
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"Actually, Kovu and his brother Nuka were the only males I knew of," Kiara said.
-
Kopa nodded. "lets just hope that all of Zira's influence is gone from Kovu for good, I don't want to have any questions aboiut his loyalty.. his past weighs against him on that.."
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"He's changed, don't worry about that," Kiara assured.
-
"for your sake and the sake of my unborn niece and nephew.. i hope so/ If he ever regresses, I'm throwing him out..Father threw him out once or so Nutero told me.. you took a big risk sis going out to see him.."
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"Kovu won't change!" Kiara assured again, a little angry now
-
Hali giggled more as she took off this way and that around the plains, trying to avoid Kovu. She felt like looking to see how well Ramiki was doing in the game but didn't want to slow herself down by looking around.
Nala smiled, "Must Rafiki always take all the guessing out of the expectance of cubs" she wondered, remembering how much info on both Kopa and Kiara she'd been given.
(Sorry I was away for a few days)
Ramiki quickly ran right beside Hali laughing. He looked behind himself just to see how close Kovu was to tagging them.
-
Hali hazard a glance back as well to see how close Kovu was to tagging them.
As she listened, Nala smiled and shook her head, "Ah Kopa, you certainly take after your father, that much I will say" she told her son with a smile, "and yes, that is a good thing mostly, but relax, Kovu has already proven his loyalty".
-
Kovu was just a few feet behind her!
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"Fair enough" Kopa said, dropping the subject ' Forgive me sis, I needed to be absolutely sure.. " He gave her a look.. "They shuld be getting back soon right? Kovu, hali and Ramiki?"
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Vitani watched Ramiki play. She was so happy Hali found her way out to the pridelands. Ramiki needed someone his own age to play with. She always felt a little bad that there were no other cubs Ramiki could play with aside from Hali.
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"Yeah," Kiara replied.
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With another giggle, Hali tried to put on more speed, but she was slowing down just due to the none-stop pace.
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And soon, Kovu tagged her! "Gotcha," he laughed.
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Ramiki laughed as Kovu tagged Hamili and he playfully stuck his tongue out at her. "Catch me if you can you big ol slowpoke" Ramiki said happily.
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"Oh I'm so gonna catch you!" Hali teased back, rushing after the male cub
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Matsu cracked a half-smile at the game before moving back onto his patrol, when a glimpse of a dark shape through the tall grass caught his nocturnal eyes. This was neither one of the cubs nor anything else he recognizes. It seemed to rest in a stalking position facing the playing lions. Matsu had to investigate.
But just as soon as he took no more than a few steps, the figure new it was coming and darted away into the deep sea of grass, faster than any big cat. The leopard lost sight of it in a matter of moments. Who, or what, was that?
(OOC: Decided to add an evil element in the mix. Let me know if you want it changed.)
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Nuteri got up and walked towards Pride Rock. " Lwets go see how Prince Kopa is settling in.." He said to himself..
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Simba just sat there quitly and listened to the conversation Kopa and Kiara have. I might have thrown Zira out one time, he said with a thoughtful voice. But it wasn¥t easy. He is clever, very clever... so don¥t go to underrate him my son.
OCC: Sorry, was a bit inactive the last days. I am thinking of adding a new character to this RPG, if that¥s okay.
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"Oh I'm so gonna catch you!" Hali teased back, rushing after the male cub
" I bet you can't . I am way to fast" Ramiki said
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Instead of answering, Hali put on a burst of speed and then leapt, trying to land exactly where Ramiki was.
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"Go on Hali!" Kovu cheered, getting compettive.
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Ramiki had no time to think as he sees Hali pounce/tag him. She was a really good jumper.
"It looks like I'm it again." Ramiki laughed.
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(You mean Kovu right Nimrod?)
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"Then I better get away fast" Hali said, next rushing the other way now that her tag was successful.
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OCC: yes, sorry.
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"Then I better get away fast" Hali said, next rushing the other way now that her tag was successful.
Ramiki raced after Hali as fast as he could with a playful growl. "You can't outrun me Hali. I am way to fast for you to outrun." Ramiki said finally getting close enough to tag her hind leg. But, Ramiki lost his footing and tripped over his own feet.
-
Due to this, Hali avoided a tag, but she next paused and turned back, "You ok?" she asked Ramiki, wanting to make sure he hadn't actually injured himself or anything. It wouldn't do to go injuring her new friends.
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Ramiki slowly got up he felt a little bit of pain in his hind leg but that was about it. The pain slowly went away as he composed himself. Hali was such a good friend. "Never been better it takes more then a trip to keep good ol Ramiki down" Ramiki said with a smile.
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Hali smiled, "Ok, well glad to hear it, so I guess the truce is off and I should start running again, huh?" she laughed
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"Well before the truce is over I would just like to say..............." Ramiki said getting closer to Ramiki. " Tag you're it" He said tagging Hali with a paw and then leaped over her laughing and took off as fast as he could.
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"Try to catch me!" Kovu called to Hali.
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"Hey!" Hali giggled, "that's not fair" she was about to take off after the other cub again when she heard Kovu's call. With a smile she took the bait and ran after the grown lion, "Ok, but you better run because I'm fast!" the cub called.
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Kopa stirred from his nap, and stretched. "I'm going to bring them in..Kovu is taking too long.. I;d imaginee he's playing with them.. but I need to talk with them.." he said starting the climb down Pride Rock..
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Kovu noticed Kopa. "I think we should head back to Pride Rock guys," Kovu said to the cubs.
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As he was sure the mystery creature was gone, Matsu resumed his watch over the lion games, when he watched the crowned prince coming from Pride Rock. There was no need of him around today, and he must be up early next morning, so he decided to retire and set off for his tree.
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Just moment from tagging Kovu, Hali halted at what he said, "Ok, but for the record" she tapped the lions paw, "you would have been it" she giggled.
Then, obediently, she followed Kovu's strides towards Pride Rock when he began to move that way.
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"I think Kopa wants to talk to you guys," said Kovu.
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Kopa stood at the bottom of Pride Rock waiting for them.. "Hurry, Hurry, I have something important to tell you.. both of you" He said..
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Ramiki raises an eyebrow curiously. What could this be about? Did Kovu really want to talk or did he do something bad? Ramiki thought to ho himself what he could of possibly done that could have made the pride angry but he couldn't think of anything. Ramiki follows obeidiently beside Hali feeling kinda nervous about what this was gonna be about.
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Hali felt the same kind of nervousness. "Um...yes Sir?" she asked Kopa as they approached.
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"Thank you for keeping an eye on them" Kopa said to Kovu.. "Now, I called both of you here because twhat i am going to tell you concerns both of you. Hali, You are now a full member of the Pride, we will protect and care for you.. Ramiki, he turned to the male Cub. "I'm going to help your mother take care of you..'
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Ramiki just sat there with his mouth agape. He couldn't believe it he knew Kopa and Vitani had hit it off pretty well but he didn't know it was that well. Ramiki was at a loss for words. All he could do is nuzzle Kopa's paw lovingly with a soft purr.
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Kopa smiled as he patted Hamiki's head . "Hali, You are going to be under my protection as well.." raising these two was going to be a trail run, for parenthood..
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Kovu smiled at what Kopa was doing and went to join his mate.
(OOC: Could we skip to Kiara having her cubs, then pick up the plot from there?)
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(Thats going to be awhile yet.. brek..)
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"Oh, thankyou Sir" Hali said a bit shyly, being a part of the Pride was grand enough but for the crowned prince, as she'd heard this was, to keep an eye on her was more than the usually left alone cub was use to.
"Don't worry, I'll try not to get into or be trouble" she gave a small smile.
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(OOC: Ok, we won't skip.)
Kovu stayed by his mate's side and nuzzled her gently.
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"well, you deserve to have a family again..' Kopa replied.. "I know what it is lke to be on your own.. luckily I had a mentor to guide and protect me until I was older..
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Ramiki smiled over at Hali. It was almost as if now he'd have a sister since Kopa was gonna watch the both of them. "Don't worry Hali. I'm sure you'll be great." Vitani walked up to Kopa and nuzzled him lovingly with a soft purr.
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"Now Now Vitani" Kopa said, slightly embarassed. "Our dates not until tommorow.. unless you want to move it up?"
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"Well I wouldn't mind going out tonight unless you have other plans.." Vitani said with a smile.
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"Who's going to take care of Ramaki and Hali? WE do need time for.. ourselves you know..' Kopa's face was turning red with embarassment now..
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"Well ............ "Vitani thought for a moment . "Do you think Kovu and Kiara would mind?" Vitani said thinking of the best possible solutiion. Vitani blushed just as red as Kopa.
"If you two start kissing now I'm gonna throw up"Ramiki said he was such a little cub he didn't understand about dating and all of that. He just thought it was gross.
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Perhaps I can be of assistance, my prince " Nuteri said, walking up to them with a smile on his face. " I can bore - er ENTERTAIN them with stories of my youth, while you two have a good time..
_
"Is that so Ramiki?' Kopa replied, giving the cub a glance.. " Don't worry, I won't kiss your mom in front of you.." which did not mean he wouldn't kiss her after the cubs left..
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Vitani quickly covered Ramiki's eyes with a paw gave Kopa a quick kiss on the lips. Vitani uncovered Ramiki's eyes.
"Yeah, you could always let the monkey watch over us" Ramiki said not really knowing the differance between a monkey and a baboon and further more not knowing this Baboon's name.
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I'm Nuteri young one, and I'm a babboon, not a monkey" Nuteri said. "Come you two, how long do you plan to be out, Vitani?' He asked Vitani.
_
KOpa blushed as Vitani kissed him..
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I'm Nuteri young one, and I'm a babboon, not a monkey" Nuteri said. "Come you two, how long do you plan to be out, Vitani?' He asked Vitani.
_
KOpa blushed as Vitani kissed him..
Vitani blushed a little bit as well. She lovingly smiled at Kopa. " Don't worry Nuteri we shouldn't be gone for more then maybe 3 or 4 hours. And don't worry I am sure Ramiki will be on his best behavior. Won't you Ramiki?" Vitani said.
"Yes, mommy" Ramiki said with a small innocent smile.
"Good boy" Vitani said giving Ramiki a small loving nuzzle.
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4 hours at the latest.. very well.. I'll hsave them play pass the fruit..You remember that game my pribce?' Nuteri grinned.
_
"Pass the fruit? Oh great, you kids are in for a treat' Kopa frowned. Nuteri was merciless in pass the fruit. the game consisted of passing a number of fruits back and forth over a certain area, if you dropped or smashed the fruit you had to go get more..
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"Oh, pass the fruit? That sounds fun, that sounds good. That sounds............. That sounds............. that sounds...................................... like something I have never heard of before what's pass the fruit?" Ramiki said curiously.
Vitani laughed.
"Well it sounds to me like you have got everything under control Nuteri" Vitani said.
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So wghere would you like to go Vitani? Kopa said, beginning to walk away from Pride rock..
_
Well, come with me and I will teach you.. It requires good paws, quick reflexes, and good timing.." Nuteri said.
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"Great,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 3 things I'm not good at" Ramiki said sadly
"Now you be good Ramiki" Vitani said ruffling his head.
"You choose Kopa I'd be happy going anywhere on a date........... as long as it's with you" Vitani said.
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Well. the truth is, I've never been on a date before.. actually.. and its been years since I've walked around here.. You would be better suited to pick a spot. whatever you pick... We'll go tyere.. Also, what are the expectations for this date? Kopa asked her.
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"How about we just go a romantic walk to the watering hole and talk there for a while?"Vitani said. She had to think about this for a while she didn't really have any expectatitions" What do you mean by that Kopa"? Vitani asked
-
well, er.." Kopa blushed. "do we kiss at the end, or do go further than that? I don't want to confuse or hurt you by moving too fast.. Vitani, have you ever slept with a male before?'
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"Well it sounds interesting, even if kinda hard too" Hali said as she skipped off after Ramiki and Nuteri.
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well, er.." Kopa blushed. "do we kiss at the end, or do go further than that? I don't want to confuse or hurt you by moving too fast.. Vitani, have you ever slept with a male before?'
"Okay!" Vitani said with a blush and felt kinda uncomfortable. "I think we should start with just kissing and nuzzling that sort of thing. I really love you Kopa but I am still getting used to this. I don't wanna move that fast Kopa. I've bever slept with anyone before. I think the first few dates we should just spend some time talking and listening. You know start slow. I really do love you but I just don't wanna go from o to 70 in so little time. If you don't mind I would like to take it in steps. Sleeping with you is like step 3 right now we're at step 1. I really hope you understand Kopa" Vitani said.
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Very well" Kopa said, understanding her wanting to take it slow. "I understand..so you love me? that is good.. because I'd like to talk with you about rAmiki and Hali.. how we are going to work this thing out..
-
Very well" Kopa said, understanding her wanting to take it slow. "I understand..so you love me? that is good.. because I'd like to talk with you about rAmiki and Hali.. how we are going to work this thing out..
"Well we do it by taking one step at a time. I love you more then anything else in the world Kopa. I'm sure we can work this out. Because we love each other and we want things to work out. Just because we're not sleeping together just yet doesn't mean we can't work things out."Vitani said.
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You do realize what will happen to me in a few months Vitani.. I'm going to suceed my father, and if you remain in a relationship with me, you'll have to become my queen" Kopa said. " with all that entails.."
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You do realize what will happen to me in a few months Vitani.. I'm going to suceed my father, and if you remain in a relationship with me, you'll have to become my queen" Kopa said. " with all that entails.."
"Exactly in 2 months. By a week I will be fine sleeping with you. We go on one date tonight maybe another one a couple days from now. And then I'll be ready.I would love to be your queen you need to know that. I just want to go on a couple dates before that."Vitani said.
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Kopa nodded. " And what about Ramiki.. will he be willing to accept me as the father figure in his life?" Inwardly his heart was singing. Vitani was willing to be his mate! and Hali, I intend to care for her as well, she will be a daughter to me.."
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Kopa nodded. " And what about Ramiki.. will he be willing to accept me as the father figure in his life?" Inwardly his heart was singing. Vitani was willing to be his mate! and Hali, I intend to care for her as well, she will be a daughter to me.."
"I don't see why not. Ramiki accepted me as his mother figure in life. I don't see why he wouldn't you're a really really sweet guy Kopa and I can all ready see a special bond in you and Ramiki. Didn't you see the way he nuzzled your paw when you said you would help take care of him? Trust me Kopa he's gonna love you and you are gonna make a great father. And I am sure Hali will love you like a father too Kopa. I mean what's not to love about you"? Vitani said.
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Well, this is all happeming so fast for me.. Vitani.. I go from living with a nutty seer to being crown Prince, and you.. and taking care of the kids.. and ..' Kopa trailed off.. his head was swimming from all that had happened to him over the past couple days..
-
"You're not having second thoughts are you Kopa? I mean about us? If this is getting to much for you just tell me. I don't wanna put you into a situation you're not comfortable in being in" Vitani said.
-
No, I just need a little time to adjust to everything.. Once ibecome king, I'll have tons of responsibilities, every day is going to be filled with meetings and reports and royal trasitions.." Kopa shook his head. "But I was born into this.. I can't reject this..and I can't reject you, who have been rejected by everyone else.."
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No, I just need a little time to adjust to everything.. Once ibecome king, I'll have tons of responsibilities, every day is going to be filled with meetings and reports and royal trasitions.." Kopa shook his head. "But I was born into this.. I can't reject this..and I can't reject you, who have been rejected by everyone else.."
"Well don't worry Kopa I will be there for you through thick and thin Kopa . We will get through it together. I have been rejected by quite a bunch of guys but now I know why that was just my heart telling me I hadn't found the perfect guy And now............. I found him" Vitani said sweetly.
-
As they headed off with the baboon, Hali couldn't help pondering over what Kopa had said about watching out for her. She knew, even when he said it, that that meant in an adoption sort of way but...it was just so hard to really believe.
"Nuteri...you know him best, I guess, since I caught from the herd that Kopa came with you...when he said he'd watch me, did he really mean...like...well like a father would?" she asked the baboon.
"I mean don't get me wrong" she smiled, "along, that'd be great if he did and then Ramiki and I would be like brothers I guess since he likes his mom too, but...well it's just weird, I'm an orphan no one wanted before and, to have a crown prince take charge of me...it's like too good to be believable" the little cub spilled her thoughts, perhaps more than the baboon wanted to know she realized.
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Yes, I vbelieve so.." Nuteri replied ' I understand child if this seems too fgood to be true, you've faced a lot of hardship in your life. From my experience, Kopa is a caring loyal and protective lion, who is going through a lot of rapid changes at the moment. you need someone in your life like that, someone to be there for you, to protect you , care for you, and give you a place to call home..
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Well, according to nUteri, traditionally lions don't tell someone they love them on the first date.. it has to be earned.' Kopa said, remembering some advice Nuteri had given him upon reaching adulthood. Kopa had brushed it off at the time, but now it came back to hi,m. "So much for tradition then, you've told me how you feel.. that I'm the one for you..
-
"Thank you" Kova said, turning heading out towards the watering hole.. "We have a lot to discuss,,"
-
Kopa continued to the edge of the watering hole and sat down looking over the surface of the water.
-
Vitani sat next to Kopa. Vitani had never felt this way around anybody else. She had known all about tradition and kinda felt bad for breaking it. But Kopa was just such a great guy and Vitani knew right away that she loved him. And she wasn't one to hide her feelings. If she felt something she would come out and say it.
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"Yeah" Hali smiled, "well thanks for listening to me ramble by the way" she told Nuteri
-
Kopa looked at her and oput his arm around her.. He said nothing, but he;ld her to him..
-
Vitani snuggled up close to Kopa as he put a paw on her and purred softly to him.
-
(OOc I'm leaving for New York today, so you guys can continue if you want, if not we can put this on hold until I get back..)
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I'm able to roleplay a little bit this week..Lets continue
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Kovu snuggled up to Kiara and the two lions went to sleep for the night.
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"Who was the last male you dated before me? I'm just curious, if you don't want to say anything, thats your business" Kopa said to her, feeling her breath on his neck. She was obviously enjoying herself.
-
Kiara just dreamed happily about a future with her growing-in-numbers family.
-
"Who was the last male you dated before me? I'm just curious, if you don't want to say anything, thats your business" Kopa said to her, feeling her breath on his neck. She was obviously enjoying herself.
"Last I dated? Truth be told I never dated anyone before you Kopa. You're the first lion I can say I actually dated. I have had a lot of male friends but never anything more then that." Vitani said.
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Oh" Kopa stratched the back of his head. "Well, I've never datted anyone either.. so we shoulsd start off by getting to know each other... pretend.. as if we know nothing about each other, and act as if we are learning something about the other for the first time.."
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"Yeah I agree Kopa we should take it slow or step by step. So, Kopa what do you like to do? You must have a lot of hobbies and interest" Vitani said cuddling close to him.
-
well.. when I was with nuteri. He made me run a lot, get into shape.. I didn't really have many hobbies" Kopa said , looking out over the calm water. he felt Vitani rub against him, and it excited him..deep within him.. things were going to move fast if they weren't careful..
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"Oh, right Kopa said he wanted things to go slow. Be careful girl you don;t wanna move to fast." Vitani's head told her.
Vitani got up and sat a small distance away from Kopa. The last thing she wanted to do was to make things go to fast so she was trying to take it as slow as she could. "I used to have a bunch of hobbies growing up. But , my mother Zira was always training me and Kovu. Trying to mold me into a great leader one day." Vitani said.
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Is Kovu really your brother?" Kopa asked. "as for your mother, a weeks worth of gazelle meat says she was trying to get back at my father through you and Kovu. She sent Kovu to kill him, unfortunately for her, he met my little sister befoore he could make an attempt. otherwise.. things would be very different.. for one.. i 'd probably still be in hiding.. Zira would rule all, and what then? Would she have use for you and Kovu? Tyrants usually get rid of those who helped them take power, they don't want rivals.."
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I never really thought about that...................... I hate my mother. She was probably just using me. And I really don't know if Kovu's my real brother. For all I know I was adopted. The pride would be a really bad place if my mother took over. I wanted her dead since the moment she had almost tried to kill you. "Vitani said.
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Kopa looked at her with a look of sympathy. 'that must have been hard. Why didn't you try to run away? You could have.."
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"Because I couldn't Zira swore if I ever did try to run away she'd find me and she'd kill me. That whole pride was on her side Kopa and besides I had no where to go. If I had run they would have found me and killed me."Vitani said with a tear in her eye.
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you could have found Nuteri and me.. we managed to elude them.." Kopa replied.. " But I see why you didn't try to leave.. it would have meant death for you.. shows what kind of mother she was..
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"So is this game of yours really as hard as Kopa makes out?" Hali asked Nuteri as they walked. The baboon had already explained it and it's complications, but Hali couldn't help thinking between her and Ramiki, they should be able to handle it and one of them win.
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It can be' came the reply. It depends on the type of fruit we use..." Nuteri replied. " Kopa and I used Pineapples.."
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you could have found Nuteri and me.. we managed to elude them.." Kopa replied.. " But I see why you didn't try to leave.. it would have meant death for you.. shows what kind of mother she was..
"I would of but I had no idea where you had gone. And this valley is so huge it could have taken me days to find you Kopa. Yeah, I hated my mother more then anything else in the world. I have been trying to raise Ramiki the exact opposite on how she raised me. Spmetimes I really don't know how well of a job I'm doing" Vitani said.
Ramiki thought he had barely known this game. What fruit would be best for this game anyway?
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Well, you'ere doing alright, because he's not a crazy killing machine .. I know what it is like to be alone.. as for ramiki, I'm gong to help you, as best I can.." Kopa replied. "I won't be his father,, officially, at first, it depends on how our relationship is at that point..whetjer we are truly comfortable together..
-
Well, you'ere doing alright, because he's not a crazy killing machine .. I know what it is like to be alone.. as for ramiki, I'm gong to help you, as best I can.." Kopa replied. "I won't be his father,, officially, at first, it depends on how our relationship is at that point..whetjer we are truly comfortable together..
"And of course how Ramiki feels about you. But, I am sure Ramiki loves you Kopa. You are really a nice guy Kopa and I hope we can be comfortable together" Vitani said.
-
" And what about Hali?' Kopa replied. "she needs a home too.." Nuteri had told him things would move quickly once he had returned, yet he had not imagined that things would move lke this. in couple days he had gone from single, to seriously considering a full-bore relationship with Vitani and adopting two cubs as his children..and yet, as he looked at her, her features excited him. the color of her eyes, her lips, which he had found so soft upon kissing her, the soft color of her fur, all this was telling him. 'this is the one for you Kopa.. don't blow it.."
-
"Well just have to help eachother figure it out, I guess" Hali said to Ramiki with a smile.
-
" And what about Hali?' Kopa replied. "she needs a home too.." Nuteri had told him things would move quickly once he had returned, yet he had not imagined that things would move lke this. in couple days he had gone from single, to seriously considering a full-bore relationship with Vitani and adopting two cubs as his children..and yet, as he looked at her, her features excited him. the color of her eyes, her lips, which he had found so soft upon kissing her, the soft color of her fur, all this was telling him. 'this is the one for you Kopa.. don't blow it.."
"Well Ramiki always wanted to have a sister. And I always wanted to take care of another cub. But of course I could need some help." Vitani said looking over at Kopa with a loving smile and a small blush.
-
Yes, and we'll work on this as we go.. first though we have to ask Hali if she wants to join our little family" Kopa said.. As they had talked the sun had dipped close to the horizon reddening the sky, and casting shadows on the water.. "She hasn't had a family for a long time.. she deserves one.."
-
Yes, and we'll work on this as we go.. first though we have to ask Hali if she wants to join our little family" Kopa said.. As they had talked the sun had dipped close to the horizon reddening the sky, and casting shadows on the water.. "She hasn't had a family for a long time.. she deserves one.."
"Yeah, she does. Everyone deserves a family. And Hali is very adorable whoever the lion is who gets to take care of Haili will be very lucky." Vitani said.
-
Hmm./ its getting late " Nuteri said. I'm afraid we'll have to play some other time kids.. Its almost mnight and that is when young cubs must go to bed.."
- I most definitely agree." Kopa said, as the sun began to sink over the horizon. 'so its getting dark Vitani. Should we call it a date, or can we continue..?"
-
Hmm./ its getting late " Nuteri said. I'm afraid we'll have to play some other time kids.. Its almost mnight and that is when young cubs must go to bed.."
- I most definitely agree." Kopa said, as the sun began to sink over the horizon. 'so its getting dark Vitani. Should we call it a date, or can we continue..?"
"It's up to you Kopa" Vitani said. "AWWWWWWWWWWWW, man bed time all ready? But, I'm not even tired " Ramiki said full of energy.
-
Night time is bed time, young lion" Nuteri replied firmly..
-
Well, I thought I'd leave the decision to you.. see I usually turn in after sunset. I'm an early riser, so I go to bed early.. Nuteri instilled that me as a cub. Sunset was bedtime for me.."
-
Night time is bed time, young lion" Nuteri replied firmly..
-
Well, I thought I'd leave the decision to you.. see I usually turn in after sunset. I'm an early riser, so I go to bed early.. Nuteri instilled that me as a cub. Sunset was bedtime for me.."
"Well I would rather continue our date. Your curfew can wait"She said giving Kopa a playful nudge.
"Oh, all right" RJ said with a sigh. He knew Nuteri meant buisness.
-
" Kopa smiled " Alright.. do you want to go to a different place? Its up to you.." He replied, looking at her..
-
Hali couldn't help her sigh as well, being use to being able to tell herself when to sleep, still despite night being the hunter's time, such as Lioness, it also meant other bigger lions and hyena's were more active, so she had found that at least trying to hide unnoticed in a tree once night fell was a good idea.
"Oh alright, I guess if we have to" she said.
-
" Kopa smiled " Alright.. do you want to go to a different place? Its up to you.." He replied, looking at her..
"I'm fine just sitting here next to you just looking at the stars" Vitani said looking into Kopa's eyes sweetly.
-
f I didn't know any better I'd say you were hitting on me" Kopa cracked. "Ok, so it waas a bad joke..still.." He ran his claw through his mane.. Alright.." He changed his position slightly.. "I know.. I'll race you around the watering hole. If I win, I get to give you a long kiss on the lips. If you win.. er.. we'll go an another date tommorow.. What do you say?" Kopa asked..
-
Vitani smiled "You're on Kopa. Either way I win. But, I am really, fast so I bet you I'll win" She said with a laugh. And then she leaned over and gave Kopa a small lick on the cheek.
-
I'm no slouch either. 3 times around the pond , to this point. " Kopa. dug a small line in the dirt in front of them. he drew it long enough so it was visible for some distance. When he had finished, he came basck to Vitani. " Whenever you're ready. We'll line up, and no cheating! " He grinned.
-
Vitani stood behind the starting line. I used to race Kovu like this all the time as Kids. I never cheat. She said getting ready with a determined playful growl.
-
Good. well, Nuteri masdde me run 15 laps around a pool about this size every day' Kopa said, Arch his heels. ' On your mark, get set, go!" He said, And they set off..
-
Vitani ran as fast as she could until she was neck and neck with Kopa. " Oh hi Kopa ya miss me"? She smiled as she caught up to Kopa.
-
"Do you really want to me to answer that?' Kopa deadpanned, as they reached the halfway point of the first lap, with Kopa ahead by a head's length. "Vitani wasn't kidding when she said she was fast" He thought"
-
Vitani saw that Kopa was ahead she quickly used all her energy to run in front of Kopa. Vitani could be really competitive when it came to competitions and contests of any sort.
-
Kopa picked up the pace, as they approached the line to beguin thr second lap, He was just behing Vitani, and closing..
-
Vitani could see Kopa catching up and Vitani ran oven faster almost causing her to fall over her own 4 paws as she made a turn. Losing wasn't one of the things Vitani was good at. Her mother always taught her to win at everything.
-
Kopa maade a quick turn as he roundeethe corner, he was now completely caught up with Vitani as they reached the halfway point of the race.. " I don't like losing either.. we have that in common too.." he said as he drew even with her.
-
Vitani saw Kopa now neck and neck with her. "Okay Vitani you can do this" Her head told her as she panted getting out of breath. She ran even faster any faster and she would lose her balance and fall in to the water. But, Vitani didn't even care. Winning was all that mattered.
-
As they entered the Final lap, Vitani was a couple seconds ahead. Kopa could tell she was ppushing herself to the limit, yet his years of long distance runs had built his endurance, he could go on like this for several more laps. He put ob a burst of speed and caught her. "This is prety fun " He grinned. "When I'm king I'll do runs like this whenever I can.. it keeps me in shape..
-
"Yeah well.... I...........auuuuuggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
Vitani said running even faster but tripping over her own paws in the process and fell into the water.
Vitani surfaced looking very disappointed in herself. "I am such a stupid clutz " She said disappointed in herself.
-
Kopa stopped, and reached out his paw to Vitani. " Here, let me hrelp you up" he said kindly. "It wouldn't be fair to win after you fell in the water.. "
-
Kopa stopped, and reached out his paw to Vitani. " Here, let me hrelp you up" he said kindly. "It wouldn't be fair to win after you fell in the water.. "
Vitani smiled sweetly at Kopa. Most wouldn't have even bothered to help her up they would of just laughed and kept on running. Kopa was such a sweet guy. She grabbed Kopa's paw and pulled herself out of the water. She shook herself dry and gave Kopa a kiss on the lips. "That's just for being such a sweet guy and helping me out instead of just winning the race easily while you had the chance" Vitani purred to Kopa. "I'm ready to continue our race whenever you are good lookin" Vitani said.
-
' whenever you are.." Kopa replied. They had about a third of a lap to go, this break would kill both of thier momentum, but it was only fair.
-
"I have been ready. I was just waiting for you" She said. Now, part of her wanted to run off now. But, after what Kopa did she didn't wanna cheat like that.
-
Lets resume" Kopa said, moving over and standing next to her. " on the count of three. one, two three, GO!' And the race resumed..
-
Vitani raced ahead of Kopa trying her best to win this race.
-
As they reached the Final turn, Kopa began his final kick. He caught to Vitani, then passed her with about a hundred feet to go, he stretched his head out to half a body length, and passed over the finish line, winning by a few seconds. he ran on for a bit, then stopped and turned to see Vitani cross the line behind him. "Great race!" He panted. " You're good.. you weren'rt kidding when you said you were fast.."
-
"Yeah just not fast enough" Vitani said a little bit disappointed in herself.
-
Kopa went over and gave her a hug. " I'll hold of on the kiss until our date ends" He smiled. " so what do you want to do now? Night had fallen during thier race..
-
"Well we are at the watering hole how about we go on a peaceful night swim? Is swimming your thing?" Vitani said hugging Kopa close to her.
-
Sure.. why not. a good way to cool off after all that running" Kopa replied..
-
"Yeah it is " Vitani said getting into the water and swimming along . "Get in Kopa the water's great" Vitani said.
-
Kopa jumped in the pool with a splash splash, and felt the sewat and grime wash away., the water was cool and refreshing after running around the waterhole 3 times. Kopa swam over to vitani..
-
Vitani smiled sweetly at Kopa. She didn't know how long she could do this "Taking it slow" thing. Because she knew they both loved each other but it was for the best if they both took it slow. They were doing pretty great so far.
-
Kopa playfully splashed her, as he swam into the middle of the pond.. Come on, try abnd hit me! He taunted., " He was having a lot of fun...
-
Vitani gasped as she was splashed by Kopa. She playfully growled as he taunted her. "Okay that's it Kopa prepare for the soaking of your life" Vitani said and tried to splash Kopa back. Vitani couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun. It had to be back when she was a cub,
-
Kopas himself was trying to re,e,ber when he had had this much fun before.. probably the first time he had beaten Nuteri at " pass the Fruit", after hundreds of defeats..
-
Vitani's playful side took over and before she knew it she playfully tackled Kopa knocking them both under water.
-
Kopa broke the surface as he looked over at Vitani.. " So thats how you want to play huh" He grinned..
-
Vitani surfaced "Yeah, and just what are you gonna do about it?" She said sticking her tongue out at Kopa playfully teasing him and daring him to do something about it.
-
' How about.. THIS!"Kopa tackled her and both dove under the water...
-
Vitani shrieked as she was tackled into the water by Kopa. Vitani surpaced first choking a little bit on the water. She scanned the water for Kopa. Boy was he gonna get it now. "Oh, Kopa I know you're down there somewhere. Come out and face the music I got a little present for you" Vitani said playfully.
-
Kopa broke the surface and tackled her again.." Surprise!" He grinned, holding Vitani in his arms, bioth were now completely soaked.. kopa breathed in deeply as he loooked iin her eyes..
-
Vitani stared back into Kopa's beautiful eyes sweetly.She loved being held by Kopa it was almost as if she didn't have any worries and every problem just faded away whenever she looked into Kopa's eyes.
-
"i',m not sure.. how much longer i can keep this up" Kopa said softly. " Looking at you..like this..makes me want you.. I know I saw "take it slow", but after tonight, well, I'm just about ready to throw that aside.."
-
"Ohhhhhh, Kopa you don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. I don't know how much longer I could take it slow either. Because I know that you're the one. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you Kopa. "Vitani purred to Kopa.
-
Let me, kiss you" Kopa said, his eyes shining.. "Kiss you,like I want to.. Let me explore your mouth.. feel you againstme.." the words were tumbling out of his mouth in a rush..
-
"You don't even have to ask Kopa. I have been waiting since day 1 to be kissed by you. Now, kiss me you fool" Vitani said
-
Kopa leaned in, and kissed her. as he did so, his tongue entered her mouth, and he began to probe her mouth with it. passion surged within him , and he held to him tightly as the kiss continued.
-
Vitani felt strange she had never felt like this before . Nobody had ever done this to her EVER. It felt amazing she couldn't believe how amazing it felt in fact. She kissed Kopa back using her tongue as well.
-
Kopa allowed her to explore his mouth, feeling her tongue caress his. he moved his paws up around her neck. the kiss lasted for more then a minute then Kopa pulled away. "I want to mate with you Vitani" He said breathlessly..
-
"Oh Kopa." She said trying to catch her breath. "Nothing will make me happier then to be your mate and raise our cubs together. " Vitani said nuzzling Kopa with a soft purr.
-
Let's go"Kopa said. 'Find a seluded place, where we can be completely alone.. " He kissed her on the lips again.
-
That sounds good to me let's go Kopa " She said kissing Kopa back on the lips.
-
Kopa broke away from her and climbed out of the water, his head spining..She shook hismane to get out the water, then waited for Vitani to join him..
-
Vitani got out of the water and shook herself dry and walked side by side with Kopa smiling lovingly at him.
-
Now, lets pick our mating spot" He said softly to her..he was growing excited about what they were about to do.. He was going to have a lot to tell Nuteri.. and his parents..
-
"Well I don't know I have never had a mating spot before so uhhhhh well we could always find an empty cave somewhere" She knew her idea wasn't that good but it was really the best she could come up with.
-
Thats fine.. Any cave will do.." Kopa replied.. "I'm not picky...any spot you pick, i'll be fine with.."
-
"Okay. that's great But after a while you do think we can go back right? I just don't want Ramiki to worry to much about me. " Vitani said.
-
Sure ... If I know Nuteri, he;s probably taken them back to Pride Rock, and has them getting ready for bed.."Kopa grinned..
-
"Yeah I know I just don't like to leave him for really long periods of time. Ya see his parents never returned for him when he was born so I just wanna kinda be there for him so he'll know that I haven't just deserted him like his old parents did. But, we can stay out for a while" Vitani said.
-
I understand.." Kopa replied. "Nuteri is taking good care of him, so he'll be happy to see you come back.."
-
"But, right now spending time with you alone is a lot more important. " Vitani said trying to find a empty cae so her and Kopa could spend some alone time.
-
Kopa followed closely behind her.. scanning the area for openings..
-
Vitani sees an empty cave just big enough for the both of them. "Hey, Kopa in here" Vitani said.
-
Kopa falled her inside. the floor was sandy, and the opening was screened by brush.. the ait in here had a gool smell to it.. it smelled of hiome..
-
Vitani sweetly smiled over at Kopa as he followed her in.
-
Whenever you're ready" Kopa said, mocving into the middle of the cave..
-
"I'm ready whenever you are. " Vitani said following Kopa to the middle of the cave and lying down.
-
Kopa didn't waste much time. he tacjkled vitani, and they wrestled on the ground.. as the lovemaking began. Kopa outweighed Vitani by a considerable margin.. yet it proved to be Vitani who gained the upper hand.. As she lay on top of him, Kopa placed himself inside her, while kissing her on the lips passiontely.
-
They rolled around making love for a while.And the Vitani collapsed next to Kopa worn out and exhausted. She loos into Kopa's eyes passionately. "Kopa, that was amazing" She said breathlessly
-
Thanks" Kopa replied.. he was tired too.. the feelning of placing him inside her was very fresh.. yet, he needed time to fully grasped what had happened. he kissedVitani with his tongue..
-
Vitani kissed Kopa back with her tongue. "Oh, Kopa I love you more then anything in the world" She said.
-
Kopa pulled away. ' Yes. ii love you too.. But.. but We need to tell Ramiki.. that Hes going to have a father" Kopa said.
-
"I don't see what you are worried about Kopa. You're sweet, and compasionate. You are gonna make a great father for Ramiki and Hali. What's not to love about you Kopa? Come on it's getting late and we should start heading back. We can tell Ramiki the great news in the morning" She said.
-
Lead the way then' Kopa said nuzzling her gently.. I'm also going to tell my parents..and Nuteri.."
-
Vitani smiled lovingly over at Kopa and gave him him a big loving nuzzle back and then gave him a passionate kiss on the lips. And then she trotted back to the pridelands but made sure to go slow so Kopa and Vitani could walk there together.
-
Kovu and Kiara had had a peaceful sleep and woke in time to see Vitani and Kopa approaching. "Hi bro," Kiara smiled.
"Hi sis," smiled Kovu.
-
Where Father? Theres something i need to talk with him abiout" Kopa said wearing a subtle smile..
-
"He's in the den," Kiara pointed.
-
Vitani smiled at her brother. "Hey Kovu" Vitani said happily. Meanwhile Ramiki was fast asleep snoring softly.
-
"I just can't wait for my cubs to be born," Kovu smiled.
-
Hali was also curled up in a corner of the cave, it was such a new but good feeling to be allowed to sleep within a cave. Usually they belonged to others who shooed her away, but more than the opposite had happened here.
Nala was curled up beside Simba, asleep as well.
-
Ramiki shivered a bit it could get quite cold especially on a night like this he got up still half asleep and walked over to the corner Hali was in and cuddled up close beside her to keep himself warm.
'
Vitani just had to smile at the pure cuteness of it.
-
Hali stirred, a bit awoken as Ramiki came over and then noticed her new friend from today and possible brother if things between his mom and Kopa took off like the adults had been hinting they would.
She smiled and hugged him back a bit, yeah having other cubs in the pride to be friends with and hang out with was a good thing she decided as she drifted back off to sleep.
-
Kopa stirred from his sleep. Nuteri was poking him with his stick. " So, is it true, My young Prince? You have found a mate!" ' Eh Nuteri..ow! you poked me hard! its not official yet.. but yeah I intend to make Vitani my queen.." A smile broke over ther old Babboon face, " and the kids?" "I'm going to help her raise them, both of them.. " Ramiki and Hali..you do know they will have no claim to the throne.
_
Why is that? Kopa asked. "Because they are not your offspring..you hgave adopted them. Nuteri replied. "Only your offspring will be eligible to take your place one day.. as it stands now, the cubs your sidster will deliver are the next in line, actually your sister is, should anything happen to you, kovu would become king and she would become queen..'
I trusat myy sister" Kopa replied a bit put out
I'm not implying anything, my prince. things will be much much simpler, once your son is born." Nuteri grinned..
-
Back the Elephant Graveyard, the night began to swell with activity, unbeknown to the resident hyenas, who were also fast asleep. Dark shapes shot silently across the desolate cemetery, slowly converging together in an enclosed cavern. The shadows soon took shape of black jaguars, spies and hunters sent out to survey the lions' kingdom.
"Have any of you been seen?" one asked the others in a low hiss.
"A patrol may have noticed me in the grass," another replied the same way, "but I doubt he suspected enough to follow..."
"Good. Then all is well. We wait until nightfall of the next day, then we look around again. Our leader shall arrive in due time..."
-
Anyway I'll leave you to your rest. I'm going to pay a visit to your mate-to-be
Nuteri said..
-
In her sleep, and almost as if she could pick up that things were about to go from perfect to...not perfect, Hali stirred restlessly and turned over. It could have just been a fit of discomfort though, as she settled back down once more.
-
Vitani softly nuzzled Ramiki's cheek and then walked over to Nuteri seeing as how he looked like he was looking for her. "Oh, Nuteri, I just had the most perfect night of my whole life" She said with a happy sigh.
-
Come on, my dear , we have much to discuss" Nuteri said with a smile. " You already know the obligations of a mother, I must impart upon you the other obligations you are going to be assuming, should things continue the way they are now.."
-
"Okay then we should talk outside" Vitani said not wanting to wake up Hali or Ramiki.
-
"Of course" Nuteri said, withdrawing from the cave. he stood outside in the cool darkness, the Kenyan breeze whipping through his fur, waiting for Vitani to join him..
-
Vitani carefully walked out of the cave careful not to wake anyone or step on anyone. She sat down by Nuteri.
-
"so, from your expressions, you obviously had a good time with the young prince tonight.. what did you do?" Nuteri asked. " I ask out of curiousity.."
-
"so, from your expressions, you obviously had a good time with the young prince tonight.. what did you do?" Nuteri asked. " I ask out of curiousity.."
"Well first we went to the pond and we talked for a while. And then we did a little swimming, a little kissing, some more kissing, and then we went to this empty cave and we slept together for a while. And then we came back here. I didn't know this could be so much fun. I don't think I have ever felt better in my life" Vitani said.
-
"you didn't waste much time then. do you have strong feelings for him? usually courting takes longer than one date..' Nuteri replied, but there was a broad smile on his face.
-
"I don't think I have ever had strong feelings for anyone more then Kopa. This was like Magic Nuteri. I know it's true love because I have never felt this way about anyone ever" Vitani said.
-
Obviously , since you permitted him to make love to you Vitani, you feel very strongly about him. However, you must be aware of the responsibilities both he and you will be taking on. He will be resposible for ruling this kingdom. if you become his queen, your task is very simple, produce a son to inherit the throne,and lead the lionesses on hunts.. if kopa had not returned, yoy would not have this opportunity.. so i will ask you Vitani, do you love him? will you tell Ramiki that?' Nuteri asked.
-
"Yes I do love him. And I will tell Ramiki that in the morning. i just hope Ramiki will be ok with it. I think that he won't mind after all I think he really likes Kopa" Vitani said.
-
"and what about young Hali? Nuteri Continued.." Are yoou and Kopa willing to adopt her as your daughter?"
-
"and what about young Hali? Nuteri Continued.." Are yoou and Kopa willing to adopt her as your daughter?"
" Me and Kopa have talked about that and I am willing to adopt her to be my daughter and Kopa told me he would help me raise her so I guess that means we both want to adopt her" Vitani said.
-
Then I would suggest yiou tell him that..so you are willing then, to be the mother of Kopa's children..excellent.. i had no idea Kopa wouldd find someone so quickly, but I am glad he has.are you going on another date anytime soon?"
-
"Maybe! I don't know. It depends on what Kopa wants to do. If he just wants to get married I am fine with that and if he wants to go on a second date I'm fine with that too. All that I know is I would do anything for Kopa" Vitani said.
-
traditionally it takes a couple dates.. but its ultimately up to you.. now.. are there any questions you wish to ask.. you can ask me about anything.."
-
"I don't have any questions. I have just never been this happy before. " Vitani said
-
Nuteri looked at Vitani who wore the expression of someone deep in love. "Yes that shows on your face. So Vitani, if you go out with Kopa again, will you mate with him again?' Nuteri asked.
-
"Of course. If we want on 900 billion dates I'd still mate with him." Vitani said.
-
900 billion is a huge number.." NUteri grinned. "So go out with him, mate with him, just be sure not to get pregnaabt fbefore the sucession, that would be pretty ackward, historically speaking.."
-
"What do you mean "Before the succession" I don't think I understand ."Vitani said.
-
kopa is going to become king.. vitani' nuteri said..
-
"Well Yeah, I knew that." Vitani said.
-
and you wil become Qiueen. have you talked with nala at all? Nuteri asked.. ' she is his mother after all..
-
"Has she talked to me about what?" Nala asked, coming up from behind with a smile. She hadn't heard any of the comments, just woke up herself and hearing the whisperings come out to check on what was going on.
-
The fAct that She and Kopa are going to get married before next spring" Nuteri said ignoring the embarassed look on Vitani's face.. "Yes its love at first date appearently.."
-
Vitani just blushed even more. When Nala had shown up. She was kinda nervous with bringing stuff up like this especially with Kopa's mother. "Nala, I...................." were the only words that she could say.
Meanwhile Ramiki woke up next he walked out of the cave rubbing his eyes with his paw. "What's goin on"? He said with a yawn.
-
Nala did look surprised, yet when she looked over to Vitani she smiled.
"Well that decision definitely didn't take long" she agreed with Nuteri, yet then gave a small laugh to put Vitani at ease, "I think it's wonderful, Vitani" she said, "it took only about a day for me to know Simba was the one myself, after meeting back up, must be a father son thing" the queen smiled to herself.
As Ramiki left, Hali flipped over from her position not being supported anymore and woke up as well. She shook her head and watched her new friend and possible brother walk off.
Getting up and following him, she had her own answer to Ramiki's question, "You're up really early, that's what's going on first of all" she said, though with a smile.
-
Nuteri made a respectfu; bow in Nala's presence. "Have you told the king? He asked. "Or will you leave that to Kopa? "
-
Ramiki smiled a guilty smile as if saying "Did I wake you Hali? I am so sorry if I did." I always wake up really early. It leaves more time to play" Ramiki said obviously not wanting to waste the day by sleeping.If It were his choice he'd never sleep he'd just play,play, play, play, play.
-
"Well..." Nala thought, "I suppose I should leave it to Kopa" she realized, "anything else would sort of be motherly intruding on his business I suppose and if he's to be king he probably doesn't want me smothering about every little thing" Nala realized and smiled.
Hali laughed, "Yeah I see your point, and don't worry, it's not a problem your up this early I was just surprised is all".
-
"Well now that you're up let's play ............... anything as long as it's fun. " Ramiki said jumping around in circles and playfully growling at Hali eager to play.
-
(OOC who wants to play Simba. nimrod's dropped out)
I think that would be best" Nuteri nodded.. " Do n't worry my Queen, you are not smothering him, although it has been awhile since you were together. Remember hes not a cub anymore.."
-
(OOC: Well...I'm not opposed to pitching in, but I feel i would monopolize since I do Nala too...)
Nala nodded, "I'm trying" she grinned.
Hali laughed, "Ok, how 'bout a race down to the watering hole!" she suggested, since it was the first thing she could think up.
-
(I'll play Simba if you guys want)
"Oh, a race to the watering hole? Sounds like fun. We could do some swimming. It's hot out here today anyway. " Ramiki said getting himself ready to race. "Prepare to eat my dust Hali. We start when I say "Go" all right? On your Mark...................................get set....................................................................." Ramiki runs off getting a ten second head start. "Go" He playfully yelled over to his shoulder to Hali laughing.
-
(Alright Dash.. thats fine)
-
"Hey...that is so cheating, oh now you just deserve to get beat!" Hali gave chase, darting off and after Ramiki, laughing though.
-
Simba woke up next and stretched. Simba smiled as he saw the 2 cubs racing to the watering hole. "Ahhhhhhh Cub days" He sighed remembering all the races him and Nala did as cubs. He walked up to Nala and gently nuzzles her with a loving purr.
.....................................................................................................
"Try to catch up if you can you big ol slowpoke" Ramiki laughed as Hali raced after him.
-
nuteri bowed as he saw the king approached. ' Greetings, Sire" He said, bowing as much as his old body would permit.
-
Simba smiled at Nuteri . "Good morning Nuteri" Simba said with a smile. "There something going on" Simba asked as he saw Nuteri, Vitani, and Nala all gathered around talking. He had a feeling they needed to talk to him about something.
-
Kopa yawned and slowly made his way out of Pride rock. He then Noticed His Father, mother and Vitani all looking at Nuteri. "You had better not be telling them any 'cub' stories about me!" he warned
_ OH No, my prince, but there is something we need you to tell us.. or more precisely.. your parents" Nuteri made a motion to simba and nala..it took a monent to sink in..
-
"Yes son what is it"? Simba asked. Something told him it had to be about Kopa becoming King of Pride Rock.
-
Nala only smiled a normal smile and tried to not look like she knew.
~~~~
"I'll show you who's the slow-poke!" Hali put on a burst of speed and was soon level with Ramiki, though it took alot of running to get there and she feared she would tire, but she was determined not to and tried to next overtake Ramiki.
-
"Father Mother.. Vitani and I.. umm.. ' Kopa ried to think of something. "Well. we went on a date.. and hit it off.. and.. um.. er.." he blushed, clearly embarassed. " well. umm. "
_ Hes in Love with her and he wants her to be his Queen' Nuteri said. Kopa shot him a look. "My prince you were more tongued tied then a warthog who has eaten too many firebettles.. so I just blurted it out like an old babboon is wont to do..' He grinned.
-
Simba smiled and huggewd his son tightly. "I am so proud of you Kopa" Simba said.
..............................................................................................................................
Ramiki growled playfully as he sees Hali matching him stride for stride. He was starting to lose energy himself. With a sudden burst of speed Ramiki ran as fast as he could until he reached the watering hole but he accidently tripped on a stick before he could stop and went flying into the water with a huge splash.
-
Nala let her smile come through too, "We both are" she said, "I know having all of this thrust upon you right when you returned hasn't been easy".
~~~~
As Hali reached the edge of the watering hole herself she laughed as Ramiki went splashing into it, even soaking her from where she reached the edge, "Ok, you won" she admitted.
-
well, yeah.. but thats part of my responsibilties, my duties. i was born for this.." Kopa said..he gave Nuteri a glance " Still Nuteri I ewould have eventually said somthing..'
_ Not the way you wee hemming and hawing, Kopa' Nuteri replied..
-
Ramiki surfaced spitting out water. "Yeah I did didn't I?" He said feeling real proud of himself. "Now, let's do some swimming. The water feels great today but don't take my word for it see for yourself. " Ramiki said splashing Hali with a wave of water with a laugh.
-
Hali leapt back as Ramiki splashed at her, not missing the wave of water either way. "Well it doesn't exactly feel good when you do that!" she shot back, yet with a smile. She leapt in after him and cannon balled into the water herself.
-
Ramiki ducked underwater to avoid the wave of the cannonball. " Hey Hali wanna play water tag? It's a lot of fun.
-
Hali came up and spit water at Ramiki before answering, "Sure, and this time I get the head start-so-go" she finished quickly before swimming off with a giggle.
-
"Well then I guess I'm it first huh? Well don't worry that won't be for long. I actually lived with a Cheetah family for most of my life as a baby. I learned all about speed from them. So, You better be fast Hali cause I won't be it for long" Ramiki said.
-
"Raised by and being Cheetahs are to different things" Hali shot back, ducking under water every now and then to swim faster and perhaps avoid being tagged, as she kept on...
-
Ramiki swam after her as fast as he could go but she was so fast. "What did you eat for breakfast this morning Jet fuel"? Ramiki said panting a bit.
-
Matsu wad awakened earlier this morning. Somehow, he's had some bad vibes overnight. After a quick yawn, he leaped from his tree to begin his stroll/patrol...
----------
In the Elephant graveyard, the panthers quickly made their exit before sunlight, sneaking their way around the Pridelands to observe. For now...
-
Hali giggled, keeping on swimming across the watering hole, although she was starting to slow a bit.
-
This was Ramiki 's opportunity when he saw Hali slow down he smiled to himself and with a final burst of energy he playfully pounced Hali.
"You're it" Ramiki said with a laugh and swam ahead. He waved his butt mockingly at Hali. "Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, catch me if you can Hali" He said sticking out his tongue playfully at her.
-
"That was just a lucky break is all!" Hali called back, swimming and now trying to catch Ramiki.
-
"Uh huh sure it was." Ramiki said diving under water periodically to get some distance away from Hali.
-
Hali swam faster to try and catch up and soon was close enough to almost grab Ramiki's tail. She was able to grab it a bit bit it slipped out of her grasp, "Ok I still say that counts as a tag!" she called, keeping up the swimming.
-
Ramiki laughed and mockingly waved his tail in Hali's face almost begging her to try it again.
-
Hali put on a burst of speed, determined to catch Ramiki this time and leapt as far as she could while swimming in an attempt to tackle him...
-
"Wow" Ramiki said as he saw Hali leap to pounce him. Ramiki tried to get away but just then Hali pounced Ramiki. "Wow that's some good pouncing. I guess I'm it again. That's ok I love being it". Ramiki said.
-
Hali giggled, and swam the other way, now that Ramiki was it.
~~~~
"We all know you'll do fine, Kopa" Nala told her son, "the both of you will..." she extended her smile to Vitani as well.
-
Thanks Mom" Kopa said going over and giving his mother a hug. "I'm still going to need your help in the years to come..
-
Vitani smiled back at Nala. She felt just a bit horrible. It hadn't been that long ago when Vitani was at war with this pride. Even though that was a while back She still felt kinda horrible about it.
Simba looked over at Vitani concerned. She looked like she had something on her mind. "Are you OK Vitani"? Simba asked.........................................................
Ramiki swam after Hali laughing. "I'm gonna get you Hali" Ramiki laughed.
-
"And I'll need your help too, mom," Kiara smiled.
-
Nala smiled, "And I'll still be here, ready to give it" she told her son; before turning to her daughter, "The both of you" she said.
She also noticed Vitani's look, but thought she might have had a better idea what it was that was bothering her. She didn't want to let into what it was around the others, though, so said nothing.
Hali giggled, "I don't think so..." she kept swimming.
-
"Uhhhhh me? Oh yeah I'm fine. Excuse me" She said walking away from the group trying to not make it seem like there was nothing bothering her.
Ramiki swam after her quickly trying to tag her on the tail.
-
Nala debated following after Vitani...yet paused for the two reasons of how to not look like she was coddling and there was a problem and also...she was to be Kopa's queen, and perhaps her new mate would wish to strengthen their bond by helping her out.
Hali giggled and moved her tail out of the way, yet as she turned she slowed a bit...
-
Ramiki smiled to himself as Hali slowed down during the turn. "You're goin down Hali" He said with a playful growl leaping out of the water in an effort to pounce her.
-
As Ramiki did succeed in pouncing her, Hali giggled. "Yeah, so I guess I'm it now again, huh?" she asked.
-
"Yup! And I bet you can't tag me again. " Ramiki said waving his butt at Hali in a playful teasing matter.
-
"Oh I bet I can!" Hali retorted before taking off after Ramiki yet again
-
Ramiki just blew a raspberry at Hali and swam as fast as his paws could take him. "Come on snail cub you're gonna have to go faster then that if you expect to tag me" Ramiki taunted.
-
"Hey, I caught you once I'll do it again!" Hali taunted back, trying to increase speed and catch Ramiki
-
"Yeah we will just have to see about that" Ramiki said swimming even faster trying to create some distance between them.
-
Hali giggled, deciding that having a brother was fun, but then that went for a family of any sorts as well!
She put on more speed and tired to keep up with swimming after Ramiki, but even with her good swimming skills she did begin to tire and slow down
-
Ramiki swam even faster and floated on his back in terms of some playful teasing. " I could keep up with this speed all day" Ramiki said with a little laugh. Truth be told he was getting a bit tired too though.
-
"Oh you think you're so funny, don't ya" Hali said, yet she noticed she wasn't the only one tiring. She slowly tried to creep up while Ramiki was still slowing down atleast a bit and maybe surprise pounce him...
-
Ramiki didn't notice Hali creeping up on him he was swimming so fast that now he had slowed down quite a bit. He was to busy gloating to see how close Hali was to him.
-
Barely concealing her laugh, Hali leapt up suddenly, tackling Ramiki, "Surprise!" she said before they both went underwater. She let him go then and kicked back up to the surface.
-
"Ooooooffffffff" Ramiki said not expecting to be pounced on by Hali. Ramiki surfaced choking a bit on the water. "Nice Pounce Hali" Ramiki laughed.
-
Kopa walked away from Pride Rock and heade out towards the watering hole. Vitani had seemed embarrased when she had left, but it was better that she figure things out on her own.. Kopa didn't want to create too much dependency on him..
-
Vitani looked over at Kopa leaving and ran after him and walking right beside him. "Need some company"? Vitani asked.
-
Hali giggled, "thanks, ok now I guess you're it. or are you tiring?" she asked with a teasing smile.
-
Hali giggled, "thanks, ok now I guess you're it. or are you tiring?" she asked with a teasing smile.
"I could go at this for as long as you can Hali. If you aren't tired then I ain't tired." Ramiki teased back.
-
"Ok, then...try and get me!" Hali said, making a big splash as she swam off to try and buy at least a little time before Ramiki could dart after her. She giggled and swam across the watering hole.
-
"Two can play at this game." He dived into the water and swam after her under water hoping he could take her by surprise.
-
Sure: Kopa said, readily agreeing to have her join him.. " You sleep well last night?" He asked as they approsched the watering hole, where Kopa could see Hali and Ramiki playing in the water..
-
"Yeah I did. Sorry about earlier Kopa I just felt kinda rotten. Your parents are so accepting of us loving each other. I guess I felt just really awful how they have taken such a liking to me and I was at war with them. It just makes me feel sorta icky that I used to be one of those outsiders" Vitani said.
-
Hali noticed Ramiki coming up on her from underwater and tried to keep track on where he was as she kept swimming, but it was becoming difficult.
-
Ramiki swam even deeper so it would be harder for her to see him and Ramiki popped up in front of Hali. "Surprise" He said.
-
Hali faltered back, "No...fair being better than me at that" she said as she turned to try and dart off quickly before Ramiki tagged her.
-
"Not so fast Hali and just where do you think you're going"? Ramiki playfully pounced her sending them both underwater.
-
Hali laughed and then sucked in her breath as they went under the water, "Hehe, I lost track of who's winning or if we're tied" she admitted as they came up.
-
On the other side of the watering hole, hidden within the tall grass, two black panthers lay and watch the cubs play and swim. They were in no playful mood...
"The Crown Prince did return after all," one hissed. "I can see him on the other side."
"It looks like an Outsider he's with," the other whispered back. "If we only had a few more with us, this watering hole will be red with their..."
"Enough... We are to only watch for now. We'll have a more active plan by nightfall, when we are rulers of the night..."
(OOC: Yes, there is a reason why they talk like that. :p )
-
well, they have already gone with this with our siblings.. had we been the first in our families , things probably would have been different.." Kopa replied, watrtching the kids tussle in the water..
-
Hali laughed and then sucked in her breath as they went under the water, "Hehe, I lost track of who's winning or if we're tied" she admitted as they came up.
............................................................................................
Vitani cuddled up beside Kopa and softly purred to him. Kopa always knew the right thing to say. "Isn't it so cute watching those 2 play together?" Vitani said.
"Me too. But, I think that's a good thing. I think it just means we're having so much fun we're not bothering to keep score. If you ask me that sounds like a great thing. All that I know is that You're it again" Ramiki said swimming ahead.
-
Hali laughed, "Yeah and I'm gonna tag you even quicker this time!" she declared, taking off across the water after Ramiki.
-
Ramiki laughed as Hali swam after him. "Well actions speak louder then words. If you think you're so much faster how about you prove it? " Ramiki said.
-
"That...what...I'm doing" Hali said, swimming faster and trying to gain on Ramiki.
-
Kiara and Kovu walked over to Nala. "Where are the cubs?" Kiara asked her mother.
"We'd like to hang with them," Kovu explained.
-
"If that's the case why are you still it. Does the poor little cub need a rest"? Ramiki teased in a playful matter.
-
"Hang with the cubs?" Nala didn't laugh but had almost done so, "From the direction they took, I would guess by the watering hole" she answered.
~~~~
"No" Hali shot back, this giving her a burst of determined speed. "Ha, now who's slow?" she asked as she came up behind Ramiki.
-
"Hang with the cubs?" Nala didn't laugh but had almost done so, "From the direction they took, I would guess by the watering hole" she answered.
~~~~
"No" Hali shot back, this giving her a burst of determined speed. "Ha, now who's slow?" she asked as she came up behind Ramiki.
"WOw, I'm really impressed" Ramiki said seeing how fast she was going. Ramiki had to admit it this girl had speed. "After this you wanna play something else? I'll even let you choose the game." Ramiki said.
-
yes they are cute.. but I think it is time we had them play outside the water for now.."Kopa said...
-
yes they are cute.. but I think it is time we had them play outside the water for now.."Kopa said...
"Why? I don't really see the harm of them playing in the water." Vitani said a little bit confused as to why Kopa wanted them to play on Land so much.
-
well, ramiki is your kid.. so what you say goes i guess..'Kops replied..
-
"Sure" Hali said with a smile, she'd have to figure out what they were going to play, but first... "and by the way, I win again!" she said with a giggle as she tackled him.
-
"AWWWWWWWWWWWW, man do you have to be better then me ant everything. " Ramiki said pushing her off him playfully when she tackled him.
-
"It comes from being a girl" Hali giggled.
-
Ramiki just rolls his eyes playfully. "Sure it does" Ramiki said sarcastically. "So what do you wanna play now" ? Ramiki said.
-
Kopa came up to them.. "Do yu kids want to come out of the water now? Or do you want to play some more in the water?"
-
Hali was about to answer, when Kopa walked up. She turned, yet instead of them being told to come out...they were...asked. It was a bit odd. "Um...well..." Hali looked to Ramiki to see what he thought.
-
"Well...............................we were thinking of playing another game in the water............ I mean if that's ok with you and my mom." Ramiki said.
-
well, ask your mom if thats ok.." Kopa turned to Vitani who was stabding behind him..
-
Ramiki looked over at his mom with a little sad puppy dog face. "Can I mom? Please? I am having so much fun with Hali in the water" Ramiki said.
Vitani laughed. "You know I can never say no to that face, Of course you can but don't stay in for to much longer" Vitani said.
-
Hali smiled as Ramiki was given permission to stay in, "and I guess that means I can stay in a bit too, right?" she asked Kopa, just making sure, since she knew he was sort of in charge of her now.
-
Kiara and Kovu walked to the waterhole.
"Hey sis," called Kovu.
"Hey bro," waved Kiara.
-
Kopa turned and smiled as he saw his sister and Kovu approaching. ' Hello, little siister, how are you feeling today?" he asked as they met at the edge of the watering hole.
-
"Hi, Kovu How are you"Vitani said hugging her brother tightly.
-
Hali grinned over at Ramiki, "Well while we have time....see if you can't find me when I hide" she swam off, yet looked back to see if he'd take her challenge of a quick hide and seek around the waters edge.
-
Ramiki smiled over at Hali he never said no to a challenge especially a challenge to play Hide and Seek. "You're on Hali I bet I can find you too" Ramiki said turning around and covering his eyes with his paws as he began to count.
-
With a giggle, Hali swam over to hid behind a nearby tree, yet still technically within the water and peered out to see if when he was done counting Ramiki would be able to find her.
-
"27, 28, 29, 30 ready or not here I come Hali." Ramiki said swimming around the water hole but not seeing Hali.
-
One of the swimming cubs came awfully close to where the panthers are hiding. They pressed even lower to avoid being seen...
-
Kopa turned " I'm heading off to go for a walk' He said to Vitani. " keep an eye on the kids.. call them out whenever you are ready.."
-
Vitani turned to follow Kopa in an effort to spend some more time with him but when Kopa said "Keep an eye on the kids" Vitani simled a weak smile. "Okay Kopa" She said a little bit dejected.
-
"lOok, if you want to accompany me, then thats fine" Kopa said turning to her.. "But then who will watch the kids, unless we take them with us?'
-
Hali suppressed another giggle, before she caught a strange scent on the air. She sniffed once, twice, but couldn't pinpoint what beyond just toher cats it was. She thought of trying to get a bit closer but...that would cause her to be seen from her hiding spot, so she stayed still.
-
Kopa stopped and returned to Vitani. "You can come with, dear" He said Nuzzling her. But what should we do anout the kids?" He asked.
-
"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"Vitani said she really didn't want to interupt the game . "Maybe they will be fine alone. How about this you go for a walk now and maybe later when you come back we can take a walk just you, me, and the kids."Vitani purred to Kovu as he nuzzled her and she nuzzled him back.
-
Alright>' Kopa replied , this was a fair compromise.. "I won't be long.. if anything happens come and get me.." He said, giving Vitani a kiss and turning and geading ooff away from the pool.
-
Vitani kissed Kopa back and stayed watching the kids play their little hide and seek game.
Ramiki sniffed trying to catch on Hali's scent. He swam up right next to the tree she was behind and smiled. Ramiki knew he was close but he didn't know how close he actually was.
-
"We're doing fine," Kovu and Kiara replied, a little late.
-
The panthers knew they will be noticed if they stay around any longer, but they'll draw unwanted attention if they ran. They saw the Crowned Prince leave behind the cubs and the lioness. One possibility is to slay the three to avoid witnesses...
----------
Meanwhile, Matsu strolled down from another path to the watering hole, soon eying Vitani and the cubs nearby. He approached the queen-to-be and bowed his head. "Good morrow, My Lady," he spoke.
-
Vitani had to seriously look around when she heard Matsu say that almost like she wasn't expecting Matsu to be talking to her. She stifled a little laugh as Matsu politely said this. "Oh, good morning Matsu" She said happily.
-
Hali struggled, with everything she had, not to giggle, but a small stiffle was let loose as Ramiki was so close and yet didn't notice her.
-
"Or maybe I should start saying Your Majesty now," replied Matsu. "I take it things are going well so far today."
----------
Watching the newcomer started talking to the lioness, the panthers slowly backed deeper into the tall grass, away from sight...
-
Kopa slowly made his way away towards the north of the Pridelands. This was his home and he was slowly reclaiming familiarity with it..
_
Good morning Vitani" Nuteri said coming up behingd her. " where is Kopa?
-
Ramiki smiled to himself as he passed by the tree. He didn't know why but something told him this was where Hali was, He crouched down and pounced behind the tree. "I gotcha Hali now it's your turn to find me" Ramiki said.
Vitani sort of chuckled at the name "Your majesty." She was still not used to being called that or getting special treatment like this. "Everything is going great Matsu thanks for asking. What about you?" Vitani said.
Vitani smiled as Nuteri walked up, "Good morning Nuteri. Kopa went off to take a walk. "Vitani said.
-
"Morning Vitani," Kovu waved to his sister.
Kiara just smiled and felt her belly.
-
I see, and left you in charge of the cubs..hmm..' Nuteri froiwned.. "Grettiung my Lord and lady" He said nodding at Kovu and Kiara.. "My dear, rubbing your belly will not make the cubs come any sooner" He chuckled. " they will come in due time, just be patient.."
-
"I know....." Kiara agreed with a smile, "I just want to be able to feel them."
-
that will come in time as well, you are too early in the pregnancy to truly feel them in you.." nuteri replied. "Patience, my dear.."
-
"Good morning brother" Vitani said giving Kovu a hug. " And Nuteri is right Kiara these things take a little bit of time. But, don't worry it will happen soon enough" Vitani said.
-
"Gotcha," Kiara nodded, giving Kovu a kiss.
-
(lets have the bad guys start to come into focus)
-
While the lions spoke, Matsu caught a glimpse of black in contrast to the golden grass suddenly dart from near the other side of the watering hole, where the cubs were near. "Panthers?" he thought aloud and darted from the group after the scent.
"A leopard is behind us," one panther inquired as they ran.
"He's only one," replied the other. "Split up and lose him!"
As that's said they moved in a wide V and disappeared from sight. Matsu cursed as he screeched to a halt where the invaders forked. If he wants to continue, he must make a choice quickly, but a glance behind him showed he was alone, and there may be more out there...
----------
Three panthers watched from a high hill near the Elephant Graveyard.
"Too close..." replied one. "The next time we enter the Pridelands, it will be for the slaughter... Rejoin in the Graveyard."
-
9nice work kenji)
kopa continued on his walk, oblivious to the growing threat outside the borders of his kingdom.. which had expanded under his father..
-
Matsu paused as he waited for something, but nothing happened. Panther's sneaking around this close to the royal family must not be up to any good. The King must hear of this. He turned back and hurried to the watering hole...
----------
"The leopard will surely warn the King," said a second panther watching the scene.
"No matter," replied the first. "They know nothing of our true numbers. When our lord returns, the Pride Lands will know first-hand how great our wrath can be..."
The three panthers turned and disappeared into the elephant graveyard...
-
"Oh, ok" Hali came out from where she'd been found. Then she giggled, "I guess it's your turn no--" she noticed the leopard from before dart off and frowned, "Hmm, wonder where he's going..." she said outloud.
-
"Yeah, me too," added Kovu.
-
"Oh, ok" Hali came out from where she'd been found. Then she giggled, "I guess it's your turn no--" she noticed the leopard from before dart off and frowned, "Hmm, wonder where he's going..." she said outloud.
"HMMMMM wanna go check it out? We could have a little adventure. And besides I didn't wanna tell you this but something inside of me is telling me that this jaguar is dangerous. I saw him before but didn't wanna tell you. He's mysterious too mysterious. And that could mean danger. I say we follow him" Ramiki said.
-
Matsu returned to the watering hole with a concerned look on his face and a good amount of energy spent from the chase alone. He stopped at Kiara, Vitani, and Kovu, taking a deep breath to speak. He did not notice the cubs he passed by in listening distance.
"Forgive me, my lords and ladies," he said, "but I hope you could direct me to where King Simba or Prince Kopa might be. It may be urgent..."
-
Hali frowned, thinking, a part of her was sure it would worry Vitani and Kopa yet...she looked to where Matsu was talking with them and the others, "It will probably take him a long time to get to King Simba and...by that time who knows, maybe we should figure out what we can in that time" she whispered back and nodded.
-
"Kovu and Vitani may be very angry and worried about us. But, if these panthers are planning to ambush our pride. We could tell the adults and the Pridelands will be ready for it. Think of everyone we can save if we find out about an attack before everyone else. " Ramiki said.
And then he smiled as Hali agreed. "Don't worry I'll make sure nothing happens to you Hali" Ramiki said.
-
Hali smiled back, "I guess you're right, and thanks, and I'll try to do the same for you too" she added with a giggle as they headed out.
-
"Simba's currently in the main den," Kovu pointed, "But why are you interested in communicating with them?"
-
Ramiki stops her. And then Motions over to Vitani who was still watching them. "We can't go until it's safe if we go now Vitani will just tell Kovu and stop us. We've got to do this at the right Persis moment." Ramiki said. When he saw Vitani fall asleep. He smiled. "Now, let's go and find out what's goin on before anyone knows we were gone" Ramiki said leading the way.
-
Hali nodded, "Good thing I got you with me to help me out in this sneaking out thing otherwise I wouldn't have gotten far" she smiled.
-
"There were two panthers that were sneaking around here, very close to where the cubs were playing," Matsu replied. "I gave chase, but they took different directions to lose me. I was concerned for the cubs."
-
Ramiki smiled. "Yeah, sneaking off is one of my specialties. Not a specialty I'm really proud of but still a specialty. Come on stick close to me and we can get there and back without getting in trouble. And if by chance we do get in trouble. I'll take the whole wrath of the punishment. I'll just make up a story so I'm the only one punished." Ramiki said.
-
Hali had to frown as she followed, "Aw gee Ramikik, that doesn't sound fair, I'm in it too so I won't let you take all the blame" she said as she kept close to Ramiki like he'd said.
-
Ramiki had to smile over at Hali. It wasn't often that Ramiki would make a friend who cared the slightest bit about being fair. Most of the other cub's would have probably sold Ramiki up the river or ratted him out just to avoid getting in to trouble. Hali was such a great friend. He stopped for a second and gave Hali a small hug. "Thanks Hali it really means a lot that you'd do that you are such an awesome friend" Ramiki said starting to lead the way again and making sure that Hali stayed close.
-
Hali smiled back, "No problem, you're one of the first true friends I've had in a while too so I owe it to ya".
-
Ramiki had to smile. He was not known for meeting real friends. Normally he sucked at picking friends. But, Hali really was his best friend. And if anyone had to be like a sister to him he was glad it was Hali.
"This shouldn't take long I promise. We'll have fun . It'll be just like our own little adventure" Ramiki said.
-
"We should go check on the cubs," Kovu told everyone else.
-
kopa stopped near the watering hole, across from where he and Vitani had sat the previous evening. he looked out over the still water, and became lost in his thoughts..
-
"I'll go warn the King," Matsu replied, but stopped as he spotted Kopa on the other side. "On second thought, I'll go tell the Crown Prince first." He hurried to the other side of the watering hole...
-
"Yeah, and who knows if we do a good job maybe the grown-ups will all be proud" she said. Being new to the pride, the thought was a really uplifting one to her. Sort of like she was pulling her own weight.
-
kopa 's reverie was brokwen as he heard matsu approaching. ' whats the matter?' He asked noticing the firm look on the his face.. ' tell me..."
-
"Yeah, and who knows if we do a good job maybe the grown-ups will all be proud" she said. Being new to the pride, the thought was a really uplifting one to her. Sort of like she was pulling her own weight.
"Yeah, I can just hear it now Hali we'll be hero's and who knows we could end up leaders of the pride some day for our heroic actions."
Ramiki said he didn't really want to admit it but he was worried he had gone the wrong way . He had nopt seen those panthers in a while. "Don't worry Hali I'm sure we're close" Ramiki said not really knowing for sure if they were or weren't.
-
Hali wasn't sure if they'd do that great, but Ramiki's idea of leaders did sound sort of nice in thought.
She started feeling a bit unsure herself, though as they got further and further out. "Oh uh yeah I know" Hali said, not wanting to seem like she didn't think Ramiki could do it.
She glanced about trying to see if any of the landscape looked familiar to her, maybe in her wanderings before the pride took her in she'd passed it, but she didn't see anything familiar yet, nor any signs of the panthers.
-
Matsu bowed his head. "Panthers were discovered sneaking near the lion cubs. They fled as soon as I caught sight of them."
-
' Kope frowned. "How many? Panthers usually don't bother us, but idf there are a group of them they can be trouble.. Tell the king.. and while You do that.. I'm go get Vitani and the Cubs.."
-
"There were two that I've seen, my lord," Matsu replied to Kopa's question. He bowed his head to the Prince's command. "I shall tell him at once." He then turned and sprinted to Pride Rock...
(OOC: Have the cubs entered the Elephant Graveyard, yet?)
-
(OOC: I don't know, but we can speed them along there if we need to :))
-
(Yeah I think we should just say they got to the Outlands to speed it up just a bit.)
-
(Alrighty)
As they walked around the Elephant Graveyard, and though she knew there was a job to do, Hali couldn't help glancing about at their surroundings.
"Wow, it's kinda both creepy and cool" she commented as she walked on with Ramiki.
-
"I just wish it was a little more cool and a little less creepy" Ramiki said softly. He walked closer to Hali. He had to admit having his best friend in the Outlands with him made Ramiki feel a lot better about this place.
-
"Yeah..." Hali agreed, not moving far from where Ramiki was either. "Well sooner we find these panther sooner we can take the news back to the Pridelands; now where would they have gone?" she looked about.
-
From high above a complete elephant skeleton, came their answer. "Not far at all..."
Before the cubs react, panthers immediately surround them on all sides, snarling viciously.
The panther that spoke lept down to the inside of the circle. "However, you won't be heading back to the Pridelands..."
-
Hali backed up closer to Ramiki, scared. She tried to not seem like it though, "Y-you better not think of trying anything" she said, trying to sound brave.
-
"Uhhhhh yeah don't even think about trying anything. I might be a cub but I'm still really , really tough." Ramiki said scared but standing his ground. He gets in front of Hali and doesn't move an inch. He was really, really, cared but hut he had to protect Hali.
-
The "lead" panther cocked an eyebrow, and a few of the others snickered. "You honestly think you had an inch of hope against us?" he hissed. "I killed rhinos with more courage than you two combined..."
"What shall we do with them?" one of the other panthers asked.
"They are of no use to us, and they'll warn the kingdom if we let them go. So...tear them apart!"
(OOC: Next post will have the brains of the panthers show up.)
-
Hali's ear went flat at the panthers order to his others. She felt like bolting for her life, but...not without Ramiki, that thought was the only thing that kept her rooted to her spot.
-
Kopa was worried now, as he ran towards Pride Rock. the sight of panthers could only mean trouble..
-
Several of the panthers crouched to strike...
"Hold!"
The panthers looked up towards a massive pile of bones, where a large dark figure stood above the group.
The lead panther bowed his head low. "You have come at last my liege."
The figure treads down the pile, now seen as a large black-furred lion with yellow eyes, which turn to the cubs with an unholy gaze. "Spies that the Pridelands could be able to send, Mantu?"
"Merely cubs of the pride deciding to take this time to venture far from home, my liege. They are too great a threat to let live."
"Not yet. They may be of use for us still..."
----------
Matsu reached Pride Rock before Kopa and found some female lions taking shade under some trees. "Is the King within?" he asked after a deep breath.
-
(Is that Scar, or just someone who looks like him?)
Kopa reached Pride not much later than mAtsu " where is my father?"
-
(OOC: No. This guy has pure black fur.)
-
Hali tried to say something, but found her voice unable to work as this newer, apparently more powerful, panther approached and at his words.
Also anything she said might just make things worse. She glanced over to Ramiki, trying to say don't worry, we'll get out of this.
-
Ramiki was scared out of his mind. But, he tried to remain as un scared as possible. He really had developed a somewhat crush on Hali and hated to be considered a wimp. If he was alone he for sure would have run back to the pride lands scared.
"I'm not afraid of you " Ramiki said trying to sound as confident as possible.
-
The black lion glared at the little cub. "If you're not afraid," he growled, "you soon will be... Take them! If they try to escape, kill them!"
Several of panthers moved forward behind the cubs and grabbed the scruffs of the necks with their jaws.
The lion gave an evil smirk. "Only fools have no fear in the face of death..."
-
Ramiki gulped loudly as he was picked up by the throat "Let the other cub go. It's me you guys want not her. Please, I'm the one who'd tell the others." Ramiki said wanting to save is best friend and to make sure she didn't get hurt.
-
"You are not one to barter, cub," the black lion replied. "Your only choices for your girlfriend is to be your fellow captive or we kill her...and you get to watch. What's it going to be?"
-
Ramiki looked over at Hali with a look of sorrow as if saying "I'm sorry Hali I tried my best to get you free" with his eyes. Of course he wasn't going to watch Hali die. Not now not without a fight. "Then we are both your captives. Don't worry we won't try to run away" Ramiki said sadly. He really wanted to save Hali from the same fate he had gotten himself into. All he could do is pray that the pridelanders would find out and they would all come to his rescue.
-
This was a huge horrible mess, Hali noted as they were carried off. She tried to smile back reassuringly to lessen some of the worry she knew Ramiki felt over just her being here too.
"Don't worry, you couldn't have made me leave you anyway" she told him, "and I'm sure someone will come after us..." she sounded both relieved and sad about this, since they would be pulling more of the pride into trouble just by having to be rescued.
(ooc: since I lost track of where she was in the first place...)
"Kopa...what's going on?", he hadn't found Simba, but Nala stepped forward towards where her son was, immediately worried by the worried look on his face.
-
Ramiki had to smile. Hali was always trying to make Ramiki feel better. "Thanks Hali. You're a great friend. I'm sorry for getting you mixed into this" Ramiki said.
-
"Take them away!" the black lion command. "Someplace where I don't have to see them! And if they escape...kill them both."
The panthers holding the cubs carried them off deeper into the maze of massive bones, escorted by panthers to ensure no one will escape alive. They soon stopped at the entrance to a small cavern wide enough for a water buffalo, and entered into a small cave. The panthers tossed the cubs deeper into the cavern and exited to stand guard at the only pathway in and out of the chasm...
----------
Matsu bowed his head as Nala came forth...
-
Hali sighed, they did seem stuck for the moment with the panthers blocking their path and ordered to kill them even if they did try to run off.
Nala gave a nod of greeting back, "Matsu...it's good to see you again, though I admit I'm not too comforted by the look on your face...what's wrong?" she glanced from the leopard (?) to Kopa once more.
-
Hali sighed, they did seem stuck for the moment with the panthers blocking their path and ordered to kill them even if they did try to run off.
Nala gave a nod of greeting back, "Matsu...it's good to see you again, though I admit I'm not too comforted by the look on your face...what's wrong?" she glanced from the leopard (?) to Kopa once more.
Ramiki cuddled up beside Hali. He knew she was scared,he was scared too. "At least we're both together that's all that matters. Someone is bound to realize we're gone and come look for us. We'll be outta here in no time" Ramiki said.
-
"Panthers have been discovered near some of the lions, my Queen," Matsu replied, grimly. "And...some cubs may have gone missing. We don't know why, but the panthers might have something to do with it."
-
Kopa appeared shortly after Matsu" , to find his mother and Matsu deep in conversation' what is it, mother?' he said with a grave air.
-
"Yeah" Hali smiled as much as she could, "no time...I am both glad and sad you're here though Ramiki" she said as she laid her head down, "Sad for you being here but...well glad to be with you like you said".
~~~~
Nala frowned in worry even as she answered her son, "Panthers have been spotted nearby, in the Pridelands and...cubs missing?" she turned back towards Matsu, "...which cubs?" she asked almost hesitantly.
-
Vitani who had just woken up walked back to Pride Rock in hopes that the cubs had gone back there. But, the minute she got there and heard what Matsu said. Her face turned a pale white. "Please tell me you have seen Ramiki and Hali recently" She said quite panicked.
-
No, i haven't' kopa said with concern in his voice. "Do you think..' He turned to Matsu " where did you see the cubs last?"
-
"They were with Vitani at the watering hole," Matsu answered. "They were playing in the water very close to where I spotted two panthers on the bank. They took off when I approached, and I chased them until they parted in different directions. I came back to the watering hole to speak to the other lions. Then there was word that the cubs weren't in sight. I could only hope I'm wrong about the panthers' involvement with the cubs..."
-
kopa frowned ' we need to go look for them.. i.. promised Vitani that i would help her care for ramiki.." His voice began to shake " If abnything happens to that cub.. I don't know how I'd take it.."
-
"I'm sure they left tracks, you two go an ahead, I'll grab what I can of some of the other lioness and be right after" Nala told both Kopa and Matsu before making haste to turn and do such.
~~~~
Meanwhile, as she lay there, not moving to cause trouble, Hali found she couldn't fall asleep either. They'd come here to spy and figure out something of the plan, so best to keep listening while not looking like she was she figured, even if that mean lion wasn't likely to come over and start discussing how he would get the Pridelanders and such.
-
"I remember the scent of the panthers well, my Prince," Matsu said. "If we get some others to get a good whiff of the smell, they cane search elsewhere."
----------
Outside the cave, the panthers on guard spotted others approaching.
"What do you need?" one asked.
"More prisoners for the time being."
"A few hyenas too stupid to leave when they had to."
"Filthy vermin..." the first replied. "Why not kill them now?"
"Not without the commander's orders."
"Fine then... Alright, you stinking hyenas! In you go!"
Three forms came tumbling into the cave...
-
good" kopa said, I'm cioming with you.. so lead the way.. " kopa said turning and beginning the follow the panther.
-
Nala meanwhile turned to round up some of the lionesses just to be prepared for whatever they faced.
~~~~
Hali got up and backed up as strangers were put in with them, and by the scent they smelled like hyenas...
"Ramiki..." she whispered, not wanting to disturb him if he had fallen asleep but not wanting to face this alone either.
-
(OOC: Who played Bonsai again?)
The three hyenas happened to be Bonsai, Shanzi, and Ed. Ed would've continued to giggle if he hadn't bit his tongue...
----------
The leopard led the way from Pride Rock until he meets up with a pack of African spotted dogs. Speaking quickly with the leader, a hunting pack of the dogs left with Matsu and Kopa back to the watering hole.
-
Ramiki was wide awake and cuddled up beside Hali. "Don't worry I got your back" Ramiki said . He would never have let Hali face these Hyenas alone. But these Hyenas were keeping it cool. So Ramiki didn't see a threat.
-
Hali nodded, noticing the same as Ramiki. She wanted to say hi or something, but was half afraid that in itself might cause trouble, so just kept quiet to wait and see what the hyena's did.
~~~~
Meanwhile, Nala and the lioness she had been able to gather headed out after Kopa
-
"I hope Ramiki and Hali are okay" Vitani said worriedly.
-
Nuteri approached her. "You are showing the concern of a mother.. which is good' the babboon smiled. "We'll get them back, but it wion't be easy, especially if panthers are involved.."
-
(OOC: I forgot who plays Bonzai)
At the watering hole, Matsu and the African spotted dogs waited for the lions to arrive...
-
They didn't have long to wait as Kopa soon appeared heading in their direction..
-
Nala soon made it with the other lioness with her, "Any leads on the scent?" she asked.
-
The African spotted dogs bowed their heads as the lions approached.
"The scent is found, yet faint, along with the leopard's," one said. "We will trace it to where the panthers are said to have parted."
The canines and Matsu lead the way down the path.
-
lead the way and quickly.." Kopa said I want those cubs found and brought home safely.."
-
The scent was tracked to where the two panthers split ways to escape Matsu, but this time Matsu had numbers on his side. "This is where they parted," the leopard explained.
"Who knows if one had decided to stop and hide to ambush you if you followed," the hunting pack's leader replied. "By now, they both returned to where they come from..."
"I have another scent," one of the spotted dogs called. "It trails after the panther that ran in the direction of the Elephant's Graveyard."
----------
Shanzi rubbed her head as she sat up. "Great plan..." she said wryly. "Suck up to those panthers to get on their good side. Any more bright ideas in that empty skull of yours?"
-
Great the Elephants graveyard " Outside the kingdom, those cubs are going to be in so much trouble' Kopa snarled.
-
Nala sighed, she'd forgotten about the Elephant Graveyard being a possibility, there had been so many added dangers since her cubhood days from Outlands to other such.
"Well in their defense, I don't think they snuck that far on their own" she commented, "but let's just focus on getting them home safe first".
~~~~
Still unsure what the hyena's opinions of them, being lions and all, would be, Hali kept quiet still.
(I'll help with Banzai until we figure it out if you want)
"Hey, how'm I suppose to know how any of these stupid cats will react!" Banzai shot back, "besides, I talked them out of killing us didn't I...".
It hadn't been so much him, he knew, but he needed some credit right nwo to keep Shenzi's anger at bay so he grabbed at what he could.
-
"Then we'll take this path for the cubs," Matsu replied.
"We shall trace the other path," the pack leader said. "The panther may have gone straight to where they gather."
----------
"Sure they spared us..." Shanzi muttered, and sees the lion cubs. "Oh great, and we got some lion brats in here too..."
-
Hali huddled in more at the hyena's words, yet then stepped out a bit, "Um...excuse me...", it was a crazy idea but the only one she had, "I...I know you're probably not thrilled to be here with us but...maybe we could help that not happen...I mean...", she glanced back just to make sure Ramiki was still there so she'd feel better and be able to continue, "if we...sort of helped eachother maybe we could figure out some way out, and then you could go right back to forgetting we exist if you want" the cub finished.
Banzai scoffed, "Work. With lions, no thanks we tried it".
Hali frowned, "but what if it's the only way to get out...it could be worth trying, see if we could come up with some idea". Her bravery all through this and to say all this failed suddenly and she stepped back again.
-
Mother, they had to have gotten there on their own, unless the jaguars grabbed them and brought them there, which I doubt. No, if they caught them, they'd kill them a nnd be done with it, there'd be no one to tell of their intrusions" there was a coldness to his voice, a tone of anger. Why couldn't Vitani control those cubs? This would seriously complicate thier relationship, all those good feelings on thier date, were rapidly disspiating.. " she's not fit to be queen" he muttered.
-
"Honey, haven't you seen how many panthers are out there?" Shanzi replied. "All the other hyenas combined couldn't take them on in a fair fight. That's why the smart ones split when they had the chance."
----------
The black lion stood on a high mountain of elephant bones to see the commotion in the Pride Lands. "We'll soon have company..." he said.
"Just some lions, mutts, and that traitorous leopard," a panther next to him inquired. "Surely, they've come for the brats. We'll dispatch of them quickly as they enter our domain..."
"Not yet. The Queen and the Prince are among them. I want the King as well. Wait until they come deeper into our realm...then spill all but the royal blood..."
"As you command..."
-
Nala was shocked at at least the anger present in Kopa's tone, not to mention what she thought she picked up on being muttered, but she couldn't be sure on that count.
If it wouldn't have paused a rescue mission, she'd have wheeled about to pause her son for a word or so, as it was she had to try while they still rushed on.
"Kopa..." she spoke not too loudly, and her voice held that firm disappointed quality of a mother's. She sighed, "Being King is more than just by rights...and I fear in terms of tolerance you have much to learn. I allowed a son to slip from my watch, much as it killed me every day since, I suppose I was an unfit queen as well".
Nala rushed on ahead of Kopa, "Not too fast when we get nearer" she called to the groups, "we don't want to give away our presence too quickly".
~~~~
Hali sighed, "Well no...I noticed them".
-
that was different" kopa replied "you were already queen, and not a potential one..as for letting a cub get away.. " he trailed off.. 'The Outsiders were responsible for that.. we don't know yet who is responsible for this one.. it may just be innocent curiosity on the part of the cubs..until we find out for sure, i withhold any further comment.." Kopa sighed. He was going to have to have a long talk with Nuteri after this was over..
-
"Alright son, alright" Nala glanced back with a smile, "I'm just staying don't be too hard on her, she is a worried mother after all and just as upset as you at all that's happened I'm sure, even if I can't speak for her".
-
Ramiki had just about given up hope to ever make out of this cave alive. He promised himself he would never leave the Pridelandss again. "In case I haven't said this enough. I am so sorry Hali for dragging you into this" Ramiki said.
-
Matsu followed Nala as the group is more aware that the cubs are the priority. The African painted dog hunt leader told two of his hunters to return to Pride Rock and inform the King of the news of what happened. The two canines turned back and ran towards Pride Rock while the main group followed the felines to the Elephant graveyard...
-
"You have, and even though It's as much my fault too, thanks" Hali said with a smile.
"Yeah, touching" Banzai said sarcastically, "but maybe the little fur ball's got a point, thinking through what we're gonna do when pulled out of this pit isn't such a bad idea". He paced, as if thinking it through already.
-
Still I don't want this to become a common occurance' Kopa replied. "I'm going to have a long talk with her about this, and about us..' he said no more but continued waling towards the boundaries of the kingdom he was soon to rule..
-
Vitani meanwhile had heard what Kopa had said about her not being able to be fit as queen. She looked angrily at Kopa how dare he say something like that."Well, don't you worry Kopa once we find the cubs I will take Ramiki and you will never have to see me again" Vitani said walking ahead of Kopa with a huff of anger.
-
" So Be it" Kopa said to himself.. he must have been muttering pretty loud he thought to himself, if she could have heard him .. Kopa had a strong voice, it seemed.. and while a pang of regret echoed in him, if they both meant what they said then things were over between them , and so soon after things were looking so well.. well such was life, he reasoned as they approached the enterance to the graveyard..
-
Vitani really did love Kopa and wanted to try her best to work things out but it seemed like Kopa didn't want anything to do with her any more. "Don't cry Vitani not now don't cry" Vitani told herself trying to hold back tears
-
Kopa sighed and came back to her " look.. Once we get the cubs.. we should talk.. I'm sorry for what I just said, i said it out of anger.. but for now.. lets just focus on getting the cubs back.. then if must part ways, we can do so amicably.."
-
"I really don't want to part ways Kopa I don't care what I have to do. I don't think I could find anyone who makes me as happy as you do" Vitani said sadly knowing there was a chance that this was over. She was gonna be so angry at Ramiki once she found him.
-
"i'm sorry it had to come to this.. what i felt when with you.. was real, but i realize now, we moved much too quickly.. and that had consequences..' Kopa trailed off as he walked away, his head down..
-
"But"Vitani started to sad to even say anything.
-
we need to be careful " kopa said turnbing to the others " They could be preparing to ambush us..' all for two little kids he thought..
-
The two African painted dogs raced their way to Pride Rock. The King himself has yet to know of the news...
----------
"Go ahead," Shanzi smirked. "By the time you come up with an idea, you'll end up pacing up a hole for us to crawl through..."
----------
The hunting pack continued to track the ground as they entered the Graveyard.
"This place reeks of death..." one snorted. "We could lose the scent in due time."
"It's a bad omen," another said, not afraid, but justifiably cautious.
"Keep to the scent," the leader ordered. "The faster we find the cubs the faster we'll leave."
"I agree..." Matsu replied.
-
Banzai paused to send a 'very funny' look to Shenzi.
"Hey...anyone else smell that?" Hali asked. She sniffed again, "it's smells like...I don't know, something that's not cats like lions or panthers atleast" she said.
-
kopa ventured further into the Elephant graveyard, feeling the tension growing within him.. he moved his head from side to side the mist clouding the area in front og him..
-
The painted dogs tracked the scent to a clearing where the cubs were caught and stopped abruptly...
----------
Shenzi looked over at the entrance, looking to see if the guards where still there...
-
' keep a sharp lookout everyone' kopa said 'i smell hyena, lion cub, and something else..be prepared for anything..
-
"Strange," Matsu said. "It seems like a mist is just starting to make its way around us..."
"I can't see through it," the hunting pack leader added.
----------
Sign's of the mist began to seep its way into the cave prison...
-
Nor can I..." Kopa muttered " This could very well be an ambush... the mist seemed to grow stringer and faint shadows moved to and fro...
-
Vitani was worried about so much right now. First there was Kyano and Haeso and now there a chance that Kopa the only man she loved didn't love him anymore. But, she tried to keep her guard up.
-
Don't you mean Ramiki and Hari?)
-
(That's the problem with me having so many cub characters I get them confused all the time. Yes, that's what I mean)
-
9its alright.. just making sure.. ;)
-
Vitani' Kopa called out to her.. stick close to me.. I'm picking up the cubs scent.. and hyenas are here too, perhaps they are those three hyenas Great-uncle Scar used when he ruled these lands with an iron paw..
-
"Okay" Vitani said keeping close to Kopa .
-
' i'll just glad to be out of here' Kopa continued.. "I've got a lot of things to consider for the next few months.. including.. you Vitani..
-
"The cub scent goes this way," the hunting pack leader said, moving towards one path in the mist.
"I don't like this one bit," Matsu replied.
"Me neither. There's no telling exactly how many panthers we may be facing out here. My Lord, should we wait until we get some reinforcements to join us?"
----------
The two African wild dogs made their way to Pride Rock, to find the King...
-
we need to get these cubs out of here" Kopa replied " Before the Jaguars kill them.. thats would deestroy vitani.. i 'm certain of it..'
-
We cannot afford to wait for reinforcements" Kopa added " the cubs are in grave danger, and we must act now..." he pushed ahead through the fog, bones crunching underneath his paws..it was an eerie sound
-
(OOC: Sorry I've forgotten about this Rp. I'd been meaning to get back to it, but I've been pushing it off for other posts. Where are Kiara and Kovu now?)
-
9 i don't know perhaps we could have one of the jaguars attack them, after all they are of the royal family.. lets say they are still in the pridelands..
-
Kiara and Kovu were pacing around Pride Rock waiting for Kopa and the others, hoping they were safe/
-
unbeknowst to the two lions a small group of jaguars wre headed in therr direction.. their mission from their leader was simple- kill the spare , her mate, and offspring.. their boss didn't want any trace of the royal line to survive..
-
Hali sniffed again, "Now I'm sure it's someone from the pride!" she said, despite having only met said pride a short while ago.
"Mr. Kopa!" she called, "i-is that yo-". Banzai quickly yanked the cub over to him, clamping a paw over her mouth, "Quiet you little brat, you want our captors to know you two at least are being rescued and come inflict more bodily harm?!".
-
kopa continued on his way, the mist covering the large piles of bones.. his father had once explored this place, and nearky paid for it with his life.. jopa hioped he wouldn't be facing a similar situation.
-
the jaguars continued approaching Kovu and Kiara, one on the left would attack Kiara the one on the right would attack Kovu..if they did their jobs right, forty percent of the royal family would be dead ...
-
Ramiki sniffed and his ears drooped low. This did smell like Kopa and Vitani. Ramiki cowered behind Hali. They were never gonna forgive Ramiki again for this.
-
kopa sniffed ' hali! Ramiki! Where are you? He called out.. not caring that he was giving away his position.. as the mist clearee he looked up.. above him stood a large group of jaguars, all grinning evil grins.. 'So, the whelp who the outsiders failed to kill.. has returned" one of them smirked "Looking for the brats are we? you'll never find them.. not in the time left to you.. which is..a few minutes... at most.." said a jaguar standing above Kopa " Kopa's face turned hard with anger.
-
some distance behind them a voice echoed through the mists "vitani! Vitani!' it was a voice that made Vitani's fur stand on end, it was a voice instantly familiar to her, a voice she had heard every day of her life growing up... the voice of her mother Zira...
-
Matsu did not hesitate, as he charged quickly to close the distance on the black jaguars, tackling one and sinking his teeth into its neck. Two of the jaguars gave chase while the others bounded down at the rest of the group...
The African spotted dogs spread themselves between the panthers & the lions, bracing for battle...
----------
From another hill of bones, the black lion watched as the battle was underway. A panther with a red pupil-less right eye, stood at his side. "Shall we send in the others and slay them quickly, my Lord?" he asked.
"No..." came the lion's reply. "We'll let the Crown Prince and his entorage draw themselves out. He shall suffer, even if it only reaches a fraction of how long his father will suffer..."
-
The jaguars assassins pounced, catching Kovu and Kiara completely by surprise, two of them jumped on Kovu and began tearing at at his back and throat, while those attack attacking Kiara aimed for her underbelly , which contained the unborn cjubs. they slasked at her with teeth and claws..
hrew a jaguar aside with a thrust
-
the voice continued to draw Vitani away from the others "Come my daughter.. we have much to discuss.."
-
As the sounds of a scuffle ensued, Hali cringed in as well, "We...we gotta do something".
"Yeah, like use the opportunity to escape" Banzai said, creeping to the edge to peer out and see if anyone was there.
-
the jaguars continued tearinmg sat Kiara with great ferocity, blood streamed on the ground from the cuts, mixed in with her screams of pain.
the pair of Jaguars attacked Kvu, now aimed for his throat..
_ Kopa continued fighting haard, moving slowly towards the cave where the hyenas and cubs were being held..
-
The African wild dogs stood their ground against the black jaguars, tearing them down. A few of them fell to the onslaught as Matsu returned to the group after dispatching the panthers up top. He rushes forward to rip one panther off of Vitani, kicking another in the face in the process...
-
Vitani screamed in pain as another panther snuck up behind her tackled her and bit her hard on the throat.
-
Kopa continued fighting onwards, throwing jaguars away from him left and right, he reached the cave enterance were he caught the strong scent of the cubs. ' Ramiki! Hali! Its Me, Kopa!' he called out upon engtering the cave..
_
a very cold gust of wind suddenly blew the jaguar off of vitani, and she was surrounded by a thick wall of fog. ' Come! Vitani! the voice repeated " follow me, if you wish to see those cubs of yours again!
-
At hearing Kopa's voice so close, Hali realized that it was them and turned the first of a hopeful smile back to Ramiki, "Come on Ramiki, it is Kopa and Vitani and the others!".
She rushed out, "Oh I'm happy you're here!" he hugged his paw, before stepping back unsurely, "and...sorry".
-
"I'm just glad you two are ok. Both of you, climb on my back and hang on" kopa said, stopping as he saw the hyenas 'are they with you/ he asked Hali.
-
Ramiki nervously gets on to Kopa's back knowing he was gonna be in extreme trouble. "Well it was nice knowing you" Ramiki whispered to his friend sure that Vitani and Kopa would kill him.
-
Hali smiled, "We'll be fine" she said, though only so sure herself, before she heard Kopa's question.
"Um...I don't know" she answered honestly, "the panthers got them too but I don't know why and they didn't hurt us while we were in there or nothing".
Banzai paused a bit as he noticed one of the lions he believed had a prime title in the Pridelands, notice them. He was unsure if he should run or not.
-
Ramiki could only just smile back at Hali weakly not really believing her.
-
' You three come with me..' Kopa said to the hyenas " since you were prisoners as well, I'd be amiss if I didn't free you. We'll deal with the fallout AFTER we get out of here.. His face softened a bit as he looked at the cubs "Look, Vitani and I are not going to kill you, you are going to be punished for this, yes, but this just means you will have to be watched by an adult at all times , for awhile, until Vitani thinks you can be allowed to play by yourselves again. Hali get on my back.. we're leaving. " He turned again to Banzai " lead the way, if you please.."
-
' You three come with me..' Kopa said to the hyenas " since you were prisoners as well, I'd be amiss if I didn't free you. We'll deal with the fallout AFTER we get out of here.. His face softened a bit as he looked at the cubs "Look, Vitani and I are not going to kill you, you are going to be punished for this, yes, but this just means you will have to be watched by an adult at all times , for awhile, until Vitani thinks you can be allowed to play by yourselves again. Hali get on my back.. we're leaving. " He turned again to Banzai " lead the way, if you please.."
Vitani smiled at Kopa happily. "You are absolutely right Kopa. I think if you kids behave yourselves I can let you two play by yourselves without adult supervision for a week" Vitani said.
-
Hali nodded and climbed up. "Well, ok that doesn't sound too bad given all we got into, I guess" she admitted.
Banzai figured they could use the help in getting out of here, so...why not, for the moment. They'd been opportunistic once with partnering with a lion...even if that hadn't turned out that well, but this was a new season.
"Well, better than having more than one group of felines jump you I guess" was his giving in statement, "Alright, come on, let's see if we can't get our tails out of here alive" he began to lead the way out as best he knew it from what he'd seen being lead in.
-
"And at least me and Hali still get to play together under adult supervision" Ramiki said.
-
9 i thought Vitani was some distance away from Kopa..Oh well i'll play along..)
Kopa followed Banazi with Hali and Ramiki clinging tightly to his mane.. " if they managed to reach the safety of room. Kopa thought, he would have to have a long talk with Vitani..about everything..
-
The mists solowly began to thin as the sounds of battle echoed in the distance.. kopa could see the outline of the Pridelands getting closer
_ The juaguars continued to attack Kiara with Savage ferocity tearing at her belly and cutting into her with their claws and teeth. she was bleedily badly from hher wounds..
-
One of the African Hunting Dogs noticed Kiara in danger. "Defend the Princess!" he called. His packmates heard and converged on the black jaguars attacking Kiara...
----------
"You don't have to tell me twice," Shanzi agreed, following suit...
----------
The black lion watched from afar, while his second-in-command stood at his side.
"Another party should finish them off for sure..." the advisor spoke.
Another panther came forth with news. "The rest of our army has arrived, my Lord..."
"Good," the lion replied, and turned around to leave, and stopped. "We'll keep the rest of the army for phase 2, Ebon. I doubt many of the prey will survive..."
-
The Jaguars heard the Hunting dogs coming anf fled, leaving both Kovu and Kiara wioth very serious injuries . kiaras underbelly had been ripped open, so that her insides were visible- including her unborn cubs - who were too undeveloped to survive if she was to give birth to them now. Kovea throat had beengashed heavily.. both would require immeduaste aid iof they were to survive. the jagaurs fled, while they had not finished off thier prey, they had injured them quite nicely..
-
With the black marauders gone, most of the pack encircled the injured lions to protect them while the rest inspected their injuries.
Matsu was not done with the panthers, and he nabbed one trying to escape and pinned him to the wall with an extended claw at its throat. "You have a reason for attacking us..." he growled. "Who sent you?!"
"Never..." the panther sneered.
-
Kopa rushed over to examine his sister's injuries which were extensive. He shuddered as he realized he could see inside her stomach..
-
Kiara groaned in pain and stayed perfectly still, hoping her cubs could survive.
(OOC: Could we not have Kiara's cubs die?)
-
(sure thing..)
Just stay still sis.. don't make any sudden movement.. we need to close that cut in your stomach so the cubs don't fall out..." Kopa said solemnly.. inside he was almost beside himself with fury.. but outside he needed to be calm..
-
"Ok...ok...." Kiara panted in fear and pain.
-
Three of the hunting dogs departed quickly to bring back help, while the others keep guard, as they remained in hostile territory.
Matsu still has his hold on the black jaguar, keeping him alive until told otherwise...
-
Bring him over here.. I want to ask him a few questions" Kopa said holding the skin of kiaras underbelly together.. they would need something to sew the wound together, it was too big to heal on its own..
-
Matsu hurled the jaguar closer to Kopa, planting its head against the ground so it couldn't strike...
----------
The three African Hunting Dogs hurried to Pride Rock, one of which split in another direction for reinforcements...
-
' i won't tell you anything..'the jaguar muttered
" Kopas eyes flashed with anger " Vitani take Ramiki and Kari home... Now!' He said in a short tone
_ Listen and listen well .. if you don't tell why you tried to kill my sister.. i'll have you executed.' he said in a low hiss, but the jaguar caught every words ' kill me if you wish.. there are dozens more like me.. it won;t take much to kill the spare her cubs or her mate.. and we will kill them.. there is nothing you can do to stop it.. only our master can stop us and he won't.. the jaguar grinned triumphantly..
-
Kovu stood beside Kiara, vowing to protect her and not let her get hurt again.
"Someone get Rafiki!" he roared.
-
Be careful Kovu, you're in bad shape yourself'; Kopa said, noticing the blood dripping from the gashes in Kovu's throat. " Sis isn't the only one who needs care you do as well.."
-
They will both be dead by sundown tomorrow' the jaguar said, with a evil grin " kill me.. it will make no difference.."
-
"Keeping Kiara safe is more important," Kovu groaned in pain.
-
' and how will she feel if she loses you?"Kopa said. "I don't know you as well as I should, Kopa, We've only known each other briefly, but I think losing you will rob her of her will to live, and then I'd have even more pressure on my shoulders... I don't want that Kovu. Go to Nuteri, Hes pretty good at healing injuries..
-
"Where can he be found?" Kovu panted.
-
last i saw of him.. he was with my father, or at least headed to see him" Kopa replied.. ' head to Pride rock..'
-
"Gotcha," Kovu nodded, carefully escorting Kiara and himself.
-
"I've sent a few of my hunters back to find the King and any help, my lords," Zulu explained. "We will keep you safe until help returns."
"It seems that he'll never talk, my Prince," Matsu replied, still with his paw weighted on the black jaguar's skull. "At least not until we find a way to break him..."
----------
The three canines sent ahead reached Pride Rock, and then separated to find the King, Queen, and anyone else that could help...
-
then we'll need to break him..' Kopa said coldly.. "Its personal, he nearkly killed my sister.."
- nuteri was sitting at a small pool near Pride Rock when the dog sebntries eached him " what can I do for you?' he asked being unaware of the attack on Kiara and Kovu...
-
"We're both badly hurt," Kovu panted in pain. "Kiara's flesh has been torn open, we need to keep her cubs safe."
-
Nuteri got up from his seat and rushed over to check on the injured lioness ' his eyes grew wide as he saw the extent of her injuries. 'you brought her all the way here with injuries this bad?" he said in a sharp tone. " I understand, my lord that she is your mate, but you must be reasonable! This injuries are extremely severe, iI Can see the Cubs inside of her. the only thing keepng them, from falling out and dying instantly is a thin layer of skin. Her wound must be closed. now there is a thistle north ofPride Rock, which i use to close wounds. I brought some with me.. but I left them in pride Rock. go get them kovu, and hurry. our time to save her, and the cubs is very short, that wound must be closed for the Cubs to develop naturally.. and for her to recover.."
-
Kovu wasted no time and rushed to get the needed items.
-
kopa looked at nuteri who was examining kiara's wounds ' She was attacked by jaguars, from outside the the kingdom.. We managed to fight them off..
' just in time, had this wound been any larger or deeoer, the cubs would be lost and her life would likely be lost too.. as it is , she will not be able to move around for at least a couple weeks, no mating, no strenous activity, nothing..
-
"We will inform the King & Queen of what had happen," Zulu said. "My hunters shall remain as your sentries while you heal." He then leaves to find King Simba...
----------
"If so, my Lord, we can't do it here, in their territory," Matsu replied. "With most of the pack gone, we might not stand another attack. And not to forget the cubs we searched for are still here..." He made a gesture towards the two young cubs.
-
kopa nodded. ' we need to completely get out of here, I agree. After that , we will deal with him, ad the cubs as well.."
-
"And I'll stay by her," Kovu added, wincing at the pain. It had taken him some time, but he was able to retrieve the medicine he was requested to get.
-
(i thought Kovu had headed off to get the medicine?)
nuteri frowned as he held kiarass wound together. '' any further injury will likely kill her' he thought to himself ' nuteri was a skilled healer, but this injury was so sevee it will take all his skills to fully heal her..
-
(I forgot to say he had brought it back.)
-
9 then edit that in.. otherwise i'm not clear on what is going on. and it would take kovu a couple of hours in his injured state to get back.. hes not as badly injured as kiara is, but hes in bad shape himself..
-
(Edited.)
-
Nuteri took the thistles and and plucked off a long one. he then poked it through the skin on the right side o Kiaras's wound, this drew blood, and caused the unfortunate lioness to scream in fresh agony. Nuteri ignored her and repeated it on the other side. Once that was done. he took a long strand and began weaving it in between the holes, periodically puncturing new holes. after nearly an hour of hard work, Kiaras's wound was closed completely. the ground was stained with her blood, and the thistles were drenched in them as well. ' Your Highness" he said to Kopa " You must carry the princess home so she can rest. I must now tend to Kovu.."
-
Kovu was lying on the ground, breathing at a pace to help with the pain.
"Thanks Nuteri," he smiled weakly.
-
She will take weeks to recover, any further injury could kill all three of them, and we don't want that.. Nuteri said.. before noticing that Kovu had made his injures worse, blood was streaming down his thraot, and his breathing was ragged.. " we need to get your throat fixed.."
-
"Go ahead, nothing's stopping you," Kovu whispered, trying to rest.
-
" this .. is going to hurt.. and there;s no time to move you..' Nuteri said plunging a sharp thistle into Kovi throat, the wound was a bad one, the jaguar had just barely missed his jugular, a little to the left, and there would have been nothing Nuteri could have done to stop the bleeding. After about a half hour, the wound was closed, and nUteri moved away. "You should stay there and rest.. That wound needs time to heal. Both og you are very lucky to be alive. another inch to your left, and that would have cut your throat so badly, there would have been nothing we could have done to save you..
-
Kovu only could lightly nod in thanks, he didn't want to risk hurting himself worse.
-
just stay there, you';d going to need to rest for awhile..' Nuteri said..
-
"Got it," Kovu yawned, feeling slightly better.
-
The African Wild Dog sentries sent to find the King scoured all of Pride Rock, asking for any for his whereabouts...
----------
Taking a moment before having to drag the jaguar across the graveyard, Matsu moved fast and stomped hard on one of back legs, breaking it...
-
" good' the jaguar coughed, spittuing up blood in the process " you're treating me like the jaguars will treat all who resist them: without mercy. The spare and her mate do not have long to live, even if they survive this attack, there will be others, and it won't take much to finish the job we've started. heh heh heh.. If I were the Crown Prince, I'd return from whatever lands he came from. As for the stupid Outsider who vainly hopes to be his mate, she should have simply keep her head low to the ground, like the traitor she is...try and avoid notice by her superiors.." the jaguars eyes were blazing with hatred and evil..
-
"Do you know where my sister is?" Kovu asked Nuteri, when he woke up, still not completely comfortable.
-
Unfortunately , no I do not.. I do hope nothing has happened to her..." Nuteri frowned..
-
"Same here," Kovu replied, tiredly.
-
"You should stop thinking, jaguar," Matsu replied. "It doesn't suit you. And not to forget you're just a dispensable underling to whomever your master is... Speaking of which, who sent you and your party to ambush us? It has to be someone obviously smarter than you..."
-
why would i tell you/ came the curt reply "It wouldn't do you any good even if I did tell you, which I'm not going to.. You say I'm disposable? at least I'm on the right side of destiny..which is more than you can say..."
-
Although te pain was bad, Kiara was relieved that her cubs would survive.
(OOC: Do we have someone playing Ed the hyena?)
-
"There are no such thing as martyrs here," Matsu growled. "Only buzzard food. Apparantly, you're no use anymore..." With no more words, the leopard raises the panther's head to expose his neck, and swipes down with his extended claws...
-
(Kopa has aleready left to bring Kiara hom,e..)
-
Simba frowned as he headed down from Pride Rock " Something is happebning in the outside regions.. I should check it out" he thought.
-
Vitani was racing back to Pride rock.
-
kopa reached pride rock as his father was leaving ' kiaras badly hurt. Nuteri treated her wounds..' Simbas face darkened in anger. ' who is responsible for this/ he roared " a jaguar, well a pair of them.. they seem to be trying..' to kill us off' Simba replied " bring her inside... now"
-
Yes father" Kopa replied carrying kiara inside.. his fathers face was flush with anger.. ' Are you gong to help Nuteri raise her kids?
_ Fathers nows not the time for thatr.. ""my son, you are going to be king in a few months, and well you do need a mate, its not custom for a king to be a bachelor when he takes the throne..
_ Kopa shook his head.. 'I care about Vitani, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to conssider here as a mate...we went on a date, once, but since all this happened, we haven't had time to for anything else..
-
Vitani had made it back to Pride Rock.
"Hey Kopa...." she panted.
-
Where are Ramiki and Hali?' Kopa said sharply, not noticing them with her. "Have you seen them?" The concern on his face was evident , he hoped the kids were okay, the hyenas were anbother matter, but he had promised them leniency...
-
-
"I'm not sure, we got seperated..." Vitani replied.
-
Aren't they your kids, after all? The whole reason I went out there was to get them back, because I didn't want you to be heartbroken! Kopa shook his head..."Just check around for them.. " I need to tend to to Kiara..
-
"I know..." Vitani replied guililty. "I"m not resting till I find them!"
She turned back towards the savannah and took off. "Please be safe..." she said as she dashed through the tall grass.
-
As Vitani ran a cloud of fog soon surrounded her, so that it became inpossible to see where she was Suddenly, a voice called out her name " Vitani!" it called out in a raspy, angry voice. There was no mistaking that voice, it was a voice Vitani had hated since she was a small cub- that of her mother Zira..
-
"No way..." Vitani gasped, not believing what she was hearing.
She tried to see through the fog, but she was completely surronded. "It can't be....mother..?" she gulped.
-
' So.. I see you remember me" the voice responded and the fog cleared slightly to reveal the form of Zira. where her eyes had been were pools of light, and her presence radiated evil " Well well, Vitani.. It seems I failed to kill that whelp after all.. and here you are lusting after him! So pathetic! I raised you to have more self-respect..now I am here to warn you.. I don't know why really since you deserted me just as we were about to take over these lands1"Ziras ghost said every note dripping with malice...
-
"You're not really here..." Vitani kept repeating to herself.
"I do have self-respect!" she yelled to Zira.
-
Self-respect means not giving yourself to hi after a single date!' Zira was now very close to her! the temperauree around her had plummetted rapidly " Truly disgusting! I was never so desperate to do something like that, apparently raising that orphan brat, has made you completely weak! You want a mate, and don't care what you make yourself do in the process! No No I should just let the jaguars kill you after they overrun these lands, and do whsat that bastard "heir" of mine failed to do.. Kill Simba! Tell me why I should help you" Zira sneered.
-
"Just shut up!" Vitani yelled to her mother's spirit, pouncing at it.
Of course, no contact could be made, as Vitani's claws just went into the ground.
-
"Predictable, weak, I had such hopes for you once Vitani..welll.. that was before you switched side. but in a way you will be spared the wost.. its Kovu who will suffer most at my paws.. and that weak-willed dandy of a mate she will wish the jaguars had finished her after I'm done" the temperature dropped..
-
"No, you're gone! You can't do anything to anyone anymore!" Vitani yelled.
-
oh, but I can.. I'm more powerful now than I was when I was alive. then, I had to eat, sleep.. I could get hurt.. now, well nothing can harm me, well save magic.. which you know nothing of.." Zira grinned glancing at her daughter as a predator glances at prey.. 'Tell your beloved Kopa this.. leave now.. return from whence he came, in return I will spare him, but he must leave.. or face the consequences..
-
"Just shut up!" Vitani yelled, swiping at the fog, trying to maker her mother's spirit go away.
-
I'm not going away Vitani.. I'll be in your dreams.. and Kovu's.. Ziras sneered " I ca n do many things, my dear.. the sooner you accept that, the better for those you care about..'
-
"Just...just go away...." Vitani said, holding her head down.
-
you can't just 'wish' me away my dear' zira whispered, her voice becoming fainter 'tell kopa to leave by sundown, or else..consider it fair warning dear..' the 'dear'was mocking, and delivered with undisguised contempt 'then perhaps you'll get your self-respect back..'
-
Vitnai was standing still, she didn't know how to respond.
"Many I'm just going crazy..." the lioness thought. "Things were hectic lately." She was relieved to see that Zira was gone now.
-
Just then, Matsu returned from the Elephant Graveyard, and Vitani was the first he sees, and noticed the look on her face. "My Lady? Is something wrong?" he asked.
-
Zira had vanished for now, but she wasn't finished with her daughter yet, nit by a long shot
-
"Matsu..." Vitani said, shivering. "Could you do me a favor? Could you keep an eye on Kopa?"
-
kolopa was unaware of what had happened to Vitani, he was worried about his sister continued delicate condition.
-
"Of course, My Lady," Matsu replied, unsure of the real meaning behind the request. "I'll be sure to have other scouts to keep watch as well, if I had to be away for any reason."
----------
Meanwhile, where Scar had once mobilized his army of hyenas, and had that popular song, the black lion stands before his own army of black jaguars. The panther that stood beside him before then stands at his right.
"Your army stands ready, My Lord," the panther said.
"And the assassin squads?" the lion responded.
"Based to the northwestern and southwestern borders, as you commanded. They will sneak in at first nightfall."
"We may not attack by this coming dawn. What of the weather?"
"It is as you said, my Lord. A storm is sure to blow over after dark. It may even continue for another day."
"It'll give the assassin squads more nights to slaughter the defenders before the full assault. I want to be sure that the very dawn the Mufasa bloodline looks to will be their ultimate undoing..."
-
With all due reverence , my lord, what will you do once the Mufasa line is no more.. we know how the last time someone tried this, he betrayed his supporters in the end, by pinning the blame on them.."
-
(OCC: Just to let you know, Carnage's second-in-command is Ebon, another character of mine. I'll let this as if another panther asked the question.)
Carnage's head did not turn to the panther on Ebon's right. "Do I sense a doubt in loyalty? And at this time of reckoning? The last thing I want now is a commander with cold feet..."
Ebon turned his head and snarled at the other black jaguar...
"Scar's scavenger minions could not hunt for themselves," Carnage continued, "leaving only the captured pride to do their dirty work to the stretches of the kingdom. But my armies far outnumber his own, and with such an army of black demons, our dominion shall stretch far beyond the borders like never seen before. The next time I have a commander question my authority, I will have it rectified without hesitation..."
-
the jaguar gulped yes my lord. I will not question you again, My lord" He bowed and moved a distance away. " Let me lead the first raid, as an atonement for my comment. "
-
"When the time comes, we ALL shall strike at once," Carnage replied. "But tonight and the next, we'll leave the killing for the assassin squads..."
----------
The hyenas were escorted to an area away from Pride Rock. Although they were not considered dangerous, it was natural that many of those from Simba's kingdom do not really trust them...
-
This is nothing personal" one of the lions said to the three hyenas, but given your past history, its best if you not stay in the Pridelands..
-
"You know what, I don't care," Shenzi replied. "As long we're not stuck with those jaguars back there..."
Most of the African Spotted Dogs that left with the pride to the Elephant Graveyard returned to their pack and rest off their wounds, which seemed minor compared to what the lions had...
-
The prince has shown interest in you, you know..' the lion added before leaving ' should he take the throne, he may intregate you into the kingdom, provided you behave of course..
-
Ramiki was asleep . He had not seen Hali for so long. He had not seen his mother Vitani in so long either. Ramiki was beginning to worry,
-
(good to have you back Dash. wasn't hali and Ramiki with KOpa? the last time you posted. Hes back at Pride riock nowm so they should be there too..)
kopa noticed the the small cub .' There you are Ramiki! Where is hali? your maother will be relieved that we've found you.. please come with me" He said..
-
"That's kind of the problem. I have not seen Hali in such a long time. " Ramiki said. "You know where my mother is? Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go, go, go. " Ramiki said following Kopa.
-
Yes I know where you mother is, shes by the watering hole, or at least she was the last I saw her..' Kopa said as the pair set off Ramiki holding onto Kopas mane. " Just hand on" Kopa said laughing a little,..
-
"K" Ramiki said with a smile holding on tightly to Kopa's mane.
-
"With what we've gone through, there's no way we're misbehaving," Shenzi replied, and turned to the Banzai and Ed. "Right?"
Ed nodded his head, and had a sudden urge to giggle.
----------
Matsu had left Vitani for her request to watch over Kopa, and soon found the Crown Prince...
-
Kopa noticed Matsu coming up to him. " Hello matsu. have you seen Vitani? I found Ramiki" Kopa said motioning to the cub clinging to his mane...
Thats good.. the lion nodded as he headed off..
-
"My Prince, I was just coming by to see you," Matsu replied. "Lady Vitani is not far from the watering hole. She seemed tired from what happened today, from what I saw."
-
i see. thank you matsu. hsaave you seen Hali lately, if I may ask? Kopa said. " i'll go see vitani and tell her i found ramiki..
-
Kovu was slightly awake, and could tell that his sister was concerned.
"She must've seen something that spooked her..." the prince thought.
-
What's wrong Vitani?' Nala said coming in to check on her daughter " you look very pale.. are you feeling all right? The older lioness frowned as she looked at Vitani. Having a mother intution, sghe could tell something was wroong " Did you get into an argument with kopa?' She asked.
-
"No, no, quite the opposite," Vitani replied to Nala.
"I just had a very bad dream...."
-
What was in the dream "Nala asked " Did you dream that Kopa left you ? or that your mother took over the Pridelands?' Although since your mothers dead, shes not a concern anymore...)
-
"It was my mother.." Vitani admitted. "But...she was giving me a warning. That she would kill Kopa. It..felt so real." The chills were visibly going down Vitani's fur.
"Mother was always kind of scary...even when she was nice to me and my brothes."
-
are you sure this was a dream? when i was young My mother told me of legends about the Elephant graveyard, that the spirits of the dead sometimes walked there. Your mothr was a cruel, ruthless lioness...' Nala said, the look on vitanis face worried her. 'Did.. you.. see your mothers ghost?'
-
"I haven't seen her yet, my Prince," Matsu replied. "I'll have other scouts dispatched to find her and bring her here."
-
Thank you, and if you find Hali, bring her to Pride rock... " Kopa nodded " tHank you, for coming to see me..' he was beginning to realize how much Vitani really carred for him..
-
"Thanks Matsu" Ramiki said hoping to find Hali soon.
-
Where did you last see Hali? Kopa asked Ramiki as they headed off back towards the watering hole..
-
"I don't remember" Ramiki said in thought.
-
"I did, yeah," Vitani admitted to Nala. "She threatened all of us. But it was either a dream, or if it was real, just a ghost. Those can't hurt us, right?"
-
they can harm us if they are strong enough to appear as they were in life" Nala said. "What exactly did she say to you?"
-
Think Ramiki, think! the sooner you remember, the sooner we find her..."kopa said
-
(kit hasn't been on in awhile should we give control of Hali to dash?)
-
(You guys took Vitani while I was gone. And he has been gone maybe longer then I have. I sure don't mind playing Hali if you guys want me too)
-
(we'll give you back Vitani too if you want, we needed to keep the story moving thats all..
-
(Whatever you guys want. If you want me to play Hali okay if you want me to play Vitani also no worries)
-
(sure, now lets resume..)
Kopa headed out towards the watering hole annd bega n to search for Vitani.. Vitani! are you there? he callled out.. looking around the pond.. a the only sound he heard back was the echo of his voice..
-
(Don't really know what you meant by "Sure")
Haeso looked around. "Any signs of my mommy, Kopa" Haeso asked.
-
( you can play Vitani again, thats what I meant And who is Haeso?)
I don't see her " Kopa replied .. ' Shes not here in any evemt.. we should probably head back to prideRock
( Just a little rundown on what has happened to Virtani- she saw the ghost of her mother Zira, who threatened her and Kopa if he did not leave. Right now she is talking it over with Nala at Pride rock)
-
(I must have accidentally used one of my other characters name by mistake. ) "You're right let's go to Pride Rock" Ramiki said.
Meanwhile Vitani was still at Pride Rock.
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Are you alright Vitani? Nala asked looking at her with obvious convcern " what did your mother say to you that has you so frightened?
Hang on Ramiki Kopa said as he rushed away from the watrering hole, the wind blew though his mane., it was naturally cold, asa if there was something sinister on the wind..
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Vitani sighs. "She said she'd kill me and Kopa if I don't make Kopa leave. I love Kopa more then anything in the world. What do I do Makla? I don't know what to do." Vitani said.
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(Nala I misspelled her name)
" you have to face her, show her you're not intimidated by her
nala said fiercely " you love my son, so you would never let him leacve his homeland willingly, even under threat by an evil spirit. challenge her to appear again, in front of you and Kopa.. If she does, tell her to leave and never return.." Nala finished.
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"I don't know if I can face her alone. Do you think you can help me? I love Kopa more then anything in the world I would rather kill myself then send Kopa away I love him" Vitani said
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Nala hugged her, as a mother embraces her daughter I know you do.. and I will be there too, to help you get though it. she said giving vitani a motherly kiss on the lips. Now, lets go find my son, and those cubs of yours " Nala said.
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"Thank you Nala" She said hugging Nala back and then nuzzles her softly. "You're right let's get Kopa, Ramiki, and Hali" Vitani said.
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(best bring Hali in then..)
Kopa quickly reached Pride Rock and started to climb " vitani!@ are you there?' he called out..
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"Kopa? Kopa ? is that you? I am so happy to see you again. " She said reaching out a paw to help Kopa up in climbing if he needed."Have you seen Hali"? Vitani asked.
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No, but I did find Ramiki' kopa said looking relieved to have found Vitani.. " he managed to get them out of the Elephant Graveyard at least.. it was then he noticed the worry on Vitani's face. Is.. somethuing wrong Vitani?' he asked softly.
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She was about to say something but saw Ramiki. The last thing she wanted to do was have Ramiki worry. "Ohhhh, nothing" Vitani said with a quick fake smile.
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Don't lie Vitamni, for the sake of Ramiki.. tell me the truth " Kopa said in a low voice.. Nala cut in, I'll look after Ramiki , Vitani, while you two talk.. Ramiki came here" She said softly, as a grandmother does to her grandchild..
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Ramiki hopped off Kopa "Okay" Ramiki said following Nala. Vitani waited for Ramiki to be a distance away. "It's my mom! I saw her ghost . She said if I didn't make you leave the pride she'd kill us both. I am never going to give you up Kopa not now not ever. She said crying on Kopa's shoulder.
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SWhoa Whoa, slow down" Kopa said, Holding Vitani at a paws length Vitanis words had come out in a rush " Are you seriously telling me, that you saw your mothers ghost?" kopa bit his lower lip.. "I've never seen a ghost before, Vitani, and to be honest, I don't believe in them. Okay , so this " ghost" claims to be your mother, and is threatening me with harm.. if I don't leave? Kopa suddenly burst out laughing " its completely ridicolous! Look your mother was a evil psycho, that I know first hand, but I also know she is dead, so she can't do me any more harm.. he looked at Vitani's face, and noticed the fear in her lkarge purple eyes . he continued in a low voiceYou're serious about this huh? Well, did anyone else see this thing?"
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"Just me" She said crying even more.
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kopa took a deep breath "ok, what exactly did she say to you? what did she look like?
Kopa had his doubts, but Vitani was clearly in a great deal of distress, and it would be very callous of him not to be supportive of her..
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"I just told you what she said. She told me that if I don't send you away she would kill us both. And what did she look like? However a ghost is supposed to look. I don't blame you for thinking I am crazy. Maybe I am Kopa. I am so afraid Kopa. "She said nearly losing herself in tears now.
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Lets go find her then " Kopa said. call her out ,demand she appear before us..show we're not afraid.. Kopa said, holding Vitani against him and feeling her tears dripping onto him..
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Have you seen Hali/ Nala Asked ramiki as she kept an eye on the young cub.
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Lets go find her then " Kopa said. call her out ,demand she appear before us..show we're not afraid.. Kopa said, holding Vitani against him and feeling her tears dripping onto him..
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Have you seen Hali/ Nala Asked ramiki as she kept an eye on the young cub.
" What if something bad is happening to her? WHat if someone took Hali to avenge Vitani's death"?Vitani said nearly fainting from worry.
"I'm starting to worry Nala she's my sister and no one even knows where she is" Ramiki said
Meanwhile Hali was sleeping not to far away. She didn't know what had happened the first second she was with Vitani and Ramiki? And now she had no one "Hello"? She calls out.
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Her Calls caught the ear of Nuteri who was headed back to pride Rock " ah, so there you are young Hali he said, with a small smile " the prince and your mother will be greatly relieved.. now if you would come with me please.. he motioned to Hali..
_ I see, I haven't seen her either..Nala frowned..
_
she was with us when we entered the Pridelands, so she must still be in the area" Kopa said cofidently.. What can I do to raise your spirits Vitani? he asked her softly..
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Her Calls caught the ear of Nuteri who was headed back to pride Rock " ah, so there you are young Hali he said, with a small smile " the prince and your mother will be greatly relieved.. now if you would come with me please.. he motioned to Hali..
_ I see, I haven't seen her either..Nala frowned..
_
she was with us when we entered the Pridelands, so she must still be in the area" Kopa said cofidently.. What can I do to raise your spirits Vitani? he asked her softly..
Hali smiled just happy to see a friendly face. She nuzzles Nuteri's paw happily with a purr. She walks behind Nuteri.
" Well I.....just don't know" Vitani said sadly
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i have an idea' kopa said..i'll kiss you.. he whispered, looking at vitani with affection in his voice..'now open you mouth..
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just climb on my back hali, we don't want to lose you again Nuteri said as they slowly approached Pride rock
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Vitani opened her mouth ready to kiss Kopa. Hali smiled and jumped onto Nuteri's back.
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Kopa kissed her with his mouth open, and worked his tongue into her mouth.Kopa kissed her passionately moving his tongue around her mouth,and exploring it, before pulling it out and breaking the kiss .. " your turn he said , smirking to Vitani..
Nuteri beganto climb Pride Rock, as the chill winds returned..
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"WOW" Vitani said Kopa was such a great kisser.
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it was then Nuteri climbed into siught " God news my prince " He called out1 I've found Hali.. he said
Kopa was about to press his lips agaists Vitani's again when he heard Nuteris voice, so the kiss was brief and rushed. '
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Vitani wrapped her lips around Kopa not caring that her cubs were watching. She explored her tongue all over Kopa's mouth.
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Kopa pinnined her against the wall on pressed himself against, as kopa let her explore his mouth, kopa put his paws on her chest and began to rub her there..
Nuteri, saw this and quickly turned away lest Hali see Vitani and Kopa making out. he then headed further into Pride rock where he found Nala keeping Ramiki busy
i found her my queen Nuteri said.. and the prince and hVitani are.. somewhat busy
- Nala smiled inwardsly " Just keep the cubs by me for a buit then you can tell them, we've found them.
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"RAMIKI" Hali shouted happily and pounced him happy to see him again.
Vitani moaned contently as Kopa rubbed her up and down her chest. She continues to make out with Kopa.
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Kopa Comnntinued to fondle Vitani's chest, feeling and caressing her breasts as they continued to tongue-kiss. Do you want to mate he whispered inbetween kisses. Kopa was enjoying this, as the black lips met and caressed, kopa pushed his tongue back into vitani's mouth...
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I;m glad you nmanaged to find her Nala said happily to nuteri.. "But these two should be heading to bed soon..
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Kopa Comnntinued to fondle Vitani's chest, feeling and caressing her breasts as they continued to tongue-kiss. Do you want to mate he whispered inbetween kisses. Kopa was enjoying this, as the black lips met and caressed, kopa pushed his tongue back into vitani's mouth...
"MMMMMHMMMMM" She said as she tongue kissed with Kopa .
"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Do WE HAVE TOO" The 2 cubs whined in unison.
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yes you do, now your mom will be back shortly, shes out with Kopa. Nala Said..
_ Kopa finally placed himself inside Vitani feeling it moved around inside her, as he continued to tongue kiss her. tHey finally finished and Kopa pulled himself pout of her, but not before sharing one long lingering kiss with Vitani wiit h whom he had now mated with twice..
-I love you Vitani' Kopa said upon breaking the kiss, and holding her in his arms..
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Vitani kisses Kopa back passionately. "I love you too more then anything" She said. Vitani held Kopa in her arms. " Kopa just hold on a minute we'll get right back to this but I gotta go kiss the kids good night. You're welcome to come join me if you want of course" Vitani said.
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Certainly, shoud we then them that I'm going to adopt them? Kopa said, looking at Vitani who was clearly in better sprits now.. and they headed back into pride Rock..
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"Why don't we tell them in the morning? Knowing how they both are if we told them now they'd be too excited to sleep and they'll be no "Me and You" time. So let's tell them tomorrow" Vitani said
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Alright' said Kopa, fondling her chest, and nuzzling her, "and tomorrow we face this "ghost" together. I won't be driven off by some crazy spook.."
Simba returned as Vitani and Kopa came into view
I'm glad you both made it " the king said..
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Matsu, followed by two other leopards, found Nala when he came back to Pride Rock. "My Queen," he said, bowing his head. "I heard that Hali has been found. With your permission, these scouts could keep watch for the night, since the threat from the Elephant Graveyard has not yet been lifted..."
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Permission granted, Matsu, I fear there is a grave threat coming from that area.. nala said. Keep a very close eye on the graveyard Matsu..
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Vitani purred softly and nuzzled Kopa's cheek lovingly.
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you feeling better now? Kopa asked softly as he nuzzled her. Vitani wasn't the only potential female out there- Kopa had noticed some flirting glances from other females, but Vitani was now the front runner to be his mate..
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"Much better" Vitani said happily. Kopa was not really her only option as well she had gotten a few flirting smiles and winks from some of the guys in the pride too. But, Kopa was her front runner she loved Kopa more then anything.
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the two of them soon headed off to bed, kopa headed further in towards the royal area, and vitani was groiuped with Ramiki and Halli..
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Kovu and Kiara were resting, by morning they could move around more, their healing would have progressed that far.
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nuteri headed over to Kopa. " i trust you had.. fun with Vitani?' he smirked.
You saw that huh? Kopa saisd.. Are you suggesting I date other lionesses, rather thsaan just settling on one?
Yes, i am.. You shouldn't have to mate with the first lioness that likes you.. Nuteri said..
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With scouts along the entryways of Pride Rock, Matsu returned to the grasslands to keep tabs with the other scouts. As the sun was setting, he could clearly see the approaching thunderstorm reaching the boundries of the kindgom...
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OOC: Sorry I've been so long away, but jumping back into what I have a chance of, I will pick this back up and bring Hali back in officially and thank you for pulling her along even when you weren't sure if I was coming back. But I am, back that is.
BIC:
After everything, and just thankful their adventure hadn't lead to her being kicked out, Hali had curled up and slept mostly through the night, though she now stirred and stretched.
Opening her eyes, she remained where she was though, still unsure how much trouble they were in and not wanting to attract attention too soon.
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(OOC: Welcome back, Kit!)
During the night, the storm was passing over the land, thunder, lightning, and rain swept over the land, forcing much of the animals into hiding. But not all were escaping the weather...
The black jaguar assassin squad crept into the Pride Lands from the western borders under the cover of darkness, finding and slaying some of the cheetah and leopard scouts far from Pride Rock, their victims' cries for help was silenced by the roar of the thunder...
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Matsu watched the storm from his tree. This night made him uncomfortable...
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(KITTTTTTTT! Nice to have you back :D )
Ramiki cuddled up beside Hali still half asleep.
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OOC: Great to have you back Kit! :)
Kovu, who was resting slightly outside of the den, slowly moved into it to avoid the approaching rain.
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OOC: Thanks everyone! :D
Hali watched Kovu walk in, then glanced over to Ramiki and laid her head back down since their was no rush in getting up when her only friend was still asleep, and plus she wasn't in any rush anyway.
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(good to have you back kit! :) )
Kopa stirrred slowly from his slumber as the rain rustled outside.. It looked like it was going to be a very dreary day.
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OOC: Thanks everyone! :D
Hali watched Kovu walk in, then glanced over to Ramiki and laid her head back down since their was no rush in getting up when her only friend was still asleep, and plus she wasn't in any rush anyway.
Ramiki mumbled and then got up with a stretch and yawn. He smacks his lips tiredly
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Nuteri watched from just inside the cave on pride rock.. out in the misty edge of the pridelands the assassins were heading back after killing about twelve chettahs and fourteen leapords..
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"Kiara...it'll be ok," Kovu assured his mate as he rested beside her.
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When morning came, the land was still darkened by the lingering storm, but the rain had lightened to where animals could venture out for their duties.
Matsu leaped from his tree and began his scouting duties when he got word from a small flock of birds. Blood stains the grounds to the west...
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Kovu and Kiara were allowed to rest longer than the others, to recover from their wounds.
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Kopa stirred from his rest and headed out to the watering hole.. Simba remained behind at pride Rock watching over his kingdom..
Nuteri roused the two cubs, time to get up my young friends.." He smiled.
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Matsu was led to an area where some of the bodies have been found, and he cursed silently at what he saw. "The king will not like this at all..." he muttered.
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the bodies had been gashed and torn near the throat. the number of dead indicares that it was not a random act.. spomeone had planned the attack
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And it was clear that wouldn't be the only incident.
Kobu could guess what the bad news was when Kopa would return.
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Matsu sniffed around, but the rain had covered the scent of the killers. There's no way of telling where they came from and how many of them were there...
Soon, the African Wild Dogs that have helped the others the day before arrived. They had found more bodies further south.
"It seems perfect," said Zulu, one of the pack's lead hunters, "for them to strike during the night of the storm."
"And no one saw them strike..." Matsu agreed.
Zande, a young but experienced hunter, spoke up. "The only pattern I see here is that the murders took place in the western part of the kingdom."
"Which I also find strange, since the Elephant Graveyard, where we first fought them, is to the east."
"You think they moved to the other side to attack?" Zulu asked.
"Around the Pride Lands in less than half a day without being seen? Not without black magic..."
(OOC: Who's playing Zazu?)
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(OOC: I'm not sure if we decided on that.)
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(if you want, you can play him Kenji)
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(OOC: Thanks. I just didn't know who had him in the beginning.)
Zazu struggled through the rain as he too reached the horrific scene. "Good heavens!" he gasped after he landed near Matsu. "I only heard of what those ruffians did to Their Royal Majesties in the Elephant Graveyard, but to actually see this in our lands..."
"You must inform the King at once," Matsu ordered. "Tell him the killings have been on the entire western edge of the kingdom. They've been using the storm to destroy our scouts, and the storm will be the same tonight. Now hurry!"
"Post haste!" Zazu immediately returned to the air for Pride Rock.
"So what now?" Zulu asked.
"We wait for news from the King," Matsu answered. "Personally, I'd say we have to move from the borders further inside the kingdom. It would force them to expose themselves to greater numbers. Unless..."
"Unless they wanted us to do so they could corner us all in an all out assault," Ngombe, an older hunter, replied.
Zande cocked an eyebrow. "I doubt they even have the numbers to succeed in that plan."
"I agree," Zulu responded. "No groups of black jaguars have ever been large enough to do anything other than this sort of killing. However..."
Matsu nodded. "The party that ambushed us was indeed larger than normal. They may have a new leader that's uniting them all against the Pridelands..."
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Kopa stopped as Zazu landed in front of him at Pride rock ' whats up Zazu? he said with a smile, but that smile faded as he saw the look on Zazu's face.
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Zazu gave a low bow when he landed in front of Kopa. "Forgive me, Sire," he replied, "but I bring bad news from the western border. Many of our scouts were killed during the night. The black jaguars may be to blame for the attacks."
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Great just great.. my father will have a fit when he learns about this.. Kopa frowned. " How many are dead Zazu?" the thought of the jaguars crossed hisa mind.. " It was probably the same jaguars we ran into in the Graveyard" He muttered " but they must be following someone else..
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"An estimated 20 dead, Sire," Zazu replied. "All cheetahs and leopards that were posted as scouts."
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we'll have to double, if not triple the guard. our defenses are now exposed to any invader not just the jaguars.. and i fear they will attempt another attack soon.. hmm.. why not post.. elephants on the border? sure they're not as fast as cheetahs or leopards, but due top thier sheer size, they'll be able to fight off an assassin much better..
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"I will have that done, Sire," Zazu replied. "So should the other herds be moved elsewhere for the time being? And should we move some of the scouts from the other borders to replenish the losses on the west?"
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Yes to both questions. We cannot affiord to be taken by surprise again, I suspect the attack was merely the precusor to a full-fledged invasion..." Kopa said solemnly.
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"I shall make haste, Sire," Zazu replied, and took to the sky.
Soon, word was spreading throughout the kingdom about the attacks, and the Crown Prince's commands...
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kopa took a seat on the front rock and sighed as he lookd over what was soon to be his kingdom.. he had to stop the invasion, or his niece and nephew would never live to be born, and he would be forced into exile again, if he even survived. that is..
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nuteri headed over to where Vitani, and the cubs were.. " And how are you doing this morning Vitani?' He asked pleasantly.. '
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"Just fine," Vitani replied, "Well, how much fine I could be given how everything is going on here."
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very true nuteri replied ' Now, are you going to be the next queen , or not? I have not heard froiom the prince one way or the other on it..granted he has been very busy, with all the excitement over the past few days...
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The African Wild Dog pack with Matsu had regrouped and moved further inland, to keep their younglings safe from the panthers...
Matsu joined other scouts in trying to seek out the killers' trailed to the outskirts of the kingdom. They've found nothing...
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"I don't know myself," Vitani replied, "With all that's going on, I don't care whether or not I am."
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Understiood. that is for happier times , not these times that are before us. Nuteri nodded sagely.. ' we'll need to be on a constant watch, and be ready to repel any invasion..
_ Kopa frowned as he watched Nuteri walk away from Vitani. For now his relationship with Virani would have to take a back seat to the preparations for outright war he hasd the guard taking.. " Will these defenses be enough? He muttered softly to himself.
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Simba watched his son as he waked away own Pride rock " I had hoped the transirtion would be peaceful unfortunately, it has not been..' he muttered to himself..."thanks to those jaguars..
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The leopard guards posted near Pride Rock the night before, stood watchful and vigilant...
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Matsu was with Zulu as they watched the cubs playing in the rain.
"I'd never expect an outside invader would put us on high alert," Zulu said.
"Even when the Outsiders trespassed into the kingdom, it wasn't enough to move the entire kingdom like this," Matsu replied.
"But we don't know this enemy at all. Not their numbers, or their purpose. The only thing we do know is that they plan to wipe us out of this kingdom, and they nearly killed the royal family."
"All the more reason to keep on our toes. This may end up starting something much bigger than before..."
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wiping out the royal family seems to at least one of thier reasons, and that's bad enough' replied a leopard to Matsu " We can't oppose a huge army though, we don't have enough forces for that..even if we threw the elephants and other big creatures into the bargain..
_ Nuteri looked over at Hali and Ramiki. " you cubs alright? he asked kindly..
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"If there are any ideas on how to defeat an enemy we don't know," Matsu responded, "then that should be presented to the King and see how he chooses. He might need some suggestions at this time."
"But what ideas do we have?" Zulu replied. "As you said, we know nothing about these invaders..."
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That is why we need to scout the enemy ' the leopard replied " the more we know, the better our defenses.. and time is not our ally here.. judging by the sppede and ability of thier attacks on the patrols last night, they know wjhat they are doing..
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"So how do we seek them out?" Matsu asked. "We lost many experienced scouts last night alone."
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therein lies the question." the leopard replied.. scouting them would be very risky..even if we learn information about then, getting back in time for it to have an effect is very doubtful. have you raised the possibility marsu of evacuating the pridelands? if we cannot stop them, then the royal family should withdraw from the pridelands for their own safety.."
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"It has come to mind," Matsu answered. "But it's not mine to make. Only the King is the one to choose that decision. And there's an issue with such a massive evacuation... The attacks on the royal family where in the Elephant Graveyard, the east. And the attacks last night were in the west. Chances are that we are surrounded outside our borders. Unless..." He paused.
Zulu looked at him curiously. "You have a plan?"
"It's better than waiting to be attacked again. But I must speak with the King for his approval."
"Well, get going then! Time is not on our side."
Matsu gave a half-smile before heading off for Pride Rock...
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Simba paused as he noticed Matsu approach " what have you learned Matsu? the king asked. "What should we do in response to theses attacks? i suspect that those panthers are planning a full scale invasion, if if their forces are large, we will not be able to hold them off.."
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Matsu bowed as he approached. "My King. Some of my cohorts and I have been hypothesizing on the attacks the panthers have launched since yesterday, and I've come to some theories. And if my theories are correct, I may have some ideas. Crazy and desperate, but somehow it might work..."
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Let us hear them then" simba replied. I must protect my family and kingdom, no matter what..."
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"Yes, my Lord," Matsu started. "Form our past experiences, I deduced that the attacks overnight from the west had been by small groups, and the attack yesterday in the Elephant Graveyard was a much larger force. I assume that the invasion itself will come from the east, and that the overnight attacks not only decimated the number of scouts, but also put us in a false belief of where the true attack is coming from."
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i see, so it will likely come from the east. the attacks from the west are meant to give the impression that we are surrounded on both sides by large numbers. the unfortunate truth is Matsu, is that we must evacuate before they invade. if that force we fought in the elephant graveyard is any indication of their strength, and i suspect that we only fought a fraction of their numbers, they would completely overwhelm our defenses in an invasion, even though we knew it was coming. they would then come for me and my family and we would stand little to no chance of defending ourselves against a large force and my family lineage would end with the murder of Kiara and Kopa. i will not allow that to happen, obviously. so what plans have you come up with? no matrer how crazy i will listen, however Matsu if I think they will not work, than you must start the evacuation.."
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"That may be to our advantage, my King," Matsu replied. "If they are to launch an attack, it should most likely be when the storm has cleared and the morning sun would be against us in seeing them. Also, there is very little cover here in the Pridelands to assist us. So, if there is any territory north or south of us that contains anything like jungles, it would help some of your followers that use the trees. This falling back will also cause the panthers to expel much of their energy to pursue us, especially if they could find no food left in the kingdom. The only thing that troubles me is that the rains might let up my morning, so this temporary retreat may have to be finished before then..."
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start it now, then" Simba said' i"'ll go alert my family, and the lionesses will start to evacyuation.. Hurry.." he said dismissing Matsu and headed inside " kopa! he called out to his son"Yes father?' Kopa asked , he was worried by the look on his face. " we are evacuating the Pridelands " Simba said flatly. "Why? we can't just let the jaguars take over! JKopa said " Kopa , if the number of jaguars we fought in the Graveyard is any indication, we will be completely overwhelmed in a defense attempt, the kingdom will be taken and all of us will be killed.You are going to be king, my son,but it will not do you any good fighting a battle you cannot win. we must fight on better terrain. We must head west..and see if the other lion kingdoms will lend us a hand.."
_
Kovu and Kiara are not fully recovered from the assassination attempts Kopa said.. "We have no choice. we must leave, now. Go get Vitani and her cubs, I'll get your mother, Kiara and Kovu. Hurry" simba said.
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Matsu bowed and hurried off. He stopped by Zazu and told of the King's command, then the two split to spread the word, catching like wildfire across the kingdom...
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"Father, what's going on?" Kiara asked as Simba approached them.
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we're evacuating Kiara.there is a large force of jaguars that are planning to attack from the east, so we are heading in the opposite direction. we stand little chance of holding them off, they killed most of our best scouts." simba said " Get Kovu, we're going..
Kopa hurried to find Vitani " vitani! We're leaving" he called " Grab Hali and remiki!
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"Leave home...?" Kiara frowned to herself, but she knew her father was right, and she didn't want to risk the lives of her cubs.
Kovu followed after Kiara shortly.
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Like most of the other groups, the African Wild Dog pack received word and began to move east. Knowing of the potential threat of panthers there, those who could fight would take the lead, leaving those who couldn't to follow behind, with a few fighters to protect them...
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"Is everyone here?" Kiara asked, looking at the gathering pride.
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Simba gathered his family and started the trek westward. it would be a long jorney at least a couple days worth until they reached the nearest kingdom..
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kopa followed behind his father and mother, he glanced behind ti see howw vitanim, hali and ramiki were holding up..
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the trek to the west was a slow process due to the number of animals involved. kopa kept his eyes on the terrain ahead, only stopped breiefly to glance back at how the other members his family were faring..
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The signs of the coming night was barely visible through the storm.
Matsu lead a team of scouts ahead of the herd to seek out dangers and ambushes. The two leopards that were posted as guards now walks on guard around the royal family. The African Wild Dog pack were on the south of the party, simply because most of them don't fancy behind behind or in front of the elephants...
Their journey would not be eventful, for fortunately, the black jaguars had moved to the north and south of the kingdom to launch more attacks as ordered...
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Damon narrowed his eyes as he saw the Mass exodus of animals from the pride lands. even from where he was, he could see just by so many animals that the Jaguars plan must have succeeded. "So, the great simba runs away, hoping to find help abroad, does he really think they will help?" Damon asked himself. Damon decided that with this new development it was no longer in the cub's best interest's to stay, he would shadow the group, get a few easy meals from them and be on his way. Damon smiled at the cunning of his simple plan. with so many weak links in that chain, it would be easy to get food. He hoped they had Meerkat, it was one of his favorite meals, or maybe bird, or even warthog. However Damon knew there was only one way to find out, and that was to go hunting.
Timon was not a Happy Meerkat. He and Pumbaa just got back from Visiting Timon's mom, and when they got back, they learned the pride lands were being evacuatied. Now they had gotten lost and were trying to find there way back.
"Oh just Great buddy, we are lost." Timon moaned as he fell backwards onto Pumbaa 's back.
"aw come Timon, Remember our motto, Hakuna Matata." Pumbaa said as he looked around to see where they could back track.
Damon smiled as he watched Timon and Pumbaa trying to get their barrings. He silently stalked them, staying low to the ground and trying not to make a sound.
Timon shot up when he thought he heard something. "Hey Pumbaa, I think some is watching us." Timon said as he looked around.
Damon silently cursed himself and decided he had to strike now. Damon burst into a sprint as he growled.
Timon screamed as he pulled on Pumbaa' s ears. "Move it buddy!" Timon screamed. Pumbaa did just that and bolted. Timon was too scared to look back at what was chasing them. After running through a few bushes they soon collided with simba. "SIMBA BUDDY, YOU GOTTA HELP, WERE BEING CHASED!" Timon shouted as Damon slid to a stop in clear view of Simba, and everyone else.
-
(The Pridelands have no been conquered yet. but they will be..)
where were you two? Simba said looking at them. "And who are you? he said looking at Damon. " I don't recall seeing you before..
-
(OOC: I hope this is ok)
Timon chuckled at simba's question. "Well we went to visit Ma, she said hi by the way, then when got back we heard everyone was leaving so we were trying to find you, but we got lost."
Pumbaa the spoke up. "Yeah, then Timon told me to run when he started to chase us." Pumbaa finished, pointing to Damon.
Damon growled as he took a fighting stance. "What's it to ya pride walker?" Damon asked. Pride walker was a term Rouge lions use when talking about lions who were part of a pride. "The Meerkat and warthog are my prey, so move aside." Damon said as he continued to eye the Warthog and Meerkat.
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Not a Chance Simba replied coldly " If you want these two you're simply out of luck. You're an Outsider, arent you? He added looking closely at the cub. "Even if I wasn't with my pride young one, you still wouldn't stand a chance against me. Since when has a cub ever defeated an adult lion in combat? the answer is, never."
_ what do you want? Kopa said coming up to Damon.
-
"Is he crazy?" Kovu asked Kiara about the newcomer.
-
Damon arched his eyes as he looked at simba. "No you twit, I'm what you'd call a rouge lion. I don't have a pride, and I don't need one either. I can take care of my self." Damon declared. "Why do even care, unless your gonna eat them yourself?" He asked. Turning to Kopa, Damon glared. "I want to eat the warthog and the sissy little Meerkat.
"Sissy ,Why I outta, let me at em, let me at em." Timon said, turning to Pumbaa. "Here hold me back. "OK." Pumbaa said as he grabbed Timon's tail. Timon ran towards Damon. "Let me at em, let me at em." Timon said. "OK." said Pumbaa, he then Let go of Timon. Timon looked at Pumbaa. "I think your missing the basic point. He told his warthog buddy. "Oh." Pumbaa said as they both looked at the Lion Cub. "Hey look here, our buddy simba would never eat us. He's our pal." Timon Said. "Right, and friends don't eat friends." Pumbaa said.
Damon only laughed. "A lion, friends with a warthog and a Meerkat. That's funny." Damon laughed.
-
knOw your place Cub ' Kopa said shaply " You're a cub for goodness sajes have you ever heard of respecting your elders? If I talked to an adult like that when I was your age I'd have my head stuck in an anthill for my cheek
-
Where are you from Damon? Simba asked, ignoring the jibes Damon had said about him. 'I'm am no mood to be taunted by a cub running his mouth. I have a pride behind me that is very loyal to me, we are in a desperate situation and are in no mood for backtalk from a cub whose view of the world is klimited and slanted. Either you join us, Damon or you don't, you try and hurt mt friends and it will be the very last thing you do in your short life.."
-
Damon looked at Kopa with a skeptical look. "Why?" He asked. "Why do you care what I do, or where I'm from? I am a black lion, an Omen of death and destruction. Why should I give respect to others. I tried to join a few Prides, after I was abandoned, but I was turned away. A curse they called me, a killer, a Monster!" Damon shouted. "Why should I give respect when I was never given anything but hatred?" He asked, trying hard to not to break down and cry. "I have seen what those who command respect have done. I've been Persecuted and driven out just because of the color of my fur, so who are you to Judge me!" Damon yelled at Kopa and Simba.
Timon gritted his teeth. "Wow, this kid needs major Therapy." Timon said as he rolled his eyes. Pumbaa just stood there in shock. Having a gas problem, he could kind of understand the pain that was caused by something you couldn't control.
-
you are welcome to join this herd if you wish Simba said finally. We have taken other abandoned cubs in recently. Hali and Ramiki here did not know a pride before we found them and took them in."
_
Your parents left you huh/ well you can stay with us for awhile..' Kopa said.
-
Damon was taken back by this offer, but also insulted at Kopa' s remark. "My Father murdered my mother after she grew too weak to bear cubs. He said she was expendable." Damon said as he lowered his head. "As for joining you I will, but I can hunt for myself and I don't bow to anyone, king or not." He said calmly.
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its custom to bow to a king" Kopa replied " i'm sorry about your mother. Your father was real piece of work. How did you survive?I did not mean to insult you, and I'm sorry if I did.
-
" Why does Matter if I bow?" He asked, beginning to annoyed by a ridiculous custom. "And I think I have told you enough about my past for now." Damon replied, wanting to change the subject. "Besides don't you have more important things right now?" He asked Simba and Kopa. "Like getting help?" He said, hoping to change the subject.
-
Yes , Damon can tell us more about himself at a time of his choosing " Nuteri said coming up to them.. " we must find sanctuary first, and begin to work on a strategy to reclaim the pridelands..
-
Kovu did eye the new lion suspiciously.
-
Damon looked at Kovu with a raised eyebrow. "What are you looking at?" He asked the Brown furred Lion.
Timon couldn't believe simba had let the Psycho cub join. "Simba, he tried to eat us." The nervous Meerkat said. "What if he tries to eat us while we sleep?" Timon asked. "But Timon, simba would never let him eat us, cause Friends don't let friends get eaten." Pumbaa told Timon.
-
Just then, Matsu returned, bowing to the royal family. "My King, I bring news from the scouts," he said. "We have yet to encounter the black jaguars that were believed involved in the killings last night. They might have moved on. The path west seems clear."
-
Excellent we need to keep moving then " Simba nodded ' How long before we enter Yuna's territory?' Yuna was the ruler of the nearest kingdom..Kopa had p[assed through his kingdom a few times while with Nuteri when he was a cub.. theyhad treated them reasonably well..
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"That'll be the safest route," Kovu nodded in agreement.
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"Please tell me we'll be there soon," Kiara said to her brother.
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Damon huffed. "You'd be there sooner if you didn't have all these animals behind you." Damon said. "They're slowing you down, so stop whining." Damon said to Kiara.
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To answer your question Kiara, no i do not know when we will get there." Kopa replied. "Just be a little more patient. Its not easy given your and Kovu's injuries and the fact we're moving the entire pride along with us."
_ I'm hoping that we'll be there by morning' simba replied. ' Granted I haven't seen Yuna in a long time so he may not remember me..."
-
"That's good to hear," Kovu smiled to Simba.
Knowing his cubs would be born in the near future, he wanted his mate to be somewhere safe.
-
Damon rolled his eyes. Why did they waste time when they needed to get going. He thought about telling them that he had a little Jaguar cub for dinner last night and needed to get as far away as he could. turning to simba. "You'd get there faster if you only brought the strong and left the weak to their fate." He said to the king. " I was taught that it is survival of the fittest, hunt or be hunted, kill or be killed." He said. "If your daughter and her mate were injured, then they should be left to their fates." He said cold-heartedly. he rose and started walking away. He was going to see if he could score a meal.
A good distance away, he spotted three vultures standing over a fully grown dead lioness. He smiled as he sneaked up from behind. He stayed low to the ground and pounced from behind as he landed on one's back.
"Yo bro's help." He shouted trying to get Damon off. "I ain't no cub's meal." He said as he managed to through Damon off. "Oh yes you are scavengers." He said.
The vultures grouped together.
"Yo, here's the deal, we're the buzzard boyz, and we're on the rap attack, playing it cool with a capital C-O-O-L." They rapped as Damon covered his ears. These birds were terrible singers.
Damon felt the dead lioness under his start to move. He saw what looked like a black furred Lioness cub crawl out from under the lioness. "Who...Who are you? She asked Damon and the Buzzard boyz.
-
Matsu said nothing until the new lion walked off, when he spoke to the King. "Forgive me for talking out of place, my King, but who is this insensitive prick of a lion? And why does he dare to insult you and your family? I personally find him an insolence...maybe even a threat, to our survival."
-
I suspect he doesn't know any better " Simba replied " His father was a terrible parent, and its clear the son has inherited the worst of the father. Now i could be cruel and abandon him, but that would make me no better than him."
-
He needs to be shown his place i say " Kopa replied " How dare he talk like that about Kiara, especially when he would have been left to wander the savannah and likely starve if we hadn't passed by! I aggree, he is an insufferable prat, and its worse because he's a cub.."
_
he has seen only the worst that life has had to offer" Nuteri said " Yet I sense kinship between you and him , my prince. " Wait are you trying to tell me that I might be related to the arrogant cold-hearted twit? Kopa started.
-
"Seriously, can we leave him behind?" Kovu asked Simba.
-
"My name is Damon. " He told the strange cub, he was taken back by the fact she was a black lioness cub. He had never encountered one before.
"My name is Makaila." She nervously replied as she collapsed and fell unconscious. Damon rushed to her side and scooped her onto his back. Then he turned to the buzzard boyz. "You three, use your wings to give her some shade." Damon ordered as they reluctantly complied. Damon figured someone in that group back there would know what to do to help her, so he started the careful trek.
Damon soon arrived. "This cub needs help." He said as the buzzard Boyz froze. They never thought they' d see simba again. and then they saw Kopa. " Kopa, is that you?" The leader asked, hopeful what they heard about Kopa being alive was true.
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Simba started as he saw the young cub, the group had followed Damon reluctantly. "So this one is injured huh? he said looking at Damon , then turning he nodded at a young lioness who went over and picked up mikaila " This one needs water and food " she said. "Wekll, so do the rest of us, but her case is more urgent..
- kopa started at the buzzards who somehow knew his name " Wait a minute 'your those buzzrds who would playfully peck atme during treks with Nuteri " ah yes the trio of carrion who love to sing, but who unfortunately aren't very good at it. Nuteri said.
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" She was hiding under a dead lioness, that should cover food." He said, walking back towards the dead body he found.
The Buzzard boys looked confused. " Yo Kopa, remember we helped save you from our former flock after they tried to use you to get your dad to give them food." the leader said.
Damon ignored the buzzards as he started to eat the dead body. Until then, he had forgotten he was hungry.
-
I remember almost nothing from my youth. You'll have to reintroduce yourselves to me, since the only thing I remember you from from my travels with Nuteri' Kopa explained." I do recall you guys like to sing..."
-
(OOC: hope this is OK)
"We don't remember that?" the leader said. "But we'll tell you what we do remember." the third on said as the Buzzard Boyz back up and cleared their throats as the started to rap.
"YO!, here' s the truth. You had gone off to find your family tree, only to be trapped up in a real tree. we guarded you when you said our rappin was really happen, Our former flock wanted to force your pops to cough up big juicy meal. We didn't like this and wanted to keep it real by eating dead animals, so we tricked our bosses into sending us to make the deal. When we reached priderock we found your mom and pop. We led the way, helped save the day, and no one was dead!"." the Buzzard boys rapped as they finished their song.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Damon growled lowly when as he tried to block out their terrible rap, after eating his fill, Damon turned to walk away from the body until he thought of something. "I better bring some back to that cub I found. " He said, unaware that dead lioness he had eaten part of what had been Makaila' s mother.
He found where the lioness had taken her. She was still unconscious. Damon dropped the chunk of meat near her and walked away. He looked around to see if he could find someway to find water when he saw a bird fly by and he remembered something he figured our a while back. Birds flew towards water at sunset. he broke into a sprint as he followed the bird. upon arriving at a tree filled Riverbed Damon grinned as he saw water. First thing Damon did was to sniff it, once he was certain it was safe, Damon put one paw in to test it before stepping into the shaded and shallow bed of the River. Damon gulped down the water before he stretched and took off back towards the herd. When he got there he said only one word. "WATER!". The Black furred cub then scooped Makaila up onto his back and then picked up the meat with his mouth, Damon took off towards the stream. Damon moved with haste, only stopping to keep the lioness from falling off. Damon reached his destination as he let Makaila slide off into the shallow stream bed. Damon laid down and softly splashed water on her to wake her up. "Makaila, wake....up, eat...drink." Damon said as he breathed heavily, exhausted after his good deed for the eon.
Makaila groaned as she opened he eyes, the lion cub from before had told her to eat and drink. Makaila ate the meat he had laying out for her, to hungry to care where it came from at the time. She was starting to feel a little better, still sore and woozy, but better.
"Did you bring me here?" She asked Damon, who sheepishly grinned as he plopped down, still exhausted. Makaila giggled. "Thank you." She whispered as Makaila finished the meal and took some more sips of water.
-
"Who are these guys?" Kiara asked Kopa confused.
-
"I shall return to the other scouts, my King," Matsu said, bowing his head.
----------
Back in the Pridelands, the panther assassins again moved across the borders in the north and south, but tonight's killings were very rare. There was almost nothing left in the kingdom, vanished in the storm...
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Never mind these three .. lets keep going " Kopa replied and continued walking towards the west.. Now was not the time for catching up with these zany birds, in fact how they knew of him was something Kopa had not quite figured out..
_ Gorging on a dead lioness is wrong " the Lioness said to Damon " We have prey for that.. we don't weat our own.." she sadded looking at maikayla..
-
Makaila' s eyes widened in horror as she looked at Damon. "You ATE my MOTHER!?" She shouted as she swiped Damon with her claws. This made three claw marks on his right cheek that were sure to leave scars. He reeled back as Makaila staggered to her feet, she felt sick as she realized why that meat smelled Familiar. It was her Mother, he fed her a chunk of Her own mother. Makaila Threw up as she got her bearings and took off. "Makaila, Wait, let me explain!" Damon pleaded, but she didn't hear him, she didn't want to hear him.
Although he was still sore, Damon had to, for whatever reason make things right. He rose to his feet and followed her. Makaila was hunched over, sobbing. At first Damon was afraid that she would run off, but she didn't.
"Makaila, I.." He started, before she interrupted. "Go away, I have nothing to say to you!" She said in between sobs. "Then listen!" Damon snapped. "I swear, I had no Idea that was your mother." Damon said as Makaila stuck up her head. "I guess it doesn't matter, I shouldn't have eaten her anyway, I just want you to know how sorry I am." He said, lowering his head in shame. Makaila still refused to look at him. "Please, I'll do anything." Damon said even though he had no Idea why he was even bothering. Makaila finally spoke to him." Anything?" She asked, turning her head slightly.
Damon nodded. "Anything, just name it." He told the lioness cub. Makaila turned around and walked over to him. "Swear upon all the great kings of past Never, ever eat another lion as long as you live, even if you starve to death." She said. Damon smiled sheepishly. "I swear, but who are the great kings of the past?" He asked Makaila. The lioness cub looked up at the stars, which had come out. "Look at the stars, they are the great kings of the past. They watch over all lions and guide us when we need it." She explained. " I thought everyone knew that." she said as Damon lowered his head. "My dad told me... never mind." He said, turning to go back as Makaila followed.
-
Zulu and the African Wild Dogs payed Damon no heed as they passed him by, keeping their cubs close to them. Matsu had already gone to join the rest of the scouts...
-
"Where did that Damon go anyways?" Kiara asked, seeing he had taken off.
She then heard a voice yell....
-
Not far from the group, two cheetahs roamed the land in a leisurely pace. They had just finished a recent meal and were now simply wandering. "Do you think there's any more of us around here uncle?" one cheetah asked.
"It's hard to say Straff," the other, named Duma, answered. "The herds have moved around a lot, but it's always a possibility."
"I hope so," Straff sighed. "I don't like this, I mean us being alone. I want to be with other animals."
"I know you do," Duma sympathized, "but unfortunately life is hard that way."
"Well I don't want it to be hard anymore," Straff moaned. "I just want it to be simple and peaceful."
"If there were more like you," Duma smiled, "the world would be a much better place."
"If only," Straff agreed. "So what exactly are we looking for anyway?"
"Whatever life brings us," Duma replied. "Hopefully it will be somewhere appealing."
-
As soon as the two cubs reached the stream, Damon turned to Makaila. " I supose I should be a good little lion and bring the others here?" He asked with a sarcastic tone. Makaila nodded with a smile as she laid down near the stream. She was still weak, her anger had made her forget that for the moment. "OK, and when I get back, I'll try to get you a fish or something." Damon promised her with a smile as he headed back to the herd. He over heard Kiara asked where he had taken off to. "I've found a stream, with some trees and fresh grass. Any of you whiners interested, then follow me." He said as he took off back to Makaila.
Damon stopped at the stream, he saw a decent sized fish, as big as a new born cub. Damon pounced on the fish and after a bit of a struggle, he killed it. Damon dragged the fish through the water as he laid it in front of Makaila. " I hope you like it. "He asked sheepishly, hoping it would help make her feel better.
-
are you two coming?" the lioness asked Damon " we need to keep moving, after all.."
-
Damon scoffed. "First off, I'm tired, and second Makaila is still too weak for any long distance travels. Besides, you said that all of your herd needed food and water, Unless the cowardly king of pride rock is too scared of Panthers." Damon said. Makaila, who was still eating swallowed. "Damon, that's a terribly disrespectful thing to say!" She said. Damon looked at her. Damon rolled his eyes.
-
Watch your tongue whelp' the lioness said grabbing Damon by the throat and lifting him off the ground. : I will not tolerate having my king disrespected to my face! Either you learn to show some respect, and soon, or you will not live very long.As for Maikaila here, she's coming with us, and she will be carried on the back of one of the lionesses.Either you shape up Damon, or we will kill you for being disrespectful, and portion you out among the herd.do you WANT To die Damon? the lioness, whose name was Rhoda, said, she had the cub in a solid , firm grip.
-
"Let him go, your hurting him!" Makaila said. "You can't eat him, if you did, you'd be no better than The cannibal lion, Leo the pride killer!" She cried. Damon coughed as he grinned. "Go a head, you'd be doing me a favor, I deserve it after everything I did to my family. They're dead because He made me kill them and eat them." The black furred lion said in a raspy voice, tears filling his eyes. Makaila was horrified as she looked towards Rhoda. "Let him GO!" Makaila said, this time with a growl.
-
this cub needs to be taught a lesson in humility, young one.. he has shown nothing but disrespect to us since our first encounter.. and how pray te;ll could you possibly have eaten a full grown lion Damon " Rhoda said giving him a cold glare. physically, unless you had several days to do that, it would be impossible. even if they were say ill and thinner than normally, by yourself you could not do it..
-
" I'll tell you if you release me." Damon gasped.
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'i'll release you if you apologize to my king foir the things you've said about him. rhoda said taking damon and carrying him over to where Simba was. " This one is here is apologize for what he said earlkier about you my king..
-
Damon sighed as he looked at simba. "I'm sorry." He said. "now if you'll let me down, I'll tell you about my past."
-
Let him Down Simba said to Rhoda who did so.. " Now tell us Damon, and speak truthfully.." Simba said to him.
-
"Fine, but I warn you, it is not for the faint of heart, or the weak of stomach. My father is the cannibal lion, Leo the pride killer. The son of scar and zira. He wanted to create a new type of lion. lions that hunted alone and had no problem eating their own kind to survive." Damon said, looking away. "To do this, he abducted my mother, Zuri to bare his cubs. He kept all of us in a cave, not to far from here. In time, me and my siblings were born. As soon as he found out my mother was too weak to bare him more cubs, he beat her to within an inch of her life and then told us that unless we ate her alive, he would make her watch as he killed us, then kill her. we had been starved and we killed her, and ate our own mother." Damon said. He in grained in us that things like respect and kindness were only given to and used by the weak. Then he later threw us into a river inside that cave. I was the only one who was able to get back up. So he demanded that I kill my brothers and sisters. He said they were weak, and deserved only death. I refused, and he did this to me." Damon said as he pointed to his scar. " I was told that if I did not obey him, i would die. Like a coward I killed them and ate them." Damon said, Then he abandoned me outside that cave and said the next time he saw me, he would kill me." Damon sobbed as he broke down crying. Tears flooded down his face as Makaila, who had followed him stood by Rhoda, she was shocked to hear this horrible story.
-
Wait, how were you able to eait your mother abd siblings? your siblings should have been as big as you" Kopa said. " the horror story Damon had related had had its effect, Kopa actually some pity for Damon, although his conduct earlier was not being overlooked,.
-
Damon looked up, his eyes still full of tears. "it was about two weeks after eating our mother He made me eat their dead bodies until they were nothing but bones." He grieved as he buried his face into his own front paws. "I'm a monster, just like him. I only deserve death." He said between sobs.
Makaila looked at Damon, unsure what do, he was the son of the Lion who killed her mother. Makaila looked up at Rhoda, then over to simba, afraid he would kill Damon.
-
so it took you a couple days for you to eat your siblings.. simba said.. ' wait, did you say you were related to scar?"
-
"Yes, he and Zira are my grandparents, all the more reason for you to kill me." Damon said. "I'm a weak coward who killed his own family to save my own worthless life. I'm a monster just like my father, and his parents before him. Even my name tells you I'm a demon!" He said, breaking down into tears again.
Makaila had heard enough. "Your highness please don't kill him. I owe him my life!" Makaila said as she looked towards Damon. "Besides, I know he ate my dead mother, and fed me some of that meat, but I forgive him." She said as she walked between Simba and Damon. "King Simba, if you kill him, you'll have to kill me too." Makaila said as she swallowed. what was she doing, she had to be out of her mind, but she owed Damon a great debt. Her now dead pride's customs demanded that she repay him.
-
Scar was my uncle" Simba said " so if he was your grandfather, that would make your father my cousin, and you my second cousin. You are family Damon.. believe it or not..I couldn't kill family, not without justification. you and maikila will both join my pride..it will be home for both of you.."
_ So hes related to me too? Kopa started...'Both sides of the family tree' Nuteri nodded. ' Hes related to both you and the Outsiders.."
-
Meanwhile...
"Halt!" came a shout towards the pair of cheetahs, and three leopards & a cheetah shot out of the darkness to surround them.
They were soon followed by another leopard, who eyed them before speaking. "Stand down, brother scouts," he said to his cohorts. "These cannot be in league of the panthers." He stepped forward towards the cheetahs. "Forgive us for starling you. I am Matsu, loyal scout of King Simba of the Pridelands. May I ask your names, my brothers?"
-
Kiara was sick to her stomach at the thought of eating another lion. How could someone actually do that?! And worse yet, somebody who was technically related to her.
"I don't believe this..." Kovu said to himself.
-
Makaila beamed at simba's offer and bowed to him. "Damon and I are grateful for this honor, right Damon?" She
Damon dried his tears and looked up at Simba, but then looked away. he was offering Damon a home, something he wanted, but didn't deserve. "I'm sorry, but I can't, I'll only bring you trouble. Besides I'm a monster, I don' t deserve a family or a pride." He said, getting up to walk away.
"Damon, wait!" Makaila said as he stopped and turned around. "Your not a monster, you helped me when I needed it, and you found water for all of us. "She said to the young cub. "Besides they are your family, you can't push them away." She said. Damon sighed. "Yes I can, because King Yuna will kill me if I ever set foot in his kingdom." "Why?" Makaila asked, afraid of the answer she was going to get. "Because My mother was his daughter Zuri. He told me him self if I ever returned, I will be killed on sight." Damon explained.
-
Nonsense. Your father is responsible for everything. he pushed your mother and siblings to the point of death then forced you to deliver the final blow' Simba said " You were in a no win situation. If you had refused , he almost certainly would have killed you, and then would have killed them anyway.I will talk to Yuna.." simba finished..
-
"It won't matter, He has descended into madness, Yuna won't listen to anyone since I killed my mother, I heard even his own advisers are too afraid to say anything." Damon explained. "Besides, I deserve every punishment and more after what I did.
Makaila heard enough. She swatted him with her paw. "Enough!, Damon you didn't do anything wrong. Yuna is wrong to blame you, so get over it and move on with your life!" She shouted at him.
Timon and Pumbaa were both sick to there stomachs after hearing this. Timon was also tired with this cub' s attitude. "Look Makaila is it, your going about this the wrong way." Timon said as he and pumbaa walked up to Damon. "Yeah, you got to put your behind in the past." This only confused the two cubs. "No no no Pumba, let me handle this. What My Corpulent companion meant to say is you got to put the past behind you, look sometimes bad things happen and there's nothing you can do about it, right?" He asked Damon. "Right."He answered unenthusiastically.
"Wrong!" The meerkat said. "When the world turns it's back on you, you turn your back on the world. Repeat after me, Hakuna Matata."
"Hakuna Ma-what a?" Damon asked. "Hakuna Matata." Pumbaa repeated. "It means no worries." Timon clarified.
"No worries Huh?" Damon said as he thought to himself. His thoughts were broken by the sound of lightning off in the distance. As Damon looked up, he saw it was started to rain, hard. Damon wondered if this was a bad omen, or something else.
"Yo here's the deal, we gotta find real good cover brothers." The vulture boyz said, just then a bolt of lightning stuck a tree, lighting it on fire, though the rain made quick work of it. "Damon, we gotta find shelter." Makaila said. Damon knew that, but the only caves he knew that were big enough to hold the whole herd was where he was born and abused. He sighed as he knew what they would make him do. "Follow me, I know a place where we can wait out the storm." He said as he led the way to the one place he never wanted to return to, but had no choice.
-
the rains streamed down on the herd as they reached the caves.. insides Kopa felt the hairs stand on enbd .. ' there was much evil done here" Nuteri said solemnly
-
((I'm going to attempt a jump in since you've still made reference too Hali. Here's hoping I don't just make a mess))
Meanwhile, Hali was more than exhausted after the fear and hurried flight of running from Pride Rock. Not that she'd been attatched to the place, having just got there, and as long as she was with these new lions who took her in, she was good, and she still had Ramiki...who was around here somewhere...
Hali made sure to stay close though as they moved through the rain. Blech, she hated rain!
-
Stick by us Hali" Nuteri said to her " stick by the prince and Vitani, for safety..
-
Hali nodded, she'd gotten use to that spot, by Vitani or Kopa. For her part, Vitani smiled back at the cub, hoping she hadn't heard too much of what Damon said, no cub could know about that.
By how she just followed as told, Vitani didn't think she had been paying too much attention. She also got a bad feeling as they walked into the caves, but chalked it up to just all they'd been hearing about with Damon's story. She glanced to make sure Kopa was still close though.
-
The guys don't need to know what Damon's been through..." Kopa whispered to her " so lets not tell them until later when they are older?'
-
Damon inhaled as he entered the cave. A flash lightning went off and Damon froze when he thought he saw his father, only for another flash of lightning to reveal it as a harmless pile of rocks. Makaila saw Damon was distressed and approached him. "Damon?...." She started. Damon shook his head. "It's nothing, I'm just tired." He insisted as he yawned. "The main chamber is ahead, there's a lot of glowing moss and some hot gas vents, we can stay warm from them." He said as he led them to the Main chamber deeper in the cave, Damon knew they were going the right way because of the faint glow.
Upon entering the chamber, Timon and Pumbaa were awed at how large it was. It even had a underground river running through it "Wow, what cave!" Timon said, jumping at the echo of his voice. Damon sighed.
Damon, Join us in the dark
Damon frantically looked around. He knew he heard his siblings voices.
Murdererrrrr.....Canniballll......Betrayerrrrr.......AHHHHH!!!!!!!!
"MOM!" He cried out, recognizing his mother's voice.
"Damon, are you OK?" Makaila asked. Damon looked at her. "I'm....I'm OK." He said. Walking over to a large pile of rocks that was surrounded by four piles of smaller rocks. Damon reared back when he saw they changed into his dead family.
Killerrrr....Cowardddd......
"NO!" He shouted as Makaila rushed over to him. "Damon, what is it?" She asked. "over there what do you see?" He asked, shaking as he pointed to the rocks. "I see a large pile of rocks surrounded by piles or smaller rocks." Pumbaa answered. Makaila looked at Damon. "Why?, what do you see?" She asked. Damon shook his head. "Nothing.. Just old fears." He said as he walked away to lay down. Makaila was worried about him. "Something tells me he was lying." Timon said, his hands at his hips.
"Old wounds bleed brighter that new one's sometimes." Makaila said, turning back to Damon. "This place is full of bad memories for him." She explained as She walked to where simba was. Makaila bowed in curtsy before the king. "Your Majesty, I think we should try to find a different cave, I think Damon is troubled by staying here." she conveyed to the king before rising.
-
i thoiink you are right maikaila. This place has a very bad vibe..
It was thi\en another voice echoed in the chambered " Well well Damon, it seems as if you took after my weak daughter as well. The weak hold the strong back, and keep them from thier rightful place in the world. Scar knew this as did your father, you and Vitani, however have failed to live that lesson.. you are both weak, just like Simba , Kopa and that traitor Kovu.. the words were filled with hatred and loathing..
-
"Agreed" Vitani nodded. She agreed as far as she could with Kopa's statement though, whether she was able to communicate that or not. No, there was no reason to spread that kind of news and knowldge of the world.
Hali followed along right beside Vitani as instructed, and also because that was where she was starting to feel safest in her time here with the Pride. She jumped a bit at the lightning but wasn't really scared of it. No, what scared her was when that new, still sort of a cub, Damon, started jumping around and yelling slightly.
Hali made to walk over to him, but Vitani reached a paw over to stop her. "No Hali, let's...leave Damon alone for a bit longer he...", she couldn't think of a good excuse, "...doesn't need people crowding him" Vitani smiled as she came up with something.
She forgot this though as the voice rang out from around the cave. At the words of weak and strong, and Scar's name, again a low rumble of a roar started in her throat, a roar to herself more; but then she was all but called out. Her and Kopa and the others.
"We aren't weak!" she couldn't stop herself from responding before noticing Hali curled in nearer her feet in fear now at this new voice. She bent to try to calm the cub and this made her forget her would be argument with a disembodied voice so she didn't continue with what she could have said on Scar.
-
"Vitani, what's going on?" Kiara asked her friend concerned, walking over to her.
"I don't like this place, I think it's for everyone's best we leave," Kovu recommended. The echoes weren't producing the same effect on him.
-
Zira! Kopa called out! "Stop this! You can't hurt anyone anymore, and this cub has suffered ebnough.. " his breath was now visibile the temperature in the cave was dropping.. it was then Kopa saw two piercing green eyes.. full of palpable hatred abnd fear.. " none of you have suffered to my satisfaction whelp,far from it..
-
Damon growled as he jumped up. "No I'm not weak,I'm not weak!" He cried, jumping up.
-
Kiara coming over did alot to calm Vitani in a way, but...it was because she'd known deep down who it was who spoke but was telling herself it wasn't her that she'd felt the need to snap out her response. "I-I'm fine" she gave a small smile and tried to also laugh it off, "just letting ghost of the past..."
Kovu's words and then the air changing and those green eyes showing cut Vitani off as her focus seemed to zero in on them. Fear showed and then determination. She hunched her feet in closer to where Hali still took refuge under her. She almost told Kopa to take the cub to safety but wasn't sure how safe moving her really was.
Much as she wanted to answer what Zira said, she didn't, just watched what she could see of her, those eyes, for any movement. Thanks to Zira she was a well trained huntress and knew how to read subtle clues from sound and everything.
-
Tryting to read me eh vitani? hahaha" Zira's voice faded as the form of the lioness appeared out of the mist. the spirit glared at the others before focusing on Damon " Your father is a great lion, and you reject him! then you run toi these pathetic, cowardly excuse for a pride, and what has that earned you, my grandson? Nothing, nothing worthwhile at any rate..
Simba blanched at the appearance of his old enemy..
-
"No, your wrong, your wrong!" Damon shouted, closing his eyes only to open them again to the sound of his mother's cries.
Damon looked over at Kovu saw him change into Leo striking his mother with his right Paw.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" Damon cried out as he charged at who he thought was leo, and bit down on Kovu's right forearm. He also Dug his claws in to the skin.
"Damon stop, your hurting Kovu!" Makaila cried as she did the only thing she could think of, Bite Damon's tail. This Bite was enough to snap him back to reality. Damon yelped in pain and released Kovu. Horrified and fearful of what he did, Damon hunched back and cowered near the edge over looking the unusually high underground River. "Damon, watch out!" Makaila shouted. "Stay back, your endanger from me!" Damon pleaded. "I don't know what's real anymore, I can't trust what I see or hear!" He sobbed, tears building up in his eyes.
WEAKLINGGGG!!!! The voices cried out again.
"No, I'm not weak, I'm not!" Damon shouted at Zira' s ghost, unaware the ledge gave way."Ahhhhh!" he cried out as fell into the river. Damon struggled to stay afloat. He managed to cling to a rock.
DAMON, JOIN US!!!! the voices shouted.
"No, leave me alone!" He begged, unintentionally letting go to cover his ears. Damon was soon washed to where he killed his Mother siblings. "No not here!" He sobbed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Damon!" Makaila cried, tears flooding down her face. She saw a path leading down towards the river. "Oh, what do we do?" Pumbaa asked. Makaila turned to simba. "My king, Damon fell into the river, I found a path, hurry!" She pleaded before taking off down the path.
Timon and Pumbaa were terrified at the sight of Zira's ghost.
-
"AAAAHHHHH!!!" Kovu screamed, caught off guard by Damon's bite.
"What is his problem?!" Kiara asked, looking at the damage when she saw that Damon had fallen into the river.
-
Nuteri waved his stick in front of him dispelling the mist and Ziras spirit with it.. there was a anguished cry the it faded away..
-
how did you do that? Kopa said breathing again. 'Lets just say my prince that I have had some dealings with the other side in my youth.. but now me just go help young Damon out of his latest pickle..."
-
Damon slowly made his way to where the Lion bones littered the ground. Damon Reared back as he saw them come to life. "Damon, why did you kill us?" the skeleton of his mother asked. "Why didn't you protect us?" The skeletons of his Siblings asked him.
"No, your deaths weren't my doing, I tried to save you." He cried out.
"You are weak Damon, a disgrace. Your family will kill you after what you did to Kovu." Leo said, as he appeared behind him. "You had such potential too, oh well I'll just try again." The Hallucination said as Damon backed into a corner. Suddenly a bright, radiant light filled the pit. Once that was pure, calming, and soothing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makaila saw a faint light comming from the end of the trail. "Come on everyone, this way!" Makaila said as she, Timon, and pumbaa led the way.
-
Vitani frowned as Zira became more visible, backing up a bit but keeping Hali beneath her. When Damon charged Kovu, she almost charged over to help her brother, almost forgot the cub she was protecting, but Makaila calmed the situation...sort of. The cub still just looked so confused and, as he said, didn't know what was real or not anymore.
She shook her head, answering Kiara, "His past, and all his father did, it seems to really haunt him". She didn't say she could relate, which she could, sort of. Still even Vitani's past hadn't been that bad she knew. Still, as Nuteri dispelled Zira's ghost, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Gently picking up Hali and placing the cub on her back, instructing her to hold on, she followed where Makaila had gone down the trail, "Nuteri's right, we must make sure he's still ok".
Because she had Hali with her, Vitani made sure not to take too much of a leading role and just get the cub in trouble, but she still caught, as everyone did probably, the blinding light.
"W-what's that..." she wondered partly to herself and partly to the others as she followed. Vitani had had enough of ghosts and stuff for one day and was very on edge even if this one light seemed calming.
-
The light behind Damon started to take the shape of a lioness, Damon's mother Zuri to be exact.
"GET AWAY FROM MY SON!" The spirit shouted as the skeletons and the fake Leo were dispelled. Damon turned to his mother's spirit and saw her gentle, loving smile. Damon whispered only one word. "Mom."
"Hush my child, your safe now." She said as she approached him. Damon backed away and looked to the ground. "Mom, I'm so sorry." He cried.
"For what my son?" She asked him.
"I killed you, it's my fault you dead."
"No Damon, you have nothing to be sorry for." Zuri' s spirit told him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makaila froze when she and the others saw the ghost of Zuri talking to Damon.
Timon and Pumbaa were rubbing their eyes, not sure if this was real.
Zuri's ghost smiled, now that Damon's new pride was here, she could get started.
"Damon, behold the truth." She declared as a blinding light filled the room.
Damon opened his eyes and saw his injured mother talking to Leo. He also saw Makaila and everyone else, minus Ramaki and Hali were also seeing this
"Since you can no longer bare cubs, you are only good for one thing, food. I shall make the cubs you bore me devourer you alive." Leo said.
"No, You can't!" Zuri said as he responded by back handing her with his paw. "You forget your play wench, I can do what ever I want including forcing you to watch as I kill those cubs." Leo said as he started to walk away.
"No, feed me to them, anything just don't kill them." She said with a heavy breath.
Leo smiled evilly. "I knew you'd see it my way." He said as they faded away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Damon started to cry, His mother gave up her life to save him, him and his siblings.
"Damon, I'd do anything for you and your siblings." the spirit said as more lights surrounded her. Damon' s dead siblings, but they looked happy to see him, they're faces held no hatred or resentment.
"We miss you Damon." his bother said to him. "Yeah, but some day we'll be together again." One of his sisters said. "You found pride of good lions who care about you, join them, they are part of our family too. we have to go now, but we'll meet again. Till then go and have a good life for all of us, we'll be waiting for you." His second sister said before they started to fade away.
"No, wait don't leave me!" Damon said, his tears running down his face." Don't leave me again."
"We'll be in your heart, let it guide you Damon. It whispers, so listen closely." His mother said, before she faded away. The light soon faded entirely, and the cave returned to only be lit by the florescent moss. Yet it wasn't entirely the same, the evil that had filled the cave were gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makaila walked up to Damon. "Damon...." She started before Damon cut her off. "Makaila, I'm OK, and I really mean it too." He said. his eyes showed that he was telling the truth. Turning to Timon and pumbaa. "I'm sorry for trying to eat you." Then he turned to the Pride, who had followed Makaila after him. "I am so sorry for the way I treated all of you. It was wrong, and I have no excuse." He said before turning to kovu. "I'm sorry for attacking you, If you want to Punish me, I'll take any sentence you pass, even death." He said, his eyes conveying his remorse. Finally walking to simba. He buried his face into simba's chest. "I'm so sorry for disrespecting you, my king, please tell me I still have a home with your pride, I'll take any punishment, but please don't exile me, I can't be alone, not anymore." Damon said in between sobs.
-
Kovu was still recovering from the blow Damon delivered, and he wasn't sure how to react.
"You stay away from Kiara..." he growled, he knew that even if this lion wasn't evil, he was certainly not mentally stable.
-
you still have a home here' Sikimba said " You still have a lot of bad memories to overcome, but with our help you can do that.."
-
Straff was startled by the two scouts that surrounded them, and he instantly prepared to fight and growled angrily. Fortunately, Duma turned to him and shook his head. "Hold on Straff. They mean us no harm."
"How can you tell?" Straff asked.
"Just call it a gut feeling," Duma chuckled. He then looked back to Matsu and nodded. "My name is Duma. This is my nephew, Straff."
Straff bowed his head in respect, although he was still a bit hesitant after they had just "surprised" them. When he heard the name Simba he was instantly filled with excitement. "You serve King Simba? Is he close? What's he like? Do you protect him?"
"Easy son," Duma laughed. "Take a breath between each sentence." He turned back to Matsu, now a bit concerned. "You mentioned panthers. Is there some sort of trouble?"
-
Damon was relieved, he wanted a fresh start in his life. Right now, all he wanted was to sleep, normally He wouldn't sleep with so many other lions around, not sense his siblings. But he was tired, Physically, mentally, and emotionally. So for now he drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makaila yawned as she saw Damon had the right Idea, soon she was fast asleep too. So were Timon and Pumbaa, and even the buzzard boyz found a stable ledge to roost.
-
Vitani frowned as they saw all of what Damon had gone through. Sure, they'd heard of it, but to see it like that...
The lioness had been through alot in her own cubhood and on but nothing like that she realized.
While Hali had missed most of the past story of Damon, due to the grown-ups sheltering, she did however get that something bad had happend to him and since he was still a cub she thought of maybe getting to know him better and made to walk over nearer where he drifted off and maybe drift of near him, but Vitani halted her.
The lioness didn't want to give the wrong impression to anyone but still felt, like Kovu, that Damon was still a bit too jumpy and prone to snap into bad memories. Plus for his own sake he needed to ease into pride life.
"Come on Hali, let's get you settled over here" she guided the cub over to another section of the cave.
"Why was Damon talking like he was talking to others bu wasn't?" Hali couldn't help asking what she'd been wondering over. Vitani frowned, she didn't have a good answer. "He...he just had some bad memories that were hard to...hard to forget" she tried to explain. She could relate on that front really, she thought.
-
Matsu sighed and nodded his head. "For the past few days," he started, "the Pridelands has been ravaged by an organized group of black jaguars. They made attempts on the royal family's lives, and then they struck down some of our defenders just last night. We're making...tactical decisions to avert a greater threat. The King now leads us to the lands of King Yuna." He paused. "There are safety in numbers, especially when things have gotten perilous. If you wish to join us to the western kingdom, you are welcome..."
----------
Back in the Elephant Graveyard, the storm has lessened in strength. This means a few hours until dawn. The black lion turns to his lieutenants. "Mobilize your forces!" He commanded. "We march on the Pridelands at dawn's light!"
-
Kiara wasn't quite certain on how to react to everything. She hoped Kovu would be ok, seeing some blood drip from his paw, but it looked like the wound stopped bleeding severely.
"He needs to have someone watching 24/7," Kiara whispered to her father, "I don't think he's necessarily evil...but I think Damon is very close to losing his mind..."
-
Duma sighed. "It's unfortunate that the king and his family are in jeopardy. I have heard stories about the king and his past before; a terrible tragedy indeed." He looked to his nephew. "Do you want to be part of the king's herd?"
"Well, yeah," Straff replied, trying as hard as he could to contain his excitement. He had always wanted to meet the king, and now it looked like he was going to get that chance. "I mean, if panthers are trying to kill them, they're going to need further protection, right?"
"That is true," Duma nodded. He then turned back to Matsu. "We would be honored to join the king and his herd. Perhaps I could provide some assistance in ensuring he and his family arrive at their destination safe and sound."
"Maybe I'll meet somebody my age," Straff wishfully thought. "It's been kind of lonely not having anybody to really talk to."
"Am I really that boring to you?" Duma jokingly asked. Straff laughed but didn't reply.
-
OOC: I hope this is OK.
Damon awoke much later after everyone had settled down. He was sore, and still groggy. He carefully made his way over the sleeping Pride, careful not to wake anyone. Damon made his way up the path Makaila and the others came down when he noticed something about the river he never noticed. It had a fork in it. Another thing that came to mind was he had four siblings, but only saw three cub spirits. Damon shook his head. He just wanted to leave this cave. When Damon got outside, he saw the storm had all but died down. Damon found a tree near the entrance and made his way over to it. With his back to the cave, Damon sat down to rest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makaila had just woken up. Unable to get back to sleep she looked around to see if Damon was awake or not. Seeing Damon was not here, Makaila got up to go find him. Her first guess was that Damon didn't want to stay in this cave. She was right when she found him outside the cave. "Damon?" She asked as he jerked before turned around. "I'm sorry if I woke you up, I just couldn't stay in that cave anymore." Damon Explained.
Makaila understood that, walking up to his side, she sat down. "You didn't wake me up. I just had a hard time getting back to sleep." She told Damon, then she noticed he seemed upset about something. "Damon are you alright?" She asked him. "I saw three of my dead siblings last night, but I had four siblings. One of my brothers might be alive." Damon explained. Makaila was shocked. "We have to tell king simba..."she started. "No, not now, I've caused him enough trouble." Damon said.
"But Simba will understand." She reassured him. Damon stood firm. "No, and you are not to breath a word of this to anyone." Damon said. Makaila sighed as she admitted defeat. "OK, I promise." She said as she looked at him. "Sorry about last..." "Makaila, you have nothing to apologize for. I wasn't myself." He said. "But now everyone thinks I'm crazy." He said, his head hanging down in shame. "I gotta do something to make everything it up." Damon told Makaila. "I wish I knew what I could do." He yawned as he laid down to rest. Makaila smiled as she sat there under the tree. "I can't go with the pride into Yuna's kingdom. I'll only make things worse." He said. Makaila sighed. "But Simba's your cousin, You'll be under his royal protection." Makaila said. "But.." Damon started. "But nothing, Yuna can't fight our whole pride." She said with a scowl.
-
trying to leave is nott a good iidea young Damon" Nuteri said coming up to them.. 'you will be safe with the king, to try and make it on your own is foolish..
-
Kovu still wasn't quite certain to make of this situation.
The lion could tell that Damon wasn't exactly...."well."
-
"I know Simba said he'd talk to Yuna, but he won't listen, he doesn't even know I'm his grandson and as far as I know, no one outside this pride knows." He said. "If I go with you, he might have all of you executed for aiding a murderer and cannibal." Damon explained. "For aiding me." He said, hanging down. " And after what I did to Kovu, I'm a danger to this pride. " He said, laying down. "What if it happens again, what if next time I end up killing someone!?" Damon asked the Mandrill.
-
your fears are irrational, young Damon. ' Nuteri sighed " Kings are required to treat their guests fairly, especially if their guests are fellow royals. its common courtesy. Yuna knows that you are his grandson, since your mother was his daughter. His quarrel is with your father, your father will die if he is found in Yunas lands. You still have to overcome your fears of harming others Damon, this pride is your family, they will be there for you. You must learn to be more hopeful.
-
"Come," Matsu said to the cheetahs. "The herd is resting not far from us. Once the King and his family have rested, you will be formally introduced to them. We've had...other new arrivals, and let's just say things had been eventful."
-
"But Yuna only knows I killed his daughter, he doesn't know she was my mom, I never told him that." Damon said. "I was too ashamed at what I did to tell him." The black furred cub explained.
Makaila was taken back by this. "But Damon, it's not your fault, Leo made you do it." She said as she walked up to Damon. "Besides, remember what Timon and Pumbaa said, Hakuna Matata." She explained with a hopeful smile.
-
Hali shifted, sighing as she woke up a bit early, giving it was still night. Glancing over she noticed that those new cubs weren't there anymore. She slowly stood. Oh no, what if something had happened to them! Sneaking up and past Vitani, she padded over to atleast the edge of the cave to glance around as she if she could see anyone. She knew leaving the actual cave could be bad so didn't do that yet.
-
"We just have to keep going..." Kiara said, looking forward.
-
then we will tell him when we meet him " Nuteri replied ' Now, come on you two., the herd will not wait for us. we must catch up to them..
-
Damon sighed, he had a really bad feeling about this Idea. " Right, Hakuna Matata." He said unenthusiasticly. "Oh come on Damon, lighten up." Makaila said as she playfully poked at him with her paw."Tag your it." She laughed as she ran up ahead of him. Damon had over seen tag being played before, but never played it. He found himself laughing as he chased Makaila.
-
As she glanced outside, Hali soon caught sight of the princess and then saw the two newest cubs rushing by. She giggled as she noticed they were playing tag.
"Hehe, hey...wait for me!" she rushed over, but then paused a bit as she got closer, getting shy. "Um...Hi, I don't think Iofficially said hello yet, I'm Hali" she smiled a bit.
-
Nuteri soon returned to the group
I found them my prince..
_ Thank you Nuteri " Kopa said as he watched Ramiki and Hali begin to play with Damon and Makaila " Hopefully Damon will learn to be a part of this pride..
-
"Let's hope..." Kovu nodded to Kopa.
-
Makaila stopped running when Hali introduced herself. "Hi,I'm Makaila, and this is Damon." She said, playfuling jabbing Damon. Damon smiled sheepishly back at Hali. "Tag, your it." He laughed as he tagged Hali before running. Damon was too busy watching Makaila and Hali to see where he was going, otherwise he would've seen Kiara right in front of him. Damon bumped into her back leg.
Damon shook it off as he backed away and hunched back, remembering Kovu told him to stay away. "I'm sorry, I was playing tag and wasn't watching where I was going." He explained as he covered his head, afraid of what would happen.
-
Hali giggled as Damon suddenly tagged her and took off. She quickly gave chase, yet paused as Damon bumped into Kiara's leg and tumbled back. She didn't think the princess would do anything really, so just watched as Damon backed up.
As Vitani awoke and noticed Hali wasn't there, she frowned in worry. Standing she made her way over to where the others were and thankfully spotted Hali. She was there with the other cubs, but Damon seemed to look tense over something.
"What happened?" she asked, glancing to Kiara and just curious what the cub might have gotten himself into now.
-
"It's a long story..." Kiara said.
"Damon suddenly seemed to just lose his mind and he bit Kovu...then he started crying in fear, then he nearly got lost down a river..." she explained to her sister-in-law.
-
"Very well," Duma nodded. "We shall follow you." As Matsu led them, Duma whispered to his nephew. "He mentioned they had interesting arrivals to their herd. We should be careful."
"How bad could it be?" Straff asked.
"You would be surprised," Duma warned him. "The world can be a very dangerous place sometimes."
"I know, I know," Straff replied, and Duma gave him a somewhat stern look.
"Please try to behave when we reach the group. We will be in the presence of the King and his family, and I expect you to be respectful towards all of them."
"I will, Uncle Duma," Straff assured. "I'm always respectful."
"So you say," Duma chuckled a bit.
-
Well at least they look like they are having fun." simba said coming up toKiara and Vitani. ' But once they are done playing We are heading off.. "
-
Even if the adults reactions didn't surprise Hali, who had come to see that they were very kind and understanding since they took her in, the cub smiled in relief as they graced over Damon bumping into Kiara.
"See, no problem" she skipped over, "they know it was just an accident. Oh and by the way, you're it!" she tapped Damon's head before giggling and skipping off.
Vitani nodded to what Simba said, turning back to watch the cubs, "Well I know from watching her that Hali could play all day if you let her, so if they do take too long just let me know and I'll let her know it's time to move on"
She then smiled though, "It is nice to see cubs having a childhood though, Damon's seemed to be a bit ruined and goodness knows I could have had a better one as well" Vitani shook away these dark thoughts that seeing Zira had brought up.
-
I didn'thave much of one either' Kopa nodfded. " Give them a few more minutes Vitani then bring them in " we can't afford to stop.."
So I take it you are going to care for Damon and Makaila as well? Nuteri smiled at him. " Well.. er.." Kopa started as Vitani's smiled at him..
-
Damon lightened up as he chased after Hali, for the first time he could remember he felt at peace. It was like finding a missing piece of himself, like his life had a greater purpose now, He felt like nothing could hurt him as long as his Pride, his family was with him.
Damon didn't feel as scared going with them to face Yuna. His mother told him once that a pride worth living in will either stand or fall together.
Damon laughed as he caught Makaila. "Tag, your it." He said before running back to where Kopa and Vitani were with Makaila in hot pursuit. "Oh yeah?" Makaila asked as she tried to tackle him. The two cubs rolled around before Damon pinned Makaila. "Pinned ya!" He laughed. "Hey let me up." Makaila said as she got up ony to tackle Damon again. "Ha pinned ya again!" Damon said as he grinned proudly.
-
Vitani had to chuckle a bit at Kopa's cute stuttering, "Don't worry, I'll help him with them as I have been" she smiled to Kopa.
She watched as the cubs tackled eachother a bit more and then called them in, "Come on you guys, we need to keep moving".
Hali turned, "Ok" she called back to Vitani, walking over to where Makaila was pinned by Damon, "Come on, Miss Vitani says we're heading off again" she said before charging back over to get under Vitani and between her paws, "I like the newcomers" she said with a smile.
-
"How adorable..." Kovu smirked to Kopa, trying to lighten the mood after he got bit.
-
Daon sighed as he got off of Makaila. "Well the fun's over. " He groaned as he started walking. "Walking up along aside Kopa, he looked up at him. "So, why the rush, if all the herds are here with us, why rush? Those Panthers don't know where we are, Right?" He asked Kopa. Makaila herself was wondering the same thing. "King Simba, Just how many panthers are trying to kill us?" She asked the king.
-
We cannot afford to rest until we are safely in Yunas lands" Kopa replied
_ we don't know, all we know is that there are likely a very large number of them, and they took out most odf our scouts. Hence why we had to evacuate. Once we are in Yunas territory then, you four can resume playing..' Simba said to her.
-
Hali frowned at what the king said. She'd been there of course but to hear of the panthers' numbers again...
She suddenly didn't really care about getting back to play or not, she just wanted to be safe, "A-and we'll be safe too, right?" she asked. Vitani smiled down at her and spoke to all the cubs, "Yes, we'll be safer there".
She'd wanted to say they would be completely safe but wasn't sure if even with all the assurances of such, she could honestly make that claim. The Pridelands were suppose to be safe as well.
-
Damon sighed. "I hope your right Vitani, I pray your right," He said as he turned to simba. " I reccomend you leave Kopa, Vitani, Kiara, and Kovu behind when you reach Yuna's boarder, If they enter, they may never return. The Panthers would never risk getting that close to Yuna's Boader. Also, If you must use my dead body as a offering to Yuna to gain his allegence, then so be it." Damon said. Makaila was stunned. "Damon, Simba would never do that." Makaila said, besides if your Yuna's grandson, and he has no other heirs. that makes you the next king. " Makaila explained. Damon looked at Makaila. "I'm the princess of a now dead pride, I was expected to know this, and that only One who shares blood ties to that kingdom's Royal family can Challange Their current king." She said, not wanting to look at Damon. " My mom was born in that Pride, she was Yuna's best hunter," Makaila explained. "That law was put into place by Yuna's great-Grandfather to insure that no rouge lion could ever take over." Makaila said.
-
We're not here to challenge Yuna!" simba replied " we are not getting involved in any of the internal affairs of his kingdom. " we are simple staying there, until we can get enough help to retake the pridelands. I'm not sacrificing you damon, nor am i leaving my family outside. i don't know what irrational fear you are still clinging to, but it will not hold me back.. Simba said firmly. " we are ALL entering his kingdom Damon, I'm not leaving anyone behind."
I'm not staying outside Damon..' Kopa said irritated by Damon's comments "Do you want me to help raise you and Makaila or not?' he scowled."Not everythings about you after all..
-
"wow what an ego...." Kiara said to herself about Damon.
-
While knowing why Kopa said these things and had every right to be annoyed, Vitani still recoqnized that he and even Makaila were still just cubs. Cubs were allowed to not understand and say things wrong.
Vitani moved over near Kopa, giving him a smile to calm him down, or try to. "I'm sure the cub knows that" she said. She smiled down at Damon, "But no, I couldn't let one of my wards do that to himself, we'll all go in together and face whatever is there as a pride" the cub had got enough lectures of a sort though, so Vitani smiled at him rather than lecture as she said this.
-
Alright damon " Nuteri said cominhg up to himm he was visibly annoyed " you do not get to tell the king, what he should do, or who should be allowed into the kingdom. That is beyond presumptuous, young lion, and EXTREMELY rude. Nor are we going to sacrifice you, out of some idea that doing so will open doors to the rest of us. We go in as one, or we do not go, based on what the king decides.You are just a cub damon, and while you will have your place in this pride, possibly as one of the cubs Prince Kopa will protect, you are not in a position now, or ever, for that matter, to tell the king what he should do.
-
"You have to stop being irrational," Kovu said sternly to Damon.
-
Makaila and Damon both looked to the ground. Makaila was the first to speak. "I'm sorry your highness. It was wrong of me to say that." She said, bowing for forgiveness, where as Damon just looked away. "I'm sorry sir." He simplely spoke. He felt so stupid and selfish. Turning to Kopa, Makaila was the first to speak. She looked up before looking down. " Do you really want a lion cub like me who can' t shut up at times?" She asked sheepishly. Damon on the otherhand scowled and simpley replied. "No. I can take care of my self." He said as he proceded to the rear of the entire heard, meaning he wanted to be left alone.
-
There's a fine limit between being a cub, and saying inappropriate things to the ruler of a pride. Kopa replied "Cubs can do silly and stupid things,. but in the interest of fairness, I'll finish by saying this to you Damon. You are the bottom of the pecking order, thats how new cubs start in pride, you can work your way up, because of who you are related to, Myself, for one, or you could be adopted and become the son of a lion or lioness. but at no time do get to tell a king what to do. Is that clear?"
-
Hali frowned a bit at what Kopa said, bottom of the pecking order. She was still kinda new. "We--we're not nobody yet?" she asked confused.
"No, that's not what he meant" Vitani explained, "and I think everyone's made their point clear to Damon" she looked about at the others not disagreeing with their vailid concerns they had to let Damon know of, but they'd all sort of compounded him with it.
"And Makaila, I can tell you from my side anyway, that yes I'll make sure to keep an eye on you; you've still not messed up near as bad as I did as a cub" she winked to the girl with a smile, trying to ease up some of this tension.
-
what he meant is that everyone has their place in the pride ' simba cut in. " and I think Kopa has made his position clear on you makiala and Damon. he uis going to protect you, as he will Hali and Ramiki..
_ yes I'm going to protect the 4 of you Kopa said finally. " yes Damon, I'll be family to you.. like your father never was..I'll actually care about you.. like he never did.."
-
Makaila smiled at Vitani and rubbed up againist her. "I'd like that, but can I just call you Vitani?" Makaila asked the older Lioness.
Damon looked to the ground. He listened to the others words. "I said I was sorry sir," He told Simba. "I Just don't want to lose this family too, and I don't want to forget about my mom or my siblings." He said, "I'm afraid of being alone again, and I'm scared that anyone I'm close to will get hurt trying to protect me." Damon told them. "I have been nothing but trouble, so why do you still want me?" Damon asked. " I want to be part of your family, but I'm afraid of losing you like I lost my Mom and my siblings." He said, burrying his head into Kopa's chest.
-
We all have that fear inside us" Kopa replied looking down at Damon " We fear losing those close to us. Butwe all lose our parents as we get older, then we rely on other family members to support us. Your mother and siblings would want you to be happy nd safe, and have a new family you can grow up with. Yes you have caused us problems, but you are a cub, and cubs are allowed to make mistakes..
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Vitani smiled at Makaila, "Sure thing". She listened to Kopa's speech as well and nodded along with it. "Yes Damon, and don't forget we are family already so of course we'll take care of you, since given what you told us of your father I'd be your aunt after all".
-
Damon smiled at Vitani, then looked at Kopa. "So does that make you my uncle too?" He asked the prince.
Makaila smiled at Vitani's words, She felt better. Sure it had hurt that her family was dead, but she felt like she found a new family. One that didn't have the same expectations her birth fmily did. She figured it would take some adjustments, but So far, it seemed like the great spirit was smiling down on her.
Timon had been silent till now. " Excuse me, I really hate to break up this tender moment, but we gotta keep moving!" The meerkat shouted.
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Well Yes and no. I'm not as closely related to you as Vitani is, but If I were to marry Vitani, then yes I would become your uncle..' Kopa said." I'm going to have a huge family at this rate" He said in an aside to Nuteri who grinned.
-
Vitani smiled to herself as Kopa talked about 'if' they married. "Yes, he would be that and your third or so cousin at the same time, but then this family has had less complicated set ups" Vitani smirked. "But Simba's little meerkat's right, we should be heading off probably". Vitani smirked. She'd found it fun since joining the pride to tease the two prey animals who were friends.
-
"Yeah, we might see Kopa and Vitani getting all luvy duvy." Timon said with a laugh. Makaila giggled. "Well I think they'd perfect for each other." She said, Makaila alays had a thing for romantic Atmaspheres. Damon smiled as he turned to Vitani. "So Since your my Aunt, would that mean Kiara and Kovu are my Aunt and Uncle too?" He asked as he walked along side his Aunt. " And you and Kiara are cousins too." Makaila said, feeling kind of jealious of Damon. "Miss Vitani, have you ever been expected to do something important, but couldn't do it?" She asked the lioness who would be taking care of her, Hali, Ramiki, and damon. "Before I my mom died. I was the only heir to a now dead kingdom. I was expected to act like a lady all the time, My parents would always tell me to bow before anyone of royal blood, even them. I was expected to know as much as an Adult." Makaila said, he eyes shifting down as he ears drooped. "Now that their gone, I don't know what I'm suppose to be, and It's all that stupid Leo's fault."
-
"Yes, it does," Kiara nodded, "you're family."
-
At first Vitani frowned Timon, "Very funny" but it was obvious she could take the joke. Hali giggled a bit.
As they walked along Vitani glanced down to Makaila at her question on being expected to do important things. She smiled a bit sadly, "Believe it or not, Makaila, I probably know how you feel more than you'd guess".
Vitani sighed, not wanting to go where her memories were taking her but continuing. "As I believe has been stated, I was Zira's daughter and...well she told me Scar was my father, I never knew him but I think she was right. Growing up in the outlands, my mother talked constantly of the revenge were were going to get on Simba and...pulled me along into that as well. I had to train constantly, though got the lighter of it than Kovu, and mother always told me how fighters were the only kinds that mattered and I felt pressured that if I ever wasn't good enough she...well that I'd probably be pushed out with no where to go".
Vitani had been staring forward as she said this, just sort of lost in her thoughts as she went on. She glanced back down to Makaila, "After I saw Zira for what she was and was able to stand up to her I felt alot like you, lost and...not sure what I was suppose to do now. I don't have all the answers and ghosts of the past dealt with even now but...well I've found starting out with just being yourself as near as you can tell it is a good way to start figuring that out".
-
" But I don't know who I am. I was alays treated as a princess first, and a daughter second. My parents never told me they loved me." Makaila said to Vitani. " Is it wtrong to not be greiveing over their death, I mean I'm upset and everything, but it just doesn't seem to hurt as much as it should, what's wrong with me?" Makaila asked Vitani. Makaila tried to think about any good times, or fun she had with her family, but she couldn't think of any. no warm and tender moments, she was never daddy's little girl, shewas just a princess. "But When I joined this Pride, I felt free in a way, like I can be just a normal cub." She explained.
Damon looked down to the ground. " Yeah, and I attacked him." He said to Kiara. "It's just, back in that cave, I saw Kovu turn into my father attacking my mother and I lost it." He confessed. Then looking Kovu straight in the eyes. " I am so sorry Kovu." He appologized, tears flowing from his eyes.
-
Kovu sighed, he legitimately felt bad for the cub.
"It's ok...just don't let it happen again, I know what it's like to have bad memories of parents...."
-
Vitani was also able to sympathize with Makaila. She nodded, "I know, it's hard figuring out who you are when others haven't told you, or have told you too much" she sighed, bending down lower to the cub, "No...I...I don't think it is wrong to be honest about the emotions you don't feel when parents who weren't there for you pass on. I...what I felt after Zira left was..." she sighed, "Well hard to put into words really, but I didn't cry or feel sad of missing her as much as...sad that...she'd never been what I'd wanted from a mother and now it was too late".
"When I took Ramiki in I found a bit of an answer to who I was just in caring for him and being a better mother than I'd known...hopefully. Then even more so with Hali and...now I'll do the same for you and Damon" she smiled at Makilia, "We'll figure out who you are, I promise".
-
Makaila smiled at Vitani's words. "Yeah, I'd like that...Mom" She said, rubbing up againist Vitani's leg. Makaila kind of felt like Vitani was more of a mother to her, in that she wasn't trying to mold her into something she didn't want to be. Insted she could feel that Vitani would support her, giving her room to grow while still being there for her when Makaila needed her. Makaila could already tell that Vitani would be the kind of mother she had wanted and Kopa might even be the father she always wanted too. "So how much longer till we reach the boarder?" She asked Vitani.
Timon and Pumbaa were in the midst of gussing game when Pumbaa thought of something. "Hey Timon, why are we going to King Yuna's land instead of the oasis, those Panthers would never find us there." He told his Meerkat companian. "Pumbaa that's a terrible idea..Wait, I got it why are going to king Yuna's land instead of the Oasis, the panthers would never find us there, so how about it simba?" Timon Asked their old buddy.
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"And we'll be there for you too," Kovu smiled to Makaila.
"And there should be more cubs on the way soon," Kiara smiled, patting her larger belly.
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The Oasis isn't nearly big enough to support everyone thats why" simba replied flatly 'that and the panthers were going to invade from that location so it wasn't safe to evacuate in that direction.
-
Vitani smiled at Makaila, "No problem".
Hali smiled to the other cub, "Yeah, Miss Vitani and Mr. Kopa are gonna help watch out for me too, like they said, I'm not sure if that makes me anything with them though, but I guess we could be kinda like sisters...if they're both watching out for us". The cub was happy to find other playmates.
-
" I always wanted a sister." Makaila said to Hali as she smiled.
" See Pumbaa I knew it was a bad Idea." Timon said before he realized something. " What if the Panthers find Ma, uncle max and my Colony!" Timon cryed as he jumpped at simba and grabbing him by the mane. "WE GOTTA WARN THEM!" He shouted, in full blown panic, even though Timon didn't live with them, he still loved his coloney to death, and both Pumbaa and Simba knew that. "Timon calm down." Pumbaa said.
Damon had over heard Makaia talking to Vitani, he felt so stupid and heartless for not considering what she had gone through, it now made sense why she forgave him so easily for eating her mother and feeding her some of that meat, there was never a real mother daughter reletionship there to begin with. It must of been harder for her, at least with his case Damon had his mother and Siblings, but Makaila had next to no one who cared about her, until now. Damon decided he wouldn't mention it to her till she decided to talk about it.
-
As Matsu led the group to the herd, he paused to look up at the sky. "The storm has lifted," he said, mainly to himself. "We should get on the move again before dawn's light."
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we can't GO there Timon! Simbas said flatly.. " Its too dangerous for us to attempt.. i'm sorry.. no come on, we need to keep moving..Everyone, lets move!"
-
Hali smiled back. She would have tagged her or Damon again and then darted off for tag again, but could tell they had to keep moving.
Vitani smiled to first the cubs and then as she noticed Timon's panicked pleading with Simba. Simba was right of course, though.
"Calm down Timon, from what I've seen of your Uncle Max no panther or anything else will get at your colony" she tried to reassure along with Simba.
-
Timon let go of simba's Mane. "Sorry buddy, I just don't want anything bad to happen to them." The meerkat said as he landed on the ground with a thud. It was then the Buzzard boyz spoke. " Yo your Majesty, we'll take Timon to warn his peeps about the Panther creeps." They rapped. "Just come on board and we'll be there and back in no time." They sang. Timon looked to somba. "Like it or not simba, I gotta do this." Timon said, standing firm. " Yeah Simba, it's not like he's gonna fight the Panthers all on his own. " Pumbaa said, knowing his bestest best friend couldn't take him along this time. "I'll be back as soon as I know they're safe." Timon assured him.
Damon watched Timon make his case. He tought he had the Meerkat pegged, but he was kind of glad to be wrong. Walking up to simba, he stood next to Timon. "With all do respect, I don't see any problem, the buzzard boyz are vollentering, and Timon has made up his mind. " The cub said, trying not to sound arrogent, but rather supportive of Timon.
-
Fine. Take him to the oasis " simba said finally to the trio " it will take you time to get there..but thats a choice you've made.. Good luck to the four of you.."
-
"Good luck Timon," Kiara said, knowing that the meerkat needed to do this little excursion.
-
"Thanks Simba." Timon Said as He and pumbaa hugged each other goodbye before Timon got on the lead buzzard' s back. They soon took to the air and were out of sight. Pumbaa hoped his bestest best friend would be ok, it wouldn't be the same without him here. It was then that Pumbaa heard a rumbling sound, it was chow time. He saw a log and knew it was an Ideal place to rustle up some grub. Damon and Makaila were als starting to feel hungry, so Damon followed Pumbba, and Makaila followed Damon. Pumbaa lifted up the log with his tusks to reveal a buffet of Bugs, grubs, and other things. "Ah, slimy, but satasfiying." He said after eating a juicy worm. "Ewww gross." Makaila said as Damon started to eat some too. "Come on Makaila, give them a try." He said, offering her a big juicey grub. "Yeah, simba practicly grew up on these, trust me I was there." Pumbaa told Makaila, who looked at the grub. "At least try this one." Damon said, Makaila sighed. "Oh well, Hakuna Matata." She said as she ate the grub, It was good.
-
Ever eager to keep up with the other two cubs, Hali followed the two over as they followed Pumba. She winced and wrinkled up her nose as she noticed what Pumba was showing them, "Ew, I'll stick to Zebra" she said. Vitani peeked over, "Pumba, I am forbidding you from showing them any kind of burping lessons though" she said with a smile before walking back over to the others.
-
"Our trek should not last much longer sire," Zazu told Simba, "Only 1 more day at the longest..."
-
Damon rolled his eyes at Vitani playing siper mom, he'd have to get around to explaing he didn't want another mom. Anyway he was about to asked pumbaa why she was agianist burping lessons. Untill a Hornbill told simba at least another day til Yuna's kingdom. Damon walked up to the blue bird and scoffed at him. " And who might you be Banana beak?" He asked, playfully snaping his teeth at him before nudging him with his paw. Makaila sighed. "Ignore him, but who are you sir?" She asked, curious about this Hornbil.
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This is Zazu, my advisor" simba replied " treat him with respect cubs, hes served me and my father before me..
-
Duma nodded. "It wouid be nice to not get rained on again." As they continued on, Straff whispered to his uncle again.
"So, have you ever met the king before?"
"Unfortunately, no," Duma replied, "but I have heard many stories about him and how he became king. A tragic story indeed."
"Really?" Straff asked in amazement. "Why? What happened?"
"It's sort of a long tale," Duma admitted, "and I don't think it's really appropriate to discuss it at this time. Perhaps some other day I'll tell you."
"Wow, it must have been really rough," Straff guessed.
"It certainly was," Duma nodded. Just then, he noticed what looked like a herd of lions up ahead. "Is this the herd now?" he asked Matzu.
-
"Yes Sir" Hali, for one, nodded. Vitani then walked back over from where she had been nearer some of the others, "I believe we may have other newcomers, they were spotted still a ways off but approaching" she informed Simba.
-
"It is," Matsu replied. "And I see the herd is on the move again... Wait here." He then pushed ahead to the lions and bowed low when he got to Simba. "My King, my fellow scouts and I have met some travelers. We have checked them thoroughly, and they are of no threat. They wish to travel with us, my King."
-
" I shall treat Sir Zazu with the upmost respect, your royal highness." Makaila said, before bowing before Zazu. "Fine." Damon replied, his intrest shifting to the newcomers who came with Matsu. His intrest peeked when he saw a Adolessant cheetah was one of the two. Damon decided if he was going to be part of of a pride and a family, he should practice his social skills. Walking up to the younger cheetah, Damon smiled. " Hi, I'm Damon." He said.
Makaila giggled as she saw Damon introduce himself. She decided to do the same. " Hello, I am Makaila, it is a pleasure to make your aqquaintince." She said with a grin.
-
"It seems like our arrival has been noticed," Duma said to his nephew as lion cubs approached them. "Remember, be polite. We are in the presence of the royal family after all."
"I will, uncle," Straff nodded. He turned to the lion cubs who introduced themselves as Damon and Makalia. "Hi, my name is Straff. This is my Uncle Duma. It's nice to meet both of you."
Duma nodded his head and smiled to the two cubs. "It's a pleasure to meet the two of you."
"So," Straff started, "where exactly are you guys headed? It must be important to involve the royal family."
-
Hali had at first hung back, being shy, but now walked a bit closer to where Makaila and Damon stood. "I'm Hali" she said with a small smile. She of course didn't answer the question the cheetah had asked of Damon, since it was his affair and she didn't really recall what all had surrounded his backstory, just that they were traveling to a land he knew of.
-
"Well, long story short. Simba's having problems with a bunch of panthers, they out number us, and were going to ask king yuna for help." Damon said, trying to leave out anything not important. "So where are you from?" Makaila asked.
-
"I am Zazu," the majordomo noddedm "Now, you two should now that now is not the time for goofing around."
-
We nneed to keep Going' Simba said ' Come on everyone, time is not our ally here' he added as hebmoved on down the thin path that wound its way forward
the group continued moving until late in the evening, when they stopped to rest.
-
Both Damon and Makaila sighed as they stoped to rest and were sprawled out on the ground. "Well this might be the last evening of my life. "Damon sighed, still afraid that Yuna would kill him, despite Simba's protection. "Damon, I don't want to hear anymore. "Makaila said, rolling over on her back. "Besides, I bet your overreacting. I never heard of a king killing a cub who was under another king's ptrection, so don't worry." Makaila yawned, but Damon was worried about it. He wasn't just worried about his life, he was also afraid of going back because he'd have to face his mother's pride and their judgement. He wasn't sure if he could do it, also Yuna's boarder had a huge river, and he hated rivers, almost as much as he hated caves.
Damon rested for a bit before he got up and walked away from the group, he looked up at the stars. "I don't know if you can hear me, or if your even there. I know I'm not a king, but I need guidence, and I'm too proud to admit it." Damon said, his ears pinned to his head.
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asking for help from the ancestors? Nuteri said coming up to him. " It does not matter that you are not a king, although you do have royal blood in you, from both your mother and father, and you have royal relatives in two prides. that is not a common feat my young cub'he added before gazing up at the stars.
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"yeah alot of good that'll do." Damon said. " by the way, what happened to Zira's ghost?" He asked, curious how his grandmother's ghost was delt with. "and how can I face my moher's pride and family andd tell them I killed her?" He asked, pinning his ears to his head. " I know Simba said it's not my fault, but it is, and nothing can change that." He told the Mandril. "Be good and good will follow, that's what my mom taught me, but I tried to be good before she was taken from me, I tried to be good when I was abandoned, and I was good 15 minutes ago, I'm starting to think being good is not good for me." He explained to the mandril.
Pumbaa was having a rough time sleeping, this was the first time since he met Timon that they weren't sleeping together. He hoped his bestest best friend was ok.
-
It is not your fault that your mother and siblings are dead Damon, your father is ultimately responsible. A cub cannot be held responsible for the deaths of his family, only an adult lion or lioness can be held responsible for that. Nuteri replied " Repeat to yourself " it is not my fault, it is my fathers. he forced me to do things I never would have done otherwise, all blame is his.."
-
" Even if that's true, It does nothing to stop the guilt." Damn explained. He was about to mention the nightmares he'd have, but didn't want to. "And I'll have to bear that guilt for the rest of my life. It dosn't matter what that monster made or didn't make me do, I still spilled they're blood, A canibal is a canibal reguardless of the reason." Damon said, looking at Nutari. " After all, I ate the meat off of Makaila's mom, the pride would be better off if I just wasn't around." He said as he curled up to sleep, or try to sleep right there. " Besides, Yuna's boarder is a river, and bad things happen when I'm around rivers." He said, thinking back to the two instances in the cave where that river brought him nothing but pain. "I guess it's easy when your a curse, like me." Damon said.
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we're not leaving you behind Damon, you're coming with us.' Nuteri replied. " we all experience guilt and loss in our lives, the only thing that falls under our control is how we deal with it and accept it. it is not easy at the best of times, and it is worse when you are young. it is all too easy to make a child believe they are responsible when bad things happen, when in truth , young damon, it is the adults, like your grandfather scar and your father, who bear responsibility. your grandfather made the king believe he was responsible for King Mufasa's death when Simba was just a cub. like you, Simba believed it and blamed himself . it took him a long time to get over it, but unlike him, who was alone save for a pair of unlikely friends, you have a large family willing to take you in. you will not survive long in this world Damon, without the protection of a pride.." nuteri said.
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"But I'm not simba, and it's not the samething. I did kill my mother and siblings. I had the choice to die with them, but I took the cowards way out." Damon said. "Besides, from what I understand about kings is that their duties are first and formost to their kingdoms, my problems can not outweigh the needs of Simba's subjects. I'll just be a burden to Simba and the Pride." Damon explained.
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you are part of his pride, or will be shortly' Nuteri said. as Simba came up to them. " Having a nice chat with the old mystic eh Damon " Simba said looking at the cub. 'I can't sleep much either..to tell you the truth.
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" yeah I bet." Damon said, looking up at the stars. "Simba, do you ever wish you were just a regular lion, and not a king?" He asked his cousin. "To be honest, even the slightiest possibility of being in a possition of power like that scares me. The responsibility of making hard choices, knowing that every wrong choice could create a dissaster. I don't want to be anyones king or leader, or anything like that. I just want the punishment I diserve for murder and canibalism." Damon told simba. I should've just let that Pyscho Lioness Rhona kill me." he said.
-
Kovu sighed, clearly annoyed. "Damon, will you STOP wanting to die? You're a cub, you shouldn't be that melodramatic."
-
i'm not going to kill you Damon, nor am I going to allow anyone else to kill you, even yourself. you are going to live, you have no choice. so put those thoughts out of your head for good.. and stop talking about wanting to die. as for your question, that was never a possibility with me. I was born a prince so being a leader was my birthright. every king makes mistakes, just like every ordinary creature in Africa.that comes with the territory Damon." simba replied.
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"You'd be the same way if you were forced to kill and eat your mother and Siblings!" Damon snapped at Kovu before he laid his head down. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." Damon Apologized to his Uncle before turning to simba. "Then Maybe you and Rhoda need to have a little chat. back when Rhoda found me and Makaila, I called you the cowardly king of Pride Rock." Damon Confessed. Rhoda probley would of killed me and split my dead Body up among the Pride." He said. "I'm not sure if she was just trying to scare me into being good or what." Damon said. "Be good and Good will follow. My mom use to tell me that all the time, but I was good before she and my Siblings were taken from me, I tried to be good after what happened in that cave, and I was good 15 minutes ago. I'm starting to think being good isn't doing me any good." Damon said to Simba.
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you spoke out of ignorance Damon. simba replied "and being evil isn't an option, we won;t allow you to become like your father or Zira or scar. You probably thought I was a Coward, largely because your father raised you to think prides are weak, when in fact the opposite is true. Alone, a lion can do littlehelp
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Damon started to feel a little better after hearing that. "Thank's Simba." he said, rubbing his body up againist Simba's arms. " I'll go with you, and I'll stop wanting to die just Please don't tell Yuna I killed and ate my mom and siblings." He pleaded with his cousin.
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"Damon, Stop. Worrying." Kovu said, getting somewhat annoyed.
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Damon was about to answer, but he figured Kovu wouldn't understand. "I'm going to sleep." He said, walking to a tree that was close by and climbing it. He found a sturdy branch and decided to sleep there. He laid there for a while before He drifted off to sleep.
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Kovu didn't really dislike Damon, but he was getting sick of his worries.
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OK, we're really lost the plot narrative for this story, we're going to have to start fresh.. Sorry guys..we're going to have to reboot.)
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(this thread is now closed and is being moved.)
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After Deliberation I have decided to revive this rp..we will pick up where we left off..
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he'll bew fine in time kovu' simba said to him. for now lets press on..
- king yunas kingdom was a mixture of grassland and hills...