[open] Where do I belong?

[Kiaku]

OOC: Although this is freestyle if a romance plot pops up please let it be long term with a previously created character. Thanks!

IC:

Kiaku wandered into the pridelands, her eyes searching the terrain. She was about two years old, a young adult in lion years. Her eyes roamed the plains, searching for a subject to hunt. Her eyes instead landed on Pride Rock, far off in the distance. Although she had been adopted and let into the Pridelands, the Outlands were more home then here. She was on the border of the Pridelands and the Outlands. Turning to look at her old home, known as the Outlands, she sighed softly.

"If only I could go back..." She whispered to herself. "Maybe then I'd fit in." It was true. Ever since arriving in the Pridelands, she had been treated like an out-cast. The other cubs had not been allowed to play games with her when she was younger, nor romp or explore with her. Their parents shunned them from her, they made certain of that. Things hadn't been much different since Simba took reign. The only difference, in her opinion, between Scar and Simba was that Simba did things differently. They were alike in so many ways, or so she assumed.

Looking back at the Pridelands, she spotted a zebra crossing the plains. Crouching low into the grass, she stalked closer, her eyes focused on her prey. Stepping slowly forward, she neared it before running... lunging... pouncing! Her claws dug into its hind, but it kicked her in the ribs, she fell in a heap to the ground. Her stomach growled, she hoped she would eat soon.

[Kiaku]

(sure that's fine!)

[Deleted]

OOC - Could I join as Shona?

[Lokisenna]

(I'd like to join as Naief ^^)

[Zorayda]

OOC: Here is Taro's character sheet. Have a gander so you know how he looks :3

The sun beat down hard upon the large lion's jet-black mane, making him pant lightly with the heat. His belly was kept cool by the ground he lay upon as he surveyed his surroundings, chocolate-toed paws neatly arranged in front of him. It was strange, having such quiet surrounding him. Taro was not used to being alone for such lengths, having been surrounded by a pride of lionesses for most of his life. But, alas, the king--Simba, in this case-- had to make him leave, seeing as it was unlawful for two dominant males to live within the same pride. The law did make some sense; fights were likely to break out, it was in a male's blood.

But not this male. Taro was a huge, hulking mass of feline, all muscle and fangs and brilliantly gold fur. He looked every inch worthy of being a dominant, majestic king. However... his personality was gentle, easygoing, even easily manipulated. Taro would never have attacked Simba, or Kovu, for that matter. He simply wanted to be there to protect his family of lionesses and be happy with them...

The slight scent of copper and another feline caught his attention. He turned his ears forward, expression still, and listened. He heard nothing over the silence, but the faint scent of a female grabbed his curiosity. There were no prides all the way out here, as far as he knew... was she alone? It was most certainly a lioness... they had their own sweet, feminine musk, though each individual lioness was slightly different. This one was faintly familiar, though Taro could not remember where he recalled this scent.

Getting to his huge paws, the golden lion followed the scent trail... only to find a familiar face, scrunched in pain.

"K...Kiaku?" he asked incredulously. "Why... why are you hunting all alone?" he queried, concern written in his emerald eyes. "And you're hurt! Are... are you okay?" Taro stammered, his deep voice cracking a bit with worry. Though he didn't get to know Kiaku very well, he'd seen her around from afar... the Pridelanders were wary of her, and some even isolated her. Taro never really liked seeing her feelings hurt, but he never stood up for her, either. He flattened his ears in guilt at the memories.

"Did they... make you leave, too?" Taro asked quietly. His voice held a heavy tinge of sadness in it... Kiaku must've left after he did a long while back... and now she was hungry and alone. "Don't worry, I'll stick around... if you want me to," he added, shuffling his paws.

[Kiaku]

(Sure, you can both can join!)

Her eyes were wide as the zebra kicked her, she immiedetely had the wind knocked clean out of her. Her ribs hurt badly, and as she fell in a heap she tried to get up again to chase the zebra, but wreathed in pain as her paw moved her ribcage. Just breathing hurt. What if she had broken something? It had to be some sort of injured rib cage...

Attention turned to the scent of a male, whom was coming towards her. She recognized the scent immidietely, as well as the sweet face. Memories of him came flooding back.. How sweet and innocent they had been as cubs, how he had always been there during her fights, yet never stood up for her.. How she had wished him to, though. She closed her eyes tightly and laid her ears back nervously. She hadn't seen him since she had left. She always had found him handsome. His questions came to her, echoing in her mind.. Now, looking at him, he looked like he was worried.

Her heart went out to him, she wanted to calm his fears, take his big shoulder in her paw and.. She stopped herself before she could let her thoughts get away from her. Sure, she always had had a slight crush on him, but that didn't mean that he felt the same. "F-fine." She lied, looking up at him with an attempt of a smile. He then asked if they had made her leave as well.

She looked down at her paws. "I chose to leave." She said hoarsely. She looked back up at him. He told her not worry, that he'd stick around... If she wanted him too. Dear great kings of course she wanted him too. She had never wanted anything more then to have a moment alone with him, though not like this.. Not like this... But she managed in a whisper, "Please.. stay.."

[Deleted]

Shona had been wandering around aimlessly for a long time now. She'd lost track of the days, had it perhaps been weeks? She knew it had been a long time and she was starving hungry. She even tried eating grass! It tasted very strange and she had spat it out.

She was in a dark, grey-ish place. It was quite a frightening and intimidating place. There were giant skulls and vairious bones littered around. Shona walked over what felt like a large dent in the ground. She turned round, looked back, it actually seemed to be a hole. Wow was she lucky she didn't fall in! Then suddenly Shona heard a rumble. "Huh?" It seemed to be coming from the ground.

Then, WHOOOSSSHHH!!!!

Flames came shooting out of the hole in the ground! Shona managed to pull herself away just in time. She stared fixated at the flames and let out a scream.
"No!" She said, shaking her head. "I have to be brave." She took one last look at the flames and then turned round and continued walking. She was walking and walking and walking. She was still a young cub, barely out-grown her spots, but she was all alone in the big scary world. Her pride had abandoned her. She didn't know why.

Shona sniffed, willing herself not to cry. She kept moving forward. Then she heard something, she smelled something too. She could smell.... She wasn't quite sure what she could smell, but she guessed it was another animal or other animals as she could hear talking.
She ran in the direction of the sound.

She soon found herself standing on a small ledge. A short distance away were two adult lions, a male and a female. Maybe they were part of a pride that could take her in. She was just about to run over to them when she suddenly slipped. She was falling of the ledge, then she landed on the ground and rolled. Eventually she came to a stop but she was now right by the adult lions and she had royally embarassed herself in front of them.

[Zorayda]

(Just to let you know, I only have time to post every couple of days. I'll probably post tomorrow :3)

[Kiaku]

(Tis fine)

[Zorayda]

Taro saw as Kiaku's pained expression turned to a strange look, as if she was surprised and pleased at the same time. At least she didn't hate him for failing to stand up for her as cubs... Kiaku's ears flattened nervously and he wondered if he frightened her. He often got that response from other lions... he was naturally very large and intimidating, though he never meant to be. He saw how she was standing, half hunched and wincing in pain, so when she stammered that she was fine, his frown deepened a bit. The dark lioness was probably fibbing to make him feel better, but he didn't comment on it yet.

"I chose to leave."

Taro's ears pinned back in extreme guilt. Of course she would... who would want to live among those who hated you? Kiaku had always had problems in the pride.

"Oh... I... I'm sorry," he answered softly. He'd been forced to leave the Pridelands, the place he loved, but Kiaku had never fit in... he felt empathy towards her, even if their situations were different.

He perked back up when she pleaded with him to stay. His eyes locked with her violet ones, and a look of understanding went between them. They were both in fragile states, alone, lonely, hungry. They needed each other, as companions, friends, and partners to hunt and stay together. Taro's smile he gave her was small, but warm.

"Of course I'll stay, then," he said with a tiny bit more confidence in his voice. He took the moment to move a little closer, hesitating for a split second before butting his head against hers in a friendly, affectionate gesture. Taro suddenly felt much better about his rogue status. Just as he was about to question Kiaku about her injury, however, screams and scrambling noises stole his attention. The golden lion's shaggy head jerked to see a cub tumbling down the ledge nearby, dust covering it from head to tail. His eyes watched her fall incredulously, until she landed in a messy heap near the two adults.

"Oh! Are... are you okay?" he rushed to the cub--it was female--and helped her up with a huge paw, emerald eyes wide. "That was quite a fall... where'd you come from, little one?" He glanced around them, shaggy black mane falling over his eyes. "Where... where are your parents?"

[Lokisenna]

Naief clicked her claws along the stony barren Outlands, it was the only sound and the hollow clacking was somewhat, haunting. Snapping her jaws dissmissively and gazing out at the burning sun that held itself over Pride Rock she growled.

It was hard enough finding food out here, but if the Pridelanders kept exiling lions, there would be no food at all...of course, she could move to the Plainslands. But she was here first.

Climing upon a rocky ledge she glared down at the two lions that were conversing below. Great...adults...just what she needed, it was heard enough tracking the scampy cub that she believed was hanging around here. Now she had more trouble.

[Deleted]

Shona looked up at the big lion.
"I don't know my parents." She said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "My pride left me, they told me to go away, that I did not belong."
Shona sniffed, trying not to cry. "I was wondering.... If your pride might take me in." She felt a little embarassed asking like this, but what else could she do? She smiled nervously snd bashfully. She backed away slightly. This lion seemed kind, hopefully he was the leader of the pride, the king. There was still a chance of rejection though....

[Kiaku]

OOC: Sorry it's so short.

She told him that she chose to leave, and he apologized. "Don't be sorry. I left of my own free will." She looked at him as he told her that he would stay, and gave a head butt of.. affection? She smiled and then heard some noises. Before long there was a cub at her paws, and Taro had questioned the little cub about her parents..

The little cub told her that she didn't know her parents. She asked then, to Kiaku's heartbreak, if they could take her in. "We don't have a pride any more.. But.." Looking at Taro, she said softly, "Think we can raise a cub together?"

It was about then that another scent came to Kiaku. Another lion. She held back a throaty rumble, and instead nudged Taro. "Taro, we're not alone." She said with urgency.

[Zorayda]

"I don't know my parents. My pride left me, they told me to go away, that I did not belong."

The sadness was evident in the cub's voice as she spoke, her large, innocent eyes looking right into Taro's. His brows knitted with concern, but he was stunned into silence as she kept speaking, her girlish voice pleading. Her eyes watered with unshed tears and the golden lion's heart nearly broke.

"I was wondering.... If your pride might take me in."

The nervous smile and shy body language made Taro nearly melt on the spot. How much more adorable could a cub get... but the question of living with his pride... he no longer had a pride, but how could he tell that to this little cub? If she went to the Pridelands, would she be accepted? Or, if he took her in, could he provide for her as she needed, raise her to hunt and take care of herself? His muzzle opened and closed silently as he stood at a loss for words. But then Kiaku swooped in to save the day, offering a place with them.

"We don't have a pride any more.. But..Think we can raise a cub together?"

Again, Taro was speechless, eyes wide. He considered Kiaku's words and looked back and forth between the cub and the grown lioness, thinking...

"I... um, y-yes, you can stay with us, if, uh... you don't mind it just being us three," he stammered, nearly as nervous as Shona. "What's your name?" he asked her curiously, but was once again interrupted as Kiaku warned them that someone was nearby. Taro's ears flattened and his eyes narrowed, his soft demeanor suddenly turning protective. Sure enough, the scent of an unfamiliar lioness came to him and a deep rumble sounded in his throat. The stranger was close.

"Who's there?" Taro growled. He looked up at the ledge where Shona came from--that was probably where the lioness was hiding. "Stay there," he ordered Shona and Kiaku, his voice suddenly stronger and more demanding. "I'll go check it out."

His muscles bunched under his fur as he leapt up the ledge, using his claws to dig in and help keep his footing. He easily hefted his massive weight onto the small promontory. Taro glanced around to see a lioness--far away to be safe from attacking distance. Standing with a dominant pose, he growled at her.

"What do you want?" he asked warily, waiting to pass judgment before jumping in for a rash attack.

[Lokisenna]

Naief ignored the Lion and inspected him and his two companions. Great, now they are banding together. Can't say they'll go hungry.

She huffed as she grinned at the lion, "Nothing you can't handle." She said evasively, "Just inspecting the newcomers to the outlands, it has ben a few moons since I have seen another of my kind. Don't mind me."

[Kiaku]

As she offered the cub a place with them, Taro seemed to consider it. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, she looked down at the cub and then back to Taro.

"I... um, y-yes, you can stay with us, if, uh... you don't mind it just being us three," She heard Taro speak suddenly, and he seemed nervous. She looked at him and gave him a nudge of reassurance against his shoulder. Taro had turned his attention to the cub.

She listened as Taro spoke to the cub. "What's your name?" Kiaku, however, had been focused on something else.. The new scent.. and she doubted it was some welcoming pridelander if they had not cared to show themselves as of yet.

Feeling like she was being rather stalked, she watched Taro's ears flatten. Her own twitched backwards nervously, she felt her legs shake. Taro told them to stay here, that he'd go check it out.. "Taro, wait.. be.. be careful!" She called after him, but he had already strolled away.

"Hide, little cub." She instructed, then followed (limped after) Taro at a safe distance. A throaty, nervous growl came from her vocals as the lioness spoke evasively about what she was doing here. "And why should we trust you?" She spoke up, fur on her back bristled. Her claws came unsheathed, she was ready to attack, despite her injuries.

[Deleted]

OOC - Azy, can we make it so Naief has been following Shona for a little while?

"Really?" Shona asked. "You mean I can stay?" She couldn't believe it, these two kind grown-up lions were going to take her in and look after her! She wouldn't have to worry about finding food or water or about other animals stalking her or picking on her for whatever reason they may have.

"What's your name?" The male lion asked her.
She was about to respond when the lioness said "Taro, we're not alone."
Shona sensed the tone of urgency in the lioness's voice and knew the situation was dangerous. What if it was that lioness that had been following her for some time now. Shona was scared.
"Hide, little cub." She was told.
Shona ran a far way off and hid behind a large rock.

OOC - Edit - fixed a typeo.

[Lokisenna]

OOC- whatever, sure and sorry if my replies are rather short.

Naief chuckled, "I never asked for trust." He golden eyes seemed to shine maliciously as she inspected The two.

Flicking her tail she turned a little to watch Shona dash off, "The cub..." She muttered absently before turning completly and returning back up the craggy hill that led back into the outlands, she would have to track the cub later.

[Kiaku]

OOC: Did you want to do a plot where she passes out and Taro thinks she is dead? Then we can start a new thread after a few more posts.

Edit: I would kind of like to make the new thread private for Kiaku and Taro. Then after that thread resume the plot we have going in this one.

Kiaku growled as the rather untrustworthy lioness spoke. Everything about her screamed don't trust, bad intentions, every red flag that could go off went off when Kiaku looked at the lioness. Her eyes narrowed as she muttered something about the cub, a throaty growl came after her as she returned up the craggly hill towards the outlands...

"Good thing she's gone. But what about the cub...? What does she want with her?" Kiaku wondered to herself. Pushing the fears from her mind, she called to the cub. "You can come out now." With a soft smile. "Don't worry. She's gone." Turning her attention back to Taro, she smiled...

Nuzzling up against Taro, she said softly. "Tough guy." She said softly, then whispered, "I know you were protecting me." But it wasn't to last, for as she started to turn to return to the cub, Kiaku started to breathe heavier. Her ribs hurt with every breathe, her chest had started to ache with a deeper pain, not just her ribs hurt any more... She ignored it, though, being strong willed and trying to act as though she were fine. She made her way towards the cub, but halfway there her legs started to shake badly..

Suddenly it was too much for Kiaku to stand any more, she had pushed her body too far.. She collapsed, heaving huge breathes.. "T-Taro.." She managed, it hurt to talk, hurt to breathe.. As much as she wanted the pain to go away... She wished nothing more then to hear Taro's voice, to feel his reassuring touch.... Her vision blurred a moment, she coughed. "T-Taro!!" She called fearfully, fearful of what was happening to her.

[Deleted]

OOC - I'm not sure what you mean Kiaku, do you want a spin off of this RP in a different thread?

Shona slowly came out from behind the rock and walked back over to the kind adult lioness. She noticed the lioness's legs were shaking. Then she collapsed! Shona rushed to the lionesses side and peered over her.
"T-Taro..."
"Are you okay? Shona asked.

[Zorayda]

(Instead of doing that, Kiaku, why don't we do two different roleplays? One can be just between you and me over PM or here with [private] at the end, and we can continue this one as is? For ours, if you wish it to be just with Taro and Kiaku, can start back before anyone else joined in. This one will continue just like it is. Does that sound okay to you? Also, sorry I haven't been on as often as everyone else. I have lots of school :/)

[Kiaku]

(We can do that one over PM.. but I would still like it to be long term if thats okay with you? PS: PM sent.)

[Kiaku]

(Ok I would really like to get an RP going of sorts.. Cuz it seemed like this one and the one over PM's died.)