TLK IV

[Nailyila]

Sarabi took on the serious look once again. "Yes, we should warn the elephants. That way it can be as realistic as possible. I have a plan though..." Sarabi started, gathering her words.

"You and Nala will head back to Pride Rock to fetch Malka when the time is right, we shall have some lionesses watching for your arrival, and then we will spring into action. But it has to be planned just perfect. Or it will never work." Sarabi said, finishing her statement. She narrowed her eyes at the thought of failing and haveing Malka realize the truth behind the fake injury. What would happen to them all if he found out what they were planning?

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara nodded to her grandmother. She noticed the elephants had noticed them, but had paid them no heed. They had always been unwary of the lions, for the lions had never hunted them. She hoped that they could continue this unspoken agreement between the two species. It would make life on the pridelands a whole lot easier than if there was some little war between the elephants and the lions.

She looked back to her grandmother. "Should I warn the elephants or are you?"

[Nailyila]

Sarabi looked at her grand daughter, pondering what the best way to approach the elephant were. "Why don't we go together? That way, getting our point across might be a little easier..." She said nodding. She began padding toward the massive herd. "Good day. We come asking for a favor." Sarabi began, dipping her head respectfully.

[Reagen]

Simba's Idea hadn't worked as well as he had hoped. But perhaps at another time, then. He'd have to think of something else to trip him up with.

"Well Malka, I think the elephants are afraid that you intend to do something terrible, like scar allying with the hyenas. Which, If I am not mistaken, it seems like you're about to do. I would have proven to the elephants that they don't really have anything to worry about from me. All that hunting them will accomplish is making them think they were right all along."

[Tamber]

Nala sat with her mother for a few minutes, watching her surroundings as things seemed to pick up and become energized. Sarabi invited her to go along with her on the elephant hunt, but Nala couldn't bring herself to do it. She refused to even try to muster up the ingorance to participate and the courage to leave her mother at this time. She still felt awful for neglecting her over the years, and she didn't intend to leave her now to support and carry out a cause she completely disagreed with.

She sat silently as her hated king approached her and her mother, with Kopa by his side and her mate coming up from behind. She was incredibly happy to see his face, for she hadn't for several hours, ever since before Malka violated her. Still, as happy as she was to see Simba again, she simply gave him a big, sweet smile.

Hearing her mother suggest that they were to go off and chat, she nodded immediately. Nala gave her mate a quick loving smile before turning and jogging beside her mother toward the watering hole.

[Nailyila]

Sarabi watched her daughter come up to her. "Alright, now i'm going to sneak away and have a talk with the elephants." Sarabi said slipping away into the bushes.

It had been minutes before she returned to her daughter who was still at the watering hole. waiting patiently. "The elephants are in on it. They are going to stampede within seconds now. We must act fast. We have to pretend to attack them which will give them the signal to stampede." Sarabi waiting for her daughter's answer, but as the seconds went by, she had no time left. Sarabi twitched her tail, signaling the other lionesses to follow her to the elephants.

Sarabi led the group into view of the elephants. She winked her eye and lunged for one, giving a roar, her teeth snapping. She heard the commotion of the elephants and the plan was then set. One elephant tapped her to the side to the ground, and the others stampeded around her, but covering her up by the dust so it was clear to anyone that she was being run over. As she spotted the last of the elephants, she plopped her head down on it's side, going limp. She shut her eyes, and started coughing. The plan was set perfectly...

[Dakota]

As Sarafina passed by Malka, she found the courage to lift her chin and look him in the eye.
"I wont be long, then perhaps you would consider waiting for me, I need to clear the air with you..so to speak."
Letting a small smile grace her muzzle as she watched him, the lioness moved away to the watering hole with Nala, her heart quickening up with something akin to panic as she wasn't sure how to tackle this 'problem' with her daughter.
Padding along with the water washing over her paws, Sarafina slowed to a stop, nudging Nala to do the same. Letting her front limbs slide forward she lowered her back till her body was stretched out lying flat upon the sandy edge. Hesitating, Sarafina still wasn't sure where to start. well I guess it's just time to jump on in regardless

" Nala.. you know I love you and I would do anything for you, and I truly am sorry for the way I treated you back there in the cave with Malka. I over heard what he had said to you, and it was contradictory to what he had said to me, and I knew he was just baiting you, but I'm sorry my emotions and jealousy overcame me, and well you saw the result I'm ashamed to say."

Wiping away a small tear that slide down her cheek, Sarafina took another breath, facing Nala, hoping she would hear her out and not be angry and walk away from her back turned.

" You know you have Simba and you both love each other and spend your days together. Well thats what I miss, that sharing and comarderie with someone. I thought I could spend my days just meandering around with Sarabi, not worrying about life... but I'm bored and unhappy and I want closeness again, I want to be loved and cared for. and I want to share what I feel as well, and I want to see if that lion is Malka. Everytime I watch him or listen to what he says, he intrigues me Nala.. I know what he's doing, maybe if I'm there with him, I can help him see ...other options and maybe in time.. he might come to care about me, not like how you and Simba love each other, but maybe just want to be with me for a little space in time."

Nuzzling her daughters cheek gently Sarafina waited " Nala do you think you can forgive me if I go to Malka.., do you think that no matter what happens you will never forget that I will always love you and protect you... you my flesh and blood?"

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara grinned at her grandmother's cunning. The elephants seemed to also respect it. They did just as they were told, stampeding around her and then making it seem as if she had been injured. Sarabi even made her head go slightly limp.

"Gran!" Kiara cried out in seeming horror. She ranned to her grandmother's side and whispered into her ear, "Drama queen." She giggled quietly. She looked at the other lionesses, who were also looking horrified, but Kiara knew the secret they all shared. "We must let someone know! I'll go fetch some others from Pride Rock. You stay here with Sarabi!"

With that she took off for Pride Rock as quickly as her feet would carry her. She sprinted up the rock, right where her mother and the rest were standing. "Sarabi has been injured hunting the elephants!" she shouted, just a little too loudly so as to be heard by the rest of the pride. "She's back out in the Savanah! We must help her!" she panted.

[Nailyila]

Sarabi held back her smile from her grand daughter's words. She layed there, still 'limp' and awaiting the arrival of Malka and the others. She kept her eyes closed, trying to remain the unconcious look. She heard voices around her from the other lionesses who were 'watching' her.

She depicted most of their conversations, some saying: "what do you think will happen to Malka? How do you think the others will react to Sarabi's 'injury'? And who will take over in Malka's place if his positions is taken away?

The same thoughts ran through her head as she lied there awaiting for the arrival of the others.

[Kirsui]

Scruffy couldn't help the disgusted expression that came to her face when she laid her eyes upon the Graveyard again. She was sure she could still smell the foul stench the hyenas had left on the place, even though she knew it might as well been her imagination.

Not all memories from this place were bad though... The fluffy necked had other, better memories from here too. Nuka had used to bring her here when he had wanted to get away from Zira, and especially when he had been in need for someone to listen to his troubles. Nuka had shown everyone how much he hated this place, and yet it was still the only place where he could come without worrying of someone else following since other Outlanders too attempted to stay out.

Scruffy's ears flattened as she and Vitani entered the eerie place. Had Nuka not tried to impress Zira on that day, had Zira not been so wrapped up in adoring Kovu, she - Scruffy - could have had a mate.

The fluffy necked did her best not to let her thoughts show on her face as they walked in deeper to the Elephant Graveyard.

---

Her ears twiched slightly. Had she just heard...? No, it must have been just her imagination. No one else came to this place willingly.

Her ears twiched again and this time she opened her eyes, glaring down form her cliff. Either her imagination was playing tricks on her because of the eerie green mists and dust... Or someone indeed was here.

Her ears twiched once more and her head snapped up from her paws, her piercing red eyes searching for the source of the sound. She was certain of it now, someone was here. That was the sound bones left when someone stepped on them, when they scratched against eachother or against the ocassional stones around the area.

With her eyes half closed she waited, until she could see two figures walk through the mists. She waited for them to come closer, examining their forms. Lionesses... Again.

Mentally she rolled her eyes.
"What do you want?"
Her voice was sharp and calm, and she was pretty sure it carried down to the two lionesses below. Their forms looked familiar. She was rather sure these two had visited her earlier that day, separatedly though.
"Why are you here, bothering me yet again? What do you want?!"

[cheezeegriff]

"Well Malka, I think the elephants are afraid that you intend to do something terrible, like scar allying with the hyenas. Which, If I am not mistaken, it seems like you're about to do. I would have proven to the elephants that they don't really have anything to worry about from me. All that hunting them will accomplish is making them think they were right all along."

Malka cocked his head.
"You really don't ever hunt the elephants? Why not?"
He looked about, then sighed: it appears the ladies had left him alone with Simba and Kopa.
"Phah... you've got years more experience here than me. Why did you give up your kingship to Kovu? Anyway... you think that's what I should do?"
He looked at Kopa.
"What would you do?"

[Dakota]

Kopa stood there, listening to the byplay between Malka and Simba, looked like they both going around in circles with each other. For a moment he let his mind wander wondering what Scruffy and Vitani were upto, had they found Zira.. he wasn't sure, but he had a feeling life was about to change if they bought her back to pride rock.

Realising Malka was now talking to him, he cleared his thoughts and refocused back on the lion.
"What would you do?" he heard him ask.

"I agree with my father, that's why he still has the love and respect of all in the pridelands. Malka if you want respect from all of us living here, you will have to learn to treat others better. You haven't told us anything of your past, except you turn up here to our pride, and fight Kiaras mate, who looses I might add."

Looking at Malka, he dedided to carry straight on before the lion could get his back up about any of his words.
"And from what all has been said, you fought good and clean, and were the better lion on the day, now we all have to accept you are now the ruler of your half of the pride. You can rule as you wish, but if you want what Simba has, you will have to work for it, or else all you will have is alot of resentment and discord."

Turning away his eyes narrowed at the path of dust coming towards them.
"what in blazes is that sister of mine carrying on about now, it's always this or that ".

[cheezeegriff]

"You haven't told us anything of your past, except you turn up here to our pride, and fight Kiaras mate, who looses I might add."

Malka bowed as graciously as his tender muscles allowed.
"What makes you think I wanted anything other than a safe place to live out the rest of my days? You do know what happened in the plains, don't you? Kovu was going to kick me out. He was scared of me. Why? because I killed a zebra all by myself. Because I was capable of beating him. So rather than be alone again, I fought him, hoping I would have a place of my own."
He looked to where Nala and Sarafina had disappeared out of sight.
"Doesn't always turn out the way as planned... anyway. Kopa, Simba, I have every intention of being a gracious and fair ruler. If you would help me to do so, I would be more than happy to hear your advice. Of course, so long as it is presented in a manner that doesn't make me look like a fool before..."
Malka finally noticed Simba and Kopa weren't looking at him, and followed their gaze to a cloud of dust.
"Your sister doesn't stir that much dust, I'm sure,"
he said.

[Tamber]

Nala lay beside her mother on the sands beside the watering hole. It was good to hear her mother's deeply held explanation for her intentions. Nala had never completely understood why her mother needed Malka so, but now it was much clearer. She was glad that her mother at least saw something she liked in Malka, but wasn't just chasing him in an attempt to find some kind of mate. It rested her mind and she smiled pleasantly.

"Of course I forgive you, mom," she told Sarafina. "I worried about you at first but...I trust your judgement. You're smarter than I let myself think you are. I knew you were smart, but I had forgotten when you spent time with Malka, simply because I dislike him."

She shrugged and looked at the water. "I'm sure if there is something you like in Malka, then there is something we could all like in him." She turned to Sarafina again and grinned. "It's good to have you back, mom." With a soft nuzzle she told her mother she loved her, and everything seemed much more peaceful than it had for the last few days.

Suddenly Nala heard someone yelling from nearby. She could see Kiara running up to the pride, surrounded by huge clouds of tan dust. She was screaming something in a panic. What on Earth was going on?

Nala nodded to Sarafina to excuse herself, and she jogged up to where Kiara haulted, hearing her words...

"Sarabi has been injured hunting the elephants! She's back out in the Savanah! We must help her!"

Sarabi? Injured? This place was going down the tubes one lion at a time. "Kiara! What's going on? Are you alright? Where's Sarabi?"
__________________________________
Tani could smell the smokey, deathly stench of the graveyard from a mile away. As they took their first steps into this gloomy abyss, she remembered the horrid feelings any living thing felt walking through this place. Everything was grey and decrepit, smelling of old, half-rotten bones and smoke that billowed from the inner caverns. Nothing was pleasant here in her eyes.

They walked carefully and didn't speak a word as they entered the caves. She could see the eerie green glow grow up in the mists, and she smelled the sulfer from the constantly erupting steam vents. Not seeing anything at first and feeling no presence, Tani flinched a bit at the sound of a calm but sharp voice. It was so subtle that it seemed its creator was speaking with someone else. Vitani felt the voice echo against the walls and sweep through her, chilling her to the bone. She looked up to where it originated, and she could see the miffed face that glared at the two of them.

"What do you want?"

It was repeated, and with a silent gulp and a quick glance at Scruffy, Tani took the opportunity to speak. "As unhappy as I'm sure you are to see us..." Tani hesitated from calling her Zira, knowing it irritated her, "...we have a proposal for you, one that could provide you food, shelter, and good health."

Unsure of what else to say, and wishing to share some of the speaking with Scruffy, she looked at her friend, allowing her to continue.

[Kirsui]

"...we have a proposal for you, one that could provide you food, shelter, and good health."

Scruffy glanced at Vitani, then looked up at the stripe headed lioness on the cliff. Intentional or not, but Zira really looked as much like a leader as she had during the Exile - perhaps even a bit more.

It must have been that cliff she laid on.

"My pride sister's right", the fluffy necked continued where Vitani had left, calling her pride sister rather than her queen. Zira didn't need to know what their ranks were, not unless Vitani herself told it.
"We'd offer ya all this, even more, if ya'd come with us."

---

The stripe headed lioness snorted with an un-impressed expression.
"And what do you want in return?" the old lioness asked.
"There must be something you want from me... I am nothing more than an old hag, a burden to your pride."

She lifted her other paw and leaned her head on it, her red eyes half closed. She looked bored. But in reality a slight hint of curiosity sparked inside her. She wanted to know why these lionesses would offer her shelter, what their real intentions were.

And even if they had been sent here, she would gladly find out why the one who sent them wanted her to follow these two.

[Dakota]

Sarafina lay there giving a sigh of relief, Nala understood all she had to say and wasn't turning her back on her and casting her out, she could now go to Malka and ask for a second chance and maybe he would let her explain herself and why she ran off in such a stupid manner.

Rising to her paws at the same time as her daughter, she watched as a cloud of dust came towards them looks like Kiara has got herself in a pickle again, always the drama queen my grand daughter.

Moving off to where Nala was now trying to get some sense out of her, it looked from the expressions on their faces that something urgent was happening.
"What do you mean Sarabi is injured by the elephants, shes no amatuer, a bit slow sometimes, but she's an excellent hunter."

Sarafina turned towards where Malka, Simba and Kopa were standing " Nala, you go with kiara and I'll round up the others... quick we don't know how badly shes hurt."
Turning away, she made it to where the others were about to move.

"Kiara says that Sarabi has been hurt while they were hunting the elephants, we need to get there quick... Simba, nothing is going to take her from you..alright... just go calmly."

[cheezeegriff]

"Sarabi has been injured by the elephants! She's back out in the Savanah! We must help her!"

Kovu lowered himself into the grass, and grinned, watching as the reaction spread through the pride. Gasps of astonishment. Lionesses running off into the cloud of dust. He watched as Sarafina came and delivered the word to Simba and Malka, and grinned at the look on Malka's face.
But the sense of triumph, the pleasure upon seeing his rival's guilt-ridden expression evaporated into a guilt of his own. It had only lasted for one moment, but it could only mean either of two things: either Malka suspected it was a trick, or he actually cared about the pride.
Either one didn't really bode well for Kovu's chance of reclaiming the throne. Pulling himself to his feet, he hobbled towards the centre of the commotion, to make sure Sarabi's acting would be able to fool their new king.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Kiara says that Sarabi has been hurt while they were hunting the elephants, we need to get there quick... Simba, nothing is going to take her from you..alright... just go calmly."

Sarafina barely glanced at him: Malka didn't know whether that was a good sign or not.
"Where is Nala?"
he said curtly, but then clamped down on his mouth, glancing at Simba: this wasn't the moment to complain about his wife. Still, he had asked Nala to arrange the hunting party. Why had she sent the most elderly member of the pride after elephants? Something wasn't right... but he still felt guilty. If the old queen died because of Malka's orders... well.
Cocking his head at Simba, indicating for him to follow, he pushed his bruised and battered body over the plains, where the lionesses had gathered.
"Step aside,"
he growled, forcing his way through, then found the lioness on the ground.
Sarabi was on the ground, coughing.
"How is she?"
he asked nobody in particular.

[Dakota]

Kopa sped up after Malka and Simba, as they all ran towards where Kiara told them Sarabi had been hurt. Something didn't seem right, his grandmother knew all the tricks of the trade when out hunting, she had even taught him a few, they had had fun when they used to wander off by themselves when he and Kiara were growing up...now that could all end if she was badly hurt, even dying.

Kopa saw that his mother and sister were already there, as well as everyone else now, then Malka stepped into the situation demanding to know how she was. There was too much noise and kopa couldn't hear himself think. Opening his muzzle he roared " Everyone just be quiet.", it worked, silence ensued.

Not worrying about taking over any of Malkas purported 'I'm in charge', kopa turned towards Nala.
"What was Sarabi doing out here hunting with Kiara, I'm sure you said Mother that Malka ordered you to take a hunting party and go to the elephants, what changed ? I know you wouldn't have ordered Sarabi to go ?"

Kopa watched as his father lay down close to the older lioness and talked to her, then he looked over at his sister. now why does she have that look on her face I wonder, whats she been upto ? "

[Nailyila]

Sarabi had been lying there for quite some time, she twitched her paws every so often and coughed as well, putting on a good show, if she did say so herself.

Sarabi twitched her paws and her eyes fluttered open. She gazed upward. She noticed everyone staing at her, worried or suspicious looks on their faces. Sarabi hurled herself to her feet, giving the impression of being tired and limp and fragile. Suddenly, many questions were thrown at her:

"Sarabi are you alright? How did this happen? What were you thinking hunting the elephants? Who's idea was this?"

Sarabi raised her paw in silence, giving a flinch as if she was in pain. "I wish not to speak of this. I only wish to rest. Later when i am not so shaken up, i will be happy to answer your questions." She said, leaning against a lioness who began helping her back toward Pride Rock.

[Reagen]

"Sarabi injured? Where?" Simba asked. He hadden't been at the meeting, so he was unaware that the whole set up was fake.

He gave Malka a quick glare of annoince, but then followed him and the others to where Sarabi was lying. The lionesses practically ran around in circles, not sure what to do. Simba was about to say something when Sarabi stood up.

That's mom for you, she just won't let anything stop her from doing what she want's to do. I hope she's alright...

He walked up to her and supported her from the other side.

[cheezeegriff]

Kovu watched from the outside of the crowd, ignoring the looks the lionesses of the pride were giving him... of respectful pity. He craned his head, trying to see inside when Sarabi pulled herself upwards.

"I wish not to speak of this. I only wish to rest. Later when i am not so shaken up, i will be happy to answer your questions."

No no, you old fool! Kovu gritted his teeth. This wasn't the sort of injury he should have hoped for. Sarabi should have acted as if she could barely breathe, let alone getting up and hobbling home. Curse it all... they should have involved Nala in this. It was a fiasco, and if Malka found out...

Kovu glanced at Malka. There were dark clouds forming behind that usually bright face of his. Malka suspected something, and if he ever found out...

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Who was in her hunting party?"
Malka said, looking around. A few of the lionesses raised their heads and nodded in confirmation.
"Did anyone see what happened?"
His eyes swept to Kiara.
"You... Kiara,"
he said, marching up to her, studying her eyes, though allowed a small smile to spread across his muzzle.
There was something wrong here. He could smell something off... fear?
"What happened, Kiara?"
he said.
"Did the elephants hurt Sarabi?"

[Nailyila]

Sarabi forced a smile toward her son for helping her home. She pricked her ears toward Kiara and Malka's conversation.

What happened, Kiara? Did the elephants hurt Sarabi?"

Sarabi exchanged a glance with Kovu. His look was angered and disappointment. Sarabi nodded once, knowing what he was expecting.

Sarabi had to make this work perfectly, and she only had one shot. "Simba, i'm alright, thank you. I won't need your assistance." She said, shoving away form her son. She limped forward, and allowed her legs to give out. She layed there again, trying to gasp for air.

"This well get them worried for sure. Along with some thoughts about Malka as well..." Sarabi thought to herself. She let out another cough, twitching her legs in 'pain'.

[Dakota]

Sarafina stood there silently watching everyone as they had their say, her head moved around pausing briefly on Sarabi... she knew that look of hers, something smelt fishy indeed.
why are they doing this, if they had of waited they would have seen Malka's attitude soften, he just needed some guidance... now everything could just blow up in their faces, this could all be our undoing ..

As she watched, Malka walked up and faced off Kiara, questioning her without being agressive. Sarafina decided now was the time to show some unity to Malka.
Not bothering to see if anyone was watching her, she walked around Kopa and some lionesses who it seemed were too afraid to move , and stood beside him showing solidarity.

"What happened, Kiara? Did the elephants hurt Sarabi?" .. Sarafina stood there patiently while Malka waited for an answer.
I hope he has patience, because nows the time that he's going to need it, if I know my grandaughter at all, she will try and put all sorts of twists and turns on this topic on conversation.

[Tamber]

Nala stood there with the others, staring down at Sarabi and watching her hurl herself up and limp away, only to fall back down in pain, gasping for air. Nala knew the old lioness's spirit could never be broken, but at her age, an injury like this could prove to her impair her for the rest of her life.

Kopa walked up to her and asked her intently how Sarabi ended up out in the hunting party at her age. Nala panicked descretely for a moment, but soon remembered that the lionessses had set out on their own while she had gone off with her mother.

"I...I didn't even arrange the hunting party," she told her son. "The lionesses who wished to go set up a party themselves, and mom asked me to speak with her, so I stayed here."

Still Nala couldn't blame Sarabi for going. She was still in great shape for her age, and she was just as strong a hunter as any of them. It didn't surprise her in the least that the prides matriarch went along.
________________________________
Tani heard teh old lioness's question and turned to Scruffy, unsure of what to say. Glancing at her for a moment, she considered what they would tell her. Should she know now that they had a male for her...or was it going to be a cleverly laid out plan along the road?

She turned to the old lioness again, speaking confidently. "We don't intend to hold a grudge with you, and we ask for nothing in return except your respect. We would be quite glad to have you join us, seeing as now we feel no reason to resent you."

[Kirsui]

"We don't intend to hold a grudge with you, and we ask for nothing in return except your respect. We would be quite glad to have you join us, seeing as now we feel no reason to resent you."

"Respect?"
The stripe headed lioness chuckled amusedly.
"You are a fool to ask such a thing from me... I would gladly give you my respect were I the one to ask your leader's permission to join your pride."
She smirked faintly.
"However, as that is not the case, respect is out of the things you can ask from me."

Her eyes narrowed, though not threatingly. It was curiosity, though from her face it was hard to tell the difference.
"Tell me, little queen... What do you think you have truly done to be worthy of my respect?"

---

Scruffy visibly flinched when Zira spoke out that last thing. So her bluff of Vitani's station had failed, though it escaped her how that was possible. She hadn't called Vitani by her title like she used to...

She cursed quietly.
'Scruffs ya idiot!' she thought. 'Ya called her M'lady earlier today...'
She mentally rolled her eyes and glanced at Vitani. She just hoped her friend could pull out something that would feed Zira's apparently growing curiosity so much that the stripe headed would come with them.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara followed everyone out to where her 'injured' grandmother lay on the Savanah. She was quite impressed with her grandmother's handywork. She kept back a smirk at how she now coughed and twitched her body that was alledgedly wracked with pain.

"Did the elephants hurt Sarabi?"

"Well, like, the elephants got surprised and then Sarabi attacked and then, I don't know. All of the sudden, Gran was trampled and lying on the ground. It was horribe." she said, emphasizing the last word dramatically.

[cheezeegriff]

Malka stared Kiara down, examining every twitch to her mouth, the every flicker of her eye. He waited a moment, then smiled broadly.
"Take care of your grandmother-in-law,"
and turned away. Marching over to where Sarabi lay on the ground, he placed his hand over her back gently, feeling along the spine.
"Poor Sarabi... you tried, that's the main thing,"
he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Shh... relax. Sarabi... I think it'd be for the better if you left hunting to the younger and faster members of the pride now."
Lifting his head, he said,
"Take her back to Pride Rock. Look after her. Nala... Simba..."
After saying his goodbyes, he glanced at Sarafina, then began to make his own way to Pride Rock.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Kovu watched from the grasses. This wasn't going well at all - he could see the disbelief on Malka's eyes... could see the hatred when he glanced in Kovu's direction.
He knew. A thousand thoughts buzzed in Kovu's head. He wanted his kingdom back... how much would he have to pay to get it? What risks must he take?
A lot, it seemed.
Wheeling around to the side of the crowd, he stopped Malka before he managed to walk too far away, and said in a loud voice,
"Malka, my king,"
he bowed.
"Didn't you order Sarabi to hunt the elephants?"

Malka's eyes narrowed, but a soft, venomous smile spread across his muzzle.
"Yes, I did."

"Then don't you feel some sense of responsibility for what's happened?"
Kovu tensed, readying himself for a fight, but Malka only glared daggers out at him, his head lowered, eyes partially concealed by his fringe.
By now the whole crowd was watching them.
"Well?"

Malka turned about to the crowd.
"I did ask Sarabi to hunt elephants, because I was confident that she would be capable of performing the hunt well. Obviously I was wrong. Sarabi will hunt no more: she's suffered enough, and I'd prefer to keep our older members safe and comfortable,"

"You can't take away her right to hunt!"
Kovu shouted.
"She lives for the hunt."

Malka's eyes narrowed. He said in a very soft, low voice,
"Then I did nothing wrong in the first place."

[Dakota]

Kopa stood away from Kiara and Kovu, letting a few lionesses block his path, but clear enough where he could see their faces. blast those two , and now pulling Sarabi into whatever little plan they have hatched up, its going to be their undoing .

Waiting, he watched as Simba and Nala supported Sarabi away back to priderock, with the lionesses slowing walking behind. Now was the time to have a one on one with his sister. Walking up beside her, Kopa gave her a nudge, and not a playful one at that.

" Kiara, we need to talk.. just us.. by ourselves... NOW."
Moving away so he could still see his sisters mate lying low, his glance moved back to her. Trying to hold on to his temper, Kopa let his words come out low and slow.
" Obviously you and Kovu think by using our grandmother as some little pawn in your stupid game to get rid of Malka is going to work. What you didn't see sister is that Malka saw right through your and Sarabi's pityful little act, Ha.. I even saw Sarafina lift her eyebrows a few times in disbelief, you had just better pray our parents don't put two and two together, or you might be out on you ear."

Kopa couldn't find anything else to say to her, and just shook his head, and walked around her and past her mate. Slowing down Kopa looked at him " You..you fool, better go and hide behind Kiara again, I haven't even started with you yet."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarafina caught the look Malka had given her before he walked off. well its now or never, I'd better show my support for Malka seeing as I suspect there's something amiss in this little venture.

Her eyes narrowed as she saw Kopa pull his sister aside, by the look on his face, it wasn't going to be a pleasant chat. Moving away, she was about to move past Kovu, until she saw the look on his face. Without hesitation Sarafina marched up to him, till she was directly in front and stood there looking down on him.

" And to think I thought there was some brains inside that thick skull of yours, seems I was sadly mistaken. You need to think about kiara before you act on your pathetic impulses Kovu, or you will find yourselves living out the back of beyond."

Stepping back, she was about to turn, when she couldn't help herself and she let one more snide remark leave her muzzle.
" maybe you should think back to who your parents are Kovu, and take a look at yourself and see if you like what you see and how you are behaving ... hmm ?"

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara couldn't believe it. Malka was smarter than she thought... much smarter. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them. Kopa was standing in front of her.

Obviously you and Kovu think by using our grandmother as some little pawn in your stupid game to get rid of Malka is going to work. What you didn't see sister is that Malka saw right through your and Sarabi's pityful little act, Ha.. I even saw Sarafina lift her eyebrows a few times in disbelief, you had just better pray our parents don't put two and two together, or you might be out on you ear."


Kiara stared back at her brother, obviously hurt. She realized now what they had done was a stupid idea and now they had cost Sarabi her hunting privelages. She nodded and stared down at the grass her front paws were crushing down on. "I know, Kopa..." she said softly, unable to look him in the eyes. She felt her throat choking up like it did when she was about to cry. "I'm going to go away for awhile." she said quietly and to no one in particular.

Kiara began to walk away from the group, barely at a jog. She just wanted away, but she didn't want it to be obvious. She got a good amount of distance away from the group and looked around. There were quite a few places out here to hide. She found a rock formation, crawled inside, and let the tears matt the fur on her face.

[Tamber]

Kopa walked off without another word for his mother, and he went straight to speak with Kiara. Nala turned to look at some other miniature scenes in the middle of this event. Malka looked down at Sarabi and stroked her, a peculiar way about his speaking. Kovu came to speak with him, accusing him of ordereing Sarabi to hunt. Even Nala's mother stepped in on the scene, of course taking Malka's side. Nala still felt a twist of frustration when her mother stood up for this guy, but she knew she had to trust Sarafina.

Walking over to Sarabi and meeting her mate there beside her, Nala worked with Simba to lift her up onto their backs. They bgan carrying her back to Pride Rock, and Nala spent this time thinking.

Something wasn't right. Kiara's explanation left something to be desired, and Malka seemed not to be swayed by what had happened. Nala was beginning to believe this whole thing was a fake.
_________________________
"Respect?!...Tell me, little queen... What do you think you have truly done to be worthy of my respect?"

Queen? She knew? But how? Tani looked descretely at Scruffy, wondering how this could have been possible. Tani had done nothing queenly in Zira's presence, only cowered from the lioness the first time she had seen her.

At any rate, Tani knew she had to speak, for it was now obvious that she was in charge. "I think it is worthy of respect that we have given you such a generous offer. I also wonder why we would be undeserving of your respect...ma'am."

Tani had to hold her tongue to keep from calling the old lioness Zira, knowing it probably wouldn't please her or help their cause. Vitani tried very hard to be as strong as she often was, as strong as she was raised to be. Often she even forgot that she was indeed something of a queen.