TLK IV

[Kirsui]

"-- It's good to have you back here with us Scruffy, I... missed you."

Scruffy's eyes turned snapped to Kopa. She had hard time keeping her face void of the confusion that suddenly raged inside her. She reminded herself over and over again that Kopa was Vitani's - her queen's - mate, and yet... The memory of the conversation she and Kopa had had earlier came to her mind, as well as the fact Kopa had given her that good bye lick, and how his gaze seemed to have lingered on her before she and Vitani had headed off.

The fluffy necked blinked, her ears twiching as she fought against the need to flatten them down. And she couldn't help but wonder what Kopa's intentions were.

"well, shall we go back to the waterhole ladies "

Scruffy was about to do exactly that, but Malka's sudden movement stopped her. She watched with a deep frown of displeasure as the "king" went to speak with the old lioness.

---

"Greetings old one."

The dirty, old lioness' gaze turned to the male lion who had that odd, two coloured mane and the black tufts on top of his ears. She watched him with half closed eyes and without trying to make herself look, well.. more appealing and respectful. She was old, scarred and dirty, and she knew it and held all that better than she would have held a clean fur and un-scarred skin.

"-- Have we met before? Have you ever visited the mountain clan?"

"I do not think so."
Her reply was voiced out with a cold voice, though the tone was somewhat polite.
"I would assume I would remember someone with such an unusual colouring as you yourself have, or would you not agree that your looks are not really the easiest one to forget?"
She glanced at Kopa momentarily. Indeed, this young lion was far more familiar looking to her than this Malka was...

"I would stay and chat with you longer", she said then, her gaze turning back at Malka.
"But as this fluffy necked said, I have.. business to deal with her King."
She smiled, tiredly, though the look in her eyes remained cold.
"Perhaps after that, young Malka... Perhaps after that..."

[Tamber]

The queen soon realized that they would not have to be lead to Kopa afterall. He arrived promptly, as did most of the others. They watched closely as their conversation unfolded, and Tani was a bit uncomfortable. She did not wish for this to become a spectacle, although she had expected it to, for the most part.

As Kopa approached her a small, yet sweet smile rose upon her face. She was happy to see him again, more than she had expected to be. He nuzzled her cheek slowly and she nuzzled back. Tani held back the purr arising in her throat, not wishing to share an intimate moment with her mate in front of the entire pride.

"It's good to be back," she replied to him. "We've got our work cut out for us with this one, though. Don't take her lightly."

Tani grinned once more as Kopa walked over to greet Scruffy. She turned to face Malka again, who had no interest in her or her companion, but was straining to get a better look and smell of the old lioness behind them. Feeling again her hate for the "king," she turned to look at Kopa and Scruffy. As she did so, she couldn't help but overhear Kopa's words to her friend.

"I wonder what sort of persuasion you tried with her my little warrior. It's good to have you back here with us Scruffy, I... missed you."

Something in Kopa's words and his tone of voice grabbed Vitani's heart and twisted it in a knot. Her face remained emotionless, but her eyes instinctively flickered in reaction. She quickly looked away from them, trying to avoid what she had just heard. She forgot Zira and ignored Malka's words to her. Instead she stared at the ground in front of her, still keeping her straight face.

What had Kopa meant by that? Vitani knew she wasn't crazy; she knew what she had seen, what she had just heard. She understood the tone, the words, but her heart refused to accept them as reality. My little warrior? Since when was Scruffy his? Why hadn't he told Tani that he missed her?

Tani's rushing emotions were interrupted when Kopa suggested that they head to the waterhole to speak in private. Feeling a sudden need to be near him, she rose immediately and walked quickly to his side, still hiding any emotion from her face. She became afraid of leaving Kopa alone, afraid that being away from him would let him be with Scruffy. In a matter of seconds, Scruffy had become her emotional enemy.

[Dakota]

Sarafina came along after Simba, but instead of standing with them, she walked around and forward till she was partly beside Malka. Her eyes widened as she saw Vitani and Scruffy standing there almost guarding the dirty lioness against Malkas prying gaze.

Holding back a gasp, she leaned forward a little and stared at the torn ear. Only one lioness had that, but she was dead..it couldn't be her.. but why had Scruffy and Tani bought this lioness with them all the way back to priderock.

Looking over at Kopa, when he suggested they return to the waterhole, Malka stepped forward blocking their way. Sarafina's gaze snaped back to Scruffy, she wasn't known for her subtlety and by the look on her face, her patience was running out.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: lol to point out, just incase, Scruffy did mention Malka's name aloud with Zira around on the last page. =P))

[cheezeegriff]

Malka didn't fail to notice the black look that Vitani had shot Scruffy, and stepped aside as Vitani leapt after Kopa. Now, what was that about? he thought, then remembered the words Kopa had spoken to the lioness with the rather hairy neck:
"... my little warrior. It's good to have you back here with us Scruffy, I... missed you."

Then it became all too clear. Ho, what luck. Kopa was in love with Scruffy! Well, maybe not love like the love for a mate, but there was definitely some level of attraction there.

"Just a moment before you take off, King Kopa. You'll have to forgive me: Are we allowed to invite anyone into the pridelands without the other's consent? Of course I hope I don't appear rude, but you realise I'm new to these lands and don't quite know what our limitations are. Do I have the right to invite anyone and everyone into the pridelands too, or must I seek your consent first?"

Malka looked over Kopa's shoulder, and saw Kovu limping his way towards them, Kiara just behind, looking indecisive. Oh, this is rich. This truly is teriffic. Not just Kovu either but the bunch of lionesses that had just bore witness to Sarabi's... injuries. Kovu himself looked positively terrified.

Then Malka's smile faded: Who was this scraggly lioness, to instil such fear in all who saw her?

[Deleted]

Sarabi quietly crept in behind them all, still feeling slightly ashamed at what she had tried to do and then her Sons displeasure that he had spoken so rudely to her with. Sighing she wondered if this day could get any worse. Staying behind the others, she really didn't want Malka to see her, but she needed to be here with her family to see what they had all gathered for..after all it was just a dirty old lioness Vitani and SCruffy had picked up on wherever they had been.

Silence befell them all as they saw Kovu come limping towards the gathering, with kiara trailing after him. The look on his face made Sarabi suddenly turn towards Malka, but he wasn't looking at him, something else had made him scared, very scared, turning back around as he got closer, she could see Kovu's gaze was fixed on the tired lioness.

[Dakota]

Kopa stopped where he was, and turned his head and looked at Malka as he queried his decision about having the old lioness among them. Carefully making sure his face was void of all emotion he was feeling, he met the 'other kings' eyes.

"Just a moment before you take off, King Kopa. You'll have to forgive me: Are we allowed to invite anyone into the pridelands without the other's consent? Of course I hope I don't appear rude, but you realise I'm new to these lands and don't quite know what our limitations are. Do I have the right to invite anyone and everyone into the pridelands too, or must I seek your consent first?"

is Malka just trying to stir up trouble with me, antagonising me at every possible turn, waiting to see if I will snap, so he can then 'fight' me like he did with Kovu, is his real objective wanting these pridelands to himself

Taking a small breath, Kopa's mind was racing as to how he coud actually say nicely 'mind your own damn business'. Making sure a smile was on his muzzle, Kopa turned at looked at all his family that were standing there watching and listening to see how he would handle the situation. Bringing his gaze back to Malka's, he just stated things simply.

"Obviously, Vitani and Scruffy came upon this lioness, and looking at her you can tell she is unhealthy and in no state to be wandering around on her own, we have always taken in those needing help, and she is no exception. You needn't worry yourself Malka she will stay with my pride and cause no disruption to those you rule."

Stepping back he smiled at Vitani standing there so gracefully
" So if you will excuse us Malka we are heading to the waterhole to refresh ourselves."

[Kirsui]

Scruffy ha dbecome aware of the crowd gathering around them, and doing so rather fast. She kept glancing around, doing so as if she was simply guarding the area for unexpected enemies, when in reality she was keeping an eye on the lionesses. She could see a flicker or recognition in some of their eyes, mostly in those who had been in the Exile, but a quick warning glare at their direction did the trick and they wisely enough kept their mouths shut.

She didn't know though how long it would take before someone who was... respecing Malka more than her warnings would open their mouth and voice out the secret they didn't want to be voiced out about the old lioness.

"So if you will excuse us Malka we are heading to the waterhole to refresh ourselves."

Scruffy turned from the crowd to look at Kopa, and to her utter surprise she realized Vitani was now standing beside him and not beside her. The young queen looked calm, but Scruffy had watched her grow and she could tell something was wrong. A flicker of confusion was in her eyes briefly before she got her emotions under control.

And she understood. Vitani... She knew. Her close friend had heard Kopa's words, and she knew.

Or more so, thought she knew. Even Scruffy herself wasn't sure what exactly was going on with her and Kopa... And she corrected herself for letting that thought slip. There was no "her and Kopa", there was just "Vitani and Kopa".
'Nuka...'
She couldn't, and wouldn't let go of the memory and... love she had felt towards Zira's oldest son. Indeed, she would have to explain this to Vitani, that she would not be a competitor.

Something twisted in her heart when she thought that, and all she could do was try crush the empty feeling and hide the emotions.

"If we all are done now..."

Surprised, Scruffy turned to look at Zira. The old lioness had spoken with a half bored and half tired voice and was now eyeing the waterhole longingly.
"This old lioness is not quite as full of strength she used to be... I would muchappreciate if we moved over to the waterhole so that I can rest and discuss with King Kopa."

If Scruffy had been surprised by Zira beginning to speak, she certainly was more surprised when the old lioness gave a slight bow with her head at Kopa, Vitani and even Malka, before slowly beginning to walk towards the waterhole with tired steps.

The fluffy necked was about to follow, but... instead she turned to Kopa and Vitani, bowing her head faintly.
"If I may, I'll do some scouting", she said.
"I'll return shortly."

And she left, not sparing even one glance at Malka's direction. Scouting wasn't the real reason.. What she really wanted to do was to have a word with the lionesses, both from her and from Malka's pride. Her dark red eyes flashed dangerously. They would not say a word of their suspicions...

[Deleted]

Simba stood there with his mate Nala, and his whole family around him. He could have spoken and put an end to this ridicullus charade, but he just leaned in closer to Nala and watched and waited, to see what would happen, would Malka press Vitani further on where she got the Zira look alike.

Tilting his head slightly, he gave this old lioness the once over, and his eyes stayed a moment longer on her ratty ear. As far as he was concerned it was Zira, but for reason whether she had an accident and forgot her past or she was taking them all for aride, hew wasn't king anymore, it wasn't up to him...for now anyway.

"Come Nala, let us go back to the waterhole, Vitani, kovu and Kopa can sort out this little..umm problem shall we say ?

[cheezeegriff]

Kovu stood at the edge of the gathering crowd, and tried to look only as interested as everyone else in this new lion, but his heart was thudding in his chest. He tried not to look at Malka, not to give anything away, but the new King looked like he knew SOMETHING was going on. Whatever the details, Kovu thought Malka knew this wasn't any ordinary lioness.

"You smell really familiar,"
Malka said as Kopa and the old lioness started to walk away, and then his classic smile split his features.
"I hope we can talk again soon. Sarafina, a word?"

As Malka wandered off Kovu gave a sigh of relief, then hobbled on after Kopa, Vitani and his mother.

[Dakota]

Sarafina had patiently stood at Malkas flank, all the time this 'family business' was occuring, she knew who the tatty lioness was, but she held her tongue, Vitani and Kovu needed time to talk with her and decide what to do.

"Sarafina, a word?"
Rolling her eyes slightly, she wasn't sure which way Malka would go with having the lioness here, considering he knew something was afoot, seeing as everyone was behaving strangely.

" Yes I am here Malka, right to your side, where I have been since we all arrived to see what Scruffy and Vitani had bought back from their little walkabout."

Slowly Sarafina closed the gap between them, and stood neck to neck, careful not to touch him in any way. The were now standing by themselves, as everyone had moved away, either to ther waterhole, or off to what they were doing beforehand.

"You would care to discuss something with me Malka?"

[cheezeegriff]

"They must think I'm really stupid,"
Malka said, once he and Sarafina were away from where the other lions could hear.
"And what about you? Are you going to tell me who that lioness is, or are you in on their little game too? Come on, Sarafina, I can see it in your eyes. You know as much as they do. Who is this lioness they're so keen on keeping from me? And why, why are they keeping her from me?"
He looked Sarafina in the eye, watching every flicker of her whiskers, trying not to show that he was hurt by her lack of support for him.

[Dakota]

Sarafina met his eyes, holding his stare, she wasn't about to back down from his glare. but paused for a moment, getting her words in order,

"Why are you angry with me?, I've been standing here all this time, you could have turned around and asked me my opinion, but you ignored me, and now..you want answers."
Moving around so she was now facing him muzzle to muzzle, she slowly sat on her rump, still watching the expressions flitting over his face.

" By the looks, Scruffy and Vitani think they have found Kovu and Tani's long lost mother, who was meant to have died in an accident many years ago, which we all thanked the gods for indeed."
Sarafina, blinked and looked away in the direction where she could still see them walking towards the waterhole, sighing, she then turned back to face him.

" I'm not sure if it is'her', as she has changed greatly from what I remember, but her ear, the ripped and tattered ear, is what marked her apart from other lionesses, that and her hatred of others.
So my dear Malka, what we might have here, was Scars mate, Kovu and Vitani's mother, who goes by the name of Zira."

Licking her lips, Sarafina, sat still seeing if the name she had just uttered, made any response forthcoming from the lion who stood before her.

[cheezeegriff]

"So my dear Malka, what we might have here, was Scars mate, Kovu and Vitani's mother, who goes by the name of Zira."

Malka's eyes widened to orbs, and the blood drained from his face - his nose became several shades paler. He felt as if someone had dropped a boulder into his belly, but then he laughed.
It wasn't a particularly nice laugh either. It sounded tempered with a touch of madness, even in his own ears, and after a moment all the grief of a lifetime ago came crashing back on him, choking him, threatening to drag him over the precipice of self-control and into a wailing, thrashing tantrum. Instead he fell silent, not daring to speak, looking at Sarafina for a moment... then sighing.
"You came to me with a desire to get to know me, yet all this time you've acted as if I've forced you to come via some compulsion. You could have volunteered to tell me that Zira was... Zira, but you didn't. You just sat in silence and watched everyone lie to me.
"I think you're as confusing as you are confused. If you want to get to know me, this isn't the way to do it. I've actually tried to be honest with you - I didn't try to seduce you or make you like me, like I've done with so many others, but I'm not sure you're putting in the same effort. You could have told me, but you didn't, and it isn't about me not asking you. It's about you not wanting everyone else to see that you're betraying them, isn't it?"
He sighed again trying to solve the puzzle of the lioness before him, trying to decide if she was just a cheap trick, sent by his enemies.
"So why are you bothering with me at all, Sarafina? Did someone put you up to this? Did someone say, 'Oh, get close to Malka. Then you can bite him in the neck when he sleeps, or inform us on all his plans.' Because if that's the only reason you're bothering with me, then please, just go. I've had enough pain in my life that I really don't need anymore."
He stood there, silent for a moment, taking a deep breath as he watched her studied expression. Why won't you act natural around me?
"If not, then lighten up, and help me rule this country!"
With that he turned around and marched away, towards Pride Rock, forcing his legs to march away from the potential of happiness towards the cold brutality of revenge. Zira was back. Zira... who had ruined his life.
And hoping dearly, that his potential happiness would choose to follow him.

[Kirsui]

The old lioness' steps became shorter and dragged as she came closer to the waterhole. Her mouth was open slightly as she tiredly panted to get more air. Her teeth had maybe once been pure white and sharp... Now they were yellow and cracked, some of them were even missing. Truly, she was not her old self anymore as she had stated, and she thankfully dropped herself down to the cool grass beside the waterhole, laying on her belly with her head on the ground. Her eyes were closed and she panted heavily, trying to regain her breath. Her position looked over all very uncomfortable, she hadn't even bothered to place her feet so that she could lay comfortably and so they were under her in twisted positions.

This went on for a good while, and for a moment one could have thought she had fallen asleep. Before anyone had time to poke her awake though, she opened her eyes and lifted her head, straightening her position so that she could rest comfortably.

"Apologies", she said, pointing her words to Kopa.
"The walk here seems to have gotten the better of me..."
She chuckled half amusedly at that before she turned her head so that she could look at Kopa.
"I believe you wanted a word with me, your highness?" she asked.
"I really do not know what you wish to gain by speaking with me... But speak it must be what you want, considering the amount of work your two lionesses did while trying to convince me to come with them."

---

She had found them, the first former outlanders she could have thought of. And now they were standing in front of her with confused expressions when they saw the anger flash in her dark eyes.
"Ya all know who she is, doncha?"
It wasn't really a question, more like a statement. She got no replies and her angry glare moved from lioness to lioness, and was slightly pleased when none of them backed away under her stare.

"The thing is this... as some of you perhaps have guessed..." the fluffy necked continued.
"We think - notice, we think - that this old lioness me and 'Tani dragged back here with us is no other than Zira."
The former outlanders were taken aback, but her glare silenced them.
"We aint sure, and we wanna keep our suspicions a secret as long as possible..."
She frowned.
"Which means, ya aint gonna run to Malka and blurt out what your suspicions are. Unless ya wanna have a closer look at my claws. And while yer at it, keep an eye on the others and stop 'em from running to Malka 'bout this, kay?"

The fluffy necked glared at them once more before she let her stance drop.
"Dotty, stay here with me, ya others can go."
The group scattered, leaving the fluffy necked alone with the lioness who had the line of dots under her eye.
"Now couldcha tell me... What the hell's been going on here? I can feel the tension in the air, what exactly happened while me 'n 'Tani were gone?"

She watched how Dotty glanced around, as if to make sure she could escape in case the fluffy necked chose to attack her. And then she nervously explained what had happened, beginning from the little scene Sarabi and Kiara had put up, and the reason why they had done so - Malka's order to hunt elephants.

When Dotty was done Scruffy sent her on her way. If she had been angry before, she was now enraged. She had dug her claws to the ground and was growling, her dark eyes flashing dangerously before she decided standing there was simply stupid and chose to begin walking. Any wise creature would stay away from her when she was in this state, considering how she whacked every branch out of her way with her paw so that they flew a few meters away.

It seemed Scruffy's so called "patrol" would become a little bit longer than expected. She had to calm down, unless she wanted to see the first unfortunate pride member to cross her path dead on her feet.

[Dakota]

Sarafina sat there face to face in front of the 'king'. Watching him carefully, she knew something was wrong, seriously wrong, as soon as she had mentioned the name of Zira it looked like his world had collapsed, and sure enough he attacked her, but it wasn't with claws bared it was with his words.

Trying not to flinch as he tossed accusations at her, Sarafina held her self proud and waited for the barrage to cease. Her mind was still taking in all that he had taunted her with, trying to process what was good and what was bad.

Just as she was about to speak, malka turned and slowly rose to his paws, and walked away, to the lioness his stance was one of
dejection and sadness.
damn males never give you time to say what you want, before they always just waltz off.
Rising herself, Sarafina's paws hit the ground running as she caught up and then passed the lion, stopping herself, she turned and stood blocking his way.
"You've had your turn, now you can listen to what I have to say, I think thats fair enough."
Sarafina wasn't sure what he would do, strike her perhaps, or just push her out of the way and continue back to pride rock, but she wasn't about to let him just think she was a manipulator and using him.

"First of all, I didn't lie to you, How was I to know Scruffy and Vitani were going to bring that lioness back to us, you saw the look on everyones face, shell shocked, because no one, not even Kovu and Vitani know if that is their mother.All they are going on, is that torn ear.. a number of lionesses could have the very same thing as Zira had, so NO, not even I know if its Zira,
But what I was and are doing is showing some respect for those two poor souls, is to let them have some peace and quiet, without a ruckas around them... for them.. Malka, to talk with that creature and find out if through some possibility that she could be their mother, the one maybe they loved yet despised,and who made their lives hell, I think thats something no matter who, should have the right to be able to do."

Pausing for a moment Sarafina looked away and got her emotions under control, then bought her gaze back to his.
" As for me, you accuse me of not putting in an effort to get to know you, and my family are using me to inform on you..., what about you, the same could be said for you..and have you made any effort to get to know me..."

Bringing her paw up quickly, anyone watching them both, would have thought she was about to strike him, but instead her paw grazed against his cheek, then she slowly let it drop back to the dusty ground.

"We've all had pain Malka, some carry it with us all the time but hide it so very well....now I feel a need to be by myself, I'll meet you back at priderock if I'm still welcome"

[Tamber]

The growing crowd was becoming uncomfortable to be a part of, and Nala felt that she had seen all there was to be seen. She nodded as Simba invited her to go off with him. She was sure Tani, Kovu, and Kopa could handle this one.

She watched, however, as Scruffy ran off on her own. She was a distant and strange one, that lioness. It was often hard to read her, and Nala came to the assumption that one must really get to know her before he or she can truly understand her. Perhaps no one understood Scruffy besides Scruffy herself.
._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.
Tani walked alongside her mate toward the waterhole. She didn't want to believe what she had heard Kopa whisper to Scruffy, but she knew it had happened, and she knew her mate had meant what he said. She was mentally running from what she had heard, running in circles and wishing she could go back in time and change it in any way she could. Still, obviously, this was impossible, and she walked along, wishing for impossible things to happen.

"I...missed you" The words echoed in Tani's mind, haunting her and refusing to leave her be. She grew angrier by the minute, angry at Scruffy for stealing her mate's affection; angry at Kopa for looking to anyone besides her; and secretly angry with herself for letting Kopa's interest stray. Still, she cold not admit this shame even to herself. She simply bickered in her head about the others, sharing the blame between them.

Once they reached the waterhole, Tani clenched her teeth, her limps closed so it would not show to the others, and sat next to Kopa. She was still frustrated with him, but she felt that she could not leave his side, not yet. For the moment, however, she had to act like a queen and take control, and she put her thoughts aside.

"I really do not know what you wish to gain by speaking with me... But speak it must be what you want, considering the amount of work your two lionesses did while trying to convince me to come with them."

Tani overheard Zira's words to her mate as she approached behind him. She sat and responded promptly.

"Forgive us if we were intrusive or pushy," she began, "but it was necessary in order for you to truly hear us out." Tani paused for a second, suddenly becoming excited that for once she had more authority than her own mother. "I suppose there is one thing that needs to be settled, something to...break these bonds that make us feel so unfamiliar." Getting a blank stare from her mother, Tani went on. "By this I mean, what would you prefer that we call you, ma'am?"

[Dakota]

Kopa moved with his family, as they ushered the old lioness away from Malka, his mate and her brother needed to spend some time with her, they all needed answers to the questions milling around in their minds.

As they walked he felt her familiar scent reach his nostrils, breathing in deeply he smiled to him self, it felt good to have her beside him in these times of uncertainty,
Stopping far enough away from Malkas prying eyes, he turned and watched as Kiara and Kovu came up in the rear, the other lionesses in the pride had dispersed and gone back to what they had been doing, or maybe Scruffy in her own way had taken care of anything they might have wanted to discuss. Just thinking of the small scruffy headed lioness made him smile, she was certainly head strong and did things her own way.

Moving in closer to Vitani, he was hoping for some time alone with her, hoping that she would leave the scraggly lioness with her brother and Kiara. Leaning into his mate, Kopa rubbed his cheek against hers and gently whispered into her ear.
"I was about to come looking for you, I was worried something had happened to you, you seemed to have been gone for so long, but now you're back I feel a need to have you close against me...what do you feel Tani my love ?"

His ears perked up, and a smile passed over his muzzle, he just knew she was going to suggest they slip away from all this commotion, but what she spoke made his smile falter, she was instead talking to 'zira'.
Moving back away from them, Kopa lowered himself to the ground and rested his head on his front paws and stared out at the water, for some reason another lioness came into his thoughts, and he lay there waiting.

[cheezeegriff]

Malka tried to hold Sarafina's eye as she spoke, but once she mentioned that she wasn't SURE who the lioness was, he couldn't anymore, and glanced to the ground with a huff of self-disgust.
"Sorry,"
he said, after she said she needed to be alone.
"I was wrong. Thanks for telling me."
He gave her a wry smile, then nodded her on her way.
"And of course you're welcome back at Pride Rock. Anyone who can actually convince me that I'm wrong deserves to be ruler in my place. As for why I don't show that I like you: I'm broken. Very, very broken. Think of me like a dog that's been kicked so much he can't tell who his friends are. I never said it would be easy. And it's about to get a whole lot harder."
He took a deep breath, looking over his shoulder at where the others - including Zira (it HAD to be her. After all this time he'd never forget that smell...) - were meeting by a waterhole.
Then he looked back to Sarafina, and wondered why she was still there.
"Off you go then. Meet me at Pride Rock."

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

Kovu arrived just in time to hear the old lioness - Zira - speaking, and then Vitani's response. Hostility and hurt mingled as she spoke - after all, the last thing Vitani had said to him still rang in his mind:
"Um, yes, that's true, Kovu, you're not king anymore," she said haughtily at him.

It had only been an opinion, but even his opinion was worthless to her now. Once he had been adored by his sister, for she believed that he had been the rightful king of Pride Rock. Seeing that he was less than perfect must have finally brought her to her senses.
And now, what was left? Anything? Any sibling love?
Or nothing?
Suddenly realising he was wearing his anger on his face, he flattened his expression - hopefully before Vitani saw anything - and listened to what she was saying:

"... By this I mean, what would you prefer that we call you, ma'am?"

Kovu held his breath, waiting for Zira's response.

[Kirsui]

"-- what would you prefer that we call you, ma'am?"

The old lioness turned her gaze from Kopa to Vitani. She stared at the young queen blankly, as if not at first understanding what Vitani had said. Her gaze momentarily returned to Kopa, who to her slight surprisise was staring at the water and clearly thinking something else than the current situation.

Remembering suddenly that she had a question to answer, the stripe headed turned her gaze back to Vitani. She noticed they had been joined by another lion, but her gaze lingered on him only momentarily before snapping back to Vitani. She took a deep breath and let the air out as a slow sigh.
"That, my dear, is a question I too would gladly have answered."
She shrugged.
"I can not remember what I have been called in the past.. That fluffy necked friend of yours - Scruffy, was it? - called me Zira, but I am not at all sure if that is my name, or if she confused me with someone else."
She paused, smiling tiredly.
"I saw the crowd staring at me, so clearly Scruffy is not the only one to think so...? Your mate", she motioned at Kopa with her paw, "also called me with that name earlier when you ah... paid a visit to the termite nests."
She well remembered that little meeting with these lions when the young king had almost begun a fight with her.

However, the old lioness was satisfied with her answer and chose not to continue that subject anymore. And so she turned to examine the newly arrived lion more closely. She noticed the colouring of the fur and the black mane, and almost instantly her gaze was drawn to the face.

She was startled when she saw two striking green eyes stare back at her, and that a scar ran across the left eye. Her eyes widened and she gasped. She knew this lion!
"Taka?"
And yet... she didn't. She realized her mistake as soon as she had spoken that name. This lion could not be her Taka, he couldn't be the shadowy lion from her dreams. He was too young, and his features were... different.

---

Scruffy licked her lips before moving on to clean her now red paws. Her eyes were half closed and she was purring quietly, clearly satisfied of the young zebra she had brought down. The foal wouldn't have been enough food for a whole group of lions, but it did satisfy both Scruffy's hunger and the thirst to kill something. Her rage had settled to a controlable level and she would again be able to return to her pride mates, or even better face Malka without the need to strangle him to death.

She grinned at that thought before giving the final licks to her paws. She streched and rose to her feet, after which the purring stopped and the collected calmness returned to her face. She could already see the vultures howering above her meal, and with a shrug she walked away from the carcass, letting the hungry birds begin their feast.

Unfortunately for her though, now that she had gotten her anger under control she realized other thoughts could invade her mind. She knew she had to return to the waterhole, to both give the report from her patrol and fill in any holes should Vitani tell Kopa of their little trip back to the Outlands.

And that itself brought two problems. The fluffy necked was at loss when she tried to figure out Kopa's intentions. A few days ago everything had been clear in her world with Kopa and Vitani as the royal couple and her commanders. And now... now she didn't know where her place truly was. She told herself she would ignore Kopa's behaviour and continue living as the cold Outlander assassin who mourned the death of Nuka... And by doing so she would get rid of the other growing problem of Vitani becoming jealous.

However, now she hesitated with her steps and stopped walking completely when she could see the waterhole in the distance. She was completely oblivious to what went on around her as she struggled with herself wether to keep walking and heading towards the moment where she would deny any feelings towards Kopa... Or stay where she was, away from everyone so that she wouldn't have to.

A frown came to her face, but no matter how hard she tried her paws remained glued to the spot. She couldn't walk on, because deep within she knew that doing so would kill her from the inside.

[Dakota]

"Off you go then. Meet me at Pride Rock."

Sarafina stood there watching Malka not moving a paw, she felt he needed not to be alone for some reason, her walk could be taken any other time.
"I'm fine, Malka... come we will walk back together to pride rock, let those at the waterhole have the time they need, and then I'll see if I can find out any information on whether that creature is the one we all came to despise, or if in fact it is some poor soul who has been left out in the wilderness for too long by herself."

Moving up along side the male. the older lioness have him a small smile, hoping to offer comfort, and then curiosity got the better of her.
"What were you like as a cub Malka, tell me some of your favourite happy memories?"

[Tamber]

"I was about to come looking for you, I was worried something had happened to you, you seemed to have been gone for so long, but now you're back I feel a need to have you close against me...what do you feel Tani my love ?"

Tani's ears perked up and her heart skipped a beat. Kopa was speaking to her. Did he resent her that much afterall?

But as she turned to smile at her mate and speak with him, he appeared to be disappointed and turned away from her, moving to lay beside the water. What had she done? She wanted so badly for Kopa to love her the way he always had, yet it was as if she had told him off or ignored him as he lay there alone. She was losing him by the minute, and her heart sobbed.

Yet she had asked the question and now was waiting for the answer. The lioness took time in considering ow she should respond. She glanced around momentarily at each person around her, and Tani did so instinctively as well. Kopa was lying alone, as he had been, but now Kovu seemed discontent, as well. She could have sworn she saw him glaring angrily before hastily looking away. What could he have been so angry about? He wasn't mad at her, too, was he? Good god...am I losing everyone's approval? she thought.

The lioness then began with a response that did not answer Tani's question, but did let the queen just a bit farther into the mind of who she assumed to be her mother.

"I can not remember what I have been called in the past.. That fluffy necked friend of yours - Scruffy, was it? - called me Zira, but I am not at all sure if that is my name, or if she confused me with someone else....I saw the crowd staring at me, so clearly Scruffy is not the only one to think so...? Your mate...also called me with that name earlier when you ah... paid a visit to the termite nests."

Tani winced slightly at the thought of the termite nest scene. Kopa becoming anxious and her cowering back like a child. She was so ashamed of her actions recently. She longed to find herself again.

"Well, in that, case," she replied, "may we call you Zira?" It seemed to Vitani that the lioness was growing more neutral about the situation, rather than seeming so hostile. Perhaps referring to her as Zira wouldn't be such a bad thing in her eyes, anymore.

So many problems rushed through the queen's mind, and she could hardly focus on the important situation at hand.

[cheezeegriff]

"Taka?"

Taka? Why would she call me Taka? His mind raced for answers but when it struck him, it confirmed his worst fears... and greatest hopes.
"Taka. Scar,"
he replied.
Glancing at Kopa and Vitani, he realised they hadn't cottoned on. Oh, what fools they were. The instinctual urge to greet his mother more personally - with a rub to the cheek, or even to salute her - almost made him step forward to do just that. But he held his ground. This was his mother - of that he had no doubt, but the hatred that had held her captive for so long... what if he brought that back to her? After all, he was her special project: a lion designed to hunt other lions. If she remembered him, what else - what other evils - would return as well?
So he said no more, and when Vitani suggested they call her "Zira," he inwardly cursed. It would make no difference to them: Mother had always been "mother" to him, but with everyone saying her name, how long would it be before she remembered everything?

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

"What were you like as a cub Malka, tell me some of your favourite happy memories?"

Malka looked at Sarafina with surprise, judging her intent, but found no malice on her face. A wry smile returned and he said,
"Running away."
He lifted his head and took a deep breath through the nose, as memories drifted back.
"I used to run away a lot, sometimes with friends, sometimes on my own. Mother and Father always beat me for it afterwards of course,"
he chucled,
"But it was worth it. That's how I met your daughter, after all. I ran away and found this land, and wondered why my pride didn't live here rather than those horrible stony slopes. Of course I learned later - the land can only support so many predators before it wastes away. Anyway, that's when I met Simba and Nala. Adventurous cubs... much better than the disciplined friends I had back in the mountains. Wouldn't disobey their parents even if it meant a great adventure. Still, each pride has its ways. I loved them all the same."
He looked her in the eye.
"You know, I came back here during Scar's reign. We could see what had happened to the land here from the slopes to the north, and I snuck away to check on my friends. Simba was gone but Nala was here. I almost stayed for her... you could have almost had me as your son-in-law... but then... Zira found me."
He stopped, glancing towards the lions huddled together around Zira, and looked out across the plains around... and spied another lion. She had been walking back to the others put had paused, and even from this distance Malka could read the rigidness in her posture, the stiffness that prevented her from walking any further.
"Who's that?"
he asked, nodding his head to the lioness.
"She looks upset, don't you think. Shall we go say hello?"
He started walking forwards, slowly.

[Dakota]

Kopa lay there by the waters edge, just resting after all the commotion. Wriggling a little to get more comfortable, his chest and stomach burrowed slightly into the soft soil, and again his head turned to watch Vitani.

She was acting very queenly, even the way she held herself, she seemed more remote these days thought Kopa, Life was becoming boring and predictable, why was it when he was around Scruffy, she made his heart beat faster and when he watched her, she fascinated him as he wasn't sure what she was going to say or do, all in all Scruffy intrigued him.

Sighing to himself, it was no good lying here waiting for Vitani to come over, her attention was now elsewhere, maybe it was time to go and speak with hs parents, about what would happen now it looked like a possibility that Zira had returned.

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

Sarafina let a laugh escape her muzzle, she enjoyed this side of Malka, his guard was down slightly and he was smiling, maybe this was her purpose in life, to rescue this lion from his depth of depair and bring him back into 'living' mode.

" I can imagine you as a rebellious cub Malka, out playing with that curiousity, no caring what others may have thought.."
Looking at him quickly when he mentioned the possibility that he might have become family, she lowered her eyes shielding her thoughts, when almost straight away her head snapped back and she stared at Malka.
"What do you mean, then Zira found you ?...what happened Malka ?, Is this why you are acting this way towards that lioness that has come back with Tani and Scruffy.... Malka ?"

Just when she thought she was about to get an answer, she saw him staring off into the distance and Sarafina's eyes followed where his rested."

"Who's that ? ,"She looks upset, don't you think. Shall we go say hello?"

Catching up with Malka as he walked forward, the lioness recognised who it was.
"Her name is Scruffy, she is friends with Vitani and Kopa....but Malka, one thing you should know.. Scruffy...well, she's just Scruffy. She doesn't bow or scrape to anyone, she answers only to her self really."
Pausing for a moment, Sarafina smiled in memory of their last little scrape together, and again looked back up at the lion, remembering where Scruffy had spent most of her life.

"Malka....wait "
The lioness stopped where she was.
"Something else you need to know...Umm.. Scruffy lived with Zira, Vitani and Kovu but she had a 'special' friendship with their brother Nuka, what I'm trying to say is...tread carefully when you speak with Scruffy, shes betterto have as a friend than an enemy."

[cheezeegriff]

what I'm trying to say is...tread carefully when you speak with Scruffy, shes betterto have as a friend than an enemy."

"Oh? This should be interesting,"
he said, glancing back at her, a wry smile on his lips as he tried to express himself to this new companion of his: how a difficult conversation was a challenge that he relished. How meeting new people with a smile too broad for a stranger could bring out the best - or worst - in a lion. And watching the result. One of the joys of being king: you got to meet a lot of people.
With a lazy bound he leapt over the long grass towards the ex-outcast, looking back over his shoulder at Sarafina, pretending he wasn't looking where he was going, until he was almost on top of her. Then he whipped his head around and painted startlement on his face.
"Oh... hello there. My, it's a wonder I saw you: your fur is nearly the colour of the shimmering grass!"
He said it with a smile, a touch widening to the eyes and just enough of a gasp to make it sound like a compliment more than a mere observation.
"Ahem... sorry. I don't think we've been formerly introduced. I'm Malka."
He inclined his head humbly, without losing his smile.
"And I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Tell me, which pride is lucky enough to call you her daughter?"

[Kirsui]

"Well, in that case, may we call you Zira?"

The old lioness was startled away from staring Kovu. She blinked and turned to stare at Vitani instead. Time passed without a sound from her, and it wasn't really clear if she was going to answer or not.

Then she snapped out of her silence with a slight shake of her head to clear her mind.
"Zira? 'Hate'?" she said slowly.
"That is not a feeling I feel, and I truly can not imagine why you would want to call me such.."
She paused. Hate indeed wasn't a feeling she felt. Anger and rage, those she had felt, and recently as well when Vitani and Kopa had visited the Outlands, and before that when Scruffy and Sarabi-


"Listen carefully when I say this, Sarabi, I will not repeat myself again. -- I can not remember -- I do not know how -- nor do I know who Zira is or was. If you say I am Zira who was the most hated lioness around, why did you come to me?--"
" Well if you are in such a snitt with us, I guess you don't want to meet your daughter again, do you?"
"I do not have a daughter, damn it!"


She realized she had been silent for a long time, staring at nothing with a surprised expression while she had recalled the end of her conversation with Sarabi. If...
"This Zira... Did she have cubs?"
She had to be sure she remembered right what Sarabi had thrown at her, and if it indeed was true. She doubted Sarabi would have lied to her but...

---

"My, it's a wonder I saw you: your fur is nearly the colour of the shimmering grass!"

The sudden voice startled Scruffy from her paralyzed stance, and her blood red eyes flashed as her head snapped around to face the speaker. To her utter surprise she was face to face with Malka - and beside him stood Sarafina.

"-- I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Tell me, which pride is lucky enough to call you her daughter?"

The startled surprise vanished from her face as the calmness took its place. Behind the calmness the instincts of a former Outlander were kicking in, and those were what made her wonder what this... king was up to.
"Not your pride, Malka", she replied with a cold tone.
"I do not enjoy the Pride Rock near as much as some of my... friends do."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but it was amusement that sparkled in them instead of anger.
"No fear though", she continued, a smirk threatening to spread on her muzzle.
"I hated that rotten pile of stone even before you made your appearance and overthrew Kovu."

[Dakota]

Sarafina watched as Malka ran off with a spring in his step, she had to smile as he kept his head turned looking at her as he made his way to Scruffy, her certainly had many different sides to his personality, and this was one she enjoyed.

' better not let him face Scruffy alone, she has a sharp tongue that one, if Malka doesn't treat her properly, he's bound to get a lesson from her'

The older lioness dug in her claws and pushed herself forward, she wanted to be with Malka, she wasn't sure in case itf was to protect him from Scruffy or to have a laugh at Scruffy probably telling him what she thought.. all in all was going to be entertaining.

Coming to a halt beside Malka, she just stood there with her ears open listening to the exchange, yes... Scruffy wasn't letting her opinion of her down, she was forthright as usual.. how refreshing it was really. Slowly sitting down on her rump with a smile on her face, Sarafina waited to hear the Kings repsonse.. it should be...amusing hopefully.

[cheezeegriff]

Malka nearly flinched at the sight of the lioness' blood red eyes. Did they always look like that?? Nevertheless he managed to hold his smile in place until she said,

"No fear though. I hated that rotten pile of stone even before you made your appearance and overthrew Kovu."

"Aha,"
he said, smiling anew and holding up a claw,
"But is it the rocks you hate or the authority they symbolise? The latter I can understand, but hating rocks? Well... it's not a position I'd soon profess, for any who heard it may wonder over my sanity - which is already a matter of debate for many - as hard as that is to believe,"
he said, and though he smiled, mocking his lack of modestly, his expression gave no doubt that the question behind he humour was a serious one, and that he was capable of taking the speaker seriously too.

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

"This Zira... Did she have cubs?"

"Ahem... Vitani, Kopa, highnesses,"
he said quickly, before either had a chance to respond.
"May I please request a word in private?"
He nodded them aside, then waited to see if they agreed.

[Dakota]

Kopa lay there, watching what the others were upto, plain and simple he was bored, he was the king, yet his life lately had left him disolutioned, and he wasn't quite sure why.
Sighing, it wasn't good just lying there wasting away the day, he pushed his body up off the ground and was about to go and see what Malka and Sarafina were doing, when a broad smile moved over his face, his thinking was, maybe he might bump into Scruffy while he was at it.

Taking only a few paces he was stopped with kovu's words.
"Ahem... Vitani, Kopa, highnesses,may I please request a word in private?"

Turning slowly which allowed him time to disguise the growl on his features and mask his thoughts, Kopa made his way to stand beside Vitani.
Giving her a small nudge to get her attention, Kopa leaned into his chosen mate resting his body slightly against hers, so he could feel her skin rubbing against hs own, a small purr of pleasure escaped through his lips.

"How are you feeling, now you have her back here amongst us? , you think you can slip away and spare some time with me, just the two of us ?"

[Kirsui]

"Ahem... Vitani, Kopa, highnesses. May I please request a word in private?"

The old lioness lifted an eyebrow slightly. She had been examining Kopa's movements from her eyecorner, and to his utter surprise he seemed... displeased to be interrupted from going somewhere...? And now, now he was nudging Vitani..

There was something fishy about the whole situation. But she couldn't quite figure out what. And so she pushed herself off the ground.
"I shall give you all your privacy to discuss what ever it is you wish to discuss without my precence", she said rather politely.
"I will not be far, and I am in need of water."

With dragged steps she headed towards the water. She was about to explode out of curiosity... What had she said to cause such a fast request from the dark furred lion who looked so much like the Taka of her dreams? Was it because of the mentioning of cubs this 'Zira' might have had? She wondered this as she lowered herself to the water and gulped up the cool liquid. She was out of earshot, but still she wished someone of them would accidentally speak too loud so that she might hear...

---

"But is it the rocks you hate or the authority they symbolise? The latter I can understand, but hating rocks? Well... it's not a position I'd soon profess, for any who heard it may wonder over my sanity - which is already a matter of debate for many - as hard as that is to believe,"

Scruffy snorted, clearly not impressed with what Malka had let out of his mouth.
"It ain't as hard to beliebe as ya think."
And she chose to see how far Malka would allow her to venture with what she was saying.
"I'd wonder yer sanity too, 'cos no one in their right mind lives in a pile of cold, old, rotten, dusty rocks that have been invaded by flames 'n mangy hyenas, yet alone rule a whole pride living in such a place."

She paused, amusement still sparkling in her blood red eyes.
"They ain't just a symbol of power, Malka. I ain't one of those weak minded lionesses who grew up under peaceful times - no offence 'Fina."
She nodded a slight apology at the older lioness before her gaze returned to Malka.
"Ya see, the conditions I grew up with were... quite different. I was but a young cub when our Exile begun, 'n our dear leader", a sarcastic edge came to her voice briefly before disappearing, "kept tellin' us all sorts of things of these lands, 'n the lions still livin' here."

She paused again, her tail flickering behind her.
"So ya see, some of us Outlanders have quite strong opinions 'bout one spesific pile of rocks. It was the center of our hate towards Pridelanders, 'cos Simba - who b'came Zira's top enemy the night Scar was killed - lived there. Oh, she used to dream of invading the old pile of stone some day, and to make Kov' rule it..."
She chuckled.
"But I think she didn't count the fact that once she got us to hate the pile of rock's 'cos of Simba, that the hate would remain no matter who ruled it. It's in my nature to hate it."

Then her amusement was gone and her eyes hardened into two blood red orbs that belonged to the cold hearted assassin she had become during the Exile.
"Ironic is", she said with a toneless voice, "that Kov' did get the throne.. Until you came."
She took one step closer to Malka. It was funny really, she was much smaller than the male, but she had also learned a hard lesson, or two, when she had shown fear while threatening a stronger opponent.. She still had the scars she had gotten as a punishment, hidden deep under her fur...

"And bad for ya, Malka", she continued, her voice lowered slightly, "is that like the hatred towards Pride Rock is in our nature, the respect towards Kov' as our King is in our nature as well. We've watched him grow, we respected him as the Chosen One to the throne, and we were taught loyalty to the crown, his crown and to his crown alone. Kov' has a special place in each Outlanders' heart and soul..."

One more step closer to Malka and she was so close to him now that she could touch him if she wanted. The fluffy necked actually rather enjoyed this situation.
"And any attack against him is a direct attack against each former Outlander."
She smirked, but her eyes remained as cold as ice.
"Unfortunately, though ya might not notice such, yer ah... disagreement with Kov' of who the throne belongs to has half the Pridelanders swearing revenge against ya."
Her smirk grew into a wide grin, but the eyes still remained the same.
"Happy kingship to ya, Malka... Yer gonna need all the luck ya got, 'cos I ain't sure yer rule is gonna be an easy one."




((OOC: That didn't come out the way it was supposed to at all! Blame Scruffs, she apparently wanted to talk... a lot. XDD))