TLK IV

[Kirsui]

Scruffy tilted her head slightly as Sarabi came to her, then nodded in agreement to the older lioness' question.
"Sure, Sarabi", she replied.
"I was 'bout to go get some breakfast anyways, so..."
She grinned, hiding her curiosity behind it as she turned to walk away from the waterhole with Sarabi. From her eyecorner she noticed Malka and Kovu on the other side of the waterhole.
"Good thin, ya know, that we leave now", she pointed out.
"I don wanna be around that.. Malka guy. Dunno why, but I don like him."

The fluffy necked shook her head slightly as a sigh escaped her muzzle. She gazed around, and when they were out of the hearing range of the other lions around, she glanced at Sarabi from her eyecorner.
"What ya wanna talk 'bout with me, Sarabi?"

[Deleted]

"How about we just talk as we walk, my dear, that way no one can sneak up on us, seeing as I think what I'm going to ask you, isn't for anyone else's ears."

Sarabi slowed down her pace so Scruffy would as well, that way she could also see clearly any expressions crossing her face that were different to words coming out of her mouth, Sarabi had found she was quite good at knowing if others were lying or holding things back.

" well you can rest easy, Kopa didn't give away your little secret, you have a good friend in him Scruffy, I hope you both realise that about each other, even though Vitani is his chosen mate."

Raising her eyebrow a little while quickly glancing from the corner of her eye at the young lioness, Sarabi didn't give her time to reply, but just carried on talking.

" Think back to the other day when Sarafina and myself were out for a walk, and we bumped...well you ran into us I should say. You know.... I can still see that terrified look on your face, like a ghost from your past was hot on your heels, closing the gap. Now... I can think of a few who might do that, but how about you fill me in, and tell me what it was that scared you so. This is just between you and me...oh and Kopa of course."

Sarabi finally bought her head up and around so she was closer to Scruffy " I will believe what you tell me, I know you aren't one for fancy tales"

[Zorayda]

Tojo was still awaiting the young lion's reply when he noticed that an older female was walking away. Her gait was oddly familiar...

The young male lay down by the water, with his head resting on his paws.

Tojo tried again. He edged closer to the other lion, careful not to appear threatening.

"Hello, my name is Tojo. May I ask your name...?"

[Kirsui]

Scruffy kept her gaze focused on the surrounding areas, looking for any sign of possible breakfast. Her thoughts, however, were at what Sarabi had said. The former Queen was wise, and even Scruffy who usually didn't trust others all that easily held respect towards her.

So, letting out a small sigh, the fluffy necked turned her full attention to Sarabi, her deep-red eyes locking with those of the older lioness.
"I'll be honest with ya, M'Lady..."
She took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts before speaking.
"I saw someone we all know is deadm 'cos we saw the death itself. And I ain't meaning Scar here."
She tilted her head, keeping a close eye on Sarabi's expression.
"'Cos I think... I so think I saw Zira. I thought it umpossible, 'cos really we did saw her die. But the older lioness I saw back at the Outlands was just so much like her."

She shook her head, breaking the eye contact with Sarabi as she turned to gaze at the Outlands.
"I don wanna tell 'Tani, 'cos I ain't 100% sure it was Zira I saw... 'Cos I met her again, back at the border river, and if she is Zira she ain't remembering a thing."
She chuckled un-amusedly.
"I made Kopa not to tell 'Tani... I wanna check the old lioness again, and see if I can catch her scent. 'Cos that's the only proof I need..."

[Tamber]

Tani drifted around in the water for a few minutes, relaxing after the tension from the day before. Sometimes water was the most incredible thing to her.

Life in the outlands had brought so much hardship and pain upon her and her pridesisters. Never since she was a tiny cub, still with her spots, had Tani stepped foot in the Pridelands. This is of course excepting the few times she went spying with her mother. Still, living in a wasteland for most of one's life leads them to forget the wonders of the lucious world they left behind. This was the case for Vitani. Taking a morning swim in some cool water may not seem too interesting to most lions, but it was a whole new experience for her. Swimming was not a luxury in the dry, desolate outlands. The only taste of water she ever got was...well...the taste of salty, dirty puddle water that happened to collect here and there. Never had she immersed herself in the cool liquid before she returned to her true home. It was her new favorite hobby, and could relax her in any state of mind.

[Dakota]

Kopa lay there with his head still on his paws gazing at the water, lost in thought. So many things were racing through his mind, and it all kept comng back to Zira.

how could she be alive, she died, everyone said she did...it can't be her...yet Scruffy said this lioness was looked so much like Zira. I just don't know what will happen if it is her....and Vitani..

Looking back to where Vitani was still in the water, a smile appeared on his muzzle making his face soften, showing love and adoration.

Kopa suddenly snapped around, when a new scent on the breeze made him aware that there was an interloper. Sharply turning his head, as a noise reached his ears, he was surprised that he had let a stranger approach so close while he had been day dreaming.

There just a little way along from him ,laying on the waters edge as well, was an older lion, and the sun shone off his blue eyes.

Kopa pushed himself upright, water dripping off his body,and he slowly moved towards the lion, hearing ' Tojo' reach him, and then the words 'your name'.

Stopping, he looked him over slowly, all sorts of questions rising up. where should I begin

[Zorayda]

Tojo saw the younger lion look up and start to walk towards him.

Tojo put his head below the other lion's and squinted.

"Simba? Is that you?"

Tojo was startled by the striking resemblance this lion had to his old friend.

"No... you look different..."

[Deleted]

Sarabi gasped when she heard Scruffy mention Zira's name, the was the last thing she had expected. With her eyes widening, and closing her mouth again Sarabi kept staring.

"Are you sure it was Zira, I mean I know you think it was her" pausing for a second Sarabi let all the possibilities run through her mind.

" I mean what made you so sure it was her, was there any markings...sorry my dear it just sounds so
strange that she might be alive after all this time and I just have to say what's going through my mind. Ooh I know, her ear , what about her ear.... mmm so that had a piece missing as well."

Sarabi stopped walking and stood there quietly, breathing in slowly, just staring at the water. Her mind was in turmoil of all the things that should be said and who to be told and what should be done.

Bringing her head around to look at Scruffy, the lioness just stared at this friend of Kopa's and Vitani's, watching the look on her face, Sarabi knew she was about to make the right decision.

"Well then, there is only one thing for it, isn't there " and not giving Scruffy any time to reply she carried on speaking a little faster.
"We will go and look for her starting at the Border River and then into the Outlands, so what do you think of my plan Scruffy ?"

[Kirsui]

Scruffy sighed quietly as Sarabi asked her questions. She nodded when the older lioness asked if there were any markings, and she nodded when the question about the ear came. But she was completely caught by surprise at Sarabi's suggestion. The fluffy necked stared at the older lioness, not quite believing that she had heard right.

When her mind finally accepted that she indeed had heard right, a wide smile came to her muzzle.
"Are ya sure, Sarabi? 'Cos I so agree with ya there..."
She looked at the older lioness for a moment before continuing.
"Was about to go and check her out anyways... 'Cos.. yeh... As I said, I ain't 100% sure it is Zira. I think she had the stripe, but 'cos her fur was so dirty I ain't sure of it. But she had the damaged ear."

She sighed, gazing at the Outlands. When she spoke again, hr voice had become lower.
"She also was skinny... Skinnier than we were when on exile. And her body was filled with scars I know Zira didn't have last time I saw her. Over all, that lioness ain't in the best condition."
Then she let a faint smile come to her muzzle yet again.
"Do ya wanna go and check her out now? Or later?"

[Deleted]

A smile came to her muzzle seeing the excited expression on Scruffys face.

"Yes indeed I think we should go for a walk, thats all it will be though, and if we come across anything while we are out walking, that will be a bonus". Giving Scruffy a wink, she turned and looked around to see where Vitani and Kopa had got too.

"Good while they are busy, I think maybe our walk should begin "

"So when are are on our little journey ,we should be looking out for a dirty, skinny, scarred lioness, oh... and better not forget the half bitten ear."
Giving a small laugh Sarabi turned back to Scruffy,
"well I'm sure there wont be too many that fit that description, besides I have a feeling that the scent might reach us first."
"Pity not everyone keeps themselves as perfect as us, so I guess we had better go and see where this 'lioness' is hiding, you ready my dear, or would you like to stay behind and rest ?"

Sarabi stood there laughing, while waiting to see what would come from Scruffys mouth as a reply.

[Dakota]

Kopa took his time ,looking this older lion over from top to bottom. As far he he knew he had never seen him before.

"No, I'm not Simba, I'm his son Kopa, what do you want with him ?"

Kopa paused, not going any closer, and then let his eyes flicker past him to where Vitani still lay in the water, daydreaming by the looks. Kopa would have dearly loved to have gone racing over to her and joined in with a surprise jump, but now this intruder seemed to know his father.

Bringing his eyes back level withe the lion, Kopa let out a sigh.

"SO, who are you again, and what are you doing here ?"

[Zorayda]

Tojo smiled at the young lion. Simba's son? Boy, was he getting old...

"My name's Tojo. I used to live here, but left when Scar took over Mufasa's reign..."

Tojo shuddered; remembering those drastic times was something extremely unpleasant.

"I survived on my own from adolescence on... My birds helped," he said, and gave one an affectionate nuzzle.

"I thought that Simba was dead, and that there was no hope left for the Pridelands... but then news reached me eventually that he was alive and that he had become king, as he should have. So... I figured a little visit wouldn't hurt," Tojo finished, flashing a charming grin.

"You look so much like your dad... hm, lemme guess, he and Nala got together, didn't they? I always thought he had a special spot for her..."

Tojo awaited the response from the young lion prince.

[Dakota]

Kopa stood there listening to this supposid friend of his father's talk about the past. His attention was drifting as he kept gancing towards where Vitani was, and he was just starting to get a bit frustrated at being held back.

Bringing his eyes back and fixing them on Tojo, trying to keep the impatience from his voice, Kopa finally spoke.

"If you want to keep walking towards priderock, you will find my father there along with
my mother, ..who yes...is Nala, they have another visitor, looks like today is the day for them, someone called Malka I believe. "

Kopa again longingly looked past Tojo to where his mate was now facing in his direction. Swinging his head back to the one standing before him
"Maybe you might know him as well, appears to be somewhat of an idiot, from what we can tell.....now if you'll excuse me, I have ...business to attend to.."

Grinning Kopa sidestepped Tojo and moved slowly towards Vitani and a grin on his muzzle.

[Kirsui]

Scruffy chuckled.
"Stay behing?" she asked. "Rest? M'Lady, are ya sure yer not talking 'bout yerself?"
She grinned, heading then towards the Outlands.
"Meh, I think she'll be at the former Outlander's Den", the fluffy necked continued.
"'Cos that's where I saw her last time... And I think she's lived here for quite some time already."
She tilted her head as she walked.
"What'll we do if it Zira?" she suddenly asked.
"'Cos... 'Tani and Kovu deserve to know... But if she indeed has lost her memory as it seems, then she propably won't remember that she even had cubs."
She looked at Sarabi.
"Shall we test her memory? 'Cos I think that... It would be wise. Maybe she.. doesn't even remember Scar...?"

[Zorayda]

Tojo allowed the young lion to pass with a huge grin lighting up his face.

"Yes, you take care of that girl, now," Tojo said with a wink, noting where Kopa kept staring.

So, Malka's here too?! It's just one big reunion!

Tojo started to trot towards Pride Rock, then he broke out into a flat run, the creaking of his recently aging bones forgotten and replaced with cublike enthusiasm. His birds twittered happily above him, happy for their master and happy for the chance to exercise their wings.

Tojo ran and ran, the waterhole becoming a speck behind him. He kept the pace until he saw some of the pride lionesses, and then he began to slow when he knew that they saw him.

Now only to speak to someone and see his old friends once more...

[Dakota]

Moving past Tojo, Kopa stopped once to see if the lion was indeed making his way towards Priderock to catch up on old times with his father. Satisfied he was on his way Kopa turned back towards where Vitani was still enjoying herself in the water.

Smiling broadly, it made his face light up and appear much younger than he was, he kept his gaze focused on Vitani and he crept foward wanting to surprise her.

Feeling the water lap at his paws, he clenched his claws on the sandy bottom to give him traction so as he could pull himself noiseless to where his mate still lay floating, obviously relaxed and thinking of other things.

Kopa was right behind her now, pushing himself up from the bottom. In one large jump he tried to pin Vitani down, but with the wake of the water, he unbalanced, slipped and landed face first in front of her.

Coughing from all the water that had been pushed up his nose and was now running down into his throat, Kopa shook his mane, trying to rid himself of some water that was weighing down all his fur. Glancing up upon hearing a noise he saw Vitani

"ummm ...it's me" giving a low chuckle

[Nadira]

Kovu walked back to the pride rock scratching his bones and thinking hard of what Malka could be up to. He shook his mane and wondered what Kiara was up to more importantly. He started to pace back inside, when he heard the calling of birds and looked into the distnace. Another lion, male, with a pack of blue birds raced towards the rock in a hurried rush.

"No no no no no!" Kovu ran to the edge of the Rock, and roared his mighty loudest. The stranger and his birds stopped dead in thier tracks. Kovu turned around and ran off of his home land and raced towards the stranger. "Not another one!" He made no effort to stop, instead, he pounced in and attacked.

Malka turned his head from his walk to witness Kovu and another stranger fighting. He was about to help his new King, when he found blue birds surrounding them. "T-" The name couldn't come to him, but he knew him well. "Stop!" he tried yelling, but the two engaged in a vicious battle. Malka turned tail on his old bones surprised that someone of T's age could last that long in battle. He ran up the rock to warn Simba about the duel.

[Zorayda]

Tojo was caught completely by surprise by this strange young lion's attack. The lion looked nothing like a Pridelander, and he was living in Pride Rock?

Tojo screamed at his birds to retreat while he tried to block every swipe the dark lion made at his face.

"Would--you--OW--stop--for--a moment--LISTEN--"

Then Tojo saw his friend in the background, he stopped momentarily in shock.

"Malka...?"

His hesitation cost him, however.

One moment a dark paw was clubbing his head, the next moment, he was out like a light.

[Tamber]

Vitani flailed her limbs in surprise as something splashed into the water behind her. She shook the water off her face and out of her eyes, then whipped around to see Kopa stuggling to get back his senses.

Vitani let out a squeaky, scruffy laugh, a laugh trademark to her. "Jeez, Kope, you swim like a girl!" she teased. "You couldn't survive five seconds in a puddle." She flicked her paw on the top of the water and splashed her mate in the face.
_______________
Nala jerked her head from Simba as she thought she heard sothing from nearby. Suddenly she saw it, a fight between what looked like Kovu and some new male. She saw Malka stand nearby and try to slow it down, but fail to make a difference. Knowing something had to be done, Nala looked around her at the lionesses that lay around her. She let out a quick roar to wake them up and get their attention. Once they all looked toward her, she looked ahead at the fight that had borken out. Getting the messag, they all assembled behind her.

Nala turned to Simba and jerked her head in the direction she was headed. With that she dashed off toward the two in conflict, the pride of lionesses following her loyally. She was about to attack the newcomer herself, until she saw him fall to the ground after recieving a hard blow from Kovu. Kovu stood up and loked at his victim, and Nala rushed to him.

"What on earth is happening?" she asked the dark lion. "What's the matter? What did he do?"

[Sarafina]

Simba saw Nala and bolted after her. When they got to the victim, he sighed and shook his head. He walked around the newcomer and smiled softly. "Its Tojo. I remember him...you should to Nala." he said softly. He looked at Kovu and sighed. "Yes Kovu, what happened?" he asked softly.

Tojo was always a quiet lion cub. He used to talk a lot to him and Malka and sometimes Nala. He sighed and looked at the lions head, making sure no serious injuries. Birds were after him to. He sighed and looked at Nala and shrugged.

[Zorayda]

When Tojo came to some moments later, he saw several new lions looming over him.

His first instinct was to jerk his head up and check on his birds, but a sharp pain caused him to lay back down gingerly.

He blinked his eyes into focus and looked around without moving his head too much.

He recognized some of the older lionesses, and he saw Nala--but she wasn't the one that caused him to smile.

"Simba, is that you? You got old..."

[Dakota]

Kopa was just shaking the water off his face when more water covered him blurring his vision for a moment. Blinking rapidly he bought his head up and looked Vitani in the eye.

"So you want to play do you, well I can help you there."

Pushing himself forward, he lept so that he landed akwardly on her back, and pulled his mate back into the water with him. OPening his eyes while under the cool water he saw that Vitani was watching him as well. A giggle escaped from his muzzle leaving a trail of little bubbles rising back upto the top> Breaking away from her Kopa surfaced gasping for air. Feeling his feet back on the ground, he quickly looked around while waiting for Vitani.

Standing there, his smile turned into a small frown as he saw Sarabi and Scruffy head off together walking lazily away from himself and his mate.

[Sarafina]

Simba laughed and shook his head. He sat down beside his friend and smiled. "Oh Tojo...you havent changed bit. Yes its me. " he said softly. He laughed shortly again and looked at Nala. He raised an eyebrow like 'wow. Two friends in almost three days...thats weird' He looked back down at Tojo.

"Tojo...are you okay? Where does it hurt?" he asked to his friend. He had forotten how close him and Tojo were. He smiled at him. He really hoped that he was okay.

[Nadira]

Huffing and puffing, Kovu looked at his father in law. "You KNOW him? What in Mufasa's name IS this? A family reunion I wasn't aware of?" He looked down at the newcomer. A flock of blue birds started hovering over him. Kovu's ear flicked in annoyance at the tweet tweet tweeting of the birds.

Malka nudged Tojo up and tried to help him walk again. At the same time, when no one else couldv'e noticed execpt Kovu, Malka stared into the eyes of his new King with disapproval.

Kovu growled lowly and looked around for his own mate. He needed her more than ever now.

[Deleted]

Sarabi walking along with Scruffy was listening intently to what she had to say. It still seemed very strange that a lioness like Zira had somehow lost her memory, yet from the description, it couldn't be any one except her.

" well Scruffy, I think we have to proceed with caution, for all we could know it's some well thought out plan by Zira, we know shes capable of anything, but how you desribed her, maybe something bad did happen to her. You know young lady .... no one actually saw Zira die, as no one found a body, so...... anything is possible, so we move forward with an open mind and tread with caution "

Looking over at her new travelling companion, Sarabi gave her a wide grin and then slowly looked over her shoulder to where she last saw Vitani and Kopa, making sure they weren't following.

[Zorayda]

Tojo rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, my head hurts a bit... other than that, just little scratches, no real harm done."

He stood up and shook his mane gingerly before looking over at the young lion--Kovu, apparently.

"Oh, sorry, my birds... they're a bit overprotective," he chuckled, then clicked his tongue to call him back.

"So, Malka," he said, looking over at another old friend. "You're here too? What a coincidence... how long have you been here? How long has Simba been king?"

He looked around at all of them for the answer.

[Kirsui]

Scruffy merely smirked at Sarabi's words.
"I'm sure we'll find out if she's plotting or not", she said.
"'Cos if she is, she ain't gonna succeed. I dunno if anyone would really trust her either, we'll see."

The two walked for some time and it didn't take them all too long to reach the border river to the outlands. Scruffy stpped by the riverbank, checking that the hungry crocodiles sometimes seen at the river weren't there. When she was certain the water was clear of danger she looked around.
"There's a fallen tree going over the river here sumwhere", she muttered to herself.

Scruffy gazed around, taking in the land marks she had learned to recognize during the exile.
"Ah.. This way, M'Lady."
Scruffy smiled at Sarabi, then begun leading the older lioness to their left. And true indeed, there was the tree that had fallen over the river. Scruffy carefully placed a paw on the tree and shook it slightly, only to find out the tree didn' move at all. Satisfied, the fluffy necked climbed on the tree and begun crossing the river, carefully making sure she wouldn't loose her balance and fall into the muddy waters.

When she reached the other side she turned around to see how Sarabi was doing with crossing the river.

[Nadira]

Malka watched as Kovu walked away, storming about something. He looked back at Tojo and smiled. "Still have them ol' birds doncha?" He laughed. "I would've thought they passed years ago! Anyway, I've been here since yesterday and Simba...according to what i heard, was King, a long time ago, then his son is the king of thier prideland..." He lerched his head over to Kopa's pride. and his son in law, Kovu, is king of this prideland." He lerched his head over to Priderock. "None theless, it's good to have you here. Kovu's just got some termites in his fur. Don't mind him." He walked together with his friend. Malka looked up at Simba.

"The gang's almost all here!" Malka sang.

[Deleted]

Sarabi stood there watching Scruffy do her balancing act whle she crossed over on the fallen tree, reaching the other side of the river. Moving closer to her side of the bank, the older lioness kept looking down into the muddy waters.

I wish Scruffy hadn't mentioned anything about crocodiles, I hate the beasts, had too many close calls with them already

Moving back from the edge Sarabi gave a sigh and moved forward, till the old fallen tree was a paw away. Licking her lips, she hesitated, and then slowly raised her paw and placed it down feeling solidness under her. Bringing up the other paw she moved, giving a little shuffle,

I really really hate crocodiles and heights like this, oh lordy, you can guarantee I will fall

Inch by inch Sarabi moved, not taking her eyes off the wood in front of her paws, she was nearly half way when from the corner of her eye she could see something large and brown floating towards her. Freezing where she stood, she closed her eyes briefly and gulped.

"Scruffy....ummm..I think I need some help my dear ...please "

[Zorayda]

Tojo nodded his head.

"I understand--Kovu's probably stressed out over all the males here; I would be too."

Tojo looked up at his birds.

"About my birds... these are the sons and daughters of the ones that used to follow me as a cub. Their parents' clinginess is passed down, I guess," Tojo chuckled. "Normally, birds would leave their parents, but I guess they feel safe with big ol' me by their side."

Tojo rubbed at the lump on his head absently.

"So, Simba," he said, turning to his friend, "Is this your only cub? He's a handsome devil--dunno where he got it, seeing he's your son," Tojo joked.