TLK IV

[cheezeegriff]

Malka had hoped the presence of the cubs would dissuade Nala from any further acts of violence, but now, seeing her anger, he wasn’t so sure. Putting Usiku down for her own safety, he stood on the platform and gazed down at the old queen, at the claw marks on her face. The claw marks he had inflicted.
“Oh Nala...”
I don’t want you to be angry with me. I don’t want to be your enemy. Not words befitting a strong, fearless king.
“We have work to do.”
He smiled at her, aware that it probably looked as transparent as it felt, and allowed the act of carefree happiness he had adopted for so long to take over:
“You know, the elephants were still trumpeting Kovu’s name when I had become king. Almost as if they were rejecting me! I won’t tolerate any disloyalty. What should we do about that, hmm? Hmmm...”
He drummed his fingers on his chin, then gazed at the cubs and grinned widely.
“How would you children like to eat elephant?”
he said. The cubs’ eyes widened and they looked to one another in surprise.
“What, you’ve never eaten elephant? They’re delicious!”
He licked his lips.
“Hard to kill though, Nala. Better make sure your huntress’ wits are as sharp as their claws. I don’t want the pride eating anything else BUT elephant until they come back here and pay me the respect due to a new king. Is that clear, Nala? Nothing else but. Let that be a lesson to those that have “rebellion” on their mind.”
He winked at the cubs, then rolled over and gazed at Nala upside down.
“Oh and that other king, what’s-his-name? Kopa? I saw him on the plains today, returning from... somewhere. I’d better meet him when it’s convenient for him. Can you send him an invitation? Hopefully it will go better than last time. Heh... if your huntresses are quick I can offer him some elephant.”
He sat up again, then took a step towards her.
“Finally, stick some scouts near the mountain pass to my homeland. Let me know if any of my old friends are wandering down from the mountains. THAT order more important than you realise: do so for the safety of the pride. Not just for me.”
He leaned back, still smiling, looking down at the cubs and smiling at them too – smiling at everyone.
Then suddenly it felt as fake as it looked. He couldn’t bring himself to do this any longer... not with Nala, of all people.
“Oh Nala don’t be so angry... look, you’re scaring the cubs.”
He sighed. There was no beauty in such a horribly twisted face. He walked closer to her, not quite cheek-to-cheek, and whispered in her ear, so the cubs would not hear,
“Swallow that royal pride. It won’t help you anymore. I am king. I’ll enforce my rule bloodshed if need be.”
He stepped back, pulling a cub closer gently, though it gazed to Nala with worried eyes.
“But nobody needs to suffer through this. You’ll notice I have no intention of performing the herodian slaughter. I spared the life of my competitor. Don’t give me reasons to hurt anyone and I won’t hurt anyone.”
He paused, watching her expression for a crack of the old girl he once knew.
“You’re safe with me. I care about you. I care about this pride. I’m not here to run you down for my own pleasure. Work with me and we can both live long happy lives. Isn’t that what really matters?
“Finally – and I can tell you’re not going to like this but seeing as I’m the king, you know I know what’s best – I want you, Nala, to be my right hand lioness, to speak for me in my absence, to make sure my orders are carried out. Such as the ones I just gave you. It seems we’ll be working very closely together.”
He grinned, broadly.
“You can tell me anything, you know. Anything that will make this transition easier for you and Simba. Let me know. I’m not here to make enemies. I’m here to rule. They’re not mutually exclusive unless you want them to be.
“Anyway, if you’ve nothing more to add then you may go and carry out my orders. Be happy, Nala. These children look up to you. And speak to my people. Relay their concerns. Help me to be a good king.”
He looked at her and held his breath, hoping she would say something – anything – that would indicate she wouldn’t be angry forever.

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

Kovu leaned on Kiara, hobbling along despite the pain, away from the others, from his shame. He leaned on his wife a little heavier than he needed to, and once they were alone he licked her ear.
“You’ll always be my queen.”
Upendi. They still had each other. What else mattered? If he behaved himself, perhaps Malka wouldn’t kick him out of the pridelands. Then at least he could stay and watch how his lands were being run.
And if Malka proved himself as evil as Scar, Kovu would be there to take back the throne.
As the herds parted and walked back to their pastures, as the rain gradually ceased, he saw Kopa walking towards Pride Rock with Sarabi and Scruffy.
Kovu turned his head away in shame, and allowed Kiara to lead him to the waterhole.

[Sarafina]

Simba cared that his Pridelands had been passed over to someone not part of the family, but he was also glad that Kovu had not been harmed. He sighed and listened to Malka call his mate up. He kept a close eye on her as she ontinued to walk. He could tell that she wasn happy with herself.

He sighed and sat down. He couldnt do anything about this, it sucked. Right now, all he wanted was his mate. He wanted to snuggled with her andtell her everything would be alright. He watched KOvu and Kiara take off towards the watering hole. He sighed and shook his head. THis is not what he planned on happening.

He looked back up at Priderock and waited.He wanted Nala now, he needed Nala now. He shook his head and hung it. He wanted his old friend Malka back.. Not this guy..

. . . . .

Sarafina couldnt believe what had happened. She was still in the den so no one could see her. She could hear every word that Malka was saying..she couldnt believe this. She lt a sob out. She stood up and waited to take off. She walked to the entrance of the den and walked out. Her head turned towards Nala and Malka. She stared at Nala with an upset look. She shook her head and turned towards the Savannah.

She looked back over at Nala... but couldnt d it. She couldnt leave her daughter. She couldnt. Tears started streaming down her cheeks. She turned her body and started sown the rock. She needed to find a place to go. She sniffled and went to a tree some what ways away from Pride rock. She layed down and cried.

Did she like Malka? Didnt she like Malka? She couldnt tell now..she couldnt like someone who just almost Killed her granddaughters Mate. She shook her head.

"Oh what should I do.....I..Sarafina...You lost it this time..."

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara nuzzled him as best she could and smiled at Kovu. "And you'll always be my queen, darling." she said softly as they reached the wateringhole. She gently laid him down on the soft dirt near the waterhole. She first began licking his wounds to clean him up best as she could to get rid of the bloody mats and dirt in his fur. She sighed when she realized she wasn't doing much good.
"It seems," she said matter of factly, "We're going to have to take a dip my dear."
Kovu nodded and leaned on her once again.
She led him into the watering hole where it was still shallow. She kept him leaning on her as she began tending to his numerous wounds. She unsheathed her claws slightly and tried to comb out some of the less bloody mats. They were starting to come undone. She continued, still mindful of his gashes and bites.
She looked at his face, covered in scratches and slashes. You could hardly tell that he used to have one scar. He now would have more scars than they both together could count. He would still be handsome, she knew, but the scars gave him a more rugged look. She thought of that some more, and began having a giggle fit.

[Kirsui]

Scruffy was still hissing, her anger doubled after Malka informed himself as the King of Pride Lands. Her dark reddish-brown eyes had lost the little warmth they had gained during the time after the Exile. It looked like the former Outlander buried deep inside her resurfaced, and the impression of this was increased when she unconsciously extented her claws and buried them deep into the mud. Her tail flicked behind her as a low growl emitted from her throat.

Malka could announce himself as the King of Pride Lands all he wanted... But he would never be her King.

A thud from behind broke her battle ready stance, which was propably good because the fluffy necked had been ready to pounce into rushed actions against the new king. Her head spun around and she saw Vitani, lying at the muddy ground and looking utterly broken. Scruffy's ears flattened momentarily before she glanced up at where Kovu and Kiara had been a moment ago, seeing them head towards the waterhole. She turned back at Vitani then sighed, walking up to her Queen and placing a paw on her shoulder.
"Kov's still alive, 'Tani", she said.
She nudged Vitani's forehead with her nose, before trying to catch Vitani's gaze. She had a faint smirk on her muzzle, to tell she was trying to lighten up the mood with what she would be saying next. The smirk never reached her eyes though, as they had become as hard and cold as they were during their Exile.
"So get yer butt up and com' with me to the waterhole, 'cos if ya don get up I'm gonna drag ya there by yer tail, and yer not gonna like that..."

She narrowed her eyes as she glanced back at the Pride Rock.
'This ain't over yet, Malka...' she thought.
The fluffy necked understood the reason behind this battle, Kovu had defended his crown against a stranger and the stranger had won. She admitted she didn't know exactly what had lead into the battle in the first place, but all she cared about was that Kovu still had a special place in her mind, she had been trained to think that way all her life after all. What Malka had done hadn't only been a fight against Kovu but also a direct attack against what Scruffy, and pretty much all other Outlanders, had been taught to believe in.

With a furious growl Scruffy turned her back at the Pride Rock and left to go back home, to the waterhole. She was not happy with the situation. She did not roar her greeting to the new King. And she certainly would not rest before Malka had paid for the attack against what she believed in.

She smirked wickedly as she walked. Malka would not have a good start as the "high and mighty" King, she would totally make sure of that. Her loyalty lied with Kopa and Vitani, and with Kovu. She had been an Outlander, and some things just never change.

[Tamber]

"Kov's still alive, Tani."

Scruffy's words echoed through Tani's ears like church bells. She raised her head incredulously and looked at Scruffy with tears on her cheeks, as if it was hard to believe. She looked forward, squinting her eyes to see through the tears, to see her brother and...Kiara...walking slowly toward a watering hole. They soon rested beside it, and though Tani could see that her brother was badly injured, she smiled greatly, looking up to Scruffy with an ecstatic grin. She nodded her head and ran with her friend toward her brother and his mate.

Feeling tears come to her again, she ran up and gently nuzzled his mane, trying not to make any of his wounds sting from her touch. "Oh jeez, Kovu. Don't ever scare me like that again, you hear me?"

________________________

Nala tried her best to stay calm as her new "king" spoke to her in that cocky, playful voice. Jeez that was so annoying! Speaking to her as if she were inferior and stupid, that tone of voice just so condecending and patronizing. She loathed it, and above all, he was giving her orders with that sarcastic voice. Therefore, she instinctively had to growl a few times.

“You know, the elephants were still trumpeting Kovu’s name when I had become king. Almost as if they were rejecting me! I won’t tolerate any disloyalty. What should we do about that, hmm? Hmmm...”

It was only one of the first sentences that came out of his mouth in this conversation, and she was already rumbling a low growl in the back of her throat, not taking her angry eyes off of him, but not speaking a word.

“How would you children like to eat elephant? What, you’ve never eaten elephant? They’re delicious! Hard to kill though, Nala. Better make sure your huntress’ wits are as sharp as their claws. I don’t want the pride eating anything else BUT elephant until they come back here and pay me the respect due to a new king. Is that clear, Nala? Nothing else but. Let that be a lesson to those that have 'rebellion' on their mind.”

Nala knew plenty, if not all the lionesses had rebellion on their mind, but this was no incentive to stop them. She was so tempted to argue with him. What if they couldn't catch elephant? What if the elephants had roamed from the area due to the shift of throne, and they couldn't track them? What would Malka do, just let them starve? Punish them for not catching exactly what he wanted? What he wanted? But Nala swallowed her anger and her defense, and she let the "king" speak.

“Oh and that other king, what’s-his-name? Kopa? I saw him on the plains today, returning from... somewhere. I’d better meet him when it’s convenient for him. Can you send him an invitation?

Nala's eye narrowed at him, her head dropping. This was slightly less to ask, but she was questioning whether she should serve as his little messenger girl. Still, she kept her maw shut. She listened to his final request as well, not disagreeing nearly as much. She had to give him credit, at least in her own mind, that it would be for their safety if she sent the scouts he asked for. But she did not speak, did not acknowledge his words, but just listened and took it all in.

“Oh Nala don’t be so angry... look, you’re scaring the cubs.”

She finally gave some sign of disagreement and rolled her eyes with a sigh at this statement. She wished he'd leave the cubs out of this. He was scaring them himself, and using them as tools to get her to obey him. He pulled one of them close to him, letting it cower and look at her with pleading eyes. How awful...that he was to put these cubs through such individual fear and uncertainty just so he could guilt her. She snarled and moved away from him after letting him whisper to her, then sat a few feet away, still glaring. She let him go through the rest of his pleas, trying to convince her, but doing so fruitlessly.

"Be happy, Nala. These children look up to you. And speak to my people. Relay their concerns. Help me to be a good king.”

He finished with this statment, and Nala knew that it was her time to let her mind speak.

The lioness picked up the cub gently with her paw and spoke softly and comfortingly to her. "Enzi, go inside the cave with your friends. I want you all to go farther back where you are safe." The cub was still very frightened, but she purred as she rubbed against her cheek and showed her the only smile she had held in many hours. "Don't you worry. Everything will be just fine, I promise. Run along, now," she said with a tap of her bum.

As the cub reached the others and brought them back into the cave's depths, Nala sat tall and looked Malka in the eye, this time with an untelling and unfeeling expression. "I'd be happy to relay the concerns of the pride to you, Malka," she said calmly. "Our concern is that we have been taken control of by a lion we do not know, a lion that has remained fairly quiet in his opinions and motives until recently. He has nearly killed our king, leaving him in critical condition, and left us mourning along with the entirety of the land we love so dearly.

"I know you can be a good king, Malka, but not out of greed. You can indeed be a better king by listening to your pride members' concerns, so I suggest you do it. They are afraid, Malka. They are frightened of you, and all they know of you is that you have been mingling with us, testing our females, injuring our king, and claiming yourself king of an invaded land. They don't like you Malka, and I know that my pride will not bow to your words because they are your's, because you have roared atop this rock. They, and I, very well know from good experience with Scar and even our other leaders that a king's position does not make him infalible.

"I guarantee that hunting only elephants will not prove your point. The lionesses will not bring themselves to starvation if we are not successful in catching one. They will not wait until they are successful just because of your orders. We will fight to survive, and you, as king, should understand that above all things. It is not your responsibility to order us; it is your responsibility to help us survive, and you should not patronize us by manipulating our every move. We know how to survive, and we don't need you to help us do it, so we will not give you such courtesy under silly orders.

"I will send lionesses to the borders to watch for your past pride members, and I will ask Kopa to speak with you. However my pride will hunt to their instincts' content, in the interest of successfully feeding ourselves and our children. I do ask of you, Malka, to keep in mind what you have taken for yourself. Remember that you are here to help us, not to train us, because you are now leading a pride of many dozen lions and lionesses...rebellion is always an option, and you will only provoke it with shedded blood."

She paused and took a deep, heavy sigh to prepare for what she was about to say. She hoped that she wouldn't end up regretting her decision, but she knew it was for the best.

"And I agree to be queen in this time. But I do not do this for you. I do it for my pridesisters and brothers. It will comfort them, for I will be watching out for them, and i will be watching you, as well. But let me make it very clear that this does not make me your lioness. That is my decision to make."

As she finished speaking, she saw her mother mope out of the cave, give her a forlorn look, and runn sadly toward a tree. Nala became very worried, but she held herself back from running after her until the conversation was settled. She watched Malka, waiting for a response.

[cheezeegriff]

“They are afraid of me? Good: they should be afraid.”
Malka stepped forward again, looking her in the eye, not with anger but only an expression of bafflement.
“What do you mean, ‘mourning’ along with this land? I’ve killed nobody. What are you mourning? Have you lived under one family’s rule so long that you think they are the rightful rulers of this land? Nala, I won the fight: I am king!”
He slapped himself in the chest, then walked about the platform, staring at the cubs which were now cowering against the back of the cave. Stars above. First she comes in here and growls at them then gives them just enough information to be terrified. He turned back to Nala.
“What’s wrong with you people? I take over any other pride and the lionesses would be cowering in fear before me, even after I kill their cubs. Is it that you know me so well you know I wouldn’t touch them? So you think you can walk all over me, even if my restraint makes me a better king. Not one person’s come here to clean my wounds. Nobody’s grovelled at my feet.”
He laughed at how ridiculous it sounded, despite the fact that it was true.
“What is WRONG with this pride??”
Malka sighed. Or was it something wrong with him? After all, he hadn’t known a new king that was ‘nice’ before. Maybe they didn’t exist. Maybe lionesses only followed murderers. Cub killers.
Did he have to become his enemy?
“Bah...”
He had to give them more time, more time to follow him THIS way.
“Nala... I shouldn’t have to explain every decision I make to you so consider this a one-off: I want you to kill elephants. I want your huntresses to put EVERY effort into showing those beasts some humility, starting today. Why? Because in the rest of the world, elephants KILL lions and their cubs at every opportunity they get. How quickly will they start doing that here? If I let them disrespect me, the king of lions, they'll think they can pick on any lion - or even cub - that they see wandering around out there. I want all of us to be safe in our own lands. Therefore, I want the elephants back here and bowing to me or I want them gone from this land completely. I don’t care which. I want them hunted for the pride's safety, not for the pride’s detriment. Heck, if you still haven’t caught one in a few days I’ll kill another zebra. You won't starve with me around.”
He paused for a moment. There: have I shown you I know it’s not all about me?
“As for you being my queen: Don’t be absurd. What did I say? Swallow that pride of yours. You lost any right to be a queen when you let your anger take over, and marked my face forever. You’re nothing more than my little hornbill and the only time you have authority is when you represent me. Forget that, and I will add scars to your face to match mine. That’s only fair, after all.”
He turned around then sat down again, facing her, looking at that pretty face, already marked by his claws. That pretty face...
Tears sprang into his eyes.
He couldn’t harm her again, could barely believe she had harmed him. My pretty Nala... what has Simba done to you? Malka bowed his head, hiding his face behind his fringe, and shook his head to clear it. Despite his efforts to sound angry he could still hear his grief in his voice when he said,
“And I will kill Kovu. Don’t push me, Nala. Have your hunters kill some elephants, and remember, it’s not failure that angers me but disobedience.
“Now get out. I’ve had enough of this. Find me someone to clean my wounds. Your mother seemed rather eager.”
He glared at her, but when tears threatened again he leapt at her and roared with all his might, to give the impression of tears of anger,
“Get out, now!”

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

The cool water stung Kovu’s wounds, but he let Kiara clean him up, thankful for her kind words. When she started to giggle he screwed up his face.
“What’s so funny?”

Before he could reply, Vitani ran up and nuzzled his mane.
“Tani!”
He said to her, looking at her with surprise.
“Where have you been?”
Did she know he had lost the kingdom? Did it matter? He might never have seen her again... despite his pain he laughed and wrapped his arms about her, dragging her under the water and holding her close.
“I might have never seen you again,”
he told her once they surfaced, then let her go and paddled over to Kiara, putting his cheek against hers. He had lost so much, but he still had so much. Looking about at the people he loved he said,
“I bet Malka’s not this lucky,”
and, despite himself, felt a twinge of sympathy for their new king.

[Deleted]

Sarabi stood there taking in all that she could see. what a waste, a stupid waste, why did Kopa have to challenge him, why couldn't he keep his mouth shut, look what he has done .

Looking up towards the heavens, a tear dripped from the corner of her eye "Mufasa, my dear, oh how I need you ".

Standing there, she watched those at the waterhole. Turning away, not sure where to go, she caught a glimpse of Sarafina lying under a tree.

well, looks like she's my best chance to see if I still have a home is with my friend

Slowly moving over towards Sarafina, with a heavy heart. The lioness looked up towards priderock, held her head high, and smirked then looked away as of no consequence, and came to stand beside her friend, who was sobbing uncontrollably.

[Kirsui]

“I bet Malka’s not this lucky,”

"He's gonna be un-luckier when I'm gonna get my claws on him..."
Scruffy sat down at the cool grass, not caring how wet it still was. She was completely soaked anyway, so why bother caring. A scowl was on her face as she eyed Kovu critically. When she came to the conclusion he wasn't about to die any time soon she sighed.
"And 'ere I was, thinkin' I didn' need to watch over ya anymore like when ya and 'Tani were cubs."
Despite the icy surface her eyes had taken there was a sparkle of amusement in them when she said that.
"Ya just ain't gonna keep out of trouble, ar' ya?"

The fluffy necked lifted her paw and shook her head. She didn't want to hear an explanation to what had lead into the challenge in the first place. It didn't matter, not now and not to her. Momentarily she let her gaze rest on Kiara. She had never been fond of the princess all that much, but Kovu loved her and that was enough reason for her to bury her feelings to the back of her mind in situations such as this. She felt sorry for those with royal blood of what had happened, and she would stand Kiara's precence if it meant Kovu would be happy.

She sighed again, glancing at Kopa.
"We've got a problem, Kov', Kiara... I'd assume 'Tani can explain what we've discovered back at the Outlands."
She looked at Vitani. This was a bad time for this type of news... But Kovu had to know, and she herself couldn't explain it right now.
"Meanwhile, I need a word with yer mate, 'Tani."
She rose to her feet, glaring at Kopa, daring him to object her request to speak with him before she walked off. She'd stay close to the waterhole, but wanted to go far enough in order to say what she wanted without others than Kopa hearing her.

[Deleted]

Standing there for a moment watching her old friend, Sarabi felt sorry for her, whatever was causing her upset. Coughing to let her know that she wasn't alone any more, Sarabi turned her attention briefly to those at the waterhole, shook her her head and looked back to Sarafina.

"Well my friend, how about we swap stories about whats happened today.. and I'll go first I think."

Lowering herself down to the ground and stretching out beside the other lioness, Sarabi sighed and closed her eyes briefly. Opening them she found Sarafina watching her closely.

" Well... umm... we found Zira, alive and living back in the outlands"
with nothing comng from her friend except for a gasp, Sarabi carried on.
"Scruffy thought she saw her but wasn't sure, so we went to have a look, and Kopa and Vitani it seems followed us. Zira lived Sarafina, after we all thought she had died when she went over that cliff, but...she's lost her memory, still as grumpy as ever, but we are all positive it's her."

"So...... what do you have to say about that ?"

[Dakota]

Kopa stood there shaking his mane, not caring where the droplets fell, all he knew was that while they had been away in the hellhole of the Outlands, chasing after someone who would have been better off dead, catastrophe had taken place back in the Pridelands.

Turning away from Kovu, in case something should slip from his muzzle, something that he wanted to say but knew now was no time for it, he let the growl lower in his throat and his talons stopped clawing at the ground where he stood.

His eyes narrowed when he heard the tone in Scuffys voice, if she wants a fight, the mood I'm in she can damn well have one, for all to see, for all I care

Following Scruffy around the side of the waterhole, Kopa planted his paws firmly on the ground
"This is far enough Scruffy, not to be overheard, and by the look on your face, it seems you are mighty narked about something. But just you know this... If you and Sarabi hadn't of been so obvious about sneaking off, Vitani wouldn't have knowen anything was up."

Looking at Scruffy he could see her anger start to boil, it amused him a little when she got worked up about things, made her eyes gleam and shoot these little sparks.Trying to not to smirk at her he carried on before her muzzle opened to retaliate.

"And another thing Scruffy, what would you have done if it had of been an ambush.. you and my grandmother, what a sight that would have been.. so you were lucky that Tani and I were there, not that anything happened but still. AND you should know by now that when Tani wants something she doesn't stop till she gets it...sometimes you damn females are just a thorn in our sides, but we put up with you... AND another thing while I'm on a roll.. What would you have done if you were my mate, if I had chosen you instead of Vitani and you sensed others were hiding things from you, would you have just laid down and forgotten it....NNoooo, you wouldn't"

Kopa moved in close till his nose was barely touching Scruffys and stared into her eyes, holding her gaze,he lowered his voice " So scruffy, what would you do if you were my loving mate. mmm? "

[Kirsui]

"This is far enough Scruffy --"

The former Outlander stopped, turning around to glare at Kopa with narrowed eyes. She waited patiently as he spoke, her dark eyes flashing dangerously after each word passing. She held her mouth shut, her tail flickering behind her in annoyance.

"-- AND another thing while I'm on a roll.. What would you have done if you were my mate, if I had chosen you instead of Vitani and you sensed others were hiding things from you, would you have just laid down and forgotten it....NNoooo, you wouldn't"

Her eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again, a low growl escaping her. She held her ground when Kopa leaned closer, but her growl didn't die down.
"It ain't 'bout what I would've done. Me an' 'Tani ain't the same being."
She eyed Kopa momentarily before continuing.
"It's 'bout what ya've done. Ya gave me yer word, Kopa. Ya promised not to tell 'Tani."
She snorted, digging her claws to the ground, fighting to keep herself under control. One badly wounded king was enough for one day, they certainly didn't need Kopa to be harmed as well.
"Maybe 'Tani figured something was goin' on, but that ain't the explanation to why the hell ya two were following us! Ya told her, didn' ya? 'Cos ya just can't to keep yer mouth shut when 'Tani asks ya something!"

The fluffy necked jerked her head away from Kopa and took a few steps backwards, her head held lower than how she normally held it. It seemed that after Malka had taken the throne on Pride Rock, Scruffy had step by step fallen deeper into being that Outlander she thought she had left behind.
"Don ya dare to throw that 'loving mate' to my face, Kopa", she growled.
"Ya don mean it. Ya would've never chosen me, no one on their right mind would. I ain't fit to be a queen. I don have room for love in my heart. I'm a fighter, an assassin, trained to do what I'm told without a second thought."

Scruffy swallowed, suddenly feeling a rush of mixed emotions run through her. The fought to keep her gaze locked with Kopa's, fought not to turn her head away. She hadn't cried since she had been a cub, Zira had made sure to pull that out of her.

She wanted to cry now. But she would rather kill herself than let her tears fall.

"Kov' an' 'Tani ar' lucky to have found someone to turn them away from the path we were forced to take when Simba exiled us", she said quietly.
"To me, it's too late. I can pretend to belong here, but to completely leave the Outlander I once was behind... Impossible. The part of me that could've turned me back from this path died before the final battle, it died with Nuka."
She laughed bitterly, finally turning her gaze away from Kopa, locking her eyes with Pride Rock instead.
"Ironic... Zira blamed Kov' of Nuka's death, did ya know? She made us believe Kov' betrayed us. And yet here I am, angered by what Malka has done to Kov'."
She spat out the new king's name with disgust. She didn't even realize she had changed subject from accusing Kopa of betraying her trust to this...
"Hurt one of us, ya hurt us all..." she muttered, more to herself than Kopa.

Her life sucked, she decided. It had never been all that good, but right now it was even worse.

[Dakota]

Kopa still stood his ground while Scruffy let out her hurt, he hadn't finished with her yet, he didn't know why he was bringing up talking about mates, maybe he just wanted to see if any emotion passed over her face.
Nodding at the lioness,

"Yes.. I gave you my word, and at that time, I fully intended to keep it to you Scruffy, never before have I betrayed your trust in me. It was when we saw you in the outlands once Vitani had got hold of your scent, she..she changed. Gone was the lioness so assured and independent, and in its place was someone who has lived without their mother, someone who still loves their mother, no matter what she did or said to them. She's lived day in and day out watching kiara and myself be with our mothers, even simba and Nala have their mothers with them... and what has Vitani had.. just memories."

Swallowing, as his mouth had gone dry, Kopa let a sigh escape.
"I did what I thought Vitani needed Scruffy, I betrayed my trust to you, so Vitani might have something other than memories. She needs and wants so much more and I don't know if I can give her that, but just this one time, I thought I had one small thing that could give her hope and possibly stop her from mourning Zira anymore, either way it went. And now all I have done is make it worse, as you so kindly pointed out to me as well"

Seeing a glimpse of hurt flash across her face as she gave her pretend laugh, Kopa moved towards her slowly. Looking down at her as she faced Pride Rock he couldn't believe how none of them had taken the time to look beyond her gruff exterior and know that she hurt just as much, maybe more than Kovu and Vitani.

Without realising what he was doing, Kopa lifted up a paw and gently stroked down her cheek and held it there, feeling the softness and warmth press against the pad of his paw. With his voice as soft as a near whisper, the lion spoke from his heart

"Know this Scruffy, I admire your fighting spirit, your go get em attitude its very refreshing and I hope you never loose it, its an admirable trait for a female to have, very enticing in fact."
Letting his paw move back up her cheek to tangle in her fur he continued to speak.
" Something else to think about as well Scruffy, I did want you as my mate, but you never showed any interest or inclination to be around me, so I pushed that thought out of my mind, and was thankful that you became my close friend, one which I hope you will still be, no matter of what I have just done."

Letting his paw fall away, he moved back and around her, and carried on walking, wanting space and solitude, till it came time to go back and see what Malka was imposing on them all.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara was surprised and jumped slightly when Vitani ran up to Kovu with tears in her eyes. She hadn't seen this side of Tani before and she looked at her with a mixture of interest and shock. Kov dragged her under and she laughed at how, even if they lived in two separate prides, they were forever brother and sister. She didn't say anything, so as not to make Vitani angry.

"Of course he's not this lucky, silly." Kiara giggled, "No one here seems to care for him... well except Gran of course. What is with her lately?" She wondered aloud. She did that alot, and it probably wasn't for the best that she voiced her innermost thoughts.

Kiara looked over at Scruffy who had just voiced her thoughts. She seemed hostile towards the new "king" of the pridelands.

"He's gonna be un-luckier when I'm gonna get my claws on him..."
Kiara laughed. "I'll help with that." she said, joking, but a trace of seriousness in her voice. She despised Malka and all he was. He had almost killed her mate and she hated him. She knew that he had spared Kov in the end, but for what? So that everyone wouldn't loathe him as completely as she did.

When Scruffy said something about news, she stopped thinking aloud. "Wha-?" she questioned, but too late, for Scruffy was moving around the pond out of earshot with Kopa to discuss something. She looked over and saw they seemed to be arguing or something. She wondered what was up; Kopa wasn't generally the type to argue. She turned back to Kovu and give him a quick lick on the cheek and smiled at him. Though she had lost her royal status, she hadn't lost everything.

[Tamber]

Tani was pulled beaneath the water by her brother, and she giggled slightly, making her choke a bit when they resurfaced, She hadn't embraced her brother for a long time, out of both pride and separation. She missed being best friends with him, and for a split second she began to remember all the times they shared as young cubs. Nothing seemed as horrible back then. Sure, Zira was whipping them into shape with every action she took, but they didn't notice it back then. They were young and innocent, and it was just the way life was.

She stood up and let Kovu lay back comfortably, very glad that she and the rest of them had made him happier, and maybe in a bit less pain. She was glad the rain was falling, for the few tears that fell from the rushing, changing emotions rushing through her were easily hidden. She knew now that she had to stop crying. Sure things sucked, but cryng wouldn't change that. Her brother was alive, her mother was alive, as were all her best friends and family. She loved them, and sometimes she felt guilty for not telling them more often. Perhaps she would take the time to when she had some relaxing and calm moments alone with them.

Suddenly Scruffy requested that she explain to the group what had happened that day, and she became afraid again. She hated to be the one to break this news to them, to her brother who had lost his mother for a while as she had; to Kiara who fought to save Zira and let her be one with them. It was difficult, but she swallowed and had to do it.

"Zira is alive," she said calmly. "She survived the fall into the river, but she remembers nothing; doesn't know who she is, who we are, or anything that has happened. She's alone in the Outlands. We snuck out and found her today, spoke to her a bit, but she was offended and became angry with us. We left her in a sort of rage. Had to get back here to see what was going on."

_________________

Malka just looked at Nala incredulously, completely lost in her reasoning. Apparently he didn't want reasoning, didn't want arguement or questions asked, just wanted things done. Unfortunately he was dealing with Nala, and he would be getting them. Still, it didn't mean he would get used to it easily. He just couldn't understand why her pride was so different, why they valued a leader's heart and judgement over his ability to fight and give orders. They had all seen similar traits in Zira, and this in itself frightened Nala, that Malka's anger and angst to be a high and mighty king immediately would only bring him failure, and in turn would leave him desperate and open to doing crazy things to obtain their obedience.

"I want you to kill elephants. I want your huntresses to put EVERY effort into showing those beasts some humility, starting today. Why? Because in the rest of the world, elephants KILL lions and their cubs at every opportunity they get."

The lion continued to argue and fuss over how different the Prideland pride was, how they had not groveled at his feet and cleaned his wounds for him, how they supposedly wouldn't take orders simply because they were given. "Well, Malka, this isn't the rest of the world," Nala told him. "We are indeed different, and whether or not something is wrong with us, you'll have to decide for yourself.

"The elephants are no different than us. They have the same arguements, the same worries as we do, but they don't have intentions to kill our pride members. We have done nothing to them, and we feel the same way they do. They're smart enough to understand that. If we kill their kind for no reason, then they will have reason to kill us. We would be giving them the incentive to kill us, an incentive that they don't have to have."

The lion shut down her arguements and continued to shuffle through his thoughts. So she wouldn't be queen, so be it. He could call her a hornbill all he wanted, but a hornbill was not what he would be getting, at least not from Nala.

"I'll hunt your menacing elephants, I'll deliver your messages, I'll ask if someone will clean your wounds. But I won't be a slave to you. I don't see why you couldn't give the orders yourself. You are king, you know. It's not your duty to make us afraid of you and sit on your while we do your work. That's what Scar did, and you know well enough what happened there."

Nala turned to walk down the rock and speak with her pride. It was good to know that they would always stick by her, that she had so much family and support she could return to when Malka was too much for her temper and patience. Standing atop a ralatively small boulder, she gave the orders Malka had requested her to give.

"My pridesisters and brothers, I stand here to inform you that I have been deemed Malka's...assistant...in kingship, and Malka has ordered me to give you these instructions." She spoke firmly but with no opinion reflecting in her voice. "A group of three or four lionesses must act as mountian border patrol. Please distinguish a group and head out in the morning to watch for any signs of a mountain lion heading into the territory."

Nala's voice then lowered, still loud enough for all to hear, but in a tone that refleted her disappointment, "He had also ordered that for the time being, we are to hunt elephants, and elephants only. He feels that they will hurt us because of their upset with him, so they deserve to be killed. I fear the consequences of this order, but it has been given." The longer she spoke the more her voice became more sarcastic and angry.

"Finally," she said with a smirk growing on her face, "Malka would like for a willing someone to clean his wounds for him." She snickeered at this statement, expencting no one to be kind enough to give the favor.

[cheezeegriff]

"Zira's alive?"
The last remaining strength left Kovu's legs, and he sat down in the shallows, peering at Vitani as if she were Kiara and had just rebuked his love. Zira, his mother... he had gained so much upon her death he had hardly realised how much he missed her, until weeks later. Until he wished there was someone who could still give him the kind of uncompromising advice that Zira used to give. Instead he'd had to think for himself.
But at the same time, she had bent that stalwart mind of hers to evil. How so was it now, that she had lost her memory?
And what about Vitani? He peered into his sister's darkrimmed eyes, looking for a sign of emotion, but her outlander mask was firmly fixed in place.
"Tani,"
He said. Glancing over his shoulder to check on Kiara, he walked to Vitani and put his paw on hers.
"Our mother, Tani. How are you? How was she?"
Turning back to Kiara he said,
"We... I have to find her."
Then got up for the water and began hobbling through the grass. It was only after a few paces though that pain flew up his spine again, and with a rebellious groan he settled to the ground.

[silvermoon]

A most unusual couple made their way trough the huge grassy savvanah, under the heating african sun. It was a little meercat sitting on top of a very large warthog,who jogged happily, forward, tail held high like a flag.

finally they spotted the majestetic mountain, that was their destination
Quite a long time, eh Pumba? Timon said, adressing to his companion, i wonder what they`ve done without me... and you he added at pumba`s offended snort.
As the mountain grew closer, imon could feel Pumba fasten hies pace. He jumped to his feet to get a better sight, and glanced at it.
do you think they`re alright, Timon? he heard pumba ask him. i`m they are, if not i`m finally around to heroically save the day... with a little help from you, he again added at Pumbas snort

( ooc, yeah i know you`re supposed to only play your own character, buti\m trying to make this timon`s pov and as far as i can see no one else plays pumba, and what is timon without pumba?they`re inseperable^^ other than that, how dos this look?)

[Dakota]

~Posting for Sarafina ~

She heard her friend approach and shook her head slightly, trying to dry the tears that had fallen, she wasn't sure how Sarabi would react to the knowledge of herself having feelings for Malka, let alone that he now ruled their lands, and it was to be seen how ruthless he would be.

Looking up slowly, she let a small smile grace her muzzle and listened to the former Queen.
"What she's still alive...she can't be, Kiara tried so hard to save her and they saw her fall to her death, ... if..if.. it's really her, will Vitani and Kovu want her to live here with us all, surely they wouldn't want to go back to the Outlands.."

Looking past Sarabi to where the others were all together at the watering hole, Sarafina sighed. " Lost her memory you say, well we all know that's a blessing, she had a mouth on her like a warthog in mud."
Bringing her gaze back to her friend "It's Tani and Kovu's decision now, we can only but wait.

Sarafina needed to talk about Malka, but she just didn't know how to bring up the subject, what if they all turned their backs on her and made her an outcast, she couldn't help how she felt, and Sarabi, she held such importance still, just one word from her....
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Sarafina took the plunge.
"Sarabi, I have a confession to make. I'm so torn but I can 't help the way I feel, please understand what I'm about to tell you...please.."

"You know from the others, what happened here today, Malka challenged Kovu for the Throne, and Kovu came off second best. Malka still has feelings for Nala and is pressuring her to be his mate and also she is the one he has chosen to deliver and see that all his commands are carried out, whether anyone likes it or not."
Looking at Sarabi, who just lay there not saying anything, sarafina felt braver and decided it was now or never.
" Umm there's just one more thing. Malka ....well.. I have feelings for him. I don't know why Sarabi, I just do. You know I have been lonely for so long, it doesn't seem to bother you at all, it's like you enjoy being by yourself, well I don't. "
"What will you do if I go to him, comfort him and tend to his wounds.. against all that you, my children and grandchildren are feeling towards him at this moment.... will I...will I still be accepted and loved."

Getting to her paws, Sarafina shook herself briskly, looking at her friend, waiting hoping for something positive. Taking a step back when Sarabi stretched and quickly rose to her paws as well, the lioness wasn't sure if she was going to be struck. Her eyes widened as Sarabi moved away from her then stopped, looked over her shoulder and spoke.
"Come, I'll walk you half way."

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara watched as Kovu left the clearing, only hearing him fall to the ground not too far away. She looked at Vitani for a few moments as if to say, 'I'll go talk to him.' She walked slowly to his side and lay down by him. She put her mouth close to his ear to whisper, for she didn't want to be heard by the birds or the frogs that lived by the watering hole. This conversation was a complete secret between only she and Kovu.

"Kov," she started, "I know this is hard for you. I wanted Zira to live with us, too. If you're going to find her, I'm coming, and don't try to stop me." She smiled at him.

She then stood him up so he could lean on her for support. "Come everyone! We're going to go find Zira!" she yelled simply. With that, she and Kovu waited for Vitani or someone to lead the way.

[Dakota]

Kopa, walked a short distance, before he lay down with his head resting on his paws.He needed to think, everything seemed to be changing around him.
why am I having thoughts about Scruffy, I love Tani.... but there's just something, I don't know what, that keeps me thinking of 'what if's' with her, and it's starting to drive me crazy

Looking back to where Vitani, Kovu and kiara were, he saw Kovu limp away then collapse, while his sister chased after her mate. damn stupid fool, if he wasn't strong enough to fight that traitor, why didn't he just keep his mouth shut

CLosing his eyes to try and fight back the anger he felt rushing through his body, he breathed in and out slowly trying to relax.

"Come everyone, we are going to find Zira" he suddenly heard come to him.

Kopa pushed himself up as fast as he could move, and let out a roar. Going over to where his sister stood, he growled at her " what on earth are you thinking of Kiara. Look at the mess we are in at the moment, your mates injured, he can't move, we have some fool that you all pleasantly invited to stay and now he's ruling us all, and making our mother do goodness knows what, and now...now you want to trot off and bring back Zira. You weren't there... she doesn't know who any of us are, so why would she want to come here to live... unless.... you could get her to go be with Malka"

Giving a snort and angry laugh, he looked at each of them.
"Now thats a good thought, isn't it...the two of them together ?"

[cheezeegriff]

Kovu frowned.
"Unless you feel like finishing off what Malka left of me, Kopa, treat your sister with a little bit more respect?"
He posed it as a question more than a demand, and pulled himself to his feet on Kiara's shoulder.
"I don't think I can go out there... not for a few days at least."
He looked to Kiara, apologising with his eyes. He really wanted to see his mother, more than anything, but... he had been afraid of her at the best of times. He didn't think he could take her like this.
Though when Kopa mentioned Malka, it gave him an idea.
"Maybe we should tell Malka about this."
Before the others had a chance to blanch he said,
"Well think about it: he's the king now, isn't he? He should be informed if there's a lioness prowling around the borders of the pridelands. And it's not like she's a male that can challenge him to the throne. As much as I hate to say it, I say we give this new leader of ours the benefit of the doubt... at least for the moment. And he's the most likely out of everyone else to accept her... seeing as he only experienced a little bit of Scar's reign.
"Kiara, you could go talk to him. Don't worry: he promised he won't hurt you. Just... don't mention that Zira's my mother. Not yet, in case he still has a grudge against me.
"If you can control your temper, Kopa, I think you'll be needed here to act like a king, but Scruffy, Vitani, you could go back to the outlands and track her, offer her a place with food and water. Bring her back to me. I mean... where we can keep an eye on her,"
he said, looking at Vitani, seeing in her eyes that she felt exactly the same way as he did: their mother, back from the dead.
"That is, if you think it's a good plan?"

[Kirsui]

((OOC: CG, you do realize I yet haven't made Scruffs to return to the Waterhole...? :P))


"-- I did want you as my mate --"

Scruffy's eyes widened when those words came from Kopa. She was too surprised to even realize he had a paw on her cheek, how he was being gentle with her. It was something the former Outlander had never experienced, thought she never could.

He walked away then, leaving the fluffy necked stand alone in her shocked silence. She did not... he could not love her, he was Vitani's mate! The mate of her best friend, mate of her Queen!

But then again he was right, she hadn't done anything to show interest, mostly because she had thought it was inevitable that Vitani would become Kopa's mate. She could by no means compete with Zira's daughter. But partly she hadn't shown any interest because she had been mourning Nuka's death, and perhaps still was.

Shaking her head and letting out a frustrated sigh Scruffy shot one last glare at the Pride Rock before she headed back to the waterhole, pushing her raging thoughts to the back of her priority list. When she reached her pride members the mask of a trained Outlander assassin was back in place.

And in time too it seemed, because had her emotions been openly shown she would have stared with wide eyes and an open mouth at Kovu.

"If you can control your temper, Kopa, I think you'll be needed here to act like a king, but Scruffy, Vitani, you could go back to the outlands and track her, offer her a place with food and water. Bring her back to me. I mean... where we can keep an eye on her."

Now her eyes merely narrowed, a suspicious shine in her dark eyes.
"I ain't got a clue what ya got in mind Kov', but ya so wanna know that she ain't as easy to get back 'ere as ya think."
She narrowed her eyes even more, in thought this time.
"An' besides... Malka's got no power over her when she sticks where she is, none of us have. We gotta come up with a damn good reason for her to come with us."
Shaking her head she glanced at Vitani before bowing her head slightly at Kopa, Kovu and - surprisingly enough - Kiara. Then she begun walking, once again heading towards the Outlands. She grinned faintly, glancing over her shoulder at her old friend.
"Ya comin', 'Tani?"

[Dakota]

Kopa stood there listening to what kovu 'had to say'.. His temper had evaporated slightly, but not all had gone.
" Bring her back TO YOU, you say...ever thought that maybe the rest of us don't want her here."

Looking over at Vitani standing there with hope in her eyes, what he was about to say next, never left his muzzle, he couldn't hurt her any more. If Scruffy and Tani, could somehow persuade Zira to come back, well, they would have to deal with the situation if it came to hand.

"yes, you are right Kopa, someone has to stay here and deal with what Nala has just told us about Malkas new orders... Tani if you want to go with Scruffy, thats your choice, one that only you can make, I just need a word with Scruffy before you leave."

Walking away from them all to where Scruffy stood there waiting impatiently, with that cheeky grin on her muzzle, Kopa stood in front of her. Using his body as a shield to block the others seeing, he leant towards her so their faces were nearly touching, but not quite.

" Travel safe and take care of Vitani for me, she's got alot on her mind about Zira, so I feel she wont be fully alert to what is going on around her"
Pausing, Kopa was about to turn away when he smiled at Scruffy gently, and licked her cheek and gave her a quick nuzzle, as brief as could be.
"Oh... and of course, take good care of yourself as well, the place wouldn't be the same without you."
Giving her a wink, he stepped back and moved over to Vitani.

"Are you sure you want to do this ? I will go with Scruffy, if for some reason you wish to stay here."

[Tamber]

Get Malka together with her mother? Tani had to ponder this for a moment. It sounded crazy at first, but perhaps it would work. After all, it would give them all a new start with Zira, as well as a new start for her, too. The idea was, well...great! Maybe she would come to trust all of them, and forgetting her past suffering and troubles, maybe she would end up being a much kinder lioness.

What's more, Tani could possibly live with her mother again.

Feeling much better than she had been, Tani sat alert at the idea. "I love it," she said. However, the others seemed to be arguing over it. Their points were good, the fact that Zira would indeed be difficult to bring back. But Tani was up for it. Returning Scruffy's smile, she began to follow her, but her mate stopped her.

"Are you sure you want to do this ? I will go with Scruffy, if for some reason you wish to stay here."

Tani shook her head sharply, a stern look upon her face. She was feeling more like herself, now. Putting her on a mission always snapped her into shape. "Yes, I want to go. I'll be fine. But..." She turned around to looked at her brother and his mate, hanging on to each other. "Maybe," she said looking back to Kopa, "you should come, too. I...I feel bad for how I've been treating you. I get the feeling that you've been angry with me, and you have reason to. I've been rude to you for the last few days. Please forgive me for that." She gazed into her mates eyes, looking for any sign of love. "I'm willing to put my pathetic feelings behind me and just move on to the next phase. I can't believe it's taken me this long to cope with what's happening, but..." she paused, feeling ashamed for letting herself get so worked up and being angry and upset with those around her, only in an attempt to adjust to the new situation with her mother. She had never been this way before, never been so emotional, and she had to whip herself back into shape. "Please come with me," she said to her mate. "I just want to spend some time with you."

[cheezeegriff]

Kovu shook his head.
"The king is needed in his kingdom, Tani. Kopa should stay... but Kiara, would you like to go with Scruffy to track her?"
He looked to his wife and nudged her gently.
"Then Vitani can stay here with Kopa. As much as I'd love to have your company... you've probably got a more soothing touch and level head than either I or Tani about our Mother anyway. Of course it's up to you all."
He looked at Kopa and Vitani.
"After all, I'm not king... anymore. But your place is here, Kopa, with your people."

[Tamber]

Tani jerked her head around at her brother. What was he doing, telling her what to do? What was Kopa needed for? There was no reason he couldn't leave. Besides, Tani wasn't about to let that...princess...which was all she'd ever be known as to her, take her place in a mission, especially this one.

"Um, yes, that's true, Kovu, you're not king anymore," she said haughtily at him. "Kopa's not busy, and I'm not just mozying after Scruffy to have a nice stroll with her and Kopa. I know what I'm doing. Kiara, I don't care if you come, but with all due respect, Kovu, she is our mother, my mother, even though she's not being told so. I know how to speak to her. I've done it all my life."

She took her gaze off of her brother, whom she would not let order her, especially with no remaining authority, and she turned to look at Kiara, raising her eyebrows and trying her best to invite her somewhat politely. Their gazes were piercing her, so she chose to ignore them and look at Kopa again, awaiting his decision.

[Reagen]

(OoC: I can't believe I'm actually playing as Zazu... I hope I can do him well. XD)

Zazu flew above the pride, talking to himself. "sigh, Oh dear. This is not good." he did not enjoy it when leadership changed to lions outside the royal family, Because they always seemed to dislike him. First scar, now this Malka fellow. And without many cubs to keep track of in the pride, he'd be stuck near him all day. But perhaps he wouldn't be too dreadful.


Zazu landed outside of the kings den, But was unable to see Malka, or any other lions inside.

"Er, hello? Is anyone in there?"

He flapped a short distance inside, and saw Malka.

"Ah, hello. You must be the new king Malka." He gave a bow. "My name is Zazu, the royal adviser. It is my job to give you advice when needed, and I am also a messenger. I normally live under the tip of pride rock, but if you would like me to relocate to a different place, that is also fine." Zazu hoped that Malka would receive him a little more warmly then scar had. But in all honesty he would rather be talking to Kovu right now, Hopefully he was well and good at the moment.

[cheezeegriff]

Malka lounged on the platform, absently licking his wounds, watching the nanny with the cubs in the far corner. She had her back to him... and the cubs only looked at him with fear.
He had felt less alone when he was on his own, on the plains, just himself and his prey and the need to survive. Without love or friends, a pride was just a reminder of what he didn't have.
His mind had turned to darker thoughts when a small blue hornbill flew in through the cave entrance and introduced himself. Malka's eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face.
"Zazu!"
He leapt down from the platform and crouched before the little bird, a short way off so he wouldn't frighten him.
"Hah! I thought you must be dead! Very very glad to meet you,"
he said, taking the bird's wing and shaking it carefully but firmly.
"Nala used to speak a lot about you when she was younger. She said you were trapped in a cage... I'm glad you surived Scar. Truth to tell, I'm in desperate need someone like you - someone with knowledge of this kingdom but without the pride of a former monarch."
He rubbed his jaw.
"Hmm. I sent Nala away to gather the feelings of the pride, to report back to me if they have any requests and the like, but she hasn't come back yet. Look,"
He turned Zazu away from the lioness and cubs,
"I'm going to need you by my side, Zazu. This kingdom..."
he shook his head.
"It has the most backward bunch of lionesses that I've ever met. They seem good but it's like they only accept their king's authority if they LIKE you. At least, that's how Nala came across. Zazu, I need you to help me. I trust you to keep a secret seeing as you're my major domo - and if you ever tell anyone this consider yourself fired - but I haven't the foggiest on how to dissuade their rebellious spirit outside of banishing Simba and Kovu and challenging Kopa to a duel. I don't want to do that. other kings do that - not me. I managed to rule in my own pride for years without bloodshed and I want to try and do the same here."
He pulled himself up, his joy dissipating as he became serious.
"Will you help me, Zazu? Keep an eye on everyone, report their concerns, and if you have any advice you tell me how in the world I'm meant to be running this kingdom. You've got years of experience on your head and a humble heart, I think. Can we work together on this?"

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

Kovu stared with wide-mouthed horror as Vitani's biting words stung him more than his lingering battlewounds.
So this is it: now they don't even respect your opinion anymore. He wasn't sure what hurt worse: her venom, or the implication that she had only ever listened to him before because of his office. He had thought their trust ran deeper than that. Well, obviously not.
I suppose when times are tough, you learn who your true friends are.
Glumly he nodded, and looked away from her, from all of them.

[voluptuous♥penguin]

Kiara rolled her eyes at the happenings going on in front of her. No one seemed to agree about what to do with Zira. She turned to Vitani. "No, Tani, it's fine. You guys go." she said softly, turning to her mate. "No, Kovu, I'd much prefer to stay here. I have complete confidence that Tani, Scruffy, and Kopa can handle this without silly me to drag them down." She hoped this was what everyone wanted to hear, because honestly she was tired of arguing with them over it.

She looked up just as the form of Zazu flew towards Pride Rock in the distance. 'Oh dear,' she thought, 'I do hope Malka recieves him well. I can't bear to think of losing Zazu.' She looked around to where Kopa, Scruffy, and Vitani stood, getting ready to leave. She hoped Kovu would just agree to her decision and just let them go.

[Dakota]

Kopa stood there watching and listening carefully to them all discuss who should and shouldn't go, his irritation growing more. Looking over his shoulder his saw Scruffy still standing there waiting, to see who was going to join her.

"STOP THATS ENOUGH, Kovu you can't go, you are hurt.Kiara, you need to be here with him, Zira is not your mother, she is Vitani's.
I'm not going either, I need to stay here and talk with Nala about Malka's demands and this hunting down elephants he's talking about."

Walking over to his mate, Kopa gave her cheek a lick and a warm smile.
"We will talk when you get back, just take care and do what Scruffy asks of you, she is the fighter... remember.., now come I will walk you over, I think she's getting impatient."

Reaching Scruffy , Kopa nudged Vitani towards her.
"It's just the two of you.. do as you must Scruffy, but if you and Tani aren't back here, in reasonable time, I will come looking for you both, Zira or no Zira.... and don't feel sorry for her, be alert at all times"

Stepping back he looked at his mate and then his gaze lingered over Scruffy, " be good girls, and don't come home empty handed., some fresh meat wouldn't go stray"

Walking away, he came to stand in front of his mother, Kiara and Kovu
"Well, lets get onto the next mess I suppose "

[Deleted]

Sarabi walked along silently with her friend, till they came closer to where she knew Sarafina would go to Malka.

"Treat his wounds, take him food and water, but be careful. You might have feelings for him, but he could be just using you to pay back Nala. You know he always wanted Nala, but she loved Simba. The last thing you need is for him to use you, then toss you out on your ear, we all know he is up to something, but we are puppets till he lets us in on it all. Maybe you could listen for us, and tell me if there is anything we should know..... Take care my friend, and I'll go tell the others what decision you have just made."

Nodding her head, Sarabi turned away and moved to the waterhole where it looked like a good family debate was happening.