Adolescent Ages 2

[mane6]

{Oooh, another idea. What If Zira grew up for a while in the pridelands, but left a while back to see her family, and then left them seeking refuge in the pridelands.}

He was coming closer, he was a few steps away by now, she surely coulden`t jump him without hurting her leg, but she would still fight, being the stubborn lioness she was. As he continued stepping forward, she propelled herself through the air, hoping to land on his body and send him to the floor. She bared her teeth, her paws pressed harshly against his stomach. She almost faltered in her steps as she looked into his eyes. She loosened her grip slightly, her eyes showing confusion and still a small amount of anger. 
Is This Taka? But If This Is Taka, Where Is His Brother? Something Must`ve Happened To Him.


"I know you - Your Taka. Son Of Ahadi And Uru." She growls slightly, remembering the night Taka had received his Scar, she was with him for that night, before she left, hopefully for good. And here she was again. She dosen`t move. "Your Scar certainly hasen`t healed." She says.


She chuckles for a moment. I diden`t expect it to either. And he was stronger as a cub. 


She steps off him completely, her claws clicking against the cracked ground.

[Moonbacon]

Artemis nodded trotting back to pride rock to hopefully see Sarabi or at least a lion that would keep her company though she did half hoped that Scar would accept the rogue into the pride she finds Zira quite interesting but for now all she can do is wait.

___________

"My names Mheetu nice to meet you Tefnut " he said with a small smile well at least he has a new playmate Artemis was quite disobedient and a trouble maker he was getting tired following her around and teaching her what's right and wrong. "Tefnut is a pretty cute name" thee said shyly.

[Mercy]

Sarabi turned to watch as Kula and then Nala ran off to greet the poor lion who had been living off the pride's scraps for a week. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight since being here and Sarabi hoped that Nala remembered bringing him to the pride. Scar had scarcely allowed any of the members of the pride to see Kumai since he had joined. She sighed to herself. Nala would have to handle him.

King Scar wasn't around and she had to go find the cubs and try to gather some leftovers for them to nibble. It wouldn't make much of a breakfast but it was something. It was a good thing they weren't big eaters! Sarabi loved the cubs and the cubs loved Sarabi and she only hoped that they hadn't gone on some "adventure" of their own without her. Simba and Nala used to always come and ask for her permission before wandering off some where. She would sometimes let them go by themselves, but most of the time she made Zazu go with them. Then those two had run off to the elephant graveyard. It was a good thing Muf...... Sarabi winced and then sucked in a deep breath, padding down to the shady area where most of the cubs could be found. She had to stop living in the past.

Two large, trees hung over the sandy area where most of the cubs played before breakfast. Small boulders were scattered around the clearing and even a hollow log. The cubs loved to climb the boulders and pretend to roar from Pride Rock. She looked up at the trees as she approached and grimaced when she noticed how dry they looked. There were less leaves too. Rain was dearly needed in the Pride Lands.

Sarabi slowly entered the clearing and felt worry line her face. Where was Artemis? And Mheetu? Panic made her heart race. What if the rogue had stolen them away? She inhaled deeply trying to catch a scent. Was that....Artemis! Sarabi turned and looked out over the lands sloping away from Pride Rock. There she was! Sarabi felt herself relax a little more but she was still nervous. She ran up to meet Artemis and licked the small lioness on the head. "Darling, where were you? You know not to go wandering off without letting someone know. You didn't even get breakfast. Where is Mheetu?" she asked concerned.

---

Kumai felt crestfallen as he saw a large lioness run up to him. "...who are you, trespasser?" she asked curiously. He hadn't remembered meeting this lioness when he had been introduced to the pride and she hadn't been down to visit him. He opened his mouth to answer her and then slammed his jaw shut as he saw Nala approach him with a cold look on her face. Kumai felt his ears fall back and he hung his head when she asked him who he was and what he was doing here. She definitely didn't remember him. "I-I-I'm Kumai....I just wanted to see if I could join the hunting party.." he stammered in his deep voice. Kumai took several steps back and started to turn back to his make shift sleeping spot in the shadows under Pride Rock.

[Deleted]

"Of course you can. Can't." Kula looked back to her friends, as if seeking reassurance, then to the rogue. "Strangers can't come hunt with us... Unless someone in charge makes an exception?" She turned and looked pointedly to Nala. When Nala's response was delayed, she waddled over and whispered into Nala's ear, "Can we make an exception this time, ohpleaseohplease? He doesn't look dangerous, and his smile looks about as delicious as a hippo's hind leg." She bit her lip, rolled her eyes dreamily, and smiled.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Nala was taken aback when the lion introduced himself, "K-Kumai?" She repeated, her eyes wide, "You look so different! You look worse than when I last saw you." She stepped forward and nudged him lightly, "Will you be here to stay this time?" She asked playfully. She then looked to Kula and back at Kumai, "You can join the hunt then." She stepped away and looked to the hunting party, "Okay, Jem you pair with me, Sabina, you and Tama go together and Kula, you Kumai and Aiyana can go as a three. You three bring up the rear if we have any luck hunting." She then thought for a moment and smiled to Sarabi, "We'll be back soon." Before she watched the older lioness walk off, "Let's go." She said to the hunting party.

[Kirsui]

"Tefnut is a pretty cute name."

"Mheetu is a really nice name too", Tefnut replied with a smile. She was really starting to like this new friend she had made.

She then glanced up at the tree, and the food that the lioness had left behind. "Do you think she'll be coming back? The lioness I mean", she asked with a pondering look on her face. "I'm kind of hungry... And she did leave the food within rather easy reach."

Well, easy for her anyway. As half leopard, she had grown up climbing trees and she was missing doing so too. However, she was hesitant on touching someone else's prey, but she would need to eat something very soon which was why she was getting a second opinion.

--------------------

The attack came so quickly that Scar barely had time to even realize that was under attack. He snarled loudly when his attacker's speed enabled her to pin him down. However, while his lanky built might fool someone to think he would be an easy opponent, he definitely was not. What he lacked in strength he made up with speed and agility, as his opponent soon would have discovered had she not loosened her grip on him.

And he realized, as he glared up at the lioness' angry, red eyes, that he knew her. He knew her...

"I know you - Your Taka. Son Of Ahadi And Uru."

Taka... He hadn't heard that name in years, not after he had recieved his scar and taken on a new name. Even his brother had stopped calling him that in the end, though it had taken him some time.

The thought of his brother made him scowl, and he banished that stray thought away.

"Your Scar certainly hasen`t healed."

If only she knew... But no. He carried many scars, scars that he had never told of to anyone. The one on his face was the only one visible.

"Hello, Zira."

His quiet greeting was accompanied by a small, amused smirk, though the amusement didn't quite reach his still narrowed eyes. The lioness retreated from him, and he got back up on his feet and finally properly looked at her. Her fur was tinted red, and she was covered with the scent of death.

"You have killed my hyenas", he remarked blankly. "You should not have done that."

[Accalia]

Sarafina had awoken late that day and gave a large yawn before stretching her long limbs out in front of her. She couldn't see her mate or either of her cubs any where near and so decided to go and look in their normal play spots. She arouse her still half asleep body and noticed a small lump of fur beside the rock. She picked it up with care, presuming it was a cub and awoke him in her paws. "Good morning Keteze." She said realising who it was and setting him back on the ground.

He looked up at her still half asleep before noticing that it was late and said sluggishly "Good morning." He wasn't much of an early riser but he was far better then some. He came to his senses and rubbed his eyes gently before running to the entrance of the cave and seeing no other cubs to play with turned to Sarafina slightly sad. She gave him a small smile and said quietly "Why don't you come with me, we will ask Sarabi where the cubs are dear." she said before walking towards a distant Sarabi.

Sarafina approached Sarabi carefully, Keteze by her front paw. However when she saw the concern on her normally placid face she became slightly flustered herself "What's the matter Sarabi? Where are the cubs?!" she asked panicked. Where was her new born son, she couldn't just loose him, Scar, her mate would most likely punish her more then needed of she lost his new born strong heir. She panicked and looked at the pair of them with wide eyes.

Keteze remained by Sarafina, not really understanding what was happening, or why they were concerned, he remained quiet though, deciding now probably wasn't a great time to ask questions.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Who is Aiyana anyway? I couldn't find a character bio)

"A three??" Kula said, shocked. "But... but... oh, alright. It's probably a good idea." She trudged back to Kumai and inclined her head. "I'm sorry: I didn't know you and Nala knew each other. I'm Kula. I generally look after the cubs around here." She leaned closer and said more gently, "But I go hunting for the right lion."
Then she overheard Sarafina's concern, and the blood drained from her face. "Sarafina... I thought you were watching the cubs last night. You're telling me they've been alone all this time?"

[Moonbacon]

Mheetu grinned then looked at the leftover zebra on the tree "well food is pretty scarce right now and the lioness left it there sooo its fair game if we eat it" he said as he started climbing the tree.

____________

Artemis dropped her ears "weell Mheetu is with another cub and i reported a rogue lioness to Scar and he told me to go back to pride rock oohh and the rogue lioness left a half eaten zebra on a tree" she said with a grin.

[mane6]

"Good, you know my name." She replies blankly. Flicking her tail as it patted against the drying grass, her claws digging into the cracked earth.
"And Yes I Did Kill Your Stupid Pets, They Should Learn To Keep Their Distance." She growls, but grins menacingly "But It was rather fun.." She grins stupidly, lifting her paw from the earth and flexing her claws. "And your pridemembers are worse. I had to deal with two annoying little cubs. They insisted on annoying me. And then this small one defended a seemingly older one. Perhaps you should learn to control them."



She says. She picks up her pace, beginning to circle him. "You`ve turned the prideland into a graveyard. Everybody would be better off living in the Elephant graveyard if you ask me." She says, sitting down once more and flicking the dirt of her claws. 



 

[Mercy]

Sarabi pulled Artemis close to her with a large paw and began grooming her gently with her rough tongue. She knew that even though Artemis liked to act like she was older than she really was, she still liked being groomed and given a bath. She listened to Artemis concerned, and then after looking over her and making sure she wasn't injured Sarabi reprimanded her saying, "Artemis. You are not to leave Pride Rock without letting someone know. When exactly did you leave Pride Rock with Mheetu? Where is he? Where was this rogue lioness?" Sarabi looked up then as she saw her best friend Sarafina making her way down the path from Pride Rock towards the cubs' playing area with Keteze. She swallowed nervously. "Sarafina! Thank goodness you're awake. I don't know what happened last night, but I had just arranged for a morning hunt and then I came down here to watch the cubs while most of the rest of the pride went hunting. I don't know where Scar went. But, when I got here, they were all gone! I only just now saw Artemis who was on her way to Pride Rock. Apparently her and Mheetu went off, met another cub, and Artemis reported a rogue lioness." she said hurriedly.

Sarabi pulled Artemis close again and began washing her, trying to remove the dirt from the cub's fur. Her ears flicked up curiously as Kula and Kumai, the golden-maned male who had been hanging around the pride approached. Sarabi watched as the blood drained from Kula's face when she overheard her and Sarafina's conversation. Kumai looked uncomfortable being around all of the lionesses he had been kept away from by Scar, but at least he had started socializing with the pride members a little bit. She rumbled to Kula and Kumai in between cleaning Artemis, "We're not sure what happened last night, but we have to find Mheetu. If there is a rogue lioness about, he could get in big trouble. We will all surely be punished by King Scar now that he has seen Artemis out by herself."

---

Kumai was elated. Not only had Nala allowed him to go hunting, but he had actually talked to the lionesses! The lack of food, along with being ignored by King Scar's pride, had purged him of all his flirtatious behavior. It probably would not have been acceptable to flirt with any of the lionesses though anyway, since he was still new and King Scar would probably kill him. Why he was even allowed to stay here by Scar was beyond him, but he wasn't going to question it. He watched as Nala and a silvery maned lion padded off and two other lionesses raced off in a different direction. He turned back to look at Kula and smiled at her. "Nala introduced me to the pride almost a week ago. Scar allowed me to join, but he has kept me separated from all of you. I'm hoping to show my loyalty and then he will allow me to socialize with you a bit more." He looked into her kind eyes and purred in his deep voice, "It is very nice to meet you Kula. Thank you for allowing me to go hunting with you and Aiyana."

He blushed at her side comment to him and swallowed. Suddenly, he saw Kula's face twist into one of panic. He stepped near her to make sure she was ok and then listened as she spoke to two elderly lionesses, though they couldn't be described as old. One was a deep tan with a warm voice, he knew her to be the ex-Queen Sarabi. The kind lioness had been one of the few to rally for him to stay in the pride when he approached King Scar asking for membership. She had come down to visit him once, though it had been awhile ago. The other was cream colored with a high voice, he hadn't met her. She reminded him of Nala. The lioness also seemed to have a cub trailing after her, he looked like he was asleep on his feet.

He felt worry begin to gnaw at him when he heard there were cubs missing. He listened to the others talking and when there was a lull in their conversation he slowly spoke saying, "Perhaps, we could go out looking for the cubs instead of hunting. I know we are desperate for food, but a cub's life is worth more than a gazelle. Or, if you don't mind scavenging, we could go to see if the rogue lioness has abandoned her kill and bring the zebra back to the pride."

(OOC: I am kind of going for a Simba/Kovu relationship with Scar and Kumai and the whole keeping Kovu separated from the pride because Simba doesn't trust him kind of thing. If that makes sense.)

[Deleted]

Kula sighed. "I suppose I should go look for the cubs. They're my responsibility anyway, and hunting certainly isn't. Not usually." She gave one longing look at Kumai, then turned to Artemis and in Sarabi's arms and said, "So, little trouble-maker. Where are your partners in crime?"

[Kirsui]

Tefnut smiled widely when Mheetu agreed with her and began heading towards the tree. Food was indeed scarce, for her especially since she had no one to hunt for her. She eagerly followed the other cub and with natural ease climbed up the tree. Even though Mheetu had gotten a head start, she was a tree climber by birth and was first to reach the branch with the dead zebra. Now that she could look at the carcass closer, she could see that there was still plenty to go around. One lioness simply couldn't eat a whole zebra on her own.

With her tail twitching happily, the young liard made her way to the food and climbed over it before beginning to look for a spot to dig in. She was a considerate creature, after all, and making room for her new friend to eat was important.

--------------------

Scar continued to watch Zira with a blank face. She was still grinning continuously, and for the life of him he couldn't understand when she had become like this. Then again, things change, and he neither was like he had been when they had last parted ways. At the time he had still gone by the name Taka, and his brother...

Why was he thinking of his brother this much anyway? Mufasa was gone, and he was now king.

"-- I had to deal with two annoying little cubs. They insisted on annoying me. And then this small one defended a seemingly older one. Perhaps you should learn to control them."

Scar narrowed his eyes upon hearing Zira mention the cubs. But what was this talk about an older one? The cubs in his pride were all roughly the same age. He would have to inspect this, but before he could do so he had Zira to deal with. She had now begun to circle around him. He let her, not moving at all. She would have to do better than that if she wanted a reaction out of him.

"You`ve turned the prideland into a graveyard. Everybody would be better off living in the Elephant graveyard if you ask me."

"Feel free to go there then", he replied coldly. "In fact, I insist you do. I have no time for your crude remarks on matters you do not understand. I have turned the Pride Lands into a graveyard? A king cannot fight a drought. I am not some god who can summon rain when ever he wishes."

[Accalia]

Sarafina listened to Sarabi's report and she gave a brief smile down at Artemis. "I'm glad to hear you are safe Artemis." However she was worried for her cub, Mheetu. "Where did you last see him?" she asked Artemis, her voice slightly shaky. Keteze walked towards Artemis and Sarabi before saying quietly "Hello Artemis!"

Sarafina looked down at the two of them with a small smile and said to Sarabi "I am going to go look for the cubs, starting with where Artemis last saw them."she said before running off towards where Artemis directed her.

She ran as fast as she could, if the lioness intended on capturing or killing the cubs she just hoped she would arrive before anything happened. She slowly approached where the cubs where and burst into the clearing and couldn't see any sign of the cubs. She shouted out "Mheetu?! Mheetu where are you?!" She was beginning to break down and she was frightened she had lost Mheetu forever.

[Moonbacon]

Artemis gave Keteze a not soo friendly look for a second then smiled "hi Keteze " she said.

_____

Mheetu grinned as he reached the half eaten carcass he then found a spot to dig in then bit off a whole mouthful "though lets not eat the whole thing and leave some for Artemis and the other cubs ok?" he said while chewing.

[This Land]

His eyes slowly opened, still so see to his dismay that his paws were not on nice green grass. he dare not look up and see what is ahead of him until then. He had been walking aimlessly all night, eyes mainly closed as he knew there would be no obstacles in the way in this such plain land. He kept his eyes closed as much as he could, things then don't seem as bad.
His heart immediately sunk when the smell of hyena's hit his nose, he immediately stopped in his tracks and slumped on the floor. He didnt bother looking up so failed to realise that these hyena's in the distance where in-fact dead.

"Oh well, i tried.." he thought to himself

Sheek curled up into a ball...apparently so waiting his fate.

[Mercy]

Sarabi was distressed for her friend and worried about Mheetu. She knew how Sarafina felt. When Scar had told her about the stampede and the death of her mate and cub she had felt as though the world were crumbling beneath her feet. She had wandered back to the gorge for months searching for any trace of Simba's remains, only to conclude heartbrokenly that he had been....taken...by scavengers. Her eyes clouded as she remembered seeing Mufasa's cold, broken body in the dust. Her King, the despair she had felt was indescribable. He was her sun, her star, her love, and to see him like that...she had mourned by his body for days. Sarabi looked down at Artemis and nuzzled the cub in an attempt to comfort herself. She took a deep breath. They had to find Mheetu.
"Sarafina, we will find him. He couldn't have gone very far. I am going to stay here with Artemis. I don't want to have her run off. She might disappear too, and it would be good for someone to be here in case King Scar returns." she said to her friend. King Scar...or that rogue lioness. She thought worriedly. Sarabi wasn't as strong as she used to be, but she was still a good fighter. The noble lioness turned to look at Kumai and Kula as Sarafina ran off in the direction Artemis had told her to go and said, "You two should go with her. We already have a hunting party out, and perhaps they will find Mheetu, or some food. But right now, we should all be concerned about Mheetu. Follow Sarafina, we will be here when you return. I am sure everything will be fine." She tried to send the two young lions off on a reassuring note, but couldn't help feeling panic kindle inside her. She watched as the lions all ran off and raised her eyes to the heavens. "Mufasa, Simba, watch out for our poor Mheetu!" She mumbled quietly, and then went back to washing Artemis.

---

Kumai watched as Sarafina raced off looking for Mheetu and then turned back to Sarabi who told him and Kula to go off with Sarafina. He pivoted and then tensed his muscles. He looked at Kula worriedly, "We should stick together, I did not meet Mheetu, and I don't want to scare him. If he sees a familiar face, I think he will be more at ease. Hurry! Let's go." He then sprung out onto the hard, packed, dirt path leading away from Pride Rock. It felt good to use his muscles again. He relished the feeling and practically bounced down the path, leaping high into the air and then sinking back down as his long, powerful forelegs hit the Earth. Even though he had lost weight, he was still a big lion. His broad shoulders and large mane were only just beginning to jut out from the lack of nutrition. If you looked closely you could see his shoulder blades, but they were hardly noticeable. Panting, Kumai slowed as he caught up to Sarafina who was crying desperately for her son. Kumai's heart broke for her. He looked back down the path and saw Kula who had almost caught up to them. He felt bad, he hadn't meant to go ahead, but he had really enjoyed the run. Suddenly he heard the sound of shallow breathing and heard something flop in the dust. He twisted over one shoulder and gaped as he saw a lion laying in the dirt. "Sarafina! Kula! I think you should see this!" he cried as he ran up to the collapsed figure.

[Leto]

(I’m rejoining this, sorry for falling off the radar like that xP)

Losing any potential trackers was easy enough, child’s play really even so he didn’t doubt the skill of this pride’s hunters, it had to account for something if they could eke out a living in this place. He still had the flesh wound on his paw throbbing in the back of his head even if it had stopped hurting a while ago, this place had little of herbs or any plant life what so ever so he had nothing to administer first aid. Frankly this place was a near desert; like it had been consumed by a massive fire the dust beneath his paws were not normal sand and dirt. His eyes scanned the dry dead lands but once again the flapping of wings sounded in his ears and the smell of rotting flesh stung his nostrils he was no longer alone. “What is your true errand here, Black-Eye?” the vulture mused staring at him with a suspicious glare, Leto drew recognition from the nickname which almost conjured a smile across his maw, a smile of reminiscence and perhaps even then a small hint of home sickness.

“If I told you, I would have to kill you.” The lion responded curtly yet there was a deadly seriousness to his words, in the persisting silence he cast his eyes back onto the large rock formation still visible in the distance. “I think King Scar would like you.” The vulture murmured drawing the soldier’s gaze causing a pale brow to inch. “You have the soul of a honed killer; murder is like a second nature to you.” The soldier’s brows narrowed at the vultures words. “Go, introduce yourself.” The vulture beckoned gesturing a wing towards the rock formation, for Leto to flat out inciting direct contact with the resident pride would directly compromise the entirety his mission; it broke so many directives it wasn’t funny.

But in this dead land he could not survive on his own, there was little to no prey here and what prey existed no doubt was strictly guarded by the resident pride, indeed to ensure his own survival he would have no choice but to break the prime directive. Uttering a sigh of half defeat the soldier strode towards the giant rock formation, although he made his approach through stealth, or rather what little stealth he could pull off in this place. The last thing he wanted was to come off as an aggressive attacker, he was back at the waterhole in little over half an hour of trotting, it would take him less than 10 minutes to reach the kopje proper if he kept his steps brisk.

He drew a deep breath as he steeled himself for what was to come; meeting with foreign prides were a delicate affair, especially when he knew next to nothing of their customs and habits, and he could very easily insult their silly sensibilities or accidentally violate a preposterous taboo.