We Are One (Private)

[Vitalini]

Vitalini sighed as she looked out at the pridelands. She hadn't slept well what with all the commotion from the night before. Her grandfather, Simba, had been wounded in a battle with a rouge lion. Tani couldn't figure out why her grandpa had went out on his own in the first place. He was getting up in age and really had no business going anywhere by himself.

The injuries seemed harmless enough but Tani could see the concern in her mothers eyes. Queen Kiara was so close to her father that Tani worried what would happen when the day came for the sun to set on Simbas time with the pride. She feared the day would come all too soon.

Tani lay her head down on her paws and closed her eyes.

[Accalia]

Enuthu continued running, the wind tussling his mane as he ran. He didn't dare stop, still filled with fear of his father and past. A solitary tear fell down his charcoal face as he shook his head. He was heading towards the Pridelands, but he didn't care, he hopped they wouldn't kill him or even find him, he would only pass through, he didn't think he would ever be able to stop running. One paw infront of the other was all he could think, his legs numb with the distance he had run, but he didn't feel anything but the deep pain in his heart.

[Vitalini]

Tani was almost asleep. Her eyes were growing heavy. The warmth of the sun was so glorious as it warmed her fur. Her eyes were closing but just before she drifted off her ears perked up. She opened her eyes quickly. Her ears alert, her fur standing on end. She sprang into a pounce position.

"Who's there? I know someone's there! Show yourself!"

[Accalia]

Enuthu came crashing up Pride rock, forgetting that this was where almost all the Pridelanders slept and stayed. She thundered up the rock, his neon green eyes filled with panic. He saw the lioness all to late and his body thumped into hers, he quickly stepped back, helping her regain her balance, he apologised swiftly and with quick words.

[Vitalini]

Tani was taken aback. She was knocked to the ground and rolled on her back.

"Hey!" She gasped as she sprang back up, "Watch where you're going!"

The stranger apologized but she still eyes him suspiciously, "You never answered my question. Who are you?"

[Accalia]

Enuthu gave a quick scan of his surroundings and says rushed to the lioness "Who I am is unimportant, I need to be going." he looks into her eyes and they grab a hold of him, he cocks his head to the side, feeling something that confused him in the bottom of his stomach.

[Vitalini]

Tani looked surprised as her own eyes locked on his for a brief moment. She shook her head,

"Who you are is most important." Tani smiled slightly as she realized the stranger was not a threat and merely wanted to pass through, "My father must know of everyone who comes through our lands."

She emphasized the word "our" and moved her head higher, almost in a regal way, before bowing slightly, "Princess Vitalini, at your service."

[Accalia]

'Our' he thought for a brief moment, then he saw her head lift and he though 'oohhh' he lowered his front half before her in a bow and said "I am Enuthu, a rogue, at your service."he said with a smile.

[Vitalini]

She smiled, "Welcome to the Pridelands, Enuthu." Her thoughts flashed to her father and her smile widened, "No one is a rogue here. We welcome you wholeheartedly."

She watched him curiously. He was darker than any lion she'd ever seen, even more so than her father and brother. Though his dark fur was peculiar she had to admit to herself that he was handsome.

[Accalia]

Enuthu gave a small grunt and sighed "I am afraid I am unable to stay..." At Vitalini curious gaze he noticed her beautiful features and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.

The events he was running from were still branded into the front of his mind and he gave a shiver as he saw his brothers dead eyes and the blood on his paws.

[Vitalini]

Tani was surprised at the way his plea to leave stirred her stomach but she pushed it aside sure that it was just her ever present curiosity getting the best of her.

"You don't have to go. You can sta-"
"Vitalini!"

Tani turned to see her father coming up behind her, "Yes Father?"
"Who are you speaking to?" King Kovu asked as his eyes moved from his daughter to the newcomer.

"This is Enuthu, Father. He is just passing through." Her voice seemed almost saddened.
Kovu did not notice the influx in his daughters voice but turned to the young lion and smiled,
"Welcome to the Pridelands son. I am Kovu, the leader of the Pride."

Tani almost laughed. Her father still had a hard time saying the word "king." He still saw himself as someone less, or maybe someone equal to everyone else.

[Accalia]

Enuthu takes a step back at the arrival of the King, but did a small bow none the less. He shuddered at the word son.

"Oh no need to welcome me sire, ill be leaving before you can have time to wish me good bye." He said sliding a look at Vitalini

Kiara appeared behind Kovu and asked "So who is this?" her tone was gentle and she gave Enuthu a wide smile

[Vitalini]

"This is Enuthu." Kovu smiled at his mate, "Enuthu, this is my mate and Vitani's mother: Kiara."

Tani grinned at her mother. She knew there was no way her mother would let the young lion leave without a meal. She was surprised at her eagerness to have him stay.

[Accalia]

Kiara gave a light giggle and said "Well Enuhtu, are you hungry?"her expression was easy and light, but there was a slight hesitation in the way she moved. *This could be the rogue* she thought, but dismissed it as best she could.

Enuthu said graciously "I really must be getting on my way.." he gave a hesitant look behind him.

[Vitalini]

"Won't you have something to eat?" Tani asked bounding after him.

Kovu could see the look on his mate's face, "What is it?" He asked. The young lion and his daughter were out of earshot.

[Accalia]

Enuthu gave Tani a small smile "I'll be fine" he gave her a dashing smile, trying to convince her that he would, though at that moment his tummy rumbled loudly and he sighed.

Kiara turned to Kovu and sighed "What if he is the rogue that hurt my father?" she asked quietly

[Vitalini]

Kovu smiled and nuzzled his mate, "He's not. Your mother and Vitani took care of him." Kovu responded and he laughed softly thinking of his sister and mother in law, "I don't think he knew what hit him."

"Youre hungry." Tani said matter of factly, "You should eat." She smiled playfully, "Thats an order."

[Accalia]

Kiara laughed and leant into her mates nuzzle "I am sorry, its just it hurts me to see him like this.." her eyes are filled with love and memories.

Enuthu sighs and looks down at his belly "I guess I am.. I will obey you my sire." He gives her a playful smile in return, he could do with some hearty food.

[Vitalini]

Tani beamed, happy that shed won. She was a lot like her mother and grandmother in her competitiveness.

"I know." Kovu sighed, "But Rafiki said he will be okay."

Tani grinned, "What sounds good? Theres an antelope heard not too far off and I think the zebra are back too."

[Accalia]

Enuthu gave a large smile to Tani and said smoothly "Should we tell your parents?" he wasn't quite sure what their relationship was, but he'd rather not be in trouble with the king of Pride Rock.

Kiara sighed and smiled "I know and he rarely ever gets things wrong."

[Vitalini]

"I know. I don't know what he was thinking going out on his own." Kovu sighed.

Tani grinned, "I'll be right back."
She ran over to her parents to fill them in and then bounded back toward Enuthu, "Ready?" She smiled tilting her head to the side playfully.

[Accalia]

Kiara gave a small laugh "He's trying to be young again.."

Enuthu gave her a wide smile, showing his teeth, "More then ever" he flexed his muscles and claws, he had done this several times and so considered himself somewhat of a master at it.

[Vitalini]

Tani laughed. "Alright, but lets see if you can keep up." She grinned as she ran off into the grasses.

Kovu watched his daughter closely, "I think they like eachother."

[Accalia]

Enuthu raced after her, his mane swaying up and down with the momentum of his moving paws and he have her the hints of a smile before speeding up and running just in front of her.

Kiara laughed "So do I.." after her young life and how at first Kovu and her were not allowed to be she wasn't about to do the same to her daughter.

[Vitalini]

Kovu noticed the look on Kiara's face and laughed softly, "Zazu is on patrol."

Tani skidded to a stop and nearly ran into Enuthu. She giggled, "You made it."

[Accalia]

Kiara giggled and sighed "Hell keep things in order."

Enuthu gave her a wide, windblown expression and chuckled "I guess I did!"

[Vitalini]

Kovu laughed and nodded in agreement as the King and Queen made their way back to Pride Rock.

Tani smiled at Enuthu, her eyes locked on his for a brief moment once more before a rustling caught her attention. Her ears laid back and she crouched. A very large antelope stood a few yards away. Tani's eyes shifted quickly from the antelope to Enuthu and back. She was confused. Where was the rest of the herd? No matter. She smirked to herself and lunged forward.

The antelope began to run but Vitalini was right behind it. She could almost taste the meat she was so hungry. She was inches from the animal when a blur of fur took her by surprise and she was thrown to the ground. A large lioness pinned her to the ground. Her form was staggered and nearly, one ear was cropped as if it had been bit into long ago. A dark stripe of fur ran from her hear to her shoulders. Her deep red eyes smoldered in anger. Her claws dug into Tanis shoulders.

"Hello, Princess." The lioness sneered.
Tani could hardly breathe. She tried to say something but couldn't.
"What?" The older lioness laughed, "Is that any way to greet your grandmother?"

[Accalia]

Enuthu crouched beside Tani and gave her a soft smile. He zoned out and stared at the antelope and as it and Tani took off he went slowly and followed close behind. As the lioness springs upon Tani Enuthu pivots on his heals and a growl emits from her chest. He leaps upon the stranger and pulls her from Tani's back and a strong growl followed him as he pins her adult body down "Get away..."

He wasn't sure as to why she would attack tani if she was her grandmother but he didn't much care. He wouldn't let anyone attack Tani not that day nor any other day.

((I am sorry it took so long my mum shut my laptop down till I did allllll my homework... ))

[Vitalini]

(Haha its okay)

The lioness spat in Enuthu's face, "Get off of me!"

Tani stood behind Enuthu, "Who... who are you?" Her voice quieted.

The lioness sneered, "I told you.... your grandmother. "

Zazu had seen what had happened and was already on his way to tell the King and Queen.

[Accalia]

Enuthu dug his claws into the lionesses shoulders "No." he growled.

Kiara heard the familiar flap of Zazu's wings from outside and she rushed to meet him.