Authors note: Apologies on the long update, honestly sometimes my ideas run rampant and I wind up starting new stories and ect. Anyway yeah…last I wrote Kovu and Kiara are set to be engaged and married and poor Vitani had a fight with Kovu that has left her scarred and beaten. Now as adults choices need to be made…even if that means conflict among family. Anyway here we go again…drawing nearer to their nuptials and Vitani struggling with her conscious.
CH.7: Vitani in the dark
The years were not kind to Vitani…mostly because of what had happened to her. Kovu, her own kin had betrayed her and stole the girl she loved…yeah…love hurts. Thankfully it was Rose that got her…otherwise she would no doubt be a goner for sure. After that she was defeated…what else was there to do but let things play their course. Zuka, the one who was in love with her was dying…and chances of him reaching adulthood were stacked against him.
Zuka was her friend and so she became betrothed to him…it was what any friend would do right? Vitani never really kissed him…however she made sure to spend every moment free with him to ensure that this was real…at least for him. Zuka had died a little before reaching maturity…a loss that weighed heavily on her heart as she stood there in the pouring rain. Thankfully the rain mixed with her tears so it wasn't a sign of weakness.
"I'm sorry Zuka…but…my heart belonged to someone else. Try as I might and deny it to my fullest…she still lingers and I can't shake it. I hope that this was real to you…I hope that I made you happy in the end."
Vitani sniffed a bit bowing her head as she remembered those smiles and gale of laughter that escaped him when something funny happened. Her mother and Zuka's mother approved of the union…however the lack of offspring didn't sit well. Zuka's mother had hoped, even pried at times to see what was up and if the two needed some alone time without her presence…if that was at all what was killing the 'mood'.
Vitani could never tell her that she was in love with a female…that her heart belonged to someone else because it would only crush her heart. It had happened only a month ago or so, much longer then what one would hope given his disease, and yet for some reason Zuka's mother still bore a grudge against her. As for her own mother…she didn't really speak much on the matter and kept on pressing her on her scouting duties.
Vitani had a sneaky suspicion that word of Kovu's upcoming nuptials had reached her ears and that Nuka had no doubt filled her in on it…perhaps that is why she went easy on her. Soon she would have Simba's head and a union that would bring power once again to them. Vitani didn't really know how to take this…or what it would lead to…but it did not sit well with her. Kiara was more than some lioness to be treated like some prize then tossed aside like she was nothing.
Vitani stayed there for a bit longer in the rain before she finally set her sights on going back inside. Her mother was not there which already had her worried some. Normally she found her mother there…so…where was she now? Vitani's eyes sparkled with an answer even after asking the question and splashing in the puddles her paws carried her to the cavern, the very place that her mother usually talked to the other females. There were quite a number these days, all of them armed to the teeth and quite ready for a blood bath. Vitani had her fair share of blood in killing…but even so…if what she thought was going to happen the worse of thoughts would become reality.
Vitani skidded to a stop and sure enough her mother stood near the top, her booming voice reaching all of them.
"My fellow Outcasts, Outsiders, we are here today because in only a brief time my son, the chosen one himself will wed that Princess Kiara…and in so doing will unite our kind…but…the real prize will be Simba's head as we charge in. Simba will never see it coming and only then shall Scar's legacy continue…with Kovu leading on Pride Rock!"
"No mother!" Vitani did not know why she chose then to speak up…or possibly say what was meant to be in her head.
"Vitani…hold that tongue of yours!" She snarled, Zira did not go down to her level but the others were already facing her.
"I will not mother…what you talk about…it just isn't right! Kovu has become twisted…he has lost sight of himself in your plans-."
"Oh trust me Vitani…I wish I had thought of this…but he and Nuka were the ones behind it, they are putting things into motion…and all in my name. You are one of us…there is no going against your own kind no matter what you may think is right!" Zira snarled again and the others echoed her sentiment as they drew around her.
"Mother, I-I…" Vitani did not even know how to say what was on her mind, what was on the tip of her tongue but would not be allowed passage out.
"What has you so tongue tied Vitani, speak your peace…for I will allow it now. You are blood and blood should never be turned away…though in some circumstances I would find it well." Zira spoke well, even with that fury glimmering in the dark souls of her eyes, those pits of evil that one could drown in with fear and a swelling belly of fullness, but not the good kind.
"I am in love with Kiara!" She yelled and soon the room was in a burst of laughter…till they could see there was seriousness in her form.
"Y-You…no…this can't be…you were married to Zuka!" Zira was now descending, there was no fury; however, there was a slow methodical approach in her paws and the way they moved that told her otherwise.
"I did it to help a friend…no more…no less. It was real for him…it made things easier when the time came, no regrets. I fell for her when we met, was it fate or accident hard to tell, all I know is there was a spark that I could not deny. Regardless our gender being the same…I thought she felt as I did…however she betrayed me before everyone, including Simba and I was cast out. Kovu no doubt found a way in…though…I still feel the way I do even after having been married to the opposite gender."
Vitani could not recall too many times she had stood up to her mother…let alone in front of her army. There was a rush of murmurs and the lioness all spread out as Zira walked down the line some.
"You disappoint me Vitani…and here I thought I was proud to have you of me, but, instead now it is only a sad misfortune you did not turn out like Kovu…even Nuka. I should kill you…however bringing you along and having you watch as your 'love' is torn to bits on her wedding day is more appropriate."
"I won't let you hurt her!" Vitani tackled the nearest to her, clawing at her and biting with all her might. The lioness whimpered in surprise and soon the others retaliated in turn clawing at her back. Vitani howled in pain but could not tear herself from this poor lioness. It was not her fault…she worked for her mother…she followed her orders and yet still she would go to war with the lions that would lead to the harm of her girl…her Princess.
"Enough of this…you will do as you're told young lady!" Zira batted away the others and placed her teeth around her neck pulling her back by force. Vitani felt her strength and tried to strike at her…but her mother in her age was still strong and threw her across the cave and into the wall with a resounding thud that reached her ears and caused her to shudder as she lay there a bit, her head shaking.
"I-I won't let you harm her…she…you…" Her vision began to darken and soon she fell unconscious.
Authors note: In the next chapter the coming nuptials are bringing questions in Kiara's mind while Kovu is having doubts while Nuka does his best to keep him on course…hoping that their mother sees this day she has hoped for so long.
