CH.18: Bringing forth peace pt 3
Kion was put on the spot…wait…he couldn't be serious? Looking around though he notices that the Lion Guard was indeed in bad shape; ouch. They not only had serious fatigue but many of them had been racing to and fro on the battlefield to lend assistance where needed. Kion had not even got that much of a scope during the battle. Nirmala was tending to whom she could get to but even that might be a bit much for her.
"I would also insist that Nirmala stay here for without her aide I am not sure how I will manage any sort of miracle. Makini is too far away and her duties lie with the Tree of Life. Consider the choice before you King Kion…for it is one you must come to on your own. Nobody can have much say on this but yourself…so…look within and come seek me out when you decide."
Kion knew he had a lot to think over and as it was those who heard either pretended not to or were debating what this could mean. Either way Kion slips away needing some time alone to better debate his options.
Jabari was walking along with Jasari as they were hip to hip. "So…long ago the hyena served Scar huh?" Jabari had never known Scar and what he did know of hyena lore they kind of went with the strongest who would lead them to better food and survival.
"Scar was truly a menace and a character in sorts. He was persuasive and got you to do what you wanted. My mother told me stories about him and of course in the end…they all turned on him for failing to live up to his…promises."
Jabari speculates on if that would have happened with MD…or perhaps it may happen while they lived in exile where Kion and Vitani transported them. He enjoys the physical contact of their hips pressing together and how her gentle sigh affects him in the best way possible.
"Jasari…do you regret choosing me over Janja?" He knew that he was the second choice in the matter and if Janja had not turned, if there was even a slight or remote chance of him being redeemed, well…perhaps he would be hurt at first but he would understand in the end why she did what she did.
Jasari stops as she walks in front of him and they are nearly nose to nose. "What has brought this on all of a sudden?"
"I-I just want there to be no regrets is all, that, you don't regret choosing me. I love you Jasari and I want to share my life with yours…but…if there is-."
Jasari licks him and their noses touch as they hold it a bit. Jabari breathing her in and they were far enough away for nobody disturbing them.
"I choose you Jabari…just as much as you choose me. We are in this together no matter what, and, aside from Janja…he made his bed and laid in it, there is no going back for him. Perhaps if I had known the signs were there…I might not have poured my confession on so…hard."
Jabari smiles slightly and was relieved to hear this. "How about we check in on the others before they think we have run off." He edged closer to her. Her scent wafting in his nostrils and just the brush of their fur sent him on a high.
"I think we can be missing for a bit longer." Jasari was something else and Jabari grins as he watches her run off. He wasn't far behind as he thrilled at the chase but also of just being away from all the drama.
Vitani was licking Tifu's body and tending to her mate making sure that she was feeling better. Her girl had truly fought her hardest out there but it wasn't without its toll. Much like the rest of the Lion Guard they had exhausted themselves and suffered quite a bit of scratches, bruises, and she couldn't be more proud for them for looking out for others as the Lion Guard did.
Long ago back in the Outlands she knew nothing of the Lion Guard or its duties. She lived on stories of Scar and vengeance and well her dreams were a bit scary at times. Once she was in the Pride Lands and welcomed in by Kiara and the others she learned to accept bliss as a possibility, peace even of mind. She worked hard and with the absence of the previous Lion Guard she had been chosen to look out for the peace of the Pride Lands.
Tifu stirs some and she looks up at her and Vitani presses her face to hers. "You had me worried. How are you feeling?"
"Did you clean me?" Tifu is blushing and Vitani herself felt a bit embarrassed now that she had been called out on it.
"I-I…well…just looked like it needed to be done is all." Vitani looked away but Tifu steered her face back to hers.
"It was sweet…and…thank you. I feel a bit better, but, my body appears to be fighting me on getting back to my peak condition. Did we win?" Tifu was cute like that and Vitani nods her head to which the other lioness lets out a sigh.
"Zuri is with Nirmala right now. I was going to check in on them but if you want I can stay here a bit longer." Vitani would do anything for Tifu but the other just shakes her head.
"Go on and check in on her, I won't be going anywhere for a while. I love you Vitani." Tifu blushes some but Vitani manages to get past the shock.
"I love you too." She licks her and heads off feeling her heart race. She was certain they had said this before but no matter how many times it was said she would never get off this cloud she was riding. Winding down some she notes the many animals being tended to by Rafiki. The amount of damage done by MD had truly been a lot, there were even some who did not make it and it saddened her to think that the full scale of the battle had not yet reached her.
Part of her had thought they managed to get by without any casualties, but, truth be told when it came to battles…only the important parts were highlighted, the action oriented stuff…anything else was left till the end and then the full scale of emotions seeped in. Vitani found Nirmala and stopped short of interrupting her cleaning. Zuri appeared to not mind as she had finally come around, given her unconscious state from before.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but, I came to check in." Vitani saw Nirmala jump a bit and even Zuri was blushing mad.
"Vitani…I…well I don't think we have been properly introduced." Vitani walks over to her and smiles.
"You are Nirmala, healer and Night Pride member, I know of you. However yes this would be our first time speaking I believe. How is she?"
"She is on the mend…though the same could be said for all the others involved in the battle. It is quite tiring on my part but I am thankful to have Rafiki guiding me where I slip up. As of now I have decided on staying here…least till my work here is done. Perhaps that will allow us to get to know one another a bit better."
Vitani nods her head. "Yes, I would like that. Oh and Zuri you should know that Tifu is making a recovery herself." Vitani was about to leave but Zuri clears her throat.
"Um, Vitani thanks for looking out for her. Tifu has a wild spirit but a kind heart and it means a lot to me that she has you. I see how happy she is just when she mentions your name, I-I believe I understand now."
Vitani notes the way that Zuri looks over at Nirmala who had gone off to tend to another animal. Perhaps this would give the two friends something to speak of later, but, for now Vitani needed to go and check in on her Guard.
"It isn't just me that is looking out for Tifu…cause…she is also looking out for me. Zuri, it is called a partnership for a reason." Vitani leaves her with that thought as she walks off.
Rani found Kion by himself and she whimpers some noting how much pain she is in. Nirmala had done what she could for her but without a proper healing done at the Tree of Life she might be in for some serious trouble. She tries to not let it show…and even with the injury prior to Janja…that one still lingered with her, gnawing at her mind.
"Kion…my love…what are you doing out here?" Rani sits next to him as she notes the strained features and the stern consternation making his troubled look that much more grim.
"Rani, I-I didn't mean to trouble you any. I am just thinking over what Rafiki said. I mean I know it is my choice in the end and Kiara and Kovu wouldn't force me to stay, nor would my father…but I feel like if I don't stay…it will leave them in a dire situation. The Lion Guard are sworn to defend and if they are down to just Vitani and her roar…it will leave her exposed."
Rani understands the sort of situation that is facing. On one hand Kion can leave but in doing so it would leave those in the Pride Lands short pawed. However Rani knew that she couldn't be without Kion, her mate, her everything for so long; still, she could not force him to choose her over the land where he was born.
"Kion…you know that I will support you no matter what decision you make. I don't wish to be selfish in demanding or ordering you to remember your promise and the position you hold at the Tree of Life, cause, the Tree of Life was only your home as of recently compared to the Pride Lands which has been your home since birth. I love you and in life our roles are to support one another…because if we argue about it we only lose that bit of each other we love and I don't wish to be the bad guy who takes you away from this…away from a responsibility that was entrusted to you by the Elders."
Rani felt a bit light headed but maybe it was the moment. Her body was acting up since the battle and for some reason Kion was slipping in and out of focus for her. Kion's words were coming far away…and she attempts to move but that only makes it worse. Her breathing was shallow and she took one step and face planted…her world becoming slightly disoriented.
"-Rani…hey…what is wrong?" Rani attempted to reach up to him but her paw was coming in and out of focus and she finally had to close her eyes to stop the spinning.
Nirmala hurried to where Kion had brought in Rani and fear clutched at her. This was not good, oh no, and to think she had been the one to tend to her. She had thought she had managed to fix what ailed her but this went deeper.
"What is wrong with her Nirmala?' She could hear the fear in Kion's voice and she attempts to find some resolve in her voice, some reassurance that she knew what she was saying now.
"I don't know Kion. I thought I had prevented the blood loss but apparently the wound went deeper. Maybe I missed something…maybe I messed up somewhere. If nothing is done soon…we may lose her-."
"No…no I will not lose her. Rafiki can you give me some good news?" Nirmala understood Kion's need to seek a second opinion and she stepped aside to where Kiara offered a conciliatory paw.
"I am afraid it is quite grim. The Queen must be taken to the Tree of Life immediately or she will suffer far worse than what she already is. Kion…there is no way she can make it without the roar…and…even should you manage the roar it may not be enough. You must go with her and ensure her safety…for this will rely heavily on you."
Nirmala can sense the tension in the air. Rani was like a sister to her and to lose her now…it would certainly impact her life gravely. They were not related by blood but Nirmala had always looked after Rani as Queen Janna often was tending to her royal duties. Plus the fact that Rani and Baliyo had lost their parents when both were cubs; yeah, so, it was not easy for her to see Rani like this.
"Kion…a word," Nirmala allowed Kion to slip away as he went to talk to his sister. For now she would do what she could along with Rafiki to ease her suffering.
Kion sat outside with Kiara as the two of them looked out from the top of Pride Rock. It was here so long ago that their father had often sat or sought guidance from their grandfather. "Kion…you don't have to stay."
"Kiara…if I don't stay how will you defend the Pride Lands?" Kion hated how that came out as he knew his sister was capable of looking after things.
Kiara for her part merely smiled. "I might be Queen but that doesn't mean I can't rough it like any other Lion Guard member can. I will lend my help to Vitani and if I am needed elsewhere then Kovu will lend his support. What matters most is that your mate and love is in need of help, help that only you can provide."
"You make it sound so easy…but…I feel like I would be letting everyone down leaving when the roar is needed here." Kion hated how selfish that made him sound when Rani meant the world to him.
"Kion…you do not need to worry about the Pride Lands. Rafiki means well and I don't believe it was his intention to force your paw in matters. If you choose to stay it should be decided only by you, however, think with your heart…not your head."
Kion bowed his head realizing the truth and the truth was…he would always hold a special place in his heart and even in his memories for the Pride Lands…but…it had so many here looking out for it. Rani…she had been engraved in his heart and she was his future…and he knew he could not live without her in his life.
"I believe you have your answer…but…time is of the essence little brother." Kion smirked and the two of them held a knowing gaze…one that only siblings shared. Kion hated to part but he knew that there would be other times for them.
Kion hurries off and finds Rani prepared. "Rafiki…how did you know?" Kion licked at Rani's head but she barely stirred.
"I have my ways but right now you must do what is best for Queen Rani. I have told the others already and they have gone ahead of you. You must head directly to the Tree of Life without delay and make sure that Makini sees to her immediately. Nirmala wishes you speed and luck and she will be back before you know it. Oh and your father and mother have already left but they wish you well."
Kion took a breath as he focused on the roar and just before Rani was swept away he joined her. His surroundings were a blur and he had honestly never tried such a feat but he protected Rani hovering over her body as the two of them were whisked away…hoping that he wasn't too late.
Authors note: The final two chapters are coming up and there will be a slight time skip so I won't leave you holding your breath long about Rani's fate and such but know that with two chapters left it means we are winding down to the precious moments of when not only the season comes to an end but possibly my time writing the Lion Guard. So best brace yourselves.