Hello all, and welcome to the chapter! I apologize for the time since the last update. Life happened, and then I got sick, which was not much of a helping hand either. I'd like to give a quick shout-out to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Y'all are awesome, and I really appreciate your comments. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW! Well, I have done enough blabbing, so without any further ado, here is the chapter!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
A twenty-two year old Steele was sitting in the main seating area of a Starbucks in downtown Seattle, Washington. His Sketchers sneakers were placed on top of the table. He wore bright blue jeans, and a plain grey sweatshirt, with the hood placed over his head, skillfully covering his face.
Steele perked up as he saw a woman walk through the doors of the restaurant. She had fiery red hair, very pale skin, brown, almost black eyes, and was wearing a black jumpsuit with equally black, leather pants.
Steele's face brightened, and he engulfed in the young woman in a massive hug. The affection was not returned. The young man smiled at the woman.
"Karen, babe, it's so great to see you again! Come on and grab a coffee! I'll pay!"
The woman grimaced and pushed Steele off of her. "Uh…Matt…I don't have a lot of time, so, uh, I'm kind of leaving you."
Steele's jaw dropped. "What…why?"
Karen grimaced. "Well, James Turner asked me to marry him, and I said yes, even though I hate his guts. As you know, the Turner family is incredibly powerful politically. No offense, but that life is frankly more desirable. I love you, Matt, but James will give me a better situation."
Steele narrowed his sapphire blue eyes before vicious slapping the woman on the cheek. "YOU BITCH! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?"
After rubbing her cheek, Karen sighed in annoyance. "Goodbye Matt. I was hoping that you would understand."
"No."
Karen narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, no?"
Steele snarled in anger. "You won't be leaving here…"
Karen chuckled in amusement. "Make me stay."
Steele said nothing, but he pulled out a tranquilizer pistol hidden in his jacket, and fired three shots directly at her. She immediately slumped to the floor unconscious as the surrounding civilians gasped in horror.
Steele casually stepped over her sleeping body and walked out of the store. A blue Mercedes was waiting for him outside, with a still-living Justin being the driver.
"How did it go?"
Steele narrowed his eyes. "James Turner is giving a speech at City Hall, isn't he?"
"Yeah, why?"
Steele said nothing before loading a sniper rifle that had been hidden in the trunk of the vehicle. "We've got some debts to pay."
-TLK-
Prince Consort Kovu of the Pridelands stood on the tip of Pride Rock, as his son often did, letting the morning breeze of the Pridelands blow gently through his mane, which was still the color of night.
As the bright orange sun rose higher and higher over the Pridelands, the lion reflected over the cub that his son was. He thought the future king was simply way too intelligent for his age, and that something was a little bit off…
His thoughts evaporated as he sensed the presence of his most favorite lioness directly behind him. The brow-furred male smirked in response.
"Morning sweetheart."
Kiara grinned, and she approached her husband, and she placed her head under his, nuzzling him gently. "Rough night?"
"No, I slept fine. I've just been thinking is all."
Kiara sighed. "About what, Kovu?"
Kovu grimaced slightly. "My life, your life, Simba, the Pridelands, Unio, just about everything."
Kiara chuckled lightly, her amber eyes dancing. "You worry too much, Outsider!"
Kovu smirked and narrowed his eyes. "Was that a challenge, Pridelander?"
"Maybe."
Kovu chuckled before gently pouncing at his wife. The duo began to playfully wrestle at the top of Pride Rock, laughing constantly as they did so. Eventually, Kovu pinned Kiara down to the ground, a smug expression on his face.
"Pinned ya, Pridelander!"
Kiara chuckled, and Kovu leaned down to nuzzle her. Instead of returning the nuzzle, Kiara took Kovu's ear and lovingly whispered into it.
"I'm pregnant. Again."
Kovu's face became lovestruck and boyish as he nuzzled his mate in response to the news. The two rushed back into the den to notify the reigning monarchs of the announcement.
Meanwhile, Steele stood at the edge of the Pridelands, simply waiting for his old friend to arrive. His golden fur bristled in the gentle wind, and his sapphire blue eyes quizzically scanned the surrounding areas. It was not long until Steele began to grow bored, and in his boredom, Steele unsheathed a single claw, and began to scratch words into the soft dirt of the Pridelands.
Once he was finished, Steele stepped back to read what he had thoughtlessly written
Who am I?
A villain sly,
I am nothing but a wound,
The blood of my foes have soaked the flowers bloomed,
But in the depths of my heart,
A very important part,
A lion will indeed rise,
My claws, they're sharp, and strong,
But I cannot ensure no wrong,
The wolves may howl,
Vicious beasts on the prowl,
They will try,
Oh yes, they will try,
But the lion is still king,
My enemies will be disposed of with a careless fling!
And in glorious victory I will sing!
Who am I?
A villain sly,
I am nothing but a wound,
The blood of my foes have soaked the flowers
Bloomed.
As Steele finished reading, he heard a familiar voice coming from directly behind him. "Way to go Shakespeare. Capturing your deepest thoughts on a plot of dirt just to be taken away by the wind."
Steele sighed in response. "It's a way of coping. I still don't know how I manage to call Kiara and Kovu my parents."
Justin shrugged in response, his grey fur also bristling in the wind. "I dunno. Guess it just becomes habit."
Steele nodded in agreement. "That sounds about right. Come. Let us…modify…the original plan that we had."
Justin grinned in response, his ears quickly becoming erect. "That seems perfect. It's too long since the last time I've plotted political manipulation."
Steele chuckled. "That's what we get for dying. Let's go."
Well, that is all that I am going to write for now. I hope that all of y'all enjoyed the chapter. As mentioned previously, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW! Also, the poem that Steele recited is mine, and mine alone. I wrote it, and it cannot be used without my permission. Well, thanks for reading, and I will see all of you next time!
-Tex-