Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story that appear in the hit movie The Lion King, which belong to those brilliant masterminds at Disney. I do, however, own any and all original characters here.
Summary: Vitani's tired of being nothing more than the annoying sister and goes off to have her own adventure. Things get a little out of hand, however, when she gets captured by poachers.
A/N: Ah, how I love under-appreciated, but well-written characters. *smiles serenely* I normally wouldn't write a story for a cartoon, but I'm having a phase in which I miss my childhood. *sigh*
Something FierceBy
Brin
"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
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Prologue
The sun was just peeking over the horizon, its warmth and light spreading across the Pridelands like water over a desert. The animals of the land stirred as the light touched them and rose to greet the day as they usually did. A content peacefulness hung in the sky as the cool morning breeze ruffled the savanna's long grass. When the breeze blew the grass just right, and if they were paying attention, the waking herds would've noticed a streak of glittering gold slinking closer to them.
Vitani's paws moved across the savanna floor silently, claws sheathed so as to not scrape against anything. She had her sights set on a buck that was significantly larger than those around it. Her mouth watered just imagining how he would taste in her jaws. As she inched nearer to him, she heard deep breathing from the other side of the herd. Not now! she thought irritably, then froze as a twig snapped, but not from her own feet.
The heads of the herd of antelope jerked up and then they took off…
Conveniently, straight towards Vitani.
Without hesitation, Vitani jumped from her hiding place with a roar and startled the antelope, who skidded to a halt to avoid running into the lion, then turned and started running in a different direction. Vitani's paw lashed out and tripped the nearest antelope to her. Its skull hit the savanna floor with a crack and the lion put her paw on its neck, then took it into her mouth and sat on her haunches as it feebly struggled.
"Vitani!" wailed Kiara as she walked towards the other lioness, panting. "How come you always get one?"
Vitani crunched down on her prey, snapping its neck and killing it instantly, then dropped it. "Because you herded them straight towards me. I was going to get a bigger one until you came along."
Kiara gave her a sheepish grin. "Oh… sorry."
"Where's Kovu?" asked Vitani nonchalantly as she licked her bloodied jowls. Over the past few weeks, Kovu and Kiara had been inseparable, always cuddling and flirting and kissing. Vitani thought it was sickening.
"He's still sleeping. I thought I might catch some breakfast as a surprise," said Kiara, glancing over her shoulder at Pride Rock, which glowed amber in the morning sun.
Vitani smirked. "You were gonna catch breakfast? Are you kidding me? You can barely catch field mice."
Kiara frowned at the older lioness, her eyes wide with a pout. "Vitani…"
"It's true. What happened to you, anyway? Your mom could bring down a buffalo by herself and your dad could pounce me," continued the darker lioness before taking a large bite out of her prey. "It's a good thing you're a princess, because if you weren't, they'd have to kick you out for being useless!"
"Stop it, Vitani!" protested Kiara in a childish voice. "If you're so great, why don't you teach me?"
"Because I might fall in love with you," snapped Vitani sarcastically. She ripped a leg off of her catch and tossed it to the younger lioness. "Hungry?"
Kiara sniffed at it before taking a tentative bite.
"What, you think I'm going to poison you?" sneered Vitani, her lip curling into a frown.
"Vitani!" called a familiar voice. "That's enough!"
With a roll of her turquoise eyes, Vitani replied, "Oh look, it's Kovu come to rescue his little princess."
Kovu narrowed his eyes at his sister as he sat next to Kiara. "I said that's enough, Vitani."
"Yes, Prince Kovu," said the other lioness, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It won't happen again." She mockingly bowed, then picked up her kill and started to drag it away.
"Guess you can't win 'em all," mused Kovu to Kiara with an exasperated roll of his eyes. "Come on back. You can go out with the hunting party later."
Kiara frowned, perturbed by Vitani's words, and nodded numbly. "Yeah…"
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After thoroughly gorging herself on the antelope, Vitani heaved herself to the waterhole and lay on the edge of it, basking in the warm early-morning sun. Herbivores milled about lazily, well-aware that the lioness was too full to even take an interest in their presence. Vitani's eyelids drooped and she rolled onto her back to warm her stretched stomach.
She slept for well over five hours, then woke up as the sun blazed overhead, getting a little too hot for comfort. To escape its wrath, the lioness moved to a shaded area next to the waterhole and lay with her front paws resting in the cool water. A zebra regarded her suspiciously and moved away while a young rhino romped through the shallow pool, splashing Vitani in the face. Its alarmed parents quickly called it over as Vitani glared at them indignantly, then wiped her nose with her paw and put her head down in an attempt to go back to sleep.
Minutes passed slowly, but sleep didn't seem to be coming, so Vitani raised her head and looked around. Most of the herbivores had retreated to the shadier parts of the savanna, leaving her to herself. She glanced down into the glittering water and studied her reflection with mild curiosity. Ever since coming to the Pridelands, her scrawny form had filled out to a healthier size and her coat had become glossier than ever. Her muzzle had small scars on it from the initial attack on Simba, but otherwise she looked better all-around.
Her paw shifted in the water, sending a ripple across the image of her face. Vitani sighed and splashed it. She knew she wasn't a stunning beauty like Nala or an innocent cutie like Kiara, but she liked to think that a male wouldn't completely pass her over. There were only a handful of males in their Pride, but none of them were too much of a prize – and that was the only reason Simba let them stick around. The best of the bunch were three males of Kovu's age, Bakari, Chane, and Jabari. Bakari and Chane were half-brothers with unattractive light brown manes, but both strongly-built and intelligent. Jabari, true to his name, was a brave and respectable lion, though it seemed that for his personality he had lost all hope to become even a relatively large lion.
"Vitani!"
The lioness looked up with a lazy expression to see one of her friends, Dalila, approach. Dalila had been an Outlander as well – they grew up together.
"Yes?" asked Vitani, rising to her feet as the other lioness trotted over.
""Simba's called a gathering." A pause. "Look at the sun, Tani! Have you been sleeping all morning?" asked Dalila with a frown.
Vitani rolled her eyes. "Jealous?"
"Yes! You know what they made me do while you have been sleeping?!" wailed Dalila, eyes glinting mischievously. "I was forced to… watch the cubs while the others went hunting." She shivered mockingly.
They started walking back to Pride Rock side by side. "Really? And did you have fun?" asked Vitani nonchalantly.
"Little boogers," growled Dalila with a grin. She was slightly smaller than Vitani, and of a more slender build, but when it came to hunting, no lion could match her breakneck speed. Her right eye had been damaged in a training accident when she was a cub and it didn't open quite as wide as the other one.
The rest of the hike was spent in silence until they reached Pride Rock and bounded up its natural steps. Towards the top of Pride Rock, they came to a thick crowd of lions. As they approached, Bakari noticed them and coyly slipped into pace next to Dalila. "Hey, Dalila," he drawled.
Dalila rolled her eyes and ignored him, instead saying to Vitani, "Ugh. Males."
Vitani chuckled, then sat on her haunches in the outer ring of the crowd. "So what's going on?"
"All we know is that Simba's going to make an announcement," replied Dalila, her tone slightly contemptuous. "You know, royal bull."
They stifled their laughter as Simba emerged from the darkness of the sleeping chamber, a smile resting on his regal face. Next to him, of course, was Nala, her turquoise eyes shining as she regarded her adoring husband.
Vitani's face briefly turned to one of disgust, but when the royal couple looked over at her, she managed a polite smile. She hadn't been raised to appreciate 'true love' and all its complicated layers. Her mother… Vitani momentarily faltered, thinking of the dead body of her mother lying limp on a riverbank. She took a deep breath, clearing the image from her mind's eye, and returned her attention to Simba and Nala. They stepped down from an upper slab of rock onto the level that the other lions stood on, and from behind them emerged Kiara and Kovu, looking for all the world like playful cubs.
Dalila leaned close to Vitani and whispered, "I see where this is going."
Kovu and Kiara sat next to the royal couple, nuzzling each other shamelessly, while Simba broke away from his wife and stood proud and tall. He was the largest lion around for miles; his royal lineage was greatly evident in his thick mane and powerful stature. At the moment, he put his forepaws onto a raised surface to make himself even taller as he regarded his 'loyal subjects' with gratitude. Then, he began, "I've called this meeting to announce a very important day." He glanced over his shoulder at Kiara and his smile grew. "Kovu and Kiara are ready to make their vows to each other."
A gasp of delight went up through the gathered lions, but Vitani merely rolled her blue eyes. Well of course they were going to get married! Everyone knew it would happen, why be so pleased? While the lionesses rushed up to Kiara and Kovu to offer their congratulations, Vitani, Dalila, a few other former Outlanders, and the other males stayed where they were.
Vitani scowled. "It's not like this is a surprise."
"Aren't you the least bit happy for them?" asked Chane, coming to sit next to her.
Sparing a brief glance at his appalling cream-colored mane, Vitani replied, "Of course I'm happy for them, I just don't understand all these stupid rituals and traditions. I'm not used to doing so many things with everyone. What happened to privacy?"
Chane shrugged his massive shoulders, sending a small cloud of dust into the air from his mane. He looked over at his brother, Bakari, who was sending Dalila goo-goo eyes from a safe distance, then at the small Jabari, who was scowling enviously at Kovu. "Guess even when you're part of the pride, you can still be an outsider, huh?"
Vitani regarded him for a second, then stood and stalked away.
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"Vitani! Vitani!" called Chane as she stormed from Pride Rock. "Hey, wait up! What's got you so mad?"
The lioness whirled around to face him, teeth bared. "What do you want?"
Chane stopped in his tracks, moving back slightly. "Well, I was-I was just…"
"Just trying to be nice?" finished Vitani bitterly. She growled at him and unsheathed her claws. "Go away, Chane. I don't feel like talking."
Undeterred, Chane bounded after her. "Come on, Vitani! Just wait!"
Vitani stopped walking and abruptly sat down, facing away from the lion. "Make it quick."
Chane smiled as he flopped onto the ground next to her. "Thank you."
They sat in silence for a few moments, then Vitani ventured, "Yes?"
"I was just thinking, Tani…"
Vitani cringed at the nickname, but didn't interrupt him.
"…that we're two of the same soul, you and I. We're both rogues, outsiders! I think we have a lot more common than either of us first thought." He scooted closer, amber eyes glowing. "Maybe, if we got to know each other better, we might have something like… Simba and Nala; Kovu and Kiara."
"Are you courting me, Chane?" asked Vitani in a bored tone.
Chane faltered, embarrassed. "Well… yes…"
With a groan of exasperation, Vitani stood and started walking away again. "You're wasting your time, Chane," she called over her shoulder, glad that he wasn't following her this time.
Furious with himself and with her, Chane stomped back towards Pride Rock.
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In all her two and a half years, Vitani had never felt so agitated. She paced back and forth at the waterhole, which seemed like the only place in the Pridelands where she could get some privacy from the suffocating lionesses and relentless males, for who knows how long. Her paws kicked up bits of dirt and mud as she paced, mind racing. What was she doing? This was what she had been wanting her entire life – to live in the Pridelands! Zira had—
Vitani stopped walking. Maybe that was it. She should've known that her mother could haunt her from the grave, wherever it be. All her life, nothing had been pounded into her head more than SIMBA IS THE ENEMY. Now she was sitting before him as one of his loyal subjects. It didn't feel right being here, and she could tell it was bothering her friends as well. Kovu… well, Kovu was something else. Vitani had come quietly, but not for the reasons Simba assumed. Her first reason was in defense for Kovu. No matter how much of a bleeding heart he was, she couldn't abandon her twin. Her second reason was a more appealing way of getting into the Pridelands. After all, that's what the whole ordeal was about for her. For Zira it had been more personal, but…
"Vitani!"
The lioness promptly sat down, facing away from whoever was calling. "WHAT?!" she snarled, deliberately placing her attention on the setting sun.
Near-silent feet padded over and stopped a short distance away from the brooding lioness. "Vitani?"
Suddenly recognizing the voice, Vitani turned around. "Nala."
The Queen of the Pridelands smiled at the younger lioness almost sympathetically. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"Fine."
Nala's eyes flickered as she said, "Kovu was disappointed when you left so soon. He wanted his sister's blessing. You are, after all, the only one he has left."
Vitani felt a twinge of guilt. "Nuka," she breathed sadly, more to herself than the lioness sitting next to her. He had been closer to her than Kovu, but it had taken his death to find out. No matter how much of an idiot he was; no matter how many times he messed up… He was family.
"You have an interesting name, Vitani," continued the Queen nonchalantly, interrupting Vitani's thoughts. "'At war,' right? I think it suits you well."
The younger lioness bristled and responded, "What do you mean by that?"
Nala smiled and shrugged cryptically, then turned and began to walk back towards Pride Rock with the parting words, "I hope you'll join us for a celebration in Kiara and Kovu's honor."
Vitani watched her go, noticing the slight limp the older lioness carried from their fight. She felt even more miserable as her guilt meter rose a few notches. Nala was good to everyone and Simba's backbone as well. Vitani sighed. No wonder the Queen of the Pridelands was hailed as the most beautiful lion around, through and throughout. The younger lioness remembered the tone Nala had used when saying her name at the beginning of the fight… like an elder scolding a child. She sighed.
The young lioness was just about to head back home when she heard the distinct sound of… hyenas? Frozen in her tracks, Vitani sniffed the air as a weak breeze blew across her face. It smelled like… a male lion? She inhaled deeply and a grin crossed her face. A big male. One that Simba and Kovu wouldn't enjoy having around.
Curious, Vitani trotted off in the direction of the smell which, suspiciously, was coming from the same direction as the sound of hyenas.
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The sun had lowered a bit more as Vitani ventured across the river that marked the boundary of the Pridelands and finally spotted her quarry: not just one male, but two! They were standing with their backs to her. One had a dark mane while the other's was light. The lioness crouched low as she approached them. She had long since lost track of the hyenas calls; they had faded as she got closer to the two lions.
Another light wind blew past and Vitani took a deep breath, the scent making her increase her pace. She abandoned her suspicions and nearly ran forward until she was a few feet within the strange males, who still hadn't moved. The smell was stronger now, and mingled with other strange scents that Vitani had trouble distinguishing.
"Hey," she said cautiously to the darker one. The light male was several feet away, still as a rock.
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"John! John!" called a portly man from where he sat in a beige van.
A tall man with a wispy mustache and a scar on his cheek, John Turner had to duck considerably far to enter the vehicle. "What's up, Russell?" he asked, sitting down and wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"We got ourselves a catch," said Russell Banks, pointing out the window at the two dummies they set up. "Looks like a keeper."
John's eyes lit up. "Look at that coat! The muscles! The boss'll love her!" He grabbed his tranquiller gun from its case and loaded it with a few darts.
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Vitani rubbed against the dark male and repeated, "Hey." When he didn't respond, she tapped him with her paw. "Hello?" She tapped him harder, but this time he promptly fell over onto his side. "What?" A gustier wind blew, sending a foul smell into the lioness's nose. She whipped her head about, suddenly growing frightened.
Then, there was a sharp pain in her leg.
"Ow!" exclaimed Vitani, whirling around with a snarl. Nothing was there. She craned her neck and saw a small pink fluff protruding from her flank, almost like the feathers of a parrot. As she look at it, something bit her neck. The lioness again turned, but saw no one. She pawed at her neck, but whatever had bit her was firmly lodged into her fur.
As she tried to get rid of whatever was stinging her, the lioness was aware of her limbs growing heavy. Her forelegs collapsed for a moment, causing her to stumble and land on her face. With great effort, she rose again and looked around for help. "Dalila?" she whispered as her back legs began to shake. "Kovu?" Then, her legs failed her and she melted to the ground, out cold.
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"Beautiful!" exclaimed Russell for the umpteenth time as he helped John load the lioness into a cage next to their other catch – a battered old lioness with little life left in her.
"Yeah, beautiful. We've earned our pay for today, Rus," replied John with a broad grin. With a final heave, they pushed the lioness into the cage and placed the padlock onto it. "Alright, let's head out. There aren't very many lions around here, I suppose."
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Kovu sat watching as Kiara was smothered with congratulations by thirty or so lionesses – the whole pride, he supposed.
Well, not the whole pride.
A sigh escaping him, he rose and glanced around at the gathered lionesses. Vitani still wasn't there. He frowned disappointedly, ears drooping. That sister of his and her mind games! A low growl nearly left his throat, but he saw Nala climb over a ridge of rocks and bounded over to her instead. "Did you find her?"
Nala looked slightly startled as she reported, "Vitani was down by the waterhole. She has a few… issues to deal with."
Kovu frowned as the queen walked past him, turning his green eyes toward the grassy savanna. The sun was now dipping behind the horizon; Vitani had been gone for a long time… He padded over the ridge and headed down the side of Pride Rock, the celebration in his honor forgotten. Kiara's questioning voice followed him, but he barely heard her. His mind was instead fixed on the smell of strange males in the Pridelands.
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The wind, which had only been a comforting breeze a few hours earlier, was now wailing in Kovu's ears as he loped across the Pridelands with his heart pounding in his ears. Zazu, who had obviously been sent after him, swooped down and called, "Kovu! Where are you going?"
"Zazu, fly ahead! Find Vitani!" yelled Kovu. He spared a quick glance at the waterhole as he passed it, but his sister was nowhere to be found, as he had expected. His whole life he had known Vitani – she was older than him by a slim two minutes – and never had she wandered from safety for so long. As tough and rigid as Vitani outwardly appeared to be, she wasn't brainless. She knew the benefits of sticking close to home; the benefits of being able to call upon any number of allies at a moment's notice. On top of that, he could feel… something tugging at his heart. A sort of sixth sense telling him that danger was upon his sister. He ran faster.
Soon the young lion picked up his sister's scent and followed it across the river separating the Pridelands and Outlands. The smell of males was stronger now, and mingled with the scent of something fetid. The odor was almost ape-like, but even old Rafiki didn't smell so putrid; like a carcass that had lain in the sun far too long.
Kovu then came upon the place where the scent was strongest. He studied the ground using the tracking skills his mother had taught him.
"There were two males… Vitani approached the one here," thought Kovu aloud as he scurried to and fro, head bowed. "He fell, then…" He sniffed the ground. "Then Vitani struggled. She fell forward, rose… and collapsed." A snarl escaped his throat, then froze as he came upon a strange footprint. He found this to be the source of the foul stench and fell back with disgust. There were two sets of them, along with evidence that Vitani had been dragged along the ground.
"Sire! Sire!" Zazu called as he darted through the air. "There's no sign of Vitani anywhere!"
Kovu looked down at the strange track suspiciously. "Zazu, tell Simba that Vitani's been kidnapped! Move, now!"
"Oh right, at once! Yes, of course!" The hornbill zoomed away.
The young lion followed the prints for a mile or two until the tracks ended. Here, new and just as strange trails began. They were deep into the ground and continuous, like an exaggerated version of a round rock being rolled across the ground. A distinctly unnatural odor lingered in the air, reminiscent of the scent of burnt trees. Here, his sister's smell vanished.
"Vitani!" yelled Kovu, turning this way and that. "Vitani!" he roared.
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Miles and miles away, his call went unheard by a sleeping lioness as she was carried farther and farther away from her homeland…