Chapter CXXV: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part I

Still in awe knowing that the portals of time had emerged from Hari, Pete had listened to Maleficent as she had explained how the doors had come into being and finally she came to the end of her sentence as she asked him, "so do you understand Pete?"

Pausing for a moment he was unsure of how to answer at first so scratching the back of his head he replied, "uh... well I think so there Maleficent, so Hari basically gets a copy of one o' them doors and... we can use it whenever right?"

Annoyed seeing that he hadn't got the more important details the witch of darkness simply sighed, but at least he was able to understand THAT much, "correct... now for your next course of action.`'

With that Pete stood to attention as he knew he couldn't look foolish now! However Maleficent turned away from him and turned to Hari again as she walked over and taking one of her long strands of hair she stroked it with her long nailed fingertips as she told her, "Hari... " at the sound of her name being spoken her servant looked at her with her deep green emerald eyes, smiling glad that she'd got her attention Maleficent went on, "I wish for you to go through that portal! Bring me back even more hearts! And the darker you find and make... the happier I shall become."

As his mistress spoke continuing to hold Hari this way, Pete was completely creeped out! This felt so wrong! But he couldn't stop it so simply he listened on as he heard the first time in a long time, Hari's voice, "understood."

Hearing this confirmation Maleficent was pleased and at last she released her hair and as she did after a moment Hari walked forwards and made her way to the door that had the decorated pattern of the golden lion and red stained glass. Stopping before it she turned back and looked to Pete.

Staring at her himself quiet still Pete didn't know what to do or say but then once again Maleficent spoke, "Pete."

Turning he looked to her again and as she regarded him with annoyance she told him, "go with her... and make sure this time... you do not fail me." She ended with a sinister tone.

Hearing it chilled Pete entirely from the inside out but quickly not wanting to lose face he replied back being as jovial as he could, "right ya are Maleficent! Leave it to me and Hari here! We'll both make ya proud!' With that he walked on quickly towards his accomplice and then standing beside her he told her, "well let's get goin' through that door there Hari!"

However the emotionless girl didn't reply to him as she looked at him with her blank eyes, removing his smile in moments Pete watched as she quietly walked forwards and opened the door and went on through... looking after her as she entered the light of time he wondered as he slowly went in to catch up to her, 'why's she so cold now?'

With that as the fat imbecile went and followed after her obedient servant, the door closing behind them Maleficent said, "now..."with that she turned back to look at her apprentice Uriax, who still had not managed to return to his original form as he continued to writhe and turn viciously in the light webbed net.

Smiling at him finding it amusing as he twisted and turned Maleficent spoke as she pointed one of her long nailed fingers to her mouth, "let us begin the re-education..."

Holding for dear life as she held onto a nearby dead tree branch a young female lion cub breathed in and out gasping from the adrenalin rush that was pulsing through her little body, for now she was in a life or death situation!

For what was supposed to have been a simple stroll and time of play within the realms of her father's lands had led unexpectedly to a venture of curiosity as she had entered the borders of the out lands, a forbidden place to enter.

But as one knows the more forbidden something is, the more tempting that something becomes and this was no different to this young cub. But unexpectedly she had come across another youngster like herself! Though this one as well was very different to her.

He was an outsider! Someone she was instructed not to talk to... but just like the outlands, this individual was fascinating!

This young cub was a darker colour to her, for she was a young golden yellow cub while he on the other hand was a darker brown with a dark tuft of hair coming out from the top of his head. His eyes were also a fascinating shade of cold green and yellow which were very different to her warm yellow and brown eyes.

But the thing above all else that had led her to follow him was one strong sentence that had come from his lips, "an outsider doesn't need anybody! I take care of myself!" As he jumped across a few dead logs in the water as he was showing off.

For this was the one thing in her life that above all else she wanted to have and that was strength and confidence to stand on her own... but then thanks to this curiosity she had asked awe struck, "really?...Cool!"

This had led her to follow this confident cub onto the logs herself, but these logs... were not logs as they had quickly opened their scary scaly eyes and turned opening their enormous jaws revealing sharp and vicious jagged teeth! They had been standing on the back of alligators!

As she continued to grasp onto her tree trunk she watched as her young male acquaintance jumped away and across as he was doing his best to avoid the sharp bites and attacks of the aggressive aquatic beasts! As he went past her she called out scared, "hey what about me?" As she continued to cling to the tree branch.

Turning back as he concentrated to keep himself safe, he told her, "I'll distract them! Run! Whoa!" With that he ran and jumped on forwards as he continued to avoid the dreaded attacks from the beasts. However in his panic he had made a terrible mistake as he then fell into the water and sadly in this state he was at his most vulnerable, for not all cats are designed to swim!

The alligators seeing this vulnerability all immediately set their sights on the cub! Even the alligator whom the young female cub was trying to keep at bay turned away from her as it followed its brethren to consume their prey.

Seeing it turn away from her immediately the young female cub looked to where the hungry beast was going and seeing what it was she called out distressed, "look out!"

Panicking himself the young male cub tried desperately at an attempt of swimming however this was not working as he only managed to make it to a nearby branch, but then the alligators were on top of him and as one opened it's sharp toothed mouth to consume him he cried out, "agggh!"

But suddenly before anything hideous could occur the young female cub appeared as she had jumped from gator to gator before she leaped upon the nose of the attacking alligator thus shutting its mouth shut and quickly looking on worried she told him, "move it!"

Quickly taking her cue the young male cub did just that as he quickly did his best at climbing though he was soaking wet and shivering from the water and fear as he climbed the branch desperately to get away from the viscous beasts!

After a brief moment the young female followed after him as she quickly jumped from the alligators nose and landed on the branch as it continued to snap after her angrily!

Making it to the top quickly and joyfully the young male cub jumped back onto the sweet solid earth once more, just as excited to reach it the female followed after him but before she got to the top suddenly the branch beneath her shook and trembled and as it did she dug her sharp claws into it! Looking down she saw the alligator she had jumped upon was biting into the branch and was trying to destroy it and send her toppling into the deathly waters!

Seeing this quickly she moved as she jumped panic stricken and landed back upon the safe warm earth again as the branch was quickly destroyed and sent toppling into the water below...

Her legs and paws on the ground she breathed in and out quickly from exhaustion as her tongue also peaked in and out from the fierce situation she had been in. Her fellow escapee was just the same but he had the strength still to stand up upon his legs... then after a few more moments the two finally recovered.

Curious they looked to each other and then back down below over the edge as various numbers of alligators all crowded together and looked up at them both hungrily and angrily as their prey had got away from them all.

As both cubs watched the alligators continue to hiss and snap at them the female cub seeing what she had done forgot her fear and exhaustion as she became excited and breathed, "I did it!"

Then the feeling increased more as she cried out truly amazed, "I did it!" With that she blew a raspberry at all the dumb alligators as they continued to snap away, feeling proud as well the young male cub laughed out, "hah!" With that both the young ones walked away from the ferocious scene below them.

As they walked through the grass and came through to a clear patch, still highly excited the female cub spoke on, her happiness shining through her laughter, "whoa man! Did you see the size of those teeth! They were going rawr! Rawr! Rawr!" Then once again she fell into a fit of giggles.

The young male cub found this behaviour... unusual but yet amusing as he gazed at this female with a bemused smile on his face, though unaware to both of them a pair of angry hostile eyes watched on from the shadows as they continued to play away.

Finishing her excited little chatter the young female spoke out to her now new friend, "we make such a good team! And you!..." then as she gazed at him... there was something she hadn't noticed before...she then finished saying, "you're really brave!"

As this young female looked at him like this he didn't know how to react as first but then hearing the positive description he smiled brightly as he replied feeling proud once again, "yeah! You were really brave too!" At this point the young female became bashful however not noticing being as young as he was the male cub finally introduced himself as he said, "my name's Kovu."

Then taking the cue finally the female spoke her name as she got up close to him and said,"I'm Kiara..."

In the shadows at the sound of this one name the anger inside the hidden observer intensified as an angry growl escaped her throat as she continued to watch this scene...

Feeling pleased at knowing her new friends name Kiara immediately became playful and so sticking her tail in to the air she looked as though she was ready to pounce as she suddenly touched Kovu's arm as she told him, "tag you're it!" With that she jumped back as she waited with anticipation for him to begin the chase!

However... he did nothing!

He seemed to be bewildered as he looked at her blankly as she continued to jump back and forth as though waiting for something from him.

Seeing that he hadn't seemed to have got it again Kiara poked his other paw as she told him still excited, "tag you're it! You're it!"WIth that she continued to let out a series of excited giggles.

Strangely still he still didn't seem to get it as he continued to stare away at her with an odd uncertainty, what did she want from him?

The excitement fading away slightly from her giggles Kiara approached him feeling odd herself as she then decided to spell it out for him and stop this awkwardness between them, "hello? You run, I tag! Get it!"

However clearly... he hadn't got it as he simply stared at her sceptically.

Annoyed at this Kiara asked him then, "what's the matter! Don't you know how to play?" However a silent moment occurred between them both... seeing this Kiara felt the awkwardness again as she said, "oh?" But suddenly it hit her! So quickly getting on her paws she jumped left and right as she let out a series of "Grrr! Grrr!" As she hopped back and forth as she hoped this would give him the clue he needed to get what this game was about.

At that moment it seemed something had clicked in Kovu's mind as he seemed finally to have got it and so he spoke, "oh?" Then getting down on his own paws he was about to make a series of 'grrs!' Himself and pounce forwards when suddenly a huge shadow came over him as an almighty roar came out, "RRRWWOOAARRGGHH!"

Scaring him Kovu stepped back as quickly another angry "RRRWWOOAARRGGHH!" Came forth which in turn terrified Kiara as she looked on with widened eyes.

It was then revealed to be two adult lions who had come forth, one a tall and striking male with a rich and vibrant red mane with golden fur and warm yellow brown eyes that looked at the other with protective angered eyes.

The other was a lioness though tall too she was not as noble as her claws were exposed, she was also a paler shade of yellow and was clearly savage as her fur was uneven in certain places and she even had a hole in her right ear, showing she had seen battle.

Both staring down the other with fierce looks the lions spoke out one another' s names,

"Zira!"

"Simba!"

As the young cubs stared at both fierce opposites staring down each other there was a sound of rusting from behind and looking Kiara saw it to be her mother, the lioness and queen Nala and her fathers closest friends and her caretakers, the rich brown wart hog Pumba and standing on his head the yellow brown haired meerkat Timon. Other lions then began to gather around them as they now had Zira and Kovu surrounded...

Timon was not one often to speak aggressively but looking at Zira he commanded her mad, "Get out of out pride lands, ya invadin' hussy!"

Hearing these words from one so pathetic Zira's anger inside flickered tremendously as she asked him aggressively, "your pride lands! With that she growled at both Timon and Pumba, they then quivered in fear just as much as Kiara as she stared at this enraged lioness.

Zira then stood mad as she corrected these imbeciles, "these lands belonged to Scar!"

Anger boiling inside of him Simba told her as he reminded her of her place, "I banished you from the Pride Lands! Now you and your young cub! Get out!"

Hearing the angered tone in this lion's voice made the young male cub shake entirely for there was no one as else as terrifying to him apart from-

" Oh haven't you met my son? Kovu? He was hand chosen by Scar to follow in his paw prints and become king!" As his mother circled him it almost sounded arrogant as she was proudly boasting of his lineage to the so-called king of the Pride Lands.

Simba hearing Scar's name looked at Kovu with agitated eyes as he once more growled at him making the young scared lion cub shiver and tremble where he stood.

Timon in the distance having recovered his confidence laughed as he said, "that's not a king! That's a fuzzy maraca!"

Annoyed at this jester Zira corrected the impudent rodent as she told him and everyone else, " Kovu was the last born! Before you exiled us to the Out Lands! Where we have... " Then her tone became saddened as she mourned over the harshness they had all been dealt, "little food, less water."

However not losing face or showing any sympathy Simba reminded her,"you know the penalty for returning to the Pride Lands!"

But then Zira corrected him herself as she told him, "but the child does not!" But then an evil smile coming over her face the female lioness told him, "however... if you need your pound of flesh... here!" With that she pushed her poor small shivering and terrified cub before Simba to where he would face his mercy or wrath.

Looking at the young poor scared little Kovu, Simba could see what she was playing at, trying to make him the villain and in the wrong... but he knew better and so looking at Zira's arrogant evil smile, he told her, "take him and get out!" Then turning again he made his own way to leave along with the rest of his court as he pointed out to them all, "we're finished here!" With that he picked up Kiara by the scruff of her neck.

Still feeling horribly nervous as she was picked up, she was turned as her father turned and once more faced the sinister Zira as she told him, "oh no Simba! We have barely begun" Then she looked to the small shivering princess the evil smile still not leaving her face as an evil laugh then echoed from it, making her feel even more dread inside.

However with courtesy Zira at the same time decided to take her own leave so turning around she went back and picked up Kovu but not by the comforting scruff of his neck but instead she held him with her teeth that dug into him ever so slightly that made him wince. As he was lifted and started to be taken by his mother he heard Kiara softly and sadly as she whispered to him, "bye..." as she was taken by her father and his pride to their luscious and green lands.

Kovu knowing she probably couldn't hear him replied anyway too, " bye..." with that the two were divided as he was taken to the harsh wastelands that were his home and where his pack resided... in the Out Lands.

When he returned home his mother was clearly furious with him as she threw him into a half shaped dead cut log that acted as a cradle, shivering into it his mother demanded from him, "what were you doing!"

Shivering Kovu answered her scared, "nothing!"

Zira then reminded him once more of his place as she told him, "who has made us Outsiders!"

At once still shivering badly Kovu answered her, "Simba!"

Seeing him answer Zira asked him again, "who made us Out Siders!"

Once again still shivering from the harshness of his mother's voice Kovu answered her, "Simba!"

Then finally came the most important question of them all to Zira, "who killed Scar!"

Again Kovu answered with that same name that infuriated his mother so much, "Simba!"

Angered still at his weak state Zira lectured him again as she told him,"what have I told you about them!"

Scared still Kovu answered her as he wanted to make things better and stop the harshness in her voice, "I'm sorry mother! I uh!She didn't so bad, oh I, I, I thought that we could be-"

"Friends!" His mother finished for him.

Shivering still Kovu saw he hadn't made things any better at all and so he lay in his cradle paralysed with fear as Zira continued on still outraged, "you thought you'd get to the daughter! And Simba would welcome you with open arms! What an idea!"For this was ludicrous even to her! But wait, no! As she considered she turned as her anger vanished and in moments she told him now with a triumphant smile, "what... an idea!"

Surprising him suddenly Zira grabbed his tail and he didn't know how to react with his mother like this but then suddenly she stroked her face into him as she seemed to become almost gentle in the blink of an eye as she told him, " I'm so proud of you!" Then suddenly before he could feel comfortable Zira stroked him across his belly with her sharp claws that were painful as she spoke on, "you have the same conniving mind that made Scar so!"Then she gripped her paw suddenly that really hurt him as he quivered but then all at once she released him as she finished saying, "powerful..."

Trying to recover now from this sudden grip Kovu looked to his mother who had now moved behind the cradle as she held her right claw out and spoke brimming with evil pride, "I now see the path! To our glorious return... to power!"

In the distance the rest of the pack hearing their leader lioness roared with just as anticipated eagerness at what could be theirs once more, however Kovu didn't share this thought... for he didn't want to hurt his new friend! So he tried to speak, "but I don't-"

"Hush!" His mother spoke silencing him in moments scared, but then once again becoming sinisterly tender she went to her son as she told him, " hush my little one," then taking on a babyish motherly tone she told him, "you must be exhausted!" Then putting her head into him she stroked him trying to soothe his fear as she told him, "now sleep my little Kovu, let your dreams take wind... for when you're big and strong... you will be a king."

Seeing his mother was at least pleased now tiredly filled Kovu with relief so seeing this he smiled ever so slightly as he told her as she left through the door once more, " goodnight..."

Smiling as she heard him Zira replied, "goodnight my little prince..." with that she left the enormous termite mound where she and her pride resided and with that Kovu closed his eyes finally as he could sleep to some degree with peace.

However as she left the mound and now stood staring at the night sky as the moon shone down brightly and chillingly Zira smiled cunningly to herself as she said, "tomorrow your training intensifies!" This was marvellous victory would be theirs! The Pride Lands would be THEIR home and Simba would be-

Suddenly her thoughts were distracted as something fell from the sky looking on Zira had never seen anything like it! The only thing that came close to mind of what it could be even was what had been called a falling star! It gleamed and shone with orange glowing light and as she watched she saw it suddenly strike the ground of the Out Lands with a sound of ringing and a shine that blinded the evil lioness for a brief moment.

Seeing it she asked absolutely baffled, "what... is this?" Quickly then she ran forwards to see what this strange object was? As she approached she saw not a rock, but a living figure that breathed in and out slightly as though it were taking no more than a peaceful nap.

She was silent but was on guard as she saw the figure awaken, watching she saw it stand on its own four paws and as it did it shook itself as though it really were just awakening from a nap!

A female voice then spoke as it said, "whoo! Well... that was a real rush!... So where've I had my-" the voice stopped as it turned and saw it was being watched by curious red eyes, seeing this the female was silent for a moment but then she smiled as she told Zira, "well... greetings to you, Ruby eyes..."

It was now the present, how time had flown! It didn't seem that long ago to her that Kiara had been but a young cub but now she was a full grown lioness, tall, beautiful and noble like her mother! But she still hadn't lost that same child eagerness at being able to stand on her own!

Today she'd been given the chance to do just that! Today was her first hunt! And she was going to do it well! It didn't seem she would ever get the chance due to her father's very over protective nature since past events but she was glad that at least he could trust her to do this... she'd show all of them!
On all paws she geared herself in the green grass and there they were! Her prey! All of them were antelopes, eating away at the rich green vibrant grass of the Pride Lands … they were unaware of her. This was her chance! Ready she put one paw forwards but suddenly and unexpectedly she snapped a twig and at once her prey heard her and quickly seeing her they all ran!

Seeing them getting away Kiara tried to chase after them but it was no use as she didn't have the edge of surprise! Slowing down before she wasted more energy she saw it was no use...stopping she sighed as she bowed her head down, maybe she wasn't cut out for this after all? How could she capture these fast and elusive antelope? How could she-

Suddenly there was a ringing in the distance! Hearing it Kiara turned her face up and looking she quickly saw something glowing and shining with white light in the distance, curious she wondered aloud, "what's that?"

Then all at once the ringing stopped and as it did there was a cry of voices as there was a sound of tumbling, "hey! Whoa! Ow! Ah!" Hearing these voices the princess of the Pride Lands paused utterly puzzled but then quickly she rushed forwards to investigate and see who had come into her lands.

On the ground Nozomi cried out, "oww that hurt!" She shook her head and then turning she saw the door of time was still there behind them as it shut its white doors once again.

Looking at it annoyed she then turned and asked aloud, "why did we all topple through anyway? We all just walked through normally and-" suddenly she stopped as she saw her hand, or what should have been her hand. But instead now she had a paw! A cat's paw!

Startled she was silent as she gazed at it, then flexing it in and out she then saw claws retract in and out as she did this! It was real! A real cats paw! Then looking behind herself she saw that she had a long tail again! But looking she then saw that it was white with dark grey stripes, then looking to her paw she saw the rest of her arm and saw that it was white with the same stripes too!

Seeing it she asked, "this is? This means! Oh whoa! Whoa!" Turning around she saw a small blue pond nearby under a single tree, looking into the blue water she saw the full transformation that had happened to her, she was now a small tiger cub! She had a white body with dark grey stripes all over her, on her cheeks the stripes formed almost wing like shapes, her ears were also the same shade of grey, though a fringe of her black hair was on the top of her head with a single long strand that still held her cherry blossom clip on it. Around her neck as well was her crescent moon locket and as she turned around one last time she saw too that on her hind legs a couple of tufts of black hair were in the same place where her long veils would have been.

Seeing this she was astounded, "a tiger! I've become a tiger!"

Waking up hearing her astonished voice it was then Riku finally regained himself as he asked, "what? Ah!"

Hearing him Nozomi became worried and she turned around quickly, then without another word she ran ran over to him as she asked him, "hey, Riku are you okay? Are you-"

But then looking at him she saw that he had been transformed too! But he wasn't a tiger like she was, instead he'd been transformed into a lion cub, a white one in colour with his fur, but the tip of his tail, under belly and his long tufts of hair looked silver to her. On his left leg he wore the white hand warmer that he always carried with him too. Then as he opened his eyes and revealed his pale blue eyes she couldn't help but think he looked amazingly beautiful like this...

Shaking his head unaware of his transformation Riku looked to Nozomi and saw her astonished face and became just as surprised himself at seeing what she had changed into, he then started to ask, "why have you-"

"Ugggh!' Quickly then both tiger and lion were distracted as the king was beginning to come to, at once they both called out, "your majesty!" They then ran to his side.

Looking over at him Nozomi asked him, "your majesty! Mickey are you okay? Are you-"

But then as he got up both Riku and her couldn't help but look at Mickey oddly for the transformation that had occurred to him was certainly different then most. For he was black in colour all over with pale yellow fur over his belly, he was still mouse shaped to a degree but he had long legs that looked kangaroo like, he also had a long black tail with a tuft of pale yellow fur at the end.

As the king finally woke up he looked oddly at both Nozomi and Riku himself as he shook his head, he must have been disorientated? Then he asked, "gosh that must have been a real heavy tumble there fellas! I think I'm seein' things here that-"

"Ya ain't there Mickey mate!" Turning around everyone saw then Cait sith some distance behind them and he was... the same looking though maybe a little smaller slightly.

This kind of deflated Nozomi inside slightly, no matter what world they'd been to when a transformation had occurred he never changed at all! Speaking her thoughts she said aloud, "well looks like you'll never change."

To which answering back Cait sith replied sounding cocky, "that I won't lass! But it's nice to have a bit of feline companionship! I gotta say! I'm sure we'll be perrffect company to each other!" To which he then laughed out loud.

Annoyed by this neither Riku nor Nozomi were amused whatsoever however standing on his feet Mickey simply looked on confused, but then looking around himself he asked aloud, "so what kind of place do you reckon we're in fella's?"

To which then both Nozomi and Riku looked away from Cait sith who was continuing to laugh away rolling around on the ground, the landscape was grand and open. It was filled with rich green grass and lush trees dotted here and there under a bright blue sky and there were also rocks littering around. In the distance Nozomi could see a huge rock / mountain structure that was rich red in colour. It almost seemed to be in an abstract way like rocky castle... but then shaking her head she turned again as she looked to the white door of time as she thought to herself, 'who wished for a place like this?'

But Riku finishing his observations looked to the blue pond again and then back to the king as he said, "well... it's definitely wild, that's all I can say and obviously since we're animals, that means more then likely there won't be any other humans around."

Mickey nodding at this agreed as he said, "yeah, I'd say yer right there... so the next question is what do we-"

"Hey you!" Turning around all startled everyone then saw an adult lioness approach them and as she did she had a serious look on her face. She wasn't pleased!

This put everyone on guard in moments, however Cait sith being as daft as he was at that moment didn't notice, but then hearing a gist of the voice he asked aloud, "huh what?"

Then looking down at this small odd feline the lioness put her nose to him showing him her displeased face, seeing this Cait sith paled inside and quickly backed out from under her and as he did he quickly ran up and placed himself onto Nozomi's back as he held onto her for dear life.

Rolling her eyes as now he was treating her as a steed Nozomi turned to the female lioness again, she was quiet as she heard her say, "what do you all think you're doing on my father's lands?"

Nozomi repeated quietly, "father's lands?" But knowing this wasn't the time to puzzle over it she replied, "um... well uh, you see um...?"

The female lioness though was not pleased wanted an answer so she asked again, "where do you come from! Are you from the Out Lands?"

Hearing the anger in her voice Mickey knew then it was his turn to step in, so speaking up he acted politely as he put one of his small paws to his chest as he told her, "oh uh? Sorry there... we don't mean any harm to ya or ya father... we're just passers by, we've only just come here and-"

However the key question hadn't been answered as the lioness asked again,"are you from the Out Lands!"

Stopping the king in moments Riku saw things were beginning to get a little out of hand so he spoke for the king as he told her, "no we do not... we don't mean harm as my friend has said!"

Nozomi then nodded as she added quickly, "yeah we come in peace, total peace!"

Hearing these three odd new strangers say this the lioness regarded them all quietly for a moment, looking at them she saw that they looked nothing like the Out Landers she'd seen in her time...then after a moments consideration she acknowledged them with a nod as she said, "all right then... that's fine, but where do you all come from? What're you doing here?"

Sighing with relief seeing that things were going well Nozomi replied trying to muster a smile, "ha, ha well you see we came through this door here and-"

"Nozomi!" Riku spoke harshly making her stop in seconds, then quickly realising she'd been stupid Nozomi put her striped paws to her mouth stopping herself.

The lioness asked curious asked, "door? What door do you speak of?"

Hearing this everyone was quiet for a moment, she couldn't see the door of time? It was right there behind them shining in the warm sunlight, maybe this was another aspect of the doors, people of the past or future couldn't see them. Only those of the present... but then why would they since they\d come to the future and in the past they'd? Nozomi couldn't compute this as it was going to get too mind boggling!

Recovering though Mickey spoke up for his tiger friend as he told the lioness, "uh, it's a figure of speech there, what my friend means is that we all came from the door lands... it's a far off place from here! Real far off!"

The lioness hearing this was a little sceptical of this still as she asked, "oh really?"

Riku nodded as he made an explanation himself, "yeah, it's a very cold place... full of," then remembering his nickname Nozomi had given him though it annoyed him it gave him a picture to work with, "snow... and ice... that's why we're all quite pale in colour."

Hearing him say this Nozomi sighed again as Mickey and Riku had covered really well for her and so she spoke up herself, "yeah and um... that's why we came here, we wanted to get away for a while! Warm ourselves up and stuff so... yeah?" she finished ending with another awkward laugh.

With all these explanations the lioness still seemed unsure about them but then after a moment of consideration it seemed to all fit in and seeing that they weren't a threat she relaxed as she told them, "I see then..." but something occurred to her! If they wanted to warm themselves up then perhaps? So turning a smile now decorating her own face she asked,"well if you wanna guys all wanna warm up? Why don't you help me out?"

Surprised at this now warm tone Nozomi asked, "help you out?"

The lioness nodded as she replied, "yeah, since you guys have said you need warming up, you can help me out with my hunt! It's my first time doing it today and those antelopes are really tough for me! If you could help me round them up then I'll help you by making my father allow you all to stay here."

Riku listening to this request asked this female lioness, "and who is your father?"

Hearing this question the lioness told him, "King Simba of the Pride Lands... and I'm his daughter, Princess Kiara!"

Hearing her name Nozomi couldn't believe it! She was getting to meet another princess! So then quickly she spoke, "princess? Wow..." then becoming excited forgetting her fear and awkwardness she spoke again, "that's amazing! It's so nice to meet you miss Kiara!"

Seeing her playfulness and excited face Kiara was amused as this young odd cub, for she reminded her of when she was younger and so she smiled and replied, "well thank you, and you are?"

At once hearing her chance for an introduction she quickly spoke her name, "I'm Nozomi!"

On her back speaking as he waved his fist in the air being positive glad at the peaceful outcome to the situation, "the name's Cait sith yer highness!"

Nodding at this Kiara turned to the young male lion cub and... mouse?

Seeing her look at him it was then he answered, "my name's Riku."

Then finally, "Mickey, I'm Mickey mouse."

Smiling seeing that she'd gained willing and friendly helpers Kiara then told them, "nice to meet you all! Well... let's go hunting!" With that she turned and started to walk back to where her prey would be gathering again.

Smiling seeing she'd yet met more royalty Nozomi was pleased but then Riku walking up beside her told her, "well looks like we've got ourselves into an odd situation again, haven't we?"

Nozomi looking at him told him, "yeah? but that's just normal for us now isn't it? Besides... it'll help us get used to these new forms! Cause I-" With that as she started to walk Nozomi tripped slightly on her paws, but quickly though she regained herself as she was still managing to stand erect. Turning around she felt awkward as she replied,"I'm not used to walking on all fours."

Seeing her like this Riku couldn't help but let out a small laugh and so he told her, "so I see... well then," with that he ran forwards and past her as he told her, "we better get going and practise!"

Nozomi nodded and as she did went to chased after him, while on her back Cait sith called out, "hi ho! Tiger!"

In the distance Mickey called out to them as he went to catch up to them all, "hey wait for me fella's!" For if they had trouble walking on all fours, he now had trouble having to learn to hop around on two long odd legs!