Chapter CXXXVI: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part XII
Still lying in the grass a large yawn echoed from Jona's mouth as well as a few tired tears, after a moment she spoke, "well looks like those guys are takin' their sweet time huh?"
Immediately concurring Cait sith replied, "ya got that right lass! This is really tickin' me off! Leavin' me behind! Both of 'em!" For the small crowned cat was annoyed that Riku and Nozomi had left him behind.
"Awww Cait sith! I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose! Besides I'm still here with ya, aren't I?" Mickey asked him kindly.
Looking down at him from Jona's back, Cait sith was quietly looked at Mickey's gentle positive smile... and though it was true he made his reply, "yeah true Mickey mate, and am glad to have ya company and all! But I still wanna know what them lot are doin!"
Hearing him say this Jona also replied, "you and me both Cait sith honey, it'd be nice to be clued in..." then looking ahead she noticed a couple of shapes approaching, "oh well speak of the devil?"
Cait sith then looking up saw who Jona was talking about, approaching them all smiling and creating a very warm atmosphere between the both of them was the princess of the Pridelands Kiara and the Out Lander lion Kovu.
"Well it's about time!" Cait sith uttered, for he was going to ask these two a few questions.
Jona though was very quiet for as she looked to Kovu and saw his smile... she said quietly under her breath, "so... he's chosen?"
Not hearing this though Mickey spoke up as he greeted them, "hi fella's!"
Looking away from Kovu for a moment Kiara looked to everyone as she replied back smiling, "hi guys!" Then trotting over to them she asked further, "you all okay?"
Nodding smiling Mickey replied, "yeah we're fine! We were just waitin' for you guys!" Then looking to Kovu he asked him, "are you doin' okay now Kovu?"
Making it over to them all and hearing Mickey's question he paused for a moment but then he hid his hesitation with a smile as he told him, "yeah I'm fine! Don't worry Mickey, Riku spoke to me and helped me sort out my feelings."
Quiet as he heard this Mickey was glad with relief as he replied, "aww well that's good! It's a great thing to be able to confide in your friends!"
Which in reply Kovu nodded but then he turned and looking in Jona's direction and as he did he saw the intense silent look in her eyes which made him grip his claws into the ground.
Not noticing this intensity between this lion and lioness Cait sith spoke up again annoyed, "oh! It's so good ya lot have all kissed and made up! But where did ya lot all run off to! Where's that snowdrop and banshee lass got to!?"
Hearing the annoyance in his voice everyone was quiet for a second, Mickey then thought to himself, 'well that's made everythin' go awkward!'
Kiara though seeing why Cait sith was irritated told him, "oh? You mean Riku and Nozomi?"
To which Cait sith made a single hard nod.
Seeing she'd got it right Kiara then told him still smiling, "they're a little further back in the fields, after me and Kovu started walking back here they stayed behind... though I don't know what they're doing right now?"
With this info it was all that Cait sith needed as he said, "oh is that it?
To which Kiara nodded again.
Immediately Cait sith said, "right okay!" Then hopping off of Jona's back he started walking forwards, "I'm gonna have word with those two!"
Mickey surprised asked him, "Cait sith ya're not gonna walk back there in the dark by yerself are ya?"
Annoyed still Cait sith replied,"ya bang on the nail there Mickey lad! I'm gonna give those two a right go for holdin' us all up like this!"
Seeing the mood that he was in, Mickey knew it was pointless to try and argue with him for just like Nozomi once he got his sights fixed on doing something, he wasn't gonna be stopped.
Jona though seeing this little cat behaving like this couldn't help but be amused and so smiling she spoke, "aww well since you're so intent," then running up she arrived in front of him as she told him, "why not let me give ya a lift over?"
Seeing that she was offering this Mickey asked curious, "ya wanna see them Jona?"
Hearing the surprise in his voice she replied, "sure why not? Besides there's not much else to do here is there?"
At this everyone was quiet but Cait sith was pleased as he said," well I ain't gonna be refusin' a free ride! Let's make tracks there Jona!"
Smiling still she told him, "ya got it!" Then as she ran towards him once more she crossed glances with Kovu before Cait sith caught onto her and climbed onto her back again as they both ran in the direction where Nozomi and Riku would be.
Kovu looking after her as she went hoped that nothing would happen with her being there...
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Stirring awake Riku felt tired but yet strangely very comfortable. Looking above he saw that the stars were still continuing to shine down and as he did he saw that the lush green grass was making a soft bed for him.
He was confused, why was he lying on his back in the grass and in the dark too? And what was this-
"Found ya!"
Startling him awake he looked to the side where he heard the voice cry out and quickly he saw Jona approaching with Cait sith riding on her back and looking at them he wondered what was going on?
Cait sith looking down at this little scene he was looking at was quietly getting more irritated and then he spoke tapping his shoulder with one of his gloved fingers,"well looks like the two of you have got real comfy ain't ya?"
Confused still Riku asked, "what?"
Then he heard a soft sleepy murmur and looking down he saw with a really shocked face, Nozomi was lying in his arms fast asleep! He blushed immensley red as he saw that she had snuggled into his chest with one of her paws draping over him making it like look like she was hugging him!
Riku was so shocked he couldn't think of a single thing to say!
But Cait sith spoke up again as he said annoyed, "and just what have the two of you been playin' at! Do ya have any idea how worried we lot all were!"
Hearing this tone Riku himself was now recovering from his embarrassment and immediately was becoming irritated as he replied, "well excuse me Cait sith! We haven't done anything! I don't need to hear you yapping on!"
Really irritated now Cait sith gritted his teeth as he replied straight back, "yappin? I'll give ya yappin! Ya ungrateful-"
"Now, now, now honeys! This ain't the time for a fight! We gotta get a mosey on now haven't we? It's gettin' late and it's clear you guys need to get some proper shut eye, right?" Jona asked calmly.
Riku hearing her and then looking down to Nozomi again as he felt her warmth he simply nodded with a slight blush again.
Smiling Jona spoke again, "there ya go! Now c'mon we gotta get back to everyone else!" With that she took off with Cait sith still riding on her back.
As they both left though Cait sith was still annoyed as he said, "hey! Don't take off like this without me givin' me approval! You're all-"
With that Cait sith's voice trailed off and as it did Riku sighed again as he looked down to Nozomi once more quietly. The young female tiger cub continued to sleep on peacefully letting out a soft little purr.
Smiling gently as she did this Riku then started to try and shake her to try and wake her up as he said, "hey Nozomi? Come on! It's time for you to get up now!"
Nozomi creasing her brow stirred a little but all she did in turn was snuggle into Riku again as though he was an enormous pillow.
Blushing again as she did this embarrassed Riku tried again, "Nozomi come on that's enough let's-"
However he stopped as Nozomi turned her head and was now looking straight at him! Seeing her Riku felt his heart pulse strongly inside himself again and as it did he remembered something from earlier that morning... as he imagined the idea he felt a mischievous sensation rise up inside him as he smiled.
Nozomi still deep in her sleep felt something soft stroke itself over her face, murmuring it disturbed her as it spread from her forehead and was now going over her eyelids.
Opening one of them slightly she asked, "huh? What is...?"
Then she heard a familiar voice as it said, "c'mon Nozomi... you've got to wake up now!"
Then she felt the soft sensation go over the bridge of her nose, now waking up more she opened her eyes and in moments she widened her eyes as she saw Riku had his tongue out and was licking her face!
Gasping as she saw him do this he moved his head back tucking his tongue back into his mouth and as he did this she asked surprised, "Riku...?"
Meanwhile Cait sith was now walking straight back in Nozomi and Riku's direction! He had jumped off of Jona's back annoyed at being carried off against his will and as he walked on he spoke up, "geez! What the heck does everyone think I am in this! Extra baggage! I'm gonna give them both a right go when I get over there!"
Seeing that she was awake surprised Riku too but as he looked at her and her widened lilac eyes he decided then to do something else and with that he lowered his face towards hers!
Cait sith continued onwards, "that daft banshee! I'm gonna give 'em both the hair tuggin' of their lives when I get-"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Hearing this sudden shout shocked Cait sith from the inside out and quickly he ran forwards at full speed to see what was going on!
Nozomi had backed away and out of Riku's arms in seconds and now she was blushing madly red all over her cheeks! Gasping hard she hurriedly asked Riku who looked at her surprised himself at her reaction, "what!? What!? What were you doing to me there!"
Seeing her ask Riku surprisingly kept his cool as he told her, "I just thought I'd wake you up! Jona did the same thing to you earlier this morning didn't she?"
Hearing him say this Nozomi did remember but still! "Who cares if she did! Just what gave you the right to do that!? Besides why did you-"
"Oi!"
Quickly distracting her Nozomi and Riku turned and there quickly approaching them both was Cait sith running at full speed! Quickly he came to a halt and as he did he asked confused, "just what was all that hollerin' goin' on here! What's been the stir up!"
Seeing Cait sith had made it over to them both Nozomi just blushed more red, this was getting way too embarrassing! "Oh man! I can't handle this..."
Looking at her as she became embarrassed Riku laughed as Cait sith was just left more confused, the small cat then asked, "just what the heck is going on here with ya two?"
Shaking his head Riku told him, "it's nothing! Don't worry about it!" With that he started to walk forwards and as he did he told them both further, "c'mon let's get back to the others!"
As he started to walk on the small black and white cat forgot about his anger and as he did he walked over to Nozomi as he said, "well don't know what this all about lass, but let's get a move on eh?"
Hearing him Nozomi was quiet as she quickly felt him climb up and sit upon her back again and as he did after a moment she started to follow after him, suddenly she called out, "your nose was really cold there Riku!"
Making him jump he turned around and saw Nozomi look annoyed as she brushed her nose annoyed to him, he however turned around and started walking forwards again as he called back smiling to himself, "sue me!"
Cait sith hearing this was quiet but he knew what that little gesture really was and he thought to himself shaking his head putting a gloved hand to his forehead, 'oh boy... this lad and lass are hopeless!'
With that the lot of them went to meet up again with Kiara, Kovu, Jona and Mickey who were waiting for them in the darkness of the night.
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Walking back had taken some time but finally everyone had reached the stones of Pride Rock again and as they all quickly climbed it they reached the top as Nozomi complained aloud, "whoa I'm tired... I can't wait to sleep!"
Cait sith hearing her concurred as he patted the sides of her back, "ditto on that lass! Total ditto!"
Mickey hopping up behind them all also added, "yeah, don't blame ya for feelin' that fella's! I'll be glad to get some shut eye too!'
Riku during the whole journey back had said nothing whatsoever but looking ahead he saw Kiara and Kovu were still smiling to one another and as they did the princess nuzzled her head against the Out Landers cheek as he whispered softly, "good night."
Kiara really happy too replied to him also smiling, "good night."
Riku looking at them smiled softly, he was glad that they had progressed so well together. Then as they looked away from each other they looked to the entrance of the cave where the princess would sleep with the rest of her royal Pride.
Walking up and seeing the two of them standing to the entrance Nozomi spoke up, "well looks like this is where we split again."
Hearing her Kiara looked to Kovu and then to the rest of them sadly... for she wished that they didn't all have to sleep in the cold but not wanting to depress everyone she said with a small smile, "yeah... well good night you guys! Thanks for today!"
Mickey hearing her shook his head as he told her, "aww it's okay Kiara! Besides we were all happy to go out today! Right fella's?" He added as he turned to the others again.
Nozomi nodding replied, "yeah definitely! Besides the heartless it was a totally great day out!"
Jona having being quiet up to this point spoke herself, "indeed... though you guys all need to still build up on your hunting skills!"
Kiara glad for the positive feedback replied, "yeah I know we gotta keep working on that... but I'm glad to hear this from you guys!" With that she started to walk to the cave and before she entered she repeated again looking really happy, "night!"
Seeing her enter her sleeping quarters everyone once again went to go and settle themselves with Jona and Kovu against their rock, as they went though they hadn't noticed a certain pair of royal eyes which were watching after them.
Settling themselves down again with Kovu the closest, Jona next to him and finally between them both the cubs, kangaroo mouse and the crowned cat.
As they settled themselves down Nozomi decided to ask, "hey Kovu?"
Hearing her he asked, "yeah?"
With that Nozomi asked him, "are you feeling all right now? You're not feeling bad anymore are you?"
At this question Kovu looked to her and then to Riku who was a little ways from her and as the white cub saw him looking at him he did a simple nod. As he did Kovu smiled again as he answered her,"no Nozomi I'm fine, there's no need for you to worry... so get some good rest okay?"
At this answer Nozomi was quiet for a moment before she nodded with a small smile," sure, okay."
Seeing she was happy Kovu then settled himself down to rest and as he did he quickly fell into the slumbers of sleep, Nozomi turned and looked at her other teacher, seeing that she was still awake she decided to ask her, "hey Jona?"
Hearing her the earring wearing lioness turned her golden eyes to her as she asked amused as ever, "yeah what is it honey?"
Nozomi seeing she was in the mood to talk asked her question, "do you think we've gotten any better at hunting at all?"
Jona was quiet for a moment before she answered still smiling, "hmm... well I'd say personally you're not all too bad, but you still have a long ways to go before you're what I'd say at a professional level."
A little deflated at this Nozomi replied with a sigh, "I thought so..."
Cait sith lying on the floor trying to get comfortable told her, "well what do ya expect lass? Ya lot have only been doin this for a couple of days, ya can't expect to be great in ten seconds flat!"
At this reply Nozomi told Cait sith annoyed, "I wasn't even thinking something like that!" But then after a moment another sigh came out of her mouth as she continued a little more, "but... I guess I was just hoping we'd gotten just a little bit stronger."
Hearing her say this Jona continued to smile away but then as she closed her eyes in understanding she looked up to the night sky as she told Nozomi, "everyone wishes for that... yearning to become stronger so one can obtain power, it is a desire that exists within all living things."
Surprised to hear such a deep answer Nozomi repeated, "power?"
Jona still looking to the sky continued as she spoke on, "yeah... for the one who holds the most power in any world is the one who can survive and live... anyone weaker is destined to be consumed by that one with that power."
Nozomi hearing this along with everyone else was quiet... how did she come up with such a philosophy?
Noticing that she caused a bit of a silent moment Jona spoke again, "oh sorry looks like a made a mess of the atmosphere huh?"
Mickey then decided to speak as he said, "well... kind of, but it sounds like with that kind of way of thinking... that you-"
Riku then finished for him seeing that his majesty was hesitating, "you've had a hard life."
Seeing that he'd got it Jona replied then, "bingo there honey! I certainly have had that."
Nozomi hearing this had thought the same thing but hearing it from Riku and looking to Jona it was hard to believe as she told her, " but Jona aren't you already very powerful yourself? I mean with the way you helped us defeat those heartless today and stuff I-"
"Oh I wasn't always like that! Before I came to this world I was no different to any of you guys!" Jona laughed aloud finding everyone's seriousness so funny.
At this everyone paused but after a moment finally Mickey repeated, "came to this world?"
Nozomi then asked perplexed, "Jona you don't come from this world?"
Seeing that she caused yet a further stir Jona was quiet for a moment before becoming almost embarrassed as she replied, "oh whoops! Looks like the cat's outta the bag!"
Cait sith though however unlike the others wasn't that phased as he replied, "well that makes sense to me."
Nozomi asked, "it does?"
At this the small cat replied,"of course it does lass! I mean how else would a lioness like her get her ears pierced! There's no way that that a normal lion would be able ta have or even be wearing earrings in this place."
Hearing this simple answer being explained to her Nozomi replied, "ah! Yeah... that makes sense..." then looking to Jona again she asked her, "so... how long have you been here then Jona? How did you get here?"
At this the earring wearing lioness shrugged as she told her, "I ain't got no clue honey... I was simply with my gang and well... I got washed away and crash landed here... I've been stuck here ever since and can't get myself out."
Riku hearing this asked her, "so you haven't been able to escape from this world at all?"
Jona simply shook her head at this answer.
Nozomi hearing this then could help but feel sorry for Jona, this gang of hers she assumed were friends. She must have missed them badly and being trapped in this world all this time... then quickly she thought of something and so turning to her again she asked, "Jona do you want to leave?"
Surprising her Jona asked, "leave honey?"
Nozomi nodded," yeah do you wanna leave this world and get back to your gang?"
Quiet for a moment as she looked to the keen eyed tiger Jona then smiled again softly as she said, "... of course I do! Though obviously I ain't got no way to leave-"
"You can come with us!" Nozomi told her excitedly.
However immediately Riku told her, "Nozomi!"
Jona though confused asked her, "go with you?"
Riku angered though continued, "you can't just invite people like that! How many times have I told you to remember the world order! And also the timeline! Who knows what could happen if we-"
"It'll be okay!" Mickey spoke as he interrupted him.
Shocking Riku, Nozomi and even Cait sith everyone was quiet before the white lion cub asked, "your majesty! What do you mean it'll be okay? I thought it was against the laws to-"
Interrupting him again Mickey continued, "I think we can make an exception here, Jona originally doesn't come from this world and if I'm to assume more I would even say she doesn't come from this timeline either..." Everyone was quiet as they all digested this information before Mickey finally finished, "so taking her back with us would actually correct this world and the timeline rather than disrupt it."
Hearing this logic Nozomi couldn't believe Mickey was giving the 'A-okay' and quickly she asked him, "so it's really okay!"
At this Mickey simply nodded to her with his usual gentle smile.
Becoming quickly ecstatic in seconds Nozomi laughed happily as she said, "isn't that great Jona! You can come back with us! And we can help you find your gang and stuff!"
Seeing the happy look on her face Jona was stunned! This little one was happy to help a total stranger? … After a moment she finally smiled herself as she replied, "well thanks! That'll be something I'll be totally looking forward to!"
Nozomi smiled and laughed happily as she was really glad that she and the others could help her out, Riku looking at her though was a little annoyed at her happy go lucky side. But he couldn't help but reveal a small smile himself... she really was too nice for her own good.
Kovu a little disturbed by the noise stirred out of his sleep and opening one eye he asked, "what's going on? What's with the racket?"
At this question everyone was quiet as they paused but quickly Cait sith stepped in as he told him, "oh just havin' a laugh here! Ya know how jokes get Kovu lad!"
Sleepy a little still Kovu asked, "oh?" With that he then yawned loudly.
Then suddenly, "hey?"
Turning and making even Kovu wake up with a start everyone saw that the king of the Pride Lands, Simba had approached them all!
Looking up to him everyone was quiet but then Riku asked quietly, "Simba what do you-"
"It's kinda of cold tonight, why don't you all come on in?" He asked as he motioned towards the sleeping caverns of the Pride Rock with a smile on his face.
Surprised at this Nozomi asked, "us? You mean you'll even let Kovu and Jona sleep in there too?"
Simba simply nodded as he replied, "of course... if friends of Sora's trust these two... then so can I." Turning again he headed towards the cave entrance.
Kovu couldn't believe it! Simba was trusting him now! As he got up along with the others they all happily went towards the cave entrance and as he passed Nozomi she smiled up to him glad to which in turn he smiled and nodded too.
"Finally let's get some sleep mates!" Cait sith spoke loudly as he went straight to the cave in seconds.
'This is turning out to be a great night!' Nozomi thought to herself and as the others headed into the cave following Simba and finally with Kovu entering she was about to make her way in too when suddenly, "I'll think I'll pass."
Turning Nozomi looked to see Jona who had spoken these words, surprised at her saying this she asked her, "Jona you don't wanna join us?"
To which in turn the lioness shook her head as she told her, "nah... I'm feelin' a little restless... so I'll just do a bit of midnight huntin' but you all take it easy okay?"
Nozomi hearing this wasn't certain of this but then she told her, "well okay Jona if you're sure." With that she started to turn and go into the cave.
"Oh and one more thing?" Hearing Jona speaking to her again Nozomi turned and looked at her puzzled as she told her, "make sure you don't let the roots of hatred ensnare you..."
Not getting what this meant Nozomi was hugely puzzled but deciding to humour her she replied, "um yeah sure Jona okay... have a good hunt tonight!" With that Nozomi headed into the cave as Jona smiled herself quickly taking her leave she descended the Pride Stone rocks entering the darkness of the night.
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Watching from that same darkness in the distance the cheetah Hari and black coloured lion Pete stood watching as events unfolded between the keybladers and the accomplices. Or should it be accomplice? Pete spoke his thoughts, "well looks like that that Kovu mutt has turned on us all don't it?"
Once again there was a long silence then for the so manyeth time and once again Hari didn't answer as she simply turned around and walked away a slight distance and looked in another direction as she sat in contemplation.
Annoyed at this action Pete tried again to speak to her,"Hari don't ya think so?"
Again she didn't answer him which made Pete call out to her once more becoming further irritated that she would speak to others and yet not him, "Hari why won't ya talk to me!"
Quiet she continued to ignore him as he called out becoming mad, "Hari!"
Nothing... finally Pete had had enough and quickly running fuelled by his irritation and anger he pounced on her! Making her turn over as she fell to the hard earthy ground Pete held her down with his enormous weight and strength!
Hari as to be expected didn't react and was even looking in a different direction away from him! Annoyed he told her, "Hari look at me!"
Hearing the order in moments she complied and look at him with her cold green emerald eyes and as she did Pete then demanded from her, "Hari why haven't ya been talkin' to me! Why've ya been ignorin' me! Why!? Do ya-"
But as he looked at her and her cold eyes Hari looked down around and back to him again... he didn't know why she did this but somehow he gave him an idea of what to do... he then ordered, "Hari I command ya ta talk to me!"
Hearing the order Hari was quiet and then she closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again and looking to Pete she finally replied, "very well Pete... what is it you want of me?"
Seeing that finally she was communicating with him Pete gave a huge sigh of relief as he told her smiling, "finally Hari! I thought ya'd given up talkin' to me! I thought ya hated me! Why have ya been actin' like this? Why-"
"My lady ordered me," Hari told him coldly.
Quiet for a few moments as this answer settled into him Pete then asked, "Maleficent? Maleficent told ya to-"
Hari then explained to him, "my lady ordered me not to talk to you... she considered you to be a hinderance to the mission and so to prevent any... mishaps, she ordered me to only interact with you when she is present and under no other circumstances."
Listening to this Pete was quiet, Maleficent had told her to do that! That was awful! Immediately he told her, "why? Why did she tell ya ta do that! Doesn't she trust ya around me to-"
"It is for the ultimate goal," Hari told him with serious cold eyes, "to obtain Kingdom Hearts and dominate all the worlds... my lady wants me to be the strongest vessel of them all... and already for her I have claimed many hearts."
Quiet as he heard this Pete had never heard such cold words from her before like this and the way she spoke as her green eyes looked at him chilled him from the inside out as he asked her, "is that what she's had ya do when ya were left with her?"
Hari at this question simply nodded and as she did this Pete then asked further, "how many have ya claimed? How many have ya-"
"Do you wish to have that number by world or individual?" Hari asked him coldly.
As he heard these words Pete was quiet and as he looked into Hari's cold eyes, he imagined her in her human form, cleaving countless people and beings removing their hearts in fire and destruction... his imagination was more than enough to think of number of things she had done...
Suddenly he heard a sound and looking to the side he saw some dark like spores as they flowed and spiralled around them both glittering with sinister purple light before they faded into night, looking at these he asked, "those were...?"
Hari looking to the spores and then into the distance she saw Jona was quickly approaching and as she removed herself from under Pete she told him, "the seeds of darkness have already begun to flourish..."
Hearing her as she said these words and looking to Pride Rock as she did he watched as Jona came quickly in their direction. Pete wondered what Hari set in motion within this wild lands...
