Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Prideful Plains. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Lion King; Disney and a few others do.

Akida knew Vitani was hunting him. She was sneaky enough to get the drop on him… But she was not someone who could resist gloating.

Case in point? The lioness cub tackled him once more, knocking them down to the ground, both tumbling along the dark brown dirt which contrasted with their golden fur.

Akida was quick to plant a paw on Vitani's stomach, sending the Outlander cub flying backwards, she dug her paws into the dirt, stopping her slide backwards.

"Hiya, Akida." Vitani said as Akida huffed, more annoyed she got the drop on him then anything. "That was fun, wasn't it?" Akida heard as he paused to think.

"I almost had you that time, Vitani." Akida said, pausing to look at the cut she had made in his fur. "Claw marks, really?" Akida stated as he shook his head.

Vitani shrugged, her smirk never faded from her face as she did so. He was quite curious what had done to hunt him down.

"What? I thought you'd be tough enough to take a hit." Vitani said as she shrugged, her claws cutting groves into the ground as she stalked towards him. "Sides, you cut me last time. It's what lions do." Vitani stated to which Akida snorted.

Akida knew Vitani liked hunting him. It was clear in her amethyst eyes that the lioness was someone who clearly enjoyed preying on someone she found was weak… Not that she couldn't back things up, she was clearly smart enough to plan out where he went to think or look at the Pridelands.

"You just want an excuse to hunt me." Akida said, pointing a clawed paw at Vitani when he did so. "Hey, look! A crocodile!" Akida yelled as Vitani blinked.

She risked a slight look behind her only to turn backwards to towards to Akida pouncing on her.

She grinned, a fight, something that was finally going to be enjoyable. She managed to dig in her back claws, flipping Akida into the air slightly as he landed, dodging her lunge at him as turned to try and get her again.

"There you go!" Vitani said as she grinned, almost catching Akida as he went to lunge.

Akida almost slipped, she wanted this fight. Play or not? Vitani ALWAYS wanted a fight with him, she liked digging just enough to get a reaction from him. Vitani was good at cutting below the surface.

"Stand still!" Akida growled as he growled and managed to tackle Vitani to the ground a moment later. "Heh!" Akida said as he slammed the lioness to the ground.

Vitani grinned and shoved her weight into Akida, flipping him over and onto the ground. She pinned the lion cub to the ground, his face changing from one of amusement to one of frustration. Oh, so savory when she ticked off Akida only to then take away any small hope he had of victory.

"No! You cheated!" Akida said, growling as Vitani let out an amused giggle.

"You're the one who tried to trick me and I STILL pinned you." Vitani said, leaning close to flick her tail in Akida's face. "You're really easy to rile up, that's why it's so much fun playing with you." Vitani added as Akida snapped his jaws at her, forcing her to lean back.

She was enjoying this too much. Vitani looked at the cub with a smirk, amused she left his pride more bruised than his body. She played this game constantly, cockier when she managed to subdue him.

"I hate when you do this." Akida said as he shook his head. "What did you want? It's always another excuse for you to fight. You love getting under my skin… How did you even know I was here?" Akida questioned, raising his eyebrow as he did.

Vitani rolled her eyes, she knew more then anything Akida wanted this fight. He liked proving himself as a warrior, eager to protect the rest of the Pride Lands… Or at the very least? Vitani knew that Akida was a warrior enough to be goaded into a fight when she pushed enough.

"Ugh, curse you." Akida said, slowly pushing himself to his feet a second later.

Vitani merely rolled her eyes, happy she had managed to get under Akida's skin so much. She knew Akida would be easy to aggravate and annoy, it was something that she was good at given enough time and effort. Then again? She was quite curious what made him more eager what would end up being the thing to annoy him.

"It's very easy to get under your skin, Akida." Vitani said to which caused him to shake his head. "That's what I like about you." Vitani purred out as Akida turned his head away in annoyance.

"What do you even want so bad you need me?" Akida asked to which Vitani was silent, more amused that she was able to annoy Akida into action at this. "You do this every week, every day, I think, actually. I almost seem to think you enjoy going out of your way to get under my fur." Akida muttered as Vitani hummed, curious as to what he meant.

"I couldn't really think of something better to do." Vitani shrugged, looking around with much more amusement. "Sides, you never pass up a chance to play with me like your sister or brother do. Is it so wrong I want a play mate when there's almost nobody who wants to play with me?" Vitani asked, her face full of mirth.

Akida could do nothing but sigh, more than little annoyed by this amount of work. He knew something was going on inside her head, but he didn't want to know it. Her plans were annoying, they were terrifying, and they always involved making him look like a bunch of ruffled fur around her. He often figured them out AFTER she made him look bad or stupid. Akida could only try to fathom what she'd do next.

She was a lioness after all, and it wasn't that shocking in his book. There was a lot she seemed to think at the end of the road, most of it seemed to be related towards him or such thins.

He was quite interested in her next move, but he didn't entirely know what was going to occur. She was quite powerful, and she was quite smart… But he was just as cunning and clever as her, and she knew that at the end of the day.

He chuckled with eagerness to conquer. He knew how to defeat her and he planned on overcoming her at the end of the day.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out next chapter will be a bit delayed and such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will end up show Akida and Vitani talking more, bonding and such. Until then? Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will be 900-4500 words and will be a bit longer or short possibly. I don't know currently sadly.