A quiet day in. (Open)

[nightshade]

Xumbai lay quietly in the shade of one of the largest Acacia tree's, so much had changed of late, that is was hard for her to keep up. The pridelands had returned more or less to their former glory, Scar had been exiled, and Simba had returned, from what felt like death. Xumbai had no reason to hide away any more, now Scar was gone she didn't have to live in fear of being forced upon to find an heir, and could more freely mingle with the other lionesses again, something that she had previously enjoyed immensely. So she now chose to avoid the midday sun in the Acacia trees, a far more social area of the pridelands than she had previously been residing, in the hope that she'd find someone to talk to soon. For the moment however, she was perfectly content on her own, thinking deeply, she had much to think about these days.

Cubs. They were everywhere, it felt to Xumbai that every lioness either had a cub, or was carrying cubs, and it just made Xumbai feel more alone. She had never had a mate, nor had she ever wanted one. Yes, her son obviously had a father, but Mufasa had never been her mate, they had never been in love, Xumbai had never experienced love. Mufasa had simply been the king, and the strongest lion around, a prime candidate to father her litter. Kings often fathered cubs around their pride, though Mufasa had stopped once his heir had been born, Simba. This had meant Xumbai had never been able to give young Chumvi a sibling, something she had wanted from the start, but she wasn't bitter, Chumvi had been her world, and soon, he would be bringing his own young to meet her, Kula was heavily pregnant herself.

Xumbai smiled to herself at this thought, they were a match she approved of, and couldn't wait to be a grandmother, perhaps it would bring an end to her longing for another cub of her own. She sighed softly, pleased that nowadays her main concern was cubs, and not food, water, and death. Time had really changed.

[Indigo<3]

A new era had started, and the pride hadn't been this healthy since Mufasa had ruled over them all. The shadows of death and disease had slipped away and instead blossomed into new life and renewal. Scar had been exiled by the rightful heir, and now the pridelands were once again beautiful. Nearly a month ago her best friend had given birth to the lands next heir, a single cub by the name of Kopa. He was adorable and she already loved him dearly, she had heard on the wind that Tama had also given birth as well. It was her turn now to have her cubs and begin a new stage in her circle. The dark hued 'ess roamed the acacia patch quietly her thoughts drifted towards meat and food. She needed to gorge on something before going to have her cubs so she would have added strength during her labor. Orange eyes looked between the tree's for a moment her body slowing as she saw a resting feline figure. Approaching the lioness she soon smelled her scent and a delightful smile crossed her features. Xumbai, her mother in law so to speak. She adored the older lioness, saw her as a second mother. Chuffing softly, she moved to approach her warmly. Rubbing her head against hers and mingling their scents before she flopped down into the cool grass.

The shade provided her some sort of relief, and a delighted sigh escaped her as she stretched out in the shade. Kula's thoughts drifted to her mate, she wondered where he had gotten off to. Chumvi had returned along with the other pride males once Scar had been exiled. They just seemed lost without rank and true purpose within the pride. She hoped Simba would give the males ranks so they can feel productive. However she had heard that the new King was going away for a time, leaving his family to go off to the jungle. Kula didn't really understand why he'd want to leave his mate and newborn son.. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to relax her body.

"Have you seen Chumvi today? I haven't seen him since we got up this morning." Kula questioned Xumbai gently, a curious expression on her face. She wanted to be with her mate, she loved being near him. They had been seperated for so very long thanks to Scar, and now, she wanted to spend quality time with him. Stretching along the grass she grunted, her heavily pregnant belly making it uncomfortable to lay in one position for very long.

[nightshade]

The older ess heard the tones of Kula before she had scented her existence or heard her appraoch, she had been too wrapped in her own thoughts. She frowned slightly, despite the obvious danger being over, it was not wise to become so switched off that she didn't hear others approach, she still needed to somewhat on guard. She pulled herself forwards, laying with her back to the sun rather than her side, a more alert position. Her frown was soon replace with a large smile, Kula looked in good health, if not a little worried for Chumvi. Xumbai understood her worry, it was only natural for a pregnant lioness to want to be near their mate, and it was unlike Chumvi to stray too far from her without warning. At this thought, her gaze shifted to the dark lionesses belly, the corners of her mouth twitching into a soft smile, it seemed she grew larger every time she saw her sons mate.

Chumvi isn't far, he passed by here in the early hours, muttering something to himself. Xumbai shook her head softly at her sons behaviour, but was clearly amused, rather than angry at all. He'll be back soon I should think, I believe he means to check out the border.

This time a slight air of disapproval entered her tones, Chumvi was worried about what would happen when Simba left, and had left in the early hours to see for himself how far the other prides were, and whether there were any rouges around, Xumbai knew he was doing so for the good of the pride, and his own future cubs, but she worried that he would offend Simba, she knew her son didn't mean to step on the kings toes or imply he was not doing his job, but she worried that it would be taken that way nonetheless. However she tried to push the thought aside, she was prone to over-worrying, and it was probably nothing.

[Indigo<3]

Hearing Xumbai's words the younger lioness frowned lightly at the mention of her mate checking out the borders by himself. Normally she would have gone with him to make sure the boundaries of the Pride lands were safe. However with her pregnancy zapping her strength Kula could not easily make the journey out to the edges of the territory. It hurt her to walk to the water hole sometimes, so going that far would be a suicide mission. Rolling onto her back the young female looked up into the acacia tree that was lounging underneath. She watched the birds hopping around from branch to branch going about their business. Sometimes she could hear them gossiping every so often it was a nice change. During Scar's reign the birds rarely sang let alone talked about anything, out of fear of being killed. She laughed softly as a few of the birds mentioned her swollen stomach and the babies that lay within it. Kula's thoughts unfortunately drifted back to Simba going on his vacation. Honestly, she wanted to speak up for the pride as a whole that he should remain here. Scar was lingering around the borders and would certainly attempt to take over the pride again.

She hoped that Nala and the other lionesses could hold him at bay. Glancing at Xumbai for a moment she expressed her worries. "I'm worried that if Simba goes Scar will be return.. worse than ever. I don't know why he left him live.. He killed Mufasa and caused the deaths of so many of our family.. Then he decides to leave us again to go back to the jungle.. What is wrong with him Xumbai? He just had a son with Nala and she is pregnant again with more of his cubs.." She voiced softly the anger clear in her words as she thought of the King and then of her best friend.

Nala's heart had to be breaking. She couldn't imagine Chumvi leaving her alone to raise their family.. Rolling back onto her side the dark 'ess stared off into the grassland, her orange eyes glimmered with various emotion as she thought of it. Scar would be back, they needed to remain strong and aware of him at all times. Other wise he'd be back in force and would wreck havoc on the entire pride. Mainly Nala for betraying him and those that were loyal to Simba during the final battle. Grunting softly she tried to calm her nerves but it was no simple task.

"Simba has no reason to be mad at Chumvi. At least someone is doing their duties.." Kula hissed out and closed her eyes, hoping her mate would return soon, they had much to discuss.
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[nightshade]

Xumbai nodded slowly at Kula's words, it seemed these worries were evident throughout the whole pride, but no one dare voice them, to the king. They didn't want to offend their new ruler, he was still finding his feet, and many felt they didn't know him well enough to voice concerns, even his old friends, growing up in the jungle had, in Xumbai's opinion, changed the path of his life, and also his personality. She didn't necessarily think this as a bad thing, just something she had noted. She opened her jaws to reply, but was interrupted by her son's steps into the area, she turned toward him, smiling slightly, pleased he was okay. Chumvi she said with a broad smile, and tilted her head, gesturing for him to sit.


Chumvi's large steps bought him into the area slightly slower than normal, he was tired from making a round of the area. His intentions had only ever been to look around, he had not marked the area or attempted to change anything, that was not his duty. He also worried he;d overstepped the mark by just scouting. All seemed to be well for now though, but Chumvi found it didn't have the reassuring affect he had expected. He smiled at his mother, and then moved to Kula's side, nuzzling her softly in greeting.

Everything seems fine but.. I can't help but feel we won't be safe after Simba has left.. He allowed his tones to trail off, it wasn't that he thought Simba was a stronger defender or better fighter than the rest of the pride, just that Chumvi felt his mere presence acted as a deterrant. He just hoped the pride didn;t pay for his decision to holiday in the jungle. Chumvi couldn't understand it, he couldn't think of anything worse than to leave the side of Kula right now. I'm beginning to think we should leave the pridelands until Simba returns.. he looked to his mate, worry creasing his brow, With the cubs on their way.. I don't want to take chances.

[Indigo<3]

As she waited for Xumbai's reply, she noticed the older lioness watching something. A few seconds later Chumvi walked up to where they were both relaxing in the noon day heat. He looked beat, and she frowned a bit in worry for his health. Surely he would be fine but she was his mate and could not help but worry over him. That worry was more intense thanks to being seperated for so long as cubs, she ignored the urge to baby him and instead listened to the words that came out of his mouth. Indeed she feared the same thing, once the King left for lands unknown to most in the pride, they were sitting ducks. Scar still lived and could quite easily rally the remaining hyena's to come and try to take over the Pridelands again. Nala couldn't fend off Scar and his horde of hyena, no lioness really could. What made the situation worse was that the pride was torn neatly down the middle. Some wanted Simba as their King.. others did not. The Queen could not rely on the entire pride to rally to her defensive like before.

His mention of leaving while Simba was gone made her shiver a bit. Sure they could disappear for a time but she hated to give birth somewhere far away from home. She wanted her own cubs to have the best chance of survival and the Pride lands offered them that chance. The dark 'ess rolled again uncomfortable with her large belly. "I don't think leaving here is all that wise Chumvi. I know the Pride lands very well and can find us a safe haven for these cubs. I hate the idea of giving birth in lands unknown to us..If we stay hidden we can watch what goes on without having to disappear entirely.."

She suggested softly and glanced over at Xumbai for her thoughts on this situation. She knew just as well as they did what could happen. Kula figured that perhaps that night she should try to scope out a den in the birthing fields to keep the family hidden away from prying eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was to bring attention to herself and her family. Normally she would give birth in the cave's by Pride rock, but with this situation it would not be safe for them. Hidden in grass and shrub would be the families best bet or so she believed.

"Tonight we should go find a den for us to stay at. The cubs are due anytime now and having a location picked out is a good idea. I am however going to visit with Nala before then.. I want to see how Kopa is faring.."
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[nightshade]

Xumbai had raised her brow slightly at her sons words, but was saved interrupting by Kula. At the other lionesses words, she began to nod. I think Kula is right, unknown areas could be just as dangerous in the long run, and you need the support of the whole pride to raise cubs to a strong health. Xumbai couldn't even begin to imagine how she would've raised Chumvi without the other lionesses to help look over them or hunt, and although Kula would have the support of Chumvi, the male wouldn't be an extremely successful hunter, he was too dark and broad to hide in the grasses while stalking the prey, and Kula wouldn't want to leave the cubs in the first few weeks, they'd starve. And it wasn't safe outside the pridelands now the hyena had been forced out of the lands. They were hungry and vengeful, and a young cub would seem like the perfect snack for a group of Mutts.


Chumvi resisted the urge to sigh, he was clearly not going to win this one, not up against a pregnant lioness and his mother. He still thought they'd be safer further away, but he knew that what Kula and Xumbai were saying also made a lot of sense. Okay.. but just stay clear of pride rock if anything does look like it will happen.. We need to be ready, just in case. He looked toward his mother now, he knew he could count on her support to help take care of Kula and the cubs if it came to it.

But if it ever gets back to the old days, if Scar and the hyena take over again. We're leaving, for good. His tones were firm and proud, but his eyes seemed to show a hint of worry at the thought. If Simba is overthrown by our Uncle, then I'm finding a land and starting a pride myself, away from all the drama. Chumvi had never wanted to leave the pridelands, he felt a strong sense of belonging here, it truly was his home. But a nagging sensation inside him had always wondered if he could be a good ruler, a king in his own right. One day he'd love the chance to have a small pride and lands of his own, but he was aware it was unlikely to happen for him. He wouldn't leave unless he truly felt he had to, he was comfortable in his cubhood home, for now at least.

[Indigo<3]

The young female was thankful that Xumbai had taken her side in this matter. Leaving the pride lands to start a family elsewhere was not a smart idea. She had heard many rumors growing up about the rogue males that linger in between pride lands. Males that would likely kill her cubs and maybe even try to kill Chumvi then have their way with her. The old ways of lions have not entirely died out and such things occurred a lot out in no man's land. She didn't want to put them at risk for such a fate. Most of those rogue's stayed away from pride lands, only occasionally trying to take a pride away from a King and his court. His next statement starled her however, she never knew he had wanted to try and start his own pride out in the world. Kula figured that desire was in his blood for he was in the royal line. His father had been Mufasa and so he had that urge much like any prince would. It wasn't something the pride openly discussed, that Chumvi had a right to the throne as well. He just didn't have the desire to challenge Simba for his throne. The idea of Scar returning and starting another dark time made Kula cringe and her stomach flutter sickly.

"If things get out of hand we will leave Chumvi.. but I do not want to appear as a coward and abandon my pride to their fate. We need to stand strong with Nala for as long as we can before disappearing. What kind of friends would we be to just leave?"

She questioned her mate quietly, her orange tinted lenses looking at Xumbai. Even through the dark times Chumvi's mom had stayed. She had remained loyal to her pride and Sarabi.. and so now in the good times she had a home. If they bailed on their pride they would never be welcomed home again. Rolling uncomfortably in the grass the heavily pregnant lioness tried to ease the discomfort as best she could which was far from easy.

"Perhaps Scar won't return?" Maybe he left the area entirely? Trying to start a new life elsewhere.. in a place where he was not known as a murderer.
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[nightshade]

Chumvi frowned at Kula's words, he was no coward, and would not want to abandon his pride, and Nala had always been a good friend, to him, but especially to Kula. But there was still the nagging in his mind that feared for his cubs. Of course I wouldn't abandon them, I would be here in the fight. he hesitated softly, deciding it best to not mention to Kula that he planned to keep her and his mother as far away from any battle as he possibly could, he had a feeling she wouldn't like that. But if it returns to how the dark times before were? I'm leaving. I wouldn't have a choice anyway, remember how Scar was? And he'll be worse toward me now I'm older and pose more of a threat, and have my own cubs on the way. He'd have me killed, or exiled from you and my cubs at the best. And what if one of our cubs is male? Scar would.. He stopped, allowing his voice to trail off, it was too painful to even imagine, he couldn't say it, but he knew Xumbai and Kula would know the end of the sentence, if his uncle took over again, Chumvi and any male cub would most likely be slaughtered, and his mate and any daughters worked like a slave and used to breed from. He would not put his family in danger.

His frown lightened as Kula mused that his tyrant uncle may not return. That would certainly be a happy end to their tale. Images of his cubs playing with the others and enjoying the pridelands as he once had flashed through his mind. Yes, maybe Scar had finally admitted defeat. But Chumvi was not willing to relax until he was sure of that fact. Chumvi had been slightly extending his border patrols in each direction, looking for any signs of uninhabited lands that he could claim if the worst happened. He hadn't yet found anything suitable, but was sure if he just looked farther afield, he'd find a suitable place, or at least a temporary place to hide Kula, Xumbai and the cubs if needed.


Chumvi, Kula, please.. Xumbai began, watching them both with searching eyes. I know you feel you must be prepared, but don't waste away all your youth fearing for the worst. This should be a joyous time, Her gaze flicked quickly to Kula's swollen belly, relax, enjoy yourselves. Prepare for the worst, but don't miss out on the positives we have. The pride has not been so good in years.

[Indigo<3]

She felt a sense of satisfaction when her mate talked about staying and defending their home. It was good to know that they would not abandon their friends and family to a dark end. Kula tried in vain to think of other things, more or less on the birth of her cubs. This should be a joyous time in her life and yet she was still worried. Kula worried for just about everyone in the pride. Exhaling softly, the pregnant lioness rolled onto her back. Honestly she couldn't wait to give birth so she could return to normal. Being this big was cumbersome and she liked being a productive member of the pride. "I agree with your mother Chumvi, we should be talking of better things. Life is good for us right now.. We both survived the dark era and now we are going to be parents any time now.." Her voice was soft as her eyes flickered at her mate, hoping he would finally relax just a tad.

Rolling onto her side, Kula groaned softly. After she visited with Nala this evening she was going to go and find a suitable den for her cubs. Nala had wanted her to come and birth in the caverns, but she was afraid to with the King leaving. At least in the birthing fields she could hide them safely. With a tired sigh she slowly stood up and walked over to where her mate was, with a soft purr she buried her head into his thick dark mane. Breathing in his scent she felt herself relaxing.

"After I go see Nala we are going to go find a den for these cubs." Kula stated softly, purring softly as she bumped her bulky body against his. Glancing at Xumbai she gave the lioness a gentle smile.
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[nightshade]

Chumvi sighed softly, his mother and mate were right, they needed some time to just relax and be. He shook his heavy coat and stretched his forelegs, but remained standing, his stance had softened slightly, but still, was a strong stance, alert and ready to protect those he loved. He knew he needed to relax, and he would certainly take some time out to help scout out a den for Kula and his cubs, but as long as his mate was pregnant, she was vulnerable, and Chumvi would remain extra alert. Okay.. he resigned, and nuzzled her softly, he was looking forward to finding their young ones a safe den, but other than safety, he didn't really know what to look for. He hadn't been a father before, and the nesting instinct didn't come as naturally to him as it did Kula. He would let the decision be largely hers, so long as he thought it safe enough.

Xumbai's ears flicked forwards slightly, interest showing on her features, she had not seen Nala in some time, the role of queen was a busy one, especially with Simba's looming departure, but every cloud had its silver lining. Now there was a new, official queen Sarabi had had a little more free time than usual, and Xumbai was able to see her friend more often. How is Nala at the moment? she asked, her tones curious, but tainted with an underlying note of concern.