Vitani sneered at his words, but did her best to keep his attention as her girls began setting about their task. She laughed a bit, trying to make it sound lighthearted, but it sounded cruel as usual.
"You're so eager for information, aren't you dear brother?" she cackled. "It was only earlier this day when we saw him. He's more clever than to allow us any more knowledge of him yet. No, we will have to fight for it. That is why we are here. Face it, we're the six best fighters in the land; with a seventh in training."
The other lionesses who had returned with Vitani had crept further into the cave, and they kept their voices low-ish. Kovu wasn't supposed to overhear them.
"See how he doesn't dignify that with a response?" N'gora whispered to the tears sisters under her breath as they lay down together in the back. "He killed his older brother too," she couldn't stop herself from continuing slightly louder.
"He killed him and took the throne. He's a murderer like Scar."
Some of the lionesses from Kovu's pride shifted uncomfortably at her words. Several got up and moved farther away from the three followers of the demons. One lioness, however, rose on her four paws and slipped over to drop down beside N'gora, her eyes shining, bright and the colour of sapphires and emeralds thrown together.
"I concur," she mumbled softly, "he doesn't deserve the throne he sits on."
"Who are you?" Masozi asked curiously.
"My name is Ghinjo," the pridesister replied, "I have never trusted Kovu. He is too much like Scar. He is rash, and he doesn't think things through properly. If what you say is true, that he killed his older brother, then that's even more proof."
"Ghinjo? Strange name for a pridelander," N'gora remarked.
"I was named with the intent of being a great huntress," the lioness said offhandedly with a flip of her paw. Then she shrugged, "I'm sure you girls are tired, and I know the king isn't all that fond of you, so I'll let you get some rest." She rose and padded back over to the other lionesses and stretched before laying down. N'gora and her companions exchanged glances before they rested their heads as well and began observing the lionesses for any other signs of dissonance.
-
Sauda chuckled, it was a somewhat dark sound. "True. But she is our pride leader, and you are bound by what she says as much as the rest of us. Perhaps even more so, as you owe her your very life. Or is that a reason to hate her for you? Ah, I'm sure we'll be back among the skulls and bones soon enough. Try not to let the Pridelanders rub off on you," she said lackadaisically before strolling past the den he'd chosen a little ways and leaving him alone. She found another opening higher up, close to the sunning stones. She purred looking at it.
The gray lioness didn't care much for the Pridelanders, but she had to admit, the lifestyle wasn't all that bad, and she'd missed this little spot. She had spent numerous nights tucked into the cozy little cave, and the dried remnants of leaves and grasses she'd used as bedding still scattered the floor. It wasn't very big, it could hold two lions, but only if they slept curled against one another. She'd never shared it with anyone. She slipped into the little den and made herself comfortable, smiling in pure delight. Something she'd not done in a while. Things were serious in nearly all aspects of the lioness' life, but for tonight, for tonight she forgot all that. She flopped onto her back and gazed up at the stars from beneath an overhanging tree branch.
As she smiled at the stars, she could almost swear she felt a presence beside her. She knew who it was, and smiled warmly. It was a lion she'd thought she'd lost long ago. A lion who's spirit comforted her, and made her feel at home for the first time in a long time. For tonight, Baya no longer mattered, nor did Vitani, Kovu, or the war that was approaching. All that mattered was this moment. She closed her eyes and made herself as comfortable as possible.