Welcome the Morning Sun

[summerrain]

He had just gotten finished with his morning fly-over of the Pridelands. Simba was on in years, and Kovu was bound to take up the crown, so to speak, sometime soon. He had flown over the Canyon just before turning back to Pride Rock, surprised to find three cubs there. Two looked like their own, but one of them...

He landed in front of Kovu, bowing in his strange, bird-like way. "Prince," he said, then turned to Kiara. "Princess. I just finished my morning fly-over, and thought I saw three cubs in the Canyon." Zazu was one for skepticism occasionally, but he had to be serious this time. "I must say, two of them seemed our own, young sire, but the third one I do not believe I have seen before. Shall I fly over it again and check further? I have seen cheetahs in the area recently, as well," he added, with a slightly worried tone to his voice. This was bringing back the memories of the stampede that had caused Mufasa's death. And those memories were not pleasant.

[mistwolf]

{Kovu}

Kovu leaned in to listen to what his mate was whispering to him. He pulled away, and sighed. She was right. They had been having an issue with cheetahs lately. "We can check it out," he told her. "If it makes you feel better. There are cheetahs down there, you're right. Let's go make sure they're not getting into trouble." He smiled crookedly. "Although, if a cheetah did come across Koda and Inaya, I'd be more worried for the cheetah than those cubs." He snickered slightly, but was cut off when Zazu landed in front of both Kovu and Kiara, and reported to them about the other cub. Kovu considered. "An unknown cub,"

[/color] he said thoughtfully, then looked back when Zazu offered to check it out again. Kovu shook his head.

"That won't be neccessary,'[/color] he told the hornbill. "I'll go check it out. ....Kiara?[/color]

He glanced back at his mate to see if she was interested in joining him. [/blockquote][/td][/tr][/table]

[Rose Petals]

Sasha held herself, her head, high in pride as Kiara informed Kovu of the dangers of the canyon. She smiled as if to say 'I told you so.'

"Prince Kovu, the canyon is not within the borders of the Pridelands," Sasha explained calmly. She knew that the cubs were up to no good, and it was Kovu's job now to make sure that they listened. She could not wait to see what sort of punishment they would receive for not listening to her. Where was Sequoia, Sasha wondered. She flicked her tail back and forth, awaiting the response of the princess, when Zazu landed. His report confirmed Sasha's story, and this made Sasha even more proud. She had not heard of the cheetahs yet, and that tid bit of information had somehow slipped by her ears when Kiara mentioned them. She stood up quickly, and went towards Zazu. "Zazu, you cannot be serious!" She turned quickly to face Kiara, then continued, "Princess Kiara, we must go save them!"



Vitani nodded at Zazu when he was finished explaining about another cub being with two of their own at the canyons, then couldn't help but laugh at Sasha's fierce demeanor. "Little miss Sasha, you're not going anywhere. Thank you for letting us know about the cubs, but you are going inside the den and staying put until everyone returns," she commented as Kovu and Kiara conversed. Sasha of course obeyed, even though with a huge sigh as she trotted off to the den.

Vitani turned her attention to Kiara. "I will be taking a walk. Even if there is a cheetah lurking, they're no match for even one of us. They almost never travel with another of their own, they are loners at heart. You won't need my help that's for sure." With that, Vitani hopped down the rocks quickly, then looked back up towards the prince and princess once more before venturing off with no clear destination in mind.

[Night]

Kiara smiled happily when Kovu agreed to go check on the cubs. Chances were, if they didn't end up going then something bad would happen. Wasn't that how it always worked? She looked at her mate as he smiled at her. "Although, if a cheetah did come across Koda and Inaya, I'd be more worried for the cheetah than those cubs." He told her. Kiara laughed at his words. It was true, they were a big handful. Her laughter was cut short as Zazu fluttered down in front of her and Kovu. The adviser gave them formal greetings before informing them that he saw three cubs down at the canyon. The princess cocked her head to one side, a small frown on her face, as he told them that there was a third cub that he had never seen before. What had the cubs gotten into this time? The last thing they needed was them getting another cub into trouble. Zazu told them of the dangers that the canyon brought, and Kiara knew that he was just as worried as she was. Bad things had always happened at the canyon, even if it was a good place to nap. Kiara looked at her mate as he shook his head at Zazu. "That won't be neccessary," Kovu told him. "I'll go check it out. ....Kiara?" He asked her. Kiara nodded at him and smiled. "I'm not letting you go by yourself. You may need some help, in case you get into some trouble." She teased, nudging him playfully with her muzzle. She looked at Sasha as the cub stated that she would go too, and giggled as Vitani told the cub that she wasn't going to go anywhere. "I will be taking a walk. Even if there is a cheetah lurking, they're no match for even one of us. They almost never travel with another of their own, they are loners at heart. You won't need my help that's for sure." The lioness said, and turned to leave. Kiara smiled at her friend. "We won't be gone long. Don't think this battle is over yet!" She laughed, then turned to Kovu. "Shall we be going?" The princess asked, smiling a little as the sun soaked into her fur.

[summerrain]

Zazu was pleased at least that the two were going to investigate the situation further, but worry still gnawed at his mind. He turned sternly to Sasha. "Not us," he told her reproachfully. "Prince Kovu and Princess Kiara will. You will stay inside. And don't think I won't tell Simba if you try to sneak out. Or perhaps your mother." He remembered Simba and Nala protesting every time he threatened to tell their mothers if they were up to something. He fluttered up onto a rock with a higher vantage point. "Speaking of which, I have something to tell you two upon your return," he told Kovu and Kiara. He heard a noise from behind him, flying into the air just before a young cub leaped at where he had been. "I thought I told Simba never again!" he muttered moodily. "I had quite enough of being a pouncing target when he was a cub..." He landed again, shaking his head. "Do try to remember that when your own cubs are born," he requested of the heirs.

[mistwolf]

{Kovu}

Kovu smiled when his mate agreed that she would come with him. Vitani would be nearby as well, which was another good thing. With the three of them, a cheetah wouldn't dare mess with those cubs. Kovu didn't waste any time. Though he was trying to tell himself that most likely there was no danger, doubt began to grow in his mind, and he quickened his pace towards the gorge, passing the water hole. A rust-colored lioness lounging on a rock glanced up as they went past. "Prince Kovu, is something amiss?" Andromeda rose from her lounging and trotted over to her friends. Kovu paused to turn to her. Andromeda was a close family friend, and a loyal guard. Perhaps she could be of assistance as well. "Did you see the cubs Koda and Inaya this morning?" he asked her. She looked slightly confused, and nodded. "Yes, I did. They were heading for the canyon. Is there trouble?" "Possibly,"

[/color] Kovu answered her. "We've had many issues with cheetahs lately in that area. We need to find them right away."

Andromeda gasped.

"I had to idea! I never would have let them go if I had known-"

Kovu shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself. Come quickly with us, so you can help us find them."[/color]

"Of course!"[/color] Andromeda gasped. And quickly fell in step with Kovu and Kiara, her eyes worried. What if they were too late?[/blockquote][/td][/tr][/table]

[kathryncristal]

Caladiums may be best known for their wide range of leaf colors and patterns. Although usually considered a plant for shade, some varieties of caladium can tolerate partial sun.