Chapter 3: Shadow’s Second Appearance

The lionesses soon returned with their cubs

“Hey Kitisha!” greeted Mkuu to his friend.

“Hi Mkuu!” she greeted back.

“Want to go to the gorge?” whispered Mkuu.

“Yeah but what will we tell our parents?” asked Kitisha.

“We’ll tell them we’re going near the water hole. After all, the water hole is near the gorge.” Mkuu said.

“Good idea.” Replied Kitisha.

“Mom, can we go to the water hole?” asked Mkuu.

“Sure but be back before sunset.” Answered Foxy.

“Alright! Yeah!” the cubs cheered.

The cubs wandered down south to the gorge. “I’ll race you to the the desert.” Mkuu told Kitisha.

“Fine,” she replied “You’re on.”

“Ready, set, go!” yelled Mkuu.

Kitisha bolted ahead but Mkuu caught up right away. They were inching and inching closer and closer to the desert.

With all her speed, Kitisha tore the grass in a snap and finally made it to the desert.

Mkuu slowly jogged to the desert.

“Beat’cha!” Kitisha laughed.

Mkuu didn’t care.

“So what, I didn’t bet my life on it.” Mkuu said trying not to care.

“Your Uncle did.” Said a voice from far away.

“Who is that?” Mkuu said a bit frightened. 

Kitisha hid behind Mkuu for she was frightened too.

Shadow appeared for a second time. He jumped from a rock.

“I don’t have an Uncle.” Defended Mkuu.

“Yes you do. His name was Kasi.” Said Shadow. “What?” Mkuu asked.

“Kasi was your father’s older brother. He was going to be King. He was just a Prince and also top defender. One day, Kasi’s friend Marina was trapped in a stampede here in this gorge. Kasi saved her life, but he was killed.” Shadow explained.

“My father never said I had an Uncle.” Mkuu said.

“Well whaddaya know, you’re unlike your brother.” Shadow said.

“How do you know about my brother?” asked Mkuu.

“Why he was here about an hour ago.” Shadow said. “He tried practicing his roar. It came out almost like a purr. Let’s hear yours.”

“Umm, okay?” Mkuu said. Mkuu roared his best. He growled loudly.

“Let’s hear that again.” Shadow persuaded.

As Mkuu’s mouth opened, a booming roar was heard.

Julian appeared.

“SHADOW!!!!!!” he roared angrily. “STAY AWAY FROM MY LAND!!!!!! YOU DON’T BELONG HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Julian put the cubs in his mouth and ran. Shadow dashed after him snapping at his tail. Shadow had Julian’s tail in his mouth and pulled back on it.

Obviously Julian was in pain and the cubs flew out of his mouth.

Shadow bit into Julian. He roared in deep pain.

“Kitisha, get the pride I’ll fight him off!” Mkuu ordered.

With a nod of her head she ran.

Mkuu jumped on Shadow’s head and scratched up his eyes and face.

Shadow struck Mkuu firmly.

Mkuu went flying. He landed on the hard ground. He was barely breathing.

“NOOO!!!!!!” Julian cried.

Shadow scared up Julian’s face.

Kitisha returned with the pride and another pride.

They attacked Shadow.

King Kali bit on him stomach and clawed it. Sukari and several other lionesses pounced on him but no one noticed poor Mkuu.

Suddenly, an old baboon appeared.

“Rafiki! Thank goodness you’re here. Tie up the menace.” Kali commanded.

“Of course Kali!” Rafiki answered.

Rafiki got strong vines that were tied up solidly. He tied up Shadow’s mouth and paws. Shadow was squirming around.

The lions carried him into a large ditch that was shallow. They dropped him in.

They returned home.

            Chapter 4: Healing

“Mom! Mkuu’s hurt!” Kitisha and Kifalme cried.

Queen Foxy and Kitisha’s mom hurried to where Mkuu was.

His small body was scraped up.

Foxy nudged her son. He was still barely breathing.

“Julian!” sobbed Foxy “Mkuu’s hurt!”

Julian raced to his son.

“Mkuu?” he whispered in his son’s furry ear.

“Rafiki,” Kali said.

“Yes Kali?” answered Rafiki.

“That cub over there is injured. Gather your herbs and try to heal him.” Kali commanded.

“At once.” Responded Rafiki.

He carried his stick and hopped over to where Mkuu was.

“By the order of King Kali, I must heal your son.” Rafiki told Julian.

Rafiki cracked open one of his coconuts and rolled the liquid all around and mixed up some ground leaves, herbs, and oil. He took a bit of this mixture and placed some on his thumb. He put it over Mkuu’s scars, his eyelids, and his forehead.

Slowly, Mkuu’s eyelids opened.

“Mkuu!” everyone cheered. His father and mother hugged him.

“Wha-what happened?” Mkuu said looking around everywhere.

“Shadow hurt you. But we took care of that and now you’re okay. That’s all that matters.” Julian said hugging his son.

Again, Prince was jealous.

I bet nobody loves me. Prince thought to himself.

He hated his family.

Then, Prince had an idea. A wonderful wicked idea. He chuckled faintly and hurried back to the cave.

            Chapter 5: A Second Attempt

The hunters caught a good meal and everyone ate. All but Prince. Nobody noticed though.

When everyone was in a deep slumber, Prince’s plan began to emerge.

Quickly yet quietly, Prince dashed out of the cave and left back to the water hole. He took a quick sip and continued his journey. He ran through the desert and saw a shadowy area. It was filled with rotting bones and dirty old rocks.

Prince wandered through until a teen cub probably around Mkuu’s age stopped him in his tracks.

He growled and snarled at Prince.

Prince growled back. Again, it came out like a purr.

The teen cub began to chuckle.

“That’s all you got?” the teen cub laughed.

Prince was angry and struck the teens face. The teen slightly yelped in pain and swung a fist at Prince’s jaw.

Suddenly, an old lioness appeared.

“Kiungo! Stop hurting him!” she yelled.

“Sorry Marina.” The cub replied.

“Wait,” Prince interrupted “You’re Marina? Did you know a lion called Kasi?”

“Yes young cub. Who are you anyway?” Marina asked.

“His nephew.” Replied Prince.

“You’re Julian’s boy aren’t you?” Marina said.

“The second Prince of Bora.” Answered Prince.

“Yes, I did know your Uncle very well. We met when we were cubs.”

“Wait, who’s Kasi, Marina?” delayed Kiungo.

“Since this young prince brought it up, it’s time you knew. He’s your father.” Marina revealed.

“Then that means, we’re cousins.” Kiungo and Prince said at the same time.

Prince looked at his cousin.

“You must meet my family!” Prince insisted.

“No, Julian must never know. Nor should your mother or siblings.” Marina said strictly.

“How come?” asked Kiungo.

“It’s complicated Kiungo.” Said Marina “Go play with your cousin now.”

“Okay.” Said Kiungo.

“My father said that Kasi was supposed to be King but since he died, my dad took his place.” Prince said.

“Wait, then that means I have royal blood. I’m going to be King!” Kiungo exclaimed with glee.

“No, that would be my brother Mkuu. He’s older than us. He will be King.” Said Prince.

“Oh.” Said Kiungo. His happiness dropped. “You’re lucky you’re a prince. My life stinks. All I do is starve. I wish I could just run away.”

Prince smirked.

“Really? Same! I’m going to run away to the desert and travel. I’ll be a rouge.” Prince exclaimed.

“Can I come with you?” asked Kiungo. “I know how to go far away and quick.”

“Sure, but I still want to stay in Africa.” Said Prince.

“Maybe we can go up to Mali.” Suggested Kiungo.

“Good idea!” agreed Prince.

The two cubs began their journey.

           

            Chapter 6: Three Rouges

Kiungo and Prince made their way through the gorge and then slowly pacing in the desert when a weak and scrawny antelope was limping across the sand.

“I’ll get him.” Insisted Kiungo.

He stayed low to the ground and kept silent. He crept closer and closer and then- POUNCED! He stuck his claws in the baby antelope back causing him to fall and squeal. Bloody dripped out slowly as Kiungo dragged the little creature across the sand to his cousin and plopped in in front of him.

“Breakfast is served.” He exclaimed.

“Dig in!” cheered Prince.

“Let’s!” agreed Kiungo. They dug their teeth into the stomach and- I think you’ve heard enough. Basically what happened is that Kiungo and Prince ate stuffed it all down and continued their journey.

They finally reached a warm and wet jungle that had plenty of trees, water and plants. “Let’s

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