Chapter 16 Kasi’s Return:

“Kasi?!” Prince exclaimed “Uncle Kasi everyone thought you were dead!” Prince ran toward his Uncle and hugged him.

“Uncle Kasi?” Kasi asked.

“Yes. You’re brothers with my father, Julian. Correct?” Prince asked.

“Yes but, he’s King?” Kasi asked.

“Yes. Everyone thought you died so Julian had to be King or else the pride would have no ruler.” Prince answered.

“What about Marina and my cub?” Kasi asked his nephew.

“Marina and your son, Kiungo are apart of the Shadow Pride.” Answered Prince. 

“How old is my son?” Kasi asked.

“He’s a teen and he has a girlfriend.” Prince said.

“A girlfriend eh? My son has a girlfriend! That’s my boy!” he said proudly. “Listen Nephew, no one must know that I’m alive. I actually regret telling you my name.”

“Why Uncle Kasi?” questioned Prince.

“It’s hard to explain. I must leave now.” Kasi said and hugged Prince. He bolted again. 

Once again, Prince bolted after him.

“Uncle Kasi, please tell me why?” Prince asked.

“Why ask so many questions my dear boy?” Kasi asked.

“Please Uncle Kasi.” Prince pleaded.

Kasi sighed.

“Fine, I’ll return. But I must see Marina and my son first.” Kasi said.

Prince was happier than he ever was before.

“You’re coming back!!!” he cheered. He jumped and leaped all around. 

“Where is the Shadow Pride?” Kasi asked.

“Well right now, Marina is at the cave and Kiungo might be in the jungle.” Prince said.

“Take me to Marina.” He demanded.

Prince led the way to the cave.

“Stay here.” Prince said. “I’ll surprise her.”

“Good idea.” Said Kasi.

Prince walked inside the cave and tip-toed to where Marina was.

“Aunt Marina,” he whispered.

“What is it Prince?” Marina whispered back.

“Someone outside the cave wants to see you.” Prince answered.

Marina stretched and walked outside the cave and there Kasi was. Waiting and smiling at his mate.

“Kasi!!!!” she exclaimed. She rushed to him, hugging him and licking him.

Kasi returned the kiss.

“I’ll just leave and give you some privacy.” Said Prince as he walked into the cave.

“I can’t believe it’s really you!” Marina cheered. “You must see Kiungo! You’d be proud of how he’s grown and-“ she stopped herself. “Why Kasi, you’re the King!” she cheered. “You must talk to Julian. He’s probably eager to-“

“No,” Kasi cut her off “Julian mustn’t see me.” He demanded. 

“Why?” Marina asked.

“He doesn’t want me to be King. He wants to be the King and he wants the same for his children.” Kasi said.

“No, Kasi. That can’t be. He loved you. He had always admired you. Why did you even think that?” Marina said trying to make Kasi feel better. 

“He tried to threaten me!” Kasi said.

“No, he wouldn’t-“ Marina said.

“He did!” Kasi said. “He’d probably threaten me again if he had the chance.” He sighed.

Julian awoke and came outside.

“Hey what’s all this rac- Kasi!” Julian exclaimed. “Brother! I thought you died!” 

“I was at my deathbed Julian. Now if you’d excuse me I must see my son.” Kasi said.

Kasi walked off. He knew the land like the back of his paw. 

He hurried off into the jungle to find his son.

“Kiungo!?” he yelled.

“That’d be me.” Kiungo answered. “Who are you?”

“I’m your father, Kasi.” Replied Kasi.

“Father!” Kiungo said rushing toward his dad.

Kasi held his son tightly.

“I heard you have a ‘girlfriend’. Is this true son?” Kasi asked. 

“Well, um I uh-“ 

“Yes.” Nyota cut in. “That would be me.”

“I’m Kiungo’s father, Kasi.” He introduced.

“Nyota.” She said.

“Pleased to meet you Nyota. If you don’t mind I must have a word with my son.” Kasi said.

“Oh that’s fine.” She answered. 

Kasi took Kiungo to a grassland that was filled with antelope.

“Why are we here Dad?” Kiungo asked.

“Shh son. This is what every Prince should know.” Kasi told his son.

“Me? A pr-“ 

“Yes son. You are a Prince. I am the real King. Everyone thought I had died so Julian became King. And since you are my son, you are the rightful Prince.”

“What about Julian and my cousins?” Kiungo asked.

“We’ll talk about that later Kiungo. Now let’s hunt.” Kasi said. 

Kasi walked back a bit and then bolted to a fat juicy antelope. He clawed its stomach with his back claws and used his front paws to claw its neck. The antelope fell and Kasi dragged it over to his son. 

“Let’s eat. Invite Nyota. She must be starved.” Kasi said.

Kiungo hurried back into the jungle to get Nyota.

“Nyota!” he called.

“Yes Kiungo,” she replied.

“My father caught a big antelope. Want to eat?” Kiungo offered.

“Sure!” Nyota said and the two teens walked back to Kasi.

The three lions chowed down the delicious antelope. They were all full and decided to get a quick drink at the water hole.

Kasi playfully pushed his son in the water. Kiungo pulled Nyota and Kasi in. 

They were splashing water at each other and it was just so pleasing. 

They were all drenched in water and shook the liquid of their fur. Their fur was still a bit moist, none of them seem to really mind much. 

Nyota, Kiungo, and Kasi all headed back to the cave. 

“Father, why are we going into the cave?” Kiungo asked.

“Why, don’t you live here?” Kasi asked.

“No father, we’re rouges.” Kiungo answered.  “Well, you deserve the right to sleep in your Uncle’s cave.” Kasi insisted.

Kasi turned and walked in the cave. Kiungo shrugged at Nyota and they headed in the cave. 

Kasi searched for an empty space to sleep in. He found a large corner and a smaller area that were both near the back of the cave. 

“Kiungo.” He whispered.

“Yes father?” Kiungo whispered back.

“There’s a large corner in the back. You and Nyota can rest there.” Kasi said.

“Oh, thanks Dad.” Kiungo whispered. He hugged his father and escorted Nyota to the corner.

He licked her muzzle. She licked his back. Kiungo lied down on the nipping ground.  Nyota shivered and cuddled up to Kiungo. He smiled. 

Nyota quickly fell into a deep slumber. Kiungo licked her head and fell asleep as well.

Kasi smiled and tip-toed to the small corner and fell asleep along with the other lions in the cave.

Chapter 17 Prince’s Exile:

Julian awoke and stretched in the toasty sunlight. Kasi came out to greet his younger brother.

“Good morning brother.” Kasi signaled.

“Good morning Kasi.” Julian replied.

“Julian, I need to talk to you about some royal planning. You are not the rightful King. I’m the true King and you know it.” Kasi said.

“You can’t change royal members.” Julian defended.

“Yes you can!” Kasi growled. “That’s how you became King. Listen Julian, if father or mother were here-“

“Well they aren’t!” Julian roared.

“I said ‘IF’” Kasi argued.

“Well they still aren’t!” Julian said.

Julian raised a fist and was ready to fire a shot at Kasi. He ended up spinning around. Kasi decided to push his brother’s elbow so Julian would end up punching himself. He did and fell straight to the ground.

“Never mess with the rightful King.” Kasi said kicking dirt in Julian’s face and walked away. Phlegmatically, Julian rose up. He understood his brother. He knew he was he rightful King he just didn’t want him to be the King.

He paced around the cave. He didn’t know what to say or do. He was perplexed. 

Foxy came out from the cave. She could sense that Julian was mad or confused about something. She could just always tell. 

“Julian, what are you so fixed up about?” she asked.

“Who me? Uh-um Nothing!” he exclaimed fast.

“Julian, I know something’s up. Just tell me.” She persuaded.

He sighed. 

“Kasi has returned and I don’t want him to be King and our cubs and Kasi’s-“

“Julian, calm down. There’s nothing to worry about.” Foxy comforted. She nudged him affectionately. He stood there calmy and did nothing else. 

“There is something to worry about.” Julian confessed.

Foxy looked at him strangely.

“Kasi is the true King. He told me when he was in reign, he would kick us out and injury me.” Julian said.

Foxy stared at him in awe.

“No,” she paused “No, Kasi would never do such a thing. No, he was probably joking around he was-“

“I know my brother. He never joked around.