explained. 

“Mtu, they’re probably just joking around. They always joke around.” Kifalme reassured. “Especially Prince. Not anymore though.” She paused.

“What do you mean?” Mtu asked.

“He made up a rumor about Kitisha and then my father exiled him because it is against Kingdom laws to make up rumors.” Kifalme said. “How could your father do that? He’s still a cub!” Mtu said.

“I don’t know why he did such a thing.” 

“We don’t need our pride anymore! Julian’s rules are obnoxious and unfair. We’ll leave! We’ll run away together! And start a pride all our own.” Mtu said.

“I don’t know Mtu. We have to return but-“

“But what?” Mtu asked nudging her. 

“I don’t want to return. My father is abusing my mother, Prince is gone, Kitisha has been gone for quite a while and Mkuu is with her.”

“What would the answer be then?” he asked lovingly.

“N-Yes.” She stumbled. “Yes.”

Chapter 20 Prince:

Prince shivered in the frigid darkness of the night. He longed to be home with his family, snuggling up with Kasa and slumbering in a toasty cave. He was near the Pridelands and hoped to stay in their cave. Prince suddenly remembered the law: Once exiled they may not join another pride and the only way they can have a pride, is if they create one of their own. But Prince knew that there were no rouges that were cubs. He would have to wait to start a pride. He had to be much older to create one of his own. 

The young cub searched for some shelter. None was to be found. Quivering, Prince climbed up a small tree, curled up and quickly closed his eyes.

Speedily, he fell asleep. He started having a dream. He didn’t quite understand it at first. But then, he saw an image of an evil face. A familiar face. It was Shadow! Shadow had a full mane and his fur was cleaned. His scars were gone and he looked like a normal lion. He gave a sinful grin at Prince. Prince started to bolt away (like he did when he was in the gorge). As Shadow started to run faster and faster, he became more gruesome. His skin came off and revealed an evil menace with dark gray-blue skin, brick eyes, and gnashed his savage teeth. This demon chased Prince until this savage opened his mouth and was about to bite Prince and… he awoke. Prince gasped, shivered and slowly returned to slumber dreaming a new dream. He tossed and turned and fell off the tree, but he was still sound asleep.

Bluntly, he awoke again wondering why he was awaking frequently. He soon realized he was on the ground and he assumed he had fallen. He stretched his scrawny legs and yawned quietly.

The sun hadn’t risen yet but Prince knew he had to get some food, and quick.

He stayed low to the ground so that his prey (if he had any) wouldn’t see him.

He saw a glance. Of something. Something brown, or red. He couldn’t tell. He tracked it down and when he saw it again, he POUNCED! He rolled over something. He quickly got to his feet. He rolled over a young lioness. A  beautiful young lioness, his age with ruby fur. He slowly walked over to over to her, and nudged her.

“Are you all right?” He asked, a bit cautioned. 

She slowly rose to her paws.

“I guess so.” She said slowly.

Prince could obviously tell that she wasn’t. He noticed a scratch on her back, dripping blood. From him. He gasped.

“No you’re not, I’ll help you.” Prince said.

“Who-who are you?” the young lioness asked.

“I’m Prince. And you are-“

“Joka.” She answered.

“Joka, are you a r-“

“Yes.” She paused for a few seconds. “Are you a rouge too?”

“I am now.” He said.

“What do you mean?” Joka questioned, wondering why he has a rouge now. Wondering about his story. That is, if he had one.

“I was a Prince but, I-“ Prince stopped and sighed. “I made up a rumor and, I was exiled from my kingdom.” He sighed again.

“I’m so sorry.” Joka calmly spilled out.

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I shouldn’t have started it in the first place. And I told my big brother. I’m such an idiot-“

“No you’re not.” Joka said nudging Prince. Prince thought it was a bit awkward but he didn’t mind. Prince liked Joka. He had only hoped she had feelings for him as well. She probably didn’t considering that the two cubs had just met one another.

He nudged her back.

She flashed a quick smile.

“Well, we’d better take care of that scratch of yours.” Prince said. He leaped at a tree and snatched a very large leaf from it. He took the leaf and stuck it in his mouth. He wiped away the blood from Joka’s back and then, spit out the leaf.

“There. All better.” Prince said.

“Thank you, Prince.” Joka gladly responded. She nudged him again.

“Wait here. I’ll fetch us some breakfast.” Prince said, winked at her then crept down close to the ground and searched for some prey.

Wow. Joka thought to herself. What a gentlemen.

She lay down underneath a small tree and waited for Prince to come back.

Chapter 21 At Bora: 

Julian lovingly nudged his injured mate. 

"Dear, I'm so sorry. Really. I don't know why I did that. Please forgive me Foxy." Julian said has a few salty tears dripped down from his eyes. "Please." he said softly. 

"I f-"

"Just leave her alone you savage beast!!" Hayyan spilled out of his mouth, interrupting Foxy.

"What did you say?" Julian snarled at his defender.

"Please sir! I didn't mean it! Really, I swear!" Hayyan said to his ruler.

"Hm. Fine. You get a small punishment. You must leave the pride." Julian told him.

Hayyan's jaw dropped.

"For about a few days." Julian added. Hayyan was relieved, then left because he was told to do so by his liege.

"Do you forgive me, Foxy?" Julian asked.

"Yes." she confirmed.

"Thank you." he whispered to her. "Thank you thank you." 

Suddenly, Garth bolted into the cave, 

"My liege! Kifalme is gone!" he announed.

Julian stopped nudging Foxy and rapidly turned to Garth.

"WHAT?!" Julian roared. "Sorry. I'm not mad at you but, where is she?" 

"I don't know sir. We asked Feline and Kasa, they think she might be searching for Mtu." Garth explained.

"No. She may NOT love him. I MUST set up an arranged marriage. Garth, get a search party. Try to bring other lions along." Julian said.

"I'll do my best sir." Garth said, about to leave when Foxy spoke up.

"My friend Zathra could help. Well, she's a hunter but she'll manage just fine." Foxy said.

"Genius!" Julian said.

"Yes I agree. Where does she live?" Garth asked.

" Very close to here. West of the waterhole. There are other lions and lionesses who also live nearby, whom I also know. I know Ajali, Carey, Niekka, and a small cub called Tomvi." Foxy told Garth.

"I'll find them right now." Garth said as he bolted out of the cave, to the west of the waterhole to find the lions and lionesses. There, he saw a white lion with orange paws, yellow underbelly, red tail, two lionesses of brown and gold, a tan lioness, and a yellow cub with a brown tuft on his head. 

"Are you folks Ajali, Carey, Niekka, and Tomvi?" Garth asked almost out of breath. 

They nodded their heads.

"I need your help."