Akase,” he said quietly. Kovu gave a silent nod and the prince continued. “Dad, did you and Mom ever fight? About anything, whether it was kingdom related or something personal?”

            Kovu thought but shook his head a few minutes later. “No, I can’t think of a time when we did.” He chuckled at the surprise look in Arif’s eyes. “Yes, your mother and I used to fight, but it wasn’t yelling. We just disagreed sometimes and we used to get upset but in the end we reached a compromise.”

            “You and Mom have an easy relationship. How have you two lasted without any… secrets?”

            “Secrets…? I don’t think your mother and me have kept anything from each other. Why? Do you think Akase is being secretive with you?”

            “No, no, not her…” Arif said quickly. “Most definitely not her…” he said softly. “It… it’s me…” Kovu looked at him, mildly shocked. Arif continued. “I… was told to keep something someone told me… in confidence and now…”

            Kovu smiled. “And now you want to tell someone?”

            “Yeah but I promised I wouldn’t, and Akase… Well, she’s worried about me and what if…” Arif paused, a shudder passing through him. “What if she gets fed up with me not talking to her and decides to go and investigate? What if she gets the wrong idea? I’m afraid she won’t understand why I have to keep this secret, a secret.”

            “Arif, Akase is a smart lioness. She knows not to interfere in someone else’s business.”

            “Even mine…? She’s my mate and I hate keeping this secret so much that…”

            Kovu put a paw on his son’s. “Arif, if you made a promise, you swore to keep it. It’s something…” The Prince’s voice drifted. “Something we all go through at one time or another. Remember your mother and me telling you and Baraka of how I joined the pride?”

            Arif nodded. “Yes, but… it wasn’t your fault. None of it was. It started years ago with Princess Uru marrying the rogue lion, Ahadi. He hated his second son and the Circle of Life in our lands fell apart… but you and Mom restored the Circle. I feel that Scar would’ve been the good lion you are, if Ahadi had treated him better.” Arif shivered. He then remembered how even in the afterlife, that King Ahadi still treated his second son cruelly. He wondered what happened when he left.

            He heard Kovu speak. “That is true and I have gained the animals’ trust over the years, something I know my adopted father wanted to have… Yours and Baraka’s birth changed all the hatred they had against me.”

            Arif smiled and he was slowly starting to feel better. He knew what he had to do. He would go and work with Rafiki. And he would not tell Akase something that had to be kept a secret by any means necessary.

            He would not destroy his brother’s only chance at happiness. He would not fail his ancestors. And if it meant that he had to sleep in the lower cave, away from his wife and cubs then he would do just that.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Baraka took a long refreshing drink from the waterhole. When he lifted his head, he savored the taste of the water but it did not have the special effect he was looking for. He turned to the left, seeing Etana lower her own head to drink. He watched her for a moment then looked around. They were alone.

            After their drinks, they lay down in the grass beside the waterhole. They faced each other and were quiet. This was their daily routine and both liked it.

            Today, they were on the southern side of the Pridelands. Baraka had wanted to walk farther this time, and Etana was calm and relaxed about it. Baraka was intrigued at how she carried herself with such dignity and grace. He wondered if she really was a rogue, as not many rogues he knew walked and talked as she did, and not many would accept a disablement and adjust to it. Even Takata walked and talked in the same manner.

            “Baraka,” Etana said, breaking the silence. “I’m sorry about Hasira.”

            “Sorry?” Baraka asked. “Why are you sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for. You… you’re not the first person she’s been cold to. She’s been like that for years, ever since cubhood…” Baraka bowed his head.

            Etana nodded and flexed her paws. The ground underneath was still and quiet. There was no movement of any kind except for her and Baraka’s rhythmic breathing.

            Baraka spoke again. “When her mother named her ‘Hasira’, Rafiki warned that if the name was given she would live up to it.” He fell silent and shuddered. “And she does,” he said, letting out a breath.

            “Yours means blessings, right?”

            “Yes and I try to live up to it.”

            “You have,” she said slowly. “You’ve been blessed with good parents, a good brother, two caring nephews and a niece. You have a pride that looks to you for guidance and leadership, both of which you provide. The animals do the same.”

            “Yeah, and I can’t even find a mate to help me rule!” he thought bitterly. “Yeah, I have been blessed!” He sighed and snarled softly.

            “Baraka?” she asked in concern. “Are you alright?”

            He closed his eyes in pain. Why now? Why did he have to think about that now? It wasn’t her fault and he could never blame her for saying that his name meant blessings. It was the truth. His name meant blessings and he was blessed but… He shook his head. “Stop thinking about it,” he thought again. “You’ll only make her wonder what’s wrong and make yourself sick.” He started to speak, hoping to be calm. He let out a slow shallow breath and looked at her. “Yes, I’m okay. Just thinking, that’s all.”

            She nodded but sensed, or rather, felt something. Her paws were still flat on the grassy ground. He was telling the truth, even if it was half. He was thinking but he was not okay. He was lying but it was clear that he didn’t want to worry her. “I understand, Baraka,” she said. “We all need time to think once in a while.”

            “Yeah… Etana…”

            “Yes?”

            He paused. What was he going to say? “I…” He hesitated. “Thank you… for listening to me.”

            There was a long silence. Then, slowly, and with slight fear and hesitation, Etana outstretched a foreleg and allowed her paw to touch Baraka’s. He did not speak against her action nor did he move his paw. She was his friend and he trusted her. She was trying to comfort him. He didn’t mind. He wanted her comfort, to hear any words she had. But there was something about her that Baraka couldn’t place, something he felt that she too was unable to say. Whatever it was, he would not force or pressure her.

            Etana smiled at him. “You’re welcome, Baraka. I’m your friend, I hope you know that. If you ever have something that you can’t say to anyone, I will listen.”

            He nodded; his mind at ease. He felt better again. “I know and thank you. That means a lot.” “I wish you had lived in the Pridelands… maybe things would’ve been easier…” This was a new thought, one he quickly stopped.

            Another