to rest easy. Would it happen from now on? Oh, what a relief that would be!

            Now, he was awake and staring at the dark. It was comforting, soothing, and what he needed after his experience in the gorge. He wasn’t sure what triggered it but whatever the reason, it was meant to happen.

            He rose and headed out the main den. Before he stepped out into the morning light, the Lion King turned and looked on his pride. Everyone seemed to sleep the way he had: peacefully. He could see his parents in their corner; Kadiri and his family in theirs; and the other two lion guards, Mabaki and Takata, on their respective sides. The lionesses were sprawled out but with room to walk.

            Then, Baraka saw one sight that made him smile with love. Near the cave where Hasira and Dailia grew up were Arif’s sons and daughter, with Saada lying beside them. The cubs – Njozi especially, at least from what Baraka could see – were curled at the lioness’s side. Baraka noticed that his niece looked calm. Maybe she was. Maybe all three cubs were. It didn’t matter to him. He was happy and sorrowful simultaneously.

            It should have been Akase there, not Saada.

            Baraka walked outside and looked up to the promontory. He was stunned. There was Arif talking with… Etana…? What the heck is he doing with her? Baraka pushed the thought away. They were just talking. Maybe Arif needed help with a problem, Baraka thought again, and he smiled. If anyone could help Arif with his issue, it was Etana. Rafiki had probably tried but couldn’t get anywhere. Who better to help his brother than the one who helped him so many times!

            Baraka dipped his head, his smile growing. Thank you, Etana…

            Taking one last look, Baraka leapt down the ramp and took off through the grasses. He was feeling drawn. Maybe Arif’s problems and concerns were coming into focus. Baraka swallowed and allowed his paws to guide him. His mind ran rampant with thoughts that were all the same, but this was no time to dwell.

            After awhile, Baraka smelled a familiar scent. He sniffed the air and smiled faintly. He didn’t intend to find her, much less think on it. But since he was here, and against his own will, he began searching. When he found her lying near a small waterhole, he gently nuzzled her and stepped back as she stirred. He felt sick.

            She was frail and looked thinner than the last time he saw her. Was she eating? Her eyes were bloodshot with dark circles underneath. Was she having trouble sleeping too? Was her inability to find any rest the same as Arif and Njozi? Somewhere along the line, he doubted it. Plus, her change amazed him. She had been a rogue from birth, and lived in two prides – one for a few months – and this one for almost two years – and now she was back to where she started.

            Baraka sighed, knowing where this upcoming conversation with his sister-in-law would lead. He had to try for the sake of his brother, nephews, and niece.

            “Akase,” Baraka began with authority and concern creeping into his voice. “We need to talk.”

            “What about,” Akase asked groggily. She rose to her paws, stumbling to sit down.

            “About you and how you’ve hurt your family.”

            She scoffed. “The only one who has hurt my family is Arif. Talk to your brother!” Her last statement was a snarl.

            “I would, but he doesn’t want my help and I won’t force his paw.”

            “And you think you can force mine?” Akase snorted. “You stick up for him too much.” She turned away. “Brothers…”

            There was an uncomfortable silence. Baraka tried to keep his emotions down. He was disappointed and infuriated. This was his sister-in-law, wife of his only brother, and mother to his nephews and niece. It didn’t seem possible. This wasn’t a Princess of the Pridelands. It looked as though Akase had stripped herself of her royal status by living out here away.

            Once a rogue, always a rogue… It was a terrible and true thought.

            “Akase,” Baraka began again, “I’m not here to force you. I’m merely saying that you have a choice. You can swallow your pride. You can fix things with Arif. He wants to fix things. You can spend time with him and your cubs. They need you. They’re suffering. Njozi is heartbroken!” He stopped. He didn’t mean to get upset but seeing his brother and the cubs going through all this was too much. “You’re not handling this right way,” he said quietly. “You’re letting your anger take control.”

            At this, Akase whirled around and faced Baraka with blazing eyes and a set jaw. “My anger… I had every right to be angry with him! Instead of talking to me directly, he turned to Saada! Why her? She is not his mate!”

            “No, but she is his friend. They’ve been friends all their lives –”

            “Come off it, Baraka! I’ve seen the way they communicate!”

            “And that’s a bad thing to you? You’re…” He stopped.

            “What?” Akase near shouted, the fur along her back rising. “I’m what?”

            Baraka sighed. He’d hoped it wouldn’t come to this. “You’re blind to Arif’s position. You’re blind to Njozi’s gift. You’ve brought this on yourself. It is not their fault. As for Saada, I’m glad Arif can confide in her and that the kids, your kids, can do the same.” A deep pain was filled his eyes. “I came here in hopes of changing your mind, but I can see my trip here was wasted.”

            He turned and walked away.

            Akase didn’t call after him. She growled and left the clearing. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach and not from hunger or thirst, nor from the pain of missing her family, if she did. It was something else, something she couldn’t place. Whatever it was, it burned inside of her, making her blood boil.

            And as Baraka made his way home or to make rounds on this side of the kingdom – the latter being what he’d do since he was out – he felt a chill in the air and not from the atmosphere.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Njozi had asked for private meeting with her brothers.

            Sharif and his sisters were sympathetic and left them alone but Sharif glanced back. A look of pain fell on his face for Njozi. She had suffered so much recently and he couldn’t help her. What kind of friend was he? Could he offer any words of hope or encouragement? He wanted to do something. Sometimes he envied his parents and their healthy relationship, but he’d rather that than what Njozi’s parents had: Anger, pain, frustration, and separation. He knew it wasn’t Prince Arif’s fault. He was a shaman with a message to keep and his own wife couldn’t accept that and had left.

            It surprised Sharif that someone could be so cruel to the one they love and turn against another loved one due to having almost the same gift. In Sharif’s eyes, that was what Njozi’s dreams were: a gift. And she seemed to embrace it, for which he was glad. With a sad shake of his head, he joined his sisters and instead of playing, they talked. Sharif was thankful that they were as understanding to their friends’ problems as he.

            Not far away, the royal cubs spoke.

            “You must have the same thing on your mind as we do, ‘Jozi,” said Adabu.

            “That depends, brother. What is on your