it so much come play in it with me.”

“Play in the rain? Water is for drinking.”

“Rain is fun, come on Aketch,” Kopa replied lightly tapping her with a paw.

Seeing the mischievous look on Kopa's face Aketch replied one of her own, in a flash she took to her paws. The warm rain hit the cub's fur as they ran, racing down through the rocks they chased one another. Feeling the freedom and joy Aketch laughed, utterly caught up in the feelings of being a cub. Running next to her Kopa grinned at the sight of Aketch, his plan had worked to perfection. Jumping down from the rocks, Kopa led her into the grass, running through the mud they were soon covered from paws to tail.

“KOPA, AKETCH!”

Stopping their game the cubs turned around to see Simba and Ni looking at them with a mixture of amusement and disbelief, their eyes fixed firmly on the mud. They had not been expecting to find their cubs playing together.

“Hi Daddy,” Aketch said bounding over.

“Whose bright idea was this?” Ni asked raising an eyebrow.

“I wanted to show Aketch around,” Kopa replied brazenly.

“In the rain?” Simba asked looking at the pair.

“Its only water.”

“Your mother is going to have a fit when she sees you,” Simba said shaking his head.

Kopa and Aketch ran ahead through the rain, skidding to a halt on the wet rock they landed in a heap on top of a napping Tama.

“Ah wet cub!” Tama groaned jumping to her paws.

“Oops sorry Tama,” Kopa laughed while Aketch giggled.

“Oh great you are covered in mud, now I will have to go swimming tomorrow,” Tama groaned flicking her tail angrily.

Seeing the cubs arrive back the other lioness chuckled while Nala and Kula rolled their eyes at the sight of the dirt. As Simba and Ni walked in the cubs scampered over to the entrance, settling down to watch the rain. Smiling Simba and Ni shook their heads at the less than happy looks on Nala and Kula's faces.

“Trust Kopa to lead Aketch into mischief the first time they play together,” Kula muttered rolling her eyes.

“The mud will wash off at least Aketch has been able to have some fun,” Ni replied settling down to wait out the storm.

The storm had blown itself out by the following day much to the relief of Kopa as he had big plans for the day. Down on the riverbanks Kopa introduced Aketch to Dumisa, Sudi, Akil and Imoo, who had been waiting to meet Aketch for some time. Having no connection to the Pridelands, Aketch swore to keep the friendship with Imoo a secret without hesitation. Standing with her friends Aketch felt her heart lift with joy in that moment she realized she was safe, with a place to call home. Above them in a tree Rafiki watched them with interest.

“They could change the world, these child of savannah,” Rafiki whispered.

Looking up at the sky Rafiki smiled to Mufasa and Katlego who were just visible in the clouds. Under the African sun the children played together, carefree and innocent their played with joy, utterly oblivious to the concerns of the world.

Part 2

Ahadi's legacy

Time had passed in the Pridelands. The land had fully recovered and the children of the savannah were nearing their second birthdays, in human terms they were teenagers. Kopa and Imoo were growing manes which where ragged and uneven giving them a slightly roguish look. The friendship between Akil, Sudi, Kopa, Dumisa, Imoo and Aketch had remained and grown even stronger. As time had passed the lions had been come increasingly involved in pride life. Inevitably this had led them into conflict with one another when Imoo was forced to act with the Outsiders against the Pridelanders. At first this had threatened the friendship before an agreement had been reached whereby neither side would be blamed for any conflict. The inclusion of Rafiki as the groups mentor had helped ease the situation, with his help the friends were beginning to see the possible future they could build together.

The situation between the prides had taken a dramatic change with the news that both Nala, Kula and Zira were expecting cubs. To the shock of all, the latter's not fathered by Scar. On the night the news had been aired Imoo had sought out his friends support, the relationship between his parents had turned complex to say the least, Scar had agreed to accept the cubs as part of his pride. The friends feared that soon Scar's increasingly twisted behaviour would led to an act that would ignite the fire of war.

Kula's case has brought much joy as Ni was the cub's father. Over time the pair had grown closer until they had become official mates to the delight of all. In To Aketch's Kula was her mother. Aketch could not remember her birth mother, having been very young when she had died. Kula and Aketch had developed a strong bond which had been strengthened when Kula had formally adopted Aketch following her marriage to Ni.

The news of Nala's second pregnancy had brought delight to the pride, Kopa utterly stunned when he found out. Thought he was delighted he had still needed a day or two to get his head around the news. Simba went a step further, to his utter embarrassment he fainted on hearing the news. His friends had given him a thorough teasing and promised to repeat the story to the unborn cub. The pride now waited with baited breath for the births of Kula and Nala's cubs.

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Out in the Elephants Graveyard Dumisa, Imoo and Sudi ran through the bones hotly pursued by Kopa, Aketch and Akil. The game was called Hunters verse Prey with the prey trying to outwit the hunters, the former group were the prey while the latter group were the hunters. The prevent the hunters having an unfair advantage Akil was not allow to fly more than half a meter above the lions heads.

“WE’RE GAINING ON THEM,” Aketch yelled leaping over pile of bones.

“RUN FOR IT,” Dumisa yelled in response, looking over his shoulder.

Turing a corner sharply Dumisa skidded, losing his footing and allowing Aketch to perfect opportunity to pounce on him.

“Got you,” she snarled placing a paw on his throat.

“Strike one to you,” Dumisa replied getting up as Kopa gained on Imoo.

Looking behind him Imoo grinned increasing his speed as Akil pounced on Sudi who was riding on his back. In an instant the meerkat was lifted into the air.

“PUT ME DOWN YOU OVERGROWN BALL OF FEATHERS!” Sudi yelled as he dangled above the ground.

“Akil drop him” Kopa called opening his mouth wide.

“NO!”Sudi yelled in mock horror.

“Down you go”, Akil said swooping low and dropping Sudi on Dumisa’s back.

“That hurt you ball of zebra dung!” Sudi called, shaking a fist at the laughing bird.

Racing through the fire pits the friends ran up onto the rocks, jumping over small gaps. Suddenly the rocks under Dumisa and Sudi collapsed without warning, sending the friends tumbling into the darkness in a pile of dust. Skidding to a halt at the edge of the hole Kopa, Imoo, Aketch and Akil gazed down at their friends.

“ARE YOU OK?” Aketch called, her voice full of concern.

Silence greeted her, the sound of soft voices, coughing and a yelp drifted up from the hole while those waiting exchanged worried looks.

“Guys we're alive,” Dumisa called limping into a shaft of light. “Sudi's got concussion, a broken right paw and several cuts.”

“What about you?” Aketch asked catching sight of a head gash dripping blood.

“Headache, cuts and a sprained paw. I can walk if I take it slowly.”

“Dumisa listen to me you are in one of the underground caverns that run underneath the Graveyard. There should be several ways in and out, we'll try to find a way down to you,” Imoo called looking down. “Akil you are going to have to fly down to help guide them, I don't trust Dumisa alone.”

“Sure thing Imoo, you three get going,” Akil replied flying down into the hole as Imoo turned to face Kopa and Aketch who had been listening with interest.

“Take the lead Imoo, you seem to know how to solve this,” Kopa said before the tan lion could speak.

“My Dad told me a lot about this place,”Imoo replied softly.

Climbing further up the rocks the trio jumped over gaps, skirting around bones as they searched for a way into the cavern below. Looking into one opening Aketch jumped back in fright as a large scorpion came at her flashing it's pincers angrily.

“This place is creepy, can see why your farther chose it as a place to plot,” Aketch muttered turning to Imoo.

“It was forbidden for lions to come here once,” Kopa replied.

“I heard a tale from my Dad once, is is it true your parents once came here as cubs and nearly got themselves killed by the hyenas?” Imoo asked slyly turning to Kopa.

“Oh you heard that story,” Kopa replied mischievously. “All true. Granddad had to rescue them both though Dad did manage to put three scars on a female’s cheek.”

“They were chased by by Shenzi, Banzi and Ed, my Dad told me it would have been a perfect plan,” Imoo replied uncomfortably.

“I found a way in!” Aketch called, breaking the tension between the cousins.

With Imoo in the lead the trio made their way into the caverns. Their eyes glowing brightly in the darkness. Walking through the darkness the trio stayed close together relying on their