relying on their sense of smell and hearing to guide them where their eyesight could not. Leaving the tunnel the trio emerged into at a vast open cave where fire pits erupted sending green flames and smoke which illuminated the seemingly dark rocks. On the other side of the cave was an exit but to get to it the lions would either have to jump the large gap that stood between themselves and the exit.

“There has to be another route, if we try to jump we will be killed” Aketch stammered looking at the gap in fear.

“Father told me of this place, he called it Lion's Leap. Before the hyenas moved in lions used to come here to test their courage by jumping the gap. If they made it they were considered brave, Ahadi himself jumped this gap,” Imoo said

“Looks like we have no choice ,” Kopa replied with regret turning to his friends. “I'll go first.”

“NO! Let me,” Imoo snapped. “I have less to lose than you, if I get hurt it will not matter as much.”

“Be careful,” Aketch replied softly giving Imoo a lick on the cheek.

The colour rushed to Imoo's cheek as he felt the lick, embarrassed by the attention of the beautiful young lioness. Talking several steps back from the edge Imoo gathered his courage. Breaking into a run he used all his strength to spring from the rock. The seconds slowed to a crawl as he flew through the air. With a mighty thud he landed safely on the other side. Climbing to his paws Imoo felt the breath returning to his body as the adrenaline rushed through his blood.

“I did it....” Imoo gasped in wonder. “Kopa Aketch come on!”

Running at the edge without a moments hesitation Kopa sprang across the gap, a mighty roar resonating from his chest as he did. Landing on the other side Kopa felt a sharp pain on his shoulder. Climbing to his paws he let out a large whoop of joy barely aware of the cuts to his shoulder.

“YES I did it! Aketch come on you can do it,” Kopa called looking to his friend.

“Relax Aketch, if you believe you can do then you will,” Imoo called.

Fear coursing through her body Aketch took a running jump off the edge. For a brief moment she appeared to reach the opposite side. To the horror of Imoo and Kopa she landed on the edge. Her paws clung desperately to the rock face, panic running through her body.

“AKETCH!” Kopa and Imoo yelled together dashing forward and grabbing her paws.

With Kopa holding onto her paws Imoo grabbed hold of the scruff of her neck they began to pull her up the rock face. Catching the other's eye Kopa and Imoo exchanged a silent understanding. Her eyes wide with panic Aketch used her front paws to scramble up. With one last effort they made it, Aketch's pack paws touched the solid rock face. Gasping for breath the trio lay on their backs, the smoke around them turning their fur black.

“Thank you, you saved my life, both of you” Aketch gasped facing her friends.

“No problem,” Kopa replied blushing slightly.

“You are our friend Aketch,” Imoo said averting his gaze. “Come on we need to find the others.”

Climbing to the their paws the trio left cavern descending once into the darkness of the passageways. Through twisting passages they lost all sense of time and their direction. Anxiety began to build for their friends safety combined with the unspoken fear for their own safety. Entering another cavern their eyes fell on a large underground spring. Laying next to the spring were Akil, Dumisa and Sudi, the wild dog half submerged in the water with his eyes closed. Seeing the lions approaching Akil let out a visible sight of relief, it was clear Dumisa and Sudi were in bad shape.

“At last I was beginning to get worried,” said Akil landing on Kopa’s shoulder.

“It took us a while to find you guys, how are Sudi and Dumisa?” Kopa asked worriedly.

“Able to walk with help but they need medicine.”

“Akil you need to fly for help, find your Dad or mine or go straight to Rafiki,” Kopa taking a course of action.

“Akil remember you can't mention my name,” Imoo chipped in as the bird took flight.

Walking into the water the lions drank their fill, clearing their lungs and bodies of the smoke and dirt. With great care Sudi was placed on Imoo's back, Kopa and Aketch positioning themselves either side of Dumisa in case he fell. With Imoo leading they began to walk, trusting their friend's knowledge of the passageways. Gradually the air began to smell cleaner, shafts of light shone through chinks in the rocks. Half closing their eyes they emerged at last from the cave,breathing a sigh of relief they took in the clean air. Carefully they clambered over rocks, slipping down over bones that jutted out from all angles. Arriving at last at the centre of Graveyard they saw Rafiki waiting outside a cave with Akil perched on his shoulder.

“I have been hearing about your exploits, bring both of them into the cave,” Rafiki said, pointing to a bed of fur and foliage.

With experienced eyes Rafiki looked over the injured Dumisa and Sudi, while opening his medicine shells. Extracting leaves and strong sticks placed splints around the bound the sprains and breaks, using leaves, strong sticks and vines. Gently he massaged green, yellow and red paste into the wounds, Dumisa and Sudi groaning in discomfort.

“Both of you need plenty rest , your wounds will heal, I will return daily for the next few days to reapply the medicine. I strongly advise neither of you try to leave this cave and that you are not left alone. The head wounds you have could develop into a more serious condition,” Rafiki said standing over the pair.

“One of us can stay with them,” Aketch said instantly.

“Tell your parents what as happened so they can assist, you suffered an accident so it is understandable you will need help,” Rafiki said smiling.

“We will, Dumisa's parents already know as I told them before I reached you,” Akil said, turning to Rafiki.

“My Dad going to get a laugh at my expense and my Mum is going a hit the proverbial when she finds out,” Sudi groaned from his bed.

“Let me handle your Mum,” Kopa replied rolling his eyes. “Speaking off we had better get home or we'll all be in trouble.”

Leaving the cave Imoo headed off for the border with the Outlands, sicking to the shadows to avoid detection. Returning home the young adults found their parents waiting with a mountain of questions.

“Well kids you can relax, we're not going to skin you today,” Timon said slyly. “We hate to admit it but accidents happen, though you might want to be more careful in that place.”

Prelude to reckoning

A few weeks had passed since the accident in the Elephants Graveyard, Dumisa and Sudi had both successfully recovered from their injuries with no ill effects. The prides now waited with baited breaths, Zira, Kula and Nala were due to give birth any day. Tensions were running high, Ni and Simba's tempers were noticeably short. Simba had even snapped at Pumba and Timon two days previously, something he had never done before. Understanding the situation his friends had not taken it to heart, telling him not to worry when he apologised.

Kopa and Simba walked through the savannah at twilight as Simba gave his son a lesson in how to rule the kingdom. Stopping on top of a hill they saw the lionesses hunting zebra in the distance. The kingdom was spread out before them like a map, turning away headed towards the Outlands. As they walked Simba told his son about the times he had played in the area as a cub, Kopa laughing at some of the exploits of his parents and grandparents.

Nearing the border Simba stooped in his tracks, lifting one paw up to sniff the air a dark looked crossed his face. The scents of Scar, Nuka and Imoo had been carried to him on the wind. Taking to their paws they pair bounded across the savannah meeting the Outsiders as they took down a young buffalo. Eyes narrowing the two sides launched into a fight, Imoo and Kopa being forced to fight one another though both tried to limit the wounds they give to the other. A roar of pain stopped the fighting, Simba, Scar and Imoo stopped their fighting, Kopa had Nuka pinned to the ground in a pool of mud.

“Nuka why do you insist on hurting innocents? I know about the incident with the wild dog pup,” Kopa snarled angrily.

“She was in my way during a hunt, besides it is my kingdom,” Nuka replied boldly.

“Nuka you need to think about why you do things, cousins shouldn't fight,” Kopa replied letting him up.

“Well well interesting you did not kill my son Kopa,” Scar said softly.

“No Scar I would not kill family, unlike your son I have a better understanding of this situation,” Kopa replied facing Scar.

“Simba has raised you well. Imoo Nuka we are clearly not welcome here let is depart before King Simba decides to take further action,” Scar said to his sons.

With one last condescending look Scar and sons slunk away into the Outlands leaving Simba snarling with anger. Watching Imoo follow his father and brother, both Kopa and Simba saw the regret shining in his eyes. The regret stopped Simba is his tracks, surprised that a son of Scar would ever show a hint of remorse.

“Kopa are my eyes deceiving me or did Imoo have regret in his eyes?”

“I saw it took. I know he is Scar's son..........”

“When I have seen Imoo in the past........Kula, Ni and Sarabi have also mentioned that he