Bakari’s guidance they quickly found the perfect prey. As they ate they began to plan how they would go about taking back the kingdom.

“Bakari you can’t be seen near your home, too much is at stake,” Imoo said. “I was taught battle tactics, in particular the steps required when usurping a kingdom. Kill all male heirs without question.”

“I know but I can’t sit by while you risk your lives,” Bakari replied seriously.

“We are not asking you too. Bakari your knowledge will help us. We will all act at night and we act together,” Imoo replied facing his friends.

“Sounds like we have our chief tactician,,” Kopa replied with relief.  “Looks like Scar’s training is useful after all.”

“I agree, Imoo we leave the chief planning to you,” Bakari replied proudly.

“Then I suggested we start building knowledge of what happened since you left, we have to know the lion’s power structures.”

“My family……..I have to know what happened to them.”

“We’ll find out Bakari, I promise,” Kopa said.

“That is one of the first things we find out,” Imoo replied.

            Keeping to the kingdom’s edge at night Imoo, Kopa and Bakari slowly began to gather the information they needed, information that was surprisingly easy to come by. Many leopards were hiding deep in the mountains outside the kingdom borders and were seen as rebels by the lions. The rebels were receiving help from within the kingdom and covertly from the neighbouring kingdoms. With his knowledge of the land Bakari had a good idea of where they might be hiding, allowing them to seek out the rebel camp within days of arriving in the jungle.

            Eight days after their arrival in the jungle Bakari, Imoo and Kopa stood in the mountains looking down they could see the land spread out below them. Above them black storm clouds gathered. As the air had thinned the going had become difficult. They had travelled through the heart of the jungle, climbing over tress, through vines, jumping over streams that wound their way through the land. Traveling by night they had often heard the faint roars of the lions on the breeze, often hearing the calls of leopards, elephants and many species of birds.

       Hearing a faint rustling in the tress Bakari’s eyes suddenly shot up a large tree under which they were stood. Handing from the branches was a very long python whose tongue was flicking.

“Bakari you’re alive!” the python hissed with delight.

“It is good to see you Mosi (African name meaning first born),” Bakari replied.

“Lions are not foolish enough to attack a snake, besides escaping is a talent of mine. It appears to be a talent of yours too.”

“Where are my manners? Imoo, Kopa meet the famous Mosi. Mosi this is Imoo and Kopa, the latter is the son of my Father’s old friend Simba. I have returned to reclaim my kingdom.”

“We have a lot to talk about. I am on my way to meet the rebels, I will lead you to them.”

“You’ve seen them!” Bakari said in shock.

“Of courseee, it was I who ssuggessted their hiding place. I am their sspy.”

        In a flash Mosi dropped to the ground, all seven feet of him land on the ground with a soft thud. Slithering next to the cats Mosi related how he had helped the leopards escape. With a sudden clap of thunder the storm broke, raining falling down in a heavy sheet that quickly soaked their fur.

            After a while negotiating obscure paths the group arrived at a large clearing, in the clearing was a large opening cut into the rock. To one side of the rock a small streamed poured down into a pool. Looking into the cave they were met by a pair of glowing eyes, into the light stepped a male leopard, his greying fur betraying his age while cuts were scattered across his body. For a moment he just stared at them while eight other leopards joined him.

“BAKARI, THANK THE ANCESTROS” the male called running forward.

“Great Uncle Kofi! (African name means born on Friday)” Bakari replied as the two nuzzled.

 “I knew in my heart you lived, your mother knew in her heart,” Kofi replied as one by one the other leopards gathered around.

“The escape attempt worked.”

“We have much to tell, come into the cave.”

           Walking into the cave Bakari introduced Imoo and Kopa to the leopards, telling of his time in Simba’s kingdom. Introductions were made of the seven other leopard, two older males Reuben and Anan had been close friends and advisers of Tafari. A young male and female a little older then Bakari had been simple clan members. Another male who had been a scout and a female who was a friend of Bakari’s. The final member of the group was Kofi’s daughter Leena (African name meaning softness), the leopardess once loved by Simba.

    “I knew you be safe once Bakari, I knew Simba would keep his promise,” Leena said fondly.

“My Father said he was honoured to be of help,” Kopa said stepping forward.

“So I finally have to opportunity to meet you Kopa, your father’s image, just has he described.”

“Wait what do you mean by that, did you know about me?” Kopa asked in surprise.

“I do,” Leena replied chucking at his surprise. “After your father took back his kingdom he used a bird to send Tafari  a message. When you were born he sent one to tell us.”

“Leena what happened to………..” Bakari asked hesitantly.

“You wish to hear about your family, Bakari the truth will hurt.”

“I need to know.”

     With a heavy heart Leena and Kofi spoke of the events following Tafari’s death and Bakari’s escape. Though the lions were led by females but male called Malka had very high status within the pride. In an attempt to strengthen the pride’s hold on the kingdom, the son of the leading female, a lioness name Fumbe (African meaning slave) had married Bakari’s twin sister. Fumbe’s son Dwanh (African meaning to run) shared his mother cruelty yet he was kind and gentle to Bakari’s sister Tameka (African meaning a twin). Despite the circumstances Dwanh and Tameka appeared to the outside world to have some form of be happiness. As she gave little trouble Tameka was relatively free to move about the kingdom.

     The same freedom was not given to the majority of the leopards who were kept under close watch. Rumours were abound that the lions planned to arrange marriages between young lions and leopards. Fumbe had placed strict laws on the movement of subjects, free speech was banned and anyone who spoke out about the lions rule was severely punished. Yet there was hope, a small minority of the lions of Bakari’s age disagreed with the actions of their pride and secretly aided the leopards.

           Listening the truth of the situation Bakari felt his chest tighten in pain at the fates of his mother and sister. The truth was what he had been expecting yet hearing had been more painful than he had imagined. Tameka’s fate was especially hard bear. Gasping for breath Bakari turned to his friends with tears in his eyes. One by one Kopa and Imoo placed a paw on his shoulder while each of the leopards placed paws on the lions. United by grief, pain and a desire to comfort the outcast unite in solidarity.

       Suddenly a noise outside broke the spell. Leaving his friends Imoo went to investigate. Stepping out into the rain Imoo was met by a pair of shining lavender eyes. Through the downpour Imoo gazed at a single white lioness. Time seemed to stop. Green eyes met lavender. Looking at her Imoo saw a face filled with pain that bordered on despair. Imoo felt his heart reach out to her without needing to ask he guessed her identity. Looking at him the lioness cocked her head to one side in confusion. Then her behaviour changed as Bakari walked out to join Imoo.

“Kamaria (African name meaning moon).”

“Bakari you have come back,” Kamarai replied softly.

“I had help. This lion is a friend of mine, Imoo. He and another lion Kopa have come to help me. Come inside.”

“The rain is heavy, it is nice to meet you Imoo.”

      Stepping into the cave Kamaria was greeted fondly by the leopards as they had been expecting to see her that day. For a while she listened as Kopa and Bakari spoke of the Pridelands, a strange look crossing her face at the mention of Simba and Nala. Speaking at last Kamari hesitated at first, unsure how to tell phrase her next words and fearing their repercussions. 

“I know you may not believe me but I do not agree with the actions of my pride.”

“Hold on now before we go any further let’s have your identity, whose daughter are you and why did you flinch at the mention of Simba?” Imoo asked jumping in.

“You are cynical, someone taught you well. I am Malka’s daughter, I am an outcast who has been beaten and bullied her entire life for her colouring. I am outcast yet also prized as a pawn to be married of to make alliances.”

“I guess we can understand that,” Imoo

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