Ekene squinted, trying to see through the thick fog. It had not been so sudden, and the Outlands were used to this kind of weather. Still, every time Ekene saw the gaseous form arise from the lands and blur his line of sight, he couldn't help but unsheathe his claws. Maybe it was just proper paranoia, but he did not trust his pride's safety with the blinding fog in their way. The Outlands didn't have too many enemies that Ekene knew of, but he knew that there were ambitious lions out in the world, seeking to take over his leadership. He had fought them for years, just like his father before him, and it was not going to stop now.

            "Chinter?" he called out, hesitantly stepping forward.

            "I'm here!"

            "Is Winta with you?"

            "Obviously, Dad."

            Ekene sighed with relief. "Can you come here?"

            The two lionesses approached him; a pale one with an eager smile, the other, a gray lioness, with a look of indifference on her face. Ekene leaned forward and nuzzled the gray lioness, his daughter. He knew it was silly to still be overprotective of her, but he couldn't help himself. He was a first-time father, with first-time fears. He knew Chinter and his second-in command Gotto would watch out for Winta when he could not, but that did not stop the older lion from being concerned about his daughter's safety.

            If anything had happened to Winta...

            Ekene's heart ached at the thought.

            Chinter, the pale lioness, began to look around. "It's worse than before," she commented. "The fog I mean. I-I don't like it."

            Ekene nodded. "Nor do I. Was Gotto with you?"

            Chinter rolled her eyes, which let Ekene know what the answer was. He chuckled, "He only bugs you because I make him do it," he said.

            "He's just so UGH! He frustrates me, that's all." Chinter gazed down at her paws. "I could be fine with just Winta under my care."

            "No, I want Gotto with you as well. He'll be able to watch out over you."

            "I can watch myself fine. I did live with a band of lions before, I'll have you know."

            "Dad, don't mess with this one," joked Winta. "She'll rip your nose off."

            Ekene laughed. "I have no doubt about that, Winta."

            "Who's going to rip whose nose off?" rumbled a deep voice. Gotto, the brown lion, approached them, a look of indifference on his face as well.

            Chinter sighed exasperatedly, but Gotto took no notice of her. "Did you call my name?"

            "I just wanted to know where you were off to," said Ekene.

            "I was trying to check the perimeter, but this fog is so damn-"

            "Gotto," warned Ekene.

            Gotto sighed, stealing a quick glance at Winta. "So darn thick that I can't smell anything."

            Ekene laid his ears back. He did not like hearing that at all. "It better clear up soon," he growled.

            "It's thicker than it's been before," added Chinter.

            "Nice observation, genius," said Gotto.

            That agitated the pale lioness, who shoved her face in front of the lion's, their noses barely touching. "I didn't ask for your comment, you know," she growled.

            Winta smirked. She leaned towards her father's ear and said, "Aren't they kinda cute together?"

            Ekene smiled at that. Once upon a time, it was Chinter who pursued him, who wanted his affection. Now that he had time to think about it, he felt bad that he didn't consider Chinter as a potential mate. Of course if he had done that than he never would've met Ikuta, the lioness who would steal his heart. Unfortunately, nothing could come of their relationship, but Ekene felt dedicated to her all the same.

            Winta was born of the love he and Ikuta shared one night. Ikuta left Winta in his care, feeling she would have a better life with her father. Ekene wanted to argue, but Ikuta silenced him and left. So he brought up Winta in his care, never denying that he was her father, but had to lie and say that Chinter was her mother only for the sake of the pride. One would only wonder how they would feel if they discovered the leaders of the Outlands and the Shadowlands had an affair.

            Chinter's pursuit of him ceased, and she turned more of her attention towards caring for Winta. Having lost her cub while he was still young, Ekene was amazed that Chinter never lost her motherly touch. Gotto was also added to the mix, if only to supervise Chinter and make sure that nothing happened to either her or Winta under his watch. He knew Winta had been teasing about the pair for a while. Ekene had no opinion on whether Gotto and Chinter paired off - he would be happy for them all the same. Besides, they were his closest friends, the only ones who knew the truth of Winta's existence.

            Chinter and Gotto continued their back-and-forth bantering as Ekene said to his daughter, "They are kind of cute, I'll admit."

            "I told Chinter that, and, Dad, you should've seen how mad she got." Winta giggled. "I couldn't resist."

            "Did you tell Gotto?"

            "Yeah, and you know what? He just shrugged it off! Shrugged! So I totally think he's into Chinter at least."

            Ekene wondered if that was the case. When Gotto first came to the Outlands, Ekene issued a challenge that he would be accepted only if he defeated him in battle. Ekene had been no match for the muscular lion, and was quick to not only accept him into the pride, but to name him second-in command. The two lions became close friends after a while, and when he asked Gotto about mates and cubs, the lion only murmured that there had been two lionesses, but that was it. Even when mating season came around, Gotto only seemed half-heartedly interested. He would stare, but he would never court the lionesses, despite them wanting him to. Ekene had been the same way, but there was a difference - he was the leader, he could choose when he wanted to have a mate or not.

            Unfortunately, his love had to be from another pride. Had to be the leader of another pride, no less.

            Chinter and Gotto's bickering began to escalate, which informed Ekene that he had to step in. "Okay, you two, knock it off," he said calmly. "How about we just continue to keep close eye on the perimeter of our pride? Hopefully soon the fog will disappear. Winta, you'll come with me. Chinter, go with Gotto and search the eastern end of our border."

            "If we can find it," mumbled Gotto.

            Chinter sighed. "Okay Ekene... let's go, you old gruff."

            "Old gruff she says..."

            "Must you really?"

            The pair stormed off, returning to their bickering again.

            Ekene snorted with laughter. "Those two, they're certainly becoming something fierce."

            Winta smiled. "I told you,

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