did it in proclamation of the Shadowland pride."

            Simba licked his maw. "The Shadowlands are a fairly new pride. They're risking a lot for an attack like this."

            "My brother is going to the Shadowlands and demand explanation, but we agreed it was better to come and tell you to beware this hidden foe."

            "Have you seen to the Savannah pride?"

            Khari nodded. "I have sent some out to tell the news of this."

            Simba pawed at the ground. "Driving out the Outland pride, though... Are they a huge group?"

            "I'm not sure. My brother said that they weren't as large. But they were ruthless."

            "I'm not king anymore, Khari."

            Khari cocked her head. "Then is it that young male we saw out in the field?"

            Reno snorted. "Cocky brat."

            Nala smiled. "No, that was our grandson, Abel. He's future king. Our daughter, Kiara, is Queen, but she's out for the moment."

            "What about the Highlander pride?" inquired Simba. "Did you speak to them?"

            Khari gave him a confused look, whereas Reno replied, "They're a bunch of bloodthirsty savages. They'll do fine."

            There was no argument coming from Simba's mouth. He and Nala just simply nodded. Khari was still lost. "There's another lion pride?" she asked.

            "They live in the mountains, and... your friend isn't wrong on them either," explained Simba, though the way he spoke of them, despite how discreet, was filled with much emotion. Pain. Regret. Khari wondered what the story on the Highlander pride was.

            "You must be hungry," said Nala kindly. "Would you like something to eat?"

            Khari smiled sweetly at her. "No thank you. We only came here to deliver caution about this lion."

            "We appreciate it," said Simba. "I'll let Kiara know as soon as she's returned from her errands. Are you sure you don't want something to eat?"

            "No, we better return home, and help my brother rebuild his pride. But thank you again. If you need us, we are not too far."

            "Just across the river. Of course, I'll send a messenger out if I ever need to get in touch with you."

            With a few more words between the four of them, Khari and Reno bade farewell and wished them well as they began their descent down the huge rock to make their way home.

            Reno bumped his body against Khari's, a serious look in his eyes. "It's so much different now," he whispered. "He's not like my father."

            Khari gave him a small smile. "Did you expect him to be?"

            "Not him, but... that one lion. His grandson? Kind of reminds me of him."

            "You said your father did horrible things?"

            "That's what I've heard, yeah."

            "Then let's hope that he's not like that."

           

            He leapt down into the ditch, a satisfied look on his face as he crossed over to a tan lioness. "I left the meat up above," he told her, reaching down to give her a lick across her nose.

            She smiled, though the smile was only half-hearted. "I'll be up in a moment, dear. I just want to relax."

            "Are you okay? You told me you weren't hurt."

            "No, I'm okay. Just a little tired. I might only eat a little bit, Ashiki."

            The gray lion's face furrowed. "You have to eat, Chipo."

            "A little later, please, Ashiki? I just want to relax."

            Though the gray lion wanted to persist the matter (after all, his mate had to eat), he decided to hand her the silent victory. He nudged his forehead against hers, and left her in the ditch while he returned to the scene of his kill. He paused, seeing the sight of his group of supporters surrounding the hind quarters of his kill. There were loud growls and scowls. His claws unsheathed themselves.

            "Leader! We caught a rogue trying to steal our food!" cried a pale lion, who happened to see him noticing them. At once, the crowd had their heads raised in respect.

            Wordlessly, Ashiki approached his group. One by one they scattered, leaving only the bruised trace of a pale gray lioness lying half-draped over their prey. Once she saw him, she only curled closer towards the body of his prey rather than recoil from it. That only made him wanted to bash her head in more.

            He towered over her, studying her. She was large, bigger than Chipo, but far skinnier. She bore many bruises and had the smell of dry blood coated in her pelt. She was a pitiful creature.

            "What do you think you're doing?" he growled.

            The lioness curled closer to her prey. "I'm hungry," she answered curtly, and with just enough venom in her voice that Ashiki felt personally slapped.

            Ashiki's lips twitched. "Oh, you think you're funny, eh?"

            "I think I'm hilarious."

            Ashiki's paw rose above the lioness's head. She was an irritating creature, yet... the way she looked at him, fearless of him, made something stir within him. He almost felt the beginnings of a smile appear on his maw.

            The lioness stared defiantly at him, the threat of him hurting her doing very little to dissuade her from eating his kill. "Go ahead then, if you want."

            For some reason, that made Ashiki laugh. Oh, this lioness reminded him well of his sister, being just as equally sarcastic as she had been. It was somewhat endearing, if not aggravating. But he liked her. She wasn't afraid of him. Not one bit.

            He lowered his paw and sheathed his claws. "Your name. What is your name?" he asked, his voice less gruff this time.

            The lioness blinked rapidly, trying to understand his question. He knew he caught her off guard with his query, and it only made him smile that much more.

            "Well? What's your name?" he asked again.

            "Lindiwe." The lioness cleared her throat to speak more clearly. "My name is Lindiwe."

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