"Tilting the Hourglass" (C) DakotaWereWolf, 2013

Nunka, Ishonda, Zarah (C) Khione

Duka, Jira, Jiro, Jalena, Kesi (C) Claire Cooper

Ari, Rhaenys, Sauda, Tamu, Duni, Sanaa, Jamil (C) Namacub95

Xolani, Kayin (C) SixNewAdventures

Simba, Nala, Mheetu (C) Disney

Abel, Zuri, Judas, Zareb, Zainabu, Nyako, Baako, Eshe, Sarafina, Yejide, Adwin, Timira, Gwandoya, Ashiki, Chipo, Lindiwe, Tranda, Samanya, Maalik, Mawusi, Lutalo, Katura, Adanna, Gunju, Defir, Chari, Ayodele, Rena, Ramla (C) DakotaWereWolf

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Three days ago...

            Simba narrowed his eyes as he saw the less fertile Outlands ahead of them. Though he had become to understand that the Outlands Zira had led years ago was a separate pride that were otherwise called the Neo-Outland pride, he still had a sinking sensation upon stepping foot into that land. He trusted Ekene - after all, the lion had proven to be very intelligent when he and the other several lion pride leaders had gathered to induct the newly risen Shadowland pride into their ranks. All the same, it was a subconscious nightmare he felt.

            Besides, had he not just been, an hour ago, kicked out of the lands that he had called home for years, by his own grandson at that?

            Nala, his lovely mate, sidled up to him, brushing her body against his. "It's okay, Simba," she said warmly. "Ekene will welcome us."

            "It's not Ekene I'm worried about."

            "Zira?"

            He nodded.

            Nala rubbed her head against her mate's soft mane in understanding. "I know, but that was a long time ago, Simba. And even Ekene said that not all the Outlanders supported Zira."

            "I know, I'm just being silly." Pulling away from Nala's embrace, Simba scanned about. "Now where is Adanna? I hope Abel didn't..."

            "He didn't," came Adanna's voice as she trotted up behind them. Her face was cool and calm, betraying none of what had happened behind them.

            "What was that about?"

            "Nothing. Well? Are we going to the Outlands?"

            Though Simba made for the attempt to argue with his granddaughter, Adanna ignored him and pushed ahead towards the lands.

            Stepping onto Outland soil was much different than Prideland soil. In the first place, it was less soft - of course it would be, for delicate, browning grass grew in these lands, if at all. It was nothing compared to what the Pridelands offered. But that was no longer their home now.

            It wasn't long before they met Ekene, who stood with a sullen Chinter beside him. Simba greeted him kindly, asking for refuge and then explaining exactly why they need help. Adanna's mind was elsewhere though - she had caught the scent of a familiar someone set before entering Ekene's territory. She wondered where he was, and if he knew this was where they were headed. The scent itself didn't smell that old...

            So it became not long that Ekene welcomed them into his lands. "I'll arrange for us to talk to Khari," he said kindly. "That is absolutely outrageous of him to do that..."

            "We wholeheartedly agree," said Simba. "But what else can we do? He controls the pride."

            "And you say Ashiki runs with him?"

            "Yes."

            His face darkening, Ekene growled, "Then something will be done. Please, let's go meet with the others, and I'll introduce you all."

            Adanna hung back as her grandparents walked off with Ekene and Chinter. Once they were completely out of her sight, she snuck off back out of Ekene's territory towards the spot where she had caught his scent. This time he was there, lounging about as though nothing was wrong.

            He seemed confused upon seeing her. "Adanna? I thought you were back in the Pridelands..?" inquired Gunju. "Thought you'd be saying hi to Mommy and all that."

            Though Adanna would normally be annoyed by Gunju's remarks, she felt put out at the moment. The news about Kiara's unexpected death got to her, more than she thought it would. "Got banished is what happened," she sighed as she sat beside him, not too close to be touching him though.

            "Your crazy brother?"

            She nodded.

            "Jeez, and I thought I had family issues," he said. "So now what?"

            "I don't know, but we're not sitting out and taking this, that's for sure."

Tilting The Hourglass

Book Five

            The bright, yellow moon hung overhead in the black background of the sky, the stars twinkling ever so brightly. Timira waited for her mate to meet her on the edge of the border of the Savannah pride. She was becoming concerned with the passing minutes. He had promised to meet her once the moon was high in the sky, but already it was beginning to start its journey towards the mountains. If they waited much too long to leave, then Mheetu would know of their intentions to leave.

            As he had promised, Adwin immediately went to Mheetu the morning after Timira confessed of her history of Lindiwe. The older lion's response had been... less than welcoming. In fact, he even raised his voice at his successor. As Adwin had explained to her when he returned from visiting the former leader, he had said, "It was like he was scolding an army of cubs. I have never seen him that angry before." But Timira did not expect less of Mheetu - she knew he wanted them to stay, no matter what.

            Well sorry, old man, that's not in the plans tonight.

            When Adwin told Timira that Mheetu protested against the idea, the brown lioness insisted that she would go anyways. Adwin agreed, saying he would follow after her. "What about Gwandoya?" she asked him.

            Adwin found a solution in Ngosi, who was less than thrilled to look after Gwan, but nonetheless did so after he got an explanation.

            So then all they had to do was wait until nightfall to sneak away.

            Timira tapped her paws impatiently. Come on Adwin, this is taking too long.

            She heard the rustling of grass behind her, and she swiftly rounded on Adwin, who smiled guilty at her. "Sorry for taking so long," he whispered. "I went to go see Ngosi before I left. About Gwandoya."

            Relieved, Timira brushed her side against his. "No one caught you?"

            "Mheetu's fast asleep. Are we ready to go?"

            "Are you sure you want to go? I told you that you should stay here."

            "And let you go off on your own? The pride will be fine. Mheetu's here. I want to go with you."

            Timira's bi-colored eyes found themselves lost in Adwin's dark blue irises, which glowed of the love he felt for her. She was truly touched. "Oh Adwin..." She licked his