off with fighting lessons, Ekene shocked at how skilled Vitani was. He received a bigger shock when Vitani beat him which made him see it was Nassor who needed to tuition not her. After that Vitani joined her father in teachings Nassor and she often spared with the older cheetahs. 

      Spending time with Nassor, Ekene found in him a lion he could trust. Ekene saw through the rebellious streak and in fact quite liked that side. In return Nassor started to look up to Ekene as a trusted mentor.

     The relationship between Ekene and Vitani grew each day. Both seeing the truth of the matter there was no guilt, hatred or blame laying between them. Through his care Vitani experienced the love of a parent who had not hidden agenda. Laying under tress Vitani told Ekene all about Kovu, finding that Kovu was quite different to their father. Listening Ekene’s heart went out to his son, seeing in Kovu only Zira’s upbringing.

___________________________________________________________________________

“I wish it could have been different for both of you,” Ekene said.

    He and Vitani were laid in the branches of a large tress, Vitani had just finished telling him how to war between the prides had ended. Ekene’s eyes were full of something akin to guilt mingled with anger at Zira. As an outsider Ekene had a very good perceptive on things and what he saw was manipulation by Zira.

“Would it help Kovu if I went to see him?” Ekene whispered. “I might not be accepted but…”

“Dad to be honest…Kovu has never been curios about you. Even when Mother told us, he just brushed you off….he doesn’t care. He has never needed or even wanted to know. He looks up to our brother Imoo. I think going would make things difficult for him,” Vitani replied, regret and a spark of guilt in her eyes.

“I understand, Kovu is better off without me interfering in his life. If staying away makes him happy then that is fine by me,” Ekene replied smiling sadly.

“If I ever go back I’ll tell him about you.”

“I’d like that.”

   A few weeks after their arrival Nassor and Vitani stood on the edge of the kingdom side by side with Ekene. After spending time in the land the pair had decided it was time for them to leave. The air was full of sadness as the cheetahs as well as Ekene had grown to see the pair as part of the kingdom. During their time both had made lifelong friends with the young cheetahs and they had earned to trust and respect of the adults.

“I’m proud to call you my daughter,” Ekene whispered hugging Vitani. “Whatever happens with Zola…I want you to know that you will always have a home with me.”

“Thank you Dad. I’m so happy to have met you, from the start you have been honest with me, that’s something not many lions have been,” Vitani replied returning the hug.

“I believe in honestly. All I want is for you to be happy,” Ekene said, his voice full of emotion.

“Part of me wants to stay with you…but I have to find Zola,” Vitani replied, tears falling from her eyes.

“I understand. When all your questions are answered then with clear eyes you will be able to see what it is you want out of life.”

“How did you become so wise?”

“Years of experience,” Ekene whispered. “Take care of yourselves both of you. Nassor it has been a pleasure to know you.”

“Likewise Ekene, you’ve been a good mentor,” Nassor replied smiling.

“Go with our blessings,” King Jenko said stepping forward. “Should you be on our borders again please cross them without fear, you have both earned our trust and respect.”

    Bowing deeply the pair turned away and crossed the border. Tears shone in Vitani’s eyes as they walked away, her heart calling to her father.

“It’ll be okay Vitani. Once this stuff with Zola is sorted out you could always go back. You can go back now, if you want to stay with him I understand,” Nassor said gently.

“Thanks. I can’t go back…not until I’ve met Zola,” Vitani replied sadly.

“We’ll find them Zola and Majani. Come on Ekene said we needed to go north east at the forked tree,” Nassor said.

 

 

                     The shadow of Zira’s past

    Nassor and Vitani had been travelling for a couple of weeks since leaving Ekene in his beautiful kingdom. They had been finding it tough as in the past couple of days the animals around them seemed strangely hostile towards lions.

    Arriving on the border of a kingdom the pair stopped a wild dog and a lioness were on what appeared to be a joint border patrol. Both stared each other for a moment.

“What do you want?” asked the wild dog eyeing the pair with suspicion.

“We are travellers, all we want is rest and somewhere to hunt for a few days,” Vitani replied.

“This kingdom is ruled by a wild dog lion coalition. We will presented you to the council who will decide your fate,” the wild dog replied while the lioness nodded silently.

   Entering the kingdom Vitani and Nassor allowed themselves to be escorted through the kingdom. Their escorts maintained a stony silence throughout the journey giving out an aura of hostility. The kingdom seemed well stocked with life yet Vitani and Nassor felt the eyes of the animals follow the in a manner never experienced before.

     A couple of hours later the four reached an area of small hills on which said and laid a large lion pride and several wild dogs. The lions were well fed and had a similar colouring to Zira, with a large male sharing a particular resemblance to Vitani. Seeing the four approach the male lion got up, followed by several of the adults. His eyes widened in shock as he took in Vitani, a look close to hatred and utter distrust instantly appearing.

“Who are you?” the male demanded looking at Vitani.

“I am Vitani and this is Nassor,” Vitani replied bravely, assessing the situation.

“I asked who you are lioness not him. Now I’ll say it simply so you can understand little cub. When I ask who you are I want your name, the names of mummy and daddy and your pride,” the male snapped in a patronizing tone.

“Fine if that’s how you want it. My name is Vitani, my father is Ekene I come from the Pridelands and my mother is called Zira.”

     A hiss escaped followed by a snarl sprang from the male’s throat followed by roars from a few older females. Nassor, Vitani and the other younger lions looked at one another in utter confusion as Vitani continued to explain about her mother.

“So you are my half-sisters cub. Well this is a surprise, I never thought that piece of dirt would ever have cubs,” the male snarled.

“Half-sister? So this is her birth pride,” Vitani gasped with wide eyes.

“Don’t think that fact gives you anything. She was a worthless illegitimate mistake who deserved all the treatment she got. She was rightly kicked out as soon as she could manage alone. I am Gero (African name meaning fierce) ruler of this pride,” the male snarled, anger and contempt in his eyes.

“Then her stories of neglect and beatings are true,” Vitani hissed, her eyes flashing dangerously.

“Of course they are,” an older female said stepping forward. “Zira received only what she deserved. She was punished for being born and for the crimes committed by her father.”

“Mala (African name meaning bitter) is right,” Gero said gesturing to the lioness. “Now what brings you both here, what do you want in my pride?”

      With fear, hatred and courage in her eyes Vitani swiftly explained about the quest she and Nassor were on. As she talked the wild dogs settled down to listen, their leaders sitting close to Gero and Mala. When Vitani’s explanation come to a conclusion the dogs and Gero muttered harsh words about Zira and Zira’s father. For a moment or two dogs and lions conferred, shooting black looks at Vitani as they did.

“We will give you seven days after that you leave on pain of death if you return,” a large male wild dog said.

“Fine of that’s how you want it,” Vitani retorted.

“Stay clear of my pride. If I want you involved I’ll send for you. You answer anyone who talks to you. Any of the cubs ask you don’t mention Zira, you are rouges,” Gero snapped angrily.

“So be it, it is your life, anything else?” Vitani said, unable to disguise her contempt.

“Glad to see you have a dose of sense. Stay out of trouble, we will be watching,” Mala snapped.

      Turning away the pair were led by one of the wild dogs to a shady spot along the river bank where they could sleep. As the spot was away from the main pride it maintained a distance that Gero and Mala seemed to want. As the pair began to settle in some of the teenage lions and dogs approached, clearly ignoring their parent’s words of caution. Nassor and Vitani listened as the teens described their upbringing, having fun, lessons and endless hours playing. Listening to the tales Vitani realized her mother’s upbringing had been a twisted form of punishment. Ice cold realization swept through her body, in a

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