and Masika looked at her then looked at their son Chipo (African name meaning gift) and daughter Hasina (Egyptian name meaning pretty) who were sitting nearby, their ears pricked up. Neither cub knew the full story of their parent’s pasts yet both were fairly curious. Glancing at Zola, Masika saw understanding flicker in her friend’s eyes. Looking back at one another Masika and Chumvi shared a message.

“It all started long ago,” Chumvi began. “I was a teenager when Masika and Zola were born. Is long and complicated, will you listen for a while?”

“I am happy to listen to anything you tell me,” Vitani replied softly.

         Together Chumvi and Masika told Vitani and their cubs all about their long hidden past. Chumvi had once been the best friends with Simba, Nala, Kula, Tama, Togo and Malka in a time of plenty they had shared many adventures. Scar’s reign had brought changes yet at first their lives had progressed as normal. As a teenager Chumvi and the others had been given ever increasing responsibilities and the males had been distrusted by Scar. Despite this Chumvi had been friends with Zola and Masika.

        In their late teens Chumvi, Togo and Malka had been forced out by Scar. For a while the trio had travelled together until they had met a small pride lead by a female named Fumbe. Malka and Fumbe had taken a liking to each other which had driven a wedge between the friends, in the end the trio had gone their separate ways.  

“Not long after I ran into Zola and her friends. It was a shock seeing her and Masika again, their story took me completely by surprise. Deciding to join them was the easiest thing in the world,” Chumvi said, a smile gracing his face.

“Falling in love with Chumvi was so the most natural thing. We never planned it. We were just meant to be together,” Masika said.

“I am glad you are happy. That sounds so romantic Masika. Aina would love to see you again,” Vitani said, her eyes full of genuine understanding.

“I would love to see Mother again. Leaving her was so hard but living with the uncertainty of the future was even harder,” Masika replied, sadness visible in her eyes.

“Simba was one of my best friends. When we were told he was dead. It changed all of us. Even once I learnt the truth. I couldn’t go back. This place is home,” Chumvi replied.

“Sometimes I think it would be nice to go back to visit, just to let Mother know what has happened to me,” Masika said softly.

         A spark lit in Vitani’s mind, looking sideways at Nassor she realized the same spark had lit up in his mind. Why not suggest Chumvi, Masika and Zola go back to the Pridelands with them? Not to stay, just to visit. Long enough for everyone to make their peace…. 

         A question from Masika about Aina’s health brought Vitani back to earth with a bump. Shaking away the daydream Vitani replied honestly, telling Masika all about Aina’s life as an Outsider. This brought the talk over to Nassor and Vitani’s early lives, Hasina and Arjana joining the conversation. Soon the teenagers were chatting as if they had known each other for years. Caught up in the chatter Vitani laid her head on Nassor’s shoulder causing him to feel a funny jolt in his stomach. From the side-lines Zola, Chumvi, Delmar and Masika exchanged sly looks.

___________________________________________________________________________   

      A couple of days later Zola, Delmar, Arjana, Penina, Maiska, Chumvi, Chipo, Hasina Vitani and Nassor walked along the coastline. In a large area full of water filled gorges, narrow pathways, large caves and rocks built for climbing the lions explored. Small beaches were dotted everywhere many covered in shells. Some caves were full of water that you could swim inside, other were dry yet would fill with water later on.

     Swimming in a large gorge the lion laughed with delight as a pod of friendly bottlenose dolphins swam up to them. The playful creatures darted around the younger lions, lightly tapping them, pulling at their tails and flicking water at them. In reply the teens lunged forward, patting the dolphins with their paws claws carefully sheathed. The water shimmered a millions shades of blue in the sunlight, while brightly coloured shells shone like jewels beneath the surface.

   Surfacing for air Vitani threw her head back. She was having the time of her life, delight was written across her face. Every fibre of her being was brimming with energy, the simple joy of play. Dodging an assault from a dolphin Nassor caught sight of her, his eyes unable to help but watch. Seconds later Nassor found himself sailing through the air and landing underneath the water. Four cheeky male dolphins had caught him off guard while he had been watching his friend. Coughing and spluttering he surfaced to find Vitani gigging, a sly grin spread from ear to ear.

      A short time later the lions were stood on one of the small beaches inside one of the many gorges. Above them rocky paths wove while just above them the narrow gorge opening was wide enough to let light in and for a lion to jump.

“Aunti Vitani are you going to stay here forever?” asked Penina, her eyes full of innocence.

“I might. This place is beautiful, you have been very welcoming. It is starting to feel like home,” Vitani replied, happiness evident in her voice.

       Her words caught the lions in their tracks, each one thinking their own thoughts. Zola’s heart leapt with delight while Nassor felt a tightness in his chest. Opening his mouth he closed it again, unsure if speaking was the right thing.

“Nassor Vitani come with us,” Arjana said, gesturing with his right front paw to a section of rocks heading up the cliff face.

    With Hasina in front of them, Nassor, Vitani, and Arjana climbed up to the top of the cliff. Taking a running start Arjana jumped across the gorge gap, sailing effortlessly over the heads of the lions below and the water. With similar ease Hasina daughter jumped as well. Then eyes turned to Vitani and Nassor, eye daring them to jump. For a moment the pair just looked at the gap. Then Nassor gathered his courage. His eyes filled with determination he ran at the gap, using all his strength to propel himself forward with a might roar. Seconds later he landed with a crash on the other side, going head over paws, his mane all a skew. Getting up he let out a whoop of joy. His eyes flickered over to Vitani who had been watching him. Her eyes hardened. Summoning all her training she ran at the gap, springing forward with all her might. Time seemed to slow as she flew over the water. Then she landed on the other side, the other teens roaring with delight. Gasping for breath she laughed in utter delight and relief.

          Side by side the teens dived into the water in near perfect synchronicity giving the adults another heart attack. Surfacing in the water the teens roared with delighted. Looking across at each other Vitani and Nassor felt their words shift a little, the water had revealed the truth. In a second the spell broke as the teens climbed out of the water on the beach.

     Walking up into a large cave the lions passed through a wall of shining rock that was illuminated by the sun. Stepping out of the cave the lions stopped. In front of them the sea was stretched out in a beautiful painting. Words could barely do the view justice, the water glittering a dazzling array of blue, and the coral turning some areas a haze of pink, green and purple while magnificent turtles swam beneath the waves. Nassor and Vitani were silent in utter awe.

“Vitani did you mean what you said regarding staying here?” Zola asked.

“Being here……….I’m starting to discover who I truly am,” Vitani replied, her body shining with light and confidence.

“You are more than welcome to stay,” Zola replied.

    Together the lions looked out to a small island with a small beach covered in jungle. Nassor asked what is was and what if anything lived on it. In reply Masika suggested they all swim out to explore it. With swift bounds the lions jumped into the water. In the calm water the swimming was easy and sea lions swam with them.

       Reaching the island the lions walked into the jungle where in every tree birds sang, butterflies flittered on gossamer wings and the tree provided shade. From a large pool the lions drank cold water. Under the tress Delmar told the origin myth of his family. According to legend once a lion prince fell in love with a sea lion. Magic turned the sea lion into a lion so the pair could marry. In time they become King and Queen and had cubs. Some of the cubs remained lions while others turned into sea lions. In memory of the sea all lion of his line have a mane the colour of sand a feel drawn to the sea.

          The following day Chumvi, Delmar, their teen cubs and Nassor were out in border patrol with a bit of training thrown in for good measure. The teens brought up the subject of girls, mentioning a couple of the lioness have their eyes on Nassor. Rolling his eyes he laughed it off. Then came the question about him and Vitani. At this Nassor felt his blood boil, quickly snapping angrily and lashing out. In a flash Chumvi told them both to lay