Chapter 16 Kasi’s Return:
“Kasi?!” Prince exclaimed “Uncle Kasi everyone thought you were dead!” Prince ran toward his Uncle and hugged him.
“Uncle Kasi?” Kasi asked.
“Yes. You’re brothers with my father, Julian. Correct?” Prince asked.
“Yes but, he’s King?” Kasi asked.
“Yes. Everyone thought you died so Julian had to be King or else the pride would have no ruler.” Prince answered.
“What about Marina and my cub?” Kasi asked his nephew.
“Marina and your son, Kiungo are apart of the Shadow Pride.” Answered Prince.
“How old is my son?” Kasi asked.
“He’s a teen and he has a girlfriend.” Prince said.
“A girlfriend eh? My son has a girlfriend! That’s my boy!” he said proudly. “Listen Nephew, no one must know that I’m alive. I actually regret telling you my name.”
“Why Uncle Kasi?” questioned Prince.
“It’s hard to explain. I must leave now.” Kasi said and hugged Prince. He bolted again.
Once again, Prince bolted after him.
“Uncle Kasi, please tell me why?” Prince asked.
“Why ask so many questions my dear boy?” Kasi asked.
“Please Uncle Kasi.” Prince pleaded.
Kasi sighed.
“Fine, I’ll return. But I must see Marina and my son first.” Kasi said.
Prince was happier than he ever was before.
“You’re coming back!!!” he cheered. He jumped and leaped all around.
“Where is the Shadow Pride?” Kasi asked.
“Well right now, Marina is at the cave and Kiungo might be in the jungle.” Prince said.
“Take me to Marina.” He demanded.
Prince led the way to the cave.
“Stay here.” Prince said. “I’ll surprise her.”
“Good idea.” Said Kasi.
Prince walked inside the cave and tip-toed to where Marina was.
“Aunt Marina,” he whispered.
“What is it Prince?” Marina whispered back.
“Someone outside the cave wants to see you.” Prince answered.
Marina stretched and walked outside the cave and there Kasi was. Waiting and smiling at his mate.
“Kasi!!!!” she exclaimed. She rushed to him, hugging him and licking him.
Kasi returned the kiss.
“I’ll just leave and give you some privacy.” Said Prince as he walked into the cave.
“I can’t believe it’s really you!” Marina cheered. “You must see Kiungo! You’d be proud of how he’s grown and-“ she stopped herself. “Why Kasi, you’re the King!” she cheered. “You must talk to Julian. He’s probably eager to-“
“No,” Kasi cut her off “Julian mustn’t see me.” He demanded.
“Why?” Marina asked.
“He doesn’t want me to be King. He wants to be the King and he wants the same for his children.” Kasi said.
“No, Kasi. That can’t be. He loved you. He had always admired you. Why did you even think that?” Marina said trying to make Kasi feel better.
“He tried to threaten me!” Kasi said.
“No, he wouldn’t-“ Marina said.
“He did!” Kasi said. “He’d probably threaten me again if he had the chance.” He sighed.
Julian awoke and came outside.
“Hey what’s all this rac- Kasi!” Julian exclaimed. “Brother! I thought you died!”
“I was at my deathbed Julian. Now if you’d excuse me I must see my son.” Kasi said.
Kasi walked off. He knew the land like the back of his paw.
He hurried off into the jungle to find his son.
“Kiungo!?” he yelled.
“That’d be me.” Kiungo answered. “Who are you?”
“I’m your father, Kasi.” Replied Kasi.
“Father!” Kiungo said rushing toward his dad.
Kasi held his son tightly.
“I heard you have a ‘girlfriend’. Is this true son?” Kasi asked.
“Well, um I uh-“
“Yes.” Nyota cut in. “That would be me.”
“I’m Kiungo’s father, Kasi.” He introduced.
“Nyota.” She said.
“Pleased to meet you Nyota. If you don’t mind I must have a word with my son.” Kasi said.
“Oh that’s fine.” She answered.
Kasi took Kiungo to a grassland that was filled with antelope.
“Why are we here Dad?” Kiungo asked.
“Shh son. This is what every Prince should know.” Kasi told his son.
“Me? A pr-“
“Yes son. You are a Prince. I am the real King. Everyone thought I had died so Julian became King. And since you are my son, you are the rightful Prince.”
“What about Julian and my cousins?” Kiungo asked.
“We’ll talk about that later Kiungo. Now let’s hunt.” Kasi said.
Kasi walked back a bit and then bolted to a fat juicy antelope. He clawed its stomach with his back claws and used his front paws to claw its neck. The antelope fell and Kasi dragged it over to his son.
“Let’s eat. Invite Nyota. She must be starved.” Kasi said.
Kiungo hurried back into the jungle to get Nyota.
“Nyota!” he called.
“Yes Kiungo,” she replied.
“My father caught a big antelope. Want to eat?” Kiungo offered.
“Sure!” Nyota said and the two teens walked back to Kasi.
The three lions chowed down the delicious antelope. They were all full and decided to get a quick drink at the water hole.
Kasi playfully pushed his son in the water. Kiungo pulled Nyota and Kasi in.
They were splashing water at each other and it was just so pleasing.
They were all drenched in water and shook the liquid of their fur. Their fur was still a bit moist, none of them seem to really mind much.
Nyota, Kiungo, and Kasi all headed back to the cave.
“Father, why are we going into the cave?” Kiungo asked.
“Why, don’t you live here?” Kasi asked.
“No father, we’re rouges.” Kiungo answered. “Well, you deserve the right to sleep in your Uncle’s cave.” Kasi insisted.
Kasi turned and walked in the cave. Kiungo shrugged at Nyota and they headed in the cave.
Kasi searched for an empty space to sleep in. He found a large corner and a smaller area that were both near the back of the cave.
“Kiungo.” He whispered.
“Yes father?” Kiungo whispered back.
“There’s a large corner in the back. You and Nyota can rest there.” Kasi said.
“Oh, thanks Dad.” Kiungo whispered. He hugged his father and escorted Nyota to the corner.
He licked her muzzle. She licked his back. Kiungo lied down on the nipping ground. Nyota shivered and cuddled up to Kiungo. He smiled.
Nyota quickly fell into a deep slumber. Kiungo licked her head and fell asleep as well.
Kasi smiled and tip-toed to the small corner and fell asleep along with the other lions in the cave.
Chapter 17 Prince’s Exile:
Julian awoke and stretched in the toasty sunlight. Kasi came out to greet his younger brother.
“Good morning brother.” Kasi signaled.
“Good morning Kasi.” Julian replied.
“Julian, I need to talk to you about some royal planning. You are not the rightful King. I’m the true King and you know it.” Kasi said.
“You can’t change royal members.” Julian defended.
“Yes you can!” Kasi growled. “That’s how you became King. Listen Julian, if father or mother were here-“
“Well they aren’t!” Julian roared.
“I said ‘IF’” Kasi argued.
“Well they still aren’t!” Julian said.
Julian raised a fist and was ready to fire a shot at Kasi. He ended up spinning around. Kasi decided to push his brother’s elbow so Julian would end up punching himself. He did and fell straight to the ground.
“Never mess with the rightful King.” Kasi said kicking dirt in Julian’s face and walked away. Phlegmatically, Julian rose up. He understood his brother. He knew he was he rightful King he just didn’t want him to be the King.
He paced around the cave. He didn’t know what to say or do. He was perplexed.
Foxy came out from the cave. She could sense that Julian was mad or confused about something. She could just always tell.
“Julian, what are you so fixed up about?” she asked.
“Who me? Uh-um Nothing!” he exclaimed fast.
“Julian, I know something’s up. Just tell me.” She persuaded.
He sighed.
“Kasi has returned and I don’t want him to be King and our cubs and Kasi’s-“
“Julian, calm down. There’s nothing to worry about.” Foxy comforted. She nudged him affectionately. He stood there calmy and did nothing else.
“There is something to worry about.” Julian confessed.
Foxy looked at him strangely.
“Kasi is the true King. He told me when he was in reign, he would kick us out and injury me.” Julian said.
Foxy stared at him in awe.
“No,” she paused “No, Kasi would never do such a thing. No, he was probably joking around he was-“
“I know my brother. He never joked around. Only to make Marina laugh. He is a very firm and serious lion. You know that. You’re just denying it. I know you just want to have this happen. Especially to the cubs.” Julian said. “I know Foxy, I know.”
He licked her head.
Mkuu trotted out of the cave. He was practically and adolscent now so he decided that he would be waking up earlier.
“Good morning Mother. Good Morning Father.” He greeted. He noticed no response.
He could tell that something was wrong.
He noticed a tear trickle down his mother’s face.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Mkuu asked.
“N-nothing Mkuu.” She sniffed “Just run along now. Play with Kitisha.”
Mkuu walked over to his father.
“Father,” he whispered “What’s wrong?” Mkuu was getting very concerned.
“We’ll talk about it tonight with the Pride.” Julian told his son. “Run along now son. Play with Kitisha.”
“Okay Father.” Mkuu answered.
Mkuu wandered off to where Kitisha was.
“Hey Kitisha!” he greeted.
“Hey Mkuu!” she greeted back.
“Want to go the-“ Mkuu was cut off my his little brother, Prince.
“You’re going to the gorge with you girlfriend right?” Prince laughed.
“Excuse me a moment.” Mkuu said to Kitisha.
Mkuu took his brother with his claw and took him to a rock nearby the cave.
“Will you shut up you, mongrel.” Mkuu said. “We’re just friends. Too bad you don’t have any.”
Prince turned away and walked back to the cave.
Mkuu strolled back to where Kitisha was.
“So, want to go to the jungle?” he asked.
“Sure.” Kitisha answered.
Mkuu and Kitisha walked off to the jungle.
Kitisha pulled Mkuu over to the emerald trees. She pushed him against a bare tree.
“Err-uh” Mkuu was confused and was in an awkward situation. Though he calmed down quickly.
“Mkuu I uh-“ Kitisha stumbled.
“I know,” he whispered. He nudged her. She blushed and licked his muzzle.
As he was about to kiss her back she paused and stopped him.
“Mkuu, I have to tell you something.” Kitisha said.
“What?” he asked. He was confused (once again). He didn’t understand.
“I can’t go back to Bora.” She confessed.
“What?! But, why?!” he asked.
“Everyone thinks that I’m in love with Prince. Why would I?! I would never break any of the Kingdom laws. Never!” Kitisha said.
“Who would say such a thing?” Mkuu asked. He was furious with whomever started this awful gossip. He would want to tear out their guts.
“I don’t know!” she answered sobbing.
“I think I might know who.” Mkuu said.
“Who?” she asked.
“Prince.” He said.
“No! He wouldn’t!” Kitisha said. She wasn’t standing up for Prince, she just knew it wasn’t him.
“Yes he probably did. Kitisha, he likes you and he’s going to run away again. He told me personally. He started that rumor so you wouldn’t be apart of the Pride and you would run away. Soon he would catch up with you and would try to well- you know” Mkuu said.
“You might be right Mkuu.” Kitisha changed her mind.
“Exactly! I can persuade my father that the rumor isn’t and true and Prince will be in trouble!”
“Good idea but, where should I go?” Kitisha asked.
“I’ll try to tell my father today if he’s not too busy. We’ll stay here in the jungle.” Mkuu said.
“You mean together?” she asked.
“Well, yes.” He said with some spunk. “I can’t leave you here out alone. Kiungo told me about some creepy rouge who’s trying to get a mate. He says he’s lurking around the jungle.” Mkuu said. He turned his head side to side checking if Cokelat was near.
“Who’s Kiungo?” Kitisha asked.
“Why, don’t you remember? He’s my cousin. He has the dark black mane, dark brown fur and his girlfriend is Nyota. She has golden fur.” Mkuu said trying to refresh Kitisha’s memory.
“Oh that’s right! How could I forget?” she said.
“Stay here. I must tell my father now.” Mkuu said. He licked her cheek and ran back to Bora.
Finally, he reached his father.
“Father, the rumor about Kitisha isn’t true. Prince made it up!” Mkuu said. “Father, it has to stop. She must stay in the Pride.”
“No son. Kitisha is in love with Prince who is younger than her. Son it’s a kingdom law. She can’t return.” Julian said.
“Father! Listen to me! Kitisha doesn’t like Prince! Prince likes her! He made up that rumor so that Kitisha would run away. He told me he’d run away and fall in love with her. He told me himself!” Mkuu protested.
“Prince? No. He wouldn’t he-“ Julian said.
“Father, Prince would. He’s angry and jealous at me and Kitisha. I would be the King and as Kingdom law, Kitisha would be Queen. Who else would make up such a thing?” Mkuu objected.
“Well, there’s no law of not making rumors. So I don’t know what to do for discipline.” Julian said.
“Father, Rafiki will know. He’s known your great grandpa.” Mkuu said.
“You’re right. But, I can’t go there. I’ve- never mind. Just go yourself.” Julian said.
“Okay father. I’ll go.” Mkuu said. Mkuu wandered off to the Pridelands to see Rafiki. He was in a rather large tree. He peered through a hole in the bark.
“Um, Rafiki.” He said.
“Oh Mkuu! It’s you. I thought it was someone else. Do you seek something?” the wise old baboon asked.
“Well, I know that you know many things about the other Prides and I was wondering if you knew if there were any laws of making rumors. Are there rules about that in my pride?” Mkuu asked.
“Yes. If someone makes a rumor they automatically are exiled from the pride they belong to.” Rafiki answered. “But, there are different rules for each pride. Zazu can tell you about them. He’s nearby I’ll call him.” “Zazu!” he called.
A blue hornbill soared into the large tree.
“Yes Rafiki.” Zazu answered.
“This lion wants to know about the rumor rules in other prides and ancient rules in his pride. Would you happen to know any?” Rafiki asked.
“No, I thought you would’ve actually.” Zazu answered.
“I think I might know some.” Rafiki paused. He took a moment to think. “Well actually there is a law about rumor-making in your Pride, Mkuu. Whomever made the rumor must run away from Bora. They must be a rouge for the rest of their life unless they start a pride of their own. They cannot join another Pride.” Rafiki explained.
“Oh.” Mkuu said. “Thank you.” He said and loped straight home to tell his father.
“Father, Rafiki told me that the law is if someone makes a rumor, they must run away from their pride, they cannot join another pride, and the only way they can be in a pride is if they make their own.” Mkuu said.
“I will get Garret to get Prince.” Julian said. “Garret!” he called.
Garret dashed over. His black mane caused him to sweat a bit because of the blazing son.
“Yes King Julian? Do you need a Defending Report?” he asked.
“No Garret. Get Prince. I need to talk to him.” Julian said.
“On the double sir.” Garret saluted and ran to where the young cub was.
“Prince, your father needs to see you.” Garret said.
“Okay.” Prince groaned and slowly got up to see his father. Once he arrived, Julian looked upset. Prince gulped.
“H-hi Father.” He said stumbling over his words.
“You have broken a Kingdom law and you’re the Prince!” Julian growled.
“I didn’t break a law! Kitisha did! She loves me!” he defended.
Mkuu appeared from the cave.
“What a lie! You love her! She doesn’t love you! You told me you like her and you told me you were going to start a rumor!” he protested.
Prince didn’t know what to do. His pride was furious at him and he had broke a law.
Julian called Garret and told him that he needed to gather the Pride and all the animals that lived in the Bora territory.
All of he animals gathered around and the Bora lions returned to their cave.
Prince was to leave immediately for that was the Kingdom law.
At once, the cub bolted away from Bora then stopped running. He sobbed and sat down on the gorge grounds. His family probably hated him for doing such a thing.