"Just Empty Words" (C) DakotaWereWolf, 2013

Haja (C) Khione

Ngosi, Dawn, Imani, Ikinya (C) Namacub95

Kiara, Simba, Mheetu (C) Disney

All other characters (C) Me

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            "This weather is unbearable," snarled a light colored lion with a dark scarlet mane. "I wish the rainy season came back. Ugh, I'll have to swim in the river when we get back just to feel better."

            His companion, a dark red lion with a dark mane, nodded his head in agreement. "Well it is called the savannah, Faraj. It's kind of smart, in a way."

            "Oh yeah? How so?"

            "Well it's so hot out here that no one will hurt them."

            "And the Outlanders lived by a river, and look what happened to them."

            The dark lion wrinkled his nose. "I can't believe that still happened. How strong do you think they are, these lions?"

            Faraj paused to moisten his drying mouth while eyeing his companion. "I don't know, Haja. Mom wouldn't say anything about it."

            "And your dad?"

            Faraj scoffed. "Forget him, he's in his own little world. He should've gone to do this instead of me."

            A hurt expression crossed Haja's face. "Oh, I guess I'm hardly good companion, huh?" He meant that in good fun, but there was a hint of fear in his voice. Faraj did not answer him, instead choosing to press forward. The red lion sighed and pursued his companion.

            It wasn't that Faraj meant to say anything bad about Haja's company - in fact he kind of liked it when the red lion hung around him. For one, that meant that he didn't have to be around his family for a while. For another, it meant that he could spend some time with the lion who he was eyeing. He wasn't like his sister Kagiso and Haja's friend Nzuri, who came together pretty quickly under a spell of true love. Nzuri always spoiled Kagiso, took care of her when she could not, and soon Yejide entered the picture. Faraj could not stand the happy family image they set themselves - after all, he had not grown up with that kind of sincere love.

            True, Khari loved them all she could, and she was the only one who softened Faraj's heart. But Bour... he ignored them all, for whatever reason there was. Faraj remembered the one time Bour tried to talk to him, but it ended with Faraj walking away. His father's attempts to be close to his son had been futile, and in fact only served to anger him further. He didn't need his father's love when he never had it to begin with. Khari and Haja were all Faraj really needed.

            Still, no matter how fondly he thought of Haja, Faraj could not find it in him to want to anything friendly around him. The pair were friends, and often got along though not without their own spats, but Faraj wanted more from them. But he couldn't, because of Khari and Bour, and Kagiso and Nzuri. There was too much pressure for Faraj to decide what he wanted to do with their friendship. So he would just ignore it for more pressing matters.

            He and Haja climbed over a small hill in the arid air, pointing their noses up, and inhaling for any markings. "There's one," said Haja, gesturing to a dried out rock. "About a couple of days old."

            Faraj nodded his head. He could smell them too. "They're around."

            "Well we better go introduce ourselves then. Let's go."

            "I hope they're friendly lions."

            The further along they went, the less dense the air became. It was easier for them to breathe, and the warmness of the savannah was cooling off. It was becoming bearable though, having lived by a river for most of his life, it was still too warm for Faraj's tastes.

            Haja bumped his shoulder, gesturing ahead. "Look, there's a pride there."

            Faraj paused, squinting to see what Haja had seen. Indeed, ahead of them were the specks of a lion pride. Some of them blended so well into the dried grass that Faraj would've almost overlooked them.

            "You think that's them?" he asked.

            "Only one way to find out," replied Haja, and it was he who led them closer to the pride.

            The pair slowed their pace as they got closer to the pride. At this time the distance between them was closing, and Faraj could clearly see that the majority of the pride had a brown or dune colored coat. Fitting, considering where they took residence.

            The pride noticed them, and paused in their mingling to eye the two strangers that were steadily getting closer to them. A brown lion broke away from the pride and approached the two, no hint of hostility in his eyes whatsoever. If he was the leader, then he was a lot smaller than Faraj would've expected him to be.

            "Hi, can we help you?" the lion greeted, his voice so young that he still sounded like a cub. This can't be the leader, thought Faraj. He's just some other lion.

            "We're here to speak to the leader of this pride," said Haja, when Faraj failed to speak up. "Urgent news from the Riverlands."

            The smile on the lion's face faded. "T-Trouble?" He shook his head, clearing his throat. "Uh, yes. The leader... that's me. My name is Adwin."

            No way, he can't be the leader! He doesn't even look that old! thought Faraj.

            Even Haja seemed taken aback by the sudden proclamation of this lion's power. "Uh... right."

            Adwin smiled. "I know I'm not what you were expecting. I don't blame you-"

            "Who're they, Adwin?" A brown lion with a startling similarity to Adwin approached them. Brothers? thought Faraj.

            "Oh, they're from the Riverlands, Ngosi," said Adwin, trying to ease onto the younger lion that these lions were not a threat. He turned his attention back to the pair. "You said that there was trouble?"

            "Lions." Faraj finally found his voice. "They ran the Outlanders out of their pride."

            Adwin and Ngosi's eyes widened. "B-But... how..?" inquired Adwin. "Are they a huge pride?"

            "Supposedly not," said Haja.

            Faraj said, "My mother is Khari. She sent me out to tell you to watch you."

            "Oh dear..." murmured Adwin. He looked over his shoulder. "Better tell Mheetu what's happened..."

            Ngosi seemed uncomfortable with the news. "Are they traveling?"

            "Supposedly," said Faraj. He shrugged. "Don't really know much more."

            Ngosi whirled his head to face Adwin. "I'll be right back."

            Adwin nodded, his eyes never leaving his guests. "Well... thanks for, uh, bringing that to us. Do you want to rest up here for a while before heading back? You've had a long journey."

            Faraj frowned at the idea. He didn't want to spend any more time in this land, but when he faced Haja, to see what the red lion thought, he saw a look of gratefulness on Haja's face. Well, maybe we've been traveling too far...

            "Okay," he answered. "Just enough to have something to drink."

            Adwin nodded, a smile back on his face again, though it seemed more forced. "We have a nearby oasis you're more than welcomed to drink from. If you're hungry, we also have scraps."

            "Thank you." Haja politely dipped his head and trotted off to find this oasis, leaving his companion behind.

            Faraj cocked his head at Adwin, and asked him a question that had been nagging at him since they arrived. "How can you stand the heat here?"

            "Haha, you get used to it after a while. Come, are you thirsty?"      

            Far from the savannah, it had begun to rain for Ekene, Winta, and Leo as they traveled to the Shadowlands. Despite how heavy the rain was, it didn't break stride for Ekene, who was more than determined to break through the storm to see Ikuta. His mind danced with too many agonizing thoughts that it made his head throb.

            How could she do that?

            I thought we were in love.

            Would she do that?

            Why... why Ikuta?

            Winta had been unusually quiet the whole trip, and Leo was like Gotto in many regards. He, too, spoke little, and served as nothing more than an intimidating force. It only made Ekene yearn for his fallen friend. Then he thought of Chinter, who barely reacted to him asking her to come along. Perhaps the trip would do her some good.

            He had found her by the shores of the river, staring across their land. Scouts had told them that the land was habitable again, and once he returned, Ekene would lead his pride back across the river. "Are you okay?" he had asked her.

            Chinter barely looked up at him, but Ekene noticed that it looked as though she had just been crying. "Chinter?"

            "Why, Ekene? Why him?" After that, she grew unresponsive to his prodding questions, and, with much encouragement from Khari and Sauda, Ekene left Chinter alone. Perhaps going home would bring some life back into his friend, who seemed to have died the moment Gotto did.

            "The pride's ahead," growled Leo.

            Ekene broke free of his thoughts to see that Leo had been correct, and the pride was not far from their reach.

            "Let's go then," he huffed, surging forth to set the pace.

            As they neared the pride, a dark lion stepped out in front of them. "Halt! What business do you have here?" he growled.

            Ekene stepped forward, not intimidated by the lion. "I need to speak to Ikuta."

            The whiskers on the lion's face twitched. "Of what business?"

            "One of your lions attacked our pride."

            Suddenly, the dark lion's suspicious glare subsided, replaced by a knowing look of fear. "Uh... yes, all right. I'll take you to her."

            "Thank you."

            As the lion led them to Ikuta's den, he stopped short to stare into Ekene's eyes again. "This lion... did you get a name?"

            "No name. He was a gray lion. Had scars across his eyes."

            "A gray lion?" A sharp voice came from the bottoms of the den. Two eyes illuminated in the dark. Ekene's heart began to race. He recognized that beautiful anywhere.

            Ikuta emerged from her den, a hard look to her face. She was a lighter gray color, had one torn ear, and was as cold as ice. But it never stopped Ekene from loving her. As he studied her, trying to recall all of her features, he took notice of her hind leg, which was naked and badly burnt, raised above the ground as though completely dead.

            "Ikuta! What happened to you?!" he shouted, allowing his feelings to overwhelm his sense of rationality. You idiot! No one is supposed to know anything!

            Ikuta inspected her leg, then met Ekene's gaze again. "A fire. You said a gray lion attacked the Outlands?"

            "Invaded, and killed my friend, yes."

            Ikuta fell silent for a moment. Finally, she said, "Ikinya, would you mind leaving us for a moment?"

            The dark lion nodded his consent. "Of course."

            "Ekene, call off your escort. I just want to speak to you privately."

            Ekene nodded, turning to Leo. "It's okay, we won't be long."

            Leo growled, claws unsheathed. "I would hope so."

            "And you, what is your name?" inquired Ikuta, to Winta.

            The gray lion did not stammer under the leader's gaze as she said, "Winta."

            Ikuta seemed to ponder it, then nodded. "Yours?" she asked Ekene, not hinting any emotion.

            Ekene nodded. "My daughter. She stays with me."

            "Understood. Come into my den and we'll discuss this. You two may leave, please." Ikinya and Leo took their cues to leave, and once they were a safe distance away, Ikuta ushered Ekene and Winta into her den. "Towards the back, so no one can overhear us."

            Once they were pressed deeply within her den, Ikuta spoke up. "That lion is my brother, Ashiki. Remember I told you about him?"

            Ekene nodded. When he and Ikuta had snuck off in the night during the leaders' meeting, she had indulged him some into her past life, and had spoke of her brother. She had praised his qualities quite well, as he recalled.

            "Well, he's been exiled from the pride," continued Ikuta. "He's a complete rogue. Took his mate and several of our pride members along with him."

            "He attacked the Outlands," said Ekene. "He drove us from our home, and killed Gotto."

            "That, I had nothing to do with. Do you really think that I would send him out to attack another pride?"

            "I don't know anymore, Ikuta. Would you?"

            Hurt flickered in Ikuta's eyes before disappearing. "No, never. We're much better than that, Ekene. No, Ashiki has gone insane. I didn't think he'd do this... probably should've killed him when I had the chance." Ikuta sighed. "If there's anything you need from the Shadowlands, you have our support. It's the least I can do for your loss."

            Ekene softened, relieved that the attack was because of a sudden change of heart in Ikuta. She still cares, he thought. "We appreciate it."

            "He's my brother, I just couldn't do that to him. But if he's going after other lion prides, then he must be put down. Have you warned the others?"

            "My sister has gone to the Pridelands, and she's sent some messengers to the Savannah pride to warn them."

            "Good, so then there won't be any more surprises coming from this."

            "Stop beating yourself up over it." Ekene leaned in and licked Ikuta's nose. She still smelled the same, even if she was drenched in the rain. "I've missed you."

            Ikuta allowed herself to lean into Ekene's touch. "I have too." She turned to Winta, love dancing in her eyes. "Winta, you've grown so big since I last saw you. I hope you don't hate too much."

            Ekene nervously turned to his daughter, wondering how she was going to react to Ikuta. He never lied to her about who her mother was, but there still could've been some hidden resentment inside her.

            To his joy, Winta leaned in and nuzzled her mother. "I always wanted to meet you," she said. "Dad told me everything about you."

            Ikuta was touched. "Oh Ekene..."

            Smiling, he said, "I didn't want to lie to her. She deserved to know everything."    

            "Did you tell anyone else?"

            "Only my friends, Chinter and Gotto."         

            As soon as Ikuta sat up in alarm, he quickly added, "They can be trusted. Well, Chinter now. Gotto's gone."

            Relaxing, she settled back down. "Truly I'm sorry about your loss. If I had known..."

            "Ikuta, I told you to stop beating yourself up."

            "Sorry..." She gave him a small smile, which made Ekene's heart soar. He remembered when she smiled for him the first time. "I suppose our business is done here, then? I've explained what I could to you. I hope that the other lion prides will not think it was the Shadowlands who organized this."

            "I'll make sure that isn't the case. Right, I suppose it is time to go. Winta, you ready?"

            Winta seemed to hesitate, looking back and forth between her parents. "Actually, Dad..?"

            "Yes?"

            "I... want to stay here."

            "NO!" both Ekene and Ikuta roared, the pair rising to sit up.

            Winta scrunched her face. "Why not? I'm old enough to say what I want to do or not."

            "There was a reason I wanted you to stay with your father," sighed Ikuta. "The Outlands would be better-"

            "We got invaded there! Why can't I just stay with you, Mom? Dad has everything under control."

            Ikuta faced Ekene. "Ekene, I don't think..."

            He shook his head. "I agree, you should come back home."

            Winta flashed her teeth. "I'm calling the shots, and I'm saying that this is my home now. Mom, I want to be here with you. Please?"

            "Winta, your uncle could return here any day now," reasoned Ikuta. "He'll want to garner any chance to attack us."

            "Dad says I'm a good fighter. We'll just fight him off."

            "Winta, listen to Ikuta..."

            "No, I've already made up my mind." Winta dug her claws into the dirt below her, to prove her point. "Please, let me stay."

            Ekene and Ikuta exchanged helpless glances with one another, neither knowing how to react to their daughter's sudden demands.

            In a small voice, Winta said, "I'll try to come visit, Dad..."

            Ekene sighed. "Ikuta, would you mind?"

            Ikuta hesitated. "Winta, is this what you really want?"

            Winta smiled, licking her mother's nose. "Yes."

            "Fine... but if Ashiki returns, you're to live with your father permanently. Is that understood?"

            Winta rolled her eyes. "Yes ma'am."

            The gesture made Ekene smile. "She reminds me so much of you," he said to Ikuta. "You're both equally stubborn."

            Ikuta rolled her eyes. "You've always had a sense of humor, Ekene. Come, I'll see you off then."

            "Ikuta, I..." began Ekene.

            But the gray lioness stopped him. "I hope this is the last time you come here, Ekene," she said, her voice hoarse, holding back the pain of saying such a thing.

            Ekene laid his ears back. She had a point. If he continued to stop by, it would only make things harder for them when they left each other.

            "I told you that I wouldn't be upset if you found another," continued Ikuta. "I recommend you find someone in your pride. Settle down, be happy."

            The brown lion snapped his head up, his expression defiant. "I did find someone, and I wouldn't trade her for anyone else."

            Ikuta sighed, but Ekene saw her trying to hold back a smile. "You're such an idiot..."

            Behind them, Winta groaned. "Can we not with the lovey dovey stuff? I mean it's kinda cute, but at the same time..."

            "Agreed, it would be better to stop with this now." Ikuta emerged from the mouth of her den, growling as the rain struck her. "I wish this damn weather would stop. You'll be all right going home?"

            Ekene came up alongside her, also scowling about the weather. "We arrived here in one piece. We should be all right."

            "Like I said, if the Outlands need anything-"

            "We'll let you know."

            Ikuta smiled. "Good. Tell your sister that, that the Shadowlands had no part in what Ashiki had done, when you return, all right? We'll fight with you if you need us. We'll also extend the offer to the other prides, if they'd like."

            "I think they'd appreciate that. Okay Ikuta, take care of Winta?"

            "Always."

            Ekene wanted nothing more to nuzzle Ikuta, breathe in her scent again, tell her that he loved her... but that would be compromising too much. Instead, he gave her a curt nod, trying to convey all he felt for her in that simple gesture.

            She seemed to understand, for she nodded back.

            Ekene faced his daughter and nuzzled her. "Take care, okay, Winta?"

            She laughed. "Of course!"

            Ekene gave the two one more look, and finally turned his back completely on them. "Leo! We're leaving!" he called out, not seeing the tawny lion waiting for him.

            A short moment, Leo appeared at his side, a conflicted look on his face. He seemed angry, but remorseful at the same time. Ekene knitted his brows together. "Are you okay-"

            "I'm fine," he growled, surging ahead of Ekene. "Let's just go home, huh?"

            Ekene slowed his pace, pondering what was said to Leo to make him so short-tempered. He was nearly tempted to look back over his shoulder, to see if Ikuta and Winta were still waiting for him. He almost did, until he remembered that he couldn't. Don't look back, he thought. Let's just go home, Ekene.

            "I hope this rain clears up soon," he growled, racing off to catch up with Leo.

            "Well, what do you think?" asked Ngosi as he and Adwin saw Faraj and Haja off from their lands.

            Adwin shrugged. "I told Mheetu, and he just said that we need to look out for this lion."

            "You think they were telling the truth?"

            The older lion turned to his younger counterpart, seeing that Ngosi didn't seem to fully believe the word of the two lions. He supposed there could be reason to that - after all, from what he had learned about Ngosi's past, the lion grew up with wild dogs, rather than lions. Even when the pair met, Ngosi seemed to treat him more with an uncomfortable hostility. It didn't help once Mheetu allowed the pair to join the Savannah pride - Adwin had grown up in a pride system, and knew the basics of the functioning family, but Ngosi had not. Though he had grown used to pride life, and had made some friends of his own kind now, there would still be a part of that hint of suspicion that would remain unchanged.

            "Mheetu told me that the Riverlands and Savannah prides had always been allies."

            "What if they want to attack us?"

            "For what? That lion didn't even like it out here."

            Ngosi shrugged. "It was just an idea..."

            "Not that it was a bad one..." Adwin turned his attention back out to the desolate scenery before them. The messengers were completely gone. "I hope they make it back okay."

            "Hmph."

            Adwin smiled. "It'll be fine, Ngosi."

            "It better be. I'm going to go find Dawn."

            "Okay. If she's with her sister, maybe let them know?"

            "Sure." Adwin watched as Ngosi trotted off, wondering if his friend had made a good point. Could they be in danger? When he had confronted Mheetu about his misgivings while Faraj and Haja had made their welcome, the lion had stated, confidentially, that not many lions wanted to seek them out because of the weather.

            The weather's going to be our best help, he told Adwin. Trust it.

            Adwin did, he always did. He always trusted the ones around him, and the only time he had proven misguided in his trust was with the lioness, Zuri. And he vowed never to make that mistake again.

            "Hey stranger," a sweet voice called upon his side.

            Adwin smiled, turning his head to greet his mate, Timira, with a sandy-colored lion alongside her. "How's Gwandoya been doing?" he asked her.

            They made an unusual family, him, Timira, and Gwandoya. Timira knew Gwandoya because of their shared past together, and had explained to Adwin after she had gotten over her initial suspicion of him that Gwandoya was a challenged lion who hadn't developed properly after birth. How she knew so much of Gwandoya, when they weren't even blood-related, Adwin didn't know, for Timira would not tell him. So he didn't make her, and when he took Timira as his mate, he adopted Gwandoya as his own cub, helping the lion to overcome his difficulties.

            Sometimes it was tough. Gwandoya was prone to gibberish and hysteria, and it often irritated the other lions of the pride. Even Mheetu had quickly lost his patience for the sandy lion. But Timira would be there with him, throughout all his episodes, comforting him. Sometimes there were good days where Gwan would register Timira's attempts at comfort, but other days he would continue his hysterical episode, trying to communicate the name of someone that Adwin didn't know, but Timira obviously knew and understood.

            Being a father to a grown-up adult who thought he was a cub was much harder than it looked.

            Timira tilted her head back and forth. "He had been crying for a bit, but he's calmed down now."

            Adwin looked over Gwan over. It was always remarkable how, after an episode, the sandy lion could just revert back to a distant look without it ever looking like he had a breakdown.

            "Good, that's good," said Adwin.

            "Sooo what happened? I saw that there were some visitors today."

            "They came from the Riverlands. They said to look out for a band of lions that drove out the Outland pride."

            Timira's eyes widened. Even though her face was disfigured by four embedded slashes across her face (attributed by a lion she once thought of as her father), she was still a very beautiful lioness to him. "Drove out? But how?"

            Adwin shrugged. "They just attacked them. They're not that big of a group, and a gray lion leads them."

            Timira seemed to consider the information. "Did he have a red mane?"

            Adwin cocked his head. "What does that have to do with it?"

            "Oh, nothing. I was just wondering..." But Timira still seemed troubled.

            Wanting to reassure his mate, but not knowing how to go about it, Adwin just leaned in and touched noses with her. "We'll be fine. Even Mheetu says we'll be okay."  

            "Mheetu always says we're going to be fine," she scowled, pulling back. "But he's not the leader of the pride anymore. You are, and you get to say if we're going to be okay or not."

            "We're going to be okay," he told her firmly. Then he smiled. "The weather's going to be on our side."

            "Uh...u..." Both turned to Gwandoya, whose eyes were distant and cloudy. His mouth stuttered, and he seemed to tremble as he struggled to speak. "I..."

            Timira was by his side in an instant, rubbing up against him while whispering, "It's okay, Gwan. You're okay."

            Adwin laid his ears back. Oh please let it not be another episode... he thought.

            "Sh... big!"

            "Gwan, it's okay."

            The corners of Gwandoya's mouth lifted into that of a crooked smile. He began to bounce on his paws.  

            Timira threw a look at Adwin, who was just as clueless on how to perceive this different side of Gwandoya. Rarely did the lion ever show emotion.

            "Adwin!" It was Ngosi who was crying out. "Lions are coming!"

            Adwin sucked in air, gave his mate an apologetic look, and then raced up towards his friend. Behind him were two lioness and a gray lion - Dawn, her sister Imani, and Azazel.

            "Where?" Adwin panted.

            Azazel gestured his head. "Not far from here."

            "We heard what happened," said Imani. "There's a gray lion."

            Adwin's heart sank. "No..."

            "Those lions must've led them here," growled Ngosi. "What do you want us to do?"

            "I can distract them," offered Azazel. "I don't really do battle plans with others."

            Imani nudged him, glaring. "Shut up."

            "Let me think!" Adwin cried. Mheetu! He'd know what he'd want me to do! "Uh, okay! Ngosi, let everyone know what's going on. Imani, Dawn, can you look after Timira and Gwan for me? Azazel-"

            The gray lion smirked, bouncing a bit on his toes. "No problem."

            Imani turned to him. "You be careful or else," she growled.

            "I'm always careful, princess." With a kick of dirt, Azazel darted back into the fields.

            Adwin made sure everyone went off to do their part before he went off to find Mheetu. The older brown lion was resting underneath a dead tree, his pale mate beside him. She raised her head as Adwin approached them, smiling softly. "Oh Adwin, how are you?"

            At the mention of Adwin's name, Mheetu sat up, brushing the sleep from his eyes. "Ah, Adwin. Did our guests finally leave?"

            Adwin laid his ears back, sheepishly pawing at the ground. "Mheetu, there's a problem."

            At once the brown lion rose to his paws. "What's going on?"

            "Those lions are heading for us."

            Mheetu scrunched his face in rage; Paka stood alongside him, an anxious look on her face. "Are you serious? Ugh, Adwin, station everyone to surround our grounds. We're not going to be driven out like the Outlanders."

            Happy with being given a command, Adwin shot off, yelling Mheetu's order to everyone. He made sure, when he found them, that Timira and Gwandoya were stationed in the dead center of the pride, as their members formed a perimeter around them.

            "If they break through, just run," he urgently told Timira. Adwin gazed at Gwan, but the sandy lion was still ecstatic, unaware of the danger they were about to face.

            "They're coming over the hill!" Azazel cried out as he rejoined them.

            Assuming his place on Mheetu's left side, Adwin readied himself as the first lion appeared. Indeed, he was a gray lion, with scars across his eyes. This was the one they were talking about.

            Following him emerged a tawny lioness, and next to her a larger gray lioness. The rest of the lion's group followed after them.

            "There aren't that many," Adwin heard Azazel growl behind him.

            "Azazel, be quiet!" snarled Imani.

            "I gotta agree with Azazel on this one," said Ngosi, who stood behind Adwin. "How did these guys chase out the Outlanders? They're not that big."

            "Never underestimate the enemy," said Mheetu. "They have small numbers, but they still chased out the Outland pride. They must be strong."

            The group was getting closer, though they seemed to be taking their time arriving. It's all for show, thought Adwin. They know we know what they did. They just want to scare us more. Well, it was working. Adwin hadn't felt this afraid since Mheetu had asked him to become a leader. Or since Zuri.

            "Gwan, no!"

            It was too late for Adwin, or anyone, to react. Gwandoya broke the line and raced towards the oncoming group. Timira had chased him only until she came alongside Adwin, and then she froze. Adwin was startled to see her begin to shake, to see tears starting to rain down from her eyes.

            "N-No! It can't be!" she cried.

            "Get your cub back here!" demanded Mheetu. But no one dared to chase after Gwandoya, not even Adwin, who was so petrified by what had happened that he just found himself frozen to the spot.

            Gwandoya stopped short of the group, and began to pace. And for what happened next, Adwin could not have believed his own eyes. The group stopped, with the large gray lion breaking from her group's formation to trot up to Gwandoya. Adwin felt his claws unsheathe, but the way she approached him... it was as though they had been friends. There was no hint of hostility, or any kind of surprise attack waiting for his adopted son.

            No, this lioness trotted up to him, and began to shoo him back.

            Beside him, Timira took a sharp intake of air, and she too broke the line to run up to her adopted son. This time, Adwin could not ignore it. "Timira! Come back!"

            Timira refused to turn back, and as she got closer to the pair, she too came to a slower pace until she fully stopped. Gwandoya was now facing Mheetu's group, his ecstatic look gone and replaced with his casual look of indifference, as if what had just happened never happened.

            Adwin squinted his eyes, trying to decipher what was going on with his mate. He studied the gray lion, the leader, and saw that he too must've been confused by the sudden event. Finally, after a long standstill, the large gray lioness turned and trotted back to her group. She paused, said something to the gray lion, and then trotted back the way she came. Then, to Adwin's great surprise, the gray lion followed after the lioness, and with him so did the rest of the pride.

            How could this lioness have enough power to effectively shutdown what would've been a bloodshed? Adwin turned to the rest of his pride and saw that they all thought the same thing.

            With the promise of a crisis averted, Adwin trotted up to his mate, who was now sitting down, her eyes staring straight ahead.

            "Timira?" he prodded.

            "She's back," she whispered, tears still streaming down her face. "She wasn't a ghost either. She's really back."

            Knitting his brows together, Adwin moved to within his mate's line of sight, effectively snapping her out of her illusion. "Timira, what happened? Who was that?"

            Timira's mouth trembled. "L-Lindiwe. She's back."

            How dull, thought Abel, as a light breeze carried past him. It was yet another day of uneventfulness within the Pridelands, the only recent excitement being what Simba had told the entire pride - a group of lions had attacked the Outlands, driven them from their homes, and were now out seeking other prides.

            Even though Kiara and Defir had been worried, Abel was excited. A group of lions, attacking others? How very interesting...

            It is very interesting, my handsome prince, said Zuri. How ruthless lions can be. So unorganized...

            This interested Abel. "What do you mean?" he asked, as quietly as he could. His parents were not far from where he laid in the grass, and he did not want them to overhear his private conversation with Zuri.

            Isn't it obvious, my love? They're letting themselves get caught. They're not being sneaky enough.

            "Isn't it better like that? Then everyone will be afraid of them."

            My love, it would be more terrifying if no one knew about them.

            Shivers ran up and down Abel's spine. The idea tempted him. "They destroyed the Outlands," he purred.

            All the more reason to want them on our side, no? Powerful allies... can you imagine?

            "Hm... when I become King, I'll make a note of that."

            "Abel, who are you talking to?"

            Abel shot up as soon as Kiara's voice crossed his ears. Please don't have heard that! "Uh, nothing Mother! Just thinking aloud!"

            Kiara tilted her head, smiling warmly at her son. "I know it's a dull day, so your father was thinking of taking you out into the fields to do some hunting."

            Though Zuri scowled, Abel leapt at the opportunity. "Of course, Mother! He wants to go now?"

            "Of course he does," laughed Defir as he brushed up alongside Kiara. "I know you're getting a little restless, son, so I thought it'd do us both some good."

            Abel nodded his agreement.

            It's a bad idea, said Zuri.

            But Abel disagreed. After all, his parents never gave him reason to hate them, right? True, he felt Kiara was holding far too long onto her namesake, but she was still his mother, his flesh and blood.

            He and Defir bade farewell to Kiara, and began their trek into the fields. Blood began rushing throughout Abel's body, and pleasure spiked through his spine. He wanted to taste the blood of a gazelle in his mouth, useless under his weight. True, he was still nowhere near the height of his father (in fact, Abel rivaled the height of Kiara than he did of his father and grandfather), but he still weighed enough to be a threat.

            He was never going to be a vulnerable being, not now, not ever.

            "I know you still haven't turned five years old yet," Defir spoke up as the pair passed through the grass, "but your mother and I had been talking. We might let you step up earlier than we had intended."

            Abel pricked his ears. Did he hear exactly what he thought he heard?

            "Really?" he managed to say.

            Not breaking his stride, Defir turned to Abel and smiled. "We think that you're showing a maturity beyond your years, and your grandparents seem to agree."

            Abel smiled at this, but in the back of his head, he was damning his grandparents. Who cared what they thought of him? As long as Kiara held him in high regard, he was guaranteed the throne...

            "Plus, your mother and I would like to relax one of these days," Defir laughed.

            "When, Dad?" asked an eager Abel. "When can I become King?"

            "Soon. We're still discussing when, but we're thinking a bit before you turn another year. We were hoping to surprise you."

            It was the best surprise anyone could've asked for. To show his appreciation, Abel brushed up against his father. "It's the best surprise," he said, and meaning it.

            "I'm glad. Your mother would kill me for telling you, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to tell you."

            The image of Kiara outright murdering his father crossed in Abel's mind.

            How delicious, said Zuri.

            The pair came upon the watering hole where the animals routinely mingled. Abel could feel his own mouth began to water, and his claws dug into the dirt.

            However, he felt Defir tense beside him, and it erased his own eagerness to hunt as he stared up at his father in confusion. "What?" he asked.

            But Defir's attention was only ahead of him. Abel followed his father's gaze, and saw what had disturbed his father so. There were no animals gathered about the watering hole, which was unusual.

            Something was out in the fields.

            "We better go home," said Defir, nervously taking a step back. "If they don't know..."

            Abel nodded. His eagerness returned. So, something was hunting on their grounds, and it had disturbed the life that lived on their land? Excellent! A worthy challenge then!

            The lions quickened their pace, and slowed once they saw the Rock from a distance. However, there was a gathering taking place below the base of the rock. Even from the distance they were at, Simba's yellow fur and red mane were not too hard to notice.

            Defir left Abel's side as he bolted for the crowd. Abel paused to survey the scene below. There were too many pride members clustered together that he could not make out what the ruckus was, but he was not mistaken to see a new face on the lands. A gray lion, almost the height of his grandfather, perhaps a couple of inches taller. Something dangled from the lion's mouth.

            A kill? asked Zuri. How very interesting... Go and see.

            So Abel did at her command, following his father's path at a brisk pace until he came closer to his pride. There seemed to be no hint of hostility in Simba's face as he approached him, and all chatter ceased as eyes fell upon him. Abel didn't see his father anywhere amidst the crowd.

            "What's going on?" he demanded, eyeing the gray lion who stood opposite of Simba. He had scars over his eyes. The lioness that dangled from his mouth was unfamiliar to Abel, but the way she had been killed was savage.

            "NOOOOOO!" Defir's cry rang to the skies, its suddenness startling Abel, who felt he must've leapt at least a few feet from the ground.

            Simba moved to the side, and that was when Abel saw what the problem had been, for his dear mother, Kiara, lay crumpled on the grass, blood oozing from her exposed neck.

            Abel's body went completely cold.

            "Who... did this?" he growled, the edge in his voice shaky.

            No one rushed to answer him.

            Abel whirled upon them, shouting, "WHO DID THIS?!"

            A loud thump hit the ground, and Abel spun his head to face the gray lion who had dropped his prey. "This one did it," he said calmly, smacking his paw against the head of the lioness.

            Abel scrunched his face.

            "A simple thanks would be appreciated," the gray lion growled.

            "A thanks? A THANKS?" Claws unsheathed, Abel lunged for the gray lion, but despite the beast's size, he was swift. He avoided Abel's punishment while dishing out his own. His claws dug into Abel's shoulders, not enough to leave scars, but enough to draw a bit of blood. Abel yowled as the gray lion pinned him.

            "Enough!" Simba's voice thundered. "Abel, stand down!"

            But the smaller lion squirmed underneath the strange lion's paws. "I'm the King! YOU obey ME!"

            Abel, stand down, purred Zuri.

            The fight went out of Abel fairly quickly.

            Sensing that the small lion finally lost his fire, the gray lion removed his paw. "Now that we've settled, I'll explain. My pride and I, we're wanderers, kicked out of our home. We had heard word of the Pridelands, and decided to come here to thrive. When we arrived, it was too late for Queen..." He looked to Simba for prompt.

            "Kiara," the older lion finished.

            The gray lion nodded his head. "Queen Kiara, yes. But we made sure that her killer paid dearly for what she had done."

            "Mawusi!" cried Defir. "You were supposed to keep her safe!"

            Among the crowd, a tan lion quickly moved out of sight.

            The gray lion snorted. "There is no further business, but to bury the dead. That's a must. We shall pay our respects as well."

            "We were warned of a gray lion," said Simba, his voice beginning to shake. "Who had driven out the Outland-"

            "Not I," the gray lion quickly said, "but we are unaware of the accusations. Isn't that right, Chipo?"

            The tawny lioness who stood closest to him nodded her head.

            "We come from the northern lands, but we've heard of all the rumors about this rogue and his own party. That's why we've been rejected wherever we've gone. I had thought the Pridelands would be different, but since I seem to be mistaken, perhaps I should take my leave then..."

            Don't let him go, urged Zuri.

            Abel snapped his gaze up at the lion who towered over him. He didn't understand Zuri.

            You mustn't. He'll be important to us.

            "I..."

            Abel.

            "It's not that we don't appreciate your help," said Simba. "But-"

            "No I understand," the lion said coolly. "I had heard tales of the great Simba, who had never turned away a lion or lioness when they needed their help. Guess I was just mistaken."

            You are the King now, Abel, said Zuri. There was a certain plea in her voice that touched Abel. You can command whoever you wish.

            That was right. Now that Kiara was gone...

            Did you not want to spread your power? I thought that was the reason behind wanting to know about the lion prides. And this gray lion is powerful, I can sense it. He'll be a valuable asset. And he avenged your mother...

            The thought of his mother made Abel's insides churn. What had she been up to prior to her death? he wondered.

            But if I cannot convince you, that's fine then, sighed Zuri, and it was such a pathetic sigh that Abel wanted to cry. It is your call, my prince.

            The weight of the gray lion's paw rose off of his chest, and Abel found himself able to breathe again. He rolled onto his side, watching the retreating back of the new party turning away from them, and heading off the lands.

            "I-I'm the King!" he cried out, damning himself afterwards for how shaken he had professed that.

            The gray lion paused momentarily, his ears twitching, but then he continued moving.

            "I command you to listen to me!"

            Now this had won the gray lion's attention. "Apologizes, your Highness, but I thought we were unwelcomed on your turf."

            Abel sat up, glaring back at the gray lion. "What is your name?"

            "Ashiki." And the lion bared his teeth as he said it.

            "Ashiki, I command you to serve as my second-in command."

            A quiet gasp erupted from Abel's pride behind him, but he didn't care. His attention was fully focused on the small group ahead of him.

            Now Ashiki had completely faced him, his interest peaked. "Your second-in command?" He sneered. "Now what would my family get in return?"

            "Abel..." Simba warned behind him.

            "You can live on these lands, and have my promise that you will have power," Abel said.

            "Power? You are willing to surrender that to a strange lion?"

            Was he? Abel started to begin to reconsider...

            No! protested Zuri. Do not reconsider! Say yes!

            But...

            You will not actually give him the power he deserves. Promises are just words, after all.

            This was true, he reasoned. Zuri, you're wonderful. "You avenged my mother's death. It's only fair I give you something in return."

            Ashiki licked his lips. "Interesting ideas, young one. What is your name?"

            "It's Abel. King Abel."

            "Abel, don't," Simba said more loudly, but no one listened to him.

            Ashiki approached Abel, towering over the small lion. Their eyes connected. "Then, King Abel, I am yours to command."

            The funeral had been a tireless effort. All the lions and lionesses, both from Abel's pride and from Ashiki's group, worked together to create the proper send-off for Kiara. Ashiki offered no opinion as he worked alongside Abel. He had studied the younger lion with interest - he was so small, but now garnered so much power. It had reminded him of when he was younger.

            They had Queen Kiara buried at the base of the Rock, and quietly passed on their prayers for her to find The King's Court safely. Ashiki also watched the Pridelanders with interest, but when the funeral had ceased, he was the first to depart.

            Given free reign of the land now, Ashiki and his party decided to house themselves on the grass below the great rock, rather than join their new allies in the large dens above.

            Ashiki peered into his own den, where he found Chipo and Lindiwe curled up next to each other. Lindiwe had been exhausted from their trip, and Chipo never cared for burials much. They always disturbed her, made her upset, and Ashiki never wanted to see Chipo upset ever again. He hoped she was going to talk to him now.

            "Chipo?" he whispered.

            His mate's eyes opened wide as he stepped out in front of the den. "Ashiki? What is it?"

            "Are you still mad at me?" It was like he was a cub again - wanting the approval of Baki, loving the shelter of Bahati's fur. He needed Chipo to say no, and invite him in.

            He heard Chipo sigh shakily, and from that he knew she was still upset. "I-"

            "It's okay, Chipo. I'll just sleep outside tonight."

            He turned away before she could argue with him. It made Ashiki feel guilty that he had upset his mate, but he needed to have done it. It was for their sake.

            He did not wander far from his family's den. He found a spot in the shade of a large tree, even though it was evening, and therefore there was no sun to block out. As he settled in, Ashiki raised his head to Pride Rock, and smirked.

            "Um, who are you?" a voice called to him.