A/N: Here is the second part of Sanctuary-it has been separated from the rest, as recommended by a couple of readers. There is nothing new until the eighth chapter, except for those who haven't read Sanctuary. I highly recommend reading Sanctuary before this.

oOo

Welcome to the Jungle
It gets worse here every day
Learn to live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunker for what you see
You take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it for free
 —Welcome to the Jungle

Sansasha lied down happily in her soft bed of reeds next to the river. She closed her eyes as her father's tongue licked over her head. "Goodnight, Daddy," she said.

Jito smiled and nuzzled his daughter. "Goodnight, sweetie." He left her. Sansasha snuggled into her reed bed. For all she knew, she was the happiest cub in the world.

oOo

"Kria . . ." Rayan moaned.

"Mrr . . . it's too early," the lioness moaned. "We'll have plenty of time later." She rolled over, still half-asleep.

"Kria, it hurts."

Kria sighed. "Males." She turned over to look at Rayan. He was lying on his side, doubled over.

"Kria, it really hurts . . ." Rayan groaned. "It's—it's in me . . ."

Kria's smile faded instantly. "Oh, no . . ." It could have been anything. She had seen other animals that were in pain like this, all for various reasons. They had almost all lived—but they needed a shaman. "Where does it hurt?"

"My—my stomach . . ." He cringed as a fresh shot of pain overwhelmed him.

Kria frowned. He needed aid fast. "I'm going to go look for help," she said.

"No!" insisted Rayan. "Don't leave me."

"I have to. We need to get you a shaman."

"I don't want to be alone . . ."

Kria nuzzled him. "Don't worry. I'll be back, I promise."

"There's no one here to look for!" Rayan recoiled again.

"We have to find something. I promise, I'll be back soon. Just wait."

"Kria . . ." It was too late. She had darted through the steamy jungle. Rayan groaned, his stomach tensing again.

oOo

Kria made her way through the jungle, pausing to tear bark from the trees with her claws. It had become a habit over the two days they had spent in the jungle. It was impossible to know where you were without those markers. She'd definitely need them to get to back to Rayan.

She marked another tree when she noticed pure, unfiltered sunlight. It was almost impossible to find it here; most of the time, the trees blocked it all. She started toward it, pausing to mark a couple of trees. The sunlight was more than she had ever seen in the past two days. She headed for it when she realized she saw something she hadn't seen in days.

"Grass?" She began running toward the sight. She burst out of the jungle into a lush savannah. She blinked, the sun blinding her momentarily. How could this have been here the whole time without them knowing?

She walked hesitantly out into the savannah, fearing it would disappear if she examined it too closely. She stopped as she heard a heavily accented voice. "What do we have here?"

Kria turned to see an older lion walking toward her. "Um . . . hello," said Kria hesitantly.

"And who might you be?" asked the lion with a kind smile.

"Kria."

"What a beautiful name. I haven't seen you around here before," said the lion, circling her. "You know, the king can get very territorial."

"The king? Is—is that you?"

The lion laughed. "You can call me Jabari. Everyone else does. Either that or 'that damn rogue.'"

"What's a rogue?"

Jabari stopped dead. "You mean you don't know?"

"I'm new here," Kria explained. "Please, I really need to find a shaman. My mate needs help."

Jabari hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well why didn't you say so? Here's what you're going to do . . . you see that cluster of trees over there? Far over? Just head over there. You'll find the shaman just fine."

"Oh, thank you so much!" Kria nuzzled the rogue before running toward the trees.

Jabari smiled. "The pleasure was all mine."

oOo

"Hey! You!" Kria came to a halt. She turned to see a young lion, only two years older than her at most, walking toward her purposefully. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I need to see the shaman," said Kria. "Please, you have to let me go, I have to get there."

"I've never seen you around here," said the lion suspiciously. He had the same accent as Jabari. "Where're you from?"

"Sanctuary," said Kria. "But my mate's in the jungle, he's sick—"

"Did you say Sanctuary?" the lion asked.

"Yes, but it's not impor—"

"Very funny. I'm not an idiot. Now where are you from?"

"I told you, Sanctuary!"

The lion blinked. "You're not joking?"

"No," said Kria exasperatedly. "I need to get to the shaman. Please! My mate's sick, he needs help."

The lion frowned. "Alright. Come on, follow me." He began leading Kria away.

"Can we go a little faster?" asked Kria.

"He's not that far away," said the lion. "I'm Jabali, by the way."

"I'm Kria. But please, can we hurry, we need to—"

"Hey! Moyo!" Kria stopped as an animal dropped from the tree they were under at Jabali's call, landing in front of the two of them.

"What is it?" asked the animal, standing himself up on his two hind legs. "I'm busy." He eyed Kria. "And who's this?"

"Her mate needs some help," Jabali said before Kria could speak. "Think you could help him out?"

"Hmm . . . what is his problem?"

"He's having pains," said Kria.

"Oh, very descriptive," said Moyo. "Anything else?"

"It's stomach pains," said Kria, slightly put off by the strange animal's rudeness.

"Hmm . . . you sound you're not from around here. Is she from around here?" Moyo asked Jabali.

"No, she's not."

"Well that could be her whole problem. She's just not used to it here yet."

"So you think you can help her?"

"She's standing right here!" said Kria in frustration. "And her mate could be dying right now!"

"I doubt it," said Moyo. "Jabali, you go and get the mate. Meet me back at my place." The beast disappeared into the savannah in a matter of seconds.

Kria looked up at Jabali uncertainly. "Well, you heard the guy. Come on, let's go." She began to lead Jabali back to Rayan.

oOo

Rayan shifted on the ground. His pain hadn't lessened at all. He had tried to get up and go after Kria, but it only seemed to make it worse when he moved. He whimpered as another shot of pain rammed through his gut. He wanted Kria back. He didn't want to be alone here.

He stiffened as he heard a male voice coming toward him. "Really, Moyo's the best. If anyone can fix your mate, it's . . ." The voice trailed off as its owner walked into the clearing where Rayan lied. Jabali stared at Rayan in disgust, his mouth, hanging open slightly in shock. Kria emerged from behind the lion.

"This is your mate?" asked Jabali.

"Yes," said Kria. "This is Rayan. Rayan, this is Jabali."

"Oh," said Jabali. "I—I wasn't quite expecting . . ."

"You weren't expecting to see a monster," said Rayan bitterly. He turned away from Jabali.

"He's touchy about the, uh . . ." Jabali struggled to find words that wouldn't enrage Rayan further.

"Yes," said Kria. "Rayan, I found help. Jabali's going to help us get you to the shaman."

"I can walk there myself," said Rayan stubbornly. He stood up, almost immediately collapsing in pain.

"I can carry him on my back," said Jabali. "I just need some help getting him on there."

Kria knelt down next to Rayan. "He can help you, sweetie. You just need to cooperate."

Rayan glared at her. "Fine," he muttered.

Jabali lied down next to Rayan, his rump almost touching Rayan's face. "Pull him on here." Kria tried to pick up Rayan gently by the nape of his neck, but Rayan pushed her away. He stood up, shaking, and walked a few small steps over Jabali's back, collapsing as the pain got the better of him.

"Is he on all the way?" asked Jabali.

Kria pulled Rayan on the rest of the way by the nape of his neck, Rayan in too much pain to protest. "He is now."

Jabali stood up, his legs shaking. "Gods—he could lose a few pounds . . ." He let out a breath of relief as he finally stood up fully. "That's better. Come on."

Rayan kept his eyes shut tightly as the trio moved through the jungle. He groaned as the pain coursed through him with every step Jabali took. The lion didn't provide the smoothest ride. He saw light through his eyelids and opened them, being blinded by the abundance of sunlight. He blinked, trying to adjust his eyes, when he caught sight of an animal.

It was flying.

He followed it on its path through the air. It was actually flying. It was physically impossible. Animals couldn't fly. It was ridiculous. He watched it until it disappeared. His eyes wandered elsewhere, landing on massive grey beasts walking through the savannah, larger than any he had ever seen. Smaller versions of them lounged in a waterhole, and land-based versions of them with horns munched on grass. Animals swung through the trees, using strangely-shaped paws to grab hold of tree limbs, actually standing on just two paws. Long-legged animals with even longer necks ate the leaves from the highest parts of trees.

What kind of crazy place is this?

oOo

Moyo looked up as the three lions walked up the ramp he had built into his tree. "Hey, one at a time! That thing's not meant to hold three!" Kria looked down at the ramp made of sticks tied together with vines. It certainly didn't seem like the sturdiest thing around.

"Where do you want him?" Jabali asked.

"Eh, somewhere over there," he said, waving a paw. As Jabali put him down, Rayan could see that Moyo was one of those strange animals swinging through the trees. He slid off of Jabali's back, wincing as he hit the ground not exactly lightly.

"I'd love to stay," Jabali said to Kria, "but I've got this thing I've gotta do with a guy in a place . . ."

"I understand," said Kria politely.

"I'll be back to check up on you guys later, okay? Dad'll want to meet you."

"Oh, um . . . thank you," said Kria. Jabali rushed out of the tree.

"Easy on the ramp!" yelled Moyo. He sighed, moving to Rayan. "You'd think the thing was actually built to last . . ." He knelt over Rayan, doing nothing for a few moments before he sighed in frustration. "Do you mind?" he asked, turning to Kria in annoyance.

"Mind what?"

"Look, it's personal, I know you're not from around here, but just so you know, but I need my privacy when I work, okay?"

"Oh, don't worry, I won't bother you," said Kria.

Moyo frowned. "Get out of the tree."

"What?"

"Get out of my tree, go take a walk, come back in a while, okay? Out. Now." Kria hesitated. "Come on, out! Git!" Kria walked down the ramp, leaving Moyo alone with her mate.

"Don't talk to her that way," said Rayan, his eyes closed tight in pain. He groaned.

"You're not really in any position to make demands," said Moyo. "Now roll on over so I can get a good look at you . . ."

oOo

Kria walked through the savannah, turning her head constantly to keep Moyo's tree in sight. The animal had to be one of the rudest little creatures she had met. She found an unoccupied waterhole and bent down, taking a drink. She froze as another reflection moved beside hers. She turned around. "Oh, er . . . Jabali?"

The lion chuckled. "Jabari." Kaata looked down at the ground, embarrassed. "Don't worry about it. We're fairly close as it is."

"Really? Um . . . are you his father?" she asked.

Jabari laughed out loud. "I'm a rogue. He is, after all, the prince around here."

Kria's eyes widened. "He was the prince? I can't believe . . . I was so rude!"

Jabari smiled. "He doesn't mind. He hates the title." Jabari looked around. "Why don't we go for a walk?"

"Alright," said Kria.

The two of them headed off into the savannah. Kria looked the lion older. Now that she looked at him, he seemed older than she had first realized. Grey streaked his mane. She could see muscles that had once been in their prime, but were now slowly fading. He turned to her, showing her his stormy, grey eyes.

"So," he asked, "I assume you found the shaman?"

"Yes," said Kria. "Rayan's there right now. That—thing told me to stay away until he finished."

"'Thing?'"

"Whatever animal that shaman is."

Jabari grinned. "He's a monkey. You didn't know what a monkey was?"

"We didn't have monkeys in Sanctuary," admitted Kria. "We didn't have half of the animals you have here."

"Really?"

"Really. It's like a whole new world here." She looked over at Jabari and smiled. "I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you," she said. "If it weren't for you . . . who knows what would have happened to Rayan."

"Hmm . . . well, I have an idea," said Jabari.

"What?" asked Kria.

"I think you know what." Jabari kissed her cheek.

Kria's eyes flew open. She stepped away from him. "I—Jabari, I've got a mate!"

"And? Have a little fun." The lion advanced on her.

"No! I can't! This is wrong, Jabari!"

The lion's sweet, caring face suddenly turned ugly. "You seem to think I was giving you a choice."

Kria screamed as the lion launched himself at her. She was pinned to the ground underneath him. She struggled to free herself, but it was no use. Jabari was simply too strong. "That's it," he whispered into her ear. "Struggle for me . . ."

"Help!" she screamed out. "Help!"

Jabari smashed a paw into the back of her head. "None of that!" Kria struggled desperately, her head filled with pain. She froze as she felt the lion position himself on top of her. He took the scruff of her neck in his mouth as he began his violation of her. She roared out in pain, sweat dripping from her paws as she struggled to free herself. She received another blow to the back of her head.

"Keep quiet!" the lion snarled. Kria whimpered. "That's it . . ." She shivered as she felt his tongue run up the side of her face. She just wanted it all to end. Rayan . . .

Jabari roared out, then finally stepped away from her. He kissed her on the cheek. "Wonderful." He smiled down at her. "I guess we can consider our debts paid."

Kria watched him walk casually off into the grass, as if he hadn't just beaten down and raped a defenseless lioness. She shivered on the ground, paralyzed. She felt so unclean, so utterly filthy. What will Rayan think of me?

oOo

Moyo stood up over Rayan. "Alright, swallow these." Rayan disdainfully took the herbs offered him, trying to chew as little as possible on the leaves to avoid the bitter taste. "Okay, I have good news and bad news," said the monkey. "Good news: you'll stop feeling that pain in a couple of hours. It's just a little illness, almost every cub gets it, although how you managed to avoid it until now is beyond me."

"And the bad news?"

"Well . . . I really don't know how to say this . . ."

"I know," said Rayan. Here it would be, another cheap joke about his face.

Moyo laughed in relief. "Oh, thank the gods! I mean, I was just checking over you for like the past five minutes for a way to say it, but wow, this is a relief. I mean, you're the first one I've ever had that's actually completely sterile, and—"

"What?" asked Rayan, startled.

"Um . . . well, I don't really know how to say this . . ." said the monkey, scratching the back of his head.

"Did you say I'm sterile?"

"Completely sterile. I'm sorry to say this, but you're never going to have cubs. Ever. Like, in your whole life. Completely cubless—"

"I get the point!" Rayan hit the ground angrily. "How is this possible?"

"Well, part of it has to do with your balls being halfway burned off . . ."

Rayan glared up at him. He sighed. How am I going to tell Kria?

oOo

Kria rose up from the water, gasping for air. She panted for breath as she looked around. It seemed she couldn't get the dirty feelings away, no matter how much she bathed. She let out a long shuddering sigh as she stared down into the water.

"Kria?"

Kria's head jerked up. Rayan was standing on the edge of the waterhole. "Rayan."

"What're you doing?"

"I— I got hot and just . . . just wanted to cool off."

Rayan smiled. "Alright. Fair enough." He waded in next to her. "Come on, let's go home."

oOo

Kria stared up into the dark jungle canopy, back-to-back with Rayan. She couldn't seem to fall asleep, no matter how hard she tried. She still hadn't told Rayan. How could she? What kind of conversation was that? "Rayan, honey . . . I got raped." She wanted to tell him, more than anything . . . but she just couldn't. She was held back. After all, what would Rayan think of her? He'd think she was weak; he'd think that she was lying, and had asked for it; he'd think she hadn't been satisfied with him . . .

And cubs . . .

She had given almost no thought to the possibility. Yes, she had been in heat for a while, and Rayan had helped with that. But it was over now, she was almost sure of it. But what if she was pregnant with that monster's cubs? She'd never forgive herself and Rayan . . . Rayan never would either.

Rayan's thoughts wandered to Kria as he, too, tried to find some way to lull himself to sleep. She had wanted cubs so much. She had wanted his cubs. She had crossed a desert just to be with him, had possibly saved his life today. She cared for him, had her heart set on him, undoubtedly would have loved him no matter what . . . so why couldn't he just tell her what the shaman had so casually spouted off?

"Rayan . . . honey?" he heard Kria ask.

"Yeah?"

"I love you . . . You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah. And I love you, too." He turned to her, a smile painted on his face, to see her smiling as well. The two kissed briefly before turning away again.

Why can't I say it?

oOo

Jabali pushed through the jungle, the foreign territory causing him to almost completely lose his orientation. If it weren't for Kria's markings, he never would have made it this far in. "Hello?" he called. He walked into a clearing, seeing Kria and Rayan lying together. "Uh . . . am I interrupting anything?"

Kria yawned. "No, nothing."

"What do you want?" asked Rayan shortly.

"Well," said Jabari, "I thought I'd introduce you guys to my father. After all, you're probably going to be hunting on his lands . . . And he'd like to meet you."

"Is this an invitation or a demand?"

"Oh, it's an invitation, of course. We haven't had anyone who's actually from Sanctuary since—well, it was generations before me."

"Fine," said Rayan, standing up. "We'll go." He turned to Kria, the lioness standing up next to him.

"Great. So, if you'll just follow me . . ."

oOo

The three of them stopped just outside a large den, much bigger than the one Rayan and Kria were used to. "Uh, could you two wait here for just a sec? I'll be right back . . ." Jabali disappeared into the den.

Rayan turned to Kria. "You okay, dear?"

She smiled back at him. "Just fine." She kissed Rayan on the cheek.

Jabali stuck his head outside of the den. "Uh, you two . . . you can come in now." Rayan and Kria followed him inside, stopping before a large lion that was sitting in the middle of the den. A few lionesses lay around the den, staring up at the newcomers in interest and, in Rayan's case, revulsion.

"Guys, this is Atawale, my father. Dad, this is Rayan . . ." The king nodded as Rayan was introduced. ". . . and this is Kria."

Atawale took Kria's trembling paw with his own and raised it passed his grey-streaked mane, kissing it with his lips. He looked up at Kria with his storm-grey eyes. "What a beautiful name."