Heshima had waited two days for his mother. She never came. No one from the pride came. The one who did was someone he didn't recognize. The large golden male with a black and brown mane had tracked them. He reached his large paw in and Kikomo swiped at him. The lion had took his paw out and growl. Reaching in again he hooked his claws and Heshima watched him drag his brother out. The cubs had willingly followed to keep the young prince alive.

He fled three days later. He couldn't stay there and watch. There were rumors that royalty were to be slaughtered and the prince of the pride was first on the list. There was nothing worse than a parent having to bury their child. Heshima had said he was prince and Kikomo was the brother of Imani and Hodari. His brother's life spared for the time being all he had to worry about was his own.

Heshima curled up far outside of his homeland against a rock and shivered. He was leaving everything behind to find help. He didn't even know if he could make it. He had no idea where there were any prides. Closing his heavy eyes he figured he'd deal with that in the morning.

He woke the next morning to a warmness against him. His eyes shot open and he jumped away from the warmness even though it felt good. He lowered his head and braced his legs. He released a tired growl but stopped when he heard nothing but solid laughter. He blinked and straightened. Before him was no dangerous creature - at least not to him - but his best friend.

"Imani!" He exclaimed looking at the gray lioness. She had stone colored eyes that were light and soft as she gazed upon him.

"Hey furball." She teased as she went to nuzzle him briefly. "I was cleaning those scratches you have down your side."

He remembered getting them. One of the lions had seen him running and grabbed at him. His claws had latched in to his fur then pierced skin. Heshima knew that turning to defend himself would lead to him losing, horribly. So instead he rolled forward straight down a hill. The claws tore from him as the attacker had no intention of following him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked suddenly. The lioness simply giggled.

"You're my best friend. Home's changed enough without you being there. I don't know how long I'd last without you there. I'd go crazy wondering where you were and if you were okay."

Maji ran from the two lions behind her. One's mane nowhere near fully grown, yet they were a fearsome sight to a young lioness like her. She didn't want to think about what they'd do to her if she was caught. She was a decent fighter but not against two!

Not to mention she had swatted large amounts of mud on her brother and their friend. She saw Pride Rock before her and almost laughed with joy. She was home free until a large force drove in to her side and as she fell the air left her to hit the ground alone. Her roar filled the air and she heard lioness rush out of the cave. She landed on something furry and once the air was back in her lungs she laughed.

Her brother tackled her but Nyoka broke her fall. She swatted the other lioness' muzzle playfully then kicked her brother off. A loud angry sound filled the air. Maji shivered. She realized the portion of the pride that had been in the cave relaxing contained her father - the King. They had no idea the adolescents were out playing and thought something was wrong.

The powerful lion stormed down the rocky steps and halted in front of the three guilty playmates. King Radi was built like the late King Simba but was slightly darker. His thick mane was black with a few thin strands of red. His green eyes were livid!

"When will you two learn!" He growled at the prince and princess. "You can't go around playing all day. You're almost adults and should act like it."

"What your father means is you should show just a bit more maturity." A tan lioness interjected.

"No!" Snapped Maji. "He want's us to stop disappointing him but he dare not say it out loud. His cubs are not what he expected them to be so now he's trying hysterically to mold them in to what his vision was filled with."

"Maji you're father is not disappointed in you and your brother." Queen Kasasili told her daughter.

"Yes he is! I saw the look in his eyes when he walked over here. He's scared we'll be the downfall to the throne." Maji growled her claws digging in to the ground. Lioness watched and heard all from on the rock ledges but none even moved. No one knew what to do or say as the royal family showed the strain between them. Maji held her head high, her body stiff. She glared around her daring someone, anyone, to deny what she just said. She finished and no one did. She looked at her father and spoke with a strong voice.

"See, you hate us!" Her pointy white fangs showed with every slow, clear word that rolled off of her tongue. A large golden paw swung in her direction. She blinked her eyes closed as she saw black claws become unsheathed.

"Radi!" A lioness roared. The king spun around to see who spoke to him so loosely. He backed away from his daughter as his aunt Vitani charged over. She pointed to the den with her tail but the large lion walked toward the water hole. He would not be bossed around like a young cub!

"Oh, and Maji, I am not disappointed in you and your brother. I do not see the down fall of the throne connected with you two nor do I hate my children." The king said looking back. He walked away before finishing. "Jana hasn't done anything to make me feel such ways. It has and always will be, only you."

Heshima looked over at Imani who was staring across the plans before them. They had left their jungle home, traveled through another, walked a desert and been chased away by three different prides. They had been traveling several weeks and this was the most inviting place they had seen. It was truly beautiful. Plenty of trees but not overwhelming like their home. There was tall grass that scraped softly against ones belly and some that could cover a grown lion completely. He could see bare areas and trails some could walk without any grass.

There were several ponds to drink from and a large expanse of water further out. He had never heard of this place before and wondered if anyone back at home had. Imani's body tensed and her tail flicked in excitement.

"Heshima look!" She was staring at a herd of Zebra. All they had the last weeks were small rodents and a few stupid birds. "Hungry?"

He nodded giving her an evil smirk that revealed half his teeth. Together they crept further in to the grass and separated. Imani had watch several hunts and with her basic instincts became an excellent hunter. She taught Heshima and their catches began to increase. This however, would be the largest animal they ever tried to take down, even though it was young. It was the smallest in the herd aside from the week old foals which they did not wish to take.

He knew just which animal Imani would go after and waited. The animal stepped in to his range and he sprang. His powerful legs propelling his along the ground with such speed the zebra didn't see him coming until it was almost to late. A lioness slammed in to him and they rolled around. He thought it was Imani at first but something told him it wasn't. Whether it be the snarls or the way she was scratching at him, he wasn't to sure.

He didn't want to harm the lioness so he kept his claws sheath. His heavy paws would have to be enough to get the lioness off. He struggled to flip her and but when he finally did yet another feline slammed in to him. He saw amber eyes of the first lioness before the second's fur blocked his view of anything not directly in front of him.

He was a second away from letting his claws slide free when one of the bodies were torn. The second turned her head away from where she had her teeth plunged in to his shoulder to check on her companion. Heshima placed his back paws against the lioness tender belly and shoved up. She sailed in to the air and landed with a thud. She did not stir.

"Don't move!" Snarled a voice. Several lioness ranged out near him. He could see their lithe shapes gliding through the golden grass to form a circle. The lioness speaking to him flicked her tail to another. "Check on Nyoka, she landed pretty hard. Vitani will slaughter this male if she's hurt. Now, tell your friend, to release the princess at once!"

Princess. Great. They had come searching for a pride to help his and they fight the princess. He puffed a breath and glanced over his shoulder. He found, that hearing the word 'princess' Imani had bounded to his side. She stood back to back with him now.

"Please, we wish to see your King. It is urgent."

"We should chase you off for attacking the Princess! What would my king have to say if I brought back one who attacked his daughter?"

"He'd either thank him or ask him why he didn't finish the job." Spat the princess. Heshima looked at her orange eyes and golden pelt. She had light brown paws, belly and muzzle. "Besides, he didn't attack me. I attacked him. I didn't have these scratches until his girl friend joined the fight."

"She's not my girl friend." Heshima snapped. "I'm sorry if she wounded you but we have only each other to rely on, you must understand. Please, your king?"

A large male stepped in to view with a smaller on at his side. The large male was a dark gold with a light creamy brown mane. He was massive. Yet when he spoke his tone was gentle and soothing.

"The king is here. Is my daughter okay Milele?" He asked the lioness who had been speaking.

"Yes, she is fine. Just getting over being a little dizzy. Don't worry Vitani will not harm you yet."

"Are you king?" The lion looked taken back. He shook his head quickly and moved aside for the smaller male.

"I am King Radi of the Pride Lands. What brings you to my home?"