Here's chapter six and please review.
Nalia was taking a walk around the Pridelands with Danyssa. The two of them were laughing and talking, joking around about the males and some other things. As Danyssa was in the middle of telling Nalia of a story about things that had happened to Kiara and her when they had been younger, Tama walked up to them.
"Danyssa," Tama greeted. She gave Nalia a smile as a greeting, before turning back to Danyssa. Tama took time in embracing her daughter. Danyssa rubbed her neck against Tama and Tama returned her affection.
"I was just walking by when I saw you. I'm going back to Priderock, alright?" Tama asked. Danyssa nodded and after Tama bid both of them good bye and went back to Priderock.
"So as I was saying," Danyssa continued. "Kiara and I..."
Nalia didn't really listen to what she was saying. She had seen how loving Tama had been towards Danyssa. It made her heart ache for her own mother Keshni. Keshni had died in the war nearly two years ago. She had been fighting for Akila and Nalia knew that she had been fighting for the wrong thing, but Nalia had let go of that anger a long time ago.
She always tried to remember the good things and the good times with her mother instead.
Flashback It was another scorching day in the Outlands as Ari and Nalia continued training. Unfortunately, it was Akila's turn to watch them and both cubs knew it would be an extra hard day. Keshni and Malaika both had given the cubs the morning to play before Akila showed up. Nalia and Ari were laughing and chasing each other around as their mothers watched. "I'm gonna get you!" Ari growled, and pounced on Nalia. Nalia fell down with a squeal and both cubs rolled until they hit someone. Nalia looked up and realized it was Akila. "Alright, both of you." Akila said. "Enough playing, let's start with your training." "But Dad we were having fun!" Ari whined. "Fun isn't going to get you anywhere!" Akila snapped at him, and Ari lowered his head. Keshni and Malaika approached them and Akila gave his mate a nuzzle. "Malaika, Keshni, the lionesses are waiting for you." Akila informed. Malaika and Keshni began to walk back to where the others were after giving the cubs a nuzzle. Nalia tried following her mother but Akila stamped his foot on her tail. "You're staying here, Nalia!" Akila said. Keshni looked back and caught Nalia's eyes. She pulled Nalia in closer to her and gave the top of her head a lick. "It's okay, I'll be back soon." Keshni said, softly. Nalia watched her mother go before turning back to Ari and Akila.
After a day of drills on pouncing, stalking and attacking, Nalia had never felt so exhausted. The heat was still intense and Akila had only given them one break to get a few mouthfuls of water. Finally Akila said, "You two still need much more improvement but right now go and eat." Nalia couldn't get up. Her paws ached and her pads were cut and bruised. Her legs didn't have the energy to push herself forward. One of her mother's friends, Shanti noticed her and she picked Nalia up and carried her to Keshni. Keshni looked at Nalia with worried eyes. Her little cub seemed lifeless right now and that wasn't something good for her age. Nalia collapses next to Keshni and Keshni brought a piece of the kill next to her. "Come on, sweetie." Keshni said, nudging Nalia. "You have to eat." Nalia managed to muster to strength to "Feeling better?" Keshni asked. "A little." Nalia mumbled. She didn't feel dizzy anymore but her whole body still ached. Keshni pulled her into her paws and began grooming Nalia, cleaning her cuts. Nalia enjoyed time with her mother since they didn't get time together very much unless it was bedtime. "Mommy, tell Akila that I don't want to train anymore." Nalia begged. Keshni's eyes saddened," I'm sorry, by I can't. You have to train." Nalia held back a sob and buried herself further into Keshni's paws. Tears began escaping her eyes and she rubbed them against her mother's chest. Keshni licked the top of her head, "You're all clean now. You'll feel better soon, I promise." Keshni was right. After about an hour, Nalia felt much well and couldn't get up again. "How about we to have some fun?" Keshni suggested. "Really?" Nalia squealed. "By the pond?" Keshni nodded with an amused smile and Nalia jumped up and hurried to the pond, calling out to Keshni, telling her to hurry up. Nalia jumped into the water, and the coolness of the water had never felt so good. Keshni laughed at her cubs antics and settled herself in front of the pond. Giggling, Nalia turned to her mother and splashed water against her. Keshni growled at her playfully and sent a wave of water over Nalia, who let out a laugh of delight. Nalia forget all thoughts of training and Akila as her enjoyed her time with her mother. End of flashback
lift her head and take a bite of the meat. Keshni continued to encourage her to eat and before long, her portion of the meal was gone.
Nalia felt an ache go through her heart as the memory of Keshni replayed so vividly in her head. She remembered Keshni calling her to come back on the night of their argument, but Nalia hadn't bothered to even look back. She had never regretted something so much as regretted ignoring mother.
"I'm sorry, Mother." Nalia thought mournfully as she and Danyssa continued on their way.
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Meanwhile, Ari and Hofu had returned to Priderock. Ari was quite as he continued thinking of Malaika, while Hofu seemed oblivious to it.
Nala walked out of the den, and smiled when she saw her brother and nephew.
"Finish the patrol?" Nala asked. "How did it go?" The males had recently switched patrolling shifts so Ari had ended up with Hofu and Kovu.
"It went fine," Hofu replied.
"Ari?" Nala asked.
"It went fine, Auntie." Ari muttered before walking into the den.
Nala looked at Hofu," Did anything happen to him?"
"No... well...but we were talking about things like Malaika, Mom and-" Hofu began, but Nala cut him off.
"You talked to him about Malaika?" Nala asked, narrowing her eyes. "You know he's really sensitive about that stuff!"
"Look, I didn't mean to bring it up!" Hofu exclaimed. "I just asked him about how Mom and Dad visited them in the Outlands, then somehow it ended up with the story of Malaika telling that lie to cover up her mistake of leaving me alone when I was a little cub. I didn't want to get him upset."
"Just don't," Nala said, sucking her breath in. "I don't want him getting upset."
Meanwhile, in the den, Ari was lost in his own world thinking about his mother and other memories of his past. "Mom!" Ari whined. "I'm so bored! Play with me, please!" Malaika opened her eyes briefly, "Darling, I'll play with you later. I'm tired now. Why don't you go find Nalia and play with her? After all, you don't warn to waste this break your father gave you from training." Ari heard voices in near the den, and he turned to see his grandfather talking with Akila. Both of them seemed to be angry. But Ari was thrilled to see his grandfather. He hadn't come for three months.
Flashback
"Grandpa!" Ari cried, and ran over to Runju. Runju turned around, and smiled when he saw Ari running to him. "Hey, little hunter." Runju greeted, licking the top of his head. Sarafina walked out of the den, with Shanti, and beamed when she saw Ari. "How are you doing, sweetie?" Sarafina asked, nuzzling him. "I'm sooooo bored!" Ari whined. "Play with me please!" "Of course," Sarafina said, leading him back to where Malaika was. "Aren't you coming, Grandpa?" Ari asked. "I'll be right there." Runju assured. Ari nodded and turned back to Sarafina. But as he walked off where Malaika was waiting for them, he heard Runju talking with Akila. "Akila, I haven't regretted anything more than working with you!" Runju growled. Ari turned back around, but before he could, Sarafina picked him up. "Come on, Ari!" Sarafina said, and carried him to where Malaika was. She settle down next to Malaika, giving her daughter a nuzzle before turning her attention back to Ari. Ari growled playfully, and hurled himself at Sarafina, who blocked his attempts. Runju joined them after a few minutes. After about two hours, Runju looked up at the setting sun. "We should be heading back," Runju said.
"Are you going to come back soon?" Ari asked. Sarafina nuzzled him, "We'll come back as soon as we can." "When's that gonna be?" Ari asked. "Soon," Runju replied. Runju and Sarafina embraced Malaika before turning to Ari and giving him another nuzzle. After a few words with Akila, they began to head off.
Ari watched them to, with tears stinging at the back of his eyes. He never seemed to have anyone to play with. "Ari," Malaika said. "It's okay, they'll be back." "How long?" Ari asked. "I don't know," Malaika said, shaking her head. "And I don't think this is the best time to be whining. Your father isn't in the best mood..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Akila who was making his way towards them. "They're gonna take so long to visit again!" Ari huffed. "None of this would have happened if Simba and Nala hadn't kicked us out of the Pridelands for no reason!" Akila said, coming up to them. "Why were you and Grandpa mad at each other?" Ari asked. "Lots of things," Akila said in a dismissive voice. "Like?" Ari asked. "That's my business," Akila said. "Not yours." "Dad, can you play with me please?" Ari asked. "I'm so bored!" "Where's Nalia?" Akila asked. "She's with her Mom and Shanti. I don't wanna listen to lioness stuff." Ari said. Akila chuckled, "That's very smart of you my son." Malaika just rolled her eyes at him. "So will you?" Ari asked. Without a warning, Akila lunged and grabbed Ari who tried to dodge him. He then hurled himself at Akila but Akila stopped every attempt. Ari laughed joyfully as he enjoyed the time he had with his parents. End of flashback
Ari felt a smile going up his face at the happy memory. Those had been one of the very few times that Akila had been in a good enough mood to play him. Otherwise, he had usually been in a hostile mood nearly all the time, always ordering Ari to train.
Ari had always loved the times that Akila was in a good mood and he knew that his mother had enjoyed it too. It gave them a break from the angry Akila that he usually was.
It was thinking about those memories that made Ari feel guilt about playing a role in his father's death. But he knew that if he hasn't, Akila would have ever stopped. And he had been blinded by rage during that minute, too much rage to even think properly.
But there was nothing he could do now. Akila was gone and he would never come back.
Whether it was good or not.
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Meanwhile, Kovu and Kopa were doing their daily rounds around the Pridelands when Zazu came flying towards them.
"Your Majesties," Zazu called, settling down in front of them.
"Zazu?" Kovu asked
"There's a rogue nearby the border." Zazu said. "Just one male and he's resting right now. Doesn't seem like he's going to do any harm though."
Kopa and Kovu exchanged a glance before turning back to Zazu," Tell us if he moves in closer to the Pridelands. Keep so rove there to guard him at all times."
"Very well then," Zazu said and flew off to carry out the orders.
With that, the two males continued on their rounds.
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Kiara, Jasiri and Danyssa were enjoying the warm sun, when Danyssa raised her head.
"Kiara, Jasiri?" Danyssa asked.
"Yeah?" Jasiri asked.
"I have something to tell you." Danyssa began, a smile creeping up her face.
"What is it?" Kiara asked.
"I'm pregnant," Danyssa beamed.
Jasiri's mouth dropped open, "You are? When did you find out? How far along are you?"
Danyssa laughed, "I found out a couple days ago. Rafiki told me that I'm two weeks along."
"Congratulations!" Kiara exclaimed, and Jasiri echoed her words.
"Thanks," Danyssa smiled.
"Who else knows?" Jasiri asked.
"My parents and Haru. My mother was with me when I we visiting Rafiki. I told Haru first, and my mother told my father." Danyssa replied. "Other than them, you two are the only ones that know."
Danyssa had wanted to tell her best friends as soon as she could. She, Kiara and Jasiri had always been the best of friends since they were young cubs and had grown close as sisters.
"Well then, thanks for telling us." Jasiri said softly.
Danyssa shrugged, "I know you would have done the same."
"Yeah, we would have." Kiara said, and the three lionesses continued to converse.
As Jasiri talked with her best friends, her thoughts somehow drifted off to Nalia. She knew that Kiara and Danyssa liked her and she was slowly being welcomed into their group. But Jasiri hated the fact that she was. All Nalia wanted to do was gain her trust so she could steal Kopa away from her!
But Jasiri wouldn't let that happen. She didn't care what lengths she had to go to, but she wouldn't let that happen.
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Kopa, Kovu, Simba and Alex were by the borer, waiting for Zazu to come back. He had told them that the rogue was heading their way and he had flew back just to make sure.
"He's heading this way!" Zazu called, flying back towards them.
"Let's just go meet him," Kopa said. "I can see him coming." He squinted into the distance and saw the rogue making his way towards him.
"It's better if we stay here. Don't want to show him that we're worried about him." Kovu said, and Kopa nodded.
As the rogue got closer, Simba squinted to see if he could get a better look at him. When he did, he gasped and took a step back.
"No, no, you're dead!"
"Father?" Kopa looked at Simba inquiringly along with Kovu and Alex.
Simba looked at the rogue again and his thoughts were confirmed. He knew that the others had probably forget ten what he looked like but he would never forget. He still haunted his dreams.
"Simba what's going on?" Alex asked.
"It's him!" Simba hissed. "It's Akila!"
Hope you enjoyed and please review. This is where the older version of this story left off. Be sure to check out my new story, the True Hiers.