A/N: I know that it seems like a lot of the stuff in this story has been filler, but that's how I write so deal with it ;) Anyway, things are definitely going to heat up this chapter, so keep reading

VII: The First Quest

Things continued as usual in the Pride Lands for about 2 weeks. But like all good things, the lazy peace wouldn't last. One day, the lions and lionesses of Pride Rock awoke to find that their beloved home had slightly changed. The water from the Great River had turned slightly darker, and it tasted a little funny, too. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the water was infected. Unfortunately, some animals didn't realize until after they had begun feeling woozy and started vomiting their lunches all over the lush grasses of the plains.

The sickness quickly spread from one group of animals to the other, until roughly 20 or so animals, including 4 lionesses and 2 lions, were extremely ill. Thankfully, Kovu and Kiara reacted quickly. They directed the quarantining of the sick into a separate cave, where they could recover without putting any of the other animals in danger. Not everybody like the plan, especially the families of the sick, but most of the animals agreed that it was for the best.

Rafiki was troubled. Being an experienced healer, he had encountered this same disease once before, when he had been living with another pride to the east in his youth. He knew that, in order to completely neutralize all symptoms, a patient must consume a strange 5-pettled, blue-white flower that grew to the far east. Back then, it had been easy to find the flower because they grew in plenty by that pride. But now, it would take at least a week and a half to reach that same spot.

Rafiki, of course, could not possibly go. He needed to supervise the animals that would care for the weak and sickened ones who had to live in the second cave. But thankfully, Rafiki had an apprentice. One day, he summoned Shauku to his treehouse.

"What is it, Rafiki?" Shauku asked politely as he approached the sitting monkey. Rafiki looked up from the salves that he had been making out of a few local plants.

"Ah, Shauku." Rafiki murmured, "No doubt, you've noticed that de sick animals' conditions have been worsening over de last few days."

"Yeah, I have," Shauku replied glumly, "But you can heal them, right? You said you've seen this disease before."

"Yes, I have encountered it in de past," Rafiki confirmed, "But my usual medications simply won't cut it dis time. I need you to go to the far east and gather some healing flowers for me."

"The east?" Shauku replied, his eyes widening, "Wow! You mean I get to go do a job outside the Pride Lands?"

"Yes." Rafiki answered with a knowing smile, "But I need you to listen, Shauku. De area outside these borders is cold, cruel, and, above all, dangerous. Der are rogues, poisonous plants, hostile prides, und maybe even hyenas."

"Hyenas?" Shauku repeated, "I thought they weren't a problem ever since Simba reclaimed this place."

"Dey aren't," Rafiki replied, "until you leave here. Out der (he pointed to the eastern border), it's a free-for-all. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Shauku answered confidently, "I'll keep my eyes peeled. How will I know where to get the flowers?"

"De yare near a pride called de Mountaindwellers," Rafiki explained, "in my youth, I was der shaman. Dey are a friendly pride, or at least dey were when I left dem. Der ruler was King Jasiri, und he was a fine lion. But times have changed, so stay on your toes."

"Alright," Shauku nodded, "So when do I leave?"

"Tomorrow," Rafiki answered, "You should stick to traveling in de day. It's safer dat way."

"Ok, goodnight," Shauku turned and walked back towards Pride Rock. He creeped into the den, hoping not to wake the other Pride Landers, and slinked over to his spot by Guvu and his family.

The following morning, Shauku was ready to set out. He woke up just as the sun was making its ascent, partly out of habit and also because he wanted to get his journey started before it got too hot outside. He also wanted to avoid having to say good-bye to the pride, which would have slowed him down and drained him emotionally. However, his departure didn't exactly go unnoticed.

"Shauku?" a voice softly called from behind the young lion. Shauku spun around, assuming a fighting stance.

"Oh, Maiya, it's just you," Shauku breathed in relief. Maiya quickly noticed how jumpy her friend was. Something was up.

"Umm, are you going somewhere?" Maiya asked, "And why are you up so early?"

Shauku paused, choosing his words carefully. "Yeah, I'm leaving for a while," the lion replied, "I'm doing a little job for Rafiki, to help with healing the sick animals. I got up early so I could get started before it was too hot out."

"Oh…," was Maiya's simple reply, "So you were just going to leave without saying good-bye?" She couldn't deny that she was a little saddened by Shauku's abrupt decision.

"Well, yeah," Shauku answered, "I'm sorry, but I didn't want everybody to freak out and err… Rafiki hasn't exactly told your parents about this yet."

Maiya laughed, nodding in understanding. "Ok, I understand," she said, "Well, good luck." And with that, she nuzzled Shauku in a friendly way.

"Yeah… thanks," Shauku murmured, a little distracted by how close Maiay was to him, "I'll… I'll see you around, Maiya."

"Bye!" Maiya called as she turned back to Pride Rock.

Shauku only walked a few paces before turning around. "Hey Maiya!" he called, "Why were you out here this early?"

"Umm… hunting lesson," Maiya skittishly replied, "See ya!"

That's weird, Shauku thought as he walked away from Pride Rock, I didn't see any other lionesses out here. Was she… spying on me?

The young apprentice set these thoughts aside as he headed farther and farther away from Pride Rock, the only real home he had ever had.

Hope everybody enjoyed this ;) and be sure to review!