Chapter 8: An Issue of Love?

"Rubani!"

The fully grown yet still young gold lion turned, seeing a light brown lioness with purple eyes coming up to him with a happy face.

He smiled. "Good day Nuru. Why are you so happy?"

The lioness ran up to him, panting. "Rubani, Nafsi asked me to marry him!" she exclaimed, her eyes dancing.

Rubani felt his heart sink into his stomach. His mouth dropped open slightly. He shook his head. "Th-that's great Nuru…" he said, forcing the words from his mouth. "Nafsi's… he's a good lion." He pawed at the ground nervously. He didn't want to hear this. It was the last thing. Of all lions their age, why Nafsi? Why the Prince of the Eastlands and the future King? Had he really been such a terrible boyfriend… he treated her rightly, never made any advances on her. This news tore his heart out… so much in fact, that he couldn't remember why they had broken their relationship in the first place.

Nuru came up, nuzzling him gently. She faced him afterwards. "You're not upset are you? We broke up long ago."

"I know. And no, I'm not upset." He tried to put on a convincing smile. "I know that you and Nafsi will be happy together. This means, you'll be Queen. What do Jabari and Neema say? Do they know?"

She shook her head. "Nafsi wants to tell them himself. I told him that was okay they are his parents. But I was so excited I had to tell someone. Who better than you?"

"Thank you Nuru. I'm… I'm glad you could tell me." Rubani gave her a gentle lick on the cheek. "What about the pride? Do you know if Jabari will announce?"

Nuru drank from the waterhole they stood beside. "Yes, I'm sure he will."

The gold furred nodded, his head numb from the information he was receiving. He tried to be happy. He wanted to be happy but he couldn't. He was angered and jealous but he couldn't let it show. The lioness' happiness about her engagement to the Prince was practically pouring. He tried speaking again but the words died in his throat. He turned, drinking long from the water, hoping that the coolness will keep his jealousy down. He swallowed the water, almost contently and looked back at her, hoping to say what he wanted.

"Nuru, I know I broke your heart. I was a fool then. I… I wasn't sure. I think we rushed into it or something." He lowered his head sadly. "You… you loved me didn't you?" He near shut his eyes, as if her coming answer would bring him more heartache.

The answer came.

"I still love you Rubani," he heard her say. He stared at her, his eyes brightened. She continued, which brought instant pain to his face. "But only as a friend… a brother. Is that alright?"

His ears fell. "Yeah, that's fine," he said quietly.

Rubani wanted to yell, to throw up even. He couldn't believe it. What a fool he had been! He walked up to her, nuzzling her kindly, wanting to inhale her sweet scent one more time. Though nothing serious had come from their relationship. Whenever he was near her, watching a sunset or watching the stars, he had wanted to ask her the question Nafsi had. But now… now it was too late. He had his chance. Nuru would be the future Queen of the Eastlands.

"She will be Nafsi's," he thought sadly…

Nuru stared ahead, watching the Impalas graze peacefully. Her tail swayed gently in the grass. She smiled but her ears lowered. She didn't want to hunt this afternoon. She had wanted to sleep in but being Queen meant she was leader of the hunting party and her mother-in-law, Neema, had lead the lionesses in her place a few days ago. She had to come back to the position of leadership. Though she had been Queen for a year now, Nuru still felt as though she didn't deserve it. Unlike her predecessor, she wasn't strong. She was weak. She knew it. Everyone did. There were times when she could hear the lionesses talk. She was thankful when Nafsi didn't hear.

"Gods only know what he'd do," she thought to herself, shivering. Her mate had truly become different. He wasn't the same when he became king but she passed off his behavior as royal stress. Neema had said that new rulers have them at one time or another. But she didn't believe it. She sensed that there was something else going on with Nafsi. She was afraid to ask him but she was his mate, he wouldn't hurt her… right? During the last weeks, she was unconvinced.

The Queen's mind was in such a fog that she failed to her one of the lionesses on her team speak.

"My lady, shall we separate? Get into formation?"

Nuru turned to the lioness. "Y-yes…" she said, drawing the word out carefully. "Yes, d-do that." She tried to make her voice sound strong, barely succeeding. The lioness nodded and the others started spreading out. Nuru sighed. They had been following the Impalas for hours but the pride had to eat. It was her duty to make sure of that.

Hearing the order, Neema gave the same advice to her team. She stepped near to her daughter-in-law with a worried look. "Nuru, is something wrong? You're not yourself today."

"You just noticed?" Nuru asked.

Neema bit her lip. "I've noticed for a long while. I didn't want to say until you were ready to talk… Why don't you go to the caves and rest? I'll handle the hunt."

"No… thank you, but no. I'm okay," she replied.

The Queen Mother smiled, gently nuzzling her. "Okay." She walked back to her group, still worried. She knew the pressures Nuru was under. She had been too when she first started ruling but… "Nuru's been Queen for a year… why is she feeling awkward now?" Neema asked herself. She remembered when she became Queen that the lionesses were always there, asking if she needed a break, the older ones, now no longer alive, helped in that situation, something Neema had been grateful for. Now she was asking and the help wasn't required. Neema felt an uneasy feeling in her body. She knew that Nuru was lying but couldn't call her on it. Nafsi would find out and making her son angry was the last thing she wanted.

Neema lowered her ears, again, remembering the times of her and Jabari's rule…

The new King and Queen of the Eastlands lied down on the stone ledge, watching the stars. The events of their coronation was wonderful but this moment alone gave them time to reflect on their past lives.

"The sun rose and set on us Neema. When it rises again, our reign will start," he whispered.

"Yes… things will be different Jabari," Neema replied in a whisper.

Jabari's ear flickered. He turned to her. "Neema…" She faced him. "I… I don't think we should have cubs right away. Being leaders is new to us. We're going to be under heavy strain with keeping everything in balance. We… we shouldn't try to do both things at once. I feel we should wait…" He stopped, staring out into the night covered lands.

Neema heard what she had said. Before the ceremony she had wondered about asking him the same thing. They would have to get used to being rulers. They wouldn't want to jump into both responsibilities too fast. Her mother-in-law, the former Queen, had taken her aside, given her advice but said that she would be there should the new Queen need help.

She looked up at him. "I was about to ask you the same. We just became King and Queen and I'm not ready to be a mother, not yet anyway."

He smiled. "And I'm not ready to be a father. I want to get used to being a King. My father… he was King but not in name. He was more of a Prince Consort but he was always there for my mother whenever she needed him. In a lot of ways he was like an advisor. He helped her." Jabari looked down at his paws, thinking. "I… I can't do this alone but I cannot ask you to help. You're gonna be tied with the pride…"

Neema put a paw on his. "Jabari, I'm your mate but I'm also the Queen. You're right, I will be handling the pride's issues and taking care of the hunting parties but that doesn't mean I won't be able to help you because I will. Your mother has taught me everything she knew. She's very wise." He smiled at that. "I won't let you do this alone. Share the load. Share it with me. Share it with the guardians. We all have our parts."

Jabari shook his head. "The load will be crushing. I can't ask you to take some of it upon yourself."

"You're not asking, I'm offering. I don't want to see you exhaust yourself. As you said, your parents helped each other. That's what made them good rulers. I want to do the same." She nuzzled him. "If I don't it would seem like I'm not being a good mate or Queen. I don't want to be remembered as that."

"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "I mean it won't be easy."

She nodded. "I'm sure. I love you Jabari. You're my mate. Mates are supposed to help each other in good times and bad."

After a small while Jabari turned to her. "Okay." He moved closer. "I love you too Neema. I'm so glad you want to do this."

The King and Queen shared a nuzzle and continued looking at the stars, as if they were blessing the new rulers…

Neema was jolted out of her memories. The hunt continued but she still worried for her daughter-in-law. Nuru came up to her with an almost tired stare in her eyes.

"On second thought Neema, I think I will go to the caves."

The Queen Mother smiled weakly, gently nuzzling her. She watched as Nuru walked away. She sighed

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Dinari's teacher this day was Danso. The young lion was learning all he could from the redmaned. Danso was wise, telling him not to treat the animals in a cruel manner but his father and mother said the same. Dinari felt that being told last lessons over again would help him remember during hard times, especially when dealing with the stubbornness of the animals. Whatever he was told, whether in confidence or in all seriousness, Dinari took it to his heart, nodding, smiling when needed and growing somber when it was called for.

Suddenly without realization, his thoughts turned to the Prince. He wasn't sure how or why but to him, Seth had changed in the recent months. He walked differently and spoke differently. "He's growing just as I am…" he thought.

The two lions walked in silence until a female voice from ahead spoke. "What brings you boys out here?" They looked up. Aneesa was staring at them with a curious expression. She came over. "Hi Dinari. Danso's teaching you huh?" she asked with a smile.

Dinari smiled. "Yeah, he is."

Aneesa smirked. "You'll learn plenty from him."

"What are you doing here?" Danso asked.

"Neema asked me to keep an eye on Shianna whilst she's teaching Kamaria and Kendra. I was happy to do so. I don't trust her. She's gonna break them and not in a good way."

Dinari walked ahead, seeing Kendra alone. He came to her. "Hi Kendra, taking a break?" he asked, sitting down beside her.

She turned. "No… mom wanted Kamaria to do some hunting demonstrations. I'm just here to tag along." She was silent. Dinari knew that if she weren't as strong as she was, she'd probably break down crying. "Where's Seth?"

"I don't know. I think he's with his father…" He laughed softly. "I was hoping he'd be here. Let it be like when we were cubs…"

"Yeah… I'm sure he's okay," she said hopefully.

Dinari didn't say anything for a while. He wondered about Kamaria and hoped her mother wasn't training her too hard. "But why isn't she training both of them?" he asked himself. He shivered, as if his body was telling him that he didn't want to know the answer.

A few feet away Danso and Aneesa talked about recent events. Aneesa informed him about what the former Queen had had asked.

Danso gave a nod. "I don't blame Neema for asking. I don't trust Shianna with her daughters. She's too tough. It's as if she was…" He didn't want to think about it.

Aneesa gave him a friendly lick on the cheek. "She won't do anything. She's just showing off. She wants them to be just as good as her."

He looked at her, almost with shame. "Aneesa… you… know we're doing what we can, right?" She turned to him. "You know that we could fight Nafsi. We want to but…" He lowered his head. "Our promise to Jabari…" He trailed off.

She put a paw over his. "I know Danso. He was a father to all of us. You and the others were so grateful for what he did that you became guardians and I for one am glad you stayed." She nuzzled him gently. "You're doing everything you can and if Jabari were here, I know he'd be proud."

Danso looked at her, smiling. Again, she was there for him. For as long as he could remember Aneesa had been the best friend he could ever ask for. Other than his guardian brothers and sister, Aneesa was someone he could turn to. His adopted mother, Ridhaa, was the same. He had a loving family and though scars from his past still remained, he had them… his family… to come home to. But above all he had her. He had Aneesa. In his heart, Danso knew that if he wanted to settle down with anyone it was her… but it was too risky. Nafsi would hear and try something, that's Danso and Aneesa's relationship was nothing more than friendship.

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Rubani stared at the lands from his rock point. He had been there for about an hour, longer than he originally intended. He wanted to stay there for a few minutes, to clear his mind but his heart wouldn't allow it. He had so many things on his mind in that moment he felt he could never leave. There were times when he questioned that fact about him being a guardian. He knew he was good at it but that didn't stop him from questioning, which he did almost nonstop since the Prince's first birthday. Whenever he walked with Seth, he was calm and relaxed. He never wanted to walk with Nafsi and take his orders. He wasn't sure he could fulfill them. And he couldn't wait for the day when Nafsi gave his son free reign to order the guardians. Only they, Dinari, Kendra, Kamaria and Neema knew of how he acted, not Nafsi or Nuru for that matter.

Nuru.

The golden lion lowered his head sadly. He had almost purposely forgotten that Nafsi and Nuru were married for a year… just as it was the anniversary of Jabari's death, Nafsi's coronation and Seth's birth, so many things happening within a period of a few months and a day. It didn't seem possible. He hated seeing Nafsi and Nuru happy. Was she happy? Could she be happy with him? She acted like it but he wasn't convinced. He had yet to speak with her alone. The day she had come to him, saying she had accepted Nafsi's marriage proposal had torn him apart. It still did. After all this time he was still in love with her. Memories of his past, of the days he spent with her, the early evenings looking at the sunset and the stars with her beauty by his side, still haunted him.

"I'm a fool," he said quietly to himself, his tail lashing at his side. "That scene plays in my head over and over to mock me… to tell me what a moron I was for not asking Nuru to be my mate in the first place…" A tear slid down his face. "But would she really have been happy with me? Would I have made her happy as Nafsi?" He growled. He hated Nafsi, mainly because the King was treating his friends, his fellow guardians terrible. Marko still had yet to reveal to him and the others, Lisha as well, what was bothering him.

He rose, walking down from the rock and to the waterhole that was up ahead. He stopped, seeing a familiar lioness. He walked up to her. "Nuru, what are you doing here?" he asked sitting down beside her but not too close. He didn't want to scare her or… He shook his head. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

She turned to him. "I needed to be away from the party. I couldn't concentrate. You?"

"Me? Just thinking." He looked away, trying desperately not to make eye contact with hers. "But I can't. She's so beautiful!" he thought, shaking. "You ever think of the past… When… when we were…" He was afraid to say it.

"You mean when we were a couple… we still young then…"

"I loved you," he said. "But you didn't love me back."

She put a paw over his. "I did just not as anything serious. I liked you Rubani." She tried to smile. "You know things change."

Rubani slowly nodded. "Yes, I know. But that doesn't mean I like it because I don't." Sometimes I feel you would've been happier with me. You would've loved me if not for that Prince… King! He thought angrily, thinking the royal words like they were terrible.

Nuru nuzzled him. "Rubani, we can't go back to the past. We can still be friends you know."

He watched her and pulled away, staring at the water. He prayed that the affection wouldn't bother him. Please, let me keep control! He prayed desperately.

"I'm sorry Rubani," she said meaningfully.

"No, it's alright," the lion replied without turning. His shoulders sagged and his head was low, his mane falling into his face.

"I shouldn't have done that."

Rubani finally turned and walked to her. She looked at him, her face ashamed by her action. He knew she didn't mean to. It just happened. "It's okay." He swallowed a gathering lump in his throat.

"Remember when we were cubs?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, all of us but you and me… we were so happy… And growing up…" He drew his face close to hers.

She knew what he meant. "No Rubani. Please…" In a moment he kissed her cheek. Her eyes grew wide and she quickly walked away from him with slow heavy steps. Her body shook and she was overwhelmed with shock and emotional pain.

Rubani focused his eyes on the grass, slightly stunned by what he had done. His heart pounded. Why did I do that? Do I really want to risk possibly loosing the rest of my feelings for her or her respect? He cursed silently. "I…" he said after a while. "I-I'm sorry Nuru. I was sort of hoping…"

"Don't Rubani. Don't say it. I don't want to think that of you." She looked up at the sky. "I love you but only as a friend. That should be enough. Let it be enough." Her voice was firm yet soft.

"So that's it?" His voice was pleading for it not to be but he knew the answer. That hurt him even more.

Nuru turned back to him. She came near and placed a paw on his shoulder. He tensed, trying to keep his own emotions intact. "Rubani, I am sorry. I love Nafsi." And she meant her words.

How can you? You know what he's done! His red eyes snapped but returned to their original and relaxed state. "I know you do." He didn't speak for a while but then, "We grew up around many cubs, Nafsi among us. You were the most amazing I' admit. As the years passed I imagined us together, living here in the Eastlands or starting a pride of our own. I pictured us standing a stone rock ruling, Nafsi and his mate being the leaders here. I even imagined a future for our other friends…" Rubani turned his eyes to the lands. "That was my dream, my vision of a perfect world. I know it can't be like that." He bowed his head as a thought entered his mind. Not as long as Nafsi lives!

"We should get home," she said after a long silence. Rubani only nodded and stood weakly to follow.

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Nafsi stood on the stone peak with the kills behind him. It was a good catch but with a good leader it was bound to be.

Even if it is your mother! Where's Nuru?

The King shook his head quickly to get the voice out of his head but it – he – was right. Where was his mate?

Seth came up to his father and with a calm stare he looked out into the lands. His ears rose. "Dad, here comes mom and Rubani." He smiled, sighing, not catching the look Nafsi had on his face.

Nafsi couldn't take his eyes from the approaching lions. She was with Rubani? Why wasn't she with the hunting party? She was Queen. She was their leader. Inwardly he growled both on her and the golden lion. He didn't want to fear the worst: Betrayal. Would she betray him? He knew Rubani and Nuru spoke every now and then but…

"No! She wouldn't. He wouldn't!" he thought, almost desperately.

How do you know? Maybe she's looking for someone else. They were a couple at one time… Old feelings have a way of resurfacing…

Nafsi shook his head again, not wanting what it – he – was saying to be true. He turned to his son, smiling faintly. "Let's go to the kill," he said, trying to hide the anger he felt.

Seth nodded and they walked to the meat as Nuru and Rubani made their way up the stones. The gold lion went to the guardians while she came to her family. She nuzzled Nafsi who tried not to pull away. She was concerned but pushed the thought aside. She would ask him later.

Nafsi came to the kill, taking a large piece. The pride rose, getting theirs. Everyone ate in silence.

Seth chewed on his meat with a heavy heart and it was scattered in all directions. There were so many things he wanted to do. So many people he wanted to use his special gift with. He couldn't. Like the last two encounters he would wait during the night. He looked towards Dinari, watching as the red brown lion had his eyes on their white lioness friends, Kendra and Kamaria. He saw the worry, the confusion and he saw how tired his friends looked and the stern look their mother had on her face. It was one of disappointment. Seth wasn't sure why. When he turned to his mother, he felt something, something he could not explain. It was now with his father but it involved someone else. As if he already knew, Seth turned his gentle eyes onto Rubani who lied down with his companions, eating his share of the kill. He refused to make eye contact. Seth was confused but this new feeling was slowly turning into something more.

Rubani hardly ate. He only picked at his share. The guardians exchanged worried glances.

"Rubani, you okay?" Sandra asked worriedly.

The gold lion licked his lips, not responding. His whole body felt like it was torn. Just seeing Nafsi and Nuru eating the kill together almost made fill up with intense rage. He slowly looked on his companions. Ronan had Sandra. Marko and Lisha could be called a couple even though their relationship wasn't anything serious. The same went for Danso and Aneesa. They all had each other. He had no one. He was alone. The only lioness he ever loved already had a mate who was King, the King, the King of the lands and those who live in it.

"She would never have me!" he thought in despair. "I'm not fit to even look at her. I'm unworthy." He looked on Nafsi and Nuru again. He cried softly.

Seth looked on this with sadness in his eyes. "Something is very wrong," the Prince said mindfully. "Looks like I won't be sleeping again tonight."

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"Can't sleep again Nabihi?" Spencer asked, crawling out of his grass bed.

The leopard turned. "No." She put her eyes to the stars.

Spencer walked up, sitting beside her. "They're beautiful again tonight," he noticed and smirked. "When aren't they?"

Nabihi smiled. "You're right. They are." She sighed.

"What's bothering you?"

"Just one of those nights. You go back to sleep, there's no use you being up and worrying about me."

Spencer thought for a moment then nodded his head. "Okay, but if you need to talk…"

She smiled. "I know Spencer. Thanks." The meerkat winked and walked back to his bed. Soon, he was asleep. Nabihi turned her eyes back to the heavens, trying to make sense as to why she was still awake. "Jabari, is there a reason?" she whispered. As if in a heavenly response, a small breeze came about the tree, wrapping itself around her. She sniffed the air, recognizing the scent. Nabihi chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes." She yawned. "I'm tired." The breeze came at her, full face. She laughed. "Okay Jabari. I'm going to sleep."

She walked away from the scene and to her grass bed, settling herself down, her tail curled against her body. Like the black meerkat, the leopardess was also fast asleep.

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As he knew Seth woke and walked out of his parents cave heading into the pridal cavern. He had to speak once again to his grandmother. Of all the adults in his life he trusted her the most and not because she was the former Queen of the Eastlands. She was of his flesh. They were of the same blood and he loved her. He could tell her anything even without using his 'sleep' words. That was the way she was. She enjoyed talking with her grandson. She saw nothing but pure good in him. Seth walked up the 'stairs' in the pride's cave, pressing his body against the wall. He stopped and turned on the second level walking past the first tow chambers. He carefully crept inside his grandparents, the same presence entering his mind and lungs as he breathed as quietly as he could. He laid down beside the sleeping lioness, gently coming close to her, their sides touching again.

He licked his lips before speaking. "Grandma," he whispered. "I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you but I am unable to sleep."

"It's okay Seth. What's on your mind," Neema replied, eyes still closed. She was breathing at a normal rate just like Sandra had done months before.

"I'm worried about my parents. I sense… tension between them… and Rubani's involved too."

Neema didn't respond right away. Seth knew she was thinking. "Yes, there has always been some tension between them," she spoke at last. "Your father, mother and Rubani grew up together along with the other lions and lionesses of the pride. I think you know who." Seth nodded but she didn't need to be awake to know that. "Rubani and your mother were once boyfriend and girlfriend at one time but something happened."

"It caused them to break up didn't it?" the Prince guessed. "Then, what, a while later Dad asked her the question?"

The former Queen smiled. "You're as smart as your grandfather. Yes, he did."

"It was a lucky guess grandma," Seth answered, laughing quietly. He bowed his head. "I take it Rubani wasn't too happy. He could've found someone else to spend his life with but he didn't want to did he?"

"No. Rubani was heartbroken. I think he still is."

"He never stopped loving her did he? He's still in love with her isn't he?" No reply came. "I feel sorry for him… he's a good lion."

Neema licked her lips. "If your grandfather had married someone else I'd have been devastated too. But things happen for a reason… Jabari said that the Circle works in mysterious ways. Your parents' being together is one of those ways. It was destiny."

Seth moved closer but carefully so as not to rouse her. "I… I think mom still loves him but just as a friend…"

"Have you spoken with her?"

"No," he said honestly. "I wouldn't know what to say… she doesn't know. Dad doesn't either. I'm afraid…"

Neema moved her head closer to his. "You'll find a way Seth. Just, be patient."

He nodded. "I will. Thank you grandma."

"You're welcome sweetheart." Seth gently nuzzled her. "You better get back."

Seth looked down at the ground. For some reason he didn't want to return to his parents' chambers. He was so tense and unable to rest. Here… he was different. He enjoyed being there. It was like a second home. He bit his lip, thinking for a few moments. "Grandma… I'm not sure that I want to go back. I… I like it here. It's so peaceful and calm. I feel… liberated from my worries. I feel relaxed."

"I know you do Seth but if you're not there when your father wakes…"

The Prince sighed heavily. "Yeah, I know." He gave her a gentle lick on the cheek. "Goodnight grandma," he said, slowly moved away. He rose to his paws heading out of the cave.

"Seth!" she called after him. He turned around. "If you find you can't sleep in their cave, you're more than welcome to sleep in here."

The young lion smiled. "Thanks grandma." He saw her smile and walked out of the chamber. When he re-entered his parents' cave, his father was not there. Seth thought for a moment then knew his father must've been at the waterhole again. "He's thirsty," he thought as he walked over to his mother, lying down beside her. Within a few minutes, he fell asleep. He shivered slightly as if his body sensed that something was wrong with his father.

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Nafsi walked to the waterhole with heavy steps. He came closer and started drinking but afterwards, dipped his whole head into it, feeling the cold wash over him. He stayed that way for a few minutes and pulled back, his mane dripping. He didn't bother to shake it. Again, he couldn't sleep and would look towards Nuru, seeing that she was still there. He was relieved but it didn't bring him much sleep so he left the cave. Rubani was beside it like always but this made the King uneasy. He could only hope that the gold lion wouldn't try anything while he was gone.

"If he does, I'll kill him!" Nafsi had thought, his eyes snapping.

He drank the water again greedily.

"Nice night isn't Nafsi?" asked a voice from ahead.

Nafsi cringed. The voice was his own but he didn't speak. He slowly lifted his head to look to the waterhole's other side. There was the lion again. His ego.

"What do you want? I'm doing the best I can!" he said in a snarl.

The lion rose, walking towards him, wearing an evil smirk. "I know that and you're doing a marvelous job." He began circling him. "But there is something you must do and you know what I'm talking about."

Nafsi shook his head. "No I don't."

The lion lifted his paw to strike Nafsi and like a year before, the King fell into the waterhole. The lion laughed. "Still got it. Get up!" Nafsi struggled but managed to get onto the grass, shaking his soaked body. "Now, you know what I'm talking about don't you?"

He lowered his head. "Yes, I do." He turned away, feeling himself become weak.

"You must stop what could happen between them."

"How? They're just friends, nothing more. Nuru loves me."

The lion sat with an amused look but it was still evil. Nafsi knew that. "How do you know she and Rubani haven't -" He couldn't finish his sentence as Nafsi roared softly but angrily. He was about to pounce but the lion stepped aside, sending the King sprawling. He laughed. "Got you there didn't I?" He walked over, watching as Nafsi rose back to his paws, turning with eyes that were on fire.

"Rubani and Nuru have nothing going on between them!" he snarled, glaring at the lion.

"For now maybe… but when you least expect it…"

"SHUT UP! Leave me!" Nafsi yelled, breathing heavily.

The lion smirked. "As you wish but remember I'm you and I know that somewhere in our mind, you know I am right."

Nafsi growled and turned only to see the lion gone. His head pounded fiercely. He groaned and slowly came towards the waterhole, the encounter tiring him out. He laid down beside it, his paws lying on the surface of the water, his tail tapping at his side. He pondered what his ego said. Could Nuru be unfaithful? Was it possible? Would she really want Rubani, over him, her mate? He shivered to think about it. He knew that Rubani wouldn't be stupid as to purposely make him angry although he tried it a few times.

"But that's over the orders I give, not about Nuru? Would he hurt her if she refused him?" These thoughts spread all about his mind, causing his claws to come out unconsciously. He prayed to the heavens that it wasn't true. Nuru loved him… didn't she? These days he wasn't sure. He wasn't in the mood to spend time alone with her. He had the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders and a pride to look after but he wasn't even doing that. He wasn't doing it the way his father and ancestors had done before him. But…

"I have to change things… the animals must bow before me. The kingdom must bow before me! Rubani must bow before me!" he said softly to the air, his eyes darkening in the night's cover. His eyes were cold and cruel, his mane hung over his shoulders in the breeze warm felt air. Even the gaze on his face was cold.

The air was warm but in his body, Nafsi felt cold. He rose for a moment but slumped back to the ground, his claws now in. He craned his neck, drinking the water again. When he looked to his reflection, at his left side, he thought he saw another reflection.

It morphed into two and they were Rubani and Nuru. They were side-by-side and smiling. Rubani's reflection kissed Nuru's cheek and she nuzzled his golden mane.

Nafsi saw this and eventually passed out beside the waterhole. The reflections soon disappeared as his breathing slowed and his body fell into a deep sleep.

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Okay, there's that chapter and as for the reviews… may they and those who give them be blessed

This will be the last chapter I give. The next won't be until a little after the New Year. I hope you all have a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year.

Merry Christmas one and all!