A/N: Thanks a bunch to my reviewers :) Here's another chapter!

Chapter 9: Difference Between The Old and New

Ewali's life in the Starlight Lands couldn't have been more perfect. Although it was hard for him to let go of his traumatic cubhood in the Genge Lands, living in the Starlight had made him forgot almost everything he went through.

Now, grown-up, he was all the more grateful to have a good home and a family who loved him so much.

The one thing that he was really thankful for was Nakita. He knew of the age difference between them and didn't care.

The only other time he had felt this way about a girl was with Neeli. Every now and again he would think about her and wondered how she was doing without him being there.

He was lying in the same tree he used to lie in when he was a cub. He had made it his comfort zone.

He chuckled to himself slightly as he thought of his cubhood friend, "She's probably miserable without me."

He knew that Neeli had a crush on him.

At first he wasn't sure if he had a crush on Neeli or not. "Yeah, we would share sunsets together and she would rest her head on my shoulder…"

He opened his mouth in shock at what he was thinking. "Did that mean that I felt the same way she did?"

He shook his head. "No, no… I only thought of her as a sister at the time. Then my feelings grew. But I was just a cub then."

He sighed. "If she were here right now, I'd be in a conflict, a conflict with two lionesses that I love. I don't think I could handle that kind of pressure."

He put his head back on his paws and sighed thinking once again at how much he had changed since Amani accepted him as a son and prince. "I sure have changed." He said to himself.

"I certainly am not the same person I once was. I have different home and a different name, a name that I'm proud to bare in more ways than one. Everyone has to change sometimes I suppose."

He looked up at the sky, wondering if the love he had for Neeli was genuine or a brotherly love. Has he pondered that thought in the back of his mind, the front of his mind brought up Nakita.

"When I first joined this pride, I was afraid to talk about my old home. I was even afraid to mention that my father was king and that I was a prince. Yet, they didn't pressure me to talk."

He smiled weakly. " 'Take your time. Tell us when you're ready.' Amani had said."

His smile of happy recollection turned to sadness. "I did. Even after I took my time, I was still afraid. Finally I told them everything. From my mother dying all the way up to my leaving. I was in pain after I was done and I felt Nakita's paw on my shoulder."

His smile grew to happy again. "I embraced her, desperately needing somebody to hang on to because I was shaking. She was there. Over time I found I could tell her more about myself. I wasn't afraid. I even told her about a traumatic event that took place, and unlike Neeli, she believed me and held me after I told her."

He smiled again. "She knew there was a bond forming when I first came. She felt it and I felt it. Now, I love her and she loves me."

His thoughts drifted back to Neeli. "Whenever I told Neeli about my pain and suffering under my father, brother, and sister, she didn't believe a word I said. Yet, I still had some feelings for her. Why? When I look at Nakita, I see supporting eyes, gentle embraces and peace in my heart."

He sighed happily. "She may not be Amani's true daughter, but she's a daughter none the less and I'm glad to have her in my life. Along with Amani, and Orissah."

He looked up at the sky again and saw that the sun was getting ready to set. "I better get back." He carefully got up and made his way down the tree.

Once down, he stretched and yawned. "Wow! I must've been up there a long time. I can't keep doing that."

As he made his way back to the caves, the lioness he had been thinking about suddenly appeared in his field of vision. He looked at her and smiled. "I should've expected her to come and find me," he thought to himself.

"Hey, Nakita." He said sweetly. "Don't worry, I'm coming," he said walking to her.

Nakita just smiled and walked toward him. "It's okay Ewali. I understand you need your time alone. You know I respect that."

Ewali smiled all the more. "You respected me a little more than Neeli did," he thought. "Neeli, if you're still in the Genge Lands, I hope you're happy, 'cause I've never been more happier than I am now."

Ewali and Nakita walked up nuzzled.

After their embrace Nakita asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks." He nuzzled her again. "Thank you so much for caring about me," He said as he broke the embrace.

Nakita smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. "Anytime Ewali. I love you."

"I love you too."

They walked side by side to the caves.

"The pride caught a good sized zebra. There'll be enough food to feed us for days," Nakita said.

"Really! That's great. I don't know about you, but I'm starving!" Ewali stated.

Nakita giggled. "I imagine you are, especially after being up in that tree for so long! It's a good thing you know how to get down."

Ewali laughed. Finally they entered the caves, sat down, tore off some meat, and ate in peace.

Amani noticed Ewali and nodded fatherly toward him. Ewali returned the nod. He looked at Orissah and smiled gratefully for the meat. She smiled back and continued eating.

After the meal, and everyone was asleep, Ewali stayed up a little longer than usual to look at the stars.

He couldn't help but wonder if his mother was up there watching over him. "I know you're there mom. When I come out here, I don't feel alone. That must be the peace the stars bring huh."

He inhaled and felt the coolness of the night enter his mouth. It was so cool and refreshing. "It's like drinking out of the waterhole."

He looked back at the cave. "I should go in and sleep," he said to himself. He looked back at the stars and left to rest for the night.

Before he did, he took one last glimpse of the stars and thought about his life now to how it used to be. "I guess there's a pretty good difference between old lives and new lives," he said sighing happily for the fourth time that day.