Introduction: Hello! This is my first fan fiction piece, so I apologize if the formatting is awkward - I will try my best to get things adjusted properly for the best viewing. All feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: All rights to Disney and the Lion King franchise! A few OC's are my creations.
Chapter Note: I wrote a rough draft of this chapter a while back, though I wasn't certain exactly when/how to implement it into the story. But...here it is! lol This takes place in time right after the last couple of chapters, no time gaps.
Sins of the Father
Chapter Ten
They may have been defeated for now, but would not be deterred forever.
Kondo and Hofu, the rogue brothers whom had earlier challenged Mufasa for his territory, were now withdrawing from the Pridelands. Both lions had received considerable injuries from their fight with the king, though luckily none were life-threatening.
Yet of course, neither of them were satisfied with the outcome of their recent endeavor.
Mufasa may have been older than the rogue duo, yet he was still in his prime and an aggressive fighter. This was a fact known all around the Serengeti. But in their youth and inexperience, Kondo and Hofu had overestimated themselves by challenging the golden-coated king. Consequently, they had no choice but to retreat in order to prevent serious injury or even death.
"Damn that old Mufasa, he just won't go down!", Kondo seethed bitterly. The oldest of the two, his reputation of being short-tempered often preceded him.
"Well, I suppose what we heard about him was true after all.", Hofu unwillingly admitted, letting out a sigh.
Walking shoulder to shoulder, the siblings continued on past the outskirts of the Pridelands. They were lean and strong, though had not yet reached their full physical potential. Both sported the same tawny-colored fur and brown eyes, but Kondo's blond mane contrasted sharply with Hofu's brown one.
And unlike some other lion brothers, Kondo and Hofu had a strong, long-standing bond between them. Close in age, they had been playmates in cubhood and now partners in coalition. Where as Kondo the eldest was bold and stronger, Hofu the youngest was tactful and smarter.
Though young and arrogant now, if the pair successfully honed in on their skills as they grew older, they truly had potential to become formidable rivals of a king.
"Yeah, yeah. Mufasa this, Mufasa that. But no matter what, one day his time is gonna end...and who ever comes after that? Well, he better be prepared!", Kondo declared with a smirk.
"True, and the Pridelands is prime territory. I hear its filled with plenty of prey all-year round. No chasing after herds or water over there.", the younger lion replied thoughtfully.
Now as the two headed further south, the twilight of dusk gave way into the darkness of night. Around them, the landscape slowly morphed from the sparse shrubbery of the grassy plains into dense woodlands.
The thinly populated area was known a forest known as the Mitirefu (or "Tall Trees"). It was considered a neutral zone by local rulers, naturally spiraling between the territory lines of the neighboring kingdoms. The forest offered travelers a safe haven temporarily, but it was not a permanent solution for troublesome nomads.
"But really, this is getting pathetic! We deserve the chance to have our own pride.", the blond-maned lion impatiently confided in his companion.
"Don't worry, brother. One day our time will come. I know it...", Hofu reassured calmly.
Since becoming nomadic over a year earlier, the brothers had actively sought the right opportunity for a takeover. Exiled from their own pride by the resident king for treason, Kondo and Hofu were more than eager to lay claim to their own domain.
And of course, their own lionesses as well.
"...but let's not get too ahead of ourselves, like we did with those two sisters, back when we first left home.", the brown-maned lion dryly added.
With a grin, Hofu looked over to his brother and jestingly nudged him on the shoulder. But in truth, he was only half-joking.
Likewise, Kondo scoffed at the thought of their previous failure.
"Oh believe me lil' brother, I realize the truth now: Territory comes first and foremost.", he replied gravely.
Unlike the more logical Hofu, compulsive Kondo had once become intensely enamored with the idea of claiming his own mate, wanting a queen even before a kingdom. He had even convinced his younger brother to loyally fall in suit of his aggressive plan.
Then some time ago, the two rogues had stalked and ambushed Imara and Nzuri, attempting to force the females into accepting them as their mates. But the situation became volatile quickly, leaving one lioness fatally injured as her sister watched on in horror.
And of the two female rogues, it had been the younger lioness that had captured Kondo's attention the most. But due to her older sister's sacrifice, Nzuri had solely managed to escape them almost unscathed.
"But if I ever run into her again...", Kondo trailed off, growling lowly. In frustration, he angrily swiped at a rock in his path and sent it ricocheting away. He was one whom did not handle defeat or rejection with grace.
Suddenly, Hofu let out an inquisitive growl and stopped in his tracks.
"Woah!"
Kondo frowned and looked up instantly, also coming to a standstill.
"Damn!"
They had reached a clearing in the middle of the forest, and now before them was a long ravine now flooded completely with water. Unfortunately for them, the nomads had no clue of how far or deeply it ran - or what dangers rested below the surface.
The two looked to each other, as if recognizing one another's thoughts instantly. To cross the river now would pose a great risk, one they could easily regret.
"Forget it!", both said in unison.
As Kondo looked around with apprehension, Hofu looked to the western horizon. What little remained of the sunset had now entirely disappeared. It was best to stop for the night, allowing time to rest and nurse their wounds. Tomorrow, the pair would head out to find decent hunting grounds, those not belonging to another lion pride.
Hofu looked over to his brother.
"Let's call it a night. We'll head West tomorrow."
Kondo nodded in agreement.
"Affirmative."
Both lions retreated from the clearing and back into the thickets, creating their own makeshift den in the ground. Kondo and Hofu rested close by each other, but facing opposite directions. It was the best way to keep themselves protected, easy to defend against any threats or ambush from either side.
Like always, these two brothers had each other's backs.
Author's Note: I'm trying to stick to Swahili names for characters and places, but I'm just relying on Google translate and a couple of other name sites as sources. So for anyone actually familiar with the language, I apologize if it's inaccurate! :o
Here are some name translations:
Nzuri – beautiful, kind.
Khali – solitary (Also the name of a cool lion in a nature documentary, so I picked it for that reason as well lol)
Imara – strength, power.
Kondo – War
Hofu - Fear