Sorry took so long to update. Been really busy.

Chapter 10


"Wow! You mean you really saved my Uncle; my mom and my dad!?"

Shoulders shook with laughter. Dark eyes took in the sight of a wide eyed brownish-gold cub who stared at her with wide amber eyes that shined with not-so hidden mischief. A warm smile spread across the old Gorilla's face. Chika; Kopa and Nuru walked along side each other at the back of the troop. Chika being old in age was not as fast as many of the younger ones and so Kopa and Nuru had both agreed to keep the old one company.

And for that she gratefully engrossed the young cub with tales of when she had helped out his family when they were cubs although much younger then he obviously was at the time she had helped them.

"I would not technically call it saving." Chika smiled looking ahead of them then back down at the cub. "But they had stumbled into my family's territory and they were so small and young that I thought they needed help. My mate at the time, Badu, he was Tuma's father, was reluctant at first. We really didn't have much of a truce with King Mansa's pride at the time. We had our agreements that neither would cross territories and that was it. He was angry to find the cubs on our lands. But I…talked…yes that's the word I would use…" Chika chuckled shaking her head. "Well I talked him out of it and we helped your parents and uncle back to their side of the river. I guess in a sense we did save them, for we knew of the leopardess that haunted the area and it was best to escort them home. I had Tuma at the time. He was young, around your age when it happened but as a mother I couldn't allow other little ones to get hurt."

Kopa stared at the old gorilla as she told him about the story of when she had first met his parents. He could vaguely remember the tale his mother had told him about the same incident. He found it fascinating to hear stories of his mother and father from someone else other then his parents themselves or pride members. Even if this story only involved Chika helping his parents and one he heard before it was still a good one to hear about from someone else who had been there that day.

That and it made the journey a lot less boring.

It has been a day and a half since they left the gorilla grove behind. After all the travelling he and Nuru had done in the desert already he had hoped they would have been done already. But that wasn't the case because now they had to travel some more to find his mothers old pride.

Well…at least they had guides, Nuru had pointed out to him just before they left. Saying it would have been such a pain to have to find the Rasheda's themselves. It was better to have guides and with the troop they were well protected then if they been alone on their own in the jungle where anything could snatch them up.

"You explained that your troop is going to be living on the same land as the Rasheda's now…why suddenly make such a decision and truce now rather than in the past?" Nuru finally spoke up from where she walked on the other side of Chika. Her brow furrowed in thought, it made no sense to her.

Looking down at the serval at her side, Chika thought for a moment before choosing the right answer. "We are different species Nuru. Many prides rule over their own territories but not many accommodate themselves with other species. Save for a majordomo, the Rasheda's have always had someone other than a lion be theirs. But we gorilla's are much like a pride. We stick to ourselves. That is until now…danger seems to bring others together for there are always better changes of survival in groups. It's why animals like antelope and zebra's and such live in herds. Theirs protection in numbers." Chika explained eyeing the serval that seemed to be taking what she said to mind. "And with the new danger in the Jungle, being in a land big enough for the pride and troop seems reasonable for protection. The Rasheda's have sworn not to hunt us and by that we owe them protection should something happen we will fight along side them."

Eyebrows up, Nuru tried to give it some thought. Servals themselves weren't sociable by nature. They were solitary creatures. Even when she and her sister stuck together for some time after parting from their mother they still went separate ways a lot. Now that she thought about it, her decision to stick around Kopa would be the first time she decided to be around such a large group. But something in her didn't want to leave the cub; she rather enjoyed having a friend. Even if such friend was younger then her and would eventually grow much, much taller then she would.

Kopa though while listening could understand Chika perfectly. Thanks to the lessons both his parents had given him before they died. Both his parents tried to install in him the importance of alliances and the herds and how they saw the pride and those who ruled over them. Those who lived in the Pridelands knew they were safe even those herds that were hunted upon. There were certain laws that were followed and each member of the pride was abide to follow them as well as the other predators of the land.

"Are you excited, Kopa?"

The exiled Prince jumped when he heard Nuru talking to him. Peeking at her from around Chika he asked. "Huh?"

Shaking her head at knowing the cub hadn't been listening to her, she asked again. "Are you excited?"

"Excited about what?" asked a rather confused Kopa. He glowered slightly when she rolled her eyes at him.

"Too meet your mother's family of course!" Nuru exclaimed dodging around Chika she darted to Kopa's side. A large grin plastered on her face. "You did say this was going to be the first time you ever met them…right?" She waited until he nodded before continuing. "Well then that's what I asked if you were excited?"

"Oh…" Kopa mentally slapped himself for his stupidity. "Well…kind of…" he paused when she gave him a look. "Well yeah I am but I'm more worried about what I'm going to tell them about my parents."

"Ah." Nuru nodded in understanding. She felt sorry for the cub, which would obviously have to relive his parent's deaths again when it came to explaining what had happened. She could see it in the cub's eyes whenever he thought about them that he was always thinking about the day they died. She pitied the cub but Nuru made it her quest to see the cub got on with his life. It's what his parents would want, she was sure of it.

To live his life like they wanted him too. After all they gave their life for him.

Although thinking about Kopa's parents did get her wondering as well. She wanted to know what it was that Kopa was keeping from her. Obviously she never wanted to pressure the cub that would be a sure way of loosing his trust he seemed to have finally placed in her. But Nuru could never shake the feeling that her new found friend was hiding something and she really wanted to know what it was. She got the inkling that she was bound to find out what it was when they reached the Rasheda's in another days time.

Above them the sun was already beginning to set to allow the night to take over. Darkening the dense jungle slowly but surely and they would be stopping soon for the night to settle and rest until morning. With a large group they could obviously travel at night but much preferred not too for good reason of getting lost or ambushed by some large predator lurking in the trees. At night the group always ushered the young together with their mothers in the center while surrounding them. Tuma would do a sweep before settling himself near the his females and young.

Nuru and Kopa themselves stuck by Chika during the nights for the most part since the old female stuck near the middle with her grandchildren.

"Alright you all." Tuma called from the front of the group. "We shall settle here for the night. Find something to eat before night completely settles and then you know what to do." Kopa and Nuru watched him make his way down from the front to the back looking everyone over to make sure they hadn't lost anyone during the trip. When he reached them, he greeted his mother then set his eyes on the two felines.

He grunted at them. Over the course of the week since the troop had taken the two of them in Tuma had…warmed up to them or that's what Chika reassured them of. In fact Tuma didn't see them as a threat, if this cub really had Rasheda blood he figured it would be best to deliver him without any further damage then Kopa had already been in. It would show the Rasheda's that they meant to keep their truce by taking care of one that shared their blood. To the Rasheda's family meant everything and therefore by protecting and delivering Kopa to them it would show King Jaali they had been true to their word when the alliance was struck.

"I suggest you hunt now. No one leaves the troop when night settles. You hear?" He looked from Kopa to Nuru.

The serval nodded her head. "Yes." Turning toward Kopa she instructed, "Stay here…"

"Why can't I hunt with you?" Kopa demanded, "My parents taught me how!" He argued he was beginning to get annoyed when Nuru told him to always stay with the troop while she went out and hunted. His annoyance grew when she chuckled and with a paw bobbed him on the nose making it wrinkle. "Hey!"

"You've told me a dozen times there pussy-cat that you can hunt and I do believe you." Nuru started her playful face slowly shifting to a serious one. "But there are things that lurk out there. I know how to climb trees and move swiftly to escape. You don't. You need to be taught that and I think it would be better taught when you have a lion to teach you. Not me. Now I would feel better if you stayed here where it's safe. I'll be quick and back in no time flat." Nuru gave him a stern pointed look. "Think you can listen to me this time?" she asked silently reminding him of how he had tried to follow her the last time she had gone out to hunt and had ended up getting himself trapped in a hole that Tuma had to get him out of.

Staring at his friend, Kopa groaned and nodded his head in the end knowing there really was no point in arguing. "Fine…" he muttered his shoulders slouching.

Another reason to miss the Pridelands and his family. Even though despite originally thinking hunting was just for the lionesses, Kopa began enjoyment in the hunt. Hunting along side his friends…well…he thought they were his friends…and hunting long side his parents and pride. He had fun in his lessons with his parents because it was one of the only times they taught him side by side. Kopa always looked forward to those lessons.

"Good." Grinning Nuru nuzzled the cub affectionately. Then with a single bound took off into the bushes to hunt down whatever she could for their dinner. Kopa may be on his paws but Nuru wanted him to eat as much as he could given they didn't eat much while out in the jungle. She wanted to make sure that Kopa always got his fill and would feel better the more he ate.

Shoulders slouching further Kopa turned and treaded his way to where the young in the group were already hustled together. Eating whatever their mothers had handed them. Making his way to Chika's side where the old female was already laying on the ground in a nest of leaves she had gathered to make herself more comfortable. With a huff he threw himself down next to her. Lifting her head Chika chuckled and shook her head, "Oh you stubborn lion. I never seen a male lion one too hunt so much in his life."

"My Mother once said it wasn't just the lionesses jobs. She said that my Father and Uncle were taught along side her and so she and my Father taught me too. Mom always said it was the best survival training you could have…by knowing how to hunt and feed yourself the rest could come later but food was always what one needed to know next to defence." The exiled Prince explained remembering word for word the wisdom of his Mother that she taught him. Kopa always idolized his Mother. Thinking all the words that came from her were wise and things that needed to be learned for she was teaching them so they must be important. That was why he always paid attention.

"You miss them." It was more a statement then an answer. Turning to the cub, Chika lifted his chin with her finger. "It's all in the way you talk about them."

"My Mom and Dad were the best. They didn't deserve death…I shouldn't have been so careless…I should have stayed close like my Mom told me too. But I didn't…I got them killed…" Kopa clenched his eyes shut, a lump forming in his throat as he tried to hold back the sobs that wanted to escape. For days he hadn't cried…he wouldn't allow himself to cry in front of these strangers. But at night he would allow himself to lay there and think of his parents…of his pride that he had lost. Praying every night to the Great Kings to look over the souls of his parents.

Secretly wondering if they were up there too looking over him. He would have thought that perhaps the stories of them weren't true but seeing the ghosts before in the Pridelands and seeing Jelani and Bakari showed that they were true. Speaking of Jelani…

Kopa lifted his head and stared off into the distance around him. For days he saw Jelani standing in the shadows but the Guardian didn't approach him or speak to him nor did he visit Kopa in his dreams again. Perhaps the Guardian was keeping true to his word, and not doing anything until Kopa came to him. Something the exiled Prince had no intent of doing.

The cub jumped when he suddenly felt himself being lifted off the ground and into the black furry arms of the old gorilla that'd been taking care of him. His eyes shot open wide when his body began too and fro and it clicked to him that Chika was cradling and rocking him like he'd seen the other female gorilla's do with their young. Turning his head he glanced up his snout at Chika who was smiling at him in only a way a mother could ever smile. He silent watched while she lifted one hand to carefully wipe his tears away with her finger.

That was the first time Kopa noticed that he'd actually been crying.

"There now, you should not blame yourself. Your parents would not want you too. As a mother and a grandmother myself, I know for a fact that if I gave my life for my family I would not wish for them to blame themselves. Mourning is one thing; yes always mourn your dead. But never…don't ever blame yourself." Chika soothed the cub. Rocking him too and fro she hummed a tune she use to hum for Tuma when he was young that she now hummed for her grandchildren.

Kopa wasn't sure how to act to be comforted by Chika this way. But he did nothing but just lie in her arms taking whatever comfort the old gorilla had to offer him. For some reason she reminded him of his own grandmother and that right there comforted him enough. He didn't know how long he been there, lying while listening to the steady hum of Chika's voice. Reflecting what she had told him, it was pretty much along the same lines that Nuru had told him many times over but Kopa could not help but hold some blame on what had happened that night.

He was so lost in his thoughts and the comfort that Chika provided him that he hadn't even heard that Nuru had returned from her hunt. That was until Chika shifted his body and gently set him back down on his own paws. Opening his eyes he found himself staring into the grinning face of his serval friend. "Seems I got back just in time."

Confused, Kopa looked around and saw that it gotten darker that there wasn't very little light left. "Here…" Nuru's voice drew his attention back to her. "I managed to catch us one vervet monkey. Fast buggers didn't get a chance to catch a second so we're going to have to share." That was when Kopa noticed the vervet resting in front of Nuru's paws.

"You should eat as much as you can. We'll be heading out as soon as mornings first light. We still have a long trek ahead of us." With some rustling of her leafy bed, Chika settled herself back down on the ground while both Nuru and Kopa dug into their meal.

Looking up, Nuru licked her chops clean. "How much further do we need to travel exactly?"

"Another day. We should be there by nightfall tomorrow." Chika answered after a moments thought.

"That however is only if we head out at first light." Heads turned to face Tuma who made his way past them on his final round before he too would settle down for the night. "That means hurry with your meal and sleep or we will leave you behind when morning comes." Without another word he continued on past them to climb onto some fallen logs that came him a good view of the family and keep watch.

Chika shook her head at her own son's behaviour. So much like his Father, she thought with a tired sigh. She gave Nuru and Kopa a reassuring smile and said: "Do not worry, I will wake you." And with that she settled herself down to get some sleep herself.

Nuru and Kopa shared a look before the two of them finished their meal and together flung the leftovers as far as they could into the bushes. Then together they moved closer to Chika knowing there could always be a possibility of their leftovers attracting bigger predators and so found it safer in close numbers. After cleaning her own face, Nuru started on bathing Kopa's much to the lion cub's frustrations.

It was only till after Kopa's face was cleaning that Nuru pulled away and then settled with her front paws and head draped over the cubs back. "You okay there pussy-cat?" Nuru finally decided to ask remembering how the cub was when she returned back from hunting. She pretty much figured out why but she figured asking would still be for the best.

Trying his best to stifle a yawn, Kopa nodded while his eyes started to droop. From hours of walking endlessly he could feel just how exhausted he truly was. "Yeah…" he yawned laying his head down on his paws. "Just the usual." He said confirming what Nuru thought. Deciding it was best not to say anything else, Nuru settled with her head laying on him and closed her eyes to let sleep take her.

It didn't take long for Nuru to fall asleep. Kopa knew she was when he heard her breathing become even and her weight on his back became heavier. Eyes adjusting to the dark, Kopa stared off into the jungle watching as blinking lights of what he assumed were fireflies start to flitter through the darkness. For a brief moment he thought he saw something large moving through the trees some distance away from where they were camped for the night. But from how far away it was he could not make out what it actually was.

Believing it to is a figure of his imagination, Kopa laid his head down on his paws again turning his body slightly into Nuru's for some warmth from the cool night. Whatever it was, he believed they were safe with the family for nothing had attacked them yet. With those final thoughts he finally allowed himself to relax and soon enough he too was slipping into slumber unaware of the bright golden eyes watching from the trees.


"Everyone. The sun is rising, it is time to get up and move out!"

Groaning Kopa flung his paw over his eyes. Keeping it there for several seconds until he felt Nuru nudging the side of his head with her snout. "Come on sleepy-head time to get up. Don't want to be left behind." He bit back a growl of annoyance when he heard her ever familiar chortle at the next groan he emitted.

Kopa always hated getting right up with the sun. He missed living back in the Pridelands where his mother would let him sleep in. The only times he ever woke with the rising of the sun was times he accompanied his Father out into the grasslands to help with patrol. It was one of the things Kopa was never looking forward too when it came too having to become King that his parents always teased him about. He simply was not a morning person.

Pulling his paw away from his eyes, Kopa let out a loud but long yawn. Blinking his eyes open tiredly he stared off around him. Taking in the gorilla's who were already up and preparing to move on out. Mothers gathering their young up onto their backs to allow them further rest. Something the cub found himself become envious of. "Come on Kopa! Get up!" Nuru's impatience would become legendary, Kopa jokingly thought to himself. Well, he thought, she did have a lot of energy it really shouldn't be any surprise that impatience came with it.

"I'm up." Kopa hissed pushing his paws under him to push himself up off the ground. Shaking his head to try and shake off some of his left over grogginess Kopa slowly stretched his limbs. Once he was soon he had himself collected enough he looked off around him spotting Chika from where she was speaking with Tuma whose face was a mask of seriousness. "What's wrong with him?" He asked turning to face Nuru.

The serval looked off toward the silverback and his mother then back to Kopa. She shrugged, "All I heard was that sometime during the night Tuma caught some movement in the trees but I couldn't really make out what he might have thought it was."

Movement in the trees?

Kopa turned back to where Tuma and Chika were deep in conversation still. Was that the same movement that he too saw just before he fell asleep? He wondered silently.

He didn't ask anything else when he noticed Chika break away from her son and make her way back over to them with a tight lipped smile. "Stick close to the troop, stick in the middle today. I'll be directly behind you." It wasn't a suggestion but rather an order that Kopa knew better then to ignore for she spoke in the same voice he'd heard others in his family talk in when they were being serious and wanted no arguments.

"Alright…but what's wrong Chika?" asked Kopa while he and Nuru made their way to the center of the group where those mothers with young were gathering while those who didn't have young circled the outside of the group.

"Nothing to concern yourselves with for now." Chika stated firmly. "Tuma just thought he saw something…"

"Saw what?" This time Nuru decided to question starting to become curious.

Chika however didn't have time to answer as Tuma's booming voice was heard from the front. "Alright, everyone!" Moving back and forth eyeing the family and making sure all his young was located exactly in the middle along with Kopa and Nuru he continued. "I want everyone last one of you to stay in exact formation! Don't any one of you stray…" he paused before grunting. "Chatu has been seen in the area." Both Nuru and Kopa were filled with confusing when suddenly all around hushed worried whispers could be heard.

Who was Chatu? They both wondered to themselves.

Obviously it was something dangerous from the looks on each gorilla's face. "Do not fear." Tuma spoke up again. "We keep close together and keep our eyes and ears open. We shall reach the Rasheda's and our new territory by nightfall but we must keep going in order to do that. There will be no breaks. Now let's head out!" Tuma didn't wait for anything else to be said but rather turned and began making his way forward with the troop moving on after him.

Sharing another look, both Kopa and Nuru followed along with the troop. Both equally wondering still who in the world Chatu was. But judging by the looks everyone had at the mention of said creature they were beginning to think neither of them truly wanted to know. So rather then continue to ask they just followed the others, keeping to the middle of the group like Chika had instructed them to do.

From time to time throughout the day they would spot one or more gorilla's peering up into the trees as if waiting for something to move and strike them. If they strained their hearing both Nuru and Kopa could pick up the faint sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves from the treetops. Tuma appeared to have become a driven force. Snapping at any and all who tried to make a complaint that they should stop to take a break, many saying it would be best for the little ones. But Tuma would not have them stop, whatever this Chatu was seemed to have Tuma continually pushing forward.

It was near mid-after that Kopa began to feet his paws giving out. The bottoms of his paws were still healing from the burns they had received crossing the hot sandy desert and the cuts from rocks he had stumbled on. From along side him, Nuru was paying close attention to him. Seeing him stumble a bit, she moved to stand right along side him and urged him to lean against her. "You okay pussy-cat?"

Nodding his head, Kopa moved to continue forward when he felt something grab him. Startled he whipped around when he heard a chuckle and suddenly found himself on Chika's back clinging to the old gorilla around the neck. "If you were tired you should have said something." She smiled while making sure the cub was comfortable on her back.

"How much farther do we have to travel Chika?" asked Nuru from where she fell in line with the old female.

Looking first down at her then to the front of the group, Chika shook her head. "It is hard to tell, but we should be able to know when we have exactly crossed into their territory by scent alone. Only Tuma has been there that is why we follow him. Yes we follow him all the time as leader of the troop but he is now the only one who knows the way. I am sure he will tell us all when we're close and arriving." She explained turning her head to look at Kopa who brought his up along side hers. "Don't worry Kopa; we'll get you to your family. I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you. I know they have been rather down since the loss of their King. I knew something must have happened to the second young male and female cub I saw when they were young but never really knew what became of them. Good to see they were…" she smiled sadly at him and didn't bother to finish but instead just gave the lion cub a gentle pat on the head.

Slumping his head onto Chika's shoulder, Kopa closed his eyes. He highly doubted the Rasheda's would be happy to see him not with the news he had to deliver. His eyes snapped open when he heard rustling in the trees again, this time from the angle and height of being on Chika's back. Squinting his eyes Kopa swore he could see movement behind the leaves but it looked nothing like he seen before. Whatever it was that was following them was big brown and green in colour. Was it some sort of large bird? He wondered.

"Uh Chika?"

"Yes, Kopa?"

"What was that Chatu that Tuma mentioned before…that has you all scared?" The cub asked leaning over the old gorilla's shoulder to get a good look at Chika's face.

The old gorilla seemed to be thinking it over on what she should tell the cub. To be honest she didn't want to say a thing for she really wanted neither Kopa nor Nuru to worry about it. Sighing, Chika shook her head. "I am not sure I should tell you. Perhaps it would be best not to know."

"But Chika, if we're going to be living here in the Jungle shouldn't we know what this Chatu is in case we ever run into him or her?" Nuru posed the question seriously. More serious then Kopa swore he'd seen her ever be.

"Chatu is just a monster. Let's leave it at that." Chika stated sternly shaking her head. If she were to say anything it would only frighten them. Not even the young ones knew who Chatu was or else there would have been a lot more commotion by them. Lifting her head to look ahead she missed the look that Nuru and Kopa shared both unsure what to think of being kept in the dark about whoever this Chatu really was. Lifting his eyes back to the treetops Kopa tried to see any more movement but whatever it was before had moved on or so he hoped.

It was almost two hours later when Tuma shouted back from the front. "Alright, everyone listen up!" When all attention fell on him the large silverback was seen looking about before he addressed them again. "We are just nearing the new the Rasheda border. This is where we will stop to eat before we cross and continue the rest of the trek. But do not venture far. The younglings are to remain within sight at all times. That includes you lion cub!" Tuma mentioned making his way along the troop stopping to stare at the cub that was perched atop his mothers back. Grunting in disproval he shook his head rather then says anything at the look Chika sent him then continued on his back to keep an eye on those who went to acquire food.

"Chika?" Nuru turned to face the old gorilla who was lifting Kopa off her back to place him once again upon solid ground. When Chika looked toward her she continued; "Why stop near the border? Why not continue on through it to rest and find food?"

"Because beyond that border is predators. Yes, we have an alliance with the Rasheda's now but should the hunting party be out and mistake us for another troop should one of us get separated while scavenging." Chika waved her hand to those who were moving about looking for food for themselves and the younglings. "We could get attacked. It would be best to stop right now and find something then head right for the Rasheda's to tell them we have arrived. Then we will settle into our new homes. And you young cub will be with your family…" Chika smiled at the cub that looked toward the borders with a distant look in his eyes.

Eyes softening she gently laid her hand on his back. "I know they are not the ones you really want right now. Just be happy in knowing there are still others that will love you like a family should." Smiling, Chika then turned and made her way off to seek some food for herself. "Oh and if you choose to hunt, stick close. There is movement in the trees."

Movement in the trees.

Kopa's eyes darted upwards trying to spot it but when he saw nothing he looked back at Nuru who was jumping on the spot. "What is it?"

"I'm just excited that I'm going to meet this family of yours." And find out what you're hiding from me, Nuru added the last part silently to herself. Whatever Kopa was hiding she wanted to know. She knew it would not change how she saw and felt about the cub. In such a short time he had become her friend…that would never change but she was just so curious about who Kopa really was and what it was exactly that he'd been hiding all along.

Lowering his eyes to the ground, Kopa shuffled his paws. "Do you think they'll allow you to be friends with me?"

This took Nuru by surprise but that was soon thrown away as she laughed. "Of course they will. People who love you don't take those you call friends away. And we are friends are we not?" she gave the cub a pointed look. Smiling when the cub nodded his head she bonked him lightly on the nose. "Now come on lets go hunt."

"You're going to let me go with you this time?" Kopa asked eyeing his friend. All the other times she had him stay with the troop.

"We're near your families land. I bet we're safer here…even if that Chatu is near I doubt he'll attack where he knows a lion pride lives or the troop. I mean he hasn't attacked us quite yet. Plus I should keep my eyes on you, should anything happen to you I don't want to end up the dinner of your family. I seen lions hunt…might be painful to end up on the dinner menu." Cracking a large grin, the serval jumped over the cub bounding on into the bushes with Kopa following soon after. Shouting for her to wait up.


"Ha! My catch is large than yours!" Sitting back on his haunches a large smug smirk plastered across his face, Kopa gloated with his paw one resting on top of the large mongoose that he had managed to catch. He eyed the two trogons that Nuru had taken from a nest, but she had first looked to check if their were eggs first. Nuru took it upon herself never to hunt mothers with young, she thought it wasn't right.

The serval sat with a sulking look. Huffing she glared playfully at the cub in front of her; "Careful now Pussy-cat, you wouldn't want to accidentally find yourself eating snake again do you?" A sly grin made its way onto Nuru's muzzle at the look of horror that came over the lion cubs face. "That's what I thought." She snickered then getting to word on plucking the feathers off the trogons so that she could eat. She never did like the taste of feathers.

Glowering, the exiled prince glared "Just couldn't let me have my moment of glory could you?"

"Nope." Was Nuru's simple answer.

With a shake of his head Kopa started to dig into his meal. While eating the cub suddenly felt proud of himself. He couldn't really remember the last time he had eaten a big meal that he himself had caught. Mind you it wasn't as big as the prey his mother and the others always caught but there was always just this feeling of accomplishment at hunting for yourself. And oddly enough this made him feel closer to his parents.

"What do you think my family will be like?" Asked Kopa, the question had been plaguing him for days.

Nuru could only shrug not really knowing how to answer the question. "Not really sure. Do you remember anything your mother use to tell you about them?"

"She told me that Uncle Jaali was like a big goofball. That at times she thought he could take nothing seriously but she told me she never really meant that because she knew her cousin could always step up and do just about anything if he put his mind to it. Mom told me on a few occasions the pranks he and dad use to play on her because they knew they would get away with it more than if they played a prank on anyone else." Kopa grinned at the memory of his Mother's stories. He was beginning to miss them as much as he missed his parents.

"I don't know what my Uncle's sisters are like; Mom only mentioned them briefly they were still only a few weeks old when she and Dad left. Aunt Leta my Mom did say was a strict but kind lioness who loved her family but knew when to put her paw down for the safety of the pride." Scrunching up his brow Kopa tried to remember anything else that his Mother may have told him.

Finishing her meal and sitting back Nuru began to groom herself in order to get her face clean again and by the way Kopa was rubbing his face making it dirtier she would have to clean his as well. Cubs, she thought amusingly, what would they ever do without their Mothers?

But she would never say that in front of Kopa. She knew the cub would take the joke seriously especially since it hadn't been that long since his parents deaths.

"What you think this place they live in will be like?" Kopa asked again making Nuru raise an eyebrow at him wondering why the cub was suddenly filled with so many questions. But she soon but her answer when she saw it…the nervousness in his eyes that he was trying so hard to hide. He was nervous about meeting the Rasheda's and she couldn't blame him. He had never met them before and he came baring the news of his parent's deaths that was bound to make anyone nervous to having to deliver the news of ones families' death to another.

"Don't worry so much Kopa." Nuru smiled softly making her way over to the cub she sat in front of him. Licking her paw she began to clean his face and fix the tuft of hair on his head that was getting larger but he would still have some ways to go before he had an entire mane. "If you keep worrying about everything you'll become so stressed all your fur will eventually fall out." The serval laughed at the look that came over her young companions face. "What did I say about worrying?"

"Don't?"

"Exactly."

Smirking, Kopa leaned toward her. "You know it's sometimes shocking to see a wise head under all that silliness you give off."

"The wisest are always the craziest." Nuru cackled loudly with Kopa soon joining in with a bark of laughter of his own.

Pulling away from the cub, Nuru went about of disposing of their left over's tossing them into the bushes. Stopping when she thought she caught movement ahead of her, lowering herself to the ground she flicked her ears trying to pick up any sounds. She could hear the sound of rustling leaves and branches but that was about it but he couldn't tell exactly where it was coming from. "I think we best be getting back to the others." She quickly made her way back to her young friend to see he too must have heard something.

"I think you're right…" was all Kopa managed to say before in the distance loud screams reached their ears. From the way they were coming from the two quickly figured out it was from the troop. "The gorillas!" Without waiting to see if Nuru was following him the young exiled prince darted off into the underbrush following the sounds of the screams which led him in the exact way he and Nuru had come from when they had left the troop to hunt for themselves. He quickly picked up the sounds of Nuru following him, calling his name yelling for him to wait before he got himself hurt.

The sounds of the screams got louder the closer the two of them got to where they had last seen the troop. They could soon pick up the loud roars of Tuma who was most likely fighting off whatever was attacking his family.

Jumping through the bushes, Kopa came upon a scene of complete chaos. Gorilla's young and old were running everywhere. Mothers were searching for their young; the young males were trying to help Tuma in fighting off something that seemed like it came out of the horrors of nightmares.

For right there before him was a snake…the largest snake he had ever laid eyes on before and had thought had never been possible for a snake to get as big as the one that was now fighting off Tuma and the other males.

"Kopa!?" He heard Nuru shout behind him before she too jumped out of the bushes and stopped dead at his side staring wide eyed at the large snake. "Run…we got to run…" She stuttered panic in her voice.

"But we just can't leave them!" Kopa shouted at her his eyes going wide when he saw the large snake wrap itself around one of the young males and start to sneeze the life from him. He flinched at the roar of pain the gorilla sounded while the others rushed to try and pry the snake off their friend while trying to keep it from biting them. "We…we got to get help…"

"But where do you expect us to get help from?!" Nuru shouted at her young companion who stared at her pointedly until it sunk in. They were at the borders of the Rasheda's…they could just run and get help from them. There were very few strong males old enough to fight this snake off for the mothers were all busy looking after their young keeping it away from the snakes jaws. But if they were to get the Rasheda's…

Her head snapped up catching sight of Chika in the far distance before she turned and ran in the direction they had been travelling before they stopped. "Quickly follow me!" She shouted over her shoulder not willing to let Kopa stay behind and get hurt. She felt relief when she heard him running on after her.

"We don't know where to go though!" Kopa now realized but Nuru shook her head. She was going to let her nose tell her where they needed to go. Nuru knew when they grossed the border for the strong scent of lion reached her nose and she remembered Tuma saying that the Rasheda's were the only lions for miles around in these parts. That told her they were going the right way.

It was very soon that the two of them caught onto a scent trail. A fresh one at that. Side by side the two friends ran along the trail following it in hopes of finding the Rasheda's, behind them the screams of their new friends were becoming faint in the distance. The further they ran along the scent trail the stronger it got telling them they were getting closer and could only hope they got there before someone or someone's died.

Jumping through a patch of trees the two of them came to a halt at the edge of what appeared to be a large thicket to them in the middle of the Jungle. Not far from them they could see what looked like a cave made up of rocks that were built upon each other covered with vines. But what really caught their attention were the lions that were laying about enjoying the last bits of sunlight of the day that suddenly looked up upon their intrusion.

Kopa felt his breathe catch in his throat and his heart stop in his chest for just a brief second before it started bounding like the beating of drums in his ears…or rather ear. It started beating faster when one golden lioness that had tufts of hair on her head that reminded him for a second of Vitani, called out for her brother who seconds later emerged from behind the vines that veiled the cave shortly followed by a pale golden lioness who came out behind him. Her face lined with grey and wrinkles.

But it was the male that caught his attention the most.

He wasn't large but still firmly built. His fur was a golden brown lion his and his Fathers only his paws were colourless and a tad bit lighter then his and his Father's. He had a large dark brown mane atop his heads that fell into his face. His eyes though were green, a deep green and they were staring at him and Nuru with a critical expression. Stepping away from the lionesses, who were now all on their paws, Jaali made his way toward the cub and spotted serval with a judging expression.

He just been resting for a day of patrol and listening to his Mother once again talk his ear off about finding a new majordomo when he had heard Yamile calling for him from outside the cave. Having hurried out for he believed it to be Tuma and his troop for he'd been expecting the gorilla's for some time now. But what he saw surprised him for right there standing in front of him was the strangest duo he'd seen since he was a cub when that time he and his friends had come across that Meerkat and Warthog in the Jungle.

A serval and a lion cub.

This was a new one to add to the record books he thought sarcastically.

For a second he wondered where the lion cub had come from when he took notice that this cub had been in a fight of sorts. He was shocked to see the scars that now marred the young males face and his missing ear. He couldn't remember ever seeing a cub like this one ever wounded as much. Yes he never seen many lions save a few rogues he saw and the Pridelanders but he never seen a cub so marked up like this one was. For one so young he wondered how he had surprised.

He heard gasps behind him that told him the lionesses all had finally taken in the cub's appearance. "Who are you?" he demanded. He wasn't trying to be rude but he wanted to know who these two really were, he wasn't like his father and would never be but this was surprising to him. If this cub was wounded whatever wounded him could have followed him and he didn't want his pride in danger. They were already dwindling in numbers as it was. He didn't want anything else to happen to him it was his job to protect his pride and that's exactly what he would do.

Nuru looked between Kopa and the King who had addressed them. She could see the look of shock and disbelief on his face at being face to face with the lion his parents had told him so much about. Quickly deciding to be the one to answer she cried. "Please you got to help us!"

This time it was the pale old golden lioness that came forward her face soft. Leta didn't know what wounded this cub but she wanted to know if what they needed help from was the one causing it. "What do you need help with?" she asked her eyes looking at the cub taking in his wounds. She felt sadness and anger. Who could wound one so young? She thought angrily.

"Please our friends!" Kopa this time spoke up pointing behind him. He didn't want to reveal who he was not yet not until his new friends were safe. "Please a giant snake has attacked them…I think they called it Chatu…it's been following us most of the day…I take it it's the same one they mentioned…please…Tuma needs your help!"

The two friends figured by the new gasps that the Rasheda's knew exactly who Chatu was. "Please you got to help…they're this way!" Together both Kopa and Nuru turned and ran off into the jungle hoping the Rasheda's would follow them as they made their way back towards where the troop had last been. Praying that they had gotten help in time none more then Kopa. The Gorilla's had willingly helped him make from the infection that could have killed him; he didn't want to see anyone of them die. Even Tuma.

Jaali watched while the strange pair disappeared back into the forest. He looked toward his mother who was giving him a pointed stern look that told him he best follow them. Tuma was part of their alliance and it would be best to make sure they were alright and Leta was still in dept to Chika for having brought her son back that time all those years ago.

"Right! Tufa, Yamile, Lana and Aida follow me the rest of you remain back!" With that Jaali took off after the serval and lion cub with his sisters and two other lionesses following behind him. The pair was already a good distance from him but he could see where they were treading through the bush; plus their scents lingered in the air. But there was something about the cub's scent that seemed oddly familiar to him however at the moment he couldn't quite place it.

His mind was drawn from his thoughts when he could finally pick up the sound of screaming in the distance.

Cursing the King picked up his pace. Bursting through the trees he came upon the scene that appeared to be in much more chaos then the last Kopa and Nuru had seen them. He could see the two running off to the sides as if they were searching for someone but he paid them no mind. With a roar Jaali and the four with him went to join the fray of sighting the large snake Chatu off. They could already see that one of the gorilla's was already dead and now they were just fighting the creature off to make sure that it could not eat it.

From the sidelines both Kopa and Nuru were searching for Chika amongst the mass of gorillas. Giving a shout of glee when they spotted her amongst some of her grandchildren trying to calm them down. "Chika!"

Glancing up at the call of her name, the old gorilla placed one of her granddaughters into the arms of her mother when she saw who it was. "I been looking everywhere for you!" Meeting them half way she picked both of them up and squeezed them to her chest as she hugged them tight causing the two of them to gasp for air before she realized they needed to breathe and set them back on the ground. "Where were you?" she demanded. "I'd been worried thinking Chatu had gotten you too…"

"We went and got help!" Kopa raised and pointed his paw when the roars echoed around them.

Chika raised her head in surprise, eyes widening at the sight of the Rasheda's that had come to their aid. She watched as Jaali and the lionesses leapt on the back of the snake as it tried once again to wrap around another gorilla. Sinking their claws and teeth into it as he hissed and started to thrash violently to shake them off but the more it moved the harder they gripped on. "Do they know who you are?"

Kopa shook his head. "No…I didn't have much time…I wanted to just get them hear to help. It could wait for them to find out. Everyone's lives here mean more…" his eyes went to the one that had already died his eyes saddening. "I'm sorry we didn't make it in time."

Smiling, Chika laid her hand on his head. "Do not apologize. You got help; you did what was the best thing to do."

Looking up at the old gorilla who like Nuru in a short time had become a friend of his. He felt like he was quickly gaining the friends he needed for the ones that he had lost, he just hoped these ones like his last didn't betray him. But he had a feeling they wouldn't; however he had originally thought that about his old friends and he had been so wrong. But seeing that smile on Chika's face made him smile right on back at her and nod his head.

A loud roar brought their attention back to the fight and watched as Chatu had nearly wrapped itself around one of the lionesses when Jaali had latched his jaws around his throat while Tuma got to work pulling it away from the lioness straightening its body out. Then when the lioness was safe, Jaali with a menacing growl bit down harder until his fangs went right through the snake's neck and it snapped.

As if the snake suddenly became a vine, the snake's body went limp and fell to the ground. Stepping back from the snake, Jaali growled "Chatu is finally dead." With a paw he kicked the snake with a scowl lining his face. Lifting his head he turned towards Tufa who was climbing back to her paws with the help of Yamile. "Are you alright?" he asked concerned for his sister.

She just waved her paw at him. "Yes, I'm just fine no real injuries. He didn't have a hold of me that long."

Satisfied, Jaali turned making his way over to Tuma who was now staring at the body of his family member. His fists clenched upon the ground. His body slouched. Taking his time in approaching, Jaali waited till Tuma lifted his head to look at him before saying anything. "I cannot say anything that will make the loss any better. But we are glad to have come to help you my comrade." He reached out to lay a paw on Tuma's shoulder but stopped half way and lowered it again.

Grunting, Tuma reached out to close the eyes of his cousin. Then stepped back as his aunt hurried on over with tearful cries for the loss of her son. Patting the distraught female on the shoulder he moved to face Jaali. "Thank you…for coming…but how…we have yet to cross your territory and I didn't smell you anywhere near the borders."

Raising his eyebrow, Jaali looked back at his lionesses then forward again. He had figured Tuma must have sent the serval and lion cub to get help but perhaps that had been wrong. "There was a serval…and a lion cub…they came barging into the thicket and said that their friends needed their help. I was surprised when they mentioned your name. I didn't think you'd have anyone else travelling with you much less a lion cub."

Brow furrowed, Tuma opened his mouth to speak but someone spoke for him. "They just showed up. Much like they did with you, they were seeking help but for themselves." The two turned to see Chika making her way over, couple steps behind her were Kopa and Nuru. "The young cub was wounded from a fight, his wounds had become infected and needed to be treated and so I did as such. And they prepaid us by getting help…which you should be thanking them for Tuma." Looking at her son, Chika gave him a stern look motioning to Kopa and Nuru with her head. Grunting the young Silverback turned his head to them and nodded his thanks but dared not to say it out loud which made his mother roll her eyes at his stubbornness. But neither Kopa nor Nuru were offended by it just simply nodded their heads in return knowing that was the closest to a thank you that Tuma's pride would allow him to show.

From where he was standing his eyes were taking in his Uncle. His mother was right; he did look like both his Father and Uncle. For a moment he reached up and ran his paw subconsciously over his head figuring now he really knew where he had gotten his brown mane from. But he liked to think it was a part of his mother in him. The brown in his mane matching the brown that her fur once had. Kopa's eyes then travelled to the lionesses that had come with Jaali, recognizing two of them from the faint descriptions his mother had once given him of her two younger cousins.

What she did call them again? He silently asked himself.

Oh, right! Yamile and Tufa. That was their names; he remembered.

He suddenly found himself squirming when he felt the eyes of his family land on him without even knowing who he was yet. Lowering himself a bit to the ground he felt Nuru place her paw on his back rubbing it soothingly.

As if sensing the cubs supposed discomfort from their stairs, Tufa slapped both her brother and sister in the shoulder causing them to growl at her but she just ignored them. Stepping forward she smiled, "Don't worry sweetie, we're not going to harm you. Tell me little one…where are your parents?"

Biting his lip, Kopa wasn't sure what to say. He'd feared this the entire way to the Jungle. What would he tell them about his parents? How could he possibly just explain to them about what had happened and revealing that he doesn't just any normal cub but a royal cub. First born son and heir to the late King Simba and Queen Zuri. How would he tell them that?

Realizing they still didn't know who he really was. He opened his mouth and lowly said…"Dead…" he watched them staring at him intently. "My Mother and Father are dead…they died weeks ago…in an attack…." Kopa quickly lowered his gaze to the ground not really want to see the looks of sympathy that they were now giving him. He could just imagine what they were thinking.

"Poor thing, to have lost his parents so young."

"How has he managed to make it out alive? Look at those wounds. He should be dead too."

"Who could harm such a young one?"

Words he had heard the first few nights with the gorilla's. They didn't think he had heard them but he had and he was beginning to get annoyed with the pity. Pity served no real purpose. It couldn't bring his parents back so there was no reason to give him pity.

He finally looked up when he saw a pair of brownish-gold paws in front of him. Gulping when he found himself staring into the eyes of his Uncle who had bent his head so that they were face to face.

Jaali could just not place it. This cub seemed so familiar to him that he just couldn't think of why though. But the closer he looked the more he was beginning to see his old friend in the cub as well as his cousin. But that couldn't be possible…Simba and Zuri lived far away from the Jungles and the Pridelands were a safe place. However the more he looked upon this cub the more he could see his old friend in this cub…from the fur…his body structure…right now to his amber eyes…but there was also his cousin's soft features in the cub as well…

But that couldn't be possible.

That just could not be possible.

But he just could not shake this nagging feeling that formed in the back of his mind.

Turning he spoke to Chika. "Why are you travelling with this cub? Did you plan to bring him to the Rasheda's?" It would be no surprise; they had taken in Simba in the past, why wouldn't get take in another cub as well. Jaali was nothing like his Father, he would not turn a cub away when they needed help and by the way this cub's condition compared to be that wouldn't be an option. Plus his Mother would have his head if she heard that he had turned away a defenceless cub seeking help.

This cub before him looked no more than a year old.

And there was that nagging feeling again…Simba's and Zuri's cub should be over a year old as well.

He watched as Chika nodded her head to confirm it. "Yes. But not just because we hoped you would take him in…" her eyes went to Kopa who was now sitting up straight on the ground looking at her with wide eyes. Her own softened when she could see just how nervous he was for them to find out who he really was. "You see we found out that the young cub here…well he says he's a member of your pride…or the son of a member." The way she said it made it open for Kopa to say the rest.

The four lionesses that were with Jaali stared at the cub with wide eyes. But it was the older of the four, Aida and Lana, that like Jaali were beginning to see a resemblance to the young lion and lioness that hadn't been apart of their pride for some time. It was only Tufa and Yamile who were left in confusion, for the two of them had only been a few days old when Simba and Zuri left and hadn't really remembered the two. They only knew them from stories and that hornbill that had shown up all those months ago relating news of their cub to the Rasheda's.

Jaali stood with his paws firmly planted on the ground in front of the cub who was staring up at him. Now no longer with a nervous look but a strange look of calm and collectiveness…a look that was a perfect reflection of his cousin…and this cub had said he was the son of a member of their pride…but that couldn't be…this cub said his parents were dead…but if he really was their's…then that would mean…

No! He forcefully told himself. They couldn't be, this cub had to be lying.

Well…there really was only one way to be completely sure.

Clenching his teeth, he looked back down at the cub. "What is your name cub…and your parent's names…if you really are who you say you are…tell me your name and theirs."

Kopa though appeared calm on the outside was full of anxiety on the inside. He glanced over at Nuru who placed her paw on his back again giving him a reassuring smile. Gulping, he glanced up at his Uncle. Squaring his shoulders he answered.

"My name is Kopa…my parents were King Simba and Queen Zuri of the Pridelands."


"Mother! Mother!"

Ears tinted with grey, twitched at the familiar sound of her daughter's calling for her. But it wasn't just the fact that her daughter's were calling for her but it was the emergency tone of their voices that alerted her the most.

Lifting her head, Leta from where she been waiting with the rest of their now small pride for the others to return, stare off into the direction she heard their calls. Quickly getting to her paws the moment they broke the tree line with Aida and Lana behind them, each of them with a face of sadness and shock that caused her to worry about her son.

Where was Jaali?

Why hadn't he returned with them?

Had something happened to him?

"Where is your brother?" were the first words out of her mouth. "Has something happened to him…tell me." She felt tears spiking her eyes. She had only just lost her mate she couldn't loose her first born either. She didn't want to outlive her son.

Tufa was the first to reach their mother. Reaching out she placed a paw on her arm to quickly calm her mother's fears. "Jaali is just fine…he's right behind us with the gorillas. But there's something you need to know about that lion cub that had come here…"

Leta's brow furrowed in confusion. What about that lion cub? True it confused her to find such a young and wounded cub to be asking help for the gorilla's and calling them friends, but she could see that there was more to him just by the looks on her daughters and two friends faces. However she noticed the sadness was far deeper on Aida and Lana's faces. Both had tears running down theirs streaking their fur.

Something told her this news wasn't going to end well…

"What did you find out?" she hesitantly asked.

The four shared a look. Tufa and Yamile didn't know what to say, they knew this news was going to break their mothers heart. They had seen already just how much the news had broken their brother it was why he had told them to go ahead without him to warn their mother and the rest of the pride who they were bringing with him.

It was Aida who stepped forward with a sympathetic look on her face. "Leta…I'm so sorry to have to tell you this…but the cub…he said his name was Kopa…and that his parents are Simba and Zuri…and that…that they…that they are…"

She didn't need to finish that sentence for Leta to know what she was trying to say. The news hit her like as a dozen rocks had fallen and crushed her.

No…

No…

No…that just couldn't be true…the cub was lying…he had to be…

Leta came out of her thoughts when she caught movement turning she watched as Jaali emerged from the jungle, behind him came the gorilla's and the strange serval and lion cub from before trails along side her side. Jaali's head was stooped so that his mane fell into his eyes shielding them from view. But Leta could see the change in her son that worried her and made the news of what Aida had just told her feel even more true although she kept praying that it wasn't.

The King turned and spoke with Tuma, who only gave a nod of his head and a pat on the lion King's back. With that Tuma gave a command to his family troop and headed on into the jungle again to find their home in their new land. Chika however remained behind for only a few short minutes, bending down she laid an arm around Kopa and nudged his head with a gentle smile on her face and whispered something to him that Leta could not hear. Then before she too left to follow her family, to give the Rasheda's a moment to themselves with the news that was just brought too them, she cast Leta a look of sympathy that cut through the old lioness's heart like a dagger.

When the gorillas were out of sight, Jaali looked at Kopa and Nuru who were watching him cautiously. The King hadn't said much when Kopa had revealed who he really was. He had only ordered the lionesses to return to the pride and tell them of what has happened before he led them off into the jungle.

Now here they were, standing in the thicket once again, the eyes of the pride all on them now that it was only them in the clearing.

Nuru was keeping herself close to Kopa. She knew the cub would need her support in this. It had come as a shock that Kopa had revealed himself to be the son of yet another King and Queen and was indeed the Prince of a great Kingdom…correction and 'exiled' Prince as he called himself.

But a Prince was a Prince no matter if he was exiled or not and she'd been travelling with him. Travelling with a Prince all along. Sure she figured that cub was no son of a rogue. He had hunting skills yes but not as many survival skills that she'd seen other rogues have so it had originally led her to believe that the cub must have belonged to another pride. It was no surprise when some left one pride and joined another. But a Prince…she hadn't been expecting that at all…

Well maybe she should have…he sure had the stubbornness one would expect from someone royal, she thought jokingly to herself.

"Come." Jaali spoke demandingly making his way toward the rest of the pride. His head still bowed his face shadowed by his mane. The King was coming to grips with what he had just found out. This cub had just said that he was the son of his two closest friends at first he didn't want to believe him but he had said his name was exactly Kopa. The name that Simba and Zuri had given their son and apparently the cub knew their names as well. The resemblance was there along with the cubs words but he really didn't want to believe it.

He didn't want to believe they were dead. Because they just couldn't be. Zuri had told him that she would be just fine and Simba had sworn to him that he would protect his cousin with everything he had.

But yet here was this cub claiming that they were.

Leta moved to meet them half way. Her eyes going to the cub that followed along after her son. "Jaali…" her voice cracked even more when her son finally lifted his head to meet her gaze. She was taken by the tears both in and running down her sons face. "My son…what…please…please tell me what Aida said is not true…Please say it isn't true!" The old Queen pleaded with her son but when Jaali said nothing but hung his head Leta hurried on around him to confront Kopa who stumbled back at the old lioness's suddenly approach. "Who are you…who are you really?"

Gulping, Kopa did not know what to say. This lioness before him was the biological Aunt of his mother. His mother had been Leta's last ties to her sister.

From beside him, he felt Nuru nudge him lightly before he sighed and looked up at the old lioness who stared at him on the verge of crying. "My name…is Kopa…My parents names were Simba and Zuri…they…they died several weeks ago…when…when…when we were attacked by a lioness named…" Kopa stuttered for now the entire pride was surrounding him all watching him intently. There wasn't as many of them as he thought there would be. Did something happen to them too? He wondered.

Jaali, who stood off to the ground, dug his claws into the ground while Kopa introduced himself to the pride. When the exiled prince began to speak of how his parents had died he growled loud enough to make them all switch their attention to him. "Zira…"

Kopa jumped at the name. Whipping around on the spot as if expecting to see her somewhere. She couldn't have followed him…could she? But when he saw that she was no where in sight, he felt his body relax enough to look at Jaali. "You know of Zira?"

The King growled again at the mention of the lioness. "Yes…I know of her…before I left the Pridelands I had my concerns about her…the way she looked at your parents…the way she looked at your mother…unnerved me. I warned Simba…I warned Zuri…I had this sinking feeling that, that would be the last I'd ever see of them…No!" Clenching his eyes shut Jaali turned and began storming away; he didn't want to believe any of it. Not one single bit. It had to be a lie…it just had to be…

"Jaali…" Leta called after her son hurrying on after him along with Tufa and Yamile leaving Kopa with Nuru and the others.

The young cub sat there in confusion as he watched the only remaining family he had left storm away. Shoulders slouching, Kopa felt his own tears come to his eyes feeling like they'd only known who he was no more than an hour and were already rejecting him.

Maybe coming here was a bad idea…Kopa thought to himself.

From beside him, Nuru slung her arm around him pulling the cub close. Nuzzling him she whispered soothing words because she knew the cub was feeling down. But unlike him she didn't think the Rasheda's were rejecting him in the least bit. She could tell they were all in shock, none more then Kopa's biological family. They just been told that the two they had thought were alive and well were really dead.

The two looked up as one of the lionesses that had come to help the gorilla's before came toward them with a gentle but sad smile. "Forgive them…they're only…distraught over this news…you look like him…your Father I mean…you even have his eyes…but I can see a bit of your Mother in you too…" bending down she placed her face close to his. "Your wounds…do…they hurt?"

The young Prince shook his head. "No…No…Chika and Nuru here took care of them…" He explained looking at his serval friend who smiled cheerfully at him.

Nodding her head, Aida sighed pulling away from the cub. She turned and motioned for him to follow her, "Come…you can rest inside the cave for the time being…I'm sure they'll be back soon when they come to grips with what's happened…they'll likely want to know everything that's happened…" With a paw, Aida pushed aside the vines that hid the cave from view.

The cave inside was not as large as the main den at Pride Rock but was slightly bigger then the cave he had shared with his Mother when they were in hiding. It could easily shelter the pride in case of bad weather. "Rest on inside here…" Aida stepped back to allow both Kopa and Nuru to walk on inside the cave. Her eyes watching the cub closely, if this cub really was the son of Simba and Zuri…it gave her mixed emotions…

One she was elated to see the son of the two that she had help raise in the Pride.

Two she was greatly saddened by the way they had come to meet and by the news of his parents passing's.

And three…anger…looking upon those wounds made her angry…not only did it seem this Zira manage to kill Simba and Zuri but also had managed to wound this cub scarring him for life. And anger that this lioness had killed Simba and Zuri…who she prayed every day to the ancestors would be alright while they lived so far away.

"We'll just be out here." Without another room she let the vines fall back into place shrouding the cave in darkness. But both Kopa and Nuru could still perfectly see in the dark.

The two sat in darkness for several minutes before they both moved to the back of the cave. Laying himself down Kopa allowed his head to fall onto his paws. "We shouldn't have come here…I should have just lied and said I had no family left…" he mumbled but Nuru heard him loud and clear from where she laid herself down on the ground next to him.

"Don't say that Kopa. They're not rejecting you, they're just in shock and grief…it's to be expected. I mean if you lived away from your parents and suddenly someone showed up and told you they were dead…what would you be like?" Nuru's eyebrows shot up in question. She watched the sheepish look come over her young friends face and chuckled laying her arm around him she drew him close to her side. "You just have to give them time…they'll come around and when they do…like that lioness said they're going to want to talk to you about what had really happened. You think you can handle that again?" she asked.

"I think I can handle it one more time…" Kopa whispered his eyes watching the vines as if expecting someone to come through them at any moment.

Grinning, the serval licked the top of the cubs head making him squirm and complain while he tried fixing his tuft with a paw. "Why didn't you tell me the truth about being a Prince?" she asked she had a nagging feeling she knew why but she wanted to hear it from him.

"Exiled…I'm in exile…well self-exile that is…but I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure what you would do…I wasn't sure if you knew of the Pridelands or not or who my parents were…I also didn't want you to treat me any different…I mean…how would you have treated me if you really knew the truth…that I was a…Prince?" Kopa looked at his friend.

Shaking her head, Nuru figured as much. With her paw she slapped his back causing him to jump slightly. "I wouldn't have treated you any differently. Prince or not you're still a cub who needed help and had just lost his parents. You shouldn't have been alone…no cub should have at your age…but now that I know the truth…tell me…what happened to the rest of your pride are they dead too?"

Closing his eyes, Kopa nodded. "I remember watching them fight…I saw my father go down…I…I only figured the others had as well…but it doesn't matter I can't return…not with Zira ruling the Pridelands now and I have no doubt that she is there ruling until Kovu becomes King in the future…without my family there I have nothing…I do feel guilty a little…because if some of them are still alive I left them in Zira's care…thinking we're all dead…all the royals…but I can't go back…I can't do back to the place where my parents died…I just can't…" Tears began to form in the cubs eyes at the thought of what he had lost. He knew he could never face any of the pride if they were still alive…nor could he return to the place where his parents had died…maybe one day…in the far future…but not now…right now would be too soon for comfort. "I have no home anymore…"

"Then I guess you'll just have to stay here."


He hadn't been sure for how long he had run for. But Jaali stopped when he found himself on the edge of the large river that now flowed through his new territory. Sitting down at the water's edge, the Rasheda King stared down at his reflection. Not in the least bit surprised to see how messed up the fur on his face appeared to be from the tears that had been falling. Not even his self pride could stop the tears at the news that his two best friends were now dead and their now scarred son was sitting back in the thicket after obviously having travelled so far to be there.

"Dead…they're dead…" He clenched his eyes tight.

"Jaali?"

"Jaali answer us."

"Brother where are you?"

Opening his eyes, Jaali looked up when he heard the voices of his mother and sisters calling for him. It wasn't long however before he saw his sister who called out, "I found him! He's over here!" Shortly after that his other sister and his mother emerged from the jungle.

"Why did you follow…?" He managed to say when they got close enough. But seeing the look on his Mother's face he held out his arm beckoning her to come closer to which he wrapped his arm around her resting his head atop of hers while she buried her face in his mane. His eyes clenched shut when he picked up the soft cries coming from her. A strong lioness who hadn't even allowed herself to cry in front of her cubs and pride when her mate died trying to remain strong for them and her family. Was now crying in the arms of her son for the loss of her niece and nephew-in-law that she had loved dearly.

Behind them his sisters came closer, Yamile resting her head on her brothers free shoulder while Tufa wrapped her arm around their mother as well resting her head against her back. Each of them trying to take comfort while adding comfort to their family as well.

After several minutes of just enjoying the comfort her cubs were giving her, and cry for the loss of the tie she had for her sister through her niece and for the loss of Simba. He may not have been Rasheda blood but he was as much family as anything else. When they left a year ago, she prayed everyday they would live wonderful and full lives. She missed them each and everyday and wished they were home in the Rasheda's but she knew Simba could no longer run from the destiny he was born in and Zuri could never be separated from him.

She and Zakia knew from a young age the two of them had feelings for one another. And knew deep down that one day the two of them would be mates. It was something her sister wanted to have happen and it had saddened Leta when her sister had died before she could see the two of them happy together. Now…now that happiness was gone…for both of them were gone…leaving behind only…

"Maybe he's lying…" she whispered pulling away from her cubs. She stared tearfully at them before looking up at the sky where it was starting to change from blue to an orangey purple hue as the sun started to set. "Maybe…it has to be…they can't be…"

Smiling gently, Tufa laid her paw on her mothers. "Mama…I know you don't want to believe this…neither of you do." She looked at her brother while nuzzling her mother, licking her cheek gently. "But…maybe we should really talk to the cub about it…I mean if he really is who he is…he came all this way…wounded at that…somehow he managed to survive the attack and we need to know how and what really went on." She was quick to point out. She too wanted to know if the cub was telling the truth but she knew there really wasn't any way to know that unless they went and talked to the cub about it himself.

"Maybe that serval with him was the one who helped him escape." Yamile suggested. It was a reasonable suggestion because none of them really knew why the serval was with Kopa.

Stepping away from his family, Jaali began to pace back and forth on the spot. His mind running a mile a minute about this. He was still in denial, how could he not be, this was his two best friends for crying out loud. They were the only two cubs his age that he grew up with. Every second walking away from them and Pride Rock had been hard for him. They very thought that he may never see them again had lingered with him the entire journey back to the jungle.

And now…now he really never would see them again…

Zira…he growled to himself.

He should have convinced Simba and Zuri to send her away when they had the chance. But Zuri…the moment she had laid eyes on those cubs of Zira's…he knew his cousin could not turn away ones so young. Even if she wasn't expecting a cub of her own at the time, she would never have been able to send ones so young into the world with very little protection. But Zira…they could have sent her away…

Lifting his head, Jaali looked toward Tufa who was still comforting their mother. He knew she had been right…the only real way they were going to know what really happened all those weeks ago to cause their deaths was to speak with the one who called himself their son.

Kopa.

He thought he'd never get to meet the cub his friends named after his late Uncle. And now that he had, he wished he hadn't for this hadn't been the way he wanted to meet him.

"I need to speak with this cub…" He spoke loud enough for them to hear him. He watched as they all turned to face him, but he tried his best not to look at his mother's tearstained face. It was hard to see such a strong lioness in such a way. But he could not blame her for he was in pretty much the same mood.

Yamile nodded. "We should head back…if the cub is who he says he is…we are likely the only family he has left…and we just ran away when he needed us…we need to go back and talk to him." Looking around at her family, she saw Tufa nod her head in agreement. Plus the both of them wanted to see Kopa. They had only heard tales of their cousin Zuri and her mate Simba and the cub they named after the Uncle they would never meet.

Pulling away from her cubs once more, Leta rubbed her eyes with the back of her paw trying to dry away as many tears as she possibly could. "Then we should head back now."

Staring at what was left of his own family, Jaali sighed, it was time to face the truth and get some answers out of the cub. He wanted to know exactly what had happened to his friends. He wanted to know how Kopa had managed to escape despite the evidence that he had gotten wounded during the attack. How did he managed to get the jungle on his own…although that right there made him shake his head and think.

Like Father, like son.

Moving to his Mothers side, Jaali rubbed his head against hers. Knowing just how much reassurance his mother was going to need on knowing the details of the deaths. It was going to hurt the both of them but he hated seeing his mother hurt in anyway, physical or emotional.

Without another two the four of them began making their way back towards the thicket. Remaining in silence, none said a word on the walk back each lost in their own thoughts. It was when they passed the trees and into the fading sunlight again, that they looked up to see the rest of the pride sitting outside the cave but there was no sight of the serval or of course.

Approaching the other lionesses that climbed to their paws at their approach, Aida nodded her head toward the cave. "I brought them inside. I thought the cub could use a rest, seeing those wounds and all…he said he'd been taken care of but I wanted to make sure just to be on the safe side…they been in there for some time awaiting you to come back. I think you running off may have scared the little one." Jaali set Yamile a sharp look when she cleared her throat and gave him an 'I told you so' look.

Shaking his head in annoyance, he looked back at the lionesses as Leta was the one to speak this time. "Has he said anything?"

Bonde shook her head. "No…he's only been speaking with that serval that came with him. They're at the back of the cave right now. Do you really think he's Simba and Zuri's son and that they're…" not even she could finish that sentence. She had been one of the lionesses that had gone to Pride Rock to help with overthrowing Scar. It had been hard for her like all the others to part way with one of their own and one they had come to think of as their own. She had been so elated to hear that they had, had a son. She could see the resemblance in him but she just wanted to be sure.

"No we're not sure…but we are going to find out what has happened…" Now was better then later he thought, stepping around his Pride he made his way toward the cave knowing they would all be in shortly after. Pushing aside the vines, Jaali stopped when he saw that there at the back of the cave the strange duo was laying beside one another speaking. Standing there he waited for them to notice him but it seemed they were too engrossed in their conversation.

From where he stood he strained his ears to hear what they were saying catching the end of what Kopa was speaking. "….I can't go back…I can't do back to the place where my parents died…I just can't…" Even from where he stood, he could see the tears in the cub's eyes. Eyes that reminded him so much of his friend. Those were Simba's eyes alright; he could never forget those eyes. Eyes that always shined with mischief whenever they played pranks on Zuri. Eyes that made him want to roll his own eyes whenever he would catch Simba giving googly-eyes to his cousin. If Simba hadn't told Zuri how he felt Jaali had been thinking of a way to get Simba to confess to Zuri. But sadly before he could put his 'evil' plan into motion Zuri had been the one to blurt out the truth. "I have no home anymore…"

"Then I guess you'll just have to stay here."

Jaali almost smirked when he watched the two jumps when they came to realize he'd been standing there listening in. However he did smirk when the cub glared at him with his friends amber eyes. "You know my Mother always said it's rude to eavesdrop!"

"I am King. I can eavesdrop all I want." The King ducked on into the cave the rest of the way making his way over to the two of them as the rest of the pride slipped on past the vines so that they all could be present to hear the truth of what had happened.

Kopa scoffed shaking his head. "My father tried to use that excuse once. But Mom and Grandma called him out on that." He smiled at the memory of that day when he and his Father had snuck up on the lionesses only to get caught and accused of eavesdropping. Kopa though was only four months at the time and had used the cute innocent cub excuse of following his father's instructions to get out of it. Like his father only sulked.

"So you are the son of Simba and Zuri?" asked Tufa as she sat down on the left of her mother while Yamile occupied Leta's right.

Getting to his paws, Kopa looked at each Rasheda member nervously before nodding his head. "Yes…"

"Prove it." Jaali stated firmly, his face serious when Kopa looked his face with a look of confusion. This was his Mothers family, his mothers pride and they wanted him to prove that he was his parent's son? For a moment he felt insulted but a sharp nudge from Nuru stopped him from retorting sharply.

"Fine…" he mumbled rubbing his side that Nuru nudged. Thinking of something that could convince them that he really was who he said he was, he looked up when he thought of the stories his mother had told him. "Mom said that you and Dad liked to play pranks on her because it was safer then playing pranks on the other lionesses. You once dug a hole in her favourite resting place and covered it up…oh and you once chased a Meerkat and a warthog by the rivers edge…when you were cubs you accidentally crossed the border while ditching Jamine…who I believe Mom said was your majordomo…you got chased by a leopard and ended up meeting the gorilla's…Chika…she's nice…she took care of my infections…Mom always called you and Dad annoying goofballs and warned me never to grow up to be as annoying as you…umm…is that enough for you?" Kopa asked looking Jaali square in the face to see that his Uncle's eyes were wide at the realization that this cub in front of him knew personal stories from Zuri. Of things that had happened in their youth.

Grunting, and leaning back from the cub, Jaali sat himself down nodding. "Yes…that's enough…" he whispered eyeing the cub. "You really are their son…only Zuri would tell her son not to grow up to be as annoying as her mate and cousin…goofballs…I remember every time she said that and meaner stuff…" Jaali shook his head to shake the memories away right now was not time for memory lane. It was time for the truth of what was going on.

"Cub…Kopa…" Jaali quickly corrected when he felt his Mother give him a sharp look. "We want to know…what happened the night your parents died…" His voice almost cracked because he was just about to find out how his best friends had died.

Biting his lip, Kopa tried to think of the best way of explaining it but he knew there wasn't anyway without having to go into full detail about how his parents had died. Shoulders slouching he looked down at his paws; "It was my fault…" his voice quivered.

"Dad and the Pride had sent Mother and I into hiding in the caves that lined the Eastern border. They said there was some sort of threat to us and so we would be safer there but Dad had to remain at Pride Rock. No one would tell me what this threat was. But Mom was safer there they said…because she was expecting more cubs you see…she gave birth to three…"

"More?" Kopa looked toward Leta when she interrupted him. "She had more cubs…three more?"

Kopa nodded. "She did…their names were Musa, Kiara and Eshe. They were only a week old when…when…they died…" lowering his head he avoided looking at anyone instead just focusing on his paws. His one remaining ear lowered at hearing their gasps. "It was all my fault they died…Mom…Mom and Dad…said never to leave the cave…but I was getting lonely…I missed my friends…well I thought they were my friends…but one day I heard them somewhere outside the cave…Mom was taking a nap with the triplets, so I thought I'd just pop out and be back before she even knew I was gone…I found my friends and we decided to hunt for Mom…the pride always brings us food and she had just eaten what Nala had brought her that early afternoon but I wanted to show Mom I hadn't lost my skill and remembered everything she and Dad taught me." Kopa shuffled his paws, keeping his eyes on the ground never daring to look up at those who were watching him.

Tufa smiled and made her way over to the cub, lying down on his other side; she wrapped her paw around him. She could just tell the cub was going to need comfort soon and though they just met, this cub was her second cousin, he was family and she would offer that to him. Kopa looked at the lioness beside him, taking in the colour of her creamy fur but what really caught his attention was the black strip that went from her head to the tip of her nose. For a moment it reminded him of Zira and he felt a chill of fear go through him but the gentle smile on her face that she was giving him calmed him.

Oddly enough it reminded him of his Mother.

Maybe it was because this lioness was his Mother's cousin? He thought. He tried putting a name to the description his Mother had given him of her younger cousins. It then clicked at who this one was. Tufa.

Smiling, she nudged Kopa with her nose gently being mindful of his missing ear. "Go on little one." She encouraged him.

Maybe it was the fact that she reminded him of his mother, that Kopa felt reassured before continuing on with his story. "Zira…she's the mother of my friends…Nuka, Kovu and Vitani. Mother adored them, she always said they were nothing like their parents…I guess we were both fooled…She arrived and took them away…I hadn't realized that I was being led into a trap. A storm was approaching as was night so I tried getting back to the caves but couldn't really remember the way…I got lost…" clenching his eyes shut Kopa laid his head down on his paws. "I soon found out I was being followed…by Zira and her lionesses…Zira did this…" Kopa motioned to the scars on his face and neck and to his missing ear.

"She never got a chance to do anything more before Mom arrived…she tried escaping with me but we got caught…it was around then that we discovered Zira had two others waiting at the caves for Mom to come and rescue me so that they could get a hold of the triplets." Before long the young Prince could feel the tears running down his face as memories of that night flooded back to him. Memories that he wanted nothing more then to be able to forget but knew that nothing he ever did would rid him of them. Not unless he wanted to go and find some rock and hit his head enough to rid himself of them.

Eyes still on the ground, he spoke almost too soft for the others to hear. "Musa was the first to die…Zira killed him right in front of Mom and me…Mom looked so heart broken…I hadn't heard her scream like that in my entire life…it's something I'll never get out of my head…Eshe was next…Kiara…" Kopa clenched his eyes. He didn't know what had happened to Kiara but she had to be dead he thought, they all were. "I found Mom's body…before I witnessed Dad die at the paws of Zira…she got him by the neck when he told me to run…they're all dead…I bet even most of the pride are…" By this time the young prince was in full hysterics about the loss of his family.

"Mom…Dad…grandma…Eshe…Kiara…Musa…all gone…and it's my entire fault. If I hadn't left that cave then they'd be alive!" Kopa cried covering his face with his paws.

Tufa, who was still beside him, began to comfort the cub as best she could. Nuzzling and licking the top of his head. Nuru had scooted herself closer to Kopa nudging his nose with hers whispering comforting words to him. She wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault like she did every time he spoke and blamed himself but she knew nothing would really reach him when he was in too deep with his despair. It was best to let him cry it out.

Lifting her head, Tufa looked at her family. Leta was once more in tears leaning into Yamile who was doing everything to comfort their mother. Jaali was stoic, so stoic he reminded her of their Father at the moment.

So that was how they died…Jaali thought to himself. They died to save their cubs. Something he knew both of them had willingly done and died for, they were like their parents. Both Zakia and Mufasa had died to save their cubs and now both Zuri and Simba had done the same.

Why…Jaali closed his eyes. Why did you two have to die…You shouldn't have died…you didn't deserve that…neither of you did…

Leta cried softly into her daughters shoulder. Hearing that they had died was bad enough but hearing how they died broke her heart. She knew from speaking with her niece when Zuri first told her that she was pregnant with Kopa before she and Simba left for the Pridelands that her niece really wanted a large family with her mate. She wanted to have a lot of cubs. And she had just gotten her chance…and just when she had…her cubs were snatched from her…having witnessed your own cubs death just before you die is the hardest thing in the world…she remembered when she had given birth to Tufa and Yamile and another young male but the male had died before he could take his first breath.

It had devastated. It made her reflect and remember how her sister had felt that day when Zakia had a still born before Zuri. Now her own niece had to go through watching her young die before her eyes.

Pulling back from her daughter, she looked at Tufa who was humming softly to Kopa to try and calm the cub. Then glancing at her son he could see him glaring into space. Much like for Tufa, Jaali reminded Leta of Mansa who had become so cold hearted and stoic after his best friends death that she prayed her son would not let his grief consume him too much. All around her, those pride members that remained cried silently to themselves mourning the loss of yet another member of their pride.

Taking a moment to collect herself her eyes went to the final feline in the room. The serval that she had yet to learn the name of. How did she play into all of this, she wondered. Stepping forward she asked; "And you…what is your name and how did you come into Kopa's life? Did you help him escape from the Pridelands?"

Blinking, Nuru stared at the old lioness. Who despite old age and the tears she was shedding, had a strong presence to her. Which told her in her time; Leta was a great Queen while her mate was alive and continued to be strong for her pride.

"I am Nuru…and no…I didn't help Kopa escape…I found him in the desert…starving and slowly sub-coming to infection. Which Chika had healed him of days ago thankfully. He told me he was coming here to the Jungle…I decided to guide him here…" Nuru looked between the Pride and Kopa.

The cub finally lifting his paws from his face, sniffled and looked at Nuru meeting her eyes and grinned then looked at the pride. "She's my friend…" looking back at the pride he added. "I ran away from the Pridelands on my own. I didn't want to give Zira the satisfaction of killing off all of Mufasa's descendants like Scar tried. As long as I'm alive that part of our family still lives…my cousins Nuka, Vitani and Kovu are still alive…but I'm part of the family that matters. As long as I'm a live…like I said my family lives through me…my parents gave their lives for me…I wasn't going to put their sacrifice in vain…" that's what Hawa told him not to do and that's exactly what he wasn't going to do.

Stepping toward the cub, Leta watched Kopa climb to his paws and look up at her. Bending down, Leta looked closely at the cub, new tears coming to her eyes. "You did what right…your parents gave their lives for you…they will be so happy to know you are alive…and with family…"

"Does that mean I really can stay…?" Kopa asked. Looking up at her then around her at Jaali who still seemed lost in his own thoughts. But the moment his question reached the King he focused his attention on Kopa, his face still stoic, but he nodded his head nonetheless.

"I did say you could stay. I'm not about to throw my best friends cub out on his own. I'm sure if I did I'd have their ghost haunting me." Through his stoic appearance a small grin tugged at the corners of Jaali's mouth.

"And what about Nuru?" This time Kopa went to stand beside the serval that climbed to her paws.

Jaali for a moment looked at a loss of what to say. But he could tell if he turned away Kopa's only friend at the moment that the cub would not appreciate him for it. Glancing at his Mother who was watching him intently, Jaali sighed and nodded. It wasn't like there wasn't enough food in these parts to fill all their stomachs. Plus a friend for the cub might help him feel more at home with the pride then if he had come here alone.

When Simba showed up, he had him and Zuri to play with and keep him company, Kopa did not. There were no cubs his age in the Rasheda's. True Nuru wasn't Kopa's age but he could tell already the two were friends and that's what the cub needed. "Yes can stay…" he grinned as Nuru smiled widely and nudged Kopa with her paw making the cub toddle a bit to the side.

"See I told you they would let me." She bragged. Grumbling, Kopa rubbed his side glaring at Nuru who only flashed her ever annoying smile at him.

Watching the two, Jaali made his way over to the cub watching while he looked up at him. Sitting in front of Kopa, Jaali reached out laying his paw on the cubs head. "Welcome to…no…welcome home Kopa. You are a family and this is your home as much as the Pridelands are. Welcome home Prince Kopa…." Jaali grinned as the others joined in.

"Welcome home."


Ugh not proud of this chapter. Been in such a slump lately and haven't been in a good mood while I wrote the rest. Well I hoped you all enjoyed nonetheless.

Please remember to review.