The Guardian and The Warrior

by IxoxoheartoxoxNuka

Part 3 of my AU series. Thinking his family is dead, a prince makes his journey to the homeland of his mother. While at Pride rock Simba copes with the death of his family while continuing to rule his Kingdom. Unaware of the fate of two of his cubs thought to be dead. What fate awaits them under the guidance of the ghost of whom?

21. Chapter 20

Author's note: This fanfic is not dead if anyone is wondering. I've had a really bad year. And I apologize for it

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Chapter 20

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Lounging in the trees, golden eyes lit with amusement. Amun watched while Kopa stared at his reflection in the river. The young Prince was again, tirelessly, working to tame his wild mane. Which was all for naught. With his mane growing in further, patches of the mane had a tendency to stick on end. Much to Kopa's nuisance.

However what aggravated him more was the fact that others poked fun at him for it. Nuru, Yamile, and Amun.

All who didn't have a mane, and didn't know the pain of growing one. Jaali told him that it was the same for both him, and his father. And that he would eventually grow into his mane fully. Whether it lost that wild look to it, well that Jaali could not be sure about.

Leta told him that manes developed different for everyone.

Giving up, Kopa turned his attention up at Amun who was grinning down at him. Since the leopard had come to stay with them in the Rasheda's territory. Kopa had been getting to know the former wanderer. With Nuru often busy playing major-domo with Jaali, Kopa was often pleased to have someone around to share his time with when he wasn't with Jaali.

Aside from his aunts that is and the gorillas. But Kopa didn't go to visit them all that often.

And like the Rasheda's, Amun had stories he was glad to share with the young prince. Kopa didn't know many lands. Other than the lands he lived in and the desert he travelled through and the Eastern lands he had once visited.

So hearing about lands that he never knew about or visited was enthralling. And made Kopa wish he could visit them. But his future didn't lean toward visiting such places.

No…

His future leaned towards…Well…things that Kopa worried about everyday. Jelani told him he shouldn't.

But how could he not? He had a lot riding on his shoulders and he didn't even know everything of which he was supposed to do in his future. Jelani just kept saying he would understand in time.

Jelani, was perhaps another reason why Kopa enjoyed being around Amun. The leopard never bothered him with questions; whenever he would disappear when Jelani beckoned for him at the time they were to continue his training with the Guardian.

Amun, just always assumed, that the young lion just went off to be on his own for a while. It wasn't along after his agreement to stay within the Rasheda's territory, that Amun finally had the nerve to ask what had been on his mind since he arrived. And that question had been…about what had happened to Kopa's parents.

To say the least…he had been shocked. To find the truth about the young lions scars, how he had gotten them and what transpired the night that changed the young Prince's life forever. Amun openly admitted he was surprised that the boy had managed to live with such wounds and survive on his own to make it all the way to the last remaining family he had.

Well…okay maybe not alone…

Nuru, whenever he said that, liked to remind him that Kopa hadn't been alone. That she had accompanied him.

But it still surprised Amun that the boy was without his parents after such a traumatic experience.

Kopa however, thought his survival past his parent's deaths wasn't anything amazing. He was however doing better than he had in the beginning. But Kopa did have his weak moments. And sometimes at night while he dreamt, he could have sworn he could hear his mother singing to him. Something that despite how big he was getting and the older he was getting he still missed.

Heck he even thought there were times he could just hear her calling his name in the jungle…

"Kopa…"

"Kopa…"

"KOPA!"

The young Prince snapped back to reality when he realized it wasn't his mother calling for his attention. But Amun, who had jumped down from the tree he'd been lounging in, and was now standing in front of him. Both eyebrows up in question. "Welcome back to reality." The leopard mused. "What had to spacing out this time?"

Shaking his head, Kopa rubbed his head where his missing ear was, nicely covered by his shaggy mane. Deciding not too repeat what he'd just been thinking about. A thought of something that crossed his mind earlier that day, he grinned. "Just thinking about how I think Nuru is going to either drive Uncle Jaali to the point of pulling out his mane or he's going to be bound to eat her."

His grin broadened at when Amun guffawed. The black leopard shook his head. "Aye, I can see why you would think about that." Amun was quite surprised the King would appoint someone like Nuru as their major-domo. Sure, Nuru had a way of finding the right news for the King to be alerted about in his territory.

But the Rasheda's major-domo also had a knack for getting the Kings nerves rattled. To the point that it was never ending amusement for all those except the King. Nuru's new favourite game…how easy could she scare the big bad lion.

To say the startled shout they had heard echo through the jungle that morning. Left many wondering what the serval had done this time around. So far no one knew and the King was refusing to say anything for the sake of own pride and dignity.

Nuru wasn't saying anything either, but they could hear her snickering now and again as she gallivanted through the tree tops back and forth among the territory. At least she was a good enough sport that she never told what just made the King spooked.

Snorting, Amun looked off into the jungles then to his young friend. "She's too quick on her feet. Especially when you get her into the tree tops, where he can't follow without difficulty." For a moment the leopard got an image of Jaali trying to follow a fleeing laughing Nuru through the condensed jungle canopy. And getting stuck along the way.

He wasn't sure if he should laugh or feel pity for the lion.

Stepping away from the river, the two began making their way through the jungle to a path that would take them straight to where the pride lived.

For months now, Jaali and Kopa after talking it over had created escape routes throughout the territory. That were marked with a rather large X on several different trees along those paths that led to places outside the territory that perhaps they could escape too should anything happen.

Jelani's training was supposed to help him learn to become a warrior and leader in the time that it was needed. But Kopa didn't think there was anything wrong, with being prepared for anything and with any plan that he and Jaali could come up with. They had discussed the same with Tuma, who had agreed to create his own escape routes where his troop was located across the river.

Kopa thought if there was possibly any way down the Cliffside where the waterfall at the end of the river was located. It just might be a good way for them to get away.

But no matter how much they tried. They just could not find a way that would be safe enough for a pride of lions and troop of gorillas to get down fast and safely enough. One wrong move and everyone could end up falling to their deaths.

And Kopa could not be sure which would be a faster or more painless death. Falling to ones death or being killed by these man creatures?

That neither Jaali nor Kopa could have an answer too. It wasn't like they knew anyone that survived meeting these creatures other than Amun. But even Amun only knew so much about how painful an encounter with such beings could be like. But he was a good resource that he had heard of someone and heard from them. Something that had been attacked by one of their mysterious thunder sticks. As Amun called them.

Thunder sticks.

The very name of those things made Kopa want to laugh. What was so dangerous about thunder? Lightning was much more deadly than thunder.

But Amun assured them, it was more than just the name, the sound of the mysterious strange look sticks. Only made sounds that sounded something along the lines like thunder. It was what they did to the animals that it was aimed at, that was the deadly part. Amun spoke of creatures that had wounds like holes in them that bled, after the thunder stick was aimed at something.

And the one that survived that Amun had spoken too described the pain as though being torn apart from the pain of whatever shot through him that created the hole like wound in their leg. "He said he felt like whatever it was, was lodged in the bone of his leg as he still limps to this day and swears he feels it." Amun told them.

Turning his head, the young lion stared in the last known direction Nuru heard the birds talking about when it came to the man and their strange yellow creatures. His ear strained to hear any sound that he might be able to hear. But the jungle was quiet.

Well as quiet as the jungle could be. There were sounds everywhere. But none of that, that he was listening for.

"You shouldn't worry yourself too much." Amun repeated a second time when he saw that the young Prince was once again drifting off into his own thoughts. Amun didn't mind repeating himself. Who was he to know or question what went through his young friends mind?

Sometimes however, he did worry.

He had heard of how the young prince had been shortly after his parents deaths. Sure he survived a traumatic experience and came out strong, or so that's how he saw it. But even then to live without ones parents. Him leaving his mother for the first time when she weaned them and had him and his brother and sister go off on their own had been a hard time enough.

And that had been when he was two years old. Kopa went through all this just barely making it to a year in age. Lions he knew tended to be a lot closer to family and each other than leopards were. Amun did not even know where his mother was at this time or if she was even still alive. The same went for his sister and brother.

Cheetah's he knew, males tended to stick together if they were blood related. More so if they were from the same litter. Females on the other hand went off on their own.

For many, it wasn't often one came across their parents or relatives again at times depending on how far one travels when they separate from their mothers. He would be hard to admit that it never crossed his mind that in the past he thought it was strange how lions stuck so close together in groups and families.

But now, having spent all these months around the Rasheda's. Amun perhaps saw the advantage. The more there was in the group; there was a higher percentage that perhaps you get fed with so many to help with hunting. Then there was the fact that there was safety in numbers.

Even when with his mother and siblings there been danger. Amun could clearly remember when he was a cub and another leopard had stumbled upon them. Thinking to get rid of him and his siblings so that his mother could carry this new stranger's cub instead.

It had taken his mother everything she had to fight the male off while he and his siblings hunkered down in a small hole in the ground awaiting to see if their mother would return to them or not. That happened many times. And not just with threats. Whenever she would go off hunting, she would leave them in a spot she deemed safe enough and warned them never to venture far.

There been so many times in the past that when she took too long to return from a hunt. Having to have gone far to find something, especially so during the dry season. Sometimes they questioned if she would be back, and what would happen to them. More so during the times they had been too young to hunt for themselves.

Then just when they gave up hope. She would return, dragging a brand new carcass behind her to feed them.

Oh, of course he knew there were rogues out there. Lions who roamed by themselves without any prides.

Well some roamed by themselves, others like cheetah brothers, some males would band together to form a group.

Safety in numbers, he told himself. Safety in numbers.

For once, Amun was happy for it. Of course he could just venture off anywhere. Far away from the jungles and the dangers they presented at the current moment. And he was ashamed to admit to himself that, the thought had crossed his mind in his first few days with the Rasheda's. However after getting to know them, and befriending them. Amun wasn't going to just up and leave now.

But he did pray that the danger he knew was in the jungle would not come their way. There was plenty of jungle for those man creatures to go too. Surely they could avoid where they were. Couldn't they? How much jungle did these creatures did to cut down, how many homes did they have to destroy and drive the creatures of the jungle from?

So much questions. But no where to find the answers to them.

Giving a grunt, Kopa shook his head to knock some of his growing mane out of his eyes. He sometimes wondered if his mother would be fussing if she could see how shaggy his mane was. Boy, did he hope his Aunt Leta was right about saying that he would grow out of his shaggy phase. If he didn't he would need to find a way to tame it.

"It's hard not to worry about it." Wasn't that for damn sure, he added silently to himself. How could he with Jelani's training and the Guardian telling him he needed to be prepared for whatever it was in the future.

The Guardian still talked about him becoming King.

But Kopa didn't see how. He wasn't Rasheda royalty. His relations to the King were through the blood of his mother. Jaali had the royal blood from Mansa. Kopa did not.

"Not all prides are ruled by those that were blood from past royalty." Jelani liked to remind him. "At times new blood comes in and takes over."

Yeah but Kopa wasn't going too challenge his uncle for a place as King. Not like his father had done with Scar.

But the case of which Kopa could become King. Did worry him. A lot actually. And Jelani would not speak a word about it. But Kopa could see the sad look lingering deep back within the Guardian's eyes whenever the young lion brought it up. It only served to cause a sinking feeling in the pit of Kopa's stomach.

"Aye, that is true." Amun agreed, nodding his head. "But if you spend all your time worry about something that may or may not happen. You will forget to enjoy what you have in life."

"If I had worried more about what could have happened to my family. Maybe they would still be alive." Kopa's tone was bitter. It was something he thought about here and there.

But everyone who heard him say it said; "You can't prove that and things happen." Amun looked at him. "You were young Kopa. You alone would not have been able to stop all of them."

Scowling, Kopa wanted to deny that. However he knew the truth. Amun was right. Look what damage he got just trying to escape Zira then try and help his siblings. He touched his scars and missing ear. A permanent physical reminder of how overpowered he had been. Zira alone had done the damage to him, but with her followers she could have done much worst.

That still didn't mean that if he hadn't worried enough he might still have his family. And now he was working towards making sure he didn't loose the only family he had left in the form of his aunts and uncle.

But just maybe…he did worry a bit too much, he hated to admit to himself.

Reaching over, Amun rubbed his head atop the young lions head making Kopa duck away mumbling fixing the part of his mane his friend just mussed up. "What is it with you lions and your damn manes? You are no better than the females you whine about when said female bathes herself regularly and wants to be clean. You males do the same with your manes."

"We do not!" Kopa looked at him appalled to be compared to a female. Especially one like his Aunt Tufa who he thought went a little overboard to keep herself clean. Yamile cleaned herself too but least not as much to the point like Tufa did in any attempt to make her coat gleam like the mid-day sun.

Something both nephew and aunt teased the cream coloured lioness about. But as Tufa claimed, having a coat the colour of hers required constantly bathing. Claiming dirt didn't show as much on Yamile's yellowish fur the same way it did on her creamed coloured one.

Sometimes he just did not understand females. And did not enjoy being compared to one in the ways of cleanliness.

Guffawing, Amun smirked. "You can deny it all you want. But you lions are all the same when it comes to your damn manes." He reached over again to muss up the young lions mane.

Gritting his teeth Kopa resisted the urge to fix his mane this time. But the more he walked and what little breeze blew through the jungle. Only achieved to make more of it falls into his eyes, until it finally blocked his entire view causing him to run head long into a tree.

Yelping the young lion sat back on his haunches rubbing his head at the pain that was shooting through it. Glaring towards his laughing leopard companion. However Amun could not see the glare due to the mane that still hung in front of the prince's eyes. "Some help you are. Couldn't you have at least warned me of where I was going?"

Laying there on the ground letting his laughter subside. The leopard grinned pushing himself up onto his paws. "I could have." He agreed nodding his head. "However you running into a tree prove my point."

Heaving a sigh. Kopa reached up slicking his mane back from his eyes wincing when his paw hit the spot where his head had hit the tree. "Going to admit that I'm right?" Amun pressed. Glaring at the leopard again when he could finally see it, though it only seemed to make Amun's grin broadened just a slight more, Kopa shook his head stepping around him.

This only earned him another laugh but he chose to ignore it this time around.

Seconds later Amun was walking back at his side and nudged him with his shoulder. "Oh relax Kopa. Least you have hair on top your head." He smirked and rubbed his. "We leopards all look the same…well except for me with my black fur. But you lions, well easy to always tell who the males are and which is the female." He patted the young lions back.

Seeing his chance to get back at his friend. A mischievous grin crept onto Kopa's face. "Have had that experience have you?" He leaned toward Amun. "Went to woo a female but found it was really a male?" Amun faltered in his steps making Kopa laugh as the leopard stared at him wide eyes mouth hanging open.

"W-wh-what?" Amun stammered.

"Oh, relax." Kopa grinned. "I'm only joking with you."

Grunting, Amun shook his head muttering beneath his breath for a moment or two. "Yeah…" Kopa turned his attention to him. "I have mistaken them before." Kopa didn't know whether to laugh or not but was surprised his friend was admitting that. "Only I mistake a girl for a boy and she did not like me calling her sir…my butt hurt for days where she had scratched me when I offended her."

This time Kopa did throw his head back and laugh. Making Amun shove him enough to send him toward the brush, but this time Kopa managed to catch himself before he fell into it and smirked. "Hey even you got to admit it's funny."

Snorting Amun continued his way toward the pride's home while Kopa took his time catching up with him. Snickering all the while under his breath.

When they reached the pride, the two stopped at seeing the lionesses all gathered around speaking with one another and from where they stood they could catch the worry and concern in their voices. Confused, the two shared a look, and then proceeded toward where Leta sat.

The old lioness looked at the two as they approached her. Smiling, she nodded her head to greet them. Kopa eyed her, noticing she had more gray on her than she had when he first arrived at the Rasheda's. But Leta gave her word she did have some spunk left in her for a while more. The lioness was determined to live and see her grandchildren.

Well if she had any that is. Her daughters were stubborn as was her son. Well that the fact that the only males for her children were all related then there was only older lionesses for her son. But Jaali she knew needed an heir. If he didn't get an heir it would need to pass onto her daughters and neither of them ever expressed any interest in ruling. But Leta knew if she had too, Tufa would step up.

"What's going on Aunt Leta?" Inquired Kopa. Sitting down next to the old lioness, he nuzzled her lightly grinning as she returned it and licked his last remaining ear in a motherly fashion.

Leta sighed considering his question. Looking at the other lionesses then at Amun and Kopa who watched her awaiting her answer. Leta shook her head. "It seems Nuru has caught the scent of other lions nearby during her own little patrol to look for things to report to Jaali." She answered. She watched Kopa's eyes widened a tad bit at this information.

Amun furrowed his brow at hearing the scent of lions nearby. He did not know many that ventured this deep into the jungles. Sure he came across rogues in the past in the jungles but never so far in. "How many?" He asked.

"Quite a few." Leta sighed. "But she could not acquire a direct number. But she did say she smelt what scented like more females than males and what smelt like cubs."

Kopa looked at her then at the jungle processing what she just told them. With a good number, that meant it wasn't a rogue or even a group of rogues. He never heard of a group of rogues to travel in large numbers. Maybe two or three or even four. But anymore than that not much, especially given there were more females and cubs present in the scents.

"Where's Uncle Jaali?"

"He went to investigate the area…" Leta paused to see Kopa heading out but stepped on his tail making him stay put giving a small yelp and pouted at her. "Slow down little Prince. He will be back when he finds something or he will call for help should he need it."

"But…"

Leta gave him a look that made him close his mouth shut with an audible snap. "Do not be stubborn Kopa." She told him as the adolescent let his shoulders slouch. "I know you want to help protect this pride. But think about it…while Jaali is out there…and you go with him. Who is left to protect the pride?"

"You lionesses can protect yourself. Aunt Tufa is vicious is someone gets her dirty." Kopa pointed out. Only to earn a laugh of amusement from Leta who laid her paw on top of his head much to his dismay of his mane. What was it with others trying to muss up his mane all the time? Thinking back to what Amun had teased him about before arriving at the pride. He didn't try swatting her paw away.

That and he knew she would give him a good wallop on the head should he even try, remembering what happened to Jaali when his uncle had done such a thing.

"True as that may be." Leta nodded. "It is still best to have extra protection."

"But Amun…"

"Yes, Amun could…but I am still not letting you run out there half cocked young lion!" Leta raised her voice a little thing time, making Kopa's one ear fall. Whenever Leta did that, Kopa was reminded of his mother whenever she got concerned and told him not to do something that he shouldn't. Half of the time it never registered with him. But Kopa was trying to learn his lesson about listening and doing as he was told.

So hesitantly, he nodded his head. "All right Aunt Leta. I'll stay put."

Smiling, she licked the top of his head making some of his mane stick on end much to his dismay once again. "You are learning."

Slouching his shoulders Kopa gave them a little shrug. "Does not mean I like it."

"Of course not." Leta nodded in agreement. "But just because one does not like something does not mean one should not listen. I do not like the thought of my son out there. Where there might be a potential threat. But he is King, and it is his duty as King to assure the safety of his pride." She breathed out slowly.

She looked at Kopa. The young lion that held her sisters mate's name. He looked nothing like the older lion. The only thing he had was the brownness that was once his mother's fur and grandfathers in the form of his mane. She remembered the day his predecessor died. It was not a way she wanted anyone in her family to die again. And while her mate had not died being taken down by another lion, her niece and her family was.

With only this young lion before her to be their legacy. Leta wasn't going to let that legacy go to waste. Not yet at least.

But then there was her legacy…her son, and daughters. With no grandchildren to continue her line just yet. And Leta was beginning to fear she never would see her offspring have little ones of their own. That her family would die out with them.

With a sad smile she looked at Kopa. "But while I do not like the thought of my son out there. It is his duty. While you young lion who are not yet an adult. Need to keep close to the pride to provide extra protection and us to provide that for you." Wrapping a paw around her nephew she pulled him close and nuzzled him lightly earning a small purr from the prince.

Kopa resisted the urge to mutter at his distaste for having to stay back while his uncle was out there looking for whatever or whoever it was that Nuru had picked up on the scent of. He did not like being away from the…action as it were. But judging by the quietness of the jungle, there wasn't much action to truly be found.

If his uncle did find something or something found him, then wouldn't their be the sounds of fighting?

Maybe Nuru was loosing her mind and mistook the scent of other lions for those of this pride?

On the other hand, Leta did mentioned that Nuru thought she could smell the scent of cubs along with the scent of adults.

So if she did mistake the scents why would there be the scent of cubs? There hadn't been any cubs in the Rasheda's since Tufa and Yamile had been young. And Kopa himself but he wasn't so much a cub anymore than one that was growing into an adolescent. And Nuru ought to know his scent from the amount of time she spent around him in the desert and jungle.

So what could be lurking about out there?

It made his good ear twitch.

Man did he hate just sitting around. What was the point of training when there was no one to test that training out on?

Okay, sure, he had Jaali and Amun he could wrestle with. On occasion there was even Yamile. But wrestling just was not the same as fighting off against an actual threat, or so that's how Kopa thought of it.

He was so caught up in his thoughts he hadn't realized the entire pride along with Amun had tensed. It wasn't until he caught movement out of the corner of his eyes, turning his head in time to see Leta pass right on by him. Making her way towards her son who emerged from the trees and high bushes that surrounded the small glade.

Jumping to all four paws. Kopa went after her as the rest of the pride and their resident leopard joined them converging around the Rasheda King.

In the tree tops, Kopa could clearly make out Nuru who sat on her usual branch of what she called HER tree. A tree no one else was to every step foot in. Something Amun had learned the hard way when she had bitten his rump hard enough to make him yelp, jump and fall out of the tree the first week he spent with the Rasheda's.

Seeing him looking her way. The normally cheery Serval waved her paw at him. But that day she seemed less cheery and more tired. Having helped Jaali run through the jungle to see if they could catch a whiff of any more of those strange scents along with any sight of which they may belong too.

"Did you find them my son?" Asked Leta upon reaching her sons side.

The King shook his head with a disgruntled look clear on his face for all to see. "No, the scents are fresh but we have found no sign. So either they have moved on or they are hiding somewhere beyond the borders."

"Did you not find anything?" one of the lionesses asked.

"There were some paw prints." Jaali raised his hand to quiet them when they started to talk over him. "But they disappeared…" He sighed at the voices that rose at that and cleared his throat to get their attentions back on him. "I did find tracks that do belong to cubs…judging by their sizes they all range from different stages of months. Some looking as small as three months."

The pride all shared glances among themselves at this along with a few whispers. Who would be travelling with so many young ones? Was the thought that crossed everyone's mind.

"It is very possible that this could be another pride…" Jaali sighed again as the voices raised among his pride. He however knew this all stemmed from fear. They already had enough to worry about when it came to these mysterious Man Creatures. But a possible pride that might want to try something with theirs…even Jaali himself did not want to worry about such things but he always knew the possibilities.

Kopa where he sat furrowed his brow in confusion. "I thought there weren't more than two prides in the jungles here." He spoke up from where he sat a bit back from Leta.

Jaali turned his attention toward the young lion who continued. "And the Maua's you told me are months deep into the jungle. So who could this one be?"

That earned another few worried whispers that only served to make Jaali sigh and rub his face tiredly with his paw. Giving a small roar for attention and to get everyone to settle back down so that he could answer. Jaali looked at Kopa then to the rest of his pride. "For all we know some new pride could have lived somewhere in the jungles or this is a travelling one…there could be many answers." He shook his head.

"However none of this will be cleared unless they trespass and get caught. And until then…keep to hunting closer within the territory and away from the borders." Jaali made his way through the crowd toward Kopa and Amun.

"I trust I can have you two helping more with patrols until it's determined they've passed on by?" He asked.

The two nodded. "Of course King Jaali." Amun agreed. "You've let me stay in your home, helping patrol and keep it safe is the least I owe you."

Nodding, Jaali looked at Kopa. "And you?"

Kopa grunted. "Better to be out there then here…" He gulped at the look that Leta gave him and sighed. Jaali only chortled and gave his shoulder a pat.

Turning to look at the rest of those gathered he added. "And if anyone were to catch a scent or even a glance of these strangers. Roar for me, Kopa or Amun immediately. Do not waste time. Roar and get out of there and we shall head to investigate." He called up to Nuru who with a single leap landed on the King's head much to his chagrin.

She poked her head down in front of his face. "Yes oh mighty King what can the great Nuru do for you now?"

"I need you to send word to Tuma and his troop. I do not think they would cross the river further down but you never know." Jaali sighed resisting the urge to shake her from his head. The only reason he did not…was he did not fancy a bald spot if she gripped his mane on the way down.

Grinning from ear to ear, but still looking tired. The Serval jumped from her spot on his head did a small bow and took off running toward the gorilla's territory to relay Jaali's orders.

Reaching up Jaali rubbed the spot where she'd been sitting. Muttering ever so lightly under his breath how he was not her personal throne and how he should just eat her. "Cannot be that bad Uncle." Kopa made his way over to his uncle while the rest of the pride went about their business in the glade. Each worriedly talking about the situation among themselves.

Giving an indignant snort. Jaali gave his nephew a sideways glance. "Just wait until you are big enough and your mane is bigger than perhaps she will take to riding on your head rather than mine. Then tell me if it is so bad Kopa." He grinned nudging him in the shoulder.

"Don't jinx me!"

Both lions laughed as they walked around the glade. "So what have you been up too lately?" Jaali asked. Wondering like always where the young lion spent most of his days.

Sighing, Kopa hid his glower at the question. He knew his Uncle was only curious but that did not mean he liked always hearing the question aimed at him. "Amun and I were exploring the deeper end of the territory. He was telling me stories again about his life outside the Jungle."

Eyeing the young lion figuring their was something that he was more than what he was saying. Jaali only sighed, wishing that Kopa would trust him enough to tell him about what was going on. If anything the Pride Lander Prince reminded Jaali so much of the best friend and brother that Jaali had ever had.

Simba had been the same when it came to what happened after his father had died. Of course that had been on what he had thought at the time, had been the true reasons that were centered on his fathers death. This, Jaali had a feeling went much deeper than that…and whatever it was, the King did not know whether or not he should be worried about his cousin's oldest and only offspring.

His mother told him that he should not worry so much. But Kopa was all that Jaali had of his best friend and cousin.

So many times he kept thinking about the last time he had seen them. On the promontory of Pride Rock. When he had looked back on them as he and the Rasheda's were leaving the Pride Lands.

That sinking feeling that he had.

But thought had only been a minor worry. He hadn't really thought something would have happened.

However, he did remember praying to his aunt's spirit above to watch over them. It would appear no matter how many times one prayed for anything good. Bad things always happened.

As his mother told him one night she caught him morning. "Sometimes bad times come without little to any warning."

Jaali wasn't to believe that, and then some part of him wanted to believe there could have been something that could have been done. Maybe if he had been there…

Shaking his head, Jaali looked back at Kopa when it came apparent to him that the young lion was talking about the stories that Amun had told him. He still could not shake off that feeling that Kopa wasn't telling him everything. He debated on whether or not making him tell him what was going on with him.

On the other hand, there was a good chance that Kopa might not trust him as much if he pried too much.

So for now, like always, the King brushed it off and just accepted that perhaps there were some things that others preferred to keep to themselves.

"Uncle Jaali?"

The King turned his head to gaze at the young lion who was watching him. "Yes Kopa?"

"Do you think these lions that Nuru smelt are dangerous?"

Sighing Jaali looked out past the trees that surrounded the glade that was their new home. He did not think these lions were dangerous. As Nuru said he could not smell many males. The only ones that he smelt were male were what he might predict to be around Kopa's age.

Not much of a threat.

Depending on how many there were. And how they attacked. But something told Jaali if they wished to have attacked they might have done it already. Unless they were waiting…

Letting out a grunt. Jaali looked at Kopa who was still awaiting an answer. "I don't know. They could be…they could not be. Best not to take our chances and follow the orders I gave for everyone's protection."

Kopa nodded and looked out into the Jungle. Maybe if he asked Jelani the Guardian might tell him…or he might just tell him that it was a learning experience and to find out for himself.

He grumbled, yeah the latter of the two sounded more like the guardian.

Looking at his uncle to see Jaali sighing and brushing his mane back from his face. Kopa grinned. "Don't worry Uncle Jaali, we'll be just fine. We have three males…and really strong females and Tuma's troop for protection. Perhaps they've realized this and went off in search of somewhere else?" He suggested to ease his uncle's nerves.

Grinning at his nephew, Jaali pulled the young lion up under his arm and messed with his mane making him groan. Pushing against Jaali to try and get away, only made the King hold onto him tighter. "A smart young lion you are." He laughed messing up his mane some more then after several minutes he finally let him go.

"But be as that may, we will still need to keep our guard up." Jaali reached out to touch Kopa's mane but the young Prince dodged this time fixing what his uncle already messed up.

"See you learn fast." He laughed all the while Kopa grumbled.

"What's with everyone messing with my mane?" He murmured but the King heard him nonetheless and his grin widened.

"Your father would always wonder that whenever your mother would either mess with his mane or mess it up by grooming it." He patted Kopa's shoulder. "A mane is a burden for a lion, but a proud one to bear don't you think so?"

Thinking it over, Kopa shrugged his shoulders grinning as his Uncle gave a bellied laugh and patted his shoulder again. Then stepping away from Kopa, the King went to check on the rest of his pride and see if he couldn't find any scraps that they may have hid from him. Well his sisters anyways.

Going in the opposite direction, Kopa climbed up atop of the stone slab above the den. Laying here he had a great view of the glade and the pride.

It almost made him feel like he was back at Pride Rock. Yes, it wasn't the same, as it wasn't high enough and the view wasn't that far. Just the glade before him. But nonetheless he liked going up there whenever he left like he wanted to relax or think.

He had many places like this in the territory.

Laying there watching the pride, he wondered about the lions that were smelt earlier. A part of him wondered silently if they were…but they couldn't be…but Amun did say the Man creatures were going deeper into the Jungles…and that was where they dwelled…was it them…or was it someone else?

So many questions…not so many answers.

Grumbling, he fixed his mane some more and glared as he heard laughter. "You are such a female!"

"Shut up Amun!"

"Never girly-boy!"

Laughter filled the glade temporarily distracting the pride from their worries. Not aware that by the border a pair of greying paws stopped at the sight of other paw prints. A nose bent down and sniffed them carefully. Taking in their scent, judging whose they were.

Looking over their shoulder, a wisp of mane blew in the breeze, "It seems we may have finally found them…"

---

"It's like they're staking us out."

Jaali could feel his frustration building upon the situation each day. The scent of the strange lions hadn't left as he thought and hoped they would.

It now had been nearly two weeks, and the scents kept coming. Each day they seemed different than others. Some scents were the same but seemed to come on different days.

It was almost like Jaali thought.

That they were staking them out.

Why?

That was something he wanted to know. As did the rest of the pride. And what's more despite having three males on patrol duty and Nuru the same. None of them had managed to catch a glimpse of any of these strangers. Only their scents.

"What the hell are they ghosts!?"

Laughter was heard to his left where Yamile sat with Kopa. His sister grinned at him. "I don't think that ghosts have scents brother."

The two watched the corner of the King's eye twitch. Both smirking with amusement. "I know that sister dear." Jaali breathed out slowly through his nose. "It was a rhetorical question."

"Oh I know." Yamile nodded, grinning ear to ear. "But it's always fun to push your buttons"

Chuckling at the look that came over his Uncle's face, Kopa turned to look at his aunt. "He looks like he's going to explode…" The two laughed together until Jaali stomped his paw growling at them.

With a roll of her eyes. Yamile stepped towards her brother. "Relax Jaali." She gave his shoulder a playful whack. "We were only playing with you."

"This is not the time for that." Jaali huffed. He rubbed his head where he thought that if he felt any more stress that his mane just might fall out. The idea of him bald made him shudder at the image, that and the names his sister might just nickname him with.

Getting to his paws Kopa took a step forward. "Uncle I understand you are worried. But if that's all we do…worry…we'll never go on with our lives." he looked at him straight in the eyes. "Isn't that something along the lines of what you told me when it came to my parents deaths?"

Shaking his head. Jaali closed his eyes and sighed, maybe he was worrying about this too much. But if something happened to his pride and he felt like a failure, he could just imagine what his father might say if he were still alive.

Yeah, sure Mansa told him that he been proud of him when he died.

But that still didn't make Jaali think his father wouldn't think him a failure if something were to happen. Yamile groaned, "There's that look again."

Kopa looked at her confused. "What look?"

"The look he gets when he thinks about dad and what dad would do and blah, blah, blah." Yamile shook her head.

"Oh." Kopa looked back at his Uncle. Jaali had a far off look on his face, which was a bit scrunched up.

Kopa only heard stories about Mansa. Both from his parents and the Rasheda's. All he knew was that he had been a tough and strict lion. Part of him had always wanted to meet him but he knew that would never be. Well not unless he died, which he had no plans of any time soon.

"Uncle Jaali everything is going to be fine."

Jaali's head snapped up and sighed as Kopa took a step back from him by the look on his uncle's face. Seeing his nephew's reaction, Jaali sighed. "Sorry…it's just…"

"Yeah." Kopa nodded. "I know." He looked out off into the jungles past the borders, then looked down at the tracks they found.

There was always a little bit of tracks they could find. But Jaali never wanted to follow them. Thinking it could be a trap. Kopa on the other hand thought if they followed them they would finally find who these strangers were, but Jaali was insistent that they could just not take the risk.

Looking at the tracks and sniffing them. To him they smelt almost female but with as many females there was in the pride…he had to think about all their scents. The lionesses weren't even allowed to come this far toward the borders, even while hunting. Until things were found out.

The only reason that Yamile was with them now was his aunt had caught them in the middle of patrol and refused to leave them and tagged along after Jaali got tired of her begging. Claiming she was bored back in the glade and thought helping with patrol would make her less so.

"Uncle perhaps…"

"No."

"I didn't even…"

"I knew what you were going to ask." Jaali cut him off again. "It's too much of a risk."

"I just thought…and I want…"

"I know you want to help Kopa. And you are by patrolling along with Amun. I would not be able to do that on my own. However this is something I can't allow…we need to figure out another way to get them. Out there that could be their newly claimed territory. Right across from ours. Meaning we can't cross into their borders without causing conflict if they think we're going to chase them out…they might attack. We need to get them to come to us."

"And if they don't?" Yamile asked this time. "It's been two weeks. They've not made a single move to come to us. For all we know they could be watching us as we speak!"

"That's quite possible." Jaali agreed. "But I still cannot take that risk. By the scent they had cubs. Meaning they will do whatever it takes to protect them." Jaali sighed looking at Kopa. "While I would like to follow them…I have to think of what would be in the cross fire. Our pride and the cubs that pride has with them."

Kopa clenched his jaw. He wanted to believe his uncle that it was the wrong thing to do, but all Kopa could think of was finding these strangers and driving them away. They already had enough to worry about when it came to the Man creatures. They did not need to worry about a pride either that may or may not want to take their territory.

Wasn't he being trained by Jelani to protect the pride?

Wouldn't going to find this pride and getting answers or just driving them off count as protecting them?

Jelani the last couple times they had met up to train, barely said a word about this pride whenever Kopa brought it up. Did the Guardian not think this pride was a threat worthy enough for Kopa to use his training against?

So was he just supposed to sit back and do nothing? The thought made him grin his teeth.

He just wanted to make sure they weren't under threat. The more he knew the less he would have to worry about. There were times he wished there was a chance that the Man creations wouldn't show up. But that was hoping for too much, that he knew deep down in his soul.

That was another thing about his pride. When it came to threats, he had that feeling in his gut about the Man creatures. Like danger lurked on the horizon. With these mysterious lions he did not. However that did not mean he did not want to be careful just to be on the safe time.

He felt a paw on his shoulder. Lifting his head he looked into the eyes of his uncle.

Jaali offered him a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine Kopa."

"How can you be so sure Uncle?"

Sighing, Jaali shook his head his mane falling into his face shadowing his eyes. He was quiet for a good eight minutes. "Sometime's one just has to…rely on faith that we will be fine." He looked at the younger lion. "I know going after them might give us some answers but it could cause problems too. I would rather them come to us…No matter how long that takes…and…" He sighed. "No matter how much it drives us insane waiting."

"Or big brother goes bald!" Yamile laughed making Jaali grumble touching his mane.

"I would not doubt that." Jaali pouted thinking about being a bald lion. Well if that happened he figured he have a harder time finding a mate. Well if he even could. He knew he needed a heir, if he didn't have one he would need to appoint one. But the problem was neither of his sisters appeared interested in the throne.

If something happened to him and they had no choice, he had no doubt at least one of them or both of them would step forward to help guide the pride. There was also Kopa…He glanced at his nephew. If his sisters didn't want to do it, he could only hope his cousin's son would be able to take over and protect the pride in his place.

But that wouldn't be for some time and only if he could not produce an heir in some way. Jaali had no plans on dying any time soon. His pride needed a strong leader and protector right now. And that's what he was to them.

Looking back at his nephew, he bumped heads with his. "Things will work out…they have too." He muttered the last part walking around the young lion. Carrying on with his patrol. Trotting behind him proudly was his sister who was determined not too leaves his side enjoying teasing her brother. As far as she was concerned it was her duty as his sister to do exactly that.

Kopa didn't follow them right away. He stared at the tracks. Thinking about what his Uncle had said.

Sighing, for now he forgot about his plan but told himself he would think about it later on. And see if he could convince his Uncle again.

Kopa couldn't wait any longer. He was tired of waiting.

Taking one last look at the tracks, he turned making his way after his aunt and uncle to finish his patrols…

---

Paws softly pacing against the jungle floor. Kopa looked back over his shoulder from time to time. Watching the trees and the pathway. Waiting for those who were to meet up with him. After his patrol that day, Kopa had given more thought to what he thought was best for finding out whether these lions were truly a threat to them or not.

In the end he had decided not to speak with his Uncle about it. Jaali was too set on watching and waiting.

While Kopa was loosing his patience with it.

Leta, who had overheard Yamile mentioning what Kopa, thought they ought to do about the whole situation. Had spoken to the young lion when they were alone that night just after the hunting party had brought back their dinner. Telling him that he was young, and still had to learn about how to overcome his impatience.

Part of him knew she was right.

However that did not mean he wanted to be patient. He thought being patient for two weeks was long enough. He remembered the stories about how his grandfather, the one he been named for, had died from a rogue. That was what Leta pushed on him too. That going out there after these lions could end him dead the same way and she did not want that for him. Kopa didn't want to die as well.

But…

"Kopa!"

The Prince turned just as Nuru jumped down from the trees and Amun came slinking out of the shadows. "About time."

Amun grunted. "This is a bad idea Kopa."

"I know."

"Then why are we doing it?" Nuru looked at him from where she sat perched on her friends back.

"You just do not need to come." Kopa looked at them both but the two shook their heads.

Amun giving him a serious look. "And then blame ourselves if something happens to you? Not happening kid." He looked out past the borders that they stood at. The ones that Kopa had been at earlier that day where they had the clearest and newest tracks to follow. "Just tell us…when you know it's a bad idea…why go through with it?" He looked back at his friend.

"I just need to know."

Amun sighed rubbing his face. "Then let me go alone. I know the area out there better than you do."

"That is why you are here." Kopa looked at him. "To help guide us back should we loose track of the paw prints and need to make it back to the territory." He looked out past the territory and back. "And no I want to go with you. The more of us the better."

Sighing, Amun looked at Nuru who only shrugged her shoulders and climbed her way up to sit atop of Kopa's head. She patted between his eyes grinning down at him. "Well least the way mighty lion."

With a roll of his eyes. Kopa took a minute, a part of him having an inner debate inside his head. Now was the time to back out if the wanted too. Once he crossed out of the territory and further out into the jungle, would be past the point of no return.

His heart pounded in his chest.

Remembering the last time he had left the safety of the pride…the safety of his mother. His paw went up to touch his missing ear and then his scars. Nuru and Amun who were watching him shared another look and sighed. Amun walked over and nudged the young prince.

"We got your back Kopa." He reassured him. He wanted to talk his friend out of this even more, with the doubt in Kopa's mind he figured he could do just that. But with how stubborn Kopa was on the other hand, he figured the young prince would be stubborn and continue on nonetheless.

Nodding his head. Kopa took a deep breath, and then stepped over the territory line and walked into no mans land. Nuru perched upon his head, and Amun right beside him. It been months since he been outside of the territory, both the Rasheda's and Tuma's. Not since he arrived there.

Swallowing his memories, Kopa kept pressing forward watching the tracks slowly as they followed them. The further they went out past the border, the more they could pick up the scent of these strangers. The scent was a lot stronger the more away from the borders. It appeared only a few made the attempts to get close to the borders.

For whatever reason…Kopa could not think of one.

Maybe to scout them out and spy and see how many there were. Biding their time…or maybe to see if they were a threat as the strangers worked to establish their new territory.

"Hey Amun…you told me that time you mistook a female for a male…how did you not know by scent?" Kopa asked sniffing the air.

Scoffing, the black leopard looked about taking in the fact that the jungle was getting denser as was the bushes around their paws and were shrouding the tracks. He eyed every place around them that someone could hide in. Unfortunately for them, everywhere around them was a great place for someone to hide in.

"She been in the water at the time…you should be smart enough to know water can hide ones scent…not completely but enough to confuse someone." Amun grumbled rubbing a spot on his head in memory.

From where she sat on Kopa's head. Nuru snickered looking down at the leopard. "You didn't seem smart enough." She snickered more at the look Amun shot her.

"Don't make me eat you."

"Behave boy."

"Both of you shut up." Kopa shook his head. "I only have one eat and you two are going to make me want to tear it off and go completely deaf."

Amun rolled his eyes while Nuru covered her laugh with a paw. She looked around, sniffing the air. "There are indeed more female scents…but I smell males as well…only a few…the most are little ones I think."

Kopa nodded. "Take it from someone who came from a pride with young cubs growing up…and knowing the scent of smaller ones from my siblings when they were alive…there is definitely the smell of more cubs than adults…and…" He sniffed the air. His uncle was right; there were scents of some who smelled around his age as well. A few males judging by that but he wasn't sure whether to think they could be a threat or not.

Well they may have not been if they were with the pride. But Kopa was sure they might give him some difficulty. But hopefully with Amun with him…he was sure Nuru wouldn't be much of a help…unless she annoyed them to death…

He resisted snickering at the thought and image that popped up into his head when he thought about it.

The young prince's ear twitched them he caught a sound to his side. It seemed he wasn't the only one who heard it, both Amun and Nuru tensed up. Amun stopping in mid-stride. His ears up and posed listening for the sound again. Nuru followed suit her large oval ears twitching for any sound that might be heard while Kopa was eyeing the trees and bushes around them carefully.

"There!"

"No there!"

"No now that way!"

Both Nuru and Amun kept turning in different directions as more noises kept coming. Kopa closing his eyes and listening closely, he could swear he heard the sound of paws hitting the ground in many different directions. Far too quickly for it to be just one individual.

Then he heard it, the faint sound of breathing and murmuring voices. And apparently he wasn't the only one when Amun growled. "They're surrounding us."

"Head back the way we came!" Kopa turned as Nuru gripped onto him as he took off running back the way they came.

So long in their own thoughts they hadn't realized they had left the tracks behind. So the only way back for them was to keep track of the scents they had left behind. Amun was following close behind him. From the sounds behind them, they were being followed or…what he hoped wasn't herded.

"Keep running Kopa!" Amun ordered while he banked to the side. "Keep going that way I'll try and lead them elsewhere!"

"No we have to keep together!" Kopa shouted but Amun did not listen and just kept going another way. Cursing Kopa ran on, Nuru still clinging to his head. Noticing some familiar things of those they passed on the way through the jungle, Kopa tossed Nuru up into the tree branches.

She shrieked grabbing the branches before she fell and glared down at him, when she opened her mouth to speak when Kopa cut her off. "Go and get Uncle Jaali!"

Wasting no time, Nuru ran among the branches and was soon ahead of Kopa who was still running but looking back over his shoulder. He came to realize that those following them hadn't bothered to follow Amun. But were right on his trail. And judging by the sounds of paws, there were three of them. But in his hurry he could not tell if they were male or female.

However listening closely he could pick up their faint voices. They sounded male. And all young.

Spotting the borders ahead, Kopa picked up speed but just as he was about to cross them he was side swiped from the side and found himself rolling about on the ground with whomever had taken him down. Growling and trying to push them off all at the same time when Kopa found himself pinned on his paw, a pair of paws on his chest.

Cursing himself for having been caught much less disobeying his Uncle. Kopa clenched his eyes shut expecting a killing blow or at least something. But he didn't even feel claws dig into his chest. Instead of heard a voice speaking above him. A voice he wasn't expecting and one that made him want to twitch from being caught by.

"Why you in our territory? Wow what are you a lopsided lion? Get in a fight with a lionesses or something?"

Blinking his eyes. Kopa opened them slowly and tilted his head upwards and was surprised to find himself staring into a pair of aquamarine eyes that were attached to a slim face framed with peach coloured fur, with a lightly lighter patch on the head around their eyes. But what made him stare more embarrassingly was that he been tackled and pinned by a female nonetheless.

He fought the urge to groan at that.

It had been a long time since he been surprised and managed to be pinned by a female. The last one had been…He wanted to think of Vitani but only Zira appeared in his head and he fought back that thought. "Hey!" He snapped out of it and looked back at the lioness above him.

Judging by her appearance she was only a few months younger than him at most.

Narrowing his eyes, Kopa growled. "I should be the ones asking the questions. You been stalking out my pride's territory for weeks."

"But we never crossed it like you did into ours." The young lioness answered back with a smug look.

"This territory isn't yours!"

"Well it isn't yours either." She taunted back.

Kopa could feel the corner of his eye twitching. Why did females have to be so annoying? He thought.

He went to answer her when he heard the sound of paws approaching. Followed by a voice. "Ishara! He was supposed to be ours!"

Turning his head, Kopa watched as what he suspected was the three males that been chasing him emerged from the jungle. He carefully judged them, looking them each over. None of them looked older than him, but looked like they were beginning to come into their manes. One looked to have just as much as him.

That one was beige in colour, his mane black in colour.

The second one was dark gray, he almost reminded him of Nuka, only his mane was brown rather than black. This one looked to be by height perhaps four months younger than him. Unless he was an extremely short lion, but his mane growing in told him just that of his age nonetheless.

The third was perhaps the shortest and Kopa predicted a year and a half younger than him. Barely had any of his blonde mane coming in against his golden fur.

He wanted to groan again, he couldn't believe he had run from that. He thought he would have had worst. Then again, he glared upwards at the female above him. Ishara was it that they called her? Yeah Ishara…she had no trouble in pinning him. Now he feared he'd never hear the end of it if any one of his friends saw him.

Speaking of which, where was Amun?

Did Nuru managed to get across the borders to find his Uncle?

He felt one of the paws on his chest step down further and he growled up at the lioness. "Hey watch it!" He glared.

"Or else what?" She smirked down at him. When he didn't respond, she turned toward the other three lions present. "You three didn't seem to be having any luck with him so I took him down."

"Why are you even away from the others?" The oldest of the three asked. Judging by the way he was looking at the lioness, Kopa made a lucky guess that they were family. He knew that look anywhere. It was the same look he seen Jaali give his younger sisters and the same look his own parents had given him on more than one occasion when they asked him similar questions.

"I was taking a long night walk, so what?"

"It's dangerous!"

"It seems I was the one who took down the intruder not you!"

"Doesn't matter!"

"Why not!?"

Kopa let out a long tiring groan that caught their attentions as all four sets of eyes focused on him. "If you're going to kill me. Just do it already. Rather than bore me to death which I'm sure will be slower and more agonizing."

The young lionesses face was suddenly shrouded with confusion. "Kill you?" Behind her the three other young males let out a laugh. "Who said anything about killing you?" Ishara looked down at the young male beneath her, her paws still firmly pressed against his chest while she had him pinned upon his back.

It was Kopa's time to look confused. "Isn't that the typical thing to do when someone trespasses into someone else's territory?" He looked back and forth as they kept on laughing at him all over again. He could feel his frustration rising at the very sounds of it.

"Only if they meant to harm us."

"How do you know I don't mean to do that?"

"Well you wouldn't have run like a scared little cub if you did." The oldest of the three strange males smirked which only broadened at the glare Kopa sent his way.

"I wasn't scared." Growled Kopa angrily. His annoyance growing along side his frustration. "And I'm not a cub!"

"Sure you're not." The second youngest of the three males smirked.

Kopa growled but Ishara who still had him pinned snapped. "He's older than you Amar."

"Doesn't mean anything." Amar scoffed. "Age doesn't define bravery."

The corner of Kopa's eye twitched. His anger, frustration and annoyance were building. More so with this lion here that was younger than him insulting him by saying he was no braver than a stupid minded cub. He was younger than him when he tried to defend himself against those out to kill his family and survived. He braved the desert for days and survived even before Nuru came along. All on his own.

"You know nothing about bravery." Kopa spat at him. Then glared up at the lioness above him and shoved her off him. Enough to make her stumble back and him to flip himself up onto his paws glaring at the four of them. The three males had tensed the moment he had shoved Ishara back and had moved to place themselves on either side of her. Thinking Kopa was to mean any harm to her.

The young prince scoffed. "Please I'm not stupid enough to hurt a female."

"Why because you think I'm not tough enough?" Ishara snapped. "Last I checked I'm the one that tackled and pinned you."

"You caught me off guard!"

"Ugh all males are alike." Ishara scoffed stomping her paw. "Never admit that a female is strong enough to take you on."

Kopa laughed. "My mother was just as strong as my father. Sometimes he would say she best him all the time. I would never think a female is below a male…" He grumbled thinking about what he thought when she tackled him. But it had caught him off guard thinking he was being chased by males then suddenly tackled and surprised to find it been a young lioness.

He had a feeling if they were alive, his mother and Nala would be poking fun at both him and his father. Having heard the tales of the times they both bested him in the past.

The oldest of the males growled. "Enough." He stepped forward. "What were you doing in our territory?"

"Surveying the enemy." Answered Kopa with frown. "You entered our territory then stepped out of it and have been monitoring it for two weeks? Why!?"

The lion smirked. "We don't have to answer to you."

"But you do have to answer to me!" A new voice joined the conversation. The foreigners tensed and quickly backed up as Jaali came stalking out of the tree lines. Behind him were three lionesses and Amun who had found them only to be surprised to find that Kopa wasn't with them. Which had ultimately made them worry about what had happened to him.

"U-Uncle Jaali…" Kopa shut his mouth the moment Jaali's head swung to the side and looked at him sharply. And once again Kopa felt like he was being scolded by his father and hung his head.

"We'll talk about this later Kopa." The King mentioned making the young Prince nod. Turning his face toward the strangers, Jaali scowled. "Now I think there are answers that need to be said. What were you doing scouting out my territory and do not say you weren't." He took a few steps forward so he was only a few feet from them.

The oldest of the three stood taller. But even he wasn't up to Jaali's full height yet. However he was doing his best to stare down the King but a low rumbling growl from Jaali had him backing down a bit. "We are not privy to answer that." His ears folded back when Jaali let out another growl.

"Well then…" Jaali started, "If you are not able to answer that…you will give me your names…and then you will tell me who can tell me why you are in spying on my pride and territory."

The small group of young lions shared glances and whispered amongst each other. Then the oldest male scoffed but answered the Rasheda King's question. "I am Kamal…this lioness is my sister Ishara…the ones beside me are my cousin Amar and my friend Bomani." Each nodded their heads in turn when their names were mentioned.

Standing taller, Jaali looked each of them over. "And the name of the one in charge of you lot? Can't tell me ones so young would be in charge." He smirked a little at the look of insult that came over the young male's faces but they said nothing to refute his words which told him there was someone obviously older than them that was in charge.

"Well?" Jaali demanded. "Who is in charge?"

"Our King's late uncle." Ishara spoke up from where she stood behind her brother. Making her way to stand beside him despite Kamal's attempts to keep her back. "His name is Javas."

"Ishara!"

The lioness glared toward Bomani. "He asked and I answered just shut up Bomani." The younger of the three lions glared right on back at her before he huffed lowering his eyes apologetically to the ground when Kamal nudged him hard in the side.

Jaali's brow furrowed. He looked back over his shoulder at his mother who now had Kopa by her side. Leta glanced at her son thinking along the same lines that he asked aloud to the four young lions. "You name your late King's brother."

Kamal nodded. "Aye, that's what she said."

"What happened to your King?" Jaali watched the four shares more glances as if they weren't sure what else they could mention. It was quite clear they did not trust him just as much as he did not trust them. On the other hand, so far he could not depict any lies coming from them.

"He was killed…" Amar went to answer but Kamal cut him off.

"Quiet." he hissed. He looked at Jaali. "The rest is for our leader to say to you."

"Well then…" Jaali nodded his head to them. "I think a suggestion is in order that you bring him here to talk."

"And why should we? Why not you come with us?" Kamal eyed the King cautiously.

"Because as of right now I or we here outnumber you. And seeing as I am the King whose territory you been stalking…I think it is clear that you do as I suggested." Jaali walked towards them keeping his head high above their own and looked down on them with his eyes only.

Ishara inched closer to her brother. "I think it would be wise to do as he asked." She whispered to him. Kamal glanced at her with a small scowl but she only met it back with one of her own. Grunting, Kamal stepped back from Jaali.

"Very well…who do I say wishes to speak with him?"

"King Jaali of the Rasheda's." Jaali watched them each back up following Kamal's example. "Now go before I change my minds on how to handle you." He could see the fear come to their eyes this time and each took off running into the Jungles back the way they had come to do what he asked.

"Jaali." Leta scolded. "You couldn't possible have threatened them? They are only young ones!"

Sighing, the King looked back at his mother. "No mother. I didn't mean them any harm despite my words. But it did make them go and get that's in charge now didn't it?" He grinned but it was lost as his mother glared and went back to fussing over Kopa.

"Aunt Leta I'm fine!" The young lion protested.

"Good that means I can do this." She smacked him over the head causing the young lion to yelp.

"Hey!"

"What were you thinking you foolish lion!?" Leta demanded as Kopa hung his head guilt coming over him. "Well?" She demanded.

Kopa looked over to Jaali who sat back to watch. The King had debated on whether or not to get angry at the young lion himself. And while he was and it showed in his eyes as well as his disappointment along with the relief over the fear he had felt when Nuru had come barging into the den shouting that Kopa was in danger and where he was. Jaali thought it would be best to let his mother handle the situation.

Who better to put someone in their place, rather than his own mother? He thought amusingly.

Seeing that his uncle wasn't going to say anything, Kopa wasn't sure whether to be relieved about that or be fearful that Jaali was leaving it all to Leta. The lioness reminded him so much of both his grandmother Sarabi and his mother in general. Kopa could only guess it was where his mother got it from.

Sighing, he looked back at Leta who was till awaiting an answer from him. "I only wanted to make sure they left us alone…"

"But by doing so you put yourself in danger!"

"I know…I just…"

"You just put your parents sacrifice in vain!"

The words cut through Kopa sharper than anyone's teeth or claws could have ever done. His remaining ear fell back against his head and he could feel the tears forming in his eyes before they rolled on down his cheeks. It was apparent Leta saw them as she stopped her ranting only to reach out and pull the young lion close and held him nuzzling him ever so gently. "I'm sorry my boy, I didn't mean to say that…"

"No." Kopa shook his head. "You're right…you are absolutely right…I'm always running in without thinking…" He clenched his eyes shut. Even as Tufa and the other lionesses present that had come to his aide came over to offer their comfort as well. He didn't push them away but he wiped his face himself before they could do it for him.

"Perhaps this final lesson will make finally learn." Jaali stepped towards him. "Because next time Kopa…it could mean your death if you do not listen to what your elders are telling you. When they say something is dangerous…then listen. If they tell you no…listen. There is always a reason for it." Jaali sighed nudging his head against the younger lions looking him in the eye and grinned. "However…don't lose that explorer side of yourself…just learn what you can and cannot do. Think about yourself and those who care for you."

Grinning, Kopa nodded and sighed. "I'm surprised they did not kill me…the one called Ishara said they weren't meant too…" He looked at Jaali then to the others who were wondering who these strangers was.

"They said they HAD a king." Yamile looked confused. "Why hasn't this new leader taken that title?"

Closing his eyes, Jaali paced on the spot. Quiet for a good solid 20 seconds before sighing. "Who knows…but hopefully we will shortly. And be lucky that they didn't kill Kopa…no need to be loosing one of our own again." He looked back into the Jungle the way the four had disappeared into. Standing ready to face whoever they would bring back with them and while part of him wondered if they would he had a feeling this leader would face him. He could not explain it but just something in his gut told him.

Behind him, Amun leaned over to Kopa with a grin. "You smell like that lioness…you got beat by a girl didn't you?"

"Shut up!" Kopa hissed but it had already been said and Amun and Nuru who been hanging back in the trees started to laugh. With a grunt Kopa went to stand beside his Uncle as they both awaited the newcomers return.

---

It almost seemed like forever, since Jaali had ordered the four youngsters to bring forth their leader. But what seemed like forever had only been thirty minutes or that was how it was by Kopa's count. He could feel himself growing impatient and judging by the look on his uncle's face.

Jaali too, was growing more impatient by each minute ticking away.

The King almost had it in his right mind to just track them down himself or just go right on back to the den. Maybe they fled? Thinking the lions in this area truly was a threat and they did not wish to face it? The thought almost made Jaali smug. But hey, what young lion didn't want to think they were tough that other lions would run rather than face them for their pride and territory.

He was certain if his mother heard his thoughts, she would roll her eyes and if his father were alive probably give him a good smack behind the ears.

Yamile by this time was lying on the ground with a look of boredom clear as day on her face. "What is taking them so long?" She groaned dropping her head down onto her paws.

Leta who was sitting near her daughter shook her head. "Patience in a virtue my dear."

"Not right now it isn't." Yamile mumbled then which gave her mother an apology for talking back when Leta flashed her a look which her daughter gave an innocent smile back too.

Tufa who was on the other side of their mother watching the exchange rolled her eyes then scoffed as Yamile stuck her tongue out at her. "I won't fall for your childish games Yamile."

The golden lioness rolled her eyes, and then brushed some of her tuft back. "Pull that stick out of your butt Tufa and have a little fun once in a while."

"I do have fun!"

"Yeah like what?"

"Girls!" Leta gave a small warning growl before the two of them could bicker any further. "Now is not the time and place for such things."

"Sorry mother."

"Yeah, sorry Mum."

"Hard to imagine those two as sisters. They're more different than day and night." Amun muttered coming to stand along side Kopa. Then sat himself down.

Chuckling, Kopa shook his head. "None of the siblings I knew from my former friends were ever alike." He sighed at the memory before banishing it from his mind. Now was not the time to think about them or was there ever a time he should be thinking about them. They were his past and had no place in his present or his future. Especially not with their betrayal of his trust.

"Thinking about the past again?" Amun caught the look on his face and how silent he went after that.

"Not anymore I'm not." Answered Kopa. He tensed suddenly when they all heard a noise. Suddenly everyone was back on their paws watching the direction it had come from. The same way the four strange lions had gone earlier.

Jaali made his way forward ahead of his pride putting himself in front of those coming and his pride and family behind him. Kopa stepped forward to flank his right while Amun manoeuvred himself to flank the King's left. All eyes were forward as Kamal was the first to emerge from the Jungle. Then Amar, then Bomani. Ishara nowhere in sight at the moment.

Looking them over, Jaali scowled. "Well…where is he?"

"Right behind us."

"And what took you so long?" Kopa sneered at his Uncle's side.

None of the three lions said a thing as a chuckle was heard behind them. Ears went up at the sound and eyes squinted in questioning. "That is my fault actually…I am rather slow these days." Jaali tensed hearing the new voice as the three lions parted to the side and they watched as Ishara came forward.

Leaning on her side was a rather middle aged lion. Judging by the gray on his fur, he was older than even Leta. But what caught their eye was the weird angle of one of his paws as well as the cuts that were on him that had healed over time into scars. It was apparent he had broken his leg and that it had healed badly over time.

Kopa however had a feeling his wounds were only months old judging by how fresh the scars appeared to be. After all he was freshly scarred himself. He knew what they looked like fresh to know better then to think they were anything but that.

Jaali seemed surprised at the appearance of the leader as the others seemed to lack wounds. And wondered what happened to him and if it was in whatever had killed this pride's apparent old King. He stepped forward as the lion made himself stand without Ishara's help as best he could and bowed his head.

"I am sorry about these youngsters. They were only protecting their own."

"That I have forgiven." Jaali stated. "It's the fact that your pride seems to be stalking my own…what are your reasons for that? Do you plan to take over my territory?" He demanded but confusion and frustration came over his face as the old lion laughed.

"Oh…heavens no." The lion shook his head. His black and gray mane falling into his face. Some of it appeared too been torn out.

"Then why?" Jaali growled ignoring the fact that the young males growled back at him for growling at their elder. But the lion gave them looks which quieted the younger lions quickly.

"He has a right to be frustrated and angry about someone possibly threatening the claim on his territory lads." He spoke calmly.

"But we aren't!" Bomani argued but the old lion shook his head.

"But they do not know that yet my boy." The old lion looked back at Jaali who was still watching them waiting for answers. "It has been a long time."

"A long time for what?" Jaali growled.

"Since our pride's met." The old lion chuckled at the confused look that came over the King's face. "Forgive me…perhaps I should explain that we are no threat to you or your pride…my pride simply is looking for a new place to live…since ours was destroyed…our king dead…our home gone…there are very little of us. Only those who managed to survive…those who fled with the cubs." He sighed hanging his head.

"I watched my brother die…my mate die…my son…all that remains of my son are his mate and his offspring." The old lion sighed looking towards Jaali.

Jaali could not help but believe him. Who would make up such a story like that and have the sadness to back it up. He knew that sadness anywhere. The same look his mother had when his father died, and the look his sisters had that day as well and hell he was sure he had that look as well. And it was the look Kopa always had thinking of his family that he had lost and the pride he had lost as well.

There was no one he thought, that could ever master faking that true sadness and pain. The same he saw reflecting in the old lions eyes as he spoke.

"I see…and who did this to you…and where are you from? There are only two prides I know of in this Jungle. My own and another far off…"

"Yeah far into the jungle, two months journey." Jaali tensed as the old lion cut him off. "A pride that was once apart of this one. Yes I know the tales as much as you do young King." The other Rasheda's had tensed by this time wondering if the old lion was playing some game now as he was grinning. But the old lion shook his head. "As to what attacked and destroyed my pride…was great yellow beasts and hairless apes on two legs carrying things that made the sounds of thunder among many other things."

Shock came over the faces of the Rasheda's as the old lion described the man beasts that been threatening the Jungle. Amun turned his head to glance at Jaali. "I did say they were moving deeper into the Jungles…that had been for months now." The Rasheda king looked at the leopard nodding clearly remembering his words that he had explained to them of the man beasts when the leopard had first been saved and come to live within the pride's territory.

Kopa, who was listening in, looked at his friend and uncle then to the others in front of them. His brow furrowed in thought and his ear stood up as he stood taller on his paws. "The Maua's."

Heads snapped in his direction, and the old lion grinned. "Aye boy, the Maua's." He nodded.

Jaali was tense as was the others. The older Rasheda's sneered except for Leta who was watching the old lion with a calm look. Jaali looked back at his mother who only looked back at him before Jaali faced forward. "Why have you come here?" He asked tensely.

The old lion limped forward a bit before warning growls from the Rasheda's made him hang back. But he never lost his grin. "I've come seeking the help of the pride mine was born from."

"Your pride was born from traitors who tried to overthrow their king and was banished for it!" Jaali snapped.

But the old lions grin never wavered. "Be as it may…" he shook his head. "That was long ago."

"What's to think we do not know you are lying about how many you have that are grown that could kill us and then you finally get our lands?" Jaali growled claws digging into the ground.

The old lions face finally turned serious. "One who cannot let go of the past is bound to repeat it." He said. "We have let go of our past. And seek the help of those our ancestors were once apart of. Are you as cruel a king to turn away cubs? Starving cubs I might add who have had little rest as they were pushed forward to seek help and a new home?"

Jaali's ears folded back and he drew in a deep breath. Looking away to the side for a moment he glanced at his pride and he could see a minor change on each ones faces at the thought of cubs being in trouble. Despite one thought of another cubs were innocent that was what he was always told. It was what his mother always believed.

"There is plenty of land in the jungle for you to claim as territory and you have three males I see before you that can handle threats…" Jaali started but the old lion cut him off again.

"And what of these hairless apes and if they come back? What then? Strength is in numbers. And we could have greater numbers if we…"

"Join us?" Jaali looked forward as the old lion nodded. Jaali looked at the other Maua's. But only the four was still present. Wherever the others were they were clearly hidden and if they indeed had cubs, and by the scents he remembered they did. Hiding the cubs from danger was what they were clearly doing before seeing if things would surely be safe for them.

Jaali wanted to turn them away. But Kopa came up beside him. "Uncle…if they wanted to harm us…they would have…and they would have killed me but didn't. They clearly outnumbered me but they caused me no harm. Only pinned me to make sure I did not hurt any of them." He whispered to the King who side glanced at him.

It was clear that Jaali was trying to decide on what to think. But it was also clear he knew Kopa was speaking the truth. But that did not mean if they could not attack later but Jaali wondered if he could have it living in his conscious if he turned cubs away and if those cubs ended up dying. Could he live with that guilt?

He was not sure if he could…no he was perfectly sure he could not live with that eating away at him for the rest of his life.

And it seemed the old lion could see that conflict truth coming over his face as he limped forward again. "I am too old to become King. And my brother has only a female heir left. Of course one of these males could always mate her and become King I understand that…but the fact remains on what I believe is the best course of action for our survival." He limped forward enough so that he was only a foot away from Jaali.

And with some difficulty began bending down into a bow to the Rasheda King. "So what will it be…will you King Jaali of the Rasheda's…accept those who wronged your ancestors in the past…so that we may start anew?" he lifted his eyes toward the King's as Jaali was conflicting it within himself.

"I, Javas, brother of former King Kwana, humbly ask for asylum among your pride for my owns survival and all past discrepancies be forgotten so that a new future can be formed? Can you put the past behind you and let us create a stronger future?"

Eyes turned towards the King, and he felt the weight of many were now on his shoulders with his decision. Jaali was trying to think of what his father would have done, but a look back to his mother he saw her shaking her head and whispering not too think of that. But to think for himself for once. It was his decision and his alone and not to think about what another would have done.

Feeling them all watching him, both from different prides all waiting his answer. Jaali closed his eyes in thought turning back to the old lion that was still bowed and watching him. Waiting…

Jaali sighed then smiled as a single worded answer was said.

"….Yes."

---

Once again many apologies. As I said it's been a long, hard year for me. And as much as I love to write, some times things get in the way of it.

I try my hardest and thanks to those who still stick around.

Thank you.

More to come do not worry.

Review please.