Here's chapter 26 and please review. Reminder that I don't own Lion King, Disney does. And so far, we're in a short story about Shinda, Tojo and Shani.
Ranji stared at Shinda, his eyes wide.
It all made sense now. The dream about her father. Aman had been asking her to look out for Ranji. He wasn't talking about Tojo.
"What are you talking about?" Ranji asked.
Shinda took in a shaky breath.
"My father's name was Aman. He mated with a lioness named Kana behind my mother's back. When everyone found out that the cub Kana gave birth to was Aman's son, they left the Pride. That cub was you."
Ranji stared at her. Shinda didn't know if she should feel angry or happy. Should she be happy that she had a half brother? Or should she be angry at the son of the lioness who has stolen her father away from them. She made her mind up quickly.
She was angry.
"And because of your mother," Shinda hissed. "I lost my father."
Ranji looked surprised and then growled at her.
"Don't blame anything on my mother!" Ranji growled. "If Aman had truly loved Kudeka, he would have never left her. He loved my mother. That's why he left Kudeka."
"Your mother stole Aman from us!" Shinda roared.
"My mother didn't do anything!" Ranji snapped. "And I know for sure that she's a much better mother than yours. My mother would never take another mate without talking to her children first!"
Shinda roared at him, and lunged. Ranji was ready and before she knew it, Ranji had pinned her down.
"When Alex and Tojo find out about this you-" Shinda growled, but was cut off.
Shinda looked to see Simba, Nala, Tojo, Shani and Alex running to her. They were followed by Kiara, Zuri and Anjani.
Alex reached her first and shoved Ranji away from Shinda. Tojo held him down.
"Ranji, I warned you not to I start any fights with members of our Pride!"Simba growled, with Kiara standing between his legs. Zuri and Anjani were beside Shani. All three cubs were looking at the scene with wide eyes.
"I didn't start this!" Ranji snapped. "Shinda did!" Shinda growled at him.
"All three of you," Nala said, turning to the cubs. "Go to Priderock! Now!"
"But Mom-" Kiara began but was cut off by her mother.
"Now!" Nala ordered. With grumbles, Kiara, Zuri and Anjani turned and began running back to Priderock.
"You have some nerve blaming this on my mate," Apex growled.
"Alex, no!" Shinda cried. "I started it!"
"What?" Nala gasped. "Shinda, what happened?" Tojo stood by Nala's side, giving her the same questioning look.
"Tojo, Shani," Shinda began. "He's our half brother."
There was dead silence for a minute, before Shani spoke.
"What are you talking about?" Shani asked, slowly.
"His father's name was Aman and his mother's name was Kana. He's been a rogue all his life. And his fur color is the same colour of Kana's cub when she brought him in. It all makes sense."
"I don't believe this," Simba said, shaking his head. "Tojo?"
"Ranji, prove to us that you're Ranji's son." Tojo said.
"Ask me a question." Ranji said.
Tojo thought for a minute.
"What was Aman's mother's name?" Tojo asked.
"Sakari," Ranji replied. "His father was a part of this Pride as well. His name was Konda. He died with Aman was a year old."
Tojo stared at him, shocked.
"He's right," Shinda said.
Alex let Ranji up.
"And what caused the fight between you two?" Alex asked.
"I got angry at him. We got into a heated argument and the. I attacked him. But Ranji got me down." Shinda said.
Shani was staring at Ranji. She had a half brother? This was Aman's other son? This was the cub of the lioness who had taken her father away?
Tojo stared at Ranji. He and he shared the same father. Tojo then realized that share wasn't the right word since Aman had left them. He growled. Ranji had had Aman his whole life and he hasn't! Jealousy began to build up inside him.
"Simba, exile him!" Tojo growled.
"Tojo, why?" Simba asked.
"His parents left the Pride. So should he! He is the son of a lioness who takes other lionesses mates!" Tojo growled.
"Tojo, don't think like that," Shani said. "Let's not forget that one of his parents is also ours."
"You were glad that he was staying when I announced it. Now you're not? He's still the same lion." Simba said.
"He's Aman and Kana's son. He has to go. He took my father away from me! Not to mention that I have got think of my mother as well!" Tojo snapped.
"Shani, what do you think?" Simba asked.
"When everyone in the Pride finds out about whom he really is, they won't welcome him. They were unforgiving to Aman and Kana so they won't forgive Aman either." Shani said.
"Do you want him to stay?" Nala asked.
"Well...I do...and I-" Shani was interrupted by Tojo's roar.
"Don't defend him, Shani!" Tojo roared. "If it weren't for his mother, we would still have our father!"
Shinda stared at her half brother. During the time that she was growing up, and missing her father, he had been with Aman. Enjoying time with him. Playing with him. Calling him "Dad".
That was something that she and Tojo had used to do and missed it as well.
"Did Aman ever talk about having other cubs?" Alex asked.
"No," Ranji said. "As far as I knew, I was his only cub."
"I'm not surprised." Tojo growled. "That filthy traitor probably didn't even think of us again."
Shinda remembered her father's words in her dream.
"...I will always love you, Tojo and Shani. That will never change."
From the memories Shinda had about her father, she knew that Aman had loved them. Did Kana and Ranji change that?
"Tojo," Simba said. "I can't exile anyone because of their parents. If Ranji chooses to stay, he has to agree to live with the treatment most of our Pride members will give him."
"Can't we just not tell anyone about this?" Ranji asked.
"No! Tojo barked. "I will make sure everyone knows about this!"
"Let's just go back to Priderock." Simba said. "Ranji if you want to stay, you can stay." Ranji nodded.
Tojo walked ahead at a brisk pace. Shani and Shinda were both in their own thoughts.
Meanwhile, Anjani, Zuri and Kiara were waiting for the adults learn to Priderock. Tojo was the first to return
"Uncle Tojo!" Kiara called, trotting towards him. It was then when she noticed his face.
"Uncle, are you mad?" Kiara asked.
"Kiara, I can't talk right now." Tojo said, his emerald green eyes flashing with anger. He stormed into the den.
"Wait, Tojo!" Zuri called. "Why are you mad?" Tojo didn't answer.
"He's so weird sometimes," Anjani said.
The others returned to Priderock. Kiara nuzzled her parents.
"Mom?" Kiara began to ask, but was hushed by Nala.
"Shhhh, little cub." Nala assured. "Everything's okay."
"But why?" Kiara started again, but Nala picked her up by the scruff and carried her into the den.
After bidding, Shani, Shinda, Zuri and Anjani good night, Simba went into the Royal Den. As he expected, Kiara was bursting with questions.
"What's gonna happen to Ranji?" Kiara asked.
"Nothing," Nala replied.
"Then how come-?" Kiara tried as ask, but Simba spoke.
"Come on, little beauty." Simba said. "Time to sleep."
"I'm not tired," Kiara said, "Why was Ranji attacking Auntie?"
"They just got into an argument." Nala replied. "But everything's okay now. And Tojo just got abut angry at Ranji. But everything's okay now."
Kiara nodded as Nala pulled her into her paws and began bathing her.
"Mama?" Kiara asked.
"Hmm?" Nala said.
"I'm still gonna be allowed to play with Ranji right?" Kiara asked.
"Yes, you will." Simba said.
Once Nala finished her bath, Kiara curled herself in her paws. Simba nuzzled her.
"Good night, my little beauty." Simba said, licking the top if her head. Once Kiara was asleep, Simba turned to his mate.
"Simba, I know it's Ranji's wish if he wants to stay or not, but I'm pretty sure he'll want to leave. I know the Pride won't welcome him anymore. Especially Kudeka." Nala said. Simba leaned in closer and nuzzled his nose against her's.
"Yeah, sweetie, I know." Simba said. "But I can't tell him to leave just because he's Aman's son. And Aman and Kana weren't exiled. They left on purpose. I have no reason to exile him."
Nala nodded. She laid her head in his paws, and pulled Kiara close to her. Simba laid his head onto of hers and soon they were asleep.
The next day, Kiara was up at the crack of dawn. She quietly tried to get up without rousing her parents. Just as she got free of their grasp, and began tip toeing away, she felt Simba stamping his paw on her tail.
"No, Kiara." Simba mumbled, eyes still closed.
Kiara sighed and sat down. Once she was sure that Simba was asleep again, she gently pulled her tail out of his grasp and trotted out of the den.
Kiara went into the den. She saw that her grandparents were still asleep, along with Shinda, Alex and Shani. Tojo wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Kiara walked out of the den and headed down Priderock. At the base she saw Ranji.
"Ranji!" Kiara called, trotting towards him. Ranji turned around and gave her a friendly smile when he saw Kiara.
"Kiara!" Came a voice. Kiara spun around to see Tojo hurrying towards her. Tojo picked her up by the scruff and turned to Ranji.
"Just stay away from my family, Ranji." Tojo hissed and walked up Priderock with a confused Kiara still dangling from his mouth. Tojo took Kiara to the Pride's resting place.
"Uncle Tojo?" Kiara asked.
"Kiara, I don't like you playing with Ranji." Tojo said.
"Why?" Kiara asked.
"He...I don't... trust...never mind." Tojo said, not quite sure how to explain this to his niece. "Just don't go playing with him."
"Why?" Kiara asked, narrowing her amber red eyes.
"Kiara, please just listen." Tojo said.
"Tell me why," Kiara begged.
"I'll let Aunt Shinda or Aunt Shani explain that to you." Tojo said. He got up and began walking back to the den.
Kiara trotted into the den. She saw that her aunts were still asleep. Kiara then walked over to where her best friend, Danyssa was sleeping. Careful not to wake Danyssa's older brothers, Ari and Tanabi, she tip toed over to Danyssa and gently shook her awake.
"Hey!" Kiara whispered. "Get up!"
Danyssa slowly opened her brown eyes, yawning. Kiara motioned for her to be quiet.
"Let's go," Danyssa whispered and the two cubs trotted out of the den.
"Are we even allowed to leave Priderock this early?" Danyssa asked.
"No one's gonna find out. We can just come back to Priderock before everyone starts getting up." Kiara said. Danyssa nodded and the two of them walked down Priderock.
"And where do you two think you're going?" Came a voice. The cubs whirled around to see Moraan and Simba walking toward them. The males picked the cubs up and carried them back to the top of Priderock.
"What have we told you about leaving Priderock this early?" Moraan asked.
"Daddy we weren't gonna go far." Danyssa said.
"Just to the Waterhole." Kiara said.
"You're too young to leave Priderock this early without anyone knowing. Don't do that again. Understand?" Simba asked.
The cubs nodded.
"And not many cubs are going to be leaving today. Most of the lionesses are going on a big hunt. The males have a little bit extra of patrolling to do so there not going to any adults around the Pridelands to watch you. Go stay at the crèche." Moraan said.
"Who's watching us there?" Kiara asked.
"I think Arana and another lioness. Now go." Simba said. He herded the cubs toward the nursery den. Feeling disappointed, Kiara and Danyssa walked into the den.
Kiara and Danyssa went into the nursery den to see that most of the Pride cubs were already there along with another five lionesses. Kiara saw Nala walk into the den.
"Mom!" Kiara called, trotting to her mother.
Nala gave the top of her head a lick.
"Can't you watch the crèche?" Kiara asked.
"I'm afraid not, my sweet."Nala said. "I have to lead the hunt. I'm going to be gone for most of the day."
"I wanna watch you hunting buffalo!" Kiara begged.
Nala nuzzled her," You know that's too dangerous. The buffalo could charge at you any minute."
Kiara sighed. Nala gave the back to her ears another lick.
"I'll see you in the evening. Your father and the other males have a daylong patrol. During this time of the year, hyenas pass by. We have to make sure they stay out." Nala said. Nuzzling her once more, Nala walked out of the den.
Kiara watched her go. Suddenly, she felt someone pouncing on her and the next thing she knew, she was on the ground.
Kiara looked up to see Hofu standing onto of her.
"Pinned ya!" Hofu laughed.
"Get off!" Kiara huffed. This only amused Hofu more.
"Alright, Hofu. Let her up." Runju said, walking into the den. He gently pushed Hofu off Kiara.
"I'm going now. Stay in the nursery den." Runju said, giving both of them a nuzzle.
"You wanna play with me and Sahil?" Hofu asked. Kiara shook her head.
"Alright then," Hofu said and went over to Sahil.
"Kiara?" Came a voice. Danyssa walked up to her.
"Let's go play with Kovu." Danyssa said. Kiara nodded and the three cubs went and began wrestling.
Meanwhile, Tojo still hadn't joined the males for the patrol yet. He was sure that Ranji was there and Tojo wasn't quite ready to face him.
Tojo's heart ached. Ranji had had his father for his whole life while Tojo had been missing him for his whole life. It wasn't fair. Did he even want to see Aman again?
Tojo decided that he wanted to see Aman again. Despite being angry at him, Tojo wanted to see his father again.
But where was Aman? Ranji had told them that he had been attacked by hyenas along with Kana. Ranji had fled.
Fleeing was something he never would have done. He would have stayed and defended his father. He wasn't a coward.
He growled. Ranji didn't deserve a father!
He would ask Ranji where he last saw Aman. Then he would go and find his father. Whether he was alive or not.
And as far as Tojo was concerned, there would be no way he was going to let Ranji accompany him on his journey.
This was going to be something between him and Aman.
He wouldn't let his sisters come either. He didn't want to risk them getting hurt. If he found Aman, he would come back to the Pridelands and show Shinda and Shani where they were.
He would find his father.
Hope you enjoyed and please review.