A couple of days went by, before Kovu returned. He looked exhausted and hurt on his wife. His fur was messy, and Kiara was happily cleaning him while he told what had happened on his search for his sister. He had managed to find her but was shocked to know that Fuli spoke the truth. Tani was not going to return. Kovu had been torn apart when he had found out that his sister couldn't handle taking care of her cubs. He had gone mad on her and tried to reason with her, but she wasn't able to be convinced and Kovu had to return empty handed.
"So, everything Fuli said was true?" Kiara asked after he had told his story to end.
"Yes," he sighed. "I didn't want to believe it. I just thought she had sacked behind."
"There was nothing you could have done, Kovu," Kiara said. "Your sister is very stubborn-"
"Stubborn, yes, but this is something different," Kovu sighed. "She knew what was at risk. She knew that her cubs wouldn't survive if Fuli didn't returned with them."
"I have been talking with her and she agrees that it would be best if we took take care of them," Kiara said, licking his head clean. "And tomorrow, they are going to be presented to the rest of the Pride lands as well."
Kovu looked a little sadden by the news. "So, I guess we are parents to four cubs now," he said, trying to lighten the situation.
"So, it would seem," Kiara said, kissing the lion on his mouth.
"I need to apologize to her," Kovu sighed. "I didn't believe her."
"Or you could stay here and keep me companied," Kiara said with a desirous undertone.
The lion smirked at his wife. "Yeah I could," he said, placing Kiara on top of her, caressing her golden fur with his paw. He leaned in to kiss the lioness.
"Are you two going to make out in front of your cubs?"
The couple quickly turned their heads towards the entrance in alarm and saw that Nala had sneaked in on them.
"Mom! Privacy please," Kiara said annoyed.
"Your little brother is sensible enough to do it outside the cave," Nala teased. "I only came to have a word with you then you can return to whatever it was you were doing."
"I'll leave you two alone," Kovu said. "I need to do something. It won't be long," he added, kissing his wife on the forehead. He walked past the queen and out through the cave. It was on high time to find the king cheetah. He had a pretty good idea where she would be, and he set towards the hunting grounds where he crept into the grass, not spotted by any animal, causing panic. He caught sight of the cheetah. She had been successful with her hunt and dragging a male antelope, right in his direction. He got up from his crouch and instantly the cheetah spotted him. She immediately changed direction.
"Wait, Fuli! I just want a word with you," he called and quickly got up beside her.
"I don't want to talk right now," she hissed trough her gritted teeth.
"Let me help you with that," he said, reaching with his jaw around the antelope but Fuli jerked it out of his reach and threw it on the ground. She faced the lion with a stern look. "Listen, Kovu. If you want to admit you were a jerk and thought your sister was an angle then just say it, instead of helping me, making it all right again!" she hissed.
The lion looked to be have taken aback. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you, Fuli, but she is my sister. I had to get the truth from her."
"So, you found her?" she asked more calmly. "What did she say?"
"Just a little more than you told me, but she really regrets-"
"Don't tell me she begs for forgiveness," Fuli barked. "She knew what she did, and it can't be undone."
"If you have in mind punishing her, you are not going to find her anytime soon," said the lion. "She is so ashamed of herself that she puts as much space between her and the Pride Lands."
"And that's how it's going to be," Fuli hissed through her gritted teeth and turned around, heading towards Pride Rock.
"Wait, what about your catch?" Kovu called after her.
"Well you were so gentle to ask to assist me, so you can carry it home," the cheetah called back.
"Cheeky cheetah," Kovu smirked and pulled his jaw around the impala to drag it home.
000
It was still dark when Fuli woke up her cubs the next morning. She gently licked them awake which caused moans of frustrations from them.
"Come on, cubs," she whispered. "It's time to wake up."
"Mom," Akisi whined. "The sun hasn't risen yet."
"Let us sleep," Amara yawned.
"Come on, are you cheetah's or not," Fuli teased.
"Right now, I'm a lion," Tasha yawned. "Wake us when there's breakfast."
"Listen up, cubs. It's a big day for your cousins," she said more firmly. "They are going to be shown to the rest of the Pride Lands and enter The Circle of Life."
"So what?" Shida said. "They are not our brothers and sister, so why should we care."
"Listen up you ungrateful cubs!" Fuli hissed. "It's something you don't want to miss, it's a once in a lifetime experience. You may not be able to see it ever again."
"Do we eat before or after?" Akisi asked.
Fuli rolled her eyes and turned around. "Impossible cubs," she whispered and walked out to her husband who was looking down on the arriving herds of animals who wanted to see the newborn princes and princess. "Quite a lot that have come to watch, right?"
"Yeah," the lion said distantly.
"You nervous?" Fuli asked, noticing the distant tone in her husband's voice.
"No, not at all-I-I just don't know where to stand, I mean when my dad was presented, Scar was suppose to be by my grandpa's side-"
"Are we really having another Scar conversation, right now?" Fuli said annoyed. "Look, Kion. You are not Scar, you will never be, end of discussion."
The lion still looked distant. Fuli moved closer and touched his cheek. The lion looked at her with the same moody face he carried when he was worried. She leaned in and snugged him. Low mumble could be heard between the crowd and Kion quickly broke the kiss.
Fuli looked puzzled at him. "What's wrong?" she asked. The lion just growled in the direction of the crowd. "You really don't listen to what they have to say? They don't know anything, Kion," she added, pulling his face towards hers again. "Don't listen to their rubbish, they don't know how we feel about each other."
"And that should come from you," he said moodily.
Fuli looked stunned at him. "Just because you once said to me, I shouldn't listen to them, doesn't mean I can't do the same."
The lion looked at her with an apologizing look. He leaned in, so did she and where about to-
"If you two could get the tongue out of each other, we got some cubs that still needs to be awaken."
Fuli and Kion moved awkwardly their faces apart from each other and looked embarrassed at Nala, who had walked in on them. "Your cubs aren't awake yet and Makini could be here any minute."
"I'll do it," the lion said a bit more cheerful. "Time to see what their father will do if they won't listen."
He strolled into the cave accompanied by Fuli. Kovu, Simba and Kiara were readying the cubs, giving them their last bath before the ceremony. Kion looked at his cubs that were fast asleep and around on the rest of the lionesses. "You better cover your ears," he said to them. "Also, you, honey."
Fuli and the others did as he asked. Kion walked closer on the sleeping youngsters. He went in pouncing position and opened his large jaw to let a powerful roar erupt from his throat. The four youngsters came quickly out of their sleep.
"Jeez, dad, why did you do that for?" Shida asked, rubbing his ear.
"That was really loud," Tasha whined.
"That was epic, dad," Amara said, admiring the lion.
"What? I can't hear you," Akisi said, rubbing his ears as well. "I think dad blew my eardrums down my throat."
"Now when you all are awake, we can procced," Fuli said. "Walk outside and line up. We will join you shortly afterwards."
"Why does the ceremony have to be so early?" Shida whined as he and his siblings walked outside.
"It's the future rulers of the Pride Lands that will step into The Circle of Life today and be presented to the rest of the Pride Lands," Tasha said.
"Yeah, but why do we have to participate?"
"We are their cousins, Shida," Amara said.
"Okay, so Tasha, you and Amara and I will-"
"Why do you have to give the orders, Akisi?" Shida asked grumpily. "I know where I'm supposed to stand."
"Uh, someone got their leg out of bed the wrong way," Akisi teased.
"Just you watch, little brother," Shida said grumpily and lined up beside Tasha. Akisi rolled his eyes and took his place beside Amara as Makini stepped into sight.
"Hey, Makini," the cubs greeted.
"Hallo, cubs," she happily greeted. "So where is your cousin? Can't wait to see," Makini said exited, rubbing her hands and looked excitedly around. Fuli and Kion arrived shortly afterward.
"Thank goodness you're in place," Fuli said relived.
"Well they got a mother that would be pissed if they didn't," Kion teased, hugging the mandrill. "So how is it to be the Mjuzi for two prides?"
"Oh, I'll manage, Kion, it's really not that difficult," Makini said with ease.
Out through the cave Kiara came, carrying the brown lioness cub. "She is beautiful," Makini said adoringly. Next came Kovu with the golden lion cub. "Two cubs?" Next came Simba with the brown lion cub. "Three?" And last came Nala with the fourth cub. "Well this is going to be a challenge," Makini said, taking the brown lioness cub from Kiara. She walked to the edge of the rock and lifted the cub high into the air. The sun light lighted up the brown fur and made it visible from down the crowd. They began to cheer, at the sight of their future ruler. This continued until the fourth cub was brought into the light, then the crowd bowed deeply in front of the rock.
"This is going to be the start of a new era," Makini said, handing the cub to Nala.
000
"Why is it again we have to be lined up?"
"Because we will be getting visit from the Night Lands," Fuli said annoyed to her cubs, adjusting Akisi's mane. "Rani will be here, and I want you to make a good example of yourself in front of her."
"Mom, we know Rani. She is not high ass, she doesn't act like she owns everything," Amara said. "It's not that," Fuli sighed. "It's the first time that our pride will meet her council as well. And we have to act as noble as possible, because I'm sure the council is still mad on your farther for choosing me instead of Rani."
"So why should we act politely towards them, if they don't like us?" Shida asked annoyed, while her mother cleaned a dirty spot on him.
"Because this is just not a friendly meeting," Fuli told. "This meeting will decide the fate for our relationship with them in the future. If Rani's council don't approve us, we will no longer be allice and we will be more vulnerable to attacks. So, you better act like real princes and princesses."
"Fine, ma," Tasha said annoyed. "But why do I and Amara, have to wear these stupid flowers, when you don't."
"She also needs hers," a voice interrupted. Fuli looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zuri approached her with a flower in her mouth. She placed it behind her ear.
"Do I really have to?" Fuli whined.
"You might be a tomboy, Fuli, but you have to respect the ceremony's traditions," Zuri said. Her excitement all of a sudden left her face. "Have you seen Tiifu?" she asked concerned.
"No, I thought she was out hunting," Fuli replied puzzled.
"I have looked for her everywhere," Zuri said worryingly. "If she doesn't get back soon, she will not be able to get dressed in time."
"Now that would be a shame," Fuli said. "If she doesn't return soon, I promise I'll alert Kion and when the meeting has started, we will go look for her."
"Thanks, Fuli," Zuri said and moved on. "And don't you dare remove that flower."
The sun was shining its last light across the Pride Lands when Rani and her council arrived. The royal family bowed to her.
"Bow," Fuli hissed through her gritted teeth when she saw her cubs didn't.
"Don't listen to your mother," Rani said comforting, hugging the cheetah. "She still doesn't know how to handle this royal thing."
"So how have you been, your highness," Kion teased, hugging the lioness as well.
"Oh, I have been busy," Rani said casually.
"But you haven't still looked for a mate," said one of the lions from the council.
"Nguvu, I said it's up to me to find one that I want to start a family with," Rani said annoyed to the lion. "It might take some time."
"But we can't wait forever on an heir."
"And I have already told you I don't want to be betrothed to some stranger," Rani replied annoyed and moved onwards. The council moved closer and Fuli and Kion bowed to them.
Nguvu completely ignored Fuli's presence. "So, you're the lion that married a cheetah?" Nguvu asked with a hint of repellence.
"I married a king cheetah," Kion corrected. "And a better example doesn't exist," he added, looking adoringly at her.
Nguvu snorted and moved on.
"Not the best introduction," Fuli said, giving her husband an innocent smile.
"Mademoiselle, Fuli," said a soft voice from the past.
Fuli looked towards source and saw a handsome yellow cheetah with a sharp jaw gazing back at her with an enchanted look. He leaned down and kissed her paw. Fuli blushed slightly and awkwardly removed it.
"Azaad… It has been a long time since-"
"We saw each other," Azaad concluded. "My apology, Fuli, but I was occupied, it seemed that I was late." He added looking at the four cubs. "All yours?"
"Ye-yes," Fuli stuttered, not understanding why she felt so nervous or hot for that matter.
"You look beautiful," he said, making her blush even more.
Kion thrusted his chest forward, as a sign that he wasn't comfortable with the cheetah flirting with his wife. Azaad seemed to notice and stopped his sweet chat.
"I hope we can chat later, catching up on everything," the cheetah said and moved on.
Fuli touched her hot cheek distantly. It was a long time she had seen the cheetah, and now all of a sudden, he returns back in her life and her forgotten feelings towards him bloomed. She had had a good eye to him, but she knew better than to fall in love with a cheetah.
"Why does he got the nerves to come back now?" Kion questioned annoyed. "You're all right, fool? You're all red."
"I'm fine," she said distantly.
"Well this is a happy sight," said a drawling voice.
Fuli was brought back to present and looked for the disturbance. Ahardi was approaching them with his usual smirk around his face. Kion's claws immediately were flexed and he buried them down into the ground in pure hatred towards the lion. Fuli noticed and quickly walked in front of him.
"What are you doing here, Ahardi?" Fuli asked firmly.
"The same thing as the rest of the council," he said mockingly.
"You're-you're a part of the council?" Fuli asked incredulously.
"That's right and I'm also here to see you-know-what," the said wickedly.
"I hope Rani has an excellent excuse letting a filth like you into her council," Kion growled.
"As for the matter of fact, Kion, unlike you, I'm respected for making sensible decisions, and I can control my temper compared to you who has to show what a fierce lion you are," Ahardi mocked. "But deep inside you're just an insecure kitten that fears someone is going to steal your girl, though I don't see who wants to."
Kion growled threateningly. "Don't you talk to our parents like that," Amara said angrily, stepping forth.
Ahardi turned his attention towards the cubs and gave them the same wicked smile.
"So, these are your cubs?" he said stepping closer to them. "I don't think I have had a proper introduction."
Amara stepped nervously a bit back.
"I'm Ahardi."
"Shouldn't you go look for Tani instead?" Fuli asked superiorly.
"yeah where is my girl actually?" he questioned.
"You should know," Fuli barked.
"Well at least I can see hers, you-know-what," he said and walked into the cave were the cubs were sleeping beside Kiara. His wicked smile grew wider as he approached the cubs. "So, these are the future heirs?"
"Yes," Kiara said adoringly.
"Do they got any names?"
"Well this one (she moved her paw above the brown lioness), is called Malkia, (she moved her paw above the golden lion) this one is named Mustafar, (she moved her paw above the lion cub with the cheek fluffs), this one is named Zawadi, (she moved her paw over the light brown cub) and this one is named Nuka."
Ahardi's smile grew. "So, which of them are Tani's?"
Kiara looked taken aback but replied firmly. "She doesn't got any, at least for what I know."
"Come on, it has been mating season, I-surely someone has been kind enough to help her get cubs," Ahardi said annoyed. "Where is she anyway."
"She is not here, Ahardi," Kiara replied firmly. "Now, if you would excuse me, I think we should join the others," she added and got up.
Ahardi stayed behind and glared menacingly at the cubs.
"Ahardi! What are you doing? The meeting is about to start," Fuli called. "Showing yourself as the respectable lion you are, you shouldn't be late."
Ahardi turned around and gave Fuli a glare when he passed her. The cheetah followed shortly afterwards and met up with Kion.
"They say it's only for the future heirs," Kion teased. "Want to go for a night walk?"
"I would love to, but we got a task," Fuli replied cheekily.
"What?"
"Well we got a missing lioness. Zuri misses her friend and no one has seen anything to Tiifu."
"Then let's go," Kion said and began to climb down the rock.
"We want to go, too," Shida said.
"No, stay here and protect the cubs," Fuli replied. "We need watchful eyes to protect the cubs while we and the others aren't looking," Fuli said, running ahead.
"Not fair," Shida whined.
"I'll join you, been a long time since I have been on patrol with you two," Azaad said. Kion looked suspiciously at him.
"great, six eyes are always better than four," Fuli replied happily.
"Great, I'll be going with you," he said and ran ahead.
Fuli gave kion a "Not to worry" look before she followed the cheetah. She could feel that she was a little nervous, walking beside the handsome cheetah. At the start they didn't talk much until Azaad broke the silence.
"Been a long time since I saw you last time, Fuli. You have grown a lot, and pretty, too."
Fuli blushed slightly. "I suppose you have been busy, too, Azaad," Fuli replied, not commenting on his sweet talk.
"I have been missing your company."
"you could have visited me whenever you liked, Azaad," Fuli said.
"So are you still the fastest or not," he teased, running ahead.
"Azaad, we got someone to look for, we can't goof around."
"Come on, are you a little pussy, or what!"
Fuli rolled her eyes and ran after the cheetah. She was gaining speed and quickly came up beside him.
"Azaad, stop, we got to look for Tiifu," Fuli called, but the cheetah didn't care. He struck out his paw, causing Fuli to tumble. He looked at fallen cheetah with a desirous look. Fuli looked back at him confused. He laid close up beside her and stroked her back with his paw. Fuli was stunned by the cheetah's move and felt intimidated, not able to refuse the cheetah's caressing paw.
"Looks like I win," he said with a desirous smile. "So, you and kion are a thing now?"
"Yes, we have been married for a year now," Fuli replied, going numb.
"You love him a lot+" Azaad asked, still stroking her cheek.
"Can't help it, but he can be a stubborn goat as well," Fuli said.
"I noticed you had had cubs, too, how did you two manage?"
"I-well we just did as everyone does, nothing special," Fuli said, blushing.
"But-I mean he is enormous compared to you," Azaad said. "He must have been hard managing inside."
"Azaad, I don't want to have an erotic talk, okay?" Fuli said firmly and moved his paw. "Yes, Kion's might be large, but we did it anyway."
"I'm sorry, I was just curious," he said. "Do you and the lion get bullied for being together?"
Fuli looked a bit stern on the cheetah. Her feelings towards the him disappeared. "Azaad, even if the mammals talked behind our backs, I couldn't care less."
Azaad gave the cheetah grin that Fuli had difficulties translating. Was it desirer?
"So, what about me and you, would you have stayed if I asked you to?" Azaad asked, blushing a little.
Fuli was silent for some seconds. "Look, Azaad, I liked you, but I had a job to do."
"And not if it where for love?"
Fuli looked dumbfounded at him. She might have had feelings for him, but she knew it wasn't love. "Azaad, If you wanted me, then you could have followed me to the Pride Lands," she sighed. "But I know why you didn't. I wasn't mature, and therefore not worth the effort."
"But you are now," he said and leaned in to kiss the cheetah.
Fuli got up. "Azaad! What are you trying on?" Fuli asked angrily. "It's been seasons since I saw you, and all of a sudden you want to flirt with me? I'm married to Kion, and only him. I know I'm older now, but that doesn't mean I have got an interest in you!"
Azaad looked madly back on her. "And for how long do you expect to be together with him?"
"Until we die!" Fuli snarled.
"But you can't possibly be together, you are a cheetah and he is a lion," Azaad said angrily. "You haven't got a second litter this season," he added, grinning. "Kion is soon going to lose interest in you when you don't want to pleasure his needs."
"Don't you dare remind me that he needs a second mate. I don't care, because he deserves better even though we are of same kind!" Fuli snarled.
"But you're not," Azaad hissed back, his soft voice was gone. "You are a freaking cheetah. You belong to be alone and mate with someone like me."
"I should mate with a git like you," Fui said disbelieving. "Tell me, what's the chances that you would have stayed with me after the mating?"
"You don't belong together with him!"
"Listen up, if you wanted me, you could have said something two, maybe I would have bit on your hook, but not now," Fuli growled. "Good night, Azaad!"
Fuli walked in her own thoughts. She was absolutely furious that Azaad had tried to kiss her, when he perfectly knew she was married, but she was even more mad on herself to let the git touch her fur. She shook her head, so the white flower in her ear fell down. Fuli watched by as the flower slowly fell towards the ground. She sighed and continued her walk, not realizing she was being watched.
"Did the cheetah ditch you?" a mockingly voice asked.
Fuli looked up and starred at a fierce looking black maned lion. "What are you talking about? Listen, I don't know who you are, so back off, before I call the rest of The Guard," Fuli snarled.
"So, you are The Fastest? Married to The Fiercest?" he asked.
Fuli looked a bit puzzled on him. "yes."
"great," he said, and with no warning he smacked a paw against the cheetah's cheek and pinned her to the ground. Fuli tried to resist but the lion squeezed around her neck, long enough to make her faint.
"Finally, we got the right one," the lion said.
"Took you too long," said a familiar mocking voice.
"You could have told us that he actually was married with her, not just having strong feelings for her," the lion said grumpily.
"I thought I said enough for your thick heads to understand the message."
The black maned lion growled. "So, what do we do with her? Throw her of the cliff?"
"No, I promised someone he could have some fun with her, before we end her," said the drawling lion. "Take her back to the lioness and make sure to disguise both of yours scent."
"You want me to kill an animal, just to rub her in its intestines?"
"No, that's too good for her, do it in the mud, will take her some time to clean it off."
"As you wish," the black maned lion grinned wickedly.
000
The meeting had been over for a long time and both prides had agreed to continue their close relationship with each other. Now that the Night pride was returning to their homelands, Kiara could return to feed the hungry cubs. Kion had returned from his search, and as always patiently waited for his wife to come home, but hours slept by as he waited, and Tasha noticed her father's concern.
"Dad? Is there something wrong?" she asked.
"It's your mom," the lion sighed. "She hasn't returned. I fear that something might had happen to her."
"You think her and Azaad could-you know-"
"No, your mother haven't seen him for a long time and she knows better than trusting a male cheetah," Kion said.
"Where they ever in love like you and Rani?" she asked.
Kion gave the cub a pleased grin. "She had feelings for him, all right, but it wasn't like they went on night walks. I'll go look for her, you stay her sweetie," he added, kissing the cheetah on the forehead.
"Stay safe, dad."
"I will," he winked and ran out to find his lost wife. He sniffed the air trying to get the scent of her, and he found both hers and Azaad's. It seemed like they had had some fun. He could smell the cheetah had had his body pressed against hers and Kion growled in disgust that the cheetah had enough nerves to seduce his wife. He moved on, and saw to his relief, that their ways had parted and Fuli had continued on her own. Kion walked further with his nose in the ground. He stopped over a white flower. Fuli's white flower. "Fuli," he whispered. He sniffed the flower, but no matter how hard he concentrated, her trail was gone, but it wasn't all. He could smell that she hadn't been alone. Someone had found her and what kion could smell, it wasn't good news. He knew it was the scent from one of the three black maned lions. He had been here, and Great kings know what to her. He sniffed again, but their trail was gone.
000
Someone was gently pushing Fuli's head. She smiled pleasantly and moved pleasantly, knowing her husband was waking her up. "Kion, five more minutes," she said.
"Fuli wake up," said a voice, but it wasn't a male one.
Fuli opened her eyes and looked into a troubled lioness face. Tiifu was staring back at her. "Tiifu?" Fuli asked puzzled. "Where have you been? Zuri has been looking for you. We thought something bad had happened to you."
"That's true enough," she sighed.
Fuli looked more confused on her. "What do you mean?"
"We are not in the Pride Lands, if it's that you think," Tiifu sighed.
Fuli raised her head and looked around. She wasn't in Pride Rock's cave for sure. This one was smaller, and it smelled a lot of male lion.
"So, the cheetah is awake," said a mocking voice. Fuli turned her head and saw that three black maned lions had entered the cave. It was none other than the three black maned lions Kion had mentioned and feared. Fuli got up on her paws and hissed threateningly at them.
"Uh, she is a fierce one," said the other one. "Took some time cleaning your filthy fur, ha?"
"What are you talking about?" Fuli hissed.
"I covered you in mud so your pathetic husband wouldn't get your scent," mocked the lion.
Fuli hissed even more threateningly at them. "I really hope you're joking."
"He is not, Fuli," Tiifu said guiltily. "I cleaned your fur."
Fuli looked stunned at the lioness. "But that-that is private-that's a job for-"
"-For Kion, but it doesn't look like he is hear, does it, sweetie?"
Fuli turned her face and saw that Ahardi had entered the cave as well. "You! You-you are the one that did this to me!" she hissed.
"Not the mud, but everything else is true," Ahardi said wickedly. "You see Fuli," he said turning his back to her and faced the wall. "I had dreams like you, but they were destroyed."
"You want me to give you my condolence? " Fuli mocked.
"No, I want you to listen," he said, turning his face towards her. "You where the one ruining everything for me." Fuli raised an eyebrow. "Let me tell you a story. Once was there a kingdom that was supposed to be ruled by one from two prides. One was familiar, the other was a stranger," he paused.
"I'm listening," Fuli said as an attempt to keep him going.
"Well, everything seemed like it was coming true. The prince and the queen seemed to love each other, but then something happened. The prince's heart belonged to someone else. It belonged to one of his best friends. You," he said, pointing a sharp claw towards her.
"Ahardi, if this is your best attempt of seeking justice, it's pathetic. You can't control who's going to fall in love with who," Fuli said unimpressed.
"That wasn't my point," he said threateningly. "If Rani and Kion had been married, I would have had your dear prince come out for a little accident. It would surely brake Rani's heart and she would look for support, and I would step into the light and be her king."
"You wanted to rule the Night Lands," Fuli said dubious. "Now I get it. Rani would never have married you by herself, but if Kion died and they hadn't started a family, you would be number one."
"You aren't as dumb as you look," Ahardi mocked.
"Then just tell what Tiifu is doing here?" Fuli asked.
"Well that was a minor mistake my subjects made," Ahardi mocked.
"We are not your subjects," growled the lion.
"They were so stupid to believe that your husband was married to a lioness when he deserved less," Azaad continued, as if he hadn't noticed the lion's comment.
"Let me guess," she addressed to Tiifu. "You walked in on the moron while you hunted?"
"Yes," Tiifu confessed.
"But it's not the first time. Kion has seen those three when we were in the wilderness together," Fuli said, remembering the lions Kion had to scare away.
"Yes, after hearing you two had run away together, it was clear to me that my plan had failed," Ahardi said. "I planned my revenge and hired three unknown lions who could be a thread. They found you and their pathetic tactic didn't work of course."
"No, it didn't," Fuli agreed. "Kion returned to my and Tasha's aid."
"They were so foolish to try it again when you three had returned to the Pride Lands, but yet again something stopped them."
"I went into labour."
"It was clear to me that I had to take matters into my own," Ahardi concluded. "I looked for an easy prey that knew you well. So, well that she knew your secrets."
"Don't mention that traitor," Fuli snarled. "She abandoned her cubs."
Ahardi's wicked smile grew. "She abandoned them, no wonder why her pathetic face wasn't there yesterday. So, her cubs are future rulers now. Seems like I will get plenty to rule."
"So why am I target to you, Ahardi?" Fuli snarled. "What is it you want?"
"I want to make your life as miserable as possible," Ahardi grinned.
"And I suppose keeping me in here your prisoner will help?" Fuli spat.
"No, but I will," said a calm seducing voice.
Fuli looked towards the entrance and her eyes widened with fear. Right in front of her stood Makucha with his wicked smile. "Hadn't expected to see me ver again, had you, honey," he added as he calmly approached her. Fuli immediately began to walk backwards but hit the end of the cave. She was caught and this wasn't just a bad dream, it was real nightmare. Makucha stopped inches from her face and caressed her cheek creepily with his paw. "I can see that we two are going to have it very fun together," he added, and his wicked grin grew wider.