Authors note: Sorry I'm late with this chapter and I'm sadly going to be delayed again. There will be exams next week, so there won't come a new chapter within the following weeks, sorry:'(
Ono was flying high above the wilderness, far away from the Pride lands. His eyes were searching every inch for his lost friend. Fuli had been missing for some days and The Guard was trying assiduously to find her. Ono had already made a search above the Night Lands just to be sure the culprits wasn't hiding there. He had his suspicions that Ahardi could be the undercover type, playing his cards well, but this was all assumptions. But no matter for how long he searched, the cheetah and the black maned lions were gone.
He returned empty handed to the Pride Lands, to inform his step-in leader. He saw Amara was patiently awaiting outside Pride Rock for him. He started to fly down towards her and landed.
"Any signs of my ma?" she questioned immediately.
"No, your highness, she is gone, as well as the lions. There is no trace of them," Ono said to the disappointed lioness.
"We have to keep looking, dad is completely in despair, he hasn't slept at all," Amara said. "Why should they be sneaky enough to cover their scent?"
"I don't know, but I agree we have to find her soon," Ono said. "Three lions against one cheetah isn't a fair fight, and not one Fuli can win."
At that moment, Tasha and Shida arrived back from their search as well.
"Any luck?" Amara asked them, though she knew the answer the expression of their faces.
"No," Tasha said. "I and Shida have search around where dad encountered the lions for the first time, but their scent was gone, too."
"It's like they have been erased," Shida sighed. "Never existed."
"Dad is not going to be pleased by this news," Amara sighed. "I'll inform him," she added and walked inside the cave, leaving the three of them staring moodily at her back. Amara found her dad walking in circles, talking to himself, "All my fault".
"Dad?" Amara asked softly.
Kion stopped and looked at his daughter. He looked moodier than ever, and her daughter's expression didn't help on his mod.
"Ono has searched the northern regions and Tasha and Shida has searched were you met the black maned lions for the first time, but their traces are gone. One even searched the Night Lands, just to be sure."
"We'll find her," the lion said in a not too optimistic voice.
Amara noticed. "Dad, you have to be strong. Mom is it and she is the smallest of us, if she can, you can, too."
The lion pulled her into a tight hug. "I just don't know what to do if I lose her. It's my fault. I should never had let her go alone."
"It's not your fault, dad," Amara comforted, stroking a paw in the lion's mane. "You couldn't have predicted this."
"I just fear that I might never see your mom again," the lion sobbed.
"You will, dad. I promise. We find her."
Far away from the Pride Lands were Tiifu trying to calm down the king cheetah who paced the floor like a mad. She feared what was upcoming and knew it was investable because there were no chance that anyone would come and save them. The only reason she still was alive was because of Makucha to have a toy he could play with.
"Fuli, calm down, I'm sure they are looking for us," Tiifu assured, trying to hide the panic in her voice.
Fuli stopped her pacing and stared madly at the lioness. "Calm down!" Fuli bellowed. "I know what is awaiting me, Tiifu. If you knew what he wants to do with me, you would pace the floor, too. And what do you mean about "They are looking for us"? You said it yesterday yourself. They covered our scent. We are alone, Tiifu. We can't escape."
Tiifu looked moodily into the ground. "Do you really think he is going to do it with you?" she questioned timidly.
Fuli looked determined into Tiifu's eyes. "You don't know Makucha like I do, Tiifu. He is not one who plays with his food. He just does what pleases him."
"What are you going to do?"
"What can we do?" Fuli barked. "We have no chance of escaping. If I manage to flee, Makucha will quickly catch up and he will surely – surely -," Fuli tried to find courage to say what she feared. "Mate with me."
Tiifu looked away, feeling pity for the cheetah. "I was only trying to help," she whispered.
"Well it would be a lot more helpful if The Guard was here," Fuli sighed. "Then we could have been home by now."
"You are a part of The Guard," Tiifu comforted. "We'll figure something out."
Fuli looked disbelieving at her. "It would take a miracle to get us out of this alive."
Tiifu opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by one of the black maned lions.
"Makucha wants to see you," said one of the lions to Fuli.
"She will not be seeing him," Tiifu sneered. "So, bogger off!"
The lion's smile grew and slapped the Tiifu with his paw. "You better keep your mouth shut, or you get same treatment as your friend."
Fuli sneered at the lion, but before she could attack, another lion had forced his jaw around her neck, pulling her away. "Let go of me," she screamed, fighting hard to escape. The lion dragged her outside and threw her in front of Makucha. She looked up into his threatening smile. She quickly got up on her paws. She might be his prisoner, but she still had some dignity left to do everything in her will not to succumb to the leopard's deeds.
"So, want to go for a walk with me," he said with an undertone of desire.
"Rather kiss a baboon's ass, than going with you," she hissed back.
Makucha's smile grew. "You still got the largest mouth even though you know you're fucked," he said grimly. "Listen, Fuli, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Fine, bring her out," the leopard called to the lions. Soon after his command, Tiifu was dragged out by one of the lions. She as well fought hard to escape. "You see, it wasn't a mistake that your friend was captured, too. She might come in handy. We both know that you're not as harsh as you look, but if you don't walk with me, it's Tiifu that will have to pleasure the lions while you watch by."
Both Fuli and Tiifu's eyes widened with fear. Fuli knew Makucha was a creep but use a friend against her to do his biddings was just repelling.
"You repel me, Makucha," Fuli said slowly.
"You have to live with that, sweetie," he said grimly. "So, what will it be? I can't wait all day for you to make a decision."
Fuli turned her head to look at Tiifu who had stopped fighting. She looked fearful back at her. Fuli droopily turned her face back to the leopard. "If you promise they won't hurt Tiifu while we're gone, I will be yours."
Makucha's wicked smile grew. "Deal."
"Noo, Fuli, you can't, just let them do it!" Tiifu howled after her as she was dragged back into the cave.
"Shall we," Makucha said and began to walk. Fuli looked moodily into the ground, fully understanding what she had signed up for.
Back in the Pride Lands had there been observed more rogue attacks. Kion had neglected his duties to instead of focusing finding his wife. He had sent The Guard out in the search of finding her. He knew they trespassed territories and neglected their primary duty, but it was the only way to find her.
Simba had noticed this and addressed his son with the matter. "Son, I know you really want to find her, but you can't send The Guard away all the time," he said. "There are no one to protect the Pride Lands while you and The Guard are gone, and your mom, sister and brother-in-law has been closed to be assaulted by rogues. If you don't change your strategy soon, we will be over run."
Kion looked disbelieving at his father. "You want me to stop my search for Fuli?"
"I know it's hard, but right now we need you and The Guard," Simba said. "We need you to protect us. I'm positive that your wife would agree. We got cubs, too, who can't defend themselves and you have to think about yours, too. Amara has been acting as your replacement the whole week. If you don't take your duties more serious, son, she will soon be in charge of your friends."
"How would you feel if mom was gone!" Kion asked. "You would have searched Africa through thick and thin to find her."
"I would have known my place," Simba barked at his son.
"How can you say that, father?" Kion asked angrily. "You love mom more than anything, don't pretend you would leak on the security just to find her!"
"I now it's hard, son, but I will do what's necessary to protect my kingdom."
"You can't be serious. You want me to give up finding her?" Kion asked disbelieving.
Simba hesitated. "Yes, do what's necessary to protect your home."
"Simba!" Nala interrupted, walking over to her son. "You can't blame your son for looking for his wife."
"I know it's hard, Nala," Simba said. "But we have to keep the Pride Lands safe. I here now give you an order, son. Stop your search and return to your duties," Simba sad sternly and walked away.
Kion broke down in tears and pushed his large head into his mother's chest.
"Shh, son. Fuli will show up soon enough, don't worry," she comforted, stroking a paw across his red mane.
"I'll never see her again," he cried. "If we don't keep up a search, it's surely all hope is lost."
"No, it's not, Kiongozi," Nala comforted. "Never give up hope."
Makucha and Fuli arrived back to the lions and Tiifu late on the evening. Tiifu had stopped her pacing when she saw them return. She looked alarmed at the leopard and the cheetah, though she began to wonder why Fuli looked so calm and Makucha so harassed. He kicked the ground when he passed her and cursed the air. Fuli walked inside the cave without replying to Tiifu questions, about how she could be calm. She followed her inside. "Fuli, how could you do this to yourself?" she asked hurt. "You should have - " but she suddenly stopped when she saw Fuli were amused.
"He never got the chance," she said with a smile.
"But - but you were gone for hours," Tiifu said dumfounded.
"You thought I would make it easy for him when we were alone," she teased. "No, I ran, and he ran after me of course. I spared some energy, so I wouldn't go dead and I let him get close to me, but when he did, I told him I would scream if he laid a paw on me. We were pretty close to the Pride Lands, so it was possible to someone hear me scream."
"You tricked him?" Tiifu asked dumbfounded. "But why didn't he try when you were on your way back?"
"That also occurred to me, but you saw how mad he was? I think it didn't occur to him. I think he was boiling with madness over that his sneaky tactic didn't worked out," Fuli replied.
"Fuli, why did you go with him?" Tiifu asked. "This is what he wants with you, you must not give him the satisfaction. You should have the lions done their par-"
"Tiifu," Fuli said firmly. "I would never forgive myself if the lions did it to you. You are a part of the Pride Lands and therefore under The Lion Guard's protection, which include me keeping you safe from any harm, even when the consequences will hurt me."
"But-"
"Hey," called one of the lions. "Ahardi is back. He got a surprise for you," he added with a wicked grin.
Fuli snarled at the lion. "I got enough of your lions for one day, if your boss wants to see me, he can get me himself."
The lion smiled and turned around. He stopped and turned around. "For your friend safety, I'll advice you to follow."
"Can you just not leave us alone for the night?" Fuli asked angrily.
"Oh, I'm not talking about the beauty," the lion smirked. "You better follow if your ex-friend wants to survive."
Fuli looked puzzled at the lion, but cautiously followed him outside. She saw Ahardi was dragging something large with him. At first sight, she thought it was a large antelope but as he got closer she saw it was-
"Tani!"
Fuli quickly got over to her as Ahardi laid her down. She had a nasty cut on her cheek and several scars on her body. "What did you do to her?"
"Thought she might do your company," Ahardi said mischievously. "I found her out in the field ansd she told me she had heard news that you had disappeared. So, as any good friend - oh, I mean ex-friend," he said, with an even wider grin. "I forgot you're no longer friends. Well she saw me through and accused me for being the culprit. I didn't deny, but I couldn't let her run to your husband, could I?"
Fuli looked madly at him as he walked pass her. She pulled her jaw around the lioness and when she pulled in her back skin it sounded like a low whimper came from the lioness. Fuli dragged her inside the cave to clean her wounds and scars.
"Tani?" Tiifu asked perplexed. "What is she doing here?"
"No idea," Fuli sighed as she began to lick her wounds clean. "Help me out here."
And together the two females began to clean the wounded lioness. Tani began to move by the touch of their tongues.
"Get off," she moaned. The two of them kept going undisturbed. "I said stop it," Tani said, fully awake, getting up from the ground while blood dripped from her wounds. She looked confused around and caught sight of Fuli. She immediately began to back against the wall. "I - I'm sorry, Fuli - I didn't mean to - I couldn't."
"Safe me your excuses, Tani and tell me why you met up with Ahardi!" Fuli said angrily.
"Wha - what? I – I was looking for you," Tani said puzzled, not understanding why Fuli hadn't launched on her yet. "I heard you had been captured and I wanted to help finding you, making up for – making up for-"
"Your mistake?" Fuli asked firmly.
"Yes," she timidly replied.
"well in that case you're forgiven," Fuli sighed. "But I'm not sure about your brother."
"Ah, so you're awake."
Ahardi had entered the cave and smirked at the lioness. "So, there is something I want to know. Where are our cubs?"
Tani growled.
"When I visited you the other day, you weren't there, neither were the cubs, Fuli confirmed," Ahardi said slicky.
"There are none," Fuli spat.
"I want to hear the truth from Tani, she is old enough to speak for herself," Ahardi snarled and approached her. "So, tell me, where are my sons?"
"How do you know it's sons?" Tani asked alarmed.
"What should it else be, girls, they can't rule," Ahardi said viciously and touched Tani's cheek.
"Don't touch me, your filth," Tani shouted and smacked his paw away. "I don't know where they are, all right."
"Well I know," Ahardi said wickedly. "They are being taken care of by your brother. I don't know which of the others are mine, but I'm certain Nuka is mine. Who would else be so stupid to name their cub after their dead brother."
Ahardi turned around and walked out of the cave. "Make yourself at home, while you can," he said as he vanished out through the cave.
Immediately Tani broke into tears. Fuli ran over to her, but the lioness casted away her paw.
"Don't," she sobbed. "Just leave me alone," she added and walked into a corner, curled herself up and tried to fell asleep.
Dawn rose over the Pride Lands and in secret Kion had pulled his daughter away from the hunting party's morning hunt.
"What is it you want to talk about, dad?" Amara asked. "You know I like the morning hunt."
"I know this is risky and too much to ask for, but I want you to continue the search for mom," Kion confessed. "Your grandfather has forbidden me to continue the search but not you."
"Yeah, but how am I going to managed it on my own?" Amra asked. "It's not like I have my own Guard. I'm all alone for the job," she said.
"Not if you assemble yours," Kion said sneakily. "Take your siblings with you," Kion whispered.
"Dad, this could be dangerous-"
"And that's why you keep together and don't split up, I don't want others to pay for mistake," the lion sad.
"But how do you expect we sneak out without grandpa noticing it?"
"Leave that to me, I got an idea for that. Just promise me you find mom."
"I will."
It was dead at night on the open savanna. Not a wind moved, but soon fast movement disrupted the peace. A cheetah was sprinting fast away from her pursuer, but the pursuer was not far behind. While the cheetah was running on ground, the pursuer was running from tree to tree, giving him the upper hand. He could clearly see the cheetah moving through the bushes in high speed, and he saw his chance and launched down onto the cheetah, pinned her down to the ground. The cheetah was trying to escape with all her strength, but with no luck.
"Oh, Fuli, you're going to make this so much easier if you just laid still," said Makucha in a devilish tone. He placed his paw on top of her head and pinned it down to the ground. Then he placed his body on top of her back, letting her feel his erect member. That made the cheetah lay still, petrified for what came next. "Oh, I almost forgot," he added, laying a paw across her mouth. "Then there are no chance your husband will her our love."
Those words made Fuli come back to reality and she launched her sharp teeth down into his paw. Makucha screamed in pain and quickly got up from her.
"Your mental bitch," he shouted at her, sucking his bleeding paw.
Fuli didn't wait for the leopard's next move and ran back towards her abductors, knowing that Tani and Tiifu would protect her. Large tears were streaming down her chin. Makucha had almost gained access to her and she disgusted herself for that.
She found the lioness waiting watchful in the night, while the three maned lions watched her. In the time that had passed, Fuli and Tani had managed to become friends again, but Tani still felt very guilty for letting her and her cubs down. Tani looked surprise to see the cheetah back. She had hoped their escapee plan had worked. Fuli pushed her crying face deep into her chest.
"I'm sorry, Tani, I couldn't, he was too fast," she sobbed.
Tani caressed the cheetah's back. "It's all right, Fuli. We just try again on another time."
"Try again!" Fuli cried. "You don't understand, Tani. He is too fast. I'll never be able to escape when he is around. We're done for it, Tani. There are no one that's going to come and save us. We're on our own."
Tani looked guiltily on the cheetah. It had been her idea to try and run for it, and the only one who was fast enough was Fuli, but there was the risk that she could lose her energy faster than usual because of the little food they were given and Makucha could gain in on her and do his dark deeds. "I'm sorry."
A harassed looking Makucha emerged and strode right in the direction of them. "Get away from the cheetah, lioness. She is mine and I want her now. She is going to pay for what she did to my paw," he snarled, showing his bloody paw.
"Fuck of, Makucha, she isn't yours," Tani snarled.
Makucha growled at her. "You can't protect her forever, soon you will be too starved to even move and I can have Fuli for myself," he snarled and walked away.
"Why do we even keep on fighting?" Fuli sobbed. "He is right, at some point he is going to get his claws in me, and I won't be able to escape."
"Don't say that, Fuli, you will escape. I'll promise. You're going to see your family again."
Kion were walking the dead savanna thin, trying to get his mind on something else. The last few days he hadn't got any sleep and felt exhausted. He had not done his duties like his father had told him so, but instead he had wandered alone, letting Amara do all the work. He knew it was wrong of him to let her do it, but right now he couldn't get his mind of the whereabouts of Fuli. He felt very guilty for letting her wife go alone and anger towards his father for cutting of his rescue mission. He wandered back to Pride Rock in hope that sleep would show itself tonight. He passed his father without a word and curled himself up in a far corner of the cave, clutched a white flower in his paw. Though the flower was beginning to rot, he couldn't let go of it. It had belonged to his wife, and even though how much she hated being dressed elegantly, he couldn't help but care for the flower like it was a priceless possession of his. He closed his sleepy eyes and finally fell asleep.
Someone was patting Fuli's head gently. "Fuli wake up," it whispered. Fuli opened her exhausted eyes and looked into Tani's worried face, but a hint of hope was shining in her eyes.
"Tani, what are you doing, if Makucha wants me now then fine, but he has to come here, I'm not going to lift a paw for him," she spat.
"No, he is sleeping," she whispered excitedly. "This is our chance."
Fuli looked over in the tree where the leopard usually laid in, watching her with his hungry eyes, and quite right, his eyes were closed tonight.
"He is just faking it," Fuli sighed. "I'm not going to make a new attempt. Just let him do his deeds."
Tani looked puzzled at her. "Fuli, how can you say that, this is your chance, you can escape without being noticed."
"And if I do, he will quickly follow up," Fuli barked. "I'm not going to play bait again."
"Fuli, he is sleeping, I have checked it myself," Tani assured. "Please try again. You're only hope."
Fuli looked thoughtful on the lioness and got up on her paws. "Okay, but I want you to distract the lions for as long as possible and get Tiifu to help you. She is bolder than she looks."
"Then go," Tani said.
Fuli began to walk but turned around. "Listen, Tani I'm awfully sorry for-"
"Go!" Tani said more loudly and the cheetah ran away. Tani walked over to the Tiifu and pushed her. "Tiifu, wake up."
"What?" she asked sleepily.
"Fuli is trying to escape again, so we need to let Makucha sleep for as long as possible and distract the lions."
Tiifu was quickly on her paws. "Is she making another attempt?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, and right now we have to help her as much as we can," Tani said.
"But how?"
"Leave that to me," Tani said and began to walk pridefully towards the lions, head up sky.
"Why do you got your fat nose in the sky for?" asked one of the lions.
"Nothing," she replied firmly. "I just can't wait to see your asses getting beat."
"Watch it, lioness, or we follow the leopard's example," snarled the other lion.
"Believe me, even if I were exhausted you still wouldn't have a chance," Tani mocked.
The lion got up on his paws. "We shall see," he said and looked hungry at her, but turned his gaze to look for the yellow cheetah. "Where is your friend?"
"Where do you think, moron," she mocked. "Ahardi wanted a word with her."
"You better keep your mouth shut, or I won't go easy on you," the lion snarled.
"Go easy on her?" asked a voice. Tani looked up and so did the lions. Ahardi was looking down on them. "So, tell me, Mbaya. Who gave you permission to do anything with our prisoners?"
Mbaya growled at Ahardi but then frowned. "Weren't you out with the cheetah?"
Ahardi laughed. "Oh, Mbaya, who gave you that stupid idea I would spend time with Makucha's toy."
"Your mate has told us something else," the lion said.
"She is not my mate," Ahardi hissed. "What have you told them?" he looked over where the prisoners were supposed to be sleeping but could only find Tiifu. He growled at her and launched at her, pinning her head down to the ground. "Where is she?"
"She is long gone," Tani said amused. "You have failed, Ahardi."
"No, I think not," he hissed and released the lioness from his claws. He strode over to the sleeping leopard. "Makucha, wake up, your toy is gone."
Makucha opened his eyes very sleepily. "What?" he said grumpily.
"Your toy is gone, she escaped under your very nose," Ahardi growled. "Find her."
"She can't have come far," Makucha said with an undertone of worry as he ran away, too.
Fuli had been running in some time and could feel her body slow down. She had to stop soon to rest or else the same thing that happened over a season ago would be repeated. This time without someone to save her in the last moment. She came to a halt and exhaled. She looked up and almost let out a scream. Makucha had gained in on her faster than anticipated and he was looking around for her. His green eyes were lighting up the path. Fuli bended her body lower down in the grass, not able to be spotted and carefully began to walk. The leopard noticed the motion and walked closer. Fuli froze.
"You can't hide, Fuli. You know I see better in the dark than you do. Just come out and let's get it over with. I'll promise it won't hurt."
Fuli began to move again, fearing that Makucha could hear her fast beating hearth. The leopard launched. Fuli closed her eyes but didn't feel an impact. The leopard had mistaken his attack and had instead assaulted a mouse, who quickly ran away. Fuli sighed in relief and continued to walk. "You can't hide forever in the grass! I will find you!"
Makucha began to walk again. "You may have been sneaky enough to take a path around the trees, but I will find you."
He continued to follow the moving grass in hope he could ambush the cheetah when she made a mistake. He got ready to pounce when he noticed her yellow figure but also noticed a red maned lion, standing not too far away. It was clearly he hadn't eyed him for else his head wouldn't look around. Makucha got ready to pounce and sprinted towards the lion. The young lion looked petrified when he got sight of him. Makucha pinned him down with ease. "So, tell me, Kion, what is it you can afford Fuli that I can't."
"Kion?" the lion asked surprised.
"Love," said a voice, and now it was Makucha's turn to get pinned down. Fuli had come out of her hide. "And don't you dare ambush my son while he isn't on guard!"
"Your son?" Makucha said viciously. His smile widening. "So, I imagine he must have been a pain to squeeze out of your little hole?"
"Just shut up, Makucha and leave. I won't see you ever again," Fuli hissed and stepped down from him, walking over to her son. "If you show your face again, Kion will hunt you down."
"Oh, now I'm really beginning to quiver with fear," Makucha mocked.
"Run," Fuli threatened.
"Or what, will your fierce son use his roar like your husband did whenever he couldn't handle a situation."
"He is not the future leader."
"Well that's a pity, he looks a lot like his stupid father, is he as thick too?"
Akisi growled. "Don't you dare insult my father like that."
"Listen, boy, your father and mother strode wherever they liked to, even on other territories, so just a friendly warning if you want to keep those pretty eyes of you. Stay away from territories where princes don't belong," the leopard added and turned around letting his tail slide across Fuli's face. He paused. "Oh, and if your hot mother should ever leave your father, give me a call," he said and left.
"Mom?" Akisi asked puzzled, after the first shock was gone to see his mother ambush and threaten a leopard who seemed attracted by her. "Who was that?"
"Don't mention this to your father," she sighed and hugged him tightly. "I have been so worried for you and your siblings. How's your dad?"
"He is crushed," Akisi sighed and let go of the hug.
"What are you doing out in the dark by yourself?" Fuli asked worriedly, caressing the lion's cheek.
"Looking for you."
"And where are your siblings?"
"Looking for you as well," Akisi said with a grin. "Dad told us not to split up, but we thought it was best to. Then we could cover more ground. I just tell them we don't have to search anymore," he added and turned his head into the darkness and let a loud roar erupt from his throat. Shortly afterwards it was replied with an even stronger roar. "Yep, that's Amara. She has signaled to the others to return as well."
"I can't wait to see them. I must really have scared you," Fuli sighed. "I hope dad haven't pushed the four of you too much."
"He hasn't. He is going to be so relieved to see you back home safe," Akisi said and without a warning he pulled his mother into a warm hug, which she lovingly repaid.
