Weeks passed since Ahadi had tried to avenge himself on Fuli, but she had managed to get the truth out of the lions and managed to get Ono to warn the Night Lands before someone else did. Rani had been flabbergasted when she had heard their story and was a bit dubious at first, though it was nothing compared to Nguvu. He went furious and accused the bird for being a little liar who was led behind the light by a cheetah. He needed more proof than just a bird's warning, but them Fuli, Tani and Tiifu brought him. They each told him their story and point of view plus, Tani showed her scars. Nguvu thought it was weak but when Fuli told that Ahadi had used Tani to lure out her deepest fear, Rani put the pieces together and figured their member hadn't been all sane. If he ever shoved his face in their lands again, he would be punished with death. Tani were pleased with this treatment, though Fuli were a little insecure if it was the right thing to do.

If Fuli and Kion had thought their troubles were over, they were wrong. Shida had been for a long time planning to go solo and try to live a solitude life as a cheetah, completely dependent on himself. He consulted his parents with his idea, but none of them were pleased about the news.

"Absolutely not, Shida," Kion had said. "Your family is here and so is your life."

I'm a cheetah! I'm not meant for the family life, sure it's great and I love you guys, but I want to be independent," he had said to defend himself.

"You're part lion, too," Fuli comforted him.

"That's just something you're saying," Shida said, annoyed that his parents didn't understood his wishes. "Maybe I got dad's paw marks but that doesn't make me a lion."

"We just think this decision is a bit to rash," Fuli said. "You're not even fully grown. Who knows what's out there? Ahadi might just wait for another opportunity to hurt our family."

"My claws don't retract anymore and you're the one always telling me that I should follow my heart, even though others tell me I'm wrong."

"Honey, we just want to protect you," Kion said, giving him a smile. "Your safe here."

"Maybe you're trying a bit too hard," Shida spat. "Look, Amara got a purpose staying here and Tasha is going her own ways soon, and Akisi is just goofing around, but I don't got anything to do here."

"What you mean Tasha want to go too?" Fuli asked hurt.

"No, I – I don't know," Shida confessed. "It's just we are not meant to be part of a pride."

"You're not just a part of a pride," Kion comforted. "You're a part of our family."

"I know, I know, but I want to live my life," Shida said, almost beggingly. "You're living your life together and that's fine, but I want to be independent."

Fuli and kion looked at their son with nervous expressions.

"You don't want to consider giving it a second thought?" Fuli asked.

"Urg," Shida said frustratedly. "I know I should be grateful for having a family who cares, but right now I actually wished you would be interested in what I want, and not act like yours is the perfect," he added before he left the cave.

Both parents looked guiltily at each other. "You really think we should consider?" Fuli asked.

"Course not, he is a young boy, who knows who will hurt him if he goes solo?" Kion worried.

"He is not a cub anymore," Fuli said. "He is grown, maybe we should let him?"

"Not on my charge, fool," Kion said, rubbing his paw across her head.

With much disagreements and many arguments over the following two months, Fuli and Kion eventually gave in for their son request and tearfully wished him safe travel on his journey, as a lonely cheetah, at sunset. The cheetah hugged his siblings and punched his brother in the side.

"Take care of them, brother," he teased.

"I – I will," Akisi said a little tearfully.

"Stay safe my son," Fuli sobbed, caressing his cheek and hugging him tightly.

"I will," Shida said, letting go of her mother's tight hug and walking over to his dad.

"And don't pursue trouble," Kion added.

"It's you that gets into trouble with ease, not me," Shida said, hugging his father. "I'll promise I visit you at some point," he added, taking a last glance at his family before he left.

Fuli leaned her tearful face into the lion's mane and cried uncontrollably. "It's all right, fool, he'll be home," Kion comforted, patting the cheetah's head, watching their son slowly disappearing in the horizon.

As the weeks passed, Fuli had high hopes that her son would return at some point, wishing he hadn't left his home. But as weeks turned into months, and even more months, she eventually gave up hope. Though she knew he would be safe, she had a horrible feeling that something had gone wrong. She had been discussing it with Kion, but he had told her to stay calm.

"Fuli, he is a young cheetah, he knows it's not a good thing to seek danger," he comforted. "Look, he would be more pissed than happy, showing that we care, if we sent Ono out to check if he is okay."

"I know, I know. I just can't help thinking that something bad happened to him," she worried. "What if he hurt himself of what if Makucha has found him?"

"Do you really think Shida would be so stupid to go near the leopard's territory?" Kion said amuse at her worry. "You have trained him well and he knows how to hunt. You don't have to act so much like a – like-"

"Like what?" she questioned puzzled.

"Like a mother."

Fuli looked embarrassed away.

"Look, I know you want to be a good mother, but we have to face that they are grown. We don't got much to say."

"I just wished he would show up soon," Fuli sighed.

"Don't worry, fool," Kion comforted. "He will be home when you least expect it."

"Yeah, I wish if that was sooner," she sighed and walked out of the cave. She walked down the rock and passed the lair, but noticed someone was inside, staring at some paintings on the wall. She looked closer and saw it was her daughter.

"Amara?"

The lioness quickly turned her head and looked embarrassed at her mother who approached her.

"Oh, hi, mom, I was – I was just-"

"Looking at our paw prints," Fuli noticed when she was close enough to notice what she was looking at.

"Yeah," she nervously confessed. A pink blush had appeared on her cheeks.

Fuli looked at the five young paws that were marked in the wall many seasons ago. She stroked her paw over the wall, thinking back of the old days when they had all been young and foolish. "You are thinking about the future, aren't you?" Fuli questioned, looking at her troubled daughter.

"Yes," she sighed moodily. "One day that would be me and my guard."

"You are going to managed it just fine," Fuli comforted, hugging her daughter.

"How do you know?" Amara questioned doubtfully. "I haven't even thought about who I want to pick."

"And you don't have to. You still got time."

Amara looked moodily at the wall again. "But I can't stretch it forever, at some point I have to pick. So, which one is yours?"

"That would be that one," Fuli said, pointing at the small cheetah paw.

"Wow, you had a tiny paw," Amara said amazed.

"Yeah, it has grown since," Fuli said annoyed, comparing her paw.

"But not as big as dad's," Amara giggled.

"You want me to comfort you, or should I just leave you here, pitying yourself for not being like your dad?"

Amara looked shocked at her mother, but Fuli looked even more. "I – I'm so sorry, honey, I didn't mean to-"

"I was only joking," Amara said flabbergasted. I didn't bully you."

"I know, I know it was wrong of me," Fuli apologized. "It's just – I miss being a mother."

"But you are."

"I mean I want small cubs to care for," she sighed. "Defenseless small cubs," she said dreamingly. I just miss your brother, and I wish you wouldn't grow up so fast, becoming like your father."

"You're still my mom, no matter if you're a cheetah," Amara comforted.

"Thanks, honey," Fuli sighed, kissing her on the forehead. "Well, I'll be going out hunting. I need to get my mind on something else than your brother. Want to join?"

"No, I have just eaten."

"And another example that my cubs are grown," she sighed and walked out of the cave.

"Have fun," Amara teased, watching her mother leave her.

Fuli ventured out on the hunting grounds. She looked up on the sky and noticed the clouds looked very gloomy, like they were a warning. It looked like she had to be quick if she wanted to be dry, before the rain would start to fall. She inflicted her body and watched a nearby gazelle. It had its back to her, so Fuli launched and pinned the squeaking gazelle to the ground, biting its neck. As soon as she had done that, the rain started to fall. She looked up to search for refuge for the cold rain that penetrated her fur, and she noticed a close by tree. She dragged the gazelle under the tree and ate it peacefully there, somewhat save from the hammering rain from above. After the rain had passed, she began cleaning her bloody head and wet fur. She licked her paw, but when she did, she felt someone else was cleaning her as well. She lowered her paw and noticed a cheetah was cleaning her fur as well. She quickly moved out of his reach.

"Do you mind?" she hissed annoyed.

"What, babe, your fur is dirty, let me clean it," the male cheetah said with desire.

Fuli moved further away. "I'm capable of cleaning my own fur, thank you," she said annoyed and continued licking her paw, but the cheetah was persistent and began licking her cheek, getting closer to her mouth.

Fuli moved away and by his eager attempt of gaining access to her mouth, she placed a paw on his. "Oaky, charming. I know what it is you want, but you're not getting it from me," she said fiercely.

"Your paw smells wonderful," he said in an attempt of soften her. He continued her down the arm, but when he got to his stomach, Fuli smacked him on the cheek and stared madly at him. The cheetah stared perplexed back, not expecting she would hit him.

"You keep your dirty mind as far away from me!" she warned.

"Come on, hon, if not me then who," he said, pressing his face against her ear.

Fuli smacked him across his eye this time. "Get as far away from me, or it will be worst for yourself!"

"Fine, cranky lady," the cheetah hissed, holding a paw on his sore eye. "I'll bet I'm not the first one you have turned down."

"That's correct!" Fuli growled.

"Funny thing, you could have been cute together, for as long as the mating season would last," the cheetah commented.

"I bet we could!"

"He looked a lot like you, in fact," the cheetah said as he turned away in defeat.

Fuli looked madly at him but then her face turned to curious. "Who do I look like?"

"The king cheetah of course," the cheetah spat. "Almost same pattern but with light brown spots on his paws, plus some large amber eyes."

"Shida!" Fuli said exited. What direction did he went?"

"He is heading this way," the cheetah said annoyed, feeling tricked that she shows more interest in someone else than him.

Fuli took a last happy glance at him before she ran off.

"Hey, what about us mating? A trade for a trade!"

Fuli ran as fast as her paws could carry her. She had got her energy back after the meal, but she knew it wasn't what gave her the strength. It was the thought of finally seeing her cub again, even though he would be embarrassed seeing her clutched to him. She caught the sight of the yellow cheetah.

"Shida!" she said happily, running towards him and hugging him tightly, though the hug wasn't repaid. "I have missed you so much."

"Get of me, mom," he spat, trying to free himself.

"Relax, son, I'm not going to hold you all time," she teased, not understanding his serious tone.

"I said, get off," Shida threatened and pushed her away.

"Shida – what-?"

"I have come home to reclaim what's rightfully mine," he said in a serious tone. "I'm going to be taking the lead."

"Shida, what have got into you?" Fuli asked puzzled. "What are you going to claim?"

"My right to be leader," he hissed. "I was the firstborn. Therefore, it should have been me, not Amara."

"But – but it has always been the second born," Fuli tried to say, but he wasn't listening.

"That time has come to an end," Shida said fiercely. "It's time for the cheetahs to rise and show what they are made of."

"Shida – what-"

"I'm going to challenge Amara," Shida said pridefully and ran ahead, not taking a second glance at his mother.

000

Tasha were walking out on the plains just outside Pride Rock, enjoying the last sunlight after the rain. She opened her eyes and saw a familiar cheetah running towards her.

"Hey Shida," she greeted. "long time I have seen my little brother. How have you been?"

"I'm not your brother," he growled at her.

"Pardon?" Tasha asked surprised, not understanding why her brother was being so rude.

"You were just an orphan who were left by her mother because she didn't want such a pathetic girl like you! You were just lucky to get enough pity from a cheetah who took you in."

"That's not true," Tasha said perplex, feeling hurt beyond words. How could her own brother talk down to her like that?

"Yes, it is, you are just a pathetic cub who happens to come across my mom."

Shida, stop," Tasha said alarmed, feeling tears started appearing in her eyes.

"Oh, am I being rude towards you?" Shida mocked. "Well get used to that when I'm in charge, and you can bet I'm not going to have something as low as you in my Guard."

"Stop," she sobbed.

"Tasha, what's wrong?"

Akisi came over to them, seeing her big sister was crying.

"Oh, and how have my little brother been? Enjoying yourself? Behaving like a foolish, shit cub who will never be a proper lion."

"Take that back, Shida!" Akisi hissed. "What did you say to her?" he questioned, pulling his sister into his arms.

"I just told her she wasn't a real part of our family," Shida spat.

"You're wrong, Shida," Akisi growled. "You are doing the opposite of what ma and pa told us to do. If anyone is least qualified to lead The Guard, it's you. You don't solve conflict, you create them."

"That might be, dear brother, but it's time someone takes responsibility and fix what our father did wrong."

"What are you talking about!" Akisi said mouth dry.

"You'll see in time, when I'm leader of The Guard," Shida said, walking past his mad brother and hurt sister.

000

Fuli was walking back to Pride Rock in her own thoughts, wondering what it was Shida had meant by "Taking the lead"? He wasn't really going to challenge Amara. She walked until someone brought her out of her thoughts.

"Mom! Mom!" someone cried.

Fuli looked up and saw Akisi running towards her.

"Son, what's wrong?" she questioned puzzled, seeing her son looking distressed.

"It's Shida. He wants to be the leader of The Guard," Akisi said under his breath. "He told Tasha that she wasn't a part of our family."

"He did what?" Fuli asked perplexed. "How could he?"

"Come on, before he hurts himself," Akisi urged. "Dad is mad, he won't let him get close to Amara."

The two felines ran back home as fast as they could. Fuli's heart was pumping fast with worry. How had Shida changed from an innocent cub to a fierce cheetah. It couldn't had been their parenting, could it?

They returned to home safely and was near the lair when they saw a large reg mane, lion looking down on a cheetah, but from their perspective, they looked equal. Both of them were glaring madly at each other.

"Step side, dad," Shida growled.

"Not until you realize what an absolute moron you are!" the lion growled.

"I'm the firstborn," Shida hissed. "It should have been me!"

"Will you look at yourself, son," Kion spat. "You're a disgrace."

"I'm not the disgrace, you are!" Shida hissed. "Being so pathetic, not being able to seek revenge over them who hurt mother or be so careless about me and letting ma being above you."

"Shut your mouth, son," Kion roared. "You don't know what you're talking about. You don't know anything about making sacrifices."

"I think I do, actually. I think it's a pretty big sacrifice to be a part of this family," Shida growled. "You let someone in who's not a real part of the family, and you're letting a lioness take the lead of The Guard when it should have been a boy!"

Kion looked stunned at him. "You're not worth anything," Kion hissed. "You're not even worth being called my son any longer."

"Well I don't want a pathetic father like you, mom could have done better!" Shida roared, feeling hurt.

"I never thought I would have it to be any different with this family, but I was wrong," Kion said gloomily. "I wished it was you who had been stillborn."

Akisi's jaw dropped. Fuli looked horrified at her husband to her son. Shida cried a silent tear and raised his paw in anger. He lashed down but Fuli had ran in between him and the lion, so his paw scratched down on her fur, giving her a large cut.

"No," Shida screamed.

Fuli felt to the ground, barely able to move over her pains.

"What have you done!" Kion roared, stepping in front of his wife.

"I – I – I didn't mean to, it was an accident," the cheetah sobbed. "I'm sorry."

"Get away from her," he hissed. "Run away, and never return!" he bellowed into the cheetah's face.

Shida looked horrified from his dad to his mother, before he turned around and ran away.

"Fuli, are you all right?" Kion asked softly, lowering his head to her wound, licking it clean.

"No, I'm not," she hissed slowly.

"Just lay still, I'll be getting help," Kion said worried.

"No, you won't," she hissed, raising her head. "Shida needs help more than I do."

"Shida? But he hurt you, he has brought pain upon our family, he is no longer-"

"No matter how much he might have hurt us today, it's not comparable to what you did," she hissed while tears streamed down her face. "He is still my son and right now he needs me!"

"Fuli I-"

"Don't give me your pathetic excuses that it was to protect our family, he just wanted to show his worth," she said, getting on her paws. "But now you have scared him off. I know you don't want to show him forgiveness, but I will."

"Fuli, you can't possibly go after him in that state."

"Just watch me!" she said as her final words, before she limping after her cub.

000

"Wait, Shida, stop!"

"Don't follow me!" Shida cried.

"Wait up, hon," Fuli said, limping up beside her son. "I know your mad on us, but-"

"I'm not mad on you, I'm disgusted by myself," Shida sobbed. "I hurt you, I should never had listened to Makucha. I'm so sorry."

"Makucha?" Fuli asked stunned. "What has he to do with this?"

"I met him when I was on my own, he taught me things I regret now. I should never had listened to his lies about becoming someone I didn't wanted to be. He fooled me to think I was worthy of being leader, showing everyone that cheetah wasn't low in the food chain. I just wanted to make your proud."

Fuli stroke a paw across his tearful cheek, but Shida turned his face away. "Son, being yourself is what we want, and you are doing our us proud with whatever you do."

"Like hurting you?" he sobbed.

Fuli gave him a weak smile. "I know you regret what you did, but we can't change our past."

"But we can still run from it," the cheetah sobbed.

"Not if that part still wants to be a part of your life," Fuli comforted.

"I don't deserve being a part of the family, I brought you shame, even dad said it himself," Shida sobbed. "How can it be you ran after me when I did that to you?"

"No matter how much you hurt us today, I still love you and why I did it was to protect both of you. Dad don't fancy scars, so he won't be please if he had got one."

"How can you make this sound funny?" Shida asked flabbergasted.

"Because I still want you to be a part of the family," Fuli said, caressing his cheek.

"That's just something you're saying to comfort me, I know all of them are hating me with good reason. I'm not welcome anymore."

"That's not true, just tell them the truth that it was Makucha who fooled you," Fuli comforted.

"How? How can you even think they will listen to me, after what I did? No, this is for the best," Shida said and turned around. "I won't bother your happy life anymore."

Fuli looked moodily to the ground as Shida began to run away, but he stopped when he heard his mom speak agian, though she wasn't talking but singing. Singing his lullaby.

"Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my paw
Hold it tight"
She walked down to him and caressed his body with her paw, reaching down to his paw and clutching it tightly.
"I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My paws will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry"
Shida pushed his head against her chest and broke down in tears. It was a long time he had heard his mom's comforting, singing. It always calmed him when he was afraid, but right now he felt empty and homeless.
"'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more"
Fuli kept stroking his head and felt his sobs become fewer and fewer.
"You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always"

Fuli looked down on her cub and saw he had fallen asleep, leaned up against her chest. She smiled at the sight and gently laid his head down in the soft grass. "Goodnight, my love," she whispered, kissing his forehead and laying her head across his.