Author: I'm so sorry. I messed up last chapter. Tenji is the son of Pala. Kuju has no son. Sorry for the mix-up. I fixed chapter 18.

Chapter 19: Window to the Past

Elsa eventually fell asleep under the stars. Alex, however was not tired. He stretched and stood straight under the bright silver twilight. He felt like talking to the others. Slowly, he made his way towards the hot springs, passing the king's tree. Underneath, Kuju was sleeping peacefully with a light snore. But, no sign of Malik.

His paws brushed the grass as he moved ever closer to the springs. He was about to reach them, but he heard a strange noise. A tearing noise. He veered to the direction of the sound. It was coming from behind a bush. Carefully he approached the bush, and the sounds grew louder. His hands reached into the foliage. Slowly, he parted the leaves. It was Malik. But, he was eating something. He was eating-

"MARTY!' Alex yelled diving at Malik. But his dive flew short. He wasn't diving he was standing. He wasn't near the springs. Alex looked over his shoulder. Elsa was sleeping blissfully at his side. It had been a dream. But, he was awake now. And now, more than ever, he wanted to see Marty. He brushed his palm against Elsa's cheek.

'Wait..' he thought, 'How did that happen? We were just looking at the stars at least five feet apart and then...I fell asleep...and she must've...Damn this girl likes me,' he sighed, 'And I like her, too,but I just don't have time for a relationship. I need to get back to New York. Besides what would Mar- MARTY! I know it was a dream, but i have to be sure.' He began sprinting towards the hot springs. He passed the kings tree. He came to a sudden halt. Fearfully, he glanced under the tree. There was Kuju... and Malik. He sighed in relief.

Finally he arrived in the middle of the warm pools. No one was awake. The many lionesses slept in a large clump. Over to the left was Melman who rested his head on Gloria. His eyes zoomed to the right. There was Marty completely unscathed. On top of him rested Julien. Alex made his way and sat next to the sleeping zebra.

He looked down at Marty. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Marty," he whispered. He looked at Julien and laughed quietly, "Or you, fuzz-bucket." He heard a rustling. Alex shot up, "Who's there?" he called into the darkness. He saw a pair of yellow eyes in the distance. They grew closer. "Who's there!" he repeated. The eyes drew ever nearer. "Who is that? ... M-Malik?"

"God no!" the voice answered. The figure came into the moonlight and into view, "God, do I look like him? Ew!" It was Tenji.

Alex laughed in relief, "No. I just couldn't see you, that's all." He was relieved it wasn't Malik, but it still was a lion. Alex interrogated, "What are you doing here?"

Tenji took a step towards Alex. "I was checking on the plant-stuffers," he replied innocently, "I don't exactly trust my fellow lions."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "Then, how can I trust you?"

Tenji smiled, "You can't. I'm going to have to earn your trust." He took a few steps towards Alex and held out his paw, "I'm Tenji."

"Yeah, I know," Alex shook his paw, "And, I'm Alex."

"I know," Tenji released his hand, "You know the path goes both ways."

"Huh?"

Tenji continued, "I mean, what are you doing here?"

"Checking on Marty," Alex answered.

"Did he see, er, dinner?" Tenji asked.

Alex looked down, "...yeah..."

"Damn," Tenji looked down as well. His expression shifted to curiosity, "Why weren't you at the feast?"

Alex sat down again, "I'd rather die than eat another mammal."

"I know what you mean," Tenji sat next to Alex, "So how did you fill up?"

"Fish."

"Fish?"
"Yeah, they're good," Alex nodded, "And they fill your stomach."

"Can you show me?" Tenji asked.

"Really?" Alex was a bit doubting.

"Yeah! I would kill to find an alternative to- well- killing!" he smiled.

Alex scratched his head, "You're not like the other lions, are you."

"Nope," Tenji shook his head.

"You're a bit more down to earth," Alex examined him, "And younger. Your full grown but still look young. Say, how old are you?"

"Sixteen seasons," he answered.

"I still don't get your lion aging system," Alex shook his head.

"Well, I'd say you were about 24 seasons," Tenji estimated.

"So I've been told," Alex popped his back. He then faced Tenji again, "So why don't you and the other males get along?"

"Well, I think it's because I was the son of King Pala before he died," Tenji told him.

"I'm sorry," Alex empathized.

"It's alright. What's done is done. I just wish I could've said goodbye," he stared into the stars.

Alex patted him on the back, "Hey, consider yourself lucky. I never met my father."

"Really?"

"Or my mother," Alex stared into the heavens as well. The wind made the grass rustle and his mane shift.

Tenji looked at Alex sadly, "How did that happen?"

"My dad came over to the Central Park Zoo as part of a breeding program. So he did the do and left," he sighed.

"And, your mom?"

"My mom got pregnant. I was my entire litter. No brothers and no sisters," Alex told of his past, "Well, because of this I grew to be a big cub before birth. She died giving birth to me. With no other lionesses there, I was fed artificial milk to simulate lion's milk. Then as a result, I didn't have all my immunities and I got a bad lung infection. The people said I was going to die, but somehow I made if through. It's a miracle that I'm here right now." There was a pause in which Alex and Tenji shared unspoken words as the wind picked up rustling up there manes.

Alex was first to speak, "So what about your mom? You still have her, right?"

Tenji took a step forward. "My mom died giving birth to me as well," Tenji explained, "I guess it's the problem with one cub litters. They run a high risk. Well, luckily there were other lionesses to take care of me. And of course, dad was there to the end."

"You miss him?" Alex asked.

Tenji answered, "Every moment."

"Sounds like everyone liked him," Alex made conversation.

"He was the greatest king this pride has ever have. So great, in fact, that we remained the Pala Pride even when Kuju had taken the thrown."

"You say 'taken' the thrown because-?"

"He is technically the rightful king, but... the whole thing feels wrong..."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "You think you should be king?"

"No. I couldn't deal with it... it's just," he gazed at the sky sadly. His breath caught in his throat. Alex knew he was holding back a tear. Tenji finally spoke, "He wasn't supposed to die..."

"Tenji, it's ok," Alex comforted him.

"Ever since the accident, I would dream that he came back...but it's never going to come true..."

Alex could feel Tenji's pain as he looked at his forlorn face, "You just have to accept the past. What's happened has happened, and-"

"-you just got to let it go," Tenji answered for him, "I've heard it all before."

"No. You can't let it go!" Alex corrected him, "You have to use it and learn from it. Let it make you stronger."

Tenji looked at him with big eyes, "That actually makes sense," he thought for a moment, "You know, I've never opened up to someone like that."

"I guess you just needed someone who could relate to what you've gone through," Alex assured Tenji.

"To think. I didn't even know you existed until this afternoon," Tenji smiled.

Alex smiled back, "I guess I'm just what you needed,"

Tenji gazed at the stars, "I guess someone's looking out for me up there."

Alex sighed in relief walking over to where Marty and Julien lay. Marty shifted a little, but nothing as to wake him up. Julien stirred and turned the other direction before falling back asleep.

"Hey," Malik called out approaching Alex, "Aren't you going to show me how to get fish?"

"Oh yeah," Alex stood up.

"So where do I start?" he asked.

Alex thought for a moment, "First, you find a place to fish at. I caught some big ones over there."

"C'mon" Tenji lead the way.

Alex began to follow but stopped and glanced at the sleeping zebra and lemur.

"They'll be fine," Tenji knew what Alex was thinking, "Kuju and Malik will sleep through anything."

"If you say so..." Alex continued to follow. They found the spot where Alex had fished earlier. The sat by the stream patiently. "Ok. Here's what you have to do," Alex instructed, "First look closely at the water."

"Yeah," Tenji obeyed.

"Ok, now watch for dark figures coming by," he continued.

Tenji listened, "Yeah, I see loads of them."

"Good, now when you see one that's good, dart your paw in at it. But be careful! The water refracts the image so your not seeing exactly where the fish is. Aim three inches higher than where the fish appears to be, and you'll get it," Alex explained.

Tenji prepared for the moment. He saw a fish. He thrust his paw into the water about three inches above the fish, as instructed. He brought out the wriggling creature in hand. "Ok...now what?" he asked.

"Eat it," Alex urged the young lion.

"Ok..." Tenji obeyed. Slowly he slid the creature into his mouth. With only a few chews, he swallowed it.

"How was it?" Alex asked.

"Surprisingly good, actually," he commented.

Alex smiled, "See? Now you'll never have to kill a zebra, a giraffe or a...whatever else you eat ever again."

"I should tell the entire pride," Tenji suggested to himself. His face dropped a bit, "Wait, no. Kuju wouldn't be too keen on this idea."

Alex inquired, "Why not?"

"Well," he tried to demonstrate, "Let's just say he's not the easiest lion to get along with."

"So, I've heard," he raised an eyebrow.

"He doesn't welcome change that wasn't provoked by him, you see," Tenji explained.

Alex nodded, "Ah, I see. Kind of on a power trip?"

Tenji laughed, "He's been on a power trip before he even got on the thrown."

"Hey Tenji,"

"Yeah?"

Alex smiled, "You know, other than Marty, I've never told anyone about my parents before."

"Really?" Tenji wasn't sure how to take this comment.

"Really. I think we share some connection through our past," he tried to explain the phenomena.

Tenji agreed, "Yeah. And I told you earlier you were the first person I talked to about my father since he left. You know, I never thought anyone would even listen. Other than Elsa, of course."

"Elsa?" Alex was surprised by her mention in the conversation.

"Yeah. You know her. You were hanging around with her earlier," Tenji reminded him.

"I know who she is. I'm just surprised you were that close to her."

"Close to her? I wish. I just know that Elsa's the kind of lioness that would care about what I had to say, that's all."

Alex took a step forward, "So how do you know this?"

Tenji blushed a bit, "Well she's smart, and caring, and beautiful of course."

"...hmm..."

"What's that mean?" Tenji asked.

"Huh? Oh nothing," he put his hands in front of him.

Tenji raised an eyebrow, though the expression wasn't readily seen being under his bangs that dangled from his mane.

"Trust me, Tenji it's nothing," Alex assured him.

Tenji lied down, "I'm sorry." he looked at Alex, "It's just that I get jealous some times."

"Don't worry it happens to everyone," Alex tried to dismiss the subject.

"It's just... I really like her," Tenji muttered.

Alex struggled for a moment to say anything, "Who could blame you?"

"Not many,"

Alex sighed, "Yeah..." He took a moment to think. Though, no conclusion came. The wind blew the grass around them again. Alex stretched, "Well, I should be getting back to bed."

Tenji stood up, "Thanks for teaching me how to fish."

"No problem," Alex shook his hand.

"It was really nice talking to you," Tenji released his hand.

"Just remember," Alex patted him on the back, "Any time you need to talk, come to me. Ok?"

"Ok," Tenji nodded.

Alex rustled Tenji's mane and left. Alex thought about where he would sleep. His decision came to him quickly. And so, he lay next to Mary and Julien ready to defend them against any danger. Finally he closed his eyes and drifted into slumber.

Meanwhile, Tenji had stayed awake. He left to one of his favorite spots to think. He climbed the grey rock that separated the pride from the outside world. He gazed over the large savanna surveying all that was illuminated by the stars. His gaze drifted up to the sky, "Dad...," he started, "You always said you'd be there for me, and you are even now. Thank you for sending Alex to us." he lied upon the rock. "I just wish that I could see you again. Just one more time."