Weupe's secret

The first days with Weupe felt like heaven. Of all the lionesses Ushindi had been with so far, she was the fastest one to embark on whatever he asked from her. But with the time passing by, her behavior changed. Day by day it got harder for him to get what he wanted, while simultaneously, she began to tease him more and more. And something else changed. He was so busy enjoying her company, that at first he didn't get the careful hints she had begun to drop. Sometimes she mentioned their status as spared heirs and how unfair it was, that both of them would never be considered as true royals. At the same time, she kept calling him her prince and admired and praised his abilities in leading his small pride and his control over its members, especially Askari.
And then came the first time she asked him for a favor in return for her love. They were cuddling between some bushes and she told him something about how things could be, if she wouldn't have any siblings. He didn't really listen to her and instead tried to turn their cuddling into something a little more intimate, as she gave him a strange look and pushed him away.

"No, my prince", she said with an oddly superior smile. "I'm not in the mood."

"Not in the mood? Awe…", he replied, again trying to get closer. "Isn't there anything I could do to change that? Come on, you know I could."
After he said this, she seemed to think about it and finally told him that even though they had eaten already, she was hungry again and send him to get her something. Willingly he did so and indeed, was rewarded for it.

From that day on, she began asking for more of these favors, that slowly became bigger and bigger. Without him really noticing it, she tested, how far she could go with her requests, from something as minor as fetching her some food to things like teaching a leopard – that supposedly had bullied her – a lesson.
Quickly he learned how to tell what she wanted from him even before she said it and that in these occasions, his reward was better so he tried his best to do so, not noticing how she slowly got control over him… Until one day she revealed her true intentions.
Like many days the two were cuddling – again with her keeping him at distance – while he tried to figure out, what he had to do to get what he wanted. This time it was even harder and so he gave up and asked her. Sadly she didn't answer and simply kept talking about her favorite theme, how unfair it was that none of them would ever become the ruler of a pride but this time she went even further.
"You know, sometimes I wish you and Askari would have appeared a moment too late…", she said, giving him a suggestive look.
"W… what do you mean?", he asked, startled about her words.
"I mean, with them gone, there would be nothing in our way to get what we deserve…", she answered the question, dreamily looking into the sky. "I would be the heir and the next queen, with you by my side… as the future king."

"A shame we did it then", Ushindi said with a slightly worried expression. "But jokes aside, you know as well as I do that it would have been wrong not to intervene in that situation."

"And you surely know that wrong is in the eye of the beholder." She saw his worried expression and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! Don't tell me you never thought about getting rid of your brother yourself? With Askari following your orders surely it would have been easy for you to take over."

"Uhm… well, yeah, sure", he confessed. "But as you might have noticed, I didn't. He is still my brother. As much as I dislike him, I couldn't kill him, just to become king and surely, you couldn't kill your siblings too."

"Yeah. I guess I couldn't…", she sighed. Then she looked straight at him. "That would be your job."

His eyes widened, he stared at her in disbelieve. "What?"

"Oh, come on!", she growled in annoyance. "It's not like I didn't give you enough hints." She stood up and stared down at him. "You wanted to know what I want in return for letting you have me, so here you go! In fact, you kind of owe me this one anyway, after ruining my first plan."

"Your first…?"

"Seriously, how stupid are you?", she hissed. "Did you really think these two rogues came up with the plan to kill two royal heirs all by themselves?"

"So, you… how?"

"Well, what do you think, sweetie?" She grinned at him, while tickling his chin with her tail tuft. "It all went perfectly well. After a few days they got my hints – not like you dummy – and agreed to fulfill my wish… and then you showed up. But maybe that's not that bad, right? The two had been filthy rogues, actually unworthy of everything I could give, but you, you're of royal blood just like me. You're a way more suitable candidate, don't you think?"

Without a word, Ushindi listened, nearly unable to recognize the lioness in front of him.

"So, I'll offer you the same deal I offered them", she continued while coming closer. He felt her breath on his face, as she stroked her body against his. Again, her tail slid under his chin and wrapped around his neck, as she passed him. "Get rid of Raha and Karama. Do me this last favor and I'll make sure that for the rest of your life, you will get everything you could ever ask for from me. And when my parents retire, I will be queen, with you by my side to rule this land as king!" Tempting she continued her way around him, without stopping their body contact. "Just grant me this wish and I'll give you everything you could ever ask for", she whispered, before stroking herself against his chest. "You wouldn't even have to do it yourself. Make Askari do it, or arrange something else. Just make it happen and all your wishes and desires will come true…"

With her body that close to him, he felt hot temptation rushing through his veins. A shiver ran down his spine and his breath became heavier. His whole body screamed to him to accept her offer, but still… This was as wrong as it was tempting.

Sensing his struggle, Weupe rubbed her head against his. "Of course, you're free to refuse", she hissed into his ear. "If you're willing to live with the consequences." She stepped back, giving him a tooth baring grin. "Just imagine how my parents and my pride would react if they found out, that you only defeated the rogues because you planned to overtake their land yourself. And even worse, that you took me by force, leaving me scarred and broken…" With her grin becoming more and more evil, she extended her claws, letting them run through Ushindi's mane and in the same motion, placed them right on her face, piercing the skin deep enough for a few drops of blood to be seen. Then she sheathed her claws and pulled her paw over her whole face, leaving thin red trails on it. "But that's all up to you to decide." A swift motion of her paw and her face was back to normal. Even the malicious expression disappeared. "I expect an answer tomorrow at noon", she said like it was nothing. Then she turned around and left.

Now alone, Ushindi stood there, staring after her with his heart pounding against his chest. Now it all made sense. The attack of the rogues, how surprisingly quick things with Weupe had been. How blinded he had been not to notice all of this earlier! Damn, what had he got himself into?

Pacing up and down at the border, Ushindi stared into the distance, searching for a sign of his friends. He knew it had been necessary, but now he regretted sending Askari and Teke away. Maybe they wouldn't even return tonight. He had no doubts that they were successful in their task, but they were gone for quite some time now. A movement behind his back made him flinch and turn around.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to scare you", Heba shyly said and stopped walking.

"You would have if you were someone else" Ushindi sighed in relieve. "Why aren't you asleep with the others?"

"I… well… I noticed you leaving and that you headed to the border, so I thought Teke and Askari were coming back… I really wanted them to go away after what happened, but…" A little uneased she shifted from one foot to another. "But now I… well… I miss them."

Ushindi nodded and she came closer, sitting down next to him.

"I was so angry at first, but now after they are gone for so long, I just hope they're ok." Heba looked down on her front paws.

"Hey." Hesitantly, Ushindi placed one of his paws on her shoulder. "They're both tough lions. I'm sure they're fine."

Together they stared into the darkening savanna.

It was getting late. The moon stood high above them and still there was no sign of their friends. Deep in thoughts, Ushindi looked down on Heba. Her rhythmic and peaceful breath told him, that the lioness had fallen asleep. Actually, now that he thought about it, it was no wonder that Jino had been so focused on her. She was a kind and friendly lioness, caring and always eager to help. Compared to the true Weupe he had gotten to know today she seemed to be the most kindhearted girl he had ever met… and with her golden fur and the pretty face it wouldn't take her any longer to grow into a truly beautiful lioness.

He pushed the thought aside. How could he even think about that? He had way bigger things to worry about with his current affair! His eyes went back to searching the darkness for signs of his friends… and finally! In the distance he spotted two dark figures coming his way!

"Heba", careful but firmly, he tapped her and she woke up. "They're back!"

Tired but exited she got up and gazed into the direction he pointed. And truly…

Only a few moments later, a visibly surprised Tekelea was happily greeted by Heba, while Ushindi gave Askari a relieved headbutt.

"Well, I didn't expect this, that's for sure!", Teke said, as the younger lioness rubbed her head against hers.

"I… I was worried about you. And I missed you", Heba confessed and turned her head to Askari, only to freeze instantly. "Oh, great kings!" In shock she stared at the lion's body which was covered in cuts and bitemarks. Most of them seemed to be scabbed, but occasionally she could see blood on his dark fur.

"It is done. He won't hurt her ever again", Askari reported to Ushindi and bowed his head, his expression indicating that he was still in pain from his wounds. Then he looked straight at Heba. "I… didn't expect you to be here, but I'm glad you are", he said and lowered his head once more. "I can't undo what happened, but now you're save again. I hope you can forgive us."

Unable to say something, Heba nodded, her eyes still on his several wounds.

"We're glad you're back save and sound", Ushindi answered for her.

Askari gave him a relieved grin. "And? How were things going while we were gone?", he asked.

Instead of answering, Ushindi's expression became firmer. "Do you think you can travel, Askari?"

The question took Askari by surprise, as well as the lionesses. "Always", he then replied, although he looked not very fond of the idea.

"Good. Heba, go get the others, but quietly. Make sure no one notices you. We're leaving tonight."

AN: So, it's no secret anymore! Weupe has the same dark desires as a certain lion we all know from the movies...