Time passes
Despite all their attempts Ushindi didn't tell anyone of his friends why they had to leave so sudden. Too great was the embarrassment, the shame that Weupe had turned the tables and played with him, manipulated him and nearly had succeeded in her plans. Every time he reflected that day, he was shocked about how close he had been to actually do as she had asked him to. If it hadn't been for Heba joining him in waiting for Askari, he'd probably given in and asked, or ordered him to aid him in making Raha and Karama… disappear.
With him not telling them the reason for leaving in such a way, the lionesses quickly came up with their own theories and explanations. They tried to hide it from him, but he didn't miss them whispering behind his back and the fact that Tekelea had developed the tendency to try to involve Askari in these talks made their secretiveness redundant anyway.
"Want to know what I think?", Shindana quietly said one day, while they were resting in the shadow of a monolith, surrounded by dry wasteland. "There is only one thing that can scare off a tail chaser like Ushindi."
"An angry father?", Chagina guessed. "But the king seemed to be quite fond of lover boy's relationship with his youngest."
"That's not what I meant, but with father you've got the keyword." Shindana grinned at her friends. "I'm talking about cubs!"
"What? Cubs? But… how…?"
"Oh, my sweet innocent Heba", Tekelea giggled and leaned over Askari's back, who was fast asleep, or at least desperately trying to pretend so. "What do you think Ushindi and Weupe were doing when they snuck of to have some alone time. Play hide and seek?" She reached out to pet the younger lioness's head. After the girl had forgiven her what had happened with Jino, she had quickly recovered from feeling all guilty and now was just the mischievous lioness her friends loved and were annoyed of at the same time. "Hadn't you had the special talk already? Ha! Maybe you should ask Ruya to have one with you."
"Oh…", Heba said as she looked away from Teke, both embarrassed and somewhat disgusted at the same time. Now she knew what her friend was talking about.
"Well, you're right 'Dana, cubs and the responsibilities coming with them could scare off many tough guys, but don't think that's the case here. Not that it's impossible, things went very quick with the two, but if it really happened it takes more time than these few days to notice it, even for Weupe herself. And Teke…" She looked at her with a knowing smile. "Considering the way how you act around our battle beast here lately, maybe you're the one who could need a special talk before things get out of hand."
Instantly Teke's face froze with an expression on it as if someone had stepped on her tail, while the others started to snort with laughter.
"Or maybe it's already too late for that", Ruya joined in, jumping at the chance to score their friend off for once. "Who knows how these two spend all the nights on their hunt for Jino?"
Tekelea's mouth opened and closed a few times before she found her voice again. "I… I… we… did not…", she struggled, but was interrupted quickly.
"Of course, we wouldn't blame you for snuggling up to a strong and warm chest!" Chagina winked at her. "Nights under the stars can be very romantic, but so cold…"
"No need to be shy about it, Teke. We're glad for you!"
"But it's not like th…" The usually so tough and mischievous lioness stopped, noticing that she still leaned over Askari, touching him with both one of her paws and her belly. Instantly she tried to move back… and accidentally touched one of his many wounds.
"Argh!" Nearly roaring, the lion, who really had been in a deep slumber woke up and arched his back. "What in all…" Confused and angered he stared at Teke, who leaped into the air like a scared cub and then at the other lionesses who busted into laughter. "What's so funny, huh?", he snarled at them and exhaled, visibly in pain. "Ouch!"
"We… we're s-so sorry, Askari! It's nothing. We didn't mean to…" Still giggling, Chagina wiped a tear out of her eyes. "Great kings, I'm crying!"
Anything but amused, Askari trotted away from them to find a more peaceful spot to sleep, muttering into his mane. It didn't look like he had noticed anything of their conversation and it was probably better this way.
It took a while, but slowly, things turned back to normal. The group continued its journey. Ushindi, Askari and their friends returned to their old habits. Lionesses came and went, although Ushindi now avoided those related to royalty, and Askari always asked his leader for permission before he challenged the rogues they encountered. The lionesses kept making up theories about Ushindi and Weupe and joking about Tekelea, but eventually both themes wore off. They met other prides, some friendlier than others and some more hostile towards a group of their size and the longer their journey continued, the more people seemed to know about them before their path actually crossed.
Like that, time passed. Seasons changed. And finally, more than a year after they had left their home, their way led them into a territory every lion knew the name of.
Standing on a hill at the border to this kingdom that was place of countless myths and legends, Ushindi and his friends gazed over the land laying before them and at the giant monolith that was far to be seen. The first and mightiest throne of lionhood. Pride Rock.
"Ever since I've first heard of them, I wanted to see the Pridelands", Ruya said, admiring the sight.
"Well, they're not as beautiful as in the tales", Shindana remarked. "But I have to admit, they're close to that."
"Definitively a place I could enjoy living in." Chagina sat down next to her friend and pointed at something in the distance. "See that giant water hole, not too far from Pride Rock? And it's not the only one. I bet even in a drought there is enough water close by that at least some smaller herds could stay while the others migrate. There must be prey all over the year in this kingdom!"
Opening her mouth to doubt Chagina's assumption, Tekelea also walked up to her friends, but was interrupted before she could even start talking.
"Well, that's right. Excellent observation, my dear, but first things first!" Some of the lionesses flinched, as a voice sounded from above. Looking up, the lions noticed a blue bird with a big orange beak flying towards them. In no time he reached them, landed on the ground and hopped towards Ushindi, whom he instantly seemed to recognize as their leader. "Correct me, if I'm wrong, but am I right in assuming, that you, sir, are Prince Ushindi, brother of King Omoa and leader of the group usually called Ushindi's Rogues which I also assume this to be?" He spread his wing and gestured at the lions surrounding him.
"Uhm…" A little puzzled, said prince nodded. Although this was not the first kingdom to recognize them at arrival, he hadn't expected such a greeting. "Yes, that's true. And you are?"
"Oh, how rude of me! The name is Zazu, majordomo of the Pridelands and humble servant of his highness King Mufasa!" The hornbill bowed snappily. "We already expected your arrival. Now, if you'd do me the honor to follow me, sir? The king is already awaiting you!", he continued babbling at the confused Ushindi, but suddenly jumped, as he noticed the battle-scarred face of Askari, who silently had stepped next to his friend. "A… and maybe, you want to put your… friend here on a leash. The Pridelands are no place for brawls and other mindless acts of violence." With that he was back into the air. "Now, would you mind? I'll lead the way!"
A little worried, Ushindi looked at Askari, but his friend simply shrugged.
"Whatever", he said and nodded into the bird's direction. "After you, princess."
AN: I hope you don't mind that we scip some of our lions' adverntures. If you want, feel free to come up with your own ideas about the lionesses Ushindi could meet in the meantime and the rogues Askari could fight.
Anyhow, look how far their journey has led Ushindi and his friends! They've reached the Pridelands and with that (without wanting to tell you too much) their journey gets a giant step closer to its destination! But don't worry, the Rise of Ushindi has just begun...