Hello everyone, Gulefritz here with chapter 13 of Life of Kiali.
I know some where a little disappointed at the last chapter being about Mpenda and not Kiali. I decided to do this as I felt we had not seen a lot to the little guy for some time now. But also, I had been working on both these chapters at the same time, and Mpenda's was done faster than this one, so I decided to post it before this, as it had been months since the last update.
Now, I bring this one, so soon after the last one. Reason is it has been to hot here in Denmark to do anything but sit by the computer with liters of water.
Now, I hope you will like this chapter.
Fuli stared at the sight before her eyes. Where she dead or where she alive? How could any of this be real. Before her was both her daughter and her mate, playing, enjoying each other's company. She could feel tears in her eyes at the sight. Her family was reunited at last. For the first time in years, her family was finally unified.
Kiali looked up from playing with his father and her reaction was immediate and ecstatic. The young feline stormed forward, smiling at her mother. She rubbed her chin against her mothers, as she literally told her everything that had happened so far.
"Mother! Is it really you! Oh mother I've missed you! You have missed so much! Mpenda and I stranded in this weird land, some panther separated us and while I was alone I found this Lion. This lion, who called himself Askari, but his real name is Kion! He has the same mark on your shoulder as you do! Do you know what that means! He is my father! I've found my father!"
Fuli could not keep the tears back any longer. She rubbed her chin against her daughters, laughing and enjoying the moment.
"Calm down sweetie, calm down. When you speak so fast is it impossible for me to hear it all! Ohh Kiali, I am so happy to see you and know you're safe and sound"
Meanwhile, Kion had risen from his lying position and walked over to his apparent wife and daughter. He noticed how all of the other animals in the room looked at him, almost staring at him. Well, why would they not? Last time any of them saw him, was when he was but just a cub. Now, he was fully grown lion with a full-grown mane and all.
The cub was gone and all they could see was a lion whose size could challenge that of King Simba himself. Gone was the childish muscles and arms, made to pounce critters and smaller animals, replaced by full-grown muscles and legs, capable of taking down even the biggest of the water buffalos.
Fuli looked up from her daughter and looked directly into the lion's eyes. She almost broke down into tears again as she looked directly into those yellow-brown eyes. She immediately recognized her Kion.
Fuli rushed past Kiali and went straight up to Kion. She looked him over, inspecting her mate from top to toe, checking if it is him or a spirit making fun of her. She sees the mark and no longer doubt. She touches his shoulder and it is guaranteed it is him.
She immediately nudges her muzzle against his, even purring.
"Ohh Kion! I am happy to have found you again!"
Kion did not know what to do at first. He smiled after some time and nudged her back, using his muzzle.
"Relax Fuli, I am here. I am here, and we will not be apart again"
Kion looked up from Fuli and looked directly at the animals that accompanied her in her quest to find him and Kiali. Almost immediately he remembered their faces, their names and events he did with them, remembering them as if they happened yesterday.
"I remember you. I remember all of you! You are my childhood friends! You are those who joined my team to protect the pride lands from the outlanders"
He turned to look directly at Bunga who was having the biggest smile he could make, ecstatic to see his best friend again.
"My best friend, Bunga! You and I used to play baobab ball together and several other mischiefs!"
Bunga jumped over to Kion and went for a hug. The size difference between the two others were much bigger than last, they meet, Bunga now capable of hugging around Kion's front leg but nothing else.
Soon enough the other members joined in. Kion looked at each of them and smiled at them individually.
"Beshte! You were the strong in our little group. I vaguely remember you moved boulders and trees as if they were leaf's. How are you doing big friend?"
Beshte could only help but laugh at Kion.
"Honestly, very boring without you around Kion. I know little B and Fuli specially has been bored without you around"
Kion smiled "Well, hopefully it will not come to that ever again"
Kion looked as a small egret landed on Beshte's head.
"Does that mean you will come with us back home to the pride land Kion?"
Kion remained silent for a long time. He had not considered this. He was the guardian of the temple of Abassi, yet now people, who are his best friends, come and ask him to go back home with them. He sighed as he looked back at Ono.
"Straight to the point with you Ono. Honestly, I do not know. As much as I want to go home, am I still the defender of the defenseless and orphaned animals here in the jungle. I can't just leave when people like Amani is threatening the balance of this jungle"
Kion looked around and saw as everyone's smile fell. Fuli is the first to speak up again.
"But what of your parents? The king and queen of the Pride Lands. They still believe you are dead and has missed you ever since… since the day you fell down into Tekani river and ended up here"
As if on que Kion thought back to the incident where he fell into the river. His father yelled out to him, trying to save him from falling into the river, but ultimately failed. He remembered the strength and love his father possessed and the gentle and warm smile his mother used to give him. He admitted, he missed both of them.
But he was still needed down here in Tekani Jungle, besides how would they even get back to the pride lands.
"It pains me to say this, as I do miss them both, a lot even. But I am still needed here in the jungle. I am still the defender of Abassi's temple. A task which has been harder and harder recently"
Meanwhile Mpilo had walked around the group and walked directly for his friend, Kiali. He smiled at her and she smiled back. They both went to hug eachother, something that made Fuli and Kion smile.
"Missed you Kiali. You scared us all when you and Mpenda fell into the river! Come to think of it, where it the little guy even?"
Kiali's smiled immediately vanished. She could hardly bring herself to say it, her eyes almost starting to produce tears. After looking into Mpilo's worried expression for some time did she finally trust herself enough to speak without her voice breaking.
"When Mpenda and I landed on the shores where we attacked by a panther. Mpenda and I were separated in the chase and I've not seen him ever since. All I know is that a panther called Tambo captured him"
Mpilo could only nod as her as she told him what had happened. He went forward and embraced her, putting both his arms around her neck trying to sooth her.
"Do not worry Kiali. I am sure he is fine. We will find him and bring him. Wont we?"
Mpilo and Kiali looked at the group who were all unsure of what to say. Finally, Fuli smiled at her daughter and the mandrill.
"Simba send us to retrieve both of you. If I can bring both of you back then we will we do all in our might to do so, wont we guys"
The rest of the Lion guard nodded at her, agreeing, all except for Kion. This made all around him look at him. He sighed.
"It might not be as easy as you all believe. We might be powerful, but so is Amani and his pack. Amani is the most ruthless and vicious killer in all Tekani, right after him comes Tambo. His territory is more than half of the jungle. We would need help from the other packs if we were to ever have a chance of freeing your friend"
The sound of a throat clearing can be heard. The entirety of the group looks in the direction and there stands a female leopard, bigger than most of the others. Kion looks at her with a curious look.
It was Salehe, leader of the second biggest of the packs in Tekani.
"I had hoped to recruit you and your friend in the battle against Amani and companions. As you mentioned yourself, he is a great threat and we can not take him out alone. But if you aid us, do I believe there is a chance for us to potentially take out Amani. That is if you and your friends are willing to aid us"
Kion remained silent. Fuli almost jumped at the opportunity to help save her daughters friends.
"We would happily help to defeat this Amani, wont we guys"
She looked out to the remaining Lion guard members who once again all nodded and agreed on what was asked of them. Kion remained back, not answering yet. Salehe looked at him with a curious expression.
"What is the matter Askari? You friends and family want to aid us in the fight against Amani. Do you not stand by your loved ones?"
Kion immediately growled at Salehe, which made some of the nearby panthers retreat a little and surprised most of the guard and Kiali aswell.
"Do not put words in my mouth Salehe. The only reason they do this is because they know nothing about you. How you were Amani's mate and is if not as vicious, not long from. You have done a lot of damage to the balance here in Tekani, not as much as Amani, but not far from"
Salehe sighed as she saw the others stare at her.
"It is true, Amani, the one who captured you friend and has caused damage to the balance in the jungle, was once my mate. But after years of him disregarding the balance and openly attacking herds of animals, hunting in such numbers it would not be sustainable, did I decide to leave him. Yes, I helped him first but I have grown to hate him. My pack, as you well know, only hunt the healthy herds of animals, preserving the young, ending the elderly"
Kion was not convinced of her words, but he decided to nod at her. He looked around at the others who were either looking directly at him or Salehe. He looked at Kiali and immediately made up his mind.
"Fine, I will aid you Salehe on one condition. When this is all over, your pack will not take over Amani's hunting areas. I do not want more of this territorial expansion here in Tekani. When Amani is gone will we leave the predators to carve it up, deal?"
Salehe immediately nodded at Kion.
"Deal, most of the land is worthless after Amani's excessive hunting of the prey. Now, I will leave you alone with your friends. I will speak to you tomorrow"
With that Salehe turned around and left the cave. Two panthers who had followed her inside left with her as she walked out of the cave they were all in.
Kion sighed. He looked around at everyone present and smiled.
"Well, I take it most are either tired or exhausted after such a long trip. Find a spot here in the cave you like and sit. Salehe gave it to me a long time ago, so it is only going to be us in here"
Everyone did as Kion said, as they true to Kion's word, were tired from their long trip to find him. The sleep they received last night was far from enough to keep them at full energy. Bunga sat down on a rock together with Ono, Beshte and Mpilo, discussing what they had seen so far, starting with the humidity of the jungle, how it made them all wet without doing much.
Kion decided to lay on the ground together with Kiali and Fuli. The family of three decided they had a lot of catching up to do, and now was the perfect time to do so.
"So, from what I've gathered, this Mpenda is a leopard and a friend of yours. Why don't you tell me more about him?"
Kiali immediately smiled, as she liked talking about her friend.
"Mpenda is a very shy but energetic guy. He loves to play tag or baobab ball. He tends to run when it comes to fighting, but that is only because he has been harassed by this father and older brother. I do believe he could become a great hunter in time. He is also very stubborn, if there is something he intends to do, then he will do it, no matter what"
At the last thing Kiali could not help but giggle, something which caught both of Fuli and Kion's attention. The two of them looked at each other before turning back to look at Kiali. Kiali noticed the stare, not knowing what caused it.
Fuli spoke up, with a very soft voice.
"Kiali, has something, or is there something, happening between you and Mpenda"
Kiali looked at her mother with a very confused expression. She wasn't confused because she did not understand the question, but because she did not know the answer.
"Honestly mom, I do not know. Whenever I play with him is everything normal, though I do tend to get a little light headed at times when we pin each other down. But when he kissed me days ago, then this same feeling returns whenever I think of him. It confuses me"
Kion and Fuli both smiled at their daughter as she spoke, but both raises an eyebrow as she mention the leopard kissing her.
"He kissed you?"
Kion asked with a bit of a protective tone in his voice.
"Yes. It was very sudden and in the middle of the night. He did not act normal when it happened, and I saw some blue from his nose when it happened, but he did kiss me, despite how hard I tried to stop him"
Kion immediately laughed as he heard the story. Both Fuli and Kiali looked at each other before looking over at the laughing lion. He looked back at them and explained.
"What you and your leopard friend experienced, was the effect of the Upendi flower. It is a blue flower that sends out a pollen that makes the person it affect do what he desires the most, which normally is not the destruction of the flower. It is called Upendi flower, as it tends to make people very attractive to each other"
Kiali listened to all his father said. She opened her mouth to ask further about the situation.
"So, he only did it because of the flower?"
Kion shook his head.
"It only encouraged him to do so. It must have been a thought on his mind for some time, something he has not told you before. So yes the flower made him do it, but some part of him also wanted to do it"
She nodded and thought about for some time. Then a devilish smile formed on her lips.
"Since you know so much of this flower, father. Have you ever been affected by it?"
Kion shook his head.
"Of course not. All I know is what Abdu told me"
His voice lacked the confidence he usually spoke with. Fuli looked at Kion with a look that signaled he did not believe her.
"Kion, please do not lie in front of us, it has always been something you were terrible at"
Kion sighed and knew all hopes of getting around this was impossible. He decided to tell them of the one time he had been affected by the powers of the Upendi flower, and the embarrassing moment it caused between him and some of the felines in the Tekani jungle.
But besides from that the day went well with most people inside of the cave. Kion had meet the people of his past and had reunited with them. Kiali had found her parents and reunited them, and she could possibly save her friend Mpenda.
Meanwhile outside of the cave. Night had befallen on the jungle and outside stood Thando. He looked inside of the cave and saw Askari lie on the ground together with Fuli and their daughter. He cursed at himself. Of course, Askari was her mate. How did he ever hope to win her over from someone like him? Everything had gone so well the last couple of days, and now Askari was ruining it all.
But Thando smiled. Momma has not raised a quitter. That cheetah would be his no matter what the cost might be. He would win in the end, just like with any other feline that caught his attention.
"I will win her to my side again, cost what it might cost"
With that Thando turned around to search for his sister. He'd better catch up with her for the time he spent at the Temple of Abassi, or else she might gut him for leaving without telling.
With that I end a very waited chapter of Life of Kiali. I reckon that with this story we will reach about 20 chapters in total, might be more but it all depends on how I write the next chapters.
Now, you know the drill. Tell me what you liked or disliked. Did this go as you expected or had you expected something else?