Thanks to RoguesRaven18, BlackLouie, Doclover and TMNTTLKlover for reviewing the last chapter. I really do appreciate it.
Growling angrily, Akila continued into the den where he saw Malaika dozing lightly. At the sound of her mate, she raised her head but looked surprised at how angry Akila was.
"Akila?" Malaika asked. "What's wrong?"
"I don't get credit for anything no matter how much I do for this damn Pride! Simba sits around and lets me do the work then he takes the credit!" Akila exclaimed.
"Did you two get into a fight?" Malaika asked and Akila nodded still seething.
"What really makes me mad that even my father doesn't care to recognize how much work I do!" Akila growled. "All he thinks is that Simba does the right thing all the time."
"What did Simba do?" Malaika asked, rubbing her cheek against Akila in attempt to get him to calm down. Akila relaxed and took a deep breathe before speaking.
"Simba's not doing anything about the threat from Scar but he's just waiting for Scar to wage war." Akila began. "But I know that war isn't what Scar's looking for, he's coming for something else thats much bigger. I just know it. And besides, if he had wanted war he would have attacked already. But Simba's just standing back and doing nothing. He won't let me do anything either. And I know very well that in the end, he'll mess up like always and I'll fix everything like always but as usual Simba will get the credit for it."
"First of all, I need you to relax." Malaika said nuzzling his cheek with her nose. "And second, I need you to know that I've always known it was you, not Simba." She smiled as Akila pulled her face in closer and lovingly licked her cheek. Purring, Malaika rubbed her muzzle against his for a minute before they pulled back.
"And you also have to know that the others know as well." Malaika said. "Nala's always talking about how much you help and how much you've done for both of them. And a lot of our friends like Chumvi, Tama and all the others know that it was you not Simba who held the Pride together before and after the war."
"I guess." Akila sighed. "I just wish I would get some more recognition. And I don't really know what to do about this situation. Simba and I don't really fight a lot. I don't like fighting with him either."
"He'll forget about it." Malaika assured resting her head on his shoulder. Akila nodded before resting his head in his paws for a nap. Malaika settled down close to him and she chuckled shaking her head seeing Akila worried about one fight with his brother whereas she and her siblings had fought constantly when they had been young.
Flashback
"Shinda!" Malaika cried. "It's my turn to go!"
"No it's not!" Shinda argued. "You always go. Tojo and I are going this time!"
Shani had severely sprained her foreleg and had been knocked in the head by a baby zebra while she was practicing hunting a few days ago and Rafiki had confined Shani to the den for about a month while her leg healed and head healed. Along with that, she had developed a fever so she napped as much as she could. Kudeka had asked Malaika, Shinda and Tojo each to stay with Shani while the adults were busy so Shani wouldn't be alone in case she needed anything. And now the young adolescents were arguing on who's turn it was to watch Shani.
"I always stay with Shani." Shinda said looking over at the sleeping form of her younger sister. "But I need a break now."
"No!" Malaika said narrowing her eyes.
"Yes!" Tojo said growling and leaning into her. When Malaika shrank back, he stepped back and started lauging. Malaika felt frustrated at her older siblings. All of them were in their adolescence now and with Shinda and Tojo being a few years older than her, she could see the size difference between the three of them. Especially Tojo with his mane slowly growing in. It wasn't much yet, just some along his back and chest and a lot more on his head. But it would be full in a few years.
"Well we're going." Shinda said turning to leave with Tojo.
"No!" Malaika exclaimed. "That's not fair!" She pounced on the twins and with Malaika's weight, Tojo and Shinda fell down.
"Malaika!" Tojo exclaimed. "What're you doing?! Get off!"
"No!" Malaika said pulling at his ear. "I want to go play with my friends too!"
"Someone has to watch Shani." Shinda said squeezing out from under leaving Tojo still under Malaika.
"What're you three doing?" All three of them looked up to see Kudeka standing in front of them with their part of the kill in her jaws.
"Hey Mom!" Shinda smiled. "Tojo and I want a break but Malaika won't let us."
"I always watch Shani!" Malaika exlciamed. "I wanna go too!"
"Doesn't matter now." Kudeka said with a smile at her cubs, setting their portion of the kill in front of the three. "It's time to eat now!" She nudged Shinda and Tojo towards the kill and they immediately began to eat along with Malaika.
Kudeka settled down next to Shani and gently nuzzled her face against hers to wake her up.
"How're you feeling darling?" Kudeka asked, licking her forehead when Shani's eyes fluttered open.
"My head still hurts." Shani murmured trying to raise her head to eat but Kudeka gently pushed her down. Shinda and Tojo ripped off a large portion of the kill for Shani and gently dragged it close enough so Shani could eat without raising her head.
"But that's your portion of the kill." Shani tried protesting seeing that her older brother and sister had given her some of their part as well.
"We can eat after." Tojo assured and Shinda nodded settling by Shani as she ate.
Tojo settled by Kudeka and he cringed when she began cleaning his face but by now he knew better than to run away like he had when he had been a cub. Kudeka chuckled at her son.
"What were you three arguing about?" Kudeka asked.
"Tojo and I were with Shani all day before Malaika came. And then we wanted to go and play with our friends but Malaika kept insisting that she wanted to come even though we told her just to wait until the adults came back from the hunt." Shinda said grooming herself.
"But you always go Shinda!" Malaika protested.
"Malaika." Kudeka said. "You know Shinda spends a lot of her time with Shani." She raised her eyebrows at her youngest daughter and Malaika lowered her head.
"If Shinda and Tojo had wanted to go, you should have let them." Kudeka said. "Shinda spends most her time with Shani, much more than you do. Neither does she complain about it. Besides she only asked you to stay until the adults returned."
Malaika sighed. "Sorry Shinda." Shinda only sent her a smug look that she saw Tojo grinning at.
"You two can go now." Kudeka said nuzzling Shinda and Tojo. "I'm going to stay with Shani." Shinda looked a bit surprised at the fact that for once their mother hadn't taken Malaika's side but she didn't protest as she got up with a happy smile.
"Alright." Shinda nuzzled Shani who had settled her head in Kudeka's paws before she bounded out with Tojo.
End of flashback
Malaika smiled gently, that had been one of the few arguments that Kudeka hadn't taken her side on when they had been younger, before the war and before they had all thought Shinda was dead.
Although Malaika wasn't very connected with her oldest siblings, now that she was a mother, she did feel bad for the way that her older siblings especially Shinda had to grow up. Not that Kudeka had completely openly favoured her, but even then she noted the difference between the way that she was raised up and the way that Shani, Shinda and Tojo grew up. Although Kudeka had been a wonderful mother to them, she did seem to prefer time with Hariku and Malaika and then later on, Zuri and Anjani.
Malaika knew that her mother only wanted to enjoy her new life with her new mate after going through so much trouble with her father, losing her mother and losing her first mate. Malaika strongly believed that her mother did deserve to find happiness and be happy with her newfound family but Shani, Shinda and Tojo had taken the effect of it.
She had grown up the way that her mother had wanted all her daughters to grow up. Kudeka had been proud of Malaika for fulfilling her wishes and Malaika knew that she had been proud of Shani as well for growing up the way that Kudeka hoped she would. Of course she had been a bit too like her older siblings, something that Kudeka didn't like but other than that, Shani had made Kudeka happy.
But Shinda hadn't bothered even listening to Kudeka and now that Malaika thought about it, she wondered if it had been because Shinda was angry at their mother or just because Shinda was too stubborn and rebellious. Malaika figured it had been both but particularly because she was angry at Kudeka.
She remembered returning late to Priderock one night to hear Shinda and Tojo talking.
"I don't see why Mom has any right to tell me what to do like that." Shinda had said. "All she ever did was ignore what I need."
"I know." Tojo had said. "But Shinda you have to listen to her. She's our mother and she's going to get madder at you if you don't."
"Mom's always mad at me and you know that. Anything that goes wrong, no matter what it is always ends up with an argument between me and her. Besides she never does it to Malaika and I don't think she's going to treat Zuri and Anjani like that."
"Obviously she won't treat Zuri and Anjani like that." Tojo had muttered sounding a bit angry. "They're Hariku's cubs and she's going to love them just as much as she loves Malaika."
"The funny thing is that Mom always blames you and I for not treating Malaika, Zuri and Anjani properly like we love Shani but t she never stopped and considered the fact that it's her fault this happened to us. The day that Hariku and Malaika came everything changed. I don't even know how." Shinda had said.
"I hate talking about that stuff!" Tojo had growled. "Come on, let's go sleep."
Malaika had ducked into the shadows and waited until the two of them had settled down besides Shani before she walked into their corner of the den and settled down next to Kudeka who was sleeping next to Hariku with the one year old twins sleeping between them. She saw her older brother's cold gaze piercing through the darkness as he glared at her before turning over to face his sisters before he went to sleep.
"And I thought I was the unlucky one having siblings like them." Malaika whispered to herself. Back then she hadn't really considered it but now she knew that it wasn't her who had been cursed by having three older siblings who didn't love her like they loved each other, but rather they had been the unlucky ones having to grow up the way they did.
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Meanwhile, unknown to Akila, Malaika and the rest of the Pride, Hasira had overheard Akila and Simba's argument. Hurrying down Priderock, she began scouting out her sisters along with Maisha and Usiku. She knew that seeds of jealousy had been planted firmly in Akila's head and now it was the perfect time to let them grow.
"Hasira?" Hasira turned to see Maisha. She pressed her head against her lifelong friend's head in greeting.
"There you are. I've been looking for you and the others. Where are they?" Hasira asked.
"I was with Tama and Kudeka by the pond. The others are at the grove they usually stay by. What's wrong?" Maisha asked.
"I'll tell you when we get there." Hasira replied and they went to the groves of trees that there friends were resting under.
Fikiri was the first one to see them approaching.
"What's wrong?" Fikiri asked getting up. She rubbed her head against Hasira's in greeting.
"Simba and Akila got into an argument." Hasira said. "I think this is a good time to try and get Akila on our side."
"How?" Upesi asked. "I doubt he'll turn against Simba after one single argument."
"Not if we create more." Usiku piped up with a smile.
"Like how?" Maisha asked.
"We have to figure that out." Hasira said. "But we are friend's with Malaika so I can get close to Akila and plant more jealousy in his head. But we have to act fast, this may be our only chance for a while."
"Alright." Fikiri said. "Then we start tomorrow."
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The next day, late afternoon Akila was about to leave the den and just as he turned he bumped right into Maisha nearly knocking the lioness over.
"Sorry Maisha!" Akila exclaimed. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
"It's fine." Maisha chuckled. "Your father told me you were the clumsy one anyways."
"Yeah." Akila grinned. "What else did he say?"
"A lot of stuff." Maisha said with a shrug. "He talks about Simba a lot."
"He does?" Akila asked, curiosity sparking in him. "What did he say?"
"A lot of how Simba saved the Pride during the war and how he's always there for the Pride during the darkest of times. He talked a lot on how Simba's taking care of the Pridelands. I think it's true, the Pridelands look beautiful." Maisha said.
"Oh," Akila said doing his best not to show his anger from last night's argument. "Did he mention anything about me?"
"A few things." Maisha nodded. "About how you help Simba when he needs help."
"Oh okay." Akila said forcing on a smile. "I was just wondering. I have to go now, theres some issues I have to talk to Zazu about." Maisha nodded and walked into the den.
Akila stormed down Priderock,he didn't want to be jealous of his brother but his father was making him jealous of Simba.
"I help Simba when he needs help? I help him whether he needs help or not!" Akila mentally exclaimed.
"I was the one there when the Pride needed someone at the most. Not Simba! He ran away and was spending his time frolicking with Nala!" Akila muttered angrily.
"Akila?" Simba's voice made him jerk around and he felt himself stiffening at the sight of his older brother.
"What?" Akila asked his tone coming out more harshly than he thought.
"Did you check in with Zazu? I asked you yesterday morning to do it today." Simba said. "I need it done now because-"
"I didn't check in with Zazu and I'm not going to either." Akila snapped.
"Akila?" Simba gave him a strange look. "Are you okay?" He had never really seen his younger brother like this before.
"I'm not going to check in with Zazu or do anything for you!" Akila snapped. "I'm done doing everything for you and bowing down to you and letting you take the credit for it! I don't get any recognition. I've always had a feeling but I never really let it bother me. But lately, you and Dad act like I don't do anything and I'm done with it!" He stormed away from Simba leaving him stunned at his outburst.
Akila avoided Simba and most of the Pride for the rest of day. He tracked Vijay down and he enjoyed his time playing with his son for the day before bringing him back to Priderock quite late at night when he knew that Simba would be asleep.
"I don't care if I'm not the second in command anymore. I have more free time that I can spend with Vijay. He's more important than Simba." Akila thought while watching Malaika bathe Vijay all while scolding Akila for bringing their son back so late at night. Akila only chuckled and watched while Malaika glared at him.
The next morning, Akila had been enjoying the sun with Amri and Moraan before Amri had to go collect Haru and Moraan had to leave for the came flying down to him.
"Akila!" Zazu called. "Your father wishes to speak to you."
"Then he can come here." Akila said settling his head down in his paws.
"Akila…" Zazu said a bit annoyed. "He wants to speak to you. It's a bit of an urgent matter from what I can tell. He does seem angry at you."
Akila felt another spark of jealousy fly through him. He had figured that Simba had explained everything to Mufasa and Mufasa had believed his word without even asking Akila.
"Well if he needs to speak to me that badly, he can come here. I'm not moving." Akila said smirking at the hornbill who rolled his eyes.
"Very well then, I will tell him but you know he won't be happy." Zazu said and took off. Akila dozed off here and there for about half an hour or so before he felt a presence beside him. He lifted his eyes to see Mufasa towering over him.
"Oh hey Dad." Akila greeted raising his head.
"Akila…" Mufasa said raising his eyebrows. "What's going on with you?"
"I suppose Simba told you the whole thing." Akila asked sitting up.
"Yes he did and I was surprised at your behaviour. Why would you all of a sudden decide not to follow your duties and give up being second in command?" Mufasa asked.
"Because I'm tired of not getting any credit for anything!" Akila shouted. "You don't give me credit for anything and neither does Simba! I've ignored it for long enough but I've had it. I'm the second in command and I do almost as much as Simba but I don't get any credit for anything!"
"Akila I know that you work just as hard but-"
"Or how about you telling everyone that it was Simba who helped the Pride during the darkest of times! It wasn't Simba, it was me! Simba ran away! I stayed and helped protect the Pride until he came back. Then I stepped down and let him take all the credit for being the hero!"
"Akila stop." Mufasa said raising his paw to stop Akila from continuing. "I can tell that you are jealous of your brother but that doesn't give you any excuse as to why-"
"You don't get the point do you?!" Akila exclaimed, looking at his father with a disgusted look. Shaking his head, Akila stormed away and left ignoring Mufasa calling him back.
He hurried back to Priderock wanting to avoid Simba but came directly across him as he neared Priderock. Sarabi was with him and Akila knew he would feel bad ignoring his mother as well.
"Did Dad talk to you?" Simba asked.
"Yeah." Akila said sounding indifferent.
"Alright then do you want to tell me why you're so angry at me? Your that jealous that you would give up being second in command?" Simba asked sounding annoyed.
"No!" Akila snapped.
"Akila," Sarabi said. "Please just tell us what's wrong."
"I already told him Mom." Akila said. "I told Dad and Simba. I'm done with this." He turned around and continued his way to Priderock and found a spot for himself at the Pride's resting place where he knew that he could be in peace.
"That's enough!" Came a voice. Akila turned to see Upesi following Hasira but by the expression on Upesi's face he could see that she was angry. Both of them exchanged a few words before Hasira turned and left leaving a frustrated Upesi behind.
"Anything wrong?" Akila asked going up to Upesi.
"No," Upesi sighed. "Just an old argument, I shouldn't have started. It's just that Hasira always seems to get credit for everything…even for things that she hasn't done. I just got a bit jealous."
"Oh I know that feeling." Akila said with a wistful smile. "Simba's my older brother and the entire Pridelands gives him credit, even for the things I do."
"I know." Upesi chuckled. "But they are the oldest and they will always get the credit for everything. Hasira always talks and acts like she was the only one to help us survive during our time in the Outlands after our Pride was slaughtered. She always forgets how much we, especially I did as well. But I can tell that Simba does take the credit from you. You do seem willing to back down and listen to him."
"Really?" Akila asked. "Is it obvious?"
"Kind of." Upesi shrugged.
"Oh…I didn't realize."Akila muttered.
"I told Kula that I would meet her in the meadow." Upesi said taking her leave. "I'll see you around my Prince." Akila nodded as she left.
"I didn't know it was obvious I backed down to Simba." Akila muttered. "I'm not going to look weak to him any longer!"
"Akila?" Malaika came up beside him. "I thought you were helping Simba."
"I was…" Akila said slowly. "But he doesn't need help anymore. I was actually looking for you." He didn't want to tell Malaika how he was done being Simba's second in command just now. He would tell her later.
"I'm right here." Malaika chuckled licking his cheek.
"Come on." Akila gave her nose a lick. "Let's have some time for ourselves." Malaika smiled before the two of them went off to find some secluded space for themselves.
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The next day, Akila was heading back from the patrol to find some his friend to lounge around with.
"Akila!" Came a voice. It was Usiku.
"What is it?" Akila asked giving the lioness his full attention.
"There's a rogue at the border!" Usiku exclaimed. "He wants to speak with Simba but I can't find him!" Akila knew that he was done helping Simba but rogues were a serious matter and all males dealt with rogues if the King wasn't around. Besides, with him being the second in command for so long he still felt the impulse to do his duty.
"Go find Simba and tell him! If you see Zazu, tell him to spread the word!" Akila said. "I'm going to go confront the rogue."
"By yourself?!" Usiku gasped.
"I was trained for this." Akila said. "Go find Simba! Now!" Usiku sprinted off while Akila charged back towards the border. He found it a bit strange that he hadn't scented the rogue or Usiku while patrolling but he figured that he must have been distracted.
Akila charged through the bushes at the border and looked around. He caught the scent of an unfamiliar lion and he growled under his breath.
"Show yourself!" Akila shouted, letting out a loud roar.
"I'm right here my Prince." Akila spun around to see a large lion with a flowing jet black mane. He had piercing emerald green eyes and orangish brown fur. Something told Akila that this rogue was familiar but he just couldn't put a name to it.
"Who are you?!" Akila growled taking a few steps towards the rogue.
"I came here to talk to you." The rogue said also taking a few steps towards him.
"About what?" Akila demanded.
The rogue opened his mouth to respond but before any words came out of his mouth, he suddenly lifted his paw and Akila felt his head being struck with a powerful blow. He stumbled back only to hit his head again on a tree and he felt blackness clouding his vision.
"You…" Akila tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth. He saw the rogue taking one step closer to him before everything went black.
I know this a short chapter but I wanted to keep the next section all together so the next chapter will be longer. So Akila's done with being second in command to Simba and things have heated up between them. Malaika opens her eyes to the life that her siblings grew up in while things also get tense between Mufasa and Akila. I know that there hasn't been too much interaction between Akila and Mufasa in this story so far so there will be more coming up. If theres anything else in the story that you guys would like to see, feel free to leave it in a review or just message me privately. I'll do my best to add it in. Please read and review and stay tuned for the next update :)