Chapter 13


A pair of sleepy amber eyes tiredly fluttered open as specks of light filtered through the opening of the darkened cave hitting his once closed eyelids. Lifting a paw, the tired cub draped it over his eyes in a last ditch effort to block out any light and fall back to sleep. But it was soon proven fruitless.

Groaning, the young male cub let his paw slip from his face to land soundlessly beside his head where his other one laid.

Finally opening his eyes to greet the day, Kopa found that he was the last one to wake that morning. The cave that was formally filled up with the bodies of the pride was now completely empty save for him where he was curled up in the back of the cave in the spot he and Nuru claimed during the nights. Looking to his side he found that even the serval had gotten up before him that day.

He wondered why no one had woken him up?

Shaking his head, the young Prince let out a loud yawn his tongue flicking against the roof of his mouth. Stretching his limbs out in front of him then taking the time to stretch each one of his back legs to get any leftover sleepiness out of his system. Lifting his head toward the entrance, he watched the vines sway in the breeze which had allowed the light into the normally much darker cave.

Not that the dark would have made any difference to him.

His hearing picked up the sound of voices outside just before the vines were pushed aside and he spotted the familiar spotted fur as Nuru made her way into the den. Hanging from her mouth was a large chunk of meat that she had collected from the left over Okapi that the hunting party had caught just the day before.

When she spotted Kopa and saw that he was finally awake, she quickly made her way over and set the meat down in front of him. "About time you got up. I swear if it weren't for your snoring I would have thought you were dead." She flashed him a wide smile despite the irritated look he was now giving her.

"I. Do. Not. Snore." Kopa empathized each word. But he knew it was really no point in arguing for it never mattered what he said Nuru never listened to him. To prove his point, Nuru just shook her head "Yes you keep telling yourself that Pussy-cat. Now eat." With her paw she pushed the meat towards him having eaten her fill before she brought anything for Kopa.

"Where's the rest of the pride?" The young prince asked, wasting no time in pulling his breakfast closer to him. Grabbing a piece he tossed his head back to bring it into his mouth and after a few chews managed to swallow it then dug into the rest of his meal.

"The King left for his morning patrol just before sunrise, the others are all outside." Nuru answered; licking one of her paws she rubbed it around her face. Repeating the motion several times. Then twisting her body she began grooming the rest of her poor fur. A thing she had come to hate while living in the Jungle was the humidity they tended to get from time to time. It wrecked havoc on her fur.

Watching his friend from the corner of his eyes, Kopa bit back a snicker as he finished the last of the meat she had brought for him. He knew better then to say anything. He learned long ago that females were never someone you wanted to get on the wrong side of when it came to the condition and appearance of their fur. Even if he thought she was being ridiculous. Her fur looked fine, well in his eyes anyways. He just had to avoid her when she tried to bathe him saying he shouldn't look like a scruffy hyena just because he's a male.

"Did Uncle Jaali say when he would be back?" Asked Kopa. Rubbing his paw over his muzzle he cleaned it the best he could before Nuru could offer to do it. Although he had a feeling that his Aunt's would pin him sooner or later in order too give him a proper bath.

The serval shook her head running her tongue along her foreleg. "He left before I rose. Leta told me that he left that early. She said that Jaali told her to tell you that he would return when the sun is the highest in the sky for you to accompany him." Lowering her leg finally satisfied that her fur was to her liking she raised her gaze to her young friend.

Kopa only nodded his head with a look that made it difficult for Nuru to know what the cub was thinking about. It wasn't unusual for the King to have his young nephew follow him on patrols from time to time. Something Jaali said his Father had made him and Simba do when they had become Kopa's age. Saying it was best that Kopa learned all he could about his new home and duties that would one day be expected of him.

It had been nearly two months since they been with the Rasheda's. It had taken some weeks for the two newcomers to become use to living in the Jungle and pride. The first week Kopa rarely left the cave, not sure to what to really think about his Mother's pride. Being around them and having them ask him questions about the things that had happened in the Pride Lands since the Rasheda's departure to the time of his parents deaths, were too surreal.

What more he had expected them all to be angry with him when the told them how their deaths had been his fault. But every time he said that, Leta would give him a good wallop on his backside followed by a stern and disappointed look that told him that she never wanted to hear him talk like that again. None of the Rasheda's blamed him for what had happened and they always reminded him that neither should he.

Sometimes things happen and there's never anything we can do about it. We just have to keep those who died in our hearts and remember who they were before they were taken from us.

Those words were similar to everything he had heard from almost everyone since the time of his parent's deaths. He began to hate the words at times.

It wasn't until the third week of his arrival in the pride, that Jaali finally had enough of the cubs moping and keeping himself hidden inside the cave. In the beginning he knew it would probably be better too let the cub be on his own. But when he thought it was time that the cub be introduced to the Rasheda pride life, he dragged the cub out by the back of his neck from the cave.

Kopa had fought the older lion at first. Struggling and patting at him. But it made no difference; Jaali was much bigger and stronger than he was. It was then his Uncle gave him a bit of advice that the other lionesses wouldn't give him from all the coddling they tended to deliver upon the wounded cub.

"You are a Prince. You are the son of a great King and Queen. Simba and Zuri would not want you to be moping around like the way you are. And I won't have you doing so either. You came here much like your Father did, alone and beaten by the thoughts of what he thought was his fault in the result of your grandfather. Now I'm not saying forget what happened and it won't be easy getting over what happened either. It took your Father a long time to come to terms with everything and he had your Mother and me to help him along with everyone else here.

"But by moping inside the cave and detaching yourself from the rest of us won't make everything better. We're here for you Kopa. We are family. This is your new home and you are welcomed here. Allow us to help you. Let us teach you. And always remember you are a Prince and a Prince never runs from anything not even his own troubles. Whether you are here or in the Pride Lands. You will always and forever be a Prince. Live to that title and make your parents proud."

It was that day that Kopa learned that despite living in the Rasheda's and no longer in the Pride Land's he would have to keep his title. A Prince was a prince no matter where he was and he should be proud of that title, Jaali told him.

Jaali wouldn't let Kopa live without it. Not like Simba did when he lived with the Rasheda's. Jaali was nothing like his Father, Mansa, and would allow Kopa to be recognized for what and who he truly was.

Since that day Kopa had been spending more and more time with the Pride and exploring the lands that had become his new home with Nuru at his side. The serval was elated to have the cub out and about. She was beginning to think he'd become a hermit in that cave.

He became more acquainted with the lionesses that were more then willing to share stories of his mother that Zuri forgot about. And stories of his Grandmother and Grandfather. The stories of his Grandfather were ones that captivated him. For as long as he remembered his Mother telling him that he was named for his long dead grandfather, he had always wanted to hear stories about him. But since he had died just after his mother was born, Zuri really had no actual stories she could properly remember about him other then a tale here and there.

But Leta, she knew him since she was a cub, and hence had more detailed stories about the lion he was named after.

The only other thing's Kopa enjoyed about living in the Jungle were the visits he and Nuru would pay to the Gorilla's who had set up home on the other side of the river that ran through their lands and the patrols that Jaali seemed keen on bringing him on. When Jaali asked Kopa if he'd been on any patrols and gotten any lessons from his Father, the young Prince replied that he'd only been on one or two trips with his Father. Saying that Simba had agreed that once Kopa was a few months older then a year he would start his full training.

Jaali had only nodded his head to that. He and Simba had been exactly around Kopa's age when they both had started their training with Mansa. It was no surprise to him that Simba would do the same with his own son. It saddened the King that he would have to be the one to teach the young cub the ways of the being a King and protector in place of his Father. But an honour he was glade to be given.

"Kopa?" a voice was heard. "Hello earth to Kopa. Are you in there?"

Blinking his eyes, Kopa realized at the last second that Nuru was trying to get his attention. Bringing himself out of his thoughts, he looked toward the serval who was watching him intently. "Yes?"

"Boy there Pussy-cat, you sure get your head in the clouds a lot." Nuru smirked knowing exactly that she had brought the boy out of deep concentration. "What were you thinking about?"

"The last two months." Was Kopa's answer. He watched Nuru's normally happy-go-lucky face shift into a look of seriousness that he often found frightening. He was so use to her being so happy and playful and joking that when she was serious and angry she could hold a candle to his Mother's wrath. The serval gave a stiff nod in understanding.

Nuru did not completely understand how the boy could open up to the gorilla's…correction…Chika…and be so open the first night he spent with the Rasheda's and then afterwards isolated himself by staying in the cave the majority of his days after his arrival. But she hadn't been one to want to force him to do anything. She could somewhat understand his plight. This pride had been his Mother's.

Something he had only heard of in stories.

Something he had always wondered if he'd be able to meet them.

And here he was getting that very chance but under the wrong circumstances. She figured he would come around sooner or later she just didn't think it would take Jaali dragging him out. She'd been napping beside Kopa at the time that it had happened. One minute she's snuggled into the cub and the next she felt him ripped from her side and the struggling of paws on the cave floor and his voice shouting for someone to "Let go!"

When she had opened her eyes it was to be greeted with the sight of the King dragging the young Prince out of the cave by the scruff of his neck.

Wiping the look off her face, a smile appeared in place of her frown. Moving to stand along side the cub she nudged him in the shoulder with her head. Unfortunately she found the cub was beginning to grow taller then she. Something she would have to get use too she figured. Older she may be but she'd never be the tallest.

She also took note that his mane was coming in more. His tuft now covered the entire part of the top of his head, and stuck up behind his one ear be while the other side covered his missing ear. But it hung more in front of his face then Kopa really cared for.

"You know…" she started to snicker, licking her paw, she raised it to brush some of his tuft from his face. "Your mane is so scruffy." The serval quickly took a side step away from the young Princeling when she noticed the corner of his eye start to twitch to show his irritation. But the wide smile on her face never went away.

It was just too easy to pick on the cub sometimes.

Grumbling, Kopa raised a paw to brush parts of his tuft out of his face when it fell back into his eyes.

After a few moments and after several pointless attempts to tame his growing tuft, Kopa gave up.

Shaking his head, the Prince got to his paws and began making his way to the front of the cave. "Come on, I don't want to spend the entire day in the cave." He murmured under his breath.

Behind him Nuru was shaking her head while biting the inside of her cheek to keep her laughter at bay. But in the end failed miserably. Letting out a gale of laughter she bounded on after him.

The two friends didn't say a word as they exited the cave, letting the vines fall back into place behind them. Once outside, Kopa closed his eyes and took a deep breath, taking in the scents of the Jungle that was all around them. Two months and it always amazed him the variety of scents that came from the Jungle that he never smelt living in the grasslands of the Pride Lands.

There was always such fresh plant smells that he put off to the vary amount of trees, plants and flowers that seemed like they were limitless. There was also the many scents of different animals that was carried on the breeze, many that he never knew existed for few lived outside the jungle. Taking another deep breath, the Princeling thought he picked up the scent of fresh water in the air…a sign that told him that rain wouldn't be that far off and would probably reach their area of the Jungle later on that day. Another scent quickly entered his senses just before…

"Kopa!"

Eyes snapping open, the young Prince had the chance to gulp nervously before he found himself down on the ground pinned beneath a golden furred body. A much larger golden furred giggling body. Wheezing, Kopa tried to move his body out from beneath the one holding him down, "Aunt Yamile…Get of!" His struggling attempts were met with two different laughter's.

One belonging to his ever so happy laughing friend.

And the other belongs to the lioness that was pinning him beneath her arms.

Looking down at the cub, Yamile grinned like the cat that caught the mouse. "You know there cub you need to work on them muscles of yours if you're ever going to want to be a strong lion." Bending down she ran her tongue along the side of his face causing the cub to try and turn his head away from her. In the end her tongue caught the top of his tuft causing it to stick up in all random directions. "Not again!" Whining the male cub laid down giving up his fight to escape the golden lioness.

"I think I improved it." Claimed Yamile giving the cub's tuft another lick making it defy gravity further. Pulling her head away just enough to avoid the paw Kopa swatted at her.

"Yamile leave the boy alone. Just because your fur sticks up all over the place doesn't mean his should." Kopa let out a sigh of relief at the owner of the new voice. His Aunt Tufa was always much more collected and calm compared to her littermate. It wasn't that he wasn't rambunctious and didn't love spending time with Yamile. Exploring the jungle with her and Nuru were one of his favourite things to do to pass the time. He just didn't like when she got the advantage of him. He couldn't wait till he was bigger then perhaps he'd finally get the advantage for once.

Lifting her head, Yamile glowered playfully at her sister who stood a foot away from where she and Kopa were sprawled on the ground. "Oh Tufa, you're just such a fun wrecker." Objected the golden lioness. Ignoring her sisters rolling eyes she climbed back to her paws easing up off Kopa so that the Prince could get up. "Oh well…might as well get up anyways before the cub becomes more of a pipsqueak." Yamile cracked a large toothy grin at the glare the cub sent her way.

"Who you calling pipsqueak?" Inquired Kopa. "I'm nearly the size of your leg! You're just a short lioness!"

"Ah, but you'll always be a pipsqueak to me boy." Yamile remarked using her paw to give the cub a small shove. From their right, Nuru who had been watching the entire display was getting up onto her paws from where she had fallen to the ground from laughing so hard. She knew she liked Yamile. It hadn't taken long for the golden lioness and the serval to become fast friends.

It had all but made the King groan. That was all he really needed in the Pride…two…or three troublemakers if you included Kopa from time to time. But the King would never let them get away with anything for too long before he would put his paw down and get his own 'revenge' on them in his own playful way. Despite his responsibilities and at times strict Kingly way, Jaali was still the young adventurous prankster at heart.

Or so that's what his Mother always said. Jaali never bothered to deny it.

With a huff and grumble Kopa sat down and began trying to straighten out his tuft while attempting to ignore the laughter coming from Yamile and Nuru. If it weren't for them being two different species, he would think the two were sisters separated at birth by just how similar they were and how they got along.

Casting the two laughing fools a look and a quick roll of her eyes, Tufa made her way over to Kopa. With her own paw she moved his away from his head. "You're only making it worst." She chastised him softly but she was smiling as the cub slouched his body forward doing as she asked and leaving his tuft alone. Not even putting up the slightest effort to push the creamy lioness away when she went to work on trying to tame his wild tuft. At least she was trying to help him and not make it any worst then it already was.

"Hey how come you never complain when she 'styles' your fur?" Yamile inquired. Though by the grin on her face she pretty much already knew the answer but still felt obligated to ask.

Tufa who had finally managed to get the cub's growing tufts too flatten on his head the best she could cast her sister a look that showed her annoyance. "Because unlike you sister dear, I know how to properly take care of ones fur." Her eyes flickered to the untamed tufts of fur sticking up on the top of Yamile's head to prove her point.

Nuru and Kopa took a step back when they noticed the fur on the back of Yamile's neck bristle at her sister's taunt about her fur. Rolling her shoulders she was prepared to pounce at Tufa when a disgruntled voice sounded; "Now that is enough!"

The four stood straight on their paws turning to face the old pale golden lioness that stood a few steps from them. Leta's greying face was lined with irritation and slight disappointment that her grown daughters were acting like a bunch of overgrown cubs.

Her sharp eyes watched each of her daughters shoulders slumped slightly while lowering their heads their eyes on the ground. "You two should know better. You may only be a few months older then Kopa here but that doesn't mean you need to act around like cubs. You two are suppose to be setting examples for him. You are another season or two away from being mothers yourself. You need to behave." Leta shook her head at her daughters.

She wasn't completely strict when it came to raising her daughters. She raised them like she raised her son. There were times for fun and then there were times for being responsible. Leta knew her son learned that lesson the hard way when he had been given the responsibility of leading the Rasheda's off to war in the Pride Lands, securing their survival and safe return back to the Jungle.

Was her son still the old playful fool that he'd always been?

Yes.

But he was still more responsible then he had been in the past.

Leta just wished her daughters could be the same way at times. Perhaps she thought that daughters were supposed to be more…lady like. It was how her mother had raised her and it was how she wanted to raise her own daughters. For the most part it seemed that Tufa took her lessons more seriously then Yamile who liked nothing more then to run off and have fun then to take her responsibilities as Princess seriously.

But despite all of it, she did love them. Even if the two were like night and day and argued like it too.

Raising her head, Tufa held herself up right and proud. She gave her Mother a stiff nod; "Of course. You are right Mother. It was irresponsible of me to act as such. Do forgive me." She voiced. Her voice so calm and collected that Tufa like always reminded Kopa of his Mother. He knew deep down Tufa had a playful side, which of course wasn't as noticeable as his Mother's had been but she held herself like royalty did. Much like his Mother use to do when it came to addressing important matters or lecturing him on things he should and shouldn't do.

Yamile on the other hand just scoffed at her Mother's words and looked off to the side when Leta let her with a stern look. "Season or not away. Don't see how any of us will ever be Mothers. Not even Jaali has a mate and cubs yet. There are just no lions in these parts and Jaali scares off all the fun rogues." She rolled her eyes at the small gasp from Tufa who thought her sister's fascination with rogues was plainly insane. Yamile thought it was interesting how some males just lived on their own, never settling down with a pride. But every time she tried to speak with one in the past, Jaali would chastise her after he ran them off.

That had been when they lived in their old grove. No rogues dared travel this far into the jungle.

Leta's eyes softened at her daughters words. She knew there was likely a chance her daughters may never experience the wonders of motherhood and she was beginning to doubt her son would know the pride of having a son like his Father had felt for their first born. But it was worth saying for it was worth praying for hope.

Saying nothing on the matter she turned her attention to Kopa who was absentmindedly playing with his tuft of fur to try and keep it out of his eyes while shooting glares at Nuru every time the serval tried to give him pointers on grooming. "Kopa." She smiled warmly as the male cub jumped at having been addressed and raised his head to look at her.

"Yes Aunt Leta?"

Smiling the old lioness turned and approached him. Stopping when she was no more then a step away from him. She bent her head so that she came eye level with him. "How are you this morning my dear?"

Kopa shifted his weight from paw to paw as he lowered his gaze from the old lioness. It was so hard to look at her at times much less speak. She just reminded him too much of his Grandmother. Both former Queens had many similarities, they were both level headed lionesses and strong of heart and mind and no matter when things seemed bleak they stayed strong for others even when they were breaking inside. Every time he looked at Leta he would think of his Grandmother and wondered if she truly had died the night his parents did or if she was a live.

If she was alive she would be all alone without her family for now they were all gone and no one was coming back this time not even him. But if she were dead…that was just as bad as being alone because she been cut down before her time like his Mother, Father, sisters and brother were.

"I'm just fine." He answered finally making himself lift his eyes to meet hers. Each day he felt alone even though he truly wasn't. He was with family. But that didn't make the ache for what he lost go away and he wanted so badly for it to go. He guessed Jaali had been right it would take him along time to truly recover…if he ever did. But he knew he wouldn't do it alone. He could see it in Leta's eyes when she looked at him…the pain that was hidden deep within them for the loss of her niece and her family.

But like when her mate had died, Leta was remaining strong for those around her. For her family. This now included Kopa. She would be strong for him for she knew he needed someone who was strong to be there for him and she was going to do just that.

Leaning her head in, Leta rubbed hers along the side of his. "No nightmares?" she asked remembering the times she woke to hearing him cry from his nightmares. She remembered Zakia telling her similar stories of Simba's nightmares within the first year he lived with them. And like her sister, whenever she noticed Kopa in the midst of one got up and went to sleep beside the cub and would hold him the same as Nuru who would have one arm draped over the Prince.

Kopa closed his eyes just enjoying the attention Leta bestowed upon him. A small rumbling purr in his throat. Just basking in the love he could feel from the old lioness. This was something he enjoyed immensely since he arrived, the attention of a lioness in ways he missed the attention from his Mother. After a couple of minutes he finally stepped back and nodded his head, "I didn't have any nightmares last night…but I did have trouble sleeping."

Looking thoughtful for a moment Leta looked him in the face to see if he was lying to her. It wouldn't surprise her if he was. He was just like his Father not wanting to burden them with his problems. But he was family just as Simba had become family in the years he was with them. But seeing the tired look in his eyes, and how long he had slept well last the sunrise she knew he was telling the truth.

"Alright then. Has Nuru told you that Jaali will be back for you by the afternoon so that you can join him on the rest of his patrol?" Her eyes looked toward Nuru who came to stand along side the cub then back at the cub.

"Yes!" Kopa blurted out before he could hide the excitement in his voice.

Leta had to keep from laughing. That was something Kopa didn't have in common with Jaali and Simba. The fact that he was actually excited to be accompanying the King on his patrols and learning the ways of the land and the laws that they upheld. Then again, she thought, Jaali wasn't anything like her mate, who would drag the boys out by their tails at dawn if they ever complained. And would make them do drills throughout their patrols in order for the boys to become 'strong' and 'well disciplined'.

Her curiosity got the better of her one day and she had asked the boy why he loved doing 'Kingly' stuff as he liked to call it. His answer had surprised her when he told her that Simba rarely brought him out on his patrols and how the King was waiting until he was over a year to fully start his training. But since they had gone into hiding sometime after he reached his first year that hadn't happened and now would never happen. So Jaali was now his best chance at learning how to become a fully trained lion. "But he did teach me how to hunt along side Mother. He did hunt with the hunting party once to show us that he too was taught hunting while here in the Rasheda's." Kopa would add.

Grinning, Leta turned and found that only Tufa remained nearby, Yamile had slinked off and was now laying alone at the edge of the jungle. She shook her head and looked back at Kopa, "How about you go meet up with Jaali. Show him you remembered the trail that he's shown you." Her eyes went to Nuru. "Go with the Prince; make sure he doesn't get in any trouble."

Nuru slapped her paw over her head in a solute. "Aye Aye Ma'am I shall keep the Prince in order." A large smile on her face that caused Kopa to roll his eyes. Sure, she'd keep him out of trouble, seems like the other way around he thought humorously.

Smiling, the old lioness nudged Kopa with her nose. "Run along Kopa. There is no reason for you to stay in the thicket all day. Your parents never liked too. It's perfectly safe for you to go and explore in the territory…well as long as you have someone to watch over you." This reminded her that she needed to get on her son's case again about finding a new majordomo. He needed help, even if he wouldn't admit it. It was one of the reasons he wanted to teach Kopa it would give him extra help in the future but he still needed a majordomo no matter what he said. She didn't care what or whom he appointed as long as he did so. "Oh and tell my air-headed son I need to speak with him sometime. He'll know what it means."

Unable to contain his grin, Kopa rubbed his body along Leta's leg before bounding off toward the nearest trail with Nuru running on after him. "Will do Aunt Leta!" He hollered back over his shoulder.

Leta smiled watching him go, her eyes then looked up toward the clear sky above through the opening in the trees.

He's just like the two of you. Cheerful and full of spirit and life…but… Leta turned her eyes back to the last spot Kopa had been in she thought of the emotion behind those amber eyes of his that he seemed to try so hard to hide.

So lonely…


Knowing it was only mid-morning; Kopa knew exactly where his Uncle would be at that time of the day. Finding the right path the young Prince began running down it as Nuru jumped onto low hanging branches to run along side him. Her small legs and quick agility allowing her to do so without falling.

Bounding along down the dirt path, dust and leaves kicking up behind him Kopa called out. "What were you, a monkey in another life?" His eyes watched his spotted friend disappear upwards into the tree foliage trying to get the upper hand on beating him in their unannounced race.

A bark of laughter echoed from the tree tops. "No amount of flattery will make you beat me!" The serval jested.

From among the leaves, Nuru's claws gripped the branches she ran and jumped upon in trying to gain the lead.

Leaping gracefully through the tree branches, she would occasionally glance downwards to see if the cub was still within eyeshot. She may have been trying to gain the lead but it was important to make sure the cub was within eyeshot and safe. He was a Prince and her responsibility she felt to keep him alive and safe like she had during the days in the desert.

That and he was her friend…no need to help the pussy-cat out a hole if he fell into one if she didn't have too.

"You're all talk and no bite. You haven't beaten me yet!" Kopa taunted, his eyes catching a flash of golden beige above him. Claws extended Kopa used them to get more tractions as he ran, dodging under and over upturned roots that got in his way. His good ear pinned back against his head as he darted through the jungle.

From above the only answer to his taunt was another batch of cackling laughter from the serval and flashes of Nuru's spotted body starting to gain the lead. This only served to spur into action and try once again to get ahead of her; determined to keep his winning track record.


In far reaches of the Rasheda territory, Jaali, shoulders slouched in the slightest followed the same very trails he took everyday when it came to his patrols. There'd been many times when he wanted nothing more then to just lie down and forget about doing them. The threat they had moved from hadn't seemed to move to their part of the jungle yet.

And hopefully it never did.

Stopping, the King raised his head to stare off back in the direction he knew their old home had been. A home that had belonged to the Rasheda's for nearly fourteen generations. A home that was no longer theirs and he doubted it ever would be again.

When the desperate time came to move the pride, Jaali had reflected on their ancestors. Wondering what they might have done in his place?

Would they have gone through such measures to assure the safety of their pride by moving them away from their ancestral home like he had?

That was an answer that the King could not really give himself. Every ruler was different as was the things they did for their people. Jaali had been reluctant at first; the hunts that took them outside of their old territory had been bountiful until the animals started to become even scarcer by each day that passed.

It hadn't been until he saw the strange creatures for himself that he knew what danger they were in. It had been then that he had decided it was best to move.

He'd never seen such creatures and he never wanted to see them up close ever again…


The ground shook beneath his paws.

It was the ninth time since he had started his patrol that very morning that he had felt them. With each shake of the ground only getting stronger the further he got, coming close to the eastern borders of his lands.

This was his first patrol he'd taken since their last return from an off territorial hunt. To which they had only managed to catch three chimpanzees that been travelling through the area. Each fleeing from what they been shouting about that seemed like large creatures about the size of elephants that roared louder then any lion or leopard.

Their stories were similar to every animal they had stopped and questioned. Similar to what every bird had screeched about in the trees for weeks on end.

Each story seemed worst then the one told before it.

The Rasheda's had been warned about returning to their home. But Jaali had seen how tired the hunting party had become and they needed to rest. He couldn't just abandon their home. His sisters at the time had not been quite mature just yet but weren't cubs either. They'd been nervous each time they had taken a step out of their territory. Unlike him, they'd never stepped over the borders.

Even Yamile had seemed nervous the first couple times she had stepped over each border of their land. She may have been a trouble maker but she still listened to their mother when it came to not leaving their territory. Unlike him, Yamile liked to point out whenever she had the chance, having heard all about the story of when he and his friends had crossed the borders and had gotten lost for two days.

But it didn't matter, the King planned to defend his home. His pride was dwindling, many were old. Especially his mother. He did not want to risk having to move the pride and loose them in the process of doing so.

For that was something he was sure that when he died, his Father and the rest of his ancestors would be lecturing him about in the next life.

It however didn't make him any less nervous. There were barely any animals that came through the territory. Many like him were too stubborn to leave their homes but others they say were just passing through.

His eyes directed downwards when he felt the ground begin to rumble beneath him once again. The shaking was getting worst. He could feel the tremors of each one going up through his legs till it felt like his entire body was quivering with the earth. Above him birds squawked as many seemed to be trying to protect whatever nests they had present.

While others were quickly taking to the air.

That was never a good sign.

There were two things one always had to be cautious about.

When the jungles went quiet and not a sound could be heard. For any lion and animal alike they were taught from a young age that stillness always meant there was some sort of dangerous predator nearby.

And second…were the birds…the birds were always the first to go when danger was afoot.

His ears strained to hear their cries as they fled the area. He heard one parrot screeching for his mate to abandon their clutch of eggs. Something the female was highly against. He could hear several turaco's coming in from the east…from the direction he could now hear the sounds of crashes and…roars…

Roars unlike he'd ever heard before.

His survival instincts were telling him to run. Run back to the pride where it was bound to be safe.

But as King, he needed to know what these threats truly were.

Swallowing any cowardice he had, Jaali pressed on this time following the sound of the strange echoing roars and thunderous crashes that could only belong to trees that broke and hit the forest floor.

Much like the rumbles in the ground, the sounds too got louder the closer he was getting to the source of the problem.

Lowering his body completely to the ground to keep himself hidden, the King slinked through the underbrush. This was his home, he knew it better then anyone from the times he spent exploring it as a cub with Simba and Zuri. And whoever these strange creatures were they were embarking onto his territory. Something he could not allow and would put a stop to it.

His body froze and tensed up as a loud cracking sound could be heard directly to his right. Lifting his head enough, he watched with wide eyes and baited breathe as he saw a large tree which trunk was large then that of any elephant he'd ever encountered begin to fall to the jungle floor. Shaking the very ground it landed upon.

Well…he found the source of what was causing the ground to shake…now he just had to find the source of what was causing the trees to fall.

No near creature he knew could have been capable of toppling a tree of that size like it was a near cub being pushed around by an adult.

Turning his head, Jaali decided to might be best to get a view from above on these things. Pushing himself back to his paws, he braced his body before springing upwards, his claws extended as he grasped onto a low hanging branch of the tree above him. Dangling there for a few brief seconds as he grunted and hissed between his clenched teeth as he used what strength he had to pull himself up and onto the branch.

Once his entire body was on the branch and the claws of all four paws gripping the wood beneath them; the King began making his climb to the upper branches which were more connected to each other and would allow him a better chance of moving among the trees with ease.

His ears picked up the strange roaring sounds once more and began to follow them. Heading in the direction of the tree that had fallen, knowing that the source of the roars would be there just as well.

But as he got closer, he picked up a new sound and the scents of things he'd never smelt before.

Jaali had to quickly throw himself down on a branch when the ground began to shake again. His claws gripping the wood as he tried to keep himself from falling out of the tree. From the height he was at, he knew if he fell, it had the possibility of wounding himself to where he would not be able to protect his pride.

When the rumbling stopped, he pushed himself back up and continued on the path he was taking. From ahead he could spot a large dose of sunlight coming in from the leaves. Something that should not have been happening. For it wasn't coming from the top of the trees but right in front of him. He'd been to this part of the jungle many times in the past and he knew the density of the trees did not allow that much light into the jungle from where he was looking.

Where the sun was shinning there should have been a thick canopy of trees.

The lions eyes slammed shut the moment his head came through the leaves and his eyes met the sun directly. Taking a moment too collect himself and ease his eyes open slowly to allow them to adjust to the sudden amount of sunlight hitting them…what he saw made the breath hitch in his throat and his heart still in his chest.

For what was once jungle that spread on for miles was now nothing but dirt, tree stumps and fallen trees for as far as the eyes could see.

What has caused this?

There was no living creature that he knew that could ever cause so much destruction as what he now saw before him. Nor was there any creature he knew of that would WANT to cause such destruction to the home of many.

Now he could see what all the chaos had been about…with no trees and no food there wasn't any way to survive that and…

Jaali's train of thought ended when a loud shrieking roar echoed down below the tree he was standing in and it wasn't before long that the tree started to shake.

Taking his gaze away from the disaster before him, the King gripped onto the tree as he began climbing lower to see what it was exactly that was causing that noise and the tree to shake. He reached the second lowest branch before stopping not wanting to get too close to whatever these…things were.

Lowering himself down to the branch once like before, the King laid on his stomach and allowed his head to peer over the edge of the branch and stare downwards through the leaves at the strangest creature's he'd ever seen in his life. There were at least five of them that he could see at the moment but by the noises he heard in other parts he knew there had to be more of them.

They on two legs and for a moment they reminded him of apes but they looked different as well. He could see no fur on them save for the fur atop their heads. Their furless skins were different colours too; many from pale to dark tan and even those who looked dark brown in colour. They were holding weird things that he could not understand what they were. But some were making the sources of the roaring noises as they dug into the bark of trees like the one he was in.

The tree was thick so he had a good chance of getting away safely before they managed to successfully cut it down.

Though these creatures were strange to him, he had heard of them, though he'd never seen them. He heard of them from birds that travelled for miles. From the few rogues he had spoken too when they passed through the territory.

Man.

That's what they called them.

A chill ran down Jaali's spine. This was not good. For every rogue had warned him that Man was something one should fear. For when Man came, danger was not far behind. The rogues spoke of weapons that Man tended to have, like the large sticks that made sounds like that of thunder that could kill a full grown elephant in one go. And they just didn't kill elephants…they killed many animals…including lions…

One rogue had told him how he'd seen a whole pride fall to these creatures. Adults, adolescents and cubs.

His eyes went to the things these Man carried wondering if they were those 'Thunder sticks' that he was warned about. Many of them made noise but none that sounded like thunder.

He could hear them talking among themselves and shouting to one another. Some shouting into square like things they held to their small round ears on the sides of their heads. But he could not understand a single thing they said.

Jaali's head shot up when a new sound reached his ears. This time it was a deep rumbling down like something large was moving across the ground. Followed by this deepening roar unlike the things that these Man-beasts carried. Quickly he made his way to the other side of the tree where he jumped the last foot and a half from the tree to the bottom. Landing stealthily on his paws, he kept his body low while he hurriedly made his way toward the source of the noise.

Planning to investigate everything that there was to know what danger these Man-beasts truly were to him and his pride.

Like before the noise got louder the close he got to it. But the lion almost at the last second saw he was heading right into the path of danger. With wide eyes, Jaali leapt high and far with his legs to land in the bushes once more only this time there was no time to correct his balance. Hitting the ground on his side, the King felt the wind get knocked out of him.

Raising his head, Jaali stared wide eyed at the thing that had nearly hit him. A large yellow like beast that was blowing through the jungle, scooping bushes and smaller trees out of its way. But that wasn't the only one. Another equally large yellow beast was not far from it, this one had one arm like thing with a three hooked claw on it. Which it was using to pick up fallen trees and place it in the back of what was something Jaali could not describe.

His heart bounded in his chest from a deep fear that was creeping through his entire body.

Now he knew why the animals were fleeing. There just was no stopping things that large and looked like they could tear him apart in one go.

But why? He asked himself. Why were they doing this? What was the reason? Why would they need so much wood from the trees? Why would they need it to begin with?

So many questions ran through his mind. And he didn't have a single answer to them. It wasn't like he could just stroll up to them and demand to know what was doing on. He could not understand a single word they were saying and doubted they would understand him. That and from the things he heard about Man he doubted they would let him get away alive.

Pushing up off the ground, Jaali checked his side but other then having the wind knocked out of him for a few short minutes; he was perfectly fine. No broken ribs or cuts. But he was sure there may be a few bruises from the impact.

Lifting his gaze to the large strange beasts and the Man that were around. Jaali knew this was something to fear…but what scared him the most was they were cutting down in the direction that would lead to the Grove. From where they were it would take them some time before they got too it if they were working in other directions as well…but surely they would reach the home of his pride sooner or later.

From where he stood, staring at them, and the things he was told and the things he now saw before him. Jaali came to the conclusion that this was something that they couldn't just "ride out" by going on long hunts and just waiting for the threat to pass and the animals to return.

The King knew now that something else had to be done…something he been giving some thought about but hadn't really wanted to suggest it to his pride but much less carry it out.

Taking in the disaster happening before him, the king knew with a heavy heart what he must do to assure their survival…he just needed a way to explain it and assure them it was the best idea…casting a look over his shoulder in the direction of the Grove; Jaali decided it would be best to finish his patrol first. Allowing it to give him some time in order to figure out how to approach his pride on the idea that he knew would need to be pulled off.

Something he thought he never have to do or ever thought would happen…but it seemed after fourteen generations the place they had called their home…would no longer be seen as such…


That hadn't been an easily conversation. Many had disagreed with the idea. Not wanting to leave the place that had been their home for so long. It wasn't until he showed them the danger for what it was that they knew there was no point in arguing with the decision. The danger was too close now and would only get closer. If they wanted to live they had to get away.

But he knew it wasn't just them he had to save. He owed a dept to the gorilla's that lived across the river from them.

A dept he had yet to repay from when Chika had saved him and his friend and had convinced her mate to take them back home. If it hadn't been for her, Badu would have either killed them or chased them off further into the jungle where they would have either died of starvation or some larger predator would have picked them off. The latter seemed more obvious then the former.

He was glad to finally repay that dept. Even more glad that the one in charge of the gorilla troop was no more Badu but his son Tuma. The silverback had the attitude he had unfortunately inherited from his Father rather then his Mother, but Tuma could still see and understand the threat that was looming over them all. It was obvious that if these Man-beasts were a threat to lions they would soon be a threat to gorillas.

It had been then that the plan had been set in motion. Tuma had told him of a land they could use for both their pride and troop. An alliance that hadn't ever been formed now was for all their protection.

Not that Jaali really cared. As long as they were safe it didn't bother him to have to share his territory.

At first he had thought of taking the pride to the Pride Lands. Jaali was certain that Simba and Zuri would never turn them away. But he hadn't been certain whether his mother and some of the older lionesses would be able to make the journey across the desert this time. So he had decided against it. So he had decided against it for their sake.

And now…he thought miserably…they would never have that chance to see them anyhow.

From the first night that Kopa stayed with them and had told them what had caused the death of his parents, Jaali had been contemplating it. He remembered his last thoughts before he had left the Pride Lands. Jaali had prayed that those thoughts and feelings would be false but in the end it turned out he had been right to fear for his friends. Zuri was his cousin and Simba was more then just his friend, he like the other lion had come to see him as a brother.

They were both family and now they were gone.

And now entrusted in his care was their son.

He failed in helping the two greatest friends he ever had, but he would not fail in taking care of their son. Kopa would grow up to be a fine lion, he would see to that. He would be as great as his Father. He knew he had surprised the cub by telling him that he was allowing him to keep his title, he wasn't going to be like his own Father. Jaali didn't care if the cub was a Prince. He didn't fear the cub growing up to steal his throne. Even though…the King had a thought that given the cub was already of royal blood even if it wasn't Rasheda royal blood he still had Rasheda in him from his mother's side.

If Jaali did not find a mate…he knew it was either his sister's that would take over or he would have to appoint someone.

He counted himself lucky that he was still young, he knew his Father had ruled the pride on his own for years before he took his mother as his mate and sired him. He still had years to find a mate and sire a heir himself…that was if he lived for years but he was counting on living until his mane grew as grey as his Father's had in his last years of his life.

But if he didn't…and didn't have an heir…well…he would cross that path when it came. Until then he would just focus on other things, protecting his pride and training his new protégé.

He'd been shocked to find Kopa refused to leave the cave for the first three weeks he been with the pride. His mother had stopped him in the beginning from doing anything saying the cub had the right to properly mourn his lost family now that he was somewhere he was completely safe in. Jaali had agreed, it wouldn't stop the cub from mourning, it was only right to mourn those you love that were lost to you.

But it was testing his patience. He thought the boy was spending too much time in the cave. Something he knew that both Zuri and Simba would not want for their son. If he knew his friends the way that he did, they would want Kopa to mourn them yes but also live his life. And he wasn't going to do that by living in the back of a cave for the rest of his life.

So when the third week finally rolled around, he dragged him out, gave him a stern talking too and then took the cub under his wing much like Mansa had done with Simba when the Pridelander cub had gotten old enough to train along side his son.

It did Jaali good to know the cub was just as much of a trouble maker as his old man was. Even though Jaali knew he would have to reprimand the cub now if he did anything that went too overboard he was happy to see that part of his friend and brother in Kopa. That and the cub reminded him of his Uncle, not just in name but personality. He seemed to have a good amount of playful personalities from many males in his family. But he could also see Zuri in the boy, especially when he was being serious and concentrating and collective.

Sure, Simba could be all of that when he put his mind too it. But that right there he knew the boy had gotten from his Mother.

Speaking of the cub…

Lifting his gaze upwards to catch a bit of light through the thick tree tops he knew he caught to be finishing up this part of his patrol before doubling back to pick up Kopa. He let the boy sleep in that morning after two mornings of waking at sunrise. The boy was a good listener and followed instructions closely, he said that he had too remembering what had happened when his Mother had taken him and his old friends on to watch the hunting party hunt for the first time and what had happened when they hadn't listened to the adults.

Jaali had been quick to tell Kopa a story that his mother hadn't told him about, when Zuri had gone on her first hunt with the hunting party when she was only year and a half that she had fallen down a slick muddy hillside when she had missed her prey and ended up falling into a thorn patch.

It been so painful and humiliating that Zakia had threatened them never to make fun of Zuri for it. And out of respect…and fear…of the lioness both he and Simba swore they never would nor would they mention it. But he figured since the boy didn't know the story it was a good time to tell it. That and he made the cub swear to never tell Leta that he been told of the story. If there was any lioness other then his aunt and cousin that feared it was his Mother.

He wasn't sure what it was but he was beginning to think every female of his bloodline was insane. His sisters he didn't fear. They just drove him crazy.

The King stopped his line of thought when he heard a crash noise in the jungle. For a moment he feared it was the Man-beasts but it wasn't as loud so for a moment he thought it was the herd of forest elephants that lived along the edges of the territory that would from time to time pass through. But he smelt no scent of elephant on the wind. That was when he caught the sound of laughter that gave him the hint that he wouldn't need to go and collect the boy after all.

Grinning and taking the slouch out of his shoulders he turned to where he expected the cub's arrival.

What he wasn't expecting was a spotted golden furred body to fling itself out from the trees above him and come colliding with his head.

Jaali yelped as a set of claws gripped his mane while Nuru's body covered the entire front of his face. Blocking his vision and ticking his nose with her tail. Rather then hear an apology from the serval and expect her to jump off, Nuru started to burst out in fits of laughter. "HA! I beat you! I told you I'd win Kopa!" For that brief second Jaali wished he was deaf for he was sure that Nuru's loud voice shouting near his ears would have caused him to be. It did feel for a few seconds like his eardrums were about to pop and cause him to bleed out his ears.

He stood there for a second, hearing the cub come crashing through the underbrush and he was sure Kopa was shocked to find Nuru clinging to his face but that shock didn't last for he soon started to laugh hysterically soon after. "Ahem!" The King cleared his throat loud enough for both laughing felines to notice him and sure enough they stopped laughing to which he continued; "Nuru…would you kindly get off my face. I'd hate to eat my dear nephew's friend as an early lunch."

Nuru relaxed her hold she had on the grown lion's mane and quickly stood up. Her front paws balancing on top of his skull while her back ones perfectly balanced on the end of his snout. The serval bent her head down and cocked it a little to the side so she could stare into one of the King's eyes. "Oops sorry your majesty. It seems I got a little carried away in my need to beat the young Prince in a race. And as you can see I clearly have." Nuru's voice held a smugness to it that made the King smirk.

It was a good thing this feline amused him or else he'd eat her for lunch like he said. He didn't eat that morning when he headed out instead he left the rest of yesterday's dinner for the others.

"It's not fair. She cheated I say. Cheated!" Kopa protested sitting down across from his friend and Uncle. A large grin on his face from the sight before him. Nuru took up the entire part of his Uncle's face. It hadn't been a sight he been expecting when he caught up with her but it was something he could not wait to tell the others back in the pride and he was sure they would believe him even if Jaali tried to deny it.

Casting a look over her shoulder, Nuru stuck out her tongue then quickly adjusting her body until she sat right on top of Jaali's head. She was a little big for it but she didn't care.

She liked the view.

"Don't you accuse me of cheating just because I managed to beat you this one time." Nuru chastised, a smirk crawling across her muzzle. "Or are you a sore looser?"

"I am not!" The Prince protested jumping to his paws with a small growl. But Nuru wasn't frightened in the least she knew from his growls when he was being serious to when he was being playful and she could hear it in his voice and see the gleam in his eyes that told him he was having fun. Exactly what she was hoping for. The cub just wasn't the same when he was sad; he was a great deal of fun when he was happy and lively. Now she could see what the others meant by the way they talked about his parents. She wanted to see if the cub could always be this playful. It would make her life more interesting she estimated.

"Denial so doesn't suit you pussy-cat." The serval mused; raising a paw like she was inspecting her claws.

Rolling his eyes, Jaali decided it would be best to interrupt. Even though he knew they truly weren't arguing his head was beginning to hurt from where Nuru was sitting atop of it. "Nuru if you insist of hanging around, I do suggest you find a new perch. It's never wise to sit on top of something that can obviously eat you." He grumbled with annoyance laced in his voice.

He heard the serval giggle then with a graceful leap, she leapt from his head to land on the ground beside Kopa who gave her a playful shove.

Lifting a paw Jaali rubbed the top of his head and fixed his mane where she had both flattened and mussed up in different places while she was up there. "What are you two doing here?" he asked. He figured he knew the answer but it was better to ask, there could always be the chance that something had happened and it would be why they came running to find it. Though he already pretty much knew by their good moods that nothing of the sort had happened but like he said, better to ask and be safe then sorry.

Standing straighter on his paws, Kopa lifted his head to stare up at the large lion. "Aunt Leta sent us out here. I think she thought it would be better to just come out and meet you rather then having to make you double back and collect me afterwards…well that or she just wanted us out of her hair. Yamile and Tufa's arguing earlier I think tested her patience." He explained scratching the back of his head. "Oh and to show you I remember the trails that you showed me!" Kopa quickly added.

Eyebrow up, Jaali snorted and accepted that answer. It wouldn't surprise him if his Mother would send someone to him to get them out of her hair for a while. She use to do that with his Father when he was growing up and with his sisters when Mansa was still around. After that she would send Yamile his way if she was doing something that was trying her patience.

Clearing his mind, the King asked; "And did you?"

"Huh?"

"Remember the trails that is?" Jaali asked with more detail this time.

"Oh!" Kopa laughed. The cub nodded his head with a crooked smirk. "Of course I remember them. I have a mighty Uncle that taught me everything." The Prince empathized the last part and Jaali couldn't tell if the boy was praising him or making fun of him in a ways.

Smart cub, Jaali thought, able to make me question my own self in his words. Well two can play at this game boy.

Grinning, the King stepped forward. "Well then I guess you can take the lead on patrol today." His grin broadened when he saw Kopa's smirk quickly disappear to be replaced with a look uncertainty. "Something wrong Kopa?" he asked feigning concern. "I thought you said you knew all these trails so well because I taught you so well. So I want to test you. You'll lead the patrol, I'll give you a direction and trail to go too and you must lead me to that trail."

From where she sat beside the cub, Nuru grinned from ear to ear and gave Kopa's shoulder a nudge. "Come on pussy-cat. Show this big grown lion you can do it!"

Kopa shot her a look which only served to make her grin widen further until it pretty much consumed her face. Grumbling he nodded his had, there really would be no point in arguing. His mother always told him what would happen if he bragged too much. Really got to start listening to everything she ever told me, he mentally scolded himself.

Straightening his body, Jaali looked about before staring westbound from their direction and nodded his head. "Alright Kopa, I want you to take the lead onto the westward boundary crossway that leads to the other side of our land at the cliffsides of the mkali mwamba falls." He watched the cub gulp. But he knew it was a good test. He had showed the cub the waterfall not that long ago.

The boundary of their territory crossed over the falls which were the end of the river that passed through the center of the territory. To be safe he had brought the cub up there to teach him the safest way to cross the water on that side where the water got too rough and would easily take a grown lion under in seconds. Normally he would tell him to stay away from that section of the territory but it was best to be safe.

Kopa knew exactly what paths that took to the mkali mwamba falls, and it wasn't that he was afraid to go there. It was beautiful, he went there twice already once with Jaali and the second time with Nuru and Tufa. But the falls got its name from the large sharp jagged rocks that lined the bottom of the falls before the water fell into where the river continued on out into the rest of the jungle.

It was the thought of just slipping once that he didn't like. Because he knew there really was no surviving that fall. The best you could wish for was that the current drowned you before you reached the edge of the falls and went over. Less painful death.

Nodding, Kopa looked at Nuru who smiled. "Lead the way pussy-cat!"

Grumbling, the Prince made his way on past them and began taking the closest route that he knew from the area that they were in that would taken them toward the Falls.

Falling in step behind, Jaali didn't even attempt to hide the amusement from his grin. He let out a quiet "Oaf!" when he felt Nuru jump up onto his back and make her way onto his head where she laid on her stomach her front legs folded on the very top of his head between his ears while her back legs and stomach stretched on down his neck. He could feel her tail twitching now and again from where it laid between his shoulder blades.

"Why do you have some fascination with being on my head?" the King questioned with a grumbling voice.

Nuru giggled and laid her head down on her folded paws. "Well there are many reasons."

"Oh well then, please enlighten me as to what those reasons are." Jaali's every word dripped with sarcasm

"Well for starters you're so easy to annoy that it's rather fun and your head is very comfy but the main reason is I just like the view up here." Nuru answered in a rather matter-of-fact way that would make anyone believe her words just by the way she said them. And he was sure if he could see her face at that moment it would be one of seriousness but doubted it would have lasted long before the serval smiled again.

From in front, Kopa called over his shoulder, "Just make sure it's his head you like lying on and not mine when I grow older. Be kind of weird to have something sitting on your head. Zazu was annoying enough when he perched himself on my head those few times…" The prince's voice saddened a tad bit as he thought of the old hornbill. Sure, banana beak annoyed him on more then one occasion and they always did thinks to try and prank the majordomo but Zazu was a part of the pride even if he was just a bird.

He wondered what happened to the hornbill after his parents died. Did they kill the majordomo as well…or did he fly away to avoid Zira and her pride?

Shaking his head, Kopa pushed the thoughts away, right now was not the time to think of what may or may not have happened to those back home that may have survived. If any still lived…he would see them one day…maybe he thought…this really wasn't something he figured he knew would happen…the future was unclear now that he had no expectations of what would happen. If he were back in the Pride Lands then he would be trained right now along side his Father in the way of being King.

And he along side his Father would be teaching Musa on how to help patrol the lands because Kopa would never have had his brother leave. While their mother would have been teaching Kiara and Eshe about hunting and how to lead the hunting party one day if Kopa didn't have a mate.

But all that didn't matter now because none of that was ever going to happen now. Because now he didn't really know what the future held for him, sure Jaali was training him but any young lion would undergo survival training. His Mother told him that once that all young males would be taught to fight, hunt and know what it takes to survive.

The Prince pushed it all to the back of his mind to worry about later like when he was laying down to sleep. That was the perfect time to let his thoughts wander about things that bothered him during the day. Because at night when everyone else was asleep, he didn't have to explain to them what he was thinking about or have them go out of their way to try and comfort him. He didn't like being a burden in that sense.

This was his cross to bear and he would bear it the way he wanted too and in a way he wanted too.

His mind was drawn back to their conversation and managed to catch the last of Nuru's rant.

"….and well since Jaali's mane is so much bigger and probably would be by the time you're older, I'll just have to wait and see whose mane is more comfortable to be sitting on."

"Oh joy." Jaali mumbled causing both Kopa and Nuru to laugh.

Glancing back at the older lion, Kopa was seeing exactly what his Mother and Father told him about the Rasheda King. Jaali was pretty much how he expected him to be.

"Kopa pay attention to the trails." Jaali was quick to instruct when he noticed the cub was being distracted by his thoughts.

"Sorry!" Kopa faced forward with a large grin on his face and picked up his paws to trot on down the dirt and grass covered path at a quicker pace. His ear twitching as he soon picked up the sound of the river; they weren't nearing the falls yet because the water still wasn't as fast as it should be. But the sound and scent of the river told him that he was taking the right trail.

Behind him, Nuru watched the cub from where she lounged on the older lions head. A smile on her face. She wasn't sure what it was or why it was…but she loved watching Kopa act all Prince like. It suited him then his tough exterior he tried to pull off by pretending he was the son of a rogue. Oh, sure the cub was tough, he wouldn't have survived those wounds and on his own for so long till she found him if he wasn't.

But this cub was the son of Kings.

He had their blood.

Their legacy.

He was born and bred for a life in a pride and a life of ruling and protecting.

Not a life of travelling from land to land while facing the threat of starvation should they never be able to find food in their journey.

This may not be the pride he was bred to rule over, but she could see how serious he took his training knowing this was what he was bred for. Different pride or not. Jaali was right. He was a Prince and would always be a prince even if Kopa considered himself an exile from his own pride. Here in the Rasheda's he wasn't seen as such. He was seen as family and by the title he deserved. Even if other lions would probably think differently on the matter. It was good to see the cub didn't have to pretend to be something he was not.

Laying her head down on her paws she allowed herself to join Jaali and Kopa in comfortable silence while the King watched the Prince closely. Taking in everything Kopa did to track the way through the trails he had shown him. From time to time he would stop Kopa and asked him if he could hear or smell anything close by to which Kopa would stand still and listen while scenting the air.

Once he was sure the scent and sounds of the animals that were nearby he would recite it to Jaali who would nod his head in return to indicate he did fine with his answer. At times he would correct the cub when Kopa got the scent of an animal wrong.

Finally Kopa's good ear perked when he caught the sound of rushing water that told him they were getting close to the falls. Each step closer they took the sound got louder and the current got faster. He could hear the slapping of water against rocks that created rapids just before the plunge over the falls.

Quickening his pace, the young Prince jumped up and over a low brush landing out in an open area that lined the side of both sides of the mkali mwamba.

Behind him, Jaali stepped out of the brush more casually before tilting his body downward a tad and then bucking upwards he flung Nuru up off him without giving her any warning in advance.

Smirking in satisfaction at the loud shrieking yowl she gave off as she flew through the air only to flip her body and land on her paws hissing at him furiously. Jaali only said; "That should teach you." Flashing her a grin, he moved toward Kopa and nudged the cub with his paw. "Good work boy, it seems you did listen to me."

Kopa looked up confused. "Why wouldn't I?" he asked. He was quick to catch the embarrassed sheepish look on the older lions face before Jaali turned around reaching up to rub the back of his head while laughing nervously. "Well your old man and I we…well we didn't seem to listen a lot…got in trouble with my own old man many times…it was rare that we ever took anything too seriously. We just loved to have fun. We saw no reason for any of them until we were older but even then fun was better then patrolling and my father's crude teachings." He explained.

Jaali looked back at the cub who was watching him with a look as if contemplating what to say. Then shrugging the young prince just said; "My mom always said having fun is something that is essential for a good and happy life. But then she would say that Prince's and King's must also take their lessons and duties seriously for the survival of their pride and to keep the respect of those who follow them." Kopa chewed his bottom lip as he remembered the lectures his Mother would give him whenever he misbehaved or didn't take anything as seriously as he should.

Sighing, the King turned his gaze up to the sky above, watching the clouds that drifted on the wind. "Yeah…that sounds like something your Mother would say…" he whispered. It was pretty much along the same line of the lecture she had given him just after Zakia had died.

He turned his head to the right where he saw Nuru moving closer to the river. Crouching low, the serval stayed mindful of the fast moving current as she bent her head over the water and lapped at it with her tongue to get a quick drink. "Careful Nuru." Kopa called while he made his way over to the edge to peer down into the bottom of the falls. He watched as the water hit the sharp rocks below gulping while watching a fallen log take a tumble down and shatter on the rocks below.

"I shouldn't be the one that needs to be careful." Nuru commented making her way to his side. Lifting her head she stared out across the cliffs to the other side of the falls and river. Tuma's trooped lived on the other side, though the crossing to their side of the territory was done in the safer parts of the river that ran through the jungle. It was a good way of dividing and sharing territory all the same.

"Both of you should be careful." Jaali stood behind them. "One slip up and you'll fall." He reached out cautiously and drew Kopa back from the edge, thankful that the cub didn't fight him. If something happened to Kopa while he was in his care he was certain that his parents would have his hide when he finally died and crossed over.

When his paws were planted firmly on the ground again, Kopa turned to say something to his Uncle when his eyes caught movement in the trees. Blinking, he stepped around Jaali and squinted his eyes watching the spot carefully in the place he'd seen the movement. For a few moments he thought it was just some stray animal but when he caught the movement again he began to make out a slim figure.

That was when whatever it was stepped into a patch of light that he knew what or more like who it was.

Jelani.

It been weeks since he'd seen the Guardian. He had shown up four days after Kopa had met up with the Rasheda's. The Guardian hadn't spoken of what he did that day in Kopa's dream when it was explained what was half expected of him while keeping the rest of a mystery to be solved at a later time. Instead he asked simple questions of how he felt with the Rasheda's.

Kopa hadn't answered; he didn't want to acknowledge the Guardian. He didn't want to do anything that was expected of him. Sure he hated his unsure future but he didn't want to have any sort of destiny that involved anything with Jelani. Perhaps if any of this hadn't involved the deaths of his family he would have agreed but now…now he wasn't so sure.

But then…there was a part of him that wanted to know…to know what it was like to have a meaning in life…to do something great and be known for it. Like his Father had been when he had conquered Scar and the taken back the Pride Lands. He wanted to be known like his great-great grandfather Mohatu and like his great grandmother Uru who like the King before her had helped her people in their time of need of a drought that had happened just before Mufasa had first become King.

He wanted to see what it was like to have that kind of recognition.

But he just wasn't ready to make that choice…he just didn't know what he truly wanted yet.

Kopa stared at the smaller Guardian who in return was staring back at him. And that was all the Guardian did…stare. Did he know that Kopa did not have his answer yet? Was he just checking in on him? Kopa had a feeling he was always there, even when he could not see him. The man was like a ghost of sorts. But it was like he could sense him from time to time.

Damn furless monkey.

"Kopa!"

Jarred from his thoughts, Kopa turned to find both Jaali and Nuru watching him closely. Both with questionable looks on their face's and he remembered that neither of them could seen Jelani so he guessed that he just looked like he was staring into space the whole time.

"Oh…sorry…were you saying something?" The cub asked.

Staring at the cub then in the way the cub had been staring before but still saw nothing. At first he thought perhaps the cub had seen another animal but there was no one in sight. It wasn't a surprise though, not many came toward the mkali mwamba the ground between the cliff and falls to the jungle was nothing but rocky dirt and no plants for people to feed from. And with the rushing water no one rarely came out here to take the chance at getting a drink when they could go further down the river to a much safer location.

He thought maybe the boy was trapped in his thoughts again. It wouldn't be the first time he caught Kopa drifting off. The cub seemed to do that a lot or so that's what Nuru told him she seen him doing since she met the prince.

Jaali secretly wondered if this had been a trait Kopa had since before his parents deaths or was it something he picked up after their deaths?

"I was wondering if you'd like to finish the rest of the patrol or head on back to the pride or go see Chika since you hadn't seen her in a week I believe for your visits…but I think it would be best to get the patrol done before the storm hits." Jaali raised his head toward the sky and it was only then that Kopa noticed that the wind had picked up somewhat.

That was when he remembered the scent of rain on the air earlier that morning. At first he thought it would be a normal rainfall but by the wind and scent in the air and the feel of almost an electrical charge instinctually warning him he knew Jaali was right.

A storm was approaching.

He thought for a moment about what he wanted but he knew he could always go and visit the gorillas. He and Nuru were welcomed there after their stay and after they had gone to get help during the snake attack. And if he returned early to the pride he may find himself being ambushed by Yamile yet again…not that he didn't mind the older lioness…

Just he couldn't take getting tackled by someone much larger then him so often in one morning.

Then there was the knowledge of keeping up his training with Jaali and liking to spend time with the older male. Like many in the pride reminded him of his family…Tufa reminding him of his mother…Leta reminded him of his grandmother…and Jaali…

Staring up at the lion that was looking at him awaiting his answer on what he wanted to do. Kopa came to realize how much in two short months Jaali reminded him of his Father. They both had a playful personality but took their duties seriously when they needed to.

Was that why the prince felt comfortable around him?

He wasn't sure but whatever it was, made his answer be; "I want to continue the patrol." With a large grin he pushed the older male's leg with his paw. "Plus I can think I can do it better then you." He boasted.

Throwing his head laughing, the King began making his way into the jungle. "Right. Maybe when you're older cub but right now I'm the more knowledgeable and stronger one!"

From where she stood beside Kopa, Nuru rolled her eyes. "You males and bragging. No wonder females do the hunting. If you were left in charge it might take twice as long with how competitive you can be." Shaking her head she began making her way after Jaali jumping up into the branches near him to get a bird's eye view of the jungle. Her way of helping with the patrols.

Kopa stared on after them letting them get a heads start. Turning his gaze back to where he'd seen Jelani he saw that the Guardian was no longer there. Shaking his head, he once again pushed all those thoughts to the back of his mind to be forgotten or thought about later on.

Kicking up his paws he ran on after his friend and Uncle with a cry of. "Hey wait up!"


"…..what makes you think you can do all this on your own….you're only one lion….oh don't give me that look…oh so you don't want one because Jamine squawked your ear off all the time as a cub…you need help…don't you dare tell me no…I am your mother young man…"

Paws covering his head, Kopa stared out from beneath his paws while he listened to Leta and Jaali's argument. The trio had returned to the thicket shortly before the late afternoon when they took notice of the wind picking up and howling through the trees and the thunderous sounds echoing in the distance that had told them that the storm was approaching and would soon be upon them.

It wasn't long after their returned that Kopa remembered what he should have warned his Uncle about. For Leta had soon cornered her son to discuss with him a matter that Jaali had tried to put off for the longest time and was hoping to keep putting off.

His gaze went to Nuru who was sitting beside him, bent over and her front body twisted as she groomed her fur. During the patrol, Nuru had made the mistake of disturbing a nest to which had sent the parents of said chicks after her chasing her out of the tree to which she had fallen and landed in a small muddy pond.

Kopa and Jaali had found it hilarious.

Nuru not so much.

Unfortunately she had to wait until they were back with the rest of the pride before she could give herself a proper bath.

Which right now he could hear the dried mud was tugging at her fur by the muttered curses she was giving off. "Want help?" he innocently asked putting on his best toothy smile when she shot him a dark look. "Hey don't blame me because you got clumsy and dirty."

"I don't recall getting attacked by birds to be an act of clumsiness." Nuru remarked forcefully.

"I think slipping from a slippery branch into a nest is considered as such." The Prince sarcastically retorted.

Glaring, Nuru not able to find a decent comeback opted for sticking her tongue out at him instead. Then returning to her grooming her large oval ears twitched at the sounds of the argument going on the outside of the den as well as the thunder of the approaching storm that got closer with every passing second. "What's a majordomo anyways?" She asked Kopa.

The Prince furrowed his brow trying to think of a proper way of explaining it. "Well I never really understood it myself but I from what I saw of my Father's majordomo Zazu. They're someone who helps the King…makes arrangement and things and at times make sure his orders are followed through. Speaks for him in a way when the King or Queen can't. Zazu use to keep watch on the things going on in the Pride Lands and would report back to my Father for his morning, afternoon and evening report. But sometimes he'd find my father right away if there was something wrong and needed to handle right away." Taking his paws off his head he folded them in front of him while he turned a bit more on his side where he laid.

Lifting her head with a look of interest she cocked it to the side a tad bit. "Sounds boring running around doing errands…"

Kopa shook his head. "From the way Zazu talked about it, it was a great honour. I think the only times he ever complained about it was when he had to accompany me and the old friends to watch over us. My mother tried her best to make sure Zazu didn't have to keep away from his everyday duties just to watch the cubs. She often did it herself." He smirked remembering how thankful Zazu had been when he found out he rarely had to watch over rowdy cubs any further. He often wondered how long the bird would last before pulling out any more weathers at the things the cubs did to him over the years.

Deciding she had cleaned herself enough, Nuru lowered herself down onto the ground beside Kopa. "Who was Jaali's last majordomo? What happened to him?"

Before Kopa could answer, another voice did. "His name was Jamine. He was a parrot. He'd been working for my father since he first became King many years before Jaali had been born" They turned their heads to see Yamile. The boyish lioness laid herself down on the ground nearby. "He died…or so we think he had. Jaali had sent him off to the Pride Lands." Her sandy-brown gave Kopa a quick look seeing that this batch of information had caught the cub's attention.

"We all wanted to know how things were going. Mom really wanted to hear news on all your well beings and know how you were coming along. The last time we ever heard news of Kopa here was when that Zazu character showed up here bearing the news of the Pride Land's new heir." Yamile spoke to Nuru nudging her head in the Prince's direction with a small goofy smile but it vanished when she added; "That had been right before Father's death."

The Rasheda Princess shook her head then said "Jamine never returned and I take it he never made it to the Pride Land's either?" she looked over at Kopa who shook his head to tell her that no he hadn't. He would have remembered even when he was in hiding his Father would have come and told his mother that there had been word from her old pride. They had all known how his Mother had missed them. He knew his father had too. "Yeah figured that…" Yamile nodded her head. "But yeah that's what happened. We think perhaps he got caught in a sandstorm or something or was caught by some predator…whatever it was he never returned. And brother dearest has been quite stubborn about replacing him."

"Did he like Jamine as his majordomo?" asked Nuru folding her paws in front of her, a look of curiosity shining in her large sandy-golden eyes.

Both serval and cub stared at Yamile when she burst out in fits of hysterical laughter. Throwing herself down onto the stone floor of the den, she turned her head to look back at them with a grin. "He didn't…mind the bird. But he always said Jamine was annoying from the time he was born to the time he was King. Said he squawked too much."

It wasn't long before the other two were laughing along with her. But Kopa more so then Nuru for he suddenly could recall the things his parents had told him of Jamine.

Rolling to her side Yamile laid her head against the ground watching them. "He thinks he can do this all on his own but Mother disagrees. I do as well…he looks stressed whenever he returns. This is a larger territory then our last and we share it with more predators for safety reasons. In the past Father never let any other predator onto our land if he had any say in the matter." She frowned at the thought of her father. She and Tufa had only been five months old when he had died.

"Good thing he has good old Kopa here. Boy can help him in the future." Nuru pointed out grinning at her young companion.

"Well not till the boys older. Right now he'd be kicked around like a coconut." Yamile smirked when Kopa glared at her. But she felt sorry in the end when he subconsciously touched his scars and missing ear. Forgetting for just a millisecond that something like that had already happened to him. Opening her mouth to apologize; she shut it again when he waved his paw at her to dismiss it. He didn't need her pity he thought.

"Perhaps he should speak with the birds then. I mean there are plenty around. I take the tree tops a lot because it gives a better view of the trails from time to time. Perhaps one of the gorillas or other animals that live in the territory?" Nuru opened her mouth wide to let go of the loud yawn that been building up in her. "I'm sure one wouldn't mind sucking up to Jaali…might boost his ego." With that said she smirked all the while Yamile had burst out into fits of giggles at the thought of her brother's ego becoming any bigger then she already thought it was.

Neither female took notice of the concentrated look on Kopa's face as he thought of what Nuru had just said. Did a majordomo have to be a bird? Or could it be another animal entirely?

His eyes went to his newest friend. The whole time he had been worried about whether the Rasheda's would allow her to stay with them. He was up for leaving with her if they didn't accept her into the pride along side him. Those few short weeks didn't matter how long or short they really were, Nuru had become his friend during those times and had helped him.

Kopa had never had a friend that hadn't been a lion before. Sure…he guessed Zazu could count as a friend…when banana beak didn't annoy him that is…

But Nuru was the first to care for him without really any reason other then he was someone who needed help and companionship.

He'd been happy when she had been accepted into the pride but he knew Nuru felt like she really didn't belong. She got along with everyone but she was only really truly close to him. Even if she and Yamile were like twins though different species.

That was when staring at his friend thinking of what she had just said, an idea struck him and he wondered why he hadn't thought of it sooner.

Without a word to the two females in front of him, the Prince jumped to his paws and bounded on out of the cave. Confused they stared on after him till was out of sight.

Outside the wind had really started to pick up with the approaching storm. He could see the hunting party who had gone out for a quick hunt was separating the meat so that it could be stored inside the den for later use. With being in the jungle there really was no certainty how long a rainfall would last for he was told and so it was a necessary precaution to make sure the den was stocked if any got hungry.

Giving a look around his eyes finally landed on the arguing duo. For a moment seeing the look of anger on the old lioness's face made him want to run back inside and forget springing his idea on them until Leta had calmed down some. But squaring his shoulders the prince made his way over.

"….Mother I'm perfectly fine without one…"

"….Do not give me that Jaali…you need help…this territory is so much bigger…"

"…It may be so but Tuma takes care of his half across the falls while I take care of this half…"

"…It's still too much for you alone!"

"….Why can't you just stop acting like Dad for once and trust me?"

"….I do trust you Jaali. I have always trusted you. That's why I backed your idea about moving the pride before we saw the danger for ourselves. But you still need help."

"….I have Kopa for that now."

"….He's just a cub still in training Jaali. He can't patrol on his own or fight yet. You need a majordomo to handle the little things while you take care of the rest and wait for Kopa to grow and be old and big enough to help you."

"….Look I just don' know who to appoint yet alright."

"…Well you need to look!"

Head whipping back and forth between the two, Kopa tried several times to catch their attention but each time he would fail. Muttering under his breathe about adults and their attention spans he cleared his throat loudly enough to be heard over the rumbling thunder that was now echoing overhead. "AHEM!"

He grinned victoriously when both adults turned their attentions to him. Leta was the first to speak a gentle smile overcoming the anger that was there seconds before. "Ah, Kopa why are you out here dear? You should be in the den. It's bound to start raining soon. I'm sure we get more rain here then you get in the Pride Lands save for your raining seasons."

"I know…but…I wanted to ask you about something…" Kopa shifted from paw to paw nervously.

Jaali's eyebrow shot up, he fought the snickering grin that wanted to appear on his face at the cub's nervousness. "Well out with it cub." For a moment his voice was gruff reminding him of his Father, which made the King chuckle inside. Perhaps some part of his Father was inside of him now and again.

"Uh…about the whole majordomo thing…does it have to be a bird?"

Both older lions looked at the cub confused. Leta bent her head down till she was eye level with Kopa. "Why do you ask? You really shouldn't have to worry. If you want to help because I'm angry with my slacker of a son you need not worry. You are much too young to be one." She thought for a moment the prince was offering himself up to be majordomo to help his Uncle but was proven wrong when Kopa shook his head.

"No…I was asking because…well you see there is this pride to the east of the Pride Lands…I only met them once…but I heard from the cubs there that their majordomo was a monkey. They had two lions leading them but they still used her to help…so I was wondering…does it technically have to be a bird to take the position?" He asked again watching the two adults.

Leaning back, Leta cast a look at her son before looking back at the cub once more. "No…not really. But a bird is useful they can get anywhere in the jungle in the matter of times and can give word to other prides should they have too."

Kopa looked like he was considering what she said. He nodded his head. That made sense because Zazu had been sent to fight him and Binti when his mother had gone into labour and then gone to find his Father. Flying did seem quicker but still he thought his idea was brilliant. "But if another animal were too…be able to take the job…would it be allowed?"

The two adults shared another look as they thought this over. Jaali shrugged his shoulders. He didn't truly care if he had a majordomo or not. "Sure…I guess…" was his answer. Not sure how he felt about the cub helping his mother rope him into having to go out and find a animal that was willing to take the job.

"Kopa dear…why are you asking this?" Leta finally asked eyeing the young prince. She didn't think the cub would care about matters such as this.

Her eyebrows both shot up curiously when the cub started chewing on his bottom lip. "Well…I worried about Nuru…when I was coming here…I know she did too…we became friends last though I really didn't want too at first…I wondered if she would be welcomed or I would have to send her away by coming here…obviously I was wrong because you welcomed her. But…I want Nuru to have a place here!" He finally came out and explained. Lifting his head high to look at both of them.

"I want her to have a place…not just a place of being my friend…I heard Zazu back home say it was a great honour to be a majordomo…and I thought…well…she did help me get here and she did save me technically…she got me through the desert…fed me…got someone to heal me when I was sick…she stayed by my side…and I was always taught that one should be mindful to those that help them and she helped me." Kopa looked between Leta and Jaali who were both now watching him with curious expressions on their faces. "And…and as my family you…well…"

He fell silent but Leta seemed to catch on to what he was meaning to say and chuckling the lioness shook her head. For a moment Kopa thought that maybe she was laughing because she thought his idea was ridiculous but that was shot down when she leaned over and nuzzled him giving his face and neck a few good licks. "Ah my boy, you really do have royal genes in you after all. You speak like a true Prince and your parents taught you well."

Leaning away from the cub Leta smiled softly. Turning her head she spoke to her son; "Kopa believes that you should appoint Nuru as your majordomo as a way of thanking her and honouring her for what she's done for him and this family." She explained when she saw the confused look come over Jaali's face. But as her words sunk in, it began to dawn on him.

"Oh…" The King breathed out. He looked at Kopa then lifted his head in the direction of the cave where the lionesses were now all filing into to escape the coming storm.

He gave it a moments thought before he sighed in defeat. He knew sooner or later he would have to face the fact that he would eventually need a majordomo. Jaali just didn't want to go out and search for one. However if he were to just appoint Nuru, for having helped Kopa, that would make this all that much easier on him.

That and it would finally get his mother off his case. That right there was a major bonus of it all.

Grunting, Jaali gruffly said; "Fine." He looked at his Mother then to the cub. "I'll take her for my majordomo but only if she consents to it cub." He knew his Mother was watching him and seeing his father in him at the moment but he didn't care. The only thing that ruined the image was the wide grin that soon cracked his face.

Returning his Uncle's grin, Kopa jumped to all four paws and nodded his head. "Yes sir…thank you." He really did think this up as an idea to thank his friend. He thought perhaps Nuru would be hesitant to take the job at first but he figured she would warm up to it in time.

And he was right. As soon as Leta ushered the three of them inside when the rain finally began to pour down in heavy large droplets, Jaali had approached the serval and without a moments hesitation came right out and asked. At first Nuru had been shocked, her eyes going so wide that Kopa wondered if they would pop out of her head. And just has he had guessed, Nuru began questioning Jaali if he was sure to which the King calmly nodded toward Kopa mentioning that it was the cubs idea and a way of thanking her for what she'd done for him and give her a proper place in the pride.

It wasn't till Kopa had bounded over and reassured her that this was a great thing and since the two mostly already followed Jaali around she knew the trails and would be able to do the job properly.

Nuru finally consented to the idea two hours later with the sigh and smirk with the answer of; "Fine. I accept…someone's gotta help your lazy butt."

Over the sound of roaring thunder, laughter wrung out from the cave shadowing a deep rumbling gruffly grumbling growl.


Pit. Pat. Splat.

Growing up he hadn't really paid attention to how much it could calm someone. Much less how calming it could be to him.

In the past his Mother would have ushered him into the den when it started raining. Not that he hadn't been caught out in the rain now and again while in the Pride Lands.

There been a time when he frolicked through the grasslands while on a lazy drizzling day with his Mother and Father. One of the few times they had been with him together. A day while sitting out here in the rain how soaking his entire body causing his fur to stick to his body while his face was tilted up toward the sky, was now nothing more then a precious memory. His eyes closed while the rain splattered upon his face.

Though the storm itself had long since passed the rain hadn't stopped over the last number of days. Lasting far longer then their food supply had lasted which prompted the hunting party to go out and find something quickly. And even Jaali although the King wished nothing more then to stay where it was dry, was now out roaming the territory while one patrol.

Nuru tagging along with him while she got her first lessons on being majordomo.

Kopa had stayed behind with Leta. But while the old lioness was napping inside the den, he had snuck out and sat himself down in the rain.

He wasn't sure WHY he came out into the rain or why he continued to sit out there even when he felt the coldness of the rain. But with the humidity of the jungle it wasn't overly freezing.

Maybe he just wanted to be alone. It was the first time in weeks and days that he'd been alone with his thoughts. Or maybe the rain felt like it was crying for him. He hadn't cried in days because he didn't like the attention that it brought him anymore. Sure he didn't mind the comfort from his friends and family. It was nice. Sometimes.

But he still didn't like the pity he felt coming from them. He didn't need it. He didn't want it.

He was taking his Uncle's advice to heart. Mourn but don't let it consume him like he allowed it in the beginning.

Opening his eyes, he stared up at the grey clouds above through the opening of the thicket. He didn't flinch as the rain hit his eyes. For a moment he wanted to think calming feeling the rain gave him was the result of his Mother and Father. That they were reaching out to him from the other side to give him some embrace of comfort and calm of their own.

He sat there staring up for a few moments before he finally spoke. "Why do you insist on hiding and staying to the shadows? I know you're there. I always know you're there." He spoke out loud but not enough that it would wake the sleeping lioness in the den behind him.

A deep chuckle was his response before Jelani stepped up beside him and sat himself down on the ground when the cub didn't pull away from him. "It is good that you are getting use to sensing my presence."

"Is it?" Boredom dripped off Kopa's every word.

The Guardian nodded his head, laying his staff across his folded legs. The rain falling all around him not touching him. "It means you are coming to grips with what I told you about all those months ago. I did tell you I would come to you when you were ready and that I would know."

"Must you be so cryptic?"

"Must you be so stubborn young Prince?"

Kopa grumbled lowering his gaze away from the sky and shook his head to shake the access water out of his growing tuft though he knew it would make no difference it got the brown fur out of his face. "Why do I have to be this warrior you speak of? Why a warrior? Wouldn't a King make more sense?" he asked. Turning his attention to the Guardian beside him he wasn't entirely surprised to see how dry he was remaining though the rain poured down around both of them.

Jelani nodded his head. "Yes it would make more sense. But being a King is not what is expected of you. Being a King by right doesn't make any difference. You are a prince no matter where you are like your Uncle and new pride have told you. Perhaps one day you will be King…perhaps King of the Rasheda's…or King of the Pride Lands if you even bother to return." Jelani stared on in front of him while his hands lay calmly on his staff, he did not once look at Kopa while he spoke.

"A warrior Prince Kopa is many things. But let me ask you. What makes you think being a King does not mean you are any more less a warrior? Do Kings not fight and defend their pride, their kingdoms?" Jelani finally turned his head toward the cub. His dark brown eyes staring into him like he was looking at Kopa's very soul which made him shiver.

"But why a warrior in specific?" asked the cub.

"There will come a time when a threat will come that you will be needed." was Jelani's answer.

"What threat…the one my Uncle mentioned…the one that caused them to move…is it coming here?" Kopa asked worry creeping in. He wasn't sure what the threat was that caused the pride or Tuma's troop to move no one would speak to him about it. The only thing they mentioned was it could kill them should anything happen. Did Jelani really think he was going to end up fighting these things?

Jelani stared at him before answering. "I cannot not say. A threat does loom. But that is not the only reason why I must train you to be this warrior that was laid out in your destiny. There are many paths for the warrior shine in you. But which I cannot truly tell you about only that I must train you to embrace this part of your destiny."

Kopa shifted under the Guardian's gaze not really sure what to think. The more Jelani spoke the more he became confused of what the Guardian wanted to train him for. Was the threat the threat he was told about from the pride? Was it something else entirely? What did he mean by different paths?

"Why can't you tell me?"

Standing, Jelani leaned on his staff to stare downwards at Kopa. "Because knowing too much of ones destiny can detour you from what you will be needed for when the time comes." He stared at the cub once more with a gaze that Kopa felt was piercing right through him to his soul. "You do not have to do this Kopa. The choice is yours. But with the fact that you can sense me more and more gives me clues that you are accepting this."

Kopa's shoulders slouched and he glared at nothing on the ground. "Yeah well…my parents died so that I could have this supposed destiny…I would be insulting their sacrifice for my life if I didn't become something great. I want to be something great. I want to be recognized for something other then being some exiled Prince. I want something more then this uncertain future! But at the same time I don't! This caused my families death…but I feel like I'm insulting their sacrifice. Sure I'm a live but I still have this feeling like I'm insulting them. Like if I was stronger…if I was this warrior you wanted to train me for…if I was like this before…then maybe I would have been strong enough to save them!" From the corner of his eyes, tears streaked down his face mixing with the rain.

"I want to be like my father…my grandmother…my great-grandfather…I want to be known like them…but at the same time I just want to live a normal life…well as normal as I can living here…but I'm a Prince without a Kingdom. Not unless I gain my Uncle's. I hate an uncertain future but I'm so confused about what I really want…it's all a jumbled mess…"

Jelani just stood there not saying a thing as he let the cub speak his mind on the matter. He knew the cub was in turmoil about what he wanted so he was not pressuring him. Pressuring the cub would get them no where and would not help the cause in which he needed to train the cub for. He was not lying when he said there were many paths in which the warrior spirit and shine in him could lead him to what he could be needed for.

Perhaps it was the threat looming throughout the entire jungle.

Perhaps it was something else entirely.

But which it was, Jelani did not really know and could not tell the cub either way. Nor could he tell the cub the truth he knew about his family no matter how much it ate at him. The paths and things that happen in life are what build a person and so this would shape the cub into whom he was to be in the future. And it was his job to guide him in that path.

But only when and if the Prince allowed him.

The choice was his entirely.

He knew if he pressured the prince into anything, he would have to answer to the spirits of his ancestors. Many watched over the cub. He was a Pridelander prince. The son of Kings and legends of that land or this land. It would be a shame for his line to end before it really began should anything happen to him. Jelani did not wish to see this boys shine go out.

He watched the cubs shoulders shake and take in heavy breathes. Without a word, he knelt in front of the cub both his hands gripping his staff. "Prince Kopa." He waited till the cub raised his head before he spoke again. "You are the son of legends. Be it here or the Pride Lands. You know the tales of the Great Kings and Queens of the Pride Lands but there are just as many great lions and lionesses that came from this Pride. That are apart of you. Do you truly wish to be apart of their legacy?"

Kopa stared at the Guardian taking to heart what he was telling him.

Did he want to be the stuff of legends like many in both prides…both Rasheda and Pridelander blood flowed through his veins.

Did he truly want to be apart of their legacy.

One part of him screamed no. But another part screamed yes.

Taking a deep breath, Kopa knew here and now would be the best time to make his decision on this matter. Breathing in deep and letting out the breathes slowly. He just sat there in the rain, letting it wash over him in a comforting embrace like if his parents were embracing him themselves. He listened to the sounds of the wind and the sounds of the jungle that filtered through the trees all around him.

It was then he knew what he wanted.

What he always wanted but was just too afraid to admit it. Too scared for it had taken so much from him already.

Opening his eyes he stared up at the Guardian who had a look of calmness about him. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he just knew Jelani had already figured out his answer before he even said anything. It just reflected in his eyes and the way he stared at him. But was saying nothing like he was awaiting Kopa to give him his answer in words alone to verify it.

"I want…"

"Yes Prince Kopa?"

"I want…to be great…"


So sorry it took so long.

I'm not entirely proud of this chapter. Some parts yes. Other parts no. But that's what I get while trying to write through writers block. Perhaps my brain is going through the early process of my winter hibernation as I like to joke about it. Even if it's still rather hot out.

Please remember to review. Reviews really make it more easier for me to know if the story is enjoyed.