Chapter 2

The six lions and lionesses all marched forward through the grasses and cracked the ground that divided the Pridelands. They were crossing over into the land of respected kings and queens, and were leaving the lands that Naanda and Sarabi grew up in. Naanda was outwardly showing signs of wanting to run back and over to her parents, whilst Sarabi kept a straight face as she crossed over. Naanda looked behind her multiple times at the looming Sarabi, only receiving reassuring nods from her older sister. Sarabi could spot the older prince look back at what the sisters were doing, but it was unknown to him what they were actually doing. After all, girls were a whole different genre of confusion for Mufasa.

"Naanda?" Mufasa's voice sliced through the looks the sisters were exchanging, both of them now focused on the golden lion. "I hope I can make you feel comfortable here, if this is going to be your new home". Sarabi could only smile, seeing as how he was at least trying to help Naanda. They were both under the expectations of an arranged marriage, sure, but Mufasa was doing his best to ease her.

Suddenly, the sun vanished from sight and the lions no longer felt the sun on their backs and faces. Mufasa wasn't the first to look around as to where it went, as he allowed the sisters to search for the lacking light. Soon enough, they realized they were under a shadow. A shadow of a royal family's home. There before their eyes, Sarabi and Naanda gaped at the sight of the famous Pride Rock. Sarabi was more fascinated by the structure while her sister was the opposite.

"Wow..." Sarabi whispered. Naanda stood beside her and simply looked at her sister before looking back at Mufasa, who was staring at Sarabi with an amused expression on his muzzle. He found it amusing that the calm and collected older sister was surprised by the size of this rock, and how he thought of it as no more than another rock or a place for shade.

"Sarabi, it's a rock" Naanda commented jokingly.

The older lioness simply looked down to her little sister before looking back at Mufasa and then Pride Rock once more. "Sure it is," she walked forward to take in it's size even more, "but who knows how old this rock is, what kind of kings and queens have ruled over it, what history has been made on it... it's just fascinating to me. That's all" she commented dreamily. Obviously this dream was only seen by Sarabi, but it seemed above that the king and queen had stopped and noticed the three's interaction.

"Come along girls," Uru spoke up and over their talk with a smile, "we have much to show you for your first day".

The three snapped out of their worlds and began to follow once more. Sarabi lead a more comfortable and confident stride, while Naanda remained quietly at her older blood's side, taking in the scenery and the way everyone acted. Ahead, they could see a gathering of lionesses and their cubs. Assuming that was the pride that Uru and Ahadi ruled, Naanda watched them all so carefully, challenging her eyes to take mental photos of how they were with each other. After all, she would need to know them to fit in and be the best queen she could be alongside Mufasa, who had been here all his life. He probably knew all of the lionesses backwards and forwards.

"Welcome back, your majesties" some of the lionesses chimed, walking towards the king and queen. Their arrival was met with loud purring and head butts, the two princes joining in on the family and friends' attention while the two visiting lionesses remained behind them and watched.

Both Naanda and Sarabi remained quiet and watchful. Young teenagers like themselves weren't used to the sight of lions and lionesses interacting in such an affectionate manner such as this pride was, as their pride was never very... social with each other. The closest they ever got to social was when Acacia, who was also the leader of the hunting party, barked orders to the other lionesses and instructed them harshly to do as she wished. 'Kind contact' wasn't a very well known concept to the sisters, and the other lionesses noticed, resulting in them coming over to the two new girls and smiling. Some of them welcomed them while others simply smiled and surrounded the sisters.

"We hope you enjoy your time here" a lioness spoke, sitting down in front of Naanda and peering down at the beautiful, yet timid young thing.

"I'm sure we will" Naanda replied, ears folded and head down as though she was bracing for impact. Sarabi kept a close eye on her sister, as well as the other lionesses. She hadn't come to trust them yet, and she knew she had a personal duty to protect the princess; the queen.

From Naanda, the attention was now focused on Sarabi. Slowly, some of the lionesses sauntered over to the older sister with a smile as bright as the sun hiding behind their home. "You must be Sarabi" an older lioness observed, obviously hearing about the tawny-brown lioness before her arrival to the main part of the Pridelands. Sarabi only nodded. "Like your sister, we hope you feel welcome and comfortable here with us for the time you're visiting". This lioness was obviously an older one, as she was the only one who was speaking and looked like she had enough respect from the others to be the spokescat of the bunch. Aside from Uru, of course.

"Sarabi, Naanda," a male voice changed the whole swing of female tones, the pride looking over to their king, who was likely to keep quiet if they didn't have so much that had to be done that day. Showing the two lionesses around was only a single part of it, along with other kingly duties Ahadi intended on keeping a perfect record of attendance, "come along. We have many things to discuss" he started to walk away, his sons following behind him, then Mufasa and Naanda.

But Sarabi couldn't follow; she had her own schedule to keep track of. Willing to look as though she was ungrateful or bored so far, she cleared her throat. Loudly. "Actually, king Ahadi," he turned around to look at her, "I'll just... show myself around, if that's alright?"

It was as if the question Sarabi asked was a slap in the king's face, as Ahadi's eyes narrowed and locked onto Sarabi as if she were now an official intruder upon his land. Sekou and Acacia obviously underestimated the power of 'promise' when they thought that Sarabi was going to remain safe in the Pridelands under the king and queen's watch. Ahadi attempted to open his mouth before he was cut off by his queen, cutting him off with just her sleek movement in front of her mate. "Yes, Sarabi, that is fine. Just don't stray too far from Pride Rock, please" Uru requested. Obviously, she was still looking out for Sarabi.

The lioness nodded. "Yes, your highness" she smiled for a vague moment before she turned to look at Naanda. Naanda didn't look too thrilled to have Sarabi leaving, but she realized not to question Sarabi's motives as they were usually rash, and well thought out from start to finish. Sarabi was a planner, no question needed. Quietly, she walked off with the rest of the pride, still placed at Mufasa's side.

She didn't need to look at anyone else before she sped away, taking fake interest in something she saw in the distance. Her interest was focused on something in the distance, but it wasn't a tree or a new larger and fancier rock than Pride Rock. Sarabi carefully placed the landmarks described to her in the right order. Left of Pride Rock, past the skinny river through the hunting grounds, and near the Baobob tree in the shadows of a jungle. Sarabi could remember the directions, and vividly map her way there. Soon enough, there she was, and she was faced with the task of meeting with the secret prince.

Coming to a halt in the middle of the path through the jungle, Sarabi hardened her face, eyes dodging through trees and ears set back. "Zebenjo" she called out, waiting for a sign of movement that he was there.