Hello again! I know it has been several days. But I had a fever for a couple of days so I wasn't really in the mood to write back then. Now I have a cold and it's terrible to work while having a runny nose.

This chapter is a little shorter than the two last ones. It had lots of dialogue and uhm, not much is happening. Again, it's mainly introductory. But I'm working towards the next chapter, so I promise the next one will be better.

But anyway! This is from Rin's perspective, meaning life in the Outlands. The Outsiders have a totally different 'culture' than the Pridelanders. They struggle for finding food and drinkable water. Life is tough. So beware of a more aggressive language and swearing. Also, be warned of mentions of rape and non-con. (Told you it was the opposite of the civilized Pridelanders). This chapter is mild when it comes to language, but the next chapter is going to be a lot more active and will even have some bloody, gory scenes in it. So next update this fic will be M-rated.

I was a little tired while writing this, so please let me know if I made any mistakes!

Enjoy!

Rain hasn't come by again. It was always the same. The ground was as dead and as dry than it has ever been. Even though Rin has returned several times to the bridge to have enough water flooding the area, it didn't have any effect. He thought that if he could flood it regularly the soil could revive and perhaps grow some vegetation, but it didn't. Something really was wrong with the hard surface he was standing on. It didn't offer anything, expect for stability. It was making them suffer and Rin was getting suspicious.

The redhead was staring blankly at the basin that has been lying there for -he guessed- two days? He was sitting on his haunches, chin leaning against his palms. The water looked brown and everything except drinkable. Even though this water was their only resource right now, it has been making some of the members sick. It can only be because it has been contaminated by the ground. This water came from Pridelands, after all. Only this ground could addle such clear water. It was pissing Rin off. None of his methods on the area has worked. The Outlands remained as dry and as ugly as it has always been.

"Fuck."He hissed inwardly. What the fuck was going on? He realized his feet and legs were getting numb so he thought it was best to just stand up and head to the caves. He sat up, and Sei, who was casually rinsing himself in the water meanwhile, ignoring Rin's expletives, looked up. "Ya done thinking?"

"Yeah."

"Thought you'd never snap out of it."

"Sei, don't you think something's off with the water?"

"You mean the kids are gettin' more sick lately? Yeah."

"I think I know what might be the cause." He pointed a finger towards the surface. "I think-…"

"The ground has been makin' them sick? Wow, shit, never would've thought. Even in the fucking Pridelands you can get sick from eating ground, Rin."

"Listen to me. Look, you know I've been flooding this place from time to time, yeah? Normally stuff would start growin' as long as you give it enough water. I've seen mom do it. Even Gou has done it. I'm trying it on a bigger field and nothing is working. Sei, I think the ground 'ere is just fucked up. We can't even eat plants anymore just because not a single thing is growin' 'ere."

"So ya think we should move?"

"Yeah."

"And where are ya going to find more water than this one, eh?"

"I'll just go back."
Sei just let out a laugh and lolled his head towards the sky. "Man, ya full of surprises. Go ahead than 'n tell Go-Ru about ya plan, Rin."

"Sure." Rin finished. Turning his back on Sei. Muttering to himself.

The rain was getting rarer as the seasons changed. Normally rain would fall for a couple of days in the winter, but until recently that hasn't happened either. It was a pain to see dark clouds stop exactly above the cliff, in contrast with the blue sky above the Outsiders' head, and drift away towards the Pridelands. It was like some higher force was making the tribe suffer by giving them almost nothing, but just enough to make them struggle for it. While the Pridelanders, well, they obviously had enough. They had fauna, flora and water in abundance. But Rin knew there was something up with the land he was living on. It just didn't feel… natural in comparison to what he saw above the cliff. Clouds aren't supposed to stop just above the cliff and then drift away in the opposite direction. When you flood an area, like Rin did, the soil was supposed to get soggy and then it should be prolific again. He even planted some seeds. Just what was missing…?

Just when Rin was about to look for Go-Ru in the cave, he suddenly saw Ai-Chi rush out and almost bump into him. "Ow… Ah! Rin! Go-Ru just wanted to see ya!" He babbled. "He looks a bit cranky so it must be somethin' important!" He continued softy. Rin cocked and eyebrow. "What now?"
Rin didn't have the best relationship with the leader, but that wasn't abnormal. Rin has quite a sense of authority inside the tribe because he's Ru-O's only descendant, but Go-Ru was the one chosen by the tribe members to be the leader. Rin doesn't recall why. When Ru-O died, Rin was only a baby. Today he didn't understand how the tribe even wanted Go-Ru to be leader. Go-Ru was a coward, and he was vile and disgusting. He abused women even if they partnered with other men. And above all, he didn't protect his men while hunting. Rin and the others had to watch as one of his tribesmen was dragged away by the leg by a hyena, but Go-Ru forced the others to retreat. They returned, sick, ashamed. Go-Ru claimed that it was for the sake of the others' safety, but he could have been saved if Go-Ru had just let them. They could have slaughtered that beast. They could have eaten it for dinner.

The cave was empty, apart from Go-Ru sitting at the end with his arms folded, leaning against the side. His eyebrows were furrowed and his sharp grey eyes were looking at Rin. He looked… concerned.

"Sit down, Rin. Before me." Rin did as he said. The two men stared at each other for a while, until Go-Ru took a deep breath and let out an elongated sigh.
"Rin."Go-Ru began. "There was something I have meant to tell you… a while back. You have reached an age where you have the right to know. I'm pretty sure you're familiar with Ru-O's story?"

"Story? No."

"No? Well then, I'll tell you now. Your grandfather Ru-O, well, he hasn't always lived here. He used to live up there, in the Pridelands. He wasn't only a member of the tribe, he was even the lead's brother." Rin's eyes widened. "Ru-O has been banished from the Pridelands, because Ru-O nephew, Ki-A, had battled with him, and he won. So things got a bit overboard there. It's a long story, even I don't remember much of it. But anyway, Rin. You are Ru-O's grandson. Do you know what that means?"

The information Go-Ru gave him still had to sink in. "…I am related to the leader of the Pridelanders."

"Exactly. And It has been Ru-O's dream to return, and to overthrow him. Ru-O didn't like living here, and I'm sure we don't either. But Ru-O was getting old. He was worn out because of all the shit he has been through, you see. So he choose someone to success him. He choose someone who could finish over his goal to overthrow the leader of the Pridelanders, and become the new Head. He choose his only living grandson."

Rin clenched his hands together and looked down… No. That is impossible. Overthrowing the head of the Pridelanders…becoming the new head? Ridiculous. "You must be kidding, right?" Rin scoffed. He was about to stand up and walk out. "I don't wanna involve myself in any of thi-…"

"Rin!" Go-Ru exclaimed. "You never wondered why we live here in the first place? Why we live separated? Why everything here is as arid as can be? This land is cursed, Rin. We can't stay here."

Dark clouds stopping right above the high rocky cliffs flashed before Rin's eyes. Rin turned around and sat again, this time closer. "Cursed?" He repeated, piqued in interest, unadmittedly.

"That's right. This is why the clouds stop right above the cliffs most of the time. Haven't you noticed?"

"Yeah…"

"It can be stopped, Rin. I am about to tell you a plan that has been roaming in my mind for a while. I have talked about this with Sei and Ai-Chi, and they agree."

Go-Ru looked at him with a determined glare in his eyes. He seemed dead serious about this. The fact that he even wanted Rin to become the new Head was something that surprised him all the more. He would have thought that Go-Ru wanted to take the honor for himself and become the head of the tribe. He had his suspicions about Go-Ru's real intentions, but if this plan meant change for the faith of the Outsiders, than he was willing to take all risks.
"Then tell me what the plan is." Rin shot.

Go-Ru's grey eyes widened for a split second, then he grinned. "Well, Rin. I am glad to see that you are listening… Anyway…"He shifted back a little,"Do you remember that little Pridelander you met?"

Rin's breath hitched. Ha-Ru? What does he have to do with this?

"I was up on the cliff snitching some berries and mushrooms the other day. I noticed the kid standing there. I was just in time to hide in the grass. I was interested, so I stayed there to observe him a bit."

Rin stayed quiet.

"He is very recognizable with his pitch black hair, and –oh my, Rin- he is looking good. His blue eyes are just as stunning as that day I caught you and him at the place where I was standing. He looks healthy, clean, with pale skin, … that was some sight to behold, I tell you…"

Disgust was rising up in his chest. Ha-Ru is a man and yet… he dares to speak of him like this. Like he was a woman. However, Rin remained silent and waited until he heard the introductory part .

"I can tell he was thinking of you, Rin. He was staring at the Outlands, high above the cliff. But his eyes were looking a lot further… he was looking at you. Wondering where you are, how you are doing. I just know it. That is why, Rin, he is an important device. If you can win one tribe member's heart, you are able to reach the other members too. Their affection for you will spread like wildfire. They will welcome you with open arms. And if they do, the Head has but no other choice than to do the same. And that is when, Rin, you strike. It will be quiet, and fast, and no-one will have ever noticed, and no-one will ever believe it was you. Ki-A is around my age, Rin, and as you can see, I am not the fittest around anymore either. So finishing him off should be easy-peasy."

Silence filled the cave while Rin was letting his explanation sink in once again. Rin felt like there was a huge chunk missing out of his explanation. Ki-A managed to defeat Ru-O after a battle, even if it was so long ago. So why would Go-Ru assume that Rin can kill Ki-A, who is far more experienced in combat than Rin is?

"Go-Ru, why do you think I can kill Ki-A. He has defeated Ru-O, so why do you think I can defeat him?"

Go-Ru smiled. "Ru-O didn't choose you for no reason, now didn't he? Ru-O knew you had potential, and I do too. So does the rest of us. The men admire you and try to learn from your abilities. Rin, you must be blind if you don't see it yourself."

Rin's eyes dilated in surprise. Now this is something he is definitely not used to. Go-Ru was the last person who Rin would've ever expected praise from.

I guess we are really heading towards something.

Meh, to be honest. I'm not really happy with this chapter myself. I didn't know where I was going with this. It's annoying to have great ideas but then not be able to write it down. I will have to read more so I have more figures of speech I can use... *sigh*

Anyway. I have a lot of OC's here! lol. They are of course only used to support the main characters throughout the story. Go-Ru will be the only OC that will have more depth than the others, since he is the ultimate villain (shhh). He might look kind and supporting towards Rin now, but he's a lot crueler than you think, which you're going to see later.

For the next chapter, I repeat: There will be explicit scenes and will absolutely be M-rated, also, be warned of minor character deaths.

See you in a couple of days!