Chapter 5

Upendo

A white-tan lion shook his black and tan mane. He was stretched out on his stomach like the Sphinx, underneath a tall tree. Upendo sighed. It wasn't in despair or boredom, but in anticipation. When could he see Maisha again? Yesterday they had said they loved each other, but did Maisha still feel the same?

Of course she does, we've been together for so long it's obvious we love each other, Upendo thought, and pushed away the moment of doubt. I have to see her tomorrow, he thought to himself with silent determination. There was a certain space in him that could only be filled when Maisha was around him. He'd never felt this way about anyone before. Well, there was one lioness...but she left him with this hole.

Upendo shook his head again to clear his head. There was no time now to think about Kuibiwa. But he couldn't just stop thinking about her. He had to find something else to think about.

Maisha was a perfect topic. Hell, how he even stopped thinking about her was unimaginable. But...Kuibiwa...how she had stolen his heart. She was a robber, or...was she the one who's heart had been stolen? By another lion? Her name did mean stolen, but was that what all their names were for? Were they all destined to live out what their mothers had decided to call them?

Upendo certainly didn't want that. For Kuibiwa to be stolen by everyone for ever seemed a little...harsh. On everyone.

He stopped and sat up. How could he even think about Kuibiwa now? He was so sure he'd found his soul mate a minute ago, and now he starts thinking about another lioness?

No way, he thought to himself, and gouged the earth with his claws.

Then, off in the direction of the border, he heard someone coming. They were heading towards him at a fast speed, and for a moment Upendo began to think that someone was trying to attack him.

But, if they were trying to attack me, they wouldn't make so much noise, he pondered. Or maybe that was their strategy, to distract him. Well, he'd find out soon enough. So, he sat and waited.

It was a lioness, he could tell from here, and her fur was golden-yellow. As she got closer it almost seemed as if her eyes were two suns. Upendo's eyes grew wide and his mouth hung partially open.

It was Kuibiwa.

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Upendo still couldn't speak. After Kuibiwa had reached him, she lay down under the tree with him, and just lay there, trying to catch her breath.

Upendo was trying to too. Finally he snapped out of his daze and managed to get a few words out.

"Um...What...What are you doing here?" he said in such a small voice it cracked. Upendo grew embarrassed at his mess-up. He cleared his throat and spoke again. "What are you doing here, Kuibiwa?"

Kuibiwa looked up at Upendo with an expression he couldn't read. Was that sorrow? Regret? She looked back down and pulled up grass with her claws. She took a breath, but then she stopped herself. Upendo had begun to think that Kuibiwa was never going to answer when she spoke.

"I..." She didn't finish, rethinking her words, and looked out over the horizon in the direction she had come. "He left me. He left me, Upendo. Without even saying goodbye. In the middle of the night." Now tears were streaming down her face but she made no gasps or sobs. If you couldn't see her face you'd think she wasn't at all unhappy.

Upendo couldn't speak, again. So instead he lay down beside Kuibiwa to give her a shoulder to cry on. She leaned on him, and then the sobs came. She cried her heart out, and when she finished Upendo still hadn't said a word, for he thought it was best if he didn't. Then they were lying there, underneath the African savanna tree, with the sun going down to their side. Upendo didn't say anything, just waited for Kuibiwa when she wanted to talk. Suddenly she did.

"Thank you, Upendo. You have no idea how much this means to me. You gave me everything I needed even when I just appeared out of the blue." Kuibiwa stopped for a moment and looked up at him. For a second he thought he saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes, but then it faded.

"I can tell you're in love with someone. And it's not me." She paused again. "She's a very lucky lioness. You tell her that, okay? Say it's from Kuibiwa. And...I just wish that I saw the wonderful qualities you have...when we were together." She looked back out into the horizon and squinted against the sunlight.

"But, I had my chance, and I blew it. You've clearly moved on, and that's what I need to do also." She seemed to grow more confident and looked back at him. He could see no feelings for him in her eyes, and even if they were there, she had covered them up. For his conscience and her sake, he hoped she wasn't hurting anymore. He just couldn't live with making someone else suffer.

"Well, it's his loss," Upendo said, smiling at her.

"Who's?" Kuibiwa looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"The lion that left you."

"Oh, him. Yeah, he was no good anyway, the bastard," she said and began to laugh with Upendo.

"Well, we better get you home for some food and rest," he said, standing up. Kuibiwa stood as well.

"Are you sure they'll let me into the pride? Just like that?" Kuibiwa looked worried, but he was certain.

"Of course. Mwezi is a great guy, and I'm sure he'll love the extra help and protection around the pride." Upendo didn't break his stride, but behind him he could tell that Kuibiwa had stopped. "What's the matter?"

"Well, what about the other lions? And...your mate?" Upendo was stunned. he had never really thought of Maisha as his mate, but he guessed now, because of everything Maisha had said to him, that they were.

"Uh..." Now he had to think. Would Maisha allow one of his old girlfriends to rejoin the pride? Probably. Maisha was a reasonable person, and she didn't have to know about the part how Kuibiwa was his old girlfriend...

"Totally." And they began the short trek towards the rest of the pride.

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Sorry sorry sorry for the setback, but here's the new chapter so yay! Anyway, I need some OC's, so please review with your OC in it! Here's the form:

Name:

Appearance:

Age:

Personality:

Where are they coming from? (the pride, outlands, etc.)

How do you want them to interact with the characters in the story?

Thanx! Review!