Lion King 3: The Chosen Ones

Part Two

Chapter 13- Wounds That Won't Heal

I'll miss you sis...you have to live, not for me but for mom and dad. I'm sorry that I put you through all of this.

Ayira and Vitani circled each other in a deadly dance, eyes locked on their opponent, sweat beading on their foreheads. Ayira was careful not to show any weakness toward the older lioness; if she showed any sign that she was tired, the game would be over. Something flickered in Vitani's fierce blue eyes for a second and she smirked, letting out a deep guttural growl.

The next thing Ayira knew Vitani was charging for her. Ayira quickly assumed a fighting stance, then reared up on her hind legs, growling fiercely as she blocked the tawny lioness's paws, before putting her own paws on Vitani's back trying to push her down. No matter how healthy or fast Ayira was, Vitani would never give up. She was much stronger than Ayira was, despite her light frame, so it was natural that Vitani was able to push herself from out of Ayira's grasp. Vitani lashed out in retaliation, hitting her niece up under her chin before sweeping her off of her paws. Ayira landed with a hard thud to the ground as Vitani placed a strong paw on Ayira's neck, peering over Ayira with a grin.

"Had enough yet, princess?" Vitani asked with a slight chuckle as she allowed Ayira to get back on to her paws. The poor lioness looked confused as to what had happened.

"Where'd you learn how to do that?" Ayira groaned as she rubbed the back of her sore head, wincing.

"I've been doing this longer than you have, squirt," Vitani replied as she stretched out. "But you're getting a lot better, so don't worry. I'll make a warrior out of you yet."

"Thanks Aunt 'Tani," Ayira said with a half-hearted smile; despite her aunt's words, Ayira knew that it wasn't too true. Even with the last six months of training with Vitani, all Ayira could think of was how utterly exhausted she was and that she was still the same helpless little cub she was when Chakide and Bujune attacked her. The sparring matches made her feel like she was reliving the attack and each time she lost to Vitani. But she wasn't going to give up that quickly, she never wanted to feel that weak ever again.

Unbeknownst to Ayira, she already had a very powerful air about her. Ayira had grown a lot; she was slender just like her aunt Vitani, but the young lioness's muscular form was shown in her powerful legs. Her face had grown narrower but retained some of her mother's attributes making her look like a mix between her grandmother Zira and her mother Kiara. The horrific scars she had gotten during the fight had faded some, but was still very obvious they were there; two long scars extended from around her left ear down to the back of her head while a scar circled the left side of her neck. These scars would probably be with her for the rest of her life, a haunting reminder of what was lost.

"Ready for the next lesson?" Vitani asked her niece who nodded in determination. She put a foreleg around her niece's shoulder. "Okay this time we'll—" An excited squeal interrupted the two of them as a small cub came running towards Vitani, rubbing against her leg.

"Hi Mommy! Hi Ayiwa!" the little cub squeaked cheerfully as she beamed up at her mother and older cousin. She looked a bit like a female Kovu but with a lighter pelt and a tuft of fluff on her head the same color as her pelt. Her eyes were a dusty shade of blue.

"Shakire! What are you doing here? Wasn't your aunt Kiara supposed to be watching you?" Vitani asked in an amused tone as she nuzzled her daughter. "You haven't given her the slip, have you?"

"Nope! Aunty Kiawa said fat we should go home and fat she wanted to talk to you, Mommy," Shakire exclaimed with a cheerful grin, she then turned to her side. "Fere she is! Aunty Kiawa! Here's Mommy!" Kiara walked up to Vitani with an exhausted look on her face, and for good reason. Kiara was heavily pregnant with her third cub and it must have been a long way to get where Vitani was now. Ayira frowned; she knew that look on her mother's face and she didn't like it, there was something bothering her.

"Kiara are you okay?" Vitani asked as she walked over to her friend's side in concern, Kiara shook her head to dispel Vitani's worries.

"I'm fine, 'Tani. Really," Kiara replied with a weak smile. "Kovu needs you though, the cheetah leader Sheikh has made her way to the Pridelands."

"Sheikh again? That can't be good if the cheetah leader came all the way out here." Vitani commented softly as her eyebrows flew up in surprise. She turned around and started walking away. "Don't worry Kiara, I'll find Kovu."

Ayira watched her aunt with worry in her eyes and a bitter feeling in her mind. Why do they keep on pressing this issue? Dad is only going to make it ten times worse. Why can't we just say sorry and put the past behind us? She snapped out of her thoughts when Kiara nudged her gently.

"Are you okay?" her mother asked her, her facial expressions an exact mirror of Ayira's. Ever since the death of her father and the sudden disappearance of Tanabi, Kiara was never the same again. The normally lively and bubbly Queen had slowly and painfully transformed into the morose, almost hopeless lioness before Ayira now. It was a surprise to Ayira that her mother hadn't burst into tears by now, but to be fair she was probably too tired to even care anymore. Ayira believed that her love for her father, Ayira and her unborn child was the only reason why she continued to go on with life.

"I'm fine." Ayira said reassuringly, trying to lessen her mother's worries. "I'm gonna go find Jelani and Kutu, is that okay?"

"I…don't know Ayira. What about Sheikh?" Kiara replied worriedly. "I just don't think it's safe for you to wander off by yourself."

"Mother, I'm not a little cub anymore," Ayira said patiently. A nasty sense of déjà vu came to her mind. How many times had Tanabi said this before he realized his limitations? Ayira stubbornly erased the thought from her mind. "I'm more than able to take care of myself. Aunt Vitani even taught me how to defend myself. I promise if I see any sign of danger, I'll come back to Pride Rock."

"Okay," Kiara said reluctantly after a moment's hesitation. She nuzzled her daughter. "Promise me that you'll take care of yourself."

"I will."

With that Ayira gave her mother a carefree smile as she ran off into the distance, but as soon as she couldn't see Pride Rock anymore, she slowed down her movements to a walk.

Oh, don't you worry about me. I'm more than ready, I'm not the helpless little cub I was when they attacked,Ayira thought darkly, a hardened look coming to her face.

Despite telling her mother that she was going to visit Kutu and Jelani, it was far from the truth. She was going to find her father and stop him before he did anything impulsive. And if it meant getting hurt or punished for this transgression, so be it. Ayira was not going to let the past haunt her anymore, that she was sure of.

When Vitani finally found Kovu, the lion king and the cheetah leader were already in the midst of talking lightly.

I wonder what they're talkin' about? thought Vitani as she sat beside her brother, focusing her full attention on the guest of honor . She kept her mouth shut; there was no need to judge the cheetah yet, and any slips of the tongue could make things rockier than it already was. This was one of the many meetings between the two leaders since the incident. Her claws were ever so extended, just in case the cheetah decided to do something sneaky. Kovu barely acknowledged her presence; instead he kept his gaze on the cheetah before him.

"Ah, it seems that you have brought an ally. A very wise choice my king," Sheikh purred. There was no trace or hint of sarcasm in her sweet voice. "Is this your mate, or am I mistaken?"

Vitani quirked an eyebrow at the cheetah. Boy, have you got your lionesses' crossed. If this was any other situation, Vitani would have laughed at this.

"Get to your point, Sheikh," Kovu said. "If you have nothing to say, you've wasted my time."

"Of course, my king." Sheikh bowed, her unassuming smile still on her face. "I like that in a leader, you know what you want and you go for it." She gently put her paw on Kovu's, only have him pull his paw back in annoyance and disgust. Shrugging her lithe shoulders, Sheikh continued, "I am here to talk about a certain death concerning one of my own, one that has been murdered by one of your pride members."

"What murder?" Vitani blurted out in confusion. "I haven't heard or seen anybody murder any cheetahs."

Sheikh smiled amusedly, showing her pearly white fangs. "Oh! Don't you remember a few months ago when a trial was held in the Pride Lands? Or did this little fact slip you mind?"

Vitani frowned slightly, there was a trial while Vitani was in labour with her daughter, Shari. All she could remember was the stories from the other lionesses who were present at the trial, saying how the cheetah in question proudly proclaimed his plot to kill Tanabi and Ayira, even until his dying breath. Vitani shuddered, somebody that crazy deserved it.

"We have discussed this several times already! You of all animals should understand why he deserved to be punished!" Kovu cried out, his fierce green eyes now glowing dangerously. He could feel his anger rising; just what was she playing at? Kovu snarled in disgust. "How can you even stick up for someone that horrible? He tried to kill my cubs and under our law, that punishment is death!"

Sheikh got closer to the huge lion, a coy frown on her face. "Bujune was clearly out of his mind from the get-go. Is it fair to charge him with death when he couldn't help his impulses? He didn't get a very fair trial my king. There were no eyewitnesses to the crime you said that he committed. Didn't you forget that it was a rhino who was the one who actually murdered a member of your pride and yet he wasn't charged with anything?"

"The rhino couldn't make it to the trial." Kovu replied softly, trying to dodge around the subject. Masozi had died within a month of the attack, too heartbroken after the death of one of his best friends and the possible death of another. He then glared at the cheetah who was examining her claws. "If this is all you have to say, we're done from here on out. C'mon, Vitani. Let's go home." Vitani, still lost in confusion, jumped to her feet and followed Kovu. They were about to walk away peacefully before Sheikh laughed softly. She ran up and jumped in front of the feet of both of the lions, her fangs now completely bared.

"Is it wise to turn your back on me, my king?" Sheikh snarled, her facade completely gone as her fur stood up on end. "I have tried to be reasonable with you and your pride, and look where it has gotten me! I am done walking on eggshells with you and bowing down! From now on, I declare war against Pride Rock!"

There was a deafening silence as those six words were spoken, making the Outlander's vivid blue eyes widen in alarm. Tell me she isn't serious! That's just suicide! Vitani thought in a panic. If this breaks out, the other animals will… She shuddered to think of the outcome. It was obvious the cheetahs that Sheikh currently led were equal in number to the pride, and it wasn't easy to tell if Kovu could lead the pride to victory. Half of the lionesses in the pride were too old now to fight and the rest were just small cubs. But if Sheikh could rally up more cheetahs in the surrounding area, then the pride would be in even more serious trouble.

What made it only worse was the fact that Vitani knew in her heart most of the animals wouldn't side with Kovu, no matter what he did; he would always be thought of as a Scar replacement. Vitani looked up at Kovu, whose face was absolutely shocked at this revelation to the point where his jaw almost dropped. She felt him tense up; it was obvious he had no answers.

"Why are you doing this?" Kovu finally spoke up incredulously. "What motive could you possibly have to sacrifice so many of your family?"

"You should know the answer!" Sheikh snapped, a haughty note of irony in her voice. "Your family is not very popular to begin with, and now many of the animals have now opened their eyes to see how unjust this regime really is! We are tired of being pushed to the limit and we are tired of listening to your rule! We'll reap what is due us! We will fight to the bitter end, and if we don't win this war, we will make sure that we at least wipe out the whole pride, that I promise you!"

"Couldn't we bargain with you somehow?" Vitani asked hastily, her emotions running on high. "Can't we negotiate or somethin'?"

Sheikh smirked smugly, she finally got them in her grasp. "I have a simple solution for you: step down and let us rule! That is the only way you will escape with your lives."

"Never!" Kovu roared. "If you think that we would allow you to just take over the kingdom, you're out of your damn mind!" He roared again more fiercely with fury. If she wanted a war, she'd get one! There were too many sacrifices on this land to just give it all up. Vitani nodded in agreement.

"Fine, fine. Have it your way," Sheikh replied sarcastically, a smug smile on her white muzzle. "Leave it to a bunch of lions to be too damn stubborn for their own good. Oh well, this shall be an interesting little scuffle my king." She sauntered slowly up to Kovu and rubbed up against his massive shoulder, inhaling the scent of his fur. "Ah! To be drenched in your blood and have your defeated corpse as a throw rug is simply orgasmic." Sheikh purred seductively as she gave Kovu one last look before running into the plains like the speed of light, leaving the two lions sitting on the ground, completely beside themselves.

Ayira crouched behind a tree, her green eyes wide with fear as she absorbed the bitter news. As she peered over to see her father and aunt, Ayira could only feel numb inside. Oh Grandfather, what have we done? she thought in agony as, once again, warm tears sprung to her eyes.

I'm baack! So how was the chapter? Pretty good..right? I loved writing Sheikh, she is so awesome plus she's really insane, so look forward to seeing her more often. A big thanks to Prince of Pride for continuing to be so interested in this story and to my beta Kovukono for helping me improve my grammar and making this chapter better for you the readers! So after you have read this chapter please don't forget to review ^^.

Names:

Shakire: Grateful

Shari: Hardship

Sheikh: Leader