Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lion King or any of its characters.

I do not own the following characters but have prior permission from the author, Nala-Nay to use them:

Hasani

Hiassen

The characters I do own are as follows (For now):

Kali (Fierce)

Usafi (Purity)

Kusudi (Purpose)

Ufisa (Variation of Ufisadi which means Mischief)

Chaka (Thicket)

Kuchin (variation of kuchinjwa which means slaughter)

Matata (Vicious)

Pepo (Demon)

Ni*my version* (I am)

There is a challenge at the bottom of this chapter.

ENJOY!

R.I.P. Kali

Kali had been waiting patiently for almost an hour since he arrived at Acacia Grove. He had many ideas going throughout his mind about what he and Usafi would do once she arrived. He had a song that he planned to sing to her to show just how much she meant to him. Then he would take her to Rhino Valley. It stretched for a mile, until it entered the Rhino territory. Before they had found Kusudi and Ufisa, Usafi and him would go there and agitate the Rhinos into chasing them through the valley. This would always conclude with Kali and Usafi laughing at the Rhinos from the top of the valley, where the angry Rhinos were vulnerable to becoming prey. But most importantly was what he would do with her after they returned to Acacia Grove. He was planning to kiss Usafi, since the first time they tried had been interrupted by the discovery of the cheetah cubs. All these thoughts led to him growing impatient with excitement. But though he did not like this anxiety, he would wait until the day was done if it meant spending some time with his life, his love, his Ajabu, Usafi. He was interrupted from his day dream when he sensed a slight shift in the grass near him. He turned around and began to smile at the thought she had finally arrived. This quickly turned to confusion when he saw three unfamiliar cheetahs appear out of the brush.

Regaining his composure he asked. "Hello. Who are you? And how can I be of any assistance?"

"I am Kuchin. These are Matata and Pepo, my sisters. We were looking for you because you have something we want." Kuchin replied and began to look at him menacingly.

Without warning the one called Pepo approached him, only to rip a piece of his silver fur off, which was soon stained with blood. Kali cried in agony.

"What did you do that for?!" The stunned silver cub demanded.

"For proof." Matata said simply.

"Proof of what?" He asked with confusion and fear now apparent in his voice.

"Proof that we actually killed you!" Kuchin said with rage apparent in her voice, as she began moving towards him.

"Why do you need to kill me? What have I done to deserve such a fate?" Kali demanded with even more fear in his voice.

"What have you done? How about forcing our niece and nephew to live with a cruel lion like you, only to endure being treated like garbage by a pride of lions that despise our kind." She roared.

"What are you…?" Kali asked before he was cut off by Kuchin making a death lunge at him.

Kali managed enough composure to dodged out of the way. He quickly retaliated and swiped his claws at Kuchin's face and she reeled back in pain. Seeing their chance, Pepo and Matata attacked from either side. Kali shot into the air a split second before they had him in their grasps. Their heads collided and hit the dry ground after the initial impact. Kali open his claws and slashed the two sisters, in hope that the wounds would discourage them from attacking further. Kali ignored his instinct to flee because he knew Usafi could be arriving any moment. All of a sudden, Kuchin came up to him and swatted him into the nearest Acacia tree. Kali winced as his vision began to blur.

"Great Kings Above!" He said in horror as he gazed at Kuchin.

He was able to distinguish three jagged wounds going from Kuchin's forehead, across to her right cheek. An unmistakable bloodlust was visible in her eyes. To bring complete horror to Kali, Pepo and Matata had recovered and were now glaring at him as well. Kali knew he was a goner against three enraged cheetahs who wanted him dead. Oddly enough, Kali for some strange reason he could not fathom did not want them to die. Not seeing a chance for victory, he wheeled around the tree and began to run as fast as his small paws could carry him. They caught up with him instantly, Kuchin catching him with her left forepaw.

"Please don't kill me!"

"Not a chance you brat!" she snarled and bared her fangs.

I'm not ready to join the stars yet! Unless... Kali thought as a plan came into his mind.

All at once, the three cheetahs began ferociously attacking the young prince. They clawed and bit mercilessly at every inch that they could reach. They then stepped aside to confirm his death. The cub's labored breathing slowed to a stop and his eyes closed. Then, all three cheetahs roared with pride at their success. The prince is dead and once it is announced that Mufasa and Simba are also gone then everything will be done. Mufasa's reign of terror would finally end and Scar's glorious era would begin. They then turned and headed back for their five mile run to Zira, to give her the tuft of fur they had removed and let her know of the success of their mission. Kuchin thought to herself Don't worry little ones we are coming.

The lion could not believe his eyes. He had just witnessed a brutal slaughter of a cub by three ferocious cheetahs. He had just returned from a hunting trip and was sleeping soundly until he was interrupted by the sound of the slaughter. He crept out of the hidden cave as the cub took his last breath. Once the cheetahs had left he moved out investigate.

"How could those spotted demons do this to you? Are they heartless?" He wondered.

He had desperately wanted to help the cub, but was slowed by a memory from his past when he had last tried to helped someone. He failed and the poor lioness, her life and the young cub's.

"Yet another death on my conscience" he said to himself.

But once he got within a few strides of him, the cub began to stir and slowly fumbled to his feet. He opened his eyes and saw the approaching the lion. He had tannish fur, with a long flowing gold mane. His eyes were what caught Kali's attention. His eyes, which were a never before seen dark sapphire blue, were looking directly into his and their expression was that of surprise.

Oh I know why his eyes have a look of surprise in them he thought to himself. Kali's eyes had already captivated this strange lion just as they did everyone. He looked over himself and began the painful process of licking his wounds clean. He was grateful that his Aunt Nannda had showed him how to slow his breathing to a degree that was so unnoticeable and that made his chest rise so slowly, that some may have thought him to be dead. It was a desperate move, and Kali was glad it had worked.

"Are you going to keep staring or are you going to ask me a question?" Kali asked with a chuckle.

The lion regained his composure and asked. "How is it possible you survived that attack? I was almost certain that you were dead."

"I am tougher than I look, besides they were so focused on the idea of killing me, I figured they would not be clever enough to realize I was faking." Kali replied. He was about to ask the cub another question when a white hornbill that he knew came up to both of them looking frantic.

"Ni! I have some horrible news! Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands and his sons, Simba and Kali, have all been confirmed to be dead. His brother, Scar is now king." She stated in dismay. Ni was about to thank her when he noticed the cubs expression change into that of shock and morning.

"Little guy? You okay?" he asked with a worried tone.

Kali did not answer. He did not think that the bird, or this lion would recognize him as the prince, as they were part of a different territory. His brother whom he had loved so much, and his father, the strong lion he had always admired , were both gone. It then hit him after a few moments; I am the next king and yet everyone thinks I am dead. I need to get home. But before he even got up, he stopped when he remembered the reason for the scar on his chest. No. I cannot go back. I am not ready to be king, and even if I do go back, what then? Those cheetahs are probably there and given the fact that they think I am dead, they would kill me if I am spotted before the pride finds me. His thoughts returned to his family, pride and love of his life. I will let them think I am dead and I am sure Uncle Scar will protect them. He will not dare go back on his word, especially now that he is the king. He proceeded to watch the bird fly off and then approached the lion.

" What is your name, and where are your parents, young cub?" Ni asked with a soft tone.

"My parents were killed by those three cheetahs. I have no one else left." He bowed his head and shed a tear. Even though he lied, the pain of loss was quite real. He then took a deep breath and said shakily, "I was … I was wondering if I could stay with you?"

"Well..."

"Oh please Mr. Ni! I have nowhere else to go." He said this and made a wide eyed look he and his brother had used on their mother many times.

Ni thought about this for a moment. He did not know if he should do this. It had been almost a year since his own wife and daughter had died at the fangs of a vicious lioness and had vowed to never to let anyone else into his life. When he looked into Kali's eyes, he disregarded the vow he made to himself and begin contemplating. He could not be this cub's father, but maybe he could be like a big brother to him.

With this in his mind he replied, "Yes, you are more than welcome to stay with me."

"Thank you very much, Ni." Kali replied happily.

"Hold on. Before you get crazy, I still want to know what your name is." Ni replied with a curious look on his face.

"Uhami. That is my name."

With the introductions made and negotiations concluded Kali, who now went by the name Uhami, proceeded into Ni's cave and began to rest. Ni even shared part of his leftover kill with the grateful cub.

Meanwhile, back in the Pride Lands, Kuchin and her two sisters arrived at the location Zira had chosen to meet them, and had just given Zira the proof she had requested. They then began to demand for their payment.

"We will now take those two cubs you promised we could have. We will not let those lions corrupt them." Kuchin said.

"I cannot let you have them."

"What? Why not?"

"Because when I return I will have to give a reason for Kali's death. You will have to take the blame."

But what about our niece and nephew? They need us!"

"Do not worry about them. The remaining cubs are by all accounts nothing like that abusive brat Kali. One lioness cub, Usafi even protected them from the abusive silver prince and even convinced the late Mufasa to let them stay." Zira replied

The three cheetahs pondered what Zira had said and then left back to the cheetah territory. They knew they could trust Zira and would keep to their part of the deal. They would proceed to break all contact with her so that Scar would never suspect it was Zira who was responsible for Kali's death.

Author's note: I am sure I had you scared when you saw the title of the chapter. Don't worry I would not kill Kali because he is the main character duh. I am sure you are wondering what the big deal is with Kali's scar, but don't worry that will all be revealed in the next chapter. So now you see why the cheetahs wanted to kill Kali, but they will be back eventually. Did anybody notice the hints I gave about Ni during the time he was the focus? *wink* If you can guess his identity, I will post the next chapter in three days instead of in two weeks.

Uhami- variation of the Swahili word Uhamishoni which means exile.

Swahili:

Baba anajua bora wake kwa ajili ya watoto wake hata kama ni machungu yao.

Yeye ni afadhali kuwa nao kukubali amekufa badala ya kurudi na kuwa nao kuangalia yake kufa.

Translation:

A father knows best for his children, even if it hurts them.

He would rather have them think him dead rather accept return and have them watch him die.