Chapter 13

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/Uhami (Fierce/Exile)

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 (I am)

ENJOY!

Kali or Uhami?

*Three years after the events of Chapter 10*

The sun was at its highest point in the sky, as the two lions made their way to their prime hunting spot. The sky held only a few clouds as it always did and yet the dry season was unrelenting. This was a bad sign to Ni and Uhami whose bond was as strong as steel. In the last three years, the Hill Lands where they lived had a vast increase in its herd populations. Many had come from the Pride Lands out of fear for their lives and those of their families. Every single new addition brought with them the same story that the Hyenas, whom Scar had allowed in to the great lands. They were savagely killing entire herds to satisfy their endless hunger. Uhami, the secret prince Kali, was shocked. He never would have expected his uncle to let in the hyenas and cater to their every whim. He believed his uncle acted out of depression for the loss of his family and wondered that if he had returned, would things have been different. Ni was also sympathetic with the herds, but also saw this as opportunity. In the Hill Lands, food was scarce and there was always a contest between lions over food and territory. These thoughts left his head as he and Ni arrived at the buffalo territory, their favorite prey. He and Ni immediately got into position for their separate kills and lunged forward.

Ni watched in amazement as he saw Uhami go straight for the biggest bull in the herd. He watched as Kali ran up to the bull without it ever noticing. They have discovered his silver fur reflected the sun, so he temporarily blinds his prey for a few seconds. As he watched this, Ni could not help but marvel at how much the lion had grown in the last three years. When they had first met, Uhami had been only seven months old and his mane tuft had only begun to go over his face. He was covered in wounds from the cheetah attack. By some miracle they had healed completely all except for a cross shaped scar on his chest. He was bigger than the average cub his age, and his white eyes were shining with a fierce compassionate light that had left Ni speechless.

"It is hard to believe he used to only go up to my knees almost three years ago." Ni said with a smile on his face.

Today Uhami was a full grown lion of four years of age. His silver fur was even more radiant than it had been when he was attacked. It was now so beautiful that even stars would be jealous of him. His mane, which was a snowy white color, flowed around his entire head and down to his upper chest except in the area where his scar was. If a lioness saw it, Ni was sure they would be begging to have Uhami as their mate. His eyes had grown even more astonishing, that Ni sometimes felt he was looking at a spirit rather than a lion. But what was most noticeable was Uhami's size. When they had met, Uhami was about halfway up to Ni's legs in height. Now the young lion was at least twice the size of an average lion his age and had rippling muscles. He possessed incredible hunting skills, but even more amazing than his size was his strength. It went beyond all understanding as to how Uhami was so strong. Just three months ago, Uhami had managed to kill an adolescent elephant all on his own. Ni's knew that should his own time come and, he would die assured that Uhami would be able to survive without him.

However, when his thoughts turned to Uhami's personality, Ni immediately became concerned.
When Uhami had first come to Ni, he was a very kind, cheery, wise, and well balanced cub, became distant.

Flashback to 2 years earlier

"I know this is your first, but you'll do great."

"Thanks Ni." Uhami said with a smile and started his hunt. He was a natural, as if he had hunted before. When he just about to make his lunge for antelope, he froze. In that moment all the fire and passion that was in the young hunter's eyes and heart were immediately overwhelmed with despair and sorrow. He turned tail and ran back to the cave they called home.

I knew this was a bad idea. Why did I let him pick the day I found him to be his first hunt? Ni thought. Ni quickly proceeded to follow him. When he arrived and looked into the young lion's eyes, he felt his heart ache. His depression over his parents' death was ever looming over the cub. His eyes now appeared to be as dark as storm clouds that were just about to release their rain. I have to nip this in the bud now, or he will never get over this. Then he was reminded that some nights, he still mourned his lost family. I should allow him to mourn after holding it in for 2 years.

After a few days, Ni knew he could no longer ignore the problem at hand. He walked in with a zebra leg, dropping it in front the adolescent. "Uhami, it has been 3 days. You have refused to eat, drink anything or even speak to me. I am getting worried. I brought you something to eat and I want to see bites taken out of it before I get back. You can't live in this cave forever. If you do, your parents died for nothing." Ni told him.

"Thank you" Uhami whispered and Ni could hear the sound of tearing flesh. After that Uhami start to slowly change back into his old self. Ni did not push the topic, but instead dedicated himself to make Uhami happy and to give him the best chances of surviving.

Back to present time

Ni's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as his stomach growled and remembered he needed to eat. Pushing his thoughts out of his mind, he got into his hunter's state of mind and charged at a lone cow on the fringes of the herd.

Uhami, who had just finished his bull, left the lower half that remained for the vultures to gorge themselves on. He watched from a safe position as Ni proceeded to make his kill. As he did this, Kali casually looked at his paw and gazed at his unsheathed claws.

"These really are amazing." Kali said with pride. His claws over the last few years had turned a surprising snowy white color rather than the traditional black. He could only assume that it was another gift that his grandmother had left him. These claws had helped him survive many fights against many rogues and had killed a good amount of prey over the years.

His thoughts then turned to how Ni had been looking at him and he knew that he was concerned. Uhami's thoughts began to wander as he began picturing figures he had not seen in years. His first thought went to his mother, whom he craved to see for a little over three years. How is she coping with the idea that both her mate and sons were dead. I miss them and you so much. Kali thought to himself He then thought of his friend. Nala, You would have made a fine queen Nala. I know you loved Simba more than anything, even if you were too shy to admit it. But you're strong willed, and I can only hope you were able to move on. Then, his thoughts turned to Ufisa and Kusudi. His two adopted cousins that had been through so much loss. I hated how my decision of protecting you both meant I will never seeyou again. Finally, his thoughts rested on Usafi, his Ajabu. You have changed over the years. Did you find love with a new mate? But two thoughts in his mind came out of his mouth as no more than a whisper.

"Usafi, do you still remember me? Even if you don't, I hope you know that I will love you forever." Kali said with a tear in his eyes.

He had done this same thing years ago, but back then he had cried for three days. Somehow he had come to accept that he had made the right choice.

Once he turned 3 years old every time he would admire his features, his thoughts would however quickly change to confusion. He did not recognize the lion he saw. He wondered who he was now. Was he still the silver Prince of the night Kali or was he the orphaned Uhami? He also recalled his brief meeting with his great-grandparents spirits, Jolina and Mohatu. They had told him he would return when a shadow from his past would come, while shrouding a light and that would be the time when he would begin his journey home.

"But what shadow and light could possibly return that would make me want to go home?" Uhami said as he looked up to the sky and thought of how he had waited for years and yet no such things had come.

"Great-grandpa, I think you got it wrong." He said with shame as he hated doubting his honored and revered great-grandfather. After all, he is the brightest star in the night sky.

These thoughts were interrupted as Ni finished his own meal and proceeded to come over. Just before Ni gestured for a destination, the herds suddenly ran away as they heard a loud thud. Ni and Uhami quickly went to investigate the strange occurrence. What they saw shocked them. Lying on the ground were two still breathing, young adult cheetahs. The female looked as if she had passed out. The male, on the other paw, had immediately gotten up and put himself in a defensive position in front of her. Uhami sensed his tension and said.

"We heard you land here and wanted to see if you were ok." He stated in a calm tone.

When the cheetah did not relax, Uhami tried again to reassure him by saying. "My name is Uhami and this is my older brother Ni. What are your names and how did you get here?"

The cheetah then relaxed as he heard Uhami's calm tone and replied in a pleading tone. " My sister and I have been on the run since we were in the Pride Lands."

"The Pride Lands? Is it really becoming so bad that even the predators must leave their old homes."

"You do not know the half of it sir."

"What are your names?"

"I am Kusudi and this is my sister, Ufisa. The things chasing us will be here any moment. They are the ones that pushed us off that cliff. Please help us?"

Kali froze almost instantly as he heard the young cheetah speak. Standing before him were the two cheetah cubs he had saved years ago. His heart was rejoicing as he saw that they had both survived and had grown into two fine adolescents. But at the same time his mind raced with thoughts of concern as he began wondering a question: Where are Usafi, Nala and Aunt Naanda? Surely they would not leave these two to survive on their own. Why would things be attacking them in the first place. His second thought was suddenly answered as three roars could be heard behind Ni and him. He turned around to face the opponents, but when he saw them, he was shocked.

They were three older female cheetahs. Why would cheetahs attack their own kind? He thought. His unspoken question was answered when his gaze met the leader's. His eyes were immediately drawn to her face. Around her right eye were three scars that stretched from the top of her brow, narrowly avoided the eye itself and stopped at the end of her right cheek. It was Kuchin, Pepo and Matata, the cheetahs who had attempted to kill him had found him once again. This time however they were after his adopted cousins, and friend who even now cowered behind him and Ni.

Author: Kali is indecisive. He does not know who he wants to be. But will the sudden reemergence of both his old killers and cousins set him on the path that will lead him to his destiny?

Swahili:

Wakati sisi kuangalia wenyewe wetu katika kioo, ambao hawana sisi kuona?

Je, tunaona mtu sisi mara moja walikuwa?

Je, tunaona mtu sisi ni sasa?

Au je, tunataka kuona mtu tunataka kuwa?

Translation:

When we look at our own in the mirror, who do we see?

Do we see the person we once were?

Do we see the person we are now?

Or do we want to see the person we want to be?