Chapter 7
First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for the severe tardiness of this chapter. I did have to write it completely from scratch and by luck was only able to pull a few things from my memory. It was very difficult but this time, I promise to become better. Luckily, the next will chapter up between today and thursday if I work hard.
Den
The elder lions looked at the cub in astonishment. She came alone and no one knew she'd left? Her parents were sure to be worried sick about her. Simba and Nala looked to one another while the children did the same.
"Why didn't you tell your parents?"questioned Kiara, "they're sure to be worried sick!"
Sarabi put a paw onto her Great Granddaughter's, shaking her head. "Let her be child."
"If I'd told them, they would have never let me come."
Behind Pride Rock
Many lionesses relaxed in the lush sun-kissed grasses behind pride rock. Vitani was one of many who let the warm sun caress her fur. She was making sure she got enough rest since the hunting party would be leaving as soon as the meeting was finished. Beside her, Alala slept lightly. Speaking of cubs, she looked around to find a certain nephew of hers. Her eyes danced, searching until they landed upon a dark brown tail sticking out of a bush. The said bush just so happened to be located near the back exit to the den.
She smirked to herself, blowing her hair out of her face as she stood to her feet. With the expert skill of a huntress, she snuck over to the bush and pawed at his tail, causing the cub to yelp in fright and tumble out of the bushes and into his aunt. Vitani's sapphire's met Jelani's ruby orbs. The sudden occurrence startled Alala awake.
"What have I told you about spying?" she questioned, raising a delicate eyebrow.
Jelani rolled over onto his stomach, an annoyed look on his face. "I'm never supposed to meddle in the Grown-ups meetings." he replied with a roll of his eyes.
Vitani swatted him playfully with her tail, making him giggle as he tried to catch it."And?"
"I'll never ever do it again?" he added, smiling a toothy grin.
With a laugh and a gentle lick to her nephew's cheek, the elder lioness stretched her legs. Tanai breathed a sigh of relief as he approached Jelani. He shook, the hair of his fur since it was standing on end from being frightened by Vitani.
"She's scary." he whispered as he watched her disappear into the den.
Jelani nodded before his ears stood in alert, hearing something approaching. It was obvious when the other lionesses stood to their feet. His mother and father entered, along with his grandparents, into the clearing. It wasn't his family that startled him it was the familiar scent that drifted through the air. He searched, eyes darting. Then he found the source of his curiosity: Razi. Why was she here?
Prideland outskirts
Khari opened her eyes to see the semi-darkness of the cave. She looked around to see if her mate was there but he was not which wasn't unusual. She rolled over onto her stomach and stood to her feet, stretching and yawning. When she looked toward the mouth of the den, she saw him sitting near the edge. Concerned, she went to join him.
Chike heard her approach but didn't turn to acknowledge her. "What is it Khari?" he questioned.
Khari took a step back, startled at the roughness of his voice. He would've never used such a tone with her but she knew he'd been very stressed lately. She lay her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"Chiké, please don't do this." she said, "You're going to run yourself ragged."
He shrugged , moving Khari off of him. The young lioness was disappointed, hurt. Chike walked forward, standing at the tip of the incline as he looked down over the lands. Just looking at them made his blood boil all over again. He let out a roar of frustration. Khari wasn't sure of what to say or for that matter, if what she had to say would aid her in this situation.
"Chike, I.." she whispered, slowly approaching.
Her mate's body tensed and he turned toward her, dark blue eyes swirling with rage. "ENOGUH, KHARI!" he yelled.
The young lioness shrank back, completely terrified. Tears sparkling in her eyes, she leapt from the incline and bounded into the savannah. Chike looked after her, feeling no remorse for his actions. He turned to go back into the den when he was met with a stinging pain across his jaw. Once he recovered from the surprise and shock, he was met with furious dark olive eyes.
"What do you want Esi?" he growled.
Esi could only glare at him. She was not very happy with him at the moment. Then he had the nerve of questioning her. "Khari wants nothing more than to help you but you keep pushing her away because of your vengence." she raged, "Let it go or you'll lose her!"
Chike turned to his younger sister who was also one of Khari's best friends. "Then maybe its for the best." he said, "She'll only get in the way."
Esi hissed in disagreement. "And you'll just cast her aside?" she growled, "Just like that? Khari's your mate, for king's sake!"
Her brother just brushed her off, jumping off of the incline and into the grasses. Esi went to stand where her brother once stood and looked on as her brother slunk off to who know's where.
"This is not good..." she whispered, looking into the sky.
Savannah
The sun was high in the sky, shining brightly over the savannah. It was the high point of the day and all of the animals were sure to be quenching their thirst or feeding. It was the perfect opportunity to hunt since the animals would be vulnerable. Vitani loved the breeze as it combed through her fur, rousing her huntress extincts. Kiara stepped into the center of the party.
"Since we have more than enough to spare, we'll divide into two groups." she explained.
The lionesses nodded while Kiara continued. "Group one will consist of Hala, Asali, Kumi, Imani, Zera, Afiya, Eshe, and Sarafina." she said, "They will be lead by Vitani.
The lionesses divided into the first group. The remaining ones looked to their queen for their assignments. Kiara nodded. "I will lead the next group which will consist of Jamila, Nala, Kali, Malia, Shani, Sarabi, and Chuki."
With all lionesses in agreement, the two groups looked to their leaders for further instructions. Vitani looked to Kiara, waiting for a signal. Kiara smiled. "Vitani, I'd like to give you the honor of leading the hunt." she said with a smile.
Vitani's sapphires widened in shock as she looked up at her sister in-law. Seeing as how she had not led a hunt since when she had been a part of her mother's pride, she was more than surprised. She inclined her head to Kiara. "I'm very honored."
With a nod of agreement between the two, Vitani turned to the multitude of prey that was just waiting to be taken down. "We'll go on my count." she instructed.
The young huntress shrunk to a low crouch. "Three."
The other lionesses readied themselves, each catching sight of their prey. Vitani relaxed, extending her claws so that the earth beneath her would not shift and alert the animals. "Two..."
"...One." spat Vitani as she sprang into the savannah.
The hunting party scattered, each seeking their own kill. Kiara quickly took down a zebra and Vitani took down a gazelle. The two lionesses marveled at their quick work before turning to monitor the rest of their party as they made their kills. Nala pursued an antelope that refused to give up and ran into some of the high grasses. She began to grow aggravated but followed her nose since her vision was slightly obstructed.
Once she was sure that the animal had tired, she pounced but something tackled her from the side, sending her rolling out of the grasses. Nala was fully alert as she quickly recovered and got back onto her feet. Then a blur of black came at her and she reacted, dodging its path. The animal then turned to look at her, dark green eyes searing with anger.
"Where is my daughter?!" she roared, circling Nala.
Upon hearing the roar, the rest of the party joined her. Kiara went to stand beside her mother. Nala turned back to this mysterious female but her daughter stepped in front of her.
"Who are you talking about?" she questioned, "Who is your daughter?"
The leopard eyed her with anger as she was becoming impatient. While she stood here talking, her poor daughter could be hurt somewhere.
"Razi." she replied, trying to calm herself.
Kiara nodded. "She's safe." she said, "I can take you to her if you wish."
The leopard grew a bit skeptical as she looked at the "Pride landers". She couldn't understand what it was about them that made her daughter want to runaway from home. She simply nodded and agreed to follow them back to their den.
Pride Rock
Jelani went over to Razi, who smiled at him. She gave him a friendly nuzzle to which he playfully returned. "What are you doing here, Razi?" he questioned.
Razi looked down at the ground in reluctance but looked up at her new found friends. Her green eyes, so usually filled with happiness, were somewhat dull. Jelani and Tanai looked at one another before turning to her once more.
"My Pride lives in barren lands as you saw the other day." she began, "And we're on the brink of starvation because there's no herds in our area. What little food we do find, is given to expectant mothers and the young."
Jelani listened to her story and it saddened him to hear such a thing. No pride, whether they be lions or leopards, should never have to suffer. He nodded for her to go on and she perked up somewhat.
"I came here to ask for assistance from your mother and father." she continued, They granted my pride permission to hunt in he Pride lands until we're back on our feet." hbhhhhhhb
Tanai gave her a hopeful smile. "At least we'll be able to play more."
The young leopardess giggled before she was tackled by Alala who playfully licked her cheek. She'd missed her friend very much and thought she wouldn't see her again. Jelani and Tanai joined in on the fun, jumping in and rolling around together. The cubs all laughed, looking into the sky. Then they each made a pact that they would stay together forever. It was then that Jelani noticed that his father and Grandfather ran from the clearing.
The young prince ran into the den, calling for his friends to follow. Razi, Alala, and Tanai looked at one another before giving chase. They were more than anxious to find out what had caused such a disturbance. When they reached the entrance to the den and looked out into the grasslands just near the formation, their eyes widened. There was an unfamiliar animal traveling with the hunting party, dark in color.
"M-mother..." whispered Razi as she bounded down the steps and into the savannah.
Fahari looked up ahead to see her daughter and relief washed over her, her anger subsiding as she ran to her. Razi flinched as her mother nuzzled her. The older leopardess then looked down at her daughter in anger and disdain. "Where in the kings were you?!" she screamed.
"Mom I..." she began.
Fahari then circled her daughter, cutting her off. "You deliberately disobeyed us!" she raged, "You could've gotten yourself killed, Razi. What were you thinking? No, I take that back. You weren't thinking. We've taught you better than that."
"Mother!" Razi shouted, snapping her mother out of her rant.
Fahari turned her attention to her daughter, who had never raised her voice to her. She couldn't be anymore surprised. It caught Kiara off guard. "Mother, do you want to know why I left home without telling you?" she queried, "Our Pride was on the brink of extinction! As the future Queen, I could not stand by idly and watch my Pride members, my own parents, die before my very eyes! So I came here, of my own free will, to request assistance for our pride until we're back on our feet."
"Razi, I had no idea." her mother said softly.
Simba gave her a kind yet stern face most befitting of the situation."You should be oroud of her." he said, "She traveled a great distance all by herself so that she could help her pride."
Fahari nodded, still surprised by her daughter's actions. She put a paw on her daughter's head. "I'm very proud of you Razi but I wish you would've consulted your father and I beforehand."
The cub nodded, smiling sheepishly as she looked up at her mother. "Yes, Mother."
Everyone then filed into the den, leaving Sarabi to look into the distant savannah. She had a gut-wrenching feeling that hadn't subsided even after Fahari had revealed herself during the hunt. Could this feeling have been Chike? Was he starting to make his move? She couldn't be sure but she would defenitely speak with Simba once everything had settled down.
'Something is just not right.' she thought, 'It seems the balance has been disturbed.'
Esi & Khari
Esi had finally coaxed her depressed sister-in-law to come out of the den and to take a walk with her. She knew her brother had been very rude and blind to Khari, especially her feelings. TI was clear that he was planning something and that whatever it was had shrouded him in darkness.
"I don't understand Sister." said Khari as she walked beside Esi.
Esi turned to Khari and sighed. "Our pride has been exiled by the leaders of Pride Rock and their predecessors after them." she explained, "Ever since My and Chike's parents were exiled as pride leaders, our pride has never had any stability."
Khari looked at her quizically. "Stability?"
"Yes." said Esi, "Our pride has never had a proper leader for starters. In most prides, the eldest sibling would take Reign after the parents either bestowed upon you or the previous leader died. In our case, Chike just took over the role even though I am the eldest. From what I've seen, he's so stuck on revenge that he can't make logical decisions that will make the pride prosper. Instead, he only makes us suffer even more."
The younger lioness was surprised at her words. "I never even realized that." she said, "But why can't you just rightfully take your place as Queen?"
"Its not so easy." Esi explained, "In order for me to take over the pride, I would have to either force my way into power by fighting and killing my brother. But I would not sink so low like the Evil King Scar who had killed Mufasa years ago. I should've received the throne but unlike me, Chike took a mate therefore securing his position. Though that is true, he has yet to produce an heir so If I took a mate and produced a living heir, I would take reign."
Khari nodded, staring down at the thinning grass beneath her feet. "But why can't he let go of this revenge so that our pride can live peacefully without conflict?"
"Well," Esi said as she stopped in her tracks, "I honestly don't know why he continues to cling to something that I've long ago forgiven. Our pride was banished for various reasons, some being very secret and possibly unknown to him. He has to understand that two wrongs don't make a right."
Pride Lands
Later that evening, as the sun was setting, Fahari and Razi took their leave. Kovu, Kiara, Simba, and Nala walked with them to the entrance of the den. Fahari bowed her head to them.
"I must thank you again for allowing our Pride to hunt within your territory." she said, "Its going to be quite the blessing to our pride."
Kiara giggled. "No need to thank us." he replied, "It is in our best interest to see to the well being of the animals of the lands. We wouldn't be upholding my Grandfather's laws if we didn't."
Fahari smiled kindly. She had been completely wrong about the Pride landers and her daughter had been the light that swayed her from her dark thoughts about them. She coudln't be anymore glad. Both female leopards bowed again before saying their goodbyes.
"Are you sure you don't want me to escort the two of you back home?" questioned Simba, "The sun is setting and it'll be dark soon."
Fahari shook her head. "Don't worry." she said, "We'll be fine. Our home is not as far as it seems."
Simba nodded in reassurance as he watched them go. He couldn't help but find a potential ally in the leopard pride.
Nearby
In the tall grasses that led away from Pride Rock, a pair of eyes stared. Hatred burned in his eyes and his body tensed with the desire to kill. He dug his claws into the dirt to control himself.
"It might take some time." he whispered to himself, "But you will know despair."
And with that, the unknown creature chuckled darkly as he slunk off into the shadows.
Hmm. It seems we have more hatred seeping into the pridelands? Could this be an accomplice of Chike's? And I'm betting you didn't expect razi's reaction to her mother's lecture either. Haha. And it seems Simba feels that this leopard pride may be a strong ally to them in the future. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one should be up soon, hopefully at the end of the week.
Goodbye but not forever,
EmikoSakura27
