SPARTAN-626: No, she won't.

Leave it to me, were the last words muttered to Kidogo before the blue bird flew off to alert the pride. He hated to disobey Kopa's order, but something made the top of his wings quiver with worry.

Vitani was asleep once he found her in the cave. Years of training and uncomfortable sleeping spots cursed Vitani to be a light sleeper, so it did not take much to wake her.

"What is it?"

"Kopa and Kweli are by the big river. Nzuri is there, I am afraid she means to do harm."

Vitani shot up. "What are we doing sitting here? Take me to them."

Kidogo rubbed his wing, awkwardly. "Your majesty, given your condition-"

Vitani shot him a look and the bird gulped as he took off, leading her to where they last saw Kopa.

Upon arriving, Vitani saw Kweli looking over the edge and she suddenly felt her legs buckle. Kopa...

Kweli sensed their presence and turned to face them. "Y-your majesty."

Vitani, having learned to control her anger, roared as she stared at the hyena. She trusted her husband's judgment and if he trusted Kweli, so did she, but something was very wrong here. "Where is my mate!?" She growled.

Kweli swallowed as she took a step forward, but halted when she saw Vitani's claws digging into the ground. "Nzuri, she... she attacked Kopa and they both went over."

Vitani frowned as she stepped forward. "Over...?" Her eyes drifted to the edge and Kweli nodded, slowly. Her eyes suddenly blazed. "I want a search party formed."

"Vitani-" Kidogo tried, but the queen interrupted.

"Now! I want a search party formed NOW!! Get everyone up, I want everyone looking."

Kidogo looked up at the starry sky and noticed the dark clouds forming, as if warning them that there were dark times to come. The moon was full and high in the sky. The majordomo would have wanted to wait until morning, but in Vitani's current condition, this might ease her mind.

He bowed before flying off to alert the pride.

Vitani took a deep breath, refusing to let tears fall. She was going to find Kopa.

TLK

Kopa gasped as he snapped his eyes opened. Dark clouds hung over head, blocking the sun. It must have been nearing afternoon. But it was nearly impossible to tell at first as he was lying on the bank of a jungle. Kopa shook his head as he looked around and saw Nzuri lying a few feet away, unconscious.

Struggling, Kopa stood and winced as he felt his body ache. Must have been a wild ride down that river, he thought. He then made his way to Nzuri and carefully nudged her. The cheetah groaned as she opened her eyes and looked up. "What... what happened?"

Kopa frowned. "We're alive, that's one thing." He said.

"Where are we?"

Kopa looked around. To be honest, he wasn't sure. He had never seen this territory before and by the look in Nzuri's eyes, neither did she. The cliffs that they fell from where no where in sight and even if they were close, the trees were too thick to see.

"Away from home. I don't recognize any of the smells."

Nzuri glared as she stood. Without another word, she started to walk away. Kopa frowned as he tilted his head before following. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going home. My mate and cub need me."

Oh, so now you notice that you have a mate and cub, Kopa thought, bitterly. "We have to stick together. We don't know where we are."

"We follow the river, it is that simple." Nzuri said.

Kooa frowned. Not a bad idea... "Fine, then we'll do it together."

The cheetah's tail swooshed on the ground, making the loose dirt move across the ground floor. She snuffed as she turned to Kopa. "Fine."

Kopa nodded, feeling slightly relieved. Despite his attitude towards her, Nzuri was his responsibility and it was his job to make sure she arrived safely back in their land.

"Well, your majesty, shall we?"

Kopa raised an eyebrow at the tone of her voice, but Nzuri did not notice. Sighing, he looked around. "Lets."

Together, the two walked side by side across the river bank. Thunder rumbled gently over head as the clouds began to darkened once more. Hopefully, the tree will protect us from the worst of it, Kopa thought. As they walked, Kopa noticed several bugs and grubs. Timon and Pumbaa would have found this place delicious. Then he stopped and looked around. He had heard tales of his father cubhood, how he was found by Timon and Pumbaa and raised in the jungle, as a rogue. Could this be that jungle?

"What are you staring at?"

Kopa snapped out of his thoughts and saw that Nzuri was several feet in front of him. "Nothing."

The cheetah snuffed as she continued with Kopa following close behind.

Later that day, the rain finally began to fall. Kopa frowned as a drop hit his nose and he looked up to see the see the trees begin to shake.

Nzuri seemingly ignored that fact that her coat was becoming soaking wet. Kopa stifled a laugh as he shook his mane, spraying water everywhere.

"Nzuri, maybe we should stop and find shelter until the rain passes." Kopa suggested. Suddenly, thunder cracked over head and Kopa winced.

"We are not stopping now." Nzuri said.

Kopa snorted. He should be used to her behavior by now.

Unable to force her to stop, Kopa followed.

Sorry if there are spelling mistakes, this was a little rushed. But I hope you guys like this chapter!