The two walked in silence until the rain began. Kopa opted theu find shelter, but Nzuri was too stubborn, so the two continued.
Meanwhile, the search was continuing. Kidogo had sent his siblings and other birds to search the far side of the river whilst thr pride made their way carefully down.
After some convincing, Tama managed to get Vitani to stay where is was safe, but she was not happy. Instead she stayed and paced.
Once Kidogo returned, she was angry to hear that there was no news.
"Vitani?" Malka asked as he walked up.
"What?"
"Perhaps we should send word to Simba and Nala."
"No, we need to find Kopa first."
"Vitani, listen to me." Malka said, softly. "If we bring them now, they can assist the search. Doesn't Kion have a friend, Ono? The Keenest of Sight, do they call him? He can help."
Vitani huffed. "Fine." She growled. "I'll send Kidogo this afternoon."
Malka nodded. "Let's get you back to the den, shall we?"
"I need to stay here, I am the Queen, I need to oversee things."
"My dear, you are in a very special condition. We need to think about the cubs."
Vitani stared at the black maned lion. He spoke to her as if he cared about her, as if she were his daughter. She had never had anyone speak to her like that, not even her own mother. She suddenly felt tired and sighed as she nodded. Malka nodded as he led her back to the den.
In the jungle, Kopa was lapping up some cool water from the river whilst Nzuri sat nearby, resting her paws.
Kopa brought his head up and sniffed the air. Nothing familiar as of yet. "Nzuri? It'll be dark soon. I strongly insist we find shelter and rest until morning."
"We can't stop now."
Kopa puffed out his chest. The cheetah may be older then he was, but he was still her King. "Nzuri, I have been nice until now. As your King, I order we sleep tonight."
Nzuri turned to him. "We are not in the North Lands now, therefore you are not my King."
"Silence! It is your fault we are here in the first place!"
"My fault!?! You foolish lion, you were the one with the bright idea to invite hyenas into the land!"
Kopa gaped. "Is that what this is about? Hyenas? Not all hyenas are bad."
"You of all animals should know that no hyena should be trusted. Wasn't your father nearly killed by their kind? Your great uncle was practically mauled by them."
Kopa stood, shocked. "How'd you learn that?"
"Word travels." Nzuri growled. "I also know that your pretty little queen is the daughter of Scar's mate."
"Stop."
"Aren't you afraid your cubs will turn onto Scar?"
Kopa growled. "Stop.
"Your mate probably doesn't even care for you, she just has you around to do the dirty work!" Nzuri then stood. "She'll end up just like Scar!"
Kopa roared as he leapt towards her making her jump and stumble onto the water. The golden lion growled. "Never. Ever. Mention that name again. Scar is dead and my cubs will never end up like him."
Nzuri avoided his sharp gaze and looked down at her reflection in the water. Kopa snuffed and walked away to a spot under a fallen log. He snorted as he settled in before glancing at the cheetah who was walking out of the water. "We'll rest here for the night. I don't want to hear anymore about it."
Nzuri managed a nod before lying in her own spot.
Kopa took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
TLK
"Still no word?"
"His majesty, King Simba said that Prince Kion and his friends Fuli and Ono will be here tomorrow morning." Kidogo explained.
Malka frowned as he looked over to Vitani who fallen alseep just before Kidogo had arrived. The light of the moon shone only on her face as she lay in the den.
"That'll have to do, Kidogo. Good job." Malka said.
Kidogo raised an eyebrow. "Do you care for her?"
Malka cleared his throat. "I've heard her stories from Simba and Nala. She was practically neglected by her parents, had a rough childhood. Kopa was her very first friend and now he's lost. She could use another friend right about now."
"You're old enough to be her father."
"Maybe that's what she needs."
TLK
It was nearing midnight when Kopa awoke. His eyes scanned the darkness and saw that Nzuri was no longer in her spot. He groaned quietly and sat up. Save for a few animal noises, the jungle was quiet. The golden lion stood and looked around. "Nzuri?"
No answer came. Kopa frowned as he sniffed the air. The water was flowing, swiftly, undisturbed.
"Nzuri!" Kopa tried once more, not wanting to be too loud. Who knew what dangers lurked in darkness? Great Kings, she's gone ahead without me, he thought.
He felt his claws dig into the dirt as he unsheathed them in anger. He then frowned and took a deep breath. It is not worth getting angry about, he thought to himself. Perhaps this is better, I don't have to listen or argue. But I will definitely give her a firm talk once we are reunited.
Settled with this, he turned to go back to his spot when he nose picked up her scent. Je set out to follow it amd realized it was taking him up river. Then he found her. Lying on rock that lay just over the river with one paw in. A tear dropped from her eye and landed in the water.
Kopa swallowed as he approached. "Nzuri?"
Nzuri didn't acknowledge him as she spoke. "We never had a river like this."
Kopa frowned as he sat down.
"I don't remember much. I do remember a barren land. What little water we had was often gone the next day."
"You... you were there?"
"During your uncle's reign? Yes." She spat. Then she took a deep breath and looked down at the moon's reflection in the water. "My family and I stayed in a patch of tall, dry grass not far from Pride Rock. My father tried his best to provied for us, but between the lionesses, the hyenas and other predators, food was slim. More and more herds moved on or were eaten. My mother stayed with me and my brother."
"You had a brother?"
"Yes. Paka, was his name. That name now belongs to my, my son."
"What happened to him?"
Nzuri looked up, her eyes piercing through the darkness. "Hyenas." She growled. "I was assisting my father when we returned to my mother and brother. My mother... was in tears, unable to speak. It took my father several minutes to calm her down and get the story." A tear began to fall as she looked away. "My mother had fallen asleep and when she awoke, Paka was gone. She had searched and searched when she was confronted by the hyena leader, Shenzi, I think her name was. My mother demanded she tell her where her son is. And Shenzi did." Nzuri was near sobbing by now. "The hyenas had stolen my brother. We... we never saw him again..."
Kopa frowned as he walked over and nudged her shoulder. The cheetah then turned and sobbed as she leaned on his shoulder.
TLK
"Your majesty? Your majesty."
Vitani groaned as she opened her eyes to see Kidogo before her. "Kion, Fuli and Ono have arrived. They are outside with Tojo and Malka now."
The lioness sighed as she stood and followed the bird out of the cave to where she saw Kion standing beside Malka. His rusty red mane had now sprouted over his shoulders and more out of his chest.
"Vitani, how are you?"
"My mate is lost, Kion, how do you think I feel?" Vitani frowned at her own words. Kion has come to help, she reminded herself. "Sorry, kid, it's just... this is tough."
Kion smiled. "I know. That's why we're here. Ono is the Keenest of Sight, he can find Kopa."
The said bird then came to land on his shoulder. With a bow, he smiled. "Your majesty."
"Hi."
"They're ready to begin the search." Malka explained.
Vitani nodded. "Let's go."
"Not you, your highness." Fuli said as she appeared by Kion. "We got this. Don't worry."
"Fuli, good to see you again."
"And you."
"Right. Vitani, if you are up to it, Kula has brought an antelope to the den."
"That sounds wonderful."
"Go enjoy your meal. I want my nephews and/or neices to be strong." Kion winked.
Vitani smiled as she followed Malka whilst Kion and his friends started off with the rest of the pride.
Finally updated this story! Sorry for the wait!