As evening came around, Sarabi showed me an empty spot where I could bed down for the night. I asked, face bright red, if she could bring my bag over. She smiled and did so.

With difficulty, I laid out my blanket on the ground and used my bag as a pillow, trying to take up as little space as possible. I didn't want to encroach on any lion's spot. Tucking my back against the wall, I curled into the fetal position and tried to go to sleep.

…

…

…

Just

...

How loud could lions snore?

It was way past midnight and I only found myself growing agitated as time went on.

'This isn't working.' I quietly got up and grabbed my coat. I slipped past the sleeping beasts and exited the cave. Standing at the entrance, I looked around. It had stopped raining, leaving the ground and rock wet. I decided to walk up the ledge, leading to the second highest point on Pride Rock.

It was taller than I thought, so while I stood so I could see into the dark distance, I didn't get within ten feet of the edge itself. I felt the chilly breeze rustle my clothing and hair. Because of my injuries, I simply draped my coat over my shoulders. I sighed and looked up to the stars.

"Why was I your choice?" I asked quietly, hoping the words would carry on the wind all the way to the stars. I pulled out Leone, feeling the familiar metal and plastic on my grasp. It was too dark to see the details etched into it, but I didn't need to.

"What are we going to do? I can't fight more than a dozen people. Not if they're armed." If they were just Bladers I would've laughed and told Mufasa to send someone who wasn't even in the fight with Rago. It would just waste our time. But it would only take one mistake, one slip up, and a single bullet could kill me. "At least Rago was hard to miss with his obnoxious laughter…"

"Who is Rago?" I spun around so fast I almost lost my balance. Squinting, I saw a lioness standing a few feet off.

"Uh, someone you'll never meet," I answered quickly, cursing my lack of tact. Again. These lions were seriously throwing me off.

"I should hope not. If you had to fight them, they don't sound like a very nice human." I glanced off to the side.

"Understatement of the century…" I refocused on the lioness in front of me. "I'm sorry, but humans can't see well in the dark, who are you?"

"Nala." Not even the nightly savanna breeze could cool my face from the heat of embarrassment.

"Right." I fought the sudden urge to swan dive off the cliff.

"Did you have a hard time sleeping?"

"Asks the mother," I returned good naturedly. She snorted.

"This is the only time where Kiara is guaranteed to sleep for a long time. I'll take it whether I'm awake or asleep." I snorted myself.

"Fair point."

"What's weighing on you?" She asked. I saw her tilting her head.

"Everything?" I supplied before continuing, "I don't see how a single human can take on almost two dozen armed humans."

"Don't, you have arms as well?" I let out a short chuckle at her confusion.

"I do, but I wasn't talking about my limbs. Which are completely useless right now, anyways."

"Then how do they have arms, but you don't?"

"Humans lack natural weapons like you do. Proper claws and sharp teeth. We have had to make things to help us hunt." I continued to explain as best I could without scaring her. Guns were dangerous and needed a healthy amount of respect, but striking fear into her would only put her in danger if she ever came across a poacher.

The conversation petered out and we just enjoyed the peace and quiet. As the dawn graced us with a barely brightening sky, Nala let out a yawn. I smiled.

"Come on, you should probably get to bed for the last bit of the night," I suggested. Her half lidded eyes bobbed in agreement and we walked back into the cave. She laid down next to Simba and I laid back on my blanket.

I'd need to break out my sleeping pad for the future. I liked roughing it as it meant less stuff to clean up after each night. But I was sleeping on straight up rock. I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes, trying to slip into some form of meditation.

Sadly, not long after I settled, the first lions started moving, stretching and letting out roaring yawns. I took a long, slow breath as I just tried to ignore them. It was going to take some getting used to.

I heard someone approaching me and opened my eyes. It was Simba. I sat up and nodded to him, wincing when I placed my arms on my knees out of habit.

"James, how are you?"

"I couldn't sleep," I said with a shrug. "Apparently Nala couldn't either, so we sat outside and chatted for a while." His brow furrowed a little.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm just not used to sleeping near a bunch of predators, that's all."

"Alright." He didn't look very sure, but must have decided not to push it. "I'm going on my morning rounds. If you are up to it, would you like to join me?" I perked up a little at that.

"Sure, why not." I got up and we stepped outside. It was a beautiful morning, now that I could see more colors filling in the landscape. Leone mentally nudged me, letting me know it was going to be a cooler day.

While he couldn't speak to me with words, he was able to conjure thoughts into my mind. Images, intents, emotions, things like that.

He never would tell me how he did it, only sending feelings of amusement at me every time. I eventually gave up and accepted that we could communicate at all. Some Bladers weren't so lucky. Even Gingka Hagane and Cosmic Pegasus didn't really communicate unless they were in battle. Or getting excited for one.

Simba and I made our way along their invisible border, making small talk as we went.

A blue bird with an orange beak landed on a tree nearby and bowed low.

"Good morning Sire, might I add a beautiful day as we-!" The bird let out a squawk upon seeing me and ducked behind the tree. "S-Sire! Behind you!" Simba's head whipped over his shoulder, only to sigh when our eyes met. I couldn't help but chuckle at the exasperation on his face.

"He's with me, Zazu, calm down," Simba said, sitting where he was.

"B-but Sire, I must object!" The bird fluttered down to Simba's feet, hopping once or twice. "That is man!" He harshly whispered, pointing a wing at me.

"I know. Something's come up. He's going to be staying with the pride for a while." I swore the bird was going to pass out right there. Simba turned to me. "This is Zazu, my adviser." He finished with a glance down at the shaking ball of feathers. I mentally snorted before crouching down and smiling.

"Hi," I ignored the way the little guy jumped, "My name is James."

"Sire, does, does it understand us?!" My smile fell and I tilted my head.

"It's rude to talk about someone when they're right in front of you," I deadpanned. The bird promptly fainted, wing on his forehead and everything. I blinked before glancing up at Simba from my crouched position. "Oops…" Simba just shook his head before urging me forward.

««{{}}»»

"You do that every day?" I asked, sitting down and stretching my legs out in front of me. We were near the base of the entirety of Pride Rock.

"I actually get the entire territory done by midday. But with your condition, I didn't want to push you." I glanced up at the sky. The sun was about halfway to its peak.

"That's fair. I can't walk as far as I normally do," I said with a slight grimace. My body was putting most of my energy towards healing. He nodded before turning towards the cave.

"I need to check on the hunting groups. I'll be right back." He padded up the trail. My thoughts wandered numbly as I watched a herd of elephants move in the distance.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when a snarl came from behind me. My head whipped around to see one of the lionesses staring at me with red eyes. It was the same lioness that had tried to attack me the day before.

"What do you think you're doing, man?" The lioness snarled. I stood up and stepped back.

"Sorry, I didn't know this was your rock." I turned and walked away. I could feel her look of shock on my back. I found another place to sit.

"Don't turn your back on me!" The lioness growled, louder this time as she walked over to me. I turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Watch your tone!" She snapped, her hackles raising. "You may have tricked the others, including that poor excuse of a king Simba, but don't think for a moment that you've tricked me!"

"Look, whatever you're getting at, you've got it all wrong. As soon as those poachers are gone, I'm gone. I-!"

"How do we know you haven't brought them here? How do we know you aren't some sort of spy?!" Her eyes had this crazy look hidden in them. I paused, more wary of her.

Then her words sunk in. A scowl carved across my face. I felt Leone growl in my mind.

"I would never."

"That's exactly what a spy would say!" She retorted.

"You don't have to trust me. In fact, I'm not expecting you to. I'm a stranger in your lands, in your home. But don't you ever lump me in with those scumbags. They hunt for sport, for money! I will never be like them!"

"James, Zira, what's going on?" When did Sarabi get there? I turned and stormed off before the conversation escalated further.

Some minutes later, I found myself alone near the water hole. I paced as Leone's agitation bled into and mixed with my own. He wanted to blow off some steam.

"I know, Leone. I want to as well. But I can't." He growled in my ear and I mentally swatted at him. "You're not helping," I snapped.

"Sorry, I'll leave," A deep voice said. I whirled around, only to see an elephant standing about fifteen feet away. I was really out of it if a creature of their stature could sneak up on me.

"No! Not you!" I panicked, holding up my hands, not wanting them to misunderstand. "I'm sorry, I was thinking out loud." I stepped to the side so they could access the water. The massive creature hesitated before stepping over to the pond.

I took a few more steps away, not wanting to invade their personal space. Which, for a creature of their size, could probably be large.

I sank back into my thoughts, trying to dispel the anxious ball that had been growing in my chest. I couldn't wait till I could hold a launcher again.

"Are you okay?" I looked up at the elephant, who's trunk had lowered from its mouth.

"Just, had a bad misunderstanding." I sighed. I heard a sound that could have been a grunt, but I wasn't sure.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are you?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm a human. My name is James." The elephant had no outward reaction aside from a flap of its ears.

"I've never heard of a human before. My name is Azizi. I am the bull of the local elephant herd," He said.

"It's nice to meet you." I bowed my head for a second. He lifted his trunk towards me, only to stop half way between us.

"Do you mind?" I shook my head. His trunk reached out and he investigated me for a minute, poking and sniffing, though he was very respectful about it. He paused at the leaf wrappings. "You were in a bad fight."

"Wild dogs. They wanted a fresh meal." He made another sound in his throat.

"They tend to pick on the smaller creatures more than us." His eyes squinted and he took a step towards me.

'This isn't intimidating at all…' I thought as his shadow fell over me.

"I recognize those wrapping. You went to Rafiki?"

"You know that crazed mandrill?" I asked, surprised. He let out a series of sounds that I realized was laughter.

"Yes, I know him all too well. He helps anyone in the savanna that needs it." I looked down at my arms.

"I owe him my life," I muttered.

"I owe him mine as well." His trunk pressed against his shoulder. "A hyena attack left my shoulder nearly disabled. My herd managed to fend them off while I made it to Rafiki's tree. If he hadn't healed me, I wouldn't be speaking to you."

"Well, I'm glad we both survived."

"I am as well. Tell me, what are you doing so far into the savanna? I've never seen your kind before."

"I was going on a journey. I travel to gain strength."

"Commendable, but dangerous." I glanced at my arms again.

"I'm not normally caught off guard," I spat, more frustrated with myself than anything else.

"We all make mistakes," Azizi said calmly, resting his trunk on my shoulder. I sighed.

"I know, but I'm not one to be so unaware of my surroundings."

"You didn't notice me approach you."

"And that could have gotten me killed," I pointed out.

"It could have," He agreed. "But you are alive and healing. Be grateful for what you have." His trunk gripped my shoulder before lifting off. "Remember to cherish what is right in front of you. You never know when it will disappear." I looked up at him.

"You're right. Thank you."

"Of course. I must return to my herd, but it was good to meet you."

"You as well." He turned to go, but I remembered something. "Oh! Azizi?" He looked at me. "If you see any more of my kind, could you let one of the lions know?"

"Of course. Is your family around here?"

"No. If you do see them, please avoid them. They're not here for a conversation."

"Are they a threat to the Pridelands?"

"Possibly. I'm here to stop them if they are." He observed me for a few moments before bobbing his head.

"I will inform the lions if I see any other humans." I nodded in return.

"Thank you. Stay safe." He flapped his ears before wandering back to his herd a ways off. I turned back to Pride Rock.

"Well. That happened." I began walking back, figuring it would be best before Simba sent out a search party.

««{{}}»»

I arrived just as Simba and a lioness reached the base of Pride Rock.

"…a few lionesses to check the surrounding area. He couldn't have gone far." He looked a bit worried.

"No need!" I called out to him. He looked up with relief, dismissing the lioness before trotting over.

"Thank goodness you're okay. Sarabi told me you got in a fight with Zira and I could only think the worst."

"She doesn't trust or like me, but I'm not expecting her to. As long as she doesn't actually attack me, there's not much she can do."

"Zira thinks you're a spy for the poachers." I grimaced.

"That did get under my skin more than I would've liked. But, in the end, they are words."

"In the future, try not to run off, especially if Sarabi, Nala or I are there to help." His brow was tense. I nodded.

"I think I can work with that."

"Come on, the hunting party just got back." I followed him up to the cave, where the rest of the pride was eating their share of a few zebra. I stepped into the cave and dug through my gear. My food prepping gear wasn't much more than a small, portable stove, a fire starting kit, and a few utensils. But it functioned perfectly well.

I grabbed one of my prepacked meals, not wanting to deal with the hassle of the stove, and went back outside. I wouldn't need the fire for this one and I'd rather not make a mess of their home. I sat against the rock wall just outside the cave and did my best not to listen to the tearing of flesh and the snapping of bones.

"James?" I looked up from my meal to see Simba looking at me. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I am. I've got my own food," I said, holding up my sandwich. He nodded after a second and went back to his conversation with Nala. I heard Zira off to my left make some snide comment about me being too good for their food and looked over.

"One of the few downsides of being human, raw meat can make us sick. Fortunately, we traded that in for opposable thumbs." I shot her a thumbs up. She could only scowl at me before gnawing on a bone. I simply went back to my meal, unbothered by her taunt. She was going to dig at me whenever possible, it seemed. I'd have to not let it get to me if I wanted to survive until I could go home.

Once I was done, I stepped down to the base of Pride Rock and found a good spot of dirt and began digging. After it was a good foot deep, I tossed the trash in and covered it up, stomping on it a few times for good measure. I only bought biodegradable packaging for that exact reason. Bury it, and no animals will get it while it decomposes unless they're desperate.

I turned, only to freeze when I saw a dozen and a half lions watching me.

"Uh…"

"What were you doing?" One of them ask.

"Burying my leftovers so some random animal doesn't try to eat them."

"Why would you waste food like that?" Another scoffed in disbelief.

"It's not food. It's what the food was wrapped in. It's inedible." One of the lionesses walked over and sniffed the spot.

"Such a strange habit…" She noted before looking at me, seeming to fear I would take offense. I just shrugged.

"I'm strange to you all." I walked back to the cave and put away my trowel.

Sarabi offered to show me a place to relax for the rest of the day and I agreed. So her, another lioness named Sarafina, and I all lazed about in the shade of a few trees. Casual conversation floated up through the leaves and I found myself eventually drifting off in a peaceful slumber.