Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Ashanti and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Ashanti: Peace Of Milele Chapter 16

So far, the strategy is working, and laying low after that violent altercation with the Outsiders is paying off. While the Outsiders are scouring the valley for them, the trio have so far managed to avoid them thanks to the increased distance provided to them by the river.

A small bit of luck was sent their way, which has proven to be very advantageous and beneficial for them.

Unfortunately, this probably won't last for very long.

As they reach the edge of the Valley of Kings they're moving into more open ground and less heavy foliage to provide them with natural cover. At some point there won't be enough good hiding spots left to conceal themselves should the Outsiders suddenly come upon them in an unexpected ambush.

Mufasa, Ashanti, and Taka will just have to push on and think ahead for that.

There's one other troublesome problem they have to contend with.

And that's Ashanti's due date that is getting closer and closer to them.

The longer they're stuck traveling this way then the more risk there is for her pregnancy the more it progresses.

They need something to improve the situation soon. Can't afford any more setbacks.

You see they want the cubs to be raised in a safe and secure place and being constantly on the run from an imminent threat is not a proper setting for a pregnant mother to deliver a newborn.

Milele is the ideal home for a cub to grow up. All they have to do is get there.

Time is their enemy in this case.

Already, conditions are taking their toll.

The hare Mufasa caught for her may have sated Ashanti's hunger cravings for now, feeding the cubs nutrition, but it'll only hold over for oh so long.

Ashanti's losing too much weight at an exuberant rate and not in a good way.

Sooner or later poor Ashanti is gonna crash. Her natural endurance is going to reach its limitations and give out.

They need to find more food. The small morsels, Mufasa and Taka do manage to snag aren't going to be enough. There's barely anything left to share between the three as it is with the majority going to Ashanti.

But that can wait till later. There is still some time before it becomes way too serious to ignore.

Currently, all the twins have to deal with is Taka's condescending boasting that he saved Mufasa's life again, coming to his rescue for the umpteenth time.

"I did it again. I did it again," said Taka, cheekily. "Not that I'm counting, but I saved your hide again!" Taka laughs heartily. "As much as it kills you to say it, let's hear a little 'Thank you, Taka'."

"You want me to thank you for pushing me off a waterfall," guffawed Mufasa.

Gleefully, Taka said "Yes, and you're welcome. Look, it's not my fault that crocodiles are simply attracted to you."

Chortling, swiping a paw at him, Ashanti said "Taka, don't say that."

The three of them then break down into peals of good-natured laughter.

"I did it again. I did it again…," said Taka, trailing off and becoming alert at the same time as Ashanti when they saw Mufasa crouch low and look fixedly into the long grass intently.

Mufasa has seen something.

"Mufasa," said Ashanti, guard up instantly.

"Shh," hushed Mufasa.

Hurrying over to his side, Taka said "Is it, is it them? Is it the Outsiders?"

Shaking his head, Mufasa said "No, she's right there."

Exchanging a baffled look with Ashanti, questionably, Taka said "She?"

Opening her mouth to test the air around them, Ashanti figures out what Mufasa has discovered slight rustling sounds from nearby only confirm it.

There's another female lion nearby, not of them and most definitely not an Outsider.

A lone female the same age as those in the group called Sarabi, was displaced by the Outsiders just as they were.

Creeping into the underbrush in hot pursuit, following what he perceives to be the females shadow, confidently, Mufasa said "There's no place to run. We have your scent."

Mockingly, Sarabi taunted "My scent. I've been stalking you three all night."

All night?

This leaves Ashanti stumped.

If this lone female has truly been tracking them that long then she must've been carefully positioning herself where she's downwind of them, shifting whenever the wind drifts in a new direction.

Very clever.

Ashanti would raise her hat to this fellow intelligent female if she actually had one.

Even without seeing her, Ashanti already can tell she likes this female. Especially considering what the stranger pulls next, and Ashanti stands witness to.

Mufasa goes after the individual in order to herd her over to where Taka and Ashanti are. Instead, Sarabi expertly outsmarts him and Taka both, skillfully outmaneuvering them with elegant and impressive grace. As a result, believing he's tracking the stranger, Mufasa makes a precise pounce at Taka causing the latter to scream in response.

A silence follows.

Ashanti bursts out into laughter, rolling onto her back and kicking her legs into the air, eyes alight with mirth.

"That's embarrassing," muttered Taka, sheepishly.

"Yeah, well, I, uh, meant to do that," said Mufasa, awkwardly.

Snorting in amusement, Ashanti said "Yeah, right."

Looking around for their quarry, Taka said "Where'd she go?"

None of them can see her.

"Still think I'm afraid," said Sarabi, smugly, emerging from the long undergrowth, stepping forward into the moonlight, body language nonaggressive just caution.

This Sarabi is a lovely female with a sandy coat and sporadic gold speckles in her coat.

"Why are you following us," ventured Mufasa, approaching her.

Maintaining a cautious distance, Sarabi answered "I was hoping to find my pride."

"What happened to them," prodded Mufasa.

Eyes burning in remembrance of the travesty that befell her pride, Sarabi said "The Outsiders happened. A few of us got away, but you're the only lions I've seen." You can easily tell the disappointment in her tone. It's clear that she's been searching for a while which makes Ashanti feel bad for her. At least, Ashanti has Taka and Mufasa to keep her company. This other female doesn't appear to have anybody left. "You three better keep moving."

"Wait, please," said Taka, moving to stand in front of the lone female to prevent her from leaving, clearing his throat as he extended an inviting paw of friendship. "My name is Taka, Son of Obasi. This is my mate Ashanti and our brother Mufasa. What's your name?"

"Sarabi," said Sarabi.

"Well, Sarabi, we, too, know what it's like to lose everything. Come with us. We can help you. With the Outsiders on the prowl, there's strength in numbers, much safer to travel in a group than alone."

Watching this encounter, Ashanti smiles. She sees Eshe peaking out from Taka in his manner addressing this female.

Distrust and pride leading her actions, a bite to her tone of voice, dismissively, Sarabi said "I don't need any help."

In bemusement, Taka said "But, you don't have anyone."

That's not quite true.

Flying down from the canopy, a male hornbill said "She does indeed have someone. Thank you very much."

Standing protectively over him, eyes narrowed in warning, Sarabi said "That's Zazu, my scout. Don't eat him."

Snootily, Zazu said "You heard her. Do not eat me. As a recent addition to the King's Royal Guard, I must kindly ask you three to move on. Thank you for stopping by."

Haughtily, Taka said "Your King hired a bird to protect you?"

"How high can you fly," braved Sarabi, stubbornly.

"She's right, My Love. Someone with wings would make an excellent scout to check for danger. They can see far more in the sky than below," said Ashanti.

Taka had the decency to appear partially apologetic at his rude presumption from Ashanti's light scolding.

Releasing a pleased hum under her breath, Sarabi said "Huh, glad to see at least one of you has a brain."

Now both boys look affronted, Ashanti muffling a giggle at their humorous expressions.

"Look, I needed a scout and Zazu was the last option," explained Sarabi, a touch contrite.

Proudly, prattling on about his new promotion in station, puffing his feathers, Zazu said "Well, next to last. Between Albert the iguana and I, his majesty decided on the underling with wings and thus, I became the lead scout for the Princess."

"You're a princess," asked Ashanti, ears pricking with interest.

"I am," said Sarabi.

Continuing as if he hadn't been interrupted by Ashanti's inquiry, cordially, Zazu said "It's my third day going swimmingly. If I do say so myself. Sarabi, you can say so as well."

"How far do you think you'll get with a bird," said Mufasa.

"How far do you two geniuses think you'll get stumbling around running into each other," retorted Sarabi.

Yearningly, Mufasa said "All the way to Milele."

Apparently, Sarabi doesn't share the same sentiments about the fabled paradise.

Scoffing, frustratedly, Sarabi denied "Milele is nothing but a myth."

"It's not a myth," argued Mufasa.

"Circle of Life and fairy tale herds. You're chasing something that doesn't exist," said Sarabi, harshly.

As Sarabi and Mufasa are arguing with each other Ashanti is focused on something else. Taka is eyeing Zazu with hunger, licking his chops in his eagerness for a meal however small.

Spotting the male lion eyeing him hungrily, hopping to the opposite side of Sarabi to get out of reach of him, Zazu said "Honestly. As if."

Whacking him in beratement with her tail, reproachfully, Ashanti said "Taka."

"What," said Taka, blithely.

Passionately, Mufasa said "I don't know that Milele exists or not. Right now, it's the only hope we have. We just need to reach a safe place. My sister will be giving birth soon. She needs to do so in a place where the Outsiders can't get to us."

Snapping her head toward Ashanti, Sarabi said "You're carrying cubs?"

Nodding, Ashanti said "I am."

Lovingly nudging Ashanti on the shoulder, Taka said "The start of our new pride. I meant what I said Sarabi, the offer stands true. Come with us."

Sarabi now seems to be seriously thinking it over.

After a few seconds, Sarabi said "Hope is a fine thing. But we don't need hope, we need food." A loud rumble from Ashanti's stomach can be heard, catching Sarabi's attention. "And you do, too."

Barks and distressed yaks from dozens of baboons then fill the air.

Taking off into the air in alarm, Zazu said "There's trouble in the trees. My first real trouble and I am going to pass. Not going. I am staying right here. Thank you."

Not sharing the hornbills' inhibitions, Mufasa rushes off in the direction where the sounds are coming from.

Bouncing on his paws in anticipation of a decent meal, Taka said "Come on, Sarabi. Looks like there's dinner headed our way."

Coming down to speak to his charge, Zazu said "Sarabi, if I may, he makes a valid point to your Highness. But, on the other hand, he's a starving lion who wants to eat me, so I am slightly torn."

Having hung back to see what choice Sarabi would make, motioning with her tail for the other female to join them, warmly, Ashanti said "Are you coming?"

That decides it.

Hunger wins out and Sarabi goes with Ashanti to catch up with the boys.

"I think that went quite well. All things considered," said Zazu, positively.

Subsequently, it most certainly did in these mitigating circumstances.

Their small pride is growing already.

Authors Note:

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.