As Eshe and Sherise vanished from sight, Jashua's black rimmed ear twitched at the sound of pawsteps.

"I'm not sure what you see in her, but if I were you, I'd be careful. That Outsider is only trying to manipulate you."

Jashua's smile faded, and he quietly groaned. Not again. He turned to meet Nala's gaze. "That's not true. I'm telling you that you don't know her. Not like I do."

His younger sister scoffed. "Yeah, right. You can't trust her! You know what mommy says: 'Never turn your back on an Outsider.'"

"If she wanted to hurt me, she would have done so by now!"

"You're far too trusting!"

"And you're far too suspicious of others!"

Nala growled softly, "Yeah, well, as the leader of the lion guard I have to always be cautious." then she narrowed her teal eyes. "Besides what are you going to tell her about Olisa and Alejandro?"

Jashua's orange eyes widened as his breath got caught in his throat. Of course he hasn't forgotten about his ex or his son. It was beyond convenient for Zaidi and Olisa to take Alejandro to visit Avaloria and meet his family from there.

Jashua shook his head before glaring at his sister. "In due time I'll tell her about them."

Nala went to respond but their father cut her off, surprising both of them. They hadn't even noticed he had been approaching them.

"Jashua. Nala." As they turned to face their father, they both felt like young cubs. Both of them shifted awkwardly in response to their father's disapproving gaze. "That's enough. I believe Sherise is who she says she is. She's certainly nothing like Chumvi or Mufasa."

"But Daddy–"

"Nala. Enough. I believe that your mother will warm up to her. You know how hard it is for her to trust others. As for your brother's... situation, when the right moment arises he'll tell her." Mheetu sighed. "Why don't the two of you spend some time with your brother? Spend some quality sibling time. Because when this trial period is over, you won't be able to spend a lot of time together as Jashua will be starting his again."

They both nodded and went in search of Askari.

Meanwhile…

"You see, Mufasa couldn't let go of his hatred. In the end, it destroyed him," Eshe said, her face carefully blank.

Sherise was stunned. "I've...I've never heard Mufasa's story this way."

The lionesses were walking through the recently burned area of the Pride Lands. The young brownish lioness kept her emotions in check, not wanting to reveal that the fire hadn't been an accident.

Eshe would never forgive her, no matter what explanation she gave, for endangering her son.

"No…I doubt you would have. After I became queen, I exiled your family because they was devoted to Mufasa. As your brother attempted to murder Jashua and succeeded in murdering a lion that was very important to me. I'd like to believe you're not like them." Eshe finally turned to face the younger lioness. "That you're not like your father."

Sherise took a deep breath. No, she wasn't her mother or brother. Definitely not like her father. She no longer wanted to follow Chumvi's plan. Not after Jashua had shown her another way.

"Eshe…I have something I need to tell you."

"Shhh," the light brown lioness said, looking around cautiously. "I thought I heard something."

Sherise was confused, but a soft crack told her the queen was right. They weren't alone.

A familiar cackle rang out. Dread gripped Sherise as shadowy figures emerged from the mist and slowly encircled them.

"Oh, no…no!" Sherise muttered, tensing her muscles as she and Eshe looked back and forth frantically.

The Outsiders growled as Chumvi emerged, flanked by Vitani, Mbamba, Zuri and Simba.

"Why, Eshe…"

"Chumvi," Eshe growled, her muscles tensing.

"What are you doing out here, and so…alone?" the dark brown lion chuckled. He turned to face his sister with a proud grin. "Well done, Sherise. Just as we always planned."

Eshe rounded on her. "You!"

Sherise took a step back, but before she could defend herself, her brother gave the order. "Attack!"

The Outsiders began to attack Eshe. Sherise snarled. She couldn't and wouldn't stand by while they murdered Jashua's mother. Not anymore. But before she could do anything to help the queen, she found her way blocked by her brother and half-sister.

"Zuri. Simba. Get out of my way," Sherise snarled.

Simba snarled as he lashed out at her. "After what we saw this morning, Chumvi and Mother suspected you were softening, so Chumvi ordered us to keep you out of it." He flexed his claws. "After all, would someone loyal to our cause tell the Prince she loved him?"

Sherise's purple eyes widened. They knew. She squared her shoulders. She could argue that it was all part of the plan. But it wasn't. Because it was true. She loved Jashua. And if that meant defying her family…then so be it.

"You're right. I'm not loyal. Not anymore," the brownish lioness snarled, lunging at her siblings.

"I never imagined you'd turn traitor!" Zuri taunted as she struck out. Despite this, she could sense the underlying hurt in her words. She grimaced. She didn't want to hurt anyone of her siblings…but she refused to give up her newfound happiness.

"Because there's a better way!" Sherise shouted as she deflected the orange-tan lioness' blow. At least she was a clumsy fighter—slow and easy to avoid. She easily shoved Zuri away from her before shifting her focus to Simba.

Her twin was just as skilled as she was in combat, and with his rage fueling him, he was a formidable opponent.

"Oh, and that way is loving the Prince?!" Simba snarled as he swiped his paw at her. "How can you love him?! It's because of his mother that we live like this!"

"No, we live like this because Chumvi and our mother can't let go of the past!" Sherise growled, avoiding his strike. "Father was a murderer who was always after what was never his! I want a better life, but not like this! Not anymore!"

Zuri snarled, but she was cut off by a shout. They turned around just in time to see Eshe fall into the gorge.

"Well, your precious queen is as good as dead now, so I'd get lost, traitor," Zuri said as she turned back to her sister.

"Yes!" exclaimed Chumvi as the Outsiders descended on Eshe. "We've got her!" the dark brown, dark red mane lion returned his gaze to his siblings. "Zuri! Simba! With me!"

"What about her?" Simba asked, tilting his head towards Sherise.

Chumvi's orange eyes were cold as he regarded his sister, who was glaring at him defiantly. "Leave her. We have our main target. She's no longer of any use to me." he turned and jumped into the gorge, calling out instructions as he followed his pride. "Remember your training! As a unit!"

Simba and Zuri followed, leaving Sherise alone. She snarled in frustration. She had to do something! She closed her eyes and listened for a few moments. Muffled shouts and growls could be heard. A realization struck her. They were chasing Eshe towards the dam. She dashed in that direction, hoping she could do something to help.

...

Down in the gorge, Eshe had reached the dam. She looked up, panting, and was relieved to see that the log pile led to the top of the gorge. Daring to look back, her heart stopped for a moment as she saw the Outsiders, Chumvi and his three siblings at the front, charging towards her.

Eshe summoned the last of her strength and began to climb the logs, fighting through the pain. She ached, and the wounds she bore stung, but she refused to die like this.

When she put one of her back legs on a log, it shifted and fell, jarring her injuries. Hearing a crash, she grunted and looked over her shoulder to see the Outsiders glaring up at her.

Panting, Eshe looked back up, snarling softly when she saw Sherise standing there.

"Eshe!" the brownish lioness called.

"Get her, Sherise! This is your chance! Do it! Now!" Eshe faintly heard Chumvi's order.

Instead of attacking her, Sherise frowned and ran off. Eshe couldn't care less about where she was going as she continued to struggle up the dam.

Vitani climbed the log pile after Eshe, growling. "I'll do it! For you, brother!" she continued up the logs, calling back, "Brother, are you watching?"

Eshe gasped softly as she nearly lost her footing. She'd just regained it when she felt claws sink into one of her back legs. Pain shot up her leg, and she grunted as she attempted to shake off the younger lioness.

"This is my moment of glory!" the tan lioness growled, grinning. The log she was standing on gave a loud crack. "What? No!" she shouted and let go of Eshe as she fell.

Simba looked horrified as Vitani's mother, Zira shouted, "No!"

Vitani grunted as a log landed on her.

Eshe made it to the top of the gorge, kicking more logs down the pile. She was tired and only vaguely heard a scream and a crash. Now that she was safe, she took a few moments to catch her breath before fleeing.

Bottom of the Gorge

As the dust settled, Sherise arrived at the bottom of the gorge. She began removing logs from Vitani, only to be pushed aside by Zira, who frantically removed the last few logs.

"Vitani," the dark tan lioness whispered as she uncovered her daughter.

Vitani coughed before weakly saying, "I'm sorry, M-Mother. I tried."

Zira reached down and gently cradled her daughter's head. "Shh," she soothed.

Vitani's eyes gradually closed, and she went limp in Zira's paw. Zira drew back slowly, letting Vitani's head rest on the logs, and looked down at her, in sorrow.

From behind, Simba approached Zira, his face stricken with grief as he whispered, "Vitani..." He bowed his head, his dark red mane concealing his sorrowful expression.

Sherise, overcome with grief, closed her eyes. Her heart hurt knowing her big sister was gone. "Vitani..." she mumbled, bowing her head.

~TLK~

Jashua and Nala laughed at the story Askari was telling them. It was nice to spend time with his sister and brother like this. It took his mind off his mother and Sherise, as well as his other.. dilemma. Jashua found that time flew by.

When they heard the sound of flapping wings, they all looked up to see Arella.

"Hello Arella! Did you need something?" Nala called.

"No, princess. Your grandmother, the Queen Mother sent me to look for your mother and our...guest. They've been gone for longer than expected."

Jashua frowned. Arella's startled exclamation drew their attention forward before he could say anything.

Eshe was limping towards them, covered in wounds. Sherise was nowhere to be seen.

"No…" Nala gasped.

Jashua was the first to recover from his shock, ordering, "Arella, get Rafiki! Tell him he needs to get to Pride Rock as soon as possible! Once that's done, alert my father and the pride!"

"Oh, yes! Help! Of course, at once!" Arella yelped as she took flight.

Jashua, Nala and Askari dashed to their mother's side.

When Eshe heard them, she paused, looking up wearily at them.

"Mother…" Nala nuzzled the light brown lioness, pulling back when she grunted. Her teal eyes were filled with worry and fear.

"Mother, what happened?" Askari asked, horrified by the wounds on his mother's body.

"Sherise...ambush..." was all Eshe could manage before collapsing, groaning in pain.

"No…" Jashua whispered, feeling his world shatter. "She would never..."

Askari nudged him. "We can deal with Sherise later. Right now, we need to get mother back to Pride Rock."

Jashua took a deep breath and nodded. "Do you think you can carry her on your back if Nala and I support you on either side?"

Askari nodded. It took a moment, but Eshe was eventually settled on Askari's back, with Jashua and Nala on either side, helping to lighten the burden. They began their slow journey back to Pride Rock.

Jashua was acutely aware of the other animals watching them as they walked. Out of shock and concern for the queen's condition, a number of them followed the small group.

Despite his concern for his mother, Jashua's mind kept returning to the same question: Sherise, where are you?