Peace for the Soul ~ A Lion King Fanfiction

Chapter 19: Passage

"She's what!!" An angry Azaad screamed from his confinement,

'I knew I shouldn't have taken Heshima with me...'

"Azaad, sh-"

"I don't want to hear it outsider, you stole everything from me! And now rub it in my face by mating with the cheetah whom I loved!"

He angrily turns away,

"Azaad! She never loved you, she chose Duma over you because you were selfish, and now Kion because your greed and lust have driven you mad!" Heshima scolded as Azaad faced away from us,

'Geez, that was cold, even for him.'

"Azaad..." I try to start, though not sure if I could find the words,

"What could you possibly say to convince me of anything, outsider." His voice carries a sound of hurt anger...

"You can't fight fire with flame." I finally say after a long pause,

"You keep saying that! What the hell does it mean?!" He retorts,

"You have to find that out for yourself, just as I did." I calmly say, before turning to exit,

"There's more to you Azaad, I know it." I say as I pause in the entrance, only to hear no response.

"Some animals never change." Heshima states,

"I just don't want him to turn out like my great uncle." I respond,

"No, his spirit has gone out of him, there will be nothing left in due time." Heshima states coldly, to which I give a surprised look.

"Some animals never change, Kion. You must come to realize that. Now go gather the others, we are leaving at the rise of the moon." I nod in response.

News spread quickly about the coalition's first movement to the Pridelands. Surprisingly those who were selected to travel with us were rather optimistic about the journey. Bunga, Beshte and Ono in particular. Fuli and I were both disappointed when Heshima forbid her from the first journey, saying that while he trusted bringing young warriors, he didn't want to bring his pregnant daughter with him on the nearly month long journey just yet. Oh well, like I had a say in the matter, that cheetah's stubbornness matches my own, and then some.

"We're finally going to see other lands! Jambo!" Beshte cries out in excitement,

"I'm telling you, the Pridelands is gonna be un-bunga-lievable!" Bunga cheered in agreement,

"I just wonder if there's others like us." Ono squawked,

"Relax Ono, there's plenty like you there, you'll have flocks worth of egrets, and the keenest of sight lion in all of Africa." I reassured him, "That's right! We've got to meet the lion guard!" Bunga squealed in anticipation, "Relax Bunga, you'll all get to meet him, we just have to get there first." We shared something friendly banter for a few hours before we heard the signature chirps we were all to familiar with,

"Looks like it's time to go!" Beshte announced.

We made our way to the center of the valley, meeting up with Heshima and the other young warriors going on this journey. We all begin saying our goodbyes, that's when a certain cheetah walks up to me.

"Leaving so soon?" Fuli said with her beautiful smile,

"I'll be back by the time the little ones are born, I promise." As I begin to nuzzle her, quickly eyeing her belly, which seemed to grow by the day.

Her purrs put me almost instantly at ease, knowing how long it's been since I've been home, what will everyone think? I give Fuli one last long, sensual kiss on her forehead before Heshima signals us to move out, this is it, I'm going home.

Heshima had me lead the group to the Pridelands, as I had traveled the route most recently out of everyone, though I was sleep and food deprived for most of it. It would only take a few weeks to reach our destination. Impressively though I rarely needed Ono's assistance as I guided everythone through the jungle, to the desert and eventually to the backlands. The last noticeable land feature before the Pridelands.

I spy around for anything suspicious as Heshima takes the lead. Bringing his coalition into the Pridelands for the first time in many sunsets. However, something about this passage through the backlands wasn't right, it felt as if I was being watched by something...

Just then, as if on que, a rogue lion jumped out and lowered into an attack stance, this lion had dark fur, a black mane. 'Where have I seen him?' That's when I realize, his facial expressions don't carry looks of anger or hostility, but rather concern, even fear.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?!" He roars,

"My name is Kion, former leader of the lion guard, Prince of the Pridelands and of the last coalition. We have sought passage to pride rock, let us through." The Lion retracts his claws, but doesn't move.

"Kion, aren't you Kiara's brother?" The lion asks with a curious expression,

"Yes, what is it to you?" I respond, colder than intended,

"Kion, my name is Kovu. Your Father has slain the rogue pride. While me and my sister Vitani were lucky enough to escape, there was something different about Simba, even Kiara has warned me to stay away from him. We have been forced to meet in secret, though I haven't seen her in almost a week." He confesses,

"Kovu... wait, are you... you are the one Kiara chose as her mate?! The one she met all those years ago?" He nodded in response. "What do you mean there was something different about my father?" I hesitantly ask,

"He's not the Simba I once had believed he is, Kiara talked of him being a gentle and protective, yet fierce ruler. But, he seemed so angry when our prides clashed. No, not angry, livid. He fought showing no quarter, me and Vitani only escaped because Kiara distracted your father long enough for us to run."

"Dad, what are you doing!"

"What I have to do for my Pride, son! Do not question my judgement!"

"Father, this is unjust! These hyenas..."

"Silence, Kion!"

The haunting memories of that day mixed with Kovu's story paint a gruesome picture. The only question is why, why is my father turning into this, why are others suffering for it, and why has he not changed? I give Kovu a nod before running to catch up to the coalition, who by this point have already crossed into the Pridelands.

Heshima has to know this. If it's true, they aren't safe here! There is no telling what my Father is turning into, but it's not safe for the coalition to be around. I make my way up to the large rock formation, just like how I left it, that's when I see it, Heshima and Simba talking, at the edge of the rock. My father turns back to his pride after Heshima whispers something in his ear, and roars louder than ever, "My son has come home!"