Pride Tales: Princess Of The Guard

chapter 8: Duni

" glad your sister-in-law allowed you guys another break!" Zahara said as cheerfully and usual." Yeah I'm glad too." Vitani said in an odd tone. Zahara looked at her questioningly.
" Why does that sound weird coming out of your mouth?"
" I- don't know how to answer that question." Vitani replied almost laughing at her own ineptitude. The change in her attitude was more than enough to catch the attention of all the guard. Zahara however was more than pleased to see that her sister was at the very least trying to get in touch with a part of herself she'd never touched before.

After Vitani's metal break, Kiara thought it would be for the best if her and her guard had another small break. A small break was all Vitani needed to search for Duni, her and Zahara's older sister. The rest of the guard decided to tag along as well. Partly because they were also interested in Duni's whereabouts, but mostly because they were highly intrigued by Vita's change in how she held herself. With that the guard left to look for the lost sister, walking into the outlands.

Roaming the outlands they had many meetings with the locals, all of them friendly for the most part. Ever since Jasiri began her rule over the outlands it was slowly becoming a more and more hospitable place. Eventually they made it to the edge of the outlands. Wandering for a bit the guard got to talk to Vitani about her odd behaviour." I don't know what you guys are talking about." Vitani replied nonchalantly." There you did again!" Imara stated.
"Did what?"
"You smiled, but like- differently!"
" Okay, that-" is all the lioness could say in response before breaking out into a short chuckle." Okay, you guys might have a point. Like I said, I had a realisation."
" And that realisation changed everything about you?"
"I wouldn't put it like that."

"Hey guys?" Zahara said distracting the group from their questions.
"I think I found something."
Walking up to the lioness they quickly found out what was so intriguing about what she had found. It was a tuft of fur, nothing unusual, but what got their attention was Vitani's reaction to it, she had smelled it before and her face made that quite obvious." It isn't fresh, but it isn't old either." Tazama commented assuming that the Sent was indeed Duni.
" About a day or so."
" Well, even if we don't find her at least we know she's alive!" Shabaha added.

Continuing east they were getting less and less fimilar with their surroundings. Eventually they stumbled upon a watering hole. They'd be walking for awhile so the refreshment was more than welcomed however the sense that they were being watched was slowly crawling up Vitani's neck. She looked towards her friends. By the looks on their faces she could tell they had gotten that feeling as well. Vitani shrugged it off, if Duni or however was stalking them wanted to sneak up on them. The guard would be ready.

" I'm really starting to get tired." Imara said, lying her head on front legs." Glad it didn't take you too long before you started talking about sleep again." Kasi said poking fun at Imara.
The group giggled alittle. That short relaxation was all she needed. Vitani could hear the sound of grass rustling behind her. It was far to late however, her face being slammed I to the ground below with in seconds of giving whoever was attacking them a chance to strike. The guard were shocked, but quickly sprung into action. She was fast dodging most of there tackles and swings. Whoever it was had some experience fighting they knew that for sure.

Shabaha was able to grab onto the lioness, restraining her as much as her mouth could. This ended quickly as the lioness grabbed Shaba' with her paw thrusted her into the ground. She then grabbed the guard member and proceeded to violently throw her towards Vitani who had just gotten back on her feet, only to be shoved back down. Tazama was next up with Zahara close behind. It was hardly even a fight as the lioness trampled them into the ground and charging forward. At this point Vitani was tired of this, back on her feet again she faced the lioness head on.

Tackling it to the ground she is almost kicked off. Rolling back on her feet she is immediately clawed in the face.
Stumbling she can feel her head getting slammed into the ground once again. Kasi rushes in but is kicked away, the momentum she had built up getting detected towards Imara who was trying to get the lioness while she was distracted. Bringing her focus back to Vitani.
" Who are you and what do you want?"
All vita'could get out were gurgled mumbles as she found out that it's rather hard to speak when you're face is forced into the ground.

The lioness lifts it paw instead placing it on the her neck. It was just as uncomfortable, but at least she could speak." Nothing, we want nothing."
"Well-"
" Kasi please don't." Vitani asked, but it was to late. The lioness pressed onto her neck, she could barely breathe, but she didn't really have any say in that.
" Okay we're looking for someone."
" Who? Did Zira send you?"
"Zira's dead, at least we think she is."
The lioness face seemed to relax at that information, she finally asked." Who are you?"

"The lion guard."
" That's not what I asked. I want your name."
Vitani pondered for a moment. She could say her name Vitani, but she felt like say, well her real name, Akasiro. That name still didn't sit well with her. Mostly because it represented all of her doubt. About Zahara, about her conveniently forgot past. Even if this was Duni, what reason does Duni have to believe that Vitani was her sister, what reason does Vitani have to believe any of what Zahara says. All of this raced in her mind. The doubt she had been blissfully ignoring had finally made it's presence known.

"Vitani." She answered blankly.
The lionesses expression didn't change. Instead she decided to continue pressing down on Vita's neck. That wouldn't last long however as Vitani worked the strength to break free and take advantage of the lioness letting relaxation distract them. Swiping towards the lioness she only just misses her face, clipping her nostril. The lioness leaped back. While Vitani was pinned down the rest of the guard were able to surround the lioness. They weren't going to attack her one on one anymore, she'd violently proven that isn't going to work. They were ready to fight.

The lioness looked around before locking eyes with Zahara. She stopped for a second glancing back at Vitani. She could just barely see tears form below her eyes. She looks forward, she ran forward jumping over Imara who clawed at her stomach. A chase had began and while Vitani was still unsure about everything, she wasn't going to give up half way through and one thing was for show.
This is Duni.