Pride Tales: Princess Of The Guard

chapter 10: Before the fall

The sunset kingdom was one a prosperous land many years ago,at the they were the most powerful kingdom on the continent. This power got to the kings and queens heads. They thought that they could take what they wanted, when they wanted. So one day they declared war on a another kingdom. What the kingdom was called isn't quite important, but what is important is that they underestimate the power of their enemies. That war lasted for 10 years. Through several generations. Akina was born during the ending years of that war. When the war finally ended she was a young adult, battle hardened, but gentle.

Being the last remaining member of the sunset royal family, it was on her to lift Sunset back from the ashes. And at first she seemed as if she was. Until one day, she met someone.

Akina was walking through the open fields staring of into the lands. She found it quite calming. And it took her mind off the horrors she had seen. Her parents, siblings. Her thoughts were cut off by the site of a small band of rouge lions. She wasn't sure of who they were, but she didn't want to risk Letting them steal the few remaining gazelle herds left in Sunset.
"Hello there." She greeted nicely, trying to avoid a aggressive reaction.
What seemed to be the leader of the rogues walked forward." Your highness! Sorry if me and my friends here are disrupting something. We'll be on our way."

The lion kept eye contact with her. He was confident, but understanding, at least at the time he was. Akina was intrigued by his kindness. So she entertained the idea of letting them stay." Well you seem polite. I'll let you stay for now, but-"
" No hunting, don't have to tell us twice. Game here's Skinnier then the grass!" He said before chuckling. Akina wasn't amused. However she still wasn't against the idea of keeping them around. Several months later him and his rogues were officially offered to join the pride.

It was mostly to build up the strength of the pride, but a factor that Akina had rather not say was she had taken a liking to the Leader, Zubery. The liking turned to attraction. Within the year she and him had Duni. At the time the everything seemed fine. The kingdom had an heir, the herbivores and carnivores were returning to Sunset. And for a year. Everything seemed well. Than one day, Zubery and Akina had a disagreement. Akasiro and Zahara were just born and Akina was worried that they might be a civil conflict. Zubery's band of males were becoming problematic. Zubery didn't believe her, much to her anger.

" Are you blind? How can you not tell that they're plotting something?"
"Listen Akina. I know them, they're my brothers. If they were planning anything they would tell me and I would tell you." Zubery said reassuringly. Akina raised an eyebrow." And how would I know that?" She snapped.
" You don't trust me? The father to your daughters? You own mate?"
" I never said that-"
" That is exactly what you said!"
The lion prowled off leaving Akina to herself.

That was the second last time she'd see her mate. All her worries and stresses would eventually be confirmed as she awoke to hot home on fire, her lioness dead and Zubery taunting her for ever letting him into her life. She'd die trying to escape with her cubs. And while she didn't survive, Duni, Zahara and Akasiro or Vitani as she's know as now lived on.

The Guard, Kiara, Kovu,Nala and Simba were left in silence.
" Wow." Was all Tazama could say in response." 
" Well, mystery kinda solved. Kinda." Kasi stated still processing the information Duni had just dumped on them.
"Well that's all I know, it's probably not the whole story, but think we have all the details." Duni said before yawning." Think it's getting late. Best get going."
"Leaving so soon?" Kiara asked.
"Yeah, as much as I loved touring this place, but I'm okay with my current home."

"Well, it was nice meeting you." Simba said." Nice meeting you too your majesty."
Turning around Duni walked out, but instead of running off she stood looking around for a moment. She looks back into the cave." Uh, I don't actually know were to go." She said a slightly embarrassed look on her face.
The group collectively looked at Vitani. Sighing aloud she stood up.
"Alright." And with that she walked out with Duni.

The walk was silent. Vitani not saying much since hearing the story.
"Hey, Akasiro?" Duni asked.
" Vitani." The guard leader said.
" Not comfortable with your blood name?"
" Not really."
Duni turned her head to face Vita'.
" Why are you so down? I told you everything I know."
" I'm just- thinking."
" About what? You can tell me."
"About Akina, Zubery."
"Well, mom was great. Never saw dad much to know him, but he seemed nice!"
" Yeah nice enough to burn a kingdom to the ground."
" Guess you're right. But-" Duni started.

" Zira wasn't much better, on the outside anyway. She did horrible stuff to this place, but would you say that she's terrible?" Duni asked.
" Not really."
"Same goes with- well, nearly anyone with dodgy parents."
" I guess you're right."
The two eventually reached to border of the Pridelands." Well, this is were I head off."

Despite saying that the lioness didn't move." Actually I got one more thing for you." Duni said before running off for a moment. Eventually getting back she had a fruit in her paw. Cracking it on a rock Vitani could see a red liquid pouring out.  Dipping her paw in it she rubbed the back of her sister's left ear. Vitani didn't turn down the offer, but she was very confused about what Duni was doing.
" There!"
" What is this stuff?"
" It's something our pride did it mark warriors. I figured you deserved it."

Vitani put on a slightly less intimidating smile. It filled her pride that she didn't quite understand.
"Come and visit me when you can!" Duni said before jumping down down into the outlands towards her home.
Vitani turned around and began to walk back towards Pride rock.