when the wolves call

growing up

*Kion pov*
After my session with Nirmala, I walked with Teo to a field with the other. When we get there, he tells me, "We haven't trained at all in weeks, so we're just gonna do a light session." I say, "I could probably use some lessons." He says, "Yeah, probably."

They all explain everything to me. They fix everything from my stances to my pouncing technique, even small things like my clawing and biting. It probably sounds like they were nitpicking, but they kind of have to when it's life or death. So I learned a lot cause they were being helpful and calm. Instead of the normal impatient and upset.

They were happy to help even as we started actual training. We just sparred, but I still wasn't great. It makes sense but was extremely aggravating, going against even Oscsr and getting whooped. I started to get pissed off pretty quick after that.

Teo noticed and said, "Kion, calm down. It's just a game." I say, "I am calm, just annoyed. I should be beating you guys, I'm a lion." Teo rolls his eyes and says, "A normal well fed and 100 percent lion yes. But you weren't fed enough, which made you weak." I sigh and say, "Then why am I here!?" Teo says, 'Because you need to be here, we're all in great shape, while you're not." I get even more aggravated and say, 'What are you saying!? I'm weak and out of shape!?"

Teo says, "Calm down, Kion. I didn't mean it like that. I mean, your body isn't strong yet because you were underfed." I sigh and say, "I'm gonna take a break." He nods, and I walk away for a breather.

While I'm resting, I think. I know Teo's trying to help me, but I'm just mad at everything right now. I just want to get my revenge. So I walk back to the group and continue the training. In the end we all agree to train every day for the next few weeks.

After about a week, we're all eating, and I eat a little, then I stand, but Teo says, "Kion, there's no way you're full." I say, "I don't eat much." He chuckles and says, "Yeah right, you're a teenager, I've known a lot of those, and they're always hungry." I say, "I'm full Teo." He says, "Bullcrap Kion, eat no one's gonna stop you." I sigh and say, "Fine." I eat more and more. I didn't realize how hungry I really was.

Eventually, Teo says, "I told you." I shake my head and say, "I don't think I've ever eaten that much." Teo says, "I can tell." Then rubs the the tuft of mane on my head. I chuckle and say, "Thanks, Teo."

Over time, I start to eat a normal amount, and I start to get bigger and stronger. After a month or two, I get into a schedule. Me and Nirmala talk every Monday and Thursday. We train every other day, and we go to the parties every once in a while.

3 months after our first training sessions, I woke up randomly needing a drink, but when I walked out, I saw Teo with his face in his paws. I walked over and heard sobbing, so I sat next to him and patted his back. He doesn't look up for a few minutes, so we sit in silence.

Eventually, he says, "Sorry, Kion." I say, "Don't be. What's wrong?" He says, "I just had a bad dream." I ask, "What was it about?" He says, 'My parents... the day they died." I say, "What happened?" He says, "It was like any other day we were just walking around when suddenly Simba attacked us... it was quick, and I didn't really see it, but the sound of their screams and the vision of my mothers body as I ran will haunt me forever." I hug him and say, "I'm sorry Teo." He says, "It's okay, it's in the past now, I just want revenge." I say, "Me too, buddy, me too." He cries into my shoulder for a few minutes as I try and cheer him up.

After a little while, he wipes his eyes and says, "Thanks, Kion, for listening." I say, "No problem, especially after how much you listened to me." He weakly smiles and walks back into the cave. I go to get my drink and then fall back asleep.

Over our time here, I learned everybody's stories, and they all ended the same. Their parents ended up killed by lions, and Sven saved them. For example, Oscar's parents were apart of a massacre Simba ordered. He had them line up, and every other wolf killed... Oscar was in the middle of his parents, which is why he doesn't talk much. Or Hallow, who had a similar situation, but her parents hid her before it.