The Power Between Us

Chapter 2 Lurking In The Shadows

Being king and queen isn't always that easy, there is still the down falls all prides face, some domestic and some away from home. For lions as young as 18, the duties of the leaders of the Tree Of Life has it's up's and downs. Their still learning each day. So much to do and so little to face. Fears of an attack will always be immediate. Kion and Rani isn't the youngest to be royals, generations before them had kings and queens that were as young as six to fifteen. Simba being one of them, even though he didn't realize it he is the first ever king to six. A young cub ruling over the Pride Lands. But obviously he didn't rule over his lands till he was nineteen. Finally taking over Pride Rock and keeping the circle of life in tacked. Here for Kion he dreams of being like Askari and Mufasa, a good king. A great leader and a good friend. He looked up to his grandfather since they talked first back when Kion questioned his role of leader of the Lion Guard fourteen years ago. He has now completed his journey and has became the leader he now is. With Rani by his side no threat can pressure him and his role in the circle of life, well not soon anyways. Outside the lands an evil threat lurked in the shadows. This threat was a small chameleon. His name was Kutuzov. A reporter for his leader. It wasn't Mama Binturong, she gave up and past away, running from the Lion Guard, tripped and broke her back. With no help and unconscious, she past away from lack of blood supply and her injuries. His leader was named Yassain. A fierce lion who sought the Tree Of life for help, he became her closest friend and solider, warrior until he turned, like that, in a day Yassain turned and saw what needs to be done. After Scar died he thought if it as an evil thing, Scar had good ambitions, his plan was clear and sincere. Yassain thought it was a good plan but until Simba took over he sought to kill both Simba and Queen Janna, his job was half done, Janna passed peacefully. He was there for the ceremony. Hiding in the dark. Smirking to himself as he plans to kill Rani and take over the Tree Of Life, he also wanted Pride Rock, he didn't know what to do until he had a master plan, take over the Tree Of Life and than take over the Pride Lands again. It'll work. After telling Simba and Nala that their precious son and his friends died, they'll be devastated. Heart broken and down, a great opportunity to run down it all.
He had a great pride, for twenty five years Yassain has expanded his Pride, creating more warriors to help the cause he spoke out. He had many strong lions and smart lioness. All wanted a part in his plan. Yassain was brought up in the deadlines, like the outlands Yassain was brought up harsh and abused. He sought for refuge until he geared bad news and he was processed, like a demon had taken over his whole body and was using him for evil.
The attack will happen in a years time. For now they need more time, to expand and train, get information and seek for more help. Clouds will darken, losses and sorrow will be brought upon  for a war no one know why they are battling.

Sleeping in since it was the weekend, Kion had a good dream about Rani, how they met, how the future will be and what it'll be like, he sees them having cubs and raising them to be the best they can be, but realistically Rani had to choose. Kion woke first, looking at Rani he reflects in his dream and smiles. It was early, around nine, the sun was up all ready and it was quite warm. He got up, being a gentleman he left Rani to sleep a little more. He decided to go get them breakfast. Seeing what's around, not much, he had to settle down for some fish, he felt like whitings and went to the local river, trying to catch his meal. He stood in the murky shallow waters and waited for some fish to swim past. Like the river of patience he had to wait. Wait for the right time to strike. He waited a good five minutes before a fat juicy fish came along. He relaxed and trusted his hunting skills his dad showed him when he was younger when fishing. He steadied and remained still. He dropped in some seeds he got from the trees on the ground. Dropped them in. Hungry the fish swam up and took the bait. Being in murky water it was hark to track it but soon made his move, swift like a dart he dove his head into the river and caught himself a nice bream. He caught another one, Kion clawed it to kill it. He picked it up into his mouth, he can still hear little beats, but soon died. He tasted the saltiness of the fishes and didn't like it. Before returning he placed it in clean water. Rain water. Caught in a small ditch they dug up to cleansed food they caught. A new thing Kion decided to do. He dropped then in and swirled them around. Picked it back up and headed inside the tree to see Rani still sleeping away. He walked up to her and dropped the fish. He nudged Rani in her neck, feeling her fur. Warm and soft. A grunt came from her throat as she hardly said the usual teen sentence, "five more minutes please", " I've got breakfast for you", Kion picked it up and threw it on Rani, she got up instantly as she felt the slimy cold fish, " really, come on Kion", she tackled Kion as he laughed. They cuddle and kiss. They broke and had their breakfast. The fish tasted great. A nice salty taste then a great sweat taste. The meat was thick and juicy. They finished and headed outside. They planned their day out, " wanna go for a walk?", Kion asked Rani to take a walk with him to the new comers and introduce themselves properly. "Yeah, sure, wouldn't mind a walk", they agreed after lunch, for now they continued planning out the inside of the tree. Makini walked down and met them up. She suggested some leafs for the bed, Rani nodded as Makini went of to find some palm leaves. " Oh, I thought about this last night, some vines for the entrance", Rani called out to Makini who gave the thumbs up. " good idea, we might need some privacy sometimes and a great way to keep cool or warm. Rani told Kion that Nirmala suggested flowers, " flowers? Hmm, yeah maybe, whatever you want my queen". Kion bowed as rani put him in his place. They knew what everyone else was doing, Fuli was spending time with Azaad on a trip to his home land not far from where they are. Bunga and Besthe were going to the Tikuma Falls and taking a swim. Ono and Anga were making their home. They found a nice tree, thick and hidden, lots of branches and leaves, they both had their own area. Makini offered her tree but stood it down. Their tree was next to where Bunga lives. Close to the tree and the Day Prides base. Soon they'll expand it, putting rocks and a water pool. Like back in the Pride Lands.
 

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Later the same day Rani joined Kion in a walk to sew the new refugees, it was late afternoon, the breeze had picked up but still no cloud in sight. They made their way down south to see how Penguino is going and the new penguins are going. They made their way to the east to see if the two new aardvarks are doing. They checked on the two lions who always caused mischief, they found them bathing in the sun. They let them be and headed of to the north, the jungle animals were doing great. The new lemurs and birds settled in well. They lastly went to Tikuma falls to chill with Bunga and Besthe. They saw them relaxing. Floating on his back Bunga was butterflying up and down the lock. The King and Queen joined them and relaxed. They talked about the future and had good jokes and memories. It was a good hour of quietness until Kion thought he heard something. A crack of a stick and rustles of leaves. Kion thought it was one of the night Pride members but their was no scent. He let it go thinking it might of been a branch that fell. Time passed, as if being watched Kion was getting unease. He lifted his head and sniffed the area. A new scent came into his nose, a smell of a lion. A new one. He never smelt it before. Rani saw Kion questioning the environment and asked if he was okay. " yeah, hang on", Kion's voice signaled uncertainty, Rani pricked her ears up as she heard leaves crumble. "Shhh", Kion signaled unsung his eyes and paws to be careful. Something is lurking in the shadows. Kion looked around and couldn't find anything. He directed his amber eyes to the left and the right. The falls was placed around a jungle and was covered in dense trees and bushes. Still wondering if it was a threat, Kion stepped out of the water and basically crawled. He finally spotted the lion. A warm brown coat. A young male around their age, maybe older. He was spying on them, seeing what they were up to. The lion glanced over and saw Kion staring at him. He then saw Rani move forward. To the right Besthe and Bunga were ready to attack. The unsub lion made his decision and twisted and ran off. Kion chased and him and tackled him to the ground. The lion got up and bite Kion on the ear. He was shoved off and flew across the ground. Rani, Besthe and Bunga joined them. Circling the male lion. He was cornered. Against a rock. Kion roars and showed his teeth. " who are you and what are you doing here ", the lion showed no fear and didn't say his name, all he said what that "Yassain will rise again", he got up and jumped over Bunga. Kion stopped him, they fought for some time. Kion was stronger then him, but the lion knew how to fight. " everyone, get behind me", The lion laughed, gave up yet?, he mocked him, "afraid? Am I too strong for you?", "no, but this is stronger then me", he took his stance and glared at him. The male lion took his stance, thinking they were going to fight again. He was wrong he didn't know about the roar and for which he paid the price. Kion roared the hell out of him, sending him flying over the trees and outside the Valley. The last thing they saw was how terrified he was. Kion announced to tell Rani to warn the Night Pride.
Kion wanted to know about this lion Yassain, " Yassain will rise again", what does that mean? He walked off to get information from Askari and Mufasa.