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Chapter V

Brasta's POV:

I know my reaction to Tojo and Fuwele together seemed over-the-top, but please hear me out. I'm not normally the type to explode in fury; I'm normally calm, cold, and keep my emotions in check. But when I saw this stray rogue my sister just picked up in the middle of the desert sleeping next to her, my mind went into overdrive. My logic was telling me it was a coincidence, but it's just... the idea of some stray rogue SLEEPING WITH MY SISTER...

Then, again, how could I have overreacted like that? Sure, he was a rogue, and it was my sister, but... why didn't I realize there was nothing go on? I just turned around and stalked off to my cave. I laid down on the cold floor, my heart heavy. How could I have treated them both like that, after what Tojo had done for us? If it was because he was a rogue, then why didn't I think of him the same way as Strike? Well, that was obvious, but-

My thoughts were interrupted when Strike himself came around the corner. "Brasta?" he said tentatively.

"Yeah?" I said back, still depressed.

"Can I talk to you?" I sighed, and said, "Sure." He took a deep breath, and started speaking, "I'm worried about you, Brasta; why did you explode at Tojo?" he asked.

"He was with my sister, SLEEPING WITH HER!" I said, my anger emerging again.

"Look, Brasta; just because he was with her doesn't mean that-" I cut him off, my emotions getting worked up again. I hate it when that happens; I've spent years disciplining my self to hide and bottle emotion, so I just vent when I'm under heavy stress. But only Strike has ever heard me vent, or listened to me, for that matter.

"I know that, but I cannot have a rogue as a brother in law!" I said.

"Look, Brasta, just forget that he's a rogue. He is a lion of honour; any other lion would've done what you accused him of this morning, but he and I have honour." He said, starting to defend Tojo. I sighed, and said, "LOOK, just because you have honour doesn't mean you don't kill things!" I said, trying to defend myself. The only thing really at stake here was my pride, but I was acting like a bitter old lion nonetheless. Gods know I regret it now.

Kopa's POV:

I had no idea how big these lands were; after the encounter with Brasta, she had decided it would be good for me to take a walk with her around the Desert Pride's territory. Fuwele and I had been walking for the better part of an hour or so, and we still had yet to reach the northern border. One thing that worried me was how easily it could be attacked; with this immense of a border and so few subjects... I wonder how they kept up those boundaries?

I was brought out of my thoughts when we came to a small oasis that was brought to my attention by Fuwele. "And this is the last waterhole for miles, so we can rest here and head back after lunch. Okay?" she said, cocking her head.

"Sure." I said a bit too readily; the truth was that my legs were burning, but I wouldn't let myself ask for help this time. I guess I was getting too stubborn for my own good. I chuckled inwardly and winced as I sat... well, collapsed, down on the banks of the waterhole.

"Can you wait here while I catch something?" Fuwele asked sheepishly.

"Yeah..." I said, getting angry at myself again. I HATED being weak like that, having to rely on someone to help you with the simplest tasks. Fuwele obviously senesed my displeasure, because she said, "Look, you'll be back to full health in a few months. I know it's hard, but please stay here." She sai,d calming me down. As she walked off she gave me a friendly pat on the back. I smiled; I had only known her two days, and I was already warming up to her.

I watched her walk off until I couldn't see her anymore. I waited for her to come back for a while, but the sun was now overhead and she still wasn't back. I was starting to get uneasy; I couldn't get the thought of hyenas out of my mind. But my instinct was set off when a familiar scent reached my nostrils; blood.

Spurred on with worry, as I immediately associated the smell of blood with someone being hurt, I got up and started to run... well, lope painfully, in Fuwele's direction. Somehow. I heroically managed to run straight into her. "OW!" she yelped, dropping the antelope she had slung onto her back. So that was where the blood was coming from...

"Sorry, Fuwele! I thought that maybe you'd been attacked or maimed, or..." I said, starting to ramble.

"Worried? I thought you were Tojo the mighty rogue?" she said playfully.

"Hmph... guess you're right. Here, let me help you with that." I said, picking up the antelope (and with her help, I might add), and carrying it back to the oasis. When we arrived their, I immediately saw a very grim look on Fuwele's face. I cocked my head curiously. "Fuwele, what's wrong?"

"Tojo, about back there... why did you run after me? You can barely even walk, much less defend me. I don't know what I'd do if you d-" She stopped in midsentence, and her face became semi-blank, "Ah... never mind. Thanks for caring; just next time, don't leave a bump on my head, okay?" she said, trying to hide something. I decided to let it slide, seeing as I was feeling a little skittish this morning and... well, now.

"Yeah, but I still had to do it." I said, trying to lighten up the conversation. Unfortunately, it didn't work. We ate in silence, giving each other awkward glances; needless to say, I guess the two of us were very uncomfortable. After we had finished, I asked if she wanted to head back. After slowly nodding her head, she took point; I don't know what it was, but I found myself walking close to her on the way back.

Simba's POV:

I know Nala's right, but still... no! I promised myself and her that I wouldn't dwell on it anymore; it was a freak course of events that killed my son... and Zira. Without thinking, anger rose in my veins. No, calm down just focus on keeping Kiara safe, I told myself. That's all I needed to do. "SIRE! Come quickly!" Zazu said, perching in front of me.

"Zazu? What is it?" I said, snapping to attention.

"Kiara fell in the waterhole and..." he said, drifting off.

"WHEN?" I shouted, fear and anxiety taking over. This couldn't be happening; not Kiara!

"Just now; come quickly, Sire!" Zazu said, shooting off to the waterhole. I wasn't going to let another family member die...

I streaked off the waterhole faster than I have ever run before. I reached the waterhole within minutes, leaping in without even looking. I felt water envelope me, but I didn't care. I looked around the water frantically, even though I could barely hold my breath. As soon as I saw her, I dove down to the bottom where Kiara's listless form was sitting. I scooped her in my paws and fiercely swam up towards the surface. Just when I could hold my breath no longer, I broke the surface, and dropped... well, tossed Kiara onto the shore. As I tried to climb out of the water myself, I slipped on a puddle of mud and fell backwards into the water again. As I tried to get back up to the surface, panicking, I felt something hard hit the side of my skull, and I lost consciousness...

Strike's POV:

After reminiscing about how my past life wa,s I decided to go find Tojo and Fuwele. I might as well have told them that Brasta calmed down; I doubted he would say it himself. I set out and met them about halfway on the border. When I reached them, I noticed there was assort of awkwardness between the two; but it also seemed that they were closer together, both physically and mentally. I thought back to my days as just Strike, to my old pride... and my dear Fujo. I saw that same connection Fujo and I had between the two in front of me. I sighed slightly; I had decided a while ago to stop living in the past, but I'll never quite forget her. I walked up to the pair. "Hey, you two! What's up?" I asked, trying to at least jerk them back to reality. Fuwele looked up at me, smiling, "Oh, hey Strike!" Fuwele said kindly; she was like my sister as much as Brasta's after all.

"Strike, is something wrong?" Tojo asked, starting to look worried.

"Nah; nothing's wrong, I just wanted ta catch up to you and see how you were doing after... well, anyway, Brasta's calmed down now. Tojo, if you want to you can head-"

I stopped in midsentence as something caught my attention off in the distance, standing out against the desert sand; it appeared to be another lion. I took my attention away from them, and looked closer; and I saw a sight I thought and hoped I would never see again. "What's wrong, Strike?" Tojo asked, noticing my expression.

"Nothing, just um if ya ever need something all ya need ta do is ask. Look I gotta go, I'll catch ya later." I said, running off towards the lion in the distance... Drake!

Nala's POV :

I got back from hunting to find our den empty. I thought nothing of it, and decided to head down to the waterhole. I just strolled casually along, until I saw the rest of the lionesses gathering around the waterhole. I bolted over there, remembering the last time there was a crowd around the waterhole. To my relief, I looked on the bank and saw a water-logged but alive Kiara. "Oh, thank the Gods..." I was about to scold her for playing to near the waterhole, when I saw something lying beneath the clear surface of the water. "OH GODS, PLEASE NO!" I shrieked, as I realized who it was lying in the water...

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