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Chapter XII: Wedding Bells and Funeral Knells

Author's Note: Yes, we're back! Now, before you read this I want to make something clear; If you review, please give constructive criticism, because a simple "good job" or "great chapter" won't tell me anything. It was good; I want to know what was good; if it was bad, I want to know what was bad, and WHY. That's all. PS: The last paragraph is not for the faint of heart. Be warned for violence, and other... things... Don't like, don't read.

Strike's POV:

After Brasta and I left leaving the two to their own company, we went off in search of Haraka; I was pretty sure he wouldn't like it if what I thought was going to happen happened. We saw him in his private chambers, ranting to himself... until he saw us; his eyes narrowed, staring at us with pure rage. "What was all that about?" he demanded angrily.

"Look, just calm down Hara-" I felt his paw collide with my face with a stinging slap; I reeled backwards onto the ground due to my weakened state.

"I AM THE KING! Use my proper title, weakling." Haraka demanded, much too arrogantly for mine and Brasta's liking.

"Dad, stop and listen to yourself! You are threatening to kill one of our greatest allies when we are on the verge of war! Are you mad?" Brasta shouted.

"Be that as it may... I am in charge here, and its time that rogue learned to respect me." Haraka said pompously, trying to save his precious pride.

"Rogue? Is that what you call the lion that has saved your pride and protected it for so many months? Rogue, you say?" I said, rising to my feet as anger rose in me. "I gave up the title rogue when I thought I killed Drake and helped Brasta kill Sadic! That term no longer applies to me." I said, my voice rising.

"Ha you really expect me to believe that a leopard can shed its spots?" he said not know how thin a line he was walking. "What was it you said son? Once a rogue always a rogue?" he said, mocking me.

"That's different..." he said, looking very vulnerable for a second. He composed himself a minute later, continuing. "That was under different circumstances, I now realize that there are good rogues and there are evil ones; you, however, seem too blind to differentiate!" Brasta said heatedly.

"You dare question my authority? I already gave my daughter permission to be seen with that worthless excuse for a lion. What more do you ask?" he said, adding the last part worriedly.

"I think you already know the answer to that Haraka." I said coolly.

"You can't possibly expect me to...?" he said, eyes widening.

"Yes, that is exactly what we mean; if they come to you for permission to become one in marriage, then you must not deny them their happiness." Brasta said, leveling his voice out.

"Why should I?" Haraka said in a whiny tone that a cub would be ashamed to use.

"Becau-" Brasta started, then suddenly turned to me with a strange look in his eyes. "Strike, could you leave my father and I alone for a minute?"

"Very well." I said. I didn't want to protest, since I knew Brasta had something to say to his father in private. I just sighed and walked away, leaving Brasta to sit there alone with his father. It sickens me to see how someone could be so out of tune with their own flesh and blood as Haraka; why must it be so hard for him to understand? I asked myself. I slowly walked towards my den and fell asleep.

Brasta's POV

Once Strike had gone, I looked back at my father. "Dad, you're a complete and utter fool! You know that, right?" Dad's fur bristled, and he predictably moved himself into a position of attack. He moved towards me until we were eye to eye.

"Now listen here, son; I... am... not... a... fool." He growled, his pride visibly hurt.

I raised an eyebrow, and said in an icy tone, "Oh, really? What have you done so far to prove otherwise, hmm? Let's see: you've threatened and attacked my brot- best friend." I quickly fixed my mistake before I continued. If only he knew... "Tried to deny my sister the happiness she has never had before, attempted to exile her potential mate, and even denied that Drake and Sadic were back when I told you the first time. Not a good sign of a good ruler, and the rest of the Pride knows it. They already you're far too stubborn to make any decisions that you think would make you look weak. What would happen, say, if the rest of the Pride knew exactly how incompetent you've been lately, hmm?"

Dad froze at that, his eyes widening as I continued, "They would see all the folly you've committed laid bare, and let's see how well-supported you'd be." I loved my Father, I did- but he was also a rash, impulsive, hot-blooded, proud lion who needed to learn some common sense every once in a while.

"Y-you wouldn't dare!" He stammered. "You're my son! My own flesh and blood-"

"Who, so far, has been trying to protect you, Fuwele, Strike, and the rest of the Pride from certain destruction!" I said, my every word sharp and clear. "I will not see Fuwele so miserable just because of your own stupid decisions! I do not want to bear that guilt!" I choked slightly, but hid it. I looked up at my father, still looking stubbornly impassive. "If you do not let them marry, you will only cause pain. Don't make me reveal your incompetences to the Pride."

Dad was visibly softened a bit; but his face grew stony again as he said, "And you think threatening your father is going to make things better? I am still king-"

"And a poor one at that." I cut him off cooly. "And it's not a threat; it's blackmail. You think you can manipulate things so Fuwele and Tojo can't marry? Fine; not even I'm above manipulation either. It's your choice; let them marry, or the Pride sees who you really are. Understand, Father?"

Three months later... Fuwele's POV:

Wow, I still can't believe this is really happening! I thought back to all the events of the past few months; my first date with Tojo, out first kiss, our hang outs and walks... but most of all, just... him. And today, I would finally be able to spend the rest of my life with him. An awkward thought came into my head at that instant as the lionesses tried various ways to "pretty me up" for my trip down the 'aisle'; I wondered how Brasta would feel leading the ceremony. I chuckled inwardly that the fact that my brother, who was also the Pride's shaman and priest, would be the officiate of the ceremonies. I may be the best healer, but he was always the religious one in the family.

I still couldn't believe that Dad said yes; though, come to think of it, he said yes a bit too quickly. But that doesn't matter now. I begin my walk with my father at my side; I looked out into the crowd, and saw almost all my friends and family; the minimum amount of lions were posted on guard duty, seeing as nothing had happened yet. I looked up to the little makeshift stone altar to see Strike standing with Tojo, and saw Brasta fidget uncomfortably behind the altar. I looked at Tojo himself for a while, his bandages were gone, wounds healed, scars hidden under his fur. I then looked into his eyes and for that brief moment time stopped; in his eyes I saw love, caring, happiness, and hope. As our little time warp ended, Brasta began to speak, addressing us.

"My dear friends, you have come together today so that the gods may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this gods abundantly bless this love. And so, in the presence of the almighty gods and the pride, I ask you to state your intentions." He gestured for us to both come forward to the altar. I stood by Tojo's side, a litttle nervous as I waited for Brasta to begin the questions. "Fuwele and Tojo, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?" Tojo and I looked into each other's eyes as we responded at the same time, "I do."

"Will you love and honour each other as mates for the rest of your lives?" We gave the same response. "Will you accept children lovingly from the gods, and bring them up according to the law of the pride?"

"I will." Brasta looked from Tojo to me, and waited a moment before continuing, "Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right paws, and declare your consent before the gods and this pride." I felt Tojo clasp my paw tightly, obviously not wanting to let go any time soon.

Brasta turned to Tojo and said, "Repeat after me: I, Tojo, take you, Fuwele, to be my mate. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life."

"I, Tojo, take you, Fuwele, to be my mate. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life." Once he finished speaking, Tojo gave me a little grin before Brasta turned to me.

"Now, repeat after me: I, Fuwele, take you, Tojo, to be my mate. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life."

"I, Fuwele, take you, Tojo, to be my mate. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life." Brasta looked out at the pride and said, "Speak now, or forever hold your peace." An agonising silence fell upon us as we waited for someone to speak up. After about thirty seconds, Brasta looked at us both, and said, in a loud voice, "Nothing? Good. By the power vested in me by the gods and this pride, I now declare you, mates." We all held in our breath.

"You may now kiss the bride." Brasta said somewhat shakily. Tojo and I leaned in and kissed not caring that we were in front of everybody, as we pulled back for air I saw Brasta and Strike with huge grins on their faces. Well, Strike anyway; Brasta had this odd expression on his face before switching back to a grin. I turned around to see my dad give a little smirk. Seeing that bit of acceptance, I joined Tojo and we walked back down the aisle as desert flowers were thrown at us. We went into our new cave and just sat there for a few minutes knowing exactly what the other was thinking... then, as if on cue, we just both starting laughing.

Kopa's POV:

Over the past few months, dozens of things have happened; the most important being that I am getting married in about an hour. I thought as I paced around in my den. As soon as the thought came into my head, a wave of panic went through me, when I realized... it was only five minutes away now! Oh gods! How could I have forgotten? I sprinted off to go find Strike, seeing as he was my stand-in father for today. My mind was a blur as I found him, so he led me over to where the procession would begin. I saw Brasta come up and sit next to us.

"Well, today's the day I finally get ta call ya my Brother-in-Law." Brasta said jokingly.

"Yeah; well, I hope I will be able to protect her, and care for her, and-" I was silenced by Strike's raised paw.

"Look, Toj; we all know you are worried. Don't worry; I was too..." for a brief moment a shadow fell across his face. "Anyways, just focus on the task at hand; and don't screw the vows up too badly, okay?" he said, giving me another lopsided grin.

"But what if I-" He cut me off again; at this rate I'd never finish a sentence today. "Look, I have to go. Get ready; the ceremony starts soon." Brasta said, giving a wink to Strike. "Okay, Tojo; before we go out there, are you perfectly calm?" Strike asked.

"No. I feel like I could float away with all the butterflies in my stomach." I said truthfully.

"Do you love Fuwele?" he asked.

"Of course I do! Why do ya think I'm marrying her?" I said defensively, briefly forgetting my nervousness.

"Good; cause here we go..." Strike said, taking his cue from Brasta to start walking up the aisle to the altar. As we sat up there, waiting, my nervousness came back in waves... and then I saw her; all my fears were instantly washed away. Memories of love, safety, and peace came rushing into my head when I saw Fuwele. I couldn't help but stare; with her there I couldn't feel nervous anymore. Then her eyes locked into mine about halfway up the aisle. All I could see was love, joy, hope, and a surprising lack of nervousness. We made our way up to the altar as Brasta began the ceremony...

Not a short while later, the wedding was almost over. "Speak now or forever hold you peace." Brasta finished looking out into the crowd after noticably giving Haraka a glare. "Nothing? Good. By the power vested in me by the gods and this pride, I now declare you, mates."

A moment of silence. Then... "You may now kiss the bride." Brasta said, stepping away from the altar. We stayed there our lips locked for what seemed like eternity, until we pulled away for air. We walked out of the procession to our new home, the scent of desert flowers prominent outside. Once we got there we just sat down like old times and stared at each other knowing exactly what each other was thinking, then all of the sudden we just burst out in laughter.

Strike's POV:

Well, it finally happened! I guess ya were right, Fujo. I silently joked in my head, as the wedding's after-party was still going on. I decided to go take one of my longer walks, seeing as I was still out of shape due to my wounds recently healing; my face was a bit scarred under the fur, and I still carried the smell of scorched fur, but in all other ways I hadreturned to normal. I happened to walk by the young couples' den only to hear roaring laughter coming from it.

I just smiled and moved ahead walking further into the desert. I was enjoying the feeling of the desert breeze blocking the heat of the day. But on the wind a scent that I was dreading came to my attention, something sharp, bitter and metallic ...blood. My eyes widened when the scent wafted to my nostrils. I looked around wildly; I couldn't see anything yet. I went to investigate the scent... and saw a nauseating sight; our guards were dead. Their mangled corpses lay scattered on the sand; every inch of their limbs caked in blood, all of their faces twisted in an death stare of complete agony.

There was only one conclusion to come to; there was no one this brutal, but him. He had done this. They were back...

Without another thought, I sprinted back towards the Pride to sound the alarm...

Sadic's POV:

With Drake and I's alliances pledged and formed, we marched back to the old borders of the desert pride. I sent a few scouts out collecting intelligence; they came back reporting that there were guards, but a rather suspiciously small number. I decided to give the pride a little welcoming gift...

I chose a small squadron consisting of myself and two hyenas to surround the group of three lionesses and two lions. We dispatched the lions much too quickly for my taste; but the look of fear on the lionesses' faces when they saw the sand thirstily drinking up their comrades' blood was priceless. And the best part? There was no one around to be responsible for it. We let them look up at us in fear awhile longer, and then I gave the command. We attacked, killing two ... but I left one alive enough for the hyenas to quench their lusts.

I walked over to her, loving the pleading look in her eyes. As I came nearer, I extended my claws, readying myself for the thrill that was about to come. I tore into her side, ripping viciously into her flesh, making her roar out in pain as rivulets of blood pooled onto the sand. I stepped back and admired my handiwork; a good chunk of her fur and flesh had been torn away, leaving a bloody gash. I smiled, and continued my fun. "Oh, you have such lovely fur my dear... Now let's see how it looks when it's flayed from your bones, yes?" I placed the tips of my claws across her abdomen, brutally punched them beneath her fur and muscle, and drew back my claws in a long, satisfying rip. "I'm siiiiiinging in the rain, just siiiingggiiing in the rainnnn!" I sang as I saw the agony in her eyes, and was loving every minute of it. "What a glorious feelin! I'm happy again. I'm laughing at clouds. So dark up above; The sun's in my heart and i'm ready for love..."

She was whimpering by now, begging for me to leave her to die. But she was quiet soon enough; I gave the order, and the hyenas soon silenced her in a way I'd rather not mention. I just watched with fascination as I saw her face twisted in silent screams, while the hyenas used her to gratify their own desires. This was just too blissful! I couldn't stop my happy heart from singing. "Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place. Come on with the rain; I've a smile on my face. I walk down the lane with a happy refrain; just singin', singin' in the rain!" Once they were done, she barely had enough will to live, and now her eyes only held a desperate supplication; a demand for death.

But I was not yet satisfied; I watched her throughout the entire midday as she squirmed and writhed in pain, unable to move from her wounds as the sand found its way into her cuts. The salt content of the sand made things all the worse for her, slowly infecting her wounds as the sun speeded up the process, cauterizing her wounds and stripping them of any sort of healing potential. I hadn't had this much fun in so long! "

Eventually, the lioness could take no more; she brought her own claw up to her throat and slit it, sending a spurt of ruby onto the already-bloodied sand. The shiver that went down my spine was one of pure euphoria; it was one thing to torture and kill someone, but it was entirely different to agonize them until their own mind turns against them and they kill themselves out of desperation. It was just so... delicious.

But my hunger needed more, and more it would have. "Dancin' in the rain... I'm happy again... I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain..." Better be ready, Desert Pride; I'm coming for you...

Author's Note: "Singing in the Rain" is owned by Metro-Goldwyn Meyer, not me.