Malika could hear a voice above her as air rushed into her lungs. Her eyes flung open to see Rafiki above her, a long walking stick in hand. That was new.

"What happened?" Malika asks, her voice cracking. Rafiki touched her head, eyes closed before nodding.

"There was an elephant stampede. You fell from the branch and got hit. He saved you." Rafikia spoke, both hands now wrapped around his stick. He nodded his head towards the two lions standing above them on the rocks ledge.

"Who did?" Malika asked, her eyes flickering between Mufasa and Taka.

"Taka did! He saved you." Mufasa exclaimed, his head nodding towards his brother.

"Is that true Taka?" Malika asked, her head towards Taka. While she awaited his answer, she felt her heart still for some reason.

"Yes, yes I did. Dragged you down here to make sure you stayed safe from the elephants." Malika felt her heart deflate just the tiniest bit. She felt disappointed that it was Taka rather than Mufasa. Malika rose from the ground and walked up to Taka. She slowly rubbed her head underneath Taka's chin to show her thanks.

"That was very brave of you to save me, Taka." Taka smiled widely at the lioness, a warming in his heart at her affectionate gesture.

"Malika!" Sarabi ran towards her sister, worry etched on her face as she practically jumped on her. "Are you okay? I saw you fall but I couldn't get through the elephants. Then one of the outsiders found me and I had to deal with her before I could get to you. She's dealt with, before you ask. Does anything hurt?"

Malika shook her head no before turning to Taka. "No, thanks to Taka I'm okay. He pulled me to safety in this rock crevice. Saved me from being killed by the elephants."

Sarabi felt her brow raise as she listened to her sister's story. She found it interesting that Taka saved her. He had not proven to be anything but an entitled brat this whole journey. To put his life on the line for Malika seemed, unlikely.

Mufasa on the other hand, that would make sense. Sarabi had seen the way he looked at her sister, a look of wonder and want. She also had seen him take care of Taka and Malika, whether it be going to hunt food or offer them conversation. Sarabi found herself doubting the story. Nonetheless, she said her thanks to Taka before turning to continue their journey. They had a long walk ahead of them as they had to cross the tall mountains to follow the suns path.

"We better keep going if we want to get up in the mountains before night." Mufasa said, looking at the mountains. Sarabi nodded in agreement and started to lead the way.

"Malika! Would you, perhaps, like to walk with me?" Taka timidly asked, a shy smile on his face. Malika looked towards Mufasa, a far away look upon his face, before nodding her head yes. Taka saved her, the least she could do was walk with him up the mountain.

Both lions left Mufasa and Rafiki standing in the rocky field. Rafiki looked to Mufasa expectantly as Mufasa sent an unbelieving look back.

"What was I meant to do Rafiki? Taka believes Malika is meant to be his and he saved me from dying. The least I can do is help him get the girl." Rafiki leaned towards Mufasa, staff in hand.

"Have you not been saving him on this journey, hmm? Feeding him, keeping us going so the outsiders have to keep catching up? Willing to fight to keep him safe? What about offering your life to the outsiders so he could get away? Claiming he was the stray and you the prince. Is that not saving him? Keeping him alive to reach Milele?" Rafiki spoke, looking Mufasa in the eye with a knowing expression.

"How did you...?"

"I told you, I see things past, present and future. I also see how much a honey badger loves their bones, and will fight to keep it." Mufasa felt his face scrunch at Rafikia's weird analogy.

"You do realize that honey badgers break the bone to eat the marrow inside it, right?" Rafiki shrugged his shoulders.

"The others are far ahead, it's time to go." Rafiki turned to follow the others, using the staff to help his bad hand walk. Mufasa shook his head in confusion before rushing up to everyone else. Sarabi and the others ended up waiting for the monkey and Mufasa before traveling up the snowy mountain.

Zazu flew to the ground, snow lightly dusting the top of his head.

"It is quite chill up there as it is snowing, but it should not be too difficult to traverse. I have found a way through the mountain." Malika sent a smile towards the bird.

"Thank you Zazu. Making you captain of the guard was the best decision my father made." Zazu puffed up his chest feathers in pride as Sarabi hid her snicker at the birds antics.

"Thank you princess. I shall lead you from the skies!" He exclaimed regally before flying above them. "Follow me!"

The animals without wings started the trek up the mountains, following the hornbill through the lightly falling snow.

"It was scary, you know?" Taka spoke, Malika turning her head towards the lion in confusion.

"What was?" Taka looked ahead shyly.

"The stampede. I thought you were going to get hurt." Malika felt her brows furrow together.

"I did? You saved me remember? I was knocked unconscious and you dragged me to safety?" Malika laughed softly, "are you sure you didn't hit your head?"

"Yes! Yes, I know. I just meant, um hurt more than you were. I'm glad I got there in time." Taka nervously said, his walk gaining a nervous jump to it. Malika felt herself go suspicious.

"Yea, I am too." Malika said, her eyes turning to look to her sister. "Excuse me." She said before walking to her sister.

"Do you think Taka saved me?" She whispered once she approached Sarabi's side. Sarabi peered at her sister, an unsure look on her face.

"I don't think I want to get in between you, Taka and Mufasa." Malika stopped walking for a moment.

She quickly got back into step with her sister. "You don't do you? You said Taka and Mufasa, as if Mufasa is also involved." Sarabi felt her shoulders deflate at being caught.

"Look, all I know is that Mufasa looks at you the same way Taka does, just less, creepy." Malika kept looking at her uncomfortable sister. Sarabi did not want to talk about how two brothers were in love with her sister.

"What do you mean?" Sarabi sighed before telling her sister what she's been seeing. Mufasa looks at her with admiration, equality, and a soft expression. Taka looks at her with obsession, possession and a crazed expression. Malika felt her head weigh down, a million thoughts racing in her head after being told Sarabi's thoughts.

"I could be wrong though. If Mufasa said Taka did save you, maybe he did. Maybe we are looking too much into this. Let's just try to make it to Milele, then we can figure out this situation you have with the brothers." Sarabi said, sympathy in her voice. Her sister has always tried to appease everyone. Sarabi sees how it weighs on her, she tries to help but her sister was never one to hand over her burdens.

She just hoped Malika could make it to Milele before pulling herself thin between the lions.