Aiysha

Morning have arrived. It is time for my family to leave the Pride Lands and return home. We better travel quickly before it rains. The sky is grey and more clouds are forming together.

We stand in front of the pride's large cavern. Uncle Kovu and Aunt Kiara emerge out with smiles.

My mother steps up. Her eyes are now sadden. "Well, I guess this is a goodbye."

Uncle Kovu hugs his big sister tight. He sheds a tear, but still continues to smile. Mother will miss her young brother.

"Goodbye Tani. Please, come back and visit soon! You and your family are welcome any time." Said Uncle Kovu.

Uncle Kovu steps back and let Aunt Kiara hug mother.

She nodded, "Yeah! Our pride is yours. It was nice seeing you again Vitani after all these years. You have a very beautiful family."

Mother smiles. "Thank you, Kiara. You and my brother have a beautiful family as well. I'm really glad that Heri is back alive. I know it means so much to you both."

Father step up and shakes his paw with both Uncle Kovu and Aunt Kiara. "Thank you for allowing my family to stay. We appreciate everything!"

"No problem." Uncle Kovu nodded. "And thank you Kopa for taking care of my sister."

Father smiles at Uncle Kovu. They wave goodbye at us as we leave walking down Pride Rock.

Sahel as usual rides on my back. Hashaan walks along my right side. Mother and father walk ahead of us leading the way back home. This is going to be another long travel.

I thought about my brother and Auni. I wonder how things went with them today's morning. Did they even say goodbye to each other?

"Hey Hashaan, have you and Auni spoke yet this morning?" I ask, curiously.

Hashaan nodded. "Yeah we spoke last night actually. It was good. Today's morning she hugged me and said goodbye before she went to go hunt breakfast with the hunting party."

"That's good! I told you she will come around. So are you two staying as friends?"

"Yeah, its for the best that we do Aiysha. Besides she seems to be warming up more with our cousin Heri anyway. I see how close they are..."

Hashaan I notice looks a bit sad as he lower his ears. He look down at his paws.

I bump my side against his own and smile. "Don't worry, things will get better. You'll find someone new! Right now, you need a break and spend sometime by yourself for a while."

"You're right..."

"Aren't I always?"

Hashaan smirks. "No!"

I laugh. I'm proud of my brother though. I know this won't be easy for him getting over Auni. But soon, he will find his own upendi and so will I.

The boom rolled across the Savannah, announcing the start of what the brooding cloud layer had promised since dawn. The boughs of the trees swayed in the strengthening gust, surrendering their fall leaves without a fight. Then came the first drops of rain.

"Everyone quick, take cover!" Father shouts.

We all run underneath a big tree for shelter until the storm passes by. I notice that this tree has a lot of animals drawings on them. Very interesting I do have to say...

Then I hear a rustling sound from above. The branches are moving. Something lives here.

"Vitani?" The voice calls.

Mother looks up. "Amwa? Oh, my apologies. We didn't know that we were hiding underneath your tree. We'll move!"

A female mandrill swings down from the highest branch and smiles. "Nonsense Vitani! You and your family can stay here as much as you like. That storm seems dangerous. Where are you headed?"

"Back home." My mother responded. "We were almost out the Pride Lands until it began storming. It's going to take a while before it passes. We'll just relax here for a bit. Thank you!"

"No problem. Well, I better return back to my task. I'm making a special herb to help heal a wound for an elephant. It was nice seeing you again Vitani before you leave."

Mother smiles. Amwa climbed back up her tree. She must be a good friend to our mother.

"Honey, who was that?" Father asks.

"Amwa, Rafiki's daughter if you remember him. She's the King's new advisor and the Pride Lands newest doctor. She creates special herbs for the sick and weak."

Hashaan smiles. "Cool! She does seem to be really nice and helpful."

"She is, very."

I remember mother mentioning Amwa's name before. She is the one that helped mom over come her dark past again and to confess everything to Me and Hashaan about what happened in her past.

I lay down knowing that this storm may take forever to leave. Mother and father cuddle under each other for warmth, while Sahel cuddles with me. Hashaan lays alone but curled up in a furry ball.

••••••

The fiery ball of light rising from the horizon, colored the sky in shades of orange and yellow. The storm is now over. Finally! I open my eyes with a yawn after waking up from a nap. I look down at my left side seeing Sahel still sleeping.

Hashaan, mother, and father are in a deep conversation about something. I lick my paws clean.

"Alright everyone, time to travel again!" Said father, standing up on his four paws.

I nudge Sahel gently with my nose waking him up.

He yawns, "Time to move already?"

"Yes."

This time, Sahel rides on Hashaan's back as he climbs up. I follow slowly behind our parents. I don't know why I feel tired. We haven't even traveled yet!

I shake myself awake. Hashaan walks joining me on my left side.

He chuckles, "Napping too hard huh, sis?"

I roll my eyes. "Don't start."

"Aiysha I have been thinking, once we go back home what's next for us?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, shouldn't we create or join other prides?"

I think about it for a moment but then shake my head. "Nah, our pride is with mom and dad. I don't want to leave them behind. We are a team that sticks together!"

Hashaan sighs, "Yeah but, don't you get tired of the same old routine not doing anything? All we do is hunt, sleep, and hunt. We should meet other lions and try to make a bigger Pride! It'll be more protection for us."

"I don't know. That would require lots of work. Plus, we have to make sure that these lions won't betray us or hurt anyone of us. What made you come up with this idea anyway?"

"Mom, dad, and I were talking about it while you and Sahel were napping. That don't mind the idea of creating a Pride. We just need to find some lions who would join."

I look unsure. I really don't want any lions joining our family. All we need is each other! Not strangers...

"I don't know. I mean, I guess."

Hashaan smiles. "Come on sis, it won't be so bad. We'll be like Uncle Kovu and Aunt Kiara! The only difference is that we aren't royalty. This will be fun and cool. We live in a nice home. All we need is lions to help expand the population."

"I suppose..."

"Great!"

I don't see why Hashaan is so happy about this. Maybe he wants to meet a lioness again. He just had a heart break with Auni. I think that would be moving too fast. But if my parents is okay with creating their own Pride then that's fine. I don't mind participating.

It might be a good thing for me too...