Ishara

The air was very clear and the long morning shadows distinct. The sun shone brilliantly and the water in the pond glittered invitingly. I was sleeping inside the cavern peacefully next to my sister Auni, until I had felt something nudge my head.

"Huh? What?" I question, in a very tired tone.

I blink open my blue eyes. There are still sleep in them as I try to yawn waking myself up. I couldn't quite see clear who is standing in front of me. I rub my eyes with my paw.

"Good morning, Ishara! We have to go. My father and Uncle Kion need our help for something."

That voice sounds very familiar. I was able to fully open my eyes now and look up seeing Heri my best friend.

"Oh, good morning Heri! What seems to be the problem?"

"My father wants us to join him on patrol this morning and search for clues on what may have happened on the day of the fire."

I didn't say a word back, but nod my head and quickly got up on my four paws. I stretched out my body and shook out my large mane. I follow Heri side by side out the cave. My mother and sister were still sound asleep. When they awake, they will notice that I am gone but will probably think that I am with the Lion Guard anyway.

We've met up with Kion and King Kovu at the bottom of Pride Rock. I kneel and bow my head respectfully at the King.

"Good morning, your majesty!" I greet.

He nodded. "Good morning, Ishara! I am glad that you could join us this morning. We are in a need for your help. I am pretty sure that you have heard rumors around the pride about the fire incident last night."

"Yes, but not so much. What happened?"

King Kovu shift his emerald green eyes at his son as if he is waiting for him to tell the story instead.

"It is hard to explain. But long story short, me, Adia, and Chauna had got caught in a mystery fire. The fire had came out of no where. I think someone could have perhaps started it..." said Heri.

"Maybe." said Kion. He furrow his brows as he thinks deeply. "We don't know for sure unless we can come up with some clues. That is why we are all here together. Heri, you are going to lead us to the exact area where you were before the fire had happened."

"And Kion, Ishara, and I are going to try to locate the source of the problem." King Kovu finished.

I nod. "Great, lets start!"

They all nod their heads. Heri began to walk first leading us inside the tall green grasses away from Pride Rock.

"I surely do hope we find what we are looking for." I say, while scanning my eyes around this new land.

Kion joins my left side walking, while King Kovu walks in front of us behind Heri's tail.

"We will, trust me." Kion replied. "I promise you if its those hyenas I will make sure to rip them a part limb by limb! My cubs could have died last night. I still want to know who was their rescuer."

"Yeah something weird has been going on lately. Not just with the fire, but every since Heri has come back into the Pride Lands. Its been nothing but trouble. You don't think he is responsible?"

Kion gasps with shock. We both slow down our walking pace while King Kovu and Heri move more further ahead of us. We're walking slow on purpose so they wont be able to hear our conversation.

Kion lifts a brow. "What do you mean Ishara?"

"Well, Heri did live with the hyenas most of his life. You dont think it was a trap?"

"No, it cant be. It doesn't make any sense. Heri had already prove to us that he is no longer a part of darkness. He has been very loyal every since he has been back home. I think its someone else doing this. The question is, who?"

We both did not say a word but continue walking, letting our minds wonder in multiple thoughts. I am not saying my best friend could be the blame of what's been going on. But somehow he may still be the cause. Maybe the hyenas are angry that Heri has joined our side and are probably trying to get revenge. Hmm...

"Guys, over here!" Heri calls.

Kion and I run over. Heri and King Kovu are both looking down at something.

"What is it?" Kion asks.

"Take a look more closely." King Kovu ordered.

We both lower our heads staring down at the ground. It was impossible to see due to the dirt. So with my paw, I swipe the dirt away. It reveals a clue! A much smaller paw print with a few hairs.

"Now, what do you smell?" King Kovu asks.

I take a step back so Kion can examine next. "Hyenas! I knew it." he growled.

Heri looks over to the side. "So it was them..." he whispered.

"Im going to march right over there and give those hyenas a piece of my mind!" said Kion, who growls even louder.

King Kovu shook his head. "No Kion, we must wait."

"Wait? Uh Kovu, you must have forgotten that they are the ones who tried to kill my cubs and your son!"

"So, you think going into their home and killing them all will solve everything? No, it wont. It will cause even more chaos and perhaps a war. It will erupt the Circle of Life. We can go over to the Out Lands together now and try to figure out what is their issue with us and try to get close as possible to an understanding agreement."

King Kovu is right. We will all look like fools if killed the hyenas. There would be no more Circle of Life. Crazy as it sounds, the hyenas are also part of the balance. It is our duty as lions to respect all creatures no matter the situation. We do not kill because of anger or pleasure.

Kion rolled his light brown eyes and sighed. "Fine. I hate it when you use my father's words against me."

King Kovu smirks. He starts to lead the way to the Out Lands. But surprisingly, Heri jumps in front of him stopping his father.

King Kovu looks puzzled at his son. "Son, what are you doing?"

Heri sadden his emerald green eyes. His ears lowered. "Dad, I cant let you guys go."

"What do you mean?"

Kion steps up to King Kovu's left side and growled. "Is he protecting them Kovu? I should have known!"

I frown at Kion. "Kion, how dare you! Heri is your nephew."

King Kovu stands quick between them so there wont be a fight.

Heri gave his uncle a loud snarl. "Im not protecting them! I am the one that they want. I should be the only one going to the Out Lands. I dont want to risk each of you guys lives. I am fully responsible for this. Let me handle it."

I look nervous and walked up to him. "Heri dont! I thought I had lost my best friend before, but not for real this time. We have your back bro!"

"I know you guys do but please, I know what I am doing okay? Trust me Ishara."

King Kovu looks shook. "Son..."

"Dad, I have to do this." Heri said, with his eyes now filled up with tears.

"I cant lose you again. Your mother and I were worried sick about you! Dont you get it?"

"I do, but I also have to do what is right and that is to protect my family. If its to lose my life than so be it. I am the one that the leader of the hyena clan wants."

King Kovu roars loudly with anger. Heri takes off with full speed and heads straight to the direction of the Out Lands.

"Nooooo!" King Kovu yelled, his voice echoing across the land.

Kion looks surprised. "H-He's gone...he sacrificed his life for us...his family and pride..."

"We got to do something. We cant let Heri go to the Out Lands alone. I dont care what he says! We need back up." I said, while pacing back and forth.

Kion agrees. "Ishara is right Kovu. We must go back to Pride Rock quick and tell Kiara."

"You two go home and rally up the Pride. I'll go and find my son!" said King Kovu.

With that, we all ran in our separate directions.

I hope and pray that Heri will still be okay once we reach him...