This original copyrighted work is based on Walt Disney's feature films, "The Lion King" and "The Lion King II : Simba's Pride."   Elements taken directly from "The Lion King" and "The Lion King II : Simba's Pride" are the property of The Walt Disney Company.  Quoting  passages from my work,  writing original pieces based on my work, or using characters I created is fine as long as  you contact me first and sending me a copy of your work.
My e-mail address is :  ep4lk@excite.com

Greetings Reader...This is a miracle…I was actually talked into writing a follow up of my “The Lion King VII : Evil Of The Mighty”.  I think that this story will work out quite nicely, or at least I think so.  Let’s just hope that we all enjoy it as we all usually do.

-Eben Prentzler

I would like to thank all my fans and friends right around the world. Without you I would be nothing and I wouldn't have reached an amazing 11 stories...Thank you all :-)
A very very special thank you to “Kwayera Cheetah”, who gave me one single idea for this story…Thanks a bunch.

You must read my other stories : "The Lion King VII : Evil Of The Mighty”,  “The Creation”, “The Origin” and “Love By Fire”  before you will understand the following story, 'cause I might use some characters and quotes from my previous stories.
 

Please be warned that some parts of the story contains blood and some very light language.  So read at your own risk.

Contents :

 1.    The Characters
 2.    The Script :
            Prologue
            Scene I  : Anger Of A God
            Scene II  : Fates & Destinies
            Scene III  : Discovery
            Scene IV  : Newcomer
            Scene V  : The Cursed
            Scene VI  : Judged By Looks Or By Heart
            Scene VII  : What Is She?
            Scene VIII  : Secret Destinies
            Scene IX  : Father, Dear Father
            Scene X  : Reportings
            Scene XI  : Perpetual Pain
            Scene XII  : Unwanted Tidings
            Scene XIII  : Final Farewell
            Scene XIV  : Bitter Truth
            Scene XV  : Innocent Truth
            Scene XVI : Trust
            Finale` : The Final Chapter

3. Final Words

And just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be a follow up to “The Lion King VII”, then it hit me.  Or rather I was given one single idea, that sounded quite interesting.  And took me a while to thought of this.  Before I start with this story, there is one question that I need to ask you, the reader. How far would someone go, if your destiny lies within your bloodline?  And now our story starts…

NARRATOR : This is a story of fate…courage…and the importances of the blood that
                         flows through your veins.  This is a tale that starts not in the present…but
                         in the past, where a young lion named Orog, stands before his destiny as
                         he faces the terrible fire monster that killed his parents…

Orog could only watch on as the possesed lionesses attack his friends.  His pelt was covered in his own sweat, from all the heat coming from his enemy in front of him.  The fire also watch the battle, but then turned his attention back to Orog.

FIRE: Oh well, back to business.  Do you have anything to say, before I burn you to
          ashes ?
OROG: Who are you?
FIRE: My name is Obor.  I was sent here by the Fire God Ogoun…anything else?

Voices started to echo through Orog’s mind…

AIRAMI: Don’t forget our lullaby.
ORKAM: Don’t you know what that means ?
AIRAMI: Promise me.
YOUNG OROG: I Promise.

The voices disappeared.

OROG: (whispering to himself) I Promise.
OBOR: I’m waiting…is there anything else you want to say?
OROG: Yes...Yes there is.
OBOR: I’m waiting.
OROG : EM OT RESOLC LWARC
OBOR: What are you doing ?
OROG : EES LLIW UOY NEHT
OBOR: Stop that !
OROG : UOY MRAH LIWW (thinking to himself) This is for you mother. (shouting)
              GNIHTON !
OBOR: NOOO!!!

Lighting struck one of the trees and it started to rain.  The fire started to die out.

OBOR: This is far from over, Ogoun will never rest till you are dead.

The fire monster known as Obor, quickly died with the falling of the rain.
Meanwhile in a very dark place, far below the earth’s crust, two bright red eyes burned with dissappointment.  The Fire God Ogoun, was not happy at all that his most faithful minion was destroyed by a simple mortal creature.

OGOUN: (Screaming in his most evil hissing voice) DAMN IT ALL!  NOT AGAIN!!!!
                Why does this family keep on avoiding me?  This is getting very irritating…
                There isn’t anything that can be worse than this.

Suddenly two mystic blue eyes appeared.

OGOUN: Aretec, what news do you bring me?

The two blue eyes moved closer to Ogoun and started to whisper something.

OGOUN: Aaah, so he has a offspring…that is nice…the curse can continue…What is the
                 infant’s name?

The whispering continued and Ogoun’s eyes lit up with rage

OGOUN: (screaming) HE CALLED HIM WHAT ???!!!!…How dare he…after all the
                 things that I’m busy doing for him…He actually chose a name that means “To
                 take away from the fire”…This I consider as a personal insult.  If I only had
                 the power, I would burn that bastard to a cinder…but not until the curse is
                 completed.
ARETEC: What do you want to do master?
OGOUN: Follow his offspring, Aretec.  When his offspring, produces a offspring of his
                own, then kill him and take over his life.
ARETEC: But what about the curse master?
OGOUN: The curse will have to wait…I first want that bastard to know not to screw with
                 me…
ARETEC: Once question master…are we allowed to kill someone of his blood?  He did
                  place the curse.
OGOUN: Who says we are going to kill him?  Once you take him out, his soul will
                 belong to me.  And no one is dead, until his soul is free…now GO!
ARETEC:  Yes Master.

Aretec’s cold blue eyes quickly disappeared.

NARRATOR: Boy, that Ogoun surely didn’t sound happy.  Now that is a God you don’t
                        want to tick off…but it seems like is a little bit too late for that, for
                        someone has made him all too cross.  To continue this story, we still stay
                        with Orog.  Only a few months after his encounter with Obor, Orog layed
                        in his den, way up high in the misty peaks.  He was very heartbroken, for
                        his lovely wife Arreis has disappeared…

A very sad Orog, let out a sigh of depression.  His wife has been missing for over a week now.  He didn’t know what to do.  Everytime he asked the question “Why?” in his mind…the voice of his wife would answer “Orog, I’m sorry for what I’m about to do to you.  But I have to protect our children.  Please forgive me”.  Somehow he forgave his wife for disappearing, but then the major question would arise “Protect our children from what?”  and Orog would never get an answer.  Orog’s thoughts were broken by the sound of a lioness entering the den.

OROG: Have you found her ?
LIONESS: Sorry Your Highness, we’ve searched the entire peaks and there is no sign of
                   her.  You know sire…
OROG: (interrupting) Just go.
LIONESS: Yes ‘Highness.

The lioness slowly left the den, not offended at all, for she knows the pain that is going through Orog’s soul at the moment.  When she was only a few meters away from the den, she could hear the screaming voice of her King coming from behind her.
 

OROG : (shouting) NOOOOOO!!!!  OH GODS ! WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN
              TO ME ?!!!

The lioness felt so sorry for the king, that even she shedded a tear.  Another week has passed and still now sign was found of Arreis’ whereabouts.  Orog fell into such a deep state of depression, that he didn’t even bother to leave the den.  All he did was post a guard at the entrance and didn’t show his face.  The morning was still cold, when Orog heard two voices argueing with the guard in front.  Somehow, the voices sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place the voices with faces.  So he just listened…

GUARD: Sorry, you can’t go in there.
MALE VOICE: Well, I’m sorry, we have to see your king.
GUARD: His majesty gave explicit orders not to let anyone through.
FEMALE VOICE: Believe me madam, he will be very happy to see us.
GUARD: Don’t call me madam…and I wouldn’t let you pass even if you were the queen
                of Pride Rock.
MALE VOICE: How can I put this lightly?  Or you let us through, or we will be forced to
                           hurt you.
GUARD: (calmly, yet sarcastically) I’m really scared…but touch me and there will be a
                whole pride of lions and leopards to touch you back.
MALE VOICE: I would love to smack you through the face, but I don’t hit lionesses…
GUARD: Good choice.
FEMALE VOICE: Hey, he might not hit lionesses…but I do.
GUARD: Oh please, you don’t stand a chance.
FEMALE VOICE: Why not?
GUARD: First off, I’m young and you are old.  I’m fast, you are slow.
FEMALE VOICE: Anything else.
GUARD: (screaming) YOU’RE BLIND!!!!!

When Orog heard those words, he couldn’t believe his ears…could it be that…no it can’t be, they are dead.  But there is only one way to find out.  Orog cleared his throat.

OROG: (calling) Nnamo, stop fighting out there and let them in.
NNAMO: (from outside) Yes ‘Highness…(to Orog’s unseen guests) You may go in.
MALE VOICE: (sarcastically) You are so kind.

Orog waited patiently for the guests to enter, but nothing could prepare him for the shock he was about to receive.  Everything happened almost in slow motion as his parents walked into his den.  He was totally at a loss for words.  His parents were alive, after almost a year, his prayers and wishes has been answered.

ALGES: Orog…my son.
OROG: D-d-d-d-dad.
AIRAMI: Hi honey.
OROG: M-m-m-mom.
ALGES: (to his wife) See, I told you the rumours were true…our son is a king.
OROG: I thought you were dead…they told me they found your bodies.
ALGES: They didn’t find anything…
OROG: But they told me they found your bodies…
ALGES: Let me explain what happened…

Alges and Airami was just about to leave the torched lands and set out on their quest to find Mwana, when Alges heard a very familiar voice from behind him.

VOICE: Alges…is that you.

Alges turned around, seeing his brother behind him.  Alges just looked on in amazement at his brother and another strange lion beside him.  He rubbed out his eyes, just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming…

ALGES: Waka, where did you come from?
WAKA: Pride Lands…I live there now, being King and all.
ALGES: The Pride Lands…but what about the Northern Lands?
WAKA: It is a long complicated story, which I don’t wish to repeat…but what are you
            doing here?
ALGES: I live…used to live here.
WAKA: You survived this blaze…
ALGES: Surprised?
WAKA: Absoloutley…
ALGES: (looking at the lion next to Waka) Who is that?
WAKA: This is my step-son Orkam…which reminds me Orkam rescued another lion here,
             I was wondering if  you know him…he is very dark brown…
AIRAMI: My Orog…
ORKAM: You know him?
WAKA: Is he your son?
ALGES: Yes.
WAKA: Well, then he’ll be worried about you two…come on I’ll take you to him.
ALGES: No…
WAKA: What?
ORKAM: Excuse me?
AIRAMI: Alges, what is wrong with you?
ALGES: I know it is not right, but tell Orog that you only found our bodies.
AIRAMI: What are you doing?
ALGES: We have to do this…And Waka, since Orog is your nephew, don’t tell him that
              yet.
WAKA: Why?
ALGES: Think about it Waka, if you go up to him and say “Hello Orog, I’m your Uncle
              Waka” and then tell him that you found our bodies, then he’ll realise something
              is not right.
WAKA: I see your point…
ALGES: We have to go now, Orog is in great danger.
ORKAM: What do you mean?
ALGES: This is very hard to explain and this is only a fight that Airami and myself can
              win elsewhere…We will come back for Orog, when our quest is completed and
             he is safe…
WAKA: Good luck my brother…hopefully I’ll see you again.
ALGES: You can count on it.

Alges and Airami set off on their journey…

ALGES: …We traveled a few months and tracked you down.  I’m so sorry for all the
               pain we put you through.
OROG: No apologies are needed…you are alive, that is better than an apology.
AIRAMI: We have also tracked you down, because we know that your wife ran away…
ALGES: …and we know about that little encounter you had with a certain fire a few
              months ago.
OROG: How did you know that?
ALGES: That is the difficult part to explain…okay let’s see…
AIRAMI: Do you remember all the stories we told you about Mwana?
OROG: It gave me nightmares…how could I forget?
AIRAMI: There is one part we left out.
OROG: Which is?
ALGES: The day, my brothers and I took over the Northern Lands, Mwana placed a
               curse on me…The curse was plain and simple, that the meaning of my name,
               will destroy me and all my kin.
OROG: So the fire was part of the curse?
ALGES: Yes…that is why we left you.  We had to track down Mwana, and make him
               take away the curse.  Or if I killed him the curse will be lifted.
OROG: Did you succeed?
ALGES: This is the weird part.  Mwana had offspring, so it didn’t matter if I killed him
               or not.  His whole bloodline must die for the curse to be lifted, because let’s be
               serious, do you really think Mwana will lift the curse?
OROG: But how do you know he had offspring?
AIRAMI: He told us this, before he commited suicide right in front of our eyes…he said
                 “It doesn’t matter if you kill me or if I take my own life, the curse will never
                  be lifted. My bloodline, will see the downfall of your family”
OROG: He said that?
ALGES: Right before he slit his own throat.
AIRAMI: We have been trying to track down his offspring for a while now, without
                 success.  We need your help.
OROG: Huh?
ALGES: In order for this to go away, we must find Mwana’s offspring and make him/her
               lift the curse or be killed by one of our bloodline.
OROG: So I must help you find his offspring?
AIRAMI: Yes.
OROG: I’ll do it.
ALGES: Good, we have already gone through the Northen Lands.  We are going West
               now…we need you to cover the East and the South.
OROG: You are leaving now?
ALGES: Listen son, I know this family reunion has to be cut short, but your mother and I
               don’t have long to live and we will fight this thing right through to the end.  So
               we have to leave now.
OROG: I understand.
AIRAMI: We will miss you dear, but we will always be in your heart, mind and soul.
OROG: Goodbye.

Orog and his parents said their final farewells and gave their last hugs, before Alges and Airami left once again on their long quest, not knowing when it will end…Orog shed more tears as he watched his parents walk off.  After they were gone, Nnamo approached Orog.

NNAMO: So who were they?
OROG: My parents.
NNAMO: I thought you said they were dead.
OROG: That’s what I thought…but enough of this, we have a lot to do…
NARRATOR: And now we will make one final stop in the past before returning to the
                        present day.  This is the day, years later, where Orog found his children
                        and returned home with his son, leaving his lovely daughter, Imbali,
                        behind to reign as queen of Pride Rock…

A couple months has passed since Namandla’s soul purification…everything was well, until the day when Namandla’s father, Orog, got very ill.  Nobody knew what to do.  Even the pride’s shaman was clueless.  One thing was certain, Orog was not going to last long.  Although very ill, Orog still performed his duties as king.  One morning he called for his son.  Namandla came into the den and he could immediately see how weak his father was.

NAMANDLA: You call for me your highness.
OROG: (weak and sickly voice) I called you here as a son…not a subject.
NAMANDLA: What can I do for you dad?
OROG: I’m not going to last much longer.
NAMANDLA: Don’t talk like that.  You are going to be fine.
OROG: No…I can feel it in my bones.
NAMANDLA: But we still have so much to talk about.
OROG: Well, then let’s start talking…I want to see my Arreis again.
NAMANDLA: Are you actually welcoming death?
OROG: Yes…I haven’t seen your mother since before you were born.
NAMANDLA: That is long.
OROG:  I have seen many things in my life…and encounter such evil as the world has
              never seen.
NAMANDLA:  I don’t like the way you said that…what evil?
OROG: The reason I actually called here today is…it is time that you knew about what
              happened a long time ago.
NAMANDLA: What is it?

Orog slowly exlpained the story of Mwana and the family curse.  He also spoke highly of his father, Alges, and how he asked for help in finding Mwana’s offspring.

NAMANDLA: I think I’m gonna be sick.
OROG: I know this is hard, but it is something we have to live with.
NAMANDLA: No…this is something that I won’t live with…my family….my whole
                         family is in danger, I won’t stand for this.
OROG: Calm down.
NAMANDLA: I am perfectly calm…did you find out about Mwana’s offspring?
OROG: I did.
NAMANDLA: Where is Mwana’s offspring?
OROG: I don’t know…all I know is that Mwana’s offspring, is not a lion.
NAMANDLA: Come again?
OROG: It’s true, Mwana’s offspring is of another species.
NAMANDLA: What species?
OROG: I can’t answer that…all I know it is a cat species.
NAMANDLA: I will find this half-breed and break the family curse.
OROG: That is good to hear…and I wish you good luck…but can we change the subject?
NAMANDLA: Okay…we have a lot more to talk about anyway…

Namandla and his father spoke through the whole day.  Sharing their memories and thoughts with each other.  Then the night came and everyone was sleeping, but one was having a better sleep than all.  Orog was enjoying his eternal sleep as he silently passed away during the night.

NARRATOR: Sometimes the past can’t hurt people in so many ways as Orog found out.
                        Because of the forsakened curse that was place on Alges’ soul, his whole
                        family was in danger.  But there was not knowing how big Alges’ family
                        grew through all the years.  So now we return to the present day.  Where it
                        is very late at night as Xelor, the oldest lioness alive, and Larozi, Shenzi’s
                        daughter, finished their heartbreaking stories of how “The Mighty” was
                        created…

Namandla watched as Xelor walked down Pride Rock.  Larozi came out of the den and saw Namandla standing there alone.

LAROZI: Hey, where is Xelor?
NAMANDLA: I don’t get her…I asked her if she would like to come and sleep inside,
                         but she said that it is okay…and that she will find a spot.
LAROZI: Don’t worry about it…she has always been like that.  She doesn’t like sleeping
                 in a big cave with a lot of others.
NAMANDLA: That is strange.
LAROZI: Tell me honestly…how did it feel to be possesed by him?
NAMANDLA: A living nightmare…I could see everything that happened, but I couldn’t
                         control my actions…everything I did, everything I said, everyone I
                         hurt…I felt ashamed of myself.
LAROZI: I know that feeling…do you have any idea how it made my family feel, to send
                 him after someone who was our enemy…It was terrible, no one deserved to
                 die the deaths our enemies suffered….Well, I think I’ll be turning in for the
                 night.
NAMANDLA: Will you be staying long?
LAROZI: No, I have to leave tomorrow afternoon.
NAMANDLA: Sleep well.

Larozi returned to the den.  Namandla didn’t feel like returning to the den.   His mind was to clouded with many thoughts and he had to think.  So he walked up to the top of Pride Rock.  He spent the rest of the night there, mostly drowned in his own thoughts, but he finally fell asleep in the early morning hours.
Umuntu was awake, a few hours after Namandla dosed off, to witness when the sun made its popular appearance over the horizon.  No matter how many times he watches the sun rise or set, he can never get enough of the beauty which this great ball off fire symbolizes.  When the sunrise was over, Umuntu headed over to the waterhole for a drink.  After he quenced his thirst, he headed back to Pride Rock.  On the way back, he sensed something was wrong and he stopped.  Umuntu looked around to see what was giving him this feeling.  Then his saw Xelor, curled up under a tree, so he headed towards her.  When he got there he was absoloutely shocked by the fact the Xelor stopped breathing.

UMUNTU: (shocked, yet sad) Oh no…I better tell the pride.

Umuntu returned to Pride Rock, with his head lowered.  When he got there, Botse and Imbali was waiting for him outside the den.

BOTSE: (cheerful) Morning.
UMUNTU: (downhearted) Hi.
BOTSE: Listen, have you seen Nami?  He didn’t sleep in the den last night.
UMUNTU: If he didn’t sleep in the den, then it will be on top of Pride Rock.
BOTSE: Thanks…I’m gonna get him now.

Botse quickly disappeared up the path, which led to the top.  Imbali couldn’t help but notice the sadness in Umuntu’s face.

IMBALI: Umi, what’s wrong?
UMUNTU: Gather everyone, I have some bad news.
IMBALI: I understand…I’ll quickly assemble everyone.
UMUNTU: Make sure Larozi is there too.
IMBALI: Okay.

Imbali never saw her Umuntu so depressed, so she knew that the news he carried wasn’t just bad…it was terrible.  She quickly assembled everyone at the bottom of Pride Rock.  Umuntu was the last to come down from Pride Rock.  Everyone could see something was wrong, and this really made them worry.  Silence fell over everyone as Umuntu started to speak.

UMUNTU: My friends…I bare some sad tidings.  Last night, Xelor The Great passed
                    away in her sleep.

A big gasp came from the crowd.

UMUNTU: There will be a traditional celebration in one hour.  So that you can prepare
                    yourself, if you want to speak at the ceremony.  That’s all…dismiss.

Everyone left, except for Larozi, who just sat there in shock, with tears streaming down her face.  Umuntu approached her.

UMUNTU: I’m sorry about your lost, I know she was a great friend to you.
LAROZI:  If you don’t mind, after the ceremony, I want to take Xelor’s body away from
                  here and place it next to where her brother was killed.  She would have
                  wanted it that way.
UMUNTU: Fine, you may take her.

The hour passed and the whole pride was assembled around Xelor’s body.  Larozi was the first to step forward.

LAROZI: We are here today to treasure the memory of Xelor.  I guess you all let me
                 speak first, because I know her so well. There is no words that can describe
                 her. There are even less words that could describe her soul.  She was a loving
                 and caring friend and she never gave up hope that Aikon will come for her…(a
                 short silence follows)  Well it looks like he came for her.  That also means that
                 the curse on Aikon is broken…Now Xelor can join him in the afterlife.  We’ll
                 all miss her…Thank you.

A few tears were shed during Larozi’s eulogy.  Umuntu came forward as Larozi stepped back.  It was now his turn to speak.

UMUNTU: Xelor The Great…There is a good reason we she was called great.  Although
                    nobody personally knew her, she was always a part of our lives, because I
                    don’t think there is one in the pride who hasn’t heard one Xelor story before.
                    Most of us thought she was only a myth, but somewhere deep down in our
                    hearts we knew she was real.  Now that she passed away she won’t be known
                    as a myth anymore…but a ledgend…Thank you.

Tears were flowing down everyone’s face as Umuntu walked back to his place.  Since no one had more to say, the ceremony was completed in the traditional way.  After the ceremony everyone, except Larozi and Namandla, returned to Pride Rock.

NAMANDLA: You know that thing that Umuntu said about Xelor being in our hearts, is
                          absoloutly true.
LAROZI: Yeah, she really made an impact on everyone’s lives.
NAMANDLA: I know…I still remember the day I first heard of her.  I was always
                         hoping that I would meet her.
LAROZI: And now that you did?
NAMANDLA: It feels like an empty space inside of me was filled…(a short silence
                          followed)…Now that the curse is broken, what are you going to do?
LAROZI: First, I’m going to take Xelor’s body to where it belongs…next to Aikon’s.
                Then I’m thinking of joining Xelor and Aikon.
NAMANDLA: Don’t tell me you are going to kill yourself.
LAROZI: I’m not that desparate.  I’m just old…and that will bring my eternity.
NAMANDLA: Are you coming back to Pride Rock?
LAROZI: Nope…none of you at Pride Rock will see me again.
NAMANDLA: You have a good soul, and you deserve to go where you are going.  Until
                          we meet in the afterlife, I bid you a farewell.
LAROZI: Farewell Namandla.

Namandla returned to Pride Rock…but his head was not clear of any thoughts…it was in fact clouded with many unanswered questions.  Most of these questions lurked on a single word “Curse”…

A full week has passed since the Xelor’s death.  Namandla was still visiting in the Pride Lands.  At some stages some of Umuntu’s pride thought that Namandla was neglecting his own pride.  It was just after noon sun reached its highest.  Umuntu and Namandla were resting under the shade of a tree, watching their children play around.

UMUNTU: I don’t mean to be rude or offencive, but don’t you think you are away from
                    your lands, just a little bit longer than needed.
NAMANDLA: No offence taken, I know that I’m extending my visit a little too much.
                         But just look at our children play…It is not everyday that we visit and
                         they really miss each other.

UMUNTU: True…(a short silence) You know, something has been bugging me.  Ingwe
                    has been gone since the night Xelor came…I wonder where he could be.
NAMANDLA: Well I have seen quite a number of times in these past couple of weeks.
UMUNTU: Oh?
NAMANDLA: He usually comes for a visit…but somehow I think he is not visiting me.
UMUNTU: (sarcastically) Who wants to visit you?
NAMANDLA: (not impressed) Ha-ha very funny.
UMUNTU: Sorry, I forgot you don’t have a sense of humour anymore.
NAMANDLA: I still have a sense of humour…
UMUNTU: I don’t see it.
NAMANDLA: It is just hidden very well.
UMUNTU: Yeah right.
NAMANDLA: If you have live with Botse’s jokes every day, then you’ll know what I’m
                         talking about.
UMUNTU: I forgot, you live with the most difficult wife ever…boy my sister can be a
                    paw-full sometimes.
NAMANDLA:  I need to talk you and Imbali…as well as the children.
UMUNTU: What about?
NAMANDLA: I was also hoping that Ingwe was here, since he is such a great friend to
                         this pride, he also deserves to know.
UMUNTU: Well, you don’t have to wait long.
NAMANDLA: You lost me.
UMUNTU: He is in the branches right above us.

Suddenly Ingwe jumped down from the tree.

INGWE: How did you know I was here?
NAMANDLA: I also would like to know that.
UMUNTU: Oh come Ingwe, you are getting rusty.
NAMANDLA: How long has he been there?
UMUNTU: I reckong about since we first metioned his name.
INGWE: How did you do that?
UMUNTU: Trade secret.
INGWE: I have the feeling you are not going to tell me.
UMUNTU: You have good feelings. (gives a little laugh and smile at the same time)
INGWE: Well, now that I’m here, there is something I need to tell you.
UMUNTU: Hopefully it is going to be about why you disappear for more than a week.
INGWE: That is part of it.
UMUNTU: Let’s hear it then.
INGWE: First off, I heard about Xelor’s death.  Sorry I wasn’t here.
UMUNTU: Don’t worry.
NAMANDLA: I can guess, you were in my lands…right?
INGWE: That is correct.
NAMANDLA: I was wondering why do you visit my lands so much…obviously you are
                         not there to visit me.
INGWE: (sarcastically) Who in his right mind will visit you?
UMUNTU: Hey, that’s my joke.
INGWE: I know, but it was so great, I had to repeat it.

Umuntu and Ingwe both laughed out loud.  Namandla of course wasn’t impressed…as usual.

NAMANDLA: (speaking to himself out loud) Why me?
UMUNTU: ‘Cause you are an easy target.
NAMANDLA:  (sarcastically) Thanks… I REALLY wanted to know that.
INGWE: But you are right Nami, I wasn’t in your lands to visit you…I was busy visiting
               someone else.
NAMANDLA: Okay, who is he?
UMUNTU: First off, it is a she and she is sitting on a branch right above your head.
INGWE: (very confused) How did you do that?
UMUNTU: That’s for me know and for you to figure out.
INGWE: (calling) Sirati, you can come down.
NAMANDLA: Now why does that name sound familiar?

Another leopard jumped from the tree.  She was just a little bit smaller than Ingwe, but she was the one and only beauty for him.  She had the brain and the looks to charm any leopard she wanted.

NAMANDLA: I know you, you are one of the head guards.
SIRATI: (to Namandla) ‘Highness…(to Umuntu) ‘Majesty.
INGWE: This is hopefully my future mate Sirati.
SIRATI: What do you mean hopefully…I am.
INGWE: Sorry, wrong choice of words.
UMUNTU: (to Ingwe) A word alone.
INGWE: (to Sirati) Excuse me.

Umuntu and Ingwe stepped aside.

UMUNTU: I must commend you…you really have good taste in feline…
INGWE: Thanks.
UMUNTU: But…
INGWE: But what?
UMUNTU: Isn’t she a little bit young?
INGWE: Young?  Do you know how old she is?
UMUNTU: Surprise me.
INGWE: She’s my age.
UMUNTU: Jeez, that old?
INGWE: Hey, I’m not that old.
UMUNTU: She doesn’t look old.
INGWE: Yeah, that is what makes her beautiful…shall we return.
UMUNTU: Let’s.

Umuntu and Ingwe returned to Namandla and Sirati.

NAMANDLA: Are you two done?
UMUNTU: Well yeah…
NAMANDLA: Good…Ingwe, can you quickly gather the cubs and take them to the den.
INGWE: Sure.  (to Sirati) See you at the den.
SIRATI: Can’t I help you?
INGWE: The cubs won’t come to someone they don’t know.
SIRATI: They are well taught then.  See you at the den.
NAMANDLA: Umi, can you find your sister and my sister, and get them to the den.
UMUNTU: What is this all about?
NAMANDLA: You’ll find out soon enough…I’ll escort Sirati to the den.

Each went their separate ways and Namandla led Sirati to the den.  Umuntu and Ingwe were already waiting in the den by the time Namandla and Sirati got to Pride Rock.  Namandla stopped just before they entered the den.

NAMANDLA: Would you be so kind as to wait out here?
SIRATI: As you wish ‘Highness.

Namandla entered the den, leaving Sirati outside.

Namandla saw everyone was accounted for when he entered the den.  Ingwe looked confused at Namandla.

INGWE: Where is Sirati?
NAMANDLA: Outside.
INGWE: I’ll go get her.
NAMANDLA: No.
INGWE: Why not?
NAMANDLA: This is a matter that doesn’t concern her.
INGWE: Or you let her in or I’ll tell her later.
NAMANDLA: This matter is very important and believe me, she doesn’t want to hear
                          this…It might hurt her feelings.
INGWE: Since you put it that way…go on.
NAMANDLA: Okay…now all of you listen closely and heed my words.

And so Namandla started the story of his grandfather and the terrible family curse…
An hour later, a waiting Sirati, was becoming impatient.  She was very curios to know what was going on inside the den.

SIRATI: What can possibly take so long?

Suddenly a lioness came up the path.

LIONESS: Believe me honey, when the King says that only the family is allowed in the
                  den, then it is gonna take some time for them to come out.
SIRATI: Who are you?
LIONESS: My name is Mjima.
SIRATI: Please to meet you…I’m…
MJIMA: (cutting her off)  I know, you are Ingwe’s new honey-bunny.
SIRATI: That is putting it very bluntly…but yes.  My name is Sirati.
MJIMA: I know.
SIRATI: How did you know that?
MJIMA: When someone new comes into the pride, word spreads quickly.
SIRATI: Well I’m not actually part of this pride.
MJIMA: Now that you are gonna be Ingwe’s little flower, you are automatically part of
               this pride.
SIRATI: Oh, I see.
MJIMA: You are very lucky honey, to have Ingwe.
SIRATI: Why is that?
MJIMA: Do you know how many times the girls and myself argued who’s gonna get
               him?
SIRATI: But why?  You are lion, he is leopard.
MJIMA: Hey honey…a cat is a cat…Don’t matter what type it is…Not to mention that
                he has a cute ass.

Sirati just stared open-mouthed at Mjima.

SIRATI: That is my Ingwe you are talking about.
MJIMA: But it is true…come on admit it.
SIRATI: Well…you are right…he does have a cute ass.
MJIMA: There, that wasn’t so hard.  Come on, let me show you around…
SIRATI: I’d rather wait.
MJIMA: I reckon they are gonna be in there for another three, four hours tops….do you
               wanna wait that long?
SIRATI: On second thought…show me.
MJIMA: Follow me honey-buns.

Sirati started to follow the strange, yet good hearted, lioness around.
Another hour passed and Namandla finally finished his story…

NAMANDLA: …and now you all know about the curse.
UMUNTU:  This is terrible.
NAMANDLA: That is why I came to you for help.  I need help to protect my son against
                          this curse.
UMUNTU: We all are in danger.
BOTSE: How so?
UMUNTU: Think about it…Orog’s kin are in danger.  That would make Nami and
                    Imbali…true?
IMBALI: I follow.
UMUNTU: So, then follow’s Nami’s kin…namely Ikana.  But therefore Botse is also in
                   danger.
BOTSE: I don’t follow.
UMUNTU: You have Nami’s blood in your veins…You are Ikana’s mother, aren’t you?
BOTSE: Oh yeah, I forgot.
IMBALI: That means that you, myself and our children are also in danger.
UMUNTU: Yes…this is serious.
INGWE: Okay Nami, I understand why your whole family is danger, by why did I need
                to hear this?
NAMANDLA: You are one of Umi’s best friends, and you might be able to help us.
INGWE: Okay…sure, sure.  But why wasn’t Sirati allowed to hear this?
NAMANDLA: Here is the deal…Mwana has offspring, right?
BOTSE: So we all understand..
NAMANDLA: This is the catch…His offspring isn’t a lion.
UMUNTU: What?
NAMANDLA: The last thing my father told me about this, was that he found out that
                          Mwana’s offspring isn’t a lion…it is in fact another cat species.
IMBALI: Do you know which species?
NAMANDLA: No…that is why I think we shouldn’t trust any other species of cat we
                         don’t know.  Let’s take Sirati for example.
INGWE: (getting cross) Hey, she is no demon from hell.
NAMANDLA: I don’t know that…you don’t know that.  I don’t trust her and I don’t
                         think anyone should.
INGWE: You better watch your mouth Nami, before I slap it off.
UMUNTU: Enough of this…Our two prides will work together to solve this problem.
                   Nami, you continue you search as usual for this offspring from hell.  We will
                   start this side.
NAMANDLA: Okay.
UMUNTU: And you Ingwe…cool down, Nami is just playing it safe.  You’re right, we
                   shouldn’t be so fast to judge Sirati.
INGWE: Thank you…someone who understands me.
UMUNTU: And no one breaths a word of this to anyone…this is a family only
                   secret…got it.

Most of them nodded in response.

UMUNTU: (to his children) Do you two understand?
DEIS & ORCHID: Yes dad.
BOTSE: (to her son) And you?
IKANA: I understand mom…not a word to anyone.
BOTSE: Good.
DEIS: But dad…there is one thing that troubles me.
UMUNTU: What is that?
DEIS: Well, when did Uncle Nami’s dad die?
NAMANDLA: Probably about two months before you were born.
DEIS: That’s the problem.
UMUNTU: I don’t follow.
DEIS: Why is it, that in all this time, that fire thingy didn’t come and get us?
BOTSE: That’s a good question…(to Imbali) He is quite smart for such a young age.
IMBALI: (whispering to Botse) He gets that from me.
UMUNTU: I heard that.
NAMANDLA: (to Deis) I don’t know the answer…all I know is that, that thing is still
                         out there…And it is coming for us.

The meeting was finally over and when they walked outside it was already dark.  Ingwe looked around and didn’t see Sirati anywhere, so he called a nearby lioness.

INGWE: (to Lioness) Have you seen Sirati?
LIONESS: Who?
INGWE: A leopard…like me, just more beautiful.
LIONESS: Ooooh, the newcomer.  I saw her with Mjima earlier on.
INGWE: Oh no, not Mjima.
UMUNTU: (to Ingwe) I feel sorry for Sirati already.
INGWE: I know…but sometimes she can be so irritating.
IMBALI: (raising her voice) Hey…Mjima is one of our best lionesses.  She is very
                 helpful.
UMUNTU: She might be a bit weird at sometimes, but she has a good heart.
INGWE: True.
BOTSE: (whispering to Imbali) How did you do that?
IMBALI: Do what?
BOTSE: You just raised your voice and they started didn’t say one bad thing about this
               lioness.
IMBALI: Well, they have learned plenty of times not to insult my lionesses.
BOTSE: Impressive…you must give me some tips one of these days.
IMBALI: No problem.

Conversations continued for a few minutes and, then Sirati and Mjima finally returned.

SIRATI: (to Mjima) Thank you for showing me around…I enjoyed it a lot.
MJIMA: No problem…but I think someone is waiting to see you.

Ingwe approached his one and only love.

SIRATI: So how was the meeting?
INGWE: Very long.
SIRATI: I noticed.
INGWE: So what did you do the whole time…I thought you were going to wait outside.
SIRATI: And bore myself to death?  Mjima was so kind as to show me the Pride Lands.
INGWE: Really?  That was nice of her…(to Mjima) Thanks Mjima.
MJIMA: Don’t worry about it sweety…anything to keep myself busy.

Mjima departed, leaving the two lovers alone.

SIRATI: So what is this thing I hear about the lionesses fighting over you.
INGWE: I am the irristable one…aint I?
SIRATI: I’m just glad you chose me over them.
INGWE: I don’t live by some of there philosophies…like a cat is a cat.
SIRATI: That does sound a little bit disgusting though.
INGWE: True.

Not far away sat Umuntu and Imbali, watching Sirati and Ingwe.

IMBALI: They look so cute together.
UMUNTU: Yeah. They do.  I’m glad that Ingwe found the one for him.  At times I
                    thought he would be alone his whole life.
IMBALI: Umi…I don’t think Nami is right about not trusting Sirati.
UMUNTU: I also don’t think it is right.  It just sounds wrong.  If there was something
                   wrong with Sirati, Ingwe would have noticed by now.
IMBALI: (worried) I’m scared of this curse Umi…I’m really scared.
UMUNTU: Don’t worry, I’ll protect you…and our cubs.

Imbali didn’t answer, she just snuggled Umuntu.  As the night grew colder, so did everyone grow even more tired.  It didn’t take the whole pride long to fall asleep.  The morning came very quickly and it was time for Namandla to return to The Misty Peaks again.  All goodbyes couldn’t be completed, because Deis was nowhere to be seen.  Umuntu looked down at his daughter.

UMUNTU: Where is your brother?
ORCHID: Didn’t he sleep in the den?
UMUNTU: I didn’t notice him.
ORCHID: I think I know where he is.
UMUNTU: Good, then be a sweetheart and go and fetch him.
ORCHID: Okay daddy.

Orchid quickly ran to the back of Pride Rock, where a beautiful tree was blossoming in the spring sun.  She started to climb the tree, making sure of her grip the whole time.  When Orchid reached one of the higher branches, she saw her brother sleeping peacefully on it.  She crawled closer to her brother and started to shake him.

ORCHID: Hey Deis…wake up.

Deis slowly started to wake up, but he got on major scare when he saw his sister in front of him.  The scare almost sent him flying off the branch, but he grabbed the branch with his claws before he fell.  He hung tangling, trying to get up.

DEIS: Why did you scare me like that?
ORCHID: I just woke you…and mom told you many times not to sleep in the trees.
DEIS: I’ll sleep where I want…just help me up.
ORCHID: Yes boss.

Orchid helped her brother up.  They both got out of the tree very quickly and returned to the waiting pride.  Now it was finally time to say all the final farewells, until they met again.  Ikana was very sad to leave his cousins and some tears were shed.  It took Namandla and his family almost an hour with goodbyes, before they left the Pride Lands.  Just as the family was on their way, Namandla looked over his shoulder and said…

NAMANDLA: Umi, as soon as you find something about our situation, see me
                          immediately
UMUNTU: Of course.  If not, then we meet in six months again.
NAMANDLA: This time my place.
UMUNTU: Just get out of here, before you are forced to stay.
NAMANDLA: Bye Umi…take care of my sister.
UMUNTU: Same to you.

And so Namandla’s family disappeared over the horizon, heading towards the Misty Peaks.
It has been a week since Namandla left the Pride Lands, and Deis was starting to miss Ikana a lot.  It wasn’t everyday that he sees his cousin, and Deis’ sister wasn’t actually much fun to play with.  All she can do each morning is scare him so silly, that he almost falls out of his favourite tree.  Then one morning he just couldn’t take it anymore…He was just helped up again by his sister and he was furious.

DEIS: (angry) Why do you keep on scaring me in the mornings?
ORCHID: Because I like it.
DEIS: Well I don’t…You better stop it.
ORCHID: Why?
DEIS: Or you will regret it one day.
ORCHID: Why?
DEIS: Because you are an irritating little brat!
ORCHID: Why?
DEIS: (screaming) Aaaaah, women…

Deis was so cross, that he almost knocked his sister out of tree when he passed her.  Deis was out of the tree quickly and walked away even faster.

DEIS: (to himself) This is not going to happen again…I want to sleep in the mornings.
          Tomorrow there will be a big surprise waiting for her.

The day passed very quickly and the night came.  Deis was on his way to his favourite tree, but then he remember what he thought earlier in the day.  He walked passed his tree and just continue on walk until he reached the Great River.  He saw a nice looking tree on the shore of the river.  He first scanned through the tree, looking for a nice spot to climb.  It didn’t take long until he was nice and high up in the tree.
The following morning Orchid went to Deis’s favourite tree.  She ascended the tree very quickly, hoping to give her brother a nice big scare.  When she came to the top, she was surprised to find that her brother wasn’t there.

ORCHID: Hey, what is going on here?  He is never up this early

Meanwhile somewhere else, Deis slowly woke up to the peaceful sound of water running below him.

DEIS: (taking a deep breath and exhaling) What a lovely morning…and the nice
           thing…no Orchid.  It is so peaceful here…I think I sould come her more often…

Deis relaxed for another couple of minutes before deciding to get up and head home.  Suddenly he slipped and fell head first down the tree.  He just saw the strong flow of the river coming closer.  But what worried Deis more was the big branch just before the water, which was coming closer very fast as he kept on falling.  Deis just saw the branch coming closer, until he could only see darkness…
When Deis finally woke up, he found out that he was partially wet and that he had one monster of a headache.  He heard some distant voices that he didn’t recognize.

VOICE 1: Hey look, he’s waking up.
VOICE 2: Oh good…hey…are you alright?

Deis’s vision was still a little blurly and he had no idea where he was.  All he saw was two light yellow blurs in front of him.

DEIS: Please, no shouting.
VOICE 1: He must have hit his head very hard.
DEIS: What happened?
VOICE 1: You almost drowned…If my daughter didn’t save you, you would have been
                  sleeping with the fishes.
VOICE 2: (scolding) Mom, you don’t have to be so graphic.

Deis’s vision finally returned and the two yellow blurs changed into two cheetahs looking at him.  One of the cheetahs was still very young, Deis reckoned she was only a few months older than he is.  And the other cheetah was a lot older and bigger than the younger one.

DEIS: Who are you?
OLDER CHEETAH: (stepping forward) My name is Mwale, and this (pointing to the
                                    younger cheetah) is my daughter Ini.
INI: Hi there.
DEIS: You are cheetahs.
MWALE: Please don’t insult us like that.  We are KING cheetahs.
DEIS: I’m not allowed to talk with you.
INI: What?
DEIS: Sorry, dad’s rules.
MWALE: Who does your father think he is…the king?
DEIS: He is.
MWALE: Okay…
DEIS: Listen, I really appretiate your help and all, but I’m not allowed to speak with you.

Deis turned around and walked away.

MWALE: What’s up with him ?
INI: Don’t worry mom, I’ll find out.
MWALE: Don’t stay out to late, you know how your father gets.  Remember you are
                 only a little bit older than than that cub.
INI: I’ll be quick.

Ini ran after Deis.  It didn’t take long for her to catch up with him.

INI: Hey…what is up with you huh?  Was something we said?
DEIS: No, it isn’t that.  It is that just for once in my life, I must obey what my father has
           told me.
INI: But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
DEIS: Your right…thanks.
INI: No problem…uhhhh…Things were so crazy back there, I forgot ask you your name.
DEIS: I’m Deis.
INI: Well Deis, you are very  lucky to be alive.
DEIS: So you are the one that saved me.
INI: Yeah so?
DEIS: I just can’t see how that is possible.  You are so young, how can you drag someone
          as heavy as me out of a river, with such strong currents?
INI: There was always a lot of strength in my family.
DEIS: What exactly happened?
INI: I just saw you floating in the river.  I quickly jumped in and pulled you out…How
       you got in the river I don’t know.
DEIS: The last thing I remember was falling out of a tree.
INI: Tree?  Now I get it, you fell out of a tree and most likely hit your head on one of the
        branches.
DEIS: That would explain the bump on my head…(looking at the sun) But the problem
           is, how am I gonna explain this to my parents.
INI: Tell them the truth.
DEIS: What?
INI: But you can leave out a few bits and pieces.
DEIS: Like?
INI: The river and meeting us.
DEIS: Sounds good…Listen, I think this is as far as you must go.  If someone saw us
           together, I don’t know what will happen.
INI: Okay.
DEIS: Well it was nice knowing you.
INI:  You speak like you never gonna see me again.
DEIS: After I go home, I’m not sure anyone will ever see me alive again.
INI: Good luck.

Deis headed towards Pride Rock.  It was just before sunset when he finally got home, with two very worried parents waiting outside the den.  Deis was in a lot of trouble, but the only one who didn’t yell at him was his father.  Unlike Imbali, Umuntu was very calm and tried to understand his son over his wife shouting.  Most of the shouting was about how worried they were.  And there were shouting about how the whole pride was looking for him.  After a while Umuntu couldn’t take the shouting anymore…

UMUNTU: (raising his voice) Bali! Please, let the boy speak…
IMBALI: (furious) Okay! Okay!  What happened?
DEIS:  Well you remember how you told me not to sleep in trees?
IMBALI: What about it?
DEIS: The good news is that I will never sleep in a tree again…The bad news is that I fell
           out of one of those things.
UMUNTU: That would explain the bruise on your head.
DEIS: I was knocked out and only woke up a few hours ago.
IMBALI: (still angry) Your lucky I’m in a good mood today young man.

Imbali turned around and returned to the den.

DEIS: Dad.
UMUNTU: Yeah.
DEIS: If that was one of mom’s good moods…what will she be like in a bad mood?
UMUNTU: You don’t want to know.
DEIS: That bad huh?
UMUNTU: You  have no idea…come on, let’s go in.  All of us had a long day.

The following morning Deis was up very early.  He went to the top of Pride Rock to witness the sunrise as he did many times before in his short, yet fruitfull life.  Just before the sun came up, Orchid was behind Deis, ready to give him another big scare.

DEIS: Good morning Orchid.
ORCHID: How did you do that?
DEIS: Hey, when I’m awake I can do anything.
ORCHID: If you say so.
DEIS: Oh stop your talking and come look at the sunrise with me.
ORCHID: Why not?

The twins sat next to each other and watched the wonderfull red ball of fire make its appearrance over the horizon.  Afterwards Deis left his sister alone and went walking around again.
When Pride Rock wasn’t insight anymore, Deis decided to take a little break.  So he made himself comfy next to a rock, which was already warm from the morning sun.  All the sudden Ini jumped out from behind the rock.

INI: Morning.
DEIS: Oh hi there…what are you doing here?
INI: Well, I was just wondering how last night went.
DEIS: It went great…my mother was a bit cross, but my dad understood me.
INI: That is weird…Usually it is the mother that must be understanding and the father
        who should be doing the yelling.
DEIS: I’m actually happy that is the other way around.
INI: Yeah…it must be great…well sorry to cut this short, but my mother wanted me to
        hurry back…she wants to talk to me…or actually I want to talk to her.
DEIS: See around sometime.
INI: You never know.

Ini quickly ran off.
Thoughts started to tumble around in Deis’ head.  Most of them was surrounding the fact that his family asked him to stay away from other cat species.  Then there was the thought of Ini… “How could someone so good hearted, be evil ?”  These two thoughts clashed the whole time and it was confusing him.
Ini huried home to where her mother was waiting.

MWALE: Ah, you’re back.  How is he?
INI: He’s alright, he wasn’t in a lot of trouble.
MWALE: That’s good to hear.
INI: You wanted to speak with me.
MWALE: No…I think it is actually you who wants to speak with me.
INI: How did you know that?
MWALE: When you save that cub yesterday…I saw the amazement on your face.
INI: How do you mean?
MWALE: Even you don’t know how you did it.
INI: That has been bothering me.  I mean, I’m just a cheetah…Only a full grown lion
        could fight the currents of the Great River.
MWALE: I know it must seem confusing now, but I will explain it when you are a bit
                 older.
INI: Mom, this incredible strength I have is scaring me…what am I ?
MWALE: You are a bit of both worlds.
INI: That helps.
MWALE: You will know yourself later in life…I promise.

Days slowly passed into weeks and Ini found herself starting to visit Deis every day.  It is not like Deis minded it at all, he was actually the one sneaking away from home the most.  They usually met up at the place where they met for the first time.  Deis approached a waiting Ini.

INI: You are late.
DEIS: Sorry, it is getting harder and harder to sneak away from home.
INI: Can’t you just be straight with your parents?
DEIS: You can’t be serious.  My mother would slaughter me first and ask questions later.
INI: Your point is well made.
DEIS: So tell me, are you staight with your parents?
INI: The whole time.  Except with my dad of course…He doesn’t know I see you so
        much.
DEIS: So you are open with your mother, but not with you dad.
INI: That’s right
DEIS: Why?
INI: I don’t know what it is, but sometimes my dad scares me.
DEIS: How is that?
INI: Just by the way he acts sometimes.  He really scares me in many ways.

A short silence follows.

INI: Tell me, why don’t your parents trust other cat species anymore?
DEIS: Well…
INI: Come on…I told you a lot about my parents…now it is your turn.
DEIS: Okay…promise you won’t breath a word about this.
INI: I promise.
DEIS: It all started with my great-grandfather…
INI: That far back?
DEIS: Hey, you wanna hear this or not?
INI: Sorry…go on.
DEIS: Like I said it started with my great-grandfather named Alges…

And so Deis started to repeat the story which his Uncle Namandla told a couple a weeks ago.  Making sure he didn’t miss one bit of the story, Deis used the exact words which his uncle used.  With many questions from Ini inbetween the story, it took Deis about two hours to complete the whole story…

DEIS: Well, that’s it.
INI: That was a strange, yet sad story.
DEIS: Tell me about it.
INI: So just because of this curse, you are not allowed to speak with any other cat
        species.
DEIS: No-no-no…You see Mwana, that will be the idiot who placed the curse on us, had
           an offspring…but this offspring is not lion…it is another cat species.
INI: How is that possible?
DEIS: It is like Mjima says…she says “A cat is a cat, you get joy out of it no matter
           what”
INI: (pulling her face in disgust) Eeeeuh! That is disgusting.
DEIS: I can’t help that she is so graphic.
INI: Listen…I gotta go.  I have a couple of things to do before I go home.
DEIS: See you around…I also need to go.

Ini quickly disappeared.
Deis started to walk back to Pride Rock.  All the sudden Orchid appeared out of nowhere, scaring the living daylights out of Deis.

DEIS: What are you trying to do…scare me to death ?
ORCHID: (angry) You deserve it.
DEIS: What?
ORCHID: How could you?  After mom and dad asked you very nicely…you still
                 disobeyed them.
DEIS: I don’t follow.
ORCHID: I have been following you for about a week now.  And every day you went
                 and talked with that…that…that cheetah.
DEIS: Hey, she is a King Cheetah and her name is Ini.
ORCHID: I don’t care…I thought that you were just talking garbage the whole day, but
                  when you told her about the curse, I couldn’t take it anymore.  This is a family
                  matter…that means NOT TO BE HEARD BY OTHERS.
DEIS: (snapping back) You really want to know why I told her?
ORCHID: That’ll help.
DEIS: Remember that day I fell out of the tree?
ORCHID: What about it?
DEIS: What really happened was that I fell out of tree, hit my head and fell into The
            Great River.
ORCHID: What?
DEIS: That’s right…and if it wasn’t for Ini, I would have drowned.  So I at least owed
            her an explanation why I was so rude to her on the first day.
ORCHID: Sorry…I didn’t know.
DEIS: You are not gonna tell mom and dad about her…are you?
ORCHID: Nah…I don’t want to ruin your life so much…if she saved your life,
                 (sarcastically) and why I don’t know,  I guess she is okay.
DEIS: Can you do me another favour?
ORCHID: I think you have just about used up all your favours.
DEIS: Please stop following me during the day…if you want to meet Ini, it could be
           arranged.
ORCHID: I don’t think I want to meet her…but I will stop following you.
DEIS: Thanks…you are the greatest sister in the world.
ORCHID: I know.

Time did what it as done for so long and that is pass.  Six month has passed since Namandla visited and the twins, Deis and Orchid with both exactly a year old.  As agreed it was time that Umuntu took his family and went to the Misty Peaks.  So that meant that Deis would have to say goodby