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Description
Chaka led Shani through the thick jungle, showing her all the places he'd discovered that were his favorite, like where the water was crystal clear and great waterfalls poured down the mountain side, or where it was lush with vines that were strong enough to hold a lion's weight. Shani enjoyed seeing her brother's surroundings, but she was more interested in him.

"Why did you run away Chaka? Daddy feels like it's his fault you're gone, and mother's aging with worry...not to mention how sad I'd been knowing you weren't home when I returned."

Chaka's smile that she was enjoying began to fade to his more memorable frown.

"Well..." Chaka started. Shani waited till he was ready to speak again, watching his expressions change as he tried to figure out how to explain himself.

"You know I've always been dreading the day I'll have to take over the throne...it made me even more nervous when you were sent away with Nuka. I couldn't stand to think of not having you there to help me, like you always have, so I decided I shouldn't be king at all, that mom and dad could find someone else to be king if they figured I'd never be coming back."

Shani pondered for a minute. "But Chaka, how did you survive on your own? I mean...you haven't always been the greatest hunter..."

Chaka let out a small embarassed laugh.

"Do you remember the story Grandfather Simba told us one time when we were young, about the jungle he ran away to when his uncle told him to leave the Pridelands?" He asked.

Shani nodded once.

"Well, this is it. I followed the memory of Grandfather's description of the dessert until I got here. He survived as a cub, so I figured I had a chance. I've been picking off the sick or elderly from herds that travel this way to get to the greener part of the gorge near Priderock. It's been really great actually, not being afraid anymore, or disappointing anyone..."

"Chaka" Shani said, "You never disappointed anyone. Everyone's just been worried and misses you. I came back to Priderock to help you rule some day. I thought if we did it together, you'd be a great king in no time. Not to mention, I am also of royal blood you know." Shani nudged her brother and smiled. Chaka's frown began to morph back into a smile, and he nuzzled his sister.

"Thank you Shani. You're the best sister a lion could have. I think I'm ready. Let's go home."

***

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Description
Chaka led Shani through the thick jungle, showing her all the places he'd discovered that were his favorite, like where the water was crystal clear and great waterfalls poured down the mountain side, or where it was lush with vines that were strong enough to hold a lion's weight. Shani enjoyed seeing her brother's surroundings, but she was more interested in him.

"Why did you run away Chaka? Daddy feels like it's his fault you're gone, and mother's aging with worry...not to mention how sad I'd been knowing you weren't home when I returned."

Chaka's smile that she was enjoying began to fade to his more memorable frown.

"Well..." Chaka started. Shani waited till he was ready to speak again, watching his expressions change as he tried to figure out how to explain himself.

"You know I've always been dreading the day I'll have to take over the throne...it made me even more nervous when you were sent away with Nuka. I couldn't stand to think of not having you there to help me, like you always have, so I decided I shouldn't be king at all, that mom and dad could find someone else to be king if they figured I'd never be coming back."

Shani pondered for a minute. "But Chaka, how did you survive on your own? I mean...you haven't always been the greatest hunter..."

Chaka let out a small embarassed laugh.

"Do you remember the story Grandfather Simba told us one time when we were young, about the jungle he ran away to when his uncle told him to leave the Pridelands?" He asked.

Shani nodded once.

"Well, this is it. I followed the memory of Grandfather's description of the dessert until I got here. He survived as a cub, so I figured I had a chance. I've been picking off the sick or elderly from herds that travel this way to get to the greener part of the gorge near Priderock. It's been really great actually, not being afraid anymore, or disappointing anyone..."

"Chaka" Shani said, "You never disappointed anyone. Everyone's just been worried and misses you. I came back to Priderock to help you rule some day. I thought if we did it together, you'd be a great king in no time. Not to mention, I am also of royal blood you know." Shani nudged her brother and smiled. Chaka's frown began to morph back into a smile, and he nuzzled his sister.

"Thank you Shani. You're the best sister a lion could have. I think I'm ready. Let's go home."

***

NEXT PAGE capricornfox.deviantart.com/ar…