Freedom Is Often Short-Lived

Shani knew the scent the moment she began to approach the land on her daily wanderings, but she had heard that these grassy plains were peaceful, a place that Scar had no remembrance of in the Pridelands. Among the plains, Shani could see many other lions, herds of animals, and birds flying along lazily in the morning sun. Shani had taken a liking to morning trips, for the sun was not quite so hot then, and none of her Pride noticed she had left.

However, Shani was still hesitant to be among these lands since her run in with the King of them himself, Scar. The naïve lioness had revealed valuable information that day, and though she could not realise it she had jeopardised her home. The scents lingering in the air were un-familiar, and none smelt distinctly of Scar. With a relieved sigh, Shani continued plodding along in the Valley of Peace, feeling relaxed and cheerful.

Exploring was something that Shani had taken a liking too. Though she knew she had betrayed the trust that Nyota had placed on her, Shani shrugged it off. After all, on more than one occasion she had noticed the Queen herself wandering off to explore, so Shani supposed it was alright if she did too. After all, she was a rather curious lioness, and she felt as if her curiosity had to be sated.

Sarabi had taken the cubs to the hunting grounds for a lesson that all cubs needed, and although Scar despised it, Heshima was free for the day. The mother really needed a break from her duties as a caregiver, so she wandered off into the neutral lands of the territory. There were no hyenas here yet, and the darkness had not spread. The dusky land she had grown accustomed to living in had vanished, and although this was neutral grounds, the pride could not hunt here. That is, according to Mufasa.

But Heshima knew it was only a matter of time before Scar remembered these lands, and sends the hunting party here. The grassy plains would be destroyed as well, and the Pridelands would have almost no guests as they did now a days. Heshima had heard from some of the hyenas who have found a gratitude with the mother of the royal cubs, that an increased number of females had made their way into the lands where she called home.

How long would it be before the lands became unsuitable? How many lionesses would it take for Scar to find a suitable heir? Heshima couldn't bear the thoughts of the real problems she and her family had to face. The creamed lioness's thoughts were instantly cut off when she spotted an intruder to the lands. Although these lands were neutral territory, Heshima still had to know why the lioness was here. Although, she didn't seem so bad, in fact; she seemed rather young.

The pale female padded up to the chocolate brown lioness and offered a smile, "Hello there," she greeted, "welcome to the Pridelands. Not to overstep the 'rudeness boundary', but may I ask what you are doing in these lands?"

The freedom within Shani at being able to wander and familiarize with the different scents of each animal was wonderful, and this was something she had missed. Though being in a Pride had many benefits, she had missed her rogue days dearly. They had been full of stride, and hardship, but also there had been many benefits accompanying the bad things.

Sitting back, she looked around at a herd of Zebra that galloped past, their heads tossed around as their tails swatted flies away from them. Though Shani knew of the rules, do not hunt within someone else's land, she did not care for them in that moment in time. The Zebra slowed to a halt and began to graze in a lovely patch of green grass that was knee high, prefect for Shani to lurk in.

Crouching down, the lioness stalked after her prey and placed herself into a position ready to pounce. Not really wanting to catch any, for she was not hungry, Shani let out a little growl before she leapt through the air, and the Zebra were off as soon as she released the growl. With a playful smile, Shani raced after them and watched as they galloped away, laughing happily.

Her laughter stopped as the un-familiar scent of a lioness wafted to her nose, and she whipped around. Faced with a creamy lioness who looked kind enough, Shani bowed her head in a respectful way. She looked behind the lioness, but not seeing hide nor hair of the russet form of Scar, she relaxed visibly and sat down. "You have not over-stepped the boundaries at all, its a valid question. I am merely curious, is all."

The lioness in front of Heshima was clearly not of the pride, for she bowed her head when the creamed lioness had no position of power. She had stated how she was curious about the lands but Heshima could not see why. The lands were dying, the herds had left so long ago, there was almost nothing left in the lands. The vultures were even starting to leave the lands. It was an eerie thought, was this going to be Heshima's last year of life because of the lands?

"Curiosity is very understandable," the violet eyed lioness easily lied, but the next part was the truth, "Please, there is no need to bow to me. I hold no power in the pride, only the mother of some of the king's cubs. No power, only a high honor given upon me." But was it truly an honor? Sure Heshima loved her cubs to death, but were they just created by Scar so he would have some kind of legacy after his death? It was a highly plausible reason, but Heshima didn't want to believe it.

The lioness looked into the lioness' eyes to see that the color was the same. She had never seen a lioness with the same purple hue as her own and it seemed to amaze her. But Heshima made no inclination towards her new-found discovery. "I haven't seen you around here before, what is your name?" Heshima was thinking about reporting the unknown lioness to Scar after they were done talking, and a name would be one of the only means of identification that Scar would truly need.

Shani's tail curled around her in a protective manner, and for the first time she felt no desire to capture it between her paws and growl at it. The feeling of fear around her was un-known, for she had not been scared in a long time. But, since her run in with Scar, Shani had become hesitant about visiting the Pridelands, though her curiosity was hard to curb in, and she had decided to visit the neutral area of the Pridelands.

Shani frowned at her, for it seemed the lioness was under the impression that giving birth to the spawn of the devil himself was an honor. Though, after she said that, Shani noticed the flicker of doubt in the other lionesses eyes, and she could see that the lioness wasn't sure if that was truly an honour. "I bow because I am respectful, not because I think that you hold a position of great honor." Shani explained gently. With her head cocked to the side, Shani frowned again. "You have cubs to Scar?" Her tone was sad as Shani spoke.

With a smile, Shani noticed that this lioness held the same purple shade of her own eyes, and this made her warm to the lioness that she had decided was pretty. With a creamy coat and purple eyes, how could she not be? When asked her name, Shani paused slightly. If she gave out her name, how could she trust this other lioness not to tell Scar of it? Deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt, Shani smiled softly. "I am Shani, what is your name?"

The lioness bowed out of respect, respect that Heshima thought she shouldn't receive. But, she didn't say another word on the matter, moving now to the question of her cubs. "Yes, my four little ones. They are my everything, but alas, I fear as if their father wishes not to be a part of their lives," Hopefully, this lioness was not one of Scar's spies that she had heard rumors of him gathering. But whether these rumors were true were something entirely different.

Scar would punish her if he heard what she had just said, but Heshima didn't care. She was sick and tired of being so submissive all the time, was that the reason that Scar mated with her? Just so he could have an easy litter of heirs? Any feelings for the king were easily destroyed after the cubs were born. Tears had ran down the new mother's face for hours after she gave birth, no one could touch her babies. She wouldn't allow it, she felt as if she would disappoint everyone if they even saw them.

The lioness in front of Heshima declared herself as Shani, the creamy female made it a fact to remember her name. "Shani," she repeated, "that's a nice name," Heshima shifted in her spot and stayed silent for a few moments. Should she give this trespasser her real name? Well, why not? "My name is Heshima,"

Shani let out a gasp of surprise as the lioness spoke that, but her thoughts quickly connected themselves, and her eyes were filled with disgust. Sympathetically, she moved closer to her and smiled softly. She felt as if it was just in character for Scar to not care for his cubs. He did not seem as if he were the compassionate or loving type. "Ah, truly that is a tragedy. I am sure they are most wonderful." Shani offered her words in a way of comforting the poor lioness.

Shani could not imagine how much hurt she would feel if the lion that she had decided was her mate did not care for her, or her cubs. The pain would be un-bearable, and it made her sad to think that Scar would use a lioness just to produce offspring. From her sneaking around, she had heard rumours of Scar breeding with many a lioness just so that he could produce the perfect heir. It was disgusting, and her lip curled in hatred for this lion that she barely knew.

Shani beamed as the lioness complimented her name. She quite liked it herself, but wasn't so rude as to express this to the lioness. She had always found modesty a likeable trait, and was careful to be modest as much as she could. Or at least, not be immodest and snobbish. "Thank you. Heshima is a lovely name if I do say so myself, and I do. It sounds sweet and lovely." Shani complimented, a smile on her muzzle.