Chapter 1: Leaving

                                    

                                              
Kion was walking around the tree of life. The weather was beautiful and there were no problems. He was searching for Rani. He had to ask her something. He couldn't find her, so he went back to the tree. When he entered he heard some noises coming from the back. He decided to check who it came from. "Who is there?" he said. Rani showed herself. "Kion! You're back" she said. "Rani, can I ask you something?" he asked. "Always." Rani replied. "Do you mind if I would leave for a few days? Just so I could see my family once again. It's been a long time since I've last seen them, you know." "I will surely miss you, but I can handle. Besides, I have Makini and the whole Night Pride to help me if there is trouble. I could do a few days without you." "Thank you so much." Kion thanked as he nuzzled Rani. After that he ran out, but before he left Rani called him back. "One thing I want you to do when you're gone is have your family coming back with you. I would love to get a better chance at meeting them. The seemed nice when they were here the first time, but they left so fast. Okay?" She asked. Kion nodded as a response. "I'll try my best." After he said that he really ran out, towards his friends.
                          
Once he reached them he told them he would leave a few days. "But who will be in charge when we're on patrol if you are not there?" Ono questioned. "Fuli, you think you can lead the patrols while I'm gone?" Kion asked the cheetah. "Well... That day you met Jasiri I tried to lead while you were stuck in the outlands, and it didn't exactly go well. But I know what I did wrong and mistakes are made so you can learn from them, so yes. I think I can do that for you, Kion." "Thanks Fuli. But what happened that time you already led the guard." "I just ran ahead and no one could keep up." "Makes sense that if you start running no one is able to keep up. You're the fastest, remember." "You're right." Suddenly Bunga interrupted the conversation. "Kion, can I come with you?" He asked. "I don't see why not." The lion responded. "Then let's go!" Bunga said, happy to be able to see his uncles again. "Just make sure nothing all too bad happens while I'm gone. If you need help you can ask the Night Pride. Think you can do that?" Kion said. "Sure." Fuli responded. "Have fun on your trip and say hi to the Pridelanders for me." "We will. Bye everyone." "Bye Kion, bye Bunga" Fuli, Beshti, Ono and Anga said together.
                          
As Kion and Bunga went through the mountain pass Ullu flew towards them, asking what they were going to do, so Kion told her about visiting the Pridelands as they kept walking. The white owl wished the boys luck on their journey as they left. After the lion and the honeybadger were no longer in sight for her, she decided to go back to her tree.

                          
Fuli was walking into the tree of life, when she noticed Rani didn't seem happy, like she usually saw her. "What is wrong, your highness?" she asked, sounding concerned about the queen. "Hey Fuli, it is nothing. Also, you can just call me Rani alright. We're friend, no need to be formal all the time." "Okay Rani. But I've known you longer than just one day, and I can see something is wrong. Just tell me. As you just said, we're friends, and helping each other out is what friends are for." "You're right Fuli. It is just that I now already miss Kion so much, and he has only left today." "It is alright. There is nothing to worry about. He'll be back in a few days and you can both be together again." "That is true. Thank you Fuli, thank you for cheering me up." the brown lion said, feeling better again. "Strange how you can get so used to having someone around you so quick, that if he is gone for only a few hours you already miss him so much, isn't it." Rani said, laughing a bit. "Yeah, it is. But hey, glad to see you are laughing again." Fuli responded. The two walked out of the tree, having a chat with one another.
                          
Beshti was relaxing in the watering hole, with Baliyo at the edge, sitting on a rock. "Hey Beshti, I was wondering something." "What is it Baliyo." the hippo responded. "Now that Kion and Bunga aren't here, what are you, Fuli, Ono and Anga going to do?" "Well, Fuli will be in charge for the next few days, till Kion and Bunga are back of course." "But won't that give you guys a lot more work, since you'll have to do work for six with four? Maybe you could use a little backup. How about this. I'll come with you on patrol till they're back." The lion suggested. "That would be poa! But it might be best to ask Fuli since she will be leading, and not me. Also you should ask Rani, since she might need you on your patrol." Beshti responded. "Sure, I'm going to do that right away. See you Beshti!" Baliyo said as he walked away, searching for Fuli.
                          
Baliyo approached Fuli, who was still talking with his sister. "Hey sis, hey Fuli." he greeted. "Hey Baliyo." they both greeted back. "I was just talking with Beshti, and we thought it would be a good idea if I join you and your team, Fuli, for patrol until Kion and Bunga are back. So I came to ask for your opinions about the situation, since you, Fuli, lead the patrols I would join if you both accept it, and you, Rani, because I should be on patrol with you, Nirmala and Surak." "I wouldn't mind the extra help, since we're only with four." Fuli said, giving her opinion on the situation. "But Fuli, than we would have to work with tree." Rani responded, disagreeing. "But you are used to working with four, and we are used to working with six, if Baliyo would join us, we would both have to work with one less, instead of us missing two, and you missing no one." the cheetah argued. "You are right Fuli. We could at least try it out for one day and see how it goes. If it goes well we could keep it like this, and if there are problems we can go back to normal. Okay?" "Sounds good to me" Fuli agreed. "Alright, I'll be there on patrol." Baliyo said to the cheetah. "See you there." she said back. As Baliyo walked away, Fuli thanked Rani for allowing her brother to help her on patrol.