Chapter 5: Blood Brothers

Abasii roared as tears flowed into his big blue eyes. His fangs bared as he leaped onto a back of a shaggy male lion digging his fangs into the male that repeatedly attacked his father. The other two attackers looked up from their kill, blood lust creaping into there dull brown eyes as they began to circle around Abasii.

"You should learn to mind your own buisness, young one." The larger of the group growled at him. His pelt was as gray as the mist, completely covered with hardened red scars. His mane was shaggy and a darker shade gray then his body, his underbelly was black as well as the tips of his paws.

"Maybe we should teach him a lesson like we did to all these useless creatures." Came a snickering comment from the smallest male. He carried a crimson pelt, also known as the mountains pelt for only the pride of the mountains had the color as a pelt. His mane a darker shade of crimson red and was as shaggy as the first, unclean and full of dust.

The male stood silent in the center of the mob stared Abasii down. There eyes locked as they stood in a show down, no fear shown, no mercy to spare. His black mane flowed gently in the desert breeze as the dark gray hairs on his pelt lifted slightly before falling into place. His claws slipped out of hiding, showing there full length. His eyes narrowed.

"Brother." the light greys head turned to the darker grey. "Take Tezumak and finish the pride." Abasii stared at him in disbelief before his eyes wandered back to his fathers still body.

Abasii roared, his teeth bared. "You'll need to go through me first." The Dark grey growled lowering his gaze onto Abassi.

"This kids got spunk. To bad you'll have to kill him." He mumbled before leading Tezumak off to search the dens. The light gray male moved closer in on his target, saliva dripped from his fangs like a rabid dog. His long, newly blood stained claws dug into the desert sands. Abasii watched him. He killed many rogues that were of bigger size and stronger then what he was. The male before him was long and slender, built more for speed then a real fight.

There was only one thing on his mind at this point he didn't care if he survived but he needed to protect his family even thought for his father it might already be too late he just hoped and prayed that his mother Ashe, and brother Naviath would still be alive and safe. This was it, the final breath before the attack. Abasii bent low as his attacker charged at him. He unsheathed his long black claws aiming directly for the males face, barely striking the first time and missed the second time around. His opponent was fast. The grey male wrapped his paws around Abasii's head digging his fangs into the young male's neck bitting it raw; Abasii roared with pain. He rolled as the attacker lost his grip, snarling in disguest. Abasii's hind legs pulled up underneath the male pushing him aside as the claws slighly dug into his flesh; he rolled now standing upright. The grey male struggled to regain his footing.

For he first time in his life, Abasii held power. He felt unbeatable. The coldness that was once in this eyes and heart creapt back in as he showed no mercy on his enemy attacking directly at his face and neck. The grey male recieved multiple blows to the face, completely covered with blood as he sturggled to breath. By this time, Tezumak called to the other male as they caught the final round of this scene of terror. Abasii smirked opening his jaws wide he dug them deep into the throat of his enemy crushing his wind pipe.

"Brother!" The yonger grey male called as he ran, claws unsheathed seaking revenge as he roared loudly. Abasii lowered his head a look appearing in his eyes that was never seen before one that would be remember forever. Tezumak also rushed forward wanting a piece of the action. They narrowed in on him two against one, and Abasii's wounds were bad he didn't know if he could make it through this round. He met them head on head as they attacked, quickly pushing the lone desert male to the ground. He felt their teeth dig into his flesh, fire spread through his body as the pain became worse, he roared struggling to attack back but was powerless against there combined strength.

He began to black out, the stronger grey males left paw was pressed against his throat cutting off his air. He blinked several times as black blotches shadowed his view. The weight was lifted off, in the distance he could hear noise. It was unclear to him what it was. Am I dead? Is that my father and forefathers greeting me here? Why does my body still hurt? The noise became clearer, as he coughed greedly sucking in air. He heard a mummble, no a yell. Someone was saying his name. He forced open his eyes seeing the worried face of his brother.

"Abasii! Thank the gods your all right!" Ashe exclaimed as she nuzzled her son, but she soon turned her attention on her fallen husband. She moved to his side crying as she licked his nose whispering for him to wake up. She knew to well in her heart he was gone.

"Where are they!" Abasii struggled to his feet, head moving in all directions seeing only the lions body he killed.

"Abasii. Everything is fine." Navaith answered he stared down at the ground. "Our pride is small, not many survive. One male is over there. " He made the signal with his light beach sound head. Naviath's dark brown mane was covered with blood. "The other was too cowardly. He ran towards the mountians."

The survivors gathered around wondering what was going to happen to their beloved pride. Maika the young hunteress mourned the death of her young cub, Felix, who was still sleeping when the two rogues entered the dens sleeping area. Ashe nuzzled the young lioness reassuring her everything was going to be alright.

Abasii sighed as he walked towards his brother. "Navaith, you must take your father's place as king. We need you."

Navaith shock his head slightly. "Abasii...Lets go for a walk." He stood beginning to walk towards the open desert.

Abasii paused not knowing to follow or refuse to go. He found his mothers strong gaze. She smiled sweetly, nodding her head. He smiled back before bounding after Navaith. They walked for several minutes without talking until they found the cliff over looking the pridelands and the outlands. They sat side by side staring off into the distance. Naviath was the first to break the silence.

"Abasii-"He paused searching deeply for the right words. "I will be king, but I wish not to rule alone. I want you, my brother to join my side and we rule together as a pride of two kings."

Abasii was shocked, he didn't know what to say. "I can't we are not related by blood.Only by the word of your father and mother."

"Abasii, we are one." Navaith continued to stare into the distance a peaceful smile on his black lips. He lifted his left paw, unsheathing a claw from his right and slicing it slightly down the center. He gritted his teeth from the slight pain he felt. "Lets make a promise." Abasii took the hint and did the same with his left paw. "This is our proof that we are blood brothers." They touched paws together before drawing it away. They looked at each other before laughing. "There's no backing out now. We remain loyal to each other, not matter what."

"No matter what we're blood brothers." Abasii whispered to himself liking the title. "Two kings of one land." They both sat in silence watching the sun set in the distance for a short time in happiness. If they only knew, things from now on wouldn't get better but worse.

Abassi and Navaith truely were brothers. They dreamed of one day everything would become peaceful. With a pride of only six surviving lionessess they were filled with doubt. What they didn't know was Kovu had his own plan, and a heir to the pridelands was on it's way.