Imani's head jolted up and the sound of rustling grass. The sound was to loud for it to be a small creature. Imani wasted no time jumping to her paws, gingerly stepping over the other lionesses.

She almost collapsed from relief when she seen Zeus, but panic soon over took her when she looked at his mangled body.

She pushed her head into his mane trying to wake him.

Zeus's mane shook, and Zeus's eyes jumped open, he thought he was being attacked again. He snarled and bared his teeth. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he couldn't tell who was standing over him. Then her smell hit his nose. "Imani?" His voice hoarse asked, trying to make out whose face was nudging his mane.

Imani jumped back when Zeus woke, but she didn't blame him. She had no idea what he went through out there by himself.

"It's me." She said quietly as tears rushed to her eyes. He was alive. Beaten up, but alive. And that was all that mattered. She pushed her head into his mane again, all of the stress of today melting away.

Zeus sighed with relief, his eyes finally adjusted and he saw her face. "I told you I'd come back." He whispered, with an attempted laugh. It came out more like a cough. He was still bleeding, small streams of blood flowing from his wounds. "I'm a just going to stay here." He said, lying his head back down. He wanted Imani to stay here, but he knew he had to rest. His eyes began to close again, and his breathing shallowed. He wasnt dying, but falling asleep for the first time in what felt like hours. "Imani." He muttered. "Stay with me." He said, it sounded like more of an order, but he was asleep before he could correct himself.

Imani smiled down at Zeus. She quickly moved the water Buffalo carcass away and settled down next to him. She relished his warmth and it didn't take long her her to drift off to sleep.

That was the best she slept in months.

Zeus awoke to the early morning sun, and to Imani lying next to him. His body was sore, but his cuts had stopped bleeding. He looked over to Imani, how peaceful she was when she slept. He locked her ear, hopefully rousing her. He looked around. No one else was up yet, so he figured he and Imani could take a walk, you know, get to know each other.

Imani awoke the next morning to a gentle lick on her ear. Her eyes opened and she remembered where she was. Or rather, who she was with.

Imani turned her head to look at Zeus, pushing her head into his neck.

Zeus laid his head on top of hers. "Its good to be back." He said, a grin coming across his face. He looked at Imani in the eyes. "You wanna go for a walk?" He asked. "Away from here, somewhere." He paused, "Quiet." He finished with a smirk. Being back, felt suprisingly welcome, even though none of the others had awoken. He felt loved, for the first time ina long time.

"Of course." Imani replied, standing with a stretch.

"So where too?" She asked, trying to keep her voice low so she didn't wake any of the others.

(sorry for the short posts)

Zeus carefully rose to his paws, letting out a careful and large stretch, which did cause pain. Enough to make Zeus wince. He then carefully started to alk, a sligjt limp in his hind legs. But still he perserved and followed Imani. As they made it outbof camp he asked her a question. "Whats your history here?" He asked. "Id tell you mine, but the whole Pride already knew." He Said with a chuckle, waiting for her response.