Imani's panic started to rise as the sun set. She wondered if anyone was going to come for her. Maybe the rouges had captured the whole pride. She pushed that thought out of her head. Their pride had more members than the rouge group did, there was no way they got them all.

But Zeus was her only hope. If he had been captured, no one was coming to save her.

She tried to sleep, but the faint pounding of her head only allowed her a shallow doze, but she took it. Anything to keep those dreaded thoughts from her mind.

Zeus had helped with the cleanup, moving the rogue bodies away from camp, and helping repair the damaged dens. They would bury Zion and another lioness respectfully tomorrow. But Zeus knew, even though he wanted to be there to mourn Zion, but he had to find Imani. They hadn't sent a search party out, and Zeus would go today. As the sun went down Zeus exitted the lions den and went to the spot he had last seen Imani. His thoughts had been abiut her all day. If they killed Imani, hed have bithing left, and hed kill all thise rogues piece by piece. Luckily her scent was still there, looking back to make sure no one was looking, he ran out of camp, following Imani's scent trail.

The moon high in the sky, as it had been several hours since the sunset, he arrived at a rocky outcrop, where her trail seemed to end. He entered a stalking stance, and creeped up on the den, he saw seven rogues, two female and four nale, but he smelled another in the den, where Imani's scent was. A guard. He'd have to get passed all of them to get to Imani. He took anither step forward, and a loud snap followed, he looked down to see a stick. Darn! The rogues head popped up and, and ine yelled, "Who's there?"

Imani's head snapped up when a twig broke in the distance. Several of the lions outside growled, one asking who was there.

Was all Imani thought. She subtly inched closer to the entrance on her belly, the guard momentarily distracted by the potential intruder.

She hoped it was Zeus. She was already making a plan if it was, or someone else from her pride.

When they cause a big enough distraction, slip out and run. She wanted to help free the others, but she was never close to any of them, so she decided not to worry about them for now. All she wanted to do was find Zeus.

Frustration filled Zeus, now he'd messed everything up. But then an idea slipped into the back of his mind. He scanned the ground, one eye on the rogues watching their move. He picked up a rock or two in his jaws, and threw it to his left, making a huge noise in his opposite direction. The rogues heads flew to the side, and ran towards the sound of the noise, even a rogue within the den piled out, leaving it unattended. Zeus scrambled for his chance, but one of the rogues stayed behind, out of Zeus's view, jumped up to attack. His gaze turned to the rogue, and he could make out a tawny shape that he knew was Imani inside. He gave her a glare that said run, as Zeus engaged in combat with the rogue.

Imani prepared to surge to her feet when most of the rouges disappeared, leaving only her guard.

Relief washed over he when she saw Zeus fling himself at the rouge, his gaze screaming at her to run.

Ignoring the sharp pain in her head, she slipped out of the den, the rest of the rouges still distracted. Imani ran as fast as her legs would carry her, hoping Zeus was following. She didn't know where she was, so she ran north, hoping she could find a place to rest and wait for Zeus. It was already dark, so when she found him the two would have to camp somewhere until morning.

When Imani was confident the rouges were far away, she discovered a small cave where she decided to wait until Zeus found her.

Zeus wrestled with the rogue, who thankfully was much smaller than him. They exchanged slashes and bites, the rogue landing a good slash on his muzzle, unleashing a gush of blood. He roared in pain, and slashed at the rogues eyes before lunging for his neck, latching on his skin beneath his mane. As the rogue stoped moving, the others returned, and after taking in the scene yelled, "After him!" Anger filled their eyes as they gained on him, Zeus turned tail and ran easily outpacing the rogues, but their hearts were filled with rage at the loss of their friend. Zeus knew how they felt, when he lost his father and when Zion was killed in action. His muscles were tired from the fight with the rogue, and from the journey here. He also had to find Imani, who managed to flee when ge was in battle. He looked back behind his shoulders, blood flying off hjs muzzle, his mane ripping. Only three rogues chased him, then two, then the lead male was the last one. "This isnt the last time you'll see us!" The rogue shouted, "You and that female will pay!" He yelled again, before turning and walking back towards their lair. Great, now him and Imani had mire enemies, besides the Queen. It seemed Imani had ran this way, as her scent was strong in the area. He followed it, and after being ways away from the Rouge's lair, he spotted a small cave like thing, where Imani's scent was strongest. "Imani?" He called softly, hoping not to scare her if she eas within the cave.

Imani jumped when she heard Zeus's voice, her head turning to the entrance of the small cave where he stood with barely a scratch.

Imani hurried over to him and nuzzled him, trying to hide the full body shakes that racked her body.

"Thank you." Was all Imani could whisper as she told herself again and again she was safe.

Zeus huddled closer to her, thankful to have her in his arms. "Any time." He said. He could feel her shakimg beneath hus mane. "Your safe." He said, nuzzling her neck, "Your here with me, everything will be okay now." He lied, knowing that he was in big trouble when he returned, but for now he was happy and grateful to have his Imani back.

Imani took deep breaths, trying to calm the shaking. "I know." She whispered, her eyelids suddenly becoming very heavy.

"It's already dark, we should stay her for tonight." She said, looking up at Zeus.

"I was thinking the same thing." He said, he looked down into her eyes, which he could barely see in the dark. "You look tired, you need to rest." He walked towards the back of the den, his tail resting on her head, a sign he wouldnt leave her. He signaled for her to lay on the inside, and he'll take watch while she rests. "Here, we can lay here." He said, "if thats alright with you." He added in quickly, putting on a smile.