The Pride Lands (Zeke, NM, kovu42, morri908)

[NightmareMoon]

Thinking back on Zilo's plan, she knew Bakari wasn't going to like her news. "Bakari..." She started. "I don't think there are any... He made sure of that.."

[kovu42]

"If I survived our first encounter, I'm sure others could have too." Bakari replied, not really believing himself. "It's at least an objective to take my mind off of the fact that I'm alone out here!" He blurted out.

[NightmareMoon]

Mila walked up to Bakari and put a paw on his cheek to comfort him. "I'm sorry, Bakari. Your not alone. At least you have someone to care for you. I know I do. I care for you both." She said, looking back to Zeke and then to Bakari again.

[kovu42]

"Thanks for the comforting words, but lets face it. I know how you feel for him, you two are closer to each other than I could ever be to any one of you. I've lost most of my life being alone, and..." Bakari didn't know how to express his feelings in words. He missed being in love with his mate always by his side.

[Zeke]

"You aren't alone anymore, you have friends. We are your family," Zeke said, walking up to his friend. "And we will look for more survivors, like oursevles. You just have to remember that you are never alone"

[kovu42]

"Thank you," Bakari said to his new family, bowing his head respectfully and smiling softly. He started back on the trail with a renewed vigor. "Oh, by the way, you two make a very cute couple." Bakari called teased.

[NightmareMoon]

Mila blushed. "Hey, we aren't a couple!" She called back to Bakari. She then looked to Zeke and continued to blush. "Well... um... let's follow him." She said.

[Zeke]

"Yeah, who ever said that we were a couple?" Zeke was extremely embarrassed, although he tried not to show it. He began to follow after Bakari, walking alongside Mila.

[kovu42]

Bakari chuckled as he led the way, the path starting to dissappear beneath thick, dry foliage. His ears pricked as he thought he heard something of in the distance, but he couldn't make out what it was. "Do you guys hear that?"

[NightmareMoon]

"I didn't hear anything." Mila said as he approached Bakari from behind. "What was it?" She asked.