Shani was up early, and headed for the only waterhole in the area as was his custom in mornings. He glared at the sun, knowing that it promised yet another day of unbearable heat and blinding light in the barren, desert-like outlands. It irked him to know that only a short distance away, Simba's pride was waking up to a glorious morning in the lap of luxury with anything a lion could ask for and more.
He shook his mane wearily. He was a powerful lion, but his lionesses were often weak from lack of food, whereas Simba's pride had grown strong and large feasting on the plentiful herds of the pridelands. Idly he wondered if Simba would really notice or risk open war if he and his pride were to move in and steal a few antelope here and there. Probably Simba would retaliate, Shani was forced to conclude. With Kovu at his side, Shani was outnumbered and probably outmatched. It wasn't likely that he could take both lions even if his pride was strong enough to withstand the lionesses under Nala's command.
Lost in these idle thoughts Shani didn't notice that there was a figure at the waterhole until he was almost upon him. The strange lion was well built, but was showing the signs of wear that Shani was used to seeing on in his Exiles. His first instinct was to chase the stranger away, but quickly realized the benefits of another lion in his pride. Shani was determined to make this stranger a part of his pride. He covered the final distance to sit next to the stranger.
"Filthy water." He said gruffly, before launching into an introduction.
"I'm Shani, I lead the Exiles in these parts. I don't know your face. Who are you?"