All of us, including Tabitha, Eileen, and Walker were breathing heavily when we made it to the jeep.

Jesus, Chad found us with Jade! And now Jade and Leon are fighting Chad to protect us!

I looked out to the direction of where Leon lives, I hope they're ok.

Walker was wheezing heavily. Then Eileen gave him a look and said, "Good god Walker, you're sounding like you have ran ten miles."

Walker exclaimed, "That's because we did run ten miles!"

I said while I was panting, "Well guys here's a lesson to all of us."

Eileen looked at me, "I'm all ears."

"NEVER, EVER, piss off a lion EVER again."

Eileen nodded, "Sounds good to me. Lesson learned."

Tabitha said, "Whew, well at least we're still alive."

I muttered, "Barely."

Eileen looked out in the direction of Leon's home, "I hope Jade and Leon's ok."

I waved her off, "I wouldn't worry about it, Jade and Leon can take care of themselves."

Walker then said, "Well good, then I hope they kill that psychotic lion."

I nodded, "For once I agree with you."

We all heard a roar in the distance. Then Walker said, "Ok...Well can we get the hell out of here before that lion finds us?"

Tabitha got up from a rock and said, "Yeah he's right, we need to leave."

I shook my head, "No, I'm staying here."

All of them looked at me with wide eyes, Tabitha said, "Casper no, it's too dangerous."

I got up from a rock as well, "Look Jade could be injured, I better stay here in case she is. I'm going to borrow the first aid kit in the jeep. I might need it."

Eileen had a look of fear in her eyes, "But Casper-"

I stopped her, "Look guys if you don't want to stay with me, then go. I'll be fine. If I see Chad then I'll run back to the base on the double."

Tabitha looked a me a few more seconds, then she said, "Alright, Eileen, Walker, lets go."

Walker asked incredulously, "Are you nuts?! We can't leave Casper here!"

Tabitha shot a glare at him, "Now, kids. Casper will be fine. He's been through this sort of thing before, and lived, so I guess I trust that he will be okay. We probably won't. Now let's get out of here." Then she went to the jeep to leave me here alone.

Walker gave me a look for a short second then he went back to the jeep as well along with Eileen. 

I went to the jeep too to get the first aid kit in case Jade or Leon are hurt badly. Could come in handy for me too if Chad came along and hurt me.

After I got the first aid kit, the others got in the car and drove off.

I waited around at the pond for Jade for god knows how long, a few hours maybe. Then finally I saw a figure walking in the distance.

Jade!

I got up from a rock and ran to her, "Jade!"

Jade saw me and gleefully said, "Casper!" She ran to me and we embraced.

I let go of her and asked, "Are you okay? Where's Leon? What the hell happened back there?"

Jade had a sorrowful look on her face, "Leon's fine. He just had a few scratches. Chad fought us but then he finally gave up and ran off. Probably telling father about me I guess. Probably going to get Leon in more trouble. And to answer your question about me."  She turned her head and looked at her back, "Chad got me good on my back. A big scratch I think.

I looked at her back and saw a very big scratch on her back. I winced when I saw it.

Jade caught me wincing and asked, "It's bad, isn't it?"

I answered, "More or less."

She sighed, "I figured, because it really hurts." She groaned in pain.

I put both hands on her, "Don't move too fast! You're probably going to make it worse."

Jade sighed again and said, "Hey I've been through worse, have I?"

I giggled and then I led her to the pond on a rock. I grabbed the first aid kit and got some of the supplies I needed to stitch Jades wound.

She looked at me and said, "I've never seen that before."

I giggled, "That's pretty much because you weren't injured three years ago. I didn't have to stitch you."

Jade asked incredulously, "What is that really."

"Something that'll help you feel better. I need to disinfect the wound or it'll get infected." I had a cloth in my hand and poured some disinfectant on it and said, "Now Jade I want you to listen to me. I'm going to put this cloth on your back and when I do it'll sting a little bit, understand?"

Jade got nervous and said, "I don't know..."

I shook my head, "Sorry Jade, but it has to be done. I'm going to do it now." I slowly put the cloth on her back and began to rub it on her wound. She gasped in pain. I hollered, "Hold on, almost done." She screamed in pain a bit, but she got used to it and calmed down a bit. When I was done, I put some stiches on her back and then I bandaged it.

Jade sighed in relief and said, "Well that's a little better." She looked at me and gave me a smile, "Thanks."

I reached out to stroke her cheek, "You know I would do anything for you, right?"

Jade leaned her head to my hand and purred.

Jade...I'm sorry about everything. 

*****

After I patched up Jade's wound, me and her were still at the pond. She wanted my comfort and so I was giving it to her.

Poor girl, she tried to protect me and she got hurt. Not to mention Leon's probably in more trouble now because of Chad. What is she going to do?

Jade's head was lying on my lap while I was sitting and then she muttered, "I'm sorry."

I looked down at her, "For what?"

She sighed, "This is all my fault. I never should have brought you to that cave. If I knew that Chad would figure that I would be there, then none of this would have happened."

I rubbed her back, "It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself."

She looked up at me, "Can't I? Casper, I almost got you and your family killed today, not to mention aunt Tab! If I left you guys alone, if I didn't try anything..." She trailed off.

I comforted her, "Jade, listen, nobody blames you for what happened."

"I wish Chad never came in these lands in the first place. I hate him."

I nodded while I was petting her, "I know."

Then I could hear her crying and sobbing. Jade....I wish I could help you. 

Maybe if I pulled a gun on Chad then he would go away. But what if I shoot him? I don't even want to use a gun. I never even used a gun. I know I was using one yesterday to scare off the cheetahs attacking Jade, but that was different, I was only shooting it up in the air that's it.

I sighed. But maybe I should kill Chad, then maybe he would stop torturing her. Stop torturing the whole pride. Stop torturing...Leon.

Leon loves Jade, but he can't be with her because of Chad. Me and Jade need to make Bron understand. But how? Chad is the kind of guy who would do anything to get what he wants. He's that good manipulating him.

God I really hate him as many anyone else.

Jade finally stopped crying and looked up at me, I looked down at her and asked, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah a little. I needed that."

I asked again, "So what are you going to do now?"

She shook her head, "I don't know. Maybe try to convince dad again that Chad's bad news. But he won't listen, he won't listen to reason right now. He's in denial." Jade got off of me and stretched, "Well I need to go. Before father sends out a search party for me."

I got up on my two feet and asked, "Do you need my help?"

"No, I'll be alright. I'll...Talk later, ok?"

I nodded, "Ok, and be careful with the stitches on your back. Let them heal."

Jade smiled and said, "Thanks for helping me."

I smiled at her, "Sure no problem and be careful."

Jade waved her paw at me and then trotted off to her home. Back to her pride and Chad.

God Jade, I hope you and Leon are not in too much trouble with Chad. 

I watched her leave for one more second and then I turned around and took a long walk back to the base.

*****

I made it to the edge of the base and the sun's about to set. I made it to the guard station near the entrance of the base and the guard who is stationed saw me coming. He said, "Hey where did you come from? Were you one of the tourists who borrowed one of the jeeps today?"

I nodded, "Yep, just came back from my walk in the savannah."

The guard gave me a confused look, "Really? You like to take walks in the savannah? That's...Odd."

I waved him off, "Yeah I know. I took one of your jeeps and then I walked all the way back here. I know I get it, now can you let me back in the base now?"

The guard nodded and he opened the gate, and I walked through it.

I was in the base when Tabitha, Walker, and Eileen saw from somewhere and came running to me. Eileen asked, "Hey...How's Jade? Did you find her?"

I nodded, "Yeah she's fine. She had a big scratch on her back, but I patched it up."

Eileen let out a sigh, "God, I'm glad."

I nodded, "Me too."

Then we heard Nick and several marines coming toward us. Nick had a concerned look on his face and asked, "Casper? Where have you been? I thought you would come back here in the jeep with your family, not walk all the way back here."

My eyes went wide. Oh boy, how am I going to make up a good excuse? I don't want to tell him that I can talk to lions and no one else can understand them. I can't just say, 'oh I stayed in the savannah to protect a lioness and by the way I can talk to her'. He would think I'm crazy.

I came up with a good excuse, "Well I like to take walks, I know my family offered to drive me back to the base, but I know where it's at and I walked all the way back here."

Nick frowned, "You've been gone for several hours."

I glanced away for a second and looked back at him, "...Yeah, I know."

Nick let out a sigh, "Well at least you're not hurt or eaten alive. The savannah is dangerous, Casper. Just remember if something happened to you, me and my people are responsible for you and your family's safety."

I nodded, "I know, I'm fine."

Nick smiled and said, "Well alright, at least you're here. Lets just enjoy the rest of the afternoon while we can." He turned around and said to the marines who are nearby, "Marines! You're all at ease for tonight. Dismissed!"

The marines who heard Nick yelled out, "Sir yes sir!" Then they were at ease and went off in their separate ways.

Me and my family were left alone and then I said, "Well come on, guys, lets go." They all nodded and then we went back to the barracks.

I was about to enter my barracks when suddenly a hand blocked my way. I stopped and saw that it was Private Dorland's hand.

I let out a frustrated sigh, "What do you want?"

Dorland gave me an angry look and said, "Where the hell have you been?"

I shot back, "I don't think it's any of your business." Then I went to the door again, but Dorland shoved me hard, but I still stood my ground.

Dorland while advancing towards me said, "I don't like guys like YOU. I don't like idiots. And when you didn't come back earlier today, the Captain started to round up every private here including me to look for your sorry ass. Well guess what? You've ruined my afternoon break from all day of training. I don't get that a lot here!"

I held out both my hands and said, "Look I'm not here for trouble, and I'm sorry for ruining your afternoon break."

He shoved me again, "You better be. And you better show me some respect here. Cause if you don't." He looked me in the eyes and said, "I'll make your life a living hell here, got it?"

I gulped and nodded.

Dorland finally smiled, "Well good, because I hate to repeat myself. Well anyways done talking to you now." He patted my shoulder and said, "Good night." Then he walked away from me to his barracks.

I sighed. Well now I'm dealing with a bully here. I REALLY hope I won't have to deal with him every now and then.

I opened the door to my barracks and went inside.

*****

I cried out, "Father, why can't you open your eyes and see that Chad is manipulating you?!"

Father shot back, "Because you're wrong about him! And what you and Leon did to him today doesn't justify anything!"

I shook my head furiously, "I told you time and time again that Chad is a lying, manipulating, asshole, who doesn't care about anything but himself! And he's also sick because he wants to mate with me! That's....Disgusting!"

Dad closed his eyes and sighed, "Listen Jade, I know you loved Leon, but Chad is going to be the new king. And I don't believe the things you're telling me about him. Because I think that you want Leon so badly you would do anything to get him back. Even if that means getting rid of Chad."

I let out a gasp and said, "How can you accuse me of such things!? I mean come on, do you think I'm like that? Do you think I'm just like...Like-"

He answered, "Karone? I doubt you're totally like her, but you can be as smart and cunning as her."

I glared at him, "Daddy, I'm your daughter. And I can't believe you would think I'm a conniving, manipulating, monster like my aunt. I'm so disappointed in you, and mom would be as well. Now that I think about it, if mom was still alive, she would kick you in the ass because you don't see things like I do, and that's something. I thought you've changed since three years ago, but now I think I'm wrong. You're so stubborn you don't see anything but your own pride, and I'm tired of it." Then my eyes welled up with tears and I ran out of the cave.

I ran to my favorite rock and sobbed for a long time in my paws, hiding my face from everything. I cried for a long time until I couldn't cry anymore. I raised my head and realized that it's night outside now. I sighed and got up on all fours, that's when I heard a voice behind me, "Feel better?"

I gasped and turned around quick, it was Chad. After me and Leon fought today, he suffered a lot of scratches and bites. That's why he ran away while we were fighting him.

I glared at him and growled, "I hope you're happy about this."

He grinned, "As a matter of fact I am. What about you?"

I simply said, "No."

He walked toward me, "Well you better, because it's me and you from now on. You won't be seeing Leon again for a long time. I've made sure of that. Leon will be living all alone in that cave without you."

I angrily said, "I don't care what you say and what you want, I love Leon. I don't love you, and if you don't stay away from me, I'll add more cuts and bites to your body."

He didn't falter and smiled at me, "Strong girl. I like it. I like strong things." He walked closer until he was close to my face. He looked into my eyes and then he pressed his lips to mine. I gasped into his mouth and then I slapped him across the face. He grunted and put a paw to his face.

I shouted, "Stay away from me, you sick, psychotic, asshole!"

Chad then glared at me and said, "You know Jade, you have spunk. But even I'm tired of this." Then he used his paw to slap me across the face and I fell over.

I shook my head from the force of it and looked up at him while I was on the ground. He was over me and said, "From now on, you do exactly as I say, no arguments. And if I were you, I stay away from those humans that I saw today, cause if you don't, I'll kill them. And if you disobey me again and if you EVER hit me again." He leaned forward to whisper in my ear, "I'll kill Leon too, and it'll be your fault." I gasped and then he pulled away from me, with that sick smile on his face, "Hope to see you in the morning, beautiful." He winked at me, then he turned around and walk away.

I shook my head after he left and only muttered, "No." Then I had tears coming down my face again and I collapsed to the ground and cried in my paws again.