It was a cold bitter storm, the sky was black with clouds, and the ground was thick with white cold snow. It was a question of night or day, the air around was masked with fog. Snow heavily fell from the darkened sky, with strong winds carrying it in ahead. There was nothing ahead to see but fog and flying snow.
A white paw took a step into the snow from out of the shadow. One paw after another. As each paw stepped forward, the track left behind was almost immediately covered by the falling snow. The set of paws stopped. The wind grew even stronger, though the fog began to fade, revealing the young white lion. He once again began to slowly pace forward. He lifted his head, and squinted his eyes attempting to see ahead. His eyes were brown, with a glowing reflection of the little light ahead. The tuff of hair of his head almost covered his eyes, and the yellow bandana he wore around his neck blew in the other direction as the wind pushed even harder.
The he heard an echoing sound from a distance.
"Rune…"
It was distant, but clear as day.
"Rune…. RUNE..!"
"Who's calling me?" It was the cub who spoke in response to the echo. The voice calling was deep, and very familiar.
"Rune!"
Rune managed to get his head up against the raging winds, but the piercing snow kept hitting his eyes. The voice grew closer and closer. Rune heard his name again, this time he knew who was calling him.
Rune looked up, and faintly in front of him was a shadowy figure of a lion. It was his father, Kimba.
"Dad!" Rune called out, " I'm sorry! I-" Rune was interrupted by a heavy gust of wind and snow. Rune shook himself and tried to look up again, but the wind got heavier. Rune spoke again with out lifting his head,
"Dad, I'm sorry I left, I-"
" Rune, I will always be proud of you…" Kimba's voice began to fade away. Rune looked up as his fading father.
"NO!" he cried out " Don't leave me, dad!"
As Rune hurried through the snow, trying to reach his father, he noticed another shadow forming behind his father. This shadow was darker. It was shaped more like a human, and as the shadow became more visible, it stretched out it's arm pointing toward Kimba. Rune stopped in his tracks watching this shadowy figure. Rune then figured out what this human shadow was about to do. He was pointing a gun at his father.
"Dad!" he yelled, "Look out behind you!" but Kimba stood motionless in place, smiling.
"Rune…" was the last words of his father. Then suddenly BANG!

Rune jerked his head up trying to catch his breath, sweating. Rune was dreaming. Rune began to slowly clam his breathing, he look around. In front of him was the human he was friendly with, Dr. Moustache, sitting at a table writing in a book with a small lantern in front of him. Behind him was his father's pelt, which he was sleeping next to. He and Dr. Moustache were in a small cabin outside the forest. Though it was the middle of the night, that loud bang he heard in his dream was very real, in fact, that noise came from outside. It was a gunshot. Dr. Moustache got up from his seat and stepped by the door.
"What in the world was that?" he asked himself. Rune Dr. Moustache walk outside the cabin door. Rune started to think about his dream. He was getting overwhelmed with guilt. A few months ago, Rune ran away from home, he then found himself in the human world. It was a circus of performing animals and people. He remembered the nice human he met, and even the street rat he became friends with too. He also remembered the cranes who were leaving the jungle because of a plague. He came home to the jungle a few days later, and found Mr. Moustache, a human who had once saved his life, carrying the pelt of his father.
At that moment he knew that he lost his father, but he didn't know how. He remembered hearing Dr. Moustache say that he wanted to stay in Africa for a few months to research the Moonstone a little longer. Rune had stayed with him for those few months, he wasn't ready to go home yet. He was afraid of what his sister and his mother would think of him for running away, and what they'd know about what happened to his father. Rune was very overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety.
Outside he heard Dr. Moustache's voice. Rune peaked outside to see what was going on. Outside Dr. Moustache furiously approached a hunter who was holding a gun ready to aim. "Hey you!" Dr. Moustache yelled, "Just what do you think you doing out here?"
"Oh I'm sorry, did I disturb you?" the man replied, his tone was slightly sarcastic. He stood leaning against a tree, the wind was blowing his short jet black hair in has face. He was tall and skinny, wearing a leather jacket. His face was narrow, and his facial expression looked as if he were constantly talking in sarcasm.
"Your disturbing the animals who live here!" Dr. Moustache replied. Dr. Moustache was a heavy se older man with a orange jumpsuit and no hear, but just a white moustache. Dr. Moustache was getting more furious with this man.
"Fine, fine, I'll hunt somewhere else," the man replied "No use arguing with an old folk like you." Just as he turned away, he glanced back toward the cabin, and caught Rune looking at him. The man turned to face Rune. Rune looked at the man.
"That's a white lion!" the hunter exclaimed, "A rare white lion!"
"What about him?" Dr. Moustache asked, furiously.
"Is he yours?" The hunter asked, "Is he for sale? I'll buy him from you."
"No!" Dr. Moustache replied furiously, "Absolutely not! He belongs to the jungle!
You can not have him!"
"Okay, okay" The hunter said, "Forget it then." The hunter then picked up his gun again and trailed off in the woods. Dr. Moustache turned around and headed back to the cabin. He kneeled down to Rune, "like I'd ever sell you to a man like that," he said calmly, "This is your home." Rune gave a purr of affection has Dr. Moustache stroked his head. After Dr. Moustache stood up, he headed for a sleeping abg on the floor to go to sleep. Rune took on more look outside. He knew he wasn't to far from home. I have to go back, he thought to himself, I can't keep hiding here. Than Rune got up and walked back to his father's pelt and lied down next to it. He knew tomorrow, he had to go home.

The next morning. Rune and Dr. Moustache walked through the plain field. Dr. Moustache was carrying Kimba's pelt over his shoulder, they were headed to a small airport. Dr. Moustache was ready to leave Africa so he can share his discovery with the rest of the human world. Rune was walking slowly, looking down, horrified from his dream with his father. Rune knew he has never had a dream with his father in it like that before. He had no idea what would happen next.
Dr. Moustache turned to face Rune. He kneeled down and started to stroke him.
"Thank you," he said, "You were nice company to me while I did my research."
Rune looked up at him, listening.
"Your father has saved all mind kind," Dr. Moustache continued, "and now I have to share it with the rest of the world. I will miss you"
Dr. Moustache turn and pulled a yellow bandana from his pocket and tied it loosely around Rune's neck.
"I found this on you when I came back from Mt. Moon" Dr. Moustache said, "You can have it back. Take care of yourself!" Dr. Moustache smiled at Rune, waved, then walked away. Rune watched him leave. He realized that now he had to go home. Rune stood up, than turned back and headed for the woods. I'm going home, Rune thought, I'm finally going home.
Memories of his cub life with his family began racing through his mind. His heart was beating fast, and he began sweating. What if they don't live there anymore, he began wondering, what if Rukio left home? What if they went searching for dad… As Rune got deeper into the woods, he began to slow his pace. He was getting closer; and the closer he got, the more anxious he became. Rune slowly pushed aside the thick bracken, and carefully pushed through the bramble bushes. Rune then began to hear noises. His anxiousness then turned to curiosity and he heard the sounds of talking animals as he got closer to his old home. Rune finally reached the edge of the forest where his old home was. He was only a few yards away. Rune pushed some shrubs out of his way so he can see more clearly. Outside from where he was, he saw a large gathering of animals standing in front of where he lived.
Rune crouched down so he wouldn't be seen. He began looking around at all the animals. They were standing close to his home as if they were waiting for something. All of them chatting with each other as if to kill time. Then he saw in front of the animals his old friends: Coco, a green talkative parrot who would give his father, Kimba, all the news on what went on in the jungle. Toni, an orange antelope who wore an old human hat over his horns, and Mandy, an old mandrill who was a close family friend to Kimba and his father, Panja.
What is going on here? Rune muttered to himself, some kind of meeting? Rune began looking up at his old home where he once lived with his father, mother, and sister. The place was a huge castle-like old ruin. It was covered by overgrowth. The walls has moss on the sides and the stare well which led to the entrance has some vies growing on its sides. And even the door way was wrapped in moss and brambles. As he observed everything going on, he heard a voice coming from the inside. Rune looked up at the entrance and saw his sister, Rukio. She stood at the top of the entrance. Her golden brown fur glowed in the sun's reflection. Her eyes were brown like his, and she even had that small tuft of hair on her forehead like her brother.
"Its Rukio!" Rune busted out loud. As soon as he said that he ducked under the shrubs in fear of being heard. He looked at the animals, and they all looked curious. They heard him. Rune became tense. The animals began discussing his outburst. Though the animals didn't not what he said or even who said it, they were getting agitated. Rune could feel their tension. He back up slightly, but the sound of the bracken was too loud, and he has too close. He got as low as he could, then he looked up at Rukio. He was glad to see she was well, but where was his mother?
"Princess Rukio," a gazelle called out, "I believe we are being watched!"
"Some one is trespassing" another animal in the distance called out.
Than more animals began to protest. Others wanted to find the trespasser.
"Enough!" Rukio shouted. She jumped down from the entrance and slowly paced down the stairs. The animals cleared a path to where the sound came from she stopped at the base of the stairs, and she continued, "Who ever you are, come out. In Panja's Jungle, everyone is welcome. There is no need to hide." She spoke calmly. Her voice was very soft and welcoming. Rune looked at his sister, even though she was still quite a distance from where he was, he felt very far away. He even felt guilty hiding from her. He carefully stood up with his head down and slowly took a step into the clearing. Until he was fully out of the bushes, he stepped forward, looked up at his sister and gave her a worried smile,
"I'm home." He said calmly.

Rukio's facial expression changed completely. This is the first time she has seen her brother in several months. Her eyes glowed with excitement and joy. "Rune!" she exclaimed, "Your alive!" She ran up to her brother and gave him an affectionate lick on his cheek and rubbed her face on his. Rune returned the affection. He was as happy as she was. Toni and Coco turned to see Rune. They came up to him and gave him a warm welcome. Rune looked at his friends, unable to hold back his joy.
Rukio nuzzled him again "welcome home." she murmured to his ear.
Rune then looked at the animals surrounding them, ready to give his greetings to him, but then he saw all the animals had a tense look on their faces. It was as if they were not happy to see him. Rune then became anxious again.
"Come on Rune," Rukio said, "Lets go inside."
Rune quietly followed her, and they were followed by Toni and Coco. As they walked by, the animals watched him tensely. They gave him unwelcoming looks. Rune became more and more anxious with every step he took.
They went up the stairs and into the den if the home. Toni and Coco stopped at the entrance, while Rune and Rukio kept going forward. Rukio sat down and then Rune sat in front of her.
"So you're alive," Rukio started to say softly "I really thought something happened to you. Where'd you go? Why did you run away?"
"I didn't run away," Rune replied defensively "I went to go visit the human world." He calmed his tone and spoke softly again " You know for the longest time when I was little I wanted to know what humans were like" As he spoke he began to feel the excitement of his experience. Rukio dipped her head and nodded.
" It was amazing, Rukio!" Rune put in, before he spoke again he saw her expression become sad. "Rukio," he started again, but in a more comforting tone " I didn't mean to be gone so long. I just wanted to see what it was like so when I came back I can you, and mom and dad. I didn't expect this, what I found out what I came home. That dad had passed on…" his tone got more quieter and he became sad with the thought of his father. "Wh- where's mom?" He asked Rukio.
Rukio paused slightly at the question, she looked down again and answered solemnly "she passed on too."
Rune was horrified at the news of his mother. He was speechless, he didn't know what to say. Then Rukio continued "When you left, the jungle became infected with the plague. Mom was the first to be contracted with the illness."
"The plague," Rune whispered, " I remember now, some cranes flew over where I was staying in the human world, they left because of the plague. So it really was that bad?"
"Yes," Rukio answered " It infected and killed a lot of animals….. I caught the plague…"
"What? ..How?"
" Some how, dad found this human with a cure for the plague. He saved me, and lots of other animals. Dad left with the human, he said he wanted to repay him for his kindness by helping him find something in Mt. Moon."
"The moon stone…"
Rukio looked up at Rune in question. "The what?" She asked
"I know who you are talking aout, I met him after I came back from the human world he talked about how dad helped him find the moonstone, but that's when I found out dad didn't make it either. In fact, when I saw the man, he was carrying dad's pelt."
"So dad died helping him" Rukio added.
"I guess so..." replied Rune.
"So when you cam back from the human world, why didn't you come home?" Rukio asked.
"Im sorry," Rune answered, "I just wasn't ready, when I found out what happened to dad, I wasn't ready to bring that news home. I just…" Rune stopped speaking and looked down in sadness. Rukio nuzzled Rune sympathetically. She didn't want to question him no more. Rune looked up at her with a broken smile.
"All that matters is that you home now." Rukio murmured.
A few moments later, Coco flew in from outside.
"Rukio come quick!" Coco exclaimed, "The animals! Theyre getting very furious!"
"Yeah," Toni added, "They're not very happy about Rune!"

"Rune?" Rukio asked them, "Why him? He didn't do nothing wrong." With out waiting for an answer, she jumped up and ran for the entrance. Rune looked at Toni and Coco in question. They looked at him and shrugged. They didn't know what was going on either.
"Everybody listen!" Rukio called out, "My brother has come home, please honor his return! He and I will take over my father's legacy together!"
All the animals protested against her words. Rune stepped outside to see what was happening. An elephant called out "Him?! NO WAY! He's not welcomed here!"
Rune was in shock. These animals wanted nothing to do with Rune. "But why?" Rukio asked.
"He turned his back on the jungle when things went bad!" a giraffe pointed out
Rune then realized what was going on. The animals thought he left the jungle when the plague came in the jungle in fear of being infected. They thought the son of Kimba had turned his back on the animals because he was a coward. Rune stepped forward and began to speak. "Everyone please listen to me," he started " I left the jungle to visit a new place, I wanted to visit man. Besides, I left before the plague came here. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave during this situation. I promise I-" then he was interrupted by the giraffe again "Oh so now you love humans? You love creatures who kill us for fun?"
"Rune is a traitor," A red fox added, "He left us during a time of need to visit humans! You don't deserve to be our leader! Kimba was a much better king than you'll ever be!"
Rune didn't know what to say. The animals began protesting angrily again. Rune started to get frustrated, he spit his nails and growled in a low tone. Then finally he lashed out, "Fine!" he cried out, "If you don't want me to lead you, then I won't!" With out waiting for a response , he ran down the stairs, then back into the woods.
"Rune wait! Don't go!" Rukio begged, but Rune was already gone. Rukio got frustrated and turned to the animals, "Are you all happy now?" She asked them, "I finally got my brother back, the only family I had left, and you sent him away." her face began to tear up, and she ran into the den crying. The animals all looked at each other, all of them felt a strong pang of guilt. Then they dispurst into the jungle again silently. Mandy turned to Rukio, he calmly whispered "Don't worry, He just needs some time to take everything in, I'll go talk to him."
"Thank you," She replied, then she went to the corner of the room where a bed made of hay and straw was and she lied down. Mandy looked at the entrance, he put his hand over his beard-liked off white fur that came down under his face. He then made his way to the entrance and left. Rukio looked up and saw that he was gone. She got up and walked to the entrance. She sat down and looked at the sky, " Mother, Father," She whispered, "I promise that Rune and I will take over your legacy together, I promise."

Night fell in the forest. The sky shone with many bright stars, and the light of the full moon reflected on the trees and the grass. Rune was sitting out on a meadow. Though it wasn't to far from home, he was happy to be away from those animals. How am I going to fix things? He wondered, Everything was fine, I had great friends, and a loving family, and I gave it all up. Just behind him he heard rustling in the bushes. Rune turned around with his hair standing "Who's there?" he snarled. Out of the bushes came Mandy. Rune saw it was him and calmed his fur, and sheathed his claws. "Oh, its just you." He said.
"Yes, its me," Mandy started, "I came out here to see how you were" Mandy smiled at Rune, but Rune didn't smile back. He looked at Mandy with frustration.
"Its horrible," Rune replied, " Everyone hates me because I left."
"They don't hate you, they just don't understand you."
"What do you mean?"
"They don't think the same you do, see unlike the other animals, you had nice experiences with humans. They have not, they've had all bad experiences." Rune looked down again. "So that means I have to prove myself to the animals to show that I'm not a traitor." He said.
"Yes you do," Mandy replied, "But you can do it, after all, you are just like you father! This was the age he started ruling the jungle too!"
'Yeah, but he didn't have to prove himself to everyone," Rune retorted, "He was respected from the beginning."
Mandy busted out laughing. Rune turned to him angrily, "What's so funny?" He asked.
"You think your father got instant approval from the animals the moment he entered the jungle?" Mandy replied, "The animals didn't trust Kimba the moment they all saw him. You see he wasn't born in the jungle, he was born on a ship in the ocean. His father was shot by poachers before he was born and Kimba escaped from the ship leaving his mother behind, and Kimba made his way back here. The jungle had no king until he came to, the jungle was ruled by lions who killed weaker animals for meat. No one trusted Kimba, he had to save the forest and everyone it before they all accepted him."
"Wow," Rune said, "So he didn't have it easy either."
"See Rune," Mandy continued, "When your king, you will face many challenges ahead."
Rune turned away and looked up at the stars. He smiled at the thought of being king. He remembered how his father was a great king. He was the bravest warrior of the jungle. Rune wanted to be just like him. He looked up at the dark, starry sky, he could almost see the shapes of his mother and father in the stars looking down at him. Rune curled up in the grass, and started to sleep. Mandy smiled than headed back into the woods. Rune began to whisper in his sleep Tomorrow is a new day.

Early the next day, the sun rose and lit up the forest a light orange. Rukio woke up, she crawled out of her nest and stretched against the sun's rays. She got up and looked around, Rune still hadn't returned. She frowned at the thought that he may never come back after yesterday. Coco flew in through the entrance calling to Rukio urgently "Rukio!" He shouted, "Come quick!"
"What's the matter Coco?" Rukio replied,
"Man is in the forest! They're trapping animals like crazy! We have to do something!"
"Okay, Coco, find Rune! We'll need his help! And I'll find Toni, we'll see if we can find some trapped animals and help them."
Coco and Rukio parted ways and ran into the forest. Rukio ran as quickly as she could, she stopped thinking about everything else, she was only thinking of helping the animals . Then suddenly, her back leg got caught in a rope which tightened when she pulled. Rukio tried to step forward when her front leg got caught in another rope. She struggled to pull herself loose, but the ropes got tighter. She lost her breath and calmed herself. A few moments later she heard rustling in the bushes. It was two men. The looked at Rukio, and then pulled out a small wooden cage. "This is a nice one," The first man commented.
"Yeah," replied the second man, "Yea, the boss will like her." Rukio started to struggle again. After failed attempts, the men started to handle her, Rukio cried for help as loud as she could. In the distance, Coco turned around and flew in the direction on the yelling. He flew across and found Rukio in a small cage surrounded by more men.
"Coco!" Rukio cried out, "Find Rune, quickly!"
"I'm on it" Coco replied then flew off. Rukio watched him fly away, then all the men kneeled down and lifted the cage, they took Rukio away. Rukio began to pray to her father for her brother to help her.

Rune woke up, the sun was high, he stretched out and shook his fur. Rune turned and looked toward the jungle. He decided to go back to see Rukio. He headed for the woods. He went in to the woods, quickly making his way through the bramble. In the distance, he heard his name being call. Rune stopped and turned around, he didn't see anyone. He looked the other way, then he heard his name again. That's sounds like Coco, he thought. He was right, Coco was screaming his name frantically.
"Coco," Rune called, "What's up?"
"There's no time," Coco retorted, "Its MAN! Their in the forest capturing animals and taking them away! You have to help them!"
"My sister!"
"They have her too!" Rune was angered at the news of his captured sister. But what was he to do? Rune ran forward, with Coco close behind. Then Rune stopped short, and looked ahead. "Hey" Coco called, "Why'd we stop?"
"I don't know where they are." Rune replied. Rune started to walk, he was going in a circle trying to think. Coco landed on a branch and watched him.
"Humans usually have some kind of camp, right" Rune continued, "I need to find high ground."
"What for?" Coco Asked.
"So I can get a better view of the jungle" Rune replied, "Then I can figure out where Rukio is."
"Well," Coco muttered softly, "You can try Malody's Cliff."
"Malody's Cliff?"
"Yeah, Barbary lions used to live there and no one was allowed to trespass, but they left a long time ago. It should be okay now."
With out responding, Rune ran, looking for this cliff.
"Hey!" Coco called. Rune stopped and looked at Coco in question. "Do you even know where it is?" Rune shook his head no. Coco pointed in the direction of the mountain and Rune once again took off. "You can't miss it!" Coco added, but Rune didn't turn back this time. He was running faster than lightning, all he could think about was the safety of his sister.
The sun was high and the weather became hotter. Rune was getting tired, and just when he was ready to give in, he smelled fresh air. He was close to the edge of the trees. Rune slowed his pace. He came to the jungle's edge and took a step out onto the grass. He took a deep breath of the cliff that lay in front of him. This wasn't just a cliff, it was an old ruin structured by man. The stones rough refined edges. Moss grew all over it it. This cliff was massive. It was perfect for over seeing the jungle.
Rune began to climb. Every ledge he stepped on was carved flat. This was definitely man made. As he got higher, he heard some sounds of walking and crawling above him. Rune twitched his ears. He can hear movement. But he wanted to focus on finding the location of the hunters. He jumped his last height before he was ready to look. He walked to the edge and began scoping.
His searching was quickly cute short when a creature from the shadows lashed out against him. Rune tried to grasp control, but another one came out in another direction and sank his teeth into Rune's shoulders. The first creature pinned him down. Then a moment later a third one came out and shoved Rune's head on the ground. Rune was fully pined, when his vision was clear, he was surrounded by young lion cubs about his age. Rune lay flat on his back, one lion holding his shoulder, another standing over him, and the last one who held his head let go and stood over him looking down at his face.
These must have been the lions Coco was talking about Rune remembered, they must of come back.

The lions looked at Rune and growled at him. They all looked almost the same. They were a dark gray-ish color, with a thin brown mane around their heads. One of them, the one pinning Rune's body, had a scar going across his face.
"Did you catch the trespasser?" Another voice came out from higher above them. The sun glared over him making it difficult to clearly see who it was. His voice was young, and his tone was arrogant. Was this young one speaking the head of these guys?
Before Rune could speak, the new comer jumped from his high top and lion pinning Rune stepped back to give him room. This one was almost the same as the others; Only his mane didn't cover the sides of his face. His mane only covered to top of his head between his ears and down the back of his head.
"Listen," Rune started, "I didn't know anyone lived up here, I just wanted to see the view." Rune words were ignored by this cub. He walked up to Rune and put his paw by Rune's face.
"You trespassed on our mountain with out permission," The cub said, "And for that, you will pay!"
"Give me the trespasser!" Another voice called from the distance. Only this time, it was no cub. This voice was deeper, and more aggressive. It had to be an adult lion, the leader of these cubs. Rune looked up. It was a large fully-grown Barbary lion. The cub who spoke had a strong resemblance to the adult lion. Rune guessed that he was his father.
The adult lion came up to Rune, and all the cubs backed off. Just as Rune began to get up, the larger lion pressed his large powerful paw onto Rune's chest. His claws unsheathed. Rune started straight in the eyes of the beast, not willing to back down. The bigger lion did the same, he growled at Rune with passion in his eyes. Just that moment, Rune began to panic, he remembered why he came to the cliff in the first place, his sister.
At the moment, the gleam in the adult lion's eyes changed, it was no longer aggressive, but interest.
"Kimba?"
Rune at the sound of father name, used the opportunity and kicked the larger lion off of him. He stood in front of the lion with no fear. "Who are you and how do you know my father?" Rune demanded.
"Father?" The lion replied, "So Kimba has a son?" Rune looked at him in question, than he continued, "I haven't seen that arrogant cub Kimba since I was cub myself. My name is Keruru."
The young leader cub turned to his father, "You know this kid?" he asked in disgust.
"I knew his father, Kimba" Keruru replied, then he turned to Rune, "this is my son Keruji."
Keruji turned to Rune and retorted, "Well he's still a trespasser and he have to punish him!"
"That's how I met Kimba." Keruru said, " That foolish cub not only trespassed but he confronted my grandfather, Malody." Rune became interested in Keruru's words as he spoke. "Yeah, as much I hate to admit it, your father saved us several times. Heh, I never did return the favor. So what is your name kid? And what brings you up here?"
"My name is Rune," Rune replied, "I came up here so I can see across the jungle, my sister was captured by man, and I want to get her back. Would that be okay with you, Keruru?"
Keruru hesitated and nodded, Rune nodded back and walked by the cliff's edge. Over the cliff side was a vast spread of jungle with streaks of river cutting through. Several miles off, he could see smoke, it had to be a human camp. Rune knew where to look now, but he still wanted to know something. He turned to Keruru.
"Keruru," He said, "I heard that the Barbary lions left this mountain."
Keruru sat down in front of Rune, than Rune sat too. "We did leave," He started,his tone was dark, full of history, "We left when we were cubs, it was after the war with man when Kimba saved everyone. Our grandfather was killed by humans. My brother Amji, and I took the pride and we left. We wanted to start a new life, away from the jungle."
"What happened?" Rune asked.
"Me and my brother were older and we still had no where to go. We decided to come back to our home and start our new life. But when we came back, a pack of mountain lions had taken over. We fought hard to chase them off, we won. Our victory took a lot of lives, including my brother. Now I'm the leader here, and these cubs in front of you, are his sons he left behind."
"I see," Rune replied, he tried to read Keruru's tone but it was neutral. Rune didn't want to ask any more questions.
"Thanks for your help," he nodded and started to pace off
"Hey kid!" Keruru shouted. Rune walked back to Keruru to see what he wanted. "I owe your father some favors," then he turned to his son, Keruji "Keruji, I want you to help Rune fight the humans!" Keruji turn to his father angrily
"WHAT?" He retorted, "No dad, I'm not helping him!"
"I'm not asking you for a favor," Keruru replied, "I making you, its an order!"
Keruji growled, than he took off leaving the cliff, with out waiting. "He'll come through," Keruru added, he turned to Rune "How is your father?"
"My father died," Rune replied, "and my mother too,"
"Oh, well you will make a fine leader like he was." Keruru said as he turned and walked away. The other cubs followed closely behind. Rune nodded and left the cliff.

Rune ran like he never ran before, his mind was racing with thoughts between running into an old friend of his father's and saving his sister. He looked up for the direction of the sun setting. That's where the human camp is suppose to be Rune thought. Rune started to breath the scent of meat. I must be getting closer, He was getting closer. A few yards ahead of him, humans were walking through. They each carried cages with animals in them. I have to get them out of there. Rune stalked closer, following the humans from a safe distance. Up ahead, Rune was stopped by a tall wooden fence. Towards the left of him was a narrow path made of dirt, and it led through the fence into the human camp. The gate was surrounded by humans, it would be to risky to go that way. Rune leaped on a tall branch and peeked over the fence.
There were piles of cages, all filled with animals. Then Rune realized someone was missing, Where's Rukio? Rune kept looking. Finally, in front of the gate was a cage slightly bigger than the others, with humans standing near it. Rukio was inside. No!
Humans stood guarding Rukio's cage. He had to figure out how he was going to get those humans away long enough to get her out. More humans gathered around Rukio's cage. They were all chattering together, Rune begun to recognize the voice of one human, he peeled his eyes to see who it was. Then finally it hit him, it was that hunter who shot his gun off in the middle of the night he stayed with Dr. Moustache!
"Did you ever find that white lion cub?" the hunter asked the other man standing next to him.
"No boss," The human replied, "We have to leave with what we have, tomorrow."
"Yeah but imagine the money we could of made on him, I know some dealers in Vegas who would pay a nice price for a white lion cub."
"Well, at least you got a lion cub, sell it to a zoo!" One of the men picked up a gun and went back into the forest. Rune realized that all these animals were going somewhere, so the humans didn't wasn't to harm them. Rune leaped over the fence from the branch he stood on and landed softly on the ground. He hid behind a small bush that grew against the fence. Across from the fence lay a set of tents, two after two. To the end of the fence were the cages, all lined up. Rune crawled up to the first cage.
"Shhh," Rune whispered, "I'm going to get you out of here, so keep quiet."
"But how?" One animal replied, "The men are everywhere!"
"Its okay," Rune replied, "I'll take care of them, you all get over the fence once your out, but you have to move quickly!"
Rune bit the locked off the first cage. Nobody heard the locked rip. The pair of of animals were foxes, they quickly crawled over the fence and disappeared into the woods. The next cage had a small alpaca. Rune bit the lock on the cage, but this time it made a louder sound, and a man turned around and saw Rune by the cages.
"Hey!" The man shouted, "Get away from there!" He got up from where he was sitting, picked up a gun and aimed it at Rune. Rune roared at the approaching man, the man flinched and Rune ran up to him, pounced on him until he fell to the ground. Rune turned and nodded at the alpaca and she ran out of the gate. Rukio saw the alpaca escape and she turned to see Rune fighting the human. The man cried for help, but no one came yet, he got up and ran to a tent. Rune took that moment to free more animals, he hurried his pace. Rune freed five more cages of animals, but there was still more to go! Two more humans came out with guns and the shot in Rune's direction. Rune dodged the coming bullets and pounced on the man shooting. The man cried in fear and the other man turned to Rune and smacked him with the back of his gun. Rune fell on the ground, his back aching in pain from the attack. The man came back, but this time aiming to shoot. Rune quick pounced the man before he pulled the trigger, then he grabbed the gun with his teeth and flung it behind him. The he turned to the man still on the ground behind him and bit him on his leg. The man cried in pain, he got up and ran. At that moment Rune ran to the last cages and broke the locks setting the last of the animals free. The only one left was his sister, Rukio.
This time, the same two men, the first man, and that familiar hunter all came out of the tent. Rune growled at the humans, showing no fear.
"Its that white lion cub," The hunter said excitedly, "Quick, get the tranquilizer!"
Rune then darted to Rukio's cage, and he began to pull on the lock. But this lock was tougher, it was solid metal, the other locks weren't any strong, they were simply well knotted ropes that Rune was able to tear with his teeth. Rune struggled to pull Rukio free. Rukio watched him anxiously. The behind them came hunters with their guns. Rune felt the pressure on, he felt the humans behind ready to shoot. The main hunter came out with a different looking gun and pointed at Rune.
"Rune!" Rukio cried, "Behind you!" Rune turned around and saw this large gun pointing directly at his face. Rune froze, he lost.
"I've been looking for you, white lion," The hunter said, gracefully, " And now I finally have you" He pointed his gun, pulled the trigger. BANG!

The gun went off the smoke from it filled the air. The hunter shot a tranquilizing bullet. However, the bullet didn't hit him! The hunter who shot the gun was squealing in shock. When Rune opened his eyes to see what had happened, he was shocked to see who he wasn't expecting to see, Keruji! Kerji had his jaws locked on the hunter's gin forcing the gun to face the other way!
"Get off me," The hunter yelped, "Help someone get him off!"
Rune couldn't believe what he was seeing. Keruji jumped off the hunter and began to chase the other hunters. They ran in fear of Keruji. Keruji, turned and nodded at Rune, Rune nodded back and began at Rukio's cage again. Finally, not the locked the hook the lock was on snapped and Rukio was free!
"Rune!" Rukio cried out as she broke out of the cage, she nuzzled Rune, "You came back!"
"I'm home now," Rune replied, softly, "And we're taking over father's legacy, together!" Rune and Rukio nuzzled again. Then Rune turned to see Keruji was struggling with the men and he turned to Rukio, "Go home," he demanded, "I have to help." With out waiting for a response, Rune lunged into battle against the humans. Keruji leaped off the man and ran up to Rune.
"What made you decide to help me?" Rune asked.
"Well," Keruji answered, "Its been a while since I had a good fight" His tome was slightly hasty, but Rune knew he did this on his own free will. Rune even saw a friend in Keruji. But who knows.
After the hunters vanished, the one hunter remained, The main one. The one who had a big interest in Rune. Rune looked at him and growled.
"Your mine white lion," He said angrily, "I'm not giving you up!" The man was tired though, he was staggering toward Rune and Keruji trying to point his gun. He aimed toward Rune and fired. Rune leaped in the air dodging his bullet, in the air he could feel the spirit of his father, Kimba flowing through his body. Rune was charged with power. He lunged at the hunter with full force pushing him straight into the ground. Rune looked into the eyes of the hunter and roared. The hunter cried at Rune. The battle was over. Rune won, and the hunter was done. He laid and watched as Rune walked off of him and back toward the gate. Keruji followed him. This was a victory to be proud of. He and his sister were safe and he saved the jungle. If only his father was able to see him now.

Later that day, Rune was resting in his home. Rukio came up to Rune and woke him up, "Come outside!" Rukio said excitedly. Rune got up and walked to the entrance of his home. The animals from the jungle were all standing out in front chanting happily
"Rune! Rune!" Rune looked down at them and smiled. He was now accepted as their new king.
Rune stepped forward and roared. The animals bowed with respect and Rune spoke, "From this day on, this will be known as 'Kimba's Jungle' in honor of my father!"
The animals roared in excitement for their new king. Rune and Rukio stood watching. They turned to each other and nuzzled each other, happily. The animals began scattering, "We have a new king! King Rune and Queen Rukio! Children of Kimba and Raiya!"
The news began to spread further and further. Even outsiders got the news. Then the news spread even further. Outside of the jungle, in a cave by the river, a large vulture flew inside.
Inside this dark cave were shadowy figures of a panther, a small lion, and a larger lion. "Boss," The vulture asked, "I have news even you'd like to hear." The larger lion tilted his head. He was laying down, the shadows covered his face. The other two figures next to him were sitting up, facing the entrance, but light had not reached their faces.
"I am in no mood for news," The larger lion responded, "take it elsewhere."
"Oh but you'll want to know about this!" The vulture exclaimed, "Please listen!"
"Fine, what is it?"
"King Kimba and Queen Raiya are dead!" The larger lion tilted his head higher and twitch his tail in interest. And the vulture continued, "Apparently, they've been dead for several months now, and as of today, their cubs, Rune and Rukio are taking over the Jungle, now renamed Kimba's Jungle."
"That is interesting news," The larger lion responded, "Thank you for sharing. I shall make use of it."

Later that night, Rukio came out of the woods and entered through the front entrance and called Rune. Rukio looked around and Rune did not respond. She looked outside and started calling Rune again, but still no response. She ran around the castle, but still nothing, then she thought of something. Something from their cub life, she walked further away from the castle and to the edge of a steep hill. She looked down. Down the hill, was a small patch of grass by itself surrounded by vines and shrubs. In the brush was an old jet plane that must of crashed many years ago, it was covered in moss, and the windows were broken. Rukio saw Rune sleeping next to the plane with a musical toy he once found there. Rukio sat on the top and smiled. This was the life she wanted back. It was just her and her brother now. They were reunited now and they are going to rule the jungle together. Above them in the stars watched two proud parents of the king and queen. Rune needed all the rest he can get. This was the start of a long difficult future as the king