Neema pointed over to their elder brother. “Our older brother mastered his at twelve and I got mine down at fourteen. You are a year older than I was which speaks volumes about your own abilities.” Neema poked Yafeu’s chest. “Even Big Sister Fujo has mastery over her grace and she is a woman.”

“Why do you have to be so mean, Neema?”

“And what have I told you about not properly addressing me as Elder brother Neema?”

Yafeu lowered his eyelids. “Bakari is fine with it.”

“Well, he shouldn’t. You lack respect that is why you are such a pain.”

“Both of you knock it off. Show proper respect to the princes trying to bathe in peace,” Bakari said.

Dayo rested his cheek on his fist. He watched the phoenix brothers with a bemuse smile. “Oh, I don’t know about that. A bath is a bore without conversation.”

Kovu rested his arms on the cobblestones behind himself. “Neema, you should know by now that younger brothers are made to be annoying. Just accept it.”

“Oh, and older brothers are perfect.” Dayo playfully jabbed Kovu’s chest.

“Great, now you two have them doing it,” Bakari spoke.

“Why me?” Yafeu asked.

Neema growled in his direction. “Because you never know when to stop asking questions?”

“Why?”

Neema turned to fully face Yafeu. He pointed his finger right at the boy’s forehead. “Stop asking why?”

A teasing grin spread over Yafeu’s lips. “Why?”

Neema stood up out from the water. “You little brat.”

“Aww, stop getting so angry.” Yafeu leaped onto his brother’s naked waist and pulled him into the water. The hot water splashed upward and rained down on the other men in the bath.

Bakari stood up, glaring down into the water. “Neema, Yafeu, stop this foolishness at once.”

*

Busara stared at the peach color wall which separated the two bathes into two completely different rooms. “The men certainly are noisy.”

Lady Taaliah leaned back further in the bath with her eyes close. “They always get that way when they are around the princes.” She opened her eyes. “I must say I am surprise the princes would decide to leave the castle. What with it being considered a bad omen the last time they tried to.”

“What do you mean?” Busara asked.

“You’ve seen the scar on Prince Dayo’s neck, correct?”

“What about it?”

“Back when the princes were children they wanted to see the entire capital. Their mother was taking them out to see it when a stray lightning bolt came down and struck both princes.”

Busara gasped.

“The royal family tried to keep things quiet, but they were beginning to prepare their funerals since they were unconscious for so long.”

“What happened?” Busara leaned in to hear what the woman was about to say.

“Just as they were about to retrieve them for the fire they suddenly woke up. Not only that, but part of their hair changed color to that of their brother’s and each called out for the other which was the strangest part of all.”

“How could that be the strangest thing of all?”

“Anyone who knew the princes before then knows they hated each other with a great passion,” Fujo said.

“They couldn’t even stand being in the same room together.” Lady Taaliah looked over at her eldest daughter. “Prince Dayo could not even stand hearing his brother’s name?”

“Yes, I made a single compliment about his brother and he threatened to have my tongue cut out by the guards.”

“I hardly ever see them a part now,” Busara said.

“That was not the only change to them. They no longer desired to be fat and began training with the royal guards,” Lady Taaliah continued.

“Before then they were as round as pigs,” Fujo said.

Rukiya, a mere twelve year old and the youngest of her siblings looked over from the corner of the bath. Her pink locks draped down with her orange eyes staring. “Really? That’s hard to believe given their looks.”

“Yes, but never mention it in front of them,” Lady Taaliah said.

Water dripped from Busara’s skin and hair. Steam rolled up around her in the bath. “Are they that insecure over something that was years ago?”

*

The wooden door to the guest room slid open.

“Sorry to interrupt you.” Kovu now dressed only in his shorts and shirt which hung open stood at the entryway inside the hall.

Busara sat on the large guest bed inside the room in no more than her mint green under dress. Her beauty glowed in the candle light and from the bath she had just finish taking. She began tying her lovely locks into a braid for the night. “It isn’t a bother. Did you need something?”

Kovu stepped into the room sliding the door close behind him. “Did you enjoy your bath?”

“Yes, I have never had such a relaxing bath before. It was also very informative.”

Kovu blinked, cocking his head to the side. “You were gossiping?”

“I learned even the nobles have no choices in their marriages. Nor do they seem to mind it.”

“Yes, only the king and his heir have a choice in who he marries. Even Dayo does not have a say.” Kovu had been surprise that would be something Busara would take part in. He thought for sure they would be gossip more about him and his brother, but then again they were women after all.

Busara finished tying her braid. “Only the king’s heir, isn’t that sad?”

“What do you mean? Is that your dream, Busara? To marry the man you love over duty?”

“If that happens it happens.” Busara lay down on the bed as she bent one of her legs up. The sight was utterly enticing to a male’s eyes who would look her up and down for the mere pleasure of it.

“You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“No, it is just not what I want out of life is all.”

“Then what are your dreams?”

“Hmm? A suppose I like to be a philosopher, or a chieftain, or maybe a court official.”

Kovu dropped his arms, speechless. His eyes widen at what he heard. “A philosopher? A Chieftain…Or, uh court official? That-that is…”

Busara turned onto her side with her braid falling around her neck. The beautiful young woman did not even seem to know how enticing her body language was even as her green eyes narrowed with anger. “You disagree?”

“What you are saying is… I mean what it sounds like is that you would want to be equal to a man.”

“Not just me, but all women.”

Kovu’s mouth opened wide only able to let out noises. “Women equal to men? I-I never heard of such a thing.”

“It is possible. If women are given the same opportunities and education as men they can match them. Maybe even surpass them.”

“Surpass them!” That was pure madness. Women were weaker, they were known for poisoning men and manipulating them so they could gain power. It was why Kovu and his brother always made sure to be wary of them.

Still he couldn’t say how stupid it was, he needed her. He rested his hand on the side of his waist. He gazed down, trying to think of a way to deal with this. He tried to think like his brother in situations like this. He focused back on the beauty. “Busara, tell me something. If you believe women are equal to men then why did you not defeat Mudiwa? Dayo has already informed me about the powers your flute possesses.”

Busara’s eyes widen for a moment. She looked over at her flute that sat on the side table. “I believe you misunderstand me. Just as all men are not fighters neither are all women. I am a woman of the mind. More so my flute can only put people to sleep as for its other abilities it would have damaged the temple.”

“So that is your answer. I never heard a woman speak of her own strength and weakness so freely.”

“I have no reason to lie. But is that the reason you came here tonight?”

Kovu shook his head and dropped his hand. The time for small talk was over. “No, I needed your help with something.” Kovu closed the gap between them and squatted down so that their eyes met. He informed Busara of what Bakari had told him.

“They would do something so evil to their own blood?”

“Of the four grand clans this family cares more about fortune and omens despite their precision and grace. Bad omens must be taken care of.”

Busara sat back up on the edge of the bed. “What is it that you want from me?”

“I need you to put everyone to sleep so I can find this boy and get him out of here.”

“You do not have the power to simply have him release?”

“I hold no authority while on this journey. If the family learns I wish to free him they will kill him first. Unfortunately, I stand no chance against the siblings of the phoenix.”

“You defeated Mudiwa, a feat no one else could and would Bakari not aid you.”

Kovu shook his head. “His father is the most frightening man I have ever met. I am sure he would kill Bakari for rebellion that cannot happen or it would put the rest of his siblings in danger. Bakari may one day surpass him, but he is not there yet and I also suspect that Dayo would side with them. He has a real soft spot for the grand clans.”

“Your brother does seem different around them, but may I offer a suggestion?”

“What is it?”

“You should get a better layout of both the complex and the city. Since we need to make a quick escape finding the fastest route is idea.”

“We would have to stay longer to do that.”

“If what all you said is true it would be the only way to safety save the boy.”

Kovu shut his eyes and stood up. “Then tomorrow night please play your song. Good night, Busara.”

“Good night, Prince Kovu.”

*

The princes stood in the main bedroom hallway of the estate across from the phoenix sons.

“You wish to see the city?” Neema had his arms crossed. He slightly cocked his head to the side.

“I have decided to learn to see things from your viewpoint. Bakari, will you show me around?” Kovu asked.

Bakari bowed his head. “Of course, your highness.”

“We should all go.” Yafeu spoke so loud it filled the entire hallway. His fists thrust up to his chest.

“Agree.” Dayo rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Glad to see you acting like your old self.”

Kovu looked to his brother. “You all stay here.”

“What?”

“You and Neema should have a mock battle maybe then you can keep up with me.” Kovu wrapped his arm around Prince Dayo in a playful arm lock. “And you maybe also able to show him your new little trick.”

Dayo struggled to pull himself out from under his brother’s grip. “Let go.”

With a playful grin, Kovu released the younger prince. He patted him heavily on the back as Dayo gasped for air. “You are still too soft.”

Dayo sharply glared at his brother from the corner of his eye. His teeth clenched together. “I only need to be hard in the bedroom, you sadist.”

“Your jokes are as sad as ever. Neema, try to teach my brother something while we are away.”

Yafeu stepped forward, pointing to himself over and over again. “Let me fight him.”

Neema instantly pulled his brother back. “You stay quiet. I will practice with the prince. Stay out of the way before I hurt you.” He brought his attention back to the princes. “Prince Dayo, let us have a battle.”