This is so frustrating! I picked up the scent of a cheetah hours ago!  Every time I think I’m getting close, the scent disappears and I find myself heading back the way I came! Worse yet, the heat in the Badlands is unbearable. Fierce winds blaze around my fur. It feels like the sun is baking me alive, and the sand scorches my paws with every step. Tracks disappear almost as soon as they are made by the same winds blowing across the harsh desert. When I look into the distance, I see swirling storms of sand scouring the land.

	After the third or fourth passage, the trail disappears. I roar out into the void and swipe at the sand with my paw. We have been following the bottom edge of a cliff for hours, and it doesn’t even provide any shade! I am just about to give up and keep going when, suddenly, I hear a rock above me bouncing its way down the cliff face.

	“Who’s there?!” I yell.

	“Looking for something, young lions?”

	I growl and try to keep my anger under control, “Yes! We are looking for a cheetah named Azaad. That wouldn’t happen to be you, would it?”

	The voice laughs, “And why are you looking for this… Azaad?”

	Kovu replies, his voice soft but firm, “My friend Kion needs help. He was bitten by a snake and needs a cheetah, Azaad, to help him.”

	“Oh? And how is this Azaad supposed to help your friend?”

	Kovu starts to laugh, “Well you see, he was bitten on the...”

	I shoot Kovu a dirty look: he swallows his laughter and quickly changes tone.

	“The uh... I mean his... thingies.”

	A distant voice laughs, “Oh, that is quite the predicament, but you have come to the right place… for I am Azaad.” A cheetah comes into view from above the cliff’s top, grinning back as he stares us down.

	“You?! You’re supposed to help me, but you have been leading us in circles all day?!” I snap at him.

	“But of course! Azaad must be careful, after all. He must make sure those looking for him have only good intentions,” he says, leaping down from his perch.

	I start to growl, but Kovu cuts me off, saying, “Can you help Kion, Azaad? I did my best this morning, but he desperately needs some relief.”

	“Why yes, Azaad is happy to help, but your friend must be willing to do everything I say.”

	I sigh and hang my head. As angry as I am, I do need his help. My claws retract.

	 “Okay. Azaad, I will do what you say, as long as it helps me feel better.”

	“Good,” The cheetah says, turning around to face me, “...this may be a bit new to you, but perhaps we can start with a touch.”

Azaad brushes the fur on my shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

“I have met with animals under Rafiki’s watch before, this venom of yours… it was once celebrated. Rather than kill the animal, it gives a new virility… what Azaad would consider a blessing for a king in need of heirs. After a while though, it gives way to a passion without end. Unfortunately, it is a lust with no love, a hunger with no end. Truly a curse.”

“Huh, Rafiki didn’t mention that back at home.”

“Azaad can understand. What is important now is for you to be healed. Only with the tenderness of animals, united with their own intimacies, were the kings able to sate such a lust. Together with those who follow, Azaad can help give you rest.”

Azaad nuzzles my ear next, purring softly against my nape.

“The venom is strong in you. Let Azaad guide your feelings.”

Azaad pulls me closer with a forepaw, stroking my chest fluff and moving down onto my loins. I shudder, feeling the soft paws caress my gifts. He strokes and spreads my hind legs, peering at my member. 

“This is quite the surprise. Azaad must be quick.” Azaad licks my shaft, moving in rhythm to its pulse. I growl, feeling forth a wave of pre, soon shooting onto Azaad’s nose. The sight sends a tingle through my entire body.

“Hmm, good. Azaad feels you are ready...next thing you must do is to lick at this spot..” 

	I look up at the cheetah’s puckered rear and know what I have to do. It’s not like it’s the first time I have rimmed someone. But having just met this cheetah, it feels weird and uncomfortable. Rafiki did say he can help, though, and I promised I would do what he said. Glancing back at Kovu, I move forward. My legs stagger, almost tripping on a rock.

	As I get close, his scent washes over me. It flows through my nostrils, feeling like one of Rafiki’s potions to take away pain. Instead of removing pain, though, it makes me feel light headed and removes any inhibitions I had about pleasuring Azaad. Without another thought, I move my muzzle up to his tailhole, reach my tongue out, and eagerly start to lick his back entrance. It is the most wonderful thing I have ever tasted! I continue to lick like a starving lion enjoying a freshly slain antelope. The flavor of his maleness fills my muzzle. I want more.

	After several minutes of licking, I decide I need to go deeper. I push forward with my tongue, slowly breaking through his natural resistance and digging deeper as if I was looking for the greatest of buried treasures. Vaguely, I hear him moan, but I’m so lost in the pheromones it sounds like it’s rising from a distant memory. Pushing my tongue in as far as it will go, I start to explore every inch of his insides. My head starts to swim even more, and I lose myself in my task. I find his pleasure spot, and begin to press and lap at it like it is a wonderful tasty treat.

	Then, all of a sudden, my treasure is taken away from me. Azaad has turned around and is now facing me, looking me straight in the eyes. I sit there, my tongue still panting out, looking like a dazed idiot.

	“That was very good, young lion. Azaad doesn’t think he has ever had anyone rim him with as much love and enthusiasm. It is time to move on, though, tell me, how good are you at sucking cock?”

	I grin as I  pull my tongue back into my muzzle. He is in for a treat! With a motion of his head, he directs my gaze to the beautiful male organ jutting out from between his hind legs. I start to move towards it without any conscious thought. It feels like I am floating towards the object of my desires, and before I know it, my nose presses against the stiff member. Instinctively, I reach my tongue out and start licking. It tastes just as good as his tailhole, with an added treat once I reach the tip.

	After a couple of long, slow, licks, I take Azaad’s cock into my muzzle and begin to suckle. I wrap my tongue around him, gently as a mother cradling her cub, and start to slowly move my head back and forth. This spurts a gush of pre all over my tongue. If I thought his tailhole and cock tasted good, his cum must be nectar from the Kings Above. I let that dripping, salty liquid nestle on my tongue before swallowing. With each squirt on my tongue, I suck harder and bob my head even faster, encouraging more to come out. It doesn’t take long to get exactly what I wanted either. Azaad’s cum floods into my muzzle. I don’t think I have ever swallowed that much in my entire life! Still though, it isn’t enough. I still want more. Unfortunately, though, his release ends after only a few spurts.

	“You are as good at sucking cock as you are at eating ass, young Kion. Now, it is time to really help you out. Crouch down and lift your tail. Your true feelings can return from here..”

	A shudder runs through my whole body as he rubs against my side, getting into position.... Finally, I will have him inside me. I quickly get beneath him, and throw my tail aside. I am so needy, all I can do is moan and present my rear, heart pulsing in anticipation. Luckily, that is precisely the signal he needs. He quickly crouches over me and begins to thrust his long tool at my backside. After a few false starts, he hits home and buries every precious inch of himself inside me. I cry out in a lustful mix of pleasure and pain as he begins to pound even faster. His barbs dig into me every time he pulls out, causing a fresh wave of pain to ripple throughout my body. It’s weird.  I know it hurts but the new tingles just add to the pleasure! I just want to stay here like this forever. It is the most amazing thing I have ever felt.

	Azaad takes me as only a cheetah can. The speed of his thrusts is indescribable. All I can do is spread my legs just a little further, and scrape my claws into the hot sand, trying to stay still. Each thrust presses against my pleasure zone. He does it so fast, it is like a feline tapping away with their paw toe, desperate to reach their first climax. I soon shoot my load all over the sand below me; yet, I can feel Azaad is nowhere close to done. Every quarter of a second, his barbs scrape along my insides. I am sure they must be tearing me apart. In the back of my mind, I worry he is actually killing me, but I am so lost in trance from his pheromones that I don’t even try and stop him.

	After several minutes, Azaad finally empties his balls inside of me with a growl of pleasure. I think ‘finally it’s over,’ but to my surprise he doesn’t even slow down. He just keeps pounding away at me! I moan like a whore under him as I cum again, adding to the puddle beneath me. If we keep going, the Badlands may have a watering hole after all!

*****

	I sit and sigh. All I can do is watch as my best friend pleasures a complete stranger with every ounce of strength and agility he has. With nothing else to distract me, I start to pace back and forth next to the rocky cliff. My steps swat at rocks as if they were incessant flies. As I do, I grumble to myself inwardly, constantly looking back towards them, hoping they are finally done. Suddenly, I realize I am angry at that cheetah. Why am I angry? He is helping Kion. Kion needs this. Heneeds... him. But then I start to think:
‘Why can’t I do the healing for Kion?’
‘Why does Kion need some strange cheetah?’
‘Who the hell calls themselves by their own name anyway?’
I kick at the sand in frustration.  I have never felt this way before. Why won’t it stop? I mean, it isn’t like Kion and I are mates or anything!

	Still, it hurts so much. I look over and see them together. All I want to do is to just run over there and stop them. But my ears just lower. Kion needs this so he can heal. The last thing I want is for him to lose control again, or get lost in his lust. Yet, for some reason, I want him all to myself. My body goes stiff; I just want to lash out at something and release this rage, but there is no such prey. There is nothing except sand as far as the eye can see! I force myself to take several deep breaths and calm down. I must remember. I’m here to help Kion. This isn’t about me, or how I feel.

	Then I watch as Azaad empties his balls deep within Kion. I think, ‘Finally, it’s over.’ I am so relieved. But Azaad doesn’t stop! He just keeps going! ‘Why isn’t he stopping?’ I think. My eyes go wide in horror.
How long can this cheetah keep going? I just want to bury my head in the sand, but I can’t. I am forced to watch as the cheetah’s hips thrust back and forth as fast as he can move them. Unfortunately, since he is a cheetah, that is amazingly fast. If I wasn't so upset of having to share my friend, I would be jealous of not being on the receiving end of that pounding.

	It takes almost a whole hour of mating before Azaad is worn out and dismounts Kion. I can see Kion’s rear end and belly are covered in cum; both Azaad’s and his own. I hope they don’t expect me to clean that up!

*****

	I am exhausted, sticky, and finally drained of my endless lust by the time Azaad pulls out and climbs off of me. I collapse into the puddle of cum I have spillede, but I don’t mind. I am so tired. This is the most amazing experience of my young life though! I groan as I slowly lift myself off the ground. As much as I wanted to, I can't lay here forever. My legs shake unsteadily as I stand. I hope I can still walk. We have more ground to cover today. Suddenly, the shadow of Azaad stretches over me.

	“Well Kion, do you feel any better now?”

	“Kings Above, Azaad, I feel amazing! I don’t think I even need to go to the Tree of Life; I feel back to normal!”

	The cheetah chuckles, “Azaad is glad you are feeling better, but you must still continue your journey. The lust will return sooner than you think, you must not waste time.”

	“I know, I wish I could just go back home, but I have to push on.”

	“You do not have to do it alone though. Your friend will be with you, keep him close. You will need him to get to the tree and, I believe, once you are there too.”

	“You’re right, I know already that I can't do it without him.” I look over at Kovu and it is like a flutter of butterflies fills my stomach.

	I have never felt this before. I didn’t want to take my eyes off of him, but at the same time I feel so nervous! I have known Kovu for months and we have gotten so close. Why am I acting like he is a complete stranger? Suddenly, I am knocked out of my thoughts by Azaad.

	“Good luck on your journey, Kion. If anyone can make it to the Tree of Life, it is you and your mate.”

	Mate?! Maybe I misspoke.. Sure, Kovu is my best friend and I do like him, but I don’t think I’m in love with him.

	I laugh, “Sorry. I think you have the wrong idea, Azaad. Kovu is just… a really good friend.”

	Azaad looks at me with a smirk on his face, like he thinks he has caught me in a lie. He lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
	
“Of course, my mistake. Either way, Azaad wishes you the best of luck getting to the Tree.”

	“Thank you, Azaad.”

Azaad nods to me, and walks over to Kovu as I clean myself up a little.

*****

	Great. That damn cheetah is coming over here! Now I have to play nice and talk to him. I take a couple of deep breaths, and do my best to let my anger flow out of me and into the sand. I don’t have long though; he is standing before me after only moments.

	“Young lion, you have a wonderful friend in Kion. You are quite lucky to be at his side.”

	“Thank you, Azaad. You’re right, I am very lucky.”

	“Kovu, Azaad can see that it is very hard for you to share your… uh, friend, with him. Azaad thanks you for allowing him to be with Kion. Please know that if there were another way, Azaad would not have come between you two. This will be a long and hard journey for you both but, unfortunately, for you especially, your friend there. You need to be prepared for that. It is more important than you know that you stay at Kion’s side and help him through this. He will need you to get to the Tree of Life, and once you arrive... Azaad prays to the ancestors that you stay strong.”

	I am dumbfounded. I hardly expected him to be a good guesser. It’s as if he saw right through me. . All of the anger flees my body and is replaced by a deep feeling of embarrassment and selfishness. I feel my cheeks heating up under my fur, and can no longer look Azaad in the eyes.

	“I’m sorry Azaad. I shouldn’t feel so upset. Thank you for all you have done for Kion. I will do my best to be stronger and help him more.”

	“You have nothing to be sorry about, Kovu. Your feelings are not ‘wrong.’ They are perfectly normal. Azaad can see you are a very strong lion, and he has much faith in you two.”

	“Thank you, Azaad. I think you have helped both of us.”

	Azaad nods, and then, as quick as he appeared, he is off again making his way up the cliff and disappears.

	“You okay, Kovu?”

	I almost jump out of my skin when I hear Kion. I quickly turn around to face him as my ears flare and eyes widen. I must have looked like an idiot.

	“Oh, uh, yeah, I’m okay; sorry, it’s just been a long day.”

	Kion chuckles “Yeah it has! First searching all over this sandy island in the heat, following a scent that kept changing direction, then taking that pounding!” Kion groans, “Oh, Kovu, Azaad is amazing! I can’t remember a mating ever feeling that good! Lions Below, if he were to come with me you could have stayed home, eh, Kovu?” He says, gently punching me on the foreleg with his paw.

	All of the sudden, I shut my eyes. I close them tightly, holding back the faintest quiver of tears. I couldn’t. I pull myself aside and shake my head tuft, shielding my brow with a single paw. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to burst into tears. I briefly look up onto the sky and urge out a cough. Still trembling all around, a faint smile spreads across my muzzle. I face Kion with a quick glance..

	I simply respond “Yeah... I guess; we should get going.” I turn my head and begin to trot. My paws slid across the dirt, attempting to hold a steady stance with each step.

	Kion raises his brows and leans back , but soon shrugs, uttering, “Oh, uh, okay.”

	We don’t say anything else as we walk off towards the borders of the Badlands.