Romance[]
Tetea[]
Asani and Tetea nodding each other.
Ever since they were cubs, Asani had a major crush on the lion pride's princess, but was never allowed to speak to her unless he was related to the royal bloodline, or to be a prince from another kingdom and another territory. Yet, she still knew that both of them needed a friend. However, the two would share a secret moment without the king, Khamani to notice them spending times together. However, Asani was still too nervous and young to reveal his feelings to the princess, fearing that she could not accept him for not being royalty and disappoint her father's wish, without knowing that it's just what he wants without allowing her daughter to love only a member of their pride. Tetea may not be a regular lioness or be related to the royal bloodline, but promised Asani that they can also be friends and have a strong relationship, unless they have to fight for it. So Asani agreed they will keep it all a secret, with only close allies to know, including his father Omari, his brother Ndugu and his cousin Binamu.
Their friendship would remain strong till they entered an adulthood, and became adolescent lions, but still weren't in a romantic relationship, due to the laws about royalties to bond closely with other royalties without their own blood. But when a noble prince and a suitor named Sahihi arrived to the pride with his parents and was destined to become Tetea's mate, Asani felt like he was losing his crush to an actual prince, which was against the laws of a lion. However, Tetea's heart stayed secretly with Asani, but may needed to be forced to become engaged to Sahihi for being a prince, and was deeply not allowed to refuse or stand up to her father, which would only bring trouble to the pride and disappointment to their families' legacy.
Family[]
Omari[]
Young Asani gets advice from Omari.
Omari is Asani's father. Since childhood, the duo had a good father and son relationship, and knew both of them would want to know what it's like to become closer to other lions, including the ones connected to their bloodline. Omari would often give his older son an advice about growing up and follow the path of other and braver lions like himself, and teach him how to roar like a thunder. First, Asani would often squeak in front of others that begin to laugh at him, until Omari roared furiously at them for insulting his son, also showing him what it's like, and just needs to dig deeper until it finally comes out. Omari just told him to be true to himself, and not let others pressure him like the ones who enjoys teasing him, otherwise his father would always be there for him and defend him which was a dad's job. Omari also knows that Asani likes Tetea, but was forbidden to become her lover or a friend, so Omari told him to just stay strong, and wait for the right moment when Khamani finally offers anyone that isn't royalty to become closer to his daughter, and that lion would be Asani who is very special to everyone in the territory, including his own family.
One day, Omari along with Safia would have to leave for a while to go hunting together, and must leave their sons to be watched over by Khari and Dalila. Asani wanted to go with them, but his path was from now on to stay at home, and look out for his brother.
Ndugu[]
Asani relaxing with Ndugu.
Ndugu is Asani's younger brother. When he was born, Asani was given an offer from their parents to be a legal guardian to him one day unless something happens to them, and would always support him, which was a promise that Asani would never break, and reveals that he always wanted a brother, but wouldn't desperately beg for one like other kids who are lonely and have no siblings. However, Asani was happy for his parents to get another child to watch making his first steps, like how they saw Asani take his first steps as an infant cub. When Ndugu took his first steps, he would often fall to the ground and get a help from his parents to get back on his paws, until it happened again, with Asani being next to help the new member of the family to rise up. And when that happened, Ndugu no longer falls to the ground and learned how to walk and run, making Asani the one who taught him how to become closer to older lions. And during the childhood, Asani would be there for his brother while their parents are away of hunting for dinner, and would soon becoming a paternal figure to him after their parents were both gone, but unaware that their father survived, and decided to fake his death after failing to save their mother, and believed his sons were both fine without him.
Binamu[]
Asani with Binamu.
Binamu is Asani's younger and only maternal cousin whom the former grew up with for being in the same pride as their parents. Despite enjoying hanging out with his cousin, Asani can sometimes be irritated by Binamu's recklessness, because he is proven by the royal lions that he is not responsible enough to be in their pride. Asani was basically forced to believe so, but refused, cause he was his cousin and deeply cares for him like caring for his younger brother after their parents' departure and absence. Binamu would promise to always have his cousins' back, unless Asani would accept this, which his elder cousin did when he thought both of his parents were gone, unaware that his father was actually alive.
Khari[]
Khari is Asani's uncle who is the mate of his maternal aunt, Dalila, but was born before their marriage.
Dalila[]
Dalila is Asani's maternal aunt, the sister of his late mother Safia and sister-in-law of his late father Omari.
Friends and Allies[]
Kubwa[]
When Asani first met the adolescent gorilla, the duo did not get along, possibly due to being different species, or that Kubwa did not trust others and confessed to work alone without backup when his father sent him to find a new home for their troop.
Khamani[]
Asani respected the king of lions and the one who rules the territory that he lives in, because he was the father of Tetea, the lioness whom he likes very much, but Khamani would never allow his daughter to mate with a member who has no connection to royalty.
Sahihi[]
When the prince first arrived to the pride to become a suitor for Tetea and a next king, Asani showed no jealousy but disappointment if Tetea would get over it and accept Sahihi as her true love, but she showed no interests in him. Other lions believed a rivalry would start between two lions who liked Tetea, but Asani showed no interest to win her over a prince who did nothing wrong to him or the pride he was from.