Hello, Guys!
This is a new story, that is a new twist on "A Love Stolen," which I'm planning to delete. Please let me know what you think about it by posting a review.
Happy Reading!
J
Some lions go their whole life looking for paradise. Spending their whole lives as rogues, forever searching for the one place that they could call home. But that was for the rest of Africa. For a very select few, their destiny was decided. The great kings of the past had seen to that. If a lion could choose where to be born, it's certain that a smart one would make the Pride lands his destiny. Paradise on earth. A large amount of land controlled by lions. Where the sun always rose and always set. Where you could find water, food, and peace. It sounds like a dream doesn't it? It's the kind of thing that no one ever expects to be a reality, and when they hear about the Pride lands, they get lost in the heart of it. But then there was that one lion. He was a teenager, his black mane was just starting to fill in, but his body was slender, he had beautiful emerald eyes. See he was waiting to see if the great kings of the past were really on his side. Next to him was his brother, he was taller, stronger, thicker. His red mane was filling in as well, but at a much quicker rate than his brother. In front of them stood three lions. Mahato was the largest. He was also one of the pride elders. Mahato was the king that retired when the younger lion's mother, Uru, married their father, Ahadi.
Taka was amazed how many people fantasized about the Pride Lands, surely they weren't dumb enough to think that the Pride Lands were free to trouble. Sure, things were pretty well, but not perfect.
In a way, this was sort of like judgment day, only no one was dead yet. Today was the day when Taka and Mufasa would find out who was first place, and who was second best. Of course, Ahadi would never openly admit that, but isn't this what it's all about? If you have to choose between two heirs, then wouldn't you choose the one that you thought was best? Those were some of the thoughts that Taka had as he prepared for what his father was about to say.
Ahadi took a deep breath, the wind, and heat pushing his energy all the more. His thick, black, mane, blowing about.
"Now, boys, I'm sure you know why we're all here."
"Yes, father," Taka replied dryly. He didn't give a hoot who became king; he had other things on his mind.
"Yes, dad." Mufasa smiled. His deep voice was disproportionate to his age and body. He hadn't given much thought to who was going to be king.
"I just want to have a happy family; I'd be happy enough just being a prince." Mufasa continued. At this, Mohato smiled. Such beautiful, young adults they were both becoming.
"Well, son, you aren't going to be the prince. I've chosen you as the heir first in line to the throne." Ahadi stated. Uru shook her head; he had always been blunt, but she thought that he would handle this situation a little more delicately.
"Congratulations, Brother." Taka smiled.
Mohato took a deep breath. He looked at each of his grandsons. The King and the Prince respectively.
"Taka, this doesn't mean that you get to skip out on responsibilities. You are in for as much work as Mufasa is. You will be…" Mohato searched for the proper word.
"Second in command." Mufasa finished for him. "We will be partners, brother. Just like we've always been." This made all of the adult's smile. Ahadi felt like a weight had been lifted off. Mohato felt reassured that what happened in the past, wouldn't be repeated. Uru felt pride.
Taka wasn't paying attention to anything. His gut had told him that this was going to be the result; he wasn't surprised, angry, hurt. Nothing. He felt nothing.
"That means Sarabi will be queen!" It was that comment that struck one of Taka's nerves. That's what he wanted. He wanted Sarabi.
"Who is the lucky Princess, brother?" Mufasa grinned. He didn't know that Taka no longer felt joyous, or indifferent. He was angry.
"I guess we'll just have to see," Taka said, there was still time yet, maybe he could get Sarabi to see that they belonged together.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it were Sarafina," Uru said. Her face lifted into a knowing smile.
Mahato, however, was quick to notice the change in Taka's demeanor. The young lion's muscles tensed up.
"Well, I suppose I should think about it," Taka stated dryly. He tried hard to keep the venom out of his voice. The sooner he got away from his family, the better he'd be. He had to think of a plan. A plan that would make his dreams come true.
Taka left his family where they stood, still completely oblivious to just how dark things were getting in Taka's brain.
For the remainder of the day, Taka roamed the Pride Lands, thinking about what he should do. He knew that he had waited too long. Had he confessed when these feelings first came up, maybe he wouldn't be feeling like this now.
For some time now, Taka had known about his dark side. The side that he was forever trying to push down. He didn't even know where these feelings were coming from. Some days he woke up to feeling like he didn't belong. Everyone here was loving, friendly, kind. Even when they did wrong, the Pride Landers never appeared to have the feelings that Taka had. The feelings that made him feel dark, scary, even. Taka didn't know anyone who was afraid of themselves. Maybe he was the first.
For what seemed like hours, Taka wondered around, thinking of reasons he felt like this. Of ways, he could avoid doing something stupid.
It did nothing. His mind kept wandering back to her. Sarabi. That dark cream coat. Those amber eyes. The dark-rimmed ears. And who could forget how it made him feel when she spoke to him. Just the way she said his name, made his fur stand on end and made his whole spine tingle.
His family was right about one thing: he was fond of Sarafina, but he did not love her, not in the way they thought. Sarafina was like the sister Taka never had. A deep sigh escaped him as he thought it all through. He would have to tell Sarabi how he felt about her eventually. Either he made Mufasa mad for a little while, or he made himself psychotic forever.
Sarabi… I love you.
Sarabi, I need to tell you something.
I know you're marrying Mufasa.
Taka's mind continued to bounce around. How do you start a conversation like that? How do you tell the lioness of your dreams, who just happens to be engaged to your brother, that you love her more than he ever could? Why would she even give Taka the time of day? Demoted to second best's love choice, and princess. When she could be Queen?
Telling someone how you feel, doesn't have a downside. Mohato's voice rang inside Taka's head. That's what he would do. He would get Sarabi alone. And they would chat. He would get it off his chest, and move on to find his princess.
Hearing the call of the hunting party, Taka returned home. They were having his favorite tonight: zebra. It put him in a better mood. Taka almost felt light hearted. But the feeling wouldn't last long.
Mufasa led Sarabi away, probably to tell her the news. Taka followed them silently. Not wanting his presence to be known. He stayed far enough back that he couldn't hear what they were saying. All the while, he tried to formulate a plan. The goal was to tell her how he felt without making a complete fool of himself.
Taka had to stop to take several deep breaths. The sight of it… or rather them… was killing Taka. They were rolling around like cubs, pinning each other, licking each other, probably whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. For hours, it went on like this. Sarabi was flashing radiant smiles. Burying herself in Mufasa's already somewhat thick mane. Mufasa cracking lame jokes. Taka's emotions got so involved that he didn't try to push the dark feelings down as they came. Somehow forgetting that his mood could go south quickly, and the demon he kept pushing down would escape.
What are you going to do? Now that mushy is going to be King?
Looks like you don't have a chance, buddy.
Hot tears started to trickle down Taka's face. Maybe this inner demon was right. He had not one chance of it.
Look at them! Rolling around in the Savannah, fools. Anger started to course through Taka's body. He would soon lose control. He tried to take a few deep breaths, but it wasn't working.
Great Kings, keep me calm. If you've ever cared for me, you'd help me defeat the demon. Taka stopped in his tracks. Mufasa heading back to Pride Rock… alone.
Sarabi gave him one more nuzzle, which made Taka cringe. His brother went off in the direction of Pride Rock; Sarabi turned toward the water whole. This was his chance.
Taka watched as Sarabi bowed her head toward the water. Her tongue taking long, drawn out laps of water.
"Sarabi." It came out sounding weird, as she turned around to face him, Taka smiled. He gave a silent thank you to the Kings as he saw Sarabi's muscles relax.
Taka opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, it was Sarabi who spoke first.
"Today, was a big day, wasn't it?" Sarabi took a deep breath. She wondered just how well Taka took the news. She couldn't find the answer by just looking into his emerald eyes.
"Well, yes. I suppose Mufasa told you." Why was this conversation so hard to have? Sarabi flashed her radiant smile. It was enough to send tremors down his spine. Sarabi bubbled over with excitement. Her amber orbs were dancing around Taka's vision.
"I can barely believe that I am going to be the queen!" I guess she doesn't want to be a princess.
"Oh, what about cubs! Mufasa would make an excellent father. I can't believe he loves me!" his love doesn't compare to mine.
"I bet you don't now how sweet your brother is! He'll make a great King one day."
As Sarabi continued to babble on and on about how great Mufasa was, Taka was fighting a losing battle inside. Typically he would agree about everything that Sarabi was saying about Mufasa because it was all true. But right now, Mufasa was the enemy. He had the one thing Taka wanted. As a part of him realized what was going on, something inside of Taka snapped. It seemed like he wasn't all there. His heart became filled with rage; the world seemed to fade to black.
Sarabi looked at Taka. Something was wrong. He stood in front of her, his emerald eyes narrowed, his teeth bared.
"Taka?" he heard nothing. No response was given.
"Are you alrigh…" Taka pounced. Sarabi fought back.
"Taka, what are you doing?" Sarabi was shocked. He was attacking her…viciously. His claws were unsheathed… he tore her stomach, chest, and shoulder. What scared Sarabi the most was the look in his eyes. His pupils were dilated. Taka was drooling. He didn't respond to any of her pleas to stop.
It seemed to go on forever… Sarabi continued to call for help, but no one came. Taka was completely overcome. Why did this feel so right? Why did it feel so good to hear her cry, to hear her beg for her life? He knew that he had given into the dark side. He couldn't stop now. He looked down at his handy work. Some wounds were superficial, others were deeper and continued to bleed. Even with the pain that this attack was inflicting on her, Sarabi continued to fight back. Taka was trying to get her to roll over, but she wasn't going to give in.
Time seemed to slow down. The regular Taka was gone. His inner demon took over. Then it all stopped. Maybe he got tired. Maybe his heart became whole again. By now, the stars were the only source of light.
She could feel blood spill out of her wounds, surely if no one came to save her, death would. Taka was shocked that Sarabi had stopped screaming. Maybe she had seen the error of her ways. As the lion inched closer and closer, Sarabi came up with an alternative plan. She would use reason.
She cleared her throat and prepared to speak.
"Taka… what is it that you want?" it came out weak. The lion laughed.
"What do you think I want Sarabi? I didn't take you for an unintelligent lioness…" Taka sneered. Sarabi took another deep breath. This wasn't going well.
"Tahk, you're the prince, you could have any lioness you wanted… why are you coming after me?" Sarabi looked at him. Taka or Tahk as she liked to call him seemed to ponder her words for a moment.
Not liking the look in his eyes, Sarabi crawled as fast as she could through the Savannah, paying no attention to where she was going. She only made it a few feet when she collapsed. She doubted that she would even have made it a little longer if Taka hadn't forced her to the ground.
"Taka, please!" Then she felt it. He was invading her implanting her with his seed. Sarabi squealed in pain as she tried to fight, but she couldn't. Taka's weight was more than she could escape. In situations like this, what are you supposed to do? Cub hood tales never entailed rape. What do you do when a lion forces himself into you? When your flat on your stomach and your paws are out in front of you but you can't get them up into an operative position? What the hell am I supposed to do? Sarabi thought to herself as Taka took a break.
Well, I've certainly done well tonight. Taka snickered to himself. He enjoyed the look of fear in the young lionesses face. It made him feel…powerful. While Taka was in his thoughts, Sarabi tried to crawl away. It was the only thing she could do. Every part of her hurt. Pain coursed through her like tidal waves. And then came another blow from Hurricane Taka. His claws masterfully slid across Sarabi's back, inflicting yet another wound. Making her emit a scream, but once again no one heard her.
Taka leaned down so that he could whisper in her ear. "Not a word… you never know what I might do next. With that, Taka took off toward Pride Rock. He didn't worry about being seen. He had no doubt that he could slip in unnoticed… once he washed the blood of his paws, that is.
After tonight, nothing would ever be the same. Taka would see to it.