A new Era had fallen over Pride Rock. A new kind rose to the throne, a new queen joining him by his side. A new prince had been born, and he now possessed the destiny of being a prince like so many before him.
But besides such births of positions and new prince's, other not-so-desireable changes had also come to pass. Many of the childhood friends of the most famous Lion King had finally passed their time. Those included the other non-lion exiles, and the royal bird that had served a lasting occupation. But there was one who still was alive, one who was very wise and old, but age and weakness forced to leave his shelter only when necessary and needed.
But despite these changes, the wonderful and not so desirable, the new prince was the head of all worries and thoughts at Pride Rock. For he was the one destined to rule only after his own father.
His name was Tarako.
Tarako was young, very young, and he lived happily like any cub should with the now reigning kind and queen by their sides. But that was about to change, as not only was the course of destiny about to change, but so was the Tarako's single childhood. As a new creature was about to enter the Pride, a new 'unit' creature as many would call it.
On an early morning, when the sun had risen on the day the new creature would be introduced, Tarako was anxious and hyper, desperately wanting to get out. There was no reason why his father should still be asleep, he had promised many nights before that today would be the day, the day where Tarako would be shown the world in which his destiny promised him.
Tarako had woken up early, and walked outside to get the very first glance of the sun rising over the kingdom. It was a beautiful sight indeed, one that many missed for the sake of sleep. Including the pride of lions that Tarako's blood-heritage belonged too.
He quickly grew tired of waiting, and began to feel irritated and annoyed, his short temper rising. Why wasn't his father up? Hadn't he promised him they would go?
Tarako walked back to the dark entrance to the cave, sat down in the middle and gave out a childlike wail of a call.
"Dad!"
There was no answer, not a stir, a growl, or even a 'shut-up!' from the den of sleeping lions. Tarako rolled his eyes, waited a few seconds for a hopeful answer, but when one did not come he called again, this time much louder and longer.
"Dad! Wake up!"
This time, could see a slight movement, and the sound of padded paws against dirtied rock. For a moment he became excited and stood on his tiptoes, hoping to see the outline of his father walking toward him.
But there was only a slight rustle, and once again silence. Tarako become more then just annoyed, and to the point where he was even angry. He walked in further in the den and cried out once again for his father.
"DAAAD!"
This time, there was more rustles, as the outline of a lion did appear to move, followed by several moving out of the way for the one who walked. Their sleep being awakened and disturbed by the voices of the naughty little prince.
Tarako sat down. He heard the sound of walking, and the outline grew bigger and more compelled. The figure came closer towards Tarako, until the figure clearly became the outline of his dark-maned father. He recognized the daintiness of sleepy eyes. The young cub daintily walked into the den. He was careful not to step on any lioness's that happened to be sprawled out in his path. Almost soundless he reached his father. Kovu's deep sleep was awakened by the noises of his young cub.
"Dad! Wake up!"
Kovu barley stirred and pretended to still be asleep. "Dad, come on, I know your awake" Tarako mumbled in an annoyed tone. "Get up!"
Kovu opened his eyes and looked at his son. " OK Tarako, I'm awake, just please be quiet" Tarako smiled and bounded out of the cave.
Kovu stood up, stretched and began to walk. But something stopped him.
He could see Tarako on the tip of Priderock laughing and looking at everything. It, reminded him on the time when he was young. He had never been taught anything like he was ready to teach. His entire childhood had revolved around killing and hatred. If it hadn't been for Kiara, Kovu may have succeed in killing Simba. But love over took his heart, and in the revolution between the two prides, Kovu learned the wisdom that Simba had known, and he thankfully cherished it.
As Kovu watched his son he made a silent prayer.
"I'm about to teach my son what you taught me Simba, please give me guidance on the right words to say"
As soon as he thought it, Kovu felt better. It reassured him on what to reveal, and what to keep hidden.
Kovu walked outside, right up to his son, and sat down. Tarako looked up at him with a frown on his face. "Dad, what took you so long?" he questioned.
"A lion's got to get a morning stretch" Kovu answered with a small laugh.
Tarako ignored him and looked out again. The sun had risen up higher, and almost everything was in sight. The antelopes where feeding, the zebras where running, the birds were flying. Tarako had the thought that he wanted to see everything.
"Dad can we go now?"
Kovu continued to stare out. "Son," he said simply. "There is something you need to know before we do any looking" Tarako sat there, bored, irritated, and waiting for his instructions.
Kovu took in a breath and let it out.
"Tarako, as you know, I am king. I run the Pridelands, and every animal in it. It is my duty and respect. But with each passing day, my time as king grows shorter, and Tarako, listen very carefully, that time, is death, and when that time comes, You will be here to take my place"
Tarako looked up at his father. "So, someday, I will rule this place?" he asked.
Kovu nodded. When he noticed the worried expression on Tarako's face, he smiled. " Don't worry son, that won't be for along time" he told his son.
Tarako regained his smile.
"The circle of life is a never ending cycle, it will go on and on, if it is disturbed, everything could be thrown off balance."
Tarako carefully and obediently listened to his father's words on instruction. But as Kovu revealed knowledge passed down from so many generations before, and newly acquired wisdom from his fulfillment to become one of his original grouping, Tarako simply grew tired of hearing this. His mind was not on his father's words, but on the land in which he was standing on. He loved the new land he stood above, the sunlight grazing down on his back that he stood beneath. He heard instinct of the animals and their feed, and he craved to do the very thing other lions did everyday,
Hunt.
But, besides that, there were several things that Tarako wanted to know more importantly.
"Dad?"
"Yes, son?"
"I want to know about the family history"
Kovu was afraid of this question. He had not yet, and never planned to tell Tarako about the great battle that was taken between the prides. He had no plans to tell his son that he had once had a mind of a killer, and that he would have succeeded, if it hadn't been for Kiara's outwitted charm.
"Son, listen to me-"
"Who was king before you? Where did Mom come from? How come there are so many lioness's here? Why-" Kovu gently placed his large paw over Tarako's mouth, " Tarako not so many questions at a time" he laughed. "Listen, you may want to ask your mother about the family history, she may be able to tell it better then I can"
Tarako was disappointed "Fine," he dejected sourly. " But can you tell me one thing? Mom told me it was she that was born to Simba, not you, and you weren't originally part of the pride. So where did you come from? Huh?"
Kovu looked away. He did not know how to answer this question. " Tarako-" he started. " It's along story and I'd rather not talk about it." Tarako rolled his eyes. " OK, fine dad, lets continue with the circle of life stuff..."
But Kovu had hardly heard his son. He had heard a sound, and it wasn't the usual sound of the antelope running, or the elephants shouting. He heard a pained cry, and almost a scream of agony. This may have been a normal cry if it had belonged to some other animal. But this cry sounded like a cry from a big cat. What if it was one his own lionesses?
Kovu suddenly leaned down and whispered to Tarako. " Listen Tarako, I want you to go home now."
"Why Dad?"
"Its something Tarako, its something, now please go home"
Tarako looked straight at his father. He had never heard him sound to serious, so..urgent. "Tarako, go home!" Kovu repeated. " But dad, what's wrong?" Tarako questioned stepped forward.
"Tarako go home!" Kovu yelled. Frightened, Tarako bounded home as fast as he could.
Kovu watched his disappear out of site, then he started to dash to the direction of the cry. " I didn't mean to yell at him like that, but whatevers going on over there, he can't be in, but he refused to go home..." Kovu made a mental note to himself to apologize to Tarako when he got home.
If I do come home... he thought.