Hello. See my profile if you're confused on why I'm starting a new story. This one more or less connects with my other stories, but it's too early for me to decide whether or not it's "cannon" to the others. None of the characters belong to me, except Siri and Haini(from OKaT2,under alias of Tojo, but not Rai's son Mentioned only).Don't use them without permission. The other characters belong to Disney. Story starts with some famous words in the middle of a conversation. If you saw TLK, you should know what's going on. Sort of an experiment story. Let me know what you think. Please forgive typos, review, and enjoy!
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Not Zazu!
"Hmm…." Sarafina smiled down at her daughter, before looking up at Sarabi, who was sunbathing on a nearby rock, "What do you think, Sarabi?"
Sarabi raised her head slightly and looked down at the two cubs before her with a small smile. Simba and Nala in turn looked up at her.
"Well…" Sarabi spoke up, a hint on consderation in her tone.
"Pleeeease?" Simba and Nala begged in unison through broad, forced grins.
"It's alright with me," Sarabi smiled at the two cubs.
The two cubs smiled excitedly and began to run off, jumping over each other and laughing.
"All right!" Nala cheered.
"Yeah!" Simba chimed in.
"…..As long as Zazu goes with you," Sarabi added to her previous speech.
The celebration of Simba and Nala died right there as they stopped in their tracks and looked at each other with annoyed frowns.
"No," Simba groaned in disappointment, "Not Zazu!"
"Yes, Zazu," Sarabi answered, a casual smile still decorating her face, "If you're going all the way to the Water Hole, you'll need an escort to keep an eye on you. We can't have you two getting yourselves into trouble, now can we?"
Simba and Nala exchanged surprised glances as they turned to the queen of the Pride Lands.
"Huh?" Nala asked in confusion, "How'd you know we….."
Nala was cut off as Simba placed his paw over her mouth and shot her a warning glance, shaking his head. Nala stared back at Simba, before nodding slowly. The princed of the Pride Lands took his paw of his friend's muzzle and placed it on the ground as he forced a look of innocence. Sarabi raised an eyebrow at the cubs.
"Did you say something, Nala?" Sarabi asked the female cub.
Nala paused for a moment and glanced at her paws, before mimicking Simba's smile as she looked up at Sarabi.
"Uh…Ackah!" Nala replied, faking a cough, "No, I was just clearing my throat…..I think I got a bone caught in there, or something."
At Nala's words, Sarafina rose to her feet, revealing her belly to be protruding from pregnancy. Nala cocked her head as her mother stood over her with a look of concern, raising her daughter's head upward with her paw.
"That's not good," Sarafina stated, shaking her head slowly, "Let me see, Nala. Open."
Nala paused for a moment, before opening her mother and opening her mouth. Sarafina looked into her daughter's mouth and down her throat, examining it carafully before releasing Nala's head.
"It...Looks fine to me, Sweetheart," Sarafina said in a confused tone, "I don't see any bones….I don't see anything!"
"Oh," Nala nodded thoughtfully, before smiling up at her mother, "Maybe I just swallowed a bug."
Sarafina paused for a moment and looked down at the two cubs. Simba and Nala gulped nervosuly.
"Well, that's nothing new," Sarafina stated with a relieved sigh, "It happens to me all the time. The little pests just don't watch where they're going."
Nala and Simba nodded, before turning to Sarabi and running over to the rock that she was lying on.
"Mom, does Zazu have to come with us?" Simba groaned, "He'll just get in the way!"
"'In the way?'" Sarabi asked in confusion, "In the way of what?"
"In the way of our fun," Nala explained with a groan, "He's so boring! He never lets us pounce on him or anything. Not to mention that he's completely full of himself! All he ever does is talk about how important he is to the kingdom!"
Simba nodded in agreement. Sarabi lowered her eyelids, a bit amused by Nala's speech. Of course, she tried her hardest not to let it show.
"I'm sorry that you feel that way," Sarabi sighed, "But Zazu has become a very special part of the kingdom. His years of loyal service have earned him the title of majordomo. He's always been there for us, and has never failed us once. That makes him the most trustworthy candidate to watch over you two."
"But…" Simba and Nala argued in unison, before being cut off by the queen.
"Thar's enough, you two," Sarabi stated a bit more sternly, but retaining her smile, "Zazu will be accompanying you, and that's final. Now, just wait here while I go find him."
Simba and Nala opened their mouths to speak, before quickly closing them and sitting beside each other. They had been beaten. Zazu would be watching them, whether they liked it or not. Sarafina shot the two cubs a pitying glance as they grumbled quietly, before running in front of Sarabi and blocking her way.
"Oh, have a heart, Sarabi," Sarafina smiled slightly, "There's no need to ruin their fun by forcing Zazu on them. Simba and Nala aren't babies, anymore. They're old enough to walk to the Water Hole by themselves. It's not very far away, after all."
Simba and Nala perked their ears up and looked over at Sarafina in surprise. Sarabi blinked a few times, before letting out a quiet breath and sitting down.
"Sarafina," Sarabi breathed, "I know that. I'll just be sending Zazu with them in case something happens to them."
Simba and Nala lowered their ears. Sarabi attempted to walk around her friend, before being blocked by Sarafina once more.
"Nothing will happen to them," Sarafina argued, "They're not going anywhere dangerous. Just the Water Hole."
"Even so," Sarabi shrugged, "I don't see how sending Zazu with them could do any harm."
Sarafina stared at Sarabi, smiling skeptically. Sarabi stared back at her friend in confusion.
"What?" Sarabi asked, raising an eyebrow at Sarafina.
"Do you remember when we were cubs?" Sarafina asked, "And how we always had a certain little hornbill following us around? And how annoying it was? And how we wished that she'd just leave us alone for once?"
Sarabi sat still for a moment and stared at Sarafina, considering her words. Sarafina smiled smugly. Her smile soon faded, as Sarabi spoke up once more.
"Yes," Sarabi nodded, "But don't you remember the reason why we needed constant supervision?"
Sarfina opened her mouth to reply, before closing it and placing a paw to her chin thoughtfully.
"I…I see your point," Sarafina nodded as she rubbed the back of her neck, before turning to the two cubs and mouthing the words, "Sorry. I tried."
Simba and Nala lowered their heads sadly and let out sighs of disappointment. Their heads would raised again as Zazu landed on a nearby rock in front of Sarabi. However, their disappointment stayed.
"Good afternoon, Queen Sarabi!" Zazu bowed happily, "I was just passing by on my way to count the hippos, when I caught sight of you. So, I thought I might check in to ensure that all is well in the life of my queen. Is there anything that you require?"
Simba and Nala rolled their eyes and glanced at each other.
"Suck-up," the two cubs commented in unison.
Sarabi smiled down at the hornbill and gave a quick nod.
"Good afternoon, Zazu," Sarabi smiled, "Actually, it's a good thing you stopped by. I was just about to go looking for you. Could I ask you for a favor?"
Zazu stood up straight, before bowing once more, this time more formally.
"Anything to serve my queen," Zazu replied reverently.
Sarabi lowered herself to the hornbill's level and smiled casually.
"Simba and Nala are going to the Water Hole," Sarabi explained, "I'd like you to accompany them, and keep them out of trouble."
Zazu immdiately backed up and shook his head, waving his wings back and forth.
"Ulgh…..Anything but that!" Zazu squawked pleadingly.
Simba and Nala picked up their heads, only to cock them in surprise. Sarabi and Sarafina exchanged confused glances, before turning back to Zazu.
"Pardon me?" Sarabi asked, raising an eyebrow at the majordomo.
"I'm sorry, but I simply cannot do it!" Zazu said, crossing his wings and putting his beak to the air.
"Why not?" Sarafina asked, stepping a bit closer to the hornbill.
Zazu puffed up his chest and flapped his wings a few times as he hopped forward.
"Because it is beneath me!" Zazu explained, ruffling his feathers indignantly, "Me? Babysitting? The very idea of it! Honestly, a majordomo of my talent is better suited to more…..sophisticated tasks."
"Like counting hippos?" Sarafina asked with a smirk.
Zazu glared at the smirking lioness, before turning away and pulling his head upward.
"Matters that I would not expect you to understand," Zazu replied in an almost hurt tone, "Besides, I'm much to busy, today. I've got a long list of assignments that…."
"That now include taking my son and his friend to the Water Hole," Sarabi interrupted, "You should spend as much time with them as possible. Keep in mind, Simba will be your king, one day."
Zazu shuddered at the thought, folding his wings around his body to steady himself.
"I know," Zazu breathed, glancing over at Simba, "He keeps reminding me!"
Both Sarabi and Sarafina looked over at Simba, who merely smiled innocently and shrugged. Sarabi let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. She wished that for once her son and Zazu could get along. Simba and Nala walked over to Sarabi and looked up at the queen with wide smiles.
"It's okay, Mom," Simba smiled, "Really, we understand if Zazu doesn't want to come with us. We'd only distact him from his important work. And we'd never want to do that! Tell you what. We'll go by ourselves. Come on, Nala."
Nala nodded and followed Simba as he began to walk off. Zazu turned around and smiled widely.
"Finally," Zazu nodded, preparing to fly off, "The cub speaks some sense!"
"Not so fast, you three!" Sarabi called to Simba, Nala, and Zazu.
The two cubs and the hornbill stopped in their tracks, slowly turning to face Sarabi with nervous looks on their faces.
"Zazu will be escorting you to the Water Hole," Sarabi explained to her son, before looking over at Zazu, "His job depends on it!"
Zazu's eyes widened as he froze for a brief moment, before flapping his wings erratcially.
"WHA…WHA…WHA…WHAT?" Zazu cried out in shock, flapping over to Sarabi.
"You heard me," Sarabi smiled down at Zazu calmly, "You are to watch over the cubs, or be fired."
Zazu's lower beak dropped, as the hornbill began to quiver. Suddenly, a slight smile found its way upon his beak.
"M…Mufasa would not allow it," Zazu stammered hopefully.
Sarabi blinked a few times, before smiling confidently.
"Whose side to you think he'd take?" Sarabi asked, "The side of his loving mate, who is always there lighten his load and offer comfort, or the side of of his majordomo, who is being very insubordinate about finding peace with his son?"
Zazu paused for a moment, before hanging his head in defeat and bowing.
"As you wish, Queen Sarabi," Zazu breathed quietly, hiding the fact that he was rolling his eyes in annoyance, "You are the boss, after all. Come Simba. Nala."
The two cubs groaned as Zazu hopped in front of them and flapped his wings. As the hornbill lifted to the sky, Simba turned to Nala and tapped her with his paw.
"Don't worry," Simba whispered with a smirk as Nala turned her head to him, "I'll think of something."
Nala returned the smirk and nodded. The two cubs turned back to their mothers and ran over to them.
"Bye, Mom," Simba smiled, brushing against Sarabi's leg, "I'll see you later."
Sarabi nodded and wrapped a paw around her son, giving him an affectionate lick on the head.
"Mom!" Simba complained, brushing down the tuft on his head.
"…Missed a spot," Sarabi smiled, nudging her son forward.
Simba continued to brush down his tuft, before smiling at his mother and running over to Zazu. Nala nuzzled Sarafina's face, before pressing her paws against her mother's shoulder.
"Can I say goodbye to the baby?" Nala asked her mother.
Sarafina blinked with surprise at the question, before smiling down at her daughter.
"Of course, Sweetheart," Sarafina nodded, rolling onto her side to expose her protruding stomach, "Go ahead."
Nala ran over to her mother's belly and wrapped her paws around it, brushing her face against the middle.
"I'm gonna go play with Simba, now," Nala told the unborn cub, "But I'll come back soon…Maybe on day, you can come out with us. Would you like that?"
All of the sudden, the baby kicked from inside Sarafina's stomach. Nala pulled her head back in surprise and looked over at her mother with an astonished smile. Sarafina smiled back at her daughter and nodded.
"Well," Sarafina chuckled, "I take that as a 'yes'!"
Nala giggled and embraced her mother's muzzle. Sarafina purred contently.
"Come on, Nala!" Simba groaned impatiently.
Nala quickly turned around to face Simba.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Nala rolled her eyes as she ran to Simba's side. Zazu let out on final sigh, before turning around to lead the two cubs off.
"Oh, and Zazu?" Sarabi called after the hornbill.
Zazu groaned and glanced over at Sarabi from over his shoulder.
"My queen?" Zazu asked, keeping his tone formal.
"If those cubs come back with even one scratch on them…." Sarabi stated.
"I know, I know," Zazu breathed, "I'll be out of a job."
"That should be the least of your worries!" Sarabi stated with warm, yet menacing.
Zazu gulped, before turning around and flying off, glancing down at Simba and Nala.
"Step lively," Zazu told the cubs, "The sooner we get to the Water Hole, the sooner we can leave."
Sarabi smiled as she watched Zazu and the two cubs disappear into the distance, before turning to Sarafina, who wore a shocked expression on her face. Sarabi cocked an eyebrow at her friend. Sarafina's shocked expression soon left, replaced by a calm one.
"Well," Sarafina stated, allowing herself a smile, "That's certainly I side of you that I've never seen!"
After a short pause and a wink from Sarafina, Sarabi chuckled quietly and walked back to her rock, lying on top of it to continue her sunbathing. Sarafina rolled onto her back, allowing her pregnant stomach to absorb some light. The queen of Pride Rock looked down at her friend's protruding stomach and smiled slightly. Sarafina, noticing this, smiled back and rubbed her belly affectionately.
"It shouldn't be long, now," Sarafina breathed contently, "Pretty soon, I'll have another cub, and another addition to my family! And I can't wait! It's just so exciting. Nala's looking forward to it as much as I am. She just loves the idea of having a younger sibling!"
Sarabi smiled, but only for a moment. A serious look came upon the queen's face as she stepped down from her rock and over to her friend.
"Have you…told Nala who the father is, yet?" Sarabi asked after a deep breath.
Sarafina's smiled faded as she carefully rolled to her feet and shook her head.
"No," Sarafina sighed sadly, "And I doubt I'll ever be able to. How could I? It would break her heart if she found out that this cub had a different father than she had! I can't do that to her...No…..She never needs to know the truth. As far as she knows, this cub is Siri's, just as she is….That way….she won't be hurt…"
Sarabi stepped closer to her friend and shook her head.
"Sooner or later, she'll find out," Sarabi stated, "It would be better if you told her yourself."
"What would she think of me?" Sarafina shot back at Sarabi, tears forming in her eyes, "Me, her mother? I did a horrible thing, Sarabi! I took on another mate mere hours after Siri died! How do I justify that? How?"
Sarabi placed a paw on her friend's shoulder, pulling Sarafina close to her. Sarafina let loose a stream of tears, crying into her friend's shoulder.
"It's okay," Sarabi told her friend softly, "You can't keep blaming yourself. You were in pain. You were vulnerable. Sometimes, a selfish lion will take advantage of that. And we were dealing with a very selfish lion. Yes, you made a mistake. But look what came out of it. Soon, you'll have another cub to love and take care of. I only wish that I was so blessed….You're going to be okay, Sarafina. I know you will. And I'll always be there for you, should you need help."
Sarafina slowly pulled herself away from Sarabi, wiping her tears away with her paw and smiling at her friend.
"Tha…Thank you, Sarabi," Sarafina nodded gratefully, "You have no idea how much that means to me."
Sarabi smiled back at her friend and walked to Sarafina's side, placing a paw on the lioness' shoulder. She decided that a change of subject was in order.
"So…" Sarabi began with a slight smile, "What do you think our cubs are planning on doing around the Water Hole?"
Sarafina turned to her friend and smiled, thinking the question over.
"Who knows, with those two!" Sarafina laughed with a shrug, "They can get themselves into almost anything, can't they? But, they always manage to get out of it, just the same. A pair of troublemakers…hehe….They certainly are compatible, aren't they?"
"Indeed they are!" Sarabi nodded with a chuckle, "It's a good thing that they are betrothed, isn't it?"
"Oh, sure," Sarafina rolled her eyes, "With the kinds of cubs they produce, we'll be lucky if Pride Rock doesn't break apart!"
The two friends shared an uproarious laugh as they lay in the grass. When they had finished their jokes, they both let out a sigh and looked upward.
"……Of course, they haven't gotten themselves into half the things that we did when we were cubs!" Sarafina stated, "Remember the first time me went out to play? Those antelope were pink for weeks!"
Sarafina allowed herself another laugh. Sarabi turned away and rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.
"I thought we agreed not to talk about those times," Sarabi stated.
"What?" Sarafina asked with a raised eyebrow, "The times when we were happy?"
"The times when we were foolish," Sarabi corrected, "….I hope you haven't been giving Nala any ideas. Spirit's know you have them!"
Sarafina shook her head.
"No," Sarafina stated matter-of-factly, "I'd more worried about what you're telling Simba about our early escapes."
Sarabi rolled to her stomach and cocked her head.
"What are you talking about?" Sarabi asked in surprise, "I never told Simba anything."
"That's not what I hear," Sarafina smirked, "Nala tells me that Simba taught her how to tie a monkey's tail to a tree. An art that I originated, and taught only to a select few. Yourself included. So tell me; how did Simba learn to do that?"
Sarabi looked away once more and scratched her neck.
"Hmm….." Sarabi stated thoughtfully, thinking of the proper answer, "Must've been Mufasa."
Sarafina rolled her eyes and got to her feet. She opened her mouth to speak, before noticing a familiar lioness walking to wards her and Sarabi. It was a smaller-built lioness with light-brown fur and eyes that held shades of both blue and green. Sarabi soon noticed the lioness, as well, and turned in her direction.
"Hello, Rai," Sarabi nodded to the lioness with a smile, "I haven't seen you in a while. Where have you been?"
Rai smiled back and nodded to the two lionesses.
"Oh, same old, same old," Rai chuckled, "Working in the Nursing Den…..And why must I come looking for you? Would it hurt to pay an old friend a visit, once in a while?"
Sarabi and Sarafina smiled at Rai as she sat down and began to groom her paw casually.
"Sorry," Sarafina smiled at the brown lioness, "We've both been a bit busy….And it can't be that bad. After all, you have Rafiki to help you. Not to mention your 'Little Assistant.' Speaking of which….Where's Tojo?"
Rai cocked her head, before straightening it and smiling widely.
"He's out with the birds," Rai explained, "And where, may I ask, are your cubs?"
"Similar situation," Sarabi replied with a slight smile, "They went to the Water Hole with Zazu."
Rai stared at Sarabi strangely for a moment, before speaking.
"Why would they want to be around that windbag?" Rai asked in confusion, "Odd choice in company, I must say."
Sarabi and Sarafina could not help but to laugh. Rai cocked her head and narrowed her eyes in a quandary.
"No, no," Sarabi explained as she finished laughing, "I sent Zazu out with them to ensure their safety."
Rai straightened her head, but kept her eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Safety?" Rai asked, "Safety from what? There's nothing dangerous about the Pride Lands. Now that Zira's run off, that is."
Sarabi and Sarafina paused, before nodding in agreement. What Rai had said was true. Life in the Pride Lands had become a lot more peaceful since Zira left.
"….Still," Sarabi stated, halting the movement of her head, "You never can be too careful."
Rai nodded, before noticing Sarafina's protruding belly.
"My!" Rai exclaimed, walking over to Sarafina, "You're cub sure has grown, Sarafina. Won't be long until it's ready to come into this world! Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Sarafina nodded with a wide smile, "It will be nice when it's finally out of me. It's been painful, carrying it for so long. Not to mention that I'll have another cub to love and take care of!"
At that statement, Rai's ears drooped downward.
"Well…." Rai breathed, "I….certainly am happy for you, Sarafina. I wish I was blessed with a cub to take care of."
Sarafina and Sarabi stared at Rai for a moment, surprise shining in their eyes.
"But….you are blessed with a cub," Sarabi stated carefully, "You have Tojo."
Rai shook her head slowly and gave a bittersweet smile.
"Tojo….Tojo has grown up very fast," Rai explained, "Much too fast, for my liking. He used to come to me all the time with his problems. And I'd help him through each one. Every bad dream, every injured leg…..But not anymore. He's able to work through them, himself. He's become so independent….and the way he takes care of those birds…..I'm happy for him, but at the same time…..I'm sad. He doesn't need me, anymore…."
Rai lowered head and let out a heavy sigh. Sarafina and Sarabi walked to their friend's side, both placing a paw over a shoulder.
"Rai…" Sarabi breathed in disbelief, "Of course he needs you. He'll always need you!"
"That's right," Sarafina added quietly, "The fact that he's so good at being a caregiver for those birds only shows that you've put him on the right path. But he'll still need your help to find his way on that path. You've done a great job with him so far, Rai. And you'll only continue to do so."
Rai smiled slightly and raised her head, nodding to both of her friends thankfully.
"I…I suppose you're right," Rai breathed, "At least, I hope you're right…."
Rai suddenly froze, remembering why she had left the Nursing Den in the first place. The brown lioness took a few steps forward and looked to the sky, before turning to Sarabi.
"…S…Sarabi?" Rai asked reluctantly, "Would you mind if I borrowed Sarafina for a little while? I won't keep her long, I'd just like to talk with her in private, for a little while."
Sarabi and Sarafina glanced at each other in confusion.
"I…It's alright with me," Sarabi shrugged, "As long as it's alright with Sarafina."
Rai looked over at Sarafina hopefully. Almost desperately. Sarafina stared back at Rai, before nodding slowly.
"Um….Okay. Sure," Sarafina nodded, before turning to Sarabi, "I'll be back soon….I guess."
Sarabi nodded. Rai gave a sigh of relief as Sarafina walked towards her and cocked her head.
"Come," Rai breathed, turning around and walking off, "I'll explain everything, soon enough."
Sarafina took one final glance at Sarabi, before following Rai. The two lionesses continued forward for about fifteen minutes, before Sarafina spoke up.
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Sarafina asked.
Rai stopped in her tracks and looked all around, before turning to Sarafina and taking a deep breath.
"Scar," Rai replied quietly.
Sarafina's eyes widened with shock at the mention of Scar's name.
"Sc….Scar?" Sarafina asked, completely surprised, "What about…"
"Not here," Rai breathed, looking upward at the sky as a flock of birds flew overhead, "Can't risk anyone hearing what I'm going to share with you. It's far too dangerous….Let's head towards Pride Rock. I'll tell you everything once we're in one of the vacant dens."
Rai began to walk towards Pride Rock. Sarafina paused for a moment, before following the brown lioness. Whatever Rai had to say about Scar, Sarafina needed to hear.
For over the many years that she'd known him, Scar had come to be one of Sarafina's closest friends. He was the only friend she had who never once turned on her. He was always there for her, even in the most desperate of times. He was the first lion to ever love her, and the first lion that she had ever loved.
And most importantly, he was the father of the cub that now grew inside her.
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Really need feedback on this one. Really. Really, really, really! Any advice or anything you have to say. PLEASE REVIEW!! Like I said, I'm hoping to get this whole story done in a week. So I need reviews.